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A rasping howl came from the creature's throat. A dry imitation of the roaring bellow it would have sounded in life. Unopposed and howling in defiance the minotaur stepped through the open gate and out onto the hillside.
Ragnar raced up to the gateway, and with his axe drawn back in a two-hand grip, such as lumberjack might use to fell a tree, he hewed a great gash into the minotaur's leathery side. The blade sliced in and opened an unbreathing lung, a lifeless, shriveled bag. It fractured ribs and sent a spray of dry grey-flesh and splintered bone trailing after the path of the axe.
With an arm longer than Ragner's leg, the minotaur lashed out. Ragnar could not avoid the clawed fingers, but he ducked and took a glancing blow across a mail-clad shoulder. It was a hurtful touch, filled with strength and malice, directed by some unseen hand that brought the dead to life. Rings of steel turned molten, orange like the glowing eyes, and set Ragnar's padded shirt asmolder.
"Try to cripple it!" Emiel yelled. "Remember, it can't bleed or feel the pain."
"Tell me something I don't know!" Ragnar screamed back. He'd struck again and opened its chest wide. The minotaur's leftside ribs were all caved in or gone, but the damage only seemed to make the creature mad.
Again, a tree-like arm swung out. Ragnar turned it with a well-placed blow, and as he did, he saw and heard the strangest thing. A crackling like bacon spitting in a pan, a rise of smoke, and the minotaur's skin began boiling on its frame.
The direct sunlight, it scorched the monster with its rays and without a flame burnt it where it stood.
Ragnar jumped back, then tripped and slid down the sloping hill. He came to rest on the narrow valley path beside the stream. A soaking figure, Ted, pulled itself up over the bank nearby.
The minotaur was a cloud of steaming flesh and broiling bones, a walking stew, but still it lurched its way toward its nearest foe.
Emiel, he paused, prepared to strike, but beyond the charring beast he saw another pass through the gate. Another as tall and broad, its horns steel capped and its chest clad in chain.
"Enough of this." Emiel spoke quietly to himself. He skidded down, scrapping through the underbrush. "Cross the stream!" He cried.
Ted heard and threw himself back over the bank.
Ragnar, once more upon his feet, gave a nod and followed after Ted.
With skin all gone, the minotaur's muscles began to burn as well. It took a stiff-legged step, then the shrinking tendons snapped. It fell. In a tumbling, smoking heap it rolled and passed Emiel, then flew out over the bank's edge and splashed into the stream.
Two more minotaurs had exited the tunnel mouth. Emiel could see the first curl of smoke begin to rise from their long dead skin.
"Come join your kind!" He yelled to them.
A familiar sepulchered voice called back, "Nulfu-jere!" it screamed through the minotaur's mouth. "Vos-muse! Vos-muse!
* * *
The valley was behind them. They'd ridden well into the afternoon, three silent figures letting their horses take a leisurely pace. They camped as soon as they found a thick patch of woods to screen them.
"Nothing like a fight to wear you out." Ragnar said as they dismounted. He yawned, "waaggghhh" his jaw unhinging like a snake's.
"Stop that." Emiel said then yawned himself. "See what you've started. You take first watch."
"What! I'm dead on my feet," Ragnar complained. "Ted, you take watch. I need to close my eyes for an hour. Your magic brews are tasty, Emiel, but they make you tired as eating a roast turkey in winter."
* * *
"Wake up!"
Ragnar snapped awake. For a moment he was lying in that stonewalled hideaway back at the farmhouse, then the dream vanished and the late afternoon sun was shining pale and green though the leaves around their camp.
"I'm up." Ragnar pushed a thick blanket aside.
"We need to talk." Emiel said. He sat nearby upon the trunk of a fallen tree.
"Hand me that canteen." Ragnar pointed to his saddle.
Emiel took a round, wooden canteen that was tied to the pommel of the saddle and tossed it to the barbarian. Ragnar caught it and unscrewed the cap. He took a swig, swished it round his mouth, then spat. Pouring some into his hand he splashed it on his face and cleared his sleepy eyes.
"Better?" Emiel asked.
"Awake at least." said Ragnar.
"Our plans have changed." Emiel held a stick and scratched an artless pattern into the oerth.
"Your plans." Ragnar stated. "Mine remain the same."
"What? You mean to go after that giant alone?" Emiel looked up.
"It's why I am here."
"You're crazy."
"Oh!, not as crazy as you think." Ragnar laughed. "I'm not going to knock on the giant's door and challenge him to a fight, and I'm not going to attack him while he has his company about, but I'm not giving up without a try, at least."
"I must find my people, my wife." Emiel said then smiled. "I was unsure what Mikhel meant..."
"You mean that wild man who took off at the gate?" Ragnar asked.
"Yes, that was Mikhel. Ted talked with him. My wife had left before the trouble came. Ted could get little else from him, some dark things happened and all my people who were there are dead."
"All your people." Ragnar sat up now, he rolled the blanket as he talked.
"No. Not all, but many." Emiel replied. "That was our most eastern stronghold. It could hold the greater part of our group or we could leave it empty and know our supplies were safe, but now, who knows what has woken from behind those doors."
"So then, what are your plans?" Ragnar finished with his work and tied both blanket and canteen to his saddle.
"I want to find my wife, but that is not as selfish as it sounds." Emiel said.
"You southerns have the strangest loyalties." Ragnar exclaimed. "You need not apologize to me that you love your wife."
"I apologize to no one." Emiel snapped, then with a more mild tone went on. "My wife leads when I am away. She will be with the remainder of my people. They must hear what has happened to Patel and the others back there." he nodded toward the way they'd come.
"I do not know these lands." Ragnar said. "But I will scout them out. I could use your help even as a guide."
"Come with us. Once I have found my wife, I will lead you to this giant and help as much as I can." offered Emiel.
"Alright. I doubt it will cost much time. I would have to spend some getting to know the lay of the land in any case." Ragnar reached out his hand and Emiel clasped it. A pact was made and set.
* * *
(To Be Continued)