The Nannak

By Benedict Martin

The orcs tell a story about a creature. They call it the Nannak, a monster so powerful, it can rip the wings off dragons. Of course, it is nothing more than a legend, a tale told around campfires on cold autumn nights. Or is it? For one young human named Arlo, legend becomes reality, and in the process, changes him forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Benedict Martin
• Release date: Dec 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9780987698230

Benedict Martin

Benedict Martin lives in Ottawa with his lovely wife and two wonderful children. He also has three pet rats: Moochie, Sniffles, and Grover. They're surprisingly intelligent, those rats. In fact, one night Benedict woke to Moochie telling him the plot of a novel he should write. Benedict's wife swears it was a dream. And maybe it was, but Benedict's taken to leaving a pad of paper and a pen next to the rat cage. You know, just in case.

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The Nannak

By Benedict J. Martin

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Benedict J. Martin

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The Nannak

I’ll never forget that morning. The sun was big and bright, the sky an incredible blue. It was beautiful. And hot. Boy, was it hot. I kept having to wipe the sweat from my forehead before it trickled into my eyes. That’s what I remember the most about that particular morning. That and the horrible feeling of dread.

You can run, Arlo. Back up the road. Nobody will stop you.

Joey's right, said Ken. You could make it to town by evening. No one in their right mind would blame you.

I'll admit, it was tempting. There were occasions during the last couple hours where I very nearly jumped out of the wagon. Unfortunately, my sense of honor was keeping me nailed to the bench.

How long have we been here? I asked.

Ten minutes, answered Joey. They'll be here soon. If you want to run, you better run now.

I shaded my eyes with my hand and watched the other side of the river, where the road disappeared over the grassy hill, and sure enough the distant speck of a wagon rolled into view.

We sat there, watching as it drew steadily closer. I don't know what I expected—maybe a rolling cage decorated with skulls and rusty spikes. That they were using a regular wagon surprised me.

On it moved, growing ever larger, until it reached their side of the bridge.

It's time, said Joey.

Without another word our wagon rolled forward. We readied our swords. We hoped there would be no need for them; this was to be a peaceful meeting after all. Or at least, that was the plan. You never could be too careful, though. Not with orcs.

For all three of us, this was the first time we’d actually seen our enemies in the flesh, and the sight of their jade-colored skin was enough to make the hair on my arms stand to attention.

There were four of them, one more than the number agreed upon.

Animals, whispered Ken. Should have known they wouldn't abide by the rules.

They certainly were fearsome. As they brought their wagon alongside ours, they stared at us with piercing gray eyes. Before leaving, my father had instructed me that no matter what happened, I was not to show any fear. I don't think I succeeded. Joey and Ken, though, were doing a marvelous job, returning the fiends' glares with fierce stares of their own while the river flowed noisily beneath us.

Are you ready? asked Joey, looking over his shoulder at me.

I picked up my bag and placed it on my lap.

What do I do? I whispered. Do I just get out?

I'd barely finished speaking when one of the orcs stood up and jumped from the wagon. He was young, like me, although with a shaved head and a leather vest. And also like me, he was carrying a bag.

It looks like it's time, answered Joey.

If I was a religious person I would have said a prayer. Instead I took a deep breath, slinging the bag around my shoulder before slowly climbing out of the wagon. I wanted so badly to appear calm, but my body was not cooperating. I was sweating, my knees were shaking, and my stomach was so choked with butterflies I was worried any lapse in concentration would have led to them escaping from my mouth.

Meanwhile my orcish counterpart appeared completely in control, calmly watching Joey and