Free The Crystal Warriors by William R. Forstchen

men looked at each other nervously.
    "You have made an enemy of Sarnak the Accursed," Pina continued. "Not a wise thing to do, even for experienced sorcerers of this world. To ones such as yourselves..."
    He fell silent for a moment, letting the reality sink in.
    "You have little food, no water, no shelter, and wounded to heal. What will you do when his demons come again this evening?"
    The offworlders muttered among themselves. A breeze stirred the trees and brought the stench from the smoldering demons lying on the ground. Mark looked from the alien sky to the beasts, suppressing a shudder.
    Pina smiled inwardly at Mark's anxiety. He knew a simple way of demonstrating his intentions and power. Walking over to Josh's stretcher, he gestured for the humans to draw back. The men looked to Mark, who ordered them to obey with a wave of his hand.
    This would be a drain to his power but Pina took one of the crystals from his belt, cupped it in his hand and laid it on Jose's wounds. Though he did not have the talent to completely heal the wounds, he could at least stabilize the injury and end the pain. Josh's eyes flickered open and met Pina's, and then turned towards Mark.
    "Captain, where are we?"
    Mark shook his head and smiled. "Later, Jose, later."
    * * * *
    The Americans and Japanese were divided into two groups facing Pina. The conference had been going on for over an hour.
    Finally Ikawa said, "Enough! You say that in return for three of your years' service, you will assist us in this world."
    "That is correct. My lord and master Aliic will provide you with food, shelter, and training in return for your enlistment under his banner. If you serve honorably, you will be treated honorably."
    "Our duty is to serve the emperor. We cannot serve him if we are dead or stuck here." Ikawa cast a steely eye at his men and barked a command. Each Japanese snapped to attention and bowed. Turning back to Pina, Ikawa continued, "So we will swear fealty to your Lord Allic for three years and then we will try to return home." And he bowed.
    Pina, using the knowledge he had assimilated from their minds, bowed back at the correct angle, and they straightened at the same moment.
    Conversation had ceased among the Americans while this took place, and as Pina turned to face them, Kochanski burst out, "I just can't believe this. Not only are we in a nightmare, but we're going from the twentieth century back to the middle ages and now we gotta swear to serve some feudal lord. It's too much."
    "Look at it this way, Sergeant," drawled Lieutenant Goldberg. "You're just enlisting in another army."
    "We sure as shit don't have much choice," agreed Walker.
    Mark heard them and said, "If anybody has any negatives, let's hear them now, 'cause we're going for it otherwise. Remember, this guy saved Josh's life." He pointed to where their comrade peacefully slept.
    No one spoke.
    Mark turned to Pina. "All right. We also agree to serve for three years. But no fast ones."
    "Elaborate, please."
    "I will not command my men to pull any bullshit like massacring innocents or if..." Mark floundered for a moment, then continued, "your treatment of us leaves anything to be desired. If you get too nasty all bets are off and we try to make it on our own."
    "You are giving a conditional acceptance then?"
    "Yes."
    Pina stood straighter for a moment as if in communication with someone not present and then continued, "Allic has agreed, but rest assured, we do not massacre innocents, and your treatment will be honorable."
    "So what happens after this?" asked Walker.
    "We'll take you to Landra, our province's capital, and find you quarters. Then you'll start your training."
    "What kind of training?" Ikawa asked.
    "All of you outlanders have the potential to be sorcerers. The force you call magic is simply the ability to control your will, and then to draw upon the Essence and shape it to your desire. Very few here have this ability, because most humans are genetically unable to