Elyar found himself in the saddle for another whole day. Just like yesterday, there was not a lot of variety. Their pace remained the same. A steady gallop their e-steeds could hold for the duration of the day. The ride was menotinous. But it gave him plenty of time to think. Whether he wanted to or not.
They had broken camp at first light. It did not take long to deconstruct his tent and store it in his saddle bag. Jerome had offered him some breakfast which he graciously took. Riding near the back they quietly ate a few hand full before storing them.
After an hour or so of riding they came across a small creak of fast flowing water. They stopped to refill their canteens and let the e-horses drink. Elyar took a swig of his water and ice cold, refreshing water coursed down his throat. It tasted earthy. Once they were finished, Frem jumped back on his e-steed and announced it was time to ride.
And ride they did. Eventually the terrain began to change. The grass grew shorter, more rocks began jutting out of the ground, and more and more trees appeared. By the time the sun had reached its peak, tall pines with thick needles began towering above them. At first it was one here and there. Eventually there were great patches of them turning into little forests surrounded by paths of meadows.
Frem slowed his pace up front as the trees became thicker. There was no dedicated path and the roots were starting to become a potential hazard. But he could tell Frem was not letting their surroundings hamper their travel to much. He seemed to be a cautious man. But Elyar could tell he knew his way in the wild.
Finally the sun began to set. Like the night before, Elyar’s surroundings turned into a watercolor painting. But this time it was the trees that turned magical. Their dark needs and large trunks transformed as the light hit them and Elyar changed his mind. He had thought the night before was one of the most beautiful scenes he had ever seen. Now he thought this night was.
They kept trotting for an hour or two more before Frem motioned for them to make camp. He had found a flat clearing on top of a small ridge. It would provide some security in the event of an unlikely attack, but was comfortable enough for sleeping. Like the night before, a few of them gathered sticks while another chopped thicker pieces of wood. This time it was Declan who made the fire. Jerome and Elyar helped gather wood and they found a small stream as well.
As night fell they had transformed their little piece of land into a comfortable camp. The fire was roaring and everyone seemed to be in better cheer. Elyar’s body did not ache as much as before and as he loo ked around it looked like he was not alone in that feeling.
Conversation began to flow amongst the Hunters. Ruzur began telling a story about how he had participated in a gladiator arena. He and selected other men fought to submission or death within a large pit for the local people. The winner received land and a yearly allotment of coin.
“Did you have to compete?” Elyar asked as the story was winding down.
Ruzur looked at him with a hint of annoyance. “No. These fights, they were not compulsory. But great honor is bestowed upon the victor. No man in his right mind would turn down the opportunity.”
Elyar slowly nodded his head as Ruzur answered his question. He wasn’t going to ask another and make the man more annoyed at him. Conversation continued and even Declan broke his silence to tell a tale about a northern drinking contest he had won. He had drunk one whole barrel of ale defeating twenty other men. With roars of laughter and app lause everyone agreed it was a mighty feat.
As the stories ebbed and flowed Elyar grabbed a smooth rock near his seat. He took his knife and started etching runes on it as Frem dramatically described a boar hunt from his youth. Frem stood up and became more and more animated. He wash dashing here and there demonstrating the events. Everyone was enthrawled. Elyar had dropped the stone somewhere around the time Frem was on his back fighting off the boar. His mouth slowly opened a little as the story intensified.
Frem, lying on his back slowly mimicked how he slayed the mighty beast. He struck and struck it with an imaginary knife. Then lay still, the fake exhaustion over coming him.
The group applauded, whistled, and yelled. Elyar had no idea people fought such beasts. They did not have boar in the Feud. Thinking about it, he was not even sure what they looked like. He thought about the story for a few more minutes. A chuckle escaped him here and there. Then he heard the now familiar strum of Jerome’s fingers against strings.
He looked up and saw his friend standing beside the fire. One foot on a log with his weight resting on his thigh to better support his growing musical number.
As the guitar crachendoed, he quickly slowed his play into a quiet melody. As Elyar’s attention was fixated on Jerome, another instrument joined the song. He looked over and saw Declan playing a flute. Their melodies drifting in and out of each other creating an etherial composition.
The music washed over the firelight seemingly dimming it’s glow. The heat it emitted did not diminish, but the world felt like it was clos ing in on Elyar.
Then a voice lifted itself over the scene. Elyar knew it was Jerome’s voice.
My road wanders far from me, A path not straight, meandering. I must follow, I cannot resist, Though pain and striff persist.
Walk I may over hills and under trees,
My life I live is mine, I travel through the breeze. I see a darkness I must defend, Those I love I will transcend.
Their love and life is worth my plight,
Forever then,
Forever now,
Forever on I shall fight.
Jerome stopped singing and continues strumming for a little longer. Declan lowered his flute and the world became silent. Elyar sat staring at the fire as everyone sat quietly enjoying the peaceful night. A small crackle came from th fire. Silence.
A howl ripped through darkness. Then another and another. The terrible sound came from everywhere. The Hunters jumped to their feet weapons seemingly appearing in their hands. Elyar scrambled to his feet as he tried to remove his sword. He was slower then the rest, but he too held his sword as the next round of howls broke around them.
Jerome stood next to Elyar shield and sword in hand. Declan and Frem stood across the fire from them and Ruzur and Havol were to his left and right between the two groups.
They formed a protective circle around the fire. Using it’s glow to help spot the animals.
“There!” Havol whisper yelled pointing with his two headed axe toward a spot ahead of him. Elyar turned slightly and saw a massive wolf. Bigger than any he had ever heard of. Teeth the size of daggers, thick dark grey fur, and eyes black as midnight.
It snarled as two more wolves appeared at the firsts shoulders. Then Jerome nudged Elyar. He turned and saw two more standing about twe nty feet in front of them. Luckily they had a little cover from the trees.
Without sign or warning the wolves charged. The two in front of
Jerome and Elyar broke into a sprint as they separated. One charged at Jerome and the other sped toward Elyar.
His grip on his sword tightened, but his palm was becoming sweaty.
He felt naked and vulnerable without his shield which was in his tent.
Within seconds the beast was upon him. It leapt at him as he tried to side step while swinging his sword. One claw snagged his shoulder cutting three lines of red. It quickly spun around and tried to bite him. The wolf snapped, snarled, and swung it’s claws at him. But he was able to keep it a little at bay with his sword.
He was facing the campfire now and saw a little of the other battles going on. Havol had decapitated one wolf, but was now on the ground with a wolf’s mouth around his axe handle. They were wrestling and Elyar was not sure who was winning. The massive wolves looked incredi bly strong.
The other Hunters each had a wolf they were fighting while one or two more stalked outside the firelight looking for an opportunity.
The wolf in front of Elyar was becoming enraged and wildly flung itself on top him. Elyar let out a yell as he was flung on the ground. Luckily, he did not lose his sword. The animal bit down and Elyar this this sword to block. He held it perpendicular to the animals mouth wh ile it snarled and lashed.
It tried to swipe at him but he was able to dodge while trying to use his position to slice the wolf’s face.
An idea appeared in his mind. Frustrated that he hadn’t thought of it before he took in a deep breath and dodged another claw and pull from the wolf. He was not sure why it had not let his sword go. But now he was glad it had not.
He released his breath and breathed onto his sword. As his breath hit the blade he opened up his being to the source around him. He felt an unexpected surge of energy enter his body as his mind touched a source of iron hot energy. The weave entered his soul as he channeled into his sword. Satisfaction engulfed him as his blade began turning white hot where his breath hit.
The wolf let out a wild yelp as it ripped itself off him. Sore, beat up, and exhausted Elyar pried himself off the ground yielding his smoltering weapon. The wolf snarled and then charged.
Angry, but filled with the weave he had moments ago embraced he saw his opening and took it. As the beast was in mid stride he took a slight step to his right, placed his sword in both hands pointing toward the earth, and closed his eyes.
He did not know why, but he could feel the approach and knew when to swing. He paused, slowed his breath, and then swung. A satisfying glunch sounded when his blade effortlessly passed through the beast severing its head. Blood flew everywhere splattering Elyar’s face and body. His shoulder burned in pain and his limbs where heavy from his fight, but none of it compared to the rage boiling within him.
The rest of the party fought off the remainder of the wolves. Havol had beaten his off him, though it still lived. Frem and Ruzur fought anot her together, while Declan and Jerome fought three more.
Elyar surveyed the scene and charged toward the three wolves. Brandishing his sword in both hands he drive it deep into the skull of the first. Fur caught on fire and it’s blood steamed out. As the beast fell Elyar saw shock appear on the two men’s face.
“How is your blade…is it on fire?” Jerome stammered as he blocked a claw jab a wolf. It stood at a distance trying to get at him, but it clearly did not like his sword.
Light cascaded off Elyar’s sword as he approached the second wolf. The beast looked at his glowing blade and it started backing up. The other wolf did the same before they both broke off and ran away. As they fled the other wolves joined their retreating pack. But, just as they thought victory was at hand, howls broke the night. Elyar knew the wolves were not done hunting.
“Break camp! Quickly! We ride before these evil beasts return!” Shouted Frem as they all broke into a hurry. Relinqueshing the power feeding his sword, he safely put it away in its sheath before he hastily stowed his tent where it belonged while Jerome repacked his belongings beside him.
“Where are our steeds?” Havol yelled.
“What?” Ruzur asked frustration seeping from his voice.
The two men searched the wooden clearing they had kept their ehorses, but they were gone. Elyar knew these types of horses were trained to not run during a fight. Their absence made him concerned somet hing else was a foot.
After packing Elyar stood wearing his pack and looking out through the trees trying to see anything he could. He had not noticed it before, but a deep haze had descended upon the forest. Movement caught his eyes. His eyes locked on the spot. Nothing. Then something began moving.
What he saw confused him. It looked like a decapitated wolf. Elyar began looking around for the wolf he had first slain. He walked over to where he thought he had killed the animal. In the leaves and grass was the puddle of blood. A few feet away he found the head. It smelled like death and burnt fur. As he stumbled around the area he could not find the rest of the wolf.
Where was the body?
He rushed back to the camp and happily saw that everyone was packed.
“We need to find the horses!” Havol was yelling.
“They could be anywhere, we must travel by foot.” Said Frem.
Ruzur stood nodding his head with is arms crossed. “What say the other two?”
Elyar was just walking up when he heard them talking. He stopped as everyone looked at him and Jerome. His breathing was short and his heartrate was high. They needed to move. And fast.
“We must run. Now. I saw something just now. I know not what it was, but it looked like the headless wolf I killed. I cannot find the body. This fog is making me feel…weird. We have fog in the Feud. But this is different.” He looked at Jerome and saw him agreeing.
“Then we run.” Stated Frem flatly.
Without another word the group began walking. They kept the fire burning hoping to distract anything, or anyone. Everyone kept their weapons at the ready. They all wore light, leather armor which allowed them to be swift and nearly silent.
Elyar knew they were one ride from the first village. Which meant they were two days by foot. Their party traveled in a single line with Frem taking the lead and Declan the guard. Elyar found himself near the middle with Havol before him and Jerome behind. Everyone kept their eyes open, scanning the forest around them.
The fog remained thin, but always present. Hour after hour went by without much change. Every so often a howl broke through the night reminding the party they were not alone. They were no longer the hunters, but the hunted.
As Elyar trudged amongst his fellow travelers his mind kept returning to what he thought he saw. A wolf with no head. There was no way that was real. He must have missed something.
Eventually the sun began to rise. The mist slowly vanished as the warm sun drove it away. Elyar welcomed the golden arrows flying through the limbs and leaves awakening the world. The howls had ceased a little bit ago. Birds started chirping and the world seemed to become wholesome again.
As the sun climbed Elyar thought they would rest. But Frem kept moving. Hour after slow hour the sun broke free from the horizon and began climbing up its heavenly latter. Finally, Frem stopped.
“We will take a short break to rest and eat. But I no longer trust these woods. They feel…haunted after last night. We will continue until we reach the first village.”
The group dropped their packs and dug out their meals and bedrolls. Frem would allow four hours for sleep and rest. Half would stay awake the first two hours to then switch the second. Elyar and Jerome drew the short straws along with Ruzur. They would have the first watch.
Their camp was in a small clearing amongst the trees. Everyone rested on the pine needles while the three watchers sat a short distance away. At first no one talked. Jerome fidgeted with his knife while Elyar whittled a small stick. Ruzur sat near them picking the dirt from his nails.
Moving a fallen dreadlock from his face, Ruzur asked, “how did you conjure heat into your sword like that?”
Elyar was startled by the question. Or that he spoke to him at all. “Ah, I am a calligromancer. See these runes on my sword,” Elyar said while offering Ruzur his sword. “The last one allows my sword to heat up and become like a flame.”
They all sat in silence while Ruzur studied the sword. “Why is it not engulfed now?”
“I do not fully understand it, but I breath onto the blade and it catc hes flame.”
“That is all?” Ruzur said with a brow raised. “You do nothing else?”
“Well…I have to weave a little. But that is normal.” Elyar hesitantly said taking his sword back and sheathing it.
“I know not how to weave. But I have seen calligromancy many times while in the service of our empire. I have seen swords burst into fl ame and ice. But never like yours.”
Elyar was not sure how to answer. So he let the silence relapse. They kept their watch for awhile before Jerome asked Ruzur, “please do not
take this wrongly, but I have seen the necklace on your chest. What is it?”
Ruzur removed the object on the end of his necklace and looked at it. His face seemed somber. Like the object was greatly valued or honored by the man. His muscles rippled under his dark skin as he removed the chain from his neck and handed it to Jerome. He pushed back anot her dreadlock that had fallen.
“Do you know of the old gods? Those worshipped before Theos bec ame the diety of the empire?”
“A little,” Jerome responded studying the object. It was carved from some kind of wood. Elyar couldn’t tell from where he sat. It looked like two men standing back to back. But they were odd looking. Both had four heads.
“They are the four faced twins.” Ruzur said after they looked at his necklace for a few minutes. Jerome handed it back as Ruzur continued, “in my homeland Theos is of course worshiped. His priests are woven within the fabric of life just like up here in the north. But in the south,
some still hold to the old gods. I am one of them. It is not illegal to worship something other than Theos, but I don’t speak on it much. My tribe has always favored the four faced twins. One twin stands for four sins while the other stands for their counterpart. Wrath, lust, pride, and greed versus peace, love, humility, and charity. My tribe believes that to counter the evil of the first twin we must focus on serving the second.”
Elyar sat listening to Ruzur and Jerome. He had never heard of any other god besides Theos. He definitely had not met someone who worshiped a different diety. He was not sure what to make of it. As he listened Ruzur turned toward him again and said, “I must apologize to thee Elyar. I allowed my pride to weaken me. You showed your valiance in the
night. There is courage and strength. I must ask thee to forgive me.”
A second time he was shocked. This time it was for a pleasant reason. “I forgive you Ruzur. I know my presence complicated things.
My bringing Jerome added to that.”
The silence returned, but this time it was a comfortable silence. Ruzur moved to sit closer to them and started showing Elyar a whittling technique from his land. It allowed him to easily hollow out a stick without breaking it. Elyar enjoyed learning the new method. Jerome tried it out and the three began quietly talking about life and the trip.
They saw the sun hit the point to switch. Elyar and the other two stood up and stretched. It had been uneventful and they were ready to sleep. He moved over and woke Declan. The man gave him a sleepy nod and began migrating over to the watching area.
Elyar happily curled up and closed his eyes. Sleep. Oh blissful sleep. He was ready for her peaceful, loving embrace. But the second sleep came to him, his mind was besieged by dead trees, broken towers, and cackling laughter.