Alec realized that he was more nervous now than he had been
in a very long time. Numerous battles
had come and gone, his life dangling on a wire many-a-time, and still they
could not match the tension that had seeped into him now. He had to remind himself to breath, slowly
and evenly, or else he would never be able to react in time should something
actually happen. He glanced back off
into the darkness. Now is not the time
to forget his training.
Alec returned his gaze forward, only it was no longer what
had been there before. Instead he found
himself looking back into the trees where that darkness waited. He shuddered and closed his eyes but when he
opened them, nothing had changed. Then
he realized that the horse was gone.
Baldrik was no longer beside him on the bench. Instead it was just him, alone, surrounded by
ancient trees and looking straight into the darkness now looming ahead. A darkness that was now seemingly alive and
creeping forward.
He tried to call out, but his voice failed him. In fact, his entire body was rooted to the
spot. His sword sat in his lap, hand on
the pommel, but he could will nothing to move.
Instead he sat, transfixed on the now smoke-like shadows. Tendrils twined and snaked, disturbed by an
unfelt breeze, as they wormed their way forward. A subtle hiss could be heard as dropped pine
needles scattered in the passing.
Suddenly it was cold, colder than any winter storm Alec had
felt. His breath puffed unsteadily in
the chill but his brow continued to bead sweat.
His fingers twitched uselessly over his sword. Still the smoke rolled forward. He could smell it now, like stale air trapped
for far too long. His vision began to
blur as his eyes watered from the cold.
Soon it stopped, a smoky wall swirling no more than an arm's
length from where Alec sat frozen in his seat.
His past rolled through his head.
He thought of all the times that he should have been dead, all the
wounds that he had taken in the service of his king. It stung him that, after it was all said and
done, he should leave this world in such a helpless state. His teeth gritted as he stared the darkness
down. The least he could do was look
death in the face.
Suddenly, many hands shot out of the smoke like snakes. Grey, peeling skin rasped like leaves as
their long, spindly fingers grabbed at Alec, pulling him off his seat and
hoisting him into the air. A strange
face slowly rose from the smoke, gaunt skin was pulled tight over too-high
cheekbones and a long, narrow chin.
Silver teeth glistened from under parched lips, and shriveled lids hung
over empty eye sockets. Wisps of grey
smoke curled from every orifice.
It rose slowly, shoulders sharp and angular soon leaning
forward, bringing the face inches from Alec's.
He could feel his body trembling despite his best wishes. Hands moved to cradle the weapons master's
head, forcing him to look deep into the dry, empty sockets of the creature.
"Blood of the Haz'Raith, soul of the Redkin. Mountains shall fall in his passing. Dust to those who follow." It drew him closer still, its nails digging
into his temples as silver teeth began to gnash. Then it was gone.
Alec's vision blurred and he slumped. He was aware of being shaken, but not much
else. For a few brief seconds in his
stupor he thought the creature had come back.
Instinct took over and he threw a fist, guessing as best as he could
where his foe was. It made contact with
a crack and a yowl. And oddly human
yowl.
He shook his head and did his best to blink the haze
away. As his vision slowly cleared he
could make out men surrounding him. His
second in command, Kalif, sat back a few feet nursing a bloody nose. A steady stream of curses could be heard
coming from him.
"What happened?"
Alec rubbed his bruised knuckles with his other hand. He was still a little light headed from his
ordeal.
"You damn near leveled Kalif, sir." The casual reply received a few snickers from
the group of men standing around.
"You'd be out cold if it had been you!" Kalif's retort was muffled through blood and
his hands. The men laughed.
"No, no. I see
that, and I am truly sorry Kalif, but what happened? How did I get here?" He looked past the men to see that they were
in a clearing somewhere in the younger, outer layers of the forest. Neither the cart or Baldrik were anywhere in
sight. "Where is Firehammer?"
"Firehammer is fine.
After you disappeared, he steered the cart to the camp and got us out
looking for you." Alec had always
kept and easy air with his closest men and so they felt confident speaking to
him as an equal. His ability to keep
level with them is part of what gained him such great respect in the ranks. "As to how you got here? We were hoping that you could tell us."
The men became serious and all eyes turned to him. Alec firmed his jaw and stood, if a bit
shakily, with the aid of the tree at his back.
"I can't rightly say what happened.
I'm not even sure if I know myself.
I have no memory of ending up here, or even leaving the cart for that
matter." He turned to look back
into the forest, a brief shudder running through him, but he checked it before
his men could notice. "Though I
suppose the important thing is that Baldrik is safe. For now, let us return to camp and prepare
for the night. We leave at dawn
tomorrow."
His men snapped their heels in attention and saluted before
turning back towards camp. Kalif, still
covering his nose with a bloody cloth, waited behind with Alec. "Sir, forgive me, but are sure that you
are alright?"
"That I am, Kal."
He put a hand on his second's shoulder in reassurance. "I don't know what happened, but a
little food and some rest will have me back to top shape." He looked around again, absently rubbing his
chin in thought. "On that note,
where exactly are we?" All he could
see were trees beyond the clearing. Any
smoke from the camp was still hidden by the canopy above.
"We're about a half mile south east of the camp right
now. It's a fairly easy walk" Kal gestured in the direction of the camp as
he spoke.
"Then we best get back.
I need to talk to Firehammer immediately." Alec took a step and stumbled, still feeling
weaker than he expected to. Kal caught
him and supported him by his shoulders.
With his second's aid, Alec started towards the trees again in
silence. He had a lot to think about,
and many unanswered questions floated through his head. Hopefully Baldrik would be able to shed some
light for him.
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