Disclaimer: this prologue is from the first inheritance cycle book and belongs entirely to the author, changes where not required to adapt to my story so this is very close to the original all characters apart from my OC belong to the author
Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world. A tall Shade lifted his head and sniffed the air. He looked human except for his crimson hair and maroon eyes.
He blinked in surprise. The message had been correct: they were here. Or was it a trap? He weighed the odds, then said icily, "Spread out, hide behind trees and bushes. Stop whoever is coming…or die."
Around him shuffled twelve Urgals with short swords and round iron shields painted with black symbols. They resembled men with bowed legs and thick, brutish arms made for crushing. A pair of twisted horns grew above their ears. The monsters hurried into the bush, grunting as they hid. Soon the rustling quieted and the forest was silent again.
The shade peered around a thick tree and looked up the trail. It was too dark for any human to see, but for him the faint moonlight was like sunshine streaming between the trees. He remained unnaturally quiet, a long pale sword in his hand. A wire-thin scratch curved down the blade. The weapon was thin enough to slip between a pair of ribs, yet stout enough to hack through the hardest armour.
The Urgals could not see as well as the Shade; they groped like blind beggars, fumbling with their weapons. An owl screeched. No one relaxed until the bird flew past. Then the monsters shivered in the cold night; one snapped a twig with his heavy boot. The Shade hissed in anger, and the Urgals shrank back, motionless. He suppressed his distaste – they smelled like fetid meat. They were tools nothing more.
The Shade forced back his impatience as the minutes became hours. The scent must have wafted far ahead of its owners. He did not let the Urgals get up or warm themselves. He denied himself those luxuries too, and stayed behind the tree, watching the trail.
Another gust of wind rushed through the forest. The smell was stronger this time. Excited, he lifted a thin lip in a snarl.
"Get ready," he whispered, his whole body vibrating. It had taken to many plots and much pain to bring himself to this moment. It would not do to lose control now.
Eyes brightened under the Urgals' thick brows, and the creatures gripped their weapons tighter. Ahead of them, the Shade heard a clink as something hard struck a loose stone. Faint smudges emerged from the darkness and advanced down the trail.
Three horses with riders with their heads held high and proud cantered towards the ambush.
The first rider was an elf with pointed ears and slanted eyebrows. His build was slim and strong. A powerful bow was slung on his back and a sword pressed against his side opposite his quiver of arrows.
The last rider had the same fair face as the other. He carried a spear in his right hand and a knife in his belt. A helm of extraordinary craftsmanship rested on his head.
Between these two rode a raven-haired elven lady, who surveyed her surroundings with poise. Her deep eyes shone with a driving force. Her clothes were unadorned, yet her beauty was undiminished. At her side was a sword and on her back a bow and quiver. She carried in her lap a pouch which she frequently looked at, as if to assure herself that it was still there.
They passed the Shade and the first few Urgals without suspicion, when the wind suddenly changed direction and swept towards the elves heavy with the Urgals stench. The horses snorted with alarm and the riders stiffened, then wheeled their mounts and galloped away.
The lady's horse surged forward. The Urgals now stood and released a stream of arrows. The Shade jumped out from behind the tree, raised his hand and shouted "Garjzla!"
A red bolt flashed toward the elven lady and struck her steed. As the horse toppled she leapt off the animal with inhuman speed and then glanced back for her guards.
The Urgals deadly arrows brought down the two elves. As they rushed forward the Shade screamed "After her! She is the one I want!" the monsters grunted and rushed down the trail.
When the elf saw her dead companions she cursed her enemies and bounded into the forest.
As the Urgals gave chase, the Shade climbed a rock to view the surrounding forest. He raised his hand and uttered "Boetq istralri" creating a ring of fire a half-league across to prevent the elf from running too far.
Three of the Urgals fell drawing the attention of the Shade. The elf was running towards him. He jumped and landed in front of the elf. She skidded to a stop. Her head whipped around trying to find a way out and seeing none.
As the Urgals surged forward, the elf pulled open the pouch, reached into it, and then let it drop to the ground. In her hands was a large sapphire stone. She raised he hand above her head, lips forming frantic words. Desperate, the Shade barked "Garjzla!"
But it was too late. A flash of emerald light briefly illuminated the forest, and the stone vanished. Then the red fire of the Shade's spell smote her and she collapsed.
The Shade howled with rage and in his anger killed the remaining Urgals.
He confirmed the stone was gone, then retrieved his horse from its hiding place among the trees. After tying the elf to the saddle he mounted the charger and made his way out of the forest.
He quenched the fires in his path but left the rest to burn.