Author's Note:
Welcome back loyal readers! I hope everyone is having a great start to 2017! A special shoutout to T.L.M and tillybananalover for their great reviews of Chronicles.
Eyes watering, Amanda dashed through the haze; practically dragging Jon by the arm. The protective cloud surrounding them was beginning to dissipate; Amanda ran faster and faster with a new sense of urgency. The Morgs were beginning to become bolder. Every step they took closer to the fleeing group only brought them closer to their demise. It was only a matter time before…
She heard it. A human roar that resonated throughout the clearing. Amanda nearly choked in fear. If she hadn't known any better, it could have been Jeremiah whom the young huntress would have given anything for to have at their side. But no. Unconsciously, she knew that Keen's dazed state could only last so long.
The Prince's arm became unnaturally rigid and he let out a stifled yelp as Keen of the North appeared behind them. With a violent jerk, Amanda put herself between him and the warlord.
Pelts, some fresher than others, from wolves, bears and a dozen other animals Amanda could name hung as trophies on the warlord's massive frame. His large frame could have been mistaken for fat with the sheer thickness of his covering. Finger bones, teeth and claws of what presumably were vanquished warlords and worthy foes decorated the layered necklace that lay upon his barrel of a chest. Amanda felt sick, knowing that hers could go alongside the others.
But what was most frightening, was the warlord's pale, bloodless, pockmarked face. Despite his mouth and nose being covered by a black rag, his eyes burned with the intensity of a predator challenging its prey; knowing it would win. A sense of dread fell over the huntress but for the sake of her friends she would have to face Keen. Alone.
"Jon. Leave. Now," unsheathing daggers, her words were silently delivered but they were crystal clear.
"You know I can't", Jon answered unwaveringly.
Before they could argue, Keen came in, a whirlwind of steel as the blunt end of his naginata threatened to knock the huntress unconscious.
She stepped back, mentally kicking herself for being so stupid.
"Idiot! We should have stayed with the group and this wouldn't have happened! If only Jules had killed Keen, then we wouldn't be here. Now we could very well die for our mistakes!"
The warlord reversed the naginata and lunged, the bladed end going straight for her. Amanda parried it with both her daggers and attempted to make a counterattack which failed. Hissing in frustration, Amanda's thoughts opened up to all the possibilities, tears threatening to force their way out.
"What would my mother say? She'd probably brand me a fool. That would be appropriate. But then, what would happen to my friends if I'm gone? Will they need me? Who will become heiress of the hunt when... no if I die? Will Chloe be up to it? Concentrate! Maybe I can throw my knives at him? But then I'd be defenseless. It's worth a try…
Interrupting her, Keen struck like a snake with an underarm thrust towards her heart. Amanda tried to deflect it with her daggers. However, the blade's path was set and she only managed to delay her death. The naginata imbedded itself in her midsection.
Amanda placed her hands on the steel shaft in disbelief; she gritted her teeth in the realization that that wasn't even a proper fight. None of her allies present, other than Jules, could have done much better but the frustration that she was defeated so easily, so contemptuously burned much more than the barbed blade in her side. The young huntress choked back a sob. So this would be her grave.
Inevitably, her knees gave way and she could only hear Jon's cries. Ironically, they weren't of fear but they emanated fury and hate for the man that virtually murdered his friend right before his eyes. Amanda stole a look at the Prince as he drew his saxe and threw it underhandedly at Keen, caught unawares.
The iron blade slashed a red mark across the warlord's forehead. Now it was his turn to scream. Frantic hands covered the open gash as dark, red blood oozed down his face. Jon was relentless, as he drew his longsword and pressed the advantage, trying to skewer the warlord. Keen, realizing that retaliation unarmed with his vision impaired from the bleeding decided it was best to flee.
Amanda's sight was dimming, spots danced across her eyes when Jon's concerned face, covered in a linen handkerchief, filled her vision. In spite of their situation, she smiled. The Prince was quite adorable especially when he was anxious even if he had something covering his face. A second person joined Jon. It was Chloe. Her smile widened as she saw her trusted right hand. Her two people she could call best friends were with her and she couldn't have asked for much more.
"It's okay, you won't die," Jon attempted to console her as Chloe rolled the huntress onto her side so that the handle stuck out at a right angle to her body.
"We can't drag you around with a seven-foot-long spear attached to you so we're going to have to pull it out."
Amanda was desperate to scream: Are you kidding me?! You'll make the bleeding worse not to mention the barbs will cause further damage!
Jon, sensing her distress, told her "Don't worry, I always do things with a plan."
Amanda had to give it to him. Even if the Morgs were baying at them, only two – dozen meters away, Jon managed to keep calm and composed. When times were the worst, he was at his best. If only he had become a warrior.
"Always?", she croaked.
"Ok, usually," he amended with a smirk.
With some effort, Jon managed to hold Amanda in place while Chloe to extracted the cruel barbed head. Amanda made no noise. As Jon muttered a spell of healing he tied a large bandage around her waist. The spell should have staunched the bleeding somewhat.
And with that, the two picked Amanda up and guided her through the final stretch.
…
Kiichiro Kat was just about to ride in after them. In the fray, he hadn't noticed Jon and Amanda slip behind. Chloe wasn't anywhere to be found either. Only Jules, carrying Michael, and he have made it through the fog but of the other three there was no sign.
A hand fell on his shoulder. Jules was next to the Senshi warrior who shot his most menacing glare at the thief. How dare this lowlife burglar stop him? The Senshi growled.
"I'd save it. Now here they come."
As if on cue, the three did emerge from the disappearing cloud. Kiichiro Kat, noticing Amanda's grave injury forgot to question how Jules knew they'd arrive.
The Senshi instinctively took command, "Alright then. Put Amanda and Michael on their horses and they should follow. Now let's go."
Goading their horses into action, they rode past the gorge exit. The cloud of sleeping substance completely dissipated while Morgs and Keen alike followed in their path, crying for blood. The group needed no second invitation. Kiichiro Kat stayed behind their group and as they passed the gorge exit, he pulled out his second Dragon's Breath and took aim at the boulders which were precariously balanced on the edge. With a mighty crash, the huge boulders were sent tumbling down – blocking off any immediate path.
As they galloped, Keen's curses filled the air threatening to brutally murder them in an excess of manners.
The party trotted heavily across the countryside. Tired, demoralized with one member near death they needed a rest. It was getting dark so they opted to spend the night in "The Drunken Horse" where they found out about Jule's whereabouts previously. It was not only a tavern but the services offered rooms in an inn for exorbitant prices. None of them could care any less.
As they walked into the now familiar surroundings, the customer's eyes turned their heads toward the ragtag bunch. Whispers rose as a few curious glances fell on the girl with a bloody bandage around her waist as well the middle aged man apparently in a deep slumber. Even more resentful glares found their way to the "King of Thieves" who grinned, noting the strong animosity. Despite their obvious hostility, there was something comparable to grudging respect in their stare. He definitely enjoyed his notoriety.
The bartender looked up, surprised to see the group again accompanied by the who they were looking for. He whistled under his breath.
"Back alive I see."
"For some of us, that might not last," replied Jon, gesturing to Amanda.
"Please, three rooms for the night and a doctor." It pained the Prince to leave Amanda to a complete stranger but he did everything he could. He knew very well that a qualified doctor would be of further help to her.
The bartender's eyes widened as he saw the wounded huntress for the first time. So they did run into some trouble, he thought while he noted the visible signs of a fight that he hadn't noticed. He had been focusing on Jon the entire time.
"Alright then." said the bartender in a hurried manner.
"You!" The bartender turned towards a scrawny looking server.
"Get this girl a doctor, the best one, and make it quick." And so the waiter did with a sense of urgency. Jon was relieved. At least the service in this rough, dingy tavern was commendable.
"You can leave the injured girl with us." At this, Jon was reluctant but there was something in the bartender's eyes that told him that he could be trusted.
"Now let me take you to your rooms. Don't worry, you won't be disappointed," said the bartender after Jon paid the full amount in silver and bronze.
…
Jeremiah's hands fumbled over the delicate silverware which he normally used on
formal occasion, his brow furrowing in annoyance as he furiously sawed at a rather large cut of lamb. His animal urge to get a slice of the meat was further fueled by the fact that the dish smelled delicious. A small groan of irritation escaped his lips as the knife slipped and collided with the baked potatoes, catapulting them across the table. Quickly, he replaced them on his plate hoping that no one noticed.
"Cursed pieces of silverware! I'd make mincemeat out of this thing if I used a real knife. How in the blazes do people even use this?"
He looked at Lady Ysabel and Commander Bappy. The three were seated around a lavish, wooden dining table; intricate carvings adorned its legs.
Lady Ysabel managed to masterfully chisel the slab of meat as if she were the master carpenter that fashioned the round table itself. A prim hand, carrying a fork, delicately brought the piece of lamb into her waiting mouth. Even Bappy wasn't doing so badly.
Jeremiah threw his hands up and felt the irresistible urge to shout. Weren't they supposed to be discussing their plan of action and how they could utilize Lady Ysabel's distant forces? At least then he wouldn't be so out of place. Normally, Jon would be with them to discuss the finer points of strategy but he was out looking for Jules. Jeremiah would just have to make do.
"Ahem. I think we were here for a reason," he coughed. To his frustration, the two companions remained silent.
"Fine then. I guess I'll have to continue eating. Then we can talk"
Fed up, the Warrior pulled out the knife that he had previously concealed within his boot and went to work with the offending cut of lamb as if it were just butter. He managed to cleave the piece of meat in two but his victory was short lived for the sheer force that he applied cracked his plate in half. With that, Jeremiah threw his hands up.
"You were right," said Bappy nonchalantly, still looking at his plate. "Your small sword did come in handy after all."
Death filled Jeremiah's eyes as he glared daggers at the commander. He was supposed to be helpful! Now it seemed like both the lady and his inferior were toying with him. He was the Warrior! He should have been respected.
"Bappy was right. You are quite hilarious at the dining table. I think I really should visit more often," said Ysabel, barely hiding a smirk.
Jeremiah looked at the two with a deflated look and half asked - half stated "You were watching me this whole time?" recalling that Bappy and Ysabel acted as if they plotted something behind his back.
"Oh don't take it too harshly. You of all people should appreciate a good laugh. I know I do," said Bappy, a playfully wicked light dancing across his blue eyes.
Ysabel added "Besides, a good sense of humor is always good. Especially when the times are at their worst."
The crestfallen Warrior's eyes flicked down at his cracked plate and back at his grinning companions.
"I suppose so because my sides are absolutely split with laughter" said Jeremiah, totally deadpan, although he did see sense in their words of wisdom.
"But this isn't why we are here. Can we talk now?"
Bappy couldn't help one more sally, "Well we're going to have to clean up first."
Once the table was cleared, Jeremiah spread a large map that took up the entire table. It contained the whole land of Aericanus but there were two points of interest. One of them was Castle Aericanus and the other was Lady Ysabel's distant fief to the west, separated by miles and miles of flat farmland and mountainous terrain.
Ysabel stared intently at the map, "I'm assuming that the numbers of your so called elite fighters are relatively unchanged," asked Jeremiah referring to the fearsome cavalry that the Lady had at her disposal.
She nodded as if in a world of her own, "Quite right."
"So since you are out of the way of Ced and Keen's forces, maybe we can…"
Before he could finish Ysabel cut him short, speaking softly "But I'm afraid we are facing more intangible issues. As we speak, I fear for the lives of my subjects. There seems to be something dark, primordial. You know I can sense those things. My men have reported spectres and ghoulish entities - creatures that can't be harmed by earthly weapons, creatures that bring death and decay to the living. The reason why I am making such a fuss is because this can affect you as well and as long as this is a problem without any real solution, we cannot help."
Jeremiah cursed under his breath. It was that damned Reivynn again! He, possibly she, most likely dabbled in the lost arts of dark magic which explained the Morg empowered by the rune of strength. However, Jon should have been able to scry his plans. Who or what was this?
This was why getting Jule's help was so important. Because admittedly, they needed a lot of help and the King of Thieves may be able to supply them with one of the fabled items of power.
"Jeremiah… Jeremiah! Snap out of it!" Lady Ysabel shook his massive shoulders and the Warrior was brought back into reality. He had zoned out.
Bappy chimed in, "Actually, I might have someone who can help. We have someone in the castle, Aaliana Labradoge, who I heard is well versed in these threats. She keeps to herself but rumour has it that she has studied with some of the old Knights Templar."
"Oh really," Jeremiah replied with a whistle. Although he considered the Knights Templar to be quite a corrupt and lucrative order, it was the description "old" that piqued his interest. Legend has it that the original Knights Templar could deal with spirits and supernatural entities alongside a host of other abilities. Now that was much more fascinating than an organization of men who preyed on the weak. Maybe he could learn a thing or two.
"This Aaliana, we are going to have to ask her about her… background?" asked Ysabel.
"Yes, although I'd prefer it if we did so tomorrow afternoon. She is somewhat preoccupied with a group of Morgs and it is best we save it for tomorrow so that she is at her best," replied the confident commander.
With an air of finality that ended the discussion, Ysabel said "Well then it's settled. I'll see you tomorrow," and she walked out of the room as if a great burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
"So, how was it?" Bappy asked Jeremiah, grinning.
"She can hear us, you idiot,"
"I know." His grin widened.
