Chapter 10
It was time. At last it was time. A sense of excitement awoke within him the like he had not felt for millenia.
"Scromagsh!" The commanding voice rang out like the tolling of a deep, death bell as the tall figure tuned away from the window. "Scromagsh!"
Just as the last syllable faded the door opened and a small, twisted figure sloped into the room. He hated waiting and they knew this yet still were not always fast enough to answer his summons although this latest one appeared to have more sense than the last. He had only required a second shout.
"Yes, master." The creature shuffled over and bowed low, his head almost touching his feet.
"Ready my horse." The deep voice echoed around the chamber, curt and sharp. "And make all ready for my return." He stared down at the still bent figure before him. "You have remembered my instructions I hope."
"Yes master." The small creature spoke clearly, and confidently. "All shall be prepared as you wish." He finally dared to straighten to what passed as an upright position for his maimed body.
"Good." The tall figure stared at the smaller for a moment. "You know what to expect if you fail me." The air in the room suddenly chilled and the short creature shivered.
"Yes master." He scurried out of the room faster than his looks would allow.
Under his dark hood the witch king smiled inwardly then swept out of the room to stalk down the corridors, his long black cape flowing behind him. This was going to be so very enjoyable.
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~o~
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The small band of men were beginning to feel uneasy as they picked their way between the darkly forbidding trees, stumbling slightly over the raised roots and rabbit holes underfoot. They were well and truly lost and beginning to wish they had heeded the stories and never set foot in the darksome forest to hunt.
"What was that?"
The group stopped as the dishevelled youth currently bringing up the rear nervously called out, turning to peer behind him into the gathering gloom.
"I don't hear anything." A second, older man joined the first and stood in silence for a moment, head cocked to one side before continuing. "You're hearing things again lad." He chuckled and swatted the younger man gently over the head with an open palm then took hold of his shoulder and pulled him back along the trail.
The two men quickly caught up with the rest of their party and continued on their way, blissfully unaware that they were, in fact being followed.
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~o~
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Sighing with frustration the blonde haired elf scanned the forest floor far beneath him, disappointment etched onto his face. It had been four days since his encounter with that small nest of spiders and there had been neither sight nor sound of any other creatures since. He had played the short fight over and over in his mind since then, the bloodlust rising again within him each time, yet so far he had been unable to quench its thirst. He needed more than just a few meagre spiders. He needed something that would put up a real fight and he needed it soon.
Resuming his search he leapt from tree to tree jumping ever wider gaps as the thrill of danger momentarily swept all other feelings aside until his keen hearing picked up the first faint echo of a distant sound and his heart missed a beat. At last! He sped onwards, heart beat rising as the noise grew louder and clearer, resolving into the tramp of heavy feet. Yrk!
Rushing through the trees intent upon reaching his prey the wood elf almost missed the small band of hunters wandering along the path beneath him and the single goblin that was creeping along in their wake. It was, in fact, the orc he noticed first, or rather its scent and as he spotted it lurking in the shadows his first thought was to leap down and dispatch it quickly before returning to his erstwhile pursuit but paused as he realised it too was watching something else intently. It was then he saw the men. Five of them. Walking along the path nervously glancing left and right occasionally as they went, yet apparently unaware of the danger they were in. He sighed. Men were so stupid. It was a wonder they survived as long as they did.
Turning his attention back to the orc he decided it must have been a scout from the main band ahead and on finding the small group of men had decided to keep them to itself. As he watched the creature edged forward, a look of greedy anticipation etched in its grotesque features, obviously planning on making a meal of the poor fools so ignorant of its presence. He silently crept down from branch to branch with barely a rustle until he was directly above the goblin. An arrow would have been quick and silent but he preferred to save his arrows where possible and besides, lately he found hand to hand combat far more satisfying somehow. He reached back to slowly unsheathe a knife, relishing the feel of cool ivory against the warmth of his hand, never once taking his eyes off the creature, noting the moment when it stiffened and sniffed the air finally realising his presence. Startled, it raised its eyes but it was too late, the elf was upon it, slicing across the toughened throat, drawing a line of black blood thick enough to silence any cry it may have made. Eyes widened in terror as it struggled to breathe through the viscous fluid filling its mouth then bulged in horror as the knife turned to slash down its torso, liberating its innards and it frantically scrabbled with clawed hands, trying to keep its guts within its body. The elf smiled sweetly as he met the orcs eyes and held them with his own then brought his knife around in a blur of movement from left to right, neatly separating the creatures head from its body.
With a final flourish the elf re sheathed his knife and sprang back into the trees his body tingling with the lust for further combat. The sound of heavy feet in the distance was still audible to his sensitive ears and he hurried after the men as he realised they were heading straight towards the band of orcs, still oblivious to the danger they were in.
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~o~
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Holding up a hand the hunter leading the band of men stopped as they entered a small clearing and turned around.
"I reckon we should make camp here and see if we can't have better luck finding our way out in the morning." He shrugged out of his pack and lowered it to the ground. "Maklin, you get some wood for a fire, Tomis, go see if there's any water nearby."
The two named men nodded and after leaving their own packs in the middle of the clearing set about their allotted tasks whilst their companions began unpacking bedrolls, blankets and cooking utensils. It was not long before Maklin returned with wood enough to make a decent sized fire and soon the four sat warming themselves in its flickering light, silently watching the flames and mulling over their predicament.
"Here you go." The tall, mousey haired man named Tomis called brightly as he walked up to his comrades swinging a pair of bulging waterskins. "Who's got the pan for water?"
"Me."
A battered, metal pan was thrust into Tomis' hand by the smallest of the group. A youth barely into his teens with gap teeth and ears that stuck out from under a mop of unruly black curls.
"Ta, Bat."
Tomis took the pan, filled it with water and set it over the fire to heat then began to rummage through his pack bringing out a few small packets wrapped in linen. When unwrapped they proved to contain some strips of salted meat and some dried fruits which he proceeded to share out equally amongst them all.
"Last of the food this." He stated mournfully. "We'll have to set some traps tonight if we want breakfast I'm thinking."
"Aye." The leader agreed. "Me and Maklin will do it after we've eaten, won't we Mack?
He looked over the fire to where the other was sitting chewing a piece of meat noisily and grinned as the man nodded back in agreement.
"How much longer are we going to wander about in this dismal place?" The young man they all called Bat wondered aloud, leaning back on his elbows. "I'm fed up of bloody trees."
"Shouldn't be much longer now lad." Tomis called out as he placed two handfuls of herbs into the warming water. "I reckon we'll be out tomorrow if we keep heading straight now."
"Good." the youth shivered "Gives me the creeps it does, as if someone's watching all the time."
"That'll be the elves." Maklin grinned, his face glowing orange in the light of the fire. "Them'll sneak up and spirit you away if your not careful." He chuckled as Bat nervously glanced around the clearing.
"I don't believe you." the slight tremor in the young mans words belied his words, "And anyway, what would they want with us."
"Your life." the older man drawled out slowly drawing one finger across his neck as he spoke.
"W..why?" Bat queried nervously. "I haven't done anything to them."
"Haven't you heard?" The older man's grin grew wider as he looked around at the others obviously enjoying himself. "Elves don't die." He paused and raised his eyebrows at the blank expression on the others face. "Well how do you think they do that?"
"I" the young man shook his head. "Just do I suppose."
"Nah," Maklin went on, lowering his voice to a gruff whisper. "They trap a mortal with their magic and suck out his life to keep themselves young." He pursed his lips and made a loud slurping noise then laughed at the wide eyed expression filling the younger mans face.
"Give over Mack," The leader of the group chuckled. "You'll be giving him nightmares." He turned to the younger man. "That's only a story to scare children." Glancing back at the older man he continued, "We're far away from any elves here anyway, they don't come this far south." The men turned their heads as one to stare north.
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~o~
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The elf stood above the camp site, silently watching the men below as they took their ease around the fire, disbelief written all over his face. Stupid. Men were so stupid. To light a fire and sit, drinking tea and chatting without setting a watch! In this part of the forest! He shook his head at their stupidity then turned his head to the south, the sounds of heavy feet were getting louder. It would not be long before even the men could hear them now. He wondered what they would do then and sat pondering his actions, tuning out their banal conversation as he thought, thus missing Macklin's grim tale. Should he drop down and warn them then head towards the goblins in an effort to lure them away or stay here and pick the orcs off as they attacked. If the men had not lit the fire and stayed silent there could have been a chance the orcs would have passed them by, unnoticed but he knew there was little chance of that now.
He stared down at the men once more, this time disdain flickering in his eyes as he realised they were all drowsing now and still had given no thought to setting a watch. That settled his mind. As an elf in exile he should avoid all contact with others where possible and after so long alone actually felt uneasy with the thought of conversing with these strangers. That they were actually contributing to their own danger through their negligence made his decision easier. He would be doing them a favour really by allowing the orcs to come upon them unawares. Besides, if he left them unguarded who knew what other creatures may decide they would make a tasty snack as well. This way none of them would forget the need for a watch in future and he could better ensure they escaped with their lives. He swung the bow from his shoulder and lowered himself down to sit on a sturdy branch, back against the trunk and long legs dangling down. Resting his bow lightly across his lap he settled into position and felt his heartbeat start to quicken as the orcs grew nearer.
"What's that?"
Bat was the first to notice the distant sound, which roused him from dreams of home. He sat up, momentarily disoriented as he wondered why his bed was so hard before remembering he was lying on the forest floor instead of being tucked up in his own room.
"Jeb?" he called over to where he could hear the faint snores of one of his companions, "Tomis? Mack?" His voice became tinged with panic as there was no reply and the strange noise got loud enough for him to recognise it as the tramp of heavy feet. Throwing off the blanket he had been snuggled under he scrambled to his feet and rushed to the nearest shadowy hump he could see.
"Hey, wake up!" the youth bent down to shake whoever it was he had found. "Something's coming."
The dark shape grunted then suddenly sprang upright, almost knocking the young man over.
"Oh, Gods! " The single expletive was all Bat heard before he was pushed to the ground and the world descended into chaos around him.
A/N
Thanks to those of you still reading and especially to Miracles in the dark and Horsegirl 01 for taking the time to review. I really do appreciate it.
If you are still with me please let me know!