Chapter 12
On The Run
When I entered the barn, Tosca the farmers' horse greeted me with a powerful whinny, full of happiness…and despair. I heard the farmer rustling in a corner of the barn and I ducked behind one of the haystacks to the left of me. I barley avoided his vision as he tossed a fork full of hay over the stall door of one of the bay horses.
"It's just the wind Tosca, settle down old boy." The farmer chortled, sounding slightly annoyed. Tosca just snorted with dismay. I peered around the corner and put my finger up to my mouth to hush the startled animal. Tosca just looked at me, ears cocked, nostrils flared.
The farmer finished his routine around the barn before retreating to his howling wife in the background, stating that dinner was ready. When I was sure his presence no longer resided in the barn, I scouted the premises for horse gear to saddle up my good friend Tosca. I found his gear in a tack room near the front entrance and when I brought it out front, Tosca let out small high pitched whinnies while bobbing his head up and down excitedly. His main danced across his back with each thrust of his neck. I had to smile at him he just looked so cute with his ears perked and head held high in the air, watching my every move. When I opened the stall door, Tosca danced around in the stall like a little colt, but not with as much emphasis. I giggled as he sniffed my face, and partly because it was so funny to see such a large stallion dancing around with giddy mannerisms.
I was soon finished setting Tosca up, with a bridle that was absent of a bit and a saddle fully equipped with saddlebags. Before I ran off with the farmers' horse I waited a short period of time until it was dark enough to sneak off unnoticed. I sat in a corner of his stall, thinking about which direction I would have to go when I left the barn. It would be easy enough, because I was on the northern side of the town closest to the pillars, so I can avoid the towns folk with ease. Tosca snorted and nudged me vigorously with his nose as I sat there staring off into space. He was obviously growing inpatient and was eager for adventure. I patted him on the nose gently.
"Well Tosca it's about that time. Shall we leave?" Tosca whinnied, bobbing his head in a quickened pace almost like he was nodding 'yes, yes.' I laughed and grabbed onto his rains to help me up off the ground and then guided him out of his stall and through the barn door. As I got on Tosca's back I could hear something slam behind me. Tosca spooked and I just caught a glimpse of the farmer starring at me shocked and appalled. Next thing I new he was chasing after us, waving his pitchfork as we bolted across the clearing into the trees ahead. He obviously new he wasn't going to catch us, but anger makes you do strange thing sometimes.
Tosca whizzed past trees at top speed, dodging them with accurate precision. I could hear shouting in the background, but it didn't worry me in the least. After all people in this time had little to no law enforcement in some areas.
Tosca and I had managed to find a small dirt path that - from my speculations, lead to the pillars. I slowed Tosca to a nice fast passed walk since my escape, seeming as if he could sense the haste from deep within me. As we walked along the dark road, filled with songs from crickets and frogs. I could hear the sound of thunder resonating behind me, as I glanced over my shoulder I was soon corrected of the sounds origin. Behind me were three hovering light sources bobbing in the darkness and it didn't take long for me to see the muscular bay horses galloping strait for me with speed and determination. I was also granted vision of their riders, three guards shouting in cheap lightweight armour. When the towns' watch reached me, they slowed their horses to a stop.
"Halt." The lead guard commanded me with a deep stern voice. Tosca fussed underneath me. Whinnying, snorting and foaming at the mouth. I tried to calm him but he wouldn't stop. The lead watchmen continued his assault "We where notified by a local that his horse was stolen from a person of the…female persuasion," the guard looked me up and down with suspicion before continuing "…you wouldn't happen to know anything…of importance, would you?" Tosca became more restless as my tension built up, stomping and bobbing his head with fervour as the other two guards shifted in there saddles with uneasy expressions on there faces. I hurried to answer his question "…I don't…sorr – "before I could continue, I saw Tosca's ears slick back, he let out I a high pitched whinny and reared with furious eyes, stomping the ground with as much force as possible. I wrapped my arms around his neck, screaming like a banshee.
"Miss! Control your animal!" The guard got off of his horse to help settle Tosca down. "Miss, miss, Whoa! - " Tosca lurched forward stomping and screaming. Soon it swept across the party and the bay horses joined in Tosca's rage, snorting and stomping the ground with only one hoof. The guards quickly got control of their horses, but not before Tosca bolted with me screaming, arms wrapped around his neck like I was never letting go. I don't know why I closed my eyes but I did.
When I finally got the courage to open them. All I could see were trees wiping past at light speed. I was surprised at how smooth the ride was. I was expecting it to be rough and slightly painful. More courage bubbled with in me and I let go of his neck to grab onto the rains, while wobbling around on the saddle trying to get my balance. I looked behind me to see if the towns watchmen where fallowing me and sure enough I could see them come around the bend in the path at neck braking speed. I figured Tosca and I where already on the run so…"Faster Tosca! Faster!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, kicking his sides like a mad man…woman. Tosca seemed to respond the way I had hoped and picked up speed at a tremendous rate. I could hear the guards screaming behind me, "Stop in the name of the law!" I noticed a path just right of me, which was perfect because I had to head west of the pillars. The guards where hot on my, well Tosca's tail as we tore down the trail kicking up dust and other debris.
As we flew through the narrow path of trees, my vision tunnelled and the noises were blocked to the point that every sound around me was but an echo. The calls of the guards behind me, the gentle rustle of the chains on Tosca's bridle, the air being forced out of his nasal cavities, to the repetitive sound of his hooves hitting the rough terrain beneath me. My eyes were fixed on the road ahead as time seemed to slow around me, causing me to go into a trance like state. The adrenalin was pumping through my veins and the world around began to fad into nothing…
…
…
…Water…I can hear water.
…But my arm, my arm was so sore. I tried to open my eyes, but it was too bright. My arm there must be something wrong with it. The sting keeps intensifying the longer I lay helpless on the hot sandy floor. I heard Tosca snort and it made me jump slightly. I had forgotten our run through the forest from Ziegsturhl's watchmen.
I could hear Tosca walk over to me, then I could feel him sniffing and nuzzling my head. He started to lick me vigorously, slobbering all over my face. I waved my hand around in a helpless manner in an attempt to shoo him away. It didn't work, until I rolled over on my side. My arm stung in an unbearable manner, throbbing and aching. When I didn't move Tosca began licking and nuzzling me again, "Tosca…Tosca go away." I whined pathetically. I felt like I had a terrible hangover.
"Please, Tosca stop." He ignored me completely. I attempted to sit up and Tosca let out a satisfied, deep whinny. The last thing you want when you have a hangover is something licking you in the face. When I was halfway sitting up Tosca gave me a little nudge in the back to help me up. He has quite the personality this one. I put my hand over my eyes slightly to block out the suns glare; I could hear the steady pounding of waves hitting a shoreline. I could barley make out the murky water of the lake, as the suns rays pierced my eyes.
Slowly my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the afternoon sun and I was able to get a better view of my surroundings. Tosca was just behind me nibbling on the grass clumps that surround the sandy bay. I watched, as his teeth would clamp down on a patch of grass and how his lips would help guide the tender blades into his mouth in fast effortless motions. At leased one of us was enjoying them self. I took a glance at my arm and I quickly realized my dilemma. The cut where I had scratched myself two days ago was bright red near the opening wound and progressed into a purple colour farther from the opening. I felt faint as I stared at the infected area and was soon bringing up what ever I had for lunch compulsively. When my body gave me a break I quickly looked around for my bag and noticed it in one to the leafless bushes past Tosca. I weakly crawled over to it holding my left arm in the air as to not get anything else corruptive in it. I was already in enough pain as it was. I grabbed my bag and tore through it with extreme prejudice; to find any antibacterial formula I could get my hands on in my first aid kit. I was sure I put some on my wound when it was fresh. I dumped some on a clean piece of gauze and placed it on the wound, the pain was unbearable, I was sure I was going to break my jaw from clamping down so hard. The whole area ached with unspeakable pain as I put pressure on the infected area. The formula ran down my arm as I pushed. I quickly rapped a rage around my arm just below the elbow to stop the infection from spreading up my arm. Tosca looked at me with concern as I whined and moaned in pain. There wasn't much else I could do but wait and look over the murky lake covered in fog in the distance.
As time passed by…slowly I noticed the fog had settled since I had first awoke from my dreary state of mind, by Tosca's assertive nuzzles and slobbery tongue. There appeared to be some kind of tall structure in the background but it was still too foggy to tell. I had to say it was strange to be over here in the bright afternoon sun while there was fog settling over the lake. The suns rays lit up the fog, making it golden just on the top.
Tosca whinnied when I tried to get up. I felt feverish as time progressed and I knew it was from my infection. As I looked out across the clearing lake I wondered if I was going to die out here…by myself. My companion looked at me, almost like he was worried for me.
"I'll be fine Tosca, don't worry now." He walked over to me with four powerful strides and sniffed my arm, letting out long, deep whinnies. I ruffled the fur on his head; by pulling it up against the grain into a Mohawk look…a very small Mohawk. I snickered to myself. As I pushed Tosca's fur to its normal position, I noticed the large structure I had thought I had seen was indeed there and it appeared to be some sort of castle. It took awhile for it to sink in but I figured it out soon enough. This had to be the Ancient Vampire Citadel! The one those demons where talking about. I ran over to the lakes edge, the small fickle waves gently washed over me feet soaking my soaks and shoes.
Raziel was near I could feel it. I was so close, yet this infection could take my life in a day or less. I had to make it; I just had to. I can't let whatever it is happen to Raziel, not when I made it this far. I looked back at Tosca nibbling on a stray grass mound "I guess this is where we part…" Tosca lifted his head and looked at me, ears perked forward attentively. I walked over to him and stroked him on the neck gently as he continued his current affairs. I grabbed my things from his saddle bags, which included small rations I managed to grab from the market place when people weren't looking, my short sword tied on with leather straps and my old clothing that I had to stuff into my bag somehow.
Some how I was going to have to get across the 'Lake of Tears' that didn't involve me getting wet. Including my pack, which held my laptop. To my surprise there were no trees around, go figure. So the idea of creating some kind of floatation device was out of question. There had to be some way for me to cross the misty lake, without risking my life in some way. Then, across the lake I noticed a small rowboat crashed against one of the sharp protruding rocks farther to the left. It was a little ways out across the lake, but it was my only hope of crossing. Now how was I going to get the boat to me? It looked in good condition from here, which made my job easier.
I noticed that there where rocks protruding out across the shore and appeared to lead strait to the small boat. It was going to be risky, but what choice did I have.
As I walked carefully across the wet, slippery surface of the large stones that filled this lake, the wind began to pick up and the waves from the lake started to hit the sides of the rocks, spraying salty lake water into my mouth. That's probably why they called it the lake of tear. It sure tasted like them.
I was so close to the little rowboat, but I just couldn't reach it. It was inevitable I was going to have to get my feet wet. I took a chance and jumped into the water, feet first. When I felt my feet hit the bottom I launched myself skyward to the surface, trying to blow the water out of my nose, it stung like nobodies business. As the water reseeded from the rocky shoreline it brought me one step closer to the boat. The wind had picked up pronominally in the past few minutes, blowing the mist away from the castle like structure. I could truly see its detail now, dark, mysterious and old beyond belief. I used what ever strength I had left to swim closer to the boat and with one powerful push from the waves I ended up inside the boat just as the wave pushed it out of its wedge between the large, tooth like stones. I don't know how these things work out for me but they do.
I rowed back to shore to pick up my bag and saying my goodbyes to Tosca. He didn't appear to understand that I was leaving him here, until I got into the boat and pushed off from shore. He whinnied several times, very loudly and ran after me through the water until it got to deep.
As I rowed on, bobbing over the intensifying waves, I could hear Tosca whinnying in the background. I took a look behind me and I could still see him galloping along the shore, back and forward. Every now and then he would gallop full speed into the bush only to come out at top speed, halting when the water got to deep. It was a painful site but what was I going to do. I couldn't bring him with me.
In a matter of minutes I reached the citadel. I had to drag the boat on shore as the tide would drag it out to the middle of the lake and then how would I find my way home…if I ever got home. The castle stood so high up I couldn't crane my neck back enough to see the top. In front of me was a large, I mean immense doorway that stood at lease fifty feet high if not more. I approached it cautiously, not knowing what dwells beyond the doors. They where open enough so I could squeeze my fat butt through, with Cracks and erosion dominating them. Probably from the waves hitting them when the tide came in. The wind howling through the door was so intense that I had to use force to get through the space.
Beyond the door stood a grand hallway that split into many others…this was going to take me awhile to snake my way through this ancient maze and it was only a matter of time before Raziel's time came…
AUTHORS NOTE:
- Small chapter, but I hope you all liked it. Raziel should be in the next...;)
- A special thanks to my good pal Lil V for Beta reading this chapter for me :D.
- Thank you for reading and tell me what you think.
RIGHTS:
- of coarse I do not own any LOK characters. Well all know where it came from.
