Chapter 3
Wolf and the Barricade
-"The air of the night's sky was filled with the screams of terror which harmoniously rang out a serenade of bedlam. For verily, the great city of Nephilai was engulfed in fire and smoke.
As the wondrous structures burned and crumbled to their fates of being no more than ash, the pandemic people rushed in ever which direction to flee from the great harbinger of doom that soared overhead, bringing death and destruction to many. And oh, the depravity of this enemy, for he was without order and without mercy!
Eventually it came to pass that the multitudes of the citizens made their way to the shores of the great lake of Zhidon, and behold they took up their rafts and boats and began to sail away from their peril, leaving behind all their possessions to be laid to waste in the city of Nephilai.
Though the corpses of the unfortunate burned in the streets, while others who remained fled to the shores, there was yet one man who remained in the city, whose blessed crusade brought him ever so closer to danger.
While he was thus exploring the engulfed city, a cry of anguish caught his ear. And he looked and he saw a young child taking shelter from the hell fire beneath a wagon, and behold he did weep and sorrow exceedingly for his mother.
The man went to the child and stretched forth his hand saying, "Take hold of my hand young one!"
The child refused, for verily he was stricken with much fear. The man persisted still, pleading, "Should you take my hand, I promise as they did of old, that all will be well with you!"
Being comforted, the stripling lad stretched forth his hand to take it. And it came to pass that as he had done so, a great rock of stonework came down and crushed the wagon. The man leapt back and stared upon the wreckage, and morned within, for the child was lost.
Monstrous breathing could be heard behind him, who turned to face the black dragon who sat perched atop the enflamed structures.
The creature of evil spoke to the man, saying, "Come Rabana, see the fruits of my labors compared to yours."
Rabana responded harshly, "You only reap the doings of your own destruction, Shalal."
The malevolent beast lowered his head with flames flickering from his chops, "And yet, it is the destruction of all these people that I see."
Rabana then said unto him, "Verily, just as this stonework has fallen to the earth, so shall you fall. And for this innocent blood you have spilled, you shall atone with your life."
With a mock, Shalal said, "What is this innocence you speak of concerning this generation? Yea, what virtue, what righteousness flows through the veins of these people?"
Shalal pushed upon the wreckage with his muzzle then spoke, "I have heard once among humans, that a mother's love for her young is unbreakable, and that she would die for her children. Tell me Rabana, where was this one's mother? Why was it you who came to his aid? Why was he found alone and abandoned?"
Shalal then pointed his face towards the lake of Zhidon and said, "Look thither."
And Rabana looked towards the shores Zhidon, and behold he saw a most grievous scene. For he looked and beheld the people trampling each other down, and lo, they did attempt to clamber onto the boats and rafts in a careless manner. Verily, the multitudes did proceed with much rudeness, for they clawed and tore at each other for their sanctuary, and the mothers and fathers did leave their children behind on the shores so that they may not be burdened by their presence.
Yea, husbands left wives, sibling abandon sibling, parent forsook child. So great was their desperation in acquiring a vessel, that they did pull others down into the waters and clambered over them, and were lost and drowned beneath the waves. So great was the turmoil, that they proved to be a greater undoing amongst themselves than the dragon.
When observing this awful scene, the dragon then said, "Behold the vermin you swore to protect. See the viscousness and the savagery? I spared that child from having to grow and live in such a society."
"What right have ye, to determine the fate of any living creature?" said Rabana.
"Even now you defend them?!" said Shalal with stricken amazement, "Is there not one among them who is stripped of envy? They selfishly dig pits for their neighbors and find no harm in this. Why ask of me this question when they have clearly demonstrated their will to determine the fates of others? Even your kind do they find a scourge upon the face of the land, and for what? Because the traditions of your fathers have brought upon you the cherished blood line that enables you strength and power beyond theirs? That you used this gift to defend and protect in the most dire times of need?"
The black dragon then brought his muzzle in closer and said with cunning, "They hate all that is esteemed above their wretched state, and for that, they forsook your people when the fires of ruin showered upon them. So that none again could challenge or make afraid."
Rabana made no reply as Shalal brought up his head, and said unto him, "Do you know what surprises me most about you son of Europhan? It is not that you believe you can save these people from my wrath, it is that you believe these people are worth saving!"
Expanding his wings, the creature of evil spoke aloud, "Too long have these people writhed in their filthiness only to be suckled by the Lesari in times of peril! Their day of reckoning has come, and here am I, bringing death and fire from above, and if the gods will not stop me than that makes me their instrument!"
Looking upon the man, the dragon said with more earnestness, "Once more Rabana I shall make you this offer. Swear allegiance to me with your blood and together we shall purge this world of those who are not worthy to tread upon it!"
After the space of many moments, Rabana then said unto him, "Almost, did you persuade me to break my covenants."
And Shalal said unto him, "Then let those covenants to a broken race be your end." -
-As Holo was reading the withered pages of her novel, she looked up towards the slivers of radiant golden light that seeped through the seems, and only pondered the struggle between the knight and the dragon and the struggle she herself was found in.
There was an abrupt rap upon the door in which the she wolf quickly sprang to her feet and said, "I am not dressed."
The voice of Ranger broke through the other side in response, "The storm has passed, the time has come to proceed."
Holo took the mantle and jacket that were hanging over the tether that was tied above the once burning fire. The fabrics were now dry and acceptable for use, therefore Holo dressed herself in the same manner as before.
She then opened the decrepit door, and there stood the masked avenger awaiting her reunion. Within her hand was the well worn book that the Ranger could not help but notice.
Feeling the odd need to explain herself, Holo said, "Oh this, this is a novel I have found a few days ago. It may seem childish but I could not help but be drawn in by the story, perhaps I could read some on the way to help pass the time."
"It is well,' returned Ranger with subtlety, 'I have heard many stories."
He then opened the way and motioned with his head for her to take her place in the wagon. She then quitted the shed and walked away from him with a sense of insecurity in her stride. The swordsman then went into the shed only to retrieve the rope.
As the she wolf approached the wagon alone, a surge of opposition pulsed through her as Gallavaun shook and brayed while Kaytaff perched on top of the side and let out a series of intimidating barks and snarls.
More annoyed than threatened, Holo responded, "To me, your voice sounds stupid."
As she placed her hands atop the ledge to mount the seat, the territorial shepherd dog lunged forward and snapped at her knuckles. In response, she pulled back and balled her fists, while glaring back at the hound and snarled in return.
A sharp whistle interrupted the stand off as Ranger approached and did little to rebuke the animal. He only pointed to the furthest corner and said, "Down."
With a growling huff, Kaytaff curled into a ball without ever taking his eyes off the she wolf. When seeing the clear chance, Holo took her place in the passenger side of the wagon and said with a grudge, "He should mind his place, for it is Holo the wise wolf whom he challenges."
"That may be,' said Ranger as he mounted the driver's seat, 'however, to him, you are nothing more than an intruder invading his territory, whose presence will only be tolerated when I am here."
With some commotion within her fibers, Holo said with agitation, "Is it this wagon then, that is his territory?"
Without taking his eyes off the road, Ranger responded inattentively, "His territory is wherever he rests his head."
With that said the reigns struck the back of the shire and the wagon continued it's course. The day had now transitioned into a murky and damp afternoon. Thrice did the wagon get it's rungs stuck in the mud, and thrice did the Ranger dismount and push against it with his back, and to Holo's astonishment, the carriage was liberated on each attempt.
It was then that she could not help but comment, " Tis' a shame that we had not met earlier."
The eyes of the swordsman shifted towards her with some impassive curiosity as she went on, "When Lawrence and I were only traveling, whenever the cart would become stuck in the mud, he had to push as well. Yet his efforts would be threefold and fruitless. Sometimes I would wonder if we would have to wait for another caravan to help us, or if we would remain there and fall prey to bandits or wild animals."
He made no response, therefore Holo made the closing remark, "I am sure if you had been with us, we would have been much safer."
That comment however, brought an unusual hostile tone from the lips of the Ranger, "No one is safe around me."
The ears of the she wolf perked with a stunned energy, in which she responded, "The same could be said of myself, for in my true form I can do an infinite amount more in less than half the time."
"Every creature has a weak point, and with you they had found it."
"I beg your pardon?"
"The ferocity of the wise wolf was brought to an end when they had your spouse at knife point."
"You dare call my love for Lawrence weakness?!"
"You may take that as it may, however, the chance to do the work you professed to, could have been done, yet you allowed it to slip by you."
"They would have killed him if I had not stopped!" she exclaimed.
"And that desperation to preserve the life of the one you loved, brought the mighty beast down."
Stammering in disbelief, Holo protested, "How can you say that? I would have lost everything if I chose to slay them all!"
Ranger lifted his chin, "And that in of itself, is the true meaning of selfless sacrifice."
"What do yo mean?"
"Had you chosen to engage, kill Lawrence and Matthias they surely would have done. However, their reign of terror upon the children of men would have ended, and no more innocents would have perished by their hands."
"You mean to say that it would have been a wiser choice to sacrifice the lives of Lawrence and Matthias in order to hasten the end of Jurgen's campaign?" said she with distraught nihilism.
"No, that is a thing for you to decide. I am only pointing out other routes that could have been taken, if you are only willing to bear the roads in which they lead."
"Either way, it seems unbearably cruel to me!" said she with huff.
It was then that the fair consort looked upon the sleeves of the jacket she was wearing and said with desperate enthusiasm. "Of course, why did I not think of it sooner!?"
She turned to Ranger and said, "This is the jacket of Lawrence is it not? I can simply change into my wolf form and follow the scent, for I have a very powerful nose."
Ranger then took a deep breath and returned, "A nose behind a too ambitious mind."
"Are you doubting my ability to track?"
"They took Lawrence by means of water, you will only go a few miles before the scent shall be gone from that nose. Aside from that, do you know why they spared Lawrence?"
Holo set back as Ranger went on, "Is it not obvious? They are using him as bait, you know nothing of where they took him and what they really want. Should you find their sanctuary, then what? Break through the walls and barriers and enact your vengeance? You think that you would be the first pagan god they have contended with? They will simply use him again to compromise your emotions and force you to comply with their demands. Then all that you hoped to save will be gone."
"Enough!" she cried with tearing eyes.
Then with a final remark, the dark swordsman said, "And it is for this reason, that I shall take you as far as Valenfurt and regroup with the other rangers."
Holo shielded her face from him with her hand, as insensitive as his words may have appeared, their was truth in what he spoke, and there is where the cruelty made it's mark.
They continued onward down the highway in silence, Holo could do little to alleviate the pang within her bosom. She could not read nor rest, only look on with a forlornness in her gaze. The sun was beginning to set in the western sky that lay gold in it's rays. It was then that her stomach began to make the sounds of famished hunger, yet for the first time in her life, she preferred not to eat.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Ranger handed her a large handkerchief and said with a pressing tone, "Quickly, cover your ears."
She looked up to see a large number of wagons and carriages clustered together at the end of the road, with an assortment of people gathered around. Taking the handkerchief she tied around her head like bonnet, as the wagon was pulled off to the side many yards from the crowd.
Disembarking, Ranger ordered, "Stay here, I will see what is happening."
As the man was proceeding, Holo decided to use her supernatural hearing to be informed on what was happening.
As Ranger walked, he noticed that many of the wagons were vacant. But most notable were the reactions of the people who saw his advancing presence. Observing his stained and rent apparel and the stitches binding his arm, they gawked at him then shuddered when seeing the sword tied to the left of his hip.
They parted the way as he walked forward with hushed whispers passing through their lips. Some pointed to the wagon from which he exited and surveyed Holo and her unusual choice of garb. They began to wonder and speculate, which is the common symptom of ignorance.
As the natural occurrence ensued, there seemed to be one among them who was in full knowledge of the blockade, for we was surrounded by impatient travelers who were demanding to know when the traffic would be free to move again.
His complexion changed when seeing Ranger push past the group and approach him.
"What is the cause of this delay?" said he.
The man replied with some trembling delay, "The bridge that crosses the river has collapsed, there is a ferry that will make the crossing, but the pilot is not cheap. He will charge per passenger, wagon and horse."
"When is he expected to return?"
"Within the hour."
Looking back at the abandoned coaches, Ranger inquired, "Have these travelers abandoned their wagons?"
Nodding, the man returned, "The toll to take them along was too high so they made the crossing, leaving behind their possessions. Your only hope is to either pay the fee, or leave your horse and wagon behind and wait until the bridge is repaired if you are to reclaim it."
"How much is he charging?"
"Nothing lower than weight in silver."
Ranger squinted then went back to talk with Holo.
As he came to her seat, she said, "I heard everything from here. What are you going to do?"
"We cannot leave the wagon here, it has too many valuable items that are crucial to this venture, plus Gallavaun and Kaytaff cannot be left alone. However, we cannot be delayed in our journey either."
"How much money do you have?"
"About fifteen Trenni silver coins mixed with a few bronze. The cost of clothing for the both of us would be more than half that amount."
"And this pilot would not be so sympathetic to our frugal situation." concurred Holo.
"Indeed, from what I have seen, some of these travelers appear to be merchants, I may have to trade what can be parted with on the wagon."
"Such as?"
"I managed to scavenge a few of Angelo and Jabari's weapons, plus a few knives and daggers from the other dead."
Just then another voice spoke to them from behind, "It appears the two of you are in a more desperate situation than the others."
Ranger turned to confront the man who spoke. He was a tall and slender individual with sandy brown hair and a light beard of red. He was taken a bit back by the unfriendly welcome of Ranger's demeanor.
"I'm sorry I did not mean to to invade upon your conversation, but I could not help but notice the two of you."
He then extended his hand with a friendly smile and introduced himself, "My name is Fabian."
Ranger coldly looked at his hand then back up at him without making a motion.
Becoming more uncomfortable, Fabian said with an agitated jest, "You know when you came here, people took you for an assassin or bandit."
"What is your purpose in approaching us?" returned the swordsman abruptly.
"I thought maybe we could help each other." returned the man with hesitation.
Holo then suddenly interjected, "What do you propose?"
Ranger slanted his head back at her as to say he was not in approval of her outburst.
Fabian then proceeded, "Well I am a merchant and am in desperate need to cross the river."
"And how does this relate to us?" said Ranger with a tone that was seemingly losing patience.
The fair merchant then responded, "Well I am apart of a traveling guild, as we were coming up this way we-"
"Skip to what is relevant please." interrupted Ranger.
Nodding, Fabian quickly said, "My fellow travelers were able to afford the toll but I was not. I felt that perhaps we could combine our wages to make the journey together."
"And what is the benefit for us?"
"As I have said, we are all traveling merchants and would have many goods that you could stock up on, namely clothes and food."
"You would simply part with them without cost?" inquired Ranger with a slightly dark astonishment in his already subtle tone.
Sighing with a convenient grievance, the merchant said, "Consider it repayment for your help if you choose to do so. I figured the both of us had a common goal in crossing the river and a common delay."
"How very fortunate we all are, to be meeting here under the same circumstance." Returned Ranger with a tone of obvious suspicion and distrust to this proposal.
Putting his hands up in an assertive manner, Fabian reasoned, "Why don't the two of you talk this through and let me know what your plan is. Decide fast for the ferry is expected to return soon and I don't think the pilot does night runs."
The man then departed, leaving the Ranger and the wolf alone to converse the matter.
"From what I could tell, he is telling the truth." said Holo.
"Was it a woman's intuition used to conclude as thus or sympathetic desperation?"
With a look of displeasure, Holo returned, "I have it within my many abilities to detect lies with my ears."
"Can they detect as well, the withholding of specific truths?"
"If you are wondering as to whether or not he is an agent of Jurgen, the most I can say is that I do not believe so."
"I was not wondering, and it is more to know than to believe." said he.
"Very well, I know that this would be the quickest way to get to Valenfurt." said the she wolf with annoyance.
"Ultimately, this decision resides with me." said the Ranger with strong force.
"Well then, seeing how I am no more to you than an occupant of space, what do you decide?"
After some pondering with his intent eyes, Ranger gave his ultimatum, "I will accept his proposal."
He then turned to approach Fabian, leaving Holo, who felt untrusted, alone.
"I accept your proposal." said Ranger to Fabian.
With great relief, he exclaimed, "Oh, very good to hear!"
"What is your plan to get us on that ferry?"
"How many silver coins to you have?"
"Ten and five."
"I have about thirty."
Ranger cocked his head, "You say you could not afford the toll?"
Pulling on his collar, Fabian returned, "It's ten silver a person, then with wagon and horse comes to a total of forty five pieces."
"Fifty and five pieces…" observed Ranger with some disbelief in his voice.
"We're short ten." sighed Fabian.
"Is it greed that pushes this expense upon all the travelers?"
"Well, from what I've gathered, the ferryman has been overworked and has been called away from other matters that he wishes to attend. It must be that he either wants this labor to be well worth his time or he hopes that the people would wait, giving him the time off."
"Do you have a plan to get us on that ferry?"
"Well, there are a few vagabonds here we could trade some goods with."
"You are the merchant, therefore you have the goods for sale."
"There is one indifference in that regard,' said Fabian, 'there is one merchant who is willing to trade but he desires weapons."
"And you automatically supposed that I was in possessions of such items, and that is why you came to me?"
Fabian then said defensively, "Look I'm sorry, I overheard you and your traveling companion talking and figured this is the only way to get across."
"She is not my companion." replied the hood with sternness, which caused Holo to droop her head when she heard it.
"We still need each other if we're going to cross. I have the bulk of the coin, you have the weapons the peddler would want."
"What is his interest in the tools of war?"
"I can only suppose he is an arms dealer."
"Do you know what it is that he is looking for?"
"You'll have to ask him that." declared Fabian.
"Show him to me."
Fabian then pointed to a modest carriage with a green canopy and a drop door on the side that had an extending border that served as a type of counter. Behind it was a man of about forty, poorly dressed with soiled breaches and an open vest that exposed his rounded torso.
The hood then made his way to confront the peddler.
"Can I help you!?" asked he of the Ranger with an impatient tone.
With a glare that said clearly to be spoken to with a more pleasant tone, the swordsman responded, "I have heard you wish to peddle with arms."
"Depends on what you have."
Suddenly to the surprise of the bargainer, Holo's voice answered for him, "A collection of daggers, along with two bows."
The peddler then scoffed at her appearance, "Willing to trade them in for something decent to wear?"
Ranger let out a sigh then said to the merchant, "Excuse me,' he then turned and whispered to her, 'I said to stay in the wagon."
Holo quickly responded, "I have done this before, and I am confident that I will be able to fetch you the highest price for your goods."
"If you wish to help me, then fetch the goods themselves." said he then turned to re confront the arms dealer.
With a roll of the eyes Holo said, "Your dog will not let me in the back and you know it."
Ranger, when realizing the logic, made the pilgrimage to fetch the goods. He returned with a a thick cloth rolled up and in his arms and a bow in the other palm with the second around the shoulder. He laid the bows on the counter then unrolled the cloth showing the assorted daggers mentioned.
The arms dealer examined them with an inconsistent eye and said, "Three silver pieces."
"Per item?" asked Ranger.
"No, for the whole lot."
"And you believe you have priced this fairly?" said the Ranger with a fading tolerance of having his time wasted further.
"I have an eye for quality work."
"Then you would know that at least two of these items are worth five silver each."
"Well if you want a higher bargain then I would gladly take that piece for twenty trenni's, if you're willing to part with it." returned the merchant pointing to the sword on the Hood's person.
Looking down at it, the masked man returned with frigid daring, "Not on your life."
Ranger then motioned towards the bows, "These recurves are made from the finest oak and the most delicately crafted hemp."
"That's fine and dandy,' returned the hostile merchant, 'but where are the arrows for them? Your goods are incomplete, look I'll give you five for both and three for the daggers."
"I am not haggling with you." returned Ranger with more annoyance.
"Then take your shoddy merchandise and bad business talent somewhere else."
Finally, Holo intervened, "There is more to these weapons than simple material value."
"Who asked you?" returned the arms dealer aggressively.
"Is that anyway to talk to someone who may one day save your life?" said she with a convincing tease.
"What do you mean?"
"This area of the land has wider spreads of civilization, does it not?"
"It does."
"Which would make the people wandering thus far more susceptible to bandit attacks, yes?"
"The law is much more scarce out here."
"Then why do you take me for a simpleton?" asked Holo with a sly tone.
Caught off guard, the arms dealer returned with uncertainty, "I wasn't trying to…"
"The reason you market in weapons is not to sell to mercenaries but to have a solid defense when you get raided." said the she wolf with unbreakable confidence.
The merchant then changed his complexion to one who seemed to be sliding into a snare.
Holo then continued, "If it is your life you worry most about than be rest assured that these weapons have seen combat and have proven to the task of defense and warfare."
Staggering with his words, the arms dealer looked to Ranger and asked, "Is this true?"
With a sharp gaze, the hood nodded and replied, "They have tasted blood."
"As I have said,' replied Holo, 'these weapons may lack the decorative arts of delicately crafted gold and silver, however they are strong and reliable and could save your life some day, which no price could be too high."
Sighing and rubbing the back of his neck, the dealer said with a hint of defeat in his voice, "How much do you want."
"Twenty silver pieces."
"Fifteen." returned the man with a bargain.
"Deal." said Holo, then looking towards Ranger, commented, "They are your weapons, perhaps you should seal the deal."
Taking over, the masked man said evenly, "We are agreed then, ten and five trenni silver coins?"
With an affirming beckon, the arms dealer pulled out a satchel and began to place the coins in it.
Ranger then said with a higher knowledge of common schemes, "Count them."
With a sneer, the man restarted the placement until he physically counted the exact amount. After he tied the draw string off, he handed it to the hood, then took the weapons.
After he placed them under the counter he then said, "Thank you for your patronage, now, I'm closed!" then slammed the side door shut.
Holo put her hands triumphantly on her waste and smirked towards Ranger, who only pocketed the silver and walked away without saying a word.
Holo watched him depart with spurning resentment, and could only say, "You are welcome."
