Chapter 4: The Festival, The Vision and The Raid
Cain borrowed some decent clothes from Gerald and started for the village centre. The sun was beginning to set over the mountains, and the sky was a reddish gold colour. The air smelt sweet with flagrances of fruit, flowers and cooking. Instead of going straight for the square, Cain headed for the stables where he found his horse.
"Hey there," he said in a cheery voice. "I haven't seen you in a while." Fay dug her hooves into the floor. "I know you don't like stables," Cain said as he opened the door and let Fay out. Guiding her outside, Cain led Fay to a fenced in field. he opened the gate to let her in. Fay, still
behind him, nudged him in the small of his back.
"I'd like to play, but I must go to the festival," Cain said. Fay nibbled at his hand in affection as he stroked her head. Patting her muscular neck as she walked past, he closed the gate behind her and continued back.
He rounded the side of the barracks, when suddenly, it felt as if his head exploded. The pain was unbearable. Cain clutched his head in pain. He fell to his knees. Images began to flash past his eyes as if he was seeing them for real. Or were they real.
Fire. Everything was on fire. Little creatures wearing armour, wielding crude clubs and short swords. People were running, buildings were being ransacked. Cain could even smell charred flesh, and burning hay.
Then, all at once, just as it came, it was over. Cain could no longer smell anything but flowers, but the smell was etched into his brain. Cain stood up and began to dust himself off. Then he noticed something eerie. His hands were red, it looked like, but it couldn't be. It appeared to be
blood.
"What the devil is happening?" Cain said out loud.
Bringing his hands closer to inspect, the blood began to disappear. Pink patches of skin appeared. The blood looked like it was quickly draining off his hands, but it did not drip on the ground. In fact, when it disappeared, no trace was left of it.
"I must speak to Marcus," Cain said to himself as he walked to the square.
When Cain finally reached the square, all thoughts about what had just happened disappeared. Everything was decorated with bright colours. People were laughing and chatting away while children were dancing and chasing each other around the magnificent marble statue standing proudly in the village square. On it was a man, wearing travellers robes, light in armour with a sword in one hand, shield on his back and his other arm was extended outwards with a giant hawk perched close to the mans elbow. Two wolves sat at his feet, looking proud and powerful. All four of them were staring towards the west, right at the mountains. They were standing on a pedestal and a pool basin was below it. Engraved around the bottom was symbols. On one side was written:
There is no greater evil than that which resides in the hearts of men, and no greater love, beauty and strength than that of the human soul.
Cain couldn't see a name on the statue, only the saying and some weird ruins. He sighed and looked for a place to sit. Cain made his way around the outside of the square. Finally finding a half-wall to sit on, he took his spot. Some children ran by, laughing gayly.
The sun was now out of sight, only the gentile glow remained. Fireflies began to flutter around, in an odd sort of dance of life. When the last bit of natural light diminished, only lanterns inside of house and shops gave effort to expand light into the darkness. A shadowy figure walked by Cain towards the statue. Who could that be? Cain wondered. The figure took a spot beside the statue, the side closest to Cain.
"People of Sunwater, and visitors alike," a voice said in the darkness. Cain nearly laughed. How could he have not guess it earlier for Marcus was the mysterious figure standing before everybody in the darkness.
"Welcome to the annual Sunwater Festival!" Marcus yelled into the night as he thrusted his hands into the cool air. As soon as his arms fully extended, explosions erupted from his palms; as many as fifty lanterns ignited to life. People clapped and issued an 'aw'.
A band on a small platform struck up. The band consisted of several bagpipes, lutes, flutes, and odd instruments never seen before by Cain. Pairs of people began to stand and take the open space for dancing. Cain make no movement to select a partner, nor did he feel like dancing. He did, however, keep an eye out for Aras. She didn't appear to be in the festivities. Across the square, he spotted who he assumed was Jillian, waving, smiling and giggling towards Cain. Cain however did spot Daelin dancing with what appeared to be his wife. Daelin spotted Cain and smiled as he waved. Cain returned the wave, grinning. His grin did not remain on his face. Something felt funny. Cain felt colder, and more distant from everybody. The music seemed to blur, and the smells of the night began to nullify.
Cain stood and turned to head back to Geralds house. As he began to walk he ploughed head on into somebody. Taking a quick double take, he realized who he had ran into and cursed himself. Aras's eyes flashed dangerously at Cain. She made him feel a whole lot smaller.
"You seem to have a habit of walking into people, don't you?" she said.
"Now, now, Aras. You should calm down," a man beside Aras said. The man extended a hand to Cain.
"I'm Kargath," the man said. "You must be Cain. Congratulations on slaying the demon. That particular beast has given us some trouble."
"I just got lucky," Cain said shrugging his shoulder as he shook Kargath's hand.
"Well, with your luck, you should join our military here in Sunwater," Kargath stated.
"Kargath is the second in command of the army, just under Nayr," Aras said with a hint of boasting in her voice.
"Hope to see you later," Cain said. "Please excuse me."
Cain walked two steps when it happened again, only this time, there was no pain. Only the sights, sounds, smells and figures. Images seemed to fly by in his mind of fires, shadowy figures that were laughing, screaming, crying and people running everywhere.
Cain began to panic. The images stopped, but what was going on! Am I going mad? Cain thought to himself. He didn't feel any better, nor any different.
A scream filled the air. Cain turned to see what was happening. Aras was on the ground, clutching Kargath closely. Upon a closer look, Cain could see two arrows and a throwing dagger embedded in his chest. Cain ran closer. When Cain reached them, he was amidst a shower of arrows. It was as if the sky was raining arrows. Cain quickly grabbed Kargath and while dragging him to the protection of a shed, Cain pulled Aras out of the arrows' path.
Looking into Kargath's eyes, Cain could see his life rapidly leaving him. Kargath looked up at Cain, and gave him a grim smile.
"Protect Aras for me," Kargath whispered.
"I won't have to. You ARE going to pull through it," Cain said.
"No, I'm dying. It is inevitable. I can see it in your eyes. You are like your brother. Strong. Please, follow my last wish. Protect Aras."
Cain reached down and took Kargath's hand in his. Grasping Kargath's hand firmly he replied: "I will."
Kargath exhaled slowly as his body fell still.
Cain paused a minute to re-gather his thoughts. Looking outside, he saw arrows still raining from the sky. Now some of the arrows were on fire, luckily none had hit the buildings yet. But there are people still out there, hiding behind walls and holding buckets over their heads, Cain thought. He decided that he needed to be out there, getting those people to safety.
Looking around the dim shack, he looked for something to shield himself. Some boards and buckets. Nothing too terribly useful. But along the back was something caught his eye. Could it be? It was! It was Cain's armour. Not caring how it got there, he began to put it on. Slipping on his breast plate, he quickly decided not to put the entire set on. Putting the head piece on, and grabbing his sword and shield he turned to Aras.
"Stay here. You'll be safe," Cain said.
Aras nodded with tears in her eyes.
Cain ran outside with his shield over his head to protect him. There were some children huddled behind the statue. Cain rushed over to them.
"Are you alright?" Cain asked the group of three.
The oldest nodded his head while trying to calm two little girls down. Leading the children back to the shack, Cain continued his search. Cain spotted Nayr under a porch, sporting a cut arm
"Do you know who is doing this?" Cain asked.
Nayr nodded slowly. "The sentries report it is coming from the west side of town."
"Is it raiders?"
"No," Nayr replied holding up a blood-stained arrow.
At a quick glance it looked like a normal arrow. But upon closer examination, Cain could tell it was different. The shaft of the arrow was bone, extending roughly two feet in length. Cain couldn't tell what kind or where the bone came from. The arrowhead was the most interesting part. It was made of metal, but it looked like shiny bone. It had jagged edges, pointing backwards, which would make it difficult to pull the arrow out of a wound.
"It's a demon raid," Nayr replied.
"What should we do?" Cain asked.
"Get down to the barracks. Tell the men to find out where those arrows are coming from. Also, get some men to get everybody inside. I'll stay here and get the rest of the people around here inside," Nayr said.
Cain took off for the barracks. Keeping close to the wall, Cain avoided going out too far into the open. Cain rounded the same corner he had earlier that day, when he had the strange vision. But the vision was far from the thoughts running through his mind. Where demons actually attacking the village? Why now?
Cain slowed down. He could hear voices from behind a low garden wall. He paused to listen. He didn't have to listen to very much before he felt his stomach drop to his knees. Demons.
Crouching behind the wall, Cain quietly listened to them.
"Have you found him yet?" a deep voice said.
"Ney, we're still looking," a high pitched voice said.
"You better find him, or I will eat you for my next meal," the deep voice said.
"Yes, Master Attacker," the shrill voice said.
With that, small groups of pattering steps faded into the distance in different directions.
Who are they looking for? Cain wondered. Standing up, Cain continued on his way. Now that he knew for sure what he was up against, he tried to keep to the shadows. The barracks loomed up before him, like a beacon among the burning buildings. Around the barracks were demons, trying to force their way inside. Though they were trying, they were not being very successful. Small piles of dead demon bodies were starting to pile up as archers were stopping them dead in their tracks.
Keeping close to the wall, Cain edged his way to the rear. Fortunately it was open, completely free of demons. Cain made a mad dash for the door. It seems almost too easy, Cain thought. Cain slowed down as he reached the door.
Just as he reached for the handle in the dark doorway, he heard a voice. No, there were two voices. Softly conversing, in a mix of English and an unrecognizable language. What they were saying was not of Cains concern, but it was who they were. The one voice was the Master Attacker from earlier. The second voice was different, but familiar. It was somebody he knew.
Peeking around the corner, Cain looked over at the two conversing people and his eyes widened at what he saw.
"Oh Lord!" Cain said quietly. "I don't believe it. It's..."
"None of your business, boy!" a voice said from behind Cain.
Before Cain could move, there was a swish of a cloak, clinging of armour and a metal on metal contact as a demon brought a sword down hard of the back of Cain's helmet. Cain dropped to his knees and fell over, his helmet falling off and rolling away. Cain's vision faded in and out of focus as he tried to fight the darkness and sleep that was threatening to overcome him. Cain slowly lifted his head a little, and slowly gazed his way up, from the feet, up the legs, past the waist and into the shadow covered face of the familiar figure.
"Traitor," Cain spat.
"Good night, boy! The traitor said as Cain's head dropped and he fell unconscious.
Cain borrowed some decent clothes from Gerald and started for the village centre. The sun was beginning to set over the mountains, and the sky was a reddish gold colour. The air smelt sweet with flagrances of fruit, flowers and cooking. Instead of going straight for the square, Cain headed for the stables where he found his horse.
"Hey there," he said in a cheery voice. "I haven't seen you in a while." Fay dug her hooves into the floor. "I know you don't like stables," Cain said as he opened the door and let Fay out. Guiding her outside, Cain led Fay to a fenced in field. he opened the gate to let her in. Fay, still
behind him, nudged him in the small of his back.
"I'd like to play, but I must go to the festival," Cain said. Fay nibbled at his hand in affection as he stroked her head. Patting her muscular neck as she walked past, he closed the gate behind her and continued back.
He rounded the side of the barracks, when suddenly, it felt as if his head exploded. The pain was unbearable. Cain clutched his head in pain. He fell to his knees. Images began to flash past his eyes as if he was seeing them for real. Or were they real.
Fire. Everything was on fire. Little creatures wearing armour, wielding crude clubs and short swords. People were running, buildings were being ransacked. Cain could even smell charred flesh, and burning hay.
Then, all at once, just as it came, it was over. Cain could no longer smell anything but flowers, but the smell was etched into his brain. Cain stood up and began to dust himself off. Then he noticed something eerie. His hands were red, it looked like, but it couldn't be. It appeared to be
blood.
"What the devil is happening?" Cain said out loud.
Bringing his hands closer to inspect, the blood began to disappear. Pink patches of skin appeared. The blood looked like it was quickly draining off his hands, but it did not drip on the ground. In fact, when it disappeared, no trace was left of it.
"I must speak to Marcus," Cain said to himself as he walked to the square.
When Cain finally reached the square, all thoughts about what had just happened disappeared. Everything was decorated with bright colours. People were laughing and chatting away while children were dancing and chasing each other around the magnificent marble statue standing proudly in the village square. On it was a man, wearing travellers robes, light in armour with a sword in one hand, shield on his back and his other arm was extended outwards with a giant hawk perched close to the mans elbow. Two wolves sat at his feet, looking proud and powerful. All four of them were staring towards the west, right at the mountains. They were standing on a pedestal and a pool basin was below it. Engraved around the bottom was symbols. On one side was written:
There is no greater evil than that which resides in the hearts of men, and no greater love, beauty and strength than that of the human soul.
Cain couldn't see a name on the statue, only the saying and some weird ruins. He sighed and looked for a place to sit. Cain made his way around the outside of the square. Finally finding a half-wall to sit on, he took his spot. Some children ran by, laughing gayly.
The sun was now out of sight, only the gentile glow remained. Fireflies began to flutter around, in an odd sort of dance of life. When the last bit of natural light diminished, only lanterns inside of house and shops gave effort to expand light into the darkness. A shadowy figure walked by Cain towards the statue. Who could that be? Cain wondered. The figure took a spot beside the statue, the side closest to Cain.
"People of Sunwater, and visitors alike," a voice said in the darkness. Cain nearly laughed. How could he have not guess it earlier for Marcus was the mysterious figure standing before everybody in the darkness.
"Welcome to the annual Sunwater Festival!" Marcus yelled into the night as he thrusted his hands into the cool air. As soon as his arms fully extended, explosions erupted from his palms; as many as fifty lanterns ignited to life. People clapped and issued an 'aw'.
A band on a small platform struck up. The band consisted of several bagpipes, lutes, flutes, and odd instruments never seen before by Cain. Pairs of people began to stand and take the open space for dancing. Cain make no movement to select a partner, nor did he feel like dancing. He did, however, keep an eye out for Aras. She didn't appear to be in the festivities. Across the square, he spotted who he assumed was Jillian, waving, smiling and giggling towards Cain. Cain however did spot Daelin dancing with what appeared to be his wife. Daelin spotted Cain and smiled as he waved. Cain returned the wave, grinning. His grin did not remain on his face. Something felt funny. Cain felt colder, and more distant from everybody. The music seemed to blur, and the smells of the night began to nullify.
Cain stood and turned to head back to Geralds house. As he began to walk he ploughed head on into somebody. Taking a quick double take, he realized who he had ran into and cursed himself. Aras's eyes flashed dangerously at Cain. She made him feel a whole lot smaller.
"You seem to have a habit of walking into people, don't you?" she said.
"Now, now, Aras. You should calm down," a man beside Aras said. The man extended a hand to Cain.
"I'm Kargath," the man said. "You must be Cain. Congratulations on slaying the demon. That particular beast has given us some trouble."
"I just got lucky," Cain said shrugging his shoulder as he shook Kargath's hand.
"Well, with your luck, you should join our military here in Sunwater," Kargath stated.
"Kargath is the second in command of the army, just under Nayr," Aras said with a hint of boasting in her voice.
"Hope to see you later," Cain said. "Please excuse me."
Cain walked two steps when it happened again, only this time, there was no pain. Only the sights, sounds, smells and figures. Images seemed to fly by in his mind of fires, shadowy figures that were laughing, screaming, crying and people running everywhere.
Cain began to panic. The images stopped, but what was going on! Am I going mad? Cain thought to himself. He didn't feel any better, nor any different.
A scream filled the air. Cain turned to see what was happening. Aras was on the ground, clutching Kargath closely. Upon a closer look, Cain could see two arrows and a throwing dagger embedded in his chest. Cain ran closer. When Cain reached them, he was amidst a shower of arrows. It was as if the sky was raining arrows. Cain quickly grabbed Kargath and while dragging him to the protection of a shed, Cain pulled Aras out of the arrows' path.
Looking into Kargath's eyes, Cain could see his life rapidly leaving him. Kargath looked up at Cain, and gave him a grim smile.
"Protect Aras for me," Kargath whispered.
"I won't have to. You ARE going to pull through it," Cain said.
"No, I'm dying. It is inevitable. I can see it in your eyes. You are like your brother. Strong. Please, follow my last wish. Protect Aras."
Cain reached down and took Kargath's hand in his. Grasping Kargath's hand firmly he replied: "I will."
Kargath exhaled slowly as his body fell still.
Cain paused a minute to re-gather his thoughts. Looking outside, he saw arrows still raining from the sky. Now some of the arrows were on fire, luckily none had hit the buildings yet. But there are people still out there, hiding behind walls and holding buckets over their heads, Cain thought. He decided that he needed to be out there, getting those people to safety.
Looking around the dim shack, he looked for something to shield himself. Some boards and buckets. Nothing too terribly useful. But along the back was something caught his eye. Could it be? It was! It was Cain's armour. Not caring how it got there, he began to put it on. Slipping on his breast plate, he quickly decided not to put the entire set on. Putting the head piece on, and grabbing his sword and shield he turned to Aras.
"Stay here. You'll be safe," Cain said.
Aras nodded with tears in her eyes.
Cain ran outside with his shield over his head to protect him. There were some children huddled behind the statue. Cain rushed over to them.
"Are you alright?" Cain asked the group of three.
The oldest nodded his head while trying to calm two little girls down. Leading the children back to the shack, Cain continued his search. Cain spotted Nayr under a porch, sporting a cut arm
"Do you know who is doing this?" Cain asked.
Nayr nodded slowly. "The sentries report it is coming from the west side of town."
"Is it raiders?"
"No," Nayr replied holding up a blood-stained arrow.
At a quick glance it looked like a normal arrow. But upon closer examination, Cain could tell it was different. The shaft of the arrow was bone, extending roughly two feet in length. Cain couldn't tell what kind or where the bone came from. The arrowhead was the most interesting part. It was made of metal, but it looked like shiny bone. It had jagged edges, pointing backwards, which would make it difficult to pull the arrow out of a wound.
"It's a demon raid," Nayr replied.
"What should we do?" Cain asked.
"Get down to the barracks. Tell the men to find out where those arrows are coming from. Also, get some men to get everybody inside. I'll stay here and get the rest of the people around here inside," Nayr said.
Cain took off for the barracks. Keeping close to the wall, Cain avoided going out too far into the open. Cain rounded the same corner he had earlier that day, when he had the strange vision. But the vision was far from the thoughts running through his mind. Where demons actually attacking the village? Why now?
Cain slowed down. He could hear voices from behind a low garden wall. He paused to listen. He didn't have to listen to very much before he felt his stomach drop to his knees. Demons.
Crouching behind the wall, Cain quietly listened to them.
"Have you found him yet?" a deep voice said.
"Ney, we're still looking," a high pitched voice said.
"You better find him, or I will eat you for my next meal," the deep voice said.
"Yes, Master Attacker," the shrill voice said.
With that, small groups of pattering steps faded into the distance in different directions.
Who are they looking for? Cain wondered. Standing up, Cain continued on his way. Now that he knew for sure what he was up against, he tried to keep to the shadows. The barracks loomed up before him, like a beacon among the burning buildings. Around the barracks were demons, trying to force their way inside. Though they were trying, they were not being very successful. Small piles of dead demon bodies were starting to pile up as archers were stopping them dead in their tracks.
Keeping close to the wall, Cain edged his way to the rear. Fortunately it was open, completely free of demons. Cain made a mad dash for the door. It seems almost too easy, Cain thought. Cain slowed down as he reached the door.
Just as he reached for the handle in the dark doorway, he heard a voice. No, there were two voices. Softly conversing, in a mix of English and an unrecognizable language. What they were saying was not of Cains concern, but it was who they were. The one voice was the Master Attacker from earlier. The second voice was different, but familiar. It was somebody he knew.
Peeking around the corner, Cain looked over at the two conversing people and his eyes widened at what he saw.
"Oh Lord!" Cain said quietly. "I don't believe it. It's..."
"None of your business, boy!" a voice said from behind Cain.
Before Cain could move, there was a swish of a cloak, clinging of armour and a metal on metal contact as a demon brought a sword down hard of the back of Cain's helmet. Cain dropped to his knees and fell over, his helmet falling off and rolling away. Cain's vision faded in and out of focus as he tried to fight the darkness and sleep that was threatening to overcome him. Cain slowly lifted his head a little, and slowly gazed his way up, from the feet, up the legs, past the waist and into the shadow covered face of the familiar figure.
"Traitor," Cain spat.
"Good night, boy! The traitor said as Cain's head dropped and he fell unconscious.