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Chapter 8 - The Horsemen
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Something striking him hard across the back of his shoulders surprised Callin, forcing the breath from his body and causing his knees to buckle. Stumbling back as he was assailed from above, he lay there, breeches about his knees, glowering darkly at the large branch that had come but mere inches from crashing down upon his head. It was not dead wood, so what had caused it to fall? Another angry shudder and a loud groan from the tree now looming menacingly above him filled Callin with a sense of unease, and he quickly rolled out from beneath its boughs.
Bewildered, Callin scanned the skies above, looking for the freak storm that must have torn the branch free, but the skies were clear and bright, free from clouds and strong winds. He was still pondering what had caused the branch to fall when the sound of approaching horses reached his ears.
The tree all but forgotten, Callin cursed furiously, and with a grimace, tucked himself painfully back into his breeches. His brother was early in returning, and he had wanted to continue on to settlements before anyone was the wiser. He glanced around quickly for the skin that he had used to cover the elf during their journey. Seeing it with the other furs in one of the wagons, he knew that he would never be able to cover it in time.
No matter, the elf was his, and he would do with it as he pleased. Mindful of the tree above him, Callin returned to the elf. He caressed its firm, round cheeks lovingly, lingering over the marks he had left on its skin, his fingers tracing the curve of the bites. Regretfully, and with a loud sigh, he pulled the elf's leggings back into place.
"Don't fret, my pretty, I shall return."
Callin stood and moved away from the elf and toward the campfire just as Daris and his companions rode into camp. All remained silent as the arriving brother greeted the other.
"Brother! Our venture went much better than expected. We secured some real beauties this time." Daris approached and gave his brother a slap on the back, and said, "And how did you fare? We saw much game during our travels."
Callin was silent, trying desperately not to look in the direction of the elf. He honestly did not think that he could hide it, but he wanted to put off the inevitable confrontation with his brother as long as possible.
Clearing his throat nervously, he said, "I guess you could say we were successful. We also came back with some beauties of our own," and he slapped his hand over his mouth, giggling at his own reply.
Daris' brows drew together at his brother's odd behavior, but he shrugged it off, and smiling widely, said, "Excellent! Now, brother, I am hungry and thirsty and covered in much dust. Let me clean up, and then we can share our adventures over a meal."
Callin let out the breath he had been holding as Daris turned to go in the direction of the stream, and all would have been well, if one of the men who had ridden in with Daris had not called out loudly with a question.
"Callin, what is that you have hanging over there in the trees?"
Daris, still smiling, turned in the direction of the speaker and then followed his gaze to the clump of trees on the other side of the camp and the softly glowing being hanging within. As the realization of what he was looking at hit him, his smile faded, and he turned a stunned look on brother.
Callin simply dropped his chin to his chest and shook his head, and when he looked up, he was not surprised to see Daris sprinting across the camp.
Callin followed his brother. The elf was his, and he was determined to keep it. His resolve wavered only slightly as he closed on his brother. Daris spun around to face him, his voice choked with rage.
"Have you gone mad?! Please tell me you have for it may be the only way to save you!"
Callin stepped between his brother and the elf in an attempt to reinforce his claim, but Daris would not have it and pushed him aside roughly.
The other men in the group looked from brother to brother and then to one another. Backing away slowly to give the arguing pair plenty of room, they silently began dividing into their respective groups.
Ignoring his brother, Daris made a quick, visual sweep of the limp body before him. The elf's wrists and ankles were raw and bleeding where the rough rope had bit deeply into the skin, and his hands and arm were covered in bloody bandages. However, Daris was more concerned about the injuries that he could not see. He noticed the loose lacings and cringed at the thought of what was left unseen and untold.
Daris crouched down and placed his hand behind the elf's head, lifting it up. Worried that the elf was unconscious or worse, he was both relieved and sickened when he felt the elf attempt to recoil beneath his touch. Reaching over with his other hand, he removed both the gag and blindfold, and the haunted look in those dark, blue eyes as they focused on him was something he didn't think he would ever forget.
Daris closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before finally turning to his brother once again.
"This is no wild elf that you have trussed up like some mangy boar. Look at his clothing! This elf is obviously from the Elven Wood and under the protection of the Elf Witch, and the Gods only know who else! Someone *will* come looking for him, and they *will* find him, and then *we* will be the ones hanging from the trees as such!"
Daris motioned to two of his men. "Help me get him out of this tree!"
Casting Callin a contemptuous look, the men shoved their way past him, and grabbed the ends of the pole, working the bound elf out of the tree, while Daris continued to support his body. The elf seemed coherent, but his eyes were laced with pain and something else, a shadow, which Daris could not quite identify, lay within their depths. The sight of the elf trying to curl into a tight ball as his arms and legs were relieved of the weight of his own body tore at his heart.
"What has he done to you?" he whispered quietly, as they lowered Rúmil to the ground, and removing the pole, Daris flung it angrily in his brother's direction.
Daris leaned over to roll the trembling elf onto his back, supporting his head gently, and he was not surprised when the elf let out a harsh, rasping cry as strained joints and limbs attempted to flex and straighten. Once the elf had quieted, Daris took his dagger and cut the bonds from around the slender wrists, and his fury soared as the released arms fell limp and dead at the elf's sides.
Through clenched teeth, he asked, "How long has he been bound like this?" When no answer came from his brother, he turned to Callin's men.
"HOW LONG!"
"Only three days."
"Only. Three. Days!"
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~* To Be Continued *~
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