Thoughts will be in italics.
Chapter 14
Deadly Visit
All five of the elves turned towards the scream, hands on their swords, ready to meet whatever enemy had caused such fearfulness in the being that screamed. What met their eyes, however, was not something or someone they had expected and only served to stop them dead in their tracks, hesitant for a moment, unsure of what their next move should, or would, be.
Their friend, the kindly tavern keeper was backing up, his hands placatingly raised in front of him in a gesture of compliance, with a long dagger pointed at his chest, forcing him evermore backwards. And while an unprovoked attack upon the tavern keeper was, in itself, bizarre, what made the event even stranger was that there was no being attached to the other end of the dagger.
"Uh, does this count as something strange?"
"Súrion, always the one with the quick wit," Anayah thought to herself.
"Yes, Súrion, I think this can definitely be called strange."
She looked closely at the knife and found that if she narrowed her eyes slightly and squinted hard, that she could just barely see the outline of someone or something holding the knife. As she looked at him for some moments more, the being took on more shape and form as if her recognition of his existence gave him the substance to be seen by others.
Soon, every patron in the tavern could see the walking, dead creature as it advanced on the tavern keeper, ethereal sword in one hand and a very real, very sharp dagger in the other. It continued its advance, never once looking at those who now gazed upon its presence with growing apprehension.
The tavern keeper was frightened and visibly trembling as he continued to back up and the gruesome creature continued to advance on him fully focused on both his target and purpose. Finally, and before any of her guard could stop her, Anayah rose from where she was sitting and taking off her cloak, strode forward with purpose toward the tavern keeper and the advancing ghoul, drawing her sword as she did so.
"Creature of the shadow," She challenged the thing with her voice, "what is thy torment?"
Behind her, the Guards silently rose to their feet and moved towards the long bar so they could be in a position to come to her aid.
Ever so slowly, the ghoul turned toward Anayah, starring at her silently, as if it was trying to understand how it was that another being could see him.
She took another step towards the creature, the stench of the rotting corpse enveloping her and threatening to make her retch and the chill of the grave in which the creature walked threatening to send her to her knees. Steeling her nerves as well as her resolve she continued to advance on the creature.
"Why have you not passed beyond the circles of this world? Why do you stay, tormenting those who still live?"
The creature remained still and silent, watching her intently and considering her words until finally, the thing answered her in a voice that spoke of ages spent in the grave.
"How is it than you can see me she-elf?"
Now with his attention fully on her, he took one step forward, then another. Where the sensible part of her brain was screaming at her to do the sensible thing and run away, her heart was determined to finish what had been begun, for there was an innocent at need, and there was no way that need would remain unmet. She set her feet, placed both hands in a combat position on the hilt of her sword, and squared off her body, preparing to engage the creature if necessary. She then answered the creature's question.
"Let it be enough for you to know that I can and that I will not allow you to harm this human, dead creature. But if it still remains your desire to continue on your present course and if you still have the desire in your rotting soul to harm someone, then come to me so we can test each other's sword and then one can truly say that they are the stronger for that test!"
Semoro had finally maneuvered himself until he could be close enough to Anayah to be heard and spoke without moving his lips or taking his eyes off the ghoul standing in front of her.
"My Lady, what are you doing?"
She then spoke in a quiet voice to Saeros, knowing that the elf could hear her.
"Saeros, you are closest to the human. When I engage this creature, get the tavern keeper out of there and to safety."
Saeros nodded and began moving himself closer to the human target of the ghoul.
"I have fought creatures of the shadow before, my friend." She swung her sword once in a small circle to limber up her wrist then again moved it in front of her body with both hands once again on the hilt. "Yes, I have fought the shadows before and I fear them not and therefore do not fear you. Now either come and test my blade or go back to the shadows from whence you came."
Finally, accepting her challenge, the creature lunged at her with amazing speed that tested even her elvish reflexes. As ebony blade met with steel, both swords sent sparks flying around their bearers. At the same time, Saeros picked the human up off the ground and carried him a short distance away and after placing the stunned man in a chair, the elf returned to his position in case he was needed to go to the she-elf's aid.
Again and again the two swords met with first the ghoul seeming to hold the advantage, then Anayah as one and then the other retreated then advanced. It was a finesse fight, a fight that adhered to rules of conduct that had existed only in a world whose days were long past. The two fought on, oblivious to both the beings around them as well as the tavern itself.
Finally, it was the creature who paused, seemingly distracted for a moment, turning his head and peering through the tavern's window to the landscape on the other side, his attention diverted by something that only his eyes could see. As he continued his macabre vigil, the final rays of the sun disappeared behind the furthest ridge of the Misty Mountains and dusk settled upon the little town of Nen.
As the light continued to fade, the ghoul turned to his opponent and smiled. Though at first garish in appearance, the ghoul began to take on more of a human appearance, and as the last rays of the setting sun slid from his face, the human who now stood in the ghoul's place, saluted her with his sword, then turned on his heel and walked away, fading to nothingness as he did so.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Anayah stood, frozen in place, not believing for the moment that the creature had finally left them. Then her adrenaline receded and the foolishness of what she had done, challenging a dead creature she knew nothing about, caused her to begin to tremble. Semoro quickly moved to her side, picked her up then walked back to their table where he sat her in the same chair she had vacated some time before. She sat still for some time, trying to compose herself, the four guards silently watching her until the grateful tavern keeper approached and set a fresh glass of water in front of her before quietly leaving. Finally, she spoke.
"What did I think I was doing - do I have a death wish or am I just suffering from a giant case of stupidity?" She laid her head on her arms for a moment then raised it and reached for the glass of water only to find herself shaking so badly that she was unable to pick up the glass. Rahan carefully wrapped her hands around the glass then helped her hold it as she brought it to her mouth and drank deeply. Finally she looked at the four concerned faces around her, took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, then spoke again.
"I definitely think that is something I would call unusual!"
The big Captain carefully checked her for injuries then, satisfied, backed away a step allowing her some room and time to gather herself and her thoughts while he, in turn, shook his head ruefully.
"You have just managed to scare about a thousand years off my life young one. How do you expect us to protect you when you take risks like this?"
She turned to the elf and looked him in the eye.
"Up until the time you and the others pledged yourself to my service, Rahan, I had spent the majority of my time and energy aiding those who, for one reason or another, could not protect themselves. And even though I now have more serious responsibilities to attend to, I cannot just stop being who I am, or doing what I have been doing for so long, because what I do is truly a part of my heart, of who I am. Today, I saw a being in need and I did what I could to meet that being's need, though I do thank Ilúvatar that the four of you were there and that you were ready to defend me if I had needed it. You did your jobs and I commend you for that - just try not to keep me from doing what I consider to be mine. Please?" She laid her hand on one side of the elf's face, almost begging for his understanding.
Placing his big hand over her much smaller one, he squeezed it in acknowledgment then sat back down beside the others.
Feeling somewhat better, Anayah looked at the place where the ghoul had disappeared then at the four elves before her.
"Now, what I want to know is, why did the creature change, why was it interested in the sun, and does the setting of the sun even have anything to do with any of this?"
Any response that would have been forthcoming from any of them was immediately forgotten when someone outside on the streets of the small town of Nen cried out.
"Wargs!"
TBC
COMING TUESDAY: Sickness: Aragorn becomes ill after having spent the night in a rain that never fell. Will someone have to take him home or will they all continue their journey?
THECheeseTurkey: Sorry about the cliffie! LOL! Sometimes it just happens although I try hard to stay away from the darn things. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
DesolateAznVamp: Thanks for the review. Our girl has a close encounter in this chapter - no pun intended. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 14
Deadly Visit
All five of the elves turned towards the scream, hands on their swords, ready to meet whatever enemy had caused such fearfulness in the being that screamed. What met their eyes, however, was not something or someone they had expected and only served to stop them dead in their tracks, hesitant for a moment, unsure of what their next move should, or would, be.
Their friend, the kindly tavern keeper was backing up, his hands placatingly raised in front of him in a gesture of compliance, with a long dagger pointed at his chest, forcing him evermore backwards. And while an unprovoked attack upon the tavern keeper was, in itself, bizarre, what made the event even stranger was that there was no being attached to the other end of the dagger.
"Uh, does this count as something strange?"
"Súrion, always the one with the quick wit," Anayah thought to herself.
"Yes, Súrion, I think this can definitely be called strange."
She looked closely at the knife and found that if she narrowed her eyes slightly and squinted hard, that she could just barely see the outline of someone or something holding the knife. As she looked at him for some moments more, the being took on more shape and form as if her recognition of his existence gave him the substance to be seen by others.
Soon, every patron in the tavern could see the walking, dead creature as it advanced on the tavern keeper, ethereal sword in one hand and a very real, very sharp dagger in the other. It continued its advance, never once looking at those who now gazed upon its presence with growing apprehension.
The tavern keeper was frightened and visibly trembling as he continued to back up and the gruesome creature continued to advance on him fully focused on both his target and purpose. Finally, and before any of her guard could stop her, Anayah rose from where she was sitting and taking off her cloak, strode forward with purpose toward the tavern keeper and the advancing ghoul, drawing her sword as she did so.
"Creature of the shadow," She challenged the thing with her voice, "what is thy torment?"
Behind her, the Guards silently rose to their feet and moved towards the long bar so they could be in a position to come to her aid.
Ever so slowly, the ghoul turned toward Anayah, starring at her silently, as if it was trying to understand how it was that another being could see him.
She took another step towards the creature, the stench of the rotting corpse enveloping her and threatening to make her retch and the chill of the grave in which the creature walked threatening to send her to her knees. Steeling her nerves as well as her resolve she continued to advance on the creature.
"Why have you not passed beyond the circles of this world? Why do you stay, tormenting those who still live?"
The creature remained still and silent, watching her intently and considering her words until finally, the thing answered her in a voice that spoke of ages spent in the grave.
"How is it than you can see me she-elf?"
Now with his attention fully on her, he took one step forward, then another. Where the sensible part of her brain was screaming at her to do the sensible thing and run away, her heart was determined to finish what had been begun, for there was an innocent at need, and there was no way that need would remain unmet. She set her feet, placed both hands in a combat position on the hilt of her sword, and squared off her body, preparing to engage the creature if necessary. She then answered the creature's question.
"Let it be enough for you to know that I can and that I will not allow you to harm this human, dead creature. But if it still remains your desire to continue on your present course and if you still have the desire in your rotting soul to harm someone, then come to me so we can test each other's sword and then one can truly say that they are the stronger for that test!"
Semoro had finally maneuvered himself until he could be close enough to Anayah to be heard and spoke without moving his lips or taking his eyes off the ghoul standing in front of her.
"My Lady, what are you doing?"
She then spoke in a quiet voice to Saeros, knowing that the elf could hear her.
"Saeros, you are closest to the human. When I engage this creature, get the tavern keeper out of there and to safety."
Saeros nodded and began moving himself closer to the human target of the ghoul.
"I have fought creatures of the shadow before, my friend." She swung her sword once in a small circle to limber up her wrist then again moved it in front of her body with both hands once again on the hilt. "Yes, I have fought the shadows before and I fear them not and therefore do not fear you. Now either come and test my blade or go back to the shadows from whence you came."
Finally, accepting her challenge, the creature lunged at her with amazing speed that tested even her elvish reflexes. As ebony blade met with steel, both swords sent sparks flying around their bearers. At the same time, Saeros picked the human up off the ground and carried him a short distance away and after placing the stunned man in a chair, the elf returned to his position in case he was needed to go to the she-elf's aid.
Again and again the two swords met with first the ghoul seeming to hold the advantage, then Anayah as one and then the other retreated then advanced. It was a finesse fight, a fight that adhered to rules of conduct that had existed only in a world whose days were long past. The two fought on, oblivious to both the beings around them as well as the tavern itself.
Finally, it was the creature who paused, seemingly distracted for a moment, turning his head and peering through the tavern's window to the landscape on the other side, his attention diverted by something that only his eyes could see. As he continued his macabre vigil, the final rays of the sun disappeared behind the furthest ridge of the Misty Mountains and dusk settled upon the little town of Nen.
As the light continued to fade, the ghoul turned to his opponent and smiled. Though at first garish in appearance, the ghoul began to take on more of a human appearance, and as the last rays of the setting sun slid from his face, the human who now stood in the ghoul's place, saluted her with his sword, then turned on his heel and walked away, fading to nothingness as he did so.
8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
Anayah stood, frozen in place, not believing for the moment that the creature had finally left them. Then her adrenaline receded and the foolishness of what she had done, challenging a dead creature she knew nothing about, caused her to begin to tremble. Semoro quickly moved to her side, picked her up then walked back to their table where he sat her in the same chair she had vacated some time before. She sat still for some time, trying to compose herself, the four guards silently watching her until the grateful tavern keeper approached and set a fresh glass of water in front of her before quietly leaving. Finally, she spoke.
"What did I think I was doing - do I have a death wish or am I just suffering from a giant case of stupidity?" She laid her head on her arms for a moment then raised it and reached for the glass of water only to find herself shaking so badly that she was unable to pick up the glass. Rahan carefully wrapped her hands around the glass then helped her hold it as she brought it to her mouth and drank deeply. Finally she looked at the four concerned faces around her, took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, then spoke again.
"I definitely think that is something I would call unusual!"
The big Captain carefully checked her for injuries then, satisfied, backed away a step allowing her some room and time to gather herself and her thoughts while he, in turn, shook his head ruefully.
"You have just managed to scare about a thousand years off my life young one. How do you expect us to protect you when you take risks like this?"
She turned to the elf and looked him in the eye.
"Up until the time you and the others pledged yourself to my service, Rahan, I had spent the majority of my time and energy aiding those who, for one reason or another, could not protect themselves. And even though I now have more serious responsibilities to attend to, I cannot just stop being who I am, or doing what I have been doing for so long, because what I do is truly a part of my heart, of who I am. Today, I saw a being in need and I did what I could to meet that being's need, though I do thank Ilúvatar that the four of you were there and that you were ready to defend me if I had needed it. You did your jobs and I commend you for that - just try not to keep me from doing what I consider to be mine. Please?" She laid her hand on one side of the elf's face, almost begging for his understanding.
Placing his big hand over her much smaller one, he squeezed it in acknowledgment then sat back down beside the others.
Feeling somewhat better, Anayah looked at the place where the ghoul had disappeared then at the four elves before her.
"Now, what I want to know is, why did the creature change, why was it interested in the sun, and does the setting of the sun even have anything to do with any of this?"
Any response that would have been forthcoming from any of them was immediately forgotten when someone outside on the streets of the small town of Nen cried out.
"Wargs!"
TBC
COMING TUESDAY: Sickness: Aragorn becomes ill after having spent the night in a rain that never fell. Will someone have to take him home or will they all continue their journey?
THECheeseTurkey: Sorry about the cliffie! LOL! Sometimes it just happens although I try hard to stay away from the darn things. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
DesolateAznVamp: Thanks for the review. Our girl has a close encounter in this chapter - no pun intended. Hope you enjoy!