A Dark Elucidate
"Roleil!" Bathsheba snarled her teeth on full display gripping her spear so hard that Vikki thought she could hear the wood upon it start to snap. The Felidae Lioness stopped in her tracks turned to the nearest tree and struck it so hard that she winced from the sudden pain. That very name made her blood boil in pure rage.
Vikki felt bad for bringing up someone who undoubtably was the root cause behind the deaths of the men whom they left to cremate in the village that was destroyed. Her friend was angry, and she didn't wish to push the subject further and kept walking to give, Bathsheba some space.
"Wait Vikki!" Bathsheba called out to the green haired woman making her stop in place.
"My apologies for my outburst but that very name enrages me so." Apologized Bathsheba as she hurried up to Vikki and gave her an uneasy smile.
"I am sorry too. You don't have to tell me who that is. Already I see that who it is must be someone who is directly the cause of the murder and destruction of that village and your own suffering as well. You don't have to apologize." Vikki assured but Bathsheba only shook her head.
"You're a good person, Vikki. Its kind of you to forgive me and not wish to pry anymore but you should know of the one who haunts these lands. The Witch that has brought nothing but destruction and ruin to countless lives." Bathsheba said putting a hand around Vikki's shoulders and gently pushed her forward to continue their walk through the jungle.
"Allow me to start from the beginning." Bathsheba began wishing she did not have to talk about the Witch that cause such great evil, but Vikki was foreign and already had a near death encounter with two of her enemy's minions who almost killed her. She deserved to know the truth.
"Roleil was once the Shaman to King Jarrol. Once she was respected and adored by her people. A Proud friend to the King himself. She healed anyone that came to her. She conducted with the spirits to make sure her people would be blessed with good fortune. For a time, she was a symbol to her people and the King himself. But he along with everyone else didn't know her true intentions." Bathsheba explained as she hoped over a large log with Vikki having to climb over it to join her before they continued to walk.
"If she was someone of good nature what could have happened?" Vikki asked feeling quite unsure about this Roleil that sounded like someone that once had the trust and faith of those that knew her and somehow she lost it all. Was her own doing or did something sway her to betray her people? In Vikki's experience it was someone like Bridgette who just knew how to play both sides and reap the rewards out from the conflict of others.
"It seemed she had a fascination for the King before he claimed his Queen. She was hoping that King Jarrol would take her hand in marriage. It seemed it would be as I was told they were good friends, but it was not meant to be as his heart was already set for another." Continued Bathsheba as she and Vikki continued to move through the jungle as the foliage started to loosen around giving them more room to move as they walked over slopped grounds with a few pterodactyls flying over the loose canopy above uninterested in the Lioness and human below to Vikki's relief the one that attacked her near the lake was still fresh in her mind.
"If she wanted the King so badly did she ever proclaim her feelings to him beforehand?" asked Vikki becoming more intrigued by the story of this Roleil but if there was any indication with how much Bathsheba hated even hearing that name something had caused her to go on a dark path.
"Not to my knowledge. From what I was told the Shaman believed she was going to be the intended one and when it was discovered she wasn't at first it didn't seem to bother. At least that's what the King thought." Bathsheba sighed as the story was hurting her heart. Knowing where evil once began made her feel cold and empty. If she or anyone even the King knew what was to become of Roleil when she was unknowingly dejected at the time perhaps they could have stopped her before there could have been so much loss.
"You don't have to talk about it more. I see this subject is upsetting you." Vikki said feeling guilty for bringing it up.
"You must know, Vikki. As the years went on Roleil went on with her duties. The King never knew about her feelings for him and now that had taken a wife that bore him a son and daughter the chance Roleil had with him was all for not. Just two seasons ago she came up to her King telling him that a bad omen was upon them. She needed a special artifact that came from a land far to the north. She needed to claim the artifact, or the spirits will no longer bless her people." Bathsheba explained with the two coming across a small tree filled with dark purplish berries growing on them.
Vikki stepped up the tree and reached her hand up to pluck one of the juicy looking berries. She was a bit peckish after the ruined village and helping Bathsheba with the deceased defenders and their walk was adding to her hunger. She glanced at the lioness as she would know if the berries in hand would be good to eat. Bathsheba nodded to her knowing what she was implying.
They sat down and ate some of the berries they plucked from the tree while Bathsheba continued with her story. "With the King's permission and blessing giving her a hundred men to safeguard his 'dear' friend and Shaman Roleil led her expedition northward. Three of my own tribesmen went along with her at my Chief's insistence since our people have ventured over many lands and would provide insight as they would travel. After nearly four weeks Roleil had returned claiming she got what she had sought, and the spirits would be appeased but she was without anyone. All the men and my fellow Felidae were no where to be seen only Roleil." Bathsheba sighed as the tale was turning towards the most griming part.
"Without any of her escorts?" exclaimed Vikki as she chewed on a couple of berries. "That's rather suspicious."
Bathsheba nodded. "Agreed. Roleil had said she had lost them all some had been killed along the way by attacking predators and some bandits had attempted to raid their supply carts and many escorts lost their lives in defending what they had for the expedition. Her story seemed a bit far fetched but she had what had come for and presented it to the King. He mourned the loss of his men and that of those of my tribe who had seemingly lost their lives for something good. Little did we all know that was a great lie."
Vikki sat by the lioness continuing to listen, but Bathsheba's tale was becoming very grim, and her voice was growing sad and full of regret.
"One night the King had come into his bed chambers but what he found was the sight of his Wife, his Queen with a knife having been taken to her throat and Roleil was near the window that led out over the walls to the mountain tower. She had murdered his wife. Overcome with grief and rage he demanded the reason behind her sudden traitorous action. Roleil had spat at him that he should have loved her instead. With her by his side their kingdom would have grown into an empire but instead he choose to remain idle and befriend instead of conquer before she leapt from the window and was carried off by a Dragonhawk that was her mount." Bathsheba explained her heart breaking for the good King. He was strong and noble and very generous. His Heart broken and his trust shattered that very night had set off the events that would soon transpire.
Vikki's heart sank this Roleil had murdered her King's wife in jealously then ran like the coward she was. "My God…that's horrible. How could she have done such a thing?" murmured Vikki taking a deep breath as the humidity was getting high and the depressing story ached her heart. She may have gone through a lot in her time especially with Bridgette but the fact that a once trusted individual whom had the faith of her king and the love of her people would turn against all of it.
Bathsheba sighed in a loss. "One can never really say how or why one would go to such evil lengths." She answered. "But what's more Roleil had committed an atrocity that called for the heaviest of punishments. A Shaman had gone against every oath she taken. Dishonored the spirits themselves and betrayed a sacred trust. She needed to be hunted down."
Once they finished their quick snack they stood back up and continued southward. Vikki listened while the two passed around some tree's while some Brontosaurus were eating from some of the tallest ones their chewing echoing from the ground below as the branches snapped and peeled from their bites. Thinking back to when the two had first met, Vikki recalled the tale before about Bathsheba going into battle that cost her nearly everything.
"I take it you and your tribe along with this King Jarol followed a trail or went on a hunt for Roleil?" Vikki asked.
Bathsheba nodded conformingly. "Yes. Roleil may have escaped on a Dragonhawk, but it takes another to find one of its own. It wasn't difficult to find her but what little did we know is that she had brought us into a trap. Somehow the artifact she had gone on the expedition for was something of Dark Magic origin. She used it to change humans into that sub like form. Lost of nearly every sense. Reduced to a primitive yet savage mind and all under Roleil's command. She had numbers of them far surpassing that of our own. Many whom that attacked us were part of the expedition. She transformed them all into what became a fate crueler than death. So many of King Jarol's men stayed their weapons when faced with friends who thought they could recognize but it was not them anymore and those that were once people they knew slaughtered them without batting an eye. And even our guides suffered the same fate. I faced one of them and tried to make them see reason, but his mind was deteriorated reduced to savagery."
The Lioness moaned sadly recalling that horrid moment when the one who was once her dear friend snarled at her that day and slashed her with his spear nearly cleaving her head. She rubbed the scars across her left eye. If she didn't move in that moment she wouldn't be standing there.
Vikki looked at her with great pity. She knew this was a horrible memory for her. Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder Bathsheba looked at her with a smile.
"Your kind, love. I am alright…just the memory of having to face my own people who were changed into monstrosity's. I will never forget or forgive that which for the great loss of both my people and that of, King Jarol's." growled Bathsheba gripping her spear tightly. "Now it seems Roleil is sending out her army causing terror and pillaging as she goes. As we saw in that northern village she is taking over the lands. People are fleeing to Fire Keep and those that are remaining behind are trying to protect what they have but it maybe to no avail."
"I really don't know how we are going to do this. It seems this witch has multiple positions staked all over. If an entire village with a handful of men couldn't protect it what chance will we have?" queried Vikki becoming rather discouraged. When she was in war at least her people had a chance. Some of the best warriors turned the tides of battle and even came to her rescue on multiple occasions but here already the enemy of this world was staking her claim over multiple fronts. And the only sanctuary is so far. Could they even make it there? And even if they did would any of them have an idea of where a portal could be that could take Vikki back home?
Bathsheba gave Vikki an encouraging smile. "Don't lose hope, Vikki." Bathsheba brought her arm around her shoulders and pulled her to her side with her fur slightly tickling Vikki's bare skin that almost made her giggle out loud. "We will make it together. As long as we watch over each other in our travels we will be alright. I'll look out for you and the way you looked out for me when we met when you had every reason not to get involved I know I can rely on you." She winked at the human in her hold making Vikki blush slightly.
"Of course. I mean to be honest if I didn't meet you surely I would have continued to wander aimlessly and if I did encounter those sub-humans without any knowledge they may have killed me." Vikki admitted glad that she did find a friend in this world that had much more to it than she first expected.
"Come along. We still have much ground to cover before the day will end. We will find safety and solitude at Fire Keep but as long as we remain out in these lands we are in danger from both the predatory and, Roleil's dogs." Bathsheba gently pulled Vikki along with her slipping out from the lioness's hold her fur tickling her skin became too much to bare until she would blurt out in laughter.
The Two continued to walk along with the next few hours. They had traversed through most of the jungle that seemed to go on forever. The World around with ginormous Vikki never would have imagined seeing so much green before. Coming from a world that for a long time was drowned in a war that lasted for years that had poisoned their lands and left so much to waste. Here despite the pillaging and the murder that was told by Bathsheba the land was fertile and filled with life.
The Dinosaurs themselves were grand touch. If only the sight of them would calm the green haired woman but every minute in the world could be her last if she didn't stay on her toes. Having so many close encounters within the proximity of days then into hours this place had a madness to it hidden away by all the greenery and the prehistoric reptiles that ruled over the lands instead of man.
Vikki remained quiet for a time after listening to Bathsheba's story of the one responsible for the atrocity's that took away many of her fellow Felidae and friends she had with humans. One person managed to set a world on fire all over mere jealously that someone loved another. It all sounded far too familiar to her. This Roleil and Bridgette are not too different. Each willing to go to great lengths to get what they want one way or another. Or simply have revenge over something very petty. No matter the differences of the environment or the people that lived in the world she was in there were plenty of similarities and that included a conniving fiend that brings misery and ruin only to gain power from their misery.
Bathsheba continued to lead on with Vikki following close behind her. Her keen ears pricked up as something sounded off from the occasional roars and grumbles from the local Dinosaurs that grazed about. If they were not in a state of alertness it meant there were no predators about which was good for those like her and the companion she had. But something else was about. She could hear many footsteps. Grunts and mumbles with ill tongues. She gasped and snarled in realization what would be making that noise.
"Vikki in the bushes now!" Bathsheba whispered gruffly while her teeth bared. Vikki stopped in place and saw her friend was peering around trying to pick up where exactly the noise was coming from.
"Bathsheba what is…" Vikki was interrupted when the Lioness grabbed her shoulders and jumped into some nearby bushes with their weapons falling around them and the quiver on Vikki's back slipping off.
"Be quiet!" Bathsheba whispered her arms wrapped over Vikki protectively holding her close while Vikki was greatly concerned by her friends sudden action until she heard the sounds of grunts and intolerable babbling.
Vikki slowed her breathing while being in Bathsheba's protective hold her teeth bared while a group of Sub-Humans could be seen through the bushes. Over a dozen dark skinned beings wearing meager loincloths were all walking in a wobble some holding spears and others wooden clubs.
One Sub-Human with dark long hair grunted looking around feeling something was off he looked to the ground to see there was signs of movement. A Footprint that belonged to a human and another to a Felidae.
The Sub-Human huffed and snarled loudly to get the others attention as they surrounded their companion to see where he was pointing at the ground. One of the group that had very little hair all tied into long thin pony tail that hung from the back of his head looked to where his lacky was pointed.
He grunted in acknowledgement as it seemed the area had been traveled through. The Pony tailed sub-human pounded his chest and pointed southward. Bathsheba in the bushes continued to hold Vikki close her teeth bared as her hated minions of the vile Roleil were unaware they were hiding close.
Bathsheba's hand moved over to Vikki's mouth as her heavy breathing was being too loud. Vikki was about to whine in protest, but Bathsheba relaxed her hold but kept her hand in place they could not afford to be seen right now. Their weapons were close but with a dozen sub-humans just on the other side of the bushes a fight would be disastrous.
The Pony tailed Sub-Human grunted loudly continuing to point southward snarling showing he was the one in charge over the group. The rest of the Sub-humans began to walk leaving the prints behind until the one who first spotted them was left. He continued to inspect it further but then he saw that the prints suddenly stopped and a brush on the ground where the final print was gone to the right straight into the bushes nearby.
He looked ahead to see his fellows were already too far to help him. He would catch up after he inspected where the prints suddenly disappeared into.
Vikki could see through the bushes along with Bathsheba to notice the Sub-human was about to peer into their hiding spot and if he would see them he would alert his companions and they will have a heavy fight on their way.
Bathsheba nodded to Vikki implying they have to deal with him or face more of them. She let go of Vikki and waited with her arms out and Vikki pulled out an arrow from her quiver. They had to be quick and quiet.
The Sub-human moved his head into the bush but suddenly grabbed by a pair of strong hands pulling him into them. With a hand over his mouth and the other hand over his head along with her legs wrapping over his body the Sub-human was trapped in her hold and kept silent though he attempted to break free.
The two tried their best to break free and hold him still. His legs were flailing nearly hitting the bushes and Vikki had to act quickly or the others would hear them. Seeing an opening on the Sub-humans throat she stabbed the arrow tip right into it with blood spewing from it and the Sub-human gurgled and moaned with the pointed arrow lodged in his throat.
His flailing soon ceased in seconds and his body fell limp. His eyes went wide before letting out one last gurgle before life faded away from it. Bathsheba immediately let go of the dead enemy snarling lowly in front of its face before gently placing the body on the ground beside her. Her hands and arms were covered in its blood, and she pulled the arrow out from its throat before looking at, Vikki.
"Well done, love." She whispered quietly proud of the green haired woman who again was proving to be clever and willing. Vikki gagged slightly at the sight of the deceased Sub-human. She did what she had to do but then she remembered that the sub-human was once a being with a clear mind and was not some witch's minion.
"Is there anyway those people could be the same again?" She asked feeling rather bad for the Sub-human. If there was any trace of their humanity left in them then how can she live with herself knowing she killed someone of innocent nature. Only blackhearted men would ever follow a witch let alone a tyrant as she knew of one her people defeated a short time ago.
Bathsheba shook her head. "No. The Effects the artifact that Roleil has is permanent. It destroys the soul from within and replaces it with something that makes them savage and wild and as you have seen rather ignorant and stupid."
Vikki sighed as her hands had some blood on them. If the Sub-Humans were a lost cause then there was no reason to feel guilty only a satisfaction that whoever was the person that was killed beforehand his death was now avenged in a way.
Bathsheba looked up through the bushes to see the other Sub-Humans were gone but they would return soon once they realize they were one short.
"Come. Let's leave this place and take a different route. If they are patrolling this region then we have to be extra vigilant." Bathsheba said wiping her hands on the grass before grabbing her spear. Vikki did the same with her own hands though not much blood came off. She put her arrow back in her quiver puttering the shoulder strap over her shoulder and gathered her bow.
Together the two remained close this time going through the brush of the jungle avoiding the open areas. Staying in the thicket they had to remain out of sight no doubt soon the body of the slain sub-human would be discovered, and that group would be out for blood. If the two friends were going to have a chance of making it to the safety of Fire Keep they were going to have to be on the look out for more patrols of Sub-Humans.
Bathsheba led the way with Vikki following close behind. The Sun was starting to set in the horizon with the mountains starting to help fade the sun that grew dimmer by the minute.
"We're going to have to find shelter soon." Vikki pointed out carefully stepping where her feet would not make more noise. Going through the brush like they were was just as risky as walking in the open grounds.
"Yes." Bathsheba nodded with a smile as she already saw something of interest. "There! Just within those trees I see a cave where we can rest, and I can hear the faint sound of water within." Bathsheba pointed towards a tiny cave that was partially covered by some tree's and vines. They walked up to them, and Bathsheba pull some vines loose and ducked under some branches and shimmied her way inside with Vikki following her into the darkened cave.
"I better make us a fire." Bathsheba said as the cave was nearly pitch black and if Vikki wasn't so close now that she could feel her skin press against she shouldn't be able to see her.
"Why don't we wait first until its gets dark?" Vikki suggested. "That way most would already be at rest, and we won't give way our position too soon."
"Good idea, love. Come sit down with me. Let's relax." Bathsheba put her spear against the wall of the cave and Vikki placed her bow and quiver near it and they both laid against the cold stone sighing in relief as the day was nearly at an end and it was a long one.
Vikki's stomach grumbled which caught Bathsheba's attention. "Sounds like we neglected ourselves today?" The Lioness chuckled.
"Yes but let's not risk it. I'm sure we will find something to eat tomorrow." Vikki replied holding onto her stomach.
Bathsheba pricked up her ears as the faint sounds of flowing water could be heard coming within. "If I am hearing correctly it sounds like there is a river in here. Where there's a river there is…"
"Fish!" Vikki finished.
"Seems we may not go hungry tonight, Vikki." Bathsheba grinned before offering her arm to Vikki who shivered slightly from the sudden chill as the night was coming. Vikki shimmed over to the lioness who kindly wrapped her arm around her holding her close letting her fur warm up the light skinned human woman while they waited for the night to come and when it was safe to make a flame that would light their temporary dwelling and possibly a meal they certainly have earned through a long day.
