Chapter 4:
Althalos and Crassus walked for a long while through the dense forest of evergreens and pines. Fortunately their pawsteps were covered by a fresh blanket of snow. They noticed the light hands of sundown in the sky. The sunset was spectacular, a mixture of deep hues filled the sky.
Honey, deep orange, crimson,royal purple and bright pink tinged with dark blue brushed the sun as it dipped below the horizon.
"We better find some shelter, and fast. The sun is setting and were running out of food real quick mate." Noted Althalos.
"Aye, we should find a nice, sheltered spot. Think we got far enough from camp, so we can go look for some vittles." replied the weasel.
"Alright, I'll start doing some foraging and you can look fer some shelter."
The sable grabbed his spear and walked into the bushes. Crassus walked in the opposite direction of his friend.
When the sun had set fully, they regrouped at the road and showed each other what they found.
Althalos held out a pawful of half frozen berries, a three tiny sparrow eggs and a dead thrush that was half frozen and disemboweled. His companion spat and shook his head in disgust.
"Zounds, I ain't eating that lot, might as well chew on some bark. I also bet them eggs have gone bad."
Indignant, Althalos replied.
"Well, did you find anywhere to sleep? Or a shelter, or did ye just sit on your tail and wait for me to do all the work?"
"Matter of fact, I did find us a nice camping area, not too far off. If you mind, I'll lead the way."
They tramped a couple hundred feet to a natural clearing. It was well sheltered and some mats were placed under a rock overhang. Thick amounts of pine needles formed beds and some firewood was placed next to the makeshift bunks.
Crassus stood proudly next to his achievement and struck a pose.
"Well, if it isn't good 'ol Crassus, saving the day again."
"Don't rub it in you fool." replied Althalos
"First I rescue you from certain death, then I save you from freezing to death out in the cold. And how do you repay me? By giving me a couple measly eggs, frozen berries and a dead bird."
"Stop whining you idiot, I'll admit I could of done better but you don't have to be a bitch about it."
Satisfied he had won the argument, the weasel started piling up dead leaves and bark as tinder and soon had a good fire going.
After they warmed themselves, the two thawed the berries and fried the eggs on a piece of bark. The dead bird was thrown in the fire as it had no use. Leaning back, the sable asked.
"So what's the plan now?"
Crassus opened one eye and answered,
"The plan? The plan is to go far away from here mate. We get on a boat, sign up to be pirates and sail the high seas." he chuckled, gnawing on a piece of egg.
"Be serious for once." Althalos grumbled.
"Why yes, sir. We join a monastery and become celibate."
"Well then, I just guess I'll do the planning here. We go and change our names, move far away and become pirates, join a searat galley. Or even better we move to the Lands on Ice and Snow."
"Well, sounds like a plan my general." said the weasel "But I have a better idea, why don't we catch up on some rest? You take first watch. Wake me up in a couple hours."
Without waiting for an answer he fell into his bunk and was fast asleep. Althalos grabbed a spear and kept watch for the night.
Crom slinked into the ditch on the side of the trail. Tail swishing, he reared his muscular head into the air, sniffing for his prey.
He fondled his sharp cutlass, the two escapees had not counted on being followed so soon. But Crom watched the weasel sleep, oh how he hated the beast. Quivering with anticipation, he imagined sinking his razor sharp claws into it's flesh. He was a cannibal by nature, food was abundant in the army, but his recent hunger, coupled with his mood had made him bloodthirsty.
He readied his weapon as he went over his plan of attack once more. He would have his retribution and his feast.
Althalos glanced boredly around, he was starting to loathe his position. A painful knot had developed in the base of his neck and the tattered tunic he was wearing did little to protect him from the cold, night air. His eyes kept staring at the path they just came from, he was expecting to see a group of soldiers to come crashing through the brush, ready to slay him. The moon cast shadows from the dead trees and made the sable imagine seeing figures.
He pulled his spear and dagger closer to his body as he watched the road, he thought he saw a creature for a second. Laughing weakly he sheathed his dagger once more. The cold and his lack of sleep were making him go crazy. It was almost time for Crassus to take watch.
He plodded over to his sleeping friend and whispered,
"Crassus, wake up."
No reply,
"Wake up, it's your turn to take watch mate," This time he shook his friend.
No reply,
Growing exasperated he said,
" This isn't the time to be joking Crassus."
Still no reply.
Each time he was left unanswered the sable grew more and more angry. He finally turned his comrade over and fell backwards in shock.
Crassus was slain, his throat was cut open and his eyes were torn out. Althalos's paws were sticky and under the firelight he saw his paw was slick with blood and bodily fluids. When he had turned Crassus open, he accidentaly touched his guts. The deceased weasel's intestines covered his body in such a way that they formed an 'X' on his chest and stomach. Althalos's eyes bugged as he stared, dumbfounded at the butchering. This type of death was common with deserters in the army, the sables sharp mind quickly pieced the puzzle together, and only one word hung clear in the murky confusion of his mind. Crom. Shaking with rage he planned his revenge.
But before he could do a thing he heard a distinct whistling sound. Instinctively, after years of military training and experience the sable ducked quickly. A sharp blade cut through the air his head had been milliseconds ago, it only succeeded in grazing his ears and severing some hairs.
Crom cursed as he missed the swing, his sword's momentum made him unbalanced and swung him off his feet. Unable to stop himself he smashed into the rocky wall. Althalos rose and picked up his spear. The quick throw missed the lizards head by mere centimeters and lay, quivering in a drift of snow.
Althalos dove and grabbed his fallen companion's short sword. Crom steadied himself and grabbed his cutlass once more.
Both beasts stared at each other. The lizard broke the silence.
"I look forward to your death, sssable. I will be feasssting on your remainsss, deserter."
"You vile bastard, I'm going to kill you and your master with my bare paws." spat Althalos
Roaring, the two charged at each other.
Althalos came up strong, he swung low, aiming to slice the lizards legs and bring him down. He was parried and his foe attempted the same thing.
Their steel clashed in the moonlight, glinting and whistling through the frigid air.
The sable succeeded on slicing the bodyguards already injured shoulder and got a spray of blood from it. Smiling, he attempted to use the reptile's weak spot as much as possible. Crom, in retaliation parried and blocked the blows. The constant blocking with the heavier cutlass was wearing the sable down slowly. He was dully aware of a numbing in his sword arm and only sped up his attacks.
Crom snarled and kicked out, sending Althalos sprawling. In a flash, he was upon the sable like a wraith. Althalos kicked upwards into his enemy's stomach and clawed with his footpaws. Long, raking lines appeared on the lizards abdomen and he was dealt a strong blow to the snout. Crom Risalth wisely jumped off the sable and tongued his loose teeth, he clawed Althalos deeply across the chest.
"Die ssssable!"
The former general locked his blade with Crom and swung downwards, then up and sent the blade flying through the air. It glittered and spun in a circle and landed next to the fire. He raised his sword and readied to finish off the reptile. But the Black Hand chief had a trick up his sleeve. Grabbing a handful of mud he threw it at Althalos's face, temporarily blinding him. Scurrying to his cutlass, Crom rose and charged once more. This time the sable was ready, he tripped him again and leapt on the lizard. They wrestled about on the snowy floor and with the leopard lizard on top again they drove their blades into each other. The lizards eyes widened in pain and shock and as the sword found a home in his lungs. Fortunately the lizards blade had not dealt a killing blow to Althalos, instead it had missed, but just barely.
Kicking the body off of him, the sable clutched his broken ribs and groaned. Crom on the other hand was drowning slowly in his own blood. Some dribbled out of his nose and mouth but he was still alive. His feeble claws open and closed repeatedly, as if he was reaching for life.. Althalos watched his foe slowly succumb to his wounds as his reptilian eyes glazed over and whispered,
"Tell the devil Althalos sent you, you bastard,"
With that said, the sable promptly passed out.