Don't worry Baron and Rose fans; their time is coming up quickly. I tend to write long stories and they will have ample time to be together after this chapter takes place. Welcome again to many new readers, I'm so glad this is starting to pick up!
Baron looks up at the dense fog settling over the Pagan plains. It always was a murky setting in the twilight. The air was white and aglow with something mystic in the air. The Pagan plains bordered the Paladin River before reaching the Columbae Mountains. This was the last they would see of protective darkness before the sun would start to appear and they would have to wait for natural nightfall to occur. At this point they were no longer in the safety of their borders and they were at the mercy of all else that wandered in the invisibles fields. The Pagan plains were a bad place to get caught in a battle. You could only see a foot ahead of yourself before the fog blocked any further perception. Baron and his comrades stayed close in a circle to rest shortly. Everyone was staying silent including River which was a peaceful but unsettling change of pace. They were growing weak and weary and still had to trek another four hours to the mountain land; hoping it would still be night when they arrived.
In the eerie silence that ensued, Baron let his mind wander back to Rose who he had left in the hands of Sterling. She would be safer than he was but still he frets for the well being of her. Though he doubted she was naïve, he knew Sterling was the better negotiated and he didn't want her mind warped with his games. She was the unexpected but welcomed roadblock in his long lasting life. He had been so eager as to read her thoughts when she embraced him but to do so would have been an invasion to her privacy and he felt uncomfortable doing so even though she would be none the wiser. In his mind, he could picture her face clearly as if she were standing before him in the heavy mist. Her chocolate locks falling just past her shoulders in a teasing manner. Her nose was like a button and she would scrunch it often when upset or in a state of confusion. The look she would send his way was of nothing he had ever known and she only shared it for him. It was a silent longing but not desperation, no it was admiration and wonder. Her hazel eyes were like hardened honey with flacks of red and gold inside. He knew her appearance would change after she would transform but he pleaded that her eyes would stay the same. That smoldering look could never be captured in any camera or painting and he would sink into despair without it.
"We should move on." Kane looks up once; his blood red hair hiding his right eye with a full fringe.
"Aye, I suppose you're right."
Baron diminishes his previous thoughts and stands back to his full height. He felt as if all his warriors were looking to him but he was probably being paranoid. Truthfully, it was a hard charge to be looked up to and play leader. Too many times to count, he felt responsible for when one of them fell injured even though they would insist other wise. Guilt would claw at him like a cat for days on end like an itch that couldn't be scratched and he hoped to get there and back just as swiftly as they came.
"So we head to the River from here?" Cardinal crosses his arms judging the situation.
"It is the most direct way into the Mountain pass. I know it is also the most dangerous and I hate to lead you to such a place."
"We're ready for anything my man. Chill for sec, you know we can handle a tight sitch." River claps a hand on his back though Baron didn't feel anymore at ease.
"Well I'm glad for your certainty."
Baron turns away and starts to walk off into the north direction. The grass was moist from the mist and crunched beneath his shoes like sludge. The squishing sound of his comrades shoes were close behind as they stalked through the brush and pressed forward. The sound of rushing water was like a dark concerto to their sensitive ears. The grass stood high on the bank and cattails grew tall on wisps of stems. The water smelt crisp and fresh but was murky and nothing could be seen in the depths off the bank. They stood in a line on the edge, neither wanting to be the first to enter.
"It seems a long way to cross." River notes while rubbing a nervous hand through his white locks.
"But it is the only way." Cardinal murmurs in response.
"I know it is too late to go back but now that we are here, I grow…hesitant." Rivers crystal blue eyes look like whirlpools as he stares into the rushing rapids of the water.
"I'll go first." Baron takes a tentative step forward but Cardinal pulls him back with one hand locked to his chest.
"I think not. If anyone should test the waters, I volunteer to go."
Baron stares deep into Cardinals eye to look for any wavering spirit but his friends resolve is absolute. At six one, he stood smaller than the rest of the warriors but Cardinal had a heart of steel and once he came to a conclusion, there was no convincing him otherwise.
"Tread lightly now." Baron warns out of concern.
He nods once to his leader and than to Kane and River who keep stoic so as to not wound his pride. Inside their emotions ran red with worry as did Baron's but they stand aside as Cardinal rolls up his sleeves and makes his way down the bank.
"He'll make it." River says aloud though it appeared more to himself for comfort.
Baron keeps his eyes trained on Cardinal as he stands at the edge of the water. A chill calm collected in the air and the rushing water seemed to still like a statue that it looked like a solid surface until Cardinals first step broke into the liquid. His grey dress slacks turn to a dark charcoal color and clung to his leg as both his feet sink into the muddy bottom. The bank soon cuts off and he was now paddling slowly as the rest of his body becomes submerged in the water. They watch on from the bank as he makes it to the half point of the river; his hair now completely wet and slicked back to keep from blocking his vision.
"There's something in the water with him." River points to the left from where Cardinal could be seen. Ripples move fast towards their comrade but the water was too filthy to show anything visible below the surface.
Cardinal's eyes flash wide with panic as the ripples form closer. He bobs and thrashes in the water until his head disappears within the depths. The water stills and Baron thought for a moment he could hear his heart beat again. He takes off like a thief in the night towards the water, shouting off curses and calling for Cardinal. Kane and River trample behind like wildebeest; fangs flared and nasty obscenities pouring out from both mouths.
Baron hits the water in a flash, going in head first with his weapons still strapped to his chest. The water is just as decrepit below and his nose fills with a dark oily substance as his eyes burn from mud and salt. Something hits his leg below and he spins in the water, seeing nothing about. He stills his body and floats to the surface. His hair is decayed with mud and plants while he rubs his face. A ragged breath is taken from his mouth but none of his comrades are with him. He twists his head around in every direction frantically while calling out. Ripples reform on the waters surface and trudge towards him, but he doesn't back away. A scaly hand reaches up along his chest to his neck and a lithe body rises. Whether the gender was male or female he could not say. All water nymphs were built tall and with curves to match a female physique. The long gray hair clung to the naked skin of the creature as its foggy eyes searched Baron's face. They had no pupils or iris but just a clouded ball for sight. The three slits on both sides of the neck flapped open and closed for air similar to gills on a fish. Sharp jagged shards stick out from the thin lipped creature that resembled a sharks jaw. The hips were frail and jutted in and the skin of the chest was smooth and without hair.
Baron eyes the creature with animosity, "What do you want?" Baron asks rudely.
"Lighten your tone night walker. We have your friends and only I can help you return them."
The voice of the creature ran in his head and he winced with pain as his eyes shut. Nymphs could only speak with their mouths underwater but on land they sounded like a dying banshee that contorted your neurons worse than a migraine.
"My apologies, to whom do I speak?" Baron asks lighter.
"They call me Tructa, messenger of the King Caetus. I assure you, your friends will meet no harm so long as you cooperate."
"Than cooperate I shall. I only wish to regain my friends so we can continue along our way."
"The King would like to know what brings you night terrors so far into out midst."
"Our business is private and our own." Baron puts firmly.
"If you value your life and the lives of your friends, you would do well to make that business public with us."
Baron grinds his teeth in fury. Really he had no reason to trust these fish mongers but he would not be selfish enough to surrender his friends to a watery grave.
"Than I shall indeed, honor your Kings request. We venture to the Columbae Mountains for dealings with pixies."
The creature hisses with vengeance in its clouded eyes. "You would call upon traitors help. They care nothing for this world and only settled for a share to spare themselves a nasty, unpleasant death."
"I know what they are but there are bigger things afoot than past transgressions that could have a greater impact on all if we should not succeed."
Tructa glares as Baron while tightening his hold on his neck. "How can I be certain your word is true?"
Baron feels his windpipe starting to close off and he struggles to swallow with the creatures grip. "Search my memories. You will know what I speak of is true. The world is falling prey to corruption once more and I believe I can make the difference."
"Than with your permission I shall. You keep your mind well guarded without your knowing and I need access to enter."
Baron shuts his eyes while letting his wall down. He can feel the pinching and prodding in his brain like bad acupuncture while the water nymph scopes for the truth that lied there. Without his consent his mind flashes back to Rose and the creature pulls away.
"You vampires hold more secrets than you ought to. A mortal woman is now thought to be a Light Bearer and you, Baron so bold and so wise wish to claim her as your own?" The creature cackled in his head while patronizing Baron for his weakness.
"I thought you wanted the truth about out journey." Baron says flatly while closing off his mind with a barrier.
"Indeed I already saw thy truth of which you speak and you act with good intentions. Go now Baron son of Mortem. Your friends await your return safely on the other side of the water. You shall be able to cross safely should you seek passage over our river once more." Tructa disappears in one dive and the wind picks up in the air. It was as if nothing had happened and yet Baron couldn't shake the frosted feeling that settled on him.
Baron turns his head to the north bank and his comrades come into view as he strokes over through the water. They lay sprawled on the grass, soaking wet and panting heavily. Baron pulls out of the Paladin River while combing a hand through his matted tresses. He sits his ass on the cold, hard ground next to River who eyes him once before closing them again. A small smile plays on his lips.
"Good thing you negotiate well or we'd be chum for the bottom dwellers by now." He says with relief.
"Another one of my more brilliant talents. However I had to inform them of our plan."
River bolts up into a sitting position with bewilderment on his face. "And where does that leave us?"
"In the hands of nymphs who hopefully can keep their word."
"Shit…shit I hate this!" River stands and starts to pace around while Baron gets dizzy watching him.
"No need to be so crass. I think I left things on good terms."
"Good terms? Oh what a relief; and here I thought something bad would come of trusting fish people!" His tone drips with sarcasm.
Kane rolls his eyes and stands while placing a hand on Rivers shoulder. Instantly his rant stops and he sinks to his knees with a relaxed expression. Kane shakes his head while slipping on a pair of leather gloves, an item he wore often. It reminded Baron of Rogue from the X Men movies and how she couldn't touch people, only Kane's power was different.
"He's calm now?" Baron asks.
"Should be. I put a simple mind numbing spell that wears off in due time."
"Than let's not dilly dally now, we've almost made it." Cardinal says while retying his shoes that had become filled with muddy water.
Soaked and ran ragged, they continue into a small bush line. They were entering sunlight territory and had to be watchful of its gaze. The woods on this side of Nocturne held more tranquility with songbirds singing and flowers blooming instead of tangled weeds. Fresh scents of pine and spruce teased their noses like a steam trail to pie sitting on an open window. The edge of the other side was visible in the horizon but a small hazy light was forming at its start.
"From the looks of things, I'd say it will be dawn soon." Cardinal announces.
"Can we make it into the Mountain caves in time?" River says speaking up.
"Once we make it to the tree line, we could run in plain view, however the door into the Mountain pass it guarded by a spell and its keeper. If we want what we seek, we will have to bribe our way in."
Baron considers Cardinals wisdom for a brief moment. "But what do we have left on our backs to bribe with? I'm all out of valuables with the exception of my clothes and weapons."
River reaches into his jacket and pulls out a gold flask. He takes a generous sip and holds the container downward as small drops of red pour out and hit the forest floor. "The keeper can have this. The only value it held for me was what I just finished drinking."
"You brought Demon blood with you? Are you out of your God damn mind?" Baron shouts making the birds take off from the tree branches in a fright. "If we get caught with that, we would be sentenced to death and leave our race to parish! I can't belief you'd be so juvenile in your thinking."
River holds a look of shame from the burning red on his cheeks but his eyes harden. "And what about you? You're more concerned to see if the girl lives, not if we can prevent war. That's the reason for all of this isn't it?"
Baron opens his mouth but his voice hitches. It was the exact reason wasn't it? How he had become so close to someone so quickly he didn't understand, but he wasn't about to hit River now for calling him out on his intentions.
"I do want to save our race and prevent war, but I guess I can't lie and say my partial reason for going here was to not see if she had a chance to live as well."
River frowns deep while Cardinal and Kane eye him. It was a look of distrust, which he thought he'd never earn from them. Suddenly he was throwing away too much without thinking and all because of a mortal.
"I know my apology must seem little now but It is not too late for you all to turn back."
"And leave you here to die? The race still needs your sorry ass and I'm not about to hold the blame for deserting you. We'll continue but after this, I'm not helping you with any more of your plans unless Max assigns me to." River stalks ahead with Cardinal shortly behind. Their body language was tense and on edge so he left them to brood.
"Well are you going to walk ahead too?" Baron asks sourly to Kane.
"It is not weakness to show love for others. River will never understand a connection to a woman for any other reasons other than sex. I've trusted you since you were first born into this race and I stay with you until you leave again." He flips his hair away from his eye and continues walking with Baron.
The trees soon turn to small shrubs and the open valley to the Mountains become visible. The sky was turning a dark orange but no shadows were yet being cast off the ground. It was as close to the sun Baron had come in contact with in over a hundred years. How he longed to feel its warm glow on his pale skin but he would only be left to parish in its extravagant wake.
"So we run" Baron mumbles.
Cardinal and River had already taken off full speed like a cheetah with Kane and Baron following their path. The door to the caverns was at the highest peak and already the sun was trailing behind them. Baron takes a weary glance back to see the light following on their heels. With luck the keeper would let them in on time before they turned into dust on the doorstep for someone to sweep away. Rivers white hair is like a guiding light for them to follow as he broke into break neck speed, leaving even Cardinal a distance behind.
"Hopefully he bribes the keeper to open the door before we arrive, I don't think we have much time left." Baron says to Kane who only spares a nod in agreement.
The rest of his senses were blocked as he continue to focus on running. His breathing was deep and quick to get enough air in, while his feet hit the ground profusely. He was thankful for not being able to sweat for surely he would be covered in an abundant amount. When they hit the uphill climb of the steep mountain, he starts to jump from to tree to tree to pull himself faster. He stole another glance back and the light was at the foot of the mountain and climbing shortly behind. There was nowhere left to hide from the sun except inside and he didn't feel like burning to a crisp today so he pressed on, making damn sure his efforts weren't in vain.
The top of the peak seemed to appear closer within his grasp and he pushed himself further on, not thinking of anything except him and the Mountain. Rivers face comes into view and he stands next to a heavy set of stones doors that are opened a small portion. He reaches for Barons arm when he arrives and pulls him into the dark tunnel. Baron lands on his ass hard but he was thankful for being inside. Cardinal bursts in and River pulls Kane by his jacket just before the sun hit's his arm. The door shuts loudly, creating an echo bouncing off the walls. The place was utterly dark before them.
"We made it." River says relieved.
Kane's arm was smoking lightly but no damage was done. "Calling it too close for my tastes." He says bluntly while snuffing out his sleeve.
A torch lights in the stone halls and a short bulky figure clad in a black tattered robe approaches. The pixie was no taller than four feet and was dwarfed by their size but the creature held magic that even Kane could not best. A small patch of yellow hair sat on a round head and the black eyes look over each vampire once.
"You seek an audience with my Queen?" his voice was that of an innocent child though he was anything but.
"We do little sir." River answers. The creature scrunches his nose and scoffs.
"And who is it who commands you? Is it you?" he points the torch to Barons face.
Baron pulls back from the flame with a look of displeasure on his face, though the pixie did not seem to care. "I am Baron, son of Mortem and I call upon your Queen with dire need."
"No need for introductions, I care not who you are. Queen Adamas has no time for the likes of you. Be gone from this land, blood beggars of greater sires."
"But this is more than about us. She will want to know what I have to say." Baron pleads something he doesn't often do.
The creature is thoughtful while rubbing his ball chin with chubby fingers. "Than I shall have something in return. This small gold trinket is not far enough value for what you seek." He tosses the flask to the floor at Rivers feet.
"We come with nothing." Baron replies.
"Then you have come for nothing. To come here with a request and not bring reparations; what fools the lot of you."
"There must be something you desire." Cardinal says.
The tiny pixie growls to himself while pacing. "Surely the Queen would be upset if I turned you away, but payment must be made." His eyes shift to Kane's face and over to the right.
"That shiny thing there that is what I want."
Kane clutches his long earring and snarls at the pixies. "Filthy mongrel."
"Kane give it to him." Baron says sternly.
"It is not for him to have." He fires back.
"If you do not give me what I seek then I will turn you away to the sun."
The three men turn their heads to Kane, who snarls again while taking a gloved hand to his ear and removes his earring. He hands the green jewel to the pixie that wrenches the item from the hand and hides it in his side leather pouch.
"Come this way please." He holds out a hand and goes down the tunnel, his torch light leading the way.
"I am sorry Kane." Baron says comfortingly while placing a light hand on his shoulder.
Kane shrugs it off and continues walking. The others stay behind him with weary looks to one another.
"Never seen a man so protective of his jewels." River jokes.
"It was his mothers." Baron replies curtly while walking ahead. River sobers up and stays silent with his head down.
The road had been long and put a strain on all of their bonds of brotherhood. Baron silently hoped the outcome would be worth the price so they could return back as comrades. The hope was short lived though as they stepped into the grand hall, with pixies armed with staffs illuminating magic. Baron releases a sigh while he and his comrades are forced to their knees. Kane glares at the keeper with death in his eyes, already plotting revenge. All of their attention turns to a wooden door that opens, revealing Queen Adamas. She looked less then pleased at their arrival, and Baron pushed any remaining hope of making it back alive sink to the bottom of his mind. He remembers Rose's smile one last time before the Queen opens her mouth to speak.
So I hope this was enough of a fix about each of the men to keep you all going until next chapter. We return back to Rose next as well as Sterling and the conclusion to Baron and the warrior's journey comes to a close.
Reviews!