The long corridor was silent and cold. No torches shone to give a guiding glow, but despite this a small figure pottered through the darkness with confident footsteps almost as if he could see the way. He stopped and sniffing noises echoed silently down the empty space. He jumped slightly and carried on his way with a little more urgency in his footsteps. Following close behind flew a large, lean black object that floated on large, quiet wings.
As the small figure moved faster the floating object moved to keep up and as he rounded a corner to make his escape the large black creature connected with his head flapping and cawing madly. The small man let out a squeal as he tried vainly to remove the giant bird. He waved his arms in panic and ran through a half open door squealing like a hurt child.
In side the room was well furnished with dark wood furniture was carved in to ornate floral shapes. Long drapes hung across a large window cutting off any light that may filter from the outside and on the opposite wall was a large marble fireplace. A blazing fire radiated both warmth and light upon the inhabitants who sat hidden by large back armchairs.
Blindly the little man ran into the room screaming and crying waving his arms about in distress as the bird cawed loudly, flapping its wings and raking its dark talons through his hair. The look in the birds beady black eyes was malicious and it seemed to be enjoying the squealing it caused. A gloved hand reached up and clicked its fingers. The bird immediately detached its self and glided towards the chair the hand belonged to, and sat atop of the chair glaring, looking a little irked as it ruffled its feathers irritably.
The little man's bulging eyes glistened as he bowed with his forehead touching the floor, prostrating himself before the people that sat sedately before the fire.
"Thank you master Adren, thank you," he squeaked quaking against the stone floor, "you are most kind."
An exasperated humph came from the chair as Adren leaned forward to stare blankly at the little man his body stiff with repressed anger. A dull orange glow could be seen from with in the slits of the mask. The little man looked up, but quickly regretted it and buried his face in the stone floor again. Adren's fingers tapped the arm of his chair with calculating slowness as he regarded the quivering lump.
"So what news do you have for me," he said in a quiet dangerous voice.
The little man trembled violently. "Well, um, one of the hounds are dead and," he gulped, "The Hollow wraith is dead sir."
The squeak of leather came to his ears as Adren clenched his fists tightly and the orange glow with in the mask intensified, an unsettling silence fell over the room.
"What else," the voice was low and dark.
"Er.. well... umm... you see... I...," the small man stuttered wishing that the floor would open up and consume his quivering body.
Adren growled as he stared disdainfully at the lump that quivered before him. "Spit it out maggot!" he hissed.
"They got away," he said in a squeak. He waited and waited but nothing happened, so he hesitated, then braved to look up. Adren was half out of his chair but a dark, long fingered hand grasped his arm with a strong grip, the nails glinted white in the light.
"What else," Adren growled as he sat back into the chair stiffly.
"Um, they are traveling south and seem to be protected by something unseen," was the uncertain reply and Adren nodded.
"Ah the power of the necklace, doing what ever it can to get back home," he suddenly chuckled darkly making the little man jump, "But not yet I still need to get my hands on it."
"Yes master," the little man sighed in evident relief as his trembling eased as he stood. "Is that all Master?"
"Keep me informed and have the men keep as they are," Adren said with a dismissive wave of his hand, "I have something special in mind." The malicious intent in his voice was like a poison sending chills up the small man's spine and he bowed.
"As you wish," he turned and trotted out the door with a relieved sigh, then disappeared into the dark corridor beyond.
Adren sat back into his chair and regarded his companion beside him. The dark skinned hand was lain lightly across the arm of the chair and the fore finger tapped to an unheard rhythm as the person was evidently deep in thought.
"What do you think brother," Adren said a hint of glee in his voice. There was silence for a few moments as Adren watched the fire blaze. Then his companion stirred.
"I will as you ask brother," a deep monotone voice said. There was a hint of dampened spirit in the tone as if he had no choice in the matter.
"I knew you would see it my way dear Emberoka," Adren said with a pleased chuckle. The reply was a mere sigh which went unheard as Adren silently gloated to himself, the crow cawed in reflection of its master's pleasure.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The small party had been traveling fairly slowly as they headed southward. They kept mostly to the wood trails to avoid the larger open dirt roads that would invite unwanted attacks. Sparrow and Lorna were huddled in the back with a blanket drawn close about them as rain poured from the heavens in torrents. Reaver and Garth sat in the driving seat glaring balefully at the road ahead of them that meandered frustratingly through the dark forest. Reaver huffed as water dripped from his limp hair and ran down to drip off his nose. The bull mirrored his weariness as it trudged through the slushy, dark mud that sloshed every time it forced its heavy hoof into the earth.
The two huddled in the back dozed dangerously close to sleep as the damp straw began to smell musty. Reaver peered over his shoulder and snorted contemptuously, then returned to staring heatedly at the road. Garth rolled his eyes.
"What's wrong with you now?" he asked with a hint of annoyance.
Reaver shrugged. "Nothing that was not wrong half an hour ago."
"Don't tell me," Garth chuckled, "Rain, mud, cold and … more rain."
Reaver cast Garth a dark sidelong look and huffed again.
"When I came to Samarkand I did not expect rain," Reaver admitted grudgingly.
"Well the wet season is still four months away," Garth explained, "But we do get the occasional down pour, say, every two to four months prior to the actual wet season." He then looked up at the dark canopy which had hidden the dirty grey clouds from his sight. "Though I would admit it is not usually this heavy."
"You sound concerned," Reaver commented leaning back in the seat to ease his aching muscles.
"Perhaps." Garth peered across with a puzzled frown. With out even looking in his direction Reaver grunted.
"What?"
"To be honest I am not sure," Garth replied looking away his brow furrowed. Reaver shrugged scooping the limp, wet hair and ran his fingers through to keep it out of his face. His hand then moved down to run over his now smooth face devoid of all facial hair, save for the customary little strip just under his lower lip. A pleased noise escaped his throat and Garth chuckled causing the pirate to shoot him a sharp glare; but neither said anything as they trundled further into the forest.
In the back of the cart Lorna stirred against Sparrow's side and slowly eased herself into a sitting position. Her eyes opened and widened to stare blankly into space her body stiffened. Sparrow opened her eyes a fraction to peer curiously at Lorna's back. She reached out to lay her hand on the little girls shoulder but recoiled when a shock raced up her fingers leaving a stinging sensation in her digits. Sparrow stared, stunned at the rigid child before her.
With out warning Lorna leapt with a strangled cry as a explosion rang out through the forest and something zipped over her head. The small girl collided with Reaver pulling him down to the flat of the seat, the projectile narrowly missing them both as it hit a tree with a thud. Thunderous shouts and yells rattled the trees as men charged after the cart waving weapons above their heads.
All three sprung into action as battle ready muscles caused a instinctual reflex. Sparrow swapped places with Garth as both men jumped into the back of the cart. Reaver whipped out his pistol and began to fire as soon as he could aim gunning down many before they had a chance to touch the cart. Garth focused his Will and with well practised ease sword shaped energy darts soared through the air striking down all those Reaver missed. Sparrow grabbed the reigns and pulled Lorna close to her covering the girls head so that she did not have to see any of the death. She cracked the reigns hard across the bull's back causing the beast to lurch forward with a squeal.
The cart thundered down the dirt track jolting dangerously as it clattered and swayed vigourously. Reaver made a angry noise as the cart hit a branch and it jumped then landed with a heavy crunch skidding slightly in the dark mud.
"Can't you keep this bloody wooden crate steady!" Reaver shouted above the noise of the exploding black powder.
"Have you seen this track," she shouted back, "you want a smooth ride, Do it yourself!!"
Reaver did not reply as he concentrated on firing his weapon with the precision he was famed for. Garth shook his head as a wave of fire knocked four men off of their horses.
"Their coming on horse back now," he shouted knocking several more from their mounts.
The roar of a river caught Sparrow's attention and she braved to look across to see, through the branches of the trees, the white of turbulent water. Sparrow's eyes narrowed and she smirked, nodding, "Alright hang on!!"
With a mighty yank on the reigns she managed to curb the powerful beast making it turn, against it's will, round a sharp bend following the course of the river causing the cart to swerve dangerously to the side and it angled alarmingly onto one wheel. It slammed down causing the two to curse.
"Be bloody careful," Reaver roared at Sparrow but she ignored him as she yanked the reigns again trying to avoid a large branch blocking the way. She let out a exclamation as the cart jolted over the branch and a loud crack of splintered wood vibrated through the vehicle. Sparrow turned her head and her mouth fell open as the circular hoop rolled away. Lorna let out a squeal as Sparrow grabbed her and turned in her seat as the cart crashed to the ground.
"Garth!" she cried and with a heave she threw Lorna into the outstretched arms of the wizard just as she tumbled down a bank straight into the roaring river with a colossal splash. As she tumbled blindly into its darkening depths she struck her head on something hard causing a bright light to burst under her eyelids and pain seared through her skull. She let loose a silent scream a rush of bubbles issuing from her mouth but as a consequence water rushed in filling her mouth choking her. All thought left her as she sunk further and darkness clouded her vision.
Something disturbed the surface and a multitude of muffled shouts permeated the rushing water. Sparrow's eyes started to slide close and the last thing she saw was a pair green eyes as an arm wrapped itself round her waist, but then there was cold and darkness.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I apologise if this was a lot shorter than usual but I had a minor writers block with it but I promise the next will be, hmm, more substantial. Thanks to all who reviewed it made me so happy reading your comments. *Squees* Its the best encouragement there is and to know so many people are enjoying my story makes me, again, very happy. So keep those reviews coming and the next chapter will be up soon.