Chapter 3
Rihar staggered back into the village, the bleeding in his arm slowed by the makeshift bandage of his cloak. As soon as he came within view the flamekin on sentry duty rushed to his side, "What happened to you? Where are the others?""Ta…take me to Ashling….", Rihar guard, a fellow hunter, took Rihar's weight as they slowly made their way to the village hall. The frightened expectations on the faces of the flamekin barely registered, the shock at what had happened was still dulling Rihar's reactions. Once at the same stone building where he had first met Ashling Rihar stood straight, wincing in pain, and sent the sentry back to his post. He walked inside, through the same halls, to Ashling's meeting chamber. The surprise and concern on Ashling's face finally made Rihar realise how he must look, and he gestured at her not to get up,"I'm not badly injured, well, nothing life threatening and what I need to talk to you about is far more important.""Rihar, what happened on the hunt? Where are the others? Where did you get that wound?", Ashling stammered."An ambush, by a winnower. He must have caught sight of me while passing through, how I have no idea, but he told me that apparently I have been declared an enemy of the elves. He then killed the others hunter", at this point Rihar flinched as though struck as it occurred to him he hadn't even looked for their remains, "Then he came for me…""But what happened to him? How in Lorwyn did you escape from a winnower?""I killed him", replied Rihar simply."But, how? Winnowers are trained assassins!""That's what I want to talk to you about. When I fought him I felt something inside of myself, rising with my anger, and when he told me of the fate of the other hunters it came to the surface.""What do you mean! What came to the surface?" Ashling asked, her expression growing ever more worried."The anger, the fire. Flames erupted from my hands and obliterated the elf, see, I have his sword here", with this he drew the sword from his belt and laid the disgusting weapon on the stone between them. "I want you to tell me how, you said when we met you sensed something in me, something like a flamekin. I want an answer, now.""Rihar, I understand you're angry, and upset, but I need you to understand, I never kept anything from you. However I have an idea of what happened, it seems you possess a gift. One which most beings in Lorwyn posses, that of magic. The difference is that for most of us, flamekin, kithkin, merrow and the fae it is a natural ability, but it seems your abilities are different, that they require a trigger, or even conscious thought, perhaps like the shamans of the boggarts or treefolk.""What should I do? This 'gift' scares me, what if I call it forth accidentally and damages the village, or the forest? I think the decision is clear, I must leave Aelwyd. This power is dangerous, as is my presence here if the elves are after me""In that case, you should visit with the treefolk. Obviously they won't be able to help you but they may know of someone who can, I can give you the directions to the grove where many of the elders rest." With that she took a map from behind the table and showed Rihar a route that would take him first through the mountains, then across the plains to a kithkin village, then on from there to the forests where the treefolk made their home."Once more Ashling, I am indebted to you, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generosity of you and the others for these last few months."With that Rihar bowed and left the hall, knowing he would likely never see the building again. He slowly walked to his home to rest and collect his few belongings, but as he arrived he realised it was pointless, he'd had his bow and knife with him, one of which was destroyed and the other of which had been left at the scene of the fight. Lying down to rest exhaustion overwhelmed him and he fell into a deep sleep. The next morning Rihar awoke early, just as dawn was breaking. He headed to the stockpile he filled his pack with supplies, enough food to last him to the nearest village, some twine for traps and some spare cloth to use as a bandage. As he turned to leave he saw Ashling's son stood by the door. "My mother told me about what happened, and how you avenged the other hunters, and how you're leaving on a spirit journey" Rihar was about to interrupt and explain that this was different to a flamekin's spiritual pilgrimage when the warrior held up a bundle. "Here, this is something me and the other hunters had been preparing for you, we planned to give it to you on the year anniversary of when you arrived here, but you may as well take it now"Rihar unwrapped the bundle to discover a fine set of armour. "The material is cervin-hide, tanned and reinforced with fibres from the trees around the village. The black outer layer is made from the same stone as these building, but superheated and made into thin layers that can bend so as not to restrict your movement, whilst still offering protection against most blades."With tears in his eyes Rihar stood straight and embraced the burning figure before him. "Thank you, I will treasure it always, and never allow it to fall into disrepair" said Rihar, smiling."All we ask is you wear it proudly, and think of us when you emerge victorious from any fight." replied his fellow hunter, smiling back. In better spirits Rihar began to walk through the village to the mountain path Ashling had shown him the day before. As he stepped onto the rocky trail he heard steps behind him, turning he saw Ashling at the edge of the village. She slowly made her way towards him, then stopped and held out a knife. Rihar moved closer to Ashling and gazed at the weapon. "I know my son gave you knew armour, and I feel it only right I give you a new weapon""But… what is this?" The dagger, with a blade as long as Rihar's arm and a hilt as long as the span of his hand, was made with stunning craftsmanship. The hilt looked stone, but was carved with a simple spiral design, the crossguard was also stone with a similar design. It was the blade that caught Rihar's eye, it was white, with red veins running through it."The hilt and crossguard are carved from a single rock, it was given to me by someone a very long time ago, a good friend… the blade is made a crystal found in small amounts in the high mountains and the veins are of this" At this point she turned, revealing what looked like a small gap in part of her arm. "Wait, the red is part of your very body!""Indeed it is, don't worry, it doesn't hurt, and when you master your powers it will allow you to channel them through the blade.""Ashling…I…I cannot express my gratitude. I swear on the my honour as whatever race I am that I will master my powers, and find out where I came from, and then I will return and find a way to replay all the kindness you have shown me."With these words Rihar bowed once more to the elder and turned and walked away from another home, alone once more.
Turns out when I'm in the right mood I can write loads :PHope you enjoy it, I'm not sure where I'm going next but I have a vague idea, any characters you want me to include sometime feel free to say.