This story is perhaps mainly inspired by Fritz Lieber, JRR Tolkien, H.P Lovecraft, Virginia Wolff. Also the mode of storytelling is inspired by the old testament writings, Homeros and the stories of "Arabian nights". It begins with three chapters, one for each main character, and the following three chapters is about what happend when they met the first time.
Jakes epilogue
Part 1: Childhood
Jake: Mom!?
Jakes mother: Yeah what?
Jake: Whats this thing?
Jake dangled a black rock tied to a leather string in the kitchen as his mother was making the same soup that he himself made for Shodd eight years later. The rock seemed to shift from place to place and there was a faint green glow inside it, leaking out leaving green strands of light as it moved through the air. Jakes mother stopped stiring in the kettle and walked barefoot across the earthern floor. She came up to her son and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
Jakes mother: I thought we got rid of that thing a long time ago...
Jakes mother mumbled something incoherently.
Jakes mother: Where did you find it?
Jake: Errh, it was around my neck when i woke up.
Jakes mothers eyes widened and she got tensed all over. Jakes mother took a step away and stared at the rock.
Jake: What is it? Whats the matter? Why did Lod put that on me when i was sleeping?
Jakes mother: Dont blame your brother for that he doesnt know anything about that.
Jake: So Lissa put it there? Thats weird she wouldnt want to do that, shes afraid of me when im sleeping since that time i was sleepwalking and all that...
Jakes mother: I told you not to talk about that. If the other villagers hear us...
Jake: What? Why does it matter if they hear that...
Jakes mother: Shut up!
Jakes mother hit Jake on the jaw. He dropped like a bag of potatoes.
When Jake came to he was lying in his bed. A boy larger then Jake was sitting beside him on the bed.
Jake: Lod what happend mom...
Lod interrupted him with a harsh glare and a "Shhsh". Lod pointed to his ear. Lod stealthily rose from the bed and helped Jake out of it. Jakes head was still ringing and there as blood in his mouth. One of his teeth was loose and a piece of it rolled around in his mouth. Lod and Jake crept towards the door of the bedroom so as to listen to the voices in the livingroom.
Jakes mother: ...are you serious? Are you sure about this?
A man: Not exctly but its imporant that we step around this lightly.
The voices became more quiet. Lod looked at Jake, leaned over to him and whispered:
Lod: You gotta say bye to Lissa.
Jake: Why?
Lod smacked Jake lightly on top of the head and said "Shhhsh" again.
Jake whispered back: Why?
Lod: Im your older brother, and i dont have the time to make you understand right now. So just trust me. If you ever want to be sure you can see your little sister once more, you have to do it now. I think mom thinks you have been up to some really funny stuff, and regardless of if you have or not, somebody is here to find out just exactly what kinda funny stuff. If this guy is who i think he is, he is here with the power of the council, might even be here on orders. Thats stuff written on paper and these guys take that really seriously.
Lod shoved his little brother out of the window together with a piece of dried meat, a waterskin, Lods own boots who was in better condition then Jakes although too big, and a worn old cloak. It was around supper time. Jake ran west and jumped across the farm wall and into the woods. Noone on the farm saw him since their house was close to the wall. He ran for a bit until he came to a path and he slowed down and followed it northwest. He came to another farm, even bigger then the one he was living on. This farm had a pallisade big enough to keep Jake outside. He did not want to alert the guard so he tried climbing it. Jake was not surprised when at two locations small glowing handholds grew out of the wall as he was searching for something to hold on to. Jake dropped down onto the ground and went around the closest house, a long log cabin. And old man was carving a pipe while smoking another pipe as Jake almost ran into the man that was sitting on a reindeer pelt. The scent of flowers surrounded the old man.
The old man: Hooo there wanderer! Oh its old master Jake!? What a pleasure!
The old man watched Jakes eyes intently. Jake panted and sweat dripped from his brow.
The old man: In a hurry to see your sister i see. Keep the stone out of sight. You are not old enough for this.
The old man had a very thick beard and his ears where large and hanging. His body was covered in hair and he wore only short pants.
Jake: Sorry? Who are you.
The old man: Im Nagaro, but call me Edwin right now and every time i look like this in the future.
Jake: What? Sorry i need to go see my sister.
The old man: No.
Jake just stared at the old man and he almost ignored the old man and ran past him. But the man seemed very firm and serious.
Edwin (Nagaro): "No" as in you dont have to see her, in fact i would advice against it.
Jake: Why what the hell are you talking about old man? Look im in a hurry.
Edwin (Nagaro): Do as you will, but dont forget what i told you.
Jake ran past the old man and into the neighbouring house. This one was also a log cabin, but it had had a lot more work on it then the house Jake lived in with his parents and his siblings, this one was bigger, had a porch and a turf roof instead of a stick roof. And on that porch an armored warrior was standing, surveing the surrounding. Jake darted back to side of the house, but it was to late, the warrior saw him and shouted behind him.
The warrior: Stop you fool! We are here in the name of the council! Jake ran to the pallisade, but climbing it from this side was much more difficult. He turned around, the warrior was closing in.
The warrior: Look im here with a judge and we are to take you to Wolfs Creek. I dunno why and i dont care so just stand there and it will all...
The warrior had come closer and was almost able to grasp at Jake, his arm lashed out but there was a wet sound and a crack as a swift green light flashed and the arm was no longer attached to the warrior, it was on the ground. The warrior staggered back as blood pumped out of the wound. Jake slumped backwards and hit his head on the pallisade and things went very dark, very fast.
Jake regained consiousness the second time this day. He was hurt. His arms was bent backwards and bound in a chain. The right side of his body was broken and bloody. A dirty rag was tied around his head hard enough to break the skin of his lips. He was coughing blood and his vision was fuzzy. He was lying on top of wodden crates in a small wagon.
Unknown woman: Edgar you sure are a lucky man, considering all in all. An arm, what kind of sacrifice do you think that is? Its a meager payment to the goods for your foolish miscalculations.
The warrior: You didnt tell me this kid is a friggin field bender or whatever you call it!
Unknown woman: He actually created it also. But no, i didnt know he could do that. But thats what im here for you know, you where supposed to alert me and let me capture the little brat. We cant have fieldmice running around in the forest.
The woman chuckled a powerfull chuckle.
Jake turned as he lay in the wagon and saw a bald, muscular woman next to the warrior who was in the drivers seat in the wagon. The warriors right arm ended above the elbow in a bandage. The chains rustled as Jake turned and the woman looked at Jake and spoke to him.
The woman: Good evening young master. I am Godiva of the seven suns.
Jake was old enough to recognize scorn and content in her voice.
Godiva: We have the outmost pleasure of taking you to stand before the council and explain where it is that you learned this evil magic that is infesting your soul. Jake tried to shout through the rag:
Jake: Happ meeeh! Biff bipch an her purd kibbnabb meeh!
Godiva: Scream again and i vill cut your tounge out.
She said it so calmly that Jake believed her the first time. Jake fell silent.
Godiva: Good. We are not kidnapping you. We are here on official errand from the council. And yes the council holds domain over the asshole of the world you call "home". You will tell the council how you gained that magic.
Godiva halted the wagon, went around the back and sat beside Jake. She rubbed her fingers across the wounds on his side and Jake squrimed in excruciating pain.
Godiva: Edgar get a little upset when you severed his arm so he beat you do death before he passed out from blood loss. Luckily i was close enough to be able to get your heart going again while i worked some on your lungs. Ive done enough to make you live if you stop fucking squirming like that you little shit! And dont think that old fart you probably met will save you, hes a fucking moron and a coward. Besides Edgar knows more battle magic then that old fart, and all he could ever do is severe his own fingers or blast his own beard to smitherens.
The wagon rolled on until darkness enveloped the forest and they stopped for the night. They unloaded Jake and put him on a blanket near the fireplace. As Godiva and Edgar was ready to go to sleep they chained Jake to a tree. When both of them where snoring, Jake could feel his ribs where ok again and his breathing was not painfull. He slumped onto the ground and closed his eyes. He could see the campsite still, only now it was all greenish blue and luminescent. Around Godiva whiteish tendrils attached to the centre of her body drifted many metres out as if floating on water. She was sensing her environment, either in her sleep or she was awake doing it willingly, while pretending to sleep. Jake had never seen anyone with that long tendrils. The light around Edgar was faint green and not very visible and he had no tendrils.
Jake watched Godivas tendrils, and the more he watched them, the more they seemed consious that they where being watched. A faint white light started glowing at the tendrils, and its strength grew. Soon it would reach Jake. Jake concentrated. He broke a sweat and droplets dripped from his nose. A green glow was formed around jake, and instantly the Godivas white tendrils shot out and touched the glow around Jake. Godiva screamed and Jake opened his eyes. The greenish glow was still visible, but not the white light that emanated from Godiva. Godiva was standing.
Godiva: What the hell are you doing you little Twerp?
As the greenish field around Jake touched the tree behind him it warped, bent and crackled softly.
Jake concentrated and mumbled words he did not know he knew. Edgar got up behind Godiva with a rotten tree trunk in his only arm. Godiva turned to face Edgar and she staggered backwards towards the fire.
Godiva: Whats with you Edgar?
Edgar: I cant let you kill the boy.
Godiva: And you think you are going to stop me?
Godiva vawed her fingers and sparks shot out from the ground where Edgar stood. He jumped at her swinging his club and hit her on her arm as she defended herself. Jake saw his chance and made a huge effort. A thin green tendril severed his chain and he ran into the forest as Edgar layed on top of Godiva trying to kill her with his legs badly burned. As Jake fled he heard a horrible wet scream from Edgar.
Jake ran but he could hear Godiva behind him soon. Her voice sounded guttural, like an animal.
Godiva: I am death!
The forest shook at the sound of Godivas voice. Jake ran like never before. He hurt himself on rocks and crashed through dead branches.
Jake ran into a clearing. He was out of breath. There was no more running left in his legs. The darkness crept closer and Godiva entered the clearing. The stars lighted a huge womanlike wolf. Godiva was not small to begin with, and now she was a lot bigger. Shreds of clothing dropped onto the ground as she filled most of the clearing with her enormous body and she grew even bigger.
Godiva: Crush, smash bones, drink blood.
Jake concentrated but his mind was as powerless as his legs, the enormous Godiva slowly came closer. Suddenly Jake sank through the ground. He landed on top of fresh, dry vegetation. There was complete darkness and silence except his own breathing. Suddenly he heard a female voice.
Unkown female: I take it that werewolf was not your friend, and she definetely is no friend of this forest. So you are my friend until proven otherwise. Ill get some potatoes and vegetable for you if you humans eat that kind of thing.
Jake could not protest. Or speak at all for that matter.
Unknown female: Ill fetch my dude and kids so they can have a look at that girth and length of yours. Its funny to us you see.
Jake heard very light footsteps going away.
Unknown female: Oh yes you cant see anything here right?
Finally Jake could speak:
Jake: No its pitch black.
Unknown female: Ok
The steps faded away, but shortly Jake saw a light coming from a small tunnel. As it came closer he saw a very small woman and a very small man with a white beard. Both dressed in leather garments and with caps on their heads. Behind them where three tiny children with the similar garments. The children where about as long as Jakes fingers and the grown ups was only slightly taller then his hand. The grown ups did not seem afraid but the children kept behind their mothers skirt. The man came forward.
The tiny man: I guess yah havent seen many o us normal sized folk before i take it. This here mah wife Sarah an de kids are Brock, Seram an John. Mah nemes "Logg" to you clumpsy folk but here in the midworld im Daniel.
Daniel: You have nothin tah fear from us boy, we want nuthin then get on with our cooking an our kids an cleaning our tunnels an so on. Mayhap we go topside an help out some o yah poor oversized sods outta yer misery once in a while say oh once every year or slightly more offen if we catch a fancy to some ol lady or some poor kid like you.
Daniel handed a spoon and a plate with small pieces of potatoes, carrots, lettuce, spice and broccoli. Jake turned the spoon in his hand. It and the plate was human sized.
Daniel: Oh every say fifty years we got one or a few o you oversized poor creatures as guests so we keep them huge thingies just in case.
Jake could only eat and nod. Sarah give him, strong, hot wine and some water afterwards. Jake became tipsy and fell asleep before he could say "Thank you". But before he did he heard the tiny people talking. Its very strange, he heard the words and knew what they ment, but afterwards he could not remember what they said.
Jake awoke in a small clearing beside a small pond of moving water. Small cute flowers grew around him, but not where he was lying, as if they grew there after he came there. Jake scratched his head:
Jake: What the hell happend, they put me at the three...uuh then i ate vegetables, then cracked the chain, then uuh i got kidnapped by someone, then i talked to my sister. Nonono thats not the way it happend...
Jake scratched his head and as he did he saw his boots fit his feet a lot better. It was still his brothers boots but someone had worked on them and cut away excess leather. He had a new pair of moose leather pants, a fine wollen tunic and a thin shirt beneath. The old cloak his brother gave him was patched and someone had bettered the its greenish hue, mimicing the color of the forest in general. At his side was a small carving knife at his right side and a big dagger on his left side. Beside him was a fine moose skin bag that seemed full.
Jake: What the...?
Jake poured out its contents and rummaged through it: Two heavy blankets, dry meat and dry bread with pork in it. There where two skins, one with water, one with wine. A small box of tin contained steel, flint and tinder. Every item looked like it was made by a master craftsman. Jake scratched his head and went south.
Part 2: Apprenticeship
A few years later...
Jake: But if you can make gold, why not do that? We can pay for a better house, we can...
Jake was interrupted by an old wolfman.
The wolfman: If out abou thaff. If noff noff if forks.
Jake: But Nagaro, are we not supposed to do good in this world?
Nagaro: Yeff.
Jake: But then let us do this, let us give food to the poor, let us buy a better house, lets build wells with magic and...
Nagaro: Calm bown myf fild. Thaff whaff we mowe in ou haeff.
Jake: Please, i can hardly understand you.
Nagaro concentrated and closed his eyes. He mumbled a few ancient words. Jake could hear the same voice, but without the lips of a wolf. It was a deep, very calm and steady voice, talking slowly, choosing every word carefully.
Nagaro: Magic is not to be replaced with desire. You talk of your own desire to do good in this world. But magic is not good, its not evil either. But if you follow your desire and your whim, it will eventually lead to the dark side. I know it may seem strange, but you need to take it from me who knows, it will kill you or drive you into the darkness. You need to know magic before you can use it. The most important aspect right now of knowing magic, is knowing what magic is appropriate.
Nagaro made a pause and shifted his old creaking body.
Nagaro: Besides, i cant actually make gold, not gold that is around for a long time. But there are those who can, and those who do it. An artificer can tell the difference between that gold and non magical gold. We call that gold witches gold, since the witches make it. Where ever it ends up, it seems to wreak havoc. A well, that i can build with magic, and i have done so. But like i said, knowing what magic is appropriate at what time is often more important then to know how to use it.
Jake: Why is that?
Nagaro: A very intelligent question. Its because the magic is not in our control. Magic is basically wild, no-one controls it. But the gods know when we use it and many of them are very jealous. Most magic is cheating also, it twists the original will of the gods. Most of the gods would want to remove all magic. Some mortals who gained enough power and wisdom have become godlike. We call those "avatars". Most often they do the bidding of a god or a few gods. I had to teach you three kinds of magic, but there really are an infinite amount of kinds, so there are really only one kind and that is magic itself.
Nagaro shifted his body again and his old joints creaked.
Nagaro: Magic is not separated, magic is everywhere. It crawls under every rock and runs in every river. It goes through us and is inside of us. It cant be stopped, even if some gods are trying to stop it. If it stops, everything stops. There are places like that, and i suggest you dont go there. The plains of ash is one such place. We where there once in your initiation, so as to accustom you to it, since you will go there again.
Jake: How do you know i will go there again?
Nagaro: I have seen it in your eyes. You have the searching flame in them. All who have goes to the Plains of ash at least once.
Jake: Where you there?
Nagaro: When i was young a long time ago.
Jake: What happend?
Nagaro: I found you.
Jake: What, you found me? Jake stood up with a wild glare in his eyes. Who am i really? Am i even human?
Nagaro: You look human. Sit down we dont have time for drama.
Jake: Jake sat down heavily. Why have you never told me this?
Nagaro: You where not ready, now you are. As ready as you can be at least.
Jake: Tell me about the plains.
Nagaro: No.
Jake: Im not supposed to know?
Nagaro: Thats not it, you are supposed to know what you become to know. You are just not ready yet to know, you cannot know. Even if i tell you, its only words. You will attach meaning to my words and not be perceptive when you get there. And you need to be perceptive when you get there, or you wont last.
Jake: I dont understand.
Nagaro: Thats the point. Lets move on.
They both drank some wine and smoked on a pipe as the fire heated the air in the small tent. The air was filled with the scent of flowers. Jake slumped backwards and supported himself on a rock covered in runes.
Nagaro: Your god is old. He is tired. He wont protect you. You need to know that.
Jake: What god is that?
Nagaro: I cant say.
Jake: You dont want to, you are afraid to, you dont know, what do you mean?
Nagaro: I cant comment, because i cant describe him, i cant put my finger on who it is, but i know his influence. If you need protection in your life, for what ever reason, dont look to the gods. They will kill you or ignore you. Generally they dont like you.
Jake: Why?
Nagaro: I already told you, please use your mind.
Jake was silent. Then he nodded.
Nagaro: So if you need someone to watch your back, its going to be a mortal being. And remember not to draw to much attention to yourself. You know how to clean things with magic and how to form a field. You are not yet proficient in directing a field of magic but you will get better. I cant tell you what else you need to learn, but i know there will be a bunch of people, mortals and immortals that will try to affect you in different ways. I know you will have good friends, you will be betrayed, you will love and you will die as a mortal. I know more, but should not say. You know the basics of how not to hurt yourself and other people with magic, and that is very important. Thats the first reason you where accepted into our midst. Now i can see this place is getting to small for you, so i think its best you leave.
Jake: I thought about asking you of permission to leave, but i wasnt planning on doing it this year.
Nagaro: You have been my apprentice far longer then you know, and i know you far better then yourself. You are too young and inexperienced to leave, but its best you do anyway. Go east past Wolfs creek. Preferably dont go inside. Then go around and head northeast. Dont bring anything on your journey except a little food and water. Nagaro stood up and bowed to his apprentice.
Nagaro: You are no longer an apprentice, you are free wizard. Not a very knowledgeable or experienced one but still. I would want to teach you more but we are drawing to much unwanted attention to ourselves here. Dont tell anyone of your magic. If you have to use it, do it even though people might see you. But remember there are a lot of jealous people out there. A lot of them wants to make gold and wells in the easiest possible manner. They dont know about the consequences, they dont know how the gods operate.
They hugged and Jake was alone in the tent. He sat down with a considering look on his face. Time came to a halt and Jake fell into his meditation. He awoke with a slap on his face. He was lying on the tent floor. A small orange cat was licking its paw. Jake scratched the cat and it climbed up his arm and went down the hood of his robe.
Jake: Siana dont eat through that again.
The cat called "Siana" purred in his robe.
Jake ate and drank and fed the cat.
Jake: Can you go outside to see what they are doing, if they are in a circle i dont want to disturb them. Im really hungry, i need more food. I think i have been away for days. Im really weak so we need to get some food. I guess you are as hungry still as well right?
Siana slowly climbed her way out of the hood and slumped on to the floor, eyeing Jake before she crawled beneath the flap of the tent door. She quickly came back.
Jake: Can we go?
The cat stretched her back and licked her paw.
Jake: Well?
The cat crawled out of the tent again and Jake followed.
Part 3: The caravan
Jake travelled for a few days through low hills, dry grass and bushes. When ever he felt like it he stopped and talked to Siana, stretched out his magic to feel the path ahead or just sat down by the fire. On the fourth day he reached a small dirt road his was aiming towards. Right before supper time he saw a cloud of dust down the road, horses, wagons and people. He stopped, gazing into the cloud. Then he sat off in a fast paced walk. When he reached the caravan they where getting out theyre things for dinner. It seemed like twentyfive people in the caravan. A girl with olive skin, green clothing and blonde hair ran towards him. Jake stopped and raised his eyebrows. The girl seemed joyous as she ran toward him. As she got closer he saw she was not human. Her ears where pointy on the upside and reached above her head. And her skin had quite a strong tone toward green, which no human could ever have. She hugged him.
Girl: I precious you! She said loudly in his ear. Jake staggered backward as she hit him with full force. He regained his balance.
Jake: Wha... whothehellareyah? The words came a bit quick to Jake.
Girl: I the body of mother! The girl let go of Jake and shot her arms into the air and spun around many times in one go. She seemed a bit dizzy and Jake grabbed her by the waist to steady her and she hugged him again.
Girl: I nice to see it! The girls voice drifted into the air, each word hung around for a good while before drifting into the atmosphere. Her hair smelled of bark and fresh grass.
A man from the caravan came walking towards them on the road.
The girl let go of Jake.
Jake: Ok so you are an elf i take it?
Girl: Men call i Uiyla, not real word, real word slow say, men have little slow.
Jake: Hi Uiyla, im Jake. Jake bowed. The girl ran her nimble fingers through Jakes hair.
Jake: What uuh... She held one small beetle in her left hand and a twig in the other. Then she blew softly and something landed softly in Jakes hair.
Uiyla: I clean him.
Jake raised his arm to touch his hair but before he even got midway Uiyla put her hand on his arm to stop him.
Uiyla: No crush flower. She let Jake raise his hand slowly and he touched something that seemed to be a small flower. Jake lowered his hand and he could see a little pollen on his longest finger.
Uiyla: It getting more, let whamash spread.
The man reached them. He had a big belly, no hair, a long beard and a nice thick belt. His eyes was very kind.
The bearded man: Im Jack, one de traders o this carevann yah see. I see yah met our only elf already. She sure is happy about mos things. She ran awey from home yah see last winter an she been wiff us since then. Plays the flute an sings an takes a lot of care o people and whanot. He put his hand on Jakes shoulder. Jake looked at his hand. Two silver rings, one of them had small searching blue tendril extending from it. The tendril examined Jake.
Jack: Oh yah can see those can yah? Jack withdrew his hand and backed away a few paces, put his thumbs in his belt. He examined Jake. While Jack talked to Jake, Uiyla had ran off. Jake could see her far away picking flowers.
Jake: Well im Jake. I just want to sit by your fire. Jake lowered his voice.
Jake: Please just let me join you for a dinner, ive had nothing but a few bredcrumbs and stale water for a day or so. I wont hurt anyone and if you dont tell them, noone will be afraid of me.
Jack smiled with the right side of his mouth.
Jack: Jake, that almos sound like "Jack". Jack put his arm around Jakes shoulders and walked with him into the ring of people sitting by the fireplace. A big pot was suspended over the fire. Jack indicated where Jake could sit and Jake sat down.
Jake saw three archers posted on top of one wagon each. They where scanning the surounding area. Eleven people where moving around preparing the food and placing some of the wares on the ground. They where a warying sort, one dwarf woman, six burly and dirty men, two young women with aprons, one old woman and one middle aged woman. Most of them said "Hi". Seated by the fire where five warrior clad in chainmail and next to them where placed heavy shields and short but heavy swords. All of the warriors had brown skin and white hair while most of the other crew had a light brown skin and warying color of the hair. Jake was seated by the warriors. They smelled of oil.
The warrior closest to Jake leaned over to him and gave him a woden bowl and a spoon.
The warrior: There you go boy. His voice was very powerfull and deep.
The warrior: Im called Kneecap slap, but you can call me Kneecap. Whats your name? The warrior seemed trained in the art of talking somehow.
Jake: Im Jake. Kneecap slowly extended his big scarred hand toward Jakes face and touched it softly with the back of his hand. A big smile broke his face in two bits.
Kneecap: Thats how we say hello where i am from.
Jake extended his fist below Kneecaps face and Kneecap used his fist to gently knock Jakes fist.
Jake: Thats how we say hello to our pals where im from.
Kneecap: I know. And kneecap chuckled a chuckle that scared the horses somewhat.
Jack shouted from behind a horse: No laughing Kneecap! Kneecaps smile broadened even wider.
Kneecap: We are a sworn to protect each other and this caravan. We work for honor, but we need a little silver to cover our expenses for pleasures and theological writings from home. If i have to i will put my life on the line for you little one as long as we are together, i expect you do the same for me if the time comes. I see in your eyes there is a fire that will never be extinguished as long as that heart is beating. Kneecap pointed to Jacks heart with his spoon. Kneecap made a pause.
Kneecap: You will be with us far longer then you thought when you sat down. Even far longer then you think now as im telling you this. Siana crept out of Jakes hood and sat in his lap. Jake began stroking her.
Kneecap: Nice ca... Kneecap fell silent.
Kneecap: Thats not a cat. Kneecap stood up and his sword was in his hand. Siana lept down and ran away as Jake fell over backwards. As Jake tried to rise Kneecaps sword was at his throat so Jake stayed on the ground. Jake could hear the other warriors move and the other caravan people shouting. Jake cried and tried to talk:
Jake: I... Jake was interupted by Jack from behind Kneecap.
Jack: Thisa boy here are our guest, so no killing just fer some cat.
And then things happend really fast. Something green roared loudly and hit Kneecap and he tumbled over. There was a lot of screaming and shouting and rustling from chainmail. Jake got up and saw the other four warriors running after a huge green tiger that was dragging Kneecap like a ragdoll in her jaw.
Jack: Tell it to let go of him. Jack was looking at Jake.
Jack: If he dies they will kill you.
Jake closed his eyes. When he opened them Kneecap was lying on the ground thirty metres away and the other four warriors was trying to encircle the tiger that was slowly backing away. Kneecap was getting up. The tiger ran away at such speed the warriors didnt even try chasing it. The five of them turned to Jake.
Jake: She was protecting me, you threatened me. He said through his tears.
One of the warriors talked quietly to Kneecap. Afterwards they sheated their swords and came back to the fire. Jake gave kneecap his sword but Kneecap dropped it as he tried to take it back. Jake could see there was definetely something wrong with Kneecaps right arm. The warriors sat down by the fire on opposite side from Jake and the old woman started tending Kneecaps arm that evidently was broken. Jack poured some soup for Jake as he sat down.
Jack: These warriors god dont like no magic. Think its Enochi or somesuch.
Jake: Not from what i hear. Jake was drying his tears.
Jake: Wheres Uiyla?
Jack: Shell be back lata, shes sleepin. Elfs only sleep for so long yah know and they do it in a place where theres no so much ruckus or somesuch.
Jake: Ok i see. The warriors eyed Jake. The middle aged woman came up to Jake.
Middle aged woman: Are you hurt little one? By the way im Annah, Jacks boss and wife. I run this caravan.
Jake: No im ok, dont know about Siana though. Annah chuckled.
Annah: Oh i think Kneecap had it a lot worse and he aint complaining over that broken arm. He probably broke it a couple of times before so he is used to it. Jake cracked a smile. There was a very small, but still adult man standing by the fire. His ears where pointed and his skin brown and he turned to look at Jake. He had big, inquisitive eyes.
Jake: Who is that? Jake nodded to the small man.
Annah: Thats John, hes one of the little folk. Some call them Kender, very unusual in these parts of the land. I wager you havent seen one of his kind before have you?
Jake: No. Never seen a teenage elf either, i thought they kind of... Jake fell silent.
Annah: Just shot out of the ground all grown and adult? Annah chuckled.
Jake: Well i guess its a matter of chance, sine they are adult for so long, if you meet an elf its only about one in a hundred of them that is not adults. Annah chuckled again.
Annah: You are a smart boy. You are not good at hiding your magic though. You would better keep that kitten of yours hidden if there is anyone knowledgeable zoology around. At least given that they have a chance at looking closely at her. I think it was the ass that gave her away, theres no hole in it. Annah chuckled once more.
Jake: I know.
Jake ate a spicy soup, alone. Not even Jack got closer more often then he needed to. At night Jake huddled in the cloak his brother gave him a few years ago.
Jake awoke in darkness. Somebody was stroking his arm. It was Uiyla, she was smiling at him. Siana was sitting on her shoulder, purring. Jake could faintly see one of the archers walking by in the darkness.
Jake: Hi.
Uiyla just smiled and stroke him on the cheek. Jake touched Uiylas hand. Her skin was like silk.
Jake: Do i have to call you Uiyla?
Uiyla: Jake call me. She had a look of expectation in her face.
Jake: How about flower?
Flower: I Flower. Flower, formerly known as Uiyla bowed and then quickly kissed Jakes forehead. Jake hugged her and she hugged him back.
Flower: Come. She stood up and extented her hand to get Jake up. He took her hand and stood.
Flower: Jake take its things. She nodded to Jakes belt, boots and backpack. Jake sat down and put on his boots and backpack. Flower took his hand and led him away. Jake looked at Flowers feet for the first time and saw she had no shoes. She led him into the blinding darkness. They walked slowly while Jakes eyes adjusted to the darkness somewhat. It was a stary night.
Jake: Arent your feet cold?
Flower: Mother heats them.
Jake: Not mine. Flower laughed a laugh that sounded like a song.
Flower: I older then Jack. She grabbed Jakes hand harder as it slipped away.
Flower led Jake to a large oak. Before Jake knew what was going on Flower had climbed it and sat dangling with her legs above him. Jake sat down below her.
Jake: I dont want to go back to the caravan, im not wanted there. Jack just let me hang around because he promised me i could.
Flower: I can no no.
Jake: What?
Flower: I can no understand human relation so good. It want go, it go.
Jake scratch his hair uncomfortably and scratched his thin beard stubble. He sighed.
Flower: What?
Jake: I was thinking...
Flower: What Jake thinking?
Jake: ... that maybe if you want to you can come with me to wolfs creek. Ill go there and then ill go to the forest in the northeast. Jake could faintly see Flower looking down on him from above. She was silent.
Jake: Well i will rest here for a bit then im off. Nice to see you anyway. Really nice.
Flower: Where you Jake go, to handmen?
Jake: Who are they?
Flower: Or Jake go to Kanstinin?
Jake: Whats that?
Flower: Jake dont know much. Flower giggled.
Jake: Agreed, but things are the way they are.
Flower. Why Jake young boy, go alone?
Jake was silent for a while, then he sighed.
Jake: My master told me to.
Flower: Why?
Jake: Somebody was after me.
Flower: What Jake mean?
Jake: Somebody was going to try to kill me.
Flower: Why?
Jake: A lot of people dont like magic. Jake drew his cloak closer and fell asleep.
Jake woke up half slumped against the oak as the sun rose. Siana licked his face and stretched her back. Jake looked around but saw noone othr then Siana. He pated Siana and gave her a piece of meat he saved from the soup.
Jake: I guess you have no idea of whats ahead have you?
Siana looked at him and scratched his knee.
Jake: What? Jake heared a faint voice other then his own in his head. He could not make out the words.
Jake: Is that you Siana?
Siana looked around. Jake shrugged, rose and swung his backpack unto his back. He made his way back to the road and started walking again. After a few hours he saw a sign by a road pointing west. It said "Temple of Hoag". By the fork in the road there was a fireplace and some firewood inside a shelter big enough for three people to sleep. Jake made a fire and sat down. After a while he saw someone running his way down the road southwest, the same direction he had come from from. It was flower. A shortsword was clapping her thigh as she ran. She came closer and closer and didnt seem willing to stop. Jake got up just before Flower rushed into him and rolled lightly unto the ground hugging him. They didnt get up for a while, they just laid next to each other and looked at the clouds and didnt say anything. Finally flower bounced to her feat and Jake sat up.
Jake: Im glad you came.
Flower: I too.
Jake: Hey whats that temple? Jake pointed west along the dirt road.
Flower: In mountains, a stonegod with his people.
Jake: What do they do? Worship a piece of rock?
Flower giggled.
Flower: Jake silly. They wise, meditate, talk to Hoag and black lady.
Jake: Ive heard about the black lady. She cares for the dead and records what they do and whatnot. But never heard of Hoag.
Flower: Hoag not known.
Jake scratched his head and gazed into the fire while Flower sharpened her sword.
Jake: Then better not go there.
They continued onward to the northeast. Before suppertime they saw people walking in theyre direction along the road. It was six adult humans and a few children. When they got closer Jake saw that they had torn clothing and looked starved. They where armed with clubs, but had little else in the way of possessions. Jake and Flower looked at each other. Flower nodded. Jake shrugged and they kept going. As they got closer the group stopped and bowed quickly. Flower and Jake did the same and stopped as well.
Jake: God day folks.
One desperate looking man with sad eyes answered Jake:
Desperate man: Good day young master. We are poor pilgrims on our way to Hoags temple. We have been at Theseus temple, we tried giving away our children as they are starving, but none of them where accepted as apprentices, and they didnt want any of them as aids. So now... They where interupted by shouts as Flower gave away food from a small skin bag, all of it it seemed. The group ate fast and Flower gave them her water. Jake followed her example and gave away most of his food.
Desperate man. Im Christian, this is my wife Bora, and my daughter Indra. He pointed to a thin girl with big eyes. Then he pointed to the others, three women, a man and three children. Thats my sisters and my brother and my sisters children, whats left of them at least.
Christian: Please young master, this road is no place for two teenagers, especially an elf and an unarmed boy. We travel as we do because we will starve if we dont, but these are no roads that are safe to travel even for us. There are orcs to the east and to the northwest there is a known hideout of thugs who do terrible things.
Jake: Well im shit out of luck as well, ive got no choice. Christian nodded and got a thoughtfull expression on his face.
Christian: Why not travel with us to the temple? And then if it falls that way, we will head back down this road to Mars bay. Jake thought about the suggestion for a while.
Jake: Ok, lets do that. Im supposed to go to Wolfs creek, but im not in a rush to get there and i dont want to... Jake fell silent as he looked at the children.
Jake: I dont want to run into trouble.
So they turned back and met Annahs and Jacks caravan. Only Jack and his wife said hello to Jake, and they eyed Flower who kept at a distance. Afterwards they reached the fireplace by the fork in the road early in the evening. They made a fire and ate the rest of Jakes food and then Christian decided on a guard duty schedule for the night. Flower and Jake went to lie next to each other by the fireplace. Flower sang a calming song in elvish and Jake fell asleep. In the morning the group started walking the road to Hoags temple. Christian explained that they would get to the temple in the evening, and they did. The opening was a big cave tunnel. Outside there was a three metre tall, roughy shaped stone statue of a woman. As the group came closer to the opening they where all scared out of their wits as the statue spoke in a booming, powerfull voice:
The statue: With light and mind your feet speak of your arrival, and i ask, for what reason?
Flower: Us come see Hoag.
The statue: Hoag is not something you see, it sees you. Seeing would not make you much more wise, since seeing is not, in this instance of any importance.
Flower: Can us come in?
The statue: It does not seem appropriate no, but i shall call for food and liquid for you, then i need you to be on your way, as there are others coming behind you that have appropriate cause to come here. A young woman with a black robe and long, curly brown hair came out of the tunnel with a basket and a big pot. The basket contained mushrooms and some kind of gruel that was not very tasty. The pot contained watered wine. The group ate and drank. They negotiated with the statue, and finally where allowed to sleep near the entrance with a promise to get moving as the sun rose, and thats exactly what they did. The next three days held little events of importance. The group walked along the dirt road through a scenery of the same kind of landscape, dry grass, bushes and low rolling hills. On the fourth day they reached Mars bay.
Part 4: Mars bay
In a valley along the coast, nestled upon a huge cliff was Mars bay. It had a high wall on the northwestern side, where the only gate was situated. All other sides had almost veritcal cliffs for thirty metres or more. Inside the wall where houses made of stone and thick logs. A kilometre south of the village there was a big open area with tents, livestock and wagons. Jake could see Annah and Jacks caravan.
Jake: Lets go into the village, i have some silver coins.
Flower sang a song that sounded to agree with Jakes idea and they walked off towards the gate. They could see three archers on top of the gate overseeing the traffic of people coming and going through the open gate. Two more guards clad in chainmail, carrying halberds guarded each side of the gate, while three women wearing grey robes rummaged through a wagon that seemed to belong to a farmer and his children. The robed men and the guards had the insignia of the council on their right shoulder. As Jake and Flower approached, one of the guards, a battlescarred woman of middle age approached them.
Guard: Hey ho little ones! What brings you to Mars bay, havent ever seen you before?
Flower stood behind Jake and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Jake: Well we are just looking for a place to rest and some food, then we are off again.
Guard: Where too?
Jake: Wolfs creek.
Guard: So anybody there waiting for you?
Jake: No not really.
Guard: So uuh where is your parents and who is that elf girl? The guard nodded towards Flower.
Jake: She is my friend. She is from Jack and Annahs caravan. The guard chewed on some oatmeal for a little while.
Guard: So why dont she go back there is there is where she belongs?
Flower: I go with Jake.
Guard: I see. The guard chewed some more on her oatmeal.
Guard: Will in any case its not good for you to be running around by yourselfs, two kids like yourself, who knows what kind of trouble you could get in to. You where probably just lucky that the orcs in the southwest didnt waylay you like the did so many others. Jakes face turned a bit red.
Ks epilogue
Shodds epilogue
Priest: What does it mean?
Shodd: Thats an imprecise question, it are not aware of the object of which it spoke.
The priest indicated with his left arm towards the symbols Shodd was painting in a stunted, wide script in front of himself on the stone floor. The priest lowered his arm and Shodds eyebrows pulled closer, wrinkles formed on his forehead. He leaned away from the symbols and turned his head.
Shodd: Its not aware that it is aware of that.
The priest got a mindful expression. As he leaned forward to sit, Shodd supported the old man. The old man sat down with a solemn expression and looked at Shodds face who was again in a state of relaxation. Water poured slowly in the background down a gentle slope of stone. Two young elf women sat down close to Shodd and Shodd and the priest nodded at them.
Shodd: Does it know what it means?
Shodd looked at the older of the women as he spoke. She had dark brown skin and a massa of curled black hair. Now that he thought about it, he was far from sure if she was old or young.
The elf woman: This one.
The woman pointed to one of the symbols, a thin line bent at ninety degrees in the middle.
The elf woman: This one be exactly as my "elbow", as i learned it from childhood.
Shodd raised his eyebrows and was quiet for a while. Birds chirped above the group.
Shodd: Eerh, that dont make much sense. It doesnt know in what context these are, but it perceived it at night, when Bolgove was weaving its unconscious weave.
The elf woman laughed. The other three cracked a smile. The other elf had short hair and was shorter then the first.
The smaller elf woman: It mighta be a yahknow whatchamacallit slanderprophecy or lika blunderprophecy. Looksie you lika gottit all a wrong eh? Yah see eh this eh?
She pointed to another symbol that looked like a square with three pins poking through the bottom but not the top.
The smaller elf woman: Is ah...Is ah somethinn commin yah, butha havin to come backa yeah?
Shodd: Like something is in the wrong place and has to go some other place?
The smaller elf woman: No aaah its ah... Like defence. Somethinn is beinga defendedd, yah?
Shodd: Ok maybe...
Shodd fell silent. He scratched his head. The smaller elf woman stretched out a hand with claws and touched Shodds hand.
The smaller elf woman: Is name "Finder". Is sorry bad imperial speak eh? I gotta learn it in odder place.
Shodd: Dont worry about it. Its name is Shodd. Shodd pointed to himself.
The priest grabbed Shodds arm. Shodd saw fear in his eyes. Quickly shodd stood up at the same time as a dwarf came running into the stone ring. The dwarf drew a huge axe from his back and looked at Shodd. Both the elfs ran out of sight down the slope between the rocks. Shodd and the dwarf followed in their steps. A young man was running toward the steep hill where the temple was situated. From his left arm an arrow protruded. The two elf women got to him first and catched him as he fell. Shodd jumped on top of a rock. He gazed into the distance. He could see a group of people coming towards the temple. They had a banner. There where at least ten of them and one ogre.
Shodd: Itsa thea witch an eh followuz! Shodd had switched language to the more commonly spoken "Bay tounge"
Most of the other people at the temple had gathered some of them where pointing towards the group of people in the distance.
The priest: They have come to take over the temple, to sanctify it in their bloodgods name. Dont stand in their way, they will kill you.
Shodd bent down and picked up a heavy rock and a dead tree trunk from the firewood. Shodd looked at the priest and the priest looked back. The dwarf was standing beside Shodd with his axe drawn. The elf woman called "Finder" was floating in the air beside the dwarf reciting a spell. Finder pointed at the dwarf. A semi transluscent blueish armor suddenly covered the dwarf.
The priest: Oh fuck it!
The priest rolled back his sleeves and tore off the lower part of his robe in one swift move. He straightened his back with a loud crack and stretched his arm upwards. The priest howled:
The priest: Come on shitheads, its now or never!
The priest dug his hands into the soil.
The priest: Old one, give us strength!
The five of them walked slowly towards the group in the distance. Shodd saw that there where twelve warriors clad in leather armor, swinging axes. Only two had crossbows, and they didnt seem to want to use them. There where no ogre. It was the witch. He was three meters tall, covered in strange armor of glowing symbols. He whore no helmet and white haired fluttered in the wind.
The Dwarf: That guy dont need protection. What does he want with those warriors? Food?
The dwarf laughed heartily.
The dwarf: Killed by a huge friggin witch, yeah my father would have been proud.
The dwarf started walking so fast that Shodd had to put his hand on his shoulder and reign him in.
As the groups met they all bowed. Then there was a blinding light, much stronger then the suns coming from behind Shodd. Most of the enemies was taken totally off guard and they staggered back. Shodd threw his rock at one and he fell. Then Shodd charged towards the witch. The dwarf reached the soldiers before Shodd, and he seemed aware Shodd was behind him as he swung and killed one of the soldiers close to the witch. Shodd could see the witches armor where made of leather and he swung his tree trunk at the witches knee. But the witches reach was immense and the witch struck him with his fist. Shodd staggered and the witches hand shot black fire at Shodd. For some reason the fire just evaporated in front of Shodd as it got close, giving Shodd time to regain balance. Shodd braced himself and jumped at the witch, trying to get him to the ground to make it difficult to direct spells. They both crashed in a pile. As they landed the witch tried to turn and throw Shodd away. But both of Shodds immense arms where already grasping at the witches arms. The witch kneed Shodd in the torso knocking the air out of him, but Shodd was used to that kind of thing. As they where lying on the ground side by side, Shodd saw the dwarf come closer and Shodd rolled away. The axe swung at the witch but he did not fall. Shodd leapt at the witches knee, the while the dwarf swung at the other knee. The Witch tried a spell but it was to late, he fell and Shodd heard bones being smashed. Shodd was to weak to get up from lack of oxygen, all he could do was cough as the dwarf covered himself in the witches blood. The battle was over.
As Shodd stood up he felt a searing pain in his back.
The larger elf woman: Lay down, you are seriously injured.
Apparently one of the soldiers had hit Shodd at some point, the muscles on his wide back had a slash across them. As Shodd laid down he could see the old priest was dead and the elf called "Finder" was lying on the grass coughing blood. The other apprentices gathered around.
Shodd: Eh cannae she live?
He nodded toward Finder. A teenage human girl answered.
The girl: I can tell her what you need to tell her.
Shodd: Saya her i wans her toa remain.
The girl went over to the Finder and tried to calm her enough to listen to Shodds words. Shodds wounds where dressed. It took most of the apprentices and the still alive elf to carry him back to the stone circle. Shodd fell asleep from exhaustion.
Slowly Shodd regained consciousness.
Finder: Look, all im saying is we need to be able to live together all of us. Of course we are different, im not denying that, and of course we have our natural habitats in varying places. We dwell under the earth like you. The gods tought us about metal, as they did with your people. You dont really think we could have figured the whole process by ourselves in a few hundred years?
The Dwarf: No it would take a long time, especially for you weak elfs, your arms are hardly enough to wield the hammers in our forges.
Shodd turned as he lay to see the ones talking. And a smile spread automatically across Shodds mouth as he layed eyes on the dwarf and Finder. Shodd looked at the Dwarf.
Shodd: Pleeez Menurr, watah!
Menurr the Dwarf stood up and walked away as a smile spread on his lips also. Shodd looked at Finder and switched to the old imperial tounge.
Shodd: It can not express to a large extent in the southern tounge. Shodd pointed to himself. And it are not well accustomed to the imperial tounge. Shodd pointed at Finder.
Finder: Well ill stay with this. I pick up languages quick though. Finder spoke in bay tounge.
Shodd opened his mouth as to speak, but Finder was quicker.
Finder: You want to know how it is that my torso was all opened up a day ago and now im here talking to you with only a faint scar as a remainder. She pulled her robe aside and lifter her leather shirt. She pointed to a scar running through the middle of her chest to the left side of her stomach. I will tell you. I made one physically protective spell on Menurr, i protected you from magic and i thought i might get hurt so i made sure if i was my flesh would heal itself. My sister is very agile so i did not risk any spell on her. When we came closer i blinded them, but i passed out as i did. Apparently one of the soldiers wanted to kill a passed out elf.
Shodd: It is a powerfull mage i see. Shodd pointed to Finder.
Finder: Not really, it was the priest. He channeled power through Gomy and Bolgove. I could feel it inside my mind thrusting to get out. If i would not have felt it that clearly, i would never have risked such magic. Well anyway.
She sat closer to Shodd and patted him on the shoulder lightly.
Finder: We buried the priest. He died defending the temple, but i think to Bolgove his time had come. He sacrificed himself for us and the temple.
In the days to come all that was assembled in the temple took a vote to decide who the next guardian of the temple should be. The vote landed on Finder, thirteen out of eighteen votes. The whole temple was gathered sitting in a circle inside the stone circle.
Shodd: Ia wasu hopin yad come witt mee froma this plece.
Finder: Im sorry Shodd, i dont want to. But when ever you want to come back across the swamp and to these sacred hills, ill be here. Probably for a century. When you are old and gray i will still be here. I cant promise you i will have the same haircut and clothes, but its me at least.
They both laughed. Shodd turned to Menurr.
Menurr: Yeah ill come with yah. Temple life aint nuthin for me as long as those dregs are up and about.
Menurr pointed to a huge bonfire where the bodies of the soldiers burned.
Menurr: The body o the witch was never there, only thee leather an the toothpick. Besides i have ooh about sixteen thousand orcs in these parts as sworn enemies, and the more we move about, the greater the chance we will run into some o them. Which is a good thing if we do. Or so say my axe.
Menurr tapped his axe and a beautiful metallic tone emanated from it.
Shodd and Menurr decided to head south, towards the big village called "Wolfs creek". They packed their backpacks and kissed everyone goodbye. Finder gave Shodd a talisman, a lightly glowing stone.
Finder: I can help you through that, but only once. And another thing. I know you where schooled by the philosophers up north and so you talking like that, not referring to people. I know why you do it, but just please stop, its hard to know who you are talking about if they are not there.
Shodd: It... Shodd slowly pointed to himself. Will consider that. Shodd and Finder kissed once again and a young minotaur and a sort of young dwarf walked south.
Part 2
Shodd and Menurr travelled as caravan guards across the bay area for four years. They tried staying out of the most dangerous trips, and mostly that worked out. Finally they both had saved a bit of silver, enough for proper equipment fit for experienced warriors. Now was the time to take the next step and becoming independent mercenaries in partnership. Shodd and Menurr sat discussing this at Imras tavern, the biggest tavern in Wolfs creek.
Shodd: It right footie yeah? So dats stickin oot, get blows der offen and right arm is same.
Menurr: Yeah so ifn you buy the heavy bits fer dat an put it there an throw away those broken bits you got there. Menurr pointed to Shodds thinn and worn leather armor on the tavern floor.
Shodd: An thenn it get a good big axe and throw dis inna trash. Shodd lifted his dirty, dull battleaxe from the table.
Menurr: Git yerself one o the big dwarven kind. I want one o those also, none o the human crap anymore. Im gonna get meself one o the good flexible dwarven chainmails also, dat will make me near impossible to kill!
Shodd and Menurr stood up and raised theyre mugs and made a toast and they where joined by others in tables closeby.
Shodd and Menurr withdrew theyre silver from the councils depository and traveled north to the dwarven settlement called Dur paragar. After three days of shopping and haggling they had everything they planned, a chainmail for Menurr, leather and platemail on the right leg and arm for Shodd and two double handed battleaxes, everything of good quality. Shodd kept his old dented shield. Menurr asked around for a job and they quickly found something interesting a kender called John needed some assistance. John fiddled with a thin, sharp dagger as they talked to him.
John: So what i need is protection in the gray swamp. Im not quite sure where this place is, but its a holy place that where there before the ground was swamped with water from the east. Its on higher ground so it should still be there. I know of a hidden space containing hole scriptures that one of my ancestors read and gained wisdom through. I dont have the head for that kind of thing, but i have a good friend that does so i want to bring those to her. She is in Wolfs creek and i would want to get in touch with her, preferably before you go there.
Menurr: Will yah come with us?
John: No thats not my kind of thing, im not used to battle. As you understand some of that might happen because of the swampmen, those guys dont play around. But i will send a message to my contact and she will come with you to go there, if you can wait for about two or three weeks?
Shodd: No no. Shodd shook his enormous head.
Menurr: Thats a wee bit to long, ifn yah dont pay us to wait around that is? Or ifn the total sum is quite a big fat wad? Menurr raised an eyebrow.
John: I was thinking five gold coins.
Shodd and Menurr looked at each other in a questioning way. Menurr nodded and then Shodd nodded.
Menurr: Ifn you want us to wait, seven gold, if we go now, five gold is fine.
John scratched his head.
John: Five it as and you go now, ill send word to my contact to either meet you at the big fireplace north of the swamp or wait here until you get back. The swamp is just one days travel away from here, but it will probably take you a few days to find the right place. Ive got a small boat for you and a donkey with carriage to take the boat there. The holy place should have a low stone wall and two stone buildings inside. The secret entrance is under the altar in the eastern building. Its probably heavy but you should have no trouble moving it. The three of them knocked theyre fists together to seal the deal. Menurr and Shodd bought some food and a sturdy dwarven rope and headed east to the gray swamp.
Late in the evening they reached a rotten wooden shelter with a big fireplace. Somebody had quite recently built a small pier of stone extending out into the fog of the swamp. Vision in the swamp seemed very limited, ten metres at most. Menurr and Shodd kept theyre powerfull voices down as they spoke:
Menurr: Lets not keep a fire eh? De swampmen will see it come looking for whats cokin.
Shodd: Yah, dey probly mede it to get supper served yah.
Menurr and Shodd slept in the shelter, but only for a while...
Menurr awoke in mostly complete darkness, but to him the closest area was still visible through heatsight. What woke him was a sound of a boat docking at the pier and strange, guttural voices. Menurr shook Shodd and pointed to his axe. Shodd had unstrapped his arm and leg armor, but Menurr was covered in his new chainmail. They both got up slowly and saw two cannoes at the pier that was filled with swampmen. They looked like humans with rough, grayish skin and animal hide loincloths. Theyre heads was big and sharp fangs protruded from their lower jaws. Both Menurr and Shodd charged and fell one swampmen each and they plunged into the swamp. Shodd crashed into a few of the swampmen who fell into the water or sprawled on the pier. Menurr cut off the leg of a second Swampmen who fell in a horrible scream. Most of the swampmen who was left lept into the water and Shodd let the ones lying on the pier crawl into the water. The stone head spears was used as firewood.
Menurr: They know about us, we might as well make a fire. And they did.
After a while they heared more boats arriving at the shore to the right. They stood shoulder to shoulder and Shodd raised his shield as one spear hit the shield and one spear glanced off Menurrs chest. They saw at least eight swampmen come charging at them. Shodd stood in front of Menurr and charged with his shield infront while Menurr ran behind him. As they crashed through the first wave of swampmen they saw another wave at least as big as the first coming at them. They changed formation and stood shoulder to shoulder again. At the opurtune moment they both twisted so they had their backs against eachother to deflect spear blows.
Chapter 1 Meeting up
The lamp hanging in the middle of the cluttered room swayed in the gust of wind that blew in as an old door swung open. Darkness leaked into the room from the street outside. Jake squinted his eyes so as to see who was there. He saw no-one.
Jakes epilogue
Part 1: Childhood
Jake: Mom!?
Jakes mother: Yeah what?
Jake: Whats this thing?
Jake dangled a black rock tied to a leather string in the kitchen as his mother was making the same soup that he himself made for Shodd eight years later. The rock seemed to shift from place to place and there was a faint green glow inside it, leaking out leaving green strands of light as it moved through the air. Jakes mother stopped stiring in the kettle and walked barefoot across the earthern floor. She came up to her son and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
Jakes mother: I thought we got rid of that thing a long time ago...
Jakes mother mumbled something incoherently.
Jakes mother: Where did you find it?
Jake: Errh, it was around my neck when i woke up.
Jakes mothers eyes widened and she got tensed all over. Jakes mother took a step away and stared at the rock.
Jake: What is it? Whats the matter? Why did Lod put that on me when i was sleeping?
Jakes mother: Dont blame your brother for that he doesnt know anything about that.
Jake: So Lissa put it there? Thats weird she wouldnt want to do that, shes afraid of me when im sleeping since that time i was sleepwalking and all that...
Jakes mother: I told you not to talk about that. If the other villagers hear us...
Jake: What? Why does it matter if they hear that...
Jakes mother: Shut up!
Jakes mother hit Jake on the jaw. He dropped like a bag of potatoes.
When Jake came to he was lying in his bed. A boy larger then Jake was sitting beside him on the bed.
Jake: Lod what happend mom...
Lod interrupted him with a harsh glare and a "Shhsh". Lod pointed to his ear. Lod stealthily rose from the bed and helped Jake out of it. Jakes head was still ringing and there as blood in his mouth. One of his teeth was loose and a piece of it rolled around in his mouth. Lod and Jake crept towards the door of the bedroom so as to listen to the voices in the livingroom.
Jakes mother: ...are you serious? Are you sure about this?
A man: Not exctly but its imporant that we step around this lightly.
The voices became more quiet. Lod looked at Jake, leaned over to him and whispered:
Lod: You gotta say bye to Lissa.
Jake: Why?
Lod smacked Jake lightly on top of the head and said "Shhhsh" again.
Jake whispered back: Why?
Lod: Im your older brother, and i dont have the time to make you understand right now. So just trust me. If you ever want to be sure you can see your little sister once more, you have to do it now. I think mom thinks you have been up to some really funny stuff, and regardless of if you have or not, somebody is here to find out just exactly what kinda funny stuff. If this guy is who i think he is, he is here with the power of the council, might even be here on orders. Thats stuff written on paper and these guys take that really seriously.
Lod shoved his little brother out of the window together with a piece of dried meat, a waterskin, Lods own boots who was in better condition then Jakes although too big, and a worn old cloak. It was around supper time. Jake ran west and jumped across the farm wall and into the woods. Noone on the farm saw him since their house was close to the wall. He ran for a bit until he came to a path and he slowed down and followed it northwest. He came to another farm, even bigger then the one he was living on. This farm had a pallisade big enough to keep Jake outside. He did not want to alert the guard so he tried climbing it. Jake was not surprised when at two locations small glowing handholds grew out of the wall as he was searching for something to hold on to. Jake dropped down onto the ground and went around the closest house, a long log cabin. And old man was carving a pipe while smoking another pipe as Jake almost ran into the man that was sitting on a reindeer pelt. The scent of flowers surrounded the old man.
The old man: Hooo there wanderer! Oh its old master Jake!? What a pleasure!
The old man watched Jakes eyes intently. Jake panted and sweat dripped from his brow.
The old man: In a hurry to see your sister i see. Keep the stone out of sight. You are not old enough for this.
The old man had a very thick beard and his ears where large and hanging. His body was covered in hair and he wore only short pants.
Jake: Sorry? Who are you.
The old man: Im Nagaro, but call me Edwin right now and every time i look like this in the future.
Jake: What? Sorry i need to go see my sister.
The old man: No.
Jake just stared at the old man and he almost ignored the old man and ran past him. But the man seemed very firm and serious.
Edwin (Nagaro): "No" as in you dont have to see her, in fact i would advice against it.
Jake: Why what the hell are you talking about old man? Look im in a hurry.
Edwin (Nagaro): Do as you will, but dont forget what i told you.
Jake ran past the old man and into the neighbouring house. This one was also a log cabin, but it had had a lot more work on it then the house Jake lived in with his parents and his siblings, this one was bigger, had a porch and a turf roof instead of a stick roof. And on that porch an armored warrior was standing, surveing the surrounding. Jake darted back to side of the house, but it was to late, the warrior saw him and shouted behind him.
The warrior: Stop you fool! We are here in the name of the council! Jake ran to the pallisade, but climbing it from this side was much more difficult. He turned around, the warrior was closing in.
The warrior: Look im here with a judge and we are to take you to Wolfs Creek. I dunno why and i dont care so just stand there and it will all...
The warrior had come closer and was almost able to grasp at Jake, his arm lashed out but there was a wet sound and a crack as a swift green light flashed and the arm was no longer attached to the warrior, it was on the ground. The warrior staggered back as blood pumped out of the wound. Jake slumped backwards and hit his head on the pallisade and things went very dark, very fast.
Jake regained consiousness the second time this day. He was hurt. His arms was bent backwards and bound in a chain. The right side of his body was broken and bloody. A dirty rag was tied around his head hard enough to break the skin of his lips. He was coughing blood and his vision was fuzzy. He was lying on top of wodden crates in a small wagon.
Unknown woman: Edgar you sure are a lucky man, considering all in all. An arm, what kind of sacrifice do you think that is? Its a meager payment to the goods for your foolish miscalculations.
The warrior: You didnt tell me this kid is a friggin field bender or whatever you call it!
Unknown woman: He actually created it also. But no, i didnt know he could do that. But thats what im here for you know, you where supposed to alert me and let me capture the little brat. We cant have fieldmice running around in the forest.
The woman chuckled a powerfull chuckle.
Jake turned as he lay in the wagon and saw a bald, muscular woman next to the warrior who was in the drivers seat in the wagon. The warriors right arm ended above the elbow in a bandage. The chains rustled as Jake turned and the woman looked at Jake and spoke to him.
The woman: Good evening young master. I am Godiva of the seven suns.
Jake was old enough to recognize scorn and content in her voice.
Godiva: We have the outmost pleasure of taking you to stand before the council and explain where it is that you learned this evil magic that is infesting your soul. Jake tried to shout through the rag:
Jake: Happ meeeh! Biff bipch an her purd kibbnabb meeh!
Godiva: Scream again and i vill cut your tounge out.
She said it so calmly that Jake believed her the first time. Jake fell silent.
Godiva: Good. We are not kidnapping you. We are here on official errand from the council. And yes the council holds domain over the asshole of the world you call "home". You will tell the council how you gained that magic.
Godiva halted the wagon, went around the back and sat beside Jake. She rubbed her fingers across the wounds on his side and Jake squrimed in excruciating pain.
Godiva: Edgar get a little upset when you severed his arm so he beat you do death before he passed out from blood loss. Luckily i was close enough to be able to get your heart going again while i worked some on your lungs. Ive done enough to make you live if you stop fucking squirming like that you little shit! And dont think that old fart you probably met will save you, hes a fucking moron and a coward. Besides Edgar knows more battle magic then that old fart, and all he could ever do is severe his own fingers or blast his own beard to smitherens.
The wagon rolled on until darkness enveloped the forest and they stopped for the night. They unloaded Jake and put him on a blanket near the fireplace. As Godiva and Edgar was ready to go to sleep they chained Jake to a tree. When both of them where snoring, Jake could feel his ribs where ok again and his breathing was not painfull. He slumped onto the ground and closed his eyes. He could see the campsite still, only now it was all greenish blue and luminescent. Around Godiva whiteish tendrils attached to the centre of her body drifted many metres out as if floating on water. She was sensing her environment, either in her sleep or she was awake doing it willingly, while pretending to sleep. Jake had never seen anyone with that long tendrils. The light around Edgar was faint green and not very visible and he had no tendrils.
Jake watched Godivas tendrils, and the more he watched them, the more they seemed consious that they where being watched. A faint white light started glowing at the tendrils, and its strength grew. Soon it would reach Jake. Jake concentrated. He broke a sweat and droplets dripped from his nose. A green glow was formed around jake, and instantly the Godivas white tendrils shot out and touched the glow around Jake. Godiva screamed and Jake opened his eyes. The greenish glow was still visible, but not the white light that emanated from Godiva. Godiva was standing.
Godiva: What the hell are you doing you little Twerp?
As the greenish field around Jake touched the tree behind him it warped, bent and crackled softly.
Jake concentrated and mumbled words he did not know he knew. Edgar got up behind Godiva with a rotten tree trunk in his only arm. Godiva turned to face Edgar and she staggered backwards towards the fire.
Godiva: Whats with you Edgar?
Edgar: I cant let you kill the boy.
Godiva: And you think you are going to stop me?
Godiva vawed her fingers and sparks shot out from the ground where Edgar stood. He jumped at her swinging his club and hit her on her arm as she defended herself. Jake saw his chance and made a huge effort. A thin green tendril severed his chain and he ran into the forest as Edgar layed on top of Godiva trying to kill her with his legs badly burned. As Jake fled he heard a horrible wet scream from Edgar.
Jake ran but he could hear Godiva behind him soon. Her voice sounded guttural, like an animal.
Godiva: I am death!
The forest shook at the sound of Godivas voice. Jake ran like never before. He hurt himself on rocks and crashed through dead branches.
Jake ran into a clearing. He was out of breath. There was no more running left in his legs. The darkness crept closer and Godiva entered the clearing. The stars lighted a huge womanlike wolf. Godiva was not small to begin with, and now she was a lot bigger. Shreds of clothing dropped onto the ground as she filled most of the clearing with her enormous body and she grew even bigger.
Godiva: Crush, smash bones, drink blood.
Jake concentrated but his mind was as powerless as his legs, the enormous Godiva slowly came closer. Suddenly Jake sank through the ground. He landed on top of fresh, dry vegetation. There was complete darkness and silence except his own breathing. Suddenly he heard a female voice.
Unkown female: I take it that werewolf was not your friend, and she definetely is no friend of this forest. So you are my friend until proven otherwise. Ill get some potatoes and vegetable for you if you humans eat that kind of thing.
Jake could not protest. Or speak at all for that matter.
Unknown female: Ill fetch my dude and kids so they can have a look at that girth and length of yours. Its funny to us you see.
Jake heard very light footsteps going away.
Unknown female: Oh yes you cant see anything here right?
Finally Jake could speak:
Jake: No its pitch black.
Unknown female: Ok
The steps faded away, but shortly Jake saw a light coming from a small tunnel. As it came closer he saw a very small woman and a very small man with a white beard. Both dressed in leather garments and with caps on their heads. Behind them where three tiny children with the similar garments. The children where about as long as Jakes fingers and the grown ups was only slightly taller then his hand. The grown ups did not seem afraid but the children kept behind their mothers skirt. The man came forward.
The tiny man: I guess yah havent seen many o us normal sized folk before i take it. This here mah wife Sarah an de kids are Brock, Seram an John. Mah nemes "Logg" to you clumpsy folk but here in the midworld im Daniel.
Daniel: You have nothin tah fear from us boy, we want nuthin then get on with our cooking an our kids an cleaning our tunnels an so on. Mayhap we go topside an help out some o yah poor oversized sods outta yer misery once in a while say oh once every year or slightly more offen if we catch a fancy to some ol lady or some poor kid like you.
Daniel handed a spoon and a plate with small pieces of potatoes, carrots, lettuce, spice and broccoli. Jake turned the spoon in his hand. It and the plate was human sized.
Daniel: Oh every say fifty years we got one or a few o you oversized poor creatures as guests so we keep them huge thingies just in case.
Jake could only eat and nod. Sarah give him, strong, hot wine and some water afterwards. Jake became tipsy and fell asleep before he could say "Thank you". But before he did he heard the tiny people talking. Its very strange, he heard the words and knew what they ment, but afterwards he could not remember what they said.
Jake awoke in a small clearing beside a small pond of moving water. Small cute flowers grew around him, but not where he was lying, as if they grew there after he came there. Jake scratched his head:
Jake: What the hell happend, they put me at the three...uuh then i ate vegetables, then cracked the chain, then uuh i got kidnapped by someone, then i talked to my sister. Nonono thats not the way it happend...
Jake scratched his head and as he did he saw his boots fit his feet a lot better. It was still his brothers boots but someone had worked on them and cut away excess leather. He had a new pair of moose leather pants, a fine wollen tunic and a thin shirt beneath. The old cloak his brother gave him was patched and someone had bettered the its greenish hue, mimicing the color of the forest in general. At his side was a small carving knife at his right side and a big dagger on his left side. Beside him was a fine moose skin bag that seemed full.
Jake: What the...?
Jake poured out its contents and rummaged through it: Two heavy blankets, dry meat and dry bread with pork in it. There where two skins, one with water, one with wine. A small box of tin contained steel, flint and tinder. Every item looked like it was made by a master craftsman. Jake scratched his head and went south.
Part 2: Apprenticeship
A few years later...
Jake: But if you can make gold, why not do that? We can pay for a better house, we can...
Jake was interrupted by an old wolfman.
The wolfman: If out abou thaff. If noff noff if forks.
Jake: But Nagaro, are we not supposed to do good in this world?
Nagaro: Yeff.
Jake: But then let us do this, let us give food to the poor, let us buy a better house, lets build wells with magic and...
Nagaro: Calm bown myf fild. Thaff whaff we mowe in ou haeff.
Jake: Please, i can hardly understand you.
Nagaro concentrated and closed his eyes. He mumbled a few ancient words. Jake could hear the same voice, but without the lips of a wolf. It was a deep, very calm and steady voice, talking slowly, choosing every word carefully.
Nagaro: Magic is not to be replaced with desire. You talk of your own desire to do good in this world. But magic is not good, its not evil either. But if you follow your desire and your whim, it will eventually lead to the dark side. I know it may seem strange, but you need to take it from me who knows, it will kill you or drive you into the darkness. You need to know magic before you can use it. The most important aspect right now of knowing magic, is knowing what magic is appropriate.
Nagaro made a pause and shifted his old creaking body.
Nagaro: Besides, i cant actually make gold, not gold that is around for a long time. But there are those who can, and those who do it. An artificer can tell the difference between that gold and non magical gold. We call that gold witches gold, since the witches make it. Where ever it ends up, it seems to wreak havoc. A well, that i can build with magic, and i have done so. But like i said, knowing what magic is appropriate at what time is often more important then to know how to use it.
Jake: Why is that?
Nagaro: A very intelligent question. Its because the magic is not in our control. Magic is basically wild, no-one controls it. But the gods know when we use it and many of them are very jealous. Most magic is cheating also, it twists the original will of the gods. Most of the gods would want to remove all magic. Some mortals who gained enough power and wisdom have become godlike. We call those "avatars". Most often they do the bidding of a god or a few gods. I had to teach you three kinds of magic, but there really are an infinite amount of kinds, so there are really only one kind and that is magic itself.
Nagaro shifted his body again and his old joints creaked.
Nagaro: Magic is not separated, magic is everywhere. It crawls under every rock and runs in every river. It goes through us and is inside of us. It cant be stopped, even if some gods are trying to stop it. If it stops, everything stops. There are places like that, and i suggest you dont go there. The plains of ash is one such place. We where there once in your initiation, so as to accustom you to it, since you will go there again.
Jake: How do you know i will go there again?
Nagaro: I have seen it in your eyes. You have the searching flame in them. All who have goes to the Plains of ash at least once.
Jake: Where you there?
Nagaro: When i was young a long time ago.
Jake: What happend?
Nagaro: I found you.
Jake: What, you found me? Jake stood up with a wild glare in his eyes. Who am i really? Am i even human?
Nagaro: You look human. Sit down we dont have time for drama.
Jake: Jake sat down heavily. Why have you never told me this?
Nagaro: You where not ready, now you are. As ready as you can be at least.
Jake: Tell me about the plains.
Nagaro: No.
Jake: Im not supposed to know?
Nagaro: Thats not it, you are supposed to know what you become to know. You are just not ready yet to know, you cannot know. Even if i tell you, its only words. You will attach meaning to my words and not be perceptive when you get there. And you need to be perceptive when you get there, or you wont last.
Jake: I dont understand.
Nagaro: Thats the point. Lets move on.
They both drank some wine and smoked on a pipe as the fire heated the air in the small tent. The air was filled with the scent of flowers. Jake slumped backwards and supported himself on a rock covered in runes.
Nagaro: Your god is old. He is tired. He wont protect you. You need to know that.
Jake: What god is that?
Nagaro: I cant say.
Jake: You dont want to, you are afraid to, you dont know, what do you mean?
Nagaro: I cant comment, because i cant describe him, i cant put my finger on who it is, but i know his influence. If you need protection in your life, for what ever reason, dont look to the gods. They will kill you or ignore you. Generally they dont like you.
Jake: Why?
Nagaro: I already told you, please use your mind.
Jake was silent. Then he nodded.
Nagaro: So if you need someone to watch your back, its going to be a mortal being. And remember not to draw to much attention to yourself. You know how to clean things with magic and how to form a field. You are not yet proficient in directing a field of magic but you will get better. I cant tell you what else you need to learn, but i know there will be a bunch of people, mortals and immortals that will try to affect you in different ways. I know you will have good friends, you will be betrayed, you will love and you will die as a mortal. I know more, but should not say. You know the basics of how not to hurt yourself and other people with magic, and that is very important. Thats the first reason you where accepted into our midst. Now i can see this place is getting to small for you, so i think its best you leave.
Jake: I thought about asking you of permission to leave, but i wasnt planning on doing it this year.
Nagaro: You have been my apprentice far longer then you know, and i know you far better then yourself. You are too young and inexperienced to leave, but its best you do anyway. Go east past Wolfs creek. Preferably dont go inside. Then go around and head northeast. Dont bring anything on your journey except a little food and water. Nagaro stood up and bowed to his apprentice.
Nagaro: You are no longer an apprentice, you are free wizard. Not a very knowledgeable or experienced one but still. I would want to teach you more but we are drawing to much unwanted attention to ourselves here. Dont tell anyone of your magic. If you have to use it, do it even though people might see you. But remember there are a lot of jealous people out there. A lot of them wants to make gold and wells in the easiest possible manner. They dont know about the consequences, they dont know how the gods operate.
They hugged and Jake was alone in the tent. He sat down with a considering look on his face. Time came to a halt and Jake fell into his meditation. He awoke with a slap on his face. He was lying on the tent floor. A small orange cat was licking its paw. Jake scratched the cat and it climbed up his arm and went down the hood of his robe.
Jake: Siana dont eat through that again.
The cat called "Siana" purred in his robe.
Jake ate and drank and fed the cat.
Jake: Can you go outside to see what they are doing, if they are in a circle i dont want to disturb them. Im really hungry, i need more food. I think i have been away for days. Im really weak so we need to get some food. I guess you are as hungry still as well right?
Siana slowly climbed her way out of the hood and slumped on to the floor, eyeing Jake before she crawled beneath the flap of the tent door. She quickly came back.
Jake: Can we go?
The cat stretched her back and licked her paw.
Jake: Well?
The cat crawled out of the tent again and Jake followed.
Part 3: The caravan
Jake travelled for a few days through low hills, dry grass and bushes. When ever he felt like it he stopped and talked to Siana, stretched out his magic to feel the path ahead or just sat down by the fire. On the fourth day he reached a small dirt road his was aiming towards. Right before supper time he saw a cloud of dust down the road, horses, wagons and people. He stopped, gazing into the cloud. Then he sat off in a fast paced walk. When he reached the caravan they where getting out theyre things for dinner. It seemed like twentyfive people in the caravan. A girl with olive skin, green clothing and blonde hair ran towards him. Jake stopped and raised his eyebrows. The girl seemed joyous as she ran toward him. As she got closer he saw she was not human. Her ears where pointy on the upside and reached above her head. And her skin had quite a strong tone toward green, which no human could ever have. She hugged him.
Girl: I precious you! She said loudly in his ear. Jake staggered backward as she hit him with full force. He regained his balance.
Jake: Wha... whothehellareyah? The words came a bit quick to Jake.
Girl: I the body of mother! The girl let go of Jake and shot her arms into the air and spun around many times in one go. She seemed a bit dizzy and Jake grabbed her by the waist to steady her and she hugged him again.
Girl: I nice to see it! The girls voice drifted into the air, each word hung around for a good while before drifting into the atmosphere. Her hair smelled of bark and fresh grass.
A man from the caravan came walking towards them on the road.
The girl let go of Jake.
Jake: Ok so you are an elf i take it?
Girl: Men call i Uiyla, not real word, real word slow say, men have little slow.
Jake: Hi Uiyla, im Jake. Jake bowed. The girl ran her nimble fingers through Jakes hair.
Jake: What uuh... She held one small beetle in her left hand and a twig in the other. Then she blew softly and something landed softly in Jakes hair.
Uiyla: I clean him.
Jake raised his arm to touch his hair but before he even got midway Uiyla put her hand on his arm to stop him.
Uiyla: No crush flower. She let Jake raise his hand slowly and he touched something that seemed to be a small flower. Jake lowered his hand and he could see a little pollen on his longest finger.
Uiyla: It getting more, let whamash spread.
The man reached them. He had a big belly, no hair, a long beard and a nice thick belt. His eyes was very kind.
The bearded man: Im Jack, one de traders o this carevann yah see. I see yah met our only elf already. She sure is happy about mos things. She ran awey from home yah see last winter an she been wiff us since then. Plays the flute an sings an takes a lot of care o people and whanot. He put his hand on Jakes shoulder. Jake looked at his hand. Two silver rings, one of them had small searching blue tendril extending from it. The tendril examined Jake.
Jack: Oh yah can see those can yah? Jack withdrew his hand and backed away a few paces, put his thumbs in his belt. He examined Jake. While Jack talked to Jake, Uiyla had ran off. Jake could see her far away picking flowers.
Jake: Well im Jake. I just want to sit by your fire. Jake lowered his voice.
Jake: Please just let me join you for a dinner, ive had nothing but a few bredcrumbs and stale water for a day or so. I wont hurt anyone and if you dont tell them, noone will be afraid of me.
Jack smiled with the right side of his mouth.
Jack: Jake, that almos sound like "Jack". Jack put his arm around Jakes shoulders and walked with him into the ring of people sitting by the fireplace. A big pot was suspended over the fire. Jack indicated where Jake could sit and Jake sat down.
Jake saw three archers posted on top of one wagon each. They where scanning the surounding area. Eleven people where moving around preparing the food and placing some of the wares on the ground. They where a warying sort, one dwarf woman, six burly and dirty men, two young women with aprons, one old woman and one middle aged woman. Most of them said "Hi". Seated by the fire where five warrior clad in chainmail and next to them where placed heavy shields and short but heavy swords. All of the warriors had brown skin and white hair while most of the other crew had a light brown skin and warying color of the hair. Jake was seated by the warriors. They smelled of oil.
The warrior closest to Jake leaned over to him and gave him a woden bowl and a spoon.
The warrior: There you go boy. His voice was very powerfull and deep.
The warrior: Im called Kneecap slap, but you can call me Kneecap. Whats your name? The warrior seemed trained in the art of talking somehow.
Jake: Im Jake. Kneecap slowly extended his big scarred hand toward Jakes face and touched it softly with the back of his hand. A big smile broke his face in two bits.
Kneecap: Thats how we say hello where i am from.
Jake extended his fist below Kneecaps face and Kneecap used his fist to gently knock Jakes fist.
Jake: Thats how we say hello to our pals where im from.
Kneecap: I know. And kneecap chuckled a chuckle that scared the horses somewhat.
Jack shouted from behind a horse: No laughing Kneecap! Kneecaps smile broadened even wider.
Kneecap: We are a sworn to protect each other and this caravan. We work for honor, but we need a little silver to cover our expenses for pleasures and theological writings from home. If i have to i will put my life on the line for you little one as long as we are together, i expect you do the same for me if the time comes. I see in your eyes there is a fire that will never be extinguished as long as that heart is beating. Kneecap pointed to Jacks heart with his spoon. Kneecap made a pause.
Kneecap: You will be with us far longer then you thought when you sat down. Even far longer then you think now as im telling you this. Siana crept out of Jakes hood and sat in his lap. Jake began stroking her.
Kneecap: Nice ca... Kneecap fell silent.
Kneecap: Thats not a cat. Kneecap stood up and his sword was in his hand. Siana lept down and ran away as Jake fell over backwards. As Jake tried to rise Kneecaps sword was at his throat so Jake stayed on the ground. Jake could hear the other warriors move and the other caravan people shouting. Jake cried and tried to talk:
Jake: I... Jake was interupted by Jack from behind Kneecap.
Jack: Thisa boy here are our guest, so no killing just fer some cat.
And then things happend really fast. Something green roared loudly and hit Kneecap and he tumbled over. There was a lot of screaming and shouting and rustling from chainmail. Jake got up and saw the other four warriors running after a huge green tiger that was dragging Kneecap like a ragdoll in her jaw.
Jack: Tell it to let go of him. Jack was looking at Jake.
Jack: If he dies they will kill you.
Jake closed his eyes. When he opened them Kneecap was lying on the ground thirty metres away and the other four warriors was trying to encircle the tiger that was slowly backing away. Kneecap was getting up. The tiger ran away at such speed the warriors didnt even try chasing it. The five of them turned to Jake.
Jake: She was protecting me, you threatened me. He said through his tears.
One of the warriors talked quietly to Kneecap. Afterwards they sheated their swords and came back to the fire. Jake gave kneecap his sword but Kneecap dropped it as he tried to take it back. Jake could see there was definetely something wrong with Kneecaps right arm. The warriors sat down by the fire on opposite side from Jake and the old woman started tending Kneecaps arm that evidently was broken. Jack poured some soup for Jake as he sat down.
Jack: These warriors god dont like no magic. Think its Enochi or somesuch.
Jake: Not from what i hear. Jake was drying his tears.
Jake: Wheres Uiyla?
Jack: Shell be back lata, shes sleepin. Elfs only sleep for so long yah know and they do it in a place where theres no so much ruckus or somesuch.
Jake: Ok i see. The warriors eyed Jake. The middle aged woman came up to Jake.
Middle aged woman: Are you hurt little one? By the way im Annah, Jacks boss and wife. I run this caravan.
Jake: No im ok, dont know about Siana though. Annah chuckled.
Annah: Oh i think Kneecap had it a lot worse and he aint complaining over that broken arm. He probably broke it a couple of times before so he is used to it. Jake cracked a smile. There was a very small, but still adult man standing by the fire. His ears where pointed and his skin brown and he turned to look at Jake. He had big, inquisitive eyes.
Jake: Who is that? Jake nodded to the small man.
Annah: Thats John, hes one of the little folk. Some call them Kender, very unusual in these parts of the land. I wager you havent seen one of his kind before have you?
Jake: No. Never seen a teenage elf either, i thought they kind of... Jake fell silent.
Annah: Just shot out of the ground all grown and adult? Annah chuckled.
Jake: Well i guess its a matter of chance, sine they are adult for so long, if you meet an elf its only about one in a hundred of them that is not adults. Annah chuckled again.
Annah: You are a smart boy. You are not good at hiding your magic though. You would better keep that kitten of yours hidden if there is anyone knowledgeable zoology around. At least given that they have a chance at looking closely at her. I think it was the ass that gave her away, theres no hole in it. Annah chuckled once more.
Jake: I know.
Jake ate a spicy soup, alone. Not even Jack got closer more often then he needed to. At night Jake huddled in the cloak his brother gave him a few years ago.
Jake awoke in darkness. Somebody was stroking his arm. It was Uiyla, she was smiling at him. Siana was sitting on her shoulder, purring. Jake could faintly see one of the archers walking by in the darkness.
Jake: Hi.
Uiyla just smiled and stroke him on the cheek. Jake touched Uiylas hand. Her skin was like silk.
Jake: Do i have to call you Uiyla?
Uiyla: Jake call me. She had a look of expectation in her face.
Jake: How about flower?
Flower: I Flower. Flower, formerly known as Uiyla bowed and then quickly kissed Jakes forehead. Jake hugged her and she hugged him back.
Flower: Come. She stood up and extented her hand to get Jake up. He took her hand and stood.
Flower: Jake take its things. She nodded to Jakes belt, boots and backpack. Jake sat down and put on his boots and backpack. Flower took his hand and led him away. Jake looked at Flowers feet for the first time and saw she had no shoes. She led him into the blinding darkness. They walked slowly while Jakes eyes adjusted to the darkness somewhat. It was a stary night.
Jake: Arent your feet cold?
Flower: Mother heats them.
Jake: Not mine. Flower laughed a laugh that sounded like a song.
Flower: I older then Jack. She grabbed Jakes hand harder as it slipped away.
Flower led Jake to a large oak. Before Jake knew what was going on Flower had climbed it and sat dangling with her legs above him. Jake sat down below her.
Jake: I dont want to go back to the caravan, im not wanted there. Jack just let me hang around because he promised me i could.
Flower: I can no no.
Jake: What?
Flower: I can no understand human relation so good. It want go, it go.
Jake scratch his hair uncomfortably and scratched his thin beard stubble. He sighed.
Flower: What?
Jake: I was thinking...
Flower: What Jake thinking?
Jake: ... that maybe if you want to you can come with me to wolfs creek. Ill go there and then ill go to the forest in the northeast. Jake could faintly see Flower looking down on him from above. She was silent.
Jake: Well i will rest here for a bit then im off. Nice to see you anyway. Really nice.
Flower: Where you Jake go, to handmen?
Jake: Who are they?
Flower: Or Jake go to Kanstinin?
Jake: Whats that?
Flower: Jake dont know much. Flower giggled.
Jake: Agreed, but things are the way they are.
Flower. Why Jake young boy, go alone?
Jake was silent for a while, then he sighed.
Jake: My master told me to.
Flower: Why?
Jake: Somebody was after me.
Flower: What Jake mean?
Jake: Somebody was going to try to kill me.
Flower: Why?
Jake: A lot of people dont like magic. Jake drew his cloak closer and fell asleep.
Jake woke up half slumped against the oak as the sun rose. Siana licked his face and stretched her back. Jake looked around but saw noone othr then Siana. He pated Siana and gave her a piece of meat he saved from the soup.
Jake: I guess you have no idea of whats ahead have you?
Siana looked at him and scratched his knee.
Jake: What? Jake heared a faint voice other then his own in his head. He could not make out the words.
Jake: Is that you Siana?
Siana looked around. Jake shrugged, rose and swung his backpack unto his back. He made his way back to the road and started walking again. After a few hours he saw a sign by a road pointing west. It said "Temple of Hoag". By the fork in the road there was a fireplace and some firewood inside a shelter big enough for three people to sleep. Jake made a fire and sat down. After a while he saw someone running his way down the road southwest, the same direction he had come from from. It was flower. A shortsword was clapping her thigh as she ran. She came closer and closer and didnt seem willing to stop. Jake got up just before Flower rushed into him and rolled lightly unto the ground hugging him. They didnt get up for a while, they just laid next to each other and looked at the clouds and didnt say anything. Finally flower bounced to her feat and Jake sat up.
Jake: Im glad you came.
Flower: I too.
Jake: Hey whats that temple? Jake pointed west along the dirt road.
Flower: In mountains, a stonegod with his people.
Jake: What do they do? Worship a piece of rock?
Flower giggled.
Flower: Jake silly. They wise, meditate, talk to Hoag and black lady.
Jake: Ive heard about the black lady. She cares for the dead and records what they do and whatnot. But never heard of Hoag.
Flower: Hoag not known.
Jake scratched his head and gazed into the fire while Flower sharpened her sword.
Jake: Then better not go there.
They continued onward to the northeast. Before suppertime they saw people walking in theyre direction along the road. It was six adult humans and a few children. When they got closer Jake saw that they had torn clothing and looked starved. They where armed with clubs, but had little else in the way of possessions. Jake and Flower looked at each other. Flower nodded. Jake shrugged and they kept going. As they got closer the group stopped and bowed quickly. Flower and Jake did the same and stopped as well.
Jake: God day folks.
One desperate looking man with sad eyes answered Jake:
Desperate man: Good day young master. We are poor pilgrims on our way to Hoags temple. We have been at Theseus temple, we tried giving away our children as they are starving, but none of them where accepted as apprentices, and they didnt want any of them as aids. So now... They where interupted by shouts as Flower gave away food from a small skin bag, all of it it seemed. The group ate fast and Flower gave them her water. Jake followed her example and gave away most of his food.
Desperate man. Im Christian, this is my wife Bora, and my daughter Indra. He pointed to a thin girl with big eyes. Then he pointed to the others, three women, a man and three children. Thats my sisters and my brother and my sisters children, whats left of them at least.
Christian: Please young master, this road is no place for two teenagers, especially an elf and an unarmed boy. We travel as we do because we will starve if we dont, but these are no roads that are safe to travel even for us. There are orcs to the east and to the northwest there is a known hideout of thugs who do terrible things.
Jake: Well im shit out of luck as well, ive got no choice. Christian nodded and got a thoughtfull expression on his face.
Christian: Why not travel with us to the temple? And then if it falls that way, we will head back down this road to Mars bay. Jake thought about the suggestion for a while.
Jake: Ok, lets do that. Im supposed to go to Wolfs creek, but im not in a rush to get there and i dont want to... Jake fell silent as he looked at the children.
Jake: I dont want to run into trouble.
So they turned back and met Annahs and Jacks caravan. Only Jack and his wife said hello to Jake, and they eyed Flower who kept at a distance. Afterwards they reached the fireplace by the fork in the road early in the evening. They made a fire and ate the rest of Jakes food and then Christian decided on a guard duty schedule for the night. Flower and Jake went to lie next to each other by the fireplace. Flower sang a calming song in elvish and Jake fell asleep. In the morning the group started walking the road to Hoags temple. Christian explained that they would get to the temple in the evening, and they did. The opening was a big cave tunnel. Outside there was a three metre tall, roughy shaped stone statue of a woman. As the group came closer to the opening they where all scared out of their wits as the statue spoke in a booming, powerfull voice:
The statue: With light and mind your feet speak of your arrival, and i ask, for what reason?
Flower: Us come see Hoag.
The statue: Hoag is not something you see, it sees you. Seeing would not make you much more wise, since seeing is not, in this instance of any importance.
Flower: Can us come in?
The statue: It does not seem appropriate no, but i shall call for food and liquid for you, then i need you to be on your way, as there are others coming behind you that have appropriate cause to come here. A young woman with a black robe and long, curly brown hair came out of the tunnel with a basket and a big pot. The basket contained mushrooms and some kind of gruel that was not very tasty. The pot contained watered wine. The group ate and drank. They negotiated with the statue, and finally where allowed to sleep near the entrance with a promise to get moving as the sun rose, and thats exactly what they did. The next three days held little events of importance. The group walked along the dirt road through a scenery of the same kind of landscape, dry grass, bushes and low rolling hills. On the fourth day they reached Mars bay.
Part 4: Mars bay
In a valley along the coast, nestled upon a huge cliff was Mars bay. It had a high wall on the northwestern side, where the only gate was situated. All other sides had almost veritcal cliffs for thirty metres or more. Inside the wall where houses made of stone and thick logs. A kilometre south of the village there was a big open area with tents, livestock and wagons. Jake could see Annah and Jacks caravan.
Jake: Lets go into the village, i have some silver coins.
Flower sang a song that sounded to agree with Jakes idea and they walked off towards the gate. They could see three archers on top of the gate overseeing the traffic of people coming and going through the open gate. Two more guards clad in chainmail, carrying halberds guarded each side of the gate, while three women wearing grey robes rummaged through a wagon that seemed to belong to a farmer and his children. The robed men and the guards had the insignia of the council on their right shoulder. As Jake and Flower approached, one of the guards, a battlescarred woman of middle age approached them.
Guard: Hey ho little ones! What brings you to Mars bay, havent ever seen you before?
Flower stood behind Jake and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Jake: Well we are just looking for a place to rest and some food, then we are off again.
Guard: Where too?
Jake: Wolfs creek.
Guard: So anybody there waiting for you?
Jake: No not really.
Guard: So uuh where is your parents and who is that elf girl? The guard nodded towards Flower.
Jake: She is my friend. She is from Jack and Annahs caravan. The guard chewed on some oatmeal for a little while.
Guard: So why dont she go back there is there is where she belongs?
Flower: I go with Jake.
Guard: I see. The guard chewed some more on her oatmeal.
Guard: Will in any case its not good for you to be running around by yourselfs, two kids like yourself, who knows what kind of trouble you could get in to. You where probably just lucky that the orcs in the southwest didnt waylay you like the did so many others. Jakes face turned a bit red.
Ks epilogue
K ducked and weaved. She saw her chance and swooped at her opponents foot, but he was quick and lifted that foot to kick at middle height. K smiled as her feint was successful and she was prepared for that and swooped at the other foot. Her opponent went down heavily and the crowd in the circular stone room cheered. Younger apprentices came up to her and asked her all sorts of questions. She answered some and told the rest to stop bugging her. She walked out of the cellar but someone followed her up the stairs. She turned. It was a middle aged woman with a shaved head and a powerful body.
The woman: There is something we need to discuss.
K nodded.
K: Aye i know, i know. Well im off for a beer or six, so if you want to talk, you got to drink.
They went to four different taverns in Wolfs creek before they found one that was not packed to the brim with sweating, dancing, drinking and fucking people. Finally they found a table and an old man with long brown hair dressed in only torn pants with stains dirtied the table some more with his rag, pushing some clean bones of the table before they sat down.
Tavern man: Whaddleitbe you lousy old whores?
K: What a nice attitude you old shitface!
K tried to grab the old man by the waist of his pants, but he was quick and backed off.
Tavern man: Hey! No touching, says so onnasign up above eh? You forgot how to read from all those dirty jobs killing old harmless fools in the middle of the night or whateverthefuck it is you guys do all night around when yer not getting pissed in our fine establishment of such fine quality or whateverthefuck i dunno...
K: Lazlo just hand us some beer and some of that shit you call "meat". Buy yourself a beer also and come sit her before i tare those pants off of you!
Lazlo: Sorry my fair lady, i need to work my stay.
K slapped a shiny silver coin on the table hard enough to make an imprint among beer stains and grease from animal fat.
Lazlo: But ifn i pay my beater some o datt, she might not beat me today ifn i sit here o say most the evening entertaining our fine guests and their fine asses or whatever...
Lazlo trailed off between dancing people. As he got out of sight, he returned quickly with a small barrel and three pitchers. He had to dodge a swinging elbows and feet as he made his way across the room where far too many people where dancing far to violently.
Lazlo: Meat is out, cause cook is out.
K swallowed some beer. Then she peered into the pitcher.
K: There is something alive in here swimming around.
Lazlo: I know, thats what we call "spice"! Gets there all by itself, neat huh?
The middle aged woman spoke: My name is Godiva of the seven suns. Im not sure your liquid qualifies as beer, so i think ill chill out for today, ifn your beater wont get angry and come beat me.
Lazlo: No she to fat, stays in the kitchen anyway.
K: Why dont she make us some meat then?
Lazlo: Well she is the cook for the night, or was, as the first one fell asleep in the gutter. Now she is also sleeping, on the kitchen floor i might add.
K: Is there some kind of occasion today as everyone seems to get drunker then usual?
Lazlo: I bet there is, only i never keep track of those things. How am i to notice if people drink themselves stupid, or if they drink themselves really stupid? Maybe id notice if id care.
Lazlo shrugged and the wear and tare of many years living like there is no tomorrow came upon his wrinkled face.
K put her empty pitcher down and put her hand on Lazlos arm.
K: Hey i can getcha outta here! Your wife dont control you!
Lazlo lowered his head and then looked back up at K.
Lazlo: I loveer! I lover her to my death.
K: Dont shut yoself in the prison of the mind! You are free Lazlo! We are all free!
Lazlo: In that case i made my choice, i want her! I stay. Ive been here for fifty years!
Lazlo laughed and K got a sad expression on her face.
Godiva: Lazlo, i hope you dont mind if i have a serious talk with K?
Lazlo: Sure, ifn its no secret stuff yah mind if i sit here and look at your clean faces moving?
Godiva: You are welcome to.
Godiva put her hand on Lazlos other arm. K smacked her empty pitcher down again and Lazlo filled it. She smacked it down again and Lazlo filled it once more without looking.
K: So es what you come here to say to me Gody?
Godiva: Stop calling me that. Yes i wanted to tell you there is no place for you among the Shadows any more.
Lazlo yawned. Ks eyebrows became wrinkled. Lazlo fell asleep on the table and started snoring.
Godiva: They are moving in for you, trying to get you out of the council. They dont like it that your are loyal to the usurper.
K: But i wassa a righfoll usurpachon!
Godiva: They dont think so. They are going to vote against you, and if that wont work, they are going to put a hit on you.
K: Thass unfair!
K slapped her empty pitcher down and Lazlo filled it in his sleep.
Godiva: Im just relying the information to you.
K: But yer in the friggin council!
K tried to focus her eyes.
Godiva: Yes.
K stood up so the chair behind her fell over and she almost tripped backwards but she regained her balance. She pointed at Godiva.
K: So yer tellin me you gonna kill me?
Godiva: Calm down, sit down. You know the drill. You are too good at some things, make us look bad.
K was standing, but not firmly. Her eyes became black with rage and she leaped at Godiva but things got very dark, very quickly.
When she came to she was in the air. She stopped being in the air and very quickly started to be on the stones outside of the tavern called "Imras". She tried to stand but it didnt work out so good. There where two guards outside.
K fists where pounding. She looked at them. There where little sores and nicks on her knuckles and blood. Mostly not hers though. She looked at the guards.
K: Whadd did i do?
One of the guards: Maybe you just killed one of the seven masters of the Shadow guild. Shes laying in there coughing blood from a broken windpipe. Aint much left of her lower jaw, mostly its on the dance floor here and there. All good fun in Imras tavern huh? Lazlo told us not to rip your fucking head of, otherwise we would have, easily. The guard flexed big muscles and moved his right hand to show a knuckleduster with spikes. If you want to live i suggest you get the fuck outta here you stupid woman. You got about eight seconds before the guild finds out and sets fifteen assassins on your cute little ass.
K got up and started running northeast.
Priest: What does it mean?
Shodd: Thats an imprecise question, it are not aware of the object of which it spoke.
The priest indicated with his left arm towards the symbols Shodd was painting in a stunted, wide script in front of himself on the stone floor. The priest lowered his arm and Shodds eyebrows pulled closer, wrinkles formed on his forehead. He leaned away from the symbols and turned his head.
Shodd: Its not aware that it is aware of that.
The priest got a mindful expression. As he leaned forward to sit, Shodd supported the old man. The old man sat down with a solemn expression and looked at Shodds face who was again in a state of relaxation. Water poured slowly in the background down a gentle slope of stone. Two young elf women sat down close to Shodd and Shodd and the priest nodded at them.
Shodd: Does it know what it means?
Shodd looked at the older of the women as he spoke. She had dark brown skin and a massa of curled black hair. Now that he thought about it, he was far from sure if she was old or young.
The elf woman: This one.
The woman pointed to one of the symbols, a thin line bent at ninety degrees in the middle.
The elf woman: This one be exactly as my "elbow", as i learned it from childhood.
Shodd raised his eyebrows and was quiet for a while. Birds chirped above the group.
Shodd: Eerh, that dont make much sense. It doesnt know in what context these are, but it perceived it at night, when Bolgove was weaving its unconscious weave.
The elf woman laughed. The other three cracked a smile. The other elf had short hair and was shorter then the first.
The smaller elf woman: It mighta be a yahknow whatchamacallit slanderprophecy or lika blunderprophecy. Looksie you lika gottit all a wrong eh? Yah see eh this eh?
She pointed to another symbol that looked like a square with three pins poking through the bottom but not the top.
The smaller elf woman: Is ah...Is ah somethinn commin yah, butha havin to come backa yeah?
Shodd: Like something is in the wrong place and has to go some other place?
The smaller elf woman: No aaah its ah... Like defence. Somethinn is beinga defendedd, yah?
Shodd: Ok maybe...
Shodd fell silent. He scratched his head. The smaller elf woman stretched out a hand with claws and touched Shodds hand.
The smaller elf woman: Is name "Finder". Is sorry bad imperial speak eh? I gotta learn it in odder place.
Shodd: Dont worry about it. Its name is Shodd. Shodd pointed to himself.
The priest grabbed Shodds arm. Shodd saw fear in his eyes. Quickly shodd stood up at the same time as a dwarf came running into the stone ring. The dwarf drew a huge axe from his back and looked at Shodd. Both the elfs ran out of sight down the slope between the rocks. Shodd and the dwarf followed in their steps. A young man was running toward the steep hill where the temple was situated. From his left arm an arrow protruded. The two elf women got to him first and catched him as he fell. Shodd jumped on top of a rock. He gazed into the distance. He could see a group of people coming towards the temple. They had a banner. There where at least ten of them and one ogre.
Shodd: Itsa thea witch an eh followuz! Shodd had switched language to the more commonly spoken "Bay tounge"
Most of the other people at the temple had gathered some of them where pointing towards the group of people in the distance.
The priest: They have come to take over the temple, to sanctify it in their bloodgods name. Dont stand in their way, they will kill you.
Shodd bent down and picked up a heavy rock and a dead tree trunk from the firewood. Shodd looked at the priest and the priest looked back. The dwarf was standing beside Shodd with his axe drawn. The elf woman called "Finder" was floating in the air beside the dwarf reciting a spell. Finder pointed at the dwarf. A semi transluscent blueish armor suddenly covered the dwarf.
The priest: Oh fuck it!
The priest rolled back his sleeves and tore off the lower part of his robe in one swift move. He straightened his back with a loud crack and stretched his arm upwards. The priest howled:
The priest: Come on shitheads, its now or never!
The priest dug his hands into the soil.
The priest: Old one, give us strength!
The five of them walked slowly towards the group in the distance. Shodd saw that there where twelve warriors clad in leather armor, swinging axes. Only two had crossbows, and they didnt seem to want to use them. There where no ogre. It was the witch. He was three meters tall, covered in strange armor of glowing symbols. He whore no helmet and white haired fluttered in the wind.
The Dwarf: That guy dont need protection. What does he want with those warriors? Food?
The dwarf laughed heartily.
The dwarf: Killed by a huge friggin witch, yeah my father would have been proud.
The dwarf started walking so fast that Shodd had to put his hand on his shoulder and reign him in.
As the groups met they all bowed. Then there was a blinding light, much stronger then the suns coming from behind Shodd. Most of the enemies was taken totally off guard and they staggered back. Shodd threw his rock at one and he fell. Then Shodd charged towards the witch. The dwarf reached the soldiers before Shodd, and he seemed aware Shodd was behind him as he swung and killed one of the soldiers close to the witch. Shodd could see the witches armor where made of leather and he swung his tree trunk at the witches knee. But the witches reach was immense and the witch struck him with his fist. Shodd staggered and the witches hand shot black fire at Shodd. For some reason the fire just evaporated in front of Shodd as it got close, giving Shodd time to regain balance. Shodd braced himself and jumped at the witch, trying to get him to the ground to make it difficult to direct spells. They both crashed in a pile. As they landed the witch tried to turn and throw Shodd away. But both of Shodds immense arms where already grasping at the witches arms. The witch kneed Shodd in the torso knocking the air out of him, but Shodd was used to that kind of thing. As they where lying on the ground side by side, Shodd saw the dwarf come closer and Shodd rolled away. The axe swung at the witch but he did not fall. Shodd leapt at the witches knee, the while the dwarf swung at the other knee. The Witch tried a spell but it was to late, he fell and Shodd heard bones being smashed. Shodd was to weak to get up from lack of oxygen, all he could do was cough as the dwarf covered himself in the witches blood. The battle was over.
As Shodd stood up he felt a searing pain in his back.
The larger elf woman: Lay down, you are seriously injured.
Apparently one of the soldiers had hit Shodd at some point, the muscles on his wide back had a slash across them. As Shodd laid down he could see the old priest was dead and the elf called "Finder" was lying on the grass coughing blood. The other apprentices gathered around.
Shodd: Eh cannae she live?
He nodded toward Finder. A teenage human girl answered.
The girl: I can tell her what you need to tell her.
Shodd: Saya her i wans her toa remain.
The girl went over to the Finder and tried to calm her enough to listen to Shodds words. Shodds wounds where dressed. It took most of the apprentices and the still alive elf to carry him back to the stone circle. Shodd fell asleep from exhaustion.
Slowly Shodd regained consciousness.
Finder: Look, all im saying is we need to be able to live together all of us. Of course we are different, im not denying that, and of course we have our natural habitats in varying places. We dwell under the earth like you. The gods tought us about metal, as they did with your people. You dont really think we could have figured the whole process by ourselves in a few hundred years?
The Dwarf: No it would take a long time, especially for you weak elfs, your arms are hardly enough to wield the hammers in our forges.
Shodd turned as he lay to see the ones talking. And a smile spread automatically across Shodds mouth as he layed eyes on the dwarf and Finder. Shodd looked at the Dwarf.
Shodd: Pleeez Menurr, watah!
Menurr the Dwarf stood up and walked away as a smile spread on his lips also. Shodd looked at Finder and switched to the old imperial tounge.
Shodd: It can not express to a large extent in the southern tounge. Shodd pointed to himself. And it are not well accustomed to the imperial tounge. Shodd pointed at Finder.
Finder: Well ill stay with this. I pick up languages quick though. Finder spoke in bay tounge.
Shodd opened his mouth as to speak, but Finder was quicker.
Finder: You want to know how it is that my torso was all opened up a day ago and now im here talking to you with only a faint scar as a remainder. She pulled her robe aside and lifter her leather shirt. She pointed to a scar running through the middle of her chest to the left side of her stomach. I will tell you. I made one physically protective spell on Menurr, i protected you from magic and i thought i might get hurt so i made sure if i was my flesh would heal itself. My sister is very agile so i did not risk any spell on her. When we came closer i blinded them, but i passed out as i did. Apparently one of the soldiers wanted to kill a passed out elf.
Shodd: It is a powerfull mage i see. Shodd pointed to Finder.
Finder: Not really, it was the priest. He channeled power through Gomy and Bolgove. I could feel it inside my mind thrusting to get out. If i would not have felt it that clearly, i would never have risked such magic. Well anyway.
She sat closer to Shodd and patted him on the shoulder lightly.
Finder: We buried the priest. He died defending the temple, but i think to Bolgove his time had come. He sacrificed himself for us and the temple.
In the days to come all that was assembled in the temple took a vote to decide who the next guardian of the temple should be. The vote landed on Finder, thirteen out of eighteen votes. The whole temple was gathered sitting in a circle inside the stone circle.
Shodd: Ia wasu hopin yad come witt mee froma this plece.
Finder: Im sorry Shodd, i dont want to. But when ever you want to come back across the swamp and to these sacred hills, ill be here. Probably for a century. When you are old and gray i will still be here. I cant promise you i will have the same haircut and clothes, but its me at least.
They both laughed. Shodd turned to Menurr.
Menurr: Yeah ill come with yah. Temple life aint nuthin for me as long as those dregs are up and about.
Menurr pointed to a huge bonfire where the bodies of the soldiers burned.
Menurr: The body o the witch was never there, only thee leather an the toothpick. Besides i have ooh about sixteen thousand orcs in these parts as sworn enemies, and the more we move about, the greater the chance we will run into some o them. Which is a good thing if we do. Or so say my axe.
Menurr tapped his axe and a beautiful metallic tone emanated from it.
Shodd and Menurr decided to head south, towards the big village called "Wolfs creek". They packed their backpacks and kissed everyone goodbye. Finder gave Shodd a talisman, a lightly glowing stone.
Finder: I can help you through that, but only once. And another thing. I know you where schooled by the philosophers up north and so you talking like that, not referring to people. I know why you do it, but just please stop, its hard to know who you are talking about if they are not there.
Shodd: It... Shodd slowly pointed to himself. Will consider that. Shodd and Finder kissed once again and a young minotaur and a sort of young dwarf walked south.
Part 2
Shodd and Menurr travelled as caravan guards across the bay area for four years. They tried staying out of the most dangerous trips, and mostly that worked out. Finally they both had saved a bit of silver, enough for proper equipment fit for experienced warriors. Now was the time to take the next step and becoming independent mercenaries in partnership. Shodd and Menurr sat discussing this at Imras tavern, the biggest tavern in Wolfs creek.
Shodd: It right footie yeah? So dats stickin oot, get blows der offen and right arm is same.
Menurr: Yeah so ifn you buy the heavy bits fer dat an put it there an throw away those broken bits you got there. Menurr pointed to Shodds thinn and worn leather armor on the tavern floor.
Shodd: An thenn it get a good big axe and throw dis inna trash. Shodd lifted his dirty, dull battleaxe from the table.
Menurr: Git yerself one o the big dwarven kind. I want one o those also, none o the human crap anymore. Im gonna get meself one o the good flexible dwarven chainmails also, dat will make me near impossible to kill!
Shodd and Menurr stood up and raised theyre mugs and made a toast and they where joined by others in tables closeby.
Shodd and Menurr withdrew theyre silver from the councils depository and traveled north to the dwarven settlement called Dur paragar. After three days of shopping and haggling they had everything they planned, a chainmail for Menurr, leather and platemail on the right leg and arm for Shodd and two double handed battleaxes, everything of good quality. Shodd kept his old dented shield. Menurr asked around for a job and they quickly found something interesting a kender called John needed some assistance. John fiddled with a thin, sharp dagger as they talked to him.
John: So what i need is protection in the gray swamp. Im not quite sure where this place is, but its a holy place that where there before the ground was swamped with water from the east. Its on higher ground so it should still be there. I know of a hidden space containing hole scriptures that one of my ancestors read and gained wisdom through. I dont have the head for that kind of thing, but i have a good friend that does so i want to bring those to her. She is in Wolfs creek and i would want to get in touch with her, preferably before you go there.
Menurr: Will yah come with us?
John: No thats not my kind of thing, im not used to battle. As you understand some of that might happen because of the swampmen, those guys dont play around. But i will send a message to my contact and she will come with you to go there, if you can wait for about two or three weeks?
Shodd: No no. Shodd shook his enormous head.
Menurr: Thats a wee bit to long, ifn yah dont pay us to wait around that is? Or ifn the total sum is quite a big fat wad? Menurr raised an eyebrow.
John: I was thinking five gold coins.
Shodd and Menurr looked at each other in a questioning way. Menurr nodded and then Shodd nodded.
Menurr: Ifn you want us to wait, seven gold, if we go now, five gold is fine.
John scratched his head.
John: Five it as and you go now, ill send word to my contact to either meet you at the big fireplace north of the swamp or wait here until you get back. The swamp is just one days travel away from here, but it will probably take you a few days to find the right place. Ive got a small boat for you and a donkey with carriage to take the boat there. The holy place should have a low stone wall and two stone buildings inside. The secret entrance is under the altar in the eastern building. Its probably heavy but you should have no trouble moving it. The three of them knocked theyre fists together to seal the deal. Menurr and Shodd bought some food and a sturdy dwarven rope and headed east to the gray swamp.
Late in the evening they reached a rotten wooden shelter with a big fireplace. Somebody had quite recently built a small pier of stone extending out into the fog of the swamp. Vision in the swamp seemed very limited, ten metres at most. Menurr and Shodd kept theyre powerfull voices down as they spoke:
Menurr: Lets not keep a fire eh? De swampmen will see it come looking for whats cokin.
Shodd: Yah, dey probly mede it to get supper served yah.
Menurr and Shodd slept in the shelter, but only for a while...
Menurr awoke in mostly complete darkness, but to him the closest area was still visible through heatsight. What woke him was a sound of a boat docking at the pier and strange, guttural voices. Menurr shook Shodd and pointed to his axe. Shodd had unstrapped his arm and leg armor, but Menurr was covered in his new chainmail. They both got up slowly and saw two cannoes at the pier that was filled with swampmen. They looked like humans with rough, grayish skin and animal hide loincloths. Theyre heads was big and sharp fangs protruded from their lower jaws. Both Menurr and Shodd charged and fell one swampmen each and they plunged into the swamp. Shodd crashed into a few of the swampmen who fell into the water or sprawled on the pier. Menurr cut off the leg of a second Swampmen who fell in a horrible scream. Most of the swampmen who was left lept into the water and Shodd let the ones lying on the pier crawl into the water. The stone head spears was used as firewood.
Menurr: They know about us, we might as well make a fire. And they did.
After a while they heared more boats arriving at the shore to the right. They stood shoulder to shoulder and Shodd raised his shield as one spear hit the shield and one spear glanced off Menurrs chest. They saw at least eight swampmen come charging at them. Shodd stood in front of Menurr and charged with his shield infront while Menurr ran behind him. As they crashed through the first wave of swampmen they saw another wave at least as big as the first coming at them. They changed formation and stood shoulder to shoulder again. At the opurtune moment they both twisted so they had their backs against eachother to deflect spear blows.
Chapter 1 Meeting up
The lamp hanging in the middle of the cluttered room swayed in the gust of wind that blew in as an old door swung open. Darkness leaked into the room from the street outside. Jake squinted his eyes so as to see who was there. He saw no-one.
Jake: Come in!
A wet bodiless voice emanating from the darkness, didnt say anything but did do some breathing. Jake could hear it even through the sound of the spluttering rain outside.
Jake: Hey mister smokeman, just get in will yah, before the beggars get ideas.
The door slowly closed and the room was filled with the scent of incense made of citrus. As the door closed completely there was a sudden change in air pressure and a heap of parchment rustled. Jake felt a presence by the small stove that heats the room. Slowly the prescence drew in on itself and gathered mass. Jake could see the shape was female.
Jake: Sorry about calling you a man, most people like you are. Erh... By the way, when is this minotaur supposed to show up? Whatever was his name, Shodd?
The woman: Yes.
Jake: Its a funny name really, isnt it?
Jake rose from his place among thick, dark colored fabrics, picking one of them up to shield his naked body from the cold. He mumbled slowly and snapped his fingers on his right hand. The cloth drew closer to his body. Without seems it was fitted into a robe in seconds. Cloth grew out of the neck region to form an unused hood.
The woman: Fancy trick you have there, apprentice boy! I hope you are not doing that to show off, im not that kind of woman.
The womans black leather armor had many patched holes in it, and it had seen a lot of wear from bloodstains being scrubbed away. She had multiple talismans hanging from her neck, all very simple and of soft materials, probably so as not to make any sound. Her hair was cut short so as not to get in her face, but the hair further back on head was longer and reached down to the shoulders. She was about thirtyfive years. Jake approached her slowly and watched her eyes while he did. She was looking at his feet and his right arm.
Jake: Calm down you can see i dont have a weapon and my master told you about me right?
He stood close to her. He felt her breath, it was cold and smelled earthy.
Jake: You have been below the city.
She nodded and he hugged her. A tear came rolling down on Jakes robe and he smelled the salt in it. Jake slowly read a truth spell out loud. Slowly she pushed away from him and slowly went to sit among the fabrics, looking at some of the items on the shelves lining the room: Clay jars, a small bowl made of silver with dried blood in it, many different flutes, coins from many different countries and even a few from other worlds, books written in forgotten languages, poems written in an ugly script.
The woman removed the armor from her upper body, and beneath was a dirty and sweaty shirt which she removed also. Meanwhile Jake made tea. She threw the shirt on clean floor.
The woman: Sorry about that.
She nodded towards the shirt.
Jake: Ill clean it later. Anything else you want cleaned while im at it?
It seemed she searched for irony or sarcasm in his face. He was used to people doing that, even though it still made him uncomfortable. She didnt find anything like that it seemed. The air in the room took on another color as they studied each others faces. Jake decided she looked very tired, and possibly wounded.
Jake: Well if...
Jake was interrupted by the door, it swung open. A huge figure in the opening blocked the light from the street. It entered. It looked like a four hundred pound man with a forty pound head of a bull. Hes right arm and right leg was covered in dented platemail. The rest was protected by lightly colored leather armor, except the head which was naked. A small pool of blood formed where he stood. Jake had the feeling the pool would grow larger. A powerfull smell of oiled armor and sweat filled the room. There was a terrible sound as the minotaur dropped a shield with two crossbow bolts jutting from it on the floor, followed by a bloody two handed axe.
Jake was interrupted by the door, it swung open. A huge figure in the opening blocked the light from the street. It entered. It looked like a four hundred pound man with a forty pound head of a bull. Hes right arm and right leg was covered in dented platemail. The rest was protected by lightly colored leather armor, except the head which was naked. A small pool of blood formed where he stood. Jake had the feeling the pool would grow larger. A powerfull smell of oiled armor and sweat filled the room. There was a terrible sound as the minotaur dropped a shield with two crossbow bolts jutting from it on the floor, followed by a bloody two handed axe.
Jake came up to the minotaur and gave him some support just in case he had a problem standing while he removed his armor. A crossbow bolt was embedded in the muscles of his stomach and there was a deep cut in his left shoulder.
The woman: Dont sit here Shodd you will bleed all over these nice fabrics.
She caressed the fabrics, as if it was her last chance just in case the Shodd would pass out and really need a place to lie down. Shodd got a firm grip of the bolt in his stomach and janked it out splattering blood on the wall. Jake tried dodging the blood, but got some on him. Jake looked at the woman.
Jake: Give him one of those.
Jake pointed to the fabrics and the woman rolled it up and threw it to the minotaur who began tying the fabric around his abdomen. Jake read a spell to remove dirt from the wounds without touching them, and then he touched the minotaur on his back.
After a while no-one had any armor left and it seemed Shodd didnt bleed all to terrible if he didnt move.
Jake: Well im Jake anyway, apprentice to uuuh Nagaro i guess. Sometimes i apprentice for Sarah, you know the, the...uuuh herbalist elf woman you know down the same street as blackbeer. If she ever crawls outta her hole you know... Dont know if either of you know Nagaro, hes from the southeast, Hinterlands i think its called here in the democracy. Well its a small island region... His speech trailed off as there was a waning interest from his audience. Well anyway, who are you Shodd?
Shodd: Imma noan toa sey.
It was truly hard for Jake even to hear where one word ended and the next began.
Jake: Errrh... so yeah why is that?
Shodd: I donna wanna be a rooda eh? I no talk abot me for me. Odderz talk aboat me, thats how eh is okey? So i sey no more.
Jake: Ok well aaah... You swing that thing around in your right hand?
Jake pointed at the axe on the floor. Shodd nodded.
He turned to the woman.
The woman: Im called "K"
K: I dont remember it all, but i think Nagaro asked me to come here. I knew this place since before, i came here yesterday also but no-one was here so i guess my memory failed me. I dont know how Nagaros mind work really, hes got some really weird variables bouncing around his mellon. I guess he thinks we should finally meet, oh i dunno, workwise? The woman raised her left shoulder as to indicate confusion.
Jake: Yes i agree.
Shodd didnt say anything even though both Jake and K looked at him, obviously expecting him to speak his mind.
Jake: So you read a lot of Tenagra?
Shodd: Yah
Jake: And you consider yourself a sceptic then?
Shodd: Please, i refer to woot i sey befo.
Shodd changed language to older imperial tounge, fitting him better as most sounds lay back in the mouth, and to Jake and K it seemed the language he grew up with.
Shodd: As it speaks, it must rely on the mind of others, if not careful. Shodd spoke in the imperial tounge.
Jake: I respect that.
K: I respect that.
Both Jake and K bent their heads to Shodds wisdom.
Chapter 2 Nagaros will
Jake: Well you need to rest and get something topside on those wounds.
Jake was sitting beside Shodd, patting his back and scratching it.
Jake: You should rest here until we can be sure those wont open back up again.
Shodd just looked at him with tired eyes.
Jake: Okey then.
K: I hear the undead in the tower yard and there about is growing.
K was sitting on Jakes preferred place among the fabrics. She was cleaning her armor.
Jake: Think that whats on Nagaros mind?
K: Not sure, hes not really the talkative type.
Jake: But you respect the council?
K: I have respect for some of them.
Jake: What does that mean exactly?
K: Oh i dont know exactly, that guy with the red robes and maybe that old hag, they seem nice, the rest of em... Not so sure. Dont even remember how many there are.
Jake: There are nine of them. The hag is called "old Verina". The dude goes by the name "Father". Well anyway, i dont trust all of them either. Im not that into politics though. I do trust Nagaro though, ive seen aeons into his will, and its not faltering. I even went backwards to check him out, he never raised his hand in anger. I didnt even think that was possible, but apparently...
Jakes eyes wandered and he seemed to loose the will to carry on talking. To K it was obvious that he became mentally preoccupied and the awareness disappeared from his eyes. Time became unimportant as Shodd slept on his thin, bloodied cloth.. K put her armor beneath his head for support. Jake went completely into his mind. K went through the shelves looking for something to eat. She couldnt find anything so she went outside. When she got back Jake had put a kettle on the fire and was stiring it. Shodd slept deeply on the floor.
K: I couldnt find any food, so you must have had that hidden away.
Jake: No, i made it from scratch, kind of a hassle but i didnt want to leave Shodd.
K: Well i got some normal people food here, maybe you want to add some of it into your...
K made a pause and tasted the possible words and what they might mean. She leaned over the edge and looked into the kettle.
K: Vegetables.
She dropped some dried lambs meat into the kettle and Jake did not protest. She stood behind him and put his fingers to his head, touching specific regions gently.
Jake: Did not know the shadows taught that kind of thing.
K: They dont, ive been around a lot longer then you.
Jake: Yes, but where did you learn it?
K: Sometimes you talk to much.
Jake turned to face her.
As the kettle boiled, the night rolled on and gusts of wind kept hitting the disproportionate door. Darkness faded and suddenly a small star broke through the horizon, and soon another bigger star bathed the house in a strong orange color. As the light grew whiter, the door finally swung open and a young man dressed in a wine-red robe stood in the opening. He stretched his arms towards the rising suns and rose on the front of his feet. Then he bent forward touching his feet as a mass of blonde hair poured over his shoulder. From behind him a deep, powerful but calm voice was heard:
Shodd: Whaddaya done eh? Dis int e plece i goto yessterde!
Jake turned to face Shodd inside the house. K had put one piece of cloth on top of Shodd, one below and her armor was still below his head as Shodd rose and came up to Jake, while scratching his abdomen, removing bits of dried blood close to the wound on his stomach.
Jake: Hey big guy, take it easy with that and dont scratch close to it.
Jake nodded toward the wound.
Shodd came closer and Jake got out of the way to let the minotaur outside, but Shodd stopped in the opening and bent down to fit the opening.
Shodd: Eh man, did yah fuck in mah brein?
Jake: What? Did i fuck your brain?
Shodd: I ask, yeh.
Jake giggled.
Jake: Yeah i guess so, its the residue of a spell, it will wear off soon. Its...
Jake could not finish the sentence as he saw the minotaur flexing his right side muscles as if to land a blow with his right hand. Jake lept backwards and thin a, mostly transparent blue disc appeared between him and the minotaur. Only in Jakes mind did the blow land square on the shield and make a thunderous sound as the energy was disseminated. In reality nothing happend, the minotaur was still. But in his eyes was black rage and lack of logic. Shodd pushed air through his nostrils in such a powerful way as to affect the edges of the nostrils. Shodd grunted and spit flew out of his mouth as the muscles on his right arm grew to immense proportions. Shodd half shouted, half spoke in the old imperial tounge, his voice so powerful that jake felt it coming unto his chest like a hurricane:
Shodd: DONT EVER CAST SPELLS ON A MINOTAUR UNLESS YOU WANT TO KILL IT, WORTHLESS LITTLE MAGGOT! IT WILL TARE ITS INSIGNIFICANT LITTLE HEAD FROM THAT WORTHLESS DUNG HEAP OF A BODY IT THINK IT CONTROLS BENEATH IT IF IT EVER SO MUCH AS THINK OF USING THAT SORT OF MAGIC ON IT EVER AGAIN.
As Shodd spoke, he tore of a piece of the doorpost. Stone and mortar came down as the opening became unstable. His left fist swung from below and smashed the upper part of the doorpost, transforming a lot of into dust, gushing out toward Jake. Stone fell on Shodds enormous head but he did not seem to care. Jake backed away as Shodds thigh muscles flexed as if he was going to rush Jake. But still the minotaur did not move. It seemed to take Shodds complete composure not to be totally blinded by rage and do what his body seemed to tell him to do. Shodd quivered from the effort of not moving. From inside the house K used a deep voice:
K: Dont fucking kill him you idiot! He is just a kid!
K jumped unto Shodd from behind and suddenly instead of Shodd K stood in the opening. A loud crash was heard from inside the house. There was a moment of stillness as Jake looked at K in her nighttime garment of a very large shirt that ended by the knees. The back of Jakes robe was wet and sweat poured down his face. Jake fell to his knees and keeled over as his eyes rolled back. K panted from effort and took a few deep breathes. She grabbed Jake by the shoulders of his robe and dragged him through the grass into the house. Shodd stood up from where Ks throw landed him in the middle of the house that consisted of one room. Shodd shook violently. He spoke again in the old imperial tounge:
Shodd: It can not forgive such failure, the boy is a menace to itself. It can not be trusted. It will get it killed.
Shodd pointed to his chest as he spoke the second "it" in the last sentence.
Shodd: No no no, this is not right.
Shodd buried his face in his fists, grinding his eyes and pulling at the skin of his face. K approached him and she paused as to make sure he would not attack her. He was still and she got closer. She grabbed his fists and lowered them and slowly walked straight into his chest. As she stood fully and he did too, her head did not reach him further then solar plexus. The wound on his stomach and the smaller one on his right shoulder had opened up and blood spilled unto Ks huge shirt as she held Shodds arms down, parallel to his body. The blood on Ks shirt was blended by Shodds tears.
K: You are wounded and you just managed to open those up again. You are not going to kill him now, so just sit down ok?
Shodd crashed unto the fabric he had been sleeping on.
At midday Jake woke.
Jake: What happend? I remember Shodd got angry and then all black. What the hell...?
Jake stood up and pulled his robe up from the ground, looking at his torso. Hairline fractures of the skin crisscrossed his torso and almost invisibly small rivers of blood had come out from beneath. He had small, fresh bruises on random places, as if he had been beaten with a small object like a stick. He muttered under his breath:
Jake: God damn mother of... mold smelling idiot... the hind end of dirty animals...
K: Look, i dont have time for this sort of general silly behaviour. Its not your fault you dont know shit, its Nagaros. You havent even earned your stay, nor the ink you scribble unto those scrolls.
K pointed at the scrolls of bad poetry on the shelfs inside the house.
Jake: Hey!
Jake was shouting at K, who now was fully dressed in her leather armor, holding a bowl of soup.
Jake: I dont have to take that kind of abuse! I am who i am and if i made a mistake i will atone!
Chapter 3 Atonement
Jake ran across the clearing into the woods. K hesitated and watched him run, the heavy fabric of his robe fluttering, changing color to the colors of the forest.
K stayed for five days and took care of Shodd in the damaged stone house, making him soup and dressing his wounds.
K: Your wounds are getting the first signs of new skin.
K was stirring the kettle on the fire, Shodd was lying in a corner among some fabrics.
K: I dont know where Jake ran, north somewhere. Im not sure if he even knows where we are. Either ill go after him myself, or you come with me. But i dont recommend that you come with me, there is a great chance we will get into trouble with the demons crawling all over.
Shodd: Ice are commin
Shodd stood up with some effort.
K and Shodd tried to follow Jakes tracks for a few hours. It seemed they led unto a small path which they followed. After a while they felt the smell of humans and animals. Soon they heard rhytmic ringing sounds.
K: Lets go in and see if hes around.
------------------------------------------------------
Jake ran until he was out of breath. As his senses came to he noticed he was in a dark forest, cold and wet from sweat. He slumped against a tree and lay breathing heavily in a pile. It was getting darker. Jake sat up and gathered his composure. He mumbled quietly and a faint red light shot out from his body. The light lingered in some places but was slowly dissipated into the ground. Jake foraged for firewood in the vicinity and placed some of it on the ground. He snapped his fingers and a huge sparks lighted the wood. Jake sat down with his back against a tree and his eyes closed.
Jakes eyes fluttered and he stood up. He was still in the forest, and now it was very dark outside of the small glowing fireplace. He heard twigs breaking. His right hand started glowing with rivers of blue magic, crisscrossing his skin on his hand. A deep, powerful voice shouted commands from the direction where the sound of breaking twigs came. Jake ducked behind a tree and peered in that direction. An armor clad figure approached, and there where more of them behind the first. Their armor did not give much sound.
Blue lightning shot out from Jakes arm unto the figure. There was a thunderous sound and the figure was knocked to the ground in a cloud of smoke and ash. Three figures rushed out from the darkness. They where dressed in pelts and had armor of hardened leather. One of them had a battleaxe drawn. Jake ran, and the figures ran too. Jake crashed through dead branches and slipped on wet moss. As he hit the ground the air was knocked out of him. As he turned as he lay he saw a boot crashing into his ribs. The force of the blow turned him on his stomach again. Jake tried to get up but something hit him on the back of his head. As he lay bleeding air bubbled through a hole in his chest, where the kick landed. The skin on the back of his head was broken and blood poured into his eyes.
Someone: You lay there foolish boy, and if you get up its the last damn thing you do.
The voice was female.
The woman: We are here for you, i take it it was you who so foolishly used protection magic, and in the process alerting me to your presence. I am sure with your theoretical knowhow, that head of yours will fetch a nice price in the Sunpalace. That is if you live that long, or at least your head. And dont try to kill yourself, ill just hurt you more.
Jake was pulled to his feet by two men. One of them had burns on his face and torso. They where both wearing pelts and chainmail. The woman was wearing a wide robe of thin fabric and pelts beneath. She looked to be half a century old. She looked at Jakes wounds and said something to her men. Two more men in the same garments came up from behind. They started talking amongst themselves, pointing and reasoning about the hissing wound that punctured Jakes lung. The woman waited impatiently.
After a while the woman sighed and the men not holding Jake walked into the shadows slowly feeling their way.
The woman: Look, they say you will die tommorrow if we dont do something about that wound. Damnit, these guys are just too good at kicking idiot boys lying around in the forest.
She looked at the wounded man. And laughed.
The woman: Your magic is weak little boy. Arshaff is hardly hurt, he´d have broken bottles do far worse to him.
She laughed again.
The Woman: Hell i even saw angry whores doing a better job at trying to kill him then that.
The men made a bed for Jake and the woman dressed is wound and put something foul smelling into the wound. Jake had a fever and dreams more horrible then todays reality filled his sleep.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K slowly made her way towards a pallisade. Inside many pillars of smoke arrose and in the middle there was a simple wooden turret guarded by a peasant woman with a heavy crossbow mounted to the side of the turret. There where also longbows without strings leaned against a wall. K squinted as to remove some of the wear and tear that many years often bring to human eyes. She slowly got back to Shodd who sat meditating on dry moss.
K: Its humans. Looks like they are ready for trolls or a big demon or two. Not that ready though. Want me to find out if he is in there or should we just walkt straight in?
Shodd: Peoples arh trappaz. Ice no eh fellah, Izzon. Eh thrust me.
Shodd rose, sharpened his axe in two strokes, put it on his back and unstrapped his shield. Shodd led the way into the village and it seemed they knew him there. Some villagers made a place for them inside a house and gave them beer and reindeer meat. They had their fill and Shodd told one of the kids to go get "Izzon". The door opened and a man thirty something years old, with long, thick hair and pants made of reindeer skin came into the house and sat between K and Shodd in front of the fireplace. He was clean and smelled of flowers. He hugged Shodd heartely.
The man: They call me "Isorn" in the village. The forest call me "Sat". The elfs call me "Peltbringer". The city has no name for me, for i dont go there.
K: Well then, Sat. Im called "Imon".
Imon formerly known as "K" did not flinch or hesitate as she used this other name. Shodd raised an eyebrow, and when a minotaur raises an eyebrow, people notice, for their eyebrows are as big as a knife.
Isorn looked at Shodd and back again at Imon.
Imon: We lost our friend to rage and fear. He is young and ran into the forest. We need to get him back.
Isorn: Why?
Imon hesitated and looked surprised at the same time.
Imon: Well he is the apprentice of a friend and i think im supposed to look after him. Besides we are not supposed to be here, we are supposed to be in the city.
Isorn: You are not supposed to be in the city.
Imon: What? Who are you to say?
Imon tensed and the straps in her armor gave sound. Shodd put an enormous hand on her shoulder, weighing her down.
Shodd: Esskus meh frenn, she no mannez. Yah see we loose a frenn in the forest yah? He be pissant but carry fayah in heart and magic. We compensete yah fer trabble eh?
Isorn: Aye. Ill think about it ok? Dudes an women coming here, tellin me what to do? It pisses me off!
Even though the harsh words, Isorn did not seem upset, and Imon settled down. Isorn stared into the fire for a while. Then he rose.
Isorn: No i want no part of this, too dangerous, this boy to dangerous, he taken by the witch by now anyway.
Shodd nodded.
Shodd: Weas eh whytch?
Isorn pointed west south west and left the house. Shodd stood up and dropped one copper coin on the floor.
Shodd: I no likey yoh lie about neme.
Imon: Just call me "K", alright?
Shodd: Yeah, K.
Shodd patted K on the head and they left the village. As they walked out a few small children followed in their tracks. K walked up to them.
K: Look, you cant come with us, its dangerous out there and you know it. Isorn say there is a slaver witch from the demon lands about.
A small girl dressed in a fox skin coat and reindeer boots hugged Ks leg.
The small girl: What is your name? How old are you?
K: Look i really dont have time for this, our friend is probably captured by the witch already, she can probably sense that...
She was interrupted by the girl.
The small girl: This is my bird, hes called "Tim". She was stroking a sparrow sitting on her arm.
K: Well thats nice but...
She was interupted again as Shodd shoved her out of the way. Shodd kneeled in front of the child and spoke to her in the imperial tounge.
Shodd: Its very happy to see it well fed and well in spirit. Maybe it knows of its predicament, and if so it knows it could use its assistance.
K noticed Shodd was not talking to the child, he was talking to the bird. The bird answered in a few chirps and twists of the wings and neck. Shodd scratched his head and looked at the girl. Shodd spoke again, this time to the girl in the tounge of the peoples of the bay.
Shodd: Was is said?
The small girl: I dunno, i cant speak birdish.
Suddenly the bird flew west.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jake awoke on a the floor of a wagon. He was tied to the floor and four other people where tied to the wooden walls of the wagon. Two children, a man and a woman. The man and the woman had torn clothes and bruises. A heavy cloth on top of the wagon made it impossible to see outside.
Jake: Where am i?
The man: In hell. Or thats where we are going at least. He spat blood unto the floor.
Jake had bandage around his torso, and his breathing was steady.
Jake: How long was i out?
The man: They kept you in a coma for three days to make you heal faster. That woman used magic on you i think.
Voices was heard from outside and the wagon stopped. The cloth was withdrawn. They where on a mudd road heading west. The landscape was quite barren and only small trees was seen. It was the woman with the white hair that pulled off the cloth.
The white haired woman: Well well, lookie here. I thought you would sleep for a week, well i guess i half to make you sleep some more then eh?
She started drawing in magic into her hands, more and more. A small blue tendril came out from Jakes right arm and cut the rope. Quickly Jake formed a translucent blueish sphere around himself.
The white haired woman: What the fuck are you doing you stupid little whelp?
Jake rose from to his feet, rage and fear totally controlling him.
Jake lashed out with multiple tendrils at the same time as the white haired woman pointed at him and the air was sucked out of his lungs. The white haired womans face was deeply clawed by the tendrils and she screamed loudly. Before Jake crashed back unto the wagon floor he saw the man driving the wagon clutch at his throat where a heavy dagger just ripped open his jagular veine and blood sprayed through a gaping hole in his throat unto the children at the back of the wagon.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
K and Shodd followed the bird. Every time they needed rest, the bird stopped and sang for them. After one day they got out of the forest. Soon they found the remains of a campsite. A wagon had been loaded and it rolled northwest for a bit. Soon it seemed the wagon had gone up a mudd road and headed west.
K: If we drop most of our food we can move faster. If we move fast for four days we should be able to catch up to them.
Shodd hid his shield and K removed half her armor. They ate pure fat at strapped the waterskins to their backs. And so they began jogging at a moderate pace. After three days they where both very hungry and dehydrated. They saw noone on the road in all that time. They slowed the pace and kept going for two more days before Shodd stopped and pointed into the distance. K could not see what he was pointing at, but she nodded. They kept pace with the wagon and counted to five people, one with long white hair, and five soldiers with armor and close combat weapons. One soldier carried a crossbow on his back. They kept no banner.
At night K removed her armor and opened a potion of black paint that she painted herself with. She left her belongings with Shodd, except a dagger and another small potion.
K: Im a bit weak but i think i can do this. Please try to find something to eat even though its at night, ill go and give a general antidote to Jake if he is in the wagon. If it works he will awaken from the coma they are keeping him in. They know he can probably kill them with magic so they are afraid of him, thats why they are keeping him sedated. When he wakes up, what ever happens ill creep out from under the wagon and kill the driver. The soldiers will probably be two in front and two at the back. You have to draw attention to yourself at that time otherwise im fucked, i cant fight four veteran soldiers so ill just run away. You have to attack then. When they turn towards you ill come in from behind and kill another one or at least try. Lets hope Jake will kill the witch. Are you with me?
Shodd nodded.
K was engulfed in shadows and Shodd started searching for eadible plants nearby. After a while Shodd heard a faint sound of grass moving and he ducked down and held his axe in front of him. It was K.
K: He didnt wake up. But there is an empty casket big enough for me to hide in. So ill go into that and stay there until he wakes up. If he wont wake up i have to wait until the next night, then get out and start killing. Its my only chance.
Shodd: Yah will die ifn yah do it.
K: I know.
K ate some berries and roots that Shodd found and then she went off into the shadows again. Shodd was awakened by the dawn. As soon as the wagons started rolling Shodd walked on. For some reason Shodd started walking faster, so as to gain on the wagon. When the sun had crept high on the sky, Shodd was not far from the wagon and the soldiers had looked at him many times. The wagon stopped and the witch pulled of the cloth protecting the cargo, people.
Shodd sprinted. The driver keeled over, the witches face was torn off and Shodd burried his axe in the first of the two soldiers at the back. He ran past the second soldier and saw the black shape of K fleeing out into the grass fields. As he got to the witch who was still reeling backwards from getting her face torn, he put his head down and rushed her with his horns. She was impaled and he picked her up as he ran and threw her at the guard with the crossbow who was knocked to the ground. The fourth guard weered and swung his axe at Shodd. The axe slashed across Shodds leather while shodds right platemail covered fist crashed into the soldiers face. The soldier stepped back and Shodd had to leap aside as the guard he ran by got closer.
Now Shodd had two battle hardened, armored and axe swinging soldiers in front of him. He backed slowly and the soldiers where sizing him up.
K noticed noone was following her. She also saw a struggling guard with a badly wounded witch on top of him struggling to get her off. This was her target. She ran as fast as she could. Before she got close the soldier had stood up and was facing her. K was unarmed, the only dagger she had carried was buried in the drivers neck. The soldier was swinging his battle axe around, an evil smirk spreading on his lips. K tried a feinting a kick with her left leg, and instead switching to a punch with her right hand. The soldier was not intimidated in his chainmail armor so he swung at her. She managed to duck and back off instead.
Shodd swung at the left soldier who parried while the right one attacked shodds leg. There was a loud metal sound as the axe bounced off Shodds platemail. Shodd grabbed the parrying soldier by the neck and tried to shove him into the other soldier. It didnt work and the other soldier hit Shodd in the side with his axe, chopping through the leather armor. Shodd dropped his axe and in one swoop lifted the soldier he grabbed and slammed him on top of the first. His hoof crushed the head of the lower soldier. He grabbed his axe and chopped the other on in half before he could get up.
K was backing away from her attacker who was suddenly decapitated by Shodd. Shodd sat down panting heavily. K took one of the soldiers axes and buried it in the dying witch. K freed the humans while Jake regained consiousness.
Jake: Im alive!
Jake was shivering, touching his arms and his face.
