Chapter 18

Chapter 18

 

One step forward…

 

 

The child half ran half stumbled as his mother gripped his arm tighter as they ran. The rain fell so hard anything further than a few feet in front of them was hidden by a white sheet. The boy tripped and fell face first in the muck, crying out in surprise.

"Come on sweetie." His mother said stooping down to help him up, "We have to keep going, we're almost safe."

His mother's voice was calm but the boy could hear a slight undertone of urgency. He didn't know where they were running to but glancing over his shoulder he saw what they were running from.

The dark shapes in the rain howled loud and long and the sound made every hair on the back of the boys neck stand on end.

Off in the distance the boy thought he could make out a sputtering torch. His mother seemed to get a second wind when she caught sight of it.

She swung her son up into her arms as she ran straight for the gates of the structure.

Out of the darkness, a clawed hand swiped at the mother's ankle and caused her to fall forward, sliding into the mud.

The boy buried his face into his mother's chest as she clutched him close, the Beast lunging at the two of them, fangs bared.

A figure slammed into the Beast from the side knocking it away. Cautiously, the mother opened her eyes to see a man standing over them facing the Beast, sword in hand.

"Get up." The man said calmly over his shoulder.

The mother scrambled to her feet, ignoring the horrible pain in her ankle. The man paid the pair little heed as the Beast recovered barring its fangs at him.

"When I tell you to, run for the stronghold and don't look back."

The mother nodded tensing her muscles. The man kept his sword leveled at the Beast as it paced before him looking for an opening.

"Now!" The man cried as the Beast lunged for him.

The woman took off towards the settlement like hell itself was after her, from the horrible sounds behind her it just might have been.

The man hacked and sliced the Beast, trying not to be eaten in return. He stabbed the Beast through the side, piercing its main heart. With a strangled howl the Beast fell over dying.

Breathing hard the man stabbed the Beast repeatedly, piercing all four of its minor hearts. The Beast gurgled its last growl then lay dead at the man's feet.

The man turned towards the stronghold to see the mother disappear through the gates still holding her child. He smiled and sighed in relief knowing they were now safe.

"I swear, every time I turn around, you humans manage to scurry off and build another refuge."

The man turned to face the newcomer, "You make that sound like a bad thing, Seeker."

The Soul Seeker glared at the man in disgust, "From my position, it is."

Beast paced behind her waiting for orders. The man glanced at them but kept the Seeker his main focus. She flexed her monochromatic wings in annoyance as she surveyed the stronghold.

"You people have a knack for survival, I'll give you that." she muttered to herself.

The man smirked, "Yeah, we're tenacious like that."

"No matter," She smiled triumphantly as she turned away from the stronghold, "this is the end."

The man watched her walk away, "Why do you say that?"

"Because, dear man, you are alone and the last of the Paradigm line." She answered smugly, "Your death will be my triumph, and finally this game will end. Nothing will stand between me and the human races’ annihilation."

The man stared at her then burst into laughter. The Seeker was taken aback by his outburst.

"Why do you laugh?" She demanded, "I would hardly think one's own demise is a laughing matter."

The man seemed to reign in his laughter, "No, you're somewhat right on that matter."

The Seeker's brow furrowed in confusion, "Then why do you laugh?"

The man chuckled as he wiped away the tears from his laughing fit. He straightened up, smirking at the Seeker. She tensed from the change in his posture.

"Because, Seeker, I'm neither the last nor alone."

An explosion erupted from the ranks of the Beasts behind the Seeker. The Beasts were confused, looking for an enemy that wasn't there, as more trebuchet missiles hit into their ranks.

The Seeker screamed in rage as she attacked the man. He defended himself against her relentless attacks, being pushed back with each of her strikes.

A trumpet was sounded behind him and he felt relief when he heard the battle cries of the army. The Seeker let off her attacks as she saw the approaching men.

The man huffed with exhaustion as the Seeker leveled her blindfolded glare at him, "The human race may have escaped their fate this time."

The man blinked and the Seeker was standing inches away from him.

 She placed her right hand on his chest, "But you will not."

A pulse of light shot through the man, the next thing he knew something fell at his feet. Looking down he saw his body through his feet.

The Seeker smirked as she touched the bewildered face of the man, his soul shrunk to a ball that she swallowed.

Sighing in ecstasy the Seeker turned her attention back to the approaching army, "Who's next?"

 

 

Shifting yet again in his saddle, Cameron swore up and down he’d never ride a horse for as long as he lived. Stealing a glance at Kailah he felt even more agitation at her ease of riding. They had set off from the Southland’s Compound two days ago, at a much slower pace than they had arrived, much to the relief of everyone.

Skiff and Don led the small band with Esma and Chelry following. Cameron and Kailah brought up the rear. Now that they weren't tearing across the countryside, Cameron was able to take in the renowned sights of the Southlands. Peacful rivers meandered over the grasslands, giving life to a wide range of creatures that in turn some of meant death to others.

Living in the far northern district of Kalm, Cameron didn't see much wildlife that wasn't covered in thick fur. The brightly colored birds flitted around the edge of the water catching the buzzing dots that zipped back and forth. Flowers of all kinds bloomed, displaying their beauty to the world. Cameron had to admit, the Southlands lived up to its reputation.

"We'll stop at the next village to rest and water the horses," Skiff's voice snapped Cam out of his scenic viewing, "we should be there in an hour or so."

Don looked back over his shoulder grinning, "So, Esma, have you enjoyed your time in the Southlands?"

"It was tolerable, Pashkik." Esma's voice remained level with a hint of boredom, but the look she gave Don made his grin waver a bit.

His horse snorted as if laughing at him as he turned back to face the road. Kailah suppressed a giggle as she and Cameron exchanged glances. A radiant smile still on her lips, Cameron couldn't help but admire her. His train of thought brought him back to the past, the first few days they had been joined had started a series of events that foreboded darker happenings to come. Cameron wasn't confident that their luck would hold out through the end of whatever was coming.

"Is that the village?" Chelry's question brought Cameron back to the present, his train of dark thoughts whistling off into the distance, "Seems like a pleasant place."

Cameron envied Chelry's astounding eyesight, all he could make out was a very small building. True to Skiff's prediction they arrived at the edge of the village a little under an hour later. Skiff asked one of the villagers for directions to the tavern as they dismounted.

Cameron stretched, trying to bring life back into his still sore body. Glancing at the rest he figured they were all in as bad if not worse shape than he, except Esma, her Elvin physique seemed to make her invincible.

"This way." Skiff rejoined the group and led them to the tavern.

Hitching their horses to the post with the water trough in front, they went inside to rest. It took a minute for their eyesight to adjust from the bright morning sun to the dim interior of the tavern. Esma brushed past the still blinking humans and sat down at a table to the right of the door.

Once his eyes could see enough to navigate, Cameron surveyed the room. It was small in comparison to other taverns he had been to, but still roomy. A barmaid scuttled over once they were all seated.

"My name's Gezail, what can I get you folks to drink?" Her drawl was thick, Cameron had to concentrate to understand her.

Skiff smiled politely at her, "Coffee for me."

When she turned to Cameron he nodded and ordered the same, Kailah ordered a coffee as well, Esma and Chelry ordered water.

"I'd love a pint of ale," Don flashed the petite barmaid his most winning smile, "and perhaps some time to get to know you, sweet Gezail?"

Gezail blushed crimson, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Before she could answer the barkeep called for her from the back room. Don’s eyes never left the barmaid’s well curved figure till Skiff smacked him on the back of the head.

Don cried in surprise more than pain as he rubbed the back of his head, “What was that for?”

“General need.” Skiff replied with a sigh as he turned to the rest, “Now, although it’s not imperative we get back swiftly, I’d prefer getting back sooner rather than later.”

“Agreed.” Esma crossed her arms, “I miss the predictable climate of Kalm.”

At the others’ looks of confusion Chelry smiled sheepishely, “She caught cold often while down here.”

“That’s unfortunate; I guess being from Galic you’re more accustomed to colder climates.” Cameron had to bite his lip to keep a somewhat straight face.

“Here you folks are.” The barmaid returned with everyone’s drinks and left quickly, pointedly avoiding Don’s gaze.

“So what are the options to us, apart from the route we came by?” Kailah asked while Don sulked into his ale.

Skiff took a sip of his coffee, thinking over the options, “The fastest way is the trade route, it runs through Karpel and Central then straight up to Kalm, that was one of the options for our journey here.”

“Then I vote that route.” Cameron sat back in his chair stretching, “It makes the most sense.”

The others nodded in agreement and the route was settled. The barmaid came to check on them a few minutes later, they all paid for their drinks, Don tried to flirt but she ignored him again. Once they were all done the group filed out the door and mounted their horses.

Back on the road again with the village fading into the rising heat waves behind them, the group settled in for the long trek home. His mind wandering, Gin’s remark on the note caused Cam’s mind to try to make sense of the past week.

The revelation that multiple portals could open in an area was frightening to say the least; even more terrifying were the implications that the Chaos could control this phenomenon.

Feeling eyes on him, he glanced left, catching Kailah's concerned look. He tried to smile reassuringly but knew she wasn't buying it. She knew him well enough not to ask his thoughts, at least not till he was ready to share them.

A lump formed in his throat when he thought of how close he had come to losing her again. His smile wavered as he swallowed hard, quickly turning his attention back to the front.  A few hours later they halted their trek for a short spell by a stream under the cover of some trees a little way off the road.

As the horses watered, Kailah dipped a handkerchief into the cool stream, soaking it thoroughly, then draped in across her neck. She had redone her hair to be more secure and off her shoulders, cooling her somewhat, but the Southlands heat lived up to its reputation. Cameron slowly approached her where she knelt by the stream, when she saw him she smiled.

“Hungry?” Cameron squatted down offering her a trail biscuit, “Skiff says it’ll be another few hours before we reach the next town.”

Kailah shook her head, “I’m fine, just hot.”

“You sure,” Cameron narrowed his eyes, “you did almost die not three days ago.”

Snorting she rolled her eyes, “If I recall correctly, we all almost died three days ago.”

Before Cameron could respond she laughed, “In fact, I think it’s become a habitual state of being for us.”

She had meant it as a joke, Cameron knew this, but she didn’t miss the grimace that crossed his face at her words. Cameron stared down at his hands, still holding the trail biscuit.

“Cam-“ Kailah began softly but Cameron shook his head.

Swallowing hard he looked her straight in the eye and took her by the hands, “Kailah, I swear you’ll never come that close to harm again. When we get back to Kalm, I’ll put in for an Annulment. Xerkeida, SKrim, Mistress, they all were right, I’m bad for you. You should be joined with someone who won’t bring you harm, who’ll keep you safe. You can go back to Council tra-“

Kailah slapped him hard across the face, effectively ceasing his rambling. As Cameron held his hand to his face he stared at her in surprise. Despite the sharpness of the slap, Kailah’s face was saddened, not angered. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out as she stood up from the stream bank.

She stared down at him then slowly bent a kissed his up turned face on the forehead, “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Cameron Gantervez.”

He stared after her, dumbfounded, still holding his cheek. Skiff called for everyone to remount, as Cameron did so next to Kailah she made no sign anything had happened between them. Once they set out, Don and Skiff in the front, Esma and Chelry next, Cameron and Kailah brought up the rear, Chelry began to sing an old trail song.

Though the words belong more in the frozen mountain trails of the north, Chelry’s deep baritone was pleasant to hear. Skiff and Don joined in on the second stanza, somewhat off key, but not terrible. To everyone’s surprise Esma joined in, her usually monotone voice rising and dancing in a sweet tenor. Cameron and Kailah couldn’t help but join in as the third stanza began.

With the son making its labourous journey across the blue southern sky the small band of wearied warriors made their way home. Kailah edged her horse closer to Cameron’s and gently reached out and took his hand.

Cameron looked to her and read in her eyes the strength and belief in him that he so desperately needed to see. As the chorus rang out to the countryside Cameron gently squeezed the hand of the woman he had come to love.

Reviews

[Wolven]

Ah. I remember this one now. I love that snippet at the end, with the man and the seeker. the way you put it, how he laughed, unnerving the seeker, its almost like he was a little bit mad- a theme which i think people are beginning to appreciate more in literature. "King Lear" by Shakespeare is great for that.
anyhow, I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got lined up next. Keep it up. (Pirate Smiley)