The Darkness Grows
The Shadows lengthen as the group head closer to the great mountain.
Tadhg kept glancing behind him at Aethelmaer.Something had changed in him.Not just the colour of his eyes.Then he wondered about Wolfbane.There was something about him that made him feel safer.
They were leaving the safety of Taran lands soon.Soon they would enter the lands of Falasan.Then he would have more mundane things to worry about.Just then the wind blew in his face.
"Shit" he said to himself as the wind began to pick up
He did not relish the thought of riding into enemy territory with the swords of the enemy in front of him.But being soaked into the bargain.
He pulled up his hood and sighed.He heard sounds of wolves far in the distance.Tadhg spurred his horse harder.He had no intention of being attacked 2 nights running.
Listening to the howls of the wolves being carried towards the group by the new winds that blow, Aethelmaer feels chills running down his spine. He keeps playing back his memory of the shadow, wondering what to think of it. Looking around, the sky starts to get dark with thick clouds, and then looks ahead of him, and sees Wolfbane staring coldly into his eyes. Ever since the creature layed eyes on him, Aethelmaer hasn't felt safe.
Running to the front of the group, Aethelmaer speaks to Tadhg and Silentknight,
"What kind of resistance do you think we'll be encountering in the lands of Falasan? Hopefully, there won't be any, that would make it that much easier."
Tadhg looked down at him, concerned, almost wondering if I was about to try to kill someone, Silentknight's expression was also cold and unwelcoming. Aethelmaer felt he was unworthy of partaking on this quest. Even, Wolfbane snarled at him. Instead of waiting for answer, he slowly dropped back to his place in the back. To speak with Blaine and Aeryck.
"What do you think about the sudden change in weather? Or about entering into Falasan lands?"
Aeryck just shrugged his shoulders, muttered something about rain, Blaine, also seemed to not want to talk to him, and just ignored him. Aethelmaer was starting to feel like he really shouldn't have come on this journey, and again slowly fell behind Blaine and Aeryck, with his head down, and eyes on the ground just in front of him.
Tadhg thought on the situation that presented itself.He called SilentKnight over.
"I think that something has happened to Aethelmear.I believe something is trying to take control of him.I think we must find a priest or something to help him."
Tadhg turned back and waited for SilentKnight to answer him.
Xiahou dissapeared off into the night, knowing that the others would be safe while in the cave. he darted in and out of the trees eyes constantly on the forest floor, moving swiftly without a sound, with his hand on his dagger. After an hour or maybe two he came upon what he was looking for...
The group had not long set off from the cave when he returned, so he he set off once again and was in sight of them within an hour or two of travel.
WolfBane stopped and stared at the forest line. the others turned and watched its gaze trying to spot what it was looking at. He began to growl getting more and more fierce, the group put their hands on their weapons ready, they had heard the wolves and this time were prepared. Suddenly a small figure came flying out of the trees and landed face first infront of the beast. they all looked up and saw Xiahou walking slowly towards them. "i found him skulking a few miles from our camp, he was heading away from where we were attacked"
Aethelmaer looked the man up and down "who is he? what is he doing out here?"
Xiahou focused on Aethelmaer, the journey seemed to be harder on him than the rest and it was only going to get worse. "my friends i thought you would be able to tell me! he had something to do with the wolves that i know for sure, i can see it in his eyes"
the man lay trembling on the floor, WolfBane's eyes fixed on him, and his mouth breathing heavely, mere inches away from his face.
Blaine looked at him again "he seems to be a bit, shall we say worse for wear? there are bruises all over him, and a few minor cuts as well..."
Xiahou looked up at the group a cold smile begining to form across his face "he fell"
Blaine had remained silent after Aethelmaer's question, not having realised that he was being addressed, his own thoughts troubling him deeply. Only a little ways out and he had already come close to falling in combat once. He was used to operating behind the lines, giving his archers orders from a safe distance, falling back with his men once the melee began. He was used to fighting an enemy that knew discipline, an enemy that knew order, an enemy that knew fear. These wolves had known none of those things. If this was how they were to travel, how would he be able to face what lay ahead? He had travelled on with the group in silence until Xiahou's return.
Now, he eyed the captive man skeptically, slowly circling him, dagger drawn and held low at Blaine's side.
"A Falasanian spy, perhaps? Or servant to something more sinister?"
"come on hurry up" Arutha said impatiently as he waited for his servants to finish saddling the 2 horses he and his friend Jimmy (who had been a thief on the streets until he saved Aruthas life) would ride to track down Silentknight, Tadhg, Aethelmaer and the rest of that group that had set off and not yet returned.
After a few hours of tracking they came across a large group of rotting wolf carcasses. "looks like they had some fun along the way" Jimmy noted "Yes if fun is what you call it, anyway look over here Aethelmaer's tracks stop here and resume a few metres on how odd" Arutha commented
They followed the tracks to a cave that looked like it had been recently used by the group they were following
"Jimmy I think we'll camp here for the night I'll take first watch you take second"
Tadhg jumped off his horse and walked over to the man.He eed the man up and down.He was hardly a warrior but there was something disconcerting about the man.Wolfbane growled at him.
Tadhg drew his axe
"Who do you serve?" he said with the blade near the mans face
The man stared at him right in the eyes.Tadhg looked at him.There was no fear in those eyes.
He turned to his companions.
"What do you make of this friends?"
"We don't have time for this," Aeryck said. "Kill him, free him, or find someone to watch him for us until later. For Tom's sake!! Feed him to Wolfbane for all I care right now. I know that sounds heartless, but the fact of the matter is we have to get moving, and we have to get moving now!"
The others all looked at Aeryck. Xiahou's face had not changed. In fact, there may have been a hint of a smirk from him. The others, however, seemed a tad bit surprised for such an outburst to come from Aeryck. He had not been so talkative thus far, and when he was, he was generally very analytical, as his recent bureaucratic background had taught him to be.
"So, what now?" Aeryck asked his brothers in arms.
Sileknight dismounts his horse and walks over to Xiahou.
"Xiahou, what has this man been up to? Surely he said a few things after he 'fell down'?"
He turned to the others
"Taking him with us might be our only option. If we let this man go he will surely find his evil counterparts and come after us, and if we kill him, well, what does that make us?"
"I am unsure of his identity or his purpose but i know it is not a good one. all i could get out of him...ehem...all he mentioned was that we would 'never suceed' and 'next time he shall not fail'. SilentKnight you speak wise words, but apart from the 'moral' issues of leaving him here to rot, to face the wolves as he so kindly left us to...he may actually come in useful."
Xiahou picks the man up by the scruff of his clothes, his feet struggling to reach the floor. "Tadhg, you are our guide for the path to Norland but this man may know more, not only of the route but the things to come, he could be a valuable asset. but he may also slow down our progress. however as a wise man i used to know once said 'slow and steady helps avoid getting yourself killed!'
what do you all say?"
Xiahou looks up at the others studying their faces waiting for what they had to say, the dangling man still muttering to himself.
Aethelmaer stares at the dangling man, trying to reach a dicision in his head. Finally, he speaks...
"I think we should kill him, even though he could come in handy about what might come next, he would slow us down, and if we even have to fight, we'd have to keep someone from the fight to watch him, or he might run off. Why would we want to keep someone from a fight when one less fighter could mean death for us all? That's my opinion, maybe not a very good one, but its one more or less."
Aethelmaer stands there, still looking at the ragged man.
Aethelmaer stares at the dangling man, trying to reach a dicision in his head. Finally, he speaks...
"I think we should kill him, even though he could come in handy about what might come next, he would slow us down, and if we even have to fight, we'd have to keep someone from the fight to watch him, or he might run off. Why would we want to keep someone from a fight when one less fighter could mean death for us all? That's my opinion, maybe not a very good one, but its one more or less."
Aethelmaer stands there, still looking at the ragged man.
Aeryck looks at his brothers, and then at the man he himself wished to kill only moments before. "Xiahou is the wisest among us. Tadhg is our guide on this quest. If Xiahou wishes to cart this...this...this ruffian with us then there must be just cause to do so. I bow humbly to his wisdom.'
"And Tadhg, if you so concur, then I assure it shall be done. I will bind him myself, and he may walk alongside my horse. I will hold his tether.'
"And when the fight comes upon us, my steed shall be his guardian. I fight well on foot anyway, and Lightning (OOC: My horse) will not bear another rider besides myself."
With that said Aeryck awaited a reply from his elder brethren.
"And if he should flee... my arrows shall find him quickly."
The corners of Blaine's lips turned up in a grim smirk as he turned his back on the prisoner, slipping his dagger into its sheath as he moved back to his own horse. He swung himself deftly up into the saddle, taking the reins as he surveyed the surroundings with his cold blue eyes.
"We should make haste. The fate of Tara could well rest on our shoulders... and there are many who would not wish well for our company on the path ahead."
Silentknight mounts his horse, and looks down at the prisoner.
"Well it looks like you are about to embark and an adventure little man.....lets go we have been still for too long."
With that he spurs his ride and heads north, the border is not far now.
Aeryck reached into the bags on Lightning's haunches, and retrieved a few leathers straps that he kept for tying whatever needed tied - in this case, a man who "fell down" a little. He proceeded to bind the man's hands behind his back, as well as attach a longer, leather tether about the man's neck.
Aeryck then looked to his elders, Tadhg and Xiahou, awaiting their orders or comments...
Would he slit the man's throat? or mount up, and move out
Tadhg looked at the bound man.
"Do not kill him,he may prove useful" he said to aeryck who had a dagger at his throat.
"We move out,we have lingered too long in this place."
With that Tadhg started off for the north.He pondered the captive.Who was he?What was he doing?Would he prove the death of us all?
With that Aeryck mounted up, tying the tether off to his steed, and started after the others. The man moved along well, not fighting the inevitability of his current fate.
Surprisingly, they made good time. Generally, a captive will slow a man down when travelling such, but not this one.
'How is it that he keeps up so well?' Aeryck wondered to himself as he rode along at a steady pace with his brothers.
Aeryck (Knight of Andurus)
Tadhg rode absorbed in his own thoughts.He was riding point.His attention was ripped away from his musings by the sound of marching up ahead.He reined in.
"Quick into the trees.There is someone up ahead"
They rushed into the trees on the side of the road and silenced the horses.Around the corner came a line of men.Each dressed in the tabard of Falasan.There must have been 50 men marching in formation.
Tadhg held his breath and prayed they were not discovered.He looked behind him.Aeryck had his sword at the prisoners throat daring him to shout out.
The inevitable march continued as the enemy came closer and closer.
Blaine stood with his back against the far side of a tall tree a little ways from the path, his eyes reflecting the greens of the leaves. An arrow was drawn and his bow held low and ready as he kept his breathing as quiet as possible, careful not to make any movements that would overexert himself or create noise amongst the leaves and branches on the forest floor. He craned his neck to look around the tree as the troops came into view.
Far too many of them... I can only pray that my comrades are able to stay silent. If the prisoner should cry out...
Standing in the woods and waiting for the Falasan troops to pass by, Aethelmaer was trembling heavily. As he stood, he looked at all of his comrades, then to the prisoner with the weapon at his throat. Something then came over Aethelmaer, he didn't know what it was. Silentknight who was standing right beside him, noticed something wasn't right. He quickly tackled Aethelmaer to the ground and covered his mouth as to make sure he didn't say anything. Silentknight whispered into Aethelmaer's ear...
"We can not afford to alert these men, if you so much as screw up, from now on, I will have to have you tied up like our prisoner, and have you escorted for the rest of the journey. Or we could always just kill you, or leave you behind."
Silentknight continued to keep his hand over Aethelmaer's mouth, to ensure nothing happened. Silentknight becomes even more suspicious of Aethelmaer.
Aeryck watched as SilentKnight grappled briefly with Aethelmaer. He was now more worried about them drawing attention then he was about the hostage he now held a dagger to.
Just a couple more minutes and this troop would be past. Just a couple more minutes...
Their breaths were held as the troop passed them.If any of the looked at the trees surrounding them they were found.As the main body of troops were almost gone the last soldier looked to the side.
Tadhg moved quickly.He nodded at Blaine.Blaine drew his bow and aimed at the man.He loosed the arrow and it struck the man square in the chest.Before the man couls drop to the ground creating noise Tadhg was behind him.He grabbed him and dragged the now lifeless corpse into the trees.
Tadhg prayed to all the gods that they were not discovered.But as he looked at the men of Falasan dissapearing around the corner he knew that they had not been found out.
Tadhg whispered to the group "We move now before they realize he is gone."
With that he mounted up.He noticed that SilentKnight was holding Aethelmaer down.
"Quick,We must hurry"he said quietly
When everyone was mounted they set off.Quietly at first so as not to alert anyone.Tadhg caught a glimpse of a shadow in the trees beside him.He realized it was Wolfbane loping along beside the group.He moved as if the jutting branches and holes in the forest floor were not there.He made hardly any noise. They started into a gallop after a few miles.Tadhg setting as hard a pace as possible. Too much time was gone to the past.They were late.....
As the party moved out Aeryck began to worry about the prisoner being able to keep up. Tadhg was pushing the pace. It was obvious that he was not only trying to put distance between the Falsan patrol and themselves, but also to make up for lost time.
The man at Aeryck's side seemingly had no complaints. As the horses proceeded at a slow gallop the bound man moved along smoothly, matching their pace. 'How could a normal man keep this speed for long?', he asked himself.
There were no signs of fatigue on the man's face however, so Aeryck decided not to let it rent too much space in his head for now. Onward towards the goal...
After many hours at a steady pace, the quest-brothers knew that they would soon be approaching the lands of Minas Ithil. MI had recently repaired relations with Tara, the homeland of these brave brothers, but who really knew what awaited them in the regions they would soon pass throught. Afterall, they marched with a prisoner...
The captive had maintained pace alongside Aeryck's horse, Lightning, which was no easy task, even for some other horses. This man had alot more of a story to tell then Aeryck had first imagined. He was glad now that he had been able to remain level-headed upon this man's discovery, and didn't kill him on the spot. He thought to strike up a conversation with the man upon the next time they stopped for rest. Alot could be learned from him that might prevent the death of himself, or one of his comrades, once they reached their mountainous destination.
Tadhg reined in.Before the group lay the plain that marked the border between Falasan and Minas Ithil.In the distance covered in mist lay the great northern mountains.It was just as his grandfather had told him.The plain bordered by a great river which ran straight down from the mountains.It was said to have its source on the tallest mountain in that great chain.His grandfather had told him the name.It was called Croagh Neifean or so his grandfather had told him. On the horizon he could see the peak rise above the clouds.
The others came around him
"Look" he pointed at the mountain
"There is our goal.There we will find the truth of this matter." he smiled at the men of Tara.
He was relieved to have a goal in site.
Suddenly Wolfbane started barking.The huge dog stared down at the plain.The party looked down to see what was there.
"Well it seems like the men of Minas Ithil have prepared a welcome for us" said Tadhg to the others
There riding along the plain came the banners of Minas Ithil.About 20 men rode at them.They were not charging but wondering what these people were doing in their land.Tadhg wondered how they had known they were coming.
"Well no sense in delaying the inevitable" said Tadhg
He rode out to meet the once enemies and find an excuse
"If they ask,we are mercenaries on the road north" he said to his colleagues as the sun glinted off the armour of the company that rode towards them.
Standing, watching Tadhg approach the oncoming patrol, Aeryck remained at the ready. Yes, these were now supposed to no longer be enemies before them, but then again they would think that they were looking at mercenaries.
The man without a name, the one at his side, had a strange look in his eye. A bead of sweat had broken out along his forehead, as well. Could this be from the intense march that they have been on? or was it something else?
Aethelmaer stands at the ready with an arrow strung on his bow, pointing it towards the new possible threat. It was probably better that he had lost his horse, with it he had a horrible shot, without one, he was deadly. Aethelmaer felt something come over him, and he suddenly had the urge to let go of the arrow, and let fly into the head of one of the troops ahead. He fought off the urge with all his might, finally ending up on the ground, shaking and spasming. He wondered what was happening to him, he felt a sharp pain through his chest, and held back his screams to a mere soft grunt. His mind was racing, thinking of the troops ahead, if he'll be able to fight if needed, among many others. But with the continuous pain, all he could do was lie there for the moment.
Poised and ready for what may or may not come as Tadhg approached the oncoming troops, Aeryck started at Aethelmaer's actions.
He didn't know what to do. The battle awaited (if there was to be one), but his brother lie struggling with his evil on the ground only feet away.
Just then his prisoner caught his attention as well. The man was bound, but not gagged. As of yet, though, he had never uttered a single word. Even now he did not speak, but the look in his eyes was a look of concern. He almost seemed as if he wished to attend to Aethelmaer. Aeryck was unsure of the man's intentions however. Would he help or harm his comrade, and should anything be done at this exact crucial moment?...
The officer was a tall man.He had the look of a swordsman.Tadhg looked behind him at the unit he lead.They looked like veterans probably from the war with eston.Tadhg walked up to him.The officer rested his hand on his sword.He spoke
"Who are you and what are you doing in the lands of Minas Ithil?" he inquired of Tadhg
"We are mercenaries looking for work in the north." said Tadhg hoping his lie was believed.
The officer looked them over with a questioning eye.The officer stared at the prisoner.
"Who is that man?" he said pointing at the bound man.
"A petty thief.We were going to drop him with the guards in the next city when we get there" he said trying to look sincere.
Suddenly Aethelmer dropped to the ground.
The officer tightened his grip on his sword.
"What is wrong with that man" he said anxiously looking at him
"He has a fever.This fit will pass in a second." he said telling Blaine to see to Aethelmaer
"I would question you further but we have matters to attend to in the south.A word of advice.There have been strange things afoot here.Watch yourselves.Especially at night." he said as he marshalled his men.
With that he told his men to march out and headed south.
When they were out of earshot Tadhg ran to Aethelmaer.
"What is happening to you my friend?" he said with concern etched on his face.
Aethelmaer watchec Tadhg run up to him as he was lying on the ground in pain, watching other troops walk off into the distance. Just as suddenly as the pain started, it started going away. Almost as if it was the troops that caused his spasm. Aethelmaer stood up when the pain was totally gone.
"I am fine now. I don't know what happened, when I held up my bow at the ready, something was telling me to fire. I resisted it with all my might and forced myself to drop to the ground instead. Then the pain came, felt like it was ripping me apart. With those actions I'm surprise I didn't jeoperdize the quest, and I apologize for this incident."
Aethelmaer looks off into the distance at the mountains, hoping they get there sooner rather than later. He starts to question and wonder if something really did go on in the past when he was sucked up into the dark world. Who knows, all his thinking was interupted by the need for sleep.
"Can I suggest that we rest soon? Suddenly, I feel just so tired. I can continue, but I won't push myself too far."
He stands among his friends, and waits for someone to answer.
Tadhg threw another log on the fire.It crackled sending flickering light around the clearing.They had entered Norland at sundown.Aethelmaer seemed to be better.Definetely there was something wrong.
Tadhg kept his back to the fire and resisted the urge to look at it.He knew he might need his vision unimpaired by the light of the fire.In a day they would reach the base of the great mountain.
Wolfbane sat staring at the north.It was as if he knew where they were going.He looked at him and thought how thankful he was this animal was at his side.
Suddenly a growl escaped from Wolfbane's muzzle.He was turning in circles clearly agitated.He had not seen him like this since the wolves attacked.
Tadhg drew his axe and looked at the forest that surrounded the clearing.Shadows seemed to flit about among the trees.He was sure that the fire did not cast these shadows.
He called softly to the party
"Stand ready.Quickly!"
The rest gathered in a circle around the fire.Tadhg grabbed a burning brand from the fire and held it in his left hand.
The shadows seemed to come at them from nowhere.The first reared in front of Tadhg.It wielded a blade that looked like ice.The air seemed to freeze around Tadhg as he dodged the blade.He swung his axe and it went straight through the creature.Nothing happened.The shadow kept coming.
Tadhg thrust the flame at the creature.It seemed to shy away from the heat of the torch.
"They are afraid of the flame!Keep close to the fire" he said to his comrades
But Tadhg knew the fire could not last forever.....
