Chapter Nineteen (Pt.2)

Leah stared at the crumbling ruins, a prickling sensation crawling over her scalp.

“I’d heard of the ruins by the Grimwood,” said Conor softly. “I mean, who hasn’t. Never imagined this is what it looked like.”

They’d stopped their horses when they came within sight of the decaying remains of long-abandoned settlements.

“I wonder what made people build their homes so close to the Grimwood,” said Karel.

Leah shrugged. “Maybe the brigands weren’t that numerous here all those years ago.” Urging Free into a walk, she moved ahead, not wanting to stay any longer than they had to. There was something unnerving about the look of the place, with the forest still in the process of reclaiming the man-made structures, and plants growing in and around the abandoned homes.

Karel exclaimed. “Look,” he said with a laugh.

Standing framed in the broken wall of a small house was a pig... a wild pig judging from its broad shoulders and dark brown fur.

“It doesn’t look too happy to see us,” said Conor with a chuckle.

The sight of the pig dispelled the uneasiness they’d felt only moments before.

“Well, from its point of view, I suppose we’re trespassing,” said Leah.

Begging the pig’s pardon for their intrusion, they made their way into the forest.

As they entered the Grimwood, their merry mood evaporated, and their apprehension returned. Minutes into the forest and daylight had been replaced by gloom. The further in they went, the darker it got, surrounded as they were by tall trees, whose overlapping leaves blocked any light that attempted to penetrate.

Tension mounted as they picked out sounds of things... people, maybe... moving around them.

As they waited, holding their breaths, Leah felt along the energy-streams then exhaled loudly, her shoulders slumping. “It’s deer... only deer, and more pigs over that way. I think there’s a river or lake... something water, a drinking hole, I think.”

They slumped slightly, nodding, and continued on their way, Leah maintaining her vigilance. The sounds of sudden, beating wings high above alerted them to the presence of unseen birds; occasionally they caught glimpses of bright yellows and oranges against the deep green of the leaves.

The further in they went, the quieter it got. The sporadic creaking of branches, made deafening in the stillness of the forest, did little to dispel the tension. Yet the earthy smell that surrounded them reminded Leah of the training compound in Orenheart, with its earth floor; she found it strangely comforting.

Reining Free to a halt, she said, “Here... this path will lead us to the band that has Evalan.”

Karel frowned. “That’s a path?” The narrow stretch between the trees, partly covered with grass, was barely visible.

“It doesn’t look like much, but following it will get us to Evalan.”

“You’re sure?” said Conor.

She nodded, moving ahead so her back was to them, afraid that her expression might betray her. Unknown to them, Meraud had been by her side, albeit invisible to them, helping her discern the path that would lead them to Evalan. 

*          *          *          *

Eight days after leaving Orenheart, the warriors lay prone on the damp forest floor, surveying the brigand’s camp. The land dipped slightly, like a shallow bowl, and the camp was at the bottom. The far side was open, with few trees. More trees clustered together further away, but the forest was nowhere near as heavy as the side they were on.

“Good position,” said Karel. “Hard for anyone to sneak up on them... not impossible, but not easy either.” The ground that sloped away from them was steep, littered with loose stones; it would be difficult to steal in quietly.

“Won’t be long before it’s dark,” said Conor. “That should work in our favour; that and the fact that they’re not expecting us.”

“It’s well-guarded...” said Karel.

Leah nodded, licking the sweat from her lips. “And well lit.” She wondered how many families lived there, and how long this had been their home. There was a permanent feel to the place with the wooden, conical structures, and fenced pens holding livestock.

Taking a deep breath, her heart hammering, she ‘felt’ along the energy-streams to find Evalan.

[Allow me to assist you.]

She jumped as the familiar voice sounded in her head.

“What?” said Karel.

Shaking her head, she said, “Trying to work out where Evalan is.”

[As much as you have come to loathe it, Leah, you must use your mind to communicate with me now. Silence is vital.]

She didn’t argue. She couldn’t, for she knew he was right. Muscles tightening in readiness, she opened her mind to him. Having him closer than was physically possible made her body tingle, as it always did. Glad for the gathering gloom that hid her flushed cheeks, she turned her attention to seeking out her brother.

Within moments, the energy-streams between her and Evalan flared brightly. She had to swallow a few times before she could say, “He’s alive. Thank the goddess, he’s still alive.”

The men remained silent, but Leah could sense their relief.

“I’ll ride in first,” she said, “try to create as much confusion as possible; you follow and I’ll grab Evalan.”

They nodded agreement then crawled back. All three had divested themselves of their cloaks and jackets. Hidden under their innocuous tunics were their mail shirts.

Leah was already on Free as they mounted their horses, and slowly released their swords. With a final nod, Leah moved Free forward, and he stepped carefully as if realising silence was vital. A few stones were dislodged, and went rolling down the slope, but no one challenged her.

They were almost at the camp when a figure leapt up before Free, howling. Panicked, the horse reared. Leah barely managed to hang on. More figures loomed, yelling, brandishing weapons. She fought to keep control of Free, physically and mentally. “They can see us,” she yelled at Meraud as one made a grab for her foot. “What’s going on?”

[I do not know. I have not lowered my shields.] He materialised beside her, and mentally shoved her attacker away.

Leah drew her sword, grimaced as a rock hit her arm. Focussing on one who was running towards her with arm raised, she reached down the energy-streams and shoved. Hard. A gasp of relief escaped her as he flew backwards and collided with another. “At least that part still works. But my shields aren’t.”

[It has been removed for us.] Meraud sounded strangely calm.

“What?” Leah kicked out, turned Free to push more attackers away with his broadside.

[Belosh. He says he has evened the odds to add interest.]

Leah didn’t bother to reply; the demon lord’s twisted idea of fun failed to surprise her. But sensing the relish with which Meraud greeted his master’s intrusion made her shudder.

“What’s going on?” Karel was now by her side. “Who’s that?”

“I’ll explain later. Just know that he’s with us. Stick with the plan. I’m going for Evalan.” She spurred Free forward, and he forced his way through the humanoid wall before him; they scattered.

Free reared, whinnying loudly, hooves slicing the air; blood pumped down his hind leg from the wound on his rump. Smiting the skull of the wild-eyed man, cutting short his howl of triumph, the enraged horse trampled him underfoot. He snorted, bared his teeth, tossed his head as if challenging them to attack him.

But Leah could sense his pain. She urged him forward, swinging her sword to clear a path. Ignoring the spear that grazed her leg, she hurled an orb at her attackers. As it exploded, they screamed and fell to the ground, writhing.

Then Meraud was beside her, ink-black eyes tinged with an inner redness, his wide grin at odds with the violence around them. Gesturing with both hands, he literally parted the brigands, creating a path for her. [Go.]

Free flew ahead, straight and true as an arrow aimed at the dwelling that held Evalan. Using her powers, Leah caused it to shudder forcefully and fall apart. Slowing Free to a halt, she was about to dismount, but the sight that greeted her caused her to freeze.

A bruised, dishevelled Evalan stared wide-eyed at her, unable to move for a brigand had a knife pressed against his throat.

The light breeze caressing the cold sweat on her face, she slid off Free, and raised her sword. Free cried a warning; too late. Something slammed into Leah, sending her sprawling, her sword flying from her grasp. The stench that filled her nostrils was unbearable; she gagged. Her leering attacker forced her on her back. Sitting astride her, he pinned her arms over her head while the one holding Evalan brayed with laughter.

She struggled but could barely move. He was solid, immovable. Aware of Free stamping his hooves and whinnying in alarm, she turned her gaze to him and cried out. He was surrounded by men, threatening him with spears, teasing him with hesitant stabs. She tried to calm him but fear for his safety, for Evalan’s safety, was taking its toll on her ability to concentrate. She could hear her young brother trying to fight off his captor. Her vision blurred with the intense pain in her head.

Then her attention was forced back to her own predicament as her attacker’s tongue slimed its way across her cheek. He tried to rip her tunic with his teeth but failed. Releasing his hold on one of her hands, he grabbed the tunic with his meaty hand and ripped it. But the sight of her mail shirt underneath, instead of bare skin, made him pause then growl, baring his teeth.

Breathing deeply, willing herself calm, Leah strove to ignore Free’s cries. Focussing her concentration, drawing it in tight against her as she would a cloak, she gathered and coiled energy around her free hand. Then grasped her assailant’s face.

He jerked, clearly startled. Trying to tear her now glowing hand away, he began to whimper. Baring her teeth, growling with the effort, she refused to let go. The man began to tremble, to convulse as her fingers dug into his gradually softening flesh. She levered him off; he thrashed on the ground. Still she refused to release him.

Evalan’s cries began to intrude on Leah’s awareness, but she ignored it. Enough of her didn’t want to hear, wanted to continue the torture... was enjoying the torture.

Evalan calling her again was enough to distract her. Pulling her hand away, she stared at the holes in the man’s face... stared at her fingers, moist and gleaming with blood and other matter... stared as he jerked, his untouched eye staring blankly at the starry sky.

“No. Oh, goddess, no...” Gasping for breath, horrified at what she’d done, Leah backed away from him.

After an agonisingly long moment, his one good eye widened as he stiffened then lay still.

Free’s attackers, having long since ceased tormenting him, stared, eyes bulging out of their heads. But when her gaze came to rest on them, they yelled incoherently and ran. Turning to Evalan, who lay still, she crawled to his side. Whimpering, she gathered him in her arms; a sob escaped her. He was alive. Tears cleaned a path down her grimy face as she held him close, still fighting her self-loathing.

Laying him down again, she struggled to her feet and went to Free’s side. He was panting heavily, favouring his right hind leg. Blood still leaked from the wound, the worst of all the nicks and cuts that marred his coat. She stood with her arms around his neck; his presence, physical and mental, as always, calmed her.

Turning back to Evalan, she lifted him and laid him across Free. Only then did she become aware of the panic around her. The hair lifted on the back of her neck as she stared at fleeing brigands... screaming women and children, terrified animals breaking free and bolting.

Stepping out into the open, she looked towards the centre of the camp. Towards Meraud who stood with three shrivelled, human-shaped husks at his feet. Leah shuddered, a sour taste in her mouth; there was no mistaking what he’d done.