“Marina!” Nihlen yelled, sprinting to where she had been standing just moments before. “What is he doing? He kidnapped her!”
Cal howled with rage, his chest heaving in anger.
“I'm going after them!” Nihlen yelled, running for his things. He slung his halberd onto his back, and turned to run for Palata.
“Wait Prince Nihlen, you must calm yourself! There must be a good reason for Urian's actions!” Shaila said, trying to reassure him, but to no avail.
“A good reason?” Cal spat, running for his own weapon. “I agree with Nihlen! We should chase him down and take her back!”
“He teleported away! How do you presume to follow him? Besides, have you forgotten our current predicament? You must trust him for now!” Shaila exclaimed.
“How can I trust him? I only met him when we arrived in Cascadia! The trouble surrounding us has only increased since then! How do I know that was even the real Urian? Or that the real one is even on my side? It's the same with you even! If he's on my side, why would he take Marina with no word? Why would you stop us from pursuing him?”
“I try to stop you because you're wrong!” Shaila shouted, her voice full of authority. Her tone was strong, and it bit strongly into Nihlen's swarming rage. “That was the real Urian, no question about it. The girl, Shaya, she has the ability to teleport. That is an ability I doubt any other living person possesses. It is an ability rarely seen in written history. As for abducting Marina, I cannot say. Whether you believe it or not though, he has her interests in mind by taking her. That's all I can say. Urian knows more than anyone else about everything that is happening. I've done all I can to earn your trust. I didn't ask for this unexpected development. That doesn't change the fact that we're all in danger right now, and we just lost a member of our fighting force. Are you going to help us survive this, or should I just leave you behind now?”
Nihlen bit back his anger, though it was a rough internal fight to do so.
“The next time I see that old man...” Cal said, punching one fist into the other.
“Good.” Shaila said, relaxing some. “Thanks to Urian, we can basically assume there will be danger waiting for us as soon as we leave this glade. When we encounter the enemy, you all must follow my instructions. My ability knows no friend or foe, all are equal before its power. I would hate to see you get hurt...”
Cal and Nihlen shared a glance, and nodded.
“Lets finish packing, and load up the horses. We'll leave them just inside the glade up ahead.” Shaila said, as she began to gather up Marina's items.
As Nihlen began packing his items, his mind began to burn again. Urian... What are you doing? Why did you take Marina? When will we see her again?
He quickly packed up, ready to set off. At least up ahead would be a target he could release his frustration on.
“Lets go.” Shaila called as they finished the last of the packing. “Lead your horses. We could be attacked at any time.”
They began their trek through the glade.
Nihlen peered around them. The glade was silent in the twilight, broken only occasionally by a small animal moving through the trees, or skittering along the ground. It was cool, and it felt good against the heat that rolled off him from his anger. Nihlen dipped into the eye's power, and spread out his senses. He couldn't detect anyone in the vicinity of the glade. Suddenly at the edge of the glade there was movement, and something large moved back quickly.
“There's definitely something just outside the glade. It's an animal of some sort. It felt me sense it and withdrew instantly. It was definitely rather large as well. I have a bad feeling about it.” Nihlen said to the others.
“Whatever it is, I'll smash it to bits. Then that old man better bring her back. I'm going to find him if he doesn't, mission or not.” Cal seethed.
“We can worry about all that after we get out of here.” Shaila said.
They left the horses near the edge of the glade, walking ahead cautiously. As they exited the glade, they stopped, and looked around. Outside the glade was a large open field. Mountains in the distance were all that broke the clear, starry sky that stretched to the horizon.
Then there was movement to the right. Nihlen's head swung. There stood another skelt. Solid black, and at least half again as big as the one they had encountered earlier. Its massive jaws were bared, teeth like daggers, as it growled defiantly at them. There was more movement all around them, and they were quickly surrounded by seven more of the beasts, all different sizes and colors. All had their jaws bared, and all were growling menacingly.
“Stand down boys.” A deep voice called.
Nihlen's head swung straight ahead. Standing next to one of the skelt was a tall man. He wore a coat made of a fur not unlike that of the beast he stood next to. His face was obscured by a wide brimmed hat, a large fang on a chain hanging down in front of the man's face.
One of the beasts sat on its haunches, and the growling ceased, but each of the beasts still eyed their prey with high killing intent.
“A tamer... That's quite fascinating.” Shaila said, her voice composed. If she was surprised by the current situation, she wasn't letting on about it. “An affinity for skelt even, that's quite a feat. Many tamers could never control even one, but here you have eight obeying you perfectly.”
“It's rare to be complimented by the enemy.” The man said, flashing a smile from beneath the brim of his hat. “You exude a certain power yourself. Are you not afraid of the beasts before you?”
“They are not the only thing to be feared.”
The man burst into laughter, turning to pet one of the beasts he stood by. “That is a wise statement though. There are many things to fear. Lately though that fear has been increased! When I marched these beasts across Askrah behind King Erian Rinh, I saw more fear than I'd ever seen before!”
“So you are not from Illian, but sent by Rinh. There are truly so many powerful enemies to deal with...” Shaila said, a weary tone in her voice.
“Why do you sound so weak woman? You were exuding power moments ago! Have you tired of it already? It is just beginning! People will develop abilities at an unprecedented rate once King Rinh unites all lands beneath Askrah! The fight to bring everyone there will be miraculous!” The man cried.
Nihlen ground his teeth as he listened to the man. “How many of my people did you kill as you followed Erian?” He asked flatly.
The man stopped stroking the beast, turning back toward them slightly. “I killed no one. The boys here killed those who resisted. Those were the best ones...”
“How dare you!” Nihlen roared, power from the eye exploding from his body. “You control the beasts! Do not play it off as an act of nature! You still wish to laugh at them?”
Nihlen pulled his halberd from his back. He cocked it back like a spear, and threw it forward with all his might. The halberd smashed through the skull of the skelt the man was petting, burying itself out of sight in the beast's bulk. With a soundless shudder, the beast fell.
The man knelt next to the fallen beast, gently touching its fur. “I will make you regret that boy. You seek to teach me a lesson? Destroy what is important to me in revenge? Perhaps even make me see the error of my ways? Don't make me laugh! You killed our comrade. We would destroy you any other time... But even after a transgression such as this, I must bring you back alive. For the time being.”
“I will take care of Rinh in the future. Going with you now, however, will not happen. I'll die here before you leave this place alive! I will put you to rest for the sake of those you killed with Rinh!” Nihlen spat.
“I will take you from here boy, make no mistake. Your companions, however, are not so fortunate. The boys are quite hungry from our journey, you see.” The man said.
“Cal! Nihlen! Galen! I will deal with the skelt! You must deal with him! Be cautious, he is powerful!” Shaila called as an ethereal blue glow began to surround her. Water began to jet from the ground, causing an improvised rain on the immediat
e area.
“You have to be kidding...” The man said, placing one hand on his hat to adjust it. “An elemental user? Rinh neglected to mention this... Or maybe he didn't know?” The man shrugged his shoulders, smirking. “Either way, he'll be paying me a lot more for my services here this evening!”
The man emitted a high pitched whistle, and the skelt surrounding them attacked. As the beasts closed in, Nihlen, Cal, and Galen stepped back to back.
Too many... Nihlen thought, eyes darting between the beasts. He raised his back-up weapon, a short sword, defensively, searching for the beast who would reach him first. Before any did, water erupted from the ground, encircling the three of them. The jets caught the skelt mid jump, and tossed them high into the air.
“Drive him away from here! I'll hold the beasts here when they land! Focus your all on him or you will die!” Shaila called, more geysers erupting from the ground.
With a quick nod, the three rushed the man. Nihlen glanced at the beast containing his halberd, but passed it by. As they drew near, the man drew two daggers from his belt. With a clash of metal, the man caught both Cal and Nihlen's blows, as stable as a mountain.
Impossible... Nihlen thought, recoiling from the blow. Even Cal and his great sword. With a dagger and one hand! This man is very dangerous!
“Cal.” Nihlen said flatly, backing up. Cal and Galen followed him.
“I know, this is pretty bad. Attacking him was like hitting a wall. What should we do?” Cal asked.
“Rush him. Galen and I will support you. Attack without reserve, I'll dodge your blows. If we can't get him off balance, we'll have no chance of driving him out of here.” Nihlen said, looking over his shoulder. The skelt had returned to land, and were being subdued by Shaila. Water in the shape of a hand held each beast pinned to the ground. They thrashed and growled, glowering and baring their fangs toward Shaila. “I'm not sure how long she can hold them down. We have to do something quickly.”
“I'm amazed she's holding all seven of them down myself. She is truly fearsome. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed though that I have the company of you three instead of her.” The man said, smirking from under the brim of his hat. “I can guarantee that won't last forever though. She will tire eventually, and long before the boys I'm sure. I guess they'll enjoy her company instead.”
“Go.” Nihlen said, drawing from the eye. He drew deep, until pain throbbed deep within his head. The world slowed though, and he felt power coursing through him. He followed right behind Cal, who hefted his giant sword as he ran. Galen veered off, circling around behind the man. With a yell, Cal jumped into the air, bringing the blade above his head. He sliced down as he descended toward the man. Once again, seemingly without any difficulty, the man had caught Cal's attack.
There! Nihlen thought, seeing his chance to attack. With both hands catching Cal's great sword, he was completely exposed.
Nihlen darted around Cal, readying his sword to strike. He was just preparing to attack, when a dagger suddenly appeared in his vision. For a second it seemed to move as fast as he was, only slowing like the rest of the world right in front of his face. An involuntary reaction of jerking his head aside saved him from the attack, but he stumbled, and slammed into the ground hard. Galen had reached the man at the same time, but with a swift backward kick Galen had been floored.
“Your power is more developed than Rinh led me to believe... I suppose I have the woman to thank for that as well. This job is becoming a pain. I should renegotiate the terms when I get back...” The man said. With a grunt, the man threw Cal's sword up, knocking him off balance. As he stumbled back, the man stepped forward, and kicked Cal in the chest. The force of the blow sent Cal head over heels backward, slamming him repeatedly into the ground. “He should be finished now.” The man said, laughing.
His laughing suddenly cut off though, as he began to choke. He fell to his knees, coughing and clutching his throat. Water was spilling over his lips, and Nihlen noticed the lid to the man's water skin had been removed. Shaila had chocked him with his own water.
“Now Nihlen!” Shaila yelled.
Snapping the power flow from the Eye back on, Nihlen surged forward. He pulled his sword back and readied for the attack.
“That woman.” The man rasped, suddenly right in front of Nihlen. His vision was obscured, and he felt himself swept off his feet. A moment later his head felt like it was exploding. Stars danced in front of his eyes, obscuring all of his vision. He had no idea what had happened.
“Attacking me in such a way, even while dealing with seven skelt. You must really be trying to piss me off.”
Nihlen's head swam. Pain throbbed in his head. The world was spinning, and he knew he was in danger of losing consciousness.
“There's no way you'll be able to hold me off without your entire concentration though. Even if it were one on one, you may not be able to win. Either way, it's my win today. This will all end once you're dead.”
A sudden yell pulled at Nihlen's senses. That's Cal... He thought thickly. Did he get up after that attack? Nihlen shifted, trying to push himself up off the ground. His arms were shaking, and his vision still hadn't cleared. He closed his eyes, and searched with the Eye of Kings.
Cal had converged on the man, and was hammering away at his defense. Galen had joined him, furiously attacking. Shaila still held all seven beasts pinned to the ground, but he could sense her energy waning. The beasts could struggle for a long time yet. He shook his head again, trying desperately to clear his vision.
As it came back into focus, Nihlen noticed he had blood on his hands. He touched his face, and felt a stream of it running down. He wiped his hands on his clothes, and picked up his sword from nearby. He tried to run toward the man, but he stumbled, and his vision began to blur again. He stumbled forward, but held himself up by sticking the sword in the ground. Cal and Galen were still attacking relentlessly, and the man hadn't shown any notice of Nihlen approaching. Cal brought his sword down on the man, who caught it easily with both daggers. He then sidestepped Galen's attack from behind. Cal pushed down with all his might, trying to force his way through the man's defense.
“You can't beat me!” The man yelled, pushing back. “The boys and I will complete our job!”
“Not today I'm afraid.” Shaila retorted.
A jet of water erupted from the ground, below the man's right foot. The unexpected attack threw the man backward off balance. His hat flew off as he fell back, revealing two empty eye sockets. Waiting behind him was Nihlen, sword ready to end the battle. It pierced through the man's back, running him clean through the heart.
The man gasped, writhing on the sword. He stumbled and fell, sliding off the sword onto the ground. He was dead before he landed. As their master fell still, the skelt stopped struggling. As one they raised their heads to look up to the sky, and they howled one long, solitary note.
A note of lamentation.
Chapter 20
Void