***
Theodus and Thayan walked side by side down the trail, Thayan's sorcery ready to be channeled through the Dar fiend if need be. They dared not leave the path, for they could quickly become lost in the forest and end up miles away in some random direction. They didn't have a plan--except to try to somehow sneak into the village. Theodus' ears were sharp and hopefully would alert them if anyone approached, so they could hide behind trees. But deep inside, both of them knew better. The Galds were like phantoms in the woods, lurking everywhere, watching everything. Sneaking into the village would be very difficult for a master thief, let alone two beings who were not stealthy either by training or nature.
"I fear we'll be too late," whispered Theodus. "I should never have left Kelden with that madman."
Thayan shrugged. "It probably won't matter. I doubt we can save them anyway. I'm beginning to regret this decision. I suppose I should have fled as far away from here as possible rather than agree to this ridiculous plan."
Theodus paused in stride, his face twisted with anger. Then his expression softened. "Yes, I understand. Even though Kelden saved your life, you don't owe him anything. He would be the first to tell you that. And you are probably right. We are likely going to our deaths. If you wish, you can flee now. I'll go on alone."
Thayan glanced back down the trail, considering his options, and then shook his head. "My life has been a mess as far back as I can remember. I've never done anything worthwhile. I might as well do the right thing for once, even if it means the end for me." He shuddered, wondering just how painful his death was going to be. Knowing the Galds, it would be too horrific for him to imagine.
Theodus smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "You're not a bad fellow, Thayan. Not at all. It must take enormous courage for you to go with me. Whether we survive or not, you've earned my respect."
Thayan's face lit up with gratitude. Earning a Dar fiend's respect was no easy task. Then, as he remembered what lay ahead, his expression darkened again. "Come on," he said gruffly. "Let's keep moving. I'm anxious to prove to myself I'm not some sniveling coward, even though I acted like one back in the cave."
Theodus nodded grimly. "You'll get your chance, my--" The Dar fiend cried out as a heavy stone slammed into his skull--right against the spot where Dameon's mace had injured him previously--and he toppled to the ground. Caught completely by surprise, Theodus was out cold, blood pooling quickly around his head, the old injury broken wide open again.
Thayan leapt back, as another rock smacked the ground where he'd been standing. He brought his hands up, readying his Ulden magic and knowing it would be a weak attack without Theodus as a link. Ulden magic was more about defense than offense--almost the opposite of Kelden's blood lore sorcery. But this time Thayan channeled all of it into an attack stance, knowing that simply defending himself against the Galds was useless, for sooner or later they would break past his magical shield and overpower him. Instead, he needed to hit them with all he had and kill them quickly.
Seconds later, two Gald warriors slipped down from the branches of a tree and advanced on Thayan. Their black eyes and humming voices instantly took away his will to fight, hypnotizing him. He tried to shrug it off, but ultimately he just stood there, unable to move and gripped by an unexplainable and overpowering fear. He was so afraid he could hardly breathe. The power of the Galds reached into his mind and refused to let him fight back. Thayan felt as if he stood in the presence of gods that could do to him whatever they wished.
I am a coward after all, Thayan thought, as they tied his hands behind his back. But somewhere deep inside he understood the fear that held him in place was not natural, but deliberately induced in him by the Galds for the sole purpose of making him as helpless as a baby.