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Leadyl walked with furtiveness of someone born to do so. Mitch on the other hand, walked through the forest stepping on every stick crashing through intermittent patches of underbrush causing a terrible commotion. They left the glade at a measured pace with Leadyl in the lead quickly followed by a struggling Mitch. The trail wound its way among the trees with as many natural hazards that a forest could possible put in Mitch’s way. He knew the roots were purposely in his path trying to trip him, not mention loose stones, vines crawling along the ground and some hanging from low limbs so he could hang himself on them as he walked past. Through all of this Leadyl effortlessly walked down the trail without tripping, stubbing her toe or hanging herself. Mitch could hear Leadyl giggling making him angrier.
Large red oak with their russet and bright-red leaves grew on either side of the trail their heavy branches intermingling creating a canopy above the trail. The undergrowth is sparse under the thick canopy with oak leaves on the ground hiding unidentifiable wildlife darting through them away from the noise Mitch is making. Squirrels raised their voices angrily at them, and Mitch knew they were directing their anger at him. They jumped from branch to branch, making acorns fall on his head that felt more like tiny rocks than acorns. Continuing down the trail, Leadyl laughed even harder holder her sides while Mitch ducked his head floundering his way through the forest.
Gradually the forest changed from oak giving way to tall pine with their bluish-green needles, jutting from the forest floor to upward of a hundred feet. All kinds of species of birds, most of which Mitch could not identify flitted among the tree branches all singing their songs. Birds with bright red, yellow and orange plumages mixed with tiny birds with lighter red breasts and dark-red wings swarmed the area in a wild splash of colors through the air. Many flying bugs pervaded the forest including bright-yellow moths and multicolored butterflies. Fortunately, there did not seem to be any of the stinging variety about.
The trail meandered between the trees and continued as far as Mitch could see. Mitch was having a better time of it now with the trail covered with a heavy coating of pine needles making the ground spongy and easier to negotiate. He thought could hear a brook gurgling somewhere off the trail, but he was not going to give in and ask Leadyl to stop for a short break to quench his growing thirst. Sweating profusely from exertion though the temperature is not high instead pleasant they walked on in silence for a time each inside their thoughts.
Leadyl was thinking about Mitch and the enigma that he represents. She had a vague idea why he is here but how much and in what way he is here to help she did not know. He is certainly handsome, from her short embrace, she could tell very muscular, and that certainly made him very attractive to her. She knew she could not let anything overtly bad happen to him if she could help it. His imagination is strong as anyone she knew. Having a strong imagination would aid him to be a spell caster, how good of one she could not guess. She knew in her heart she would not mislead him, but be truthful about her intentions whatever they may be.
Mitch is likewise thinking about Leadyl. Walking along the trail behind her, he could not keep his eyes off her graceful body and mesmerizingly smooth flowing movements. The way she turned her head to scan the trail and surrounding woods mesmerized him. Her hair blowing in the wind whipping across her face heightened her beauty. He had to admit he is more than infatuated with her beauty and charm he realized that his is more than probably falling in love with her. The small cabin he spotted in the clearing ahead suddenly jarred him from his thoughts.
Drawing nearer, he could distinguish some of the cabins outer features. The roof is thatched with wood supports set on top of mortared ruff cut stone, a single glass paned window on the side and a fireplace at the rear made of the same stone as the rest of the cabin. Leadyl led him around to the front of the cabin and Mitch could see a brook on the opposite side of the cabin from where they came from. Opening the front door she marched in leaving the door open for him. Mitch stood in the entrance for a moment wondering whether he should close the door then grabbed the handle and pulled it closed behind him. Once, inside he saw another window on the opposite wall allowing enough light in to see by.
Mitch stood by the door looking inside the one-room cabin taking a moment to inventory the room and note its cleanliness. Large animal furs covered the floor, with a small round table with two chairs sitting directly in the center of the room. Two wood framed beds large enough to hold two with mattresses and pillows lined each side of the room. Above the fireplace on top of the polished red oak mantle, sat vases with wildflowers and brass candleholders with unlit candles sitting inside of them. Inside the fireplace, hanging on a hinged steel arm bolted to the rough-cut stone a large pot used for cooking can be swiveled in and out of the fire as needed. Two matching freestanding red oak cabinets sit at the head of each bed with enough clearance so the small double doors on the front can open. Above the bed on his right, slightly to the left of the window were two shelves with plates, spoons, knives, bottles, and a pitcher with a large bowl next to it.
Leadyl stood by her bed unbuckling her sword belt letting it fall on the end of the bed. Deftly she stood on one leg pulling off one boot then quickly switching to the other foot pulling off the remaining boot setting them on the floor at the end of her bed. Beginning to unbuttoning her leather shirt, she paused admonishing Mitch, “Quit ogling me and go change your clothes. You will find clothes that should fit in the other closet.”
Embarrassed more than anything Mitch hurried to the closet opening the doors as fast as he could, trying to hide his embarrassment written all over his crimson face. He could hear the rustling sound of Leadyl removing her clothes making it very difficult for him not to turn and look at her. Forcing his thoughts away from her, he buried his head in the closet. Inside he found leather clothing that might fit him, multiple pairs of leather pants and shirts even small clothes all clean and neatly folded. He really wanted to bathe since he had been recently sweating so freely, but it would lead to another temptation he would have to control, so the more quickly they were able to leave the better. Quickly removing his clothes he changed into the clothes provided hiding behind the open doors for the scant privacy they afforded.
Laughing quietly, Leadyl slipped into her boots and finished changing into clean clothing. I was a little too hard on him she thought, starting to regret her actions. He has been through more than most have to face in a short amount of time and now he finds himself with many unknowns facing him. I do not even know his name she thought to herself feeling a little embarrassed. She knew she would have to apologize to him for teasing him. As quickly as the thought came to her she dismissed it, because she realized she might welcome his advances. She is more than a little surprised at how fetching he is when he stepped away from the closet wearing her brother’s clothes and boots. Dressed alike they would easily pass as travelers from the northern forests.
“Whose clothes are these?” Mitch asked with a jealous tinged voice. Real stupid Mitch, he thought silently berating himself.
“Oh, you do not like them,” she replied coyly.
“No it is not that they fit surprisingly well. I was curious that’s all.”
“Oh I see let me think on it for a moment,” she paused before continuing. “They could belong to any number of men. Let see there was,” she paused and gave him a salacious smile before continuing. No, those are not his clothes, then there was no he took his with him,” she gave him her best attempt a lascivious smile. By now, Mitch is profusely humiliated and in her mind deservedly so.
Suddenly realizing she is acting like a child, Leadyl decided she needed to assuage his feelings. She liked him, far too much for knowing him for such a short time and still not knowing his name. Her heart tells her that it is wonderful to fall in love but she is reluctant to fall in love with any man especially one she barely knows. She walked up to him seeing the dejected look on his face reaching up with her right hand she t
ouched his cheek. Looking in his eyes for a moment, she stood on her tiptoes kissing him gently on the other cheek.
She dropped her hand and stepped back from him still looking into those bottomless blue eyes of his and her heart melted. I am more attracted to him than I thought she murmured quietly to herself. Aloud and more fretful than she wanted to sound she said, “I am sorry about being so insufferable with you a moment ago.”
“I am sorry too. I am not sure why I got so jealous because you have men's clothes in your cabin. After all these years, I am acting like a love struck fifteen year old.”
“I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. I am finding you very attractive now that you are wearing clothes that I am used to and I still do not know your name.”
“Mitch, John Mitchell Morgan,” he replied.
“All right Mitch the clothes are my siblings; the clothes are my brothers,” the last she said wistfully. Abruptly changing the subject, she said very shyly, "I am not sure why I am telling you this but I have never been with a man. Mayhap I will with you but only if I am truly in love with you." Quickly changing her tone and mannerisms, she continued in a more guarded tone, "I have abundant misgivings now but that could change in the future. Until then, we have far too many challenges before us. Agents of darkness will be coming here looking for you if they have not already done so. We will need to leave here rather quickly, I for one do not relish facing them right now.”
Emotions were running deep in Mitch and he did not know what to make of them. On one hand, he is happy that she is at least considering her feelings for him and on the other; he is trying to understand his growing feelings for her. What he did know is events starting from the loss of the fleet until now are moving much too quickly leaving him no time to think. He is on a raft floating down a raging river with the rapids fast approaching to the unavoidable waterfall. He took her hand briefly squeezing it in reassurance.
Reassured she asked, "Are you adept at war craft and weapons?”
“Yes I am trained in the use of the sword, bow, daggers, empty hand fighting and some bow staff.”
Going to her brother’s bed, she reached under it retrieving a bundle hidden there. Setting the canvas wrapped bundle on the bed she unrolled it revealing a sword sheathed in a worn but serviceable leather scabbard and matching sword belt. Reaching down she picked it up with both hands presenting it to him. Mitch could see the tears welling up in her eyes when she proffered it to him. His gut response was not to take the sword from her, but seeing her expression, he gently took it in both hands at the same time bowing respectfully. Grasping the leather wrapped handle, he pulled the blade partway out of the scabbard. At first glance, it resembled his katana lost with the Intrepid when it blew up but on closer inspection, he knew there could be no finer blade than this.
“Thank you Leadyl,” he said gratefully. Watching her wipe her eyes with the back of her hand, he knew that either her brother is dead, missing or something terrible has happened to him. He decided then not to press her any further but be patient and wait until she is ready to tell him.
Walking to the closet Leadyl retrieved a backpack quickly setting it on the bed. Opening the pack, she put a small pot, eating utensils, and two bowls from the shelf inside with a sack of dried meat and fruit. Reaching under her mattress, she pulled out a small leather pouch of gold dropping it into the pack. Closing the pack, she handed it to Mitch to carry. Mitch watched her strap on her sword belt so he did the same with his. Reaching into her closet, she withdrew a bow and quiver of arrows quickly slinging them over her back. With a sad expression on her face, she looked around the cabin, taking in every vestige of it as if it would be the last time she would ever see it she abruptly left the cabin. Quickly realizing she left him behind, he hastily headed out the door closing it behind him.
With two hours left before sunset, they headed in a northeasterly direction. Suddenly, Leadyl paused a moment looking back along their back trail confirming something nagging at her. Mitch wondered what was bothering her when she said nothing they continued briskly through the forest with him following close. Feeling the cool gentle touch of the breeze blowing gently through the densely packed pine Mitch took a deep breath taking in the scent of bark and fallen leaves carried along by the wind enjoying the natural smell of the forest. It certainly beat the stale air onboard ship he thought trying to negotiate the barely discernible trail, one that Leadyl unerringly followed like a ghost through the forest. Mitch on the other hand, is like a struggling bull tromping through the forest trying very hard to be as quiet as possible in an attempt at mimicking Leadyl's graceful movements. Failing miserably he laughed at his ungainly ability to traverse the forest trail knowing that he did not have any hope of looking as good as her walking the trail.
Mitch could see a draw ahead with a small stream running down the center with rocks and pine trees on either side. He did not feel comfortable negotiating that with the lack of maneuverability it gave. If a trap were set for them, it would be here. The rocks and trees on either side of the stream made for a perfect hiding place for men armed with bows and spears. With an abundance of trees and rocks, some as large as small boulders in the draw the sword would not be the weapon of choice, because of lack of room to use it effectively against several assailants.
Suddenly Leadyl stopped moving and in one fluid motion nocking an arrow to her bow listening intently. Mitch froze in place with his hand on the hilt of his sword scanning the forest around them for signs of peril. As the seconds passed, the tension became palpable and pervasive. The entire forest hushed; the local wildlife that had been making their usual clamor became deathly silent. The flying bugs that incessantly irritated them were no longer in evidence. The silence was deafening, as if all the inhabitants of the forest no longer were or went into deep hiding. With as much stealth as possible, Leadyl moved forward furtively moving one foot at a time gently placing it on the ground before moving the other. Mitch sweat beading on his forehead from the tension imitated her movements to the best of his ability at the same time scanning the woods for danger. Leadyl quickly froze where she was waiting, sniffing the gentle breeze blowing in their direction. Mitch noticed a slight stench to the wind but he could not place what it smelled like.
“Orc!” Leadyl's scream shattered the deathly silence of the forest.
A huge grotesque creature twice size of the biggest bear Mitch had ever seen charged down the draw with a huge ax in its right hand. The natural impediments of the draw that would slow a normal human being did not deter the orc at all. The arrow Leadyl had nocked flew up the draw toward the charging ork followed quickly by another both arrows bouncing off the orc’s leather armor and hard skin. Mitch now had a good idea where the ghastly sewage like smell came from when he saw this grotesque creature covered with dirt, leaves, sticks, and what else dripping from its grotesque body. Mitch quickly drew his sword while Leadyl nocked another arrow waiting the precious seconds to pass for the creature to reach striking distance.
At the last-second, Leadyl released her arrow into the orc’s right eye causing it scream in rage and pain snapping the arrow shaft out of its eye with its free hand. Leaping forward Mitch cut at the creature in a slashing downward angle from its left shoulder down its chest causing it to scream in rage and pain for a second in as many seconds. Leaping to the side of the trail to put some trees between them and the ork Leadyl nocked another arrow and Mitch readied his sword for another attack from the creature. By this time, the creature oozed some yellowish green slimy fluid from its ruined eye and the wound across its shoulder and chest. Grimacing, Mitch took a second to glance at Leadyl who had the same luminosity around her that he had seen when she was helping him with the threshold the difference this time it encompassed the bow and her nocked arrow.
Leadyl's arrow had a much greater effect nearly hammering its way into the orc and if not for the fletching, the shaft would have disappeared inside its body. The ork had turned at the last second swinging hi
s axe at the little human with the sword when the arrow struck it in his right lung. The blade of the mammoth ax fell toward Mitch dangerously close to cutting him length of his body, a killing blow. Quickly sidestepping to the right he executed a kesa-giri the blade coming from his high right downward at a slight angle striking the ax-holding forearm severing it. The ax fell to the ground with the orc’s severed hand and forearm still attached causing the ork to rear back its head screaming in rage and pain exposing its neck to another of Leadyl's enchanted arrows piercing its exposed gullet clean through exploding out of the back of its neck orc blood and gore quickly following. The ork staggered back its eyes glazing over falling backward onto the trail dead before it hit the ground.
They stared at the dead ork grimacing in unison thinking it is more repulsive in death than in life. Both the northern ork and its southern counterpart are enormously hard to kill even though northern one is markedly bigger, its southern counterpart makes up for its lack of size with greater speed. The slain northern orc is different from its southern counterpart with a skin color more pale white, leathery in texture and very tuff to penetrate with weapons. Ugly patches of stringy black hair grow sparsely on its legs and arms. Its face reminded Mitch of a feral hog with two four-inch tusks protruding from its bottom jaw. Averting his eyes from the dead orc Mitch noticed some wide oval leaves hanging from a nearby vine snaking up a tall pine. Plucking a handful of the leaves, he cleaned his sword before sheathing it knowing he would clean and oil it tonight when they made camp.
“It is not typical for them to be this far south of their home in the northern wastes. This orc is only the second that I have ever heard of being this far south,” she said ruefully with a pained expression on her face.
Mitch saw the pain she was in and his heart went out to her. He wanted to question her about it instead he asked, “Why the white color skin Leadyl? Is it so they can blend with the snow?”
“Yes it makes them almost impossible see in their habitat. The southern orc has a green to a very light-brown shade with some light gray mixed in. They don’t have the snow that the snow orcs have so the color difference.”
“This one is about eight feet tall,” Mitch said counting it off with his feet. “How tall are the southern orcs?”
“The southern orc can be man tall or a little taller but mostly man tall. I have never seen a southern orc; by the way, we like to call them swamp orcs. I cannot say but what I have heard is that they are faster on their feet than the snow orcs and in many ways as dangerous.”
“Let me get this straight we have snow orcs in the northern mountains that rarely come this far south and we have swamp orcs to the south of us. Do the swamp orcs migrate northward? I guess my real question is why we have a northern orc this far south and do the southern orcs move far northward?”
“We need to move there could be more of them in the area,” Leadyl said avoiding answering his questions. She knew Mitch would have many questions that he wanted answers to but standing next to a dead orc is not the place to answer them.
“What do we do with the mess we made?”
“We cannot burn it in fear that we would burn down the forest so we leave it to rot. Let us leave this place the disgusting creature is naturally putrescent and it is only going to get worse. We have about an hour to find a safe place to camp,” she said walking past the orc and toward the draw. As with before, Mitch unquestioningly followed her.
Moving up the same draw as the orc had charged down, Leadyl knew there could be more orcs at the top of the draw waiting to ambush them. Orcs liked to eat young women, and she knew without a doubt, she would make a tasty meal for them. When they finally reached the top, the terrain leveled out some. Leadyl stopped and scanned the forest around them stiffing the air. Mitch could not see any movement in the general area nor did he smell any unpleasant odors. All he could smell was the heavy scent of pine from the tall pine trees filling the landscape as far as he could see in the direction they were heading. Now that the forest is alive with birdsong and squirrels chattering among themselves, and no telling scent of an orc in the immediate area he took that as a good sign they were safe for the moment.
“The swamp orcs live in swamps, barrens like the Deepmoor Barrens or in the Southern Mountain Range during the summer months. If I were to hazard a guess they might move into the farmlands north of Deepmoor Barrens and steal young women to eat or cattle but they normally eat the creatures in the wetlands like fish, and waterfowl.”
“They really steal young woman to eat?” Mitch asked with a disgusted look on his face.
“Yes, they do at that. I am what attracted our friend back there. They can smell a woman like a male animal can smell a female ready to mate,” she said embarrassedly not meaning to imply that she was ready for a mate.
“What do the snow orcs primarily eat?” he asked quickly changing the subject not missing the play on words.
“They like young maidens, and mountain bears, ice seals, and fish that kind of fare. Oh, I see a place to camp Mitch. No fire tonight we will have to cold camp”
“A cold camp is a great idea, I am not ready to face another orc or whoever is following behind us,” he replied following her into the small clearing.
Gathering pines needles into two piles they sat next to each other eating some dried meat and fruit. Sitting under a small stand of trees sheltering them from the wind and prying eyes they remained silent until Leadyl began speaking in a low voice, “Mitch it is time I tell you a little about me among other things. My mother is an elf and she lives with her family in the northwestern part of this forest. My father was a human so I am half elf and half human and yes I have pointy ears to go with it,” laughing she moved her curly hair behind her ears so Mitch could see them. “I have a mixture of human and elf traits most important of which I am part human I will live and die as a human will. My elfin side of the family will long outlive me. I, I wish,” she did not continue her thought.
Not able to think of anything to say in response he suddenly realized when his heart painfully ached for her that he is hopelessly in love with her. For the first time in his life he felt this way about a woman. Sure, he had dated girls in high school and the naval academy but this time it has meaning to him. Not ready to tell her about his epiphany he remained silent.
Leadyl saw something in his eyes that she had not noticed there before, hardly daring to admit that what she saw is more than a friendly look from a new acquaintance. Far more than that, she was not sure if she welcomed it. One part of her wanted to fall into the abyss of his eyes and love him with all her heart. She is terribly afraid. Two people that she loved very much were both dead. Sure, they died together in battle, but that did not diminish the pain that resulted.
With an apparent unwillingness she continued, “The cabin belonged to both my father and my brother. I visited them when I could but most times, I stayed with my mother to learn her ways. My parents loved each other but with unions such as theirs among the races, complications would arise eventually separating them as what happened with my parents. The primary reason is my mother did not age like my father where he was getting steadily older she looked the same as the day he met her putting an unbearable strain on them. The ork we killed today is the second of two I have heard of wandering this far south.”
She was determined to continue though it pained her. Mitch eased closer to her putting his arm around her shoulders. With her head resting on his shoulder she continued, “They were out hunting when the biggest ork anyone has ever seen attacked them, well at least the biggest I had ever seen. For that matter, the orc was a head and shoulder taller than the one we killed today. It carried a huge sword and wore heavy armor making it very difficult to kill. They fought courageously against the monster. They died but in turn, they killed the ork. After I found them,” Leadyl paused with a tiny sob before continuing. “I tracked the ork with vengeance in my heart but it had died a short distance from the battle.” Mitch held he
r tight letting her sob until she fell asleep. Looking up at the stars peeking through the pine trees, Mitch wondered where home was.
Games of the Powerful Page 13