“Brenion asked me to find you some better clothes, you’ll need wrapping up warm where you're going,” the lady told her, giving a clue at least to where their destination may be.
Neatly folded on one of the beds were some underclothes, something Liana had never worn before. Also, there was a pair of black breeches and a shirt that looked in considerably better condition than one she currently owned. To go over that was a woollen cloak and off to one side were woollen socks and a pair of brown leather boots. Although it was evident the boots were not new, they were a vast improvement to her shoes. Liana made sure the curtain was pulled right over before she started getting undressed. While she would have been quite happy to let Ari see her naked, the thought of Brenion walking into the room and catching her undressed did not seem quite so appealing.
No sooner had Liana finished dressing, then the elderly lady with her offered to brush her hair. Although with some uncertainty at first, especially when the brush snagged as it encountered the many knots. However, after a few pulls and grimaces, the brush moved through with ease, and the lady then tied it back for her in a bow.
“There you go, my dear,” she said tapping Liana on the shoulder to indicate she was finished. “Now go sit yourself down at the table, and breakfast will be along shortly.”
Liana liked the idea of that much better and turned to thank the lady for her help before doing as was asked.
No sooner had she sat down when the familiar voices of Brenion and Ari could be heard from the stairway, and Liana glanced that direction to watch them. Ari was first to enter the room, and even though it was still poorly lit Liana could see the sweat glistening on his brow; an indication the two men had been giving it their all in their sword practice. She held his gaze and watched him walk towards the table and take the seat opposite her own.
“You look nice,” he said noticing she was wearing new clothes and her hair was probably much tidier than it had been for some considerable time.
Brenion sat at the end of the table and just as was promised the old lady shuffled in carrying another tray of food. After placing down an empty bowl in front of each, she then spooned out a thick gloopy mixture which Liana was unfamiliar with.
“Come on eat up, it’s only porridge,” Brenion said noticing her delay in starting.
“You must have had porridge before?” the man asked looking at her, and then towards Ari, for an answer. Both shook their heads indicating that was not the case, “Blimey, things are worse than I thought,” he mumbled taking a spoonful and shoving it in his mouth.
Brenion explained that once they had eaten, Ari needed to get changed into something a little more suitable then they would be off. Apparently, they had a long day ahead of them and a lot of miles to cover before nightfall. While Brenion still never said exactly where it was they were going, and despite the fact the day sounded like it was going to be a tough one, Liana felt quite excited by what the future might hold. The idea of living free without having to worry about breaking strict rules or having to give most of your food away had been little more than an idea a few days ago. No more than a dream of an existence Liana longed for, yet here she was setting out on that very journey.
After Ari had changed into the clothes set aside for him, the group had all put on their cloaks and been handed packs for their journey. While Ari had dressed he had done so far less discreetly than Liana, and something she had obviously taken advantage off. Seeing the young man slip his clothes off and revealing his naked flesh had sent shivers down her spine. Although thin and lean, Ari was a little more muscled than she had first thought, something that only seemed to make him that bit more attractive. The view from her seat had been a good one, at least that was until the elderly lady had caught her peeking and drawn the curtain to block her view; a situation that Brenion found funny.
After heading up the stone steps into the main room above, Brenion stopped and beckoned Ari over to one side. Being naturally inquisitive, and not in the least bit nosey, Liana thought it was best if she went over to see what he was doing. Brenion turned to Ari and looked him in the eye, “You have worked hard, and have proven for now at least capable of owning one of these,” he said reaching down and picking one of the swords they had captured from yesterday.
“No heroics, use it if you need to. Remember what I said. Liana’s life at the cost of your own if it comes to it!”
Liana was quite taken aback by those words and was about to say something when Ari answered.
“I understand. I promise I will lay down my life for Liana if the need arises.”
After leaving the stone building, Liana was surprised that it was still quite dark outside. Most of the village was probably still asleep as they quietly and quickly got underway, moving through the village and heading in a northerly direction. As they reached the outskirts of the village, Liana turned back and gave a passing glance, adjusted the pack on her back and stepped up alongside Ari.
Chapter 6.
Brenion appeared to keep them off the main tracks, although it was evident there was sometimes no option, and they had to do so. Liana supposed that three people wearing clothes far better than most and carrying packs and swords would probably draw more than a little attention to itself. Quite where they were or how far they had travelled she had no idea and relied entirely on the man at the front to lead them to where ever it was they were going.
By the time the sun was up, the village they had stayed in the previous night had long gone from sight. Having travelled through a small wooded area, they found themselves walking across what appeared to be wild meadows. The grass was knee length and a bit damp with the early morning dew, making Liana thankful for the boots she had been given. She had to admit wearing socks as well certainly made walking that bit more comfortable, although quite what it would be like when it started warming up she was unsure. A bird flew up from the ground just a few yards to their left startling her in the process something that both Ari and Brenion found humorous. Liana just gave a wry smile and evidently being the grown-up amongst the group poked her tongue out when Brenion turned back to face the front.
As the meadow came to an abrupt end, they found themselves crossing a field that looked as if it had been prepared for planting. Knowing how much hard work it took in doing such a thing, Liana made a conscious effort not to cause too much disruption with her footsteps. With there being a field even she knew there would undoubtedly be a village or town nearby, and so that proved to be the case as Ari pointed to a small settlement just half a mile away to their right. However, it was apparent from their current course that they would not be getting any closer as Brenion guided them forward towards another forested area.
Leaving the field, they crossed a narrow track that Liana assumed led to the village they had passed, and ventured once more among the trees. Standing tall and with wide trunks, it was obvious this forest was an old one, and probably had even been there before the Dark Elf invasion. If only the trees could talk, she thought, betting they would be able to tell a tale or two of what had gone on, back when the humans were free. With the light breeze rustling through the treetops high above them, and the sound of birdsong drifting across the forest, Liana suddenly felt strange. Not a feeling or sensation that she had experienced before, but one she could only describe as a chill running down her spine as it might do if she were scared or afraid of something.
Although having Brenion suggest that she may have some kind of power, Liana, for one, doubted that was true. Nevertheless, as the feeling did not seem to want to go away, she thought it best to pick up her pace and walk alongside Brenion and tell him of this strange sensation she was getting. Perhaps it was just a side-effect of her physical exertions from the previous day, or maybe she was coming down with a fever. Although Ari also picked up his own pace to keep up with her, he did not walk alongside her and Brenion but remained just a pace behind.
Brenion glanced over her way as she struggled to match him step for step, being as hi
s strides were much more extensive than her own. Not sure how best to broach the subject of this sudden onset of feeling odd, Liana said nothing for the first few minutes of her walking beside him, although it was apparently clear to Brenion she wanted to tell him something.
“What’s the matter?” he eventually asked.
Liana puffed out her cheeks, and although she was quite sure it was nothing to worry about, started to describe her feelings as best she could.
Brenion stopped suddenly and just stared at her for several moments while tapping his finger on his chin as if deep in thought.
“Like a sense of fear…you say?” Brenion asked her just checking he understood correctly.
Liana nodded that was correct.
“Would you say a feeling of danger perhaps?” the man added just changing her wording slightly.
Liana thought about it for a few seconds, “Yes, I suppose it does feel a bit like that.”
Brenion nodded, before explaining that he was no expert on druidic powers but as Liana’s skills grew, she would understand them better. As her particular niche of magic often revolved around the attributes of animals, he told her that she was probably sensing a threat of some kind.
Liana could already see Brenion’s eyes looking beyond her and moving frantically left and right as if searching for something.
“Ari, keep alert!” he said turning his head sharply to check behind.
Liana was beginning to think she had only succeeded in making the other two paranoid, as each man took up a position either side of her. She also noticed Ari’s hand now rested on the hilt of his sword, and that the young man was suddenly more interested in what was around them as opposed to watching her.
“It’s probably just me being silly,” Liana eventually said, realising their pace had slowed considerably.
“If you sense danger nearby, then there is every chance there is. However, as to what it is you are picking up on, I’m not yet sure,” Brenion told her. Keeping his voice much quieter than usual the man told her that in time she would learn the things her body was telling her, but to err on the side of caution he thought it was best they stayed alert just in case there was a real danger lurking somewhere out amongst the trees.
Another ten minutes or more had passed them by, and although they still continued in the same direction they had been travelling they did so with much more care. Liana had hoped that the strange feeling she had would have passed by now, but instead, it only appeared to be getting worse, something she felt she probably should tell Brenion. As much as Liana wanted the sensation to go away and that everything was okay, her body seemed to be telling her everything to the contrary. She now understood that it was not fear she was sensing, but danger, a lesson already learned although quite what she was frightened of made no sense.
Deciding it was the time they took a small break anyway, Brenion had the idea of assisting Liana to fine-tune her latest ability. After taking a drink from the water canteens they all carried in their packs, Ari was asked to stand guard. The youngster, wanting to prove to Brenion he was up to the task, placed his pack on the ground and pulled the sword from its scabbard. Happy that Ari seemed to be taking his role seriously, Brenion allowed his own state of alertness to drop. Standing face to face with Liana he asked her to close her eyes and steady her breathing. “Let that feeling of danger come to the fore,” he told her keeping his voice quiet and calm.
Although Liana would have admitted she had no idea what she was actually doing, or even what she was doing was actually right, she did as was asked. Slowing the intake of air and breathing out slowly, and closing her eyes to block out any distractions, she tried to concentrate on the odd sensation. A feeling of cold ran down her spine, despite the extra clothing she was wearing, meaning it could not possibly be just a chill. Her skin suddenly covered with goosebumps as her body settled into a deeper level of concentration. In her mind, she found that she could sense the presence of both Brenion and Ari standing close by. They did not appear as they would when viewed with her eyes, but merely as entities, but each unique as she was able to identify which was which. It was as if each had differing characteristics as they would have when looking normally, but here in her mind, her senses detected other things besides just looks and appearances.
Liana could sense the high state of alertness coming from Ari, although she thought she could detect a feeling of nervousness as well. Brenion, she could see slightly differently, as if him having magical power made him stand out that bit more.
“I can sense you both,” she said although keeping her eyes closed and her mind focused.
“Good! Now expand outwards as if looking beyond us, further out into the forest,” Brenion said trying to give her a few pointers.
Liana took a few deep breaths to remain calm and searched a little further away. A bird up on a branch of a tree not far above them, a rabbit scurrying across the forest floor, all signs she would expect to find. Each tree showed up, though merely as tall upright pillars as if they were made of stone and then she felt it. Lurking behind one of the trees some hundred paces or more back from where they were currently sat, was a darkness. Different to anything else Liana had sensed it seemed to have no definite shape, more just an entity of blackness and the feeling of evil. Liana knew instantly it was this strange being that was making her uneasy, this was the cause of the chill down her spine.
Knowing she could sense it, she tried to keep calm and quietly explain to Brenion what she had found.
“A wraith!” he snarled under his breath. “Harmless in its current form but something that we will have to deal with.”
“I can’t see anything,” Ari added looking off to where he thought Liana was describing.
“Nor will you. We need to wait until it takes its true form and then destroy it,” Brenion explained.
“And how do we do that? Ask it to change?” Ari asked sarcastically, feeling slightly annoyed and left out of the group as Liana and Brenion continued talking, whispering among themselves.
Liana listened to Brenion’s instructions. For someone who proclaimed he had little knowledge of druidic magic, his understanding was clearly far beyond her own. Although they were all to continue moving, Liana was to keep track of the wraith, which ultimately meant walking and using her new skills at the same time. Meanwhile, Ari was to split away from the other two, and although not something he wanted to do, reluctantly agreed, but only after Liana had asked him. Ari was now certain Brenion was showing more than a platonic interest in Liana and was confused as to his own feelings about the situation. Was he reading more into it than there was?
As he watched Liana walking off beside Brenion, Ari did as was asked and moved in a different direction for the next mile or so. After walking for what he thought was that distance, he then had to stop and track partially back so he would be travelling some way behind them. Brenion, true to his word had left small, but distinct markers for him to follow. Using his magic, the man had placed a small blackened burn mark on the trunks of trees. To anyone else, they would mean nothing, but to Ari, they were a sign he was still going the right way.
Liana had to slow her walking each time she needed to use her gift as she found it difficult to do both. “It is still following us,” she said feeling out with her mind and detecting the evil presence still tracking them.
“Good, I thought it would be more interested in us than Ari. Now let’s hope he can follow our route and be ready when he’s needed,” Brenion replied, adding more than a little bit of suggestion that he doubted the boy’s worth.
“I know he’ll be there when the time is right,” Liana said in his defence, picking up on Brenion’s remarks.
As they walked, moving between the tall trees, Brenion explained what a wraith was and more importantly what it could do. An entity capable of taking two forms, it was something the Dark Elves had first used during their invasion to track down magic users. In its ghost-like shape, that it used for remaining unseen it was
capable of detecting magical power, much like Liana was doing. Once it had found someone of that ilk, it would track and follow them, all the time remaining unseen hiding in the shadows, appearing as little more than a wisp of smoke in the air. However, like all magic, remaining in this form would inevitably drain its power and sooner or later it would have to revert to its true shape. When taking its real form, it was no more than flesh and bones the same as every other creature and just as vulnerable. The longer they could force the wraith to follow and keep its ghost-like form, the weaker it would become, eventually having no alternative but to revert back.
“What happens when it does?” Liana enquired, worrying that Ari had been put in more danger than she had originally thought.
“It will depend on what we are doing. If we are camped up it will either try and kill us, capture us or if it thinks it’s on to something bigger just rest and continue to follow us.”
“So you don’t know!” Liana said losing concentration as her mind kept veering to Ari’s welfare.
The idea of having a wraith tailing them clearly did not sit well with Brenion, something which Liana could understand even despite her lack of knowledge about such beings. More importantly, they could not risk the wraith following them indefinitely as they risked leading it straight in the direction of the Free-Folk, something Brenion told her he feared above all else. While the Dark Elves were probably aware that there was truth to the rumours of humans still living free and out of their control, they did not know where. One of the reasons it was kept so secret was because they feared the Dark Elves would surely seek to eradicate them if they ever did; a situation Brenion was not going to let happen.
Reign of the Dark Elves: Book One : The Sorcerer Page 5