“You shall not harm her, Gorgoroth! You shall harm no one in this place, not even the horse.”
Gorgoroth’s jaw dropped. “I would never harm an animal! I am here as their custodian. I protect them, guide them, and when I can, lead them.” He fixed his eyes upon the little servant woman and doctor standing by her. “Usually from humans seeking to harm them for no other reason than their own enjoyment. Now I’m in physical form, my job will be much easier.”
Endessa moved closer so that she was within inches of Gorgoroth’s face. “Not all humans are evil.”
His lips touched one another again and one side of his mouth widened. “Are they not?”
“No, Gorgoroth, they are not. This is something you need to learn. Surely, after all these millennia you must have seen this?”
“Not often, no.” He pushed up with his legs but failed again.
“Not often.” The Wiccan smiled. “So you agree with me.”
Gorgoroth growled.
He felt a weight lift from him as if some sodden, thick woollen blanket had been cast off his shoulders. Standing, he towered over the Wiccan and appraised her.
“Perhaps you are right.” He twisted and looked at the doctor and the slave woman beside him, terror still shining in her eyes. “Perhaps.” He brushed past Endessa and strode to the pair in the near distance. “Perhaps not.”
He heard the misplaced steps of the Wiccan as she hobbled after him. “Gorgoroth! You have no power in this place!”
He paused mid-stride and laughed. “I have power everywhere, Endessa. This is my world.” He looked around and held his hands out. “My cave.” The little witch stood but a foot from him. “I’m not going to hurt them.”
“If you do, I shall cast you back from whence you came.”
He nodded. “And if you do, war will ravage the kingdoms and even more of your precious people will be put to slaughter. Perhaps you should cast me back?”
Endessa crossed her arms, her brow creasing, her mouth a tight line.
“You have my word, Endessa. I shall not harm them.”
He turned from her and approached the pair. The doctor remained still, frozen in place, eyes wide, mouth clamped shut. The woman, however, was visibly shaking, tears streaming down her cheeks, sucking air in through clenched teeth as she sobbed. Gorgoroth knelt before them.
He reached out and clamped a hand each side of the woman’s face. She screamed and pulled away, but Gorgoroth held her firm. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the woman’s life unfolded before his mind’s eye. She had survived a harsh upbringing, surviving countless beatings, rapes and violence. But not once had she harmed an animal. That was all that interested the nature spirit. She’d even saved an old dog from drowning during a flood.
People are not as cruel as you think, Gorgoroth.
He clenched his teeth, eyes snapping open. “Shut up, Vyder, and yes, more often than not, they are. Humans are a virus, a blight upon the world. This one may not have been cruel.” He released his hold of Miriam and stared at her. Although I could understand if she was. She’s felt such hate, violence, and anger in her life.
Miriam’s a strong one, Gorgoroth. Probably one of the strongest you’ll ever meet.
The nature spirit nodded and turned to the doctor. The man hadn’t moved, still frozen in fear. With lightning speed, Gorgoroth’s massive hands were clamped either side of the doctor’s face.
“Your turn, little monkey.”
The man had come from a privileged lifestyle. He was used to money and elegant surroundings, but like the woman, he’d not harmed any creature. Gorgoroth flitted through the doctor’s memories. Griff was his name, he learned. Anger surged through Gorgoroth as he watched the young boy try to save a cat from his father. But the doctor’s father had smashed the animal’s skull in with a hammer, then threw the limp carcass out onto the street to be driven into the cobblestones by passing carriages.
Gorgoroth’s lips parted to reveal clenched teeth, his eyes narrowed. He released the man and poked an index finger at the doctor. “Your father. Does he still live?”
“My father?”
“It’s what I asked, yes.”
“No. He died when I was a young man.”
The nature spirit nodded and rose to his feet. “Good. The earth is a better place for his absence.”
The skinny little man nodded.
He faced Endessa. “You might be right.” He gestured at the pair behind him. “But it might be that these two are just extraordinary humans. I have walked in the physical form but twice. I haven’t seen much of humankind that leads me to believe they are anything more than…” He swung to Griff, and sneered. “Well…human. A plague upon the earth.”
He glared at the doctor, who folded his hands in front of him and stared at the ground. Gorgoroth heard the shuffling, limping sound as Endessa approached behind him.
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, Gorgoroth. As I said, people are not as cruel or evil as you seem to think.”
He focused on the Wiccan and held her powerful gaze. His shoulders rose and fell, teeth shining in the dull light as his lips peeled apart in a wide grin. “We shall see, Endessa.” He walked to Storm and stroked her powerful, sleek neck. “We shall see.”
* * *
Miriam stared at Vyder’s back as he patted the animal.
Vyder? She took a deep breath and let it out slow. That’s not Vyder. Endessa calls him Gorgoroth. What kind of name is that? It’s certainly not one that originates in the highlands, or lowlands for that matter.
An incessant tapping on her arm broke her chain of thought. Miriam felt the doctor lean into her and press his lips close to her ear.
“I don’t think he likes us very much.”
“Really?” She turned to Griff. “What makes you so sure?”
The doctor’s eyes were wide. “Are you serious?”
She breathed a curse. “No, Griff, I’m not. It’s more than dislike. It’s abject hatred. We’d be dead by now if it wasn’t for Endessa.”
Griff’s eyes grew even wider.
They’re going to pop out of his skull in a minute.
“You think?” he whispered.
A dry chuckled burst from her lips. “Oh I’m more than sure, Griff. I’ve spent enough time around violent, murderous, or cruel men, aye, and women, to know. He’d kill us without a second thought.”
“Who?”
The voice made her jump. Gorgoroth was back and standing only a mere pace or two from them. He’d moved silently. Fear stabbed her as she looked up into his eyes, but relief soon followed as Miriam noticed the bright blue, glowing eyes were gone, to be replaced with Vyder’s dark, piercing gaze.
“You mean Gorgoroth?”
She nodded.
“I’ll never allow him to hurt you, Miriam.”
She tried to smile, but her mouth refused to move. “He’s more powerful than you think, Vyder.”
The assassin remained silent, and that in itself was enough for Miriam to confirm the highlander knew she spoke the truth.
“Let’s go.” He strode to the wagon.
She followed at a sedate pace, watching her master’s wide shoulders and expecting Gorgoroth to take over at any moment. Realisation struck her. I don’t trust him anymore. She no longer trusted the only master who’d ever treated her with respect and dignity. And Miriam hated herself for it.
* * *
Vyder ran a hand along Storm’s sleek flank. Whispering soft words to the horse, he strode to her shoulder and checked the leather collar, which sat around her powerful neck. The reins were threaded through the collar exactly as they should be.
“You got that part right at least, Gorgoroth.”
Oh, I got everything right, Vyder, trust me. But you go ahead and check my handiwork.
“I will, have no fear on that count.”
Vyder clenched his jaw as the silent laughter thundered through his
mind. He tugged on the girth to make sure it was not too tight, or loose. It was perfect. Storm was watching him, her ears forward, listening to his every move.
“We’ll be on our way soon enough, girl.”
The wooden trace, connecting the wagon to the collar around Storm’s neck, sat exactly as it should.
“Is everything in order, Vyder?”
He appraised Endessa. The small woman, who looked so helpless and frail, was exactly the opposite. He knew it and felt damn sure Gorgoroth knew it as well.
“Everything seems to be in order.”
Storm snorted, still watching Vyder.
He looked at the horse and smirked. “Patience, my lass.” Vyder swung back to the Wiccan. “Are you joining us?”
“I will travel with you for a short time, yes.”
Oh, joy of joys.
“Keep your teeth together, Gorgoroth. Do you need help climbing up onto the wagon?”
She did not appear concerned by his conversation with Gorgoroth.
The woman shuffled forward. “No.” She leapt up onto the wagon with lithe agility that should have been impossible for someone of her demeanour. She stood on the wagon, hands on her hips.
She was glaring at Miriam and Griff. “Well?” She gestured them to her. “Are you coming or not?”
Miriam looked uncertain, even frightened.
“Miriam, it is I,” said Vyder. “I’ll do you no harm.”
She took a step backward. “I know you won’t.”
“He’s gone and I don’t think he’ll return for a long while.”
“Are you sure?”
He smiled. “I’m sure.”
You sound so sure, human. How cute.
She looked at him sidelong and walked around, moving to the front of the wagon and using the wheel to clamber up onto the tray beside Endessa. Griff was not far behind her.
Vyder sighed and stood.
They don’t like you, Vyder.
He sensed the snigger in the nature spirit’s voice.
“No, they don’t like you, Gorgoroth!” he muttered.
More than likely. They have good reason to dislike me, I suppose. Probably not as much as I dislike them, though.
Looking up at the trio, he opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly felt far away, as if he was slipping beneath the surface of some great lake.
No Gorgoroth, not now! Stay where you are, I command you!
“Command is it, now? No one commands me, much less a human. You’d do well to remember that, you stinking monkey.”
* * *
Gorgoroth glared at the trio and grinned as he saw fear enter the eyes of the man and woman. Opening his eyes as wide as possible, he took a step towards them, placing a hand on the wagon.
“I’m back! Did you miss me?”
Neither replied. The only noise was Endessa’s bored sigh. She took up the reins, and with a groan, sat on the driver’s bench. She cleared her throat and spat over the side. “You’re having fun aren’t you, Nature Spirit?”
He threw back his head and roared in merriment. “Oh, I don’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun, Witch!”
Storm flinched and stepped sideways, away from the sudden noise and movement. Gorgoroth placed a hand on her flank. The horse immediately relaxed. She looked around at him, her dark eyes boring into him. He walked to the mighty animal’s shoulder with care. She was a gentle beast, but even he knew how powerful horses were, not to mention how fast they could kick out when they perceived a threat.
“You are safe, my girl,” he cooed, resting a hand on her head. “Nothing will hurt you here.”
“Do you not want to climb up here with us?” Endessa called.
He looked around as he walked. He gestured at his legs. “We have feet for a reason. Besides, I enjoy strolling.”
The look of relief on Miriam’s face was almost comical. He laughed and turned away.
“You’re right, Vyder, she does not like me one bit.”
I’m not sure why, I doubt it’d have anything to do with you trying to bloody kill her!
Gorgoroth rubbed his chin and frowned. “You think so?”
Oh, it’s just a thought, Nature Spirit. People tend not to forget about almost being murdered.
“I don’t think so. I don’t think she likes my charm.”
Gorgoroth chuckled at Vyder’s scoff.
Gorgoroth walked along a dirt track through the forest. He closed his eyes, smelling the gentle aroma of fresh grass, flowers, sprouting succulents intermingled with the pungency of rotting wood and leaf litter. Cool, soft wind kissed the skin of his cheeks and, high above, the melodious hiss of the forest’s canopy teased his ears. He smiled and opened his eyes, taking in the shades of green, brown, and everything in between.
“I’m home, Vyder. I’m home.”
Good for you. I’m not, so keep walking.
* * *
Endessa gently tapped the whip against the horse’s rump, and the wagon began rumbling forward, swaying as they rolled across the uneven ground. Gorgoroth strode well ahead of them. He was already out of the cave and on the path leading into the thick forest. She knew it was the nature spirit. Aside from the bright blue eyes, there was subtle differences in the demeanour between the man and spirit. When Gorgoroth was in control, the shoulders were pulled back, chest thrust out in complete confidence. His movements were more fluid, and he stopped often to kneel beside a fern, or hold a hand against a trunk, as if he was somehow communicating with the tree. Storm’s ears were pricked forward, the animal acutely aware of Gorgoroth, constantly watching what he was doing.
“Hey, you should be listening to me.” The Wiccan flicked the whip against the horse’s rump, but the beast ignored her.
She squinted against the sudden light as they exited the cave and onto the dirt path. Endessa sensed movement beside her and felt the driver’s bench move slightly as Miriam sat beside her.
She clicked the horse on. “That’s a good girl.”
Storm increased her pace and the wagon was soon eating the path as they gained on Gorgoroth, who was now sat in the middle of the path, his back to them.
“Is that Vyder or Gorgoroth?” Miriam asked in a near whisper.
“Gorgoroth, my girl. You’ll be able to tell the difference soon enough.” She glanced at the woman and noted the fear in her eyes. “He means well, he just needs to learn that not all people are evil.”
“Endessa, he tried to kill me.”
“I know, Miriam. Trust me when I say he’ll never try that again.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I just know, my girl. You and Griff are safe.”
I hope.
Miriam nodded and seemed to relax.
Endessa heard a commotion above her, holding a hand over her eyes to shield them from the light of the sun spearing between the forest canopy, she searched for the origin of the noise. High above them, a flock of ravens landed amongst the branches of a particularly tall oak and glared down at them, cackling amongst themselves.
A thundering arose in the distance, growing louder. A herd of deer strode into view, surrounding Gorgoroth, sniffing his face and head. Crickets began to sing even though it was day. The cacophony almost deafened Endessa. She pulled Storm to a halt. Gorgoroth still sat in the middle of the path. He patted the deer around him, smiled at the ravens above him, and held his hands out as various animals, great and small, plodded, scuttled, leapt, and slithered to him from every corner of the forest. They were around and on him.
“What is happening, Endessa?” Miriam’s voice quivered with fear.
“The creatures of the Waning Wood have never seen Gorgoroth in the flesh before. They are curious.”
“Do they know who he is?”
Endessa laughed. “He is their guardian, child. Their protector, their guiding hand. They know him like a parent. No matter what physical form he took, they’d know who he was.”
She heard a clicking resounding above the animals surrounding the nature spirit and knew exactly what it was.
Damn you, Gorgoroth, you’ve summoned her.
“Steady, girl.” She brushed the whip against Storm’s flank. “You are safe.” This time the horse’s ears flicked backwards as she listened to the Wiccan.
The giant spider pushed through a mighty fern and approached the nature spirit. The arachnid’s abdomen was the size of a large man’s chest. Spooked, the deer ran clear, disappearing into the forest.
“Just a hatchling,” Endessa chuckled. “I thought it was Barbaron herself.”
Miriam made a high-pitched noise but otherwise did not reply. Storm flinched, ears flat to her skull.
“Sshh, my lovely. You are safe.”
The spider pushed itself onto Gorgoroth’s lap, thin, long legs enveloping his head and back. The nature spirit rubbed the abdomen and whispered soft words to the spider, although Endessa could not hear what it was he spoke.
“It’s going to kill him, Endessa, you must do something!”
“He’s a nature spirit, Miriam, remember that. As I said, these creatures are like his children. They are drawn to his power. The spider would never hurt him. As for Vyder? I’m not so sure.”
Endessa cleared her throat and spat a globule to the ground. “Gorgoroth! It’s time to leave. Say your goodbyes, we have things to do.”
He looked back, piercing blue eyes boring into the Wiccan. He sneered. “Oh, but I was only getting started.” He stood, holding the spider on his hip like a baby. “Did you want to say hello to Ferofoth?”
The spider leapt clear of the nature spirit’s embrace and stood on the path. It clicked towards them a few paces and stopped, as if offering them a challenge.
Endessa felt fear ebb through her. Out here amongst the forest, the nature spirit held great power. She knew with a single word of command, he could send Ferofoth charging amongst them. With fangs the length of an adult’s hand, one scrape would be enough to spell a death sentence within moments. “No, thank you.”
“Oh, come on!” He knelt beside the massive spider and placed a hand upon the arachnid. “He’s a lovely little boy.” He sniggered. “As long as you’re not human.”
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