They put two Elvana sleeping mats together for Dean, and placed them beneath a large elm tree for shelter from the light rain that had begun to fall. The companions had a small supper without a fire, for Han constantly referred to the evil creatures lurking anywhere, and neither wanted to chance the light attracting one.
“This darn rain.” Han pulled his sleeping mat tighter around himself.
Lightning streaked across the sky far away, and thunder rumbled into the valley.
Dean rolled onto his back and put his hands behind his head. “The lightning crackled like a witch cackling as she stirs her billowing cauldron that bubbles and boils over. The foul fluid falls like black rain, hissing as it touches the burning city with a fire no water can quench. The liquid seeps into every crack and crevice, in search of all the grime, and sweeps it to the surface. Her laughter causes the wind to stir the filth from the swirling puddles until it rises like a black fog, embracing in its evil grasp all that it touches.”
“That’s creepy.” Han made a face as if he’d eaten a bug.
“I wrote it,” Dean said. “Before I met Panadur.”
“You write?”
“Sometimes. Just poems and stuff.”
“It’s good. But eerie.” Han shuddered and rolled over.
“Thanks, I guess. Goodnight, Han,” Dean whispered.
“Goodnight, Dean.”
Dean slowly fell asleep, listening to the sounds of the storm slowly spread across the land.
****
The night passed without incident, and the two awoke to continue on their way. This new day was even grayer than the day before. The ashen clouds seemed to hold back the wind, for not a leaf rustled in the still air.
“Where exactly are we going, Han?” Dean asked a couple hours into their hike.
“Well, the quickest way to Volsur’s city, Naviak—that’s what he named it; it used to be called Arieot—well, the quickest way is to head north by the Horns of the Warriors.” At Dean’s puzzled look, Han explained, “The Horns are peaks that sound like many horns when the wind blows through them. Some say the wind does not make the horns blow, but the sound is the last dying breaths of all the dead warriors.” Han looked ominously at Dean.
“Now you’re creeping me out. Enough with the ghost stories.” Dean chuckled but he still looked nervously around.
“The first place we have to go is through the Haraden Mountains to the Dwarves in Vinrell. The Dwarves might also be able to aid us in the quest as well. They’re very mighty warriors.”
“Then we go to the Elves to find out about Carimus?”
“Exactly. But we have to go through the Dwarven land first.”
“Aren’t the Dwarves in a battle?” Dean asked.
“Yes, they are, so we’ll either have to skirt the battle area or avoid them altogether. I, for one, don’t want to run up against any mean Krulgs.”
“Then how about some really ugly ones?” Dean shouted as he pointed behind them.
Nine or ten creatures with greenish skin and tusks, just like Panadur had described, rushed out of the woods behind them. They wore dirty leather armor and carried curved swords or long, barbed spears. Their black eyes seemed to flare with hate.
“What shall we do, Dean?” Han’s voice was surprisingly calm.
“RUN!” Dean grabbed the Elvana and raced down the path.
The Krulgs raised their spears in the air and screamed in delight at the thought of a chase. Dean and Han raced over the rocks with the creatures at their heels. All the while, Dean thanked Panadur for his training and hoped he could outrun the creatures he’d imaginarily raced and beaten so many times before. On they sped, but the two fleeing figures started to tire. The path wound its way up a steep hill. Dean ran behind Han and almost pushed the Elvana up the rocky trail.
When they reached the top, Han collapsed on the ground. “I can’t run any farther,” Han panted.
“You have to run, or they’ll catch you and eat you,” Dean screamed at the prone Elvana.
Han could do nothing but gasp for breath, his lungs almost bursting. The sound of the approaching Krulgs caused Dean to spin around.
“They’re almost here, Han.”
As the first Krulg appeared on the path below, a horn call split the air.
“What’s that?” Dean frantically looked around for a new threat.
“The Horns of the Warriors.” Han panted as he tried unsuccessfully to rise.
Another horn blast ripped through the air, seeming closer than before.
“Attack, men! Attack,” Dean cried as he waved his arms over his head and rolled his eyes at Han. The Krulgs stopped in their tracks and looked nervously around.
“What’re you doing? There aren’t any men. It’s just the wind.” Han finally rose unsteadily to his feet.
“I know that, and you know that, but they don’t know that.” Dean looked at him hopefully. “At least I hope they don’t know about it.”
A third call split the air and another. Each call sounded like a battle horn coming closer.
“Kill them all! Don’t take any prisoners! Kill the big ugly one first! Kill them as slowly and as painfully as you can!” Dean screamed as he drew his sword. He charged the group of Krulgs and waved his blade frantically above his head.
As he raced toward them, the creatures turned and ran back down the path. Dean rushed forward to the front of the trail. The Krulgs scampered and slid down the side of the hill as they fled. The largest one shoved the others out of his way before he disappeared into the woods.
Dean spun around and sprinted back toward Han. “Let’s get out of here. They won’t fall for that forever,” Dean ordered as he pulled the Elvana along.
They ran for a few more minutes and then slowed to a walk for Han, but they still moved as quickly as they could. After many miles, when they were sure that they had lost their pursuers, they stopped to rest.
“Pretty nice bluff, don’t you think?” Dean panted with a grin.
“What bluff? That rock over there isn’t a bluff. It’s barely a hill.” Han flopped to the ground and stared up at Dean, puzzled.
“No, what I did. I tricked them. Attack! Attack! I can’t believe they fell for that.” A broad smile spread across Dean’s face.
“I can’t believe they believed that either. Krulgs only speak Krulg.”
Dean’s smile dropped, and then they both burst out laughing so hard they were soon panting for breath again.
They continued to travel for the remainder of the day. Han imitated Dean’s charade over and over, each time making it more comical. When the sun set behind the mountains, they camped in a small clearing, ate a light supper, and, as they got ready to sleep, talked about Han’s world.
“What’s your world called anyway?” Dean asked when he realized he didn’t know the name of where he was.
“It’s known as Kish, the shining planet,” Han said.
Dean laid back and looked up at the stars. “This is so bizarre. I still can’t believe I’m on a whole different planet. I’ve never been to a different state and now . . .” His voice trailed off as the moon poked out from behind a cloud. “You have a moon here?”
“Of course. You don’t have one?” Han rolled up on his elbow.
“No. We have a moon. We landed on it.”
Han jumped up. “You’ve been on the moon?” His hands went to the side of his face.
“Yeah.” Dean shrugged. “Not me personally, but guys walked up there.”
“What? They walked to the moon! How? Is it because Heaven is so close you can just walk to the moon?”
Dean laughed. “No. They took a spaceship.”
Han’s mouth plopped open. “They have ships that can sail in space?” He squeaked while his whole body vibrated.
Dean waved his hands. “You know what. Maybe I shouldn’t talk about this stuff. Maybe it will screw up the progress of your planet or something.”
Han frantically shook his head. “Please tell me m
ore. It’s unbelievable.”
“But you’re getting freaked out.”
“I’ll be good. It’s just so . . . awesome.” Han sat back down on his sleeping mat but he was still shaking with excitement.
“Well, it’s kind of weird for me too.” Dean folded his hands behind his head.
“I’ll stick to easy questions,” Han whispered. “Are the stars much different here than on your world?” Han looked up.
Dean shrugged. “I . . . I don’t know. I never really looked.” He exhaled and watched them for a few minutes.
“I guess you can start now.” Han grinned. “Then when you go home, you can see the difference.”
“Yeah. Hey, you’re an Elvana so you’re related to Elves, right?”
“Very far back. That’s what Elvana means: little Elves.”
“Is it true Elves live to be a thousand years old or something like that?”
“Elves? Live to be a thousand years old? Did Panadur tell you that?”
“No. I heard it someplace.”
Han’s lips pressed together. “Oh, no. Elves live at least twice that long. And Elvana live, on the average that is, four or five thousand years.” Han nodded. As Dean’s eyes widened and he looked at Han in a newfound amazement, Han burst out laughing. “And if you believe that, have I got a castle to sell you!” Han laughed.
“I know that saying,” Dean snapped.
“I’m sorry, Dean, but I just couldn’t let that opportunity slip by.”
“I don’t know these things, so cut me some slack. Okay?”
“Cut you what?” Han asked.
“Never mind. But stop laughing at me, or those Krulgs will come back. And this time I’ll trip you.”
“All right. I’m sorry. Good night, Dean.” Han rolled over in his sleeping mat.
“Good night, Han.” Dean lay back on his mats. “Buy a castle. Oh, man.”
“Dean, can I ask you a favor?” Han asked.
Dean twisted over. “Sure. What?”
“Would you please stop referring to me as man? I’m an Elvana.” He giggled.
“Go to sleep, will you?” Dean threw an acorn Han’s way.
The two of them fell asleep beneath the stars, with Han quietly laughing to himself.
They traveled through the mountains for days. Han hunted small game with his little bow, which proved to be deadly accurate. Dean watched or tried to flush the game out. In daylight they made a fire, but at night they feared to because the creatures could be about. The morning’s skies were a brilliant red, but the days were overcast and gray. The nights were mostly starless, and the moon could rarely be seen through the clouds.
As they neared the second week in the mountains, the pass they traveled descended into a large valley below.
CHAPTER SIX
The Hunt
Dean’s eyes flew open to gaze upon the starless sky. His heart raced; he strained to hear the slightest noise, but he heard none. He stayed that way for many minutes as he listened. Finally, as he rolled back over, the faint crack of dead wood made him freeze.
While the hairs on the back of his neck rose, he slowly reached his arm out and clamped his hand over Han’s mouth. Han’s eyes fluttered open, he turned to speak, but Dean motioned for him to be silent. The two lay unmoving as they listened to the sounds of the woods, trying to hear any foreign noise.
Han struggled to open his mouth. When he stuck out his tongue, Dean yanked his hand away.
“Shh,” Dean whispered.
“It’s the wind. I heard it too,” Han whispered back.
“There is no wind. And you didn’t have to slime my hand.” Dean made a face as he wiped his hand on his jeans.
“I couldn’t breathe. You’re just being paranoid.” Han rolled over. “I grew up in the outdoors. I know these things.”
“I’m paranoid? Oh yeah, I’m in a valley on the side of a mountain with a Leprechaun in the Twilight Zone with a bunch of monsters around every corner, and I’m too paranoid,” Dean muttered under his breath.
A loud crack in the tree above them caused Dean to leap to his feet and drag Han up behind him. Howls and screams filled the air. Dean grabbed Han and pulled him forward. A large net fell just behind Han, and a cry of rage came from above.
“You were right,” Han yelped as he grabbed their packs.
As they ran, Dean unsheathed his sword. Snarling, a large Krulg ran out from behind the shadows of a thick tree. It was dressed in dirty chain armor and clasped a curved sword in its gnarled hands. Its face twisted into an evil smile as it swung the dark blade at Dean’s chest.
Dean didn’t slow; his sword cut upward and sliced through the Krulg’s armor into its ribs. The Krulg’s cry of pain echoed through the woods, but it was answered by many screams of fury.
Another Krulg now raced straight for Dean. It held a spiked mace over its head. Dean lunged forward and ducked low. He caught the beast in the stomach with his shoulder. With a heave, he flung it over his back. As Dean spun around to strike the Krulg down, he saw Han, with a long dagger in his hand, thrust it into the prone Krulg’s chest.
“Should we run away again?” Han looked at many dark forms in the shadows of the woods.
“You know it.” Dean grabbed a sack from Han and ran down a little path.
As they dashed down the trail, the Krulgs crashed through the forest after them. Dean and Han raced ahead, but when the little path widened, they slid to a stop. In the middle of the trail was a massive horse, on top of which was a man in black plate armor. His ebony helmet had a crossed visor that was down. In his hands was a huge lance with a silver tip.
“Don’t run like rabbits.” He raised his lance in the air. “Feel proud to meet your end with the bravest hunter in all the lands. You’re now Taviak’s. You belong to me. Stay where you are.”
“Yeah, right. Run!” Dean ordered as he sprang into the woods. Han chased after him.
“You will not live to see the end of this valley,” Taviak bellowed.
Through the dark woods they ran. The sounds of barked orders and Krulgs rushed after them.
Dean zipped up his leather jacket to hide his white shirt. As they ran, they heard the sound of a stream ahead and strange barking from behind.
“Dogs? This guy is hunting us with dogs?”
“No.” Han gulped and went pale. “Durhunds. They’re more like really mean boars with four tusks.”
“Even worse. Crud. Follow me.” Dean headed for the stream.
Han stopped on the bank, but Dean grabbed him and dove into the water. When Han’s head broke the surface, he opened his mouth in protest but Dean pulled him back under the water. They lay in the stream, the cold water rushing over them, their mouths just barely exposed. They listened to the sounds of horses, Krulg, and Durhunds as they crashed from the woods and stopped at the stream.
“The fools try to lose their scent. Tragrik ubrunik alke varnik vuergrak!” Taviak ordered the Krulgs.
Dean saw a Durhund crash out of the brush. The size of a huge dog, it had coarse hair and four twisted tusks. Dean pressed his face against the stream’s bank. The sound of Krulgs and Durhunds running down the stream and others crossing it made his heart race. After several minutes, Dean was about to raise himself up from the stream but stopped when he heard footsteps. They both held their breath and sank beneath the surface of the water again. Dean felt Han shake as something jabbed into the water near them. Again and again something stabbed the water, coming closer and closer. Dean’s lungs burned, and his mind raced.
A spearhead flashed as it passed next to Dean’s face. He sat bolt upright and thrust his sword at the figure, blurred by the water in his eyes. Dean’s blade sank deep into a Krulg’s chest. He yanked his sword back and the Krulg fell onto the bank.
“Look out!” Han screamed as a second Krulg ran up and thrust at Dean with his barbed spear.
Dean spun to the side and grabbed the shaft of the spear. In one motion, he pulled it and the Krulg forward. Dean drov
e his sword into its belly. Screaming, the beast fell into the water, which swallowed its cries but not the echo that rang through the woods.
Han looked at him, wide-eyed. “You’re the bravest warrior I’ve ever seen. Actually, I haven’t seen too many in battle, but if I had, I bet you’d be the best. I’ve never really seen a battle—” Han was cut off as Dean dragged him onto dry ground.
“I’m running on luck right now, and I’m pushing it too. That Krulg’s screaming is going to bring them all back, and I don’t want to be here to meet the black tin can again. Let’s go.”
The two ran in the opposite direction of Taviak and the Krulgs. As they jogged, Han fell behind; his waterlogged sack weighed him down. Dean stopped to take the sack, and they continued on. They went in silence, both tired from the run. The pale moon peeked out from the clouds overhead.
“Great. Like they really needed more light to hunt us,” Dean grumbled.
“Dean,” Han panted, “I hear the Durhunds.”
Dean stopped. “We’ll never lose those stupid things. I thought the water would cover our scent. I have to think. The Durhunds will be running in front of those guys. If they are, we can try to kill the Durhunds and then run. That’s what they’d do in the movies.”
“Movies?” Han asked, puzzled.
“Motion pictures? Oh, skip it. How many do you think there are?”
“Three or four. It’s hard to tell with them all barking, but that’s what I would guess.”
“Do you think you can kill them with your bow?”
“Four? I don’t know if I can if they’re all trying to get at me at once,” Han answered nervously.
“Get up in the tree. I think I can get one or two on the ground while you get the others.”
Han scurried up the tree, and Dean set his legs as the barking of the Durhunds drew closer.
Suddenly, a growling Krulg charged from behind the tree. It swung its mace in a huge arc. Dean blocked.
Dean’s sword pivoted around the mace, and the mace fell to the ground. The Krulg grabbed Dean’s sword arm and punched him in the face. As Dean staggered to the side, the Krulg grabbed Dean from behind, its large arms wrapping around his chest. It pinned his sword arm and knocked the weapon to the ground. Dean planted his feet and pushed backward, slamming the Krulg into the trunk of the tree.
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