A Crimson Tale

by K. L. O Johnson

  “I was attacked by demons.” I say. He gives me an odd look.

  “If there were demons I would have seen it.” he retorts. I shake my head.

  “No you wouldn’t. Not these ones. Normal beings cannot cross between dimensional worlds.” I say and turn from his pushing further into the deadly silent forest. “We have to hurry.” I say and I hear Lifet slowly stalk after me I don’t mind. His distance gives me some time to think it gives me some time to find my bearing. I lead our way through the abandoned and quiet frost stepping over exposed roots and steadily walking across frozen rivers I know if not careful will cause me to be close to death once more. During our search for my comrades Lifet would pester me about questions regarding Transit and the Nexus. I try not to tell him too much and I succeed but I had to explain the thing that he wasn’t an angel nor was he a demon. He doesn’t have the ability to cross worlds like, us.

  We can go to the Underworld and back untouched. “Is that true?” he asks and I nod at his response, trying to keep as close to the truth as possible. I couldn’t risk him turning on me when I needed him. “I never thought that was possible.” he says and I continue to scan the horizon of dead trees in the distance—hoping that something will give me a sign of some sort knowing, I can’t always look to the stars. I crouch down. “What are you doing?” he asks.

  “Finding our prey,” I trace my hand over a footprint shaped with three toes. It appears like a paw rather than a foot and I scan the light trail it left behind. Someone who didn’t know how to hunt or didn’t spend time in the woods or bush lands like I often did would miss this very important detail. Bingo! ”Follow me.” I say and follow the trail carefully. I lead Lifet through the thicker part of the forest where dead wooden thread-like vines block our path. I unsheathe my blade and swing. The vines drop to the ground and I duck under the remaining vines. The footprints are more visible, they are the same ones from before but this time it is, much steeper—they’re fresh. “We’re close.” I continue on with Lifet not too far behind. If someone told me one day that I would be working with an Assassin, I would have thought of them as crazy. I keep my guard up.

  I stop as the sound of barbarous voices, make their way to my ears. “Keep still!” demands a deep vulgar voice and I slowly but carefully make my way through the forest.

  “What do you want with us?” asks a familiar voice. I freeze. Varden! I speed up my pace. I glance through the vines that conceal our presence from what looks like a Hunter Vex. A large boar like monster with a build of a man, he stands tall on his hoof feet as he towers over Varden and Altair who are bound in energy bonds. The green energy is what keeps Altair restraint but I know it won’t last long. The annoyance on Altair’s face is evident in my eyes—that Vex is a good as dead. Lifet drops beside me.

  “Is that him?” Lifet asks as he nods towards Varden.

  “Yes, I believe so.”

  “What do you mean you believe?” he whispers.

  “He has been recognized by the Order but needs to be recognized by Midra.” I say. “That’s why were on this journey to begin with.” I glance at the Vex one last time before I turn to Lifet. We nod in a silent agreement. I distract he frees the prisoners. Why am I being the distraction…again? I think. Regardless, I do it anyway…again. I step out from behind the vines and I see Varden’s blue eyes lock onto me. The Vex moves to turn around before he’s stopped by Varden’s voice.

  “So let me get this straight you’re here for Me. Isn’t that right, ugly?” teased Varden and I stop in my tracks, taken back by his actions. Did Varden just help me? The surprise I felt was over taken by the need to take out that Vex. Lifet is at the opposite end of the clearing and Altair turns to me, his blue eyes regard me from over his shoulder. He’s probably wondering who the assassin was and if he is going to kill us. Altair can be amusing at times I’ll give him that. I sneak towards the Vex slowly and relax. His ears perk up and I aim my crossbow at his head—he turns around—shocked by my presence but not for too long before I release the arrow and he falls to the ground lifeless. Varden turns away.

  “I thought you would be here sooner.” states Altair and I glare at him before rushing over to them. I kneel down and place my hand on the energy bonds and absorb it. By the time I’m done, the bond seems to be non-existent and the two are free. Altair stares at the shadows of the frozen frost. “I thought I saw?” his voice is soon cut off by him moving over to the clearing and moving aside the twine of dead vines. His eyes scan the area; I act casually and help Varden to his feet.

  “You saw what?” questions Varden.

  “Nothing.” he says and I know he’s going to question me later. He gives me a brief glance with a hidden meaning before Varden turns to Altair.

  “Can we go now? I’ll like to get back to that warm compartment.” he says and I roll my eyes. We make our way back at to the town but I didn’t speak to the boys during the journey. Varden and Altair instead, told me stuff about what happened and how they have plans, not that they had any clue what it was. There was a time when he said: “There is a mole in the Order”. I wonder if it meant me. I haven’t exactly exposed information nor would I but I did agree to hand over the most valuable person in Zylaria to the Order’s adversaries. At most, I have no idea where I stand; I glance at Varden as he walks behind Altair who leads us back to the Inn.

  There are men boarding up the windows of the Inn and glance at me with a smile before waving. “Commander.” says a brown haired and heavily bearded man whom I believe is a farmer at the edge of town. I remember seeing him hold out his arms before for Lucinda who didn’t even acknowledge his presence. At that moment, I felt sorry for him. He appears as, those kind of guys, who only have eyes for whom they desire. In this case it was Lucinda and he hasn’t been noticed. That is a real kick in the ass—I know that feeling all too well. I nod my head and continue on. When we enter our room, a fire is going and I’m surprised to see Lucinda and another woman whose name I believe was Mary. She was another woman who was abducted. She also was the other woman who tended to me as well while Lucinda couldn’t.

  “Commander.” says Mary.

  “Good to see you’re back.” said Lucinda. I enter the room first. Their eyes turn to the men and they smile at me. “I see you’ve found your friends. How excellent!” she beams and I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. The room appears to have been swept and attended to. The windows were open to let a small amount of fresh air into the room. It definitely was not how I left it.

  “What’s with all the boards?” asks Varden as he refers to the boards strapped up around the Inn and several other houses, business and buildings we had passed.

  “The Mayor has ordered we take the necessary precaution to ensure we are prepared for future incidents.” says Lucinda slowly stressing out the word ‘incidents’ adding the effect of a double meaning and Mary shudders a little at the word. Not too much that Varden noticed but Altair and I most definitely did. We were trained to.

  “We’ll try not to let that happen, next time.” says Altair as he makes his way over to them trying to comfort them with his words and I can tell they don’t feel all that secure.

  “We won’t.” I add and they smile at me nodding their heads they take their leave. Altair moves to stretch out on the couch and I move to the other couch, that’s directly opposite the one Altair lays on while a small circular coffee table is placed between the two lounges. Varden hurries past the coffee table, I move my legs to the side to allow him to pass and he slides down onto the fur carpet and places his hands before the fire. His clothes are thick for winter but he’s probably been exposed for the cold for a long amount of time. “I’m sorry.”

  Varden and Altair turn to me and I don’t meet their gazes instead, I stare at the table before me where a wooden vase stands with flowers. I know that wasn’t there before and figured the women put it there as their way of saying “thank you” not that they needed to. There was no thank you necessary I was just doing my j
ob. “It’s not your fault.” says Varden and I’m surprised he knew what I was thinking. I turn to him.

  “He’s right.” says Altair. “We were surprised by the enemy. These things happen.”

  “No. I mean I’m sorry not for what happened but for what will happen in the future.” The air is silent. I stand from where I am and remove my cloak. I drape it around Varden knowing that it will keep him warm and whisper to him. “I’m sorry Varden; I hope you’ll forgive me.” I rise from where I am and move to my room. I open the door and close it behind me only to have it open again with Altair entering my room his face his grim and I move to sit on my bed. I’m tired and I’m not in the mood for a lecture. He was always good at that. He doesn’t say anything and sits down beside me. I rise a brow. What does he think he’s doing?

  “So you want to explain to me what you’ve done this time.” he says after a long pause. I’m not surprised by him knowing I’m not as innocent as I once was. He seems to notice these things which I find odd. I turn my gaze from him and stare at the white plastered walls before me. These houses are made with new material that has been traded around for now twenty years; it is a supplement to wood which only adds to the Inn’s cost and overall income. I find it peculiar that they still haven’t considered painting the doors but insist on lining the whole place in plaster walls. Then again they aren’t human. They don’t think like them.

  “It’s not something I’ve done.” I say.

  “Then what?”

  “Something I’ve said.”

  “Than what have you said?” he asks and I lie on my back and stare at the ceiling. My helmet makes it slightly uncomfortable but I didn’t mind. I would take it off when Altair leaves. His words echo in my head and I’m unsure how to answer his question and I can tell he feels my hesitation. “I won’t judge.” What a liar. This is something people judge. Betrayal. I turn to him as he glances at me from where he sits his face devoid of emotion. When he gets like that sometimes I think of him as an organic machine—with no emotions.

  “You can’t promise that.” He sighs. He knew I was avoiding the topic.

  “You’re right. I can’t promise that but I’m trying to get something stable between us. Is that so bad?” he asks and I don’t say anything, he continues, “I know you don’t trust people and I know I’ve hurt you, by keeping things from you which you know, is probably the right thing to do, even though you won’t say it. However, you and I are of the same species regardless of what the Zylarians or the Humans or even the Persians think. I won’t judge otherwise I’ll have to find a new mate.” I smile. At least he’s true to his words.

  “Good luck with that.”

  “Don’t rub it in; you’ll have to find a new mate too. We’re hard to come by. You know that.” I nod. “You can trust me.” He finally says after a longer pause.

  “I already do.” I say. Knowing that I’m not exactly lying but I’m not exactly being honest either.

  “Why don’t I believe that?”

  “When do you believe what I say?” He’s silent and I stare back at the ceiling.

  “I always do, as a Knight I’m guided by rules.” he says before adding, “I trust you but it’s the Order whose trust you need to regain. I know you don’t do anything without a reason. Since you’re choosing to keep this from me, I won’t force you to tell me.” He moves from my bed and quits the room.

  The peace and quiet of the silent forest helps me think as Altair’s words filter through my mind but I can’t help but feel hesitant. I wonder if is because I’m being paranoid. Varden had returned my cloak to me the next morning I had left the Inn his lips were purged into such a smile which caused me stare a moment longer before accepting my cloak. Hearing the sound of a snapping twig I draw my dagger from its sheath on the side of my calf and hold it against my forearm. Lifet stands with his hands up, “I’m not going to kill you. I thought I made that clear.” I relax.

  “You did.” I return my blade back and place it in its sheath. I turn my back on him and he moves to sit down beside me on a log that sits on a hill at the edge of the meadow, the white blanket of snow is unmoving as it helps my mind relax.

  “Why are you here?”

  “Thinking,”

  “Do you want me to leave?” I glance at him and he appears sincere.

  “No. It’s okay.” I say as I return my gaze to the layout of the town. Its snow covered buildings and brown brick walls make it camouflage against its surroundings. The tall buildings of the church and the town hall is what makes, it different. I can still hear them but I try not to focus on it. I need peace. Something that appears hard to come by. The mountains in the distance; only adds to the stillness around me.

  “Do you hide things from your friends?” I ask him and he turns to me with raised brows and I sigh. “You know…secrets?” His face is firm and I turn from him not being able to stand the look of utter disappointment. That look really pisses me off more than people who looked at me with pity.

  “You hid things from that other Nephalem and the Prince?” I nod he sighs and over exaggerated sigh. “What exactly didn’t you tell them?”

  “That I, um, made a pact with Golgotha.” I manage the last part quickly. For some reason, I wanted to get that off my chest. I never really realized how much it burdened me until I had finally said it. He remains quiet for some time. I don’t blame him though, he is a strange man. Still, he did save my life at least this is my way of paying him back—he now has something he can use against me. I hate being in this position more than anything else in the world and yet there are something’s that I cannot completely disagree with. I agree that he deserves this much.

  “What kind of a pact?” he asks his voice even. For some unknown reason I feel uneasy at that tone yet I feel as though I can now trust him. Odd I never really been the one to trust people. How can this be?

  “I told her I would take Varden, to a man with a golden dragon tattoo in Midra.” I confess. It feels so much better to have that out in the open—I wonder if this how it feels for those who finally confess things to their spouses, parents or loved ones. It is difficult “yes”, they may not forgive you “yes” but it’s better than keeping it all bottled up inside might I add.

  “Will you?” he asks.

  I pause for a long moment. “Yes.”

  His expression is unbearable but he just nods. “Okay, what’s the plan?” I blink at his words. Did he just say he is going to help me? Why would he do that?

  “You can’t do that.”

  His brows rise, “Why not?” I have no answer. I just stare. He begins to laugh. I look at him confused and he stops before looking at me with a straight face before laughing again. I frown and cross my arms. He is laughing at me and I can’t help but frown. He composes himself and clears his throat. “I haven’t laughed like that in a long time.” he confesses.

  “I wonder why?” I mutter under my breath, I know he’s heard it but he ignores it and I’m grateful for it but did he have to laugh like a lunatic? Geez he reminds me of the ‘Joker’.

  “So you’re positive your boyfriend doesn’t know?” he teases and I glare at him.

  “He is not my boyfriend!” I snap. He holds up his hands.

  “Fine your friend who’s a boy.” he says before adding, “Or in this case man but still, what are you guys?” he asks with curiosity and a smile at the corner of his lips. I shrug and turn my gaze back to the snow covered meadow. My mind seems to drift a bit and by the time it returns Lifet is standing up; his gaze is locked into a particular direction. Something is wrong. I stand. “Something’s coming this way and fast.” The sound of thick snapping wood resonances in my ears a moment after a whistling sound booms and I bring up my forearm blade, the slight glisten stood out against the frozen background.

  This confirmed my thought, throwing knives.

  The ground trembles around us, I glance at Lifet and his expression is masked but his eyes speak the words that flood through my mind: an ‘Ogr
e’. Its speed is unbearable as not just one but three large dark green crusty skin monsters race towards us. Their bulky arms protrude stiffly, radiating the damage that they can cause. No matter how strong Lifet maybe as a man of his species—we need Altair and now. I try not allowing the fear I feel, to flood through my system as I know, I won’t go down without a fight but they are much stronger and more powerful than Trolls. Their one objective when given is: ‘Search and Destroy’.

  We are their targets. They turn their attention from us and race towards the town. I glance at Lifet he’s just as puzzled as I am. A voice vibrates from behind us. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you my lady.” Great! I slowly turn over my shoulder unsheathing my blade and there stands a large Ogre, its dark brown slightly green cracked skin covers its features. I stand tall. He doesn’t intimidate me; I’ve been surrounded by an army of men but he does have a very dominating atmosphere that I analyze him to be the alpha male of this pack. He smiles a, lop sided smile, where his sharp fangs glare down at me. I gulp. “You know we have a rule, if I find the woman first. She’s mine.” I glare. I belong to no man—yet!

  “Help the others.” I say to Lifet.

  “What?”

  “Help the others.” I repeat, and he hesitates. “Now!” His form scurries away. At present, I’m left alone with a seven foot four Ogre.

  “That was brave of you. You should fear me, you know that right?” I don’t say anything. “Why don’t you just give yourself to me willingly and I promise I won’t hurt you that much.”

  “Go jump off a cliff.” He smiles before he charges at me. The ground pounds under each step and I turn to the side and slip in between the branches. He snaps the tree branch and I claw my way to the top before gliding from one branch to the other and to the other. The trees seem to give way as he crashes into them. Right about now, I’m actually wishing for Altair or Dante. I just may die—a brutal violating death.

  I pull out my crossbow and fire. Several arrows embed themselves in the thick wooden armor he has wrapped around his torso. “Run, run, as fast as you can. I’ll catch you in the end.” His voice is taunting and I continue to plan out my escape route but conclude it’s no use; I’ll have to kill him. To do that; I’ll have to get in close. I stop once I realize I’m standing on the last branch that dangles over a large frozen gorge. The sight of it wasn’t pleasant and I know that if I fall I will die. The last bit of trees tumble as a loud snapping and creaking sound makes its way to my ears. I turn back over my shoulder to see the Ogre staring up at me. The sight of it is not unnerving but at that point I questioned his mental well-being. Is he insane? I leap down from the tree as it tumbles over before falling off into the ravine. I glance at the Ogre.