by Randi Darren
Spreading out his senses, and pushing hard with his gifts, Vince searched their immediate area.
There, in a tree above them, was a Fairy.
“Red,” Vince said, getting the Cursed One’s attention.
Looking at him, those red eyes were angry and concerned. Apparently she took being hunted as an insult.
Pointing up to the direction of the Fairy, Vince waited.
Red’s head whipped up towards that direction. She was kneeling there, like a coiled spring one second, then bounding through the air the next.
There was a squeak, and then Red landed next to Vince, a Fairy clutched in her clawed hands.
She held out the Fairy to him, one hand pressed to its mouth.
It was a female. And very large for its species. It was probably the biggest Fairy he’d ever seen.
“Bringer. Should I kill it?” Red asked, several fingers closing around the Fairy’s neck.
“No… I want to question her later. Bind her, gag her, and put her in this,” Vince said, pulling an empty sack free from his belt. Giving the drawstring a quick test he handed it over to Red.
“Alright. Eva, Green. We’re going to need to get out of here and it’s going to be a bit of work,” Vince said, thinking hurriedly.
Green nodded, leaning forward towards him.
The crack of a rifle was heard, and Green spun to one side, blood splattering out from behind her and spraying the trees.
Inside him at the same moment, he felt one of the many trees clutch into itself, then all the trees around it began pushing energy towards it.
“Get down!” Vince hissed. Scurrying over to Green, he found that the round, as what else could it be, had gone through her shoulder. The small Dryad must have ruined the shot when she leaned forward. Otherwise it would have gone through her heart.
Panting, Green stared up at him, a hand pressed to the gaping wound. “I… I’m alright, grove husband. I’ve already stopped the bleeding. I can’t… I can’t close it though. It’s too big. I need time.”
Vince had seen the exit wound spray, the round had simply passed right through her body.
Her teeth chattered, her eyes glazed over. There was no blood seeping from between her fingers, or spreading out underneath her.
Ok, she’s not bleeding out but she’s not going anywhere either.
Red dropped the writhing sack down next to Vince and looked around them.
“Red doesn’t know where the shot came from. Red doesn’t like this.”
Vince couldn’t help but agree.
Looking around he couldn’t find Eva. Searching, he started to feel his heart speed up as he couldn’t find any sign of her.
Then Eva stepped out from between two trees, carrying a pre-Waste rifle in one hand, and a bag of ammo in the other.
“I’ve taken care of the sniper, Master. They weren’t expecting me to attack them. They were a ways out and had set up well. There were a total of three of them, they’re all dead, but they were able to shout for help,” Eva said, coming over to them. “I’ll not be able to repeat this without great risk.”
“Good work. Yeah, don’t repeat that. Did you see anything else?” Vince asked.
“We really are surrounded, Master. Humans, Elves, Beastkin, all different races.”
Sighing, Vince shook his head.
Al again? Maybe? We’ll find out later I suppose. The little Fairy will be spilling her guts, before someone spills her guts.
Putting action to his thoughts, Vince grabbed the sack the Fairy was in, and tied it back to his belt.
“Red can get out. Red can get out and take Green. Should Red go? Red won’t last more than two weeks without Bringer,” Red said, chewing at her lower lip.
Vince hesitated, then nodded his head. Green would make it nearly impossible to survive this. She was simply too bad off. “Yes, please. I’ll reward you in whatever way you see fit, Red, if you can do it.”
Red turned her head to one side, her ears twitching on top of her head. Saying nothing, she turned, picked up Green, and then sprinted off into the woods.
Eva watched her go and let out a soft sigh. “Master, I wish I had her strength and speed. She’ll break through that line without them being able to do anything.”
“Comes with a price,” Vince said. “Her meals are certainly one aspect, her mentality is the other. Leila has said that Red is technically Undead. One wonders if Red even has a soul.”
Eva pressed up to his side, laying the rifle and ammo down in front of herself. “What should we do, Master?”
“We act the part of a Ranger. We break contact, hide, lurk, lay in wait. If we get the opportunity to kill a few without revealing ourselves, we do so. We make it look like we’ve already fled the forest and broken free, while we simply remain here in the woods,” Vince said, picking up the rifle. “If we need to, and everything goes wrong, you should use this. You don’t have your bow and this’ll work just as well, if not better.”
It was true, too. Between them, they had Vince’s saber, Eva’s hunting knife, and this rifle. She’d sent her bow on ahead with Kitch’s group.
“It’s unnatural,” Eva complained. Taking the rifle from him.
“Is it? It’s wood and iron. It’s not even magical. Focus on the wood the stock is made out of, the iron that was mined out of the earth to make the barrel. Even the ammunition is from nature,” Vince explained. “It’s quite natural, you’re just not thinking of it in the right way. Now, let’s head deeper in and get ready. The longer we have, the better off we’ll be.” Keeping low, Vince slipped off into the underbrush.
Vince and Eva had settled close to the edge of the woods to the north. It was the least likely place they’d be expected to flee from. This was only after they blazed a trail straight to the southeast as if they were running away.
It wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t even ideal, but with a bit of luck they could slip this tightening noose. For the time being, they were laying down in the brush, twenty feet from each other.
A few scouts had passed them by not twenty minutes previously. They were clearly sweeping for any trace or sign of passage of their prey. Vince and Eva had chosen well though, or at least well enough to not be spotted in those scouts’ passing.
This hadn’t been enough people though. Vince had the distinct impression these were brush beaters. Those they sent forward to flush the hunted animal forward. Pushing it straight into the welcoming arms of an oncoming group of hunters.
So Vince had remained hidden, pretending for the world to be nothing more than a lump of grass. A rock. A fallen tree log.
Straining his ears, he heard nothing except the occasional bird call in the distance. The sway of leaves as a light breeze made its way through.
Then there was a rustle of clothes. At first he hadn’t been sure of it, it’d been so faint he’d barely heard it. He’d even discounted it for perhaps Eva or himself breathing.
It slowly got louder, and closer. This could only be the ring of hunters that were closing inexorably inward to the center. If Vince and Eva weren’t on the move by the time they met in the center, they’d lose their window.
Taking a soft shallow breath, Vince scanned his surroundings as best as he could. He couldn’t really afford to move so everything had to be done while remaining still. Movement would give him away as quickly as coughing.
Good thing we tied that Fairy up in the tree.
Heading his way were a pair of booted feet.
These would be those sent afterward to search more deeply I imagine.
Keeping his breathing even and slow, he pressed his face against the grass, Vince watched as those boots came closer.
He couldn’t be completely sure, but it looked like they might just walk right by him on his right side.
Providing they don’t step on Eva, this might not go too badly.
The crack of a twig being stepped on got his attention. From the same direction the first pair of boots came from, now came a second.
; This pair seemed on a collision course for him. There really wouldn’t be a way for him to avoid them if they kept the path they were on. They’d go right through the bush he was in, and carry right over him.
More likely they’ll step on me and realize something is very wrong.
Reaching out with his thoughts, Vince carefully peeked into the minds of both hunters, and then dipped into Eva’s.
Pushing the single thought of Vince leaping up and capturing the hunter heading straight for him, and killing them, he waited.
There was a slow, strange response from Eva. Unsure of herself, Eva was clearly working on visualizing her jumping out of the bushes and onto the other hunter.
Firming up her own visualizing with his own, Vince felt like she understood.
They’d leap out, and take down both hunters in unison.
Or so the plan goes. More than likely I’ll just leap out and—
Time was up. The boots were here.
Gathering himself and grabbing his hunting knife, Vince stood up while leaping forward.
His left hand closed around a beautiful Elven woman’s shoulder. Bringing his knees up, he hit her in the stomach. As her breath came out in a whoosh, she was already tumbling backwards as Vince’s momentum and weight carried them along.
Hitting the ground, he landed heavily on her. Between the attack and hitting the ground, she was dazed, out of breath, and pinned. Grabbing the top of her hair with his left hand, he thrust forward with his right hand.
His blade passed cleanly into her throat, the wide blade severing her windpipe completely. Jerking his hand to one side he pulled the blade through her carotid artery.
The Elf’s hands were clutching at Vince’s armor. Blood pumped furiously into the air with each beat of her heart. Bubbling noises were all that could be heard as her windpipe filled with her own blood.
Trying to spare her, Vince pulled his blade back the other way and smashed the hilt of it into her temple twice.
Her arms went limp and her eyes rolled into her head.
Looking away from the unconscious dying Elf, Vince couldn’t spot the other hunter.
Casting out his thoughts, he found Eva in a bush nearby. She was perched atop the other hunter in a similar position, the man having suffered a similar fate.
Having rifled through the woman’s pockets for anything that might be worth taking, intelligence-wise or for monetary value, Vince slunk away in the direction she’d come from.
Eva was behind him.
They paused long enough to retrieve the Fairy, and they ghosted away.
Chapter 26
Vince and Eva had circled wide around the edge of the woods. The goal was to slowly make their way towards home, without giving their position away.
Hopefully, the hunters would find their dead, and backtrack out that way, or assume their prey had remained in the area. With any luck, they’d never even consider the idea that they’d looped all the way around.
Vince and Eva made some progress, moving slowly and carefully through the trees. They did everything they could to limit any markers or tracks that might be left behind. To make it as hard as possible for their plans to be discovered.
With how slow they were going though, it’d be a while before they were able to break free of the chase. It was a bet really. Going slow and steady, assuming they wouldn’t be found. Or fast and hard, thinking they could simply outrun their hunters.
The day eventually faded and became evening. Still, Eva and Vince crept and crawled along through the woods. Vince would cast his senses backwards to see if there was anyone coming up along behind them, and every time it was clear and empty.
He didn’t dare believe they’d slipped the noose. The very second he did that was when something would go terribly wrong.
Ahead of them was an open empty prairie. There were a few rolling hills but the vast majority of it was flat. Spaces so wide and vast that you could see movement miles away on this windless day.
It had the look of previously cultivated farmland, the ground tilled and rolled over but nothing growing.
Staring out across that ground, Vince felt a tightness in his heart. There was no way to not cross this expanse. If they could get to the other side they’d be well on their way home. On their way home and with only a vague possibility of being caught or chased. The foothills began to the east, and reaching that they could skirt them south and end up arriving home sooner than anyone could catch them.
Providing they got across this miserable field of death.
On the other side of this were his people. He could even feel them heading this way.
Gotta love being the grove. Every Dryad knows where I am at all times.
“I’ll go first, Master,” Eva said. “If anyone comes, please don’t risk yourself.”
Lost in his thoughts as he was, before he could respond Eva had taken the advantage and was already moving ahead into the field.
Vince watched with equal parts anger and trepidation. He’d have preferred to be given a chance to at least talk about it.
Eva didn’t bother to hide herself as she went. Vince couldn’t help but agree with her choice since there was no point in trying to hide. The best she could do was move at a steady speed that hopefully might be overlooked by anyone that might be watching.
Holding his breath, he watched as the Wood Elf made her way across. Twenty minutes later he could see the point where she’d made it halfway.
If no one had gone after her by this time, it was unlikely anyone was watching. They’d have already sprung the trap to run her down.
That was the risk Eva willingly took.
Taking a deep breath, Vince set out onto the open ground.
Now that he was walking on it, it really did have the look of previously worked fields. What little grew was very short, an inch or two tall at best.
I wonder what happened to the owner of these fields? They’re fairly wide, open, defensible if one sunk a fort into it. It’d be ideal to cultivate and live here.
A horn sounded from behind him, shattering the quiet. It was two long notes, and then fell silent.
Vince glanced around and found he was in an area that was no different than his expectations.
Open, clear, devoid of cover.
Feeling his skin prickle as his paranoia escalated to an unprecedented level, Vince couldn’t imagine this was anything other than what he feared.
Either he or Eva had been spotted by a patrol. If this had been a trap everything would have gone to crap earlier. Now they’d be chased down in these fields.
Looking out ahead, Eva had already cleared the plain. He couldn’t see her, but he could feel her just inside the treeline. Watching.
Which means they’re coming for me.
Making a decision, Vince started running. They’d have to sprint to catch up to him. And he could run for a very long time.
Clearing the ground rapidly, Vince felt some of the tension fading. He had too much of a lead, there was no way they’d catch him.
Then he felt it. He heard it.
The pounding of hooves.
A quick glance over his shoulder and he saw them. A large group of people riding towards him on horses. He didn’t stop to count but they had to number at least fifty.
Damn them. Damn them all! They’ve only been on foot up to this point. Why horses? Why now?
Vince grit his teeth and turned, charging up one of the few rolling hills.
The best he could hope for was forcing them to lose speed charging up the slope at him. It might just give him a chance.
Maybe.
One man against fifty some odd horse aren’t good odds there, Vince.
Getting to the top of the rise Vince pulled his saber free. Taking a shaky breath he watched the oncoming horses. They were visible and clear now that he was looking. Humans, Elves, Orcs, other races he couldn’t identify immediately.
And so… here I am. Staring down those who want to kill me because Al’
s a dick. I’ve probably personally freed more slaves than I can even count.
The very cause they fight for, and yet here I am.
Being hunted by them.
Vince shook his head, wishing again that he’d slaughtered Al when he’d had the chance. The only reason for Al to bother Vince now could be revenge.
That or some elaborate plot he had no idea about, but that didn’t seem likely.
Real life didn’t work like that.
The horses were charging up the hill now.
Taking several quick breaths, Vince thought hard on what to do. They were moving towards him at full speed. Apparently they planned to simply run him down rather than fight him.
Rocketing forward, Vince chose his fate.
Sprinting, he closed in on the riders in the front. Seeing him flying their way they began to attempt to redress their ranks and close up as they rode.
Slipping in between two of them, Vince slashed at the arm of the one on his right. Then he dug a furrow into the side of the horse on his left. The horse was innocent in this, and Vince’s only goal was to take a leg off the rider himself. Didn’t matter though.
Shrieking furiously, the horse bucked sideways.
Turning with the attack, Vince danced in front of another horse, the tip of his sword spearing its throat as he passed.
He pitied the horse for a millisecond, then moved on.
Grabbing a hold of a passing leg he pulled savagely, tumbling a woman from her saddle.
Vince pierced her chest as she hit the ground with a quick stab from his blade. He looked up to reorient himself.
Just as he did a boot smashed into his face as a rider blew by, sending Vince careening to the turf.
Rolling with the hit, Vince found himself fetching up beside a dying horse.
Getting behind the twitching and shuddering mount he found the rider. They were trapped underneath the horse with one leg pinned underneath.
The Elf held his hands up in supplication, as if to beg for mercy.
Vince’s sword struck sure and fast, taking off several fingers as the tip exploded through the man’s neck.
Turning his head one way, then the other, he found that the vast majority of the riders were wheeling around back to face him for another charge.