by Gerard Bond
“I saw that thing pulled from your hand by that cave dwelling creature we battled, how is it that it is here?” Wollfen couldn’t really say,
“All I know is Walerian back in Windere told me to have a bit of a dig around in the ground down there and I would find what was lost. I didn’t dare hope he meant this sword. How he came to find it I have no idea, he wouldn’t say.”
Vaughn and Burkhard came closer and looked it over more carefully. It certainly was an intricate piece of work. Vaughn piped up.
“So why is it so special?” Wollfen was waiting for one of them to speak up, he liked telling the story.
“The sword was made by elven hands and was forged before I was born. When it was made it had special runes of magic carved into the pommel’s edge as well as a special jewel of warding. Then it was also imbued with extra power too. Many years ago, I was given this sword by the King of the elves. It was a reward for services to the elven kingdom. That in itself is a long story and one day I will tell you. But even without any of that, this is still a special sword and it has a name too. This is Cerendell.” Burkhard had to speak up,
“Okay it’s special, but what does it do?”
Wollfen looked at the two men who watched on, the girls were quite aware of its abilities and were smiling.
“Come outside with me and I will show you,” Wollfen lifted the blade from the table and walked out the door with the others following. He walked over to the tree line and picked out a tree.
“See this tree?”
They all nodded, the tree stood a good twenty five feet tall and was at least nine inches thick. He lifted his sword in one hand and pulled back then with one mighty swing cut through the trunk with one hit.
“Now run!” And they scattered as the tree fell.
After the puff of snow had settled Vaughn and Burkhard were standing together looking upon it in wonderment. One of them even whistled in amazement.
“That’s some blade.” Wollfen nodded in agreement.
“Yes, it will cut through any amount of armor and even other sword blades. It doesn’t just give you an advantage in battle, it is decisive.” The two men nodded in total agreement, such a weapon was incredible.
“It’s a pity we can’t equip the entire Kingdom’s army with them. The war would be over in a day.”
“Yes that is true, but this blade is special even amongst elves.” Wollfen actually felt a bit of relief. It was the one thing he had a little trepidation about showing up in the enchanted lands without. He would have had a tough time explaining how he had managed to lose such a valuable item.
They sat around the fireplace and had an early dinner, after that they all decided to go to the tavern and see who was about. The five of them trekked over to the other side of the village and Wollfen allowed Dark to take the lead. When they entered, he was sure the bar owner would be pleased to see her and it proved to be correct for as soon as she walked in there was a shout.
“Dark! It’s so good to see you!”
It was Kels behind the bar who came out and approached her. She went up to him with open arms giving him a hug and a peck on the cheek.
“What are you doing here?” Dark smiled as she spoke,
“We are on our way to the enchanted lands to see the elvish King.” Kels looked behind her at that and spied Wollfen.
“Ha! I should have figured. Any time elves are mentioned you would be involved Wollfen!” He stuck his hand out at him and Wollfen shook it firmly.
“Hello Kels how have you been?” Kels looked him up and down noting he was lean and strong as ever.
“I see not as good as you my friend. Your travels have been very kind to you these past years eh?” Wollfen grinned.
“Not quite as kind as you might think.” They both laughed at each other and Kels slapped him on the back.
“Come on all of you, first drinks are on me!”
Vaughn and Burkhard went to a small table and sat down to watch the others reminisce with each other. Vaughn leaned to Burkhard,
“Do you suppose if we stay traveling for a long time we will develop friendships like that?” Burkhard gave him a devilish wink in reply.
“Not as long as we keep taking them to the cleaners in card games.”
The two men laughed and sat back to drink the beers set before them. They all stayed for a couple of hours and Wollfen then signaled an end. It wasn’t an order but he was letting them know they would be moving out early the next day.
The five of them said their goodbyes and Wollfen led them out. Dark was on his arm and as she was leaving she noticed an old friend. She gave Wollfen a tug on the arm.
“I’ll be along in a moment. I’ll catch you back at my house.”
Wollfen gave her a kiss and Night took his arm instead and they left. Dark turned back and looked at the solitary figure sitting at a bench off to one side. She walked over to the man watching her.
“Hello Dimarus how are you?” He looked her up and down a bit before replying.
“I’m doing well my love, how have you been doing?”
She looked at him sitting there in the candlelight. He was as sexy as ever and Dark couldn’t deny even now she felt a stirring. They had been lovers before Wollfen had come along. It was a physical affair that had satisfied both their immediate needs without having to get attached.
“I am doing well too. Wollfen has been very good for me. Tell me, are you still having relationships of convenience?” He nodded.
“As always, I have yet to think of settling down.” He motioned for her to sit with him. “Won’t you sit with me for a few minutes? It has been a long time.”
Dark thought about it, what could it hurt? She sat down beside him and he smiled at her.
“Mm, you are as attractive as ever Dark. I have to say, I’m jealous of Wollfen.” Dark didn’t know a proper response to make him keep those comments to himself.
“I think I should leave Dimarus,” Dark went to get up, but he held her arm.
“I’m sorry, I will behave.” Dark looked him in the eye and pulled away.
“I have to go.”
She walked away without looking back and went straight to her house and Wollfen’s comforting arms.
Back at the bar Dimarus sat staring harshly at the door Dark had left by. He had ideas for her and he wouldn’t give up easily. After a few minutes he got up and as he walked out he tapped the shoulder of a man who with a few others left the room. There were six of them and they all disappeared into a nearby house. Inside sat the former Sergeant Savas, the five with Dimarus were all of the ones exiled from these lands.
“They are staying at Darkling Bruadar’s house. We shall give it a few hours till they are all asleep and then I shall show you the way there. Dark is the blonde and I shall have her for myself, I don’t care about the rest.” Savas addressed the others.
“We will kill the men and take Night alive. She thinks she got it hard all those years ago, she has no idea of what we can do.”
Back at the cabin, Dark and Wollfen undressed then slipped into her old bed together, they had found enough blankets still stored away for them all. Night decided to take the chair and allow the two some quality time together. Outside the room the two men took up spots near the main fireplace. Night was able to fall asleep after only a few minutes and it was only then that Dark moved under Wollfen. He made slow love to her that lasted almost an hour before they were spent. They lay together in a loving sexual embrace and fell asleep.
About an hour later a number of furtive figures gathered outside. They all stuck to the shadows in the pale moonlight as they moved in closer to Dark’s cabin. One by one they came closer to the front door and waited. When they were in position, Savas signaled for them to move slowly up the two steps and in the door. The seven men took the next few minutes to work the door open without a sound and slip in silently.
They spotted the two sleeping men on the floor and kept their distance for now. They needed to know where all
of them were before they could strike. Four of them moved to the closed door and eased it open. The only sound was of the fireplace quietly burning and crackling.
Savas and Dimarus stole into the bedroom with the others behind. Dimarus and a man went to the bed on either side. Savas and another stood beside the still form of Night. A floorboard creaked and Night’s eyes flickered open but before she could make a sound a hand clamped over her mouth like a vice and she struggled as arms pinned her down.
There was hardly a noise made but it was enough. Without any warning, Wollfen sprang into action and leaped up swinging Cerendell in a deadly arc that caught the man at his side of the bed unawares. His head flew off as the sword swung through his neck without stopping. On the other side of the bed Dark lunged forward at Dimarus with her dagger out but he was quicker than most and caught the blade in his upper arm, it bit deep. Crying out in agony Dimarus sank to the ground and dropped his own dagger in supplication.
Savas and the fourth man dragged Night out in those same moments it took for Dark and Wollfen to strike. Outside by the fire the commotion awoke Vaughn and Burkhard who also came up fighting. They clashed with swords and fought a rearguard action against the three aggressors. Both Dark and Wollfen came out naked staring down Savas and the man who had Night by the throat with a dagger of his own.
“Move and she dies!”
Both Dark and Wollfen hesitated and it was enough for the five remaining assailants to launch out the front door. Wollfen barked orders to Burkhard and Vaughn.
“Follow them! We will be along in a second!”
Then he turned diving back into the room finding his overcoat and throwing it on. The boots too he stopped long enough to get them over his feet and he was out the cabin into the cold night air, Dark followed suit. He stopped for a second to get his bearings and listened for where all the others went. Hearing a noise in the trees Wollfen was off again in hot pursuit. Dark fanned out wide of Wollfen as they ran through the gloom of the forest, the moonlight casting eerie shadows. Then they saw them up ahead, Vaughn and Burkhard were keeping their distance as the remaining five tried to make good their escape. Wollfen called out to Vaughn and Burkhard.
“Close in!”
It wasn’t hard, with a struggling Night in their arms the five assailants pulled up in a clearing with the moon shining overhead. Savas had Night and stood holding her from behind with a dagger at her throat. Wollfen came running out of the trees, as did the others. Dark had her crossbow up and fired taking one of them square in the chest. Savas looked around frantically and screamed.
“Don’t do it! I have a knife at her throat, if you do anything more I’ll..”
But he didn’t get to finish. Wollfen hadn’t hesitated and thrown Cerendell. It hit Savas in his upper right shoulder and skewered him, his arm at Night’s throat went limp and fell away. Savas fell backwards as hot blood sprayed black in the moonlight across the white canvas of snow. Night rolled away clutching her throat as Wollfen ran up and drove Cerendell’s blade into the ground effectively pinning the man down. He stood back and turned to Night, Wollfen could hear the clash of arms and screams of pain as Dark and the others made short work of the remaining three but he had no interest or concern for them. It was Night who stood there clutching at her bleeding neck. He came forward to her.
“Let me look at your neck.”
She lowered her hand and looking he could tell it was only a light nick, maybe three inches long and very shallow, enough to bleed and sting like crazy but nothing serious.
“It is only light. With a little touch up it will be fine.”
He looked up into her eyes expecting to see a frightened girl, but what he saw was a rage he had never seen in her before. Night held her neck again and began kicking Savas on the ground repeatedly. The man whelped and cried out in helplessness. What poured forth from Night’s mouth was like nothing Wollfen had ever heard from her.
“You fucker!! I hate you! You are going to be so fucked up, I’m going to make you suffer!”
She started stomping on his stomach and the other three behind Wollfen stared. He turned to them,
“Leave, go deal with Dimarus.”
Dark nodded and they moved back to the house leaving the cries of pain behind them. Wollfen turned back to Night who was looking around her. She found Savas’ dagger in the snow. Looking at Wollfen she spoke in a low steady voice.
“You can leave too Wollfen. I will bring back your sword when I’m done.”
Wollfen hesitated as he saw her begin to cut open the crotch of Savas’ pants. Wollfen turned and walked off. Savas was begging.
“Please Night! I’m sorry, I really am!”
“You haven’t ever been sorry for what you did Savas. Tonight proves that!”
Then the screams started and Wollfen walked a little quicker leaving it all behind.
Back at the house Dark and the others were outside surveying the surroundings.
“Dimarus has made off but we can’t find a blood trail.”
Wollfen scanned the surroundings looking for a likely place he could quickly hide. It was a small village, but they weren’t about to go knocking on every door. He turned to Dark,
“Go wake up Kels and inform him of what has happened. He may be able to point out where to look for him. I’ll take these guys here and remove the body from our room.”
Dark nodded and moved off. Wollfen called the other two over and they set about cleaning up the mess inside. The body and the severed head were left in the snow behind the house, they wouldn’t be able to do anything with it until morning, the copious amounts of blood on the floor they washed away with buckets of water.
Wollfen sat on the two steps out front and wondered when Night would be back. He hoped this episode tonight wouldn’t have a lasting affect on her. Dark approached with Kels in tow and they stood before Wollfen.
“Kels took me over to Dimarus’ residence but he isn’t there. We aren’t sure where he might be.”
Wollfen nodded, they would have to stay up tonight and keep vigilant for any movement out of the village. He was most probably holed up in one of the houses.
“Kels, we will have to wake up a few men to stand guard. Actually, lets go check where the horses are kept, he may have already ridden off.”
They moved away together going to the corral and entered the barn complex. The three of them searched the interior of the buildings. Kels counted as they went, there were two horses missing.
“He is gone, we will have to look for a trail out of the village.”
They exited the buildings, it had started snowing.
“Rotten luck, we only have a few minutes. Let’s split up and get cracking, we may get lucky.”
The three of them went in separate directions moving quickly looking for likely signs of hoof prints but the effort proved futile. The falling snow removed any evidence very quickly. They all converged again on Dark’s house and Wollfen sat back down. Dark took up a spot next to him.
“He will have to wait for some other time Dark. We have no idea which way he has headed.” Dark shook her head.
“That’s okay, I am patient, but I do expect we will catch up with him one day.” Wollfen agreed. Dark looked at him. “You know what?
“No?”
“You don’t look half bad waving a sword in the nude.” He chuckled at that.
Kels took it as his signal to leave.
“Okay I’ll leave you lot to it. I will organize a party of men in the morning to deal with the bodies.”
They both thanked him and Kels left to go back to bed, it was more excitement than he was used to.
A little while after Night slowly approached dragging Wollfen’s sword behind her. She was covered in blood and looked quite scary. Wollfen looked at her blood spattered face and saw her eyes. They were vacant and staring as she moved. Night stopped before them swaying a little and dropped the sword. She sat before them in the snow and started licking her bloody fingers. Wollfen re
ached out and stopped her.
“Night, look at me,” he spoke quietly but there was no recognition. He turned towards Dark. “She is in shock, let’s get her inside and in front of the fire.”
They each took an arm and led Night up the stairs. Inside Dark sat her in front of the fire while Wollfen added a bunch of logs and stoked it. Dark looked her up and down.
“This will not do, we have to get her out of this mess. Can you grab the tub from out the back? I’ll need quite a bit of water too and the large pot for boiling water.”
Wollfen went off and got the items in question while Dark started undoing Night’s clothes. Wollfen returned dragging the tub and pot. He set it before the fire and grabbed a bucket of water already there pouring it into the pot which he then set over the fire. He went off again disappearing down the hatch. When he came back he had two buckets full of water and poured one into the pot and one into the tub. He did this over and over awhile until he was satisfied there was enough water. Night by now was sitting in front of the fire naked and staring. Even without her clothes she was still covered in blood, it had soaked right through. Wollfen looked at Dark.
“I am going to leave you two alone for the rest of the night, I’m going to deal with other affairs. Take care of her my love. I’ll see you in the morning okay?” Dark stood up and hugged him close.
“Yes my dear, take care.”
They kissed and Wollfen left. Outside he went to Vaughn and Burkhard who were still standing watch.
“I have found out which house belongs to Dimarus. Burkhard, I’ll have you stay in cover over there and watch the cabin. I don’t expect Dimarus to return but I don’t want to chance it. Vaughn, let’s go over to his place and see what we can find of use to us. Also we may get a clue as to where he might have gone.” The two of them nodded and Wollfen moved off with Vaughn.
Back inside Dark got Night to hop into the tub. She took a rag and started wiping Night down. She couldn’t help but shake her head. Night had been through so much at Windere, it had been a very trying time for her. But to have this almost happen again, Dark couldn’t imagine what affect it was having on Night’s mind. She only hoped that whatever Night did to Savas in the forest would put an end to the nightmare once and for all.