The Fragile Fall At Tallow Bridge (The White Blood Chronicles Book 1)

by Mark G Heath

  “ Help me get on top of this,” instructed Reznik. Between the two of them, they scaled the massive trunk so they were sat atop it, looking out across a natural pathway through the forest ahead of them.

  “ A pack will come this way shortly, this break in the trees leads down to the river so they will follow this route,” explained Reznik as he loaded his crossbow.

  “ How do you know that?” enquired Thaindire puzzled.

  “ A good soldier always knows where his enemy is or will be. In fact, make that a victorious soldier. You don’t think I enter into conflict when the odds against me do you?” replied Reznik with a wink.

  Thaindire swung his crossbow around and similarly loaded a bolt into it and cradled the weapon in his lap.

  “ Isn’t there a tower in the forest?” he asked.

  “ Ahuh, over that way,” affirmed Reznik waving an arm casually to the left as he stared intently at the break in the trees ahead of them.

  “ Who lives there?” asked Thaindire.

  “ No idea,” came the unhelpful reply.

  “ Come on, you must know,” pressed Thaindire.

  “ No, I am afraid I cannot help you with that, however much it burns inside you. Hush, listen.” Reznik held his hand up.

  An eerie howling sound floated across the air, which then stopped.

  “ They are coming,” smiled Reznik. “ I bet I kill more than you. Your bolts have blue edging and mine red so we can tot up who achieved the most kills,” explained Reznik with child-like enthusiasm. He cocked his crossbow in his arms, aiming it towards the gap in the trees when a blur of motion burst into view.

  “ Time to kill!” yelled Reznik.

  Thaindire watched as the wolves entered the open pathway. He counted twelve in all as they bound towards Reznik and him. Both men were elevated at least twelve feet above the ground sat atop the substantial fallen tree and were generally safe unless the wolves worked out where to run around to where the trunk narrowed and met the ground so they could leap upon it and charge up the trunk towards the two of them. The sound of Reznik’s first bolt being loosed cut through the air and immediately the yelp of an injured wolf followed as one of the leaders tumbled to the ground. Thaindire took aim and squeezed the trigger as his shot sprang forth and slammed straight into the head of a wolf, rendering it instantly dead.

  “ Great shot!” hollered Reznik, frantically re-loading.

  The wolves confused by the assault milled around their two fallen brethren, which enabled Thaindire and Reznik to bring down two more of them. With the slaying of more of their number, the wolves turned towards the aggressors and made for the duo. Thaindire loosed another bolt, which grazed the side of a wolf but did not slow its advance. Out of the corner of his eye, Thaindire saw another go crashing to the forest floor, a black bolt nestling in its eye. The wolf, which Thaindire had lightly wounded, leapt at the base of the trunk in frustration and impotence, allowing him to take his aim more carefully and finish the beast.

  “ Too easy!” yelled Reznik standing up to afford himself a better shot. Thaindire remained sitting as he grabbed at another bolt and re-loaded the crossbow. He counted five wolves snarling and thrashing beneath them as he took aim and dispatched another. Reznik whooped as his shooting skills downed another of the fierce wolves. Thaindire plucked another bolt from his quiver and keeping his eye on the melee of wolves below marked out his next target but in doing so he fumbled with his bolt and it slipped away from him, rolling down the tree trunk. Rather than ignore it and seek out a replacement from his quiver, he instinctively reached out to grab at the bolt only to lose his balance and unseat himself.

  “ Reznik!” he yelled as he felt himself slide forward, gathering momentum as he tipped off the trunk. There was the whoosh of a bolt as it sped past him, nearly hitting him but instead sinking into a wolf as he landed heavily on the ground. The world span as be bowled over and the crossbow was flung from his grasp. Panic rising he arrested his momentum and sought some kind of purchase as he heard the nearby snarling of the wolves. He felt something bump into his back as he staggered to his feet but felt no pain. In a fluid movement, he had drawn his sword and spun around, the long sword sweeping through the air to slash the marauding wolf in the face. Blood and spittle sprayed from the wound as he cut into the side of the wolf’s face. He took a step backwards and brought the sword down hard, driving it into the top of the skull of the wolf, the blade crashed through flesh and bone as the wolf winced, its legs giving way and he wrenched the blade free.

  He looked up and found that two wolves confronted him. Both were readying themselves to spring at him, hind legs quivering as they waited their moment to attack.

  “ I can’t get a shot!” shouted Reznik from behind him.

  The left hand wolf made its move and leapt at Thaindire. He stepped across to the left, perfectly gauging the attack and as the wolf twisted, trying to lay its snapping jaws on him, he swung hard and fast and decapitated the wolf. Not breaking his stride he advanced on the final wolf, which was keeping low to the ground, mouth open baring its teeth, seeking an opening to attack Thaindire. He twirled his sword as if in warning to the wolf, which circled to the right, hesitant to strike. Thaindire showed no such reluctance and strode forward raising his sword above his head and bringing it crashing down, splitting the beast’s skull asunder with a loud crack and a foaming jet of blood. Placing a boot on his foe’s split head, Thaindire grunted as he wrenched his sword free. Breathing hard, he looked around and saw no other wolves in the pathway.

  Reznik came slithering off the trunk landing with a grunt. He winked again at Thaindire and then busied himself moving about the fallen wolves, pulling a knife free from his boot and sawing off each wolf’s right fore-paw methodically and placing the trophy in the bag he wore over his shoulder. Thaindire caught his breath and cleaned his sword as best he could on the grassed path whilst Reznik checked over the wolves and gathered the forepaws. Eventually he strode over to Thaindire.

  “ Well then Captain, how many each?” asked Thaindire.

  “ I shot five and you shot four,” he answered.

  “ Added to the three I slayed with my sword, that’s seven to me and five to you,” grinned Thaindire triumphantly.

  “ Huh, only because you got in the way falling off the tree and blocking my shot,” muttered Reznik sourly.

  “ Well next time I will let you jump into the wolves first if you like,” retorted Thaindire.

  “ Fair’s fair, you fought well,” conceded Reznik sitting down on a tree stump to clean his knife. Thaindire retrieved his dropped crossbow and checked it over, pleased to find it remained intact. He looked over to Reznik who was busy with his knife. Carefully, Thaindire plucked a bolt from his quiver and slipped in into place in the crossbow before levelling it at Reznik.

  “ Hey Captain!” called out Thaindire. Reznik turned to find Thaindire pointing the crossbow directly at him from barely ten yards away.

  “ Whoa!” responded Reznik instinctively raising an arm in defence.

  “ Take me to the tower. You must know the way. I need to find out who resides there.”

  “ Wrong move,” growled Reznik. Thaindire heard a snarl to his right and still keeping his aim locked on the captain he cast a glance downwards and was amazed to see one of Reznik’s imps stood a few paces from him, needle-like teeth bared. The guttural snarling increased as one by one the uniformed imps appeared forming a circle in front of and then behind Thaindire until he found himself surrounded by eight of the infernal creatures. They stood poised, talons raised and teeth bared, some kind of ichor dripping from the foul-looking teeth.

  “ Remember what I said about the odds,” remarked Reznik calmly, standing up and sheathing his knife in his boot once again. He walked forward until he was stood in line with the imps.

  “ I only have to give the word,” he threatened. Thaindire hesitated, the snarling continuing all around him. He lowered the crossbow, clicking on the safety switch. Reznik w
alked forward to join him placing his hand on the shoulder.

  “ Right decision hero, let’s not spoil the day eh? Come on we are headed to the river next, there will be more to hunt there,” he explained. The Captain stepped away heading along the grassed path as the imps faded from view once more until just Thaindire and the Captain were left.

  The natural pathway between the trees sloped gently and gradually downwards from them. After the frenzy of the encounter with the wolves, the forest had settled back into silence, accentuating the sound of the two men’s movement. Reznik’s bag of forepaws gently slapped against his side as he walked, his gait relaxed and ambling.

  Thaindire looked over to some tall, thin trees and then back to where he was walking. He quickly returned his gaze to the trees as he spotted something climbing down one of the trunks. It moved on all fours as it headed downwards before jumping off the tree and landing gracefully besides the tree. It was around six hands high, with sinewy limbs and a row of spikes along its spine. Its skin was blue in colour and it dipped its hairless head as it examined something about the base of the tree trunk. Oddly, it wore a satchel slung over one shoulder. It began clawing at the soil near the tree, removing clumps of earth.

  “ Reznik, “ hissed Thaindire as he brought his crossbow round and took aim at the spindly creature. It had stopped its digging and pulled something from the earth, shaking it and holding it up to examine it. The object looked like some kind of vegetable or fruit. The creature ran two slender fingers across the item, removing the last of the dirt and then satisfied, placed the object in the satchel. It plucked at the ground again, once more retrieving whatever was growing there. Thaindire levelled his crossbow, squinting down the sight, his finger poised on the trigger as he readied himself to loose a bolt at the unearthly creature. A hand rested on his weapon and pressed it down, ruining his aim. Irritated and surprised, Thaindire turned to Reznik.

  “ What are you doing, I had it in my sights.”

  “ It means you no harm,” said Reznik quietly.

  “ That is something for me to judge,” answered Thaindire.

  “ No, truly, it has no business with you.”

  “ How do you know?”

  “ If I explain, you must agree not to harm it.”

  Thaindire said nothing and tried to bring his crossbow up once again, but Reznik shoved it away.

  “ Agreed?”

  Thaindire looked over to the creature. It was oblivious to the two men as it continued the extraction of whatever it was that it was gathering. Pulling the objects from the ground, removing the clinging dirt, examining them and secreting them in its satchel.

  “ I cannot agree when I do not know its intentions,” replied Thaindire.

  “ You must accept my word.”

  “ Huh, that hardly gives me comfort.”

  “ Then you shan’t find out,” remarked Reznik as he reached to take the crossbow from Thaindire. The witch hunter took a step back. The otherworldly nature of this creature meant he should destroy it but he was also most curious to know what it was.

  “ Oh very well, I won’t hurt it,” said Thaindire. A quick kill won’t hurt it, he thought, so I can remain true to my word.

  “ It is one of Ellen Ryall’s,” explained Reznik.

  “ Who is she?”

  “ The village’s costermonger. She brings them forth to go out into the depths of the forest and bring back its hidden treasures.”

  “ Treasures? It looks like it is picking mushrooms or such like,” commented Thaindire.

  “ Ah, well, treasure to Ellen is the most luscious, exotic fruit that she can locate. The forest produces these marvellous fruits and she has them harvested so she can sell them to us and further a field.”

  “ So these, these things are her fruit pickers?”

  “ If you like, “ said Reznik with a short laugh.

  Thaindire continued to watch the curious creature as it carried on collecting.

  “ You said she brings them forth, from where?”

  “ Oh, I don’t know. Somewhere else though judging by their appearance.”

  “ And you are not bothered by this summoning of hers?”

  “ Hardly. They don’t bother me and they find some delicious items. You should try them.”

  “ I have. I bought an apple from her,” said Thaindire, the thought making his mouth twist that some creature from the netherworld had handled it.

  “ An apple? I think you will find it was more than likely no ordinary apple,” said Reznik.

  Thaindire paused a moment.

  “ Look, there’s another one,” he said and pointed behind Reznik. The mercenary turned and as he did so, Thaindire brought his crossbow up once more and readied his aim.

  Reznik realised that there was not a second creature and Thaindire had distracted him. He jumped at the witch hunter with a cry. Thaindire loosed the bolt as the captain bundled into him, knocking him off his feet. The bolt whizzed through the air and thudded into the tree, missing the creature. It looked around and saw the two men crash to the ground. Without any hesitation, the creature bolted into the foliage and was soon lost from sight.

  “ Idiot,” scolded Reznik as he lay on top of Thaindire.

  “ Get off me man, “ insisted Thaindire, heaving at Reznik. Reznik looked back and could see that the creature had escaped unharmed. He shook his head and got to his feet.

  “ You said you would not harm it.”

  “ I haven’t, have I?” remarked Thaindire as he too stood up and brushed himself down.

  “ Do you tolerate anything?” asked Reznik.

  “ I’m tolerating you, Captain, although, I must admit, if you keep jumping on me like that, my patience shall soon wear out.”

  “ Typical Allsaint,” muttered Reznik. He looked around them and then up at the sky.

  “ Come on,” he said, “ let’s get moving.”

  The two men continued their journey, walking along a grassed pathway between the flanking trees. They walked in silence for half and hour, both engrossed in their own thoughts until Reznik spoke.

  “ I was impressed with your swordsmanship back there,” commented Reznik as he produced his pipe and began packing the end with a light green plant-like substance.

  “ Shame you were too afraid to join me,” smiled Thaindire.

  “ Huh, I wasn’t the one who slid off the trunk. I take it you learned to fight in such a manner with your Order?”

  “ Yes added to some apparently natural talent, or so I was told.”

  “ How long have you been a member of the Order?”

  “ Since I was sixteen, “ replied Thaindire.

  “ Take you in, did they?”

  “ No, no. The priesthood was my original calling but my mentor recommended me to the Order. They offered me a position and one does not turn down the Order.”

  “ No, so I have heard,” answered Reznik. “ I must confess, the Order has an appeal, you know, all that righteous judgement to dish out, having the backing of such a noble and esteemed organisation, the power.” Reznik raised his fist in the air.

  “ Thing is, “ continued the Captain, “ I couldn’t handle all the vows and allegiances you know, too rigid for a free spirit like me.”

  “ You wouldn’t get in. You’re not an Exalted. You seem to know much about my Order.”

  “ Ah, you would be surprised Samael. I have had my dealings with the Order over the years.”

  “ Well, if you will live the life you lead,” commented Thaindire.

  “ Oh not in that way, sometimes your Order would prefer not to get its hands dirty.”

  Thaindire halted.

  “ You have worked for the Order? “

  “ Certainly have.”

  “ In what way? How?” asked Thaindire surprised. Reznik stopped and turned around to face the younger man. He toked on his pipe; the end glowing orange and then spoke,

  “ Ah, Eustace Reznik is too wily to go revealing his actions to a member of t
he Order only for that member to report that I have broken the terms of my payment. Last thing I want is a finder descending on Aftlain seeking me out,” he returned the pipe to his mouth. Thaindire considered telling him that it wouldn’t matter, as a suitable Vanguard Presence would be attending on the village as soon as he was able to report back in Lancester but decided against displaying such arrogance. Reznik turned and began walking on again. Thaindire hurried his step drawing along side the solider.

  “ Had any more thoughts about my offer?” asked Reznik. “ Why spend the rest of your life ordered about and despatched on wearisome engagements when you could stay in the village and live as a Lord, keeping order and protecting the place, in tandem with me?”

  “ You are very keen to recruit me, why?” responded Thaindire.

  “ You are an expert with the blade and moreover having a witch finder protecting the village from the dark ways would be quite a boon. Father Campion would be delighted to have the assistance of your powers of detection; in fact, you should attend on him later this day, after we have finished hunting. He wants to speak with you.”

  “ What does he want?”

  “ Probably to entreat you to join us, I would imagine.”

  “ There seems little point in such a conversation.”

  “ You may think that now, but you ought to give him the courtesy of an audience.”

  “ I shall bear it in mind,” answered Thaindire.

  “ Aha, prey,” commented Reznik putting his hand out to stop Thaindire moving forward.

  The pathway widened ahead of them, sweeping down to embrace the riverbank. On the opposite bank there was the familiar wall of trees, the dark trunks packed tightly together. Thaindire counted six of the beasts at the river’s edge, lapping at the water, the grey coats matching the colour of the sky above them. Their intermittent low growls were just about audible as they padded about the riverbank.

  Thaindire reached for his already-loaded crossbow and brought it up before him, taking aim at a wolf on the right flank. He saw Reznik crouching, advancing away to the left, his crossbow also sighted on the small pack of wolves. Adjusting his aim, Thaindire pulled on the trigger of the crossbow and the deadly bolt raced through the air slamming into the hindquarters of the wolf. It let out a pained yelp and thrashed around, squirming with pain. A second wolf crumpled in a heap as Reznik fired a kill shot. Thaindire glanced down, reaching for a second bolt.