"Three," whispered Logan, closed her eyes and concentrated, "two are opposite from us, and another is to the right. I can hear their breathing. It seems that they are waiting for us. It is a trap."
"Indeed a trap, but not very smart," whispered De-Stik when he returned, "an arrow behind the shield that points to the flames is not quite an art."
"Krunch, take the oil can from De-Stik," said Achtisanor. "It is time for you to disappear."
Krunch hid the oil can in his cloak, pulled a small vial from his pack and gulped it all. With each gulp, his image became blurrier until he disappeared completely.
"De-Stik, Logan, hide in the shadows," ordered Achtisanor, "approach the tree nearest to the two in front of us and climb it."
"No problem," whispered Logan.
"Do not let you mind wander free," whispered De-Stik. "The arrow trap, do not stand between the fire and the tree."
Achtisanor waited awhile and walked slowly into the clearing.
"Foolish man!" a harsh voice sounded to his right, "a very foolish man!"
A huge bear of a man leapt from behind a tree, wielding a big axe in his hands. Black fur covered his body, and his face was an evil visage of white and sharp teeth.
"Well met," called Achtisanor and approached the menacing creature. "I seem to have lost my friends, and I thought they have lit this bonfire."
"You lost friends?! Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the bear-man in the other side of the bonfire, "if before were friends, now no friends – ha, ha, ha!" he continued to laugh, "– alive!"
"Then can I surmise that they have not passed through here?" continued Achtisanor.
"You too, you do not pass!" the bear-man wielded his axe and smiled evilly.
"Wait," said Achtisanor, "what if I paid you… a toll?"
"A toll?" repeated the bear-man, "eh… toll? You mean… give money?"
Achtisanor nodded and smiled.
"Oh… money…" a greedy gleam sparkled in the bear-man's eyes, "money is good… very good, money… but no!" His face became menacing once more."No! Only kill! Yes! Kill you!"
"Even if I give you this?" said Achtisanor, inserted his hand into his pocket and pulled the golden medallion.
"Oh… this is nice!" the bear-man looked at the shining object with avarice, "gimme that!"
Achtisanor threw the medallion between the shield and the bonfire. The bear-man leaped forward and lifted it. Not a second had passed before he started screaming. Smoke rose from his palm and he threw the medallion to the ground.
"Now, Krunch," shouted Achtisanor.
A boomerang flew from nowhere and dropped the heavy wooden shield. An arrow was shot and stuck in the rear of the monstrous bear-man, who yelled again and dropped his axe.
He held with one hand his buttocks and waved his other hand in the air, still curling smoke, and ran wildly around the campfire.
"Damn," shouted the bear-man, "attack you fools!"
Two scarred and furry gnolls approached Achtisanor, their dog-like muzzles showed sharp teeth. They held big and rusty swords with wooden hilts, but when he drew his sword, they hesitated.
"Get ready for the blow," De-Stik called from above. Logan and he, their weapons in hands, leaped from the tree on the gnolls. The gnolls were thrown on their big friend and sprawled to the floor.
"And thank you very much for standing below," smiled De-Stik towards the three moaning monsters beneath him. He and Logan stood.
"Get off me!" said the bear-man and kicked off one of the gnolls. The gnoll was catapulted towards Logan and caused her to drop on the ground. She yelped in surprise.
The second gnoll made an attempt to lift his sword from the ground. De-Stik did not hesitate and kicked the sword away from him, lifting his quarterstaff towards him instead.
"Get him off me!" shouted Logan from beneath the big gnoll.
Achtisanor came to her aid and lifted the gnoll.
Logan's armour was covered in blood. The gnoll was thrown to the ground, Logan's sword impaling his heart. In the background, they could hear De-Stik battling with the gnoll that attacked him with his paws.
"Are you okay?" Achtisanor was alarmed by the blood.
"Yes," she reached her arm and looked at the dead gnoll.
Achtisanor lifted Logan from the ground. They looked towards the bear-man and saw to their surprise that the area around him was drenched with oil. The bear-man himself did not noticed it and tried to pull the arrow from his rear.
"De-Stik, hurry!" called Achtisanor.
De-Stik swirled the staff and hit the gnoll a few quick jabs. The gnoll fell wounded and hurt to the round. The boomerang appeared again and flew towards the bonfire. Sparks flew and ignited a circle of fire around the bear-man. The fire burned high since the clearing was covered with dry leaves.
"Arrrr," the bear-man flinched from the fire.
"It seems that you have found your friends, Achtisanor," Logan smiled and pulled her sword from the gnoll's body.
Krunch appeared again between De-Stik and Logan; they jumped in surprise.
"Good work, Krunch," Achtisanor turned his head towards him and smiled.
"Yes, Krunch, well done," breathed De-Stik, "but next time alert me first or see me buried in the ground."
"Not so foolish after all, eh?" called Achtisanor to the bear-man, still trying to get away from the flames.
"Arrr," roared the bear-man, "get me out!"
"What is your name?!" shouted Achtisanor, taking his medallion from the ground.
"Grrr!" the harsh bear-man replied, "Smord."
"Smord," smiled Achtisanor, "who sent you?"
A rough cough was heard from the other side of the fire. "Hubris, he order me to call everyone. Everyone that passes here."
"Hubris," frowned Achtisanor. "Destroy the weapons!" he ordered.
De-Stik and Logan threw the swords and the axe into the bonfire.
"Okay, Smord," called Achtisanor, "we will free you if you agree to this condition."
"What? Yes! Free!" yelled the bear-man. "I do! Tell me!"
"You are to return immediately to Hubris and tell him that Sir Claude Achtisanor and Tigertief have returned," said Achtisanor.
"Achtisanor, Tigertief?!" repeated Smord. "I tell him, yes! I go and tell him now! Yes, I promise!" His voice became more pleading as the fire closed around him.
"Let's go!" yelled Achtisanor and started to walk towards the forest.
"Hi! Wait! Aaach, Ouch! Hot! You said I go to Hubris!" the bear-man called behind them.
Achtisanor winked to Krunch, and he turned towards the trapped bear-man and lifted his hands above his head. "From skies all over!" he called, "Come wind, come water!" He turned his hands to the raging fire and it became a curly smoke screen.
"Oh, good!" said the bear-man, "Out of here! Going to Hubris and telling his Tigertief and Achtisanor hurt me! Tigertief and Achtisanor returned!" his voice faded away.
"Well, this is a refreshing start to our journey," said Logan.
"No doubt," said Achtisanor. "I thought this might happen. Hubris will do anything to prevent Domarwink's forces from gaining the horn."
"How did the medallion burned his hands?" Logan asked Achtisanor.
"It is a protection from evil medallion. An evil creature cannot hold it," answered Achtisanor.
We continued our journey in the forest so thick,
The battle is ours, by sword and by stick.
The blood in veins so furious and tingling
The ground at our feet so prosperous and blooming.
I have lived again, my head held high,
My rusty bones muttered a sigh.
Little Krunch was so happy at last,
Achtisanor lovingly from the sword cleaned its rust.
Logan walked with happy steps,
Looking around as if looking for traps.
We continued on our merry rounds,
And our ears managed to pick up more sounds.
De-Stik "Journeys"
Chapter 9 - The River of Life
"We are approaching the river," said Logan when she heard the distant sound of running water.
"Idrinor," said Achtisanor, "it is the only river that crosses Idrinian forest."
"Excellent!" said Krunch with glee, "I can pick some mushrooms that grew on the shores of the river. They are perfect for many potions I have devised."
"And I will clean myself from this filth," said Logan.
"There is nothing in the world like the water sweet sounds," said De-Stik. "A real delight, praise the gods!"
The four of them leaped over fallen logs and made their way through the foliage. After a short time, a spectacular sight awaited them. A pure-water river decorated with white pebbles. Multicoloured oleanders grew on one side of the river while reeds covered the next.
"I am sure there are thousands of mushrooms," said Krunch, and leapt to the shore, examining the pebbles with his little feet.
Achtisanor and Logan took their waterskins and filled them. De-Stik unsheathed his dagger from his boot and strode purposefully to the river.
"Where are you going?" called Achtisanor.
"The river is the destination that I wish," answered Fantastick, "Do not worry, Claude, I may even catch a fish!"
After they had refreshed themselves, Achtisanor and Logan sat and looked at their two friends stumbling in the water. De-Stik stood on a small rock near the shore, dagger in hand, waiting patiently for his catch.
"I've been told that you've seen my father's murder?" Logan looked curiously at Achtisanor, as if she wanted to ask him this question and waited just for the right moment.
"No, Logan, I have not witnessed it. When I arrived, it was already too late," said Achtisanor and lowered his head.
"But you have investigated his murder, right?" asked Logan. Achtisanor nodded.
"My mother told me a lot about you. Every time she saw your name on the newspaper titles she was proud as a hen," Logan smiled.
"Melan," Achtisanor remembered her fondly, "she was your father's greatest love."
"Were you with her when I was born?" asked Logan.
"No, Logan. After your father was murdered I have founded Tigertief and started my investigation," said Achtisanor. "When you were born, a year later, we were on our way to Sahoun Desert in Lowergoon kingdom, but Melan sent Catch to notify us on the news."
"Sahoun Desert?" asked Logan.
"We were looking for the translator," said Achtisanor, "so he could decipher the ancient Ashman writings that I have found at the murder site."
"You mean the parchment you talked about earlier?!" Logan understood now why that old piece of parchment was so important.
"Yes," answered Achtisanor.
"And did you find the translator?" asked Logan.
"Yes, we have found him, but it was already too late," replied Achtisanor.
"He was also murdered," continued Logan.
Achtisanor nodded, "the killer was always one step ahead of us. He managed to beat me at every step, even when I thought I had him cornered."
"And you know who it is?" asked Logan.
"Once I thought I knew, and I still believe he is connected somehow to this whole affair, but it is not him," answered Achtisanor.
"Hubris?" asked Logan.
"It is someone else," said Achtisanor, "someone that eludes us and is the mastermind of these assassinations. We blame Klaxes and Hubris in vain. He stands in the shadows for many years and quietly laughs."
"Have you caught anything?" Krunch said when he approached De-Stik from behind.
"Shhh, a school arrives, don’t move you heel," whispered De-Stik, "I will now catch our evening meal."
De-Stik aimed his dagger towards one of the fish and threw it into the water. "Got you! Ha, ha, it is a hit!" De-Stik yelled and leaped with joy. "This is how you make ends meet…" De-Stik lost his balance and fell into the cold waters. Krunch, Logan, and Achtisanor burst into laughter. After a few attempts, De-Stik managed to stand, and slouched to the shore.
"Damn it," he left the river, "I am soaking wet, but the fish I did get!" He smiled broadly and waved his dagger, which speared a large fish.
"Well done!" called Logan, "come, sit in the sun and undress, so they will dry before evening falls."
"And I’ll go and gather woods for a fire," said Krunch, holding a bunch of mushrooms in his hands. "We'll light a nice fire and cook the fish."
The four of us sat near the river, the sun was high
She looked from above, smiling to us from the sky.
We are our fill, shared memories of old,
Of days gone by and legends be told.
We sat and talked, with a little frightful pity,
of the journey ahead toward the sinking city.
Then to sound of the river we slept,
Night has fallen and the hour was late.
And in the next morning, without warning or thought,
Shouts and troubles the waking has brought…
De-Stik "Journeys"
Chapter 10 - Mind over Matter
"Help!" a faraway sound suddenly squealed.
"Help!!!" another reedy voice seconded it, "Help!!! Help!!!"
"Do you hear what I hear?" Logan stood, her backpack already in place.
"The sounds are coming from there!" Achtisanor pointed to the south and started to briskly walk towards the sounds.
"Come on, Choop, leap on my shoulders," De-Stik urged sleepy Krunch, "I think our help is needed by others."
"Help!" the squeals echoed eerily in the forest.
"Help us!" echoed the second voice.
"Rrrrr," a rough and thick voice was heard above the din of falling trees.
"Look over there," Achtisanor turned their attention to a huge figure wielding an enormous wooden club that kicked a hollow fallen log. A fur garment covered its chest and loincloth covered his nether regions.
"Mountain giants!" Achtisanor held his sword hilt. "De-Stik and Krunch, don't get any closer. Stay here, behind the rock."
"Wow, look at the giant," said Krunch.
"Help!" the reedy voices echoed from within the fallen log each time the giant kicked away another portion of it.
Achtisanor and Logan entered the foliage on their left and approached the scene.
"Look, Krunch – there, near that tree!" pointed De-Stik to the other side of the river, "I don't think I like their glee."
Two giants laughed wildly on the other side of the river. Two tiny white-clad figures yelped when they were thrown from one giant to the other.
"We've got to help them," said Krunch and wanted to leap into the water, but De-Stik's long arm caught his backpack and stopped him.
"We've got to help them, but you, my friend, shall take the rear," said De-Stik. "I'll take the front, and please beware." And he started to walk into the water.
"De-Stik, wait, let's go from there!" Krunch pointed to several rocks that jutted from the water surface.
"Logan, stay here," whispered Achtisanor when they stood behind a large trunk near the hollow log.
The sounds of wreckage were heard again as the giant furiously kicked the log.
Achtisanor ran between the trees and exited the foliage several meters behind the giant.
"A thousand pardons, sir giant! Yelled Achtisanor to the giant, who turned around in surprise, "what kind of terrible monster lurks inside this log?"
"Oooh!" moaned the giant. His black and curly hair obscured his face and he waved menacingly with his club.
As soon as the giant turned his back toward Logan, she took advantage of the distraction and whispered into the log. "Come on, hurry out!"
Two squibs wearing once-white coats, now covered in mud, poked out with fear. One of them had curly black hair and wore spectacles while the other was a freckled redhead.
"Please, do not be upset," Achtisanor said to the giant. "I merely asked for the nature of the horrid monster that tried to hunt such a big and strong creature as you."
/> "Over here!" whispered Logan urgently and ran back to the foliage.
The two frightened squibs ran after her.
"Ha," laughed Achtisanor when he saw the two creatures running after Logan into the forest. "Squibs!"
The giant turned his head and saw their white frocks disappearing in the green foliage.
"No!!!" he yelled and started following them into the forest, tossing aside the first tree that stood in his way.
"I can fully understand you, good sir," continued Achtisanor, "squibs are one of the most frightening monsters this forest can deliver your way."
The giant stood in his place. "They… did not pay toll," he rebuked Achtisanor and approached him, "and now they ran away. You pay for this," he waved his club to hit Achtisanor, but he leaped easily away.
"Toll?" Achtisanor ran quickly behind the hulking and slow moving giant and drew his sword, "you do not think it is ridiculous to ask for a toll in a place with gate or fences?"
"This is our forest," called the giant, turned slowly and tried to hit Achtisanor. Achtisanor leaped away and landed near the fallen log.
A long green-fletched arrow was shot from the forest, a rope attached to it. The arrow stuck the fallen log. Achtisanor reached his hand and took the rope in his hand.
"Now!" he yelled. Logan ran from the forest and circled the confused giant. She held in her hand the second end of the rope. Achtisanor left his spot quickly and ran parallel to Logan, wrapping the rope around the giant's legs.
"I'll show you!" screamed the giant and tried to get close to the two vermin running beneath him. A great thunder echoed in the forest when his huge body collapsed on the ground, and his head hit a big rock.
"Come on, after me, this not the time to settle," De-Stik leaped between the rocks. "Let's show these bullies our mettle."
When they have reached the other side of the river, De-Stik looked back. Krunch was not there.
"Krunch! Krunch! Where have gone?" he muttered. "I just turned for two seconds, maybe even one!"
Logan Marsh: A Thrilling Fantasy Novel (Action Adventure,Mystery, Y/A Book 1) Page 7