The next week was strange to the young slaves in several ways. First off, they were used to working from sun up to sun down. Now they were expected to train from dusk to dawn. It sounded so simple but they quickly discovered that some sleep patterns are hard to change. However, there were four students that seemed to thrive at night; Gray, Galvorn, Nergüi and a big brute named Dovan. Unfortunately for the last two, since they were not an Aciês together, they suffered due to their partners’ lack of adaptability. That was until Darnac made them partners.
Then, there was Lüdüs. They climbed, ran, tumbled, jumped and anything else that Darnac could imagine for them to do in the training hall, always with their sicáe in hand. Anyone that dropped their weapon or left their partner behind suffered the Blademaster’s wrath.
Darnac was fair, firm and understanding. He took the time to fully explain every facet of whatever skill or technique they were working on. He would even answer any question, no matter how trivial but he would not tolerate laziness or cockiness. Whenever a student would get too comfortable with a technique, he would have them try it on him. If they were lazy or overconfident, he would quickly counter and deliver a gentle whack to back of their heads; a simple reminder that he could have killed them easily.
They focused almost entirely on use of the sicáe, as both an offensive and defensive weapon. The Blademaster hinted at more intensive training to come but left it at that. Gray had been training as a warrior since he could walk or, as Rjurik would say it, ‘knee-high to a grasshopper’ but it was no where near as extensive as what he was going through. Each morning, the entire Cöterie would stumble back to the den and collapse.
Once again, Gray found himself looking out for those around him. If someone fell asleep in the common room, he would carry them back to their room. Of course, he would also give their partner a gentle reminder about leaving him behind. Rarely did he have to remind anyone more than once.
Galvorn found this practice odd. “Grim…why do you look after them? You do realize that one day we may have to fight them to survive, right?”
Gray shrugged. “Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been looking after them for the past year and it’s become a habit.” He stopped what he was doing and turned to face his partner. “Actually its more the fact that I believe a team is stronger than an individual. Besides, we are the Shadow Wolves.”
Galvorn cocked his head to the side. “And what does that have to do with anything?”
Gray sat down on the couch and steepled his hands together as he collected his thoughts. He wanted to open up to his dark elf partner but something in his soul still urged caution. “I had a teacher once that spent much of his time in the wilderness. He taught me that wolves are apex predators or alpha hunters. Not because of their ferocity but because they work together as a pack. No one wolf can take down a buffalo or a large elk but the pack working in unison can bring down prey three or four times larger and stronger than a wolf.”
Before Galvorn could say anything, the voice of their Döcent echoed through the nearly empty common room. “Very good Isengrim, I was hoping someone would realize that.”
Both young warriors jumped up and snapped to attention with their feet together, hands by their sides and back straight. Only their heads were lowered, out of respect and self-preservation. No slave was supposed to look his or her master in the eyes; it would be seen as disrespectful.
“At ease,” replied Darnac. Climbing into one of the padded chairs, he waved his hands in a silent invitation. “Sit. I insist.”
Once the pair of warriors joined him, the Blademaster began talking. “I had numerous choices to use as our Lüdüs Signüm. I choose the wolf for several reasons.”
Now that Darnac was sitting and chatting with them, Galvorn seemed more relaxed and chatty. “I wondered why you just didn’t use your personal symbol of crossed swords and flame.”
“That is the reason.”
“Huh?”
Darnac grinned. “It’s personal. It’s mine and mine alone. It represents a very tumultuous event in my past. I chose it as a symbol to remind me that every decision has consequences, for good or ill.”
Gray sat quietly. The Blademaster had let something personal slip and he filed his remark away.
The deadly dark elf warrior faced his onus, his burden. “But back to the reasons I chose the wolf as our symbol. Like Isengrim, I admire how the wolf hunts and works as a pack. There is a hierarchy in the wolfpack, ranging from the alpha male or leader all the way down to the omega or jokester of the pack. Every member of the pack knows its place and works together for the betterment of the pack, not the individual wolf.”
Gray nodded. “You want us to work together.”
“Yes. Although it may make some missions we undertake in the future seem more difficult, I believe in the long run we will be stronger for it.”
Galvorn rubbed his chin. “You didn’t choose it to piss off my father?”
That remark caught Gray’s attention. “Your father?”
“Blackfang, he’s a Highland warrior of great renown.”
Gray felt the room spin as he realized that Galvorn’s father was one of the two people responsible for his parents’ death. If Blackfang was his father and Galvorn looked like a dark elf that meant that Lalith the Dark Lady was his mother. That was when another realization hit him. According to what Rjurik and Anasazi had told him, Blackfang was his father’s brother. From all the stories, Blackfang had also raped his mother and had been the actual seed of her pregnancy. Only by the intervention of the Dhyana had his father’s soul been grafted to his unborn fetus. Which meant that Galvorn was both his half-brother and cousin.
Luckily, the two dark elves were not paying close attention to him at the moment. Gray swallowed hard and tried to focus on their conversation.
Darnac leaned back and placed both hands behind his head. “I’ll admit that his discomfort was a bonus to my choice.”
Galvorn grinned. “I figured that. You know, I’ve never understood why he doesn’t like you.”
“Gal…I’ll be honest with you. I don’t like your father. He’s a simple brute. Yes, he has a certain craftiness about him that’s admirable. Other than that, he is a bully and I don’t have respect for any warrior that uses their strength or skill at arms on the weak and defenseless. And he knows it.”
“But you answer to him.”
Darnac shook his head. “No, I answer to your mother and not by choice.”
Gray noticed that the blademaster fingered a silver necklace of beads as he made that remark. Once again, he figured there was more to the story than the dark elf was telling but it was not his place to ask…at least not yet. However, he did have a suspicion concerning his visit and chose to vocalize that.
“Sir, I’m doubtful your visit here is only a social call but concerns tonight’s challenge?”
“I’m starting to like you more and more Isengrim.” Darnac grinned.
Neither the Blademaster nor the half-elf witnessed the flash of jealousy in Galvorn’s eye at that remark.
“But you’re right. Tonight is the first Cërtatüs. The challenge starts at midnight but I want everyone clean shaven, well-rested and on the sands an hour after dusk.”
The Blademaster stood and the two warrior-slaves copied his actions.
“Do we know who’s competing tonight?” asked Galvorn.
“Yes,” Darnac nodded but did not volunteer any other information.
Gray read the answer in his eyes and body language. “All of us.”
Darnac gave a solemn nod. “Listen closely. Tonight’s contest is the only one that is not supposed to be to the death but honestly, I don’t trust the other Döcents, especially that damned gnome.”
Galvorn seemed to wave off his Kënnári’s concerns. “Espen wouldn’t dare defy my mother.”
Darnac slapped him on the back of the head. “Wake up! There is no love lost between your mother and any of the Döcents, except maybe that elf lord Mortharona. The rest,
including myself, are here under duress. Both Chikk and Espen would enjoy seeing your mother suffer. Although Chikk has too much personal honor to act against her through you but I can’t say that about Espen.”
As Galvorn pondered his words, Gray leaned in and asked, “I assume that there is a point you are trying to make with all this?”
“Yes, survive at all cost…both of you. Somehow, you two are the key to the future of the Dark Alliance. I don’t know how or why but I feel it.” With that last statement, the Blademaster departed and left the two young warriors with plenty to think about.
* * * * *
Galvorn and Gray had the whole Cöterie on the sand early. Everyone was somber and serious, even the normally feisty few. They could sense that something was different about tonight’s training session even if the two unofficial leaders would not tell them anything. They were all sitting cross-legged in the sands in a semi-circle around their Döcent who was seated in the center in the lotus position with hands on his knees and eyes closed; seemingly oblivious to the world around him. Even before the Blademaster opened his eyes, he began talking.
“Tonight is your first Cërtatüs. These contests are very important. Not only will your victories bring honor to your Cöterie, you will bring honor to your Aciês and to yourselves. Every year on the night of the first dark moon, there will be a Cërtatüs. Count this as a fact. Some of you will not live to graduate from the Lüdüs, this is also a fact. Each Cërtatüs will be your chance to prove you have what it takes to be Sicárii.”
Dovan asked the question many were thinking. “What happens to those who fail?”
Darnac opened his eyes and smiled. It was not a warm smile. “If you are still alive, you will be transferred to other units in the Dark Alliance.” He shrugged. “Some of you might even thrive in those units but then, you won’t be Sicárii.” He paused and absentmindedly fingered the silver beaded necklace he wore. “Right now that doesn’t mean much to you. It is just a title, an unfamiliar term. But trust me, even a slave can live a life of honor and purpose.”
Darnac stood up. “From tonight on, your life and training will change. You will be ranked by the Dôminus on your performance tonight. This ranking will influence your privileges. The higher the ranking, the more liberties you will have. Additionally, after tonight you will begin interacting with the other students and learning from the other Döcent. My advice, listen and learn from everyone but beware of who you trust. Even someone you call a friend can and will betray you for the right price.”
The young slaves pondered his words. Some like Galvorn and Graytael actually understood the depth of what he said and more importantly, what he did not say. When Gray looked around, he realized that most did not truly understand but they would soon learn, one way or the other.
Darnac pulled out a chest full of dark grey hoods. “These are your Tergum.” As he began to pass them out, he spied Gray’s upraised eyebrows and realized the question he wanted to ask. “It means to hide. From this day forward, you are not to be seen outside the common area uncovered. Your rivals will also be covered but each Cöterie has chosen a different style. I will leave it to you to figure out which one is which.”
As Gray settled the hood into place, something in the tergum felt natural to him. It was comforting. A simple tug and it was pulled down low, plunging his face and eyes into shadows. The scarf that they were to use to cover their mouth and nose as a mask seemed redundant to him but their Döcent had declared that they wear it, so he put it on.
Once everyone was ready, Darnac lead them through winding passageways that were minimally lit. Finally, they reached the grand arena. It was a huge, nearly three times larger than their practice area with a sandy floor and the roof open to the night sky. Numerous side passages littered the walls and led into darkness. Higher up on the walls were bleachers and balconies. At the present time, they were all empty. Their coterie had been the first to arrive.
The Blademaster directed them to one side and sat down to wait. The Shadow Wolves followed suit.
“Rule seven; if possible arrive early to your mission. This allows you plenty of time to scout out your surroundings and will allow you time to relax before you strike.” Without another word, Darnac reassumed the lotus position and closed his eyes.
Gray had already realized that he taught many lessons this way. A cryptic remark followed by some sort of action or in this case, inaction. Gray and Galvorn copied their Döcent’s actions and waited.
It was almost an hour later when the next group arrived. It was the Panthers, led by the dark-haired light elf Mortharona. The elven prince seemed to do a double take when he discovered that another group had arrived before him. Recovering quickly, he nodded his greetings to Darnac and directed his Cöterie to a nearby patch of sand to wait.
Gray took this time to study the Panthers as they passed by. Their heads were covered by a tergum but these were actually helmets. Made of black iron, they were round and had a wide brim. The facial area was covered with a mesh cage that both allowed the wearer to see and hid their identity.
Minutes later, the Cobras arrived and marched passed the other two groups without acknowledgement. They too wore actual helmets but these were close fitting with a blank two-toned mask hiding their face.
Gray could not tell if it was supposed to be intimidating or humorous. He actually found it an odd mixture of both. That was when he spied movement in the bleachers. Without moving his head, Gray watched as spectators begin to file in and fill the seats. There was a mixture of races; dark elves, gnomes, orcs and humans. Yet, he realized they all wore the colors of the Dark Alliance army.
A strange perfume filled the air and Gray turned his attention back to the tunnels just in time to witness the entry of the Ravens. He immediately noticed three things about them; their outfits, gait and scent.
Their outfits covered about the same as his but somehow seemed more enticing, which Gray found odd. The girls had been naked for the last year just like the boys and after the first few days had ceased being sexually stimulating. But now with their bodies strategically covered, a short growth of hair and a veil hiding their faces, they became mysterious. Then, there was the fact of how they walked and smelled. They moved with a graceful sashaying motion that greatly enhanced their hips all the while keeping their head completely level. Gray could tell that some of the girls were struggling with the walk but others were not and Gray had to admit, it was very sensual. More than that was their smell. They were obviously wearing some sort of perfume. He had never encountered the fragrance before, so it was hard to describe. He found it both musky and sweet. Couple all of those factors together and the Ravens made a very unforgettable entrance.
Gray scanned the girls for any sign of Tamina but with the veils and new way of walking, they all looked and moved alike. He thought, ‘If only there was some way to tell them apart.’
That was when he noticed something else. Below the perfume, each person radiated his or her own scent. Just like Galvorn scent to his left was completely different from Nergüi’s to his right or Dovan’s one person down, or even the Blademaster’s odor. He quickly realized that the scents had always been there, he just had not noticed them before. He also realized that if he concentrated hard enough he could differentiate individual scents from every person in the arena. It was at that moment when the words of Wolf Spirit echoed in his subconscious.
“When you are in dire need, call on us. We shall aid you in any way possible, be it spell, blessing or companion. If it is in our power to help, we shall do so. This we swear.”
Gray closed his eyes and began to sort through the scents and label them. For some it was easy, Galvorn and Darnac especially, but others were not so easy. If he could move around and follow the smells, it would help but that would not be wise at this juncture. He breathed in deep until he found the scent he was looking for, it was both sweet and familiar…Tamina.
However, before he could actually locate her, a dark and
bitter odor assailed his nose that was both foreign and familiar. Even before he could put a name on the smell, he heard the voice of the Dôminus as he stepped out onto a balcony.
“Welcome, welcome. This will be your first Cërtatüs and I must say I am looking forward to it. This contest will allow myself and others to evaluate your training. It will also give you a chance to earn honor and prestige to yourself and your Döcent. Each year the Cërtatüs will be different but there will always be one constant element, the possibility of death.” Kralm paused and gestured to his trainers. “From this moment forward, your Sicáe will be outfitted with a cantatis lapis which will allow you to train and fight to your full potential. I will be honest, most of the enchanted stones you receive tonight will negate the killing aspects of your blades and only incapacitate your opponent. However, sprinkled in the mix are at least two mors lapis or death stones. So if you take tonight’s challenge lightly, you do so at your own peril.”
The Dôminus let that sink in for a minute before continuing.
“Tonight’s challenge is simple, survive. This is a free-for-all. Cöterie versus Cöterie, hunter against hunter and will continue until only one unit is left standing. And I must stress, that you must survive as a unit. That too is part of the challenge.” Kralm gestured at the tunnels. “The arena before you has many different levels, terrains and hiding spots. You will have a quarter-hour to get in place before the signal. Any attacks before then will be frowned upon and dealt with harshly.”
The half-orc slaver stepped back and Gray’s heart was caught in his throat when he saw who stepped forward.
A ravishingly beautiful dark elf with long flowing snow-white hair glided into view. She was dressed in a flimsy red silk outfit that both hid and revealed her feminine wares. Even without Galvorn’s reaction, he would have guessed that this was Lalith the Dark Lady and the murderer of his parents. When she spoke, her words were so melodious that they were almost hypnotic.
“Greetings to you all. Your Dôminus was kind enough to invite me to watch you compete tonight. Even though tonight is the anniversary of the beginning of the time of Darkness, I wouldn’t miss being here for anything. You are the future of the Dark Alliance. Your skills will be paramount in our victory, of this I am certain. This war will be a long and bloody campaign. We will need skilled assassins and soldiers in the field to do Clotho’s bidding.”
Darkness Falls (Tales of the Wolf) Page 18