by Jon Bender
“Where do we start?” Brenin asked as the two other men left.
“We passed fur traders on our way here. We can ask around for names of their suppliers.”
After visiting several fur traders and the hunters they recommended, the companions had found none willing to guide them. Many warned them away, reminding them that even the men who hunted in the forest never went deeper than a couple of miles. Local legends told of forgotten cities and towns deep within the forest, and every so often, treasure seekers would risk the danger in hopes of becoming rich. The myths had attracted many people over the centuries since the Mage Wars, luring them with the promise of wealth. One old trader had whispered that the forest was once home to a powerful nation, and when it fell, the mages of that time cursed the land so that none would ever claim what was theirs. Of those who had tried to explore the forest over the years, only one man had returned, stumbling into town half-mad and jabbering about being hunted. The survivor claimed the forest’s inhabitants could not be killed, that they could take wounds that would stop any mortal and not die. The more Jaxom heard, the less he wanted to enter the forest, risking not only his life but the lives of those with him.
The sun had already set when Brenin and he returned to the Traveler’s Rest to find the other three men enjoying the evening meal. Joining them, Jaxom waved over the serving girl and ordered for himself and Brenin.
“I hope you fared better than we did. Da’san’s knowledge of the locals leaves much to want,” Cribble said around a mouthful of meat.
Da’san stared at the Captain with a look of disdain, whether it was in response to his comment or his table manners, Jaxom couldn’t tell. “I told you that it has been two years since I was last here. In that time, I did not spend my time asking people how they earn their living.”
“What did you do, then?” Cribble asked, taking a swallow from his mug.
“I worked towards bringing them to the grace of my goddess,” Da’san said.
“From the lack of temples and shrines, I can see that you really won them over,” Cribble said.
“The people here are… hardy. The general feeling was that they had survived this long without Sarinsha and did not need her blessings.”
“We did no better,” Jaxom said, taking Cribble’s attention away from Da’san. “We’ll try again tomorrow, but if we don’t make any progress, there will be no choice but to continue on. Jerup, did you find everything we need?”
“Yes, the innkeeper directed me to merchants. The supplies are in the rooms I rented for tonight.”
“Then we begin our search again in the morning. For now, I intend to spend the rest of the night enjoying the drink and food,” Cribble said. To show how serious he was, he finished his mug of ale and waved for another. Aside from Da’san, the others also indulged in the wine and ale for the rest of the night. Jaxom brooded on the events that transpired after their last night in an inn. He could not afford to let his guard down.
The next morning Jaxom and his group resumed their search. Brenin left with Cribble and Da’san, while Jerup joined him. Deciding to try the taverns in town, they stopped at every drinking establishment they passed. They found no one who would consider their offer, even after Jaxom offered five gold pieces in payment. He was on the verge of giving up when a woman stopped them outside.
She was around twenty-five, but her grey eyes suggested many more years. She wore her shoulder-length light brown hair tied back in a ponytail. Beneath a man’s dark brown shirt and pants, Jaxom could tell that her five foot eight frame was well muscled. Her smooth, dark skin told of days spent in the sun. Jaxom realized that he enjoyed looking at her.
“I heard you are looking for someone to take you into Teriken,” she said, her gaze unwavering.
“Yes, do you know someone who can lead us?”
“Depends on what you are paying,” she said.
“Eight gold coins, half up front and half when we find what we are looking for. Once we do, I will pay the rest, and he can leave without us,” Jaxom said. Jerup whistled at the sum, which was more than he made in a year.
“Done, but I want something else as well,” the woman said. Jaxom hoped he covered his suprise. He hadn’t heard of any women hunting in the forest. Though he could tell from her appearance that she was not a simple seamstress, he wasn’t sure they wouldn’t be better off going it alone.
“And what would that be?” he asked.
“I will take you in and out again,” she said. “And when you leave Chams’dell, you take me with you.”
That took him back. She knew nothing about who they were or where they had come from. Her demand meant either she was extremely foolish or extremely sure of her ability to handle herself. Even with the added stipulation, he wasn’t sure she could hold up her end of the deal. His skepticism must have shown on his face.
Her gaze hardened. “I know what you are thinking. How can a woman lead where men refuse to go?” Her voice trembled with anger. “My father taught me to hunt the forest when I was twelve. I know of its dangers, not only the wolves and other animals, but the unnatural creatures as well.”
Jaxom hesitated, not sure he could risk having her along when they returned to Ale’adar. “Where is your father? Perhaps he could take us,” Jaxom said.
“My father died last summer. I am the only one who knows what you are looking for. Before he died, he showed me the city inside Teriken. If you want me to take you there, you will agree to my terms.”
Setting her jaw, the woman waited. Jaxom considered. If she did know where this city was, it could save them days or weeks of looking. “We have a deal,” he said. She smiled, and Jaxom gasped faintly as her face went from beautiful to radiant.
“I will meet you tomorrow morning at the Traveler,” she said.
“How did you know where we were staying?”
“Few people come to Chams’dell. I would be surprised if anyone did not know where you are staying,” she said. She turned to leave.
“Wait! You did not give us your name,” Jaxom said to her back.
“Adriana Fielder,” she replied over her shoulder before melding into the crowd and disappearing around a corner.
He stood staring at the spot where he lost sight of her. A chuckle to his side reminded him of Jerup’s presence. “What’s so funny?” Jaxom asked the older man.
“Nothing. It’s just amusing to see a young man moon struck.”
“I’m not moon struck,” Jaxom replied irritably.
“Of course not,” he said, chuckling harder. “I wonder, though, if you would have agreed to hire her if she had been homely.”
Jaxom felt his face flush in embarrassment. “Look, we needed a guide, and I got us one. Let’s head back to the inn and tell the others.” This only caused the man to break into outright laughter. Jaxom stalked away, and Jerup followed, still laughing to himself.
Chapter 11
Jaxom told the others about the encounter with their new guide. When he revealed that the person leading them was a woman, Cribble spat on the floor, earning himself a withering glare from the girl serving them. Jerup enjoyed sharing the encounter with the others, going into great detail about how Jaxom had been so dumbstruck by her beauty that he would have agreed to anything she wanted. This earned a round of laughter from the table. Brenin elbowed him in the side with a wink and a smile. Jaxom tried to explain that they had no other options, but soon gave up.
That night, Jaxom couldn’t sleep. Lying awake for part of the night, he listened to Brenin’s light snoring and thought over the path that had brought him to this point. It was still hard to believe that a little over a ten-day ago, he had been going about his life, and now he was about to enter a forest that very few ever returned from. All to find a powerful unknown enemy. Recounting the events, he realized that he had been closer to death more times recently than in the previous two years combined. The dawn broke to find him staring at the ceiling of the small room.
After a qui
ck breakfast, they moved to the stables to gather their horses. Adriana was waiting for them, patting her piebald on the neck and whispering quietly to him. She carried a bow strung over her back and a flanged mace on a loop at her belt. Jaxom thought the heavy weapon an odd choice for her and hoped she carried it because she knew how to use it. A quick round of introduction allowed him to give her his name, as she had not cared to ask for it the day before. Once they had saddled their mounts, she led them to the smaller northern gate in the wall. The ride to the forest was quiet. Everyone stared, as the looming woods grew larger and more foreboding.
Adriana stopped them just before the undergrowth turned into towering trees and held out her hand to Jaxom. He retrieved four gold coins from his shrinking purse and handed them over. “If you are coming back with us to Ale’adar, does it really matter when I pay you?”
She pocketed the gold before meeting his eyes, and he was once again gripped by her beauty. The seriousness of her expression only added to it. “I will do my best to keep you away from danger, but it is likely that not all of us will come back. So I would rather be paid now,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. Turning back to the forest, she led them into the shadows of the trees’ high branches. “The first few miles are relatively safe,” she said. “You only have to watch out for wolves.”
Jaxom had seen wolves in the past only from a distance. He found it hard to believe that even here they would be brazen enough to attack a group on horseback. Still, Adriana knew this forest. It would be foolish to disregard her warnings.
The dark and damp woods left Jaxom with the feeling of riding through a graveyard at night. Every sound of a bird in the trees or an animal scurrying in the bushes was deafening in the stillness that surrounded them. He had never feared graveyards at night as others did, and he often felt most comfortable in their quiet solitude. Of course, he was a unique case, knowing more about death than any other living person. He did not fear that the dead would rise from their graves unless, of course, he willed them to do so. In all his years of channeling the power of death, he had never come across a ghost. As far as Jaxom was concerned, they were as real as dragons. The deeper they rode, the darker it became. His companions looked about nervously, gripping their weapons at every tree as if expecting each one to hide some beast ready to leap for their throats. Adriana seemed to ride easily while never letting her guard down for a moment.
There was no trail to follow as she led them further away from the open skies, but somehow her direction never wavered with indecision. As no sign of threat appeared, the ride eventually turned into hours of unbroken boredom. By the afternoon, Jaxom’s companions had noticeably relaxed their guard, perhaps thinking that the stories of this place were exaggerated. Jaxom was beginning to agree with that assessment when Adriana suddenly turned to the right, looking once over her shoulder to ensure they were still following before returning her eyes to the front. Fifteen minutes later, another course change to the left put them back on their original path.
Jaxom began to scan the woods more thoroughly. Off to his left, he caught sight of something large moving quickly in the shadows. Brenin with his sharp eyes had spotted it as well and was knocking an arrow as he guided his horse with his legs. Seeing the young man readying himself, the others drew weapons as well. Da’san began chanting quietly. “Ride hard!” Adriana yelled, spurring her horse forward.
Jaxom drew his own sword as he followed the huntress in her mad charge through the trees. She rode at a reckless speed over the rocky ground. If they were not careful, a fall would kill them just as surely as whatever was chasing them.
After about a ten-minute ride, the young woman reined her horse in near an overhanging rock shelf. Dropping to the ground, she moved the piebald against the rock then pulled her bow from her back and knocked an arrow. Dismounting, Jaxom moved his horse next to hers. The other four men were only seconds behind him. Holding his sword out ready, Jaxom saw a huge four-legged shape emerge from the gloom. The first was followed by another and another until eight of the largest wolves he had ever seen stared back at them. The shoulders of the beasts came to his chest and their barred fangs were several inches long. Their black fur made them almost invisible in the dark forest.
Da’san was the first to act. His chanting became louder and louder until a shout ripped from his lungs. The sound tore the ground apart before slamming into one of the wolves. The animal was thrown back and hurled into a nearby tree. Another wolf was caught by the edge of the blast. It landed on its side but quickly began to regain its feet. Not waiting to see how injured the animal was, Jaxom raised his hand, sending the blight swirling forward to ensnare the wolf. The creature howled as the tendrils wrapped around its chest and legs, quickly rotting fur and flesh. Jaxom cast again. The pack quickly learned to avoid the floating death, leaping away before it got close. Adriana and Brenin fired arrows that slowed the charging wolves. A wolf with multiple arrows protruding from its fur leapt at Brenin with its jaws wide to rip the bowman apart. Cribble pierced the wolf’s chest with his sword, driving the blade completely through as the weight of the beast forced him to the ground. Immobilized by the dead animal, Cribble struggled to withdraw his sword.
Adriana was in similar trouble. One of the pack had rushed in low, trying to bite the huntress around the hip. She side-stepped the wolf, bringing her mace down on the thick skull and stunning the animal. When it lunged again, Da’san shouted once more, holding his hand out in a closed fist as if gripping some unseen object. The wolf stopped cold in its tracks, whimpering and thrashing. Approaching from behind, Jerup slashed the creature’s throat.
Da’san released his grip and the carcass fell to the ground. Jaxom cast towards the dead wolves. As the wolf he had just killed rose to its feet, Jerup moved to strike again but stopped when he saw the white glow emanating from the eyes. The wolf pinning Cribble stood, too, allowing the captain to roll clear. The newly risen wolves sprinted after their former pack mates. The one Cribble had impaled clamped down on the throat of one of the remaining four, its sharp teeth tearing flesh away. Leaving the animal to bleed out on the ground, the risen wolf latched on to the neck of another. With a powerful jerk, it snapped the spine of the other wolf before looking for the two that had already fled into the forest. Jaxom stopped the pursuit, commanding the risen wolves to hold their place. Looking around, he saw none of his party seemed seriously injured. Cribble nursed a bruised arm but seemed more angry than hurt. He turned and found Adriana staring at him in amazement. He had forgotten that she didn’t know what he was. It was evidence of her self-control that she had not let the shock affect her concentration.
“It’s getting late. We can camp here for the night,” Jaxom said. Without a word, they all set about unpacking saddlebags. Jerup and Brenin searched for firewood nearby while Da’san and Cribble unloaded items from the horses. Looking at the two risen wolves standing as statues, an idea came to him. Casting again, he brought back two more wolves and went to work repairing them. The risen wolves would give them advanced notice of anything that came too close in the night. Seeing the disturbed look on Adriana’s face at the gruesome animals, Jaxom focused on repairing the wolves’ flesh. This much damage would take him close to an hour to mend. Making the wolves whole was not strictly necessary, but it would make them less fearful to look at. When he finished knitting flesh and fusing bone, he sent the wolves out to circle and protect their camp. Back at the fire, Jerup was cooking the evening meal while the others settled down nearby to enjoy the warmth. Someone had laid out his bedroll, and he was grateful for the small kindness. After the long ride, the fight, and the energy he had expended on his new pack, Jaxom only wanted to sit and eat.
Whoever had laid out his blankets had put them next to Adriana’s. Sitting down next to her, he warmed his hands near the fire. The food was passed around, and everyone ate their portion in silence. Brenin was the first to break uncomfortable quiet.
“How far to this city?”
�
��Keeping our current pace, we should be there in two days,” she said, not meeting the young guard’s eyes.
“How do you know?” Da’san asked, stirring the fire with a long stick.
“My father knew. His father told him and so on, all the way back to the Mage Wars. I have never been inside the city. We would only look at it from a distance. My father said that it was not safe to enter.”
No one broached the subject further. Standing, Adriana picked up her bow and mace and moved out into the darkness. The rest of the party lay down on their rolls, except for Da’san who continued to prod the fire. Gathering his sword, Jaxom walked out into the night. He felt the magic connecting the risen wolves as they circled the camp, sniffing the air for threats. He found Adriana sitting against a tree.
“There is no need to keep watch. My… pack will let me know if anything approaches.” “I know. I came out here to think,” she said.
Jaxom turned back toward camp when she spoke again. “I have never heard of a mage like you.”
“What do you know about mages?” he asked.
“What everyone knows, they have power to do wonderful and terrible things. Some control the wind, the cold, or the earth, but I have never of one who controls death itself,” she said, her voice growing soft.
“And now that you have, what do you think?” he asked, afraid to hear her answer. Maybe Jerup was right. He was moon struck.
“What you did earlier was not natural. If you can do that, can you bring back men?” she asked. He nodded. “If I took you to my father, could you--”
“It doesn’t work like that,” Jaxom interrupted. “I could raise his body, but it would not be the man you knew. Just a shell that I control like I control my sword, a tool.”
She nodded. He wished right then he did have the power to bring her father back. In the past, he had thought long on trying to learn how, believing there might be a way. If he could restore the mind of a risen man completely, giving him complete autonomy to make his own decisions, he might be able to bring him back completely. The question was would such a person be who they were in life or someone new? Or just another magical creation? He had decided then that he would never find out. An undying creature with a will of its own was not something he was ready to unleash into the world.