by Mike Morris
Through the leaves she saw Prince Julus, Bale and Dorian amongst the group of twelve Masters. They laughed at the carnage before them. The dogs yapped and barked at the riders. Lin waited for them to turn towards them, every muscle tensed in readiness to run once more. Her eyes flicked from one demon to the next, trying to work out who would see them first.
Another scream cut through the air. The Masters didn't hesitate. They spurred their horses on and headed off in pursuit. The dogs went with them, racing alongside or tearing ahead. Julus led the riders despite his age and inexperience. Lin held her breath as the pack passed a mere twenty yards from them. She pressed herself harder into the wet earth as the beat of the hooves grew fainter.
They waited for one, two, three heartbeats before they exhaled. Lin lifted her head and watched the Masters disappear into the distance. She checked the way they had come. All seemed clear. They pushed themselves up but remained crouched in cover.
"That was close," said Lin.
"I don't feel too good," replied Pet'r. His face was deathly white. He swayed on his feet and Lin grabbed his elbow to steady him.
"Sit for a minute," said Lin. Pet'r slumped to the ground. His arm was ripped to shreds. "You've lost a lot of blood. Rest. I'll deal with it." She tore a large strip of Pet'r's shirt. "Sorry about that."
"S'alright. Old shirt. Meant to get a new one," mumbled Pet'r whilst she wrapped the cloth around the injured arm. She pulled it tight and tied it off. A small black stain immediately started creeping across the cloth. Lin tore material from her own shirt and wound it around the first bandage, pulling it tighter still.
"That should hold it," she said. "Now catch your breath and let's get ourselves out of this shit. Are you ready to move?"
"Had better days but I'm as good as I'm going to be," replied Pet'r. "Which way?"
There was no going back. The glade was the center of all this madness. Off to the left, the main group of men was being hunted and straight ahead was where Julus and his entourage had ridden. It didn't really leave any options as far as she could see. She looked off to her right. The woods were thick but passable. The Masters' horses would find it hard going to follow them, but not impossible. If they could make good time while the others were being hunted, they might have a chance to escape. The driver had said the hunt lasted a few hours — could they evade detection for that long? Lin closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. They had barely survived so far. A few hours seemed like an impossibility.
"We're going to move slowly and quietly in that direction," said Lin, pointing deeper into the woods. "We keep an eye out and if we hear anything, we drop to the ground. No talking. Do nothing that will attract attention to us. We can do this, Pet'r. We can do this."
"You forgot something we need to do first."
"What?" replied Lin.
Pet'r lifted the arm that was still tied to her. "Think it might be easier if we get this rope off first, eh?" he said and this time the smile was genuine.
"Yeah, it might be." The smile spread to Lin's face too.
She pulled her knife from her pocket, grateful once again for Mas's gift. The rope frayed quickly under the stone blade.
"That way?" asked Pet'r once he was free.
"I'm just going to check Jaar first."
She made her way over to her friend's body. She was under no illusion that he was still alive but, seeing Jaar lying there still ripped a chunk out of her heart. She choked back a sob as she looked at the savage wounds all over his body. Lin knelt down and stroked his face. "Oh Jaar. I'm so sorry."
She returned to Pet'r with a shake of her head. "Come on," she said and they both moved off into the dark wood. A faint breeze traveled with them. Despite its chill, Lin was pleased. The wind would take their scent away from the dogs, but the trees were far more spread out than Lin originally thought. They’d be no hindrance to the Masters' horses.
They walked slowly and surely, trying to avoid leaving signs of their passing or creating unnecessary noise. They dropped to the floor three times at the sounds of hooves. Screams still pierced the night but they were becoming fewer as time passed. The ground sloped downwards and they followed it. As they passed under a large overhanging rock, Lin froze. She held her arm out to warn Pet'r. They both waited, motionless.
Only when Lin relax, Pet'r asked, "What was it?"
"I thought I saw something... someone. Must have imagined it." She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched but there didn't seem to be anything there — no dogs or horses. She couldn't imagine the Masters coming after them on foot. "Must be my nerves. How long until morning do you think?"
"No idea. It's hard to keep track out here. Not long but not soon enough. What I'd give to be back working the stone and for none of this to have happened." Pet'r scratched his head. "And poor Jaar. I wished we could've helped him, done something, you know? He's gone just like that."
"Try not to think about it right now. If...when we get away from this, we can mourn him," replied Lin.
"Do you think there is somewhere that men live free from the Masters? Like that Grunt said?"
"I'd like to think so. We've got to hope that, haven't we? It's funny but just being outside, away from the city, makes me feel freer, happier. Even with the danger we're in. I think if I die tonight at least I got a chance to run amongst the trees for once." Lin raised her eyebrows. "Bet you think I'm crazy?"
They looked at each other for a moment until a distant scream punctured the silence. Both laughed. "Definitely crazy," said Pet'r.
"Absolutely crazy," said a voice to Lin's right. They spun around to see a silhouette of a man standing in front of the overhanging rock. A large, thick stick was in his hand. He was big but clearly not a Master. He smiled. "What are you two idiots doing standing around talking? Shouldn't you be getting the fuck out of here?"
"Krin." The relief Lin felt was instantaneous. She nearly hugged him. Even he was better than a Master. "Yeah, you're right. We should be going. You seen anyone nearby?"
Krin pointed with his stick in the direction Lin and Pet'r were going in. "It seems pretty clear that way. Didn't see anything until I heard you fools jabbering away. Thought I'd come and get you. Safety in numbers and all that."
Pet'r raised an eyebrow at Lin. "Not sure if I feel too safe being with you," he said cautiously.
"Oh come on," replied Krin. "We ain't got time to fight old grudges. We need to stay alive. I'm not too ashamed to say I'm gonna need your help if I'm going to do that. Now can we get a move on?" He turned and started walking.
Pet'r looked at Lin who shrugged. "He's got a point," said Lin. "And I'd rather have him with us than not."
" All right. But watch your back is all I'm saying." They ran quickly to catch up with Krin. The slope declined sharply, a carpet of leaves whispering as they passed. The massive trees twisted and turned high into the darkness above. Lin and Pet'r continued to look around them but Krin acted as if he didn't have a care in the world. He strode ahead of them, leaving them to keep watch. Dogs barked in the distance but there were no more screams. But Lin couldn't shake the feeling things were going to get far worse before the night was through.
27
712 PN
Pet'r heard the horses first. He glanced back, grabbing Lin's arm. She turned as well, tensing.
Krin crouched beside them. "See anything?"
"No," she whispered, sinking down to the ground.
Pet'r still stood peering into the darkness. Lin tugged his arm and he dropped down into better cover. "I don't like this."
"Shut it," hissed Krin. He pressed a finger to his lips and pointed just to the right.
Three horses trotted towards them. Their riders were Dorian, Bale and Prince Julus. Lin's mouth went dry. Pet'r slipped his hand over hers. He squeezed it but it gave her little comfort. She closed her eyes. Please pass them by. But luck wasn’t with them.
"Humans!" The trot broke into a canter.
"Come on!" screamed Lin.
She grabbed Pet'r and yanked him to his feet. "Run!" They flew down the hill. They jumped over a fallen log, going faster and faster as the hill's slope dropped ever more sharply. Krin followed on their heels.
Lin swerved to the left quickly as a rock seemed to appear from nowhere. Out the corner of her eye, she saw someone fall over it. She slowed just enough to check Pet'r was still on his feet and running with her. Krin lay sprawled in the dirt.
"Leave him," said Pet'r. "We need to save ourselves first."
Lin heard a shout from behind them.
"Run dog! Why don't you run?" It was Bale's voice.
Lin glanced back up the hill and could just make out Krin who was standing where he had fallen.
The three horses circled him. Lin slowed more, unable to tear her eyes away. Bale jabbed his spear into Krin's shoulder, digging deep. Krin stumbled but still did not run. Julus rode into him, knocking him to the floor.
Lin knew she had to keep moving but she couldn't take her eyes off what was happening. Lin watched Krin rise to his feet again before a shout from Pet'r' jarred her back to her senses.
They resumed their flight.
Pet'r was ahead of her by a few yards. She ignored the noises behind them. The shouts and taunts. Krin's screams.
Lin felt a burning in her chest as she forced her legs to move quicker still. They crashed through some small bushes, twigs scraping their skins.
Krin cried one last time.
The sound of hooves resumed. Lin could feel their drum beat through the ground with each step they took. She wanted to look back desperately but she knew she couldn't afford to slow now. Her mouth was so dry. Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. The air was raw in her throat. Each breath ripped her lungs.
Closer, closer, the ground told her. The horses charged, eating the distance between them. In her mind's eye, she could see the spear as it edged towards her. Lin's body took over from her mind. She didn't think she could stop running now if she wanted to. Lin just ran straight down the hill.
The drumbeat was thunder in her ears. Any moment, death would strike.
Lin tripped and went sprawling. She rolled head over heels. Leaves swirled up around her. She stood and tripped again, catching her foot on a root. She went down hard. The landing knocked out what little air she had in her lungs.
A spear sliced overhead.
A horse leapt over her.
It was Dorian. He turned his mount around and Lin pushed herself to her feet. She jinked left and started running again.
The Master came after her. She sensed the spear this time and twisted. The blade point cut into her, nicking her side. Dorian kicked her as he passed but Lin managed to keep on her feet. She looked at Dorian as he wheeled around for another turn. Joy consumed his face, obvious even beneath the helm. Lin wasn’t lucky. The Master was simply playing with her. He was alone though. The others must be after Pet'r.
Despite everything, Lin ran on but her legs had little speed left. The knock and the cut had taken their toll. Her side tore with each step. Warm blood ran down her side. If only she could find somewhere to hide. But the Master still chased her. She tried to cut this way and that but Dorian just laughed with each time.
Again Dorian came. The blade pricked her shoulder and its momentum spun her off her feet. Again Lin landed heavily on the ground. She crawled backwards on the floor, scrabbling on all fours. Her left elbow struck a rock buried in the grass. Shards of pain lanced through her arm. Lin grabbed it just as Dorian came in close. With whatever strength she could muster, Lin hurled the rock. It struck the horse high on its forehead. The horse reared more ins hock than in pain but Dorian had to fight to avoid being thrown.
Lin didn't waste the moment and she was on her feet again, propelling herself forward down the hill. Ahead was a small wall of bushes just below waist height. Lin didn't break stride. She jumped, hurdling the obstacle.
The ground seemed to disappear beneath her as she cleared the bush. She dropped swiftly before her feet hit the ground, jarring her knees with the impact. A sharp pain shot through her ankle at it twisted. Lin tumbled down, breaking twigs and branches. They scratched and scraped her already battered body. The fall was short but Lin landed painfully on the stones of a riverbed. A slight stream trickled through.
Every part of Lin's body hurt. She checked herself quickly. Most of the cuts were shallow though. The only deep one was at her side, from Dorian's spear. Lin quickly tore another strip from her shirt, used that to bind the wound. Her left arm felt useless, still numb from cracking against the rock. She prayed it wasn't broken.
She scooped some water into her mouth but, as she did so, another ungodly cry filled the night.
It could be only Pet'r.
Dear sweet Pet'r.
Lin looked up the slope but couldn't see any way of climbing back up to help. Why couldn't they have died together?
She sank to her knees in the. Tears ran down her face as the events of the night overwhelmed her. Poor, sweet Pet’r. Her body shook with emotion. What had they ever done to deserve such a life, such a death?
No. She was still alive. There was still a chance. Survive, she told herself. She had to pull herself together.
Lin looked in both directions down the river to get her bearings. She had to keep away from the Masters. She thought about hiding, of burying herself in some bushes and hoping to go undetected but she knew that was madness. The Masters would find a way down to the riverbed eventually. They wouldn't leave her alive. There was nowhere safe to hide from them. It was safer to keep on the move.
Shards of moonlight pierced the canopy of leaves. She followed the glimmers of light floating in the stream. Everything was so alien to her; sounds, smells, sights. She couldn't hear any horses but, even still, she kept to the side of the riverbed, ready to press herself into the shadows.
Her body shook, either the cold or the night's events. Even her teeth chattered. She tried to control it. She wouldn't let her own body betray her to the Masters.
Lin breathed deeper. Steady controlled breaths as she tried not to panic at every rustle of leaves or gargle of water.
A slight breeze whispered past her face as she stumbled on.
The river twisted, rising and falling with the land.
A twig broke to her left and Lin froze.
She heard nothing but the river chattering as it carried on its way.
Lin waited, one heartbeat, two and then she moved again.
As she followed the river around a cluster of trees, another twig snapped behind her. Lin turned to look back, again finding nothing there. Lin allowed herself a small smile. She was only jumping at shadows. She shook her head. She could do this. She could escape.
Lin faced forward again and that saved her. Hooves flashed before her face and she threw herself backward into the stream. It was Julus. The Prince on his horse. Its flailing legs tried to stamp the life from her.
"I have her! Here! Here!" shouted Julus. His voice was filled with ecstasy. Lin struggled to get back to her feet but she slipped again in the water. Hooves raged around her. One caught her forehead and the world turned to sludge. Shadows rose from the ground to pull Lin down.
"Come human, where's your fight?" the Prince screamed. He jumped from his horse and splashed his way to the fallen girl. Lin scrambled in the water, her hands seeking anything to use as a weapon.
The demon prince's hand gripped Lin's chin, pulling her closer.
Her hands scratched around in the water, finding nothing.
The demon twisted her face up, exposing the neck.
Lin remembered the knife in her pocket. Her knife.
Julus' breath warmed her neck.
Lin screamed. The demon's breath stunk of death. Lin could smell her friends' blood as Julus edged closer.
She grasped the stone blade.
"Nothing but meat," the demon prince hissed. His teeth pierced Lin's neck.
She stabbed the knife through his cheek with all her strength.
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Julus fell off Lin into the water. It was his turn to scream now. Lin threw herself on him. She jabbed the knife again and again into the demon's face. Anger fueled her. Julus clawed at Lin but still Lin stabbed him. The Master's blood spurted out, covering her. His cries, not Lin's, echoed into the night.
"My Lord!"
Lin's head snapped up. Bale and Dorian hurtled towards them. They saw their charge lying at Lin's feet.
She looked down at the bloody face of the Master. She dropped the knife as she stumbled back. She could barely believe she'd killed him. Bale lowered his spear.
Lin ran to Julus's horse and grabbed the reins. She swung myself up. Lin had no idea on how to guide or turn the horse so she just kicked the animal's flanks and held on for dear life.
The Masters gave chase. A spear sailed dangerously close, digging into the ground to Lin's left. The horse sensed the danger and increased its speed. "Faster," Lin whispered in its ear. "Faster."
The space around the riverbed tightened. The hunters and their quarry propelled themselves along a tunnel of trees and bushes. A thick branch brushed Lin's hair. The gap was just wide enough for her small horse to squeeze through. She could feel it hesitating so she kicked its flanks once more. Behind her, the pursuers came to a violent stop blocked by the undergrowth. The Masters' curses mingled with protests from their horses. Lin took her first, conscious breath for what seemed like eternity.
"To the side! We'll cut her off further down stream." She heard Bale cry. "Quickly, before the night ends."
Darkness surrounded them. Lin nudged the horse on. She couldn't afford for him to slow now just because the other horses were no longer chasing them.
Another wave of fear welled up even stronger than before. The Masters would be waiting for her the moment the cover ended. Her death wouldn't be quick. Had she killed the Prince?