To set a good pace, they rode well into the night. With Galen’s seasoned hand and directions, they assembled a camp in no time, even with the surrounding twilight. Once the basic camp had been made, Galen set everyone about various tasks. For Nihlen, his task was to gather water from a nearby river.
The river was downhill from their current position, and Nihlen slid and stumbled down the sleek grass coating the hillside. Once he reached the bottom, he quickly jogged across a small open field, to where the river was churning by quietly in the darkness.
Nihlen slowly lowered one of the two pails he was carrying into the river. He knelt by the river’s edge as the pail slowly sunk into its unreadable depths while the water filled it. The water was nearly ice cold, sending a slightly painful sensation into Nihlen's hand as it delved below the surface with the bucket.
A faint sound in the grass surrounding him caught his ears. Probably an animal looking for a drink. Nihlen thought, looking around. He lifted the filled bucket from the water, and lowered the second one in. None the less, he continued to listen.
Another sound, closer this time.
Nihlen pulled the second pail out of the water, pretending not to have heard anything. He began to make his way back up toward camp. As he walked, his breathing changed slightly, and his senses spiked. The Eye of Kings was reacting, but Nihlen was ready for it, and he had kept his outward appearance the same.
One more sound was heard, whatever it was had moved further away.
Nihlen released the Eye of Kings. His control was improving greatly now that he had an understanding of what it really was.
I should tell the others. Nihlen thought.
Nihlen made his way up the hill quickly, and strode into camp. The others were sitting on rocks that naturally jutted from the land. They had opted not to make a fire so they could gauge whether they were being tracked or not. A decision Nihlen was very glad they had made now.
“Just now, I had an encounter near the river. We’re definitely being followed.” Nihlen said, taking a seat on one of the rocks nearby. “I released the Eye of Kings, and they fled before I even saw them, but there was definitely someone or something crawling in the high grass, and I feel like it was a person.”
“It’s not surprising given our current situation. We have enemies all around just as we are beginning our journey. It’s a problem we may face from now on, though I was really hoping we might disappear before anyone got onto us.” Galen said, nearly invisible in the shadows created from the rocky outcroppings surrounding them. “If they know they were discovered, they may back off for a while, but we must remain on high alert. I’ll stand watch for tonight, so rest. We will be rising early to get moving again.”
The others murmured their assent, moving to their beds. It was only as Nihlen fell into bed that he realized his exhaustion.
One day down…
It seemed like only minutes before Nihlen was being shaken, Galen’s gruff voice speaking in his ear to pull him from his slumber. Stretching out, and rubbing sleep from his eyes, Nihlen rose quickly. In the predawn darkness, it was quite cold, and Nihlen shivered as he rolled up his blankets. Talk was minimal as their makeshift camp was broken down and packed, and they were moving once again.
Though an experienced rider, Nihlen was far more than just sore from their horseback travel. A quick glance around the camp showed everyone but Galen was sharing his pain, and probably much worse in the case of Marina and Cal. Neither complained though as they swung onto their horses, and followed Galen out to ride once more.
“We made good progress yesterday. As long as we keep it up we’ll make it to Hylrak on schedule.” Galen said, by far the most awake of the group. His military career had accustomed him to this kind of life style though. “We’ll ride on until midday or so, then we’ll stop for a break. Considering last night’s events, I’d like to work with Cal and Marina so they are able to at least defend themselves should anything occur.”
“Me and Marina aren’t weak!” Cal yelled indignantly. “We’ll be able to protect ourselves if anything happens!”
“I never called you weak.” Galen stated simply. “The things we will face are much greater than street fights and back alley shake downs. Professional fighters, seasoned veterans, assassins, soldiers, anything is possible out here for us in the position we are in. We will all need to become stronger if we wish to survive what is to come, that much I can guarantee you.”
Cal merely looked away, leaving the conversation at that. Nihlen could tell he didn't like the idea of not being strong enough. He reached up and grabbed the handle of the sword that now rode on his back though, so it seemed to Nihlen that he wasn’t completely against the idea of training.
“Nihlen, I’d like you to fall to the back of our group, and watch behind us. I’ll ride the front, and watch ahead.” Galen said.
Nihlen nodded, stopping his horse. The others passed him by before he started forward again. Marina was riding in front of him, and he watched her for a short time. She was sitting straight up in the saddle, riding as comfortably as if she had been riding for years. She was strong not to show her muscle ache and fatigue from the previous day.
Nihlen smiled to himself before closing his eyes, and letting his senses go. He pulled on the Eye of Kings, so he could truly expand his senses. All around him he heard the sounds of what was hidden in the tall grasses surrounding them. Nothing seemed out of place though, which meant maybe his pursuers had given up. Or they were just observing from further back.
Only time would tell.
The ride remained uneventful until midday came, and Galen called a halt to their journey so they could rest and train. The horses were set out to graze, and everyone sat to eat a quick lunch. When they were finished, Galen gestured for them to follow him.
“Marina, I’m going to work with you first. Nihlen, please train with Cal.” Galen said, and he began to lead Marina a distance away from Nihlen and Cal.
“Let’s begin with some light sparring then, to allow you to get the feel of using the sword.” Nihlen said, drawing his halberd.
Cal nodded, drawing his massive sword. He sliced it through the air a few times, gauging its heft, before he faced Nihlen in a ready position. Nihlen calmly walked forward, and quickly struck out at Cal. Cal easily deflected the attack, stepping back. Nihlen threw a second, and a third, each the same as the first. Cal easily deflected them as well, and then stepped in with a counter attack. Nihlen sidestepped the blow, and the sword stuck into the ground. Nihlen waited as Cal pulled the blade out, and returned to a ready position. He took a defensive stance, and gestured for Cal to come at him.
Like Nihlen, Cal walked calmly forward, and quickly struck out at Nihlen. Nihlen deflected the blow easily, allowing it to roll off his halberd. In quick succession, Cal continued attacking. Nihlen nodded inwardly at his restraint. For all his gruff and complaints, he was actually quite great with training.
“You seem to grasp the use of the blade quite well. Lets move this up to an actual sparring match. Are you ready?”
Cal smiled, tightening his grip on his blade. “Lets do it.”
Nihlen lunged forward, swinging his halberd in a wide arc. It crashed into Cal’s sword. It had been Nihlen’s intention to disarm Cal, but with a grunt, Cal held through the attack, throwing the halberd back the way it came. Nihlen moved with the redirected attack, easily recovering. In he headed again, this time thrusting the halberd forward like a spear. Cal dodged, but this time he was on the defensive. On the fourth thrust, Nihlen stopped his attack, the blade hovering just above Cal’s side.
“Not bad at all for the first time with a weapon. Galen really does know how to outfit people for battle.” Nihlen said.
Cal looked to his sword, and then returned it to the ready stance. “I will take at least one match from you before we stop. Let’s continue.”
Nihlen laughed, and jumped into the fray once more.
They trained on for nearly two hours before Galen came to tell th
em it was time to ride once more. Cal never did get that win, but Nihlen was more than happy with his progress. Considering the amount of training Nihlen had over Cal, he was doing quite well indeed.
They quickly re-saddled the horses, and headed out once more. They resumed the same order they had been riding in, and Nihlen looked at Marina’s back as they rode. She was slumping in her saddle, and looked beat tired. He hadn’t had much of a chance to look at her training, because he had his hands full with Cal the whole time. He began to wonder what her training had been like.
I’ll ask her about it tonight, when we stop. Nihlen thought, but his attention suddenly snapped in a different direction.
It was back. Whatever he had sensed at the river was around them once again. Nihlen looked around, trying to pierce the waving grass of the open fields surrounding them with his senses, but it was to no avail. Without a word, Nihlen suddenly took off at full speed. He spurred Palata forward in the direction he sensed the presence as fast as he could gallop. He looked over his shoulder as he thundered forward, and saw the others a little ways behind, trying to catch up.
Over there, just behind that little hill. Nihlen thought, looking forward once more. As Palata neared the hill, he soared off the still galloping horse, over the hill, and landed on the other side. Whatever it was, it hadn’t fled this time. With an arm like a viper strike, Nihlen shot into the surrounding grass. From it, he pulled the body of a woman.
Holding her up by her arm, Nihlen hauled her to her feet. She looked to be in her thirties, with long, cascading auburn hair covering a blood red silk dress that struck Nihlen as out of place both for how she was hiding herself, and even for being outdoors at all. Her face was elegant, her eyes light blue. Oddly, Nihlen felt no ill intent from her at all, which only compounded the strangeness of this development.
“Who are you?” Nihlen asked, keeping a firm grip on her arm none the less.
“You’re quite good. I thought the night by the river when you sensed me may have been a fluke, but it seems that’s not the case. You may call me Siren.” The woman said, her voice light and very sweet.
“Why are you following us?” Galen asked, as the three dismounted and walked over.
“Why? To spy on you of course.” Siren said bluntly. Clearly she felt no concern for her current situation.
“Spy on us for who?” Nihlen asked.
“That’s a secret I can’t tell you yet.” Siren said, shrugging.
“What should we do with her?” Nihlen asked.
“There’s nothing you can do with me I’m afraid.” Siren said lightly, as if she were in complete control. “Our meeting this time has been quite short, but my job is done for now, and it’s time for me to go. We’ll meet again in the future, Prince of Draven.”
She gave a quick wave, and began to turn away. Beneath his hand, Nihlen saw what seemed to be her skin rippling. When he looked up again, the image of Siren’s face was slowly disappearing, and being replaced by something quite grotesque.
Marina suddenly screamed, and Nihlen almost did the same. He was now holding the arm of a dead body. A dead, decomposed body, standing there of it’s own will. Hollow eye sockets stared up at him from where Siren's deep blue eyes had been just moments before.
Nihlen released the arm, and jumped back from the decomposing body.
Nihlen glanced at his companions. Galen was staring ahead, looking composed, but his eyes were wide. Clearly he didn’t understand the situation before them. Cal was turned toward Marina, not even looking at the body. Marina was shaking in fear, tears rolling down her cheeks. At this sight, Nihlen reacted.
He lunged forward, drawing his halberd. In one clean motion, he severed the body’s head where it stood. The head slipped into the tall grass surrounding them, as did the body, with small spasms on the way down.
“What was that!?” Marina choked, tears still streaming down her face. “That body was dead… But it was moving!”
“That was Illian.” Nihlen said, without a trace of doubt. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he did. “Siren...” Nihlen trailed off. The event was very disturbing.
Marina was sobbing hysterically, and Cal was trying his best to comfort her. Nihlen caught Galen's eye, and there was fear inside. He was sure Galen saw the same in his own as well. Nihlen's stomach was doing back flips. A strange eye, and moving corpses. This just keeps getting better...
“For now they are gone, and we need to take advantage of this chance. If we can escape now, before they can get back here and find our trail, we will hopefully be able to lose them and finally disappear. I doubt we'll be able to make sense of this no matter how long we stand here.” Galen said.
“How though? Even if we got rid of them for now, they still know our current location. They may be sending out someone now to intercept us, or another body like that one to continue following us.” Cal interjected, holding a frightened Marina to his chest. Nihlen was slightly angry he felt a twinge of jealousy, even after such an unbelievable event.
“We’ll have to deal with those things if they happen. With the four of us, I think it’s best to avoid conflict whenever possible. Four people against an organization like Illian, we just don’t stand a chance. Galen is right, we need to take this chance and try to disappear. I think we should alter our course, and head west across Leoradan. They’ll probably assume Hylrak is our destination based on our current movements. Our best chance to lose them is to disappear from here and establish a new route.” Nihlen said.
Everyone nodded, and Galen turned his horse. “To the west it is. I want to cover our tracks from here, to increase our chances of losing any pursuers that may try to track us from here. You guys ride on for now. Just head west whenever you can, and I’m sure I’ll be able to find you. You probably won’t see me again until nightfall, so stay sharp.”
The others waved farewell to Galen, and set off on their trek. They rode for a while in silence, only the waving grass and warm breeze surrounding them speaking. After a while, Marina rode up next to Nihlen.
“That woman… What was that exactly? What are all these special powers about anyways? How is any of this possible? I’ve never heard of anything like this, and yet suddenly it’s so prevalent?” Marina asked, her voice hesitant.
“I do not know… I didn’t know of the existence of any kind of powers until all of this started happening. It’s something I definitely want to know a lot more about though. I am positive these powers must have something to do with why Draven fell so easily to Rinh.” Nihlen responded.
“I wonder how we would go about finding out?” Marina pondered aloud. “Clearly it’s a phenomenon hidden from most people. I wish we had asked the Queen more about it before we left.”
“As do I. I do not see how we will learn anything in our current situation though, so all we can do is keep our eyes open for anything that may help us. Next time we encounter someone with an ability, we should try our best to capture them. At least it’s somewhere to start.” Nihlen said.
“I'll try... But... But...” She suddenly stammered, and tears welled up in her eyes. As the tears leaked down her face, she began wiping them away, sobbing slightly.
“Nihlen, what are you doing to Marina?” Cal suddenly roared, riding up toward them.
“I’m not doing anything to her Cal! Marina, what’s wrong?” Nihlen responded, the latter half much gentler than the former.
“I don’t think I can help you catch someone with an ability… I’m so sorry! I froze up when that happened! I don’t have the power to face someone with some strange ability! What if they are as strong as you? I couldn’t do anything!” Marina sobbed loudly.
“Marina…” Nihlen said, reaching out toward her. This girl… She’s worried because she doesn’t have the power to help me defeat someone with an ability? “There is no reason to cry. We fight together. Working as a whole is far more important than any one person’s strength. For as long as we travel together, I will make sure no harm comes to you, no ma
tter what kinds of abilities or anything else we may face.”
“Nihlen…” Marina began, wiping away the last of her tears.
“The last thing I ever want is to see you get hurt. Things are getting more dangerous at every turn. Out here, it’s real. The world is real, vastly different from the one any of us used to know. If what this is becoming feels like it’s too much to bear, I don’t want you to suffer because you think you have to. I will do everything I can to keep you safe, but if you wish to leave at any point, I will definitely understand.” Nihlen said.
“I do not wish to leave… I’m really sorry. It’s just such a fearsome and overwhelming realization that these strange powers are real. Your Eye of Kings was one thing, but seeing the enemy with it really brought home how much we don’t know about the world we're about to face.” Marina said, the last trace of weakness in her voice gone.
“From what I’ve seen, the real world is an amazing and frightening place.” Nihlen said.
Chapter 14
Change of Direction
Rift of Askrah Book 1: Fracture Page 13