by Ronald Craft
Chapter 3
Ilian groaned and opened his eyes. The sun shone brightly in the sky, oblivious to the terrors of the night before. A blanket and an half-eaten piece of bread lay on the ground nearby. Thick brush and tall trees hid their makeshift camp site.
Karena was nowhere to be found.
He shivered against the morning chill and rubbed his arms to stave off the cold.
My body is my own again, Ilian thought. Was last night real? It all seems so long ago.
The pain in his side was no more than a dull ache, but it flared as Ilian grabbed a sapling and pulled himself to his feet.
Looks like the sun has only been up for a short time, he thought. I need to get back to Lochden. He took one step forward, then another.
I'm free!
Something inside Ilian's mind snapped and his body jerked to a stop, his foot still in midair. He lost his balance and tottered face first onto the ground.
Everything from the night before came crashing back into his mind. The red haired woman, his father's blood, the guardsmen dying one after another, fleeing through the city, the strange green glow that looked like him. His head felt as if it'd explode.
Leaves crunched in the forest behind him. Ilian tried to move his body, but he had once again lost control over it.
Why can't I move? What's happened to me? His heart pounded in his chest and his breath came in ragged gasps. What has she done!
The footsteps came to a stop. It was her. He could feel her in his head.
Karena grabbed him by the hair and wrenched his head to the side. Her gaze pierced into his own. “And where might you be going?”
“I—I gotta piss.” He glanced at a nearby tree.
She smirked. “Make it quick.” She dropped him back onto the ground with a thud.
The gate in his mind opened and freedom came pouring into his limbs. Ilian stood up and walked over to the tree.
Feels like she ripped half of my hair out, he thought. She must've known I was lying. That's why she smiled. The experience had left him scared enough to relieve himself anyway. He fastened his trousers and sighed. Maybe she'd be gone when he turned around.
She wasn't.
“Eat.” Karena tossed a piece of bread over to him. “You'll need to be healed by the time we reach the Dor River.” She began stuffing things into her pack.
His stomach rumbled in anticipation. He caught the bread with one hand and gobbled it down, crumbs and all, in three bites. With everything that had happened he'd forgotten all about eating.
Ilian glanced at Karena. He knew he should keep his mouth shut, but he couldn't resist. “Why did you kill my father? He did nothing to you and you killed in him cold blood. Why not kill me too?”
Ilian took a step towards her and spread his arms wide. “Come on, kill me just like you killed my father. What're you waiting for?”
Karena stood up and drew a dagger from her belt. She eyed it for a moment, shook her head and slid it back into its sheath. “My steel isn't meant for you. Now, if you're finished crying like a little girl I need to finish packing.”
His nostrils flared and his face reddened. “Like a little girl? How dare you.” Ilian charged forward and threw himself at Karena.
“Lesson number one,” Karena said. She jumped out of the way and smashed her fist into his ribs. The blow dropped him to his knees. “Don't attack someone unless you know you can win.”
“Bitch,” Ilian gasped. “I'll kill you.” He pushed himself to his feet and wobbled over to a tree.
Karena laughed. “You have a long ways to go before you can kill me, boy. I'd worry about yourself for now. This journey is inevitable. Just accept it.” She knelt down and continued packing.
“Tell me, where are you taking me and for what purpose? What could anyone want with me?”
Karena shrugged. “You'll figure it out eventually.” The amusement in her voice was apparent. He was sure she was smiling again, though he couldn't see her face.
Ilian frowned. It unsettled him whenever she smiled. One such as her should be much more grim. Did she enjoy the killing that much? Or was it something else?
He swallowed. What was going to happen to him? He had many questions rolling around in his head, yet held answers for none of them. As much as the realization painted him, it was best to be obedient to her wishes for the time being. There was no telling what she would do to him should he try to escape. He needed time to recover.
Karena tied the top of her pack closed and swung it onto her back. When she faced him her expression was devoid of the amusement it had held earlier. Despite the warmth of the sun, her eyes sent shivers down his spine.
“Lets move. We'll be setting a quick pace. There's not much time left.”
“Time? Time For what?” He struggled to keep up with her as she glided elegantly through the woods.
Her voice was strained. “Winter approaches. We need to get to our destination before the first snows.”
A branch snapped back and slapped him in the face. “Ow, watch it.” He rubbed his face where it had struck. Yet another welt and we've only just begun our journey to... wherever she's taking me.
Ilian was like a bull crashing through the forest in comparison to her silent strides. Karena ducked and weaved through the thickets with ease while he broke branches, snapped twigs and stumbled over every root in the ground.
Blacksmiths don't belong in the woods. I should be in front of a hot forge, hammer in hand. Instead, this woman has me stumbling through the woods.
It was then that something she said came back to him. “First snows...you couldn't possibly mean the Crystal Mountains.”
Karena glanced back at him. “Correct. I guess you're not completely stupid.”
He shook his head. “You're mad. At this time of—” His mouth snapped shut.
She had stopped, eyes narrowed at him. “It would do you well to hold your tongue, boy.”
He nodded. “A—All right.”
Karena turned and continued onward without a word.
As they trudged through the forest he couldn't shake the feeling that she was driven by more than the threat of snow.
—
Kane tapped his foot as he eyed the man in front of him. Chaerok knelt with his head pressed against the ground. His eyes were shut and he muttered something under his breath.
Chaerok stood up and shook his head. “They've quickened their pace and with my body as it is, I cannot match it.”
Kane sighed. Chaerok was roughly the same age as him, yet his body was frail in comparison. He was still winded despite resting several times throughout the day. Their progress had been slow at best.
“Chaerok, let's part ways here.” He pointed towards the woods ahead of them. “I know that woman has Ilian. I have to find her before she's out of reach. I cannot afford to idle around here while you slow my progress.” Kane shifted the pack on his shoulders. “I appreciate everything you've done for me, but this is goodbye.”
He took several steps away, but jerked to a stop as Chaerok grabbed him by the shoulder.
“No, Kane! I—I can't explain it, but if you try to separate from me something bad will happen.” His pale eyes stared into Kane's. “I'll be fine with a little more rest.”
“Shove off,” Kane said and shook Chaerok's hand loose. “I was dead, Chaerok. I don't imagine it can get much worse than that.”
He would rescue Ilian and have his revenge on Karena. Nothing would get in the way of that. She was different than he remembered. What had changed her? And those daggers... he remembered them from his past.
But they were blood bound. How did she get them? He pondered.
Kane parted a bush and took a step past it. Suddenly, he felt a pain that was all to familiar to him. He gasped in pain and dropped to a knee. The strength left his arms as healed wounds opened once more and his life began trickling out of him.
“What sorcery is this?” He grunted. His insides ripped and tore. Kane turne
d as Chaerok cried out behind him.
“I warned you, Kane! You must come back. We are—” His eyes rolled into the back of his head.
Kane clenched his teeth and drove himself to his feet. He took a step back. With each step the blood flow lessened and his flesh mended until, at last, the wounds sealed up again. He leaned against a tree and gasped for air. Sweat soaked his shirt and the muscles in his arms quivered.
“Explain yourself.” The pain was gone now, but he was still light headed from the loss of blood.
Chaerok flopped onto his back and spoke through each gulp of air. “It seems,” he took a deep breath, “that your life is bound to mine, as mine is to yours.”
“Bound? How can it be bound to you? What exactly did you do to me?”
Chaerok closed his eyes. “I don't know. I wasn't even sure what I was doing when I brought you back. My body acted on its own. I'm truly sorry.”
Kane pounded his fist against the tree. “I can't just let her take Ilian. You must find the strength to continue, Chaerok.”
“I'll try my best, Kane. My body grows weak.” Chaerok wobbled a bit as he tried to stand.
Kane propped himself against a tree. Neither of them were in any condition to move around much for the time being.
Damn this curse. He had been given a new life, but the cost was too great. His patience had run out. They were already falling further behind and here he was dawdling around here with this fool.
“I wish I could remember.” Chaerok had curled up under a nearby bush.
“Remember what?” Kane asked.
“Remember something about myself. I awoke from darkness some time ago and have been wandering ever since.”
Kane stroked his beard. “Where did you come from? Start with what you can remember and maybe it'll come to you.”
And maybe you'll find your wits while you're at it.
Chaerok shook his head. “I—I came out of darkness. I'm not sure how to describe it any better. One moment I was asleep and then I heard a sound. It was as if someone was shouting my name but it came across as a mere whisper. I headed for it and then... I fell. And when I next opened my eyes I was in this world.”
“That's it? You don't remember anything else?”
I need to be careful, Kane thought. There's more to him then meets the eye. How had he brought him back from the dead? What sort of strange powers did he possess?
Something wasn't right.
Chaerok squeezed his head and sighed. “No, nothing else. I'm sorry.”
Kane shrugged. “Don't worry. When your memory returns maybe you'll be able to find some peace. In the mean time, we need to figure out what to do about you. You're too weak to make this journey and it seems I have no choice but to stay with you for the time being.”
“I know, Kane. I can feel it in my bones. With each passing day, my body grows weaker. The food I eat brings me no energy and the water I drink does not quench my thirst.” He rubbed his wrist.
He felt imprisoned, chained to this mysterious pale man. Kane had his life back, but at the cost of his freedom. It was a high price to pay.
“I'm not sure what ails you, Chaerok. I've never heard of such a disease before.” Chaerok's skin had grown paler. He could clearly see the veins on Chaerok's body as they pumped blood through him.
The sight made Kane's stomach heave. If Chaerok's condition became any worse he'd probably be too weak to even walk. And here Kane was, bound to him without the ability to move away on his own. What would happen to him should Chaerok die?
He shook the thought from his head. Better to not think of that right now.
“We'll rest for a while more. We're only human, after all.” Kane pulled some cheese and bread from his pack, cutting a couple pieces for Chaerok. Chaerok smiled weakly, accepting the rations.
The silence weighed on Kane as he nibbled at a piece of cheese. Chaerok didn't look to be fairing much better. Thoughts of Karena and Ilian plagued Kane's mind as he sought to find some comfort, despite the dire situation before him. Somewhere out there, Ilian was being held captive by that woman. And here he was, a walking corpse, powerless to go to his rescue.
Even if he caught up to them, he wasn't sure what he would do. Karena had already killed him once. What could he hope to do against her a second time? He closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come to him. His mind was weary from all that had happened.
His eyes shot open as the smell of oiled leather reached his nose. He knew that smell. It had filled his nostrils almost on a daily basis back in Lochden.
“Chaerok, hide. The Lochden guardsmen are near.” He tried to keep his voice low so as not to alert the guards to their presence.
Two of their own had been slain and he and Ilian had gone missing. He knew there would be no reasoning with them. The raspy sound of blades being drawn reached his ears.
Too late.
“Kane! Surrender your arms at once!” A man clad in hardened leather armor exited the woods in front of him. The guardsman's eyes narrowed as his gaze met Kane's.
Kane risked a glance around him. The sun was low, but he could still discern several swords glinting in the waning light.
Five or six of them. Too many for me to take alone. He removed the sword from his belt and lowered it to the ground. Chaerok's breathing was labored as he tried and failed to rise.
“What in the devil is wrong with him?” The guardsman fixed his gaze on Chaerok.
Recognition dawned on Kane. “Josef? Is that you?” Kane had known him for many years. He had only recently been promoted to the rank of captain.
It seems Josef's first task as captain was to hunt me down, Kane thought. This won't end well.
Josef faced Kane once more. “Indeed.” He shook his head. “Why did you do it, Kane? And where is your blasted son? You both must atone for your crimes.”
“Josef, listen to me. Neither I nor Ilian slew your brethren. We had no reason to—”
“Enough! You two were seen in the area just before they were slain. If you're innocent, then why did you flee? No, Kane. I have to bring you back.”
Sweat soaked through Chaerok's robes and his breath came in ragged gasps. He was on the verge of death.
If he dies, I die. I have to do something. Kane gestured towards Chaerok. “Josef, he's sick. He needs to be treated. Please, help him.”
Josef sneered in disgust. ”Why should I? How do I know this isn't some sort of trick, Kane? Look at him. Whatever ails him is beyond our ability to treat.”
Desperation set in. A distant memory nagged him at the back of his mind and he grasped onto it. “Please, Josef! Remember your mother. Do you want another person to die like she did? Do you—”
Josef rushed at him and pressed the point of his blade against Kane's throat.“How dare you, Kane. How dare you speak of her.” A drop of blood ran down the edge of the sword.
He looked into Josef eyes. “Please, Josef. I beg of you.”
They stood still for several moments. Each stared into the others gaze, unwilling to back down. Kane held his breath, afraid that even the slightest movement would cause the tip of the blade to puncture his neck. The woods around them were silent save for Chaerok's heavy breathing. The other guardsmen shuffled cautiously, unsure of what to do.
“Josef, just help the poor guy,” one of the other guardsmen said in a gentle tone.
Josef lowered his blade and sighed. “All right Kane. Consider this my last gift as your friend.” He turned towards Chaerok.
Chaerok's skin was almost transparent now. His eyes shifted from side to side as his body trembled. His clothes were soaked in sweat.
Kane felt his body weaken. He doesn't have much longer. I can feel the life draining from my body.
Josef knelt beside him. “He looks awful. I've never seen anything like this before.”
“You should just put him out of his misery,” another guardsman said.
“Ya think he's contagious? I dun want no disease gettin' back t
o th' city, ya know?”
“N... Need...” Chaerok's voice was barely audible.
Josef furrowed his brow. “Speak up. I can't make out what you're saying.” Josef pulled a water skin from his belt and pulled off the top. He dribbled some water into Chaerok's mouth. “That should help a little.”
Chaerok sputtered and coughed. “...My hand...take...”
Josef cautiously reached for his hand.
“Don't touch him, Josef. You don't know what sort of disease he might have,” a guardsman said. “Just let him rot.”
Josef raised his hand. “It'll be fine, Pit. The least I can do is offer this man a bit of comfort in his final moments.”
Kane's thoughts were racing. Even if he grabbed his sword and cut down the guardsmen around him, without Chaerok he was still a dead man. Was there no way? There had to be something. He had to think. Ilian needed him. He couldn't afford to lose the new life he had been given.
Josef reached for Chaerok's hand. Something in Chaerok changed.
Kane reached out. “No, Josef, wait—”
Chaerok's hand shot out and gripped Josef by the wrist. Josef's eyes widened and a scream like none Kane had heard before burst from his lungs. Color returned to Chaerok's skin and his other hand wrapped around Josef's throat. Kane's muscles bulged as energy flowed back into his body.
Chaerok's eyes turned from white to dark black.
“No,” Kane shouted. He rushed to Josef's side and ripped him from Chaerok's grasp. What had only moments ago been a strong, healthy man was no more than a shriveled corpse in his arms. Josef's eyes were sunken in and his face was contorted into a permanent, soundless scream.
The guardsmen around them backed away in fear. One turned and bolted into the forest shouting of demons. Chaerok rose from the ground. His blackened eyes gazed around him at the remaining guardsmen. Something dark smoldered in his hands.
Chaerok's lips curved into a wicked smile. “That was a good appetizer.” He spread his arms and a fire black as night burst forth, covering the remaining guardsmen.
Their screams echoed through the forest.