Ghosts Of Alfhaven (Book 2) (13 page)

Sawain placed his hand on Tobi's shoulder, “Don't say things like that, Tobi. I've told you before, I wouldn't have you on this team if I didn't have faith in you. So, you messed up. We're all fresh from the city. It's bound to happen. Don't let it get you down. You'll have more chances to shine.”

Tobi looked better already. He smiled weakly at Sawain.

“Why do you always stop and take time to cheer me up? Everyone else would rather leave me behind.”

Sawain forced a smile, against the will of the churning rage in his soul, “That's what friends do, Tobi. We stick together, no matter what.”

Tobi smiled. This time, it was a real smile.

“
I won't let you down again, Sawain. I won't be a burden to the Ghosts. I promise.”

Sawain nodded. Loraleth slipped up from behind.

“Sawain, I found their trail. It wasn't hard. They're heading that way.”

She pointed in the direction she found the trail. Sawain glanced at the sign and noticed it was the same direction as the arrow for Alfhaven was pointing. He snorted.

“They're heading for the city.”

Loraleth looked relieved, “Well, judging by the size of their trail, I can assure you that's a suicide mission. They must be fools to try to attack the city in such small numbers.”

Something about the situation did not sit well with Sawain, “Maybe we can cut them off before they get to the city. If they hit another village, it could have the same results. If this is the same enemy that nearly wiped out Captain Nerelis' team, then I don't think we should take them lightly.”

Naralei appeared from Sawain's right. She still looked weak from all of the blood loss she sustained the day before.

“Sawain, are you forgetting our mission? We have direct orders from Lady Tirinele to go to Bitterdeep Bog and not engage this new enemy. Let the more experienced teams and the Arborgard handle them. If you really want to stop them, then the answer most likely lies within that swamp.”

Jatharr stomped at some flames licking a nearby tree, “She's right, lad. We need to get you to this Sibilach witch. If we don't, Turin may kill us all!”

Sawain sighed. He glanced toward Alfhaven, then back to the sign. He read the words on it over and over again as he struggled to come to a decision. He was afraid that his blood lust would consume him if he ignored it, but he had to consider his entire team. He looked around at them. Everyone stopped what they were doing to wait for a decision.

They're right. If I really want to stop this war, I have to press on with my quest. If I get distracted and go chasing after these things, I could throw everything away. Everyone who died on my account would go unavenged. Hilmr would never taste justice. The Grey King will destroy everything.

He nodded and glanced around again, “Right. Let's get this mess cleaned up, then we will make haste for Bitterdeep Bog. The only way to stop the Grey King from taking our home is in there. We will avenge every murder these monsters are responsible for. To do that, though we have to press on.”

Everyone looked encouraged by Sawain's words. They went back to their chores briskly. Sawain stared at a flame near his foot. He thought of the lives lost. He thought of his own rage toward this injustice. He watched the flame grow larger while he thought on the horrors of war they were about to wade into. He thought long and hard, then stomped the flame out.

Chapter 13

Sawain's team moved quickly and quietly through the dark tangle of Alfhaven Forest. The gruesome image of the makeshift Tree of Souls was seared into Sawain's mind. Though they tore it down and burned the bodies, he could still see it. Though they left the bloody site four hours ago, he could still smell the carnage. His emotions churned like a violent storm in his chest. He nurtured it as he ran along the woven branches of the Forest's treetops. He stoked the hatred in his heart for the creatures that so brutally slaughtered that village of innocents.

I will avenge those who have fallen some day. When I find this witch and gain the power to freely wield Turin's wrath, I will come back for them. When I do, I will bring judgment on their heads.

They continued onward for another hour at a fast pace. Sawain found himself irritated at just how vast Alfhaven was. He noticed Naralei stop suddenly out of the corner of his eye. He skidded to a halt and looked at her, expecting an attack.

Sawain did not want to rest, he wanted to get to Bitterdeep Bog. He glanced around at his breathless team mates. Tobi and Jatharr were both bent double. Tobi was trying to suppress a silent wretch. Much to his ire, he was exhausted as well. He only noticed the burning in his lungs and the weariness in his muscles now that they stopped.

Everyone huddled around an old oak and found a branch to settle into. Tobi set up on the branch next to Sawain. Loraleth and Jatharr were next to each other just below him. He could hear their whispered conversation. Loraleth attempted to teach Jatharr their code language. He wondered how easily the Barbarian-born captain would pick it up. Mari and Timbrel wove a quiet lullaby that put Sawain's nerves at ease. Banthan was already asleep and Naralei, who was on the other side of the tree, was silent.

Sawain hated sleeping in trees. He looked forward to being out in the open Fells again, At least there, he did not have to strap himself to his bed to prevent falling to his death.

He looked up at the leafy canopy that enveloped the forest. Even in this great oak, they were several feet below the verdant cover. He let his mind wander as he drifted into the realm of dreams.

I wonder if it's day or night right now. Since we left the city, I haven't been able to keep up with it. I have no idea how long it has been since we left. I wonder how everyone is doing in Anvilheim. I hope the Dawnstar Company made it back safely.

Sawain awoke with a start. The dream he had was already fading from his memory. He just remembered falling. Naralei stood over him.

Sawain graciously accepted the rations and tore into the jerky ravenously. It left the same tingling sensation in his mouth that the wolf he ate on the Fells had.

Siethtakar Jerky. Haven't had this kind of meat in a while.

He quickly finished his meal and untied the rope that bound him to the tree. He got to his feet and stretched the stiffness out of his limbs. Everyone else was busy doing the same. A few minutes later, the team was up and ready to go. Sawain waited for everyone's eyes to fall on him before he whispered instructions.

“Alright, we need to get moving again. Do we have a heading?”

Loraleth nodded, “I made a mark before we stopped to rest. We just need to go that way.”

She pointed just to Sawain's right. He smiled at Loraleth.

“
Good job, Loraleth. Now that we know where we are going, let's move.”

Everyone nodded and spread out into their travel formation. Sawain gave the signal and they were off again. They wove their way through the tight labyrinth of trees for nearly an hour before Loraleth halted them. Sawain watched her hands intently in the darkness. One of her hands reached for a knife while the other shot into the air.

Everyone gave a sign of acknowledgment. Sawain could hear steel slide against wood in the stillness as the outriders unsheathed their weapons. He quietly drew his own and allowed the team a moment to catch their breath before they crept onward.

It was not long before Sawain could make out the faint glow ahead. It emitted the same eerie light the one he stumbled across when he entered the forest a year ago did. He remembered it well, especially the flesh eating plants that called the grove home. He flashed a quick warning to the team.

They encircled the grove. Sawain scanned the foliage below for any movement. He did not see anything. He inched closer to the blue-green light. He was able to see into the grove once he peered around the tree he used as cover.

It was beautiful to behold. A small oasis of glowing water adorned the center of the grove. It was surrounded by mushrooms the size of a small dog. They glowed as brightly as the pool, but their colorful aura shifted from blue to green to violet randomly. Their colors rippled like water. Sawain scanned around for the deadly vines, but did not see any. The floor of the grove was covered in thick moss. Massive ferns grew along the edges. Green vines wove around the tree trunks. Each vine was dotted with small violet flowers.

Sawain did not see anything dangerous in this grove, so he took a breath and stepped to the other side of the tree he hid in. The other outriders followed suit. Tobi climbed down his tree and fell onto the mossy ground below with a dramatic flop. He rolled around in it, chuckling softly.

“
Sawain, you have to try this! We should just sleep here tonight! This moss is so soft!”

Sawain's first instinct was to scan the edge of the grove for signs of movement. When he saw none, he hesitantly climbed to the ground.

“Tobi, what's the point in sticking to the trees and moving like ghosts if you're going to just start yelling the second you find a comfortable bed? Get up, we don't know what's in that moss.”

Tobi dismissed his rebuke with a wave, “Aww, come on, Sawain. Give it a try. It's Downmoss! The druids use it as bedding, and for good reason, too!”

Tobi's dismissal of his order irritated Sawain, “Bedding or not, I said get up. We aren't here to take a nap.”

Tobi sat up, an embarrassed scowl on his face, “Sorry, Sawain, I wasn't trying to disobey.”

Sawain's heart sank. He smiled and offered Tobi a hand up, which his friend gladly accepted. The others were on the ground now, as well. Loraleth carved a quick X onto a tree. She was astonished when the X mark healed up almost immediately. In response, she took the same knife and plunged it into the ground between two roots.

“
There must be some healing properties in that water. This tree just healed over my trail mark as soon as I made it. Maybe we should take some with us.”

Tobi nodded, “Yeah, we should! I read a book one time that said water from a druid's wellspring can cure all kinds of diseases. Maybe it can help heal wounds, too!”

Sawain looked at the glowing water. The thought of drinking it unsettled him. He noticed that Jatharr had the same expression on his face. Jatharr bent down to inspect it closer.

“
Are you sure it's safe? I mean, I've heard it can't change sentient beings into Siethtakar, but, I mean, there's just something unnatural about it.”

Banthan stooped down and plunged his water skin into the pool, “Come on, don't be a pixie, Jatharr. Drink up!”

Jatharr raised an eyebrow at Banthan, “Don't be a pixie? What kind of taunt is that?”

Naralei rubbed her temples and shook her head, “Not a very accurate one, actually. It means don't be a pest. Pixies are the evil underlings of the accursed Fae. They are just obnoxious little imps when alone or in small groups. Put them in a swarm, though, and they'll tear the flesh from your bones in seconds. I always hated that phrase.”

Sawain furrowed his brow, “Fae?”

Mari chuckled as she submerged her water skin as well, “You know, Faeries. Magical beings from another world. They're just a myth, meant to scare children into doing what they're told.”

Timbrel bounced around on the mossy ground. He raised his arm to his nose and tried to act scary.

“
Don't go outside the city gates, or a Faerie will get you! And when she does, she'll take your eyes and eat your heart!”

Sawain's curiosity was piqued, “Why would it take my eyes?”

Banthan jumped in on the fun and spoke in a low tone, “They say the eyes are windows to your soul. She eats your heart, then uses your eyes in an unholy ritual that merges your soul with hers, extending her already unnatural lifespan.”

Jatharr snorted, “Nonsense. Creatures from another world? How foolish. Don't let them go spooking you, Sawain. It's all child's play.”

Sawain swallowed the lump in his throat silently, “I'm not afraid. Why would I be?”

Banthan rose to his feet, a malicious grin on his face, “They say the last thing you ever see is a pair of glowing eyes, swooping at you from the darkness. Like those there!”

Banthan pointed dramatically behind Sawain. He put on his best look of utter terror. Sawain scowled.

“
Banthan you can't be serious. Do I look--”

Sawain's words stuck in his throat as it swelled shut. His eyes caught sight of two pale glowing orbs at the edge of the grove. He rushed at Banthan at the same time the creature did. Sawain was faster and was able to throw Banthan aside and put his right arm up in time to catch the beast's jaws. He was surprised that a creature so large did not crunch straight through his arm.

Bestial howls erupted around them. Sawain looked at his opponent  The beast looked like a white dog, but was the size of a bear. Its fangs were disproportionately large as well. He looked at his arm and noticed that the gauntlet Captain Nerelis gave him grew over his entire forearm and formed a hide of bark that absorbed the impact of the deadly teeth. An armor clad figure rode astride the beast. It was covered in hardened leather armor and wore a gruesome mask of stitched cadaver flesh. It wielded a serrated sword, which it was about to bring down on Sawain.

Sawain grabbed his sword with his free hand to parry the deadly blow. He sliced the hound across the muzzle. It yelped and let go of his arm, which gave him time to roll to his feet. The noise of battle crashed like thunder all around him. His attacker rushed him. The hound snapped at him. He rolled to its right, narrowly avoiding the swatting blade. He drew a knife and pivoted around. He threw it hard, but the raider's blade knocked it away. He drew another knife and rushed the dog as it charged for another bite.

Sawain flicked the knife. It pierced the dog's nose. The dog reared up and yelped in agony. Sawain took a swipe at the canine but missed. The massive dog thrashed around in pain, which caused its rider to have to focus on hanging on.

Sawain drew his third knife and aimed for the rider's ribs. It was a successful hit this time. The rider roared in pain and fell off of the thrashing mount. Sawain glanced around the battlefield. Two other pairs of dogs and riders were engaging the Ghosts. Tobi was pinned by a dog while Jatharr and Naralei fought the rider, who wielded two swords. They ducked and parried the maniacal adversary's quick succession of thrusts and swings. Tobi struggled to reach his sword, which was on the ground, just out of the reach of his fingertips. Mari and Timbrel were being chased by the other hound. Loraleth threw a flurry of knives at this assailant in an attempt to divert it from Mari. Banthan climbed out of the pool Sawain pushed him into.

Sawain's opponent rose from the ground and ripped the knife from its ribcage. Sawain readied his weapon as a bad feeling came over him. The rider threw the knife at Sawain, which he easily ducked. The terrifying enemy was in his face. Sawain did not even notice it approach. Blinding pain flashed through Sawain's body, which caused him to scream.

The rider's sword tore through Sawain's leg. It cut all the way through, bone and all, and came out the other end. It forced Sawain to kneel as it pinned him to the ground. Fear rippled through him like a cold wave. He looked into the enemy's pale, glowing eyes. He noticed what looked like smoldering runes burning on the other side of the mask. A growling laugh rolled from the rider's throat.

The sound of steel cutting air whistled in Sawain's ears. That was replaced by the sound of steel cutting through flesh and bone. Cold blood spattered Sawain's face as the decapitated head of his attacker rolled between its own legs. The limp body fell to the earth. Banthan stood behind it and gripped his blood soaked blade.

“
Looks like you owe me one,”

“
Behind you!”

Banthan pivoted around in time to see the riderless hound bound toward him. He nimbly avoided the deadly maw and ran his blade across its throat. It fell at Sawain's feet, still gurgling.

“Debt paid,” Sawain gasped.

Sawain looked around the battlefield. Tobi was still pinned, screaming in agony as the hound came down on him. The other enemy riders were dead too, but the third hound had knocked Mari unconscious and turned its attention on Loraleth. She grabbed for a nonexistent knife and the hound rushed her. It rammed her with its massive skull and sent her to the ground. She tried to stumble to her feet, but the giant dog was ready for her. It bit down on her shoulder. Sawain could hear the crunch of shattered bones over her scream.