The Order of Events: The Red Wolf (18 page)

-Chapter 15-
Present

The moon was shining bright, filtering beaming cuts of light down through the heavy foliage above, as Samana stood still, the metal warrior bowing before her.
              Samana held her hand to her features, curiously, and questioned the metal one. “You’ve come to serve me? Did someone send you? How are you living?”
              The metal one stood from his place upon the ground, and strode to the fireside, the light giving a more detailed view of his persona.
              He was a massive height, greater than Samana’s, and was fully armored in silver, but with the stains of dry blood. His chest was fashioned with a huge shield melded to his armor, with runic symbols upon it. The only part of his once fleshy body that was visible was through an opening where his helmet met the rest of his wears at his neck, revealing a dead and lifeless body of bone and long rotting flesh beneath. The helmet that he bore was fully covering his head, with another overlaying piece on the back of his head, rounded, and overlaying the back half of his helmet. The front of his helmet was slit several times, some in the crafting of the wear, and others from battle. Behind the visor was only darkness, but Samana could feel the touch of the warrior’s eyes as he turned to her from the fire, speaking to her as she investigated his appearance. “You ask how I am alive, but I am not really alive.”
              Samana approached the metal bulk, and surveyed the deadness at his neck. “Can I see your face?”
              The metal one shifted, creakingly, and shook his head. “No, you cannot. I shall explain it to you, as I shall explain why and how I am here now, back from death to serve you.”
              Samana stood listening intently as the metal one reached his hand out above the fire, unable to feel anything, as the flame singed his silver plated fingers. “Long ago, in the first era of the world, there was a great kingdom, built to the great north. My father ruled the kingdom justly. He had six children, six sons; my brothers and I. We were made the leaders of the Holy Guard, who’s duty it was to protect the kingdom, and those around us. All of us were given armor as mine, silver, and with this scribed into it.”
              The metal one gestured to the shield melded to his chest, as Samana put her attention upon it. “It says, “To serve truth and justice, ‘til death comes for us.” My brothers and I roved the land, protecting surrounding villages from thieving hordes, and those out for the slaughter, but we grew too envious of our power. Every time we swept a village of all wrong, we did so with great force and speed. With the power we held, we went to our father and told him that we should take the lands around us, and do so for ourselves, and rule the land. But he told us not to do so, and that it would be wrong, and said that if we were to go against his orders, we were to be banished. We decided to take the warriors loyal to us, and paid him great disrespect, and left the kingdom. We slaughtered, burned, and slew the life of every village around the kingdom, covering our armor with this blood.”
              Samana stepped back as she heard the horrors of the armored one’s actions, and drew her sword. “You killed innocence, would you just as soon kill me? Those are the actions of a monster!”
              The metal one did not draw his weapons in defense, and shook his helmet in shame.               “Heed my word, for I know what I have done. I would not be here if I did not.”
              Samana eyed him with curiousness, and sheathed her blade. “Go on, I’ll listen.”
              The metal one gazed into the flame, as he regaled his memories. “After the killing and blood spilling, we had claimed the lands, with no opposition remaining, and then a messenger had come to us. They were from the kingdom.”
              “They spoke word of our dying father. We left to be at his side in his final moments, and when doing so, we told him we went against his orders. He said that he knew we did. One of his scouts had followed us, and saw that we actually did go through with our plans, even though our father thought that we would not. He had become ill, his heart weak, when he received the knowledge of our sin, and began to die. In his final moments, I plead for forgiveness from him, and received no words in reply, as he died in my grip.”
              “My brothers and I, feeling fault for our actions, killing, and slaughtering, and now having caused the death of our own father, decided upon a journey, for we were damned to our own accord, if not to any other’s.”
              “We set out, with our warriors following us, and came to this forest. Upon the hill there, we climbed, and found what would be our resting place. Fires were built, as I ordered all but my brothers to remove their armor and melt it down. My brothers and I had our armor bound to our bodies with piercing nails by the contact of heavy hammers. Our once pristine, silver armor, now tarnished with the blood of sin.”
              “When all the silver was melted, it was poured down upon the hill top, and formed into a great circle. My brothers and I stepped upon the liquid silver, and stood solid, feeling the pain that we rightfully deserved.”
              “After the silver had cooled down, my brothers and I were set into the ground, as it had become solid around our feet, and we ordered our warriors to put pillars amongst us, as to make it better seen, the mark of our sin upon the hill.”
              “They did as we ordered and were then sent back to return to our kingdom, as my brothers and I waited for death upon the hill top.”
              Samana was beginning to understand the metal one. “I’m beginning to understand most of this, but how did you come back from death?”
              The silver one was touched by the illuminating blaze, and continued his story.
              “Once we had died, we wandered the next plain for ages and ages, walking amongst the dark and the cruel. Then one day, I went to the Serpents of Life, and pleaded for a chance to make right. I wished for redemption. They offered me what I wanted, and as I stared into the eyes of the serpent, he showed me the one I was to seek and told me what I was to do. They then brought me back to this world, with a renewed power, like none other.”
              Samana looked up at the hill, and then to the hulky warrior. “I’m getting you, now. I understand. I am the one you seek.”
              The metal one nodded, and continued his speech. “Yes, my duty is to protect you, on your journey. I cannot die. I can only return to the next plain if my will fails or your journey does not succeed. I am yours to command, Samana.”
              The metal one, Kurlank, bowed before Samana, causing her to feel rather uncomfortable, for she held no liking upon the idea of one bowing to her.
              Tapping the metal shoulder of Kurlank, to a clank, Samana gestured him up from the ground and spoke. “Don’t bow, it makes me feel uncomfortable, and as to the journey, it seems it is destiny that I was sent on this route.”
              The metal one rose, and stood before the young warrior. “Shall we be on our way then? The Khaggeys may return with vengeance, if they see us again.”
              Samana looked about the camp, seconding the idea, as she viewed fruit carcasses, torn and burnt medicinal leaves, and her empty canteens on the ground. “We should move fast, and get out of here then. But I think we should head for a town. There should be some not far from here. I was told south of this forest is where they lie. My supplies are destroyed, and the walk to Murta Sota from here is said to be far and barren. I say we take a town route?”
              The silver one creaked in agreement, as he shifted his head up and down. “As you order, Samana, I shall follow.”
              The two warriors strode through the great forest, as the moon took a dip. The sun was soon to be up.

The town of Homa was in ruins. The walls were crusted with ash, dead bodies littered in the streets, houses burning, breathing huge stocks of smoke into the air.
              The Red Wolf stood amongst the death and ruin, the ground flooded with dried blood as he stood silently, watching the aftermath of his rage upon the town, as he could still hear the shouts and cries of pain in his head.

The wind blew silently across the wreckage, as voices came to the mind of the beast, loudly, silencing all others, as these voices were different.
              The charcoal boy looked around him, as he was approached by the apparitions of wolves all around him. They spoke, taking turns, finishing each other’s sentences as he heard them speak. “Red Wolf, you have done well. Clean the world of these foul, disgusting things. They are of the race that damned us so long ago, for they are humans.”
              The Red Wolf spoke to those around him, questioningly. “You are the spirits of the wolves that came to my people?”
              The wolves spoke once more. “Yes, you know what we are, we are your strength. You are fulfilling your duty justly. Continue your way to the pit, and breathe down upon those who stand against us, against you. You are the tool of both our people, joined as one, and are to do right by your hands. Go, and cleanse this world!”
              The wolves disappeared before his eyes as he spoke. “I will. It is my destiny.”
              Walking forward through the streets, the Red Wolf strode strongly until he stopped to the touch of something peculiar beneath his foot.
              Picking up the object of investigation, the boy examined it closely. Ash blew past him on a silent run, as he stared at the thing. It was a doll, small and that of a child, smudged with ash and blood. Regaining his senses, the boy dropped the doll onto the dusty street beneath his tread, and went to all fours, heading ever closer to his goal.

Samana and Kurlank had made good work of their run of the forest, and had left the boundaries of its grasp and continued onward, far and strong as they rushed toward the town that stood miles ahead. The sun that had risen at the beginning of their start was now beyond the horizon, as the moon stood high above.

Having been on the run for a good two days, they had finally made it. Their eyes saw the town ahead, bearing red walls of stone and strong battlements with watchtowers at their corners. Underfoot they tread on soft patches of grass, here and there, ashy and dead from the wolves deadly run, as they tread ever closer to the town of Huna.
              As Samana and her partner sped onward, they heard the surprising ring of a bell from afar. Guards rushed from wall top, bearing weapons at the ready, armored and standing behind their front gate, as the head of their garrison looked through a peeking slide in the door, surveying the vastness outside, as two figures strode speedily towards the town.
              The leader wore an eye patch, and shut the slide, turning to his men and grinning as he issued orders. “Doesn’t look like it could be much trouble, after all, there’s only two of them. Send five guards up at the top wall with arrows. You hear so much as a cry from down here and you fill them with so many shafts they won’t have to tire their legs with standing. Everyone else, listen. Keep your spears good and strong, and at my back. I’ll deal some words to them, if they give me the chance.”
              Samana and Kurlank were but twenty feet from the walls and slowed into a walk, as they noted the archers on the battlements ahead. “It looks like they’re really friendly around here. Let’s be careful about what we say, right, Kurlank?”
              The metal one nodded in approval, as they stepped before the gate and rapped on it hard, Samana calling to those inside. “Hey, is anybody there? I see your archers at the top, so, you might as well answer.”
              A face manifested itself, as the wooden slide was pushed aside. The garrison leader looked at the young one, looking her up and down. “I hear you…where do you come from?”
              Samana answered the question, peeking in through the hole to see a load of armed guards waiting. “I’ve come from the Order of the Aura. I’m on a rather important mission, of great urgency, actually, but I need supplies. He doesn’t need to eat, so, it would just be enough for one.”
              The leader looked at the metal one, and then to Samana, recognizing her apparel.
              “Ah, I see, wait…that’s Dawn Bringer wears you have. I think there just might be some truth to what you say.”
              Signaling the withdrawal of weapons, the leader unbolted the door, and opened the gates to the two warriors, ushering them in quickly, not liking the idea of having the gate open.
              As the gate was shut and bolted, the leader introduced himself as his guards filtered out amongst the town people. “I’m Veruk. I’m the leader of the garrison here.”
              Samana shook his hand, and bowed her head, introducing herself and Kurlank. “I am Samana, and this is Kurlank.”
              Veruk nodded to the metal one, voicing his impression of the sturdy warrior.
              “You look like you could take a good horde yourself. How long will you need to be here?”
              The three walked through the dusty street as Samana took the lead of conversation. “We’ll be leaving, quite quickly. We just need food and water, and then some medicine, if possible.”
              Veruk gestured one of his guards over, and then whispered to them, sending them away, as the other two watched him turn back to them. “Will be done, he’ll have it to you in but a moment. Now, tell me…what is this mission you’re on, exactly?”
              Veruk looked Samana in the eye, as she began to explain. “Well, you see, I…”
              But she was interrupted, as there was a shout from the eastern wall. “Captain, there’s something coming this way, and at a great speed, too!”
              Veruk tapped Samana on the shoulder, and ran off towards the eastward wall.
              “Tell me, later. Something isn’t right.”
              Samana watched as Veruk ran down the street, as the townspeople were ushered into homes, by either their families or by armed guards.
              Kurlank looked at the sky, as the sun was setting, speaking in an echoing manner.               “Something is coming…”
              Samana answered as she ran after Veruk, soon followed by Kurlank. “I know what you mean, and I think this might be what I’ve feared. These towns go on a straight course for the City of Murta Sota. What they’re seeing, it could be…the Red Wolf.”