The Journey, Chapter 48 = previous chapter
Chapter 49, Awoken
Meera had reached the village, she flew behind a tree in the courtyard, her appearance changing from a swallow to a person. She had knee-length brown hair just about covering her private areas, her complexion fair. She walked casually through the entrance by the church, walking through corridors and straight into Tarasque’s chamber.
Cassandra jumped up from her seat. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
Meera replied “Friend of Vivi’s.” She walked up to the ginger-haired girl that was lying in the bed. Pinched her nose and poured the contents of the vial into the girls then opened mouth.
“What are you doing?” She cried
Meera smiled and walked past without saying a word, she walked out of the room, turned down the corridor. With a small flash, she changed back into a swallow and flew out of the open window.
Cassandra ran after the person, stopping at the corner. She was gone.
Running back into her daughter's room she slammed the door shut and locked it. Quickly going to her daughter, checking her temperature. She noticed Tarasque’s eyes were open, her pupils adjusting to the light in the room.
“Oh my god! Tara, you're awake!”
The drawn dragon on Tarasque’s arm flashed a pearly white colour.Tarasque was awake, and her fever gone.
Cassandra hugged her daughter tightly. “I can’t believe you’re awake! Is there anything I can get you?”
“I’m thirsty,” Tarasque replied. But her mum just stood there looking at her. “Mum, I'm thirsty.”
Cassandra turned to the side table grabbing a wooden cup and she poured some water. “Ok baby, you need to rest to regain your strength. I’ll be here with you. I’m not going anywhere.” Her mother kissed her and moved away to the other end of the room.
‘Tara, are you ok? How do you feel?’ Elqiana purred softly in Tara’s mind.
‘Elqi, I heard you talking to me, but I couldn’t reply, I tried so hard…’
‘It’s ok little one, we’re talking now and all is fine’
‘You have to tell me, what’s happening? You know my mother won’t tell me…’
Elqiana gave Tara the low down of what had been happening and what was about to happen, ‘They are preparing to fight now, humans and Ingmars…’
‘What are Ingmars?’ Elqiana sent her an image of what Ingmars looked like in her mind ‘Holy shit they look ugly!’
“That was the horn of the Dwarf King, please tell me they are ok?” Vivi called out.
Nekonata jumped from the horse, “They are fine, I can see them from a few leagues away, but now they have made their presence known I am worried that the enemy will attack them first.”
“Not if I can help it.” Growled the white wolf. “Jesser, daughter, run forth at speed to meet and greet the Dwarves and Elves!” His daughter turned to run, “And Jesser do NOT forget your manners!”
Jesser nodded and ran off to do as she was asked.
Jesser stopped a distance in front of the oncoming army. Once closer, she stood and bowed her head gracefully.
“Saluton, I am Jesser, daughter of Chief Convel from the mountains. I am here with message, we are preparing for battle. Humans and Ingmars hide in the forest. Master Vivi and Nekonata asked me to warn you, should the enemy make a surprise attack on you.”
King Althor dismounted, he was just taller than the mountain wolf. He had long ginger hair, with a ginger beard tied in a plait the bottom tucked into his belt. He had dark knowing eyes. An axe and hammer were strapped to his back. “Hmm a mountain wolf you be?” He walked round Jesser sizing her up. “You be big, yes big indeed. Hmm, first time I saw a mountain wolf, you be strange, and beautiful!”
“Saluton Jesser.” Said Gabija, her voice soft as velvet. “Are we to join you in amongst your ranks?”
Jesser bowed again, “Nekonata is leading us in the battle, he didn’t say, just asked me to warn you.”
Close by a horn sounded, strange growls pierced through the falling darkness.
“Ingmar!” Grumbled King Althor “I say we split half be half, your Majesty. Look they be advancing, it seems be that their cavalry is going from round and back attack. Me that I like those odds. Good night for battle!”
The enemy marched through the forest, finally revealing themselves. There were a lot of gasps. The Ingmars were tall, taller than the mountain wolves. They had huge saber-like fangs, big menacing orange eyes. They had dark scruffy long manes around their heads leading into a thin line going down their spine into their tails.
Nekonata’s mounted cavalry had disappeared into the low hills, the mountain wolves following close behind at 100 paces.
The enemy charged forward. The Ingmars were fast, they leapt into the air, some misjudged and fell to their deaths on the lance stakes on the edges of the trench, The soldiers threw their short lances at the enemy some hit the human riders on the back of the Ingmars, the other short lances bounced of the hides of the ferocious beasts. The archers lined up and took aim, and shot. Screams and shouts, pierced through the darkness. The short lancers moved back allowing the archers a little bit more freedom to move. They picked up their swords and shields.
The enemy, now in full attack, did not see the mounted cavalry come from behind.
“FULL ATTACK, CHARGE!” Shouted Nekonata. The mounted cavalry moved in so fast the enemy didn’t know what to do.
An arrow flew out of nowhere straight for Nekonata, another arrow flecked with green feathers, whizzed past his face knocking the arrow away.
A small man stepped forward picking up the arrow. “Grey feathers Gabija. The Crelden is here.”
“Who is Crelden?” Asked Vivi.
“The Crelden is what they call the enemy king's right hand.” Replied Gabija. “Now we know exactly who is responsible for this, I must say loosing an arrow like that is very premature.”
“Rubian Blackthorn is now called the Crelden? Why grey, his aura was blood red?”
“Something happened to him, and his aura changed to grey… something dark happened” Gabija replied, looking in the direction of the forest.
“Althor take your clan into the forest and flush out the rest.” She looked at Nekonata, “Shall we dance and let our blades sing?”
The small man beat his fist against chest. Raised his hand and threw it back down in the direction of the forest. His clan quickly grouped up in formation, and marched for the forest.
Nekonata smiled, “Well met Gabija, I must say I agree,” He kicked Kimbo into a gallop. “LET'S DANCE!”
Gabija and Nekonata led the cavalry on. The mountain wolves caught up and swiftly joined in the charge.
White Wolf howled, the rest of his kind followed suit.
Steel clashed against steel, wood against wood. People screamed in agony as their lives ebbed away.
Suddenly something crashed into Nekonata knocking him off his mount. Neko rolled over, quickly recovering to his feet. The Ingmar growled low and deep the sound reverberated in his chest and hurt his ears, saliva spattered on his face the smell assaulted his nostrils it was putrid like carrion, its teeth a frightening sight they curved down out of its huge maw like mouth the size of Neko’s forearm, he stepped back it was easily three times the size of the brown bear, its eyes were large filling up most of its face if it could be called a face they were yellow with slit like pupils the size of a clenched fist, its furry mane like mass was matted and filthy.
Nekonata slowly stepped back , slowly unsheathed his trusty sword. He gripped hold of it preparing himself for he didn’t know what. The creature leapt forward for Nekonata. Nekonata ducked and rolled underneath the beast, only just clearing it. He slashed his at the beast's hide just missing. It turned around, yellow eyes flashing dangerously. Again it leapt forward, Nekonata stood his ground, taking one large step to the side he pivoted on his heel and slashed at the Ingmar this time leaving a large deep cut on its front left leg. Crashing to the floor in a howling range. It stood up growling and panting heavily. Nekonata gulped. The beast charged at him, raising its enormous paw at the last second knocking Nekonata back. He felt like the wind had been knocked out of him as he flew backwards landing in the mud and then sliding more.
Nekonata grabbed his bow and pulled an arrow out of his quiver. He looked up as the beast was getting ready to charge again. He knelt up in the mud, the right side of his body covered in mud and struggled to notch his arrow, the arrow flew for the beast just grazing the top of its head. He quickly notched another arrow, panicking. He let it loose and this time it flew true striking the beast straight in its right eye. The animal dropped onto its front paws, sliding in the mud.The Ingmar slowly got back to its feet, it let out a high pitched squeal of pain. Rearing up on to its back legs the beast started to throw its front paws around furiously trying to hit Nekonata.
Nekonata ducked and dodged, he rolled to the left of the beast. The beast seeing him took a huge swipe at Nekonata’s face just catching him with the tip of its claw, as the beast pulled its paw down it left a deep scratch going from just under Neko’s right eye down to almost his lip. He reeled back in pain. Now staying on the right hand side of the beast Nekonata continued to duck and dodge, The beast threw its paws up in the air letting out a huge angry growl and Nekonata plunged his sword upward straight into the beast's chest and into its heart.As the monstrous beast crashed to the floor taking one last swipe at him, making his back crash into a rock that had been hidden under the mud, he blacked out.
A loud roar pierced through the battle, the ground shook, everyone froze. Flying in their direction was a huge pearl white dragon, on its back a rider with long flowing curly red hair. The enemy panicked and started to run back to the forest. The dragon opened its maw, and breathed a piercing white coloured fire, a huge torrent of dragon breath hitting the enemy hard, freezing them to ice where they stood.
King Althor and his clan had marched to the outskirts of the forest. He raised his fist and they all stopped, he touched his left shoulder, raised 2 fingers and pointed to the left. Some of his clan moved silently to the left, Althor repeated the same motions this time on his right, and again some of his clan moved silently to the right, the rest of them stayed in the middle moving forward.
The Crelden, a dark coloured man with misty grey eyes, was tall and slim. Was hiding high in the trees watching the fight. The fight was not going in his favor. He watched furious as the dragon demolished his army while also beating himself up inside for being stupidly premature for shooting his arrow too early. He had not anticipated that the Elves or the wretched Dwarves would show up. The Dwarves rejected an alliance with his master, the King. Anyone who dared not follow the King were traitors. He cursed to himself and spat into the branches. He looked down below his feet noticing movement. “Oh for fuck sake!” He muttered to himself. The Dwarves had broken away from the main army to infiltrate the camp. He had sent his main forces into the battle; all that was left was a small number of guards protecting the camp.
It was futile for the camp guards to fight and they threw down their weapons. Althor stepped forward into a small clearing near one of the camp fires. “RUBIAN!” He called out. “I know you are here! Come out of your hiding place!” He waited. “Are you a coward?”
He looked down. His King had specifically told him not to engage in a fight with the Dwarves, he had plans for them later. Crelden wanted nothing more than to kill Althor just as he did Althor’s father. But it would have to wait for another day. Rubian pulled out a small grey sphere from inside his pocket. “Take me home!” He whispered. There was a crack, followed by a loud boom and he disappeared.
Chapter 49, Awoken
Meera had reached the village, she flew behind a tree in the courtyard, her appearance changing from a swallow to a person. She had knee-length brown hair just about covering her private areas, her complexion fair. She walked casually through the entrance by the church, walking through corridors and straight into Tarasque’s chamber.
Cassandra jumped up from her seat. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
Meera replied “Friend of Vivi’s.” She walked up to the ginger-haired girl that was lying in the bed. Pinched her nose and poured the contents of the vial into the girls then opened mouth.
“What are you doing?” She cried
Meera smiled and walked past without saying a word, she walked out of the room, turned down the corridor. With a small flash, she changed back into a swallow and flew out of the open window.
Cassandra ran after the person, stopping at the corner. She was gone.
Running back into her daughter's room she slammed the door shut and locked it. Quickly going to her daughter, checking her temperature. She noticed Tarasque’s eyes were open, her pupils adjusting to the light in the room.
“Oh my god! Tara, you're awake!”
The drawn dragon on Tarasque’s arm flashed a pearly white colour.Tarasque was awake, and her fever gone.
Cassandra hugged her daughter tightly. “I can’t believe you’re awake! Is there anything I can get you?”
“I’m thirsty,” Tarasque replied. But her mum just stood there looking at her. “Mum, I'm thirsty.”
Cassandra turned to the side table grabbing a wooden cup and she poured some water. “Ok baby, you need to rest to regain your strength. I’ll be here with you. I’m not going anywhere.” Her mother kissed her and moved away to the other end of the room.
‘Tara, are you ok? How do you feel?’ Elqiana purred softly in Tara’s mind.
‘Elqi, I heard you talking to me, but I couldn’t reply, I tried so hard…’
‘It’s ok little one, we’re talking now and all is fine’
‘You have to tell me, what’s happening? You know my mother won’t tell me…’
Elqiana gave Tara the low down of what had been happening and what was about to happen, ‘They are preparing to fight now, humans and Ingmars…’
‘What are Ingmars?’ Elqiana sent her an image of what Ingmars looked like in her mind ‘Holy shit they look ugly!’
“That was the horn of the Dwarf King, please tell me they are ok?” Vivi called out.
Nekonata jumped from the horse, “They are fine, I can see them from a few leagues away, but now they have made their presence known I am worried that the enemy will attack them first.”
“Not if I can help it.” Growled the white wolf. “Jesser, daughter, run forth at speed to meet and greet the Dwarves and Elves!” His daughter turned to run, “And Jesser do NOT forget your manners!”
Jesser nodded and ran off to do as she was asked.
Jesser stopped a distance in front of the oncoming army. Once closer, she stood and bowed her head gracefully.
“Saluton, I am Jesser, daughter of Chief Convel from the mountains. I am here with message, we are preparing for battle. Humans and Ingmars hide in the forest. Master Vivi and Nekonata asked me to warn you, should the enemy make a surprise attack on you.”
King Althor dismounted, he was just taller than the mountain wolf. He had long ginger hair, with a ginger beard tied in a plait the bottom tucked into his belt. He had dark knowing eyes. An axe and hammer were strapped to his back. “Hmm a mountain wolf you be?” He walked round Jesser sizing her up. “You be big, yes big indeed. Hmm, first time I saw a mountain wolf, you be strange, and beautiful!”
“Saluton Jesser.” Said Gabija, her voice soft as velvet. “Are we to join you in amongst your ranks?”
Jesser bowed again, “Nekonata is leading us in the battle, he didn’t say, just asked me to warn you.”
Close by a horn sounded, strange growls pierced through the falling darkness.
“Ingmar!” Grumbled King Althor “I say we split half be half, your Majesty. Look they be advancing, it seems be that their cavalry is going from round and back attack. Me that I like those odds. Good night for battle!”
The enemy marched through the forest, finally revealing themselves. There were a lot of gasps. The Ingmars were tall, taller than the mountain wolves. They had huge saber-like fangs, big menacing orange eyes. They had dark scruffy long manes around their heads leading into a thin line going down their spine into their tails.
Nekonata’s mounted cavalry had disappeared into the low hills, the mountain wolves following close behind at 100 paces.
The enemy charged forward. The Ingmars were fast, they leapt into the air, some misjudged and fell to their deaths on the lance stakes on the edges of the trench, The soldiers threw their short lances at the enemy some hit the human riders on the back of the Ingmars, the other short lances bounced of the hides of the ferocious beasts. The archers lined up and took aim, and shot. Screams and shouts, pierced through the darkness. The short lancers moved back allowing the archers a little bit more freedom to move. They picked up their swords and shields.
The enemy, now in full attack, did not see the mounted cavalry come from behind.
“FULL ATTACK, CHARGE!” Shouted Nekonata. The mounted cavalry moved in so fast the enemy didn’t know what to do.
An arrow flew out of nowhere straight for Nekonata, another arrow flecked with green feathers, whizzed past his face knocking the arrow away.
A small man stepped forward picking up the arrow. “Grey feathers Gabija. The Crelden is here.”
“Who is Crelden?” Asked Vivi.
“The Crelden is what they call the enemy king's right hand.” Replied Gabija. “Now we know exactly who is responsible for this, I must say loosing an arrow like that is very premature.”
“Rubian Blackthorn is now called the Crelden? Why grey, his aura was blood red?”
“Something happened to him, and his aura changed to grey… something dark happened” Gabija replied, looking in the direction of the forest.
“Althor take your clan into the forest and flush out the rest.” She looked at Nekonata, “Shall we dance and let our blades sing?”
The small man beat his fist against chest. Raised his hand and threw it back down in the direction of the forest. His clan quickly grouped up in formation, and marched for the forest.
Nekonata smiled, “Well met Gabija, I must say I agree,” He kicked Kimbo into a gallop. “LET'S DANCE!”
Gabija and Nekonata led the cavalry on. The mountain wolves caught up and swiftly joined in the charge.
White Wolf howled, the rest of his kind followed suit.
Steel clashed against steel, wood against wood. People screamed in agony as their lives ebbed away.
Suddenly something crashed into Nekonata knocking him off his mount. Neko rolled over, quickly recovering to his feet. The Ingmar growled low and deep the sound reverberated in his chest and hurt his ears, saliva spattered on his face the smell assaulted his nostrils it was putrid like carrion, its teeth a frightening sight they curved down out of its huge maw like mouth the size of Neko’s forearm, he stepped back it was easily three times the size of the brown bear, its eyes were large filling up most of its face if it could be called a face they were yellow with slit like pupils the size of a clenched fist, its furry mane like mass was matted and filthy.
Nekonata slowly stepped back , slowly unsheathed his trusty sword. He gripped hold of it preparing himself for he didn’t know what. The creature leapt forward for Nekonata. Nekonata ducked and rolled underneath the beast, only just clearing it. He slashed his at the beast's hide just missing. It turned around, yellow eyes flashing dangerously. Again it leapt forward, Nekonata stood his ground, taking one large step to the side he pivoted on his heel and slashed at the Ingmar this time leaving a large deep cut on its front left leg. Crashing to the floor in a howling range. It stood up growling and panting heavily. Nekonata gulped. The beast charged at him, raising its enormous paw at the last second knocking Nekonata back. He felt like the wind had been knocked out of him as he flew backwards landing in the mud and then sliding more.
Nekonata grabbed his bow and pulled an arrow out of his quiver. He looked up as the beast was getting ready to charge again. He knelt up in the mud, the right side of his body covered in mud and struggled to notch his arrow, the arrow flew for the beast just grazing the top of its head. He quickly notched another arrow, panicking. He let it loose and this time it flew true striking the beast straight in its right eye. The animal dropped onto its front paws, sliding in the mud.The Ingmar slowly got back to its feet, it let out a high pitched squeal of pain. Rearing up on to its back legs the beast started to throw its front paws around furiously trying to hit Nekonata.
Nekonata ducked and dodged, he rolled to the left of the beast. The beast seeing him took a huge swipe at Nekonata’s face just catching him with the tip of its claw, as the beast pulled its paw down it left a deep scratch going from just under Neko’s right eye down to almost his lip. He reeled back in pain. Now staying on the right hand side of the beast Nekonata continued to duck and dodge, The beast threw its paws up in the air letting out a huge angry growl and Nekonata plunged his sword upward straight into the beast's chest and into its heart.As the monstrous beast crashed to the floor taking one last swipe at him, making his back crash into a rock that had been hidden under the mud, he blacked out.
A loud roar pierced through the battle, the ground shook, everyone froze. Flying in their direction was a huge pearl white dragon, on its back a rider with long flowing curly red hair. The enemy panicked and started to run back to the forest. The dragon opened its maw, and breathed a piercing white coloured fire, a huge torrent of dragon breath hitting the enemy hard, freezing them to ice where they stood.
King Althor and his clan had marched to the outskirts of the forest. He raised his fist and they all stopped, he touched his left shoulder, raised 2 fingers and pointed to the left. Some of his clan moved silently to the left, Althor repeated the same motions this time on his right, and again some of his clan moved silently to the right, the rest of them stayed in the middle moving forward.
The Crelden, a dark coloured man with misty grey eyes, was tall and slim. Was hiding high in the trees watching the fight. The fight was not going in his favor. He watched furious as the dragon demolished his army while also beating himself up inside for being stupidly premature for shooting his arrow too early. He had not anticipated that the Elves or the wretched Dwarves would show up. The Dwarves rejected an alliance with his master, the King. Anyone who dared not follow the King were traitors. He cursed to himself and spat into the branches. He looked down below his feet noticing movement. “Oh for fuck sake!” He muttered to himself. The Dwarves had broken away from the main army to infiltrate the camp. He had sent his main forces into the battle; all that was left was a small number of guards protecting the camp.
It was futile for the camp guards to fight and they threw down their weapons. Althor stepped forward into a small clearing near one of the camp fires. “RUBIAN!” He called out. “I know you are here! Come out of your hiding place!” He waited. “Are you a coward?”
He looked down. His King had specifically told him not to engage in a fight with the Dwarves, he had plans for them later. Crelden wanted nothing more than to kill Althor just as he did Althor’s father. But it would have to wait for another day. Rubian pulled out a small grey sphere from inside his pocket. “Take me home!” He whispered. There was a crack, followed by a loud boom and he disappeared.
