Corvell's feet were pounding upon the sharp mountain rocks. He hated the North, nothing good had come from joining Falco's group and coming here. The girl was a heavy burden to carry. "Damn, I shouldda made her run instead of hitting her. I'll make sure it's worth it, don't worry girl." His feet felt somewhat like they were now bleeding, thinking to stop for a moment he heard a loud noise, akin to thunder. Suddenly the night had turned today, looking up he could see the heavens were aflame. Corvell's jaw was left agape. Then he noticed the silhouette of someone fly over the crest of the ridge where he himself had been not ten minutes ago. "Shit! Who is that?" panic set in, Corvell turned and fled not waiting to see who was in pursuit. The skies burning should have been a clue to how fortuitous this venture would become.
As he descended faster Corvell felt his feet being torn by the thistles and rocks. His shoes must have failed a while back. Cursing to the nines he grit his teeth then spotting a tree line and darkness beyond. He praised the heavens. "Lady luck shines for me tonight it seems." Running now toward the shelter of the forest, Corvell wondered who may be in pursuit. He thought if he would get the chance to learn their identity. "Revenge would be sweet, after I'm done with this mare." He felt slighted that anyone would dare follow him, he was used to seeing fear in the eyes of others when in confrontation. Whilst with Falco's group he had been doing the hunting, not being hunted. That 'group mentality' kept his secrets hidden and intimidated those who knew him and those that didn't usually found his demeanour unsettling enough to give him the edge.
Scoffing at his own petty worries, Corvell approached a small drop from a rock shelf before he could run to the tree line. Increasing his pace, he launched himself from the shelf and braced to take the impact of the fall. Then someone turned out the lights, the fire in the sky had gone leaving total darkness in its wake. Corvell's eyes had adjusted to the temporary brightness, leaving him completely blind without it. Next followed impact, not being able to see the ground Corvell landed hard without being able to bend in time to absorb the impact. His leg buckled and roaring pain immediately informed him of injury. He felt Ursla's limp body leave his grip and soar off in which direction he didn't know as his own mass crumpled to the floor. The ground was steeper here than Corvell had previously realised, and he felt himself starting to slide and roll, smashing his back into what felt like a large boulder knocking the wind out of him.
In Risvale itself, quite the commotion was already unfolding. The group that had previously been quarrelling with Cresius not long ago, had grown especially after the sky catching aflame. The strange thunder brought many out from their homes regardless of the cold. They had gathered where Ursla's cart was dragged to the roadside. There jabber of voices was loud and unintelligible as everyone spoke over each other and argued amongst themselves. One voice could be heard "Those damn outsiders!" Another "Arent imperials 'sposed t' protect us?" The atmosphere amongst the Icanii people of Risvale was fast becoming rancorous. Then when the fire in the sky waned and died, the flicker of torches began to erupt amongst the small gathering. Then an authoritative voice spoke out from the mob. "Look 'ere, we shoul' go up the Tor see where that light came from. Theres enough of us!" It was Malcurn. "We should protect ourselves if the Imperials wont!" came a female voice. The rabble and rancour amongst the tribesmen begun again as they all found themselves in agreement and they all began marching up the side of the tor following the tracks left in the snow.
Cresius himself was in a state of panic, he should have listened to he tribesmen. He should have alerted Brelius to the occurrence. Panting and heavily out of breath he was running through the palisade to the barracks. The fire and thunder in the sky had terrified him. Shouting "Wake up" and banging on the doors of the dorms as he ran down the barrack hall towards the captain's chambers. He was aware that the mob would require dispersing if there was to be a peaceful day tomorrow.
Brelius was rudely awoken from thunder and light pouring in through his window. Thinking he had slept past sunrise the shock roused his senses rapidly. Then he heard the commotion from outside in the hall. "That damned Cresius. What in the nines is going on!"
Quickly he rose and started equipping his imperial attire, he was sure half the barracks would be doing the same with this racket. As Brelius was applying his last greave there was a loud bang on his door. "Come in Cresius!" called the captain.
The son of a merchant entered meekly, he was out of breath and sweating. A couple of short breathes later the soldier spoke. "Captain, there's trouble sir up the western tor. A mob of the locals has formed!"
The light from outside was gone now. and darkness had once again filled the room. Brelius strode over to his table and picked up a candle. Striking a flint on his dagger he lit the candle and approached Cresius. "So Cresius, tell me why a mob has formed and what was that thunder?"
"I don't know sir, the sky caught fire. It lit up half the valley, it must be sorcery!" The look on Cresius' face betrayed his demeanour. Brelius could see his fear.
"Go find sergeant Derenis. Tell him to form up twelve men. Then go back to your watch duty!"
"Yes Captain!" wheezed Cresius with relief falling across his face as he came to attention turned and scurried from the captains presence.
Brelius found himself feeling somewhat frustrated. He knew the place was a tinder box, but he hadn't expected anything to happen this fast. He looked down at his hands, "I hope you don't see more blood, you've had your fair share." Then he opened the door and solemnly made his way to the courtyard. Bad omens were on his mind when he arrived before Derenis and a dozen sleepy looking soldiers of the legion. "Sergeant, send the fastest rider here south to find Falco. I want to see him immediately!"
"Right away Captain!" stated the sergeant.
"Rohan! take a horse south. You heard the captain!"
A shorter less well-built man, yawned slightly and managed to look slightly proud of himself before replying "Yes Sarge!" and set forth, trotting off toward the stables.
"Sergeant!" came the authoritative voice of the captain.
"It appears, a situation has occurred upon the western hillside. We are to immediately investigate and calm any dissent. Understood?"
"Understood Captain!" replied Derenis.
"Good, double time then!" ordered Brelius.
The dozen men and their captain swivelled on their feet and began at a brisk pace, in synchronous rhythm out of the courtyard, passing the Rams head Brelius noticed Celenan stood in his doorway.
"Ho Captain!" shouted the landlord. "Hope you're going to see what the trouble is, had some interesting patrons earlier in the day. Come see me for a drink when you're done."
Brelius could only nod his head in agreement while passing quickly. He was certain summoning Falco was a good decision now. The small troop made their way out of the palisade gate and headed west down the dirt track. Several houses they passed had torches lit on the frontage, but it was eerily quiet as if everyone had somewhere else to be.
Coming to a broken cart that was dragged to the roadside Derenis halted the troop. Several of the men seemed out of breath as the fog from their lungs billowed into the air around them. Derenis could feel the cold of the air burning his chest and grimaced.
"At ease, let's look around sergeant." said the captain seemingly entirely unfazed by the brief late-night jaunt.
The pair fanned out and Derenis lit his torch. Immediately they both noticed the abundance of tracks headed up the side of the tor. Almost as if a herd of cattle had passed through. Beckoning the soldiers to follow.
"Looks like the mob passed through here, shall we?" came the voice of Derenis, breaking the captains trail of thought.
"Yes, we need to find out what's going on. Let's go"
Derenis instantly snapped to action and formed up the eleven men behind them.
"Double time lads!"
And again, the troop set of following the tracks up the tor.
In the clearing of the woods, the viridian green glow was still illuminating the area, within the light everything was silent. You could hear a pin drop onto the snow. Aern gritted his teeth, he hadn't required this level of focus for quite some time. The wound itself was not complicated to repair, but the inflammation and blood loss so far were severe. And Rigurd's condition was critical. "This may take longer than I believed, there's not enough time, its too cold here." mumbled the strange old Aern to himself. Just as he was cursing his luck his senses tingled as he realised people were approaching. Leaving his staff upon the chest of the fallen smith Aern prepared himself.
Malcurn pushed his way forward. Contrary to the belief of the villagers he was not as weak as he let on. The green glow had at first worried him, but then something inside him had urged him forward. "Mind out, let me pass." he grumbled as he pushed through the mob. Until he was in the lead. People had stopped not wishing to push further.
"The light must have them worried," Malcurn thought to himself. Regardless he pushed on, shoving branches out of his way as he moved, until he found himself in the clearing, bathed in the viridian iridescence.
"Welcome Malcurn, I am surprised to see you up here!" came a strange voice. Looking around Malcurn saw an old man, with a druid robe on, hood up. Face shadowed and ominous. But before he could react instinctively, he found himself replying almost familiarly to the man.
"The thunder woke me from a lovely dream. I was just felling this old oak when Brida walked by in nothing but her." Malcurn's eyes widened. Spluttering slightly, he was shocked at how loose his tongue was.
"I do apologise for rudely awakening you. But you see its an emergency. I do hope your friends will step forward to aid us." the old man said very calmly.
"Its safe everyone its me Malcurn!" raising his voice to call forward the villagers. The first to appear was an older lady, clearly beautiful once with silvery hair to her waist, she was still slim and her body still firm. Which showed how the Icanii peoples worked hard into their later years traditionally. Malcurn's eyes widened again and barely able to contain himself, followed by more coughing and spluttering.
The old man chuckled aloud, "Ah Brida, its a pleasure" whilst smiling welcomingly. Brida just curtsied.
Then one by one the rest of the crowd shuffled through. There must have been eighteen people at least. "Perfect!", stated the old man in the centre of the green hued clearing.
"Now all of you listen carefully. Rigurd the smith has been severely wounded. You must form a group who will carry him back down to his home. The strongest of you will be required. Then over there poor young Agne is unconscious." The young Icanii tribeswoman lay on the floor, eyes closed breathing heavily. Her clothing was torn and wet with snow and her face had now swollen on the left side with the eye swelling shut and darkening.
"Some of you will need to carry her back to the smiths house also. Then I will aid them there." Then very calmly, as if with no control over their own limbs. The crowd split up and wandered to the limp bodies of Agne and Rigurd.
Derenis saw the light at the same moment as the captain. Both men instinctively drew their swords and pressed forward keeping low. Nearly simultaneously the sound of almost a dozen sword unsheathing could be heard behind them. Pushing through the bushes and low branches, Derenis felt his heart beating. He had never seen light like this before. Just as he had the thought, voices could be heard, along with the sounds of shuffling. Brelius signalled for the group to halt, and then all was eerily quiet. The captain then turned to Derenis, "Stay here, I shall scout ahead. Move on the signal. Crescent formation"
Brelius left the safety of the darkness and carefully moved into the clearing sword gripped firmly. Avoiding unnecessary movement, he was able keep his noise to a minimum. Even so, as soon as his eyes adjusted, he was stunned by the scene. Before him two groups of villagers were deftly carrying two bodies away from the clearing. Looking right at him was a strange old man, in a hooded robe and a staff that had a glowing orb, which appeared to be producing the light in the clearing. As the Captain looked at the light, he found himself strangely relaxed. Any ounce of uncertainty had been washed away.
"Captain Brelius welcome." came the voice of the old man. "I'm sure you have abundant questions."
"I do old man, for instance who might you be?" replied the captain.
"I am a friend of the village Captain, and I assure you I mean no harm and wish to avoid conflict."
"What happened here?" Asked Brelius.
"I happened across two victims of a savage attack and immediately sought to aid them Captain." Brelius knew the old man's words annoyed him, yet he still felt so calm.
"The villagers arrived and I'm having them carry the wounded for treatment. We will be going to the Smiths house. As its the smith himself who is near deaths door." as the words left Aerns lips, Brelius' eyes widened. He was immediately alarmed by this news. As Rigurd was a core member of this community. and extremely valuable to Councilman Lentrin. If the smith died it would put a huge dent in Lentrin's plans. "Can Rigurd be saved?" asked the Captain of the old man.
"Aye, I'll do what I can" replied Aern.
"Can you tell me what happened?" inquired Brelius.
"The culprit fled over the hill, pursued by the smiths son. May I suggest you call your men to investigate Captain. Whilst you join me and take my honourable statement?" Replied Aern whilst gesturing that they follow the villagers who had already left the clearing and travelled a good distance into the darkness.
"Oh, and Captain Brelius, my name is Aern it's a pleasure to assist you."
Shocked, Brelius hesitated. This old man knew his name and his rank. Through the whole conversation too. He did not remember introducing himself. Curious now, and not sensing any threat. Brelius whistled the call of a night lark. From the undergrowth emerged Derenis and ten men. Approaching cautiously, but calmly in the viridian hue.
Arik stood atop a rocky outcrop. Six feet below him he could see his sister. Unconscious and sprawled against a fire rotted tree. A spot where the heavens had struck previously. As if signalling a bad omen. Ursla's arm was twisted behind her torso, with a dislocated shoulder and her right leg was clearly broken. a little further down the slope from Ursla. Arik saw a man standing. Hobbling toward Ursla, mumbling incoherently under the wind. Anger rose up inside the young Icanii warrior. Clenching his jaw he silently hopped down the six foot ledge and landed unseen into the snow. From closer Arik could see the man was large, well built and slightly taller than his father. He could also see the man was injured and unarmed. "You there, don't take another step toward my sister!". The man stopped. However, he began laughing, but not merrily. The laugh was somewhat maniacal and gave Arik a shiver.
Corvell had a headache and to make matters worse some tribesman sprout had come to shout at him. Was this the silhouette he saw in pursuit of him. Was it this welp that the mighty Corvell had run from and injured his leg for. Anger rising inside of Corvell made him chuckle, "more delays." All he really wanted to do was see how that bitch tasted. She looked so young and sweet. Corvell then turned to face the sprout and decided to reply to the boy. "Why? You want to fuck 'er first? You incestuous barbarian?" Corvell was smiling now, "Or would you like to watch me?" The Barbarian sprout however showed no movement whatsoever, though his face had darkened. Corvell then thought to himself "Good, just provoke him a little more and he'll snap."
"Hey kid! I think I should just kill you here and tell everyone I saved the b.!" Before the curse could even leave Corvell's lips the tribesman had disappeared. Looking left Corvell saw the boy entering his blind spot. "This kid's fast!" Corvell barely had time to react. Almost instinctively Corvell stepped back on his left foot, aiming a counter to the sprouts jaw. However, the boy merely swayed inside of Corvell's arm. The large southerner just about braced before feeling a sharp elbow to the ribs. Then before he had finished wincing Corvell felt the boys palm strike his jaw. Stunned now, the tribesman turned grabbing Corvell's still outstretched arm and threw his weight forward. Hoisting Corvell off his feet and into the air, and just as Corvell realised, he was upside down. He felt the impact of the ground across his back. All the air escaped the lungs of the large brute, gasping for breath he pulled himself to his feet. Vision spinning, Corvell could barely make out the figure of the Tribesman. Coughing and wiping the blood from his lip, Corvell was angry, there was no denying it this kid could fight. His head still screeching from the wind being taken from him twice tonight, Corvell reach inside his thick linen shirt for a concealed sheath. Drawing the dagger kept in this sheath the burly southerner pointed the dagger towards the tribesman "You may be a savvy fighter, but you wont get lucky twice kid!"
Arik watched as the stocky southerner wheezed on the floor then stood to his feet. He appeared to amble a moment. Arik concerned for his sister was hoping this fellow wouldn't last long. So far the encounter was leaving a bad taste in his mouth. Turning to check is Ursla was still unconscious Arik then heard the treacherous bastard shout at him. Annoyed at being called a child, Arik turned to respond. But immediately noticed the glimmer of a blade under the moonlight. Realising the oafs intentions Arik drew his own dagger, though his dagger did not gleam in the moonlight as his opponents did. It had dulled from prolific use in the Jungles of Elsya. Now watching the much larger opponent intently, Arik began deliberating the course of action to take. This brute had a sure weight advantage and was now armed. The young soldier knew he wouldn't get away with another surprise attack, but before he could act the oaf took the initiative and began his offensive.
Without any grace or skill, the burly southerner had launched himself forward, clearly unable to put much weight on his left leg. The clumsy attack was easy to read, and Arik moved in to counter. Switching his blade hand, Arik was able to successfully parry the opponent's dagger, but Arik was too close. The oaf of a man was able to throw his left shoulder forward to knock Arik off balance and immediately turned his blade toward Ariks left side. Realising the dilemma Arik was able to throw his weight right to avoid the stab. But not swiftly enough, mid turn the knife lanced into his upper arm, leaving a nasty gouge in the flesh. Falling and rolling to his right Arik was able to avoid any follow ups and was back on his feet.
The two men now circled each other anxious to attack, each not wanting to give an opening to his opponent. But while Arik was thinking, the man shouted again "What's your name? You tenacious little fucker." Arik was perplexed, "It would have been more honourable to ask before insulting me, no?" the brute laughed "Fuck honour! You should know the name of the man who will kill you sprout! I am Corvell! I hope you have settled your due's." Arik looking amused replied "Well if it's important to know the name of those that kill you. My name is Arik of the Icanii fangs, you'll regret hearing that name" with a hint of anger flaring in the Tribesman's eyes.
The two warriors continued to circle each other. Both waiting for the moment, which was suddenly upon them. The muscles in Corvells legs spasmed and Arik knew immediately. Both men darted forward intent on slaying their opponent. Corvell was incensed, he could read Ariks movement, and knew what he was about to do. Aiming his swipe toward Ariks throat, Corvell could almost feel the glee in his victory. He was about to finish this lad off, then finish with the girl too.
However, that glee was felt far too soon. Arik had fallen to his knees whilst advancing at great pace to then slide forward in the snow. Leaning back Arik was easily able to slide under Corvell's swing. Corvell's eyes widened as he realised the situation, the young warrior rose from his knees still moving forward and with the dagger in his right hand was able to slam the blade up to the hilt into the armpit of Corvell's right arm. Turning his head to the right Corvell felt his arms go limp and looking deep into the angry eyes of the Icanii warrior spluttered "Bastard!" just as he felt the knife twist inside his body. "The others will find you, for this, you don't know who I....!" his speech cut off as he fell to his knees, Corvell felt a tear run down his cheek just as he felt the kiss of cold steel run across his throat.