Kaysa nodded. “Then lead the way,” she offered as she held her quarterstaff at the ready. “But be cautious.”
“Caution is for novices,” said Lokus.
“Which you are,” countered Kaysa.
“We shall see,” said Lokus as he pressed onward.
Now on the trail, Lokus tracked what he concluded to be a large male Magour. The male boars were often quite territorial, and some care had to be shown. Kaysa knew though that such things only bolstered the resolve of her friend, so she was forced to remind him to exhibit proper care. She was certain though, that the words were lost on Lokus entirely.
After some running, Lokus came to a halt, holding up a hand for Kaysa to stop and remain still. Inching a few steps more, Lokus kept his gaze fixed to a clearing ahead. Pointing, he indicated that the boar was found. Kaysa followed his pointing finger and soon set her eyes on what Lokus had seen. The sight of the Magour boar locked her breath in her lungs for a spell.
The boar was an aged male bearing many scars, but this merely made it appear more dangerous. Its massive size alone made Kaysa shake her head. Presently, the bar was digging at roots with its gnarled tusks, grunting as dirt accumulated on the outcrop of jagged bone that protected most of its face. Lokus merely smiled as he readied the arrow in his bow and prepared to fire.
“Lokus, no,” hissed Kaysa. “A Magour boar that size is too dangerous for the two of us.”
Lokus chuckled. “For you, perhaps. But I assure you that I have this well in hand,” he whispered back.
“Don’t do it,” countered Kaysa. In the distance the boar stopped its digging as it searched about.
“Watch,” said Lokus smugly. Still grinning, he did not take his eyes from Kaysa as he confidently released the arrow in his bow.
Kaysa gasped as the arrow took flight. The shot was true, striking the boar and piercing its flesh, but it had missed its fatal mark. The boar cried out in pain and surprise but did not fall. Instead, it searched about for its tormentor as it snorted and snarled. Lokus’s arrow rested in the boar’s front left leg, painful for the boar but free of piercing any vital organs.
Finally, Lokus looked at his performance and frowned. “That was not supposed to happen,” he observed.
“But it has,” said Kaysa as she watched the boar intently. “And now we are in danger.”
Just then, the boar set its sights upon them and charged.
“Run, Kaysa!” shouted Lokus as he armed his bow and fired two more times. Now facing them fully, the arrows bounced off the bone protrusions of the boar, failing to slow it at all . The boar charged angrily, intending on running Kaysa and Lokus through with its tusks.
As the boar neared Lokus, the elf tried for one last shot. But the archer had misjudged his quarry’s speed and the boar reached him quicker than anticipated. Lokus was forced to dive out of harm’s way. As he did, the boar attacked, making contact with the bow and knocking it out of the elf’s hand. Rolling back up on his feet and now weaponless, Lokus turned from the boar and ran. Kaysa called out to him as the boar gave chase.
As the boar slowed to make another pass, Lokus turned, wishing to reclaim his bow. But the Magour boar was too swift and had set its sights upon him once more. Instinctively, armed only with his arrows and a dagger, Lokus fled from the enraged boar. As he fled, he could hear the pained and angered screeches as the boar remained hot upon his heels.
Nimble and swift, Lokus rushed through the forest, using his familiarity of the woods to his advantage. Still, despite this and the wound the boar had sustained, the creature kept close to the elf. Lokus searched about for a low branch to pull himself to safety. Catching the sight of one from the corner of his eye, Lokus turned and made that branch his sole focus. With the boar growing closer and closer, the young elf gave it all he was worth.
Nearing the branch, Lokus braced as he willed himself to make the jump. But as he leaped, the boar surged with its head, striking the elf. Lokus cried out in surprise as he was tossed to the side. Crashing on the ground, the elf rolled and reclaimed his feet as the boar halted its advance and locked eyes with him. The pain Lokus felt disappeared as he focused his attention upon the boar.
Drawing his dagger, Lokus tried to calm his breathing. Before him, the boar pawed at the ground as it grunted angrily. Lokus knew his timing would have to be perfect. If he was off even in the slightest he would be broken by savage tusks and fury. Blood dripped from the arrow strike as the boar's only focus and desire was to destroy its tormentor. Lokus gripped his dagger and drew one of his arrows as he readied to tempt the fates.
Then, the boar charged him.
Lokus suddenly lost his breath. Time slowed in this moment as survival became his only desire. He readied himself to react to the charge, hoping to come out alive from the exchange. The boar was not slowing and with its speed would be on him in another breath. The moment of truth drew upon him quickly.
As Lokus prepared to move, he was surprised by the shadow rising on his right. Rushing from behind him, Kaysa emerged, staff at the ready. Lowering herself, Kaysa struck the boar upon his front legs. The boar screeched in surprise and horror as his legs shattered. Toppling, the boar crashed and rolled on the ground as it fought to find its feet once more. Injured and bested, the boar squealed as it limped painfully away.
Lokus stood, eyes wide as he finally remembered to breathe. He watched as Kaysa stood perfectly still, holding to her staff, trying to calm her own breathing. Kaysa still processed the gravity of the moment as she looked upon her weapon. Soon she stood fully, turning to look at Lokus and the fleeing boar.
"Are you alright?" she asked Lokus.
It took Lokus time to respond as he too needed to fully absorb the last few moments. "I suppose that I am, largely in part to your efforts," he replied. They both knew that was as close to a thank you as Lokus would offer.
The smile Kaysa offered was short-lived as she soon scowled at her friend. "That was truly a foolish thing you did back there. You put us both in peril with your actions," she said.
Lokus nodded, looking about for his bow. "You are right. And that is my charge and fault. But can we put it behind us now? We are safe," he said.
"No thanks to you and your bravado," said Kaysa.
"I acknowledged that already!" snapped Lokus.
Kaysa nodded. "Good. Just making sure we have both turned to the same page," she replied before she pointed to the injured boar. "Now fetch your bow. We have to finish what we have started."
Lokus scowled in the direction of the boar. "I am quite through with that thing, Kaysa," he stated firmly.
Kaysa shook her head angrily. "You are only through when that creature is released from its suffering. You ushered that fate in when you released your arrow. Now fetch your bow, Lokus."
"Fine," huffed Lokus before he rushed back to reclaim his bow.
With Lokus retracing his steps, Kaysa's eyes followed the injured Magour boar creating distance between them. It saddened her to see its pain, revealed with every whine and attempt at walking. While it was all a part of life's great circle, Kaysa still loathed to extend the misery of any creature. The boar deserved a swift death. Kaysa fumed still over Lokus's foolhardy actions.
Holding her quarterstaff at the ready, Kaysa cautiously followed the boar, careful not to frighten and compound its agony. Before her, the boar ambled a few painful steps before resting and repeating its cycle of movement. Each time it did, it cried out again, furious and scared in equal sums. The young elf shook her head, knowing what she must do if Lokus could not follow through on his kill.
Behind her, Lokus was catching up as he called to her. "Do not tread further, Kaysa. Those parts of the woods are forbidden!"
Kaysa gritted her teeth, for his words agitated the boar who moved more frantically now. "You should have thought about that before your carelessness," she claimed before keeping up with the boar.
"Kaysa, wait," said Lokus, halting his advance as he urged her back toward him
.
With her focus upon the boar, Kaysa had failed to notice that the forest had darkened around her. With the revelation, her steps slowed as the boar continued on painfully. Trying to get past the fear rising within her, Kaysa again harnessed her focus upon the boar and the duty that must be carried out. Around her, the forest sounds had dwindled to but a whisper, adding to the overall sense of unease and even dread.
Holding one hand out, Kaysa tried to soothe the boar, for she was not alone in her growing fear. "Easy there," she whispered as the creature watched her. The shadows around them both were thicker than ever.
Kaysa was able to inch closer to the boar, who was torn between facing her or the growing darkness behind it. Breathing frantically, the boar made its choice. Turning from Kaysa, the boar used its strength to run, taking its chances with the growing shadow. Pulling itself up painfully, the boar squealed again and fled.
"Wait!" Kaysa gave chase with reluctance, as an unnatural sense of dread fell upon her. She tried to catch up to the boar, tried to keep it from whatever perils laid before them. The boar rushed on, driven by the madness of fear. Before the creature, the darkness of the forest thickened until it was almost unbearable.
And then the boar simply vanished, swallowed completely within the shadows before it.
Kaysa froze. From the darkened veil the boar had traveled through she could hear nothing of the creature. Even Lokus’s pleas for her to return to him were but whispers within the chilling, ominous woods. Kaysa placed her staff before her, treading carefully. As she walked, every breath quickened as her heart nearly beat from her chest.
“Kaysa!” hissed Lokus. From behind his friend, the young archer motioned her to return to him.
Kaysa held up a hand to silence him. Using her quarterstaff, she held it to where the boar had vanished. To her surprise, her staff met it with faint resistance before it slowly passed through shadows. Kaysa moved the staff about and the shadow rippled with the movement. Kaysa’s sharp eyes deduced it was some type of spell, some incantation to promote fear, or at the very least to hide something beyond it.
And now, for the injured boar and her people, Kaysa had to know.
Gripping her staff more firmly, Kaysa braced herself despite the pleas from Lokus. Taking a deep breath, the young woman willed fire into her limbs as she pushed forward. Soon her hands and staff had passed through the magical veil as a strange sensation washed over Kaysa’s senses. Foreboding as it was, she pushed through until the rest of her was swallowed within the darkened nothingness.
And then she was free of it.
And instantly, the horror of that freedom ravaged Kaysa to her very core.
As Kaya’s eyes adjusted, newfound revelation battered her senses. Her eyes widened as she first looked upon the boar and then the horrors that surrounded them. Kaysa was no longer within the safety of the forest. What surrounded her now was the desolation in its most brutal form. Her lungs revolted against the stagnant air that filled them. Her eyes pierced with tears at what she witnessed.
Kaysa fell to her knees. Before her, every tree was felled, every inch of soil barren, every trace of life gone. There was nothing but death and the bleak remains of what once was forest and splendor. Turning around, she saw more of this nothingness, for the veil she had pierced shrouded her and her people from an encroaching truth. And the very thought of it pierced her thoughts relentlessly.
Dropping her staff, Kaysa’s hands covered her ears as she trembled. It was too much to absorb, too much to bear. She shielded her ears, not from the sounds but rather the silence that assaulted her. Kaysa could feel the pain of a dying land, feel the absence of hope and life entirely. The sensation was maddening as she longed for nothing more than to never known such a feeling again.
Kaysa then collapsed fully as her teary, violet eyes closed, and her body shut itself off from the madness that had swallowed it completely.
2 Thorindale
Field Marshal Vakk grimly observed his home as it filled his view from the rover he traveled upon. The vehicle’s treads tore savagely into the barren wasteland, traversing over a well-worn path to his destination. Vakk kept his sights set firmly upon his terminus, for the view anywhere else was nothing but a savage sea of badlands. Thorindale, the last bastion of life, the final collection of true civilization rested before him, and that was the only importance.
The sleekness of metal protruded skyward, revealing the marvel of Thorindale. The fortified city towered over the land, a beacon of life through the expanse of death and decay. Nigh impenetrable walls protected the city, as Thorindale was built within the remnants of the once great tree of life Tharador. All that remained of Tharador now was its trunk, ever servant and a protector of Thorindale and its leader, King Thorien, the Ageless.
Nearing the great gates, Vakk’s rover slowed. At the sight of him, the guards called out for the doors to be opened, for none of Thorindale could mistake Vakk. The elf commander wore an impeccable black uniform with sleek, matching boots. A battered cloak protected these garments from the dust and waste surrounding his home. His elegant face was besieged with scars, revelations of battles waged and won in blood. Gray hair was restricted from flowing freely, tied back so that his cropped ears would ever show his allegiance to Thorindale and the one true king.
Leaping from the bed of the rover, Vakk landed gracefully upon the ground. As he did, the guards at the gate saluted him as the gates moaned and gave way to his entrance. Vakk paid them no mind, for his priorities and focus were set upon the necessity and the greater good of all of Thorindale and its people. For its preservation and survival, Vakk would pay any price that was due.
The streets of Thorindale unfolded before the field marshal as he walked with great purpose. His cold, icy blue eyes catalogued the people passing by as he walked. Garnered in simple clothes, the civilians of Thorindale watched Vakk warily. Today was the day, the day many dreaded as Vakk, the right hand of Thorien, was appointed judge, jury, and executioner.
Vakk ventured swiftly through Thorindale, passing the market and food processing centers. The stench of the processing plant made his nose twitch and he loathed the smell despite its necessity. As he neared the Fortress of Ages, he quickly assessed the gathered crowd, who were shifting uneasily under the watchful eye of the guardsmen who held them in check. The crowd parted as Vakk approached, allowing him access to the stairs before their king’s stronghold.
Topping the stairs, Vakk looked upon the assembly before him. His eyes scoured the masses, looking for exceptions to what would soon transpire. He found none though and, nodding to himself, Vakk cleared his throat before speaking.
“Citizens of Thorindale, hear me well and hear me now for the time has come,” said Vakk to the crowd. As he continued speaking, shivers began running through the assembly. “And though it pains us all to face the necessity of our times, our duty still must be carried forth for the greater good of our city.”
The citizens before Vakk murmured nervously, exchanging anxious glances and words. The guards tightened their hold, keeping the people corralled for Vakk’s speech. Vakk waited patiently, however. He may have loathed such moments, but it was still for the greatest of good.
After a long pause, the crowd settled and Vakk continued. “We had been fortunate in the past season. Such events were stayed at the promises of compromise and rationing,” he said before his eyes darkened and narrowed. “But such frivolity has made you careless once more, and the strain on our food stores and resources are too much.”
“We could do better if we had but another chance,” screamed one of the citizens from the crowd.
Vakk shook his head. “It is unfortunate, but you have done better at your greed and carelessness and that can be allowed no longer.”
“But we have been careful,” shouted another civilian, who appeared angry and fearful.
Vakk was unmoved. “Not careful enough. Not by any stretch. I showed you leniency before and now that mercy is stripped from me
. As of now, we, as diligent servants of Thorindale and its conservation, must enact the Articles of Preservation, effective immediately.”
The crowd around Vakk agitated quickly as panic rushed over them. Vakk held up a hand and as he did, the guardsmen drew swords and rifles and aimed them upon the crowd. This was enough to quell them for the moment, for all knew what the Articles of Preservation truly entailed. The articles could be shaved down to its barest, most simple, and deadly purpose to save the city of Thorindale.
It came down to the Culling.
One of the strongest of the gathered citizens stepped forward, fists clenched. Even his strength was clearly diminished, due in part to the dwindling food stores. Defiantly, the proud elf stood in front of two younglings, who’s resemblance to the elf indicated they were his offspring. “So, field marshal,” he started bitterly, looking at his fellow kinfolk. “What method of process shall suffice on this day? Lots? Vote? Proof of worth?”
Vakk nodded to the man, noting his bravery. Behind the crowd, the gates of the stronghold closed, sealing them in to face their fates. “Such things are not necessary this season. I have placed the burden of decision upon myself solely,” he replied.
The defiant citizen held out his hands. “You have no such authority! It is not right! Who are you to play a god?”
Vakk shook his head. “I am no god, no. But under the authority of the Ageless One, our king and savior, I am bound to do what is required so that we endure as a whole. You look upon me now for leniency. For Thorindale and the greater good, you will find none,” said Vakk as he turned from the citizens. “They are all chosen,” he added before walking away.
The crowd erupted into a frenzy at the revelation, but it was far too late. Swords and bullets fell upon the people, their cries falling on deaf ears and grim resolve. Vakk paused only a moment as he departed, letting his ears be filled with the chorus of agony so that he would be reminded of the weight of his duty and purpose. Because of his decisions, others would live, and the food processing stations would be bolstered again for their survival.
The Last of Kel'Thara Page 2
