by Sarah Coley
“Not really.” Owen replied.
The party made quick progress as they approached Brackon from the south. They had to travel by night for fear of Vincent self combusting in the sunlight, and so at the end of each night they would find a secluded spot in the never ending forests of pines to camp, each taking turns to keep watch.
Vincent, for all his disgusting qualities, had not tried to escape and followed the group each night without resistance. Eleanor wasn't sure whether it was the magical bond with Astel that kept him in line, or whether he was waiting for the opportune moment to make his move. She feared it was probably both.
Just over a week after they had escaped Rogard, the group gathered as dusk hit to discuss their options.
"If you want us to progress North past Brackon to the Northern hills, and then dark lands, we’re going to need to stop for supplies. The provisions we have will not last that distance,” Brennus declared whilst drawing a make shift map in the dirt with a stick.
"How many days is it to reach Sleugh’s lair?" Eleanor asked.
"Another week at the very least, and that's just an estimation,” Astel declared. "The route to the edges of Rogardium are well documented, but no one has ever been foolish enough to make the trip to the Bad Lands."
"Well, that’s why we have us a Bad Lands expert isn't it?" Owen announced whilst looking over to Vincent.
Vincent was looking at the floor with a smirk. "If you want my advice, I'd avoid the Bad Lands at all costs. Creatures like I are not the worst things you'll find there and the air is toxic. You wouldn't survive two days.”
'You seem to have done alright out there after god knows how long. What's to say we can't handle it?” Owen retorted.
"I survived because I'm a servant of Balor. I can eat Goblins and I'm for all intent and purposes dead anyway."
"So what do you suggest?" Brennus asked.
"Well unless your little witch here can teleport you directly to Sleugh’s lair." Vincent tilted his head in Astel's direction, "you can take the hidden tunnels that come out just south of the great northern wall to the west of Isla."
"A portal would create too much magical vibrations that Balor could easily pick up on. There is also the factor that it's uncharted territory for me, and trying to create a portal to a land I don't know can be precarious at best."
"I've noticed!" Eleanor muttered to herself.
"You mean to tell me there's a network of tunnels that the Goblins have been using all this time to bypass the wall and the king of Rogardium had no idea it existed? Wow, mage, my faith in the Kings army has been renewed." Brennus declared sarcastically.
"Will there be any chance of finding food and water once we reach Isla?" Eleanor asked Vincent.
"None that would be drinkable to a human. You will need to collect provision now to take with you."
"We're going to have to go into Brackon aren't we?." Owen declared.
Eleanor, was trying to look at every possible option from every possible angle to see if there was a way of procuring goods without having contact with the enemy, but no matter how hard she tried, there was nothing else for it. The group would have to trade at the nearest town if they were going to have enough provision for both themselves and the horses for the days to come.
"Owen's right." Eleanor announced.” There is no clear way of getting what we need with the time constraints and resources in any place other than Brackon."
"The notion of all 5 of us walking into a Goblins infested town with our Dearg companion here bound is absurd. It's too much of a risk. There has to be a better solution." Astel said whilst surveying the whole group. Vincent had remained chained at the wrists since the incantation. Despite him being bound to Astel, it was the only way the rest of the group felt safe.
"I could sneak into the camp at night and steal what we need. What’s the point of being an outlaw if I don't use my skills to our advantage," Brennus stated.
"You'd be dead before you reached the centre of town." Vincent barked. "I could smell you in the forest near your camp before you attacked. The Goblins will know you're coming."
"I suppose you have a better idea" Brennus jibbed.
"You untie me and I take two of you into the camp as prisoners. I'll keep the Goblins distracted whilst you gather what is needed. Then, when the Goblins are in an unconscious stupor from too much alcohol, I'll sneak back, killing any that I find problematic.”
"And what's to say you won't just turn us over to Balor the first chance you get?" Owen asked.
"Well, for one Astel here has a huge bargaining chip in your favor, and secondly, there's one thing I despise more than Humans and that is Goblins. I won't make deals with them out of shear principle.
Eleanor looked at Vincent square on before turning to the group.
“What about the rest of you. What do you think?"
"Absolutely not. It's too much of a risk,” piped up Brennus..
"If it will get us what we need then I'll follow whatever you decide Eleanor,” Owen responded.
"I second that,” Astel announced.
"Fine,” Eleanor exclaimed. She'd already picked out who would go into the town and a plan of action whilst Vincent had been talking.
"Owen, unbind out guest here. Vincent and I will head into Brackon with me as his captive. Brennus will sneak into the town of from the north and take what provisions we need whilst we distract the Goblins. Brennus, you will get 10 minutes to get what you need and get out, before Vincent makes his excuses and makes a dash for it. We'll meet back at this rendezvous in two hours time."
"What about me?" Owen asked.
"Brennus is our strongest fighter and he can move quickly without being seen. It's what he does. Besides, if Vincent decides to try anything, I'm the only one that can bring him down.”
“Owen, you and Astel stay hidden from view and wait for our return. We'll have to move quickly if we’re going to complete this by nights end."
"Eleanor, I can use a sword. Let me at least help,” Owen insisted.
"No Owen. You need to be here in case this plan goes south. Stick near to Astel. If we're not back within two hours, you and Astel storm in. Got it?"
"Fine,” muttered Owen whilst undoing the chains from around Vincent's wrists.
"I'll head out now in order to circle the town in time. I'll wait for your arrival,” announced Brennus. He walked up to Eleanor and put his hand on her shoulder. "Stay safe Eleanor and remember what I taught you."
"I will Brennus,” Eleanor responded. Brennus grabbed his pack and disappeared from the light into the encroaching shade of the forest.
Vincent walked past where Eleanor was stood and started to saunter down the path, rubbing his wrists as he went. "Coming human?" he shouted over his shoulder.“We don't have much time."
Eleanor took a long sigh. She turned and waved to Owen and Astel before following a monster into the jaws of hell.
Chapter 21
Vincent kept up an unforgiving pace through the rough terrain of the forest floor. He seemed to know where he was going through the trees, not stopping or swerving to avoid injury. Eleanor was able to match Vincent’s pace, but for how long she wasn't sure.
"Can you at least slow down a bit, we're still a mile out from Brackon and I'm sure Brennus won't be moving at this speed.”
Vincent looked quickly over his shoulder before sighing and slowing to a casual walk. "Is that more to your liking human?" Vincent was smirking as he walked.
"First of all my name is Eleanor not human, and secondly, you seem awfully keen to reach Brackon. If you think you can betray us, you are very much mistaken."
"And there I was thinking that you were finally starting to trust me," Vincent replied with a patronizing hint in his voice. "For your information, I'm hurrying because I can hear every foot fall within a two mile radius, and judging by the speed we are currently going at, we won't make it to the town and back at this pace in time to reach the rendezvous point; and secondly, you are
a human if I am correct, so human is what I will call you."
"Fine, well if I'm human then your nick name can be arse wipe," Eleanor muttered. She could see Vincent was smirking at this comment.
"What about this speed. Do you think you can walk faster without tripping and falling on your face?" Vincent asked. "If you were my prisoner, I certainly wouldn't be slowing down for you.”
"Fine, we can move faster. What are you planning on saying to the Goblins once we reach town?"
"You shall see Human. Now come." With that Vincent picked up the pace once more.
They made great time through the woodland, and as they neared the town, the trees became more sparse as light grassland appeared.
With the approaching of civilization came the pungent smell of death. Eleanor had smelt that sickly scent of decay many times in her life, but every time it had the effect of turning her stomach.
The tree line ceased twenty metres in front of where they where now, and the imposing wooden fortress walls of Brackon stood in front of them with the gates wide open. Towering over them, blocking out the glow of the moonlight. Anyone venturing into the town without the knowledge she had, would be walking straight into a trap.
Vincent stopped where the dark of the trees finished and the light of the gate torches began. He looked over his shoulder at Eleanor, and waited for her to catch up with him. Once Eleanor stopped, Vincent spoke in a hushed whisper.
" Follow my lead and whatever happens, don't give the game away. The less trouble we start, the less Balor will be drawn to our attention."
"Be aware Vincent that I am choosing to trust you on your word, but know that if you betray us now, I will kill you," Eleanor declared forcefully.
"Duly noted, now hand me your sword. I'm going to grab the back of your neck and drag you to the gates. remember, stay in character and trust me."
"Not likely but ok." Eleanor reluctantly drew her sword from her belt and handed it to Vincent. He took it with agile skill and placed it on his own belt. He walked behind Eleanor, tied her hands behind her back loosely and grabbed her behind the neck with his right hand.
His hands were cold to the touch and he was strong. He gripped tightly enough that she wouldn't be able to fight him off easily if she had to. Eleanor quickly looked at her surroundings for escape options if she needed one. She didn't think that Vincent would betray them with part of his soul attached to Astel, but he was unpredictable and dangerous. She would be foolish to let her guard down around him.
As Eleanor looked, she began to see in the dim light of night, piles of corpses littering the sides of the road outside the gates and Eleanor became accurately aware of where the smell had come from. There were men, women and children amongst the dead and many were dismembered with bite marks in them. Eleanor felt the bile rise in her stomach but quickly mentally suppressed it. She had a job to do and people to protect. She had to stay focused.
Vincent dragged Eleanor up to the front gates and stopped, looking up as he did. A voice spoke from above, although Eleanor couldn't see who was talking.
' Oo is it? The voice spoke," speak now or will run you through."
"That would be ill advised Goblins," Vincent announced. " I am Vincent, servant of Balor, and I am passing through with this prisoner. Either let me through, or I'll report you all to Sleugh and eat your insides." Eleanor figured that this was her cue to act and she started to desperately wriggle, trying to break Vincent’s grasp. She felt the rope around her wrist slacken and knew that Vincent had only loosely bound her for show.
"Quiet whore," Vincent spat and slapped her across the face. Eleanor could feel blood gushing down her left cheek.
" What the hell was that for?" Eleanor whispered.
" Keeping in character," Vincent replied without moving his lips.
There was a loud bang of what Eleanor presumed was a metal door followed by the sound of footfalls approaching the pair. There, in the night mist Eleanor could see the silhouette of what looked at first like a group of misshaped men, but as they grew closer, Eleanor was astonished and disgusted at what she could see.
One of the Goblins stepped closer. He was an off green color with grimy teeth protruding from his mouth and large beady eyes. He had various boils all over his face and he stank worse than the dead. He was covered in make shift amour that Eleanor presumed was made from various other victims, and he carried a grubby looking sword in his hand.
"What we ave ere then. Balors little pet and some human woman. What, you tire of torturing the Prince already," the Goblins goaded whilst chuckling to himself. Eleanor had guessed that Vincent had been lying about his involvement with the Prince, but it was a shock to hear all the same. She quickly decided that if she got out of this mess, she'd have a word with her companion here.
"Lord Balor has taken a particular interest in a group of individuals that are moving through this area. I am to escort my prisoner back to Sleugh’s layer with post haste," Vincent replied without even flinching.
" Is that so?" The Goblins sneered, " you could do that, or we could take ‘er for you. Save ye the hassle."
"What and claim the glory for yourselves, I don't think so. Now let me passed."
A second Goblins, bigger than the first and even more grotesque stepped forward, barging his way passed their first interrogator. Eleanor just hoped it was giving Brennus enough time to collect what they needed.
"I heard that Balor had told you to kill the group of humans not capture them. Maybe the Dearg has got soft in the head and can't do it. Maybe he's a traitor." There was a murmur of agreement from the gathered group.
" How dare you!" Vincent snapped. " May I remind you what happened to the last Goblins that disobeyed my orders. Now step aside or feel my wrath,” Vincent sounded truly outraged. Eleanor prayed that this was acting and not his real intentions.
"Ye wanna get through, then prove it. Prove that you are loyal to Balor. Kill the girl,” The first Goblins challenged.
"I do not need to answer to you, slime," Vincent barked.
"Ye outnumbered. Ye might be strong but ye not strong enough to take all twenty of us down. Do it, or we kill ye both ere and now."
Vincent stood motionless for a moment, and Eleanor felt his grip tighten around her neck. She knew what the Goblins had said was true and that they would both die if he chose to attack. The question was, was Vincent a traitor to her or to the darkness.
"Fine," Vincent snapped through clenched teeth.
"Vincent, don't do this," Eleanor whispered. She'd been working on the rope around her wrists while Vincent had been talking and was nearly free. She just needed a few more second before should would at least be able to defend herself.
Before Eleanor knew what was happening, Vincent had thrown her onto the wet muddy floor with a speed that knocked the air from Eleanor's lungs. He had his hand on her chest pinning her in place. She tried to struggle and managed to knocked Vincent’s arm out of the way with her knee. Vincent seemed surprised by her strength which gave her the advantage she needed.
She rolled quickly through the muddy ground and managed to break her arms free as she ran to the tree line. Vincent had taken her sword when they had arrived at Brackon, so Eleanor knew that her only chance to survive was to flee.
No more than a second after Eleanor had started her escape she felt an unwelcome weight hit her in the back with the force of a moving car. She fell forward into the mud winded and breathless. She though she might drown in the bogged down earth as she struggled to pull her head up for air, but was roughly rolled onto her back not surprisingly to see Vincent staring down at her. His eyes were blood red and veins around his eyes pulsated.
"For hell’s sake human. Keep still, I'm not going to kill you."
"Likely story," Eleanor hissed and grabbed hold of Vincent's arm trying to prize him off her, but no matter how hard she tried to push Vincent away, her strength was no match for his.
He leant down his head so that his mouth was level with h
er ear." I'm going to have to bite you but don't move. When they get close enough, I'll withdraw and strike. When that happens, you'll need to move quickly. " Vincent whispered.
Eleanor couldn't believe her ears. “But if you bite me, it's going to burn you, you know that. Don't do this. We can fight them,” Eleanor tried to reason with Vincent. It was the only option left to her.
"I know but it's the only option. Don't worry human, I can take it," he reassured her.
“Yeah but can I,” Eleanor mumbled.
" What ye waiting for? An invitation?" The first Goblins shouted.
Without warning, Vincent plunged his teeth into Eleanor’s neck with ferocity. The pain was unimaginable, and Eleanor screamed out despite herself. She could feel Vincent shaking uncontrollably and knew that he was hurting him as much as her.
Eleanor could hear the Goblins were laughing and cheering in the background and the moment of terror seemed to be stuck in perpetual limbo for eternity. Eleanor started to feel her life force slowly drifting away as dizziness clouded her vision. She knew there was a dagger in her right side belt if she could just reach it. It wouldn't kill Vincent, but it would slow him down.
She continued to struggle, trying feebly to drag Vincent's head from her neck with one hand whilst searching at her side with the other. Vincent must have sensed her arm move away. With his right hand he grabbed it by the wrist, pinning it in place. Eleanor resided that if she was going to die, she was not going to go down without a fight.
She started to kick and wriggle, trying to break Vincent away. She could hear foot steps coming towards her from where the group of Goblins were stood and knew that if she didn't do something drastic now, she wouldn't stand a chance.
"ELEANOR. NO YOU BASTARD." It was Brennus shouting as he ran towards them through the city behind where the Goblins were now congregated. Eleanor almost breathed a sigh of relief, although what Brennus would be able to do confronted with twenty Goblins and a vampire she didn't know.
"Aye, another stray “ the first Goblins said. He had reached where Eleanor and Vincent were positioned. He stopped and leant down to speak into Vincent's ear.
