The Wraith of the Woods: A Gods Isle Story (The Seeker Book 1)

by Steve Spalding

  It prowls and stalks as Golemns do, as machines, and only when the work of the hunt is done -- does the spark of life return to it.

  This morning as I passed the walking corpse of a Muirbeast, as I began my second day in the deep woods, I couldn't help but feel like I had met a kindred spirit.

  11

  I'm finding it harder to walk, to stretch one foot in front of the other, and though the Aspect of Stone remains strong in me, to my eyes, these woods all seem cut from the same, dull cloth.

  The map the brigand left was rough but serviceable. I feel sorry for the man, though he would have happily slit my throat. He really believed he had run afoul of Hexcraft.

  I can almost see him and his fellow hiding out at some back alley saloon in Cheapside, drinking themselves silly all the while making signs of salt and ash to ward off whatever curse they think I weaved into their souls.

  It will be at least a Moon before they dare leave the Court of Raven, and probably twice as long before they try to earn their Place at Table on the purse of poor pilgrim.

  I can only hope they have another profession to fall back on, I would hate for them to starve on my account.

  12

  The Isle's luck seems to be upon me for once, I can feel trodden earth beneath my feet, which means that if this map has any truth to it, that the Witches hut shouldn't be far on.

  You may think me more fool than you already do for walking unannounced to the doorstep of a Cunning Woman, and perhaps you'll be proved right, but with empty belly, half-filled water skin, and not another clue as to the whereabouts of my Wraith, it's either this or risk a third night in the deep with only the Zultricks to protect me.

  I'll take my chances with the Witch.

  13

  So, this is it.

  I'm not sure what I was expecting really, but the cabin seems as normal as any of the hundreds of hunter's lodges you might find closer to the wood's edge.

  The only difference is that it's out here among the deep and dark.

  You know, I really shouldn't be talking to you this much, not here, it's already gotten me into trouble once, it might just be better too...

  Wait.

  It looks like the owner left a sign on the door, and since the Dread Ones and Griffins don't read the Common Hand, it must have been left for someone with human eyes.

  "So you received my invitation, Hollow One. Good, good. Come inside, take off your boots, and leave on that shiny bit around your neck -- they'll want to hear that you made it to my doorstep safely."

  Well, I guess that's one way to greet a guest.

  Wish me luck.

  14

  Is there anyone home? I saw your sign, and it read like you might be expecting me, unless there is some other thrice-cursed Monk wandering these Woods. I didn't mean to intrude by the way, I was just told...well I was told by a couple of cutthroats that you might be able to help me.

  You see, I'm looking for the Wraith of the Woods, and I heretell you are wise in the ways of the deep. I'm not here as a begger, I'll happily pay you, in Talons or in tales, I just need to...

  This is pointless, there is not a soul to be seen anywhere in this hovel.

  OK, I should probably tell you where I am.

  The room's cramped, a fire burns in the hearth, and the shelves are lined with jars of sweet looking confections. The place is completely empty, unless Witches of the deep are made of wood smoke, though...

  Yes, there is another sheet of vellum on a table in the center of the room.

  I don't think that was there when I came in.

  "I'm old, not blind Hollow One, and I know why you're here. Know much more in fact. I know things that would make your blood curdle in your chest, make you claw your eyes from your..."

  No, no, no...

  Unweave these words within me.

  Sunder the threads that bind.

  I am free and unbound under Sun and Moon.

  My strength is as Steel and Sky.

  Unweave these words within me.

  Sunder the threads that bind.

  I am free and unbound under Sun and Moon.

  My strength is as Steel and Sky...

  OK...

  OK...

  By Ashkent's Bloody Blade you tried to Hex me!

  Well, you're going to have to do better than that Dear One. I may not be wise in the ways of Hexcraft, but I am the master of my own soul.

  I mean, mostly...

  Oh come on, where are you?

  Alright Stone, in case my soul is about to be shredded, here is what's happening: The room has grown brighter, the oil lamps have been lit...somehow. It's also night outside, which it shouldn't be.

  And there is something in my hand, which there wasn't a handful of heartbeats ago.

  It's...another note,

  "Would you deny me my fun, Hollow One? I get so few guests, and fewer still as Fate-touched as yourself. You can search for me if you like, but I promise that you will wish you hadn't -- often those things hidden from our eyes deserve to stay that way.

  Oh, but I shouldn't be so inhospitable, you have made an old, tired woman smile -- which is price enough for your silly question. So ask me again about your Ghost, I do love the sound of your voice when you plead."

  I...I thank you Dear Mother, all I wish to know is how I might find the Wraith of the Woods.

  By all the...another note, would you please stop doing that!

  "Oh yes, you Monks with your empty souls are always seeking that one. By the look in your eyes, it seems you're half-way too him already. So I'll tell you the same as I've told many of your kind before -- reach into the flame that warms this room, and draw out what you find there. Place it under the pillow of my bed, and sleep through the long night. When you awake, you'll have what you need. And before you ask, I swear by all the Gods of the Isle and by older powers still, that you will be safe under my roof, for as long as you are here. And with that, I must take my leave, though I fear that one day we must meet eye to eye."

  I thank you Dear Mother, and will do as you ask.

  15

  Alright. Reaching into fire...I'm sure that this is some kind of test, maybe Fairy Flames or an illusion or something...no big...

  16

  Yea, that was real fire...

  Fortunately, the blue-black stone wasn't exactly hidden. Still, it'll be a week before I can close my hand again without it aching.

  Oh well, I guess all that's left now is for me to put this under the pillow like so, climb into bed, and somehow manage to fall...

  “HUNTSDAY, 7TH MOONRISE, AFTERNOON”

  REFLECTION

  Here is what I remember...

  I had just closed my eyes when the pain came.

  Fire, forge hot, like bones burning.

  Then a sound, animal noises, screams, and colors like bruises across the inside of my mind.

  I don't know where I was, but there was something there with me, or the outline of something.

  I could feel its blood warm hunger and stream cold fingers around my throat.

  I tried to fight, but there was no strength left in me -- too many days without food -- too many hard roads.

  It squeezed, bony claws digging into flesh thin as paper.

  It was then that I knew the screams were mine. I knew I was dying. The Wraith had me.

  I clawed at its chest, at its arms. I bit down until I tasted copper and bile. I trashed like a wild thing, and felt the fury fill the husk of my soul.

  The weakness left my limbs then, as something bright and fierce as sunlight filled my throat.

  I no longer struggled, I fought, I lunged, I clawed and bit and snarled.

  My attacker fled as fast as he had come, leaving me in the forest.

  I was in the forest, somewhere in the deep.

  It was over, but not for me, my soul cried out for the hunt, a cry that stripped me, shattered me down to my frame.

  Then there was a great deal of darkness.

  Now I'm
here, somewhere even deeper in the wood. My mouth tastes of flesh and fat, though I'm still starving. Worse, I'm not alone.

  Cold, intelligent eyes watch me from a lunges length, a body made for the chase, with claws that could slice a man in two, and wild magic that would put even that Isle Cursed woman to shame.

  A Dread Hunter is upon me.

  17

  I know I should not be here Dread One, and I offer you my throat if that's what you demand, but please hear me first.

  I came here in search of the Wraith of the Woods. I must either find him, or never return to my kin.

  I will be exiled, Ul Malak Eadao. You know this well, your kind was cast out, imprisoned in this place, when the Great Wryms still roamed the Five Seas. You also know my heart, and know I do not lie.

  I've wandered these woods for nearly a third of a Moon. My stomach aches, my flesh is weak, I've lost days here among your trees, and I do not know how much longer I can go on.

  You owe me nothing but swift death, but you saw what I was -- how I came to your home, so I beg you to think of me as kin, if only for a few heartbeats, and grant me a boon.

  I have seen the Wraith, struggled with him, but he fled. You know the pulse of these woods, know it as your fangs. If you can lead me to him, allow me to finish my hunt, you can take any share of my soul you feel you deserve.

  But if my words have not moved you, I ask that you end this quickly...

  18

  And there she goes.

  I feel rather than hear her answer -- paws padding against earth, prey bound in jaws, the flush of fresh flesh. She wants me to follow, wants to test that I can follow. She has seen the Wraith, knows where it hides, but does not yet believe that I deserve the kill.

  There is something more there too, some other reason, but the vision is muddy, and she's already getting away.

  19

  You've trained my legs to carry me for days if they have to, even on meager meals, but right now I can barely keep my balance.

  My world tilts on its axis, the air is wet and heavy, my lungs burn, and a sharp cramp runs from my shoulder down to the soles of my feet.

  I've been trying to fill the vessel of my soul with the Muirbeast, to find its Aspect, to run these woods as a Golemn does -- as a machine -- to ignore the hunger, but each time I feel myself fade, a new pain roots me in place.

  I'm sure if Aspirant ever hears this, she'll make me wish I had been clever enough to leave that last part out.

  The Dread One is pacing herself, she runs me as the King's men ride their birds, pushing right up against the edge of breaking but never beyond.

  I can feel her taking tastes of my soul, no more than a few drops, just enough to bind her to my mind -- keep me close. What else she takes, I have neither the Craft nor the time to determine.

  The forest is clearing, the trees getting thinner, beams of afternoon Sun break through the emerald sea. We can't be at the edge already, no Dread One would dare venture that close to the Path.

  Oh no, we're not at the edge. I know exactly where we are.

  The Hunter leaps with all the grace of a dancer into a break in the treeline. Now I hear it, the sound that was drowned out by the pounding of my own heart, Fel Calhourn -- The Falls of Glass.

  There is no turning back now.

  20

  I think I'm going to die.

  I think I'm going to die.

  I'm going to die....

  I'm going to die, I'm going to die, going to to die, going to die!

  Going to...

  21

  OK...

  I feel like that should have hurt a lot more.

  Where ... am I anyway?

  I mean I'm dead, that's for sure but... wait. Indriel? Indriel? Anyone?

  You know Indriel, I sort of expected your house to be a little bit...I don't know, nicer, like the songs. This looks a lot like a cave.

  I mean I'm not complaining but...

  Oh by Ashkent's Bloody Blade you scared me...

  Yea OK. Sorry. I'm sorry about all the god talk. I thought I was dead, which I should be because you led me off the side of a cliff.

  Wait, are you saying you saved me?

  That's what that means right? I'm sure I'm missing half of it but...

  Right, right, we had a deal...

  So are you telling me that this is where the Wraith is?

  I ... I don't understand.

  I'm sorry, are you saying you want me to stay here and wait for the Wraith?

  I'm not trying to be...I just don't understand, and I'm so tired...

  I'm not ready? What do you mean I'm not ready? How would you know? Oh, of course you would know. I'm sorry. So, what you're saying is that I need to stay here to prepare?

  No, not prepare...I don't think I Understand what you mean.

  Alright, so the important part is that you want me to spend the night? In this cave? Then you'll show me?

  Where have I heard that before?

  OK, well, considering I feel like I've been awake for the last two days, I guess I don't have much of a choice.

  Sorry, I shouldn't complain. Thank you Dread One. I'll do my best to be ready for you when you return.

  You're right, I should get some rest.

  22

  I would have thought it would be harder to fall asleep in a damp, drafty cave frequented by Dread Ones, but I guess when you're tired and hungry enough...anything is possible.

  At least I managed to find something warm to curl up next to.

  Wait. That doesn't make any sense at all.

  And why does my mouth taste like...

  Oh no...

  “GODSDAY, 8TH MOONRISE, MORNING”

  REFLECTION

  OK...time for morning Reflection.

  Come on Seeker...you're going to need to focus.

  Where are you? What happened? Why are you using a still warm Deer carcass as a pillow?

  Concentrate, OK? Clear your mind, empty your soul, and lets get on with it.

  Oh...by all the Isle Cursed... you're a vessel...be a vessel! Didn't you learn anything in Valhullen?

  Remember.

  Remember.

  Remember!

  No! Don't look at it...by Havner's eyes...

  Oh, what did I do? Did I really do this?

  Of course you did it! Just like before, you fell asleep and slipped into whatever it is that Witch put inside you and now...

  And now ... what? None of this makes any sense.

  Why am I still so hungry?

  Alright, you're a Monk of Valhullen Seeker. You don't run from the Truth. Aspirant would beat you red if she saw you now, hiding like a babe in swaddle.

  Turn around and open your eyes...

  Good.

  Alright, there are claw marks across its flank, finger deep lacerations on its throat, puncture wounds on both hind legs...

  Something strong and fast took this creature, but... but it's still whole. For some reason I killed it, but left it whole. Why? I'm starving.

  Well, that's some kind of news I guess, and whoever finds my corpse will be happy to know I hadn't failed my Trial quite yet.

  Still, the fact that I seem to be transforming into some kind of monster every night is disconcerting.

  I guess one problem at time...

  Speaking of which.

  23

  Welcome back Dread One, I hope your hunt went well. Sorry if my mind is not at ease, I think I may have taken one of yours last evening.