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

by Steve Spalding

  What? You did this?

  This beast, you brought it for me?

  But I'm Ca Oghren...

  What do you mean I helped?

  I know what you saw, but that was Hexcraft, the Cunning Woman who lives in your woods.

  No, that can't be. I couldn't possibly have done something like that... Do you know of my Order, Dread Queen?

  Of course you do, I beg pardon. What I mean is that to take on your flesh without Witchforce, I would need to know you, study you for dozens of Moons. Even then...I'm too weak...

  But I am weak, ask any of the other Monks.

  No, I don't doubt you, I'm just trying to understand what the Cunning Woman...

  Her name is Wren? You know her?

  Then do you know what she did to me?

  I'm sorry, I can't do that. Before food can pass my lips, I must speak to the Wraith.

  Where are you going?

  Please...

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  I've spent half the morning in this Isle Blighted cave with only a stinking corpse for my company.

  The worst part is that I'm so hungry that it's starting to look appetizing.

  I considered leaving, you know, just running away, until I realized that my new friend might take it as an insult, and then rip my soul from my body before chewing on my bones.

  Even if she did let me go, it's not like I have any idea where I'm going.

  On the plus side, at least I know what's crawling inside my soul now -- a Dread Hunter -- which would be the most exciting news I've ever heard, if it wasn't completely impossible.

  I followed that Muirbeast around the whole blighted forest edge for half a Moon, and still can't get rid of the feeling that rabbits are trying to claw their way out of my belly, and yet somehow I've managed to take on a Dread One's Aspect twice...in my sleep.

  Well, I guess they do say we were born to amuse the gods.

  If it wasn't a Hex, then there must have been something in that stone, something that belongs to us. Call me paranoid, but I'm starting to think you, my Brothers and Sisters, know exactly what that something is.

  I'm starting to think it was no accident I ran into Wren, or ended up in this cave. I guess you would say that I'm, "starting to Understand the bones and sinews of my circumstance."

  Understand that you're all Isle Cursed sadists.

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  Yes, I am hungry.

  I understand, but I can't eat. Do you see this jewel around my neck? It's a Recording Stone. If my Order discovers that I broke Fast, all of this will have been for nothing.

  Right, Ul Malak Eadao.

  I understand, I don't need to know about the Witch...

  Wren, I don't need to know about Wren or her stone. I just need to find the Wraith of the Woods. You told me that you would help. I already wasted a night here, now please...

  I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm just hungry, it was not my intention to be rude.

  You have shown me a great number of kindnesses Dread Queen, it's just that I can barely see straight anymore, and I'm just so tired...

  I know I need to eat, but I can't!

  What does that mean, "I'm not ready?"

  Come back here!

  Come back here...

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  The stink of the Deer is filling the whole blighted cave now.

  It reminds of the Festival of Mid-Winter, after we had finished salting and curing all the venison, and the whole monastery reeked like a butchers.

  I used to hate that smell.

  Aspirant always said it was because I had forgotten what it's like to starve.

  As usual, she was right.

  I am not my body.

  My soul is an empty vessel.

  I can't focus!

  I just need to get out of this cave. Just for a second.

  I just need some air.

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  Dread Queen, please let me pass...

  I can't, I've told you this!

  So you're going to trap me here, you're going to break your word?

  Oh I know all about the Dread One's oaths...Isn't that how you ended up here in the first place?

  Watch my tongue? And where would that get me exactly? Sitting in this hole until I starved to death? No, I think I've been polite enough Ca Zaren...

  You heard me. That's what the Isle Gods call you, isn't it? That's what they call Wrym Spawned traitors...

  Are you going to kill me then? If so, get on with it!

  Look at myself? I'm fine!

  Get out of my head!

  I said get out ... of my head!

  Control? I'm in control... I'm in...control.

  Stop it, stop it!

  If you're going to fight me, fight me!

  Unarmed? I'll show you unarmed!

  I am not my body.

  My body is as clay.

  I am not my soul.

  My soul is an empty vessel.

  I am as nothing, ready to be remade.

  My claws are razors, my eyes pierce the veil, and when the world was still young, I tasted the blood of the Gods.

  I am power...I am void...I am...

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  I'm alive...that's surprising.

  It looks like me and the Queen might have had a bit of a scrap, and considering all my limbs are intact, I'm guessing she let me off easy.

  Oh... it does hurt to move though... and I'm very naked, which is going to be a problem.

  Alright, one thing at a time, lets get my bearings.

  I'm still in the cave. I'm bruised, not broken, and the Deer is gone.

  Wonderful, there goes my last chance at a decent meal.

  I hope you all realize that I just fought a Dread Hunter to keep to our stupid Fast.

  I don't know of many Monks who can say that.

  Or maybe we all can, who even knows anymore? That Dread One should have ripped me apart, and the fact that she didn't means either I'm secretly the greatest Monk ever to grace Valhullen, or she knew something that I don't.

  I'm guessing you know where my bones sit.

  And ... what is that?

  You're kidding me.

  It seems the Queen left me a couple of gifts.

  Huh, a full water skin, that should come in handy...

  And...what a lovely tunic, puts the potato sacks we hand out at Valhullen to shame -- leave it to royalty, I guess. This explains where the Deer went off to. How long have I been out?

  It also smells of Hexcraft, which I'm sure is another surprise I'm going to have to deal with at some...

  What's this?

  Oh.

  Oh!

  Well, it looks like I owe someone an apology.

  “MOONSDAY, 11TH MOONRISE, MORNING”

  REFLECTION

  Sorry we haven't spoken for a while, and I'm even more sorry I missed my last few Reflections, but you should know it's because I think I might be dying.

  I'm not sure how long its been since I last ate, but every morning when I pry my eyes open, it feels like Lorelei Herself has struck me across the chest and back with a Blacksmith's hammer.

  At least I'm not running around slaughtering woodland creatures anymore, thanks Queen, but I also have no idea where I am, where I'm going, or how long it will take to get there.

  The Queen's tunic and its magic has kept me walking towards wherever it is I'm meant to be, but I can feel my body rebelling...

  My legs...

  We have Kiros in Sky the size of a full grown man's head. Kids like me used to chase them from Aldridge Bridge all the way to Threetalon Market. We had to stop there, because the butchers knew that when they saw a pack of urchins running between their stalls, that there was fresh meat to be had.

  It's never smart to stand between a butcher and easy game, not back then, not where we lived.

  We mostly did it for fun, Kiros -- even great big ones like that -- are just bone and poison if you don't know how to cook them up right. Occasionally, one of us would get brave and lucky, and we'd have a few good meals be
fore the meat went sour, and the risk of Blood Fever became worse than we were hungry.

  When I left that place, I promised I would never eat a Kiros again -- considered it a point of pride -- it was the one thing I took with me out of that Isle's Blighted pit. I just saw one, small one, skittering through the leaves, not much bigger than my hand, and realized that if I had a knife and the strength, I'd slit it from belly to tail and eat it raw.

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  "Who are you talking to Ser?"

  "What?"

  "I asked who you're talking to. It don't look like anyone else is about."

  "I'm ... sorry, where did you..."

  "Oh, I started following you a while back. You've been sort of walking in circles for a time now Ser, thought you might be lost."

  "I'm not lost...and I'm no Ser...who are you?"

  "I don't mean to be rude, but you're the one trampling all over my woods. If anyone deserves an introduction, it's me, don't you think?"

  "You live out here, in the deep? Are your parents hunters? Woodsmen?"

  "You don't look like any Knight I've ever seen..."

  "Excuse me?"

  "No bird, no blades, and you're swaddled up in Deer flesh. Not to mention you're naught but bones and bad breath..."

  "Listen, I don't have time for this."

  "Yet you have time to wander around my woods mumbling to yourself?"

  "Come on, where are your parents, little Mez? I'm sure you've got them worried ill, cantering out here in the deep."

  "I can take care of myself, which is more than I could say for you..."

  "Seeker, they call me Seeker."

  "Seeker? What sort of name is that?"

  "My sort of name, now if you'll excuse me..."

  "Oh come on, don't run off! Maybe I can help!"

  "I doubt that very much. By the way, you really shouldn't be singing at strangers like this, there are brigands and darker things still out here, and that nice, red cloak of yours would make a fine trophy."

  "You're not going to scare me, I know these woods better than you know your name, and that's why I think I can help."

  "Alright, alright... fine. How can you help?"

  "I know where you're going, and from the looks of it, you're taking the long road."

  "How could you possibly know where..."

  "Because it's the only thing worth a spit out here for three days hard ride, and if you're not a Knight, there is no other reason for you to be wandering around among the dark things."

  "Fair enough. Alright, lets say I believe you, what would you want in return? I have lost my money, and every thing I own is on my back."

  "Oh, I can see you just fine thanks much, I don't want your jingle or your skin, I'm just looking for an escort home, it does get lonely out here."

  "You want me to walk you home?"

  "Just that, and then I'll save your life."

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  "Lets play the question game! You ever play?"

  "Yea, I've played."

  "Great! Then who should start?"

  "Can't we just keep walking? How far away is your cabin or cave or whatever?"

  "I don't live in a cave you silly! OK, how about this, you still don't know my name, we can make that the prize!"

  "Not much of a prize..."

  "Come on Seeker! I want to play with you! It's not like you anything better to do."

  "I'm saving my strength..."

  "Then I'll ask the first question! What are you doing out here in the deep woods?"

  "I'm on a pilgrimage."

  "What kind of pilgrimage?"

  "Did you forget your own game? You already asked a question."

  "No, I didn't forget anything you boney... bone man! And there, that's your question, you know that right?"

  "I know."

  "Isle Cursed..."

  "You certainly have a mouth on you. Alright, how about this, where are you and your family from?"

  "That sounds like two questions to me, so I'm only going to answer half of it! You're not the only clever one! I'm from all over! I've been to Akkarban and the Inner Sea, I've even been to the Continent a few times, though for present I live right here in the Winding Woods."

  "The Continent ... you sure do have quite the imagination young Mez."

  "I'm not lying! Whatever, it's my turn. Why do you look so sickly?"

  "I haven't eaten for what must be half a Moon."

  "That sounds awful, I love to eat, I'd say it's my favorite thing -- 'sides hunting of course!"

  "So your parents are hunters then?"

  "No."

  "You're not making any sense..."

  "Or maybe you're not listening...hard to tell."

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  "Tell me a story!"

  "Only if you tell me how far away we are..."

  "Well, if you weren't dragging yourself on those boney ankles of yours, we would already be there..."

  "If you're in such a hurry, then leave..."

  "No, no, no... I'm sorry, your ankles are plenty nice, best ankles ever. Now, tell me a story!"

  "I thought you wanted to play the question game."

  "You're too boring at that, I want to hear a story now."

  "What kind of story?"

  "A scary one!"

  "I don't know any scary stories."

  "Don't lie to me, you know plenty a frightful song I think, I can see it in those boney eyes of yours."

  "Fine. I'll tell you about the Azghoul..."

  "That's not a scary story."

  "Right, so you're not afraid of Azghouls, how about the Dread Ones?"

  "Come on Seeker, I live out here in the deep, why would Dread Ones scare me?"

  "The Grey Baron?"

  "You can do better than that."

  "Fairy Fires?"

  "Old fish tales..."

  "Alright, how about Little Red then?"

  "Oh, I love that one. Tell it, tell it!"

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  "Long, long ago there was child of scarlet and gold.

  This creature lived a dozen, dozen lives and through these years earned a dozen, dozen names. Some called her Finality, for she would rarely show herself when an ending was not at hand. Some called her the Bleeding Child, for the color of the cloak she favored, and many other things beside.

  There was one name, however, that clung to her like a curse mother's tell their babes, and that was Little Red.

  They say that before the Isle Gods, before even the Wryms and their Dread Ones, she walked the Five Seas. Even the old powers, the Xi feared her, for her teeth were sharper than the sharpest blade, and her hunger was depthless.

  There are tales that when the Great Wrym Saradren sought to steal from her a village she called her own, she challenged him to a duel. Knowing of her reputation and being no fool, he fled, but she hunted him across the Five Seas, bringing only her basket, and a blade no bigger than her tiny palm.

  When she finally found him many Moons hence, she slew the Wrym where he stood, and ate his heart and liver for their strength, ground his entrails for her morning porridge, and used his bones to pick her teeth and sharpen her knife.

  The villagers thanked her for ridding them of the beast, for they did not know that soon they would, each and every one, also be meat and fat for her soup."

  "That was a wonderful story Seeker, you see, not so hard when you try. We're here by the way. Would you mind opening the door for me, my hands are full."

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