The soft sound of footfalls met his straining ears. He imagined the sound of chainmail rattling as his mind filled in the gaps between reality and imagination. It took a moment before he realized that what he was hearing wasn’t consistent with the footfalls he expected. Another chilling realization was that he was hearing canine footfalls and by the sound of it a large pack.
Immediately he recalled all the whispered stories of lone travelers set upon by fearsome packs of wolves. The only evidence that had been found were scraps of clothing and bone. This was a worse fate than the men in chainmail portended.
Knowing that the slightest move on his part would likely signal an attack Skeln remained as still as stone sure that his pounding heart was causing the earth to tremor. The moon was out from behind the clouds and shed a sickly pale light into the trees. It was enough that movement and shape could be seen but dim enough that the imagined details were clearer than the real ones. Without moving he was able to make out a dozen or so independent shapes. Slowly one edged closer to him. He considered suddenly moving and making a noise in the hopes of scaring them away. This idea was discarded as at best only buying a few moments and at worst bringing the whole lot down on him sooner. Every moment was precious and none could be squandered.
The bravest wolf, for that is what they were revealed to be when it stepped into a pool of moonlight strong enough to tell, cautiously crept closer. Its movements were like those of a dog that approaches a new potentially dangerous object for the first time. A rapid footstep forward then an equally rapid retreat. Slowly retake the step ready to shy back at the first indication of danger. The whole procedure was repeated, each time gaining a few inches.
Skeln found it odd that the wolf saw him as a danger. A lone boy in the woods in the depth of the night. Skeln could clearly see the yellow canine incisors and hear the sniffing of the beast. Eyes glinted a yellow to match the fangs in the dim light. A foot away the wolf stopped and sniffed again.
The beast whimpered and cowered back. Skeln blinked and the creature fled. As soon as the last sounds had disappeared into the distance he sat up and leaned against the tree. He felt weak and shaky all over. It took several minutes before he was able to stop the shaking. The mystery of how the animal had acted plagued his mind. It defied logic that a wolf would be terrified of a lone boy when it had a pack waiting at its back. Whatever the reason he was thankful to be alive. Any further sleep was impossible after a scare of that magnitude.
Gathering his things back into his pack he set out again. The clouds had cleared and the moon was near full so walking was possible. Speed however wasn’t. He just hoped that his pursuers had the better sense to remain asleep for a time yet.
*****
What Skeln didn’t realize was that Urake had neutralized the malevolent pursuers and was now desperately trying to catch up himself. He couldn’t track at night without a hound or at least a supply of torches. While Skeln was moving on in the wee hours of the morning Urake was sleeping lightly, waking frequently to check the light. He was protected from the cold by his dual sided cloak having discarded the threadbare one under a rock miles back. When the sun was still below the horizon it shed barely enough light to meet Urake’s requirements. He began anew the trail. It was as indistinct as yesterday for a couple more miles then he found where Skeln had rested the night.
Urake also discovered the tracks of a couple dozen wolves in the same area. Fearing the worst he found Skeln’s sleeping spot and a set of tracks that moved downhill. He concluded that the wolves had passed after Skeln due to the lack of a struggle. These new tracks were already a few hours old indicating the early start that Skeln had. Urake followed the tracks with less difficulty for a while before they again became obscure. More deduction told Urake that Skeln had been at this point when the light grew strong enough to see safer footing.
Urake cursed under his breath. Skeln’s lead had grown over that of yesterday’s. There was nothing that could be done about it but follow as fast as possible. The trail led down the side of the mountain out of the scrub and alpine vegetation into the verdant forests of lower altitudes. The trail was easier in spots and harder in others due to the changed flora. In a meadow it was easy to track the crushed stems. A stream negated the advantage gained in the meadow because the tracks went in on one side and didn’t come out on the other. Urake wasted half an hour following the stream up one way without luck before he followed it down. A couple hundred feet down he discovered a faint footprint on the bank.
Again on the trail Urake continued for a time at a good pace. His next hurdle was when he reached a road. Here he found where Skeln had rested for a time hidden in a thicket. The trail then crossed the road and entered a stand of alders. Skeln’s skill at hiding his tracks hadn’t diminished through the day and if anything the boy was learning new tricks. At one point the trail became clearly defined only to stop at a rock ledge that bared further progress. Backtracking Urake discovered another fainter trail that led back the way he had come. The trail proceeded to closely follow the original trail for a hundred yards or so then merged leaving Urake back at the ledge. Unable to find any other tracks Urake was left with the ledge. He almost feared he had lost the trail when he saw some scuff marks a few feet over on the ledge. Further examination showed a few handholds. At the bottom Urake picked up the trail again.
Intent on ferreting out every false turn Urake found another hurdle that involved a stream and a trail that entered it and exited it at three different points and looped back again. Skeln had taken one of the loops twice and climbed up on a leaning tree. A few dozen feet away the real trail started again. This time Skeln didn’t bother trying to hide anymore. Apparently he was certain that his pursuers would be stymied by his elaborate ruses and no longer followed him.
Urake was able to jog at times the trail was so clear. Only now and then did it fade but only as the terrain assisted. A rock field proved annoying but the tracks were clear again on the other side. Suddenly Urake realized that the tracks he was following were not alone. For a stretch about eight other tracks joined Skeln’s. Warily he continued on the watch for these other individuals. They seemed to only be traveling in the same direction but at different times these strangers and Skeln. Suddenly a man holding a loaded crossbow stepped out from behind a tree.
“Hold it there mister.” Two more appeared on the other side of the deer trail. One held another crossbow. The third held a short sword. This was an ambush and the mysterious footprints belonged to bandits.
“Where are the other five?” Urake scanned the woods around him. Four he readily saw as they began appearing. The fifth he didn’t see until he heard a sound above him. This one held a bow with an arrow notched. The other four soon surrounded Urake with their mismatched weapons. One wielded a poleax and the rest had various swords. One had a broadsword and another a dueling sword utterly worthless in a real fight.
“This is the one Emeck?” The man who had originally stepped out from behind the tree called to a black haired blue eyed youth on the other side of the group.
“He’s the one but I can’t read him. He’s blocking me out.” Urake smirked a little at Emeck’s words. Years of training had left him with certain defenses. He wasn’t surprised to find a telepath hiding with a band of bandits. To be gifted was to be in danger every moment of your life. A life in hiding often turned into the life of a bandit.
“Might I have the honor of knowing to whom I am speaking?”
“You mean you don’t already know?”
“Didn’t my question indicate that?” Urake saw that the leader appeared insulted somehow.
“Every one near these woods knows about us.”
“I’m not exactly from near these woods. Care to enlighten me?”
“We are the black woods bandits aren’t we lads?” There was a round of cheering following the leader’s words. “Now that you know who we are then you know our reputation and what we want.”
“I'm afraid I don’t
know your reputation but I can guess what you want. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you that I don’t have a copper. I do however have other things worth a fair bag of gold but you wouldn’t appreciate such things so I'm not going to burden you with them.” Urake saw that the bandit leader was still trying to understand what he had said.
“You mean you have something valuable but you won’t give it to us. You know we can just take it.”
“I encourage you to try.” Urake unslung his bundle and retrieved his sword and a fighting knife in one fluid motion. Instantly the crossbows were trained on his chest and the swords held at the ready.
“Fool, we can cut you down where you stand. Surrender now and we will have your treasures and you can keep your life.” In response Urake took a rapid step forward. Spinning he swirled the cloak out behind him. Satisfied with the impact of three tangled projectiles he loosed a throwing knife at the archer in the tree taking the startled cry and following thud as confirmation of his aim.
The two crossbow holders were occupied reloading. It took a skilled handler a good forty seconds to reload so until that time only the four swordsmen and the pole arm wielder presented a threat. They were warily circling as they recovered from Urake’s surprise attack. Noting the position of the one called Emeck, Urake set to work. The first one to fall was the one with the dueling blade. Parrying with his fighting knife he sliced with his sword across the man’s chest. Blood escaped as the man fell to the ground.
Only four threats left. Dodging a swing from the pole arm Urake blocked a couple slices and swung hard at the broadsword. The man attempted to block but his weapon was no match for the dwarven steel or the muscles that swung it. The broadsword shattered and Urake’s blade carved into his shoulder.
Three remained and the crossbows were half loaded. The pole arm wielder came in again with a mad swing. Ducking the arc of death was easy enough. Even easier was smashing the off balance man in the back of his head with the pommel of Urake’s sword. The bandit dropped to the ground senseless.
Now the crossbows were almost loaded and Emeck was still at Urake’s back. He threw another of his knives at one of the crossbows breaking the loading mechanism. The resulting sudden release was blocked by the man’s hand as he tried to place a bolt in the channel. Bone crunched and rendered the hand useless for the foreseeable future. The other fumbled and dropped his bolt in the ground. Urake took the opportunity to leap closer and bring the flat of his sword down on the back of the man’s head.
Now the only contender was Emeck. The young man realized that he was the only one still in the fray and began backing up apprehensively while Urake approached him. Putting up his sword Urake drew a throwing knife in preparation. Emeck noticed this and fled. Urake flipped the knife around and flung it at the base of the boy’s head. His aim was true and the handle struck a solid blow. Emeck skidded to a stop on his face and remained motionless.
Urake turned to survey the battlefield. The archer from the tree was trying to crawl away. The man with the sliced chest wasn’t moving and the other man with the shattered wrist had already fled. Apparently the man with the injured shoulder had managed to walk away or so the trail of blood led one to believe. Urake advanced on the crawling archer and ignoring his pleas for mercy dealt him a blow to the side of the head. Despite the knife wound and broken leg from the fall he would survive. Urake wasn’t so sure about the man with the chest wound. It shouldn’t be too deep but wounds like that could be tricky. Urake pulled his knife free and wiped it off in the man’s cloak. The other two knives were also retrieved and replaced. Emeck was trussed up and Urake departed with his captive over a shoulder.
Urake followed Skeln’s trail for half an hour before Emeck began waking. At first it was only a little movement of the limbs. This was replaced with violent struggle when the lad recovered full consciousness. Setting him down Urake stepped back to appraise his captive.
“You killed them all!” Fear and anger warred across Emeck’s face as he shouted out the accusation.
“Normally I would have but I doubt that your friends will be telling anyone of consequence about me. I always prefer not to kill everyone that sees me but I do require a certain element of anonymity.”
“Who are you?” Now fear was the dominant emotion evident.
“No one of great consequence. You on the other hand I have need of.”
“W.why?” Emeck was still testing his bonds.
“It is all very simple really. I'm looking for someone and you are a tracker telepath. I need you to help me find him.” Emeck turned as white as a bleached sheet and stopped struggling. For a moment Urake was afraid that the lad had also stopped breathing. His faith was restored in the boy’s constitution a moment later.
“What are you?” Pure terror turned Emeck’s face into a mask.
“An old has been that is failing the one task he set for himself. That is what I am.” Urake required Emeck’s cooperation if he had any hope of catching up to Skeln. Knowing that the lad was useless in his current state Urake smiled.
“I trust the lump on the back of your head doesn’t impede your ability to walk. I must admit to growing weary of carrying you.” Digging into a pocket he produced a length of cord and fastened it around Emeck’s waist. The other end went around his own waist. With a pointed glance Emeck gained his feet and a little prodding started him walking. They had been traveling for a time when Urake felt his mental defenses being tested.
“Stop it. I can feel it when you do that.” Emeck almost tripped and fell flat on his already skinned face.
“Are you going to kill him when you find him? Are you going to kill me?” Emeck quavered and looked at Urake like he expected struck down for the impertinence of the question.
“No. He is my son.” Emeck could believe it for the truth or not as far as Urake cared. The statement wasn’t exactly the truth but then again it was a whole lot more complicated than that. What mattered was that Urake needed to find Skeln as soon as possible. The chancellor wasn’t one to give up on prey. Whatever reason he had for wanting Skeln it couldn’t be good.
“Why is he running away then?” Emeck seemed emboldened by the lack of a rebuff or punishment.
“Some very bad people were after him but he escaped and hasn’t stopped running.” Urake paused a moment to examine a footprint. Finding it to be the right size and type he moved on again.
“Worse than you?” Urake rolled his eyes.
“They were worse than me.” Urake lapsed into silence for a few more minutes.
“Why didn’t you just give us your stuff and leave?” Urake glanced over. The terror had abated and was being replaced by curiosity. Emeck was recovering well despite the circumstances. Urake pulled the sword from its scabbard and turned. Emeck’s eyes grew round as he pulled back.
“Relax. I'm not going to kill you. See the markings on the blade?” Emeck nodded. “It is dwarven forged. Kings would pay a ransom to have such a blade. This one has a name. It’s called Skeln’den’hal. Some of the translations point to it meaning heart of snowy mountain. Another translation calls it center of cold storms. I call it Ice Heart. I have heard of similar dwarven blades but never seen another one myself.” Urake saw that Emeck had relaxed a degree.
“How did you get it?” Emeck was examining the glimmering length of metal from as far away as his bonds permitted.
“That is a story with little to no importance to the present. What is important is that I swear on this blade and my life that no harm will come to you if you obey me. If you don’t obey me then I also swear by this blade that you will not have long to regret the mistake.” Urake planted the sword in the ground and held a hand over his heart as he made the oath. Emeck was as frightened by the promise as he was reassured. In a moment he relaxed
“What do you want of me?” Emeck was resigned to his fate. Once his Gift had been discovered by the bandit leader he had been little more than a tool. He was able to sense and track people from sometimes great distan
ces. Sometimes he was even able to catch glimpses out of their eyes. It was for this reason that such people were called scanners or trackers. The bandits had exploited his Gift in finding easy marks. He had simply traded one fate for another. Now he was being used to track a person that didn’t want found for a terrifyingly mysterious stranger.
“I need you to find Skeln.”
“I have to be close enough to sense someone before I can track them. I can’t sense anyone near here other than you.” Emeck waited for the inevitable punishment this new unhelpfulness was bound to call upon him. Instead Urake smiled wryly.
“Have some faith. I know more about your kind than most do. I can give you enough to recognize his mind without actually having scanned him. What I'm going to do is lower my mental defenses enough to let you into my mind. You will see a hallway with doors down the length. The third one on the left will have everything you need. Don’t try any of the other doors.” Emeck nodded with his eyes wide.
Urake began lowering his guards as he felt the lad probing into his memories. In his mind’s eye he conjured the hallway he had described. Behind the locked doors he hid everything that wasn't relevant. He felt Emeck’s attention focusing on the hallway a moment later. A few of the locked doors were tested before the right one was found. It was mostly unintentional. A result of curiosity and lack of control. A moment later Urake was distracted by a thought and his locks weakened. That moment was all it took though. A wave of terror emanated through Urake’s mind from the connection with Emeck. Slamming the guards back into place Urake abruptly severed the connection. Emeck was scrambling backwards in a crab walk as fast as he could. Urake was almost jerked off his feet as the boy hit the end of the rope.
“Asgare!” Urake realized what Emeck had discovered. A past long buried. “You’re the Shadow Reaper! You hunt my kind!”
“Not anymore. That was a long time ago.” Emeck probably didn’t even hear Urake he was so consumed by his fear. His childhood had been haunted by the threat of the Shadow Reaper and now the object of his deepest darkest nightmares stood over him with the fabled blade in hand. The name he knew it by was Eld'or or Dark Soul. The legends associated with the duo made grown men start at sounds in the shadows.
Chronicles of Den'dra: A Land Torn: Ancient Powers Awaken Page 8
