“Kill me. Please kill me,” Runit pleaded.
“That was my original plan, but I have something better in mind for you. Let me show you something.”
The Red Knight pulled back his left sleeve and what Runit saw horrified him. The arm was stripped clean of skin, muscle, and tendons, and only bone was left, held together by leather straps.
“What the…”
“I know it looks bad, but really it’s amazing work.” The Red Knight smiled. “I think that I want you to become my second in command. I’m tired of not having another human around.”
“Never. I’ll kill you the first chance I get.”
“I felt that way about my master, but I changed my mind after he finished his work. Ready?” he said gleefully and picked up the knife again.
The horror that Runit went through that day would have been a nightmare to even the vilest of creatures. His arms and legs were stripped clean of flesh and tendons, and his upper torso was cut repeatedly.
When the Red Knight was through, he returned to his quarters to contemplate more pressing matters. As he walked down the vacant corridor, his echoing footsteps reminded him what his life had become: an empty chasm, which was sad because his fragmented memory told him that he had a much different life. After entering his chambers, he sat down behind his desk and began studying the maps laid before him. He decided to destroy the tunnels underneath the town and send his new understudy after his friends when he was ready.
Over the next few days, his troops laid waste to the buildings that housed the secret entrances. He received word about a group traveling west, fitting the description of Runit’s friends, and the Lord of Mind contacted him telepathically. Paven informed his master about the events that took place and how he wanted a second in command. The Lord of the Mind agreed to give him what he wanted and went to work on Runit’s mind. Despite the long distance, Repan was still able to shape Runit’s mind and turn him into an obedient servant who would go by the name of the Green Knight. How effective, Repan’s powers were, from where he was, would be determined over time. Paven was delighted to find out Runit knew his new identity and was ready to kill his former friends. After being outfitted in plate mail with a greenish hue, he was given a small army to lead and left the town
Chapter 11: Forest of Despair
It was nearing nightfall when Torhan and Brother Sao came upon a creepy dense forest enshrouded in fog. The wooded area spanned endlessly toward the north and south, so west was the only viable way through.
“Mirkin should be on the other side,” Brother Sao stated.
“Have you ever been there before?”
“Once, many years ago, but I don’t remember the trees being this thick and impenetrable. Maybe we were further north.” Brother Sao stared intently at the old and decaying trees.
Torhan followed his gaze. “Is there something wrong?”
“I’m getting a strange feeling about this place. I don’t think it’s a good idea to go in.”
“I don’t have a choice. I have to go. You don’t have to,” Torhan said and began walking.
Brother Sao reached out, grabbing his shoulder. “You don’t understand, there’s something evil lurking inside.”
“How do you know?”
“I can feel it.”
“Are you coming or not?”
“Since I swore an oath to my Order, then I’ll go with you,” the monk reluctantly said.
“We’ll be really careful and mark our way,” Torhan said and entered.
It didn’t take long before they began to feel like someone or something was watching them. Torhan glanced several times at the scabbard, but since it wasn’t glowing, he knew they weren’t in immediate danger.
About an hour later, the scabbard began radiating, and Torhan stopped. “We need to change our direction,” he said.
“Are we going to be safe?” Brother Sao asked after seeing the scabbard’s warning.
“I hope so.”
They moved north until the scabbard stopped glowing and then went west again. When the light began fading into darkness, the forest looked even more menacing. The moss-covered trees created an eerie tomb with branches that appeared to sway and dip in their path before them. When they were unable to go further, they found an area inside a cluster of trees and camped.
After lighting a small fire to keep the chill away, they ate and turned in with Torhan taking first watch. He was sitting on an old dead log with his back propped against a tree, staring out into the darkness, thinking about Jacko and his travels. What he didn’t notice was the light mist drifting into their area, causing him to fall asleep.
When morning arrived, Torhan woke from his restful slumber. To him, the forest appeared as it did the day before, but just a little brighter and colder. He was about to say something to the monk when he turned and saw that he was missing. His bedroll was still there, so he knew that he didn’t leave. Thinking Brother Sao was relieving himself; Torhan got up and was gathering his blanket when he made an alarming discovery. His backpack was missing, and so were his sword, cloak, and dagger from the scabbard. Everything important was gone including the Ring of Warmth on his finger. He called for the monk. When he didn’t answer, he began to worry.
Frantically, he looked around and didn’t see footprints or any other traces of intruders. He began walking around looking for him. He started thinking the monk left without telling him, and that made him furious. To leave is one thing, but to take his weapons was unforgivable. What really perplexed him was the scabbard didn’t protect him against the actions of the thief, then he remembered something important Molech mentioned about the scabbard. It would only send the dagger to protect the owner if something meant to harm him.
After looking for him unsuccessfully for over an hour, he decided to give up his search and scour the area until he found a strong-looking six-foot branch and tested its potency against a tree. When he was satisfied that it would last, he left and continued west.
A few hours later, Torhan passed a cluster of trees that he thought he saw earlier. He was sure they were the same ones, because they reminded him of the fort his dad built for him as a child. He decided to use an old hunter’s trick and mark the area by leaving branches stacked neatly against several trees. Anxiety, or fear of being lost in this hellish place, caused him to sprint ahead. When he came upon the same trees again, he began to panic.
How could this be? he thought and stared at the pile of branches.
He changed directions to the north and again ended up in the same place. His heart sank with dread. He ran toward the east and ended up back in the same spot. He was now wondering if this place was real or just an illusion. He hoped for the latter, because if he was indeed lost, then this would be a fate far worse than death.
The temperature suddenly felt colder. Without his ring or a means to light a fire, he wondered how long he would survive. He began feeling drained, depressed, lost, and uncertain, as he started moving north again.
With nightfall approaching, he had no choice but to stop, and without survival skills, he would certainly have to spend the night awake. He always heard that one could start a fire by hitting two stones against each other or rubbing two sticks together, but when he tried it, he couldn’t even produce a single spark. The temperature grew colder as the night got longer, and without the warmth from a fire or his cloak, Torhan shivered uncontrollably. Eventually, his body grew numb, and he began to drift asleep.
Around mid-morning, the mist returned and welcomed him into a deeper sleep.
He awoke at daybreak feeling disorientated and unsure of his surroundings. When he turned his head to the left, he saw a broken staff sticking out of the ground not more than ten feet away. He was sure it was Brother Sao’s weapon, and now he knew the monk did not desert him and was most likely taken against his will. But why didn’t they take him the night before? It didn’t make sense. For that matter, why was someone or something playing games with him? He walked west
again. After passing the same set of trees that he marked the previous day, he stopped.
“I’m tired of your game, so whoever is out there, show yourself,” he shouted. No one responded, so he yelled, “Coward!” to the forest, hoping to entice whoever it was out of hiding.
He was so preoccupied with the forest that he failed to realize the scabbard glowing green, or the needle as it pierced his skin, until he winced in pain. He snapped out of his trance and heard someone rushing toward him from behind. Turning around, he brought the makeshift staff about and deflected a series of sword attacks from a large hybrid creature with the body of a muscular human and the head resembling that of a wolf. The beast wore leather armor over his fur-covered body.
Another creature, similar to the first, emerged directly behind him. Torhan quickly parried three more ferocious attacks and wickedly struck his aggressor several times in various parts of his body, the last of which was on top of his head, knocking him out cold.
Almost instantly, the other creature replaced him, swinging widely and driving Torhan toward the rear until he tripped over a log and fell. The creature was about to deliver a devastating downward blow when Torhan thrust his staff into his exposed belly, causing him to drop his head forward, then he stabbed his throat, knocking the beast backward, reeling in pain.
More creatures emerged from out of the shadows as Torhan quickly scrambled to his feet and frantically ran in the opposite direction. While glancing over his shoulder to see how close they were, he tripped and fell headlong into some bushes bearing sharp penetrating needles that pricked his skin instantly. Within seconds, he became dizzy, and as he tried to rise, he fell back down until, at last, he lay paralyzed and incapable of moving. Black spots danced before his eyes as darkness soon overtook him.
When Torhan woke, he quickly discovered that he was tied to a tree and unable to move or wiggle free from his bonds. Across the way, two rather large individuals, resembling the ones that caught him, were engaged in conversation. They both wore loincloths and leather harnesses around their upper torsos and had hefty battle-axes draped across their backs. The only difference between them was that one had hair on his chin, much like a long beard, and the other had a patch over his right eye. When they noticed he was awake, the one with the eye patch walked over.
“What are you doing in our home, human?” he asked.
“Just passing through.”
“Passing through? No one just passes through, so where are you going?” He gazed at him intensely with his good eye.
Torhan thought about lying, but he didn’t see how it would hurt telling them some of the truth. “I’m on my way to the town of Mirkin.”
“What for?”
“I have personal business to take care of.”
The creature got angry and slapped him across the face. The scabbard, hidden beneath the ropes, glowed but not bright enough for anyone to notice.
“I ASKED WHAT FOR?”
“I have a family member who’s ill.”
“Is that so?” the creature slapped him again, this time harder. “Your friend told us differently.”
“The monk? Where is he?” Torhan demanded.
“He’s safe for now,” the creature with the beard said.
Torhan’s interrogator grabbed his face. “I’m going to ask you again. What’s the real reason why you’re going to Mirkin?”
Torhan wasn’t sure if they really had Brother Sao or not, but he couldn’t take any chances. “I am going to Mirkin, but it’s not for an ailing family member. I need to visit their priest; he’s a friend to my family.”
“Why?”
“I can’t say.”
“Din, convince him otherwise,” the bearded creature said.
Din unhooked his ax and placed the head of the weapon underneath Torhan’s chin. Torhan swallowed hard against the cold steel.
The bearded creature came closer. “Now, human, tell me what business you have with the priest or Din might slip and end your life.” His voice was calm yet, by his temperament, Torhan could tell he was growing impatient.
Torhan was left with only two choices. Tell them about Grappin’s charge or what Brother Pien wanted him to do. He wasn’t sure which story, if any, would save his life, so he decided to leave the monk out of it. “Alright, I’ll tell you. Truth is I am going to see Priest Abiathar but not for a friendly visit. I need to disable his protective wards surrounding his church.”
“Protective wards? Why would you do that, human?”
“I got mixed up with someone in Redden, and he is forcing me to do this.”
“How is he forcing you?”
“I don’t think you’ll believe me.”
“Try me.”
Torhan looked at Din, then at the other one. “Tell him to remove his ax from my throat. It’s really uncomfortable.”
“Din, lower your weapon.”
“For your sake, your story better make sense or my ax will find your neck,” Din said and removed it.
Torhan told them everything that was in Grappin’s note, his memory loss, the items, and the trip to Waisterner to find out about the priest and his wards.
When he finished, the bearded creature spoke. “Human, you tell a wild tale. Do you think you murdered the shop owner and stole his stuff?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, I think you did,” Din said.
“Look at the note in my pouch; it has the details.”
“If you lost your memories, then how do you know the note is yours? You could’ve stolen it,” Din added.
“He’s right, human. I think you’re going to Mirkin to kill the priest, and I can’t let that happen. You see, he’s a friend of ours, and disabling his wards would leave him vulnerable. Din, put an end to his miserable life.”
“My pleasure, my lord.”
“Don’t. Please,” Torhan begged.
Din lifted his weapon, and Torhan shut his eyes.
As Din was about to chop off his head, the scabbard glowed so intensely, the bearded creature noticed a light emitting from underneath the rope.
“WAIT!” he shouted.
Din grunted in frustration and lowered his weapon.
Torhan slowly opened his eyes.
“What do we have here?” the bearded creature said, then took out a knife and cut away a few of the ropes, exposing the scabbard. “Where did you get this?”
“I think that’s one of the items from Redden.”
The bearded creature tried removing the scabbard, but it wouldn’t budge, and he wasn’t able to cut the string either. “Interesting. How does it come off?”
“I have to take it off for you.”
“You’ll do that for me later. Where’s the letter?”
“It’s in my pouch.”
He opened the pouched and took the note. “Din, come with me.”
They walked away, read the note, and talked for a few minutes before returning.
“I didn’t recognize Grappin’s name when you said it, but after reading the note, it dawned on me who he is.”
“Who is he?” Torhan asked.
“I will tell you in time, human. Do you know what the scabbard does?”
“I do. It warns me of danger by glowing, and if there was a dagger inside, then the weapon would’ve become enchanted and protected me.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you recently encounter strange beings that can manipulate time and even stop it?”
Torhan was really surprised by his statement. “How could you know that?”
“It’s a gift my kind possesses. We can detect certain signs left behind by other beings. For instance, the ones you met are known as Chromos Lords, and every time they use their abilities, they leave behind an imprint on just about everything that will last for months. Let me ask you something. After you met them, didn’t you wonder why you weren’t affected by their powers?”
“I did.”
“The ancient relic around your arm prote
cted you. I guess you didn’t figure that out, did you?”
“No. Are you going to let me go?”
“After reading the note and finding the scabbard, I know that you’re telling the truth.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The scabbard is not from this world and can only be found in the underworld.”
“Where?”
“I will explain later.”
Din released Torhan from his bonds.
“What are your names?” Torhan asked.
“My name is Lord Sim, and I am the leader over my people. Din is my finest and fiercest warrior.”
Din bowed slightly.
“My name is Torhan, and I hail from the town of Wistful.”
“I can tell that you’re in need of healing, and I’m guessing some food as well,” Lord Sim offered.
“That would be nice. Where are my items and, more importantly, my companion, Brother Sao?” Torhan asked candidly.
Lord Sim looked over at Din, and the warrior nodded and left.
“Din will find out how he is and return shortly. For now, come with me.”
The forest gradually changed from dismal and lifeless to lively and full of beauty with birds chirping sweetly and trees, with leaves of every color under the rainbow, adorning their branches. Torhan couldn’t believe he was in the same place.
Lord Sim noticed his fascination and said, “We keep this area hidden from strangers.”
“It’s amazing.”
“That it is.”
Eventually, they passed through another area with a large pond and a twenty-foot high rock wall directly behind it. Torhan paused to enjoy the peaceful sound the water made as it trickled down the rocky surface. He also took pleasure in the beauty of the exotic flowers surrounding the pond. It reminded him of a similar place he’d seen before.
“This is a really nice place,” he commented.
“I come here often to think. Shall we continue?” Lord Sim held out his hand in the direction he wanted them to go. Torhan nodded.
They came to a place with a long oak table and chairs running along the sides. Lord Sim seated himself at the far end and asked Torhan to sit next to him on his left. The leader clapped his hands loudly and four of his kind, wearing loincloths, appeared from out of the trees. On large silver platters, they carried various types of foods such as: deer, boar, fowl, and exotic fruits the likes of which Torhan had never seen. After the food was set on the table, more servants appeared, and with them they brought tankards of ale, wine, and one containing strange blue liquid that was placed directly in front of Torhan. After the servants left, Lord Sim raised a tankard of ale and waited for Torhan to do the same.
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