Runit advanced on him, and Sun deflected his next two attacks before jumping up and kicking him in his chest, denting the armor further, and sending him stumbling backwards. Sun pressed in and stopped when Runit recovered and started swinging his weapon repeatedly in front of his body. As he continued, Sun moved side-to-side, searching for an opening, while purposely leaving his leading leg exposed again. Runit fell for the decoy and when he brought the blade down, Sun stepped away, causing Runit to overextend his attack and become off balance.
Sun stepped closer and punched the left side of the helmet repeatedly, causing a reverberating sound deep inside the metal shell that temporarily stunned his opponent. He continued to pound on the steel helmet, thus dazing Runit further, and then flipped open the visor to deliver a devastating blow, one that could end his life.
However, before he could, Runit regained enough of his senses to whip the flat part of the blade into Sun’s side, cracking a few of his ribs and sending him to the ground. Runit stepped away, shaking his head trying to clear the cobwebs, which gave Sun time to get to his feet while gripping his side. He thought about escaping, but the entrance was on the far side of the tent, and he would never make it in time. So he resolved himself to the fact that he must finish his fight with Runit if he wanted to live.
Instead of hiding and waiting to be rescued, Tonles crouched into a waiting position with Ripper at the ready. His blindness would not leave him defenseless; he knew, as he thought back to the training the Order had often put them through. They never wanted their warriors to be at a disadvantage due to unforeseen circumstances, and now that it had happened to him; he was grateful for their painful, blindfolded lessons.
Tonles concentrated on the sounds around him and when he heard the footfalls of someone approaching, he timed his attack perfectly and removed his legs at the knees. His follow-up attack silenced him for good. A few minutes later, more feet came running in his direction, and by the time he finished swinging his ax of death, three more met their end in a similar fashion as the first. After the noises faded, he stood up.
Trailing behind the other three, a goatman stopped abruptly when a human holding a large ax suddenly stood up amidst the tall grass. He was ten feet away and couldn’t comprehend why he wasn’t attacked by the human. His fears shifted to bravery when he noticed the human turning his head to the right as if he was listening. The goatman grinned thinking there must be something wrong with him and decided to end his life. He raised his spear, took aim, and just as he was about to slay the motionless target, something struck him in the side of his head, then everything went dark.
Breen was moving through the woods looking for Tonles when she spotted the goatman near him. Tonles wasn’t doing anything about the Hurnol. She knew it was too late to warn Tonles, so when the Hurnol aimed his spear, she threw a dagger and hit him directly in the temple. She hit him with another knife for good measure, and then called for Tonles. The big man was relieved to hear a familiar voice and lowered his ax.
“Are you okay?” Breen asked while walking over.
“I can’t see a damned thing. I’m blind.”
“That explains why you didn’t see the goatman ten feet away.”
“I heard something hit the ground. I’m guessing that was because of you?”
“You might say that.”
“Thanks. I guess I owe you?”
“You do.” She chuckled. “So how did it happen?”
“I got sprayed in the eyes by the beetle’s blood after I hit it. Where is everyone else?”
“I don’t know. Let’s get out of here.” She said, and guided him out.
After Konafar and Jacko entered the tent, they saw Sun off to the side and Runit closing in, ready to attack.
“RUNIT!” Konafar shouted his name, catching his attention and giving him a reason to pause.
Runit backed up a few paces defensively and grinned when he recognized Konafar. “Konafar, I’m glad you’re here. I was looking for you.” He said.
“Why are you leading these creatures?” Konafar demanded.
“I want you to join my quest.”
“Your quest?”
“Yes. I was given a rank of command and want you to join me. I’ll even make you second in command. Is Tonles with you? I want him to join me as well.”
“You’re insane.”
“No. I’m empowered.” Runit grinned.
“I’m only going to ask you once more. Drop your weapon and surrender.”
“I can’t.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll see.” Runit said and suddenly dashed forward, swinging his sword in a wide arcing manner, which caused Jacko and Sun dive out of the way so they wouldn’t be hit.
Konafar met him in the middle of the tent and the two men began fighting like rabid animals. They each parried a few attacks, grappled the other’s weapon away, and then began wrestling on the ground. Konafar was bigger and stronger, but Runit countered his strength by being quicker and more nimble, even though he wore heavier armor.
They moved around so often that it prevented Jacko and Sun from getting close enough to help Konafar. One moment Konafar was on top of him, then in the next Runit flipped him over and held the position and so on. The rolling around stalled when Runit produced a knife and was trying to drive it into Konafar’s face. Konafar grabbed his wrist at the last second, pushed his arm out of the way, rolled him over at the same time and pinned his arm down. Runit almost got free, but Konafar held his arm firmly in place with his left hand, grabbed his throat with his right and began squeezing.
Runit’s eyes bulged as his life was slowly draining away. Then something strange happened. His demeanor changed from a hard looking person to someone waking up from a trance.
“Konafar…help…me.” He pleaded.
Konafar squeezed harder, then changed his mind about killing him and released his hold. He grunted in frustration and stood up, while Runit went through a coughing fit.
Jacko picked up Runit’s weapons and Sun handed Carnage back to Konafar.
“Get up and tell me what this is about.” Konafar demanded.
Runit got to his feet. “I really don’t know. I—”
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Konafar demanded.
“I thought that I was dreaming until you began choking me.”
“I don’t understand. You sounded like you knew who you were talking to when I entered the tent.”
Runit removed his helmet. His thick, wavy, dark hair, that was once the talk of the Order of the Dragon, was gone and his scalp was full of deep ugly scars.
Konafar looked on with horror. “Who did this to you?” He asked.
Runit put his hand on his forehead for a few long seconds. “My memory is a bit fragmented, and I don't remember everything, so bear with me.” He paused. “During our raid, I was captured and led before someone wearing red platemail armor. He asked me many questions. At first, I resisted, but then…” He paused again, “he began flaying my skin… tearing it right off of the bones…” He paused once more, his eyes shifting in different directions. “It was horrible. Every time he removed my skin from my arms or legs, they smeared green ointment on it to stop the bleeding, but it did little for the pain… oh the pain was so great.” He cringed. “MY ARMS… MY LEGS...” He stated, as if realizing for the first time what had been done to him, and then he began unbuckling his armor. “Look at what they've done to me.”
After the first piece fell away, they now knew what he was talking about. There was nothing left but bones and the straps that held them in place. It was a horrifying sight for Konafar, Jacko, and Sun.
“How are you even still alive?” Konafar asked.
“I’m not sure. All that I know is that after they transformed my body into this…MESS…the worst was yet to come. I was visited by this being. Not physically, even though I thought he stood by my side on many occasions, but mentally. He tortured me while I was awake and when I slept,
until my will was broken. I was led to believe that this Red Knight was my salvation, and I had to follow him.” Runit looked away and when he turned back, his eyes were full of tears. “Kill me.” He pleaded.
“No, we'll take you to a healer.” Konafar replied.
“It's too late for that. A healer could never make his voice go away.” He said and gripped his head.
“Runit, let me help you.”
“There's no other way brother.” He said and pushed Konafar into Sun, then punched Jacko in the face with the metal gauntlet; dazing him. The Green Knight grabbed his weapon away from Jacko, and as he turned to stab his friend, Konafar thrust Carnage into his midsection and straight through to the other side of the armor. Runit dropped his sword and fell to his knees, while looking into Konafar’s eyes.
“Thank you for freeing me.” He said, smiling, then fell over dead.
“This Red Knight and whoever possessed his mind will die for what they did to him.” He looked down at his friend again. “This I promise.” He removed his sword.
After Jacko was on his feet again they left the tent. They saw Breen and Tonles, wearing a cloth around over eyes, coming toward them. Breen explained what had happened to him, and Konafar told them what befell Runit and how he didn’t have a choice but to kill him.
Tonles was angry, not at Konafar, but that Runit had died. “We will make them pay.” He said.
“Yes we will.” He paused. “Are your eyes going to be okay?” Konafar asked.
“I washed them out, so I think they’ll be okay. I won’t know for sure until later when I have more time to work on them.” Breen said.
“Let’s get out of here.”
After leaving the enemy’s camp, they traveled on horseback for a few miles then stopped for the evening. They lit two fires, a smaller one for Tonles and a much bigger one for everyone else. Breen continued her treatment on Tonles' eyes and when she was through, she instructed him to lie down and rest for a while. Reluctantly, he did so and then she rejoined the others. Once she was seated on an adjoining log; she rubbed her cold hands near the flames.
“How is he?” Sun asked Breen.
“To be honest, I don't know if he'll regain his vision. I cleaned out his eyes again and applied an ointment. We'll know within a few hours. What did I miss?”
“Nothing much, we were discussing what’s next. Konafar wants to hunt down the Red Knight, and then go after whoever tortured and turned Runit into that monster,” said Jacko. “I, on the other hand, have to go to Mirkin and stop someone from getting murdered.”
“You never mentioned that before.” Konafar suddenly said.
“I was told not to tell anyone.” He lied so that Konafar wouldn't be offended. He went on to explain what had happened to teacher Ma, his encounter with the fox, and Ma’s last request.
“It appears that we now have two objectives. Jacko needs to go to Mirkin, and Konafar wants revenge.” Sun stated after Jacko was finished. “Konafar, are you set on taking your revenge right away?”
Konafar thought about the question. “It depends on Tonles, if I need to get him help, then that will be my priority. If he's okay, then I still want to sleep on it.”
“Fair enough.” Sun replied and looked at Breen. “What about you?”
“I’d rather come with you and Jacko if that’s okay? I can’t go back to that town right now.”
Sun nodded his approval and was glad she chose to go with them.
They stayed together for another hour around the warmth of the fire before getting up. It was decided Konafar would take the first watch, followed by Breen, Jacko, then Sun. After Konafar left to walk around the perimeter, Breen checked on Tonles then went to sleep. Meanwhile Sun and Jacko made themselves comfortable then went to sleep.
Tonles awoke a few hours later, removed his bandage, and found his vision hazy and clouded at first. Then everything came into focus. He looked at the fire’s flames flickering before his eyes. He sat up and peered around the camp. Konafar, Breen, and Jacko were sleeping by the fire, and Sun was walking the perimeter with a glow rock to help illuminate his way. He got up and walked over to him.
“How’s your vision?” Sun asked when he saw him approaching without the bandages.
“I can see again. I have to thank her. She saved my ass when I couldn’t see and now has worked a miracle.”
“I’m so glad she came with us.”
Sun informed him about Jacko and Konafar’s intentions.
“I'll talk to Konafar in the morning and try to convince him to come to Mirkin. Revenge can wait.” Tonles said.
“And if he won't?”
“I guess I'll go with him, and we'll raise an army to do battle with this Red Knight character.”
“Do you really think you could get one large enough?”
“No, but if that doesn't work, then we'll…”
Sun held up his hand suddenly and motioned to Tonles to stop speaking. They listened intently to the silence for several minutes and when Sun was satisfied, he lowered his hand and whispered. “I thought that I heard something.”
They listened again and when nothing else transpired, they decided to part ways and continue talking in the morning.
Tonles went back to his bedding while Sun continued walking around, but this time he kept the glow rock closer to his body to help conceal his presence further.
With the arrival of dawn came unusual warmer weather, which was rare for this time of the year, but welcomed by the group as they rose to eat. Before Tonles and Konafar ate they spoke privately and when they were finished, they joined the others.
“I have made a decision.” Konafar began as he looked flatly at Jacko. “We have decided that you will need our help, so we will make sure you get just that.”
The announcement brought a smile to everyone’s face.
“Thanks and when I'm through you can count on my help as well.” Jacko responded.
“Were not that far from Mirkin, I think we'll be there in a few more days or so.” Sun added, then continued eating the sweet red berries and nuts he’d gathered from the nearby trees.
When their bellies were full and the fire was extinguished, they galloped toward Mirkin and the looming forest that stood in their way.
Chapter 17: The Annihilation of a Race
By mid-afternoon Tonles and the others arrived at the forest.
“Mirkin is on the other side.” Jacko said after everyone slowed their horses.
Breen’s eyes were riveted on the forest. “How is that possible?” She said drawing, everyone's attention to her.
“How is what possible?” Tonles asked.
“The forest is bathed in fog. Usually the temperature dictates when fog forms in an area. I've seen it happen after the weather turns from cold to warm.”
“Fog? Who cares?” Konafar said.
“Maybe it was warm before we arrived.” Sun added.
“Doubt it, because if that were true, then the fog would have dissipated already and not still clinging to the trees.” Breen countered.
“Are you afraid little girl?” Konafar said jokingly.
“No just cautious.” She snapped.
“Come on its only fog. It's not like there’s a fire-breathing dragon.”
“You’re funny.” She said looking at him.
“Plus I don't feel like traveling for days to go around it, so I think we should go in.”
“I don't like the feeling I'm getting from the forest.” Breen sternly added.
Konafar moved his horse closer to hers. “Come on, I'll protect you.”
“And who will protect you?” Tonles added and then laughed.
Sun continued studying the forest while the others were bantering back and forth. “This might sound strange, but I think the trees are shifting.” He announced.
Tonles turned his attention toward the forest and looked at the trees for several seconds. “You're crazy. Trees can't move, maybe it's the wind blowing the branches back and forth
.”
“Can we just decide if we should go in or around? I don’t want to be here all day.” Jacko asked.
Tonles looked at Konafar, and they wanted to go in. Sun still wasn't sure if what he saw was true, but agreed to go anyway. Breen, still miffed about the fog and what Sun said about the trees, actually contemplated turning around and leaving, but eventually decided it was safer to stay with them, and agreed.
“I suggest we leave the horses behind.” Konafar added.
“Why?” Jacko quickly responded.
“The forest is too dense, and they'll only slow us down.”
They quickly agreed to set the horses free and entered.
Inside the forest, it grew darker and foggier the further in they walked. Most of the trees, whether fallen or standing upright, were covered with a thick black and yellow moss that ran from the base all the up to the tips of their branches.
“Has anyone ever seen this kind of moss?” Sun asked the group.
“I’ve studied different mosses and this one is unknown to me, so I suggest we stay clear of it.” Breen said.
They took her advice and picked their way over and around the trees.
Shortly before nightfall, they stumbled onto an abandoned encampment.
Konafar knelt down before the remains of the campfire and studied the charred and blackened wood. “It appears that a small group made camp less than a few weeks ago. I think it will be safe for us to stay here for the night.” He said.
After gathering enough wood for the evening, they lit a small fire, ate, and sat around enjoying the warmth of the fire. As the hours passed, the temperature grew colder, and a light rain began to fall through the thick canopy, causing everyone to don their cloaks to help ward off the chill. Within an hour, a steady rain began to fall.
“How is this possible? There is no way all this rain can pass through the trees.” Tonles said looking upward and pulling his wet cloak tighter.
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 47
