“Settle down now friend, the dizziness will pass soon enough.” Lady Cassandra gently pushed him back to the floor, as he weakly struggled to rise.
“The All-Father...” he babbled incoherently.
Lady Cassandra perked up, hearing the Crystal god’s name. “Corbin, did the All-Father speak to you?” Her voice whispered in his mind.
“What...” he began to ask.
“Corbin dear, can you understand me?” Again, the words moved through his mind.
“Yes... but” he tried to reply.
“Not with your words, boy, use your thoughts.” She instructed.
“How can you hear my thoughts?” he tested the concept.
“This is my gift to you, Corbin Walker, the power within has been unlocked.” She graciously answered.
“But how…” he asked aloud.
“Corbin dear, please try and remain focused and pay careful attention, we haven’t much time. Did the All-Father actually speak with you?” She brought her psyche on a little more forcefully, attempting to stabilize the young man’s quivering thoughts.
“Yes, he did, the All-Father reached out to me.” He thought.
“Tell me everything,” she demanded.
“New Fal is under great danger if Logan does not come back and face trial.” He explained.
“Show me.” Lady Cassandra thought, alarmed.
“I do not understand, milady.” Speaking telepathically was strange enough for him.
“Let yourself fall back into the memory. Do not try to explain it…just think through what you can remember, with me.” She explained, his ignorance was a reminder that mages studied for years before unlocking abilities such as these, which she had so freely given to the man.
Corbin tried to picture his encounter with the great god, Baetylus. As he thought over the miracle, it was as if Lady Cassandra were sitting there with him, watching actors on a distant stage play out a drama.
“Ah I see it already, you are a natural, not that I had any doubt of your potential. Still though, it is impressive that you are handling telepathy so easily.” She complimented him, while the vision of Baetylus’ conversation with Corbin came to its end.
“Is that what I should call this miraculous gift you have bestowed upon me?” he asked.
In her response, a flood of images washed over Corbin, not as brutal as when the All-Father had shown him the future, more like a river of time cascading over the rocks of his being.
Lady Cassandra was a Psionicist from the ancient Order of Second Sight. Long had she studied in the mystical arts, learning to access the very energy flowing through their universe, and today she had awakened a piece of him that lay dormant in mankind for over two centuries now. Through telepathy, he would be able to look inside the minds of those he encountered. Since the wild lands were filled with many men and women who truly belonged there, along with innocents who had been unjustly persecuted, and the dangerous denizens, stalking for their next meal in the shadows, the longer Logan was out there on his own, the more likely he would come to an untimely end. In the great expanse of Vanidriell, Corbin would truly benefit from this gift, being able to scan the land to find sentient life. This would give him the advantage he sorely needed to survive and track down his brother safely.
Sounds began bleeding in through their connection from around the room. He could hear Jayne’s thoughts in the background, downstairs a man was scrubbing the dishes, dwelling on an argument he had with his son that morning. Corbin clutched his ears, futilely trying to block out the overwhelming noises, and Lady Cassandra waved her apprentice over to his aid. She placed a small, smooth metal cuff around the back of his right earlobe, which immediately muffled the whispers, leaving behind nothing more than a dull ache in his temples.
“This Svalin will help you adjust to your new sixth sense. We used it in Acadia to wean the novice into their newfound skills. It uses a combination of sophisticated technology and magic to cancel out any unbidden channeling of psychic aether. Remove it only while you sleep, the human body is an amazing tool, it will help you slowly adapt so you can control when and where you use telepathy.” Lady Cassandra spoke to him, while Jayne busied herself checking his eyes for dilation with a candle.
Now that his body felt like it was back under his control, Corbin sat up. “Milady, I am but a humble hunter from Riverbell. I am not worthy of these gifts, but I do thank you for them.” He said with a slight bow of his head.
“Young man, the All-Father himself came to me in a vision, instructing me to awaken your potential. Who can judge you more worthy then He?” she admitted to him.
Corbin was speechless.
“Now then there is much to teach you in a very short time.”
The tent’s interior was roomy, with a ceiling tall enough so a man needed to only slightly crouch stepping inside. Logan’s “bed” was actually no more than a pile of dirty furs resting on the ground. The campfire had been put out hours ago when they retired for the evening, allowing the shadows of night to creep in and reclaim the camp. The air was surprisingly alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, chirping insects, hooting cave owls, and the occasional fluttering of bat wings high overhead. A couple of times he had awoken in a panic to the howls of caits, but then realized with relief that they were faraway in the distance. Even the trees around the tent sounded alive, their leaves rustling in the cool night breeze.
When Bruno ducked under the flap, the oaf was careful to not make a sound, with his large stone-headed axe in hand. He stopped short, sensing Logan stir under the furs. Then, once he was confident there was no more movement, tiptoed closer to the bed. Grimy, calloused hands gripped the hilt of his shoddy weapon, lifting it silently overhead and throwing all his weight into the blow, crashing down into the furs through the man’s head, which popped like a grape. Bruno could not help hee-hawing in delight, at killing the stupid man. He must have really lodged the axe into the little bastard’s skull, because it refused to pull out, wedged in between the bones as if they were stone.
“Tut tut.” A voice mocked him from the shadowy corner of the tent. Before Bruno could turn around, Logan flew through the air kicking the man solidly in the throat. Bruno clutched his crushed windpipe gasping for air, frantically trying to call out to his partners. As soon as Logan landed in front of the would be murderer, he shifted back to an upright-stance, throwing three sharp jabs into the giant bandit’s side with his human hand, before shattering his pelvis under the power of his mechanical fist. The force of the blow threw Bruno out through the tent’s opening, roughly dropping him on his back across the coarse dirt.
Maxwell was completely caught by surprise seeing his man lying on the ground. When Logan ran through the opening he barely had time enough to get out of the way, as a hot beam scorched the air where he had been standing. Logan let off three more rounds from his laser rifle, each missing their mark, as an angry Maxwell moved with far more agility than he looked to possess.
“Stay still Maxie boy, I want to thank you for the royal accommodations.” Logan taunted the hunter who had turned prey.
Maxwell let the boy prattle on, using his cocky demeanor to work his way in closer, making it difficult to get a good aim in the close range. He barreled into the boy, roughly backhanding him. Logan rolled with the sting of the man’s attack, thinking to spin around behind him, but the burly bandit was not about to let him get away that easy, throwing both arms around his body in a grizzly bear hug. The rifle clattered to the ground and the air was squeezed out of his lungs by the man’s powerful grip.
“Ha, ha, ha whelp, you thought to come into Maxwell’s house without offering me a present?” the beast of a man cackled, his rotten breath filling the air. Logan wheezed unintelligible words as Maxwell squeezed tighter, his arms locked around the foolish young man’s flailing body. “Eh, what does the little piggy have to say then?” he mocked.
Light flashed as energy crackled over the large man�
�s body in burning waves. For a moment he gripped even harder, his muscles locked in a spasm from the electric shock then his body flopped limply to the ground. Logan rubbed his sore ribs, looking down at the bastard. He had to take a moment to catch his breath, which was coming in ragged gasps. The metal on his hand was still smoking from the electro-shock he lit Maxwell up with and his glove was a ruined mess. Logan slammed his boot down hard onto the man’s ribs, cracking a couple under his heel. Maxwell could do nothing but moan pathetically, as he was completely unable to move, paralyzed from the attack.
“I said… you’re not the first idiot to try and bear hug me. Don’t know why you fools are always trying to cuddle instead of fight. Eh? What was that you were saying Maxie, my man?” Logan pretended to try to hear the bandit, bending and cupping an ear to listen.
“Oh… you want a present?” he answered himself. “Sure, sure I have a present for you right here, friend.” Logan shattered the man’s right kneecap, throwing his whole body into the blow as Maxwell let out a bloodcurdling scream before blacking out, unable to bear the pain.
“Don’t even try it, Wart.” Logan warned over his shoulder. Behind him Wart had knocked an arrow, ready to defend himself, his hands both shaking uncontrollably, the fear bubbling in his eyes.
“P-please don’t k-kill me.” He stammered, lowering the weapon to his side.
“Is this what you bastards do to new Wilders? Bring us back here, tell us some stories so you can get them nice and comfortable before you murder them for all their belongings?” he demanded from the shaking man.
“P-please it wasn’t never my idea mister, honest to death.” Wart whimpered like a rat.
“Shut up and get out of my way before I shoot you dead, bandit. Show me where you keep your cache.” Logan flicked the rifle to the right of the man, ordering him to move, which Wart readily complied to do, scurrying across the camp, and nervously checking to see if Logan was following. They walked by the spot where Bruno lay unconscious and Logan gave him a sharp kick in the side for good measure. Wart stopped beside the largest tent, where a couple of crates were stacked.
“Go on and open it up.” Logan ordered. The bandit pried the lid off, with shaking hands, then stepped back looking as if he might die of fright.
The unexpected stench hit Logan’s senses hard and he almost lost the contents of his stomach at the crates wretched bounty. Catching himself with a couple dry heaves, he eyed the greasy little bandit he had followed into this nightmare, trying to comprehend exactly what it was he was seeing. Wart gave him an uneasy toothless grin and shrugged.
“What the fuck is this, you sick little bastard?!” Logan screamed.
“It’s the bounty, Master Logan; this is what we… they trick people into the camp for.” Wart explained, thinking perhaps the man would be his new leader, it was a game of survival of the fittest in the wilds, and he was clearly the fittest.
“You knew I was following you here?” Logan asked, the doubt keenly edged in his tone.
“No, no sir, you was a happy surprise for Max. He said you were a gift from the All-Father, dinner and weapons, a rare delight for those exiled.” He tried to help Logan understand.
The crate was filled with the rotting meat of butchered humans, arms, entrails, blood, and gore. These bastards were cannibals, they were eating other wild landers!
“Close that damn thing back up!” he ordered, pointing with the rifle muzzle, while his free hand only half protected his face from the stench, wanting the vile contents to be out of his sight.
Wart did as he was told, scrambling to cover the box back up and Logan slammed the butt of his rifle across the back of the man’s skull, knocking his unconscious body atop the sealed box. Then he leaned over and finally let his stomach loose on the ground, as a whiff of the rotting meat filled his nose to the point he could actually taste it.
Another crate next to the unconscious cannibal began frantically thumping, sending a dozen images through Logan’s mind. As he pried the lid off, he envisioned everything from a damsel in distress to a large man eating creature would be waiting for him, although none of those images quite prepared him for the naked gnome he found instead.
The little man’s oversized pudgy hands were bound at the wrist by a dirty length of wire, cutting into his flesh and he was gagged with a filthy, soiled rag that had been stuffed into his mouth. Logan hurried to lift the three-foot gnome from the crate and pulled the disgusting rag out of his mouth. The gnome unleashed a flurry of curses between desperate spitting to the side, while Logan worked to remove the wire around his wrists.
“Blech, thank you, thank you, oh thank you.” He jumped up and down, getting the blood to circulate back into his stubby legs.
“Don’t mention it pal, are you alright?” he asked the gnome, unsure what else to say in a situation like this.
“These weirdoes were going to eat me for dinner, like I was a roasted ham! Heard them cackling about it night before last!” he raged, running over to Wart and kicking the cannibal’s limp body repeatedly with his plump bare foot. He would have made an impressive show of it too, cursing as he was, if one blow had not missed, stubbing his large toe against the corner of the crate instead, which sent the little gnome hopping up and down in circles on one foot in pain. Logan could not help smiling at the little man’s funny behavior.
“Settle down fella, everything’s okay now.” He said, trying to calm the little gnome down without touching him.
The little gnome stopped short, looking at his flat little belly and blanching as he remembered, with a deep blush, that he was completely naked. He stammered to excuse himself and darted into Maxwell’s nearby tent, returning a few minutes later wearing what Logan assumed were the clothes the vile cannibals had stripped him of when they had taken the gnome prisoner. He was much calmer now, standing there, small chin proudly raised, and tightening the last strap of his studded metal bracers. The gnome wore black buckled boots, under brown canvas breeches, with purple suspenders over a gray tunic. He also had a small hammer latched to his belt. Logan wondered how the gnome had put on all his gear in such a short time; he even looked like he had combed his unkempt mane of silver-grey hair taking care to pat down his overgrown sideburns and smooth out his matching bushy eyebrows. He pulled a clean rag out of his pack and handed it to the little gnome, so that he could wipe the dirt off his large bulbous nose and small smooth forehead.
“Feel better, friend?” he asked.
“I surely do good sir, Logan was it?” the gnome beamed.
“Yes, but how do you know my name?” he wondered.
“Heard it last night, while you lot were chatting around the fire. Just took you for another one of these bastards at first, hard to hear locked in a wooden box you know.” He explained pointing at the crates.
“And you are…?” Logan asked.
“Names Brillfilbipp Bobblefuzz of the Dudje Bobblefuzzers, friends call me Bipp, and it has never in all my years been more of a pleasure to meet a humans’ acquaintance.” Bipp said proudly, offering his oversized, stubby hand, which Logan heartily shook.
“Same here Brill-fil-bipp of Dudje…same here”. He genuinely replied.
“As I said, friends call me Bipp, and you sir have certainly earned the right to claim that title!” the gnome corrected him, feeling happy to do so.
More cait howls rose from the west, but these seemed nearby, like they were closing in on the camp
“Must have heard all the commotion from that odd rifle of yours, they have keen hearing to be sure. Best be getting out of here right quick, eh?” Bipp reasoned, holding his arm out and inviting Logan to lead the way west, away from the camp.
He could not agree more, but before they were on their way, he had to grab some supplies while the opportunity presented itself. Rummaging through the nearest tent, he grabbed everything useful he could find and a handful of gemstones that caught his eager eye, to boot. After he picked the area clean, Loga
n ran back to retrieve his own backpack, when another howl came from the woods outside the camp, this one so close it must have been just over the chasm.
“Okay Bipp, time to run, lead the way!” he exclaimed, following the little gnome out of the area and into the night.
Chapter 14
Elise was lit up by the early morning light, giving her silhouette a radiant glow, as if Baetylus were trying to wrap his warmth around her. She was promising Corbin she would stay safe while he was away.
“Please tell Lady Penelope I appreciate her generosity.” He said, referring to the supplies that had been sent down with Elise to see him off. A fur-lined jacket covered his body down to the knees, and would keep him warm in the wild lands, which Lady Cassandra advised were much colder than the New Fal climate he was accustomed to. He buckled it tightly around the waist, ensuring he could still unclasp the voulge strapped to his back with ease and reach the folding compound short bow on his belt. Confident he had all the equipment needed to survive for a good month in the wilds, he moved to be with her.
“But what if a month comes and goes and you are still out there?” Elise worried herself, continuing a conversation they were having before he stopped to check over the supplies.
“I swear upon the light of Baetylus, it will not come to that.” He promised, trying to quell her concerns.
“But, what if you get lost out there?” Elise could not imagine a life without him.
“No matter what, I will come back for you, my love. You have believed in me all my life. Don’t stop now when I need that confidence more than ever.” Corbin urged.
Elise crumpled into his arms, quietly sobbing against his chest. As far back as he could remember, Corbin had known her. Elise had been a part of his days and nights, even sneaking into his dreams. They shared so many visions of their future together: having children, building a home, and everlasting happiness. When he was down, she was always there ready to pick him up, and he returned the favor, they balanced each other out. No one could ask for a better life than he had already spent with her and he would not see anyone take away her happiness.
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