"Are you afraid that I’m too strong for you, Kar?" Neran growled. Laughter bubbled out of the darkwolf’s throat. "I would tear you to pieces if Aragen didn´t desire you so much."
Outnumbered, and with Liadel in the hands of one of the darkwolves, Neran had little choice but to surrender to the inevitable.
Flanked on all sides, they were escorted back to the village.
* * *
A satisfied smile settled on Aragen's face. Her werewolves were feeding while people were dying all around her. The horror on their faces filled her with cruel satisfaction. She stood there for a moment with her eyes closed, savouring the moment, letting herself be carried away by the cries of terror and despair.
Then she sensed Wenir.
She headed towards the dungeon from where the smell was coming. As she got closer she felt a quiver of magic and from behind the houses she saw flashes of light. Before long, the light faded. She smirked. The wizard’s magic was no more.
She entered the dungeon. The damp stone floor chilled her bare feet. Wenir, on first appearances, seemed to be unconscious, but as soon as she approached, he slowly raised his head. Aragen looked at him with disdain.
"Oh, you poor thing," she said with an overly sympathetic voice. "Don’t worry, I will set you free."
She wrapped her fingers around the bars and ripped the door off its hinges. It rattled loudly as it hit the wall. She entered the cell and began to lift off the silver chains. They instantly began to burn her hands. She gritted her teeth to stifle a scream and overcome the pain. She would not allow herself to be humbled by silver.
She threw the chains into a corner and straightened herself up. As she did so, she felt a force filling her from inside.
Wenir touched the bloody wounds on his abdomen and chest where his flesh had been deeply burned.
"Come on," Aragen said. "Maybe you can stand a little more pain."
He tried to stand up, but found that he couldn´t. Aragen reached out her hand and placed it on his head. "We’ll speed things up a little."
Wenir breathed a sigh of relief.
When Aragen pulled her hand away, his skin had almost completely healed and the stab wounds were closing. "Now get up," she ordered him.
He pushed his back against the wall to support himself as he got to his feet. "Someone came to visit me here," he said.
"Really?"
"Neran."
Aragen’s heart began pounding. "Yes, I know about him."
"I don´t think he stuck around to see you."
"We'll see," she said and turned towards the door. "Come on, there’s a feast waiting outside. You need to strengthen up."
* * *
As they approached the village, Neran’s mind began to cloud over. His animal instincts began growing more attuned to the environment around him. There was blood everywhere. The soil and air were soaked with it. When they passed the first houses Neran heard screams, which only grew louder the closer they got to the village green. Mutilated bodies and corpses were strewn everywhere. The darkwolves were obviously feasting. They ran into three of them, bending over their prey and tearing off flesh.
The macabre scene did not move Neran or Liadel. Both were accustomed to carnage. In Neran´s mind a tug-of-war was taking place. Someone had once told him that life was a precious thing. Although he had initially laughed at it, he had gradually begun to understand. Now, confronted by the temptation of fresh meat, his killer instincts grew stronger. Under the circumstances though, he needed to keep a cool mind.
Two oaks grew on the village green. Between them was an altar to the Gods of the Other Side, which had been desecrated with innocent blood. In front of it a group of five bloodied people knelt, crying and shaking with fear. Neran knew that these were prisoners which Aragen intended to take with them.
While a grey beast circled threateningly around the group, a darkwolf with thick black hair sat in the middle of it. Authority emanated from her. Neran recognized her immediately.
Kar pushed Neran forward so that he fell at the feet of the darkwolf.
Neran thought feverishly. There was only one chance to get out of this, but there was no guarantee it would work. He had to take a bet on Aragen’s sense of honour. The question was, did she have one?
The darkwolf transformed herself into a sensual woman right in front of his very eyes. She abounded with unusual animal beauty. He recalled the memory of the time when he had touched that body ... His heart had almost drowned with the heat of passion and utter hatred.
Aragen looked down at him from above. Her pale green eyes burned brightly but were as cold as ice, their pervasiveness almost unbearable. They strongly contrasted with her thick, waist-long black hair and dark skin.
She bent down to Neran. Her face almost touching his. "I’m glad to see you again, darling. Where's your brother?" she asked mockingly.
Neran growled and wanted to strike, but Kar restrained him. Aragen sat back with a smile on her face. Then she froze. Neran watched as she slowly turned towards Liadel. Her eyes widened in amazement.
"Well, well, well, look who we have here!" she exclaimed. Liadel looked startled as well.
"I didn´t expect to meet you ever again," Aragen declared. "My Black Messenger! Can you feel the power?"
Liadel did not answer, but Neran felt her quickened pulse. "Do you know her?" he growled at Aragen. She turned to him.
"Do I know her?" she laughed, "Oh, Neran!"
"I want to exercise the right of Renaar."
Aragen did not say anything. Her face immediately tightened, losing all its expression.
"I challenge one of your wolves to a duel. If I win, you get out of here."
"How dare you?" she hissed. "You’re not a member of my pack!"
"I'm a werewolf. We’re of the same blood. It´s my right."
"You’ll perish," she snapped. "I cannot allow that."
"Are you worried about me or about your trembling dogs?"
Aragen bared her fangs and her eyes flashed. "So be it."
"Call your minions, the slaughter ends now."
"Are you interested in the welfare of your dinner?" she ridiculed him.
"Do it!"
Aragen laughed, stretched her neck and gave out a long howl. The darkwolves stopped the killing and ran to the village green. Neran took off his shirt and threw it over to Liadel. She looked a little embarrassed. If he hadn´t been so nervous, he might have laughed too.
Aragen put her hand on Kar’s shoulder. "You’ll fight him." She leaned over and whispered something into his ear. Neran could just make out that she spoke in the language of Fiery Gorges. He was almost certain that she had asked Kar not to kill him.
To the onlookers she exclaimed: "Fight to the death!"
Wenir leaned towards her. "What are you doing?"
"Quiet!" she hissed.
Neran trembled against his will. Maybe, he was crazy, but what else could he have done? The smell and the sight of the blood that surrounded him helped him to relax and to trigger his diabolic power.
"Neran," Liadel said softly. "You mustn’t lose."
"Wow, I really didn’t expect such encouragement!"
"You're stronger than he is. Your strength is in your agility. Take advantage of it."
The darkwolves began to howl with excitement and anticipation, their eyes glowing hot in the gloom. Aragen stood in their midst looking like a Goddess of War. They did not wait for any opening signal. Kar transformed himself and went straight on the attack.
Neran had not been prepared for the suddenness of it. Kar knocked him to the ground with his full weight and pushed Neran into the dirt. Neran quickly transformed and instantly shook Kar off him. He did not hesitate and immediately went for his throat. As he bit, his tongue tingled with the warm sensation of hot spicy blood. He savoured it for a few seconds, but was disappointed. Darkwolves definitely tasted different. They actually didn´t taste of anything at all.
Kar swiped Neran with his paw, knocking Ne
ran to the ground, his muzzle ending up in the dirt. The strength of the blow shook him. For a moment it flashed through his head that he didn´t stand a chance.
He jumped to his feet and dismissed the fear. They fought hard, their jaws snapped at each other and the blood flowed. Whilst Neran felt himself getting weaker, Kar remainedsteadfast.
I need to find that spot, his birthmark, thought Neran. It was the only place where the darkwolves were mortally vulnerable. Each of them had their mark in a different place and everyone guarded theirs carefully. Neran had to try to penetrate Kar’s mind.
He jumped on Kar´s back, his legs buckling under Neran´s weight. Neran tried hard to focus and feel Kar’s weak spot, but he could feel nothing. The darkwolf swept him off and in the next instant clamped his neck in his jaws. One jerk would be enough for Neran to lose his head.
A devastating thought grasped him: This is the end now, I’m gone.
Aragen shouted: "No!"
Kar paused and Neran eased from his grip. He did not miss the opportunity and dug his teeth into Kar´s throat. Suddenly, he felt an intense pain himself. Kar had bitten into the side of his throat.
Then it happened. There was a connection. They both tasted each other’s blood. Neran instantly felt blood pulsing in his hind leg, on the sole.
Kar knocked him to the ground again.
Neran glanced quickly over at Liadel. She watched on in hope. He remembered her words ... Agility.Due to perpetual inbreeding, darkwolves had lost their intelligence. This was his chance.
Neran froze and closed his eyes.
Kar bent over him and sniffed twice. A tense silence hung momentarily in the air. Then Kar raised his head and howled in victory.
He was easily duped.
Neran sprang up as quick as lightning, turned back into his human form, rushed to the beast that had confiscated his weapons, and grabbed his sword. Kar turned towards him, his anger knowing no bounds. Neran ducked and attacked his legs, thrusting his sword into Kar’s left, hind paw. Kar arched his back and screamed.
Aragen ran towards him, but paused at the last moment. She looked on, completely confused.
Wenir leapt forward. "No!"
Kar fell to the ground, his eyes wide open. He was dead.
The silence that ensued could be cut with a knife.
Wenir fell on his knees beside his friend, his fingers scratching the dirt. "What have you done!" he screamed at Aragen.
Aragen stood there motionless, unresponsive, with a blank expression on her face.
Neran stood up. Every muscle in his body hurt. Sweating profusely, he looked over at Aragen. She was still staring at Wenir and Kar’s corpse.
"You should have let him kill me," Neran uttered mockingly. Aragen looked at him, her nostrils widening as she abruptly inhaled. Neran saw the rage burning in her fiery stare.
"Now take your puppies and get out," Neran said and prayed that she would.
"You think you have won," she whispered menacingly. "I’ll be tracking you, Neran. I’ll never let you rest. If I don’t get you today, I’ll get you tomorrow."
"I’ve got something to look forward to then."
Aragen glanced towards Liadel, "Greetings to you from Gariel, Liadel." Then she looked back at Neran. "Today we’ve devoured enough. We're leaving," she commanded and blew Neran a kiss. Then she turned into a wolf and left the village.
Neran sat down and breathed deeply. He watched as Wenir with several others carried away Kar’s corpse. As they did so, his gaze fell on a mutilated body in a familiar coat.
"I think that´s your wizard."
Liadel gave Neran his shirt and sighed. She didn´t sound too unhappy. "He was one of the last."
Neran glanced over at the village. "Maybe they're not all dead."
"Hopefully."
Chapter 12
Lord of Darkness
Liadel found it very disrespectful when Neran sneaked into the house of one of the dead and stole their trousers. He had lost his own in the transformation and needed a new pair.
They were approaching the borders of the Elven Kingdom of Ollewan. They walked in silence, angry at each other´s obstinacy. Neran had tried to weasel information out of Liadel about what she had in common with Aragen, but she had refused to answer. Liadel in turn had asked him how he knew Aragen and why the darkwolf desired him so much. Neran had also refused to disclose his secrets.
Finally, after a long quarrel, they now had the chance to enjoy the silence.
"The Ariellan Forest is over there!" Liadel exclaimed, pointing to a dark forest that loomed on the horizon. "This is the territory of the Royal Elves."
Neran was familiar with the Ariellan Forest. It was one of the largest forests in the whole of Vellwetia. There were ancient trees, mostly deciduous, and their caramel brown trunks were several yards in diameter. Their tree tops sparkled with gold, as if they had captured the rays of an enchanted sun. Neran had never travelled here in the winter before.It was said that when a Snow Unicorn passed through and brought snow, that the tree trunks turned white.
They walked among the giant trees and found themselves in the Realm of the Elves. Elven territory was different from the land of humans. A delicate fragrance drifted on the air which acted like a balm on the soul, creating a sense of peace and harmony. Tiny golden grains of pollen floated on the air, alive to Neran and Liadel´s movements. Moss, similar to fluffy eiderdown, grew here instead of grass. In it shone brightly coloured flowers of different species that only the elves knew by name. Neran looked at one of the trees as they passed, it seemed they were passing a giant.
Liadel closed her eyes and took a deep breath."It's wonderful to be here again."
They walked silently through the forest and admired the beauty around them. Whenever Neran spoke, he had the urge to whisper. It was as if he feared that if he spoke too loud, he would break the magic of the deep forest.
"Part of our journey will lead through this forest," Liadel proclaimed. "The Ariellan Forest covers the entire kingdom. Yviel is located on the other side. This is an ancient forest. The deeper we go inside, the closer we get to the old roots," Liadel explained. "It´s because it passes into the Forest of the Old Giants. The trees there are so tall and massive that it is impossible to see their tops. Even before the arrival of the elves, giants lived there. Unfortunately, they were only a small nation and were eventually wiped out by a deadly disease."
Neran looked around and frowned. "I know this place," he muttered. "If we go in this direction, we’ll run into the village of Geiwö."
"Do you know the local elves?" Liadel enquired.
"I don’t like elves," he said. The corners of Liadel´s mouth twitched at the comment. "But once, when I was badly wounded in a fight, it was the elves from Geiwö who found me and took care of me"
"It's probably due to the fact that we are not as arrogant as you always maintain," Liadel stated.
"No, they were the exception. You're living proof that I'm right."
"Do you think that I'm arrogant?"
"You’ve got it!" Neran grinned.
"Obviously, you cannot distinguish between arrogance and magnificence. Just another one of your many flaws."
"If you think that you are magnificent, then you're arrogant."
"Really? So what does it mean then, when I think that you are a fool?"
Neran was offended and did not take the bait.
Liadel unexpectedly began to sing. Neran wanted to poke fun at her about how annoying her singing was, but held back. It was actually quite pleasing, although he would never admit it. The song was in an ancient elven tongue and touched Neran’s soul.
He began to fidget. The elven was so annoying! She confused him no end.
He knew that elves loved singing and all kinds of art. They excelled at playing the flute and harp as well as at painting. Liadel drew to a stop, pausing at a tree. She stretched out her hand to touch a symbol carved into its bark. "Look, this is a ceremonial symbol. Some elves must have
performed the Ritual of ...”
Neran saw something shiny under her belt. It was a small iridescent sheath. He quickly reached for it but it gave him a sharp burning sensation in his hand.
"What's that?" he said. Liadel turned to him in surprise.
"You´re hiding a silver dagger under your clothing!"
Liadel’s look cooled off.
"Where did you get it from?" he growled at her, while his eyes flashed with anger. As he took a step closer to her, Liadel drew the dagger. Neran felt the power of pure silver and stopped dead.
"You said that all you needed as a weapon was your stick!"
Liadel looked at him, still holding the dagger in front of her. Neran clenched his fists and approached her despite the mighty power of the silver. "The dagger is solid silver. You´ve got it in for me, haven´t you? That´s the only weapon that can kill me."
Liadel looked into his eyes while Neran took another step closer. Even at a distance he could feel the silver burn his skin.
Liadel slowly lowered the dagger and returned it to its sheath. "I wouldn’t use it."
Neran was now standing very close to her. His blood was pounding in his veins from anger, but also from something else, something he could not name. "Why did you take it with you?"
She tilted her head ever so slightly backwards in order to look him straight in the eye. "I wanted to be sure. You're a werewolf, and I didn’t trust you. You cannot blame me. But now…"
Neran paused. "Now what?"
Liadel looked away. He wanted to touch her face. What would happen if he touched her? Was her face as smooth and as soft as velvet?
He dismissed the thoughts straight away.
Liadel took a deep breath. "You need me and I can see that your goal is really important to you. Therefore you cannot kill me. And I ... I have a debt towards you."
"So you want me to believe that you won’t stab me with the dagger in my sleep?" Neran raised his eyebrows and then made a wry face.
"I swear I won´t kill you. I wouldn’t do it, even if I wanted to."
Neran didn’t understand. "So throw the dagger away."
Liadel’s pupils widened with surprise. "I didn’t say I trust you."
Son of hell: Blood of wolves Page 18
