Chapter VII
Wormwood
Since the clash with the Vendigo they had barely stopped to rest, the Planes of Dunne were now far behind them, but ahead lay the deep dark mystery that was Wormwood Forest; where Achil had first encountered the Ajatar, the demon of the Wood.
Nicholas had been growing restless, and the ever deepening mist which had got thicker the closer they had got to the great forest had not brightened his humour. Andreas rode at his side his eyes straining to see through the veil that confronted them.
“Perhaps we should go round,” said Nicholas. “Who knows what creatures other than the Vendigo lurk in those woods.”
“That would take too long,” replied Andreas, though he understood the apprehension of his young friend now was not the time to take care. Andreas patted his horse to calm its restless spirit, "Time is a luxury we do not have. We must take our chances among the trees. Besides we have Achil with us, the conqueror of the Ajatar, I’m sure everything will be fine.”
Achil gave him a sideways glance. He pulled his shield close too, as if it could offer some comfort, “It will take us a week to pass through the forest perhaps if we are lucky the three of us will not attract too much attention. And we may move unnoticed."
Andreas gruffly laughed with a shake of the head.
“What’s wrong?” asked Achil.
“I don’t know about you but I'm beginning to get a strong impression that trouble seems to follow us no matter what we do," replied Andreas, with an almost resigned look on his face.
“I guess that’s just a sign of the times,” said Achil.
They cautiously entered the forest, with the Krakon still circling high overhead directing them across grassy unkempt tracts, long since overgrown, paths that only an eagle's eye could spy out. They travelled further within the interior, the gloom deepened as trees like standing columns stoically watched their passage; if it was not for the great eagle above them they would have surely got lost, and wondered on without end.
Nicholas got his small water bottle out and began to drink, the stillness of the air clutching at his throat, “You know this quiet is really strange, disconcerting, almost oppressive."
“I know,” said Achil, “so much life all around and yet as we pass nothing. No noise, no movement between the brush, it's like a grave yard. And the trees are so still as though they are tomb stones.”
Andreas slowed his horse as something had caught his eye. He looked up straining his eyes to see through the murky light. The bushes had been disturbed, as though swayed by a breeze, and yet there was none.
“Did you see that?” he said sharply.
Nicholas turned to look “See what there's nothing there, perhaps your eyes are playing tricks on you.”
“I tell you I saw something,” said Andreas. “I am not some child spooked by shadows, Achil there was something there.”
“I trust you my friend,” said Achil. “It could be nothing just a creature of the forest though there are strange unnatural creatures that also hide beneath these trees, so just in case, let us all be extra vigilant.”
Nicholas looked around worried that in the murky light, he could not clearly spy their guide high above them.
“It is getting late let's keep up with our guide before he moves beyond our sight. He’s circling over there, perhaps he’s found something,” said Achil, guessing what his younger companion was thinking.
As they moved closer to the great eagle, light began to penetrate through the trees. They suddenly rode out into a clearing, the gloom that had been all around lifted immediately, as everything was bathed in sunlight. They felt the warmth on their faces for the first time since they had entered the forest. There were ruins clearly jutting out of the long grasses, which were so aged they appeared as nothing more than craggy stones, they had entered the remnants of an ancient fort abandoned long ago. Water gushed from a small outcrop of rocks, probably from an underground stream; the water flowed down the rocks and disappeared down a small tunnel. Nicholas spotted a small patch of grass that had been burnt through; he walked over to it, crouched down and picked up some ash, rubbed it between his fingers, then put it to his nose and sniffed it.
“Achil look at this,” said Nicholas. “Someone built a small fire here maybe two, three days ago.”
He drew his dagger and started to poke around the remnants of the fire. A curious look came over his face as he pulled a small Torc from the ashes, on either end of it were two silver hands.
“This looks like a princely find,” murmured Nicholas. “I believe its solid silver interwoven with gold and encrusted with emeralds. It must have slipped from whoever it belonged to without them realising it, which means they will probably come back to look for it; I certainly would if it belonged to me. Andreas do you know who would wear such a thing? Should we leave here?”
Andreas dismounted to study it. “I believe it's from one of the forest dwellers and not some traveller passing through, look the silver hands are a depiction of Nodens, who is said to have had a fake hand made of silver. That would indicate if I am correct, this to be a place of refuge, a sanctuary or perhaps it could be a holy site. So I wouldn’t fear resting here; the forest dwellers believe it would bring them misfortune to attack anyone in one of their sacred places. They will probably keep themselves to themselves and since they never remain in the same place long, it is unlikely we need worry. On the other hand they don’t often take to strangers, so let us be on our guard anyway.”
They all had now dismounted from their horses and were checking the surrounding area to see if there were any other signs that someone had camped there. After they were sure that the place was deserted and that no one else had recently been through there, they settled down for the evening. They made a small fire while Achil went off to see if he could catch them some supper, with the sun rapidly descending over the canopy of trees. After a while and just as they were about to be overwhelmed by the night, he arrived back with a couple of rabbits and a small bird which he handed over to Nicholas.
“There you go Andreas,” said Achil. “I knew it was a good idea to bring a chef along. Be careful that he doesn’t try to poison us.”
Nicholas got out a pan filled it with some water and placed the bird in it. He then gutted and stripped the rabbits before beginning to cook them. He also made a small spit for the bird and once he had removed the feathers roasted it over the fire. If an outsider saw them they would have been forgiven for thinking that the scene was familiar to the daily routine of any that lived near the great wood, rather than what they were, which was a secretive party on a perilous quest to save their world.
As the evening wore on and they relaxed more into their surroundings they started to discuss what they new of the people of Askalon, and how best to approach them. Slowly as the fire started to go out, and the embers began to diminish, the three bedded down for the night; it was Achil who decided to take the first watch. The stars slowly announced themselves and soon there was the sound of shallow breathing as Andreas and Nicholas drifted off to sleep.
Andreas was startled out of his rest, Achil had placed his hand over his mouth, and gestured for him to keep still. There was a rustling close by, a shadow was moving slowly between the trees. The moon overhead gave enough light for the two of them to make out a shape. As the shape crept from the trees and into the clearing, Achil noticed a dagger glinting in the moonlight. He jumped up sword drawn and grabbed at the cloak of the intruder.
“Halt, who is it?" he shouted, in an instant he was joined by Andreas and Nicholas.
A woman’s voice retorted, “Halt yourself.”
Quickly she stamped on Achil’s foot, whilst pushing him away. He released her, surprised to find he faced a woman.
"Let me be you fool, this is holy ground so what are you doing here?" shouted the Woman.
"I'm the one with the Sword so I'll ask the questions," replied Achil.
"You're still a fool."
"I'm
still the one with the sword."
Nicholas now fully alert brought the fire back to life, and grabbing hold of a burning log hastily searched the area to see if there were any more intruders. Andreas more calmed than the others held a torch up so that he could see her more clearly.
“Now just tell us what in Tartarus is a woman doing out in the woods at night in a camp where reside three men,” said Andreas. “What did you intend, slitting our throats while we slept.”
She was a slight looking woman but as Achil had just found out to his cost she was quite robust with it. Her long fiery hair matched her personality. And her piercing green eyes gazed back at her captors contemptuously. Her skin seemed ageless without blemish, which simply added to her youth.
“I saw he had my Torc strapped to his belt and I wanted it back, so I was going to take it and leave. And anyway these are my woods so it is you who are trespassing. Who are you?”
“So you’re one of the forest folk. We were just passing through, my name is Andreas, this is Nicholas and the one you assaulted was Achil, we are of the Dragon People.”
“I know of the Dragon People. I am called Belisama, now we have been introduced; I want my Torc back."
“How do we know it belongs to you?” replied Nicholas.
“Look on the inside,” said Belisama. “There is a message ‘To my darling daughter Belisama’.”
Achil checked the Torc, and there was indeed a message engraved into it.
“You know you could have just asked for it,” said Achil, who was still smarting from being bested by such a slight looking woman. Andreas could see Achil’s embarrassment and so he afforded himself a wry smile.
“Tell me,” asked Andreas. “Were you the shadow amid the trees we saw yesterday?”
“I’m afraid not,” said Belisama. “But the forest hasn’t been a safe place to walk recently there are unnatural creatures creeping back into the darkest parts of it. I am on the trail of an Ajatar, one of the demon spirits has returned. I was close to catching up with it, when I realised my Torc was missing and turned back to retrace my steps. And that brought me back here, which is why I stumbled upon you.”
“The Ajatar, we've had dealings with that creature,” said Nicholas.
Belisama anxiously withdrew slightly holding her dagger at arms length, “You are friends with the Ajatar."
“That's not what he meant. I fought against it, the result of which was inconclusive to say the least,” said Achil.
“So it was you who rekindled the creature's anger,” said Belisama. “It must have thought that you were one of my people, and so that’s why after such a long period of peace and without warning it started attacking our homes again. So many of my people have gone missing that we have tried to seek it out, but so far no one has returned alive from the hunt. It moves like a wraith in the woods. I would not believe the creature existed but for the fact that we found a few of our scouts dead, they had been mutilated with a look of horror framed on their faces, it could only have been an Ajatar.”
The three of them looked at each other, their mission was important but it would be ignoble for them to leave her in the forest like this, especially if as she said it was Achil who had been the one to reawaken the creature's fury.
"I don't necessarily believe I woke the creature, as such beasts are malevolent anyway, and don't need arousing to do harm, they just do it," said Achil. "What I will do though is see you safely home while my friends continue on with our journey, and I will with the help of Belisama if she is willing to consent to this catch up to you later at the forests edge."
“I was told to report the creature's whereabouts to my brethren,” replied Belisama. "And that's what I intend doing."
Achil could tell she earnestly meant to track the Demon.
“Very well then, I'll come with you,” said Achil, “you can find it, then you can go do your reporting, while I will do the dispatching, and after I‘ve done that you can lead me back to my friends.”
“And how do you propose to kill such a creature?” asked Belisama indignantly. “Surely you realise that it can become any shadow of the forest it chooses and by doing so, be practically invisible.”
“Well if you can track it," replied Achil. “Then perhaps it's not as invisible or as invincible as it likes to think it is. We‘ll wait for early dawn and start then.”
The four settled back down too excited to sleep while Belisama explained the threat the Ajatar posed. She talked right up until dawn and it was with some relief for the others when night slowly turned to day. With that they broke camp, mounted their horses, Achil helped Belisama on to his horse, while Andreas and Nicholas followed the Krakon. Belisama pointed in the direction she had last spotted the creatures tracks. Achil then tugged at the reigns and urged his horse forward. As they got further and further into the gloom of the forest, Achil felt a steady unease come over him.
“Belisama,” said Achil. “I do not wish for you to turn or make any sudden movements, for some time now I have had a feeling that we are being watched.”
“Yes, but not by the Ajatar,” replied Belisama, “And I know the very voices of the trees, I know that when the breeze rustles the branches, the leaves whisper to one another. I also know that we are getting close to the Ajatar; it came passed here maybe a day ago. Let me just check the ground."
With that she lightly dropped to the ground and began looking for any indication of their prey. She picked up a broken stem from a plant, a small crushed leaf she crouched down and cleared some dead brush away to see what was beneath. After a while her gaze fixed in one particular direction, she took Achil’s hand and leapt back onto the horse pointing deeper into the shadow.
“The trail leads that way,” said Belisama.
Once more they rode off, this time with more certainty. Even Achil could see that the ground beneath them had been disturbed, though he did not recognise the tracks.
“So tell me about yourself. Who are your people?” said Achil.
“We are called the Cashel, my people came to the forest a long time ago, we are originally from a place called the Golden Crown and it is hoped we will one day return to that place. Who are you? Achil, that doesn’t sound like a name belonging to one of the Dragon People.”
“No I am from a place that's far away from here known as Findolin,” replied Achil.
Belisama then spoke of her people and their struggles to master the Great Green Wood and how over the years it had become a place where many bad and evil spirits dwelt and it had altered in temper to Wormwood. As the darkness started to close in on them they decided it was best to stop for the night. She directed Achil to a place where there was a small shelter built high into the branches of a tree, a place where her people could rest if they ventured far from there homes on a hunt. There were vines hanging down, they were taut and as thick as any rope. So they quickly climbed up and into the tree house.
It clearly had not been occupied for some time. And though it was quite a large home with three main rooms, it did not exactly have the best of home comforts. The main thing was that the wooden walls had been recently patched, and the thatched roof looked fairly water tight. It was certainly not built for comfort, being sparsely furnished, with a few upended chairs resting next to a small table. There was a small stove in the corner. Achil stepped into the small corridor at the rear and through to one of the side bed rooms. There were two unstable looking beds and a small chest near an open window; he puffed out his cheeks and breathed a long sigh, definitely, he thought, not built for comfort.
When they had eaten, they sat chatting for a while; Belisama seemed to feel more measured and reassured in the surroundings that reminded her of home. They talked long into the night or rather Belisama did. Finally the young lady of the Cashel who seemed to be enjoying this adventure way too much, retired to the other room.
Achil sat alone for a time and pondered the situation with his people. Finally tiredness took hold of him and he fell asleep.
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He was woken suddenly by a scream, Achil jumped up and ran into Belisama’s room and there at her bed was the Ajatar, it had climbed through the window. Its eyes were red, its hair matted, covered its entire body, there was a single horn protruding from its head. It had the body of a man though its teeth were like that of a vicious savage beast. It had long cruel looking claws, the type a wild cat would have. As Achil entered the room it roared at him. Belisama was sitting up terrified.
Achil with a single leap jumped across her bed pushing the creature back against the window. The creature struck at him its claws cutting across his chest only to be deflected away by his protective mail shirt, with its next blow it struck Achil along his arm. It cut into him as easily as any dagger could slice through flesh. Achil backed off quickly, realising that he needed to take the fight elsewhere rushed the creature hammering into it and driving it out of the window they both fell to the ground. Achil landed on top of the creature, he quickly rolled to one side; the creatures having struck the ground hard was briefly dazed. Achil sprang to his feet drawing his dagger as he did so. The creature leapt forward at him, Achil staggered back, the creature stood for a moment shocked, and collapsed to the ground; Achil’s dagger projecting from its chest, it had penetrated the creature's heart.
Achil stood there and sank to the floor breathing heavily, Belisama who had watched from the window frozen with fear, climbed down to him.
“You're hurt,” said Belisama.
“Its fine my armour protected me for the most part. The rest is just a scratch.”
For the first time he saw her smile.
“Look you had better sit down and I’ll clean and bind your wounds then if you’re able we will seek out your friends,” said Belisama. “But first I must get news to my people that the Ajatar is dead.”
She climbed back up to the shelter and got down her belongings she pulled out a horn from her bag and gave out two large blasts. In the distance there was an answer, a single blast on a horn, then further over, another, as horn blast after horn blast echoed throughout the forest.
“Each hunting post has a particular signal to call from. My people will be here soon and take the creature back to our settlement as proof of its death. Come as promised I will take you to your friends. And thank you for saving my life.”
"That's not a problem, could we now please be on our way."
Belisama seeing that Achil sorely desired to leave lightly climbed back up to the tree house and brought his and the rest of her belongings down. The horse was quickly made ready and the two rode off at a good pace to the edge of the forest. Before long they had caught up to the trail left by his friends, it would just be a matter of time before they caught up to them. They had all been in the forest for some days the usual journey through it cut short by the help of the Krakon who soared over the tree tops directing Andreas and Nicholas to paths unrecognised and unknown, while Achil with the help of Belisama would soon catch up to them by using secret paths of her own.
As they approached the forests edge a small company of Cashel were there to greet them; with Andreas and Nicholas among them. Belisama jumped down from the horse and embraced her kinsmen and explained what had happened and how Achil had saved her life. Achil smiled at the enthusiasm of Belisama as she excitedly recounted the story of how he had fought with the Ajatar. She held her kin by the arm and walked him over to Achil, reaching out she took Achil’s hand.
“This is my brother, Aires.”
He was a tall thin looking man, his hair the colour of leaves in autumn, hung to his shoulders. Like his sister he also had green eyes. He carried a long bow at his side and wore a green cloak over a rustic leather tunic and breeches, which both had tassels running down their sides.
“We picked up the body of the Ajatar,” said Aires. “We wondered what had happened to my sister. So scouts had been sent out to look for her. It was only when we found these two strangers, and were informed of what had ensued; that we knew she was safe. Achil my people owe you a debt of gratitude. But tell me is it true what my sister says that as high up as you were, you hurled the creature and yourself through the window of the tree house.”
“Well,” said Achil scratching his head, “If you built your tree lodges with larger rooms I wouldn’t have had to take the fight outside.”
Aires lightly laughed.
“Thank you for returning her safely to us. Your friends also informed me of your journey to Askalon,” said Aires patting him on the back. “Before you leave you must join us for a banquet my father will wish to meet the Slayer of the Ajatar. And besides from what my sister tells me, you could do with your wounds being tended to and a bath.”
All three tried to refuse the invitation and generous offer, but the Cashel were insistent and they did not wish to cause them any offence by denying their hospitality; and so later that evening they found themselves at the City of the forest people. It was an amazing site built in the canopy of the tallest Thavma trees; lanterns of many different colours filled it with light. The largest of the trees branches seemed to be woven together somehow so as to cradle a large platform with many tables and chairs laid out on it. And carved into the branches were many deities of the forest, and there were older more ancient representations of Gods that the people had carried away with them when they had journeyed from their old world. Some of the Gods Achil recognised from ancient carvings in the stony monoliths that were scattered around the lands of Findolin and from the subterranean catacombs beneath Findolin.
When the travellers arrived, they were shown to dwellings built into the thick trunks of the trees. Everything that went to make up a home had been carved out, a large furnished spacious living area, on another level were rooms to sleep in; and of course there was a bathing area. That evening a horn sounded loud and clear, calling the people to the feast. Achil, Andreas and Nicholas were taken to the large dais they had seen earlier, with King Cecht already seated at the head table. As they entered, the King stood to his feet and applauded them, followed by every one present. After the people had settled at their tables; people carried in wild boars which were placed on each table. The King stood up raising his goblet to toast the hero of the hour, a proud rather tall and big framed man. His long greying hair and beard disguising his true age. He was bedecked from head to foot in an emerald tunic, lined with white fur. And an emerald crown sat on his head. His dark eyes sparkled with delight.
“To Achil slayer of the Ajatar,” said the King clearing his throat. “Such a deed deserves our highest gratitude.”
Achil who had been seated next to the King, shuffled uncomfortably in his chair. Andreas and Nicholas were to the other side of him, and to the other side of the King was Belisama, and next to her was Aires. Achil knew this banquet was a long way from the task at hand which was to reach Askalon.
“King Cecht,” said Achil. “It is very important that we continue on our journey. There is something I wish to discuss with you. These deities I've seen them before in Findolin, which is where I am from. It is possible that my people may have driven yours out of those lands."
“Achil,” said the King. “That was nearly a thousand years ago, that really would be a long time to hold a grudge don't you think. And besides you may not realise this, but some of my people returned to Findolin and were made welcome there, it is not a place we fear to go to. And not all left those that remained prospered there are probably more Cashel among your people than you know, in fact you could be descended from one of them. You see you are our distant kin. And as you can see we have a better life here among the trees than we could ever have had in any other land. The stories of our old lands are now nothing more than a myth, a fantasy and should be treated as such. The reason why of late we have been most secretive regarding our state is that many dark and insidious creatures have forced themselves upon us over the years. Perhaps we aught to now make ourselves known once more. I also understand from Andreas and Nicholas that the Dragon people intend to ride to your
aid. You can always tell a person and indeed a people from the company they keep, the Dragon People are well known to us, some of my people have even settled among them also, we even trade with their brethren the underlings, and we know they are an honourable people too. My daughter asks that I help you, and so I will. My people are the best archers in Suberia. I shall send emissaries and as many archers as can be spared to meet up with the Dragon People but I must also look to my own borders; the threat of the Mandrake will not settle on Findolin alone, should your City fall, then it will not be long before they turn their attention toward us.”
Achil’s eyes glistened with gratitude as he took the Kings hand in thanks.
The next day the Cashel took Achil, Andreas and Nicholas to the edge of the forest and showed them the path to Askalon.
Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake Page 13
