Now daylight was upon them, Galdrac had the local vicinity scouted for any signs there may be more of these strange beasts roaming around. With the reports quickly back to him that was not the case, he could only assume this one beast was some kind of forward scout or part of some advanced party. Whichever the case the report needed to be written and sent, something he set about doing before they broke camp.
One of the druids called down a bird of prey he was linked with. Using their ability to communicate with animals they could send messages back and forth in a matter of hours as opposed to days, and another reason Galdrac always insisted on having one in any group he was part of. Yet despite this, the old mage always felt druids were the least effective of the callings when it came to a fight. After scribbling down his report, he rolled the paper parchment up and placed it inside a narrow wooden tube, before handing that to the druid. Galdrac watched on as a large hawk darted down from above and landed just a few feet away from them. The druid did not need to speak any words to the bird, as the creature would know what was needed by the thoughts in his mind. After placing the tube on the ground, the bird fluttered over and grasped it in one of its powerful talons, before flapping its wings and climbing back up into the early morning sky.
After examining the strange creature thoroughly before having it burned, Galdrac ordered the camp to be cleared, stating that he wanted to be away within the hour. With the group a little more on edge than the previous day, they gathered their things up in relative silence, before eventually continuing their journey westwards, all the time knowing that there could now be creatures from the darkness out there watching them.
Chapter 12.
Finley sat patiently waiting, as the room filled up. Several elves and a dwarf took the vacant seats around the table, all apart from the one to his left, which his mother was stood behind. Karesh kept looking over at him but remained stood over by Finley’s bow as if keeping an eye on it for him. He noticed a few of the elves actually looked old and wondered just how many years they had been alive, and despite their appearance, how many more they would live. Just the very thought that something could live for over two hundred years and sometimes more seemed unbelievable, and yet here they were before him, living proof of just that.
Finley was glad his mother had decided to take the seat beside him, particularly since he would undoubtedly be the focus of attention. When the doors to the room were finally closed all the seats were occupied, and at least a score or more were left standing. Although the majority were elves, there were also a couple more dwarfs who had taken up a position by one of the windows. However, one thing of note that did catch his eye was the huge figure of an orc who stood upright against the far wall. With a much darker skin that Karesh, the orc must have been at least seven feet in height, and head and shoulders above anyone else in the room. Quite possibly the biggest living being, Finley had ever seen, with muscles that bulged even when relaxed, and one that made him feel quite insignificant in comparison.
He turned to look at his mother as she asked the room for hush, before explaining the reason why she had requested such an important meeting. After introducing Finley to her audience, he felt a little nervous as he was then asked to explain his dreams. He was about to start speaking when his mother stopped him and suggested he stand to talk, which he duly did. After taking a few deep breaths, he gave a rather timid sounding ‘Hello’ before thinking about how best to explain.
“Just like you told me,” he heard his mother whisper beside him, as she realised he was struggling. Finley nodded to her, and she gave him a big warm smile, and a nod as if to say that she had faith in him. Finley decided to start by telling everybody in the room about how his dreams used to be. However, before he could get on to the next part, several questions were being fired back at him. “When did they start?” asked one elf to his left. “Are they always the same?” asked another.
Fortunately, his mother spoke next, and did so in quite a shrift tone, “Let him finish please,” she said calmly, but in a way that showed she meant it. Finley was unsure whether his mother held any kind of rank or position over any of the others, but they all did as she asked. “Now continue dear,” she said reverting to her much softer voice.
After describing the dark shape that frequently pursued him through his dream world, he then explained how that had changed in the past few days. Where once there had just been that one dark mass giving chase to him, now there were hundreds of others, but now with a shape and form, he could see. It was at this point his mother interrupted him, doing exactly the same thing as she had told the others not to. “I believe these creatures are Balgraf, born of the darkness,” she said before waving for him to continue again.
The only other part he had left to explain, was the bit about the original dark shape now having a face, and that despite the medallion, which he quickly showed off just in case anybody didn’t know what one looked like, was able to get within a few inches of him. “That’s when I wake up,” he concluded, looking at the faces at the table, before sitting back down. “And you think this dark shape to be Abalyon?” said one of the elves from across the table, aiming the question at Finley.
“I do,” said his mother, answering on his behalf.
“These could just as easy be dreams, from things he has seen,” said one of the elves stood up to their right. While Finley’s mother explained, that might have been possible, in this case, it could not. “He has never seen nor even heard of a Balgraf. How is it he describes one so well?” his mother snapped back.
“You think the boy may have some kind of premonition type powers?” asked the dwarf sat around the table.
Finley looked over to his mother, who merely shrugged, “I don’t know. He has not yet had his calling, but I think it is a warning that the forces of darkness are once more on the move.”
The noise level in the room increased tenfold as several of the people within all wanted to have their say at the same time, which inevitably ended up as a shouting match, as each tried in vain to be heard over another. Finley felt his mother’s hand on his shoulder, “Come on,” she said leaning in closely and whispering in his ear, “Let’s go.” Finley just nodded and stood to leave, as Karesh kindly brought his pole, bow and quiver over to him.
The three left the room, as those within continued their debating. Once outside, Finley’s mother turned to him, “They will be arguing for hours,” she said with a wry smile, “Come, you must be hungry,” she added.
“I’m hungry,” Karesh added.
“You are always hungry,” she replied leading them off down a short corridor, before turning a corner and heading off down another. Finley looked over at the young orc walking beside him, still not believing what he was seeing.
They were led into a rather elegant looking dining hall. Although not huge, it had several large tables lined across it, all with the familiar tall backed chairs placed around them. Flowers grew in strange looking baskets that hung from the walls as if there to try to make the place more elf-like. The three took a seat, although Finley was happy to let Karesh sit next to his mother, while he took the seat opposite. He was unsure as to whether he could ever consider the orc as a brother, but having never had siblings thought he would at least give him a try.
They did not have to wait long, before a taller than average elven lady brought them out two small trays of food. Finley grinned with delight when he saw what was contained on one, “Sausages,” he said with a grin. His mother chuckled, “Karesh is not keen on the elven diet either,” she explained. “We have orcs, dwarfs and humans here, so it is only fair we accommodate for their requirements as well.” Finley looked on as Karesh jumped ahead of him, and grabbed half of what was on the tray before he had even had a chance to take a single one. “Karesh, share,” his mother said firmly. The orc looked a little sullen, before nodding and apologising for being inconsiderate. To be fair there were still plenty of sausages on the tray, probably enough for a couple more people,
and being as only two out of three sat there at that time were eating them, there was no problem.
A plate of buttered bread was also brought out, as well as a big pot of tea. After wrapping the bread around several of the sausages, Finley took a big bite, savouring the first meat he had eaten for days. Karesh watched him as if he had done something amusing, but Finley just shrugged it off. He looked up again to see the young orc had mimicked his actions, copying exactly what he had done.
After eating as much as could, and feeling completely stuffed, he thought he would, at last, be able to rest. However, his mother soon had other ideas. Although he felt tired by the day’s ordeals, Finley did not argue and merely followed his mother out of the room. As was seemingly the norm, Karesh followed along walking just a pace or two behind them. “Before you sleep I need to see if we can force your awakening,” she said glancing quickly over her shoulder before heading back towards the main entrance hall.
They took the steps leading down, which were lit by a sequence of small globes of magical energy. The steps were stone and very plain, and nothing like the ones leading to the upper floors. Just as above, several corridors crisscrossed, with various doors to rooms along them, each looking almost identical to the previous one. Finley was glad his mother knew where she was going, as he thought there was no way he would have been able to navigate his own way around.
They stopped outside one of those doors, and after knocking and waiting a few moments heard a voice calling for them to enter. Finley wasn’t really sure what was going on, or what was expected of him, but just went along with it. Inside the room, they were greeted by a male elf who looked quite old, which was a pretty good guarantee that he was at least a century or more in years. Finley felt a rather large hand on his shoulder and realised it was Karesh who was stood right behind him. He glanced over to see the orc grinning at him, and although it made him feel uncomfortable, he allowed the hand to remain where it was.
Finley waited patiently, stifling a yawn with his hand, as he listened to his mother explaining who and what he was, before describing the dreams and nightmares that haunted his sleep. The elderly elf just nodded to himself, before stepping over and placing a hand on Finley’s forehead. The elf left it there a few seconds before removing it and stepping away again, “He is a half-breed you say?”
“Yes, my son. His father was human.”
“Hmm, He shows very little resemblance to your elven side. He is the height and build of a human, and has no real distinguishing elven features,” the man said as he started walking around the room.
“Yes I know that, but can you help him with his awakening. Perhaps even his nightmares?” she snapped a little too sharply for the elf’s liking.
The two elves stared at each other for a few moments, before the older male stepped away, “I will try, but because I am intrigued to the outcome, not because you wish it.” It was clear Finley’s mother didn’t really care about the reason, so long as the old elf was willing to do as she wanted. Finley was asked, rather rudely it must be said, to step over and lie down on a long couch against the wall. Karesh and his mother stood to watch on, as the old elf leant down over him. “Close your eyes and let me in,” the elf told him.
“How do I do that?” Finley asked not knowing what that meant. The elf scoffed, “Oh just close your eyes and relax. I’ll do the rest.”
Finley did as was asked, and felt the elf’s hand placed on his forehead once more. At first, nothing happened, and Finley was beginning to think this was a complete waste of time. However, that changed very quickly as he found himself in the misty forests of his dreams, but yet he was not asleep. He looked around quickly and was surprised to see the old elf stood next to him, before noticing a familiar dark shape a little further beyond him. Finley hurriedly pointed this out to the elf, who initially appeared to be a little shocked at what he was being shown, but seemed to regain his composure quickly.
Having someone else in your mind felt strange, and bizarrely very real. This was emphasised even more when other dark figures appeared, although all at a safe distance, just as it happened in his dream. “Make them disappear,” he heard the elf say, although his voice seemed strange as if he had his head in a bucket when talking. “I don’t know how to,” Finley heard himself reply, as the creatures started amassing in force, and once more started clawing and tearing away at the invisible barrier that kept them at bay.
“This is your mind, your dream state, you are in control,” the elf told him. “I believe you have been given a staff for channelling? Use it.” The elf added in a rather angry tone. Finley had no idea what he was supposed to do, he never even had the staff with him in the dream, so how was he expected to use it. The creatures, known as Balgraf got closer to where they were stood, and it was clear the old elf was starting to panic. “Make them stop you fool,” he snapped.
“I don’t know how!” Finley heard himself shouting back as they got to within a few paces.
Finley opened his eyes as the contact between himself, and the elf was broken. He opened his eyes to see the elf still stood over him, with what he thought was the look of fear on his elderly face. “I cannot help him,” he said turning around and facing Finley’s mother. “The boy cannot control his own mind. There is nothing I can do to assist with either his calling or dreams,” the elf said tartly gesturing for Finley to get up. “I will say this though. If he does not learn to do these himself, his dream will soon consume him…Now go,” he added all but shoving Finley towards the door.
Chapter 13.
With his mother undoubtedly unhappy at them not having found a solution, she appeared almost resigned to the fact she would be unable to assist Finley. Despite only knowing her for a few days, he felt as if they had bonded quite well. The fact that she had abandoned him was as his father had always told him, not without reason; yet that did not stop him feeling the pain of rejection. After all, he was a hybrid, a cross-bred child between elf and human, and something that should not really be. It was evident to Finley that being such a person was not without prejudice, as many of the elves that knew of his origins clearly did not want to be associated with him. He reckoned that the only reason they tolerated him at all, was probably down to the fact his mother and her parents were obviously elves of importance.
As they entered a small suite of rooms, home to his mother and Karesh, he pondered further on the same train of thought. He looked over at the young orc and realised that even this peculiar looking beast was welcomed more than he was. Karesh, after all, was merely just an orc, something that was acceptable in elven society. He was considered an abomination against nature, even though, as far as he was concerned at least, the more normal looking one.
The rooms were disappointing, not only in their size but also their plain simplicity. The Elven decoration was normally so vibrant and colourful, this was a far cry from anything like that. Aside from the main living room area, there were two smaller rooms leading off, both with beds in. There was a plain-looking dining table, with four very ordinary chairs placed around it in the centre of the living area. A stone hearth at one end provided the heating, which had a large rug on the floor in front of it. Two long cushioned seats were positioned at an angle to the fire, and aside from a set of drawers along the other wall, there was little else of note.
Finley quickly realised with there being three of them and only two bedrooms, it was probably likely he would be sharing with Karesh. While sharing a room would not have ordinarily bothered him, the idea of having a six-foot orc sleeping just a few feet away from him did not sit well. “I’ll be sleeping on the chair then?” he said trying to make light of the moment.
“Nonsense,” his mother replied. “I’ve had a spare bed put into the other room. You and Karesh can share.”
Finley was about to object, but after looking at the young orc’s face and then his mother’s, he just smiled and nodded, “Room-mates we are then!” he exclaimed patting Karesh on the back. The orc made another un
usual noise, which Finley assumed was a good thing, although he thought it sounded like somebody in pain.
Feeling almost exhausted, sleep came easily, despite the fact he was in a room with Karesh. Finley soon found himself once more in the forest, with the mist hovering just above the ground. As was now to be expected, the familiar dark shape emerged as if it had been waiting for him to appear. Finley all but ignored it, looking instead for the hordes of Balgraf that usually started amassing and breaking down the barrier that usually protected him.
After standing still in his dream world for some time, he realised it was just him and the dark shape. Rather than try to run away, he actually turned to look at it. From this distance, he could not make out the face he thought he had seen when it had moved much closer. Was this really some fallen god called Abalyon? Moreover, if it was, why was he so intent on haunting his dreams.
Something felt different about tonight’s dream. Aside from the fact, there were no snapping, salivating creatures wanting to tear him limb from limb, no voices were calling his name either, that was until something else new happened. Finley felt a chill run down his spine, and although he knew this was only his dream, the dark mass suddenly took form. Swirling like smoke and appearing just a few feet away from him, it resembled that of a man, or at least the top half did, the bottom just blended with the mist hovering slightly off the ground. Whether that was the being’s true form or just one that was for his purpose, Finley was unsure. “Zerus Maldhor,” the shape spoke for the first time, in a hoarse sounding voice.
Return of the Darkness Page 9
