He checked about to see if he could see anything of note, maybe a satchel or message tube, that had perhaps preserved any written notes. In the loose soil beside the nearest skeleton, he spotted something just sticking up, as if an attempt had been made to bury something. After brushing the dirt away with his fingers, he smiled in the bleakness of the cave as he pulled free just what he had been looking for. A hollowed tube, a bit wider than he would have thought necessary for just a message, and sealed by wax at either end, meaning the contents within would likely be as good as the day they were put there.
With a little excitement, he thought he should head back to the others, but not before just checking the two corpses over. Aside from a couple of old coins, one of which he took, he left everything else. Before leaving, he did though carry out what he believed an old troll tradition. He placed one of the old coins inside each of the skeletal mouths of the trolls. This he recalled reading somewhere, apparently being a custom carried out by this race. If the body had a coin in the mouth, the spirit could pay to be taken to Haldeda; the troll version of what humans referred to as heaven.
As to whether any of that was true or not, Galdrac felt it the least he could do, for these two long lost souls. After mumbling a short prayer for the fallen, Galdrac collected his things and headed back upwards, clasping his finds tightly in his hand. The trip back did not take more than a few minutes, and on his return he was pleased to see many of the group still resting, giving him the opportunity to inspect his treasure.
After brushing the dirt off the coin he had kept, confirming it was of troll origin, he flipped it over a few times, holding it closer to his lamp for inspection. On one side were several markings, unfortunately, written in troll, a language not seen these days. The flip side was a little more interesting as it had a depiction of a troll upon it, albeit a rather crude one. Perhaps, he thought, the leader of the race when the coin had been produced.
Putting the coin safely inside his pocket, he turned to the tube. He held it in the palm of his hand, thinking it a little weighty for just a message and so gave it a little shake. Something rattled inside, peaking his interest even further. Without further ado, Galdrac carefully pierced the wax seal at one end, breaking it open and reaching in with his fingertips. Tilting the tube up, he felt something hard fall into the palm of his hand, clasping it quickly before it dropped to the ground.
He slowly opened his palm beside the flickering light of the lamp, to reveal a ring. The band of which had some markings engraved upon it and was a yellowish metal, which he assumed could well be gold, probably making it very valuable in a monetary sense. However, he had no great desire for riches or wealth, and it was the strange stone set in the ring that drew his attention. He rubbed it gently with his fingertip and quickly pulled back as he felt a burning sensation coming from it.
Puzzled and confused, he tentatively put a different finger near it but could feel no heat coming from it. Yet when he dared rub it again, the same result was forthcoming. He knew then that this ring was something special, magical even, but to what purpose he did not know. Why did the ring burn him when he tried to rub it, but yet it held no heat and was in fact quite cold to the touch? A quandary indeed, and one to which he had no answers.
Deciding the ring must be safe to keep in his coin purse, he double-checked it was secured safely to his belt, before turning his attention to the thick parchment still enclosed within the tube. After making sure all the wax was broken away, he slowly and carefully pulled free several pages, all curled up together. The paper in his hands was crudely made, but yet strong and in good condition. Happy that it was not going to merely crumble away in his hands, he slowly unrolled the parchment to reveal the first page of writing.
However, just as the markings on the coin had been, this letter had been scribed using the language of the trolls, and not in the common language used by all races these days. Although this was itself interesting, meaning that as he had already deduced, this was from a time long before the end of the last great war with the darkness, it did mean he could not read what was being said. He would need someone learned, probably either in Neylarin or the human capital of Carison, to translate it.
The second and third pages were similarly written, although these seemed to be some kind of instructions as opposed to any letter, as each paragraph was short and preceded by a single mark, which he thought were troll numbers. The fourth page, however, was the most interesting of all, as it not only had words, but a small map, of where he was unsure, but was certain he could find out. Even more interesting was the picture drawn near the bottom of the page. Although poorly drawn, it was evident what the drawer was trying to depict. A single figure, although surprisingly not a troll, but more human looking stood with an outstretched arm. Upon the finger was an oversized and out of proportion picture of the ring, emitting some kind of power. To the right of that was another drawing, something Galdrac had only ever seen briefly once, and from such a distance he had barely seen it at all; a dragon.
Galdrac actually felt quite excited by his find, although he wasn’t really sure what it was he had. Of course, the pages might just as well have been telling a story, accompanied by a fictional map and drawing. Yet he was in no doubt that the ring placed in with the parchment, was indeed imbued with some kind of power, as to what that was, he had no idea. So many questions ran through his mind. Had the two trolls, now long dead at the back of the cave, been taking this somewhere in particular? Although quite clearly if that was the case, the tube had never reached its destination. Why were the trolls travelling, to what back then at least, was considered elven territory? Why were the contents of the tube so important that the trolls had tried to bury it? All the other items were left decaying on the ground where they had lain undisturbed for hundreds of years.
Galdrac was actually disappointed when the others around him starting waking and preparing to move out. After carefully rolling and replacing the parchment back into the wooden tube, and tucking it safely inside one of the large pockets of his cloak, he collected his stave leant up against the cave wall, before joining the others in helping reload the waggons. The day had gone without incident, at least as far as any trouble was concerned, and now all refreshed and well rested they would now venture out once more.
Chapter 19.
Sessi had grown considerably in the few weeks since Finley had linked with him. The young wolf pup was now a familiar sight around the keep building, although not always a popular one. Having such a creature in a building where there were supposed to be none, was not always easy. The keep was not really an animal-friendly place, and while the yard outside was useful for letting Sessi run about, it was still no place for a wolf to be growing up.
As a result of the link, several of the druids in Lochgorm had been somewhat puzzled by how a half-breed boy had managed to achieve something none of them could. Even the creature’s eyes changing colour to match those of Finley was somewhat of a dilemma and had seen many of them reaching for the library books, or sending messages back to the capital to have them sent. This was something Leyna had already done and had duly received her books a few days ago when the latest of the town’s supply waggons had delivered its cargo.
Having already learned several things about who this Zerus Maldhor was, or had been, Leyna now had pretty much everything that was known about him. Although the books she had received told a slight variation on the story explained to her by the elderly elf in Lochgorm, the general facts were pretty much as he had described to her. As to why Abalyon had referred to her son as Zerus Maldhor was still a mystery. Why would a fallen god, call her son by a name given to a person so long ago? The books she had received, were copies of the originals which remained in Neylarin, the reason for them taking so long to be delivered. The scribe who had copied the pages for her had clearly got bored half-way through one of them, as the part describing Zerus Maldhor as a youth suddenly jumped to when he was several years older. Cursing at the lack of pr
ofessionalism, she had slammed the book shut and moved onto the next.
There was very little describing the dream world, and nothing of note as to how somebody could be dragged into someone else’s dream. Also, there were no records on people having received injury inside those same dreams, and then having them in real life, as Karesh had suffered. There was, however, much written about Abalyon, although most of which was in truth common knowledge.
Despite coming up blank for the most part, as regards the reasons why Abalyon thought her son another person, she had now had to enquire to the library further. Although considered a druid of skill herself, even she was bemused as to how her son, a person never taught or shown any magical skill, had managed to create a special kind of link with a wolf pup. As with the other druids, she was also at a loss as to how the animal’s eyes had changed colour to match her sons, but that was not the strangest part.
Such was the strength of the link between Finley and Sessi that her son could not only ask it to move around, as most druids could do, but feel, sense and even see everything that the wolf did. She had run several experiments, some with other druid’s present, others in the privacy of their own rooms. Finley had been asked to relax, close his eyes in one room, while he had Sessi to run around in another with Karesh. The young orc was asked to show Sessi different objects, and although Finley was in a different room, he was able to name them by using the link with his wolf.
This day was to be a little different as Finley and Sessi were to be taken out beyond the wall. However, Finley’s mother was not taking any chances and had arranged a sizeable guard to accompany them. A few others were also to travel the short distance to the forested area across the lake, in what was being described to Finley as a little experiment. Naturally, Finley, being a lover of the outdoors jumped at the invitation, glad that he could once again be in the surroundings he preferred. Sessi would also be in his more natural environment, something his mother had already explained would one day need to be a little more permanent, as far as the wolf was concerned.
Finley walked with Karesh to his left and Sessi to his right. The young wolf pup had brought both himself and his ‘brother’ orc even closer. As strange as living with Karesh had seemed at the start, Finley had quickly discovered having him around was far better than he could have ever imagined. Despite being bigger and stronger than most fully grown men, Karesh still held a child-like innocence; whether that was a natural thing or due to him being brought up in an elven environment, he was not certain.
After crossing the bridge, they waited for the portcullis to be lifted so they could proceed. The day was a little chillier than of late, and Finley was glad he had dressed accordingly. Karesh appeared not to feel the cold as much as he did and wore the type of clothing one might wear if a hot summer’s day. “When we reach the forest edge I want you to send Sessi out amongst the trees,” his mother said stepping up alongside. “I want you to keep your own eyes open if you can. See if you can maintain the images from Sessi in your mind, while still be able to look around at your own surroundings.”
Although Finley nodded his understanding, and thankful they were getting the chance to go outside, he thought this was something they could have tried in the keep. The thought of letting Sessi run amongst the very same part of the forest that he and Karesh had fought the creature of darkness, was not a particularly reassuring one. What if the pup ran into another, and was too far away for him or the others to help; an unwelcome thought he quickly pushed to one side.
Sessi seemed to enjoy the more natural surroundings of the forest, as he bounded between the trees. Finley tried to do as was asked but found that only when he closed his eyes was the link between himself and the wolf complete. Although standing still listening to his mother talking to one of the other druids, he could feel the breeze on his face, his sense of smell like nothing he had ever experienced before. Running and looking through Sessi’s eyes felt a little strange, being as everything was seen from much lower down. Finley could feel everything Sessi smelled, heard and saw, and it was though he was the one running through the forest.
With his senses far greater than if they had been his own, he managed to pick out so many things he would otherwise have missed. The leaves rustling in a tree, a rabbit quickly bouncing off and ducking into a burrow as he neared, and then came a strange smell. This was an odour he felt did not belong in the forest, a foul, bitter smell that drifted on the air from somewhere to his left; although technically it was Sessi’s left.
Although Finley did not recognise the smell, Sessi did. Images stored from somewhere in the memory of the wolf flashed in his own mind, images he had witnessed before. It did not take him long to realise what Sessi had sensed and immediately turned the wolf around to start making its way back. “There is a danger,” he said aloud warning those he was stood with, although still keeping his eyes closed.
Just uttering those words had the effect of the elven guards all drawing their weapons. Finley was more concerned for Sessi’s welfare than anything else, as he could feel the panic in the young wolf’s mind as it darted back towards his position. However, his mother and the other elves wanted him to keep Sessi out in the forest, for now at least. Although this was something he did not wish to do, it was soon evident this was not up for discussion.
Reluctantly, he had the young wolf pup slow and turn around. The creature or creatures of darkness had not followed, at least not that he could detect. He tried reassuring the young pup that he would not allow any harm to come to him, although he assumed the wolf could probably feel his own doubts that he could not guarantee that would be the case. Sessi did seem a little nervous, but he did as Finley wished, and lifted his nose slightly upwards sniffing at the air. Finley detected the faint scent of the foul odour and knew immediately the direction he needed Sessi to go.
The plan was for Sessi to first sneak up on the creatures to check how many there were. If only a few in number, he was to try to lure them closer to where the elven guards were lined up ready to take them down. After a brief pep-talk from his mother, Finley tentatively had Sessi sneaking deeper back into the forest. Although he could feel and hear as the pup did, he could also hear his mother telling Karesh he was not partaking in any fighting should the creatures take the bait. Since Finley had given Karesh the sword, the young orc had often been out in the yard with a few of the guards, watching them train, and then trying to emulate them.
Sessi moved slowly forward. He may have been only a pup, but all the animal instincts were there, as he crouched low, prowling silently through the trees, pausing every now and then to check the scent. Finley could sense the foul odour given off by the beasts, and soon caught sight of them. “Three,” he said to those standing with him. “Carefully see if you can have Sessi lure them this way. We will be ready,” he heard his mother say.
“Just get them to chase the bloody wolf,” he heard one of the other druids say, visibly impatient and on edge.
Finley ignored the comment and concentrated on what he needed to do. Keeping Sessi safe was important and being linked, he felt the animal was now a part of him. Although personally at a safe distance, Finley could clearly see the three creatures. These were tall hulking beasts, with long powerful limbs, although their heads all differed slightly. They all had the thick black fur he had seen on the creature he and Karesh had successfully killed, and the powerful claws capable of ripping a man to pieces.
Sessi deliberately made his position known to the creatures by making a growling noise. At first, only one creature looked over, and Finley was uncertain as to even that one would bother giving chase to a wolf. It was only when the second beast stood upright to take notice that he spotted what was holding their attention. A dark shape on the ground, he thought looked a little like a deer, although now little more than a dismembered carcas. Neither beast seemed interested enough to give up their feed to give chase to a yappy wolf pup.
Finley knew what he was about to do would put Sessi a
t significant risk, but knew it was the only way he could really get the creature’s attention. Sessi, crouched low, not deemed a threat to any of the beasts devouring what was left of the deer. Moving slowly and silently Finley could sense the foul smell getting stronger as the wolf pup neared. There was now a new smell, one of fresh meat and blood, a wolf’s favourite; but now was not the time for Sessi to think about his next meal, he needed to remain vigilant and agile to avoid becoming one himself.
Sessi leapt forward at one of the preoccupied beasts, snapping his jaws at one of the creature’s lower leg, biting as hard as he could. The wolf pup’s teeth may have been small, and by no means anything like what they would be one day, but they were certainly very sharp. The creature cried out, emitting a deafening howling sound, although Sessi was not hanging around to listen. Finley already had the pup running back through the trees, and knew without looking that at least one of the creatures was giving chase.
Return of the Darkness Page 14
