Tales of the Wolf: Book 01 - The Coming of the Wolf (35 page)

Gesturing with his hands at the assembled elves, “We wait for the return of Aurora. The same goes for your people and all followers of the true gods. Since the gods are trapped in another dimension, the gateways to their realms are closed. None can enter their promised lands. We are stuck at the gateway; only able to get a brief glimpse of the fabulous lands we were promised. We are unable to go forward and forbidden to go back.” 

Red Crow waited, he knew there was more.

Looking deep into Red Crow’s eye, the regal elf continued. “Our options are few, we can wait patiently or we can break faith with our goddess.”  Again he gestured at the elves that sat at the gate. “We will not break faith with Aurora, so we wait. And according to legends only the being known as the Chosen One can free the gods. So, we wait patiently for his coming.”

Red Crow looked at the throng of elves that sat at Aurora’s gate. He knew the same would be at Luna’s gate. “Is it the same at all of the gates?”

The regal elf shook his head. “Not really. The followers of Luna and Hecate also wait patiently. While the followers of Steropes, Gaul and Minos battle among themselves, fighting to be first when the gates open. The followers of Bromios spend their time building monuments to their gods. There is only one gate that is open.”

Red Crow raised an eyebrow and asked, “Whose gate?”

“Hodios the Wayfarer. Somehow he escaped the trap the Arachne set and is still free to travel the lands of Terreth. Since he is free, his followers are able to enter their final resting-place. Unfortunately, Hodios’ true followers are few; for he is a fickle god and few people choose to follow the errant God of Luck, Chance and Wandering. Most of his followers are either humans or halflings. And in life, they were nothing more than gamblers, thieves or beggars.”

Turning his head slightly, Red Crow stared through the gate at the beautiful land beyond. Taking several minutes to absorb everything the friendly elf had told him, he thought of all of his friends that would be waiting at the gate for Luna’s return. He knew his wife and son would be there, along with Hawkeye’s family. It would be good to see them but something still nagged at his consciousness. It was something the elf had said. Something about having two options, waiting or breaking faith. That was it, breaking faith! What did he mean by that?

“You have been a great help but I have another question. What did you mean by breaking faith with the gods?”

A slight frown washed over the elf’s face. “Those that decide not to wait for the return of their god or goddess can choose to break faith. This gives them three options, no one option is better than the other. The first is that they can choose to wander the Spirit Realms for the rest of eternity. This has its own dangers. The Spirit Realms are extremely large and mostly unexplored. No one knows what really lies out there but the greatest danger is the Spirit Hounds. They hunt the vastness of the Spirit Realms searching for lost souls. Once a hound catches the scent of a wandering spirit, it will track it through the rest of eternity and drag it to the Abyss.”

“The second is to return to Terreth as a ghost. This has its own problems. It is boring and eternal. A spirit can only cross the veil that separates the land of the living from the land of the dead, one time.  Once a spirit crosses back, it must choose an anchor.”

Raising an eyebrow, Red Crow asked in an inquisitive tone. “An anchor?”

“That place where the spirit is doomed to haunt for the rest of eternity. Once anchored, the spirit cannot roam more than a few hundred yards without great pain and a ghost is completely powerless. They cannot affect the world of the living. Its only real power is fear and if a priest of enough power casts an exorcism spell, then the spirit is banished to the Abyss.”

“And the third choice?”  Red Crow asked.

“It’s not much better. One can break faith with their current god or goddess and choose a new one to follow.  The main problem with this choice is the new god or goddess must accept the spirit as a follower. Being that you’ve broken faith with one god, what guarantees you would not break faith with your new god. So, you see that doesn’t happen very often. Many have tried to convert to a follower of Hodios but to my knowledge he has never accepted anyone.” 

Standing, the ancient elf looked at Red Crow and shook his head. “No my friend, it is better to wait until the Chosen One can free the gods and they return victorious.”

Red Crow also stood and held out his hand. The elf grasped his forearm in the universal greetings between warriors. “Thank you. I am in your debt. If you ever need me, I am Red Crow, Chieftain of the Raven tribe and member of the Great Council of Elders of the Highland Nation.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you Red Crow. I was known as Eldath Amarth, a humble Bladeweaver of Aurora. I have enjoyed your company, come by and visit from time to time.”

Red Crow shook his head. “I wish I could but I won’t be able too. I’m going back.”

A look of shock crossed Eldath’s face. “What do you mean going back?”

“I’m returning to Terreth. I cannot help anyone sitting here waiting and hoping. I am a warrior. Therefore, I must act. The Chosen One is to be born in the spring and the enemy knows it. I must do what I can to help his mother and father.”

Reaching out quickly, Eldath grabbed Red Crow’s shoulders. The excitement was evident in his voice. “The Chosen One! Finally, the prophecy begins to unfold.” 

Then a dark and sinister look crossed his pale face. “What do you mean the enemy knows of the Chosen One?”

“It is a long story but suffice to say, my adopted daughter Red Eagle is to be the Chosen One’s mother. The enemy knows who and where she is. They will probably attack before the end of winter. I must return and do what I can.”

Eldath held onto his arm for a moment. “What can you hope to do? You will be nothing more than a ghost, anchored to one spot on Terreth for eternity.”

“I’m not sure but I have to try. I have wisdom and insight that might be able to help the Chosen One.”

Eldath took a long look at the land beyond the gate. The sun was playing on the leaves of the forests. Several deer could be seen grazing in the shadows of the trees.

When Eldath spoke, his voice was soft and full of sadness. “I have waited patiently for many centuries. Now, I find out my waiting is near an end. Yet, the enemy knows of our only salvation and will do everything in its power to prevent it. How can I sit by and let it happen?”

Turning back, Eldath’s voice took on a stronger tone. “I have made my decision. I have waited long enough. I too am a warrior. I would love a chance to attack my enemies again. If there is something I can do in my afterlife to help the Chosen One and I don’t do it, then how can I face Aurora? If you would have me, I would like to join you.”

Smiling, Red Crow slapped his new friend on the shoulder. “I would love the company and I’m sure I could use the help.” 

The two new friends turned away from the gate, the ancient elven warrior and the old highland chieftain walked off into the hills of the Elysium; their quest, to find a way back to the land of the living, to help save the Chosen One and to ultimately free their gods.    

Flying high into the night sky, Halhulingrath trumpeted his freedom with a loud screech and a dazzling bolt of lightning. Freedom had only been a dream for so long that the young air dragon had never truly thought it possible. So caught up in his newly won freedom, the young dragon had completely forgotten his passengers. That was until Khlekluëllin whacked him on the side of his neck several times with the flat of his blade.

“Hal! We must land,” he pointed toward Hal’s tail. “We have another passenger.”

Looking down, the young dragon spied Rjurik holding on for dear life. The hard edge in Hal’s mental voice warned Khlekluëllin of his intent to kill the dwarf.  *
Is he a friend of yours?*

Nodding his head, Khlekluëllin yelled to be heard over the wind. “Yes, he is a good friend, one that I don’t care to lose right now. Can we land before he falls to his death?”

Hal answered with a lighter tone.
*Right away!*
 

No sooner had those thoughts echoed in Khlekluëllin’s mind before Hal began a rapid descent. As they approached a small clearing several leagues northwest of the fortress, Rjurik screamed. His hold on Hal’s tail failed.   

Hal and the twins landed gently several yards away. As soon as Hal came to a stop, Khlekluëllin leapt from his back and ran to his fallen friend.

Climbing down slowly, Mortharona eyed the blue dragon warily. By the time Khlekluëllin reached the dwarf, Rjurik was climbing out of the holly bush that had broken his rough landing. Grumbling and cursing his whole way out, Khlekluëllin’s ears burned at his tone. But since no one other than Rjurik understood dwarvish, the insults and curses were lost on his three companions.

Grinning at the sight of the proud dwarf struggling his way out of the holly bush with leaves and berries stuck in his clothes and hair, Khlekluëllin was about to say something witty when he noticed the blood and the smile fled from his face. Rjurik was covered with blood from head to toe and he was holding his right arm close to his body. Khlekluëllin’s first thought was that he might have broken his arm in the fall.

“Rjurik, are you alright?”

Nodding his head, his voice was weaker than normal. “I’ve seen better days but I’m alive and free. That’s what’s important.”

That’s when Khlekluëllin noticed the chain dangling from Rjurik’s left hand. It was one of the manacles they had each worn prior to their fights in the Pit. One end of the chain was still attached to Rjurik’s left wrist, while the other end hung loose. A bloody piece of flesh was still locked inside the shackle. Khlekluëllin was shocked to realize that it was the dwarf’s right hand.

“Rjurik, what happened?!”

With a little laugh and a slight shrug of his left shoulder, Rjurik sat down. “When da sandstorm started, most of da guards were too occupied with what was going on in da Pit ta pay attention ta me. So, I used me chains ta strangle the gnomish guard but he didn’t have da keys to these shackles. I was about to sneak down one of da tunnels when one of those ugly one-eyed brutes noticed me. As he came at me with an axe, I knew I couldn’t out run him, so I had ta fight. Not having any weapons to speak of, I used me manacles to parry his attacks.” 

Shrugging his shoulders, he held up his right arm. Blood still oozed through the makeshift bandage. “I missed one of da parries. It was a clean cut, hardly any pain.”

Noticing how pale the dwarf was becoming, Khlekluëllin’s tone took on the edge of command. “Lie down Rjurik, you need to rest.” 

Rjurik protested. “But Blackfang will be after us.”

“Correct and that is why you need your rest. We have at least several hours before he catches up to us. Right now, we must stop that bleeding or you’ll die.”

Khlekluëllin turned to his brother. “Mortharona, start a small fire. Hal, could you find us something to eat?”

*What would you like?* 

“A deer or a boar, anything meaty.”

As the mighty dragon launched himself into the cold night air, his mental voice floated down over their link.
*I shall return shortly.*

Mortharona stepped up to his brother and whispered conspiratorially, “Might I have a word with you?”

Looking down at his friend, Khlekluëllin placed a reassuring hand on Rjurik’s chest. “I’ll be right back.”

The twins walked several yards away before Mortharona spoke in a low whisper and jabbed his brother in the chest with his finger. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m trying to save the life of a friend. What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Wasting time. He’s done for. Let’s leave him and find our sister.”

Looking at his brother in disgust, Khlekluëllin crossed his arms. “I will not leave him, just like I wouldn’t leave you. He is our friend and he needs our help.”

“I think you’re making a big mistake. The old dwarf is food for wolves. Do you think Blackfang will let us escape that easy? Nay, he’ll be on to us soon enough and he’ll catch us if we try to carry Rjurik with us.”

Raising his voice, Khlekluëllin looked deep into his brother’s dark eyes. “I don’t know what’s happened to you Mortharona but you’ve changed. I can’t believe you would leave Rjurik behind. What if that was Tatianna and she was injured?  Would you leave her behind? What if that was me?” 

Seeing the blank look on his brother’s face, Khlekluëllin continued. “I will not leave behind any comrade even if the whole Dark Alliance were on our heels. It would be against the teaching of Eldath, our parents and definitely against the Order of the Dragon. Is leaving behind an injured comrade-in-arms a part of the Way of the Panther?” 

Khlekluëllin’s last statement drew an evil look from his brother. For a brief moment, Khlekluëllin thought he just might attack him. The two brothers stared at each other for a moment as the tension increased but then Mortharona’s expression softened. 

Rubbing his head, Mortharona’s tone changed becoming almost apologetic. “I’m sorry, Khlekluëllin. You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ll get some firewood.” 

With that, Mortharona walked off into the surrounding forest. Watching him go Khlekluëllin worried about his brother.
‘That attitude is so out of character for him. I wonder what they did to him during his torture sessions.’
 

Making a mental note to research this more when they had time, Khlekluëllin walked back to his injured friend. By the time Hal returned with two deer in his talons, Mortharona had a small cooking fire going. Without a single word of thanks to the young dragon, Mortharona got to work skinning and cooking one of the deer.

Hal made short work of the other. Khlekluëllin, still at Rjurik’s side, mentally heard Hal’s laughter as he consumed the deer. Glancing up, Khlekluëllin looked on with grim fascination. “Are you enjoying your dinner?”

*Immensely! It has been a long time since I tasted anything other than goblin, gnome or cyclops’ flesh. Don’t take this the wrong way but I was looking forward to eating you and your brother. I’m sure elf flesh tastes better than my normal fare.*