The Mage of Orlon: The beginning (7 page)

“
What is all this stuff Lela?
”

Nate had opened up his backpack finding its contents arranged neatly.
He quietly put in a few trinkets from his own backpack he had when he fell from the sky.

“
It is everything we will need on this little trip.
Survival gear, be careful not to lose anything out of it, you never know when we will need an extra length of rope or hunting knife.
”

The morning had come too soon for Nate
’
s liking.
The thought of going through a piece of forest even the elves are afraid of didn
’
t bold well for this trip.

“
Lela, why are the elves afraid of this particular part of forest?
”

Lela cast her eyes down, thinking intensely, trying to find the best way to explain what they were walking into.

“
The forest is dangerous, because my people made a mistake during one of the wars with the Dark Queen.
The elders cast several spells that would make the forest impenetrable to invaders.
The forest, animals, and water that runs through it are spellbound to destroy anyone that would try to cross them.
As if that isn
’
t enough there is the demon archer that lives in the village that we have to cross.
”

“
A demon archer, is this the same one that killed your love?
”

“
No, but it is rumored that if he draws his bow someone will die.
He never misses, and his red eyes will find you no matter how well you hide.
I did not want to tell you all the perils that we will face because, you are the only one who can read the book, you have to come with me.
”

Nate was scared, who wouldn
’
t be it was a lot to take in.
After a few minutes Nate set his jaw, he had destroyed the only book of magic that could save his life, it had to be restored!

“
Well, we should get going Lela.
”

Lela was shocked, when she first met Nate she had taken him for being a craven coward, a child, but now he knew what they would face and he was still willing to go.

“
Why are you willing to follow me into this dark place Nate?
”

“
Lela, if I don
’
t go, the spell book won
’
t get restored, I will surely die.
If I go and survive I might be able to go home, if not that I will at least be able to defend myself better than I can now.
Besides I like you, and I know if you could look in the book you would do this by yourself, and if you are willing to do this so am I!
”

“
Nate, do you like me?
”

Nate blushed.
“
I have ever since I saw you.
”
He smiled.

“
Yes, well, you want to leave so I guess that is reason enough.
”

“
I want to leave to save my life Lela, not because I don
’
t want to be around you.
”

Lela tried to focus on his reasons to pick them apart and make him wanting to leave the most important reason, instead of the fact he liked her.
She would not let herself fall for another mage marked for death by the Dark Queen.

“
Lela, why are we walking when you have a full stable of horses?
”

Lela looked at Nate,
“
Because if we take any animals into Cravenwood they will turn on us, the spells in that part of the forest still affect every animal that enters.
That is why we are not bringing Astiria, you have seen how she hunts, if she turned on us we would be lucky to survive.
”

“
So, why won
’
t we turn on each other?
”
Nate asked.

“
Nate, the spell was designed so people could enter, when they are attacked by the beasts then we would go in and see if there was anything left that could be of use weapons, magic items, anything at all.
It solved some of the problems of replenishing raw materials for weapons and the like.
”

“
That is horrible Lela.
”

“
I never said I was proud of what we did to that section of forest, anyhow it does not matter.
The protection spells we used to go in Cravenwood stopped working so our people fell prey to the same animals as the intruders.
”

“
But they don
’
t seem to mind Lex, is that right?
”

“
I do not know why that is, but the animals seem to leave him alone.
He is one of the last of the ones who enchanted Cravenwood so who knows why they leave him alone?
”

The entrance to Cravenwood was not like anything Nate imagined.
The forest was lush and green with deep green foliage and flowers.
The smell of summer was heavy in the air.
Cravenwood was pleasant to look at.
The sound of a babbling brook was off in the distance.
The forest looked like something out of a fairy tale, someplace you would expect forest creatures to be happy and singing, not the death trap Lela had painted it to be.

“
I wasn
’
t expecting it to look so beautiful Lela.
”

“
It is beautiful, but that is how Cravenwood appears to people, as if nothing in the forest would even think of hurting the weary traveler, but it is a lie.
People have died in that beautiful place in horrible ways.
That is why the elves do not go in there!
”

“
If you say so Lela, Cravenwood just looks cute.
”

“
You will see Nate, so do what I say once we are in there!
”

The path they took was just as lush as the entrance had been.
The brook was closer now lending the relaxing sound of gentle flowing water to this Eden in a strange world.

“
Lela, really it doesn
’
t seem so bad here, I understand why Lex likes it here.
”

Lela was tense, her every muscle was taught, ready to fight.
She moved cautiously through the forested paradise.
Nate was as relaxed as he had been since falling into this world.
This land wasn
’
t nearly as foreboding as the section of forest where they encountered the splintered.

The thought of the squirrel thing that nearly took his face off made Nate stop suddenly.
Hearing the sudden stop made Lela turn around with an arrow knocked in her bow.
Nate ducked with his hands covering his head.

“
Shit, not again!
”
Nate nearly screamed.

“
Why did you stop Nate?
”

Peaking up, Nate realized he was not going to be shot again.

“
I was all calm, and then I started thinking of the splintered, it spooked me that
‘
s all.
Then you turned around and I thought you were going to shoot me again.
”

Lela gave Nate an eyeball roll when she spotted the tracks.
She walked past Nate as he was getting up.
She knelt and began to examine the tracks.

“
What animal made those Lela?
”

“
Howlers, there is a pack of them and they are close.
”

Nate looked at the tracks, they reminded him of something he had seen on a wild life program, the tracks looked so familiar, and then it clicked.
An icy feeling crept into Nate
’
s bowels, the tracks looked like wolf tracks, but they were slightly bigger.
Why the hell did things have to be bigger in this stupid world?

“
We call them wolves where I am from, and now I am not so relaxed!
”

This was bad, if these things were anything close to what they are in his world they were in trouble, and don
’
t forget they are spell bound to kill intruders.

“
Okay, Lela I think I might want a weapon now.
”

“
What do you want sword, bow, or hunting knife?
”

“
I can
’
t shoot worth a crap, so a sword and hunting knife please.
”

“
Nate do you know how to use a sword?
”

“
Pointy end goes into the wolf?
”

Lela handed Nate the sword, it weighed a ton.
Nate could barely lift it.

“
How the hell do you lift this thing so easily?
”

Lela smiled
“
I have been wielding a sword since I was old enough to walk.
”

“
Okay maybe just the knife then.
”

Nate tied the knife to his belt.
They began walking again.
The sun shined through the trees, and once again Nate was lured into feeling calm and unassuming.
That is when it began to rain.
The travel cloaks Crolin had given them shed the rain with no effort.
It was when they approached the clearing that Lela stopped.
The tension rolled off her in waves.
Nate picked up on her worry and peaked over her shoulder.
The clearing showed nothing out of the ordinary.

“
Lela what is wrong?
”

“
The clearing, it is perfect for an ambush, there is no cover.
Nate if the howlers break cover they will try to separate us.
If that happens climb the closest tree you can.
That should keep you safe.
”

“
What about you Lela?
”

“
I will be fine, do not come looking for me, and just keep going Nate do you understand?
”

“
Lela, I can
’
t leave you to be eaten alive by these things.

“
I will be fine, just do what I say okay?
”

They slowly entered into the clearing; they made it half way across when the first creature appeared in front of them baring their path.
They turned around to find two more behind them.
The rest of the pack emerged from the surrounding forest line.
The howlers stood four foot tall, their jaws were lined with fangs that over hung the muzzles.
They stared at Lela and Nate with hungry eyes.
The howler that first appeared began closing the distance between them.

“
Lela, what do we do?
”

Lela remained silent for a few minutes watching the creature, the twig snapping behind them turned Lela around.
The two howlers were running now.
Lela loosed two arrows in rapid succession.
Both arrows struck the lead howler downing him instantly.
The pack began running at them now.

“
Nate run for the trees!
”
Lela screamed.

She let two more arrows fly, but the creature dodged both arrows.
Lela began to run towards the charging howler screaming.
The howler kept charging, and leapt into the air.
Lela slid under the airborne beast and let an arrow fly into the creature
’
s tender underbelly.
It crashed into the ground, dead before it hit the ground.
Lela turned around while pulling the invisibility cloak hood up disappearing.
She side stepped the third howler who landed confused as to how its prey could just vanish from sight.
This brief moment allowed Lela to see Nate running for the forest line with four howlers in pursuit.

“
No.
”
was all she said as Nate hit the ground sliding into the underbrush.

Nate saw the brush and the thorns it contained; maybe it would buy him some time.
Nate dove like an Olympic swimmer hitting the pool.
His momentum slid him into the bramble patch.
The howlers slowed to a trot.
Nate crawled through the patch that tore at his exposed flesh mercilessly.
Nate emerged in the forest and began to run.
The pack began tracking the fresh smell of blood.
Nate began trying to find a tree to climb up.
All the branches were too high for him to reach.
Nate stopped only for a moment when he heard the first growl.

Nate turned just in time to catch the howling monster
’
s throat with both hands, keeping the snapping jaws inches from his face.

The howler pushed forward on its back paws causing Nate to stumble backwards.
Nate fell, but refused to let go of his would be killer
’
s throat.
The beast began snapping its jaws viciously trying to wrench free enough to claim Nate
’
s face as its meal.
With all his strength Nate held the monster at bay.
The snapping twigs caused Nate to look to the side the rest of the pack that had followed him where closing in.
If he didn
’
t think of something fast they would tear him apart in a matter of seconds.

Nate Twisted trying to find the hunting knife, but it was gone!
Dammit!
The knife must have fell off when he slid into the brush!

Despair grew in Nate, if he had magic he could defend himself.
If he had been a mage he could have protected Lela who was probably dead by now.
The despair grew to frustration, the frustration grew to anger.
The beast snapped its jaws again.
They were closer now it would soon be over for him.
This last thought pushed Nate over the edge.
Sanity was replaced with rage, this is not fair.
The rage began to build and with it a new feeling, something dark, cold and powerful.
Without any thought of what would happen, Nate released one hand from the neck of the beast and raised it to the sky.
The sky clouded over the rain that had slacked off stopped as if it were waiting for something.
The power coursed through his body, it burned.
The power burned with his fury.
Nate hit the howler in the side of the head sending sparks into the creature
’
s skull as it flew off him and into the nearby tree trunk.
Nate stood up slowly.
The pack halted looking at the new threat their prey had become.

“
You mangy curs, how dare you think of attacking me!
”

The voice didn
’
t sound like his, but Nate no longer cared, drunk on power he leveled his rage at the remaining three howlers.
Screaming like a man possessed Nate shoved the power out from his hands fire filled the air around the howlers.
Their howls of agony were silenced in one last burst of power, the smell of burnt fur and meat filled the air.

The power still pulsed within Nate, Lela; he had to find her no matter what they had done to her.
He wouldn
’
t leave her to be savaged by every scavenger in the cursed forest.
Nate began retracing his steps to the clearing.

Lela stood panting, every breath tortured from the running and dodging.
This lethal cat and mouse game was drawing to an end.
She had no more arrows, and the howlers darted in snapped and darted out with every swing of her sword.
She knew they were wearing her down for an easier kill.
Three left and she was nearly exhausted.
The rain had stopped and been replaced by air that was thick and hard to breath, dampening her spirits even more, she had heard Nate scream, he was dead or mortally wounded and soon she would be too.

The howler jumped forward dug its claws into the wet ground and bounced backward just as Lela
’
s sword swung down.
The ground was soaked with water.
Lela backed up more finding a small mound of earth to make her final stand.
She was too far to make a run for the trees, but at least her boots were not still submerged in the mud.

Nate broke through the tree line.
“
Lela!
”

She saw him running her way.
“
No Nate, stay back.
”
It was barely a whisper as exhaustion took root in her body.
Two of the howlers broke away and ran towards Nate.
A wry grin slid over Nate
’
s mouth.
The beasts ran at Nate with the speed that is born of hunger and insanity.
Both howlers leaped in unison, desperate to claim Nate as a meal.
Nate raised his hands and pushed forward, a wall of green flame sprouted from the ground and sped forward to meet the two air born howlers.
The burnt bodies of the once mighty beasts hit the wet ground with a hissing noise.
Nate began walking towards the last of the furry attackers.
The beast seemed to know he was approaching because it turned and started a fast paced charge threatening to at least topple Nate if not break a bone for the effort.
The mighty howler jumped, victory seemed within the animal
’
s grasp.
Nate caught the beast by the neck, and whispered in its ear.
“
Good doggie, now play dead!
”
The fire ripped through the howler with the ferocity of a grizzly bear the thing hung in mid-air for what seemed an eternity, the smell of burnt flesh and fur filled the air.
Everything that had gone wrong in Nate
’
s life now intertwined with his pent up anger poured into the animal burning muscle from smoking bone.
Nate finally released the howler
’
s charred remains and laughed a dark laughter that was born of the insanity the power had given him.

Lela stared at the now insane mage.
She began to wonder if this was still the same mage that she had left with.
The rain started as a gentle mist, turning into a pounding down pour.
The water turned to steam as it hit Nathan.
The rain finally overtook the power and Nate passed out.