Gracious applause and cheers greeted the two Riders who went off for the morning meat as they held a fat wild boar between them victoriously. A fire was prepared and tended to till it was hot enough while the animal was cut, cleaned, skin and seasoned with neighboring herbs they found on their hunt and spices they brought with them for the journey. The thick, heavy meat was then sliced and cooked over a high fire and one by one the Riders filled their fragrant, sweet pumpkin seed breads with meat and ate in muted appreciation. They exchanged jokes and laughed with each other, seated on the grass in one bundle.
They shared stories of battles, joys, scars and how they met each other jokingly teasing about their first impressions. Some ate with their cleaned hands and others used a large leaf as a substitute plate. Anuukala had made a bowl sized makeshift basket out of the stripped pieces of the large leaf and took out six breads and filled them with the juicy meat. She took out some handfuls of dewberries and placed them in the leaf bowl. It started to unravel when she picked it up and she quickly placed it on her lap. She hurriedly made a mini leaf basket and placed half the breads and dewberries in that one. She then tested it out and seemingly satisfied she hurriedly made her way to the cottage.
"Oh!" She exclaimed, the two figures who turned to face her in unison as she entered. She bowed slightly and handed them the bowls and said, "Hold it carefully. It can fall apart anytime and that would be depressing." The Queen and Faroh nodded at her in acceptance, "Many thank yous, Anuu." said Faroh. She looked down at the baby, "It's always interesting these things." she murmured. The Queen had stepped away to the resting Deviah and they both began eating. Faroh looked at her, "What do you mean? I'm a bit confused." He took a large bite from his sandwich and chewed in satisfaction.
"A baby born in this mess. Something so frail and innocent getting so entangled in things that it can't control." She shook her head," The helplessness of trying to beat nature and contrasting, entangling things happening right now. You'd think that things would change but it sucks you in and soon you're following the same pattern."
Faroh swallowed. "You're referencing her family history? What's going on now?" He took another wolfish bite and savored the taste.
"Yes, the poor thing is going to fall into the deep end. It's worse when you have no one to help you." She said with a sigh and shook her head sadly. "She's born into this, I don't think she'll be able to become anything else but this. War, Distrust, Betrayal, the cycle of hurting others and being hurt…"
"Why do you think she's going to end up with no one? It's a she by the way. Don't say heavy things like that. She's born in a world where Queen Vildsara rules, where she fought and began a new era. She will take after her. Things change gradually. Who knows, she may be the best that ever was."
"Does she have a name?"Anuukala asked. Faroh motioned the sandwich and kissed it. "No, but this is a good sandwich." Anuukala shook her head, "It's good given the circumstances but it could be done better. I'm glad you like it so much."
"She doesn't have a name yet. I personally think we should get through the week first before considering naming her." Faroh said indifferently.
"Ahh, yes." Anuukala sighed. "I'm not worried about us but I am concerned about the baby. Untimely."
"Well, you can't put her back in now." Faroh laughed.
Anuukala shook her head with a small smile. It slid off her face and her expression clouded. "Things are changing…I hope we can adapt."
Faroh looked at her, "Anuukala…we've always adapted. We've been through worse man hunts too."
Anuukala remained silent and turned to walk away. "Finished eating. Topiah plans to review strongpoints and he wants everyone present. He said Temmel and Khany brought back information during their hunt."
"Ahh, I wouldn't miss it." Faroh said. He glanced at the sleeping babe before briskly walking towards Deviah and the Queen. "After we've finished eating Anuukala said that Topiah would like to review the strongpoints. Khany and Temmel saw something during their hunt."
The Queen dressed as Deviah stood up. "We're ready." she said. They both exited the cottage with Faroh trailing behind them.
The Riders who were laughing kindredly and sitting on the grass now stood listening attentively like soldiers. Their very attitudes and body language had changed from loose and carefree to disciplined, uniformed and very organized. They all wore cloaks the colour of fresh blood seemed taller, more stoick with less relaxed postures. An array of gold, brass, silver, copper, rose gold and black armor gleamed under the sun. Topiah's heavy voice was made clear as they made their way closer and closer.
"The safe house is compromised, that we already know. Now, what some of you might not know is how the King's men operate. His pioneering in magic has been twisted and his loyal soldiers have been twisted beyond their human nature. They have an advantage over us. They do not feel pain, they do not sleep or eat or need to. They clear their paths and leave the very earth upturned and deaden. This is not the worst news. They feed off your energy, they upturn your mind and consciousness unlike anything you've experienced in nightmares."
He paused and looked at his companions. " But they can be beaten although it will be very hard to. Some of us are more adapt than others in mind magic so we will team up in smaller groups, one with a skilled person and others a healer and defense. No matter what you all have to protect each other, one group defends, heals, protects another and vice versa. Do this and less of us dies." he laced his hands together and nodded at two Riders. One wore a black armor and another silver. The one with the silver armor spoked first, "Mornin' everyone. This morning on our hunt we saw a little less than a hundred King's men marching up the hills. They carried cannons and they plan to run us down to the mountain and slaughter the remaining of us there…Also the King walks with them." The black armored Rider spoke up now. "But we have some ideas on how to beat them. An energy draining spell can slow down the King's men and their cannons. Timmel and I have experience with them. The King is crafty, they have wards on them. It can be repeated enough to destroy the wards and buy us some time . But we'll have to scatter to avoid draining each other."
"The spell is simple. 'Nevrah' it's native Alroli so it won't hurt you if you cast it but it continues to drain energy and unless you have somewhere to store it. So you say 'Haddi" to end the spell."
One of the Riders spoke up, "Have you ever used this spell? How was your experience with it?"
The silver armored Rider, Timmel, spoke, "No, but I've seen my older sister use it before. She's still alive if that's what you mean to ask." The Rider nodded. Topiah brought out a piece of folded paper and unfolded it. It was a detailed map of the valley. The Riders circled him to get a better, closer look. There's twenty four of us in total if we divide into threes and stay at least...How far do you have to be to avoid draining each other?" He asked Timmel. "Fifty six feet give or take a few. If you can, you can put a draining spell on a stone or any object like that and it automatically stops draining after half a day or two. Depends. But I have no idea how to, so I can't say."
"Ahh, at least fifty six feet give or take a few and we'll have to set up where they'll repeatedly get hit one after the other. Take out the King's men first. Cannons can't kill without someone using it. Now, look here," He said, passing his thick finger down a narrow line on the map,"This is the only entrance to the safehouse. If the King wishes to have her Majesty he will have to pass along this path. We set up traps there. Sabotage his carriers, make them walk on foot. We pepper them with the Draining spells and slaughter them on our way out and if we can with their own cannons."
"Now the only problem is the King if he doesn't know these parts it is unfortunately our only advantage over him. I would usually leave these overpowered matters to the Queen but she is too weakened to take on such an enemy. Avoid confronting the king alone if we have to do it we do it together. All of us. I personally would not like any of my companions blood spilled so artlessly without reason. Let me make it clear again. Do. Not. Confront. The. King. Alone. We are powerful, yes, but we would be fools to challenge him. Now my companions, gather all your weapons and go forth and rain chaos down on those wretched souls."
They crossed their hands over their chest and the armor clanged in unison. They departed quickly and silently as shadows into the heavy green hill.
Quick red blurs darted about into groups of threes under the thick trees. They lay hidden, planted and patient for their victims. The forest became more alive as the hours passed by. A scuttling spider launched itself at a mouse and carried it up a tree, more birds flitted around the trees, a green snake lay curled on a branch under the sun to warm itself up. A playful mink darted to and fro with its sibling and they scampered off under a tree. The coolness from the earth rose and helped the Rider remain cool. After six hours, the sounds of heavy carriers rumbling on the grass were heard. Immediately, the Riders sprung into silent action.
The invisible wards were noticed under the trained eye, as thick as shimmering glass, the wards around the King's men and their cannons were soon being depleted layer by layer as they made their way by. From afar the King's men looked like stretched humans that walked slowly with bent backs and gray skin. Within minutes the Wards were silently consumed and the Riders began attacking the King's men with various weakening spells. In hopes to deplete their warped magic, many used the draining spell and did not end it. They remained still and focused watching slowly as their enemies made their way through the trees.
An unexpected burst of blue flame flooded through the King's men and rose up into a high wall that consumed its victims. The king's men carried on unbothered by the casualty but the carriers had been burned and crumbled. The fire began eating away at the cannons and King's carrier's wards. It was a depleting enough action to keep the king busy. Blue fire was calmer and more difficult to deplete than other magically assisted fires. The Rider in general had believed it was Fraser's doing and made mental notes to thank him for his quick thinking later.
Suddenly the king's men darted in all directions with a maddening cry of rage. Their burning bodies had left numerous trails of blue fire behind them as they ran, cutting down the trees, ripping out plants and scorching the soil. The Riders everywhere unsheathed their weapons, ready to cut down the burning nuisances if they got remotely close and edged their way slowly and silently towards the direction of the cottage. The Rider's archers had fired Black arrows at the King's men and it rained down on them.
A few had fallen but the numerous others seemed more maddened and made inhuman noises that sent a chill down the inexperienced Rider's backs. A rolling cracking sound ensued and the hills shook and rolled. The Riders were thrown back and took cover from falling wooden spikes and splinters. Amidst the ruins, King Gergion emerged with his dark gray cloak trailing behind him, fully armored in a black armor that held four gleaming stones the colour of water embedded in his chestplate. His Black helmet was in the shape of a Wolf's head and he unsheathed his sword, the colour of obsidian. It looked light and artfully made his hands.
He walked slowly railing behind his abominations, swinging his sword to and from in semi arches. With each swing, he shattered the wards of the Riders and continuously attacked them. The Riders hurriedly made their way to regroup at the cottage but found themselves slightly disoriented and weakening. The maddened King's men had torn through the wreckage, snarling and running wild and fast. The unearthly things met face to face with some Riders whoattacked and defended themselves with their silvery swords. The King's men made an unearthly calling sound and soon others were trailing in that direction. Other Rider's followed close behind them with speed, cutting down those in their paths from the head.
Their talons had clashed with the golden gleam of the Rider's swords and defensive, attacking magical blasts. A layer of Riders were met with another layer of King's men in a torrid, suffocating wave.
Discolored talons slashed by golden swords and red cloaks slashed and torn by talons. The crunch of bones and the sting of pain mingled with the smell of blood clouded the air they breathed. Rider's blood of all colours were spilt, red, blue, clear as water and drenched their cloaks and the cloaks of their fallen comrades. They're limbs were heavy and their minds felt as if they were being ripped and twisted. Their thoughts mingled with each other and unmingled in rapid, dizzying motions. Their sight had narrowed and dimmed. Colours, sound, touch, thought, taste drained away from them and they still slashed and slurred at the King's men in a frenzy.
A sound clear as day and a blinding light washed away the awful frenzy in a refreshing sensation like cool water on a heavy, hot day with stinging heat. The King's men had turned into ashes and blown away by the following sound. This time the strength and focus returned. Queen Vildsara hovered over the wreckage beckoning King Gergion. He lunged at her, sailing into the air and they collided. An entanglement of black and gold danced across the sky amongst the clashing and scraping sounds of swords.
They snarled, kicked, dodged, punch, and swung at each other. "What. Gives. You. The. Right?!" King Gergion snarled, " To warp something to this extent?!" He grabbed her by Helmet and pelted her to the floor of the hills. She regained control momentarily right before hitting the ground. She lunged at him with her sword and he dodged and blocked with his. "You're one to talk!! As if your Men are natural!" She yelled.
King Gergion remained quiet, struggling for a while. "They knew. That is the difference." he said. He looked her in the eye and held her gaze. He spread his fingers and closed it into a fist and without warning or sound Queen Vildsara went spiraling to the floor of the wrecked hill. The floor rose as if it were water and the earth rippled. Soil, wood and dust clouded the air. Silence ensued and the moments rolled slowly as the Riders waited for their Queen to arise. She lay there within the large dent of her impact, unmoving.