Dragon Clan 4

Heathen57

 

Aldren’s concentration was broken as he heard a scream coming from above and behind him.  Before he could react, he felt something hit him in the back, knocking him from the saddle and sending him sprawling on the trail. 

 

He felt a severe burning sensation as the creature’s claws dug deep into his back, snapping the chain mail links.  He tried to roll away to escape and managed to stagger upright, but the creature sank its talons into his calf, tripping him back to the ground.

 

Ameni pulled back on her bowstring, but the writhing mass of the two bodies locked in mortal combat made it impossible to get a clear shot.

 

The tip of the arrow followed the frantic movements.  Finally, the huge cat raised up to get a better hold and Ameni released the arrow. The cat moved and, instead of piercing the cat’s body behind the shoulder, the tip entered the base of its neck and went through the brain, coming out just below the left ear.

 

The hellcat fell onto Aldren, instantly dead.  Ameni ran to her companion and lover, who was struggling to move the carcass off of him.  She rolled the beast to one side and took stock of Aldren’s injuries.

 

The chain mail had protected his neck and shoulder from the fatal first attack, but he had deep slices from the claws.  The scratches along his arms were more superficial, but there were some deep ones in his calf. 

 

Had it been any other type of creature, Ameni would not have been as concerned.  But hellcats carried venom in their claws that would cause a slow and painful death.

 

She cleared a small area and built a fire.  Fortunately, the horses had not run far at the beginning of the attack and she tethered them close by.  Pulling the cooking pot and the water skins, she heated some water.

 

Aldren told her to take the Horshun that was in his bag and steep it in the water.  As soon as that was done, she bathed Aldren's wounds with the water, and then used the leaves to pack the worst of the marks.

 

Aldren was in considerable pain, and the blood loss was causing him to slip in and out of consciousness.  Remembering the Kindred had a settlement within just a few miles, and knowing that she did not have the knowledge to stop the poison, she decided that they had to get there as fast as possible.

 

She roused Aldren enough to get him onto the back of her horse, since the stallion was taller and more likely to bolt.  The horses were still nervous from the smell of blood and the scent of the cat, but Ameni spoke to each of them, calming them.  She mounted the stallion and they took off back up the trail.

 

 

Even with her excellent vision and hearing, it took several hours for them to come near the settlement.  As she was approaching where she remembered the path to be, she spotted two elves coming from her right.  She flagged them down, and they moved toward her diffidently.

 

“Hail, fellow warriors and friends.  My companion was attacked by a hellcat and is in need of healing.”  

 

The two came over to where Aldren was slumped over in the saddle.  He was almost comatose now, as the poison slowly took its toll on his body.  The older of the two elves made a quick assessment of the wounds and his general condition.  He then looked up at Ameni, his eyes filled with concern. 

 

“ My lady, he is almost past our aid.  We must make all possible speed.  Marden here will ride ahead with your companion to the settlement.  He can take paths that will assure that their arrival will be in time. He will make sure that he is taken care of until we can get there ourselves.”

 

With that, the younger Elf mounted the mare behind the slumped figure of Aldren.  He gave a soft word to the horse and they took off through the trees at full speed.  Since the other Elf, Gwyryan, was on foot their progress was slower.

 

As they walked toward the settlement, Ameni told Gwyryan of the events of late in the areas they had traveled.  The older Elf grieved for the loss of Ameni’s clan and assured her that the leaders would be keen to talk to her as well as to the human.  That is - if he survived.

 

As they passed through the gates of the settlement some time later, Ameni was first aware of the size of it.  Much larger and certainly older than hers had been, there were buildings of stonework, their intricate carvings pitted and worn with their age.  The main pathways were of close fitted stones, wide enough for several men Aldren’s size to walk comfortably shoulder to shoulder.  Even with the late hour, there was quite a bit of activity.  Elven children, about the age of her late brother, moved among the various buildings, apparently running errands for the elders.

 

Gwyryan led her to a large dwelling on the far side of the main hall.  Moving into the doorway, she was assaulted with the scents of many different herbs, salves, and other concoctions of the healer’s art.  The room was fairly large, as big as some of the residences in her village.  It looked as if every nook and cranny contained something. Herbs, many of which Ameni did not recognize, hung from shelves and from cords attached to the ceiling.  Jars of various sizes and shapes lined shelves that took up most of the wall space.  In the center of the room stood an open hearth upon which a large cauldron of water simmered. 

 

Gwyryan spoke a few low words to the old woman and Ameni was taken to a smaller room where Aldren was lying on a bed.  His wounds were covered with linen bandages.  A small Elven girl was on the opposite side, keeping vigil.

 

Ameni moved toward the bedside her fear slowing her steps.  He was very pale and the sweat upon his brow was glistening in the light from the candles that lit the small room.  The girl raised her gaze from her charge to Ameni, and then quickly left the room.

 

Ameni moved over to the bed and knelt down, taking Aldren’s hand in her own.  She was caressing it when an ancient female Elf made her way into the room.

 

“This is you bondmate?” The ancient one asked.  It was not so much a question but a statement.  Ameni thought about it for a few seconds, then nodded in the affirmative.  “It was close, but we halted the spread of the poison.  He will be weak for some time, but the wounds will heal and he will be whole again.”

 

Ameni thanked the woman. She rose to remove her weapons and armor, then knelt back down by the bed, taking Aldren’s hand once again.

 

She was still there when the young Elf came back.  The apprentice was but a few years away from adulthood.  When Marden had brought in the stranger, the healer had bidden her to help prepare the human.  It had been she who had realized that he was half-Elven, at the least.  This had been glad news to the healer, for the herbs used to cure hellcat venom would be deadly to most Humans.  But still, the man had been very weak, and had suffered from the venom for hours.  He was very close to passing from this plane of the world and into the Shadow Realm.

 

The ancient healer had spoken to him softly, calling his mind and spirit back.  Her withered hands stroked his temples as she repeatedly called his name and spoke spells that had all but faded from memory.  She finally moved from over him and sat back, clearly exhausted from the effort.  She had called to his spirit, she explained to her apprentice, and now they must heal his body.

 

The young Elf then cleaned and packed his wounds with a mixture of Horshun and Cansuell, then held him down as the potion the ancient healer had made was forced down his throat.  His body twisted and jerked as the brew entered his bloodstream, and when he calmed, she stayed, watching him as his body fought the poison.

 

She was still keeping vigil when Ameni had come into the room.  The basic design of the battle gear worn by the beautiful Elf maiden was familiar, the differences indicated that she came from another clan. 

 

As the warrior maiden came into the room, Isowan went for the healer.  Now she was back to tend her charge as well as the Elf who was bonded to him.

 

“M’lady?” Isowan spoke softly to get Ameni’s attention .  “I do not wish to disturb you, however, I do need to moisten the herbs that cover your mate’s wounds.”

 

“Then come in and do what you need.  I am Ameni of the North Woods Clan, and I am in debt to you and the healer for doing what I could not.”

 

The girl smiled then answered as she moved toward her charge.  “ I am known as Isowan of the North Mountain Clan.” 

 

The girl then dripped a small stream of water on the linen wrappings from a small ladle.  When she finished, she placed a cold compress behind his neck and across his forehead. 

 

There was a knock on the door and Ameni spun around, as if she was expecting danger.  It was only a small lad of maybe 10 or 12 winters.  He stared first at Ameni then at the form of Aldren, who gave a soft groan.  He looked down, embarrassed, when he caught himself staring.  He placed the bundle of blankets and a padded fur on the floor before he scurried out.

 

Isowan nodded to the bedding.  “ If you wish to rest for a while, he will probably not awaken for several hours at the earliest.”

 

Ameni tried to take advantage of the offer.  The padded fur cushioned her from the hard floor but, though her body cried out for rest, her mind refused to stop replaying the attack and the events that followed.  She had refused to shed tears since the day that she had returned to her own settlement.  Now they came to her eyes unbidden and rolled down, wetting her cheeks.  After losing her family, she could not even contemplate losing her lover.  She had no doubt that he could handle any visible foe, but she feared the hidden ones.  The thoughts finally faded as her exhaustion took over and she fell into a fitful sleep.

 

It was close to dawn when Ameni awoke with a start.  She quickly took in her surroundings, and the events of the day before came flashing back.  She stood and moved over to where Isowan was sitting on a small stool near the head of the bed.  Her head was nodding in near sleep, jerking upright when she caught herself.

 

She convinced the girl to let her take over and told her to make use of the padded fur.  The girl lay down and, within a few heartbeats, was sound asleep.

 

Ameni and been on watch for a couple of hours and the first rays of the sun were seeping into the room when she heard Aldren whisper her name.

 

He was still unconscious, yet he was calling to her from within the depths of his mind.  She leaned over and kissed him softly.  She was surprised and elated when he seemed to respond.  She called his name in his ear and, once again, he moved closer to consciousness.  He started to move a bit, then moaned from the pain.

 

Ameni quieted him.  She brought a ladle of water to his lips and, after he drank that much, she called to Isowan.

 

The young healer jumped up immediately and rushed to the bed.  In the common tongue, she bade him to be still while she went for the healer.

 

Within moments, Isowan came back. The old healer followed her, shuffling over to Aldren. She examined him, removing the bandages to look at the wounds.  Satisfied with the progress, she placed her hand on Aldren’s forehead and spoke quietly into his ear.  His moaning ceased and he fell into a restful slumber.

 

She gave Isowan instructions to redress the wounds with a salve and sent the young girl to the hearth to find what was needed.  Then she turned to Ameni.

 

“ You must be Ameni.  When he first came, in he worried more for you than for himself.  I could hear his thoughts and had to reassure him that you would be arriving soon before he would rest.”

 

“You have my gratitude, Healer.  This man found me half dead and nursed me back to health after my settlement had been massacred.  We have been traveling together ever since.  I am relieved that he will soon be well again.  I do not know how I can express my appreciation, Healer.”

 

The old woman’s bright eyes were dancing.  From her contact with Aldren’s mind, she understood the relationship between the two warriors better than either of them.  “ You may address me as Belwin, my dear.  I have too many winters and have seen too much to stand on ceremony with any but my apprentices.  Now, be frank: you and he are more than companions, are you not?”

 

Ameni found herself telling Belwin of their relationship, how Aldren had told the Dwarf that they were bonded, but had not made the request to her in the Elven tradition.  Belwin then said something that caused her to stare in bewilderment.

 

“You should think carefully before you accept any request for bonding.  For he is more than just a half-Elven warrior. His road will be long and dangerous, and you will be swept up in his path if you remain with him.”

 

Ameni considered her advice, remembering the words of the seer of the Dwarves.  She remembered the prophecies that were taught by the elders when she was still a small child.  They spoke of one who would seek the Dragon Magic that had been lost.  But they also talked of the toll that this magic could take on an Elf.

 

While she pondered this, Isowan returned and set to her tasks.  Old Belwin assured her that he would sleep for several hours more, then would awaken more alert and on the road to recovery.  As she left, she told them both that she would have food sent to them.

 

After Isowan finished her ministrations to Aldren, she asked Ameni if she could talk some more about their adventures, as she needed to practice her command of the common tongue.  Soon, they were like old friends, trading stories back and forth, Ameni correcting her words and phrasing when needed.

 

Aldren did awaken several hours later, and he was in full control of his senses.  He was hurting from the torn muscles, but the poison was gone from his body.  Belwin came in and declared that he was to have whatever he wanted to eat and drink, but was not to try to do more than absolutely necessary for another week.

 

Food was brought in and he ate well.  He was still weak and soon fell asleep.  Isowan was called away, but promised to return to change the bandages when necessary.  Exhausted, Ameni moved over to the bed and stretched out her body against his, careful to avoid any of his wounds.  She fell asleep within moments.

 

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In all, it was more than a month before Aldren was even close to his former self. For the first week he was almost completely helpless, needing assistance for the most basic of needs.

 

Ameni did not mind doing those tasks for her lover.  But doing small chores within the Healer’s cottage served as a reminder of the life she had envisioned she would have been leading if her village had not been destroyed.

 

With Ameni sleeping in his bed each night, feeling her warm, soft skin against his was causing Aldren to have reactions that his body was not yet ready to perform.  It flustrated him, but also gave him incentive to push for his complete recovery.

 

Ameni was feeling the same flustration.  Since Aldren had first taken her maidenhood in that cave, she had felt a hunger for his body that she would never had thought to dream about before.  She would lay at night after Aldren was asleep, his hard manhood touching her hip, and try to recreate the feelings of their lovemaking on her own.

 

Her hands would move over her body, touching the places where she imagined Aldren touching.  Her long fingers searching for the places where his manhood had often brought her to feelings of completion.  She was able to bring herself to release, but it was not what she craved so deep in her being.As soon as the wounds were closed completely, Belwin gave permission for him to start moving around more and to start working the injured muscles.

 

The evening after Belwin’s announcement that he could resume activities within reason, he and Ameni made love.  As soon as the healer had left the room, Ameni was removing her clothes.  She bent over Aldren, smothering him in kisses as she ran her hands over his torso.  Disregarding the soreness in his arm, he pulled his lover against him and stroked everywhere he could reach.  She rode him to protect his leg and shoulder.  They were both anxious but careful in their movements.  As she sat astride him to take his member into her, he reached up to caress her breasts, then down her side to her hips.  She placed the head of his cock against her opening and slid slowly down until he was buried to the hilt.  She had her eyes closed, savoring the exquisite sensation. When she heard him moan, she watched his face to make sure she wasn’t hurting him. When all she saw was contentment, she started moving.

 

Her own excitement was evident in her wetness and her moans as she moved up and down, riding him with more force with each stroke.  She could feel her climax approaching rapidly.  She gave in to the feeling, forcing her clit against the base of his cock, and then grinding her hips to extend the sensation.

 

As soon as she started to come back down, Aldren grasped her hips with his hands to guide her moves.  She caught the rhythm he wanted, and soon she was on her way to another orgasm, this time Aldren was right with her.  His leg prevented any movement , but he stiffened as his cock went rigid and started pumping his seed into her.  This triggered her own climax. She slumped forward onto her elbows as her body shook in spasms of pleasure.

 

She fought to regain her senses.  She remembered the ancient healer’s words and decided that, no matter what was in the future, she would stay with him if he wanted her.  And, with the way he was slowly caressing her back and hair with his good arm, she was pretty sure that he would want her with him.

 

She moved her pelvis up, letting his softening cock slide out and moved off him to stretch out next to him.  There were some bandages next to the bed. She took some and placed them between her thighs to catch the overflow of their combined juices.  He pulled her over until she was against him with her head against his chest.  He wrapped his good arm around her and they fell into a deep, satisfied sleep.

 

Isowan came in the next morning to find the two lovers naked and fast asleep.  She marveled at their forms, Aldren’s lean muscular body and Ameni’s softer womanly curves.  She quietly moved back out and closed the door.  Then she knocked loudly and waited.  She heard Ameni’s startled gasp and the rustle of bedclothes.  Then she heard the Elf’s call to enter.

 

Aldren was covered from the waist down and Ameni was wrapped in a sleeping cloth.  When they saw who it was, Ameni turned and started to dress.  Isowan told them that, since Aldren was well enough to get up, they could break their night's fast in the main room, at the end of the corridor.

 

In the following weeks, Aldren often voiced his displeasure at the slow pace of his recovery, even though old Belwin assured him again and again that he was progressing faster than he had any right to expect.  Once he was deemed to be fully recovered from the poison, he and Ameni took up residence in a small building that was close to the Healer’s residence.

 

Ameni oversaw his recovery, making sure that he did not push himself too much and cause more injury to the torn muscles.  She also took the time to teach him more of the Hanbra form of fighting.

 

She was highly surprised when several of the settlement’s warriors asked to learn as well.  Hanbra was apparently only remembered in a few of the clans and had been lost here.  She welcomed them and taught what she could, thus allowing these to train the others.

 

When they were not training, they both spent time in the healer’s dwelling, learning as much as she would teach them.  Though Ameni had not paid much attention to these things in the past, she now saw the need for it, considering their current circumstances.

 

Nights they spent in their dwelling.  A few of the elves that they had become acquainted with would visit, but mostly it was a time for them to enjoy each other’s company and to make love.  Ameni reminded herself that she had to ask the healer for the herbs she needed to prevent pregnancy.  It would not do for her to be on the trail with child.  And she intended on staying with him on the trail, wherever it would take them.

 

There had been a light snowfall one evening when Belwin arrived at their door.  With her were the head of the village and two other elders, explaining that they would like some private words about the rumors that they had been hearing about from the south.

 

Ameni offered them the wine that they had bartered for when they had departed from the last village before they ran into the priests.  After all were served, Aldren began to answer their questions.

 

They talked for some time about the events in the outside world, about the general sense of unrest, and specifically about the decimation of the elves at the behest of the new priests.  The elders were very concerned about the news.  They were still a powerful force in the area, but human villages were becoming more commonplace, and where the humans settled the priests were sure to follow.  The talk then turned to how best defend themselves and tactical defenses.

 

Belwin brought up their use of magic and how defenseless they would be if they didn’t revive the magics that had been left to disuse.  “ Once we had control of the elements and could call upon them for defense.  The qualities of the animals around us could be used to heighten our awareness.  We lived in harmony with all within the land, rock and tree, water and beast.  Then we, as a people, became fearful of the magics and they fell into disuse.  Now, only a few even remember the simple spells to make our lives more bearable.”

 

She looked at Aldren.  “ Please tell us of your relationship to the Kindred.”

 

Aldren looked uncomfortable.  He never talked about his mother, about who she was.  He had hidden it so long that he was having trouble speaking about that part of his past. He stumbled a bit and Belwin placed her hand on his forearm.

 

“Perhaps I can tell you something.”  She then turned to the elders.  “His mother was Sky clan.  She was very powerful in magics that passed from memory of the Kindred many generations ago.  Her power was strong enough to withstand the magic used by the priests.  That is why they killed her, out of fear.”

 

Aldren sat in shock.  He finally asked how she knew these things, and she answered that, during the worst of the fever, he had talked of many things.  By the time Ameni had arrived, he was over the worst.

 

“You are still troubled about many things concerning your mother.  Her journal will clear many things up about her, but you have not had the courage to read it.  I would advise you to do so now, so that your mind will be at rest about her and what she has passed to you.”

 

After the elders and Isowan departed for the night, Ameni reminded Aldren of what the healer had said and tried to encourage him to read the book, were it but to ease his mind.  An argument ensued that finally ended when Ameni asked if he was afraid to know the truth.  This stung his pride [EB1]   and he pulled the journal from his pack and sat near the fire, opening to the first page.

 

Ameni then left him alone and went to bed.  She knew this should be personal.  Her last look was of him sitting close to the fire with the leather-bound journal between his knees, the firelight reflecting on his bearded face as he concentrated on the words written on the pages.

 

She awoke just after dawn and came into the room to find him in roughly the same position, but the bulk of the pages were now on the left side of the book.  He must have moved during the night, since the fire was burning brightly with new wood sitting in the grate, but otherwise it was as though she had not left the scene at all.  Aldren’s eyes were bloodshot and swollen.  He looked up slowly and gave a wry smile.

 

“What she had to go through to gain the power she had was nothing compared to what happened to her afterwards.  Her own clan shunned her.  Their fear of her power overcame the fear of the priests.  And they were destroyed because of it.”

 

Ameni came to him and started to rub the stiffness out of his shoulders.  He moaned in pleasure as she worked the knotted muscles.  After some thought he finally concluded, “I do not think I would want that kind of power.”

 

“There are times when we have no control of our paths.  Our fate is controlled by something other than ourselves.” She replied cryptically.

 

She left him where he was and started to prepare something to eat.  She grabbed the pail and moved out the door and toward the well that was to the side of the healer’s house.

 

The snow had continued during the night and now had drifted into soft white mounds against the sides of the buildings.  It was very quiet in the settlement.  There was no movement in the square and few tracks in the snow to show that others had been out earlier.

 

She quickly filled her pail with the rope and bucket, and then returned to the warmth of their hut.  She found Aldren still in the same spot, but now staring at the fire.  She busied herself, warming up leftover hare stew, slicing bread, boiling water to steep a stimulating tea [EB2]  .  She moved next to him to put the cauldron on to heat when he finally spoke.  His tone was distant, as if thinking out loud rather than actually speaking to her.

 

“My mother was wise to hide her true power.  The things she taught me were child’s play when compared to what she was capable of.  She was able to draw strength from the elements themselves, to use their energies, their most basic forces to do her bidding.”  He now turned to Ameni, staring at her with bloodshot eyes.

 

“I now understand so much better why she kept it hidden.  And why the Kindred forbade the teaching of this knowledge.  While it takes much from the one who attempts to wield it, it would be a terrible force in one who wanted to control others.”  He then went back to thinking about what he had learned, acknowledging the food and drink that Ameni served him, but saying little.  He finally lay on the bed, exhausted.  He was asleep within moments, and she followed a short time later.

 

The next morning, they both went to see Belwin.  The healer answered many of the questions they asked. Before she queried Aldren on what he had learned, she explained the ways of Dragon Magic.  She took an ancient scrollfrom a hidden shelf.  As she unfurled it Aldren noted that it was written in the script of the elves, the graceful letters painstakingly drawn. 

 

The old Elf used it to refresh her memory as she told of how the Ancient Ones, the first Elves, had discovered the power that resided within all creatures.  They were able to draw upon the physical traits of the different creatures, using their abilities to survive. 

 

The most powerful of the creatures were the dragons.  Able to control the elements, they were all powerful.  It took one of incredible courage and heart to harness the magic of these creatures, first to gain the magical power, then be able to refrain from losing their own spirit in the process.  But how to gain this power was not explained.

 

Through the eons, the knowledge of drawing power from the world around them died out amongst the Elves.  The ones who came after were wary of those that used the magics.  The other races looked upon it with fear and, in a move to avoid constant struggle, the major magics were banned.  Only the healing arts and the minor magics, merely useful tricks, were allowed.

 

“One thing I can assure you of is that you have, deep inside you, the potential to revive Dragon Magic.  When I healed you, I felt your life force, and it was different from any I have touched.  Within you resides the hope of stopping the destruction of all the races.  When the time comes, you too will realize that you have.  You have the potential, all you have to do is unlock it.”

 

Ameni could see the uncertainty in Aldren’s eyes.  He had told her earlier that he was content to just be a sword-for-hire.  He did not yearn for power.  Yet, others saw power in him.  The Dwarf seer had spoken of him “holding the reins of a wild and forbidden magic”.  She could tell that the thought terrified him.

 

Finally Aldren spoke.  “ I have felt something stirring within me for some time.  I thought that I had to get to the Tower of the Guard to align myself with those who fought against the forces that want to destroy the old alliances.  I am not sure of what I may become if I allow myself to succumb to the lure of what lies before me.”

 

Belwin placed her hand upon his arm.  “You must trust your own sense of justice and compassion for, no matter what power you gain, you must never lose your sense of who you really are.”

 

Aldren mulled over this for many minutes.  He knew he was drawn North.  Now he understood why.  But was he ready to accept what the fates apparently were throwing in his way?  Though he would accept the idea that he had power, he decided that he was not going to seek out more.  He was a warrior, not a mage.  That he could be both did not enter into his thoughts.

 

As they were leaving, Belwin had one final piece of advice.  “You must at least learn the orders of protection.  For if both I and the seer can feel your strength, a mage or priest certainly can and will try and destroy you.”

 

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By the time the snows had melted away, Aldren was feeling anxious to move on.  They were comfortable here, and were for the most part accepted.  They had hunted for the village and helped out in other ways as well.  Now it was time to move on.

 

They left on a crisp clear morning, with Marden to lead them to the pathway and Isowan waving farewell from the doorway of the healer's building.

 

The night before had been another talk with the elders, and then a more private one with Belwin.  She regretted their departure, but was assured by Aldren’s promises that he was now well versed in the defensive spells.  She smiled and raised her hand to them, palm facing out to signify that she was satisfied.  It was the last time they would see her.

 

There was still snow along the trail, holding on in the shadows of the trees.  They bypassed the place where Aldren had been attacked and came out on the road several leagues further on.  They were now out of the higher elevations of the mountains and the sunlight of the afternoon shown brightly in the winter’s sky.  They were alone once again and Aldren took his place to the front. 

 

The scratches on his shoulder and leg had healed.  It had been just over 2 moons since the attack from the Hellcat and the torn muscles had been slower than normal to heal.  The new skin itched though.  They had decided not to push too hard on the trail, rather there were frequent stops to keep the skin and the muscles from tightening up too much.  He would have another set of impressive scars.

 

They were taking one such break when they heard the clatter of hooves coming rapidly from behind them.  Aldren could see the road from where they were sitting and, within moments, a group of the King’s garrison came into view.  Banners displaying the blue and white of the realm fluttered in the breeze as they rode in formation.  As they came closer to the area where Aldren had led them off the road, the leader called a halt.  He signaled for the rest of the troop to wait and he started following the track up toward where Aldren sat among the rocks.  The leader dismounted and followed the trail on foot, his drawn sword leading the way.

 

He stopped short when he saw Aldren sitting directly in front of him.  Since Aldren made no move to reach for his own sword, the leader lowered his.  Then he looked closer at Aldren.

 

“Don’t I know you?  Your face is familiar.”

 

“As you should, Vabryn, for we trained together in the guard.”

 

Vabryn took a closer look, and his face registered his recognition.  “Aldren, you old dog.  I had figured you for dead by now.  I never thought we would ever see each other again.  After you finished off those priests (and he said that word like it stuck in his throat) and took off, the whole place was in uproar.  They hunted for you for months and finally, the high priest got the King to place a bounty on your head.”

 

“Are you here to try and collect that bounty?”

 

“Not at all.  We were chasing a couple of thieves that killed a shopkeeper and the chief of the town not far from here.  Actually, we wouldn’t be out here at all except we were all bored.”  Then he looked thoughtful.  “Although, from the way you just sat there, I imagine that you had some trick up your sleeve.  You seemed to be too comfortable.”

 

“You are correct my friend.  You would not have made two steps before having an arrow through your throat.”  Aldren then gave a signal and Ameni appeared from next to a rock a few lengths away.

 

Vabryn started when he saw that she was an Elf, and a very shapely one at that.  He had never understood the hatred borne to the Elves, so he held up his hand in greeting.  Ameni just smiled and moved to Aldren’s side.

 

“I must say, Aldren, that when you decide to break from all things courtly, you do nothing halfway.  I should call my men and take you in.  But I am of the mind that you are more just than the priests and the backstabbers that are running the court now.  Furthermore, I would say to you that it might be for the best that I have not seen you at all.  My men are all still loyal to the Crown for now, but that loyalty is more from habit than for honor and justice.  There is talk among them about heading north to the Tower of the Guard.”

 

Ameni looked through the boulders and then turned to the men.  “Your troops are getting restless.  Might I suggest that you let them know that you are alright before they come looking?”

 

“You are quite correct, Lady.  I will be going back.  We will return to town as well.  The next village to the north is not friendly to the garrisons of the King.”

 

He and Aldren clasped hands and Vabryn went back down the hill.  As soon as the troops had changed direction and started back south, the companions headed in the opposite direction.

 

They came upon the village Vabryn had mentioned just before dusk. It was small, as villages went.  There was an inn, a smithy and a few small, worn-down houses set along the side of the road.  Aldren went to the inn first.

 

The innkeeper was a couple hands shorter than Aldren and rather portly.  He was pulling a huge joint of meat from the spit when Aldren entered.  He dropped the roast onto one of the tables, causing the other end to jump into the air.  His round face was flushed when he walked over to Aldren, wiping his greasy hands on the equally greasy apron he wore.  “Welcome, traveler. How can I be of service?”

 

Aldren told him he would require a room and some dinner for two.  Then he added that the second was an Elf.  He waited for the innkeeper’s reaction and, seeing nothing more in the man's eyes than hope for more coin, he relaxed a bit.

 

“Most of us around here do not hold with the traveling priest’s talk.  We are rather independent, being this far away from the court.”  When Aldren produced the five silver coins they had agreed upon, the little round man beamed with delight.  He promised to have them plenty of meat and ale and the warmest bed in the inn.

 

Aldren then went with Ameni across to the smithy.  This man was the opposite of the little innkeeper.  He was at least a full hand span taller than Aldren and probably twice his weight.  The muscles in his chest and arms were large and hard from his years at the forge.  He took their horses into his stable and even offered to fix the rings on Aldren’s chain mail that the hellcat had snapped.  The price was agreed upon and the mail was left along with the coin.

 

There were several men sitting at the tables when they walked into the inn.  The innkeeper came over and had them sit near the hearth.  He brought out a platter of meat, probably from the chunk Aldren had seen earlier.  A loaf of bread and a couple of tankards of ale completed their repast and they set to work on it. 

 

There was small talk among the locals about the weather, the quality of the crops that they had harvested over the summer and fall, and the general state of their lives.  Other than a few looks at Ameni, the two were left alone.  They had finished their meal when one of the locals called out to them, asking for any news from the trail.  Aldren gave them what little he knew in general terms, including the news that a troop of the King’s garrison was looking for a couple of thieves.

 

This seemed to satisfy the crowd.  They were just looking for news away from their little village.  One of them did divulge that the priest would probably be through here in the next day or two.  This brought a chuckle from the rest of the crowd, but it did warn Aldren that they should probably be on their way in the morning.

 

Soon, the innkeeper led them to their room.  It was directly above the hearth, and the chimney made up part of the wall, radiating warmth.  There was a small bed and some pegs in the wall to hang garments on.  They undressed, but set their weapons next to the bed and within easy reach.  There was a bolt on the inside of the door, but it did not look very reliable.  They moved closer under the covers, at first for warmth, then ,as Aldren became excited at the feel of her naked skin, their passions arose.  They made love with Ameni astride him, her body rising and falling in a rhythm that increased in speed and intensity as she brought first herself then her lover to a crashing climax.  She slid off of his slowly softening cock and moved up next to him, following him into sleep.

 

If Ameni had been of another race, she probably would not have heard the scraping of wood as the bolt on the door was slid back.  She picked up her long knives and waited in the pre-dawn light as the door slowly opened inward.  A small man, his face hardened by years in the elements, crept in through the partially opened door.  He crouched down low and Ameni could see the dull glint of a knife as he started across the room.  He turned suddenly to see her standing there, her own knives at the ready.  Her naked body tensed as she awaited his next move. 

 

With a low snarl the little assassin turned to charge her.  Before he could get close enough to do any harm, her blades flashed. His head fell from his neck and dropped to the ground, his body following.

 

The man’s movement had awoken Aldren, and he was rushing in with his own sword when the assassin was decapitated.  They slipped into their clothes and Aldren went in search of the innkeeper.  He appeared looking rather sleepy and frightened.  He swore that the body lying on the floor was not one of the local folks, and he had never seen him before.  They searched him and found a piece of rough heardbeast-skin parchment.  It proclaimed Aldren as the murderer of several priests and offered a reward of five hundred gold pieces for either his capture or his head.

 

They followed the innkeeper down to the hearth room, where he roused his equally portly wife and they served the companions a meal to break their fast:  a bowl of thick, hot cooked grains covered with honey and a loaf of bread with the drippings of the eve's roast.  Served with mead, it made for a good meal to start the day.  All during the meal the innkeeper apologized for the “awful happenings” that had awakened them.  He wished them to understand that they never had any trouble here and that it was terrible that such things could happen to his guests.

 

Aldren offered payment for the meal, which was refused, and they went across the road to the smithy’s.  News of the attempted murder had already made it to the big man.  As Ameni got the horses ready and Aldren slipped on the repaired mail, the smith affirmed that the man was not from around here.  They had no use for the likes of him and, in his opinion, Aldren had done the land a favor when he dispatched the priests.

 

They both thanked the smith and started down the road at a trot, planning to put as much distance between them and the village as possible.  Once they were well away from the town and any prying eyes, they slipped off the road and into the trees that lined the road.  They knew that the further North they rode, the wilder and more dangerous their path would be.  Civilization and courtly manners were for the South.  The King’s men had not inhabited these lands for more than a few generations, and the only rules here were to survive however you could.

 

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