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#1 zombiegleemax Feb 04, 2004 11:33:17

Chapter IV The Lust for Blood Eric awoke with a start. Looking about franticly he only saw the near empty cavern, he looked over to Airyanna, she was still sleeping. He rose slowly, carefully picked up his belt and put it on. He picked up his uniform shirt, holding it in his hand he starred at it, then cast it aside. That’s not my army anymore he thought to himself. After placing back on his cloak and boots, Eric lifted his shield as gently as he could from the ground, then slowly walked to the spot where he had seen Irum appear the day before. There was no dizziness this time, just a sudden flash and he stood above ground, in a burned out skeleton of a building. As he feared, Irum’s home had been torched, along with many of the other buildings. Eric crouched low and scanned the village from its former center. It appeared that his entire old brigade was now encamped around the kender village. There was little activity, the only creatures stirring were the night patrolmen. Eric looked to the eastern horizon. A hint of light, he knew it wouldn’t be long before the sun rose. Suddenly Eric shot like a bolt, darting to the nearest intact wall on a nearby building. He kept darting, gradually getting closer to the tents. Finally, he was in the encampment. Drawing the hood of his cloak over his head he started toward the area he felt the armory tent might be. AS turned around the corner of one tent he ran straight into two patrolling men. They saluted the draconian, then moved on. It was a brigade of some eight hundred troops, and in the early morning light Eric felt fairly confident he would be unrecognized, though he hoped to avoid contact with others as much as possible. Finally, a large tent loomed ahead of him. Two Sivaks stood at the entryway, their silver hands clutching their battle-axes tightly. Eric moved swiftly round to the back of the tent. His plan was simple, slit the tent and enter. He knew there’d be no guards inside. He reached for his dagger, then realized as he grasped the empty sheath it wasn’t there. He’d never pulled it from his old commander’s chest. He drew his sword, though not as convenient as his dagger would have been, it still did the job. Inside the large tent sat four large wagons. All laded with the tools of war. Heading for the closest he pulled back the covering canvas. Arrows, he pulled out two quivers. He moved down the wagon a short distance then pulled back another part of the canvas. Long bows, most of them strung too, he wasted no time in procuring one. Eric moved to the next wagon, there he found himself a new dagger, then also grabbed a small knife. In the third wagon lay armor. He had left his armor behind when he was sent into Sylvanost. It hindered his ability to move with stealth, but now he figured it might come in handy. The first part of the wagon contained plate, too cumbersome and noisy. Then he found the studded leather armor. The first suit was too small, but the second perfect. It wasn’t a complete suit, but would cover his chest, back, stomach and groin. Eric preferred this type though, as it left his arms and legs completely free. He took a minute to put the armor on, then slung the bow and arrows over his back. Just then the flap to the tent opened. Eric grabbed a spear from the side of the wagon and hurled it as quickly as he could, striking the Sivak before he even noticed Eric. He fell to his knees as Eric drew his sword and headed for him. The silver draconian opened his mouth, but Eric‘s sword sliced through his neck before a sound could escaped. The other Sivak, that had been guarding the tent, now entered. Eric wasn’t so lucky this time. As he thrust his sword into the larger draconian’s chest, the Sivak was able to call out. Eric pulled his bloodied sword from the dying Sivak, then ran for the slit he’d made in the back of the tent. As he left the tent he saw two guards entering the front. He ran into a nearby tent. He could hear shouting from outside. He turned around to find a senior officer awakening in his make shift bed. Eric moved swiftly to his side and plunged his sword into the human’s throat. Unable to speak, the officer gazed up into Eric’s eyes. Eric looked back, the fear in his victim’s eyes excited him. Eric now felt his blood race. He peered back out the flap of the tent. Soldiers in all states of readiness and dress were now running about the encampment. “Don’t just stand there!” a voice screamed, “Get up and search.” The shouting continued as first one, then two more dragons lifted themselves into the air. Eric stepped out of the tent, sword and shield ready. If he kept moving, and nobody recognized him, he might be able to just walk right out of the temporary base and back into the village. “Do you think it was the traitor!?!” a voice cried out. “It had to be, it had to be!” yelled another. Eric moved at a swifter pace. His plan was working, in the confusion no one recognized him. He entered the village right behind a patrol. He moved to where Irum’s home had stood, into the corner. Nothing happened. He stepped back, then into the corner again. Still nothing. He looked about, he knew he was in the right spot, it just wasn’t working. “You there,” A voice barked at his direction. “Don’t just stand there, keep searching!” Eric looked to the east. Time was his greatest enemy now. The sun would soon rise, but even if had been the middle of the night, he knew it wouldn’t belong before someone would figure out who he was. Eric moved again, he kept moving throughout the village, It wasn’t hard for him to look as though he was searching for someone, He was after all searching for an escape. He’d learned as a hatchling the magic needed become invisible. Unfortunately he and the other Auraks all knew how to detect that magic too. Though no human would find him he would stick out to any searching Aurak. Eric entered a barn, one of the few structures left standing. Just past the door a sword landed at his feet. Eric looked to his right, where the blade seemed to have come. “Well,” said Larkus as he stepped from the shadows. “you’re getting careless, old friend. I had the chance to kill the elf, and now a chance to kill you.” “Then why don’t you?” Eric asked as handed the sword before him back to Larkus. “Leave Eric, but after this, we’re even.” Eric knew what Larkus meant. He saluted his old friend, a gesture that was returned, then turned for the door. “Eric,” Larkus called out as he placed his hand on Eric’s arm. “You know the colonel was the son of the Highlord. The entire Army is now searching for you.” Eric sighed, then broke away from his old friend and exited the barn. The first rays of the sun were just starting to emerge. Eric walked more slowly now as others ran about. It wouldn’t be long before someone other than Larkus realized who he was. He mentally prepared for what he felt would be his last battle. As he did so his thoughts drifted to ****. “Eric!” A small voice called out. “Eric over here!” Eric looked behind him, the sight of Irum sticking half out of the road greeted his eyes. Irum motioned for Eric to approach. As he did so Eric once again felt dizzy. He closed his eyes and opened them again to the welcome site of the dimly lit caverns. “You’ve got to be the luckiest.” “Lucky!?!” Eric exclaimed as he sheathed his sword. “I couldn’t get back in!” “Aye, the portal was sealed, but fortunately I realized you were gone and was able to find you.” “You re-opened them?” “No, but the sun was rising, that re-opens them, I just needed to find you to let you know they were open.” “How’d I get out then?” Eric asked in confusion. “Oh, at night they’ll let you out, just not back in.” “I could have used that information earlier.” Eric growled “Well, now you have it.” “Wait, the village is crawling with soldiers, what keeps…” “Ah, not to worry. Only those who are not our enemies can enter.” Irum turned and began to walk down one of the tunnels. “You see, that was the final test yesterday, if you hadn’t come through the portal I’d have known you to be an enemy for sure.” Irum turned back, “Don’t just stand there, come.” Eric followed Irum back to where Airyanna was. “You got up, you left me!” Airyanna said in as firm a tone as a child can make. “I’m mad at you.” Eric knelt down before Airyanna. As he brought his face close to hers she raised her arm and slapped the Aurak on his snout, then threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Well,” said Irum’s wife as she entered the carved out room “Since we’re all up how about a hot breakfast.” Eric and Airyanna both eat well, it was the first hot meal either had had in days. Afterwards two kender children entered the room they slowly approached Airyanna. “Do, do you wanna play with us?” one asked. “Eric, can I?” “Sure, I don’t care.” Eric said as he swallowed one last piece of what had been the strangest bacon he’d ever had. Airyanna gave Eric a quick hug, then vanished with the two children. “Well then,” Irum started. “During the night, my nephew was able to get out of the village. He should get to Palanthus some time before you, not having a child to slow him and all.” “You can’t take her in?” Eric asked. “I think it’d be best if she stayed with you. Besides, my nephew is going to tell my Solamnic friend to look out for a draconian with a wee girl. You show up without her and you might not last long.” “But if she stayed here,” Eric started to protest. “Eric, I think the gods meant for you to find her.” Irum leaned back in his chair. “I’ve seen a lot in this world, I even sailed to Kristophen once on Taladas. Never, have I seen what I saw yesterday, an elven child, trusting in, and protected by a draconian.” Eric grunted in reply as he pulled his sword then wiped down the blade. “May I ask you a question?” Irum went on giving Eric no time to reply. “How is it that you speak the language of man, and it would seem the elven language so well?” “I’m an officer, or, I was.” Eric sighed, then continued, “I spent years training to be an scout officer. A large part of that time was spent learning to speak the elven tongue. I learned the language of man when I was very young, so I could serve the Dragon Highlords better.” “A scout you say.” “My mission was to gather information on troop movements, strengths, and weaknesses, and to prevent the gathering of the same information on my own army.” Eric starred at his sword. “My knowledge of my enemies’ languages was critical. Part of my training was to translate written documents, they ranged from tactical information to letters home.” “You’re not at all like the Auraks I’ve heard described to me lad.” “I am one of the first of what has been called a new generation of Aurak. We’re not like the spell using Auraks of old. We are warriors, we live for battle.” “Did you become a scout of yer own will, or was that just where they put you?” “I was given no choice as far as the Dragon Army goes. I volunteered for the scouts though. A regular soldier does not see as much combat as you might think. A scout though is almost always in contact with the enemy.” Silence filled the room for a time, then was broken by Irum’s voice. “Now let’s see, it’s Waters Day here, so that would make it….” Irum trailed off, then nearly sprung from his chair exclaiming “Misham, yes Misham in Solamnia.” Irum shifted in his chair then pulled a pipe from his pocket. Eric continued to clean his sword while the Kender rambled on. “That would make it Reapember in Solamnia.” Irum paused to light his pipe. “With luck the army above will move on in only a day or two. Oh if only I was younger, sounds to me like you’ve a grand adventure ahead.” “Adventure, I don’t know if that’s the word I would choose.” Eric interrupted as he sheathed his blade. “I could send one of the younger folk with you.” Eric’s expression turned to one of dread. He could tolerate Irum, but the idea of travel across the continent of Ansalon with a kender seemed even worse than the idea of being pursued by a Dragon Army. “No, and I’ll tell you why not, this generation.” Irum took a puff on his pipe. “Well, I’ll spare you my feelings, but to say that this generation of kender….” Eric searched for ways to escape the room as Irum droned on. The thought even entered Eric’s mind to kill the kender. He remembered the fear in the human officer’s eyes, the way it felt when he plunged his sword into the Sivak’s chest. His blood began to burn. Eric didn’t realize it, but he was slowly reaching for his dagger. “Eric!” Eric spun his head, his eyes filled with blood lust. It was Airyanna. “Eric, are you mad?” she asked as she crawled into the draconian’s lap. “No, I,” Eric paused as he calmed himself. “What is it Airy?” “Well, we were playing this game and, okay, um,” Airyanna spoke as other children entered the room. “A game,” Irum piped in “sounds like fun.” “Okay, Eric what’s your favorite color?” Airyanna asked. “Red I guess.” “You guess? Come on is it?” Airyanna asked with a hint of frustration in her voice. “Red.” “Okay, how many fingers am I holding up?” she asked as she held up one of her hands. “Five.” Eric stated wondering where this was leading. “Now, how many fingers is she holding up?” Airyanna pointed to a small kender girl. “Three, where are you going with this?” Eric asked as he looked back down at Airyanna. “Nowhere, but I got your knife.” Airyanna held up Eric’s dagger as she spoke. All the children and Irum began to laugh and giggle. “Give me that.” Said Eric as he took back the weapon. “A good borrower that one.” Irum looked at the other children “You’ve taught her well. Now children, Eric and I were discussing a very important matter, run along and play. “No, we want Eric to come play with us.” Airyanna said as she took the Aurak’s hand. “Yeah, we want Eric to play.” The other children began to protest. “Now children, we don’t call adults by their first name,” Irum turned back to face Eric. “See, its like I was telling you about this generation.” “Eric is fine. I don’t mind Irum, I can go with the children for a bit.” Anything was better than listening to Irum at this point. Eric stood up then walked out behind the kender children with Airyanna in his arm before Irum could get a chance to start talking again. “The other kids, they were afraid of you, but I told them how really nice you are.” Airyanna said as they entered into a large cavern. “Now here’s the game. I’m the princess, and they have to rescue me, and you, you’re the dragon.” Eric didn’t quite know what to do at first, but soon found himself enjoying his role as the dragon. As the day grew old the children were slowly called by one’s and two’s back to their families. It was as the last of the children were leaving that Eric noticed Airyanna beginning to cry. “What’s wrong Airy?” Eric asked as he picked her up. “My mom used to make me come to supper when I was playing with my friends. I miss her.” Eric held Airyanna tight as he began to walk back to where they’d spent the night before. “Do you have a mom and dad?” “I was taken from my parents when I was very young.” “Why?” “So I could be trained to be a soldier.” “Do you miss them?” “Draconians, we don’t, we don’t become as attached as elves or humans do.” “Attached?” “Airy I can’t really explain it.” “Do you like me?” Airyanna asked as they entered what had become their room. Eric sat down, and placed Airyanna in his lap. “Do you?” she asked again. “Yes.” “I like you too.” With that she nestled herself into his arms. Soon she was happily chatting away, telling Eric about the other children and all she had done with them before they got Eric to come to play with them. Irum and his wife eventually came into the room, both carrying bowls of some sort of soup which Airyanna loved and Eric found vile. As night came Airyanna asked Eric if she could sleep with him. Eric agreed and the child made herself comfortable at his side, his massive arms wrapped securely around her. “Eric, how did you get so many scars?” She asked of him attempting to stay awake longer. “Ask me tomorrow.” “Eric?” “Airy, you need sleep, we have to move again tomorrow.” “I know, I just want to ask one more thing.” “What?” “Since I lost my mom and dad, and you’re really nice to me, and you like me, will you be my new daddy?” Eric didn’t know what to say. Once again she had challenged him with a question that tore deep into his soul. He hugged her tight, then whispered in her ear “Yes.” “Eric?” “What Airy?” “I love you daddy.” With that the child slide into sleep. Eric lay awake for sometime thinking about what had just happened, then about the day as a whole. Chapter V The Dream Eric opened his eyes, finding himself in a large empty cave. “So here we are” a familiar voice called out. Eric spun around and found himself face to face with himself. “Who are you!?!” “I’m you!” “I don’t understand.” Eric stepped back from the image of himself. “A promotion, a decoration.” The phantom began to pace, circling around Eric. “We could have had it all. The Highlord’s son favored us, until you killed him.” “I had to protect the girl.” Eric turned to watch his pacing counter part. “The girl.” The phantom paused in his steps. “You threw EVERYTHING away for that disgusting little thing!” “No!” “You should have killed it when we had the chance!” “Silence! You are not who I am!” Eric yelled as he reached for his sword. “No, I’m who you were.” The phantom began to pace again. “We killed countless others before, but not this child.” “She was different.” “No different then the other children you’ve slain.” The phantom said with a sneer. Eric lowered his head in shame, then looked back up. “I must protect her.” “You’ve made us weak.” The phantom spun, then looked into Eric’s eyes. “Admit it, it felt good to kill today.” “I don’t know what you are talking about.” “Don’t lie to me! I’m you!” The phantom placed his hand on Eric’s shoulder. “It felt good to kill the human and Sivaks today.” Eric stood silent. “Do you remember what father told us, before we were taken into training, just after mother died?” “Yes.” Eric’s said as he pushed the phantom’s hand from his arm. “If you care about anyone, then you have weakness.” “And we stuck to those words. Well, that is until that filthy little imp came along.” Sneered the phantom. “You are not who I am” “No. We were once a soldier, now look at what we a are.” Eric gazed into the phantom’s eyes, “I still am a soldier, only my mission has changed.” Eric sat up suddenly. The phantom was gone, he was back in the underground room with Airyanna awakening at his side. “Eric, what’s wrong?” “Noth….nothing, I just had a bad, nothing, just go back to sleep.” Eric said as he lay back down beside her.