Kenni's Story

"Load in some combat bolts. Do not worry child you will be fine. If that stump was a real enemy it would be bigger." Fayvus told Kenni. "Continue march! Quicken pace!" He yelled to the gaurds and they began to turn to a fast pace. He wanted to get to the following town as soon as possible. He knew of what dwelled in this forest. During the pace he pulled the hand axe in his right hand and one of his silver throwing knives in his left. He looked at the sky and it showed an outline of the moon. His moon dial had showed him the night before that this night was a full moon.

"Kenni. There is silver bolt in one of those magazines. It may just be my paranoia but I feel as if we are being watched." He told her

Neecey couldn't sleep. Keiran had welcomed her into his home, but the young elf felt uncomfortable in her surroundings. She had passed out here earlier, but she was completely without her sanity. She was grateful to the man, but she couldn't bring herself to relax. She sat on top of the bed, her legs crossed beneath her.

She tried meditating, hoping that the calming thoughts would help her relax into sleep. She wished she had her charm, a necklace that her mother had always worn before the maiden died. It was just a simple charm, something Neecey would use to speak with the divine Mother. Her mother was once a priestess, one of the elves who could communicate directly with the Mother. The charm was used to help speak with the Mother.

Neecey didn't know how it worked, but it helped calm her. She had lost the charm when the Nikians had taken her. Without the charm, Neecey wasn't sure she could actually speak with the Mother; she wasn't sure if the divine Goddess could hear her when she did have it. Only those blessed can speak with the Mother. However, the young elf placed her hands together, and closed her eyes.

Vila nosar yon bonir! Ilimas sirimi esth loith!
(Move quickly my child! Someone needs your help!)

Neecey's eyes shot open, but they weren't greeted with the bedroom. She was flying through the forests by the mill, flying through leaves and twigs before seeing a group of people walking along the path. A flash of fire red hair, then zooming through leaves landing on a hunched beast stalking them nearby.

Her mind was back in her body, her vision greeted with the dark bedroom. Not wasting any time, Neecey grabbed a hold of the knife Keiran had given her. She was already bolting out of the mill, not bothering to tell her host where she was going.

They were in danger.

Keiran started when Neecey took off like she did, he couldn't tell what was wrong but her expression wasn't that of someone running away from something. He stripped the room of his gear with practiced haste and tore out after her. She was fast, incredibly so and he had a hard time trying to catch up with her even with his longer stride.

Instinct kicked in and forced him to roll before he could get into the clearing where she'd been headed. He'd caught a glimpse of a group of people there, notably a red headed girl and an old man in strange armor. He didn't have time to focus on that though, in front of him was a large wolf like creature that was beginning to stand on its hind legs. Apparently he'd rolled out of the way of the pounce, at any rate he heard more in the clearing and he knew wolf behavior; these the ones they saw were the scouting party. A howl from the clearing gave his fear more weight, hopefully there wouldn't be much of a pack.

He set back in a relaxed stance, a loose body gave nothing away. A fact given away by the beast's surprise when he not only charged when it did but he ducked under the wolf's slash as well. When the arm full extended above him he grabbed the wrist and punched the elbow. The fur on the creature was remarkably smooth in contrast to the matted appearance. He felt and heard the elbow break under his fist, but it felt like punching a stone wall. Since he had to slide as part of the dodge, he was gliding into the creatures legs. He took that opportunity to slam a booted foot into a straight knee cap, he felt it give as well but it felt like kicking a tree trunk. He spun and stood out of his slide and was reward by seeing the monster shift its weight to two "legs" the bone was sticking out of the back left and front right legs.

"With a body like that, I don't think I can use my blades on you. Looks like we're going to be doing this the old fashioned way." For some reason the beast didn't try to retreat the way an animal would, it sought to pounce on him again. He rolled around the good claw and shattered the elbow; the creature bit at him but the folds of his cloak had somehow trick it into biting air. He used the momentum of the pounce to duck under and claim its last leg before letting the creature crash into the nearest tree. He used his booted foot to shatter its jaw when it trick to howl for help, it felt like kicking a rock. At that point he tuned into the remaining noise in the clearing, he didn't have time to finish this one off. He drew his scimitars as he ran, with enough speed, he might actually be able to cut into these things.

Neecey felt the wind rush through her hair, the whistling sound in her ear bringing comfort. Normalcy. The clothes she had taken from Keiran's home were weighing her down, the material too loose and baggy. She was fast, but not as fast as she could be. Without thinking, she began stripping the clothing off, pulling the shirt up over her head and letting it fall to the ground as she continued to run.

She could feel her speed picking up. Even as she kicked off the boots and let her bare feet touch the Mother. She felt connected to her, which helped her find her way. The pants took longer to get off, but once they were, Neecey could move and shift positions quicker. She was left with nothing but her old Nikian clothing, although she despised them, they would do well to move quicker.

With her connection to the Mother, Neecey knew that the beast was up ahead, closing in on the group of travelers. The elf stopped running, gripping the knife tightly, and listened. She could feel their movements through the ground. The Mother had showed her one beast close by, but there were several more approaching. She could also feel Keiran running after her.

He had found one of the beasts, and quickly dispatched it. He was good. Fast as well. Neecey quickly began running again, the beast Keiran had taken out had managed to successfully call to the pack. They would be on top of the group soon.

Neecey quickly moved towards one of the trees and climbed up, sticking the blade of the knife into her mouth to free her hands. She moved across branches swiftly, like a squirrel. She moved above the group, careful to not make too much noise. She could see the weapons they had, a crossbow and spears even. As she passed them, she waited patiently in the trees, wishing she had a bow.

She wasn't as good at close combat, distance was her forte. She could easily take out the pack that was slowly stampeding towards them with a bow. Hopefully, Keiran would get here soon and he could help her dispatch the creatures before the young elf got too overwhelmed.

Neecey quickly spotted the beast that was originally shown to the elf by the Mother. It moved quietly, waiting for the rest of its pack to get here before attacking the traveling group. What were they doing out here so late? It was dangerous to travel at night; especially under a full moon.

The elf slowly moved further down the tree, careful not to make any noise. Few leaves fell as she descended, but not enough to give away her position. As she neared the lowest branch, she wrapped her toes around the center and let her weight descend onto the limb. She slouched down, her back curving around her frame. Her green eyes never strayed from the beast.

She watched it pace back and forth in wait, its yellow eyes scanning the pathway and resting on the group. He was hungry, and wanted to attack. But its pack wasn't here, and he would need it. He knew.

This wasn't an ordinary wolf, too large, its body not like regular wolves. The Delocians came across them a few times. Half wolf, half human; hunting on their land, killing innocent elves. It would be difficult to dispatch them, especially without a proper silver blade. The only thing she could do was completely immobilize it. Silence it.

Dropping down, Neecey's legs wrapped around the limb as she swung upside down from the branch and let her body swing. A few leaves fell, the noise alerting the beast. Exactly what the young elf wanted.

Waiting, knife gripped in her hand tightly, Neecey could feel her muscles tense up, but she ignored it. Blood was rushing to her head, but she kept her mind clear and focused. This was her only shot. She had to make it count.

As the beast neared her, Neecey raised her blade, he stepped underneath her and she brought the blade down, sinking the sharp edge into his neck. He tried to howl, but Neecey had successfully cut through the vocal chords. She twisted the blade, blood spilling out over her hand, before pulling it out. One down, at least a dozen to go.

There was a howl that made Fayvus shiver. Even worse he heard fighting in the distance. Harbinger became nervous as there was most likely a creature approaching them. He dipped his entire knife into the paralysis poison vial and corked it again. A guard began to yell as he saw a creature charging straight ahead of them. It was a Lycan. "Block formation around Kenni!" Fayvus yelled as Harbinger began to make an oval charge.

The creature was to powerful to be killed in one clean shot so Fayvus got Harbinger closer and closer so that he could throw his knife at it. Within ten feet of the beast he threw the knife where it completely pierced it's right shoulder. Harbinger rode around it for five seconds before it collapsed due to the poison. Fayvus got off his mount, walked over to the beast, pulled out his knife, and stabbed the Lycan's eye with it.

Fayvus stood up straight now to call out to the guards. "Stay in open ground! Spear them in the neck or under arm when they charge! Protect Kenni at all cost!" There was yet another charging. Fayvus charged the beast head on yelling a fierce Nikian battle cry.

Coming to the beast, it luckily, attempted to pounce him. Fayvus kicked some dirt in it's face and slid underneath the creature, slicing it's genitals in the process. He swiftly got on his feet as the Lycan was still painfully trying to pick itself up. Fayvus cried out as he made a under hand sweep with his hand axe at it's neck. He heard the weapon crunch into it's spine in the back. He was glad his weapons weapons all had silver in them. Though fancy there was an unmistakable use for silver when dealing with the supernatural.

The old man seemed to know what he was doing, much more so than the armored idiots he was with. He assumed this "Kenni" person was the red head, at any rate he changed his dash to reach her at full speed, his cloak streaming behind him and cowl covering his face. If he'd thought about it, he would have realized it was a bad idea, an entourage like this meant she's important. After all he still had both scimitars out and held low, if he were in Landing, this might be forgivable but this wasn't Landing.

Fortunately, reflex caused him to jump and go over the girl and he brought his blades into a forward cross as he landed behind her. "Pardon me ma'am but would you be so kind as to tell me what these creatures are, and if you've seen a girl about your age come by?" He felt plenty of hostile looks, but this small break until the pack showed up was no time for such things. He decided to get the second part of his question answered himself, "Hey Neecey, get over here and cover me, the Bodkins won't do shit against these things but I'm pretty sure the Broadheads will do the trick; only got five so make em count." The weapons the old man held had a similar sheen as the dagger he'd given to Neecey and they seemed to cut these things easily. None of his other equipment looked anything like that... he had a feeling this wasn't going to be easy.

The following moments passed in a blur, all leading to a man approaching her, blades drawn and face hidden. He spoke without her ears listening, the crossbow in hand nearly slipping from her shivering fingers. Never had she witnessed such a nightmare in reality, Fayvus twisting and slicing like a man of the wild, the clash and clang of metal attacking the air and sudden creatures. And blood. So much blood the air grew rank with the scent as more beasts charged forward.

Distantly, Kenni heard herself respond, "Lycan," to the mysterious man. "They are Lycan. Only silver can do enough damage." she had read about such creatures when young, before the priestesses of the church forbade such pages to exist within the young girls' grasps. "And no...no girl."

Kenni acted as if her limbs were controlled by some other entity, Storm neighing encouragingly to her. Seeing Fayvus, she aimed the crossbow a few feet to the side of him, an approaching wolf man ready to take charge. Kenni located the sight, exhaled slowly, and released...

...the bolt found the throat of the beast. Lips pressed together tight, Kenni refused to believe what she had just done. Instead, she turned to the man. "Help Fayvus," she said, indicating her nurse.

Fayvus was slowly pacing his way back to the group when he saw a man, particulary a Landing like himself, run to the group. He fastened his pace. When the Landing got there he apparently showed no hostility but Fayvus did not let his guard down. The guards seemed edgy still for they did not do a single thing to prevent this stranger from entering the formation.

A bolt wizzed pass his direction as he found a Lycan with the bolt logged into it's neck. It would kill the beast in time but it would be too long. As it began to recover from the shock the nurse swept in from behind, cutting the Lycan's left hamstring. The creature yelled in pain. Fayvus rounded around the beast in a jog ten feet away. Upon it raising completey Fayvus threw two knives into it's chest. After dropping he gathered his knives.

After gathering his knives Fayvus he jogged back to the guards. "You do you fools do anything right?!" He glared at the guards before turning to the strange Landing who had broke through the formation unapposed, ready to hack the man to death if he posed a threat. "Who are you and what is your purpose here?"

"Keiran Greywind; Landing scout, Vanguard of the Northern Sands, was here visiting family when my guest bolted out here. I followed, lost her when one of those things attacked me. We got less than five minutes before the rest of the pack shows up." The first part of his introduction wouldn't have meant anything to someone who wasn't familiar with Landing but it came out from habit any ways. He sheathed his swords and drew his bow, "If my guest were here I'd have her use this and I'm fairly certain she could out shoot anyone here."

"Very well Scout Thackery. I am Fayvus Tritnai. We were traveling when these beasts showed up." He told the Thackery. As a Landing himself he understood the long introduction though he still like Nikian introductions more. Harbinger returned to him and he was glad the horse was loyal. "The pack will no doubt have an Alpha Male. If we have not already killed him they mayl return. We would need to kill him or at least hold off until day light. For now I suggest we head out perhaps to higher ground." He addressed the group.

He mounted Harbinger and turned to Kenni. "Keep a good hold on that crossbow, your aim is improving. I would suggest to aim for the heart next time though." He suggested to her while wiping some blood off of himself. He took a spear from one of the guards and dripped a small amount of poison onto the tip of the spear. He signaled the guards to follow in the previous formation. "You may follow if you wish but you would have to follow from behind the front two guards." He told the young Landing.

"Old man you're really in no position to be calling any shots right now. I've been in this area for over a week and I can tell you we're in no local terrain. Hell even if we were in the terrain that should be here, your horses would just get in the way." Keiran pulled out his Broadheads while continuing, " You see I had family a fair running distance it the way you're headed, it's all down hill the left leads to thicker woods before hitting a road and the right's the river and not a fjord at that." He didn't continue with his movements, it'd be of now use.

"The fact remains I've run through here several times and this is the first time I've even seen this clearing, much less the path you came in from. It should be straight forest, so here's an interesting tale that began a month ago. On nights of the full moon the Wolf's Road appears and leads into a glade shaped like the full moon, use your eyes it's perfectly round." Keiran gave them two seconds for it all to sink in before continuing," Furthermore it seems that the path out will only appear when the full moon is obscured, any other attempt will just bring you back into the glade. Sadly, we have a clear night sky; face it, we're trapped in a fairy tale until the moon sets there's no way out."

He swept the entire group with his gaze, removing the lower half of his cowl, "You lot must have been in some rush to avoid looking into details that recent and ignoring a common map. But due to that you've brought the Lycan: appetizers." He rested his gaze on the armed men, "A main course," the eyes went to the horses, "and dessert." With that he ended his stare on the red head, "If you want to eat out the clock, I suggest you get off the horses and form up, we got nowhere to run and even fewer places to hide; and if the Lycan here are anything like the ones back home... you can't afford to be wounded."

Kenni jumped when the stranger from Landing eyed her saying "Dessert." She would not have that! Stepping forward, she nodded to the man, believing him completely. It was most likely a flaw of her upbringing, but she did trust him, at least enough to listen to what her was saying about the Lycan. "What should I do then?" she asked confidently, brandishing the crossbow and putting on the most menacing face she could muster, which wasn't saying much.

"Get off the horse and into the heart of whatever formation we can muster. Shoot the bastards before they get it close, stay back-to-back with another archer and watch the sky off the reflections from the helmet so we know if anything begins to obscure the moon. If something blocks the moon, tell us and we can all try to get out."Keiran answered, he wasn't exactly sure how to handle something as ridiculous as monsters and such, but if used properly fact can crush fiction.

"Then when this is all over, get a bow and learn to use it; crossbows might have more punch and basic range but they can't compete with a bowman of any skill,the tool is simply too slow."He then did his usually friendly laugh, "and remind me at some point to show you how to put on a mean face."

Kenni scowled, which didnt look like much either, but followed what he said even without confirming with Fayvus. The plan seemed logical enough and she readied herself, back against one of the guards, one eye on the moon, the other aiming for any approaching Lycan. Growls and howls echoed all around them, the direction of the enemy unknown. Kenni was shaking with a sudden cold sweat, but kept her expression as firm as she could.

"Didn't you say you had a friend?" she asked the Landing man. "Where is she?"

[Sorry for the delay, had work]

Neecey heard her name being called from the distance. It was Keiran, calling for her help.She quickly moved across the branches, careful to not make too much sound. Everything seemed quiet, at least until the rest of the pack showed. They had to get the travelers to safety before that. Luckily, as Neecey moved above the group, she heard Keiran barking off orders on how to get them to safety.

She listened to the tale, intrigued by it. It also would make things extremely difficult. With noway out until the moon was obscured or gone, they would be here awhile. Many would die if they didn't come up with something quickly.

Keiran had forced the travelers to get off their horses and get in formation around the red headed girl. Clearly, she was important, and needed to be protected. Coming up with a better plan, Neecey wrapped her legs around the branch she was perched on and swung low.

"Actually, if climb into the trees we could buy ourselves a lot of time, and save ourselves some casualties." She smiled at the travelers as they readied their weapons. "Sorry, for the startle, but I'm serious. These trees give off a vibrant scent, we'll be masked if we hide up here. The lycans won't know we're here and the archers can take them out, while in the safety of the leaves."

She looked to the travelers and then to the redhead. "You'll be with me. We're both light enough to fit on the same branch." She reached out her hand. "I'm Neecey. Hang on tight, I'm going to pull you up."

"Also true, I just didn't think our friends here could climb the trees well," Keiran threw his cloak and bow up at Neecey so she could cover her ears and shoot, he handed the Broadheads to Kenni. "They also got the jump to get up there but that's just a warning of paranoia and centering in the clearing puts us at equal distance to wherever the exit should appear. But your plan gives us more straight kills, which means a wider opening."

He paused to listen to the noise in the brush," Seems I'll half to play rabbit and try to but us some time, don't suppose anyone here has a weapon that can actually cut these things to spare? I left one broken and bleeding back the way I came, gonna make it scream to get their attention. Neecey wear the cloak, great for covering you from sight and I won't be needing it for this." Both statements about the cloak were true but it was mostly an excuse for her to wear it and cover up without suspicion. He'd explained that most humans probably wouldn't know how to handle an elf and had previously advised her to keep her ears covered to avoid the risk entirely, hopefully she'd listen.

"Gimme a shrill whistle when everyone's in a tree," he didn't say what to do if he was bit, shouldn't have to tell everyone there to kill him on sight.

Fayvus walked along Kenni to the trees until he got to the trees. Twenty years ago he could climb easily after working so hard but he was old now. He got ready his axe before jumpping. He ran up to the tree, jumped to a double step on the tree, and chopped his hand axe into the wood to stabalize himself. Continueing this he chose to climb to a branch near Kenni's so they could speak.

The weapons he had were sharp but Fayvus wanted to sharpen his axe still. He spit on it to begin to sharpening it with one of his knives. He thought to what Kenni must have just experienced. She had been sheltered her entire life and now was the only time she had ever seen violence of this degree. Most soldiers have never even seen half of this in a lifetime of war. He felt sorry for the poor girl but thought of a way to comfort her.

He looked over to Kenni. "This will all go over smoothly." He told her with a soothing voice and a kind smile. "Would you like to hear one of those stories I told you about now child?" He asked her.

Kenni shivered upon the branches, gripping the crossbow close to her, wondering exactly what to do. She wanted to help but simultaneously she wanted to hide and cry. So much was happening and her chest hurt from the mixture of emotions trying to break free. But she managed to keep a relatively steady breath and watched Fayvus join them in the trees along with the others.

The girl with her on the branch gave a soft smile, but Kenni was nearly beyond comfort. When Fayvus spoke however, she felt memories wash over her and she nodded vigorously, feeling her eyes begin to burn. "Yes Fayvus," she let out softly. "Yes. Please."

Fayvus cleared his voice before speaking so that it would be as clear as possible. "Many years ago when I was still a young, naive lad, I was traveling through the forests of Deloce. I had heard tales of mystical creatures there but I had never put a second thought to it. I was searching for the secrets of life for selfish desires so I could not be persuaded out of going there. I never thought it was real, that is until I came across a being whom I shall never forget." He told her. He let the last words sink in for five seconds before continueing.

"A day through at night I heard some shouting in the distance and rushed to the point of sound without any reguard for my safety for I feared a man may be endangered. What I found was not what I expected. It was not a human man but an elven man, wounded by an arrow. Young looking too may I add though older than I. There was nobody in sight so I took care to remove the arrow from his wound and began surgery. There I waited patiently for three days tending to the elf's wounds. On the fourth day he awoke to find a human watching over him. He was as confused as I was but we soon conversed on what had happened." He went on with a smile at the memories.

"His name was Ernil Orod. Orod had been out of where his people dwelled to gather different plants and to draw when he was attacked. He said that he was attacked by goblins and was barely able to escape. His fear rose for no one knew where he went because he told no one he was leaving. His father was an important man who did not like his son's curiosity of the outside. We coversed for the rest of the short time about teachings and philosophy. He taught me about herbs and healings while I taught him about geography and of different cultures in the world."

"The time came when we had to depart from each others company. The treatment I gave Orod healed him quickly and he was thankful for it. He told me that he would always remember my kindness and I told him I would remember his wisdom. We parted on good terms. That was the only elf I have ever seen in my life. Perhaps the wisest creature I will ever meet." He finished his story.

Keiran turned when Neecey pointed, "So much for a controlled entrance, oh well same plan. I'm playing rabbit, you lot cover me." He didn't have a blade that he could overtly cut them with, from what he'd felt hitting them, it'd be the same as stabbing or slashing a tree trunk. Regardless, he still rushed the eyes, he counted nine pairs total, scimitars out, if nothing else he'd use them to focus his strikes. There were still some men on the ground so as bait, it was his job to eat up the clock, but the wolves seemed to have business plan. They didn't just barrel right in, they slunk back, forcing Keiran to have to exit the view of his comrades before they attacked. Keiran used his lead attacker as a spring board into a tree, and using momentum he put distance between him and the pack when they jumped down. He whistled for their attention, but the alpha wasn't there, they were too agile to engage in the woods so he retreated into the clearing with the pack on his heels. This time the animals followed him like dumb beasts as he ran for a tree, the creatures were so close to him they couldn't stop in time to catch him vaulting off the trunk behind them. He noticed there were fewer on his tail when he turned to run again, hopefully he could run them around the clearing to be picked off.

After a dozen strides his plan was cut short by the alpha, all nine feet of it. He was hearing some encouraging noise behind him with the nine foot monster burst out of the brushes on his left, maw wide open. He quickly shoved his bracered left arm right behind the canines and the beast bit down. The bracer kept saved his arm from being bit off but the force still broke his arm with an audible crack, it shook its head and he felt his shoulder break too. In pain, he dropped his scimitars as he was swung around like a rag dog, fortunately he had good instincts, he managed to stick one of his throwing knives in its eye. While this made the alpha let go of his arm, his luck seemed to hold, he saw no blood on his arm before his back met a tree across the clearing. The air exploded out of his lungs and he could only get to all fours.

He could hear the pack closing in, his senses had long since stopped tracking his comrades, but he took the lack of screaming to be a good thing.