Thursday, March 12, 2009

Marching

The next morning heralded one of the strangest things Ademar had seen. In the quiet predawn hour there came a constant rustling from outside the hut. Ademar rose from the floor to investigate and found Vantil had already left the shelter leaving the door open to the crisp morning air. The elf rose, pulled on his cloak and boots then, taking a blanket with him for extra warmth, headed outside. Although the sky was still an inky shade of blue, Ademar’s keen sight easily spotted the hoard that had gathered and Vantil standing at its center. The druid was not leaving the forest; he was taking the forest with him! A pack of wolves paced anxiously, birds of prey perched in the nearby trees, nearly a dozen large bucks grazed in the clearing, a pair of cougars lay quietly taking in the scene, and a large black bear sat on its haunches next to Vantil.

The druid’s eyes were closed and lips moved in quiet prayer as Ademar approached. His eyes opened when the bear growled softly freezing the elf in his tracks. Vantil reached over to swat the bear lightly on the snout then waved Ademar on as the bear rose and wandered a few paces off.

“You have amassed your own army it seems.”

“I told you, I have many friends within the boarders of these trees.” Vantil responded waving his arms out wide. “We are ready to march. You have decided where your path takes you next.” It was a statement not a question.

“I have.” Ademar paused searching for the right way to say what was on his mind. “Is there no way you would delay this?”

“I am not graced with longevity of elves Ademar. If I were to wait for your help how long would that be? A decade is akin to a day to an elf, I do not have that much time. With every day that passes Lantana’s call to me becomes louder, if I am to finish this it must be now.” Not leaving any time for the elf to respond Vantil turned and picked up long bundle wrapped in heavy, oiled cloth then handed it to Ademar. “I hope these few items are more efficient in your hands than those of the previous owner.”

Ademar received the bundle which was much heavier than it looked and laid it gently to the ground to unwrap it. Inside was a well made long bow complete with a quiver of arrows, a much used, sheathed long sword (he noted it was not the same sword he had procured from the smith), a backpack stuffed full of cheese, bread, and a length of rope. With a sigh of relief he found a small leather pouch inside the pack as well (lock picks were expensive to buy, even if you could find someone willing to sell them!). The last item was a much repaired set of leathers which looked to be just a little too big but surely would serve their purpose.

Mouth agape, Ademar looked up to the druid. “How- why-?” He was speechless at the generous gift.

“When you have defended the forest for as long as I have you tend to, acquire, certain things.” The centaur said with a slight chuckle. “This is just junk to me, I honestly don’t know why I even held on to it.”

“Thank you Vantil.” The elf began reverently. “You realize that I will not be making the trek into the mountains?” He asked almost sheepishly.

“I knew that yester-eve.” The druid responded. “Like I said though, this is just clutter to me I would rather see it used. All I ask in return is that you make your way back some day to check in on the place.”

Ademar nodded solemnly. “I will.”

With that said Vantil put his fingers up to pursed lips and gave a loud, shrill whistle. The assembled animals rose to their feet and sprang into the air then slipped into the forest heading west. The old druid gave a nod to Ademar before taking up his staff and heading off himself.

The elf stood and watched them all leave into the wild, like ghosts they vanished with hardly a whisper. For many minutes after they were gone he remained in the small clearing, listening as the small creatures of the wood emerged with the brightening morning sky. He could still catch them he knew, he should catch them. Still he stood there. With a sigh he scooped up the bundle at his feet and headed back into Vantil’s hut. When he emerged nearly an hour later the druid’s home was in order and Ademar was outfitted for his pending journey. Closing the door he moved quickly north into the forest not once looking back.

Vantil and his troupe ran hard to the west making it out of the forest and well into the plains before nightfall. When they stopped to rest on the riverbank the druid looked back to the east. He hoped to see a slim figure cutting across the grassland. For several minutes he studied the horizon yet no elf emerged. As the moon crept into the sky Vantil turned back to the west again and prepared to rest for the night. He was not surprised that Ademar did not follow on his quest but, he admitted to himself, he was a little disappointed that the elf had not changed his mind. He surely would miss the company of the strange Nightwalker.

9 comments:

  1. It's not much but there you go. There is a surprise on the way you may not enjoy...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Going to kill a few small children?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I prefer nice surprises... although I suppose, into each story, some rain must fall. I just hope it is not tooooo bad.

    Very nice job on the writing of the tale so far. I feel the same way Vantil did - looking on the horizon for a slim elven figure, hoping he changed his mind. Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a good story, and consistent with what I know so far of Ademar Nightwalker.

    Vantil and his coven of wilderness beasts are not the last to see the elf's back as he turns away from them!

    HEH!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sorry, that low blow comment was from me.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's o.k. I'm used to the dm calling me out on my character flaws!







    Kidding, just kidding.

    ReplyDelete
  7. E. You have no character flaws, but your characters do. HA!

    Who doesn't love wordplay, huh?

    ReplyDelete