Finding a Sanctuary - Chapter 2

By Chance - Chapter 21

One thousand years later2

The night wind blew chills across the rolling hills in the valley as villagers ran screaming and hauling their children into their houses as the bands of goblins marched down from the mountainside. The leaders carried flaming torches; the houses would offer no shelter. Their gurgling voices carried down the dell and into the ears of the panicking people and the still figures of horses.3

A lone hand, draped in black, was raised into the air, and the white steam burst from the nostrils of the mounts. The hand fell and the horses leapt forward from the shadows of the trees. The goblins sent up cheers as they heard the thundering on the earth, their reinforcements had come. The screams increased as the realization of being surrounded registered in the chaos.4

The men gathered old broken swords and spears as they faced the onslaught with hope hanging by a thread ready to be severed at any second. They braced themselves for the impact that never came, the horses swerved around them, heading straight for the line of goblins. The baffled men stood looking around in confusion as the riders neared the creatures before running to their families peeking out the windows.5

The goblins stopped, the horses charging into them, running them over with hooves and spears. The cries of fury and fear filled the air as the minions of the enemy turned from the hunter to the hunted in a matter of minutes.6

Sword raised Rowen, hit the front line, Dea jumping one goblin, as she cut down another, her company following suit. They faced goblin after goblin, thick dark blood splattering across horse and partner, soiling the ground beneath. Circling around, keeping the battle out of the village, the call for dismount was ordered and they fought the remaining goblins on foot.7

Swinging wide, Rowen’s blade cut through a goblin’s thick armor, bringing him to the ground. Twisting around she was face to face with two more, each sporting a lopsided, evil grin. Sighing, Rowen ducked the first offensive blow that would have struck her just below the neck. On the ground, raised on her palms, she kicked the knee socket of the first goblin then knocked the second on his back, before rising to deal the deathblow. The first, howling in pain, received the blade as a gift embedded deep in his rotten flesh. The second had already risen, knocking Rowen in the shoulder with a broken sword hilt, and sending her to the ground. In a cloud of dust, she rolled onto her back locking her eyes with the black orbs of the goblin. He raised his sword and swung, but then fell to the ground in utter astonishment, a sword jutting out from his abdomen. ‘I do believe I am getting a tad rusty’ she thought as she stood, surveying the battle.8

The last few remaining goblins were fleeing into the safety of the mountains and the men were walking about through the carcasses, collecting arrows and lost swords. The horses had already returned from the hill, and sought out their respective partners, standing patiently by their side.9

Dea pranced over to Rowen, lowering her head into the outstretched hand, and blew her warm breath into the woman’s face, creating a cloud of dust. The slender black mare turned and stood atop the hill, waiting on the queue to leave for the village.10

“Do we pile the bodies and burn them?” William asked, looking out over the recklessly strewn creatures.11

Rowen stood for a minute thinking. Looking to the east, she saw the sun was soon to rise. “Leave them. The sun is making its way into the eastern sky. The men are tired and need rest before we ride to meet the next host; Traria’s people can clean what remains. Let us ride.” Both pulling up the black hoods of their cloaks, they mounted their horses.12

‘Rowen, look to the sky, we have a visitor’. Dea’s noble voice rang in Rowen’s mind. She looked to the sky, flying across the horizon a lone hawk soared, diving toward the small party. It landed lightly on William’s arm, a letter tired to its leg. Removing the parchment, William called to Rowen, “It bears your name.”13

She took the letter from his outstretched hand and carefully opened it.14

Rowen,15

Times are changing, as is the world. Things that have been done cannot be undone; the memories cannot be erased. Evil separates the powers of the world. The Black Mountains, now inhabited by goblins, block us from the western countries. The Fell Mountains block our people from the middle countries. The mercenaries, the seaports, and the wild Thosius forest hide the realm of Gallador. 16

Lord Leond sent forth from the stronghold of Gallador a host of eleven warriors to negotiate the long broken ties of our countries. The time has come for me to summon you back to Anorthia; war is now inevitable and time for your promise to be upheld. 17

I look to your arrival in the coming month. Send forth word if the arrival is postponed.18

Your father sends his regards. Keep safe, Rowen Olorien of Anorthia.19

Lady of Anorthia20

Anori Phyä 21

William noted the tension in her posture and rigid hands. “What does it read?” He snatched the letter from her fist.22

“We go to Anorthia.” Rowen’s cloak flapped in the rushing wind as Dea galloped off, leaving the other ten to catch up.23

‘You knew this day would come Rowen, when you agreed to train the new recruits. You knew what that responsibility brought with it,’ Rowen reminded herself mentally.Dea slowed her pace as the others approached.24

Dea was a Cavaldi, the rare prized horses of the southern immortal clan in Gallador. They were blessed with eternal life and bonded with the person of their choosing. They share their entire mind with their partner. They know everything that can be known about the other. They communicate through their mind, though with no one else. The bond is for life; if broken, most cannot recover from such a loss.25

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“Sir,” the guard spoke. 27

“Do you bring news from the towns?” the lord general questioned, rummaging through the papers on the table.28

“No sir, I do not.” The general turned to eye the guard. “I bring word that this so called ‘Ghost Knight’29

has appeared again.”30

“Please continue. You have my attention Von.” The general sat in the wooden chair behind his cluttered desk.31

“The town of Traria was attacked two nights earlier by a group of forty or more goblins that came from the west. Sir, there were none left alive. Every goblin was slain. This was said to have been accomplished by eleven men on horse back; eleven men could never do this: it’s folly.” He was starring at his leader. “Tristan?”32

Tristan stood looking around the large white tent, maps and old scrolls littered the desk and canvas walls. He rubbed his face with a battle worn hand. A sigh escaped his lips.33

Him and his party of ten men had traveled from the south Elven kingdom of Gallador. They headed for the hidden haven of Anorthia, the northern Elven kingdom. King Leond was sending negotiations to the Lady Anori regarding the two countries’ ties and friendship, through his son, Tristan Seragon.34

“We have business in Anorthia. Traria is to our south. We would be backtracking in order to find this ‘Ghost Knight’. We have better things to do than go on a wild goose hunt for something out of a child’s tale. In the morning, at first light we shall move out,” Tristan said sternly, pacing back and forth across the room. If these past few reports were true, then these knights were a force to be reckoned with. Even ten elves would have difficulty with taking out such a number of goblins. Humans managing this, well, it was folly. The news troubled his already buzzing mind and sleep seemed too far.35

The sun rose as Tristan gathered his men and they rode off to the north. His mount, Rihdel, was anxious and skittish. The large bay stallion snorted continuously, his strides short and choppy. His rider spoke softly to him.36

“Rihdel, my friend, what bothers you?” Through his mind he communicated to the young Cavaldi. Rihdel was exceptionally young, just under one hundred years of age, and his abilities still growing.37

“I sense something is off, on both sides. I cannot place it Tristan, but something is there.” Rihdel tried to push his worries away, though they crept back in full force.38

“I trust your senses Rihdel, though I sense nothing is off. Please tell me if things change.” Tristan became even more trouble with Rihdel’s nervousness; it was not often Rihdel was unnerved.39

The skies were blanketed with a veil of thick, ominous clouds. The wind was whipping through the trees, stinging the travelers’ faces. The horses were slowed to a walk for their safety as the rain fell from the sky with the first clash of thunder. Their hoods were blown back against the onslaught of wind, drenched they made a unanimous decision to wait for clearer weather. The land was becoming hilly, mountains starting to loom in the distance, trees growing thicker and thicker. Tristan was beginning to see why it was said only those who have been there before could find the hidden city of Anorthia deep in the Fell Mountains. They would need luck on their side.40

Soon Von spotted what seemed to be a large cave to their far left. It was well out of the way, but they had little choice. The rain did nothing but pound harder and harder; the wind came in great sweeping gusts, blowing horse and rider from side to side. “TRISTAN!” his voice carried over the torrents. “Over there! To the left--a cave!”41

Tristan could barely see where Von’s hand pointed. “Rihdel, can you sense anything?”42

“The feeling has not left--it lingers yet. I do not believe we have much choice, for we need shelter, and soon.” Rihdel was correct and Tristan knew it.43

“Lead the way Von!” Tristan yelled, and Von turned their direction due west, making for the cave.44

They reached the cave, and found it was extremely large--much larger, in fact, than they had calculated. The entrance was slightly covered in wild ivy and the ceiling dripped water that pooled in the small crevasses in the stone flooring. They quickly made their way to the rear of the cave, unsaddling and unpacking their horses. The men and horses alike collapsed in exhaustion. They did not bother to build a fire or keep guard. Rihdel, still troubled by this unfamiliar sensation, stayed up and watched over the company.45

Tristan had hoped for luck, and luck would find him soon enough, though it would come in the most unlikely form.46

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Rowen jumped down from Dea’s wet body, her cloths sticking to her body. Pulling back the ivy, she led the way into her company’s shelter during the storm. They had ridden at a full gallop all day, even during the storm. Lady Anori had given them little time to return home, and the trek was not an easy one. William and Dalton were close at hand--the two were her right hand men, her most dependable. They unpacked their gear and were starting to make a fire when a loud crash sounded. 48

“Curse the name of the Gods!” Rowen yelled as it echoed through the cave walls.49

“Watch your tongue Rowen,” William yelled back at her, laughing.50

“Blasted bag. Who left this here? My rear end is not appreciating you!” Rowen yelled back stretching from the fall. Water splashed down the cave’s length and Rowen’s head shot up, as she drew her sword.51

Rihdel leapt up, waking the others. They all jumped into action grabbing swords before being silenced by their leader. They listened intently to the silence that was disturbed by faint cries. Holding his sword at the ready, Tristan walked slowly to the entrance, ears alert, blood pounding.52

“I believe it was left by me,” Tristan drawled as he emerged from the shadows.53

Both parties had swords drawn and pointed at the each other.54

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