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From Out Of Nowhere ©2002 Kenneth Reed Written By Kenneth Reed With Ideas By: Jim Minton Sam Mild Chad Betson Chapter 2 - The Rise Of The Warrior's Son ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Somewhere below him, Wayland could hear the approach
of the sabre-cat. He waited until the cat came into sight before moving into
place. Moving swiftly from his hidden tree perch, Wayland eased himself out to
the center of the branch over the cat. He was now above and behind the cat as
it moved forward. It's movements were slow and patient, and seemed to indicate
that it was hunting something he could not see. Wayland unsheathed his sword quietly
and leaped off the branch, with the tip of the blade pointing down. He landed
on the sabre-cat's back, impaling it's neck with his sword. He barely had
time to pull it from the cat's neck before it stumbled and crashed against
the tree. Jumping just in time, Wayland landed on his feet and quickly spun around
to ensure the beast was dead. It's body stood propped up against the tree,
but was clearly lifeless. Wayland wiped his sword on the sabre-cat's hide, cleaning
off most of the blood, and then returned it to its sheath. The sunlight
reflected off of his sword as he did and Wayland looked towards the sea. It was
a relatively small stretch of ocean between the island his clan lived on, and
the much larger island continent to the northwest. Wayland saw the sun setting
behind it's closest mountain. He watched the setting sun for a few moments and
then started his journey back home. "One day," he thought to himself, "I'm going to visit the mainland and see what everyone is so afraid of." ***** "It was horrible what they did to that poor boy's mother," Lucinda Gairaunt said sadly. "You know there's nothing we could have done to stop them," said her husband, Roland, "The whole town was behind it." "I heard the boy is staying with his uncle now," Lucinda said, "How can they let that man take care of him?!" "He's the boy's only living relative, and he's too young to take care of himself," Roland said. "But that man is a monster," said Lucinda angrily, "Some people think that his wife's death was not an accident." "I'll not have you judging people based on rumors," Said Roland, raising his voice, "Now look, he was once one of the militia's top soldiers! It was his wife's death that turned him into the abusive drunk that he has become!" ***** As Wayland approched his house, he could hear the sound of his parents arguing through the walls. He ducked down as he passed the front window. He peeked into the window briefly to see where his parents were. They were at the back of the house near the fireplace, partially facing away from the front door. "I can do this," he thought to himself as he approached the door. He opened the front door slowly and slipped in, quietly sliding the door shut as he began tip-toeing towards the stairs. "Where do you think you're going," said his mother from behind him. He could sneak up on a sabre-cat, but he couldn't sneak past his mother. "Oh, just thought I'd slip on up to bed," said Wayland, "It's getting late you know?" "Don't get smart with me," Lucinda said testily, "And what are you doing with that sword?" "I was just chopping wood," lied Wayland. Behind his mother, he could see his father roll his eyes. "Chopping wood with a sword," asked Lucinda, "How gullible do you think I am? Let me see it." Wayland untied the sheath from his waist and handed it to his mother. She pulled the sword from the sheath and looked at it closely. "Since when do trees bleed," she asked sarcastically. Wayland just hung his head and looked at the steps beneath his feet. A thought occured to him. "I was only practicing," he said to his mom, "How am I going to join the militia if I don't know how to swing a sword?" "You're not going to join the militia, we've already talked about this," she said sternly. "But I have worked so hard," Wayland pleaded, "Defending our clan is all I have ever wanted to do. Joining the militia is the first step I have to take." "Wayland, please drop this subject at once," Lucinda said, "Your father and I have talked it over, and we don't want you joining the militia. Perhaps someday when the war with Clan Levar has ended, it will be safe for you to join, but..." "Safe for me to join," Wayland interuppted, "Doesn't that defeat the purpose of defending the clan?" "Don't interrupt your mother, boy," warned Roland, feeling it was time he ended this argument, "Now get on upstairs and get ready for dinner." "Fine," said Wayland, "but next year I'll be old enough to join, and you won't be able to stop me." Roland watched his son storm up the stairs and out of view, then turned to his wife. "He's right you know," he said to her, trying to calm her down, "He's old enough to make his own decisions. And to be honest, I am proud of him." "For wanting to become a soldier," Lucinda asked, surprised at her husband's apparent change of heart. "Look, it's time I told you the truth," he said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, "I have no more desire than you to see our son run off into battle and get himself killed, but the truth is he was born to be a soldier. I've watched him practice, and I dare say that he is a better swordsman than any member of the militia. Possibly better than myself. He weilds that sword as if it were part of him." "And for that you are proud," Lucinda asked. "I am proud that he has the courage to stand up for what he believes in," Roland said with confidence, "I am proud that he feels the need to protect those around him, and I am confident that he has the ability to do just that. And he's not just a fighter, he's a leader. Haven't you seen the way his friends look up to him? He's going to join the militia whether we say he can or not, and it's not because he is trying to defy us, it's because he is pursuing his dream. Who are we to stand in the way of our son's dream?" "Perhaps you are right," Lucinda said sadly, "Here. Take his sword and give it back to him. But don't tell him I agree with you. I still don't like the idea, and I don't intend to give him any extra encouragement in following a dream that could get him killed." ***** "You wanted to see me, sir," asked Wayland politely. He could barely restrain himself from smiling. He was sure he knew what the Captain had to say. "Yes," responded Captain Argoles, "Please come in. Have a seat." "Thank you, sir," said Wayland. The excitement was building inside him, and he could wait no longer. He decided to ask why he had been summoned, but before he had a chance, the Captain stood up and spoke. "I wish I could have talked to you sooner, but things have been so hectic around here since Clan Levar began resuming their raids," said the Captain. Wayland's excitement began to fade as he noticed the seriousness in the Captain's tone of voice. Maybe this wasn't going to be about the promotion he was expecting. "I was sorry to hear about your father's death," the Captain continued, his voice becoming sad, "He was a very close friend of mine, and a damned fine soldier. I know you've heard all of the rumors by now about the Levarian ambush that resulted in your father's death, but I wanted you to hear the truth from me." The Captain's voice had turned serious again. Wayland had forgotten about the promotion by now and began thinking about his mother. She had been so opposed to him joining the militia out of fear that he might be killed, and now here he was, alive and yet his father was not. "As you know, your father was sent to negotiate peace with Clan Levar several months ago," said the Captain, "His first few meetings went very well and it was beginning to look as though the war would be ending. Roland's mission seemed to have been a success, but on his way home, his convoy was ambushed. There was never any real proof that Clan Levar was responsible, I'm afraid, but there was one witness. He was Roland's squire. He was found lying by Wayland's horse. He had a large wound on his neck, but it was patched up and later that day he awoke briefly. He mumbed something, which the guards said sounded like "Levar", several times before passing out again. Later that night, the guards found his room empty, and he hasn't been seen since." "Sir, I don't mean to be disrespectful," said Wayland cautiously, "but nothing you have told me is any different than the rumors I have heard." "You're right," the Captain replied,"but there's more. What you haven't heard are some of the facts I made sure were kept secret. You are not to tell anyone what I am about to tell you. I believe there is a third faction involved in this war. I do not have enough evidence yet to prove it, nor can I tell whether they are working for Clan Levar, or against both our clans. All I know is that when your father's convoy was found, there were large burn spots on the ground and your father's sword was found impaled in the chest of a decapitated corpse. The corpse had decayed so much, that whoever it was, they had died long before that battle." "Just what are you suggesting, sir," Wayland asked curiously. "I'm not suggesting anything," replied the Captain, "I just thought you deserved to know all the facts concerning your father's death. I also wanted to give you this." Captain Argoles stood up and took a sheathed sword off of the wall. Wayland recognized it immediately. It was the sword his father had carried with him. The same sword that he used to let Wayland practice with when his mother wasn't around. "Your father left instructions with me," the Captain said, "that if he ever fell in battle, his sword was to be given to you when the time was right. And that time is now...Lieutenant Wayland." "Thank you, sir," replied Wayland as he took the sword in his hands. Slowly unsheathing it, he eyed the blade in awe. He was so overwhelmed, that it took him nearly a minute for the Captain's words to really sink in. "Wait a minute," Wayland said suddenly, quickly sheathing the sword, "Did you say Lieutenant?!" "That's right," the Captain replied with confidence, "I am giving you your first command. Tonight you will take a group of four soldiers and patrol the town. It's not the most exciting job, I'll admit, but..." "Are you kidding...," exclaimed Wayland, "this is what I've been dreaming of....sir." "Well," said Captain Argoles with a slight laugh, "don't get over-excited. It's not as if you'll be getting in any battles. Clan Levar wouldn't dare attack us directly. Basically all you will be doing is keeping the peace. I'll give you a full briefing later. For now, you are off-duty. Go enjoy yourself." "Thank you, sir," said Wayland as he stood up to leave, "for everything." With that, Wayland turned and left the Captain's office. Later that night, Wayland and his group of soldiers began their patrol. They walked the roads of their town for nearly an hour without any sign of trouble. Based on the way it was going so far, Wayland wasn't too sure this assignment would be very exciting. Still though, he could hardly believe that he was actually in a position of leadership in the militia. It was all happening so quickly. He felt almost as though he was being drawn towards an unknown goal. Wayland thought back to a dream he had a few nights after his father died. ***** In this dream, it was daytime and he was standing on a cliff which overlooked the sea. It was in the same area that he would often sneak away to and hunt, when he was a boy. Across the sea was a distant plume of smoke billowing from a large forest on the mainland. He could vaugely see the form of an immense, hunched monster knocking down trees and fighting some unseen opponents in the forest. Wayland slowly became aware of a presence behind him. He turned to look but was blinded by a bright, golden light which seemed to emenate from all directions. "That event," said a calm, yet powerful voice, "will not happen for a long time. Focus." "Excuse me," asked a bewildered Wayland, "Who are you?!" "Only you can do what must be done," said the voice. The light faded and Wayland's sight began to clear. It was now nighttime. The moon hung high above, peeking through a hole in a dense layer of clouds which blanketed the sky. A thick layer of fog covered the ground up to his waist. Wayland thought he heard someone laughing nearby. "Hello," he called out, but there was no reply. He took a few cautious steps forward. Suddenly, something large seemed to fly by him. It went so fast, that it was gone before he could turn to see what it was. He walked in the direction it had gone, but only took a few steps before he tripped and fell flat on his face. He lifted his head and spit the dirt out of his mouth. As he did, he saw a gravestone in front of him. He tried to make out the name on it, but the gravestone crumbled as he did and, simultaneously, a hand came out of the ground and grabbed his throat. "Yes, that's the one," said the voice calmly, "That's where it all begins for you. It's going to be a long road." "Road," Wayland asked, still struggling to free himself from the grip of the hand, "Road to where?" "You'll find out soon enough," the voice replied, "Someone from your village's past will return to exact his vengeance on your clan for a grave injustice. Only you will be abe to stop the monster he has become." "Me," Wayland asked as he finally freed himself from the hand, "What makes me so special?" And it was at that point that Wayland had woken up. ***** "You've got to help me," yelled a man that was running up to Wayland and his soldiers, "I..I..." "Calm down," Wayland urged, "What's the problem?" "I...I just saw...I mean I couldn't have seen...," stuttered the horrified man, "It's just that I was walking by the graveyard and...I saw something moving on the ground near one of the graves. When I took a closer look, I tripped and fell near the grave. To my horror, I saw a hand coming out of the grave. It grabbed my throat, but I managed to free myself and run away." "You expect us to believe that," asked one of Wayland's soldiers, but Wayland did believe him. "I believe I'm in charge," said Wayland with authority, "Damon, escort this man back to his home. The rest of us will check out the graveyard." Several minutes later, they arrived at the graveyard. A thick fog was covering the area. Wayland ordered his soldiers to split up and search for the grave that the horrified man had told them about. Walking through the fog, Wayland was struck by the feeling that he was being watched. He heard a faint laugh but could not tell what direction it was coming from. "Lieutenant," yelled one of his soldiers, "I found it!" Wayland looked around and saw the soldier waving to him from nearby. He rushed over to him and was soon joined by the rest of his soldiers. He looked down at the grave. It appeared that something had burrowed its way into or out of the grave. At the bottom of the hole, he could see the top of the casket with a huge hole in it and the body was clearly missing. "What do you think Lieutenant," asked the soldier who had found the grave, "Grave robbers?" "If we're lucky," said Wayland with a grim smirk, "but I don't see..." At that moment, they all heard a deep, sinister laugh. It grew louder and louder as though someone were approaching and then quickly faded away. A moment later, Wayland heard a whisper in his ear. He could not understand the words, but it sounded like some sort of chant. Suddenly, a hand came out of the ground and grabbed Wayland's ankle. Startled, he tried to jump back but the hand's grip was strong enough to hold on, causing him to stumble and fall backwards. As he did, the hand released its grip. Wayland looked back at the grave as he got up and saw a corpse pulling itself out of the ground. Wayland's soldiers hurriedly began to ready their weapons. Unsheathing his father's sword, he held it out in front of him with confidence. The corpse stood up and started to slowly walk towards him, holding its arms out. Its mouth opened and it began a faint, dry-sounding moan. One of Wayland's soldiers shot it with an arrow, but the corpse didn't even flinch and continued moving towards Wayland. The soldier shot three more arrows into it, but it still had no effect. The two other soldiers flanked the corpse and began hacking at it with their swords, cutting huge gashes into its horribly decayed flesh. This time however, the corpse responded. One at a time, it swung it arms at the soldiers with tremendous power, hitting them both and knocking them back several feet. It turned its attention back to Wayland, but he had seized the moment and with a quick graceful, motion he decapitated it. The first soldier (who had fired the arrows) slung his bow over his shoulder and started to walk towards Wayland. Suddenly, something emerged from behind a nearby tree and grabbed the soldier, dragging him off into the fog. Wayland and the other two soldiers rushed after him. The fog started to thicken quickly to the point where they could not even see two feet in front of them. Soon, the abducted soldier's screams stopped and the fog began to lift. Within just a few minutes, the fog was completely gone. Looking around, Wayland saw the soldier body laying on the ground in the distance. He rushed over to him and saw that he was still alive. The soldier was holding the side of his neck with one hand, covering up a wound. Wayland helped the soldier to his feet and walked him towards the road where they met up with the other two soldiers. As they walked back towards the village, Wayland wondered how he was going to explain this to Captain Argoles. To be continued... In this chapter, we saw the origin of Wayland Gairaunt
and his rise from rebellious youth to Lieutenant in his clan's militia. In
the next chapter, we see the war between Wayland's clan (which I'll actually give
a name to in the next chapter) and Clan Levar heat up. We'll also see another
appearance of the mysterious fog and the unseen abductor within it. Please share
your opinions of this chapter and/or the first chapter by sending me an e-mail. |
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