They were on Stintos before he knew they were there.Each beast held a cruel dagger in hand, and with them they slashed atthe elf’s throat. Stintos only barely avoided death by fallingback onto the ground. But this only put him at a greaterdisadvantage. One of the creatures moved to plunge his dagger in theelf’s chest, but Gewey got there just before the fatal blowcould be struck and removed the creatures head with one swift stroke.Thick, black blood poured from the beast's neck, as the body fell.
Gewey turned his attention to the second creature thatwas already in striking distance. The creature struck at Gewey'sheart, but the power that flowed through him allowed him to easilyavoid the attack. He brought his sword down across the creature’schest, splitting it open and sending it tumbling to the ground. Butto Gewey's dismay, this did not end the battle.
No sooner had the creature landed when it sprung to itsfeet and charged again, this time at the elf. The creature slashed atthe left arm of Stintos, who deftly moved aside, and spun around,bringing his long knife across its back. But this did nothing to slowit down, as the creature also spun, swinging its own knife wildly.This time the blade struck home and slashed across the elf's ribs.Stintos groaned and staggered back.
Gewey knew this must end now. Linis was alone with oneof these creatures, and he knew he must hurry to his aid. Thehead, he thought, and aimed his blade at thecreature’s neck. It found its mark and the beast fell.
“Go back to the others,” Gewey commanded andtore off in the direction of Linis.
He found the elf three-hundred paces north, kneelingbeside the dismembered body of the third creature… dismemberedexcept for the head.
“Are you injured?” cried Gewey, relieved tosee his friend alive.
“I will live.” Linis panted. “But asfor this… thing, it has seen better days.”
Gewey moved closer. He eyes shot wide as he realized thebeast still lived. The ground was covered with the creature’sthick, black blood, and its limbs were hacked and scattered about theground. Still the thing snarled and growled, its eyes fixed on Linis.Linis stared in return.
Gewey touched Linis' shoulder. The elf looked up atGewey and forced a smile. Blood soaked Linis' shirt… elf blood.
“We must tend to your wounds,” said Gewey.“Stintos was hurt as well.”
“Is he seriously injured?” asked Linis.
“I don't think so. He was on his feet when I lefthim.”
“Good.” Linis sighed. “As for me… Iam fine. Thanks to your warning it is only a scratch.”
Gewey's eyes turned to the creature. “How does itstill live?”
“I don't know,” said Linis in a whisper.“How do you live, beast!” His voice boomed, startlingGewey.
“I was never alive,” hissed the creature.Its voice was like the wheezing of a dying man, sick and labored.
“It speaks,” gasped Gewey.
“So it does,” remarked Linis.
“You shall all fall by the hands of my brothers,”spat the creature. “The master will see that it is so.”
“You mean the Dark Knight, don't you?” saidGewey.
The creature let out a gurgling laugh. “I knowyou. The God who will die like a man. The master will see to you soonenough.”
“What manner of beast are you?” demandedLinis.
“We are the Vrykol. We are the instrument of yourdemise.”
Linis stood, gripping his long knife so hard hisknuckles turned white. “We shall see.” His blade flewdown, cutting off the Vrykol's head.
“Are you alright?” called Kaylia’svoice from behind.
Gewey turned to see Kaylia, Theopolou, Haldrontis, andthree other elves running up with weapons in hand. When they saw themangled body of the Vrykol strewn about the ground, they stoppedshort.
“What is this… thing?” gasped Kaylia inhorror.
“It's a creature of Angraal,” saidLinis. “It called itself a Vrykol.” He turned toTheopolou. “Have you heard of them?”
“I have. But they are supposed to exist only inlegend. They are said to be damned souls, forced from paradise towalk the earth. But I have never heard of them as physical beings,only spirits.”
“They're physical beings for sure,” saidGewey. “They almost killed us.”
“So you spoke to it before it died,” saidKaylia. “What did it say?”
Linis described his encounter and the short conversationwith the Vrykol.
“You should have waited until I had a chance tointerrogate it,” said Theopolou.
“It wouldn't have told you anything,” saidGewey.
Theopolou shot a glance at Gewey. “You know verylittle, young one. I may have been able to discover more than youcould guess.” He paused. “But there is no use belaboringthe point. As it stands, we know they are intelligent and resilient.Whether or not they are in fact Vrykol, or just use the name, mattersnot. They are on our trail.”
“How fairs Stintos?” asked Linis.
“His wounds are being tended,” Theopolouanswered. “But he will slow us considerably. I'm sending himback to Valshara with Haldrontis until he can travel.”Theopolou noticed Linis' wound. “Are you able to travel?”
“I am,” replied Linis, seeming to justnotice the wound on his arm. “Thanks to Gewey's warning, theVrykol's blade did not bite deeply.”
“Still, it needs to be dressed,” saidKaylia. “Come. I have salve and bandages in my pack.”
The group started toward to the trail, but Theopoloupaused. “Bring the head,” said the old elf.
Linis nodded and picked up the head by its grimy hair. Awave of nausea washed over Gewey as more of the black blood pouredonto the ground.
When they got back to the trail Gewey saw Stintos,leaning against a nearby tree. Two elves treated the wound on hisribs. Linis unpacked a spare cloak and wrapped the head inside.Stintos noticed Gewey's approach and motioned for him to come near.Gewey reluctantly obeyed.
“You saved my life, human,” said Stintos. Hewinced as an elf rubbed salve in the deep cut. “I owe you adebt.”
“Forget it,” said Gewey. “I didn't doanything you wouldn't have done in my place, I'm sure.”
Stintos smiled. “That you think an elf would cometo your aid is remarkable, and speaks to your character. However, Idon't understand how you knew to come. I was far out of sight orearshot. Only an elf seeker could have heard them coming, and even aseeker would have difficulty.”
Gewey was unsure what to say. “I…” hestammered. “Well, Kaylia and Linis have been instructing me.”
Stintos look at Gewey skeptically. “I see. Thentraining has heightened your senses. I was not aware that humanscould gain such abilities.” His eyes fixed on the boy, then hissmile returned. “It matters not. You saved my life, and forthat you have gained my friendship.”
“I value it,” said Gewey, bowing his head.
“Gewey,” called Linis.
Gewey turned to see Linis standing near the packs.Kaylia dressed a cut on his left arm. He took his leave from Stintos.
“We leave at once,” said Linis. “Theopolousays we should arrive at his home in six days if we press our pace. Idisagree with moving at too great a speed. With these so-calledVrykol about, I would not risk being taken by surprise. I would askyou to keep extra vigilant. You can hear what I cannot, it wouldseem.”
“I'll do my best,” said Gewey. “But Iheard the Vrykol because I channeled the power of the earth. I'venever done it more than a few minutes. To do it for six days…”
“You must try,” said Linis. “Our livesmay depend on it.”
Gewey’s stomach knotted at the thought of so manylives depending on him.
“I will not have him put his life at risk,”said Kaylia, fiercely.