Category: Writers Block
The settlers arrived at Lyla's cave they swept their torches in a wide arc,and the bright flame picked out Pharlain lying wrapped in a bundle of blankets,Carlan knelt down beside him to help him up,"the fever is... passing.... but this...weakness will last for weeks" Carlan's blue -grey eyes swept over the cave he was agitated and alert to every sound a faint scraping, as if something heavy dragging over rock, disturbed him "where's the devil have you seen her hmm you must have there are signs of her everywhere..and those ravens" he grabbed the big man's shirt and pulled him up "I asked you where is..." Pharlain struggled to free himself "Let go!... And... use your light,am I hurt,or marked,hmmm...I don't.... remember seeing the dragon" Pharlain leant against his cousin who called over two of the strongest men to help "take care of this man" the strangers were familiar with Sarlen fever and their fear was obvious "he has the contagion we shouldn't even be this close" Carlan brushed them aside and braced himself as Pharlain fought to stand "slowly now... we have a... sled... outside ,5 will go back with you and we will set out at 1st light" he didn't answer he doubted the strangers had the heart for a long battle he hoped they would return empty handed.2 of the settlers came to assist Carlan in the compacted, icy, snow,their makeshift crampons were better suited to the conditions they carried Pharlain to the sled and keeping their fears private,nonetheless he saw it the older man's eyes "is the fever... in the valley" he shivered and dreaded the cramping pain "it is 3 are ill,including my brother,and we must leave on Carlan orders to kill a dragon!" he set Pharlain down on the sled and wrapped him in thick blankets and skins "thank you..listen..I will ..try but if he must hunt.... let it be something we can eat".
Altar laughed quietly and winked at the sick man "hmm it's a dream my friend so indulge yourself" he lay back cursing his misfortune {just when the village needs a strong leader the illness will keep me apart}3 strong men joined the 2 waiting to leave, as they were only lightly armed they each extended a hand to greet their neighbour,but he couldn't respond,to these warriors any physical impairment was a burden no one could afford to become ill "are you..not pleased... to... see me" Pharlain's skin was ashen, his bright green eyes were bloodshot,and sweat sparkled in the firelight "of course we feared you had been eaten" he stared ahead at a dying shooting star and reminded the young man, just why Lyla hadn't fed from him "dragon's never eat a sick animal or human" a voice with a cold edge interrupted the young man's question before he could ask "it extinguishes their fire"
A chill shot through Pharlain though he showed no sign of it he recognised the voice as Talmar, a confirmed dragon killer,reputed to have driven Malduin to his death,he boasted of his fight with the great dragon, but there was no proof only an ugly burn scar, running the length of his back he strode up to the others and slapped his battle roughned hands on their shoulders "now we know the secret it will be easy so we will lose fewer men this time"
Excitement swirled between the men and Carlan was eager to be off, his right hand tightened around the shaft of his spear,he had been practising and his aim had improved significantly. Altar was cautious and Pharlain was encouraged by the doubt he saw furrowing the warrior's brow "if you knew the secret why is this dragon still breathing,why haven't you brought home her skull and come to think of it, where is Malduin's we have been waiting long enough don't you think" Altar was brave and a proven fighter and he was not above using a blade to make his point the men stood face 2 face, eye 2 eye, and Talmar was the 1st to blink
Altar held his stare without blinking long nights on watch and in dangerous drinking dens had hardened him to the bravado and insecurity of men who were yet to prove themselves "all I 'm asking for is a token of your achievement...maybe a tooth worn as an amulet if I had slain Malduin I would wear his skin as armour" Altar smiled and held up a hand palm outward towards Talmar "all right maybe this scar wasn't gained in a fire" he lifted Talmar's shirt and Carlan's torch illuminated the injury
"when you were too drunk to notice,no one would survive THAT from a dragon".
Altar held his stare without blinking long nights on watch and in dangerous drinking dens had hardened him to the bravado and insecurity of men who were yet to prove themselves "all I 'm asking for is a token of your achievement...maybe a tooth worn as an amulet if I had slain Malduin I would wear his skin as armour" Altar smiled and held up a hand palm outward towards Talmar "all right maybe this scar wasn't gained in a fire" he lifted Talmar's shirt and Carlan's torch illuminated the injury
"when you were too drunk to notice,no one would survive THAT from a dragon".
Furious Talmar swung at him, but Altar had anticipated it,the darkness gathering in the hunter's eyes had been too obvious he swung back and sent Talmar flying, he landed with some force against a load of rocks and logs they clattered and banged around him, and added to his anger "you were lucky come over here and help me up" as a few logs bumped off his forehead the others, including Pharlain, laughed however Altar's expression hadn't altered he was aware that a refusal would be judged as cowardice,but if he accepted and died Talmar would not be allowed to leave,not in one piece
Altar strode over and dragged the man to his feet, as the glint of a blade, caught Pharlain's eye he whispered to Carlan "we will... need.... to see to this man and soon, he is more..trouble..... than the... dragon and Sarlen fever" Carlan watched Altar calmly throttle Talmar,in retaliation for the knife,his grip was assured and he seemed almost bored by the whole thing, as if it had become second nature "I think we have.... found.... the answer.... he's a good man at least when... he's on your side" Carlan glanced at his cousin who was having trouble staying alert a sudden cold sweat was soaking through his shirt and his eyes were glassy.
"Give me a hand here he needs warmth and water quickly" Altar dropped his victim and picked Pharlain up like a sick child,he seemed to have no fear of the deadly fever or maybe no fear at all, the settlers were afraid of him, but more so of Pharlain Altar would only use his weapons to defend his honour not without thought or mercy like this illness.Pharlain groaned and his eyes rolled back he was freezing and shivering violently Carlan wrapped him in a thick sheepskin he had stolen from Lyla and felt his pulse "we can't leave tonight he is too sick,and this cold will kill him before the virus, quick rebuild the fire and brew some tea we will all need some and more before this night is over" Altar shifted his load and allowed Carlan to help him back up the treacherous slope, to Lyla's cave the stone reflected the cold onto the men despite their thick clothes they shivered and struggled with the sensation that the cave was not completely empty
3 built up fire it was almost out 1 boy blew hard on the dying embers, to encourage the flames,while another worked quickly to get a spark, to ignite a clump of dry moss and twigs,the heat slowly increased until it was smoking in his hands,he bent down and carefully pushed it below a slender log. The immature flames searched for something to cling to and succeeded "ahh well done I'd nearly forgotten that trick" Altar's men organised a bed for Pharlain while he supported his head and poured cool water down his parched throat "it's the worst part my friend, this thirst,I remember it but little else" Pharlain was shivering as if he had been caught unprepared in the savage blizzard now screaming outside "we must create a barrier against this wind or we will all succumb" Carlan scanned the cave for anything viable and found a large sheepskin it was thick and more than adequate "for once I cant argue with the dragon's taste" he threaded a thick bone needle through the tough hide and made hooks to jam into the crevices above the entrance
Pharlain was losing liquid faster than Altar could replace it,he racked his mind for a clue or a cure "drink my friend at least we have plenty of water" the big man heard him and tried to respond, but his head fell back, and his eyes were blank "dozhe moi this is impossible Carlan is the water melted he needs it now!" Altar held up his hand as his voice bounced about the cave walls the men listened and stood ready to lift their swords Talmar was impatient and stalked off to investigate the source of the men's unease it was said he could smell a dragon from 1 mile away "if she's hiding in the dark it wont be for much longer" the others laughed and wished him luck
"You were too hard on him what if we are within reach of the dragon..." Orlan nervously looked around and listened intently he was barely 20,and this was his 1st hunt "some of these caves go back into the mountain for 10 miles" Altar took a drink then lit a cigarette as his heart was thumping, he avoided the boy's worried eyes "too much fear and it's not all for the dragon" despite this Orlan was drawn to Altar, he wanted to emulate his dispassionate courage and command the same respect "where did you fight" the warrior drew hard on his cigarette and gave Pharlain some bread,but he couldn't chew, his brain was disconnected "there have been so many battles it's hard to remember and I'm tired" the warning in Altar's voice was clear and Orlan obeyed for now "maybe we will talk again when this is all over,anyway I hope to go to sea, they always need men"
Pharlain stirred and tried to get up but the fever had stolen his strength "no no you lie still we are safe Talmar has gone to kill Lyla no doubt we will hear the whole exaggerated tale quite soon" the men laughed and listened for sounds of combat,or Talmar coming back with his quarry in pursuit "he's not going to see another fight if we can't break this fever..who here has had Sarlen" an abrupt silence hung over the cave punctured only by the cracking spitting fire and banshee wind "all right as usual I have to do the hard work..and they say farming is toil" Altar sat up and helped Pharlain to a sit up, he was helpless, and the men were disturbed to see him so broken. Carlan voiced their concerns "this is much worse than Sarlen, at least it seems so, we may be trapped here with a new contagion" he was stressed tired and frustrated at not being able to release it with action
"What are you doing..Altar no!" The blade of a small knife glinted in the bright firelight, Altar's shadow loomed over the men, as he made a short cut in his right arm, the blood was dark and healthy he was immune to the fever. "We need a metal needle and something to transfer the blood..quickly or Pharlain will die this night!" The men jumped into life Orlan among them, he wanted to save Pharlain for the status alone, he searched in his bag tossing the contents aside. Carlan hunted around the cave floor for a strand of sinew, or rarer still glass, Lyla was attracted to shiny objects and had a liking for coloured glass "ah ha! It was here all along..will it do" Orlan held out a long dry strand of sinew,the gut was strong but would rapidly absorb the blood "I'm sorry we need something hard to let the blood flow through...I appreciate your haste..thank you" Altar held Orlan's hand and placed the other on top "you will make a fine warrior if you slow down"
Carlan hurried back and tripped over a upturned rock but he held the glass upright,Altar smiled ruefully and pulled him to his feet "I'm glad your here we are grateful to you" the smile changed to a grimace as he watched Pharlain deteriorate "we can't waste time have you a needle my veins are good" "someone should check on Talmar he's been away for nearly an hour" the men grumbled and mumbled amongst themselves, no one was keen to explore the narrow labyrinth in the company of a hot head or a dragon "I'll find more logs dragons never run out" "you should have liquid Altar to replace the blood, we'll fetch more ice" the men missed Pharlain's quick wit he would have made short work of their volunteering
"So quick hmm and without a thought for their own safety"2 men rigged up the transfusion as Altar sat back munching on bread soaked in ale, he was hungry and craved a decent meal, he tensed his forearm and the vein stood out like a fat tanned worm. "ahh good you look so well if I hadn't seen...never mind I know you hate to discuss it" the coldness sat in his eyes as a warning they resembled frozen peat pools dark closed and dangerous "do your family know where you are ..it must be a month since they had any news" Altar's left hand fastened around the boy's throat and those merciless eyes stared through him "do not ask that again or you will be minus a tongue now find me some food!" he shoved the boy backwards then turned to check on Pharlain, the change was abrupt and irrational,to the sick man his touch was gentle careful and full of concern "what?.. a fighter must be many things" he saw no reason to justify his behaviour and only Orlan took him on
"all at once what if you lost your temper at the wrong moment..." Altar's reaction was chilling he seemed to be about to explode and his eyes were full of murderous intent "if it happens its for the right reasons".
Orlan considered resuming their conversation but the knife lying beside the warrior stopped him "do you not trust us the only one who is a match for you is unable" Carlan and several other men who knew Altar warned Orlan against saying any more but he was young and impetuous "trust has to be earned as does respect,when I think you are worthy then you will have earned the right, to ask such questions" Orlan scoffed and shook his head then he threw a large red apple to Altar who was fiddling with the needle, the apple bounced off his head and the men held their breath,but the darkness had passed and he laughed and ate content for now
Talmar had heard the tell tale sounds of Lyla's escape, he had learned to distinguish between the creaking and cracking of rocks, as they warmed or cooled,and the sounds of subterranean dragons trying to be inconspicuous.He had also heard Alin cawing bitterly at the dimming of the light,he hated being underground it went against everything he loved.Talmar followed silently, creeping in his socks and feeling his way along the wall, until he was within 100 yards of Lyla before she realised he was there...she wrinkled her nostrils as the sour scent of sweat reached her.In his haste he had forgotten that her fires would be high and a cornered dragon in a tight space is a deadly adversary.Pulling out his sword he grimaced as the blade knocked against crystals sewn into the scabbard. Lyla blew six short sharp blasts of smoke from her nostrils, the roof was high enough to allow her to stand and she stretched ready to fight. Alin and Alwin bolted into an anti chamber and crouched behind a fallen boulder away from the Lyla's fire she was incandescent with anger at this impudent human and his arrogant need to kill her.The dragon roared as she drew herself up the barbs stood erect and Lyla sent a jet of vivid red flame towards Talmar.It filled the tunnel, he had nowhere to go, as the fire engulfed the tunnel and seared the oxygen from his lungs he was burning like a roman candle, his flesh melted and filled the cave with a nauseating aroma.
The men panicked and ran to the entrance as Altar hoisted Pharlain onto his shoulder, a wall of flame burst from the tunnel and emerged in the cavernous main chamber,they all felt the heat as simutaneously the NE wind seared their skin and froze their panting breath. No one spoke they were trying to believe their luck only Altar seemed calm and his unruffled demeanour upset the men, many were begining to doubt his sanity
Orlan threw up and sank to his knees, he'd caught a brief horrifying glimpse of Talmar's burning figure the image was etched into his mind he looked at Altar and he turned away from the boy's desperate eyes "help me forget please! How will any of us sleep tonight after this" Carlan and the others stumbled around in the snowy wind and countless beautiful stars mocked their terror and nausea. But Altar smiled when Erlar threw a blanket over Pharlain and offered him a drink "thank you ahhh that's good but you should keep it we may need it later" Altar wiped his mouth shook the snow from his long hair, and strode back to the cave, he was shaking but Pharlain needed shelter and warmth.
The walls were blackened and a thick penetrating stench of charred flesh hung in the still air,Altar coughed and splashed through puddles of melted ice,he kicked the sodden blankets and skins in disgust "we will need to join the dragon my friend I hope she recognises us"
Carlan led a small group of his best fighters round to a narrow fissure at the side of the cave,he was counting on luck and his knowledge of dragons,Lyla hadn't fed for a while and would quickly need to replenish her fire or rely on the strength of her ferocity to deter the warriors,he suspected Altar had moved to a side chamber safe from danger if there was such a thing now. Smoke billowed from the entrance and carried the stench of Talmar's smouldering corpse, they would need to dispose of it soon before it attracted wolves and ravens.As Carlan slipped and slid towards the fissure his heart hammered and his pulse raced, as much as he wanted to kill Lyla he hated the slyness of dragons, they were the most unpredictable of creatures, they had fooled Carlan far too often and he had been lucky to escape with his life. Altar found a large chamber curling round into pitch darkness screwing up his eyes he strained to see ahead "I would wish for light but it's too much to risk"
A quiet rumbling growl echoed through the cave Lyla was near by and angry she hurled Talmar's corpse out of the chamber and Altar ducked down to avoid it "Lyla! we mean you no harm,surely you know me.. Pharlain is failing, he needs to rest we both do please..." the dragon growled again and answered with a ribbon of thick choking smoke. Altar rushed into a cavern and found shelter,a few brilliant stars shone through a small opening in the roof, and small snowflakes fell to dissolve in the earth "ahh we have been lucky my friend now to light a fire..Lyla isonly too eager to help us but I can manage for now" Pharlain groaned as Altar lowered him to the ground, the earthen floor was dirty but dry, and due to the dragon's pyrotechnics the rocks were still warm
"Are you thirsty no that has passed hmm maybe you will survive I hope so or all my effort will have been in vain..and no man wants that on his conscience" in the light of a match Altar studied Pharlain's face, as far as he could see, his colour had improved he took comfort from this and got on with preparing the fire. Carlan had been listening to Lyla's rage she was keen to face him head on as she knew Carlan was no match for her,she was now ready to mate and the strong emotions swirling within her, added a new darker dimension to her temperament. Alin watched her anger grow with trepidation until Lyla could stand it no longer,she drew herself up and went to meet the settlers.
Lyla roared announcing her intention to fight to the entire valley Altar shivered in fear he hated the carnage and the inevitable end his men shattered and broken "it's begun my friend..we cant help them now damn you Talmar!" Pharlain moved and searched for contact when he tried to speak his voice was a hoarse whisper,but Altar was overjoyed to hear it "not the dragon...you fight..Orlan..a mercenary...your head is the prize" the warrior fell back in disbelief despite the raging fever and unconsciousness Pharlain had held on to this vital information Altar hugged him and promised to uphold his honour "why..I..have only fought as we all have..." he threw logs on the fire and lit a cigarette then reconsidered and stubbed it out "you killed his father... in battle... he ......can't forget" Pharlain motioned for a drink but Altar had nothing to give him "wait I wont be long..stay warm and rest there is time enough for this when your well" something in Pharlain's eyes told him he was wrong
Altar hurried to find some dry blankets to keep them warm, a frigid wind blew furries of snow into the cave, and he heard raised anxious voices shouting above the gale.The hunger for battle gnawed at him,he longed to hold a sword,but he couldn't bring himself to betray Lyla.Pharlain had regained some of his strength he crawled closer to the fire his legs felt solid and the sensation was coming back,with an effort he knelt and rubbed his hands in front of the orange flames "ohh I can almost remember...food I am so hungry...there must be some bread at least" Altar came back and wrapped the sheepskin tight around Pharlain and smiled "this 1 is dry and I have my coat,we have something to eat..that thirst and then the hunger I don't know which is worse"
they shared the food and water then Lyla's rage interrupted their meager meal Carlan was shouting orders but the dragon's fury was absolute,she screamed at the men and left trails of black melted snow and smoking bodies, 7 men died before Carlan managed to throw his spear,his aim was misguided and the point glanced off Lyla's tough hide, enraged he threw his sword and the blade embedded itself in her belly Lyla gripped the hilt and roared then with her remaining fire she aimed at Carlan he tried to outrun the flame but it followed like a twisting red snake wherever he went
The insatiable fire consumed him and the men covered their ears and rushed to the cave but Carlan's agonised screams pierced the freezing air and maddened them Orlan was beside himself with grief and fear he shook like a traumatised child as 2 warriors dragged him to his feet. "Come on! she's not finished see now the devil shows her true self!" Lyla rocketed down out of the white limitless moonlight and breathed a river of fire after the men, several bolted in a panic and in all directions, she couldn't follow, every one but 8 was a good tally and the injury was weakening her. Lyla flew as quickly as the injury would allow to Malduin's cave, as a distant roar came nearer her straining heart skipped a beat and she dared to hope "can it be! no my love would not have hidden he was ever a fighter!"
The warriors raced to her old cave as a sudden gust whipped up the blackened snow, and flung it into their eyes,having to abandon the dead upset them,it seemed like the final insult. Orlan stared at the distant crack of Malduin's cave in terror Altar eavesdropped on his distress and felt confused by what he saw "the young man is pretending and he is a talented actor, Pharlain, maybe we should ask this jester to amuse us hmm, while wait for another storm to pass" Pharlain smiled faintly as he glimpsed the cool detachment in Orlan's eyes "its a good thing no one's in a fit state to notice or they'd offer his bones to Lyla"
Arlan put a hand on his friend's shoulder and agreed with a grin "well it's a fitting end for such a brave and selfless swordsman..come to think of it, he never used his blade the coward!..or was that also a ploy,..hmm I could almost admire his sleekitness if he wasn't after my blood" Orlan had recovered as had the remaining fighters out of a group of 30, 22 survived and 4 of those were showing signs of illness, Pharlain attempted to stand he was anxious to leave even while the storm raged with renewed fury "no sit down you are too keen to die ..ahh if you must here lean on me though I'm glad you have lost weight" Arlan helped Pharlain into the main cavern to a miserable site, there was no shelter the feverish victims of Sarlen, were stripped to the waist and licking dirty melted ice from the cave floor.
"Right we have been in this hovel for too long, those who can walk can help the injured, but we are leaving now!" Pharlain's determination shook the men, they were still reeling from the battle "what about the ill...and we have the dead to consider we cant..." Altar whispered to Pharlain and that was enough Orlan jumped to his feel with a long unsheathed knife in his hand, as he raised it, a shaft of moonlight caught the sharp blade, and his irate expression he held the blade against Arlan's throat, but he wouldn't allow himself to believe that killing the experienced fighter would be so easy "tell these men what you have planned for those stricken with fever, and our glorious dead defiled by a storm that il finish most of us before morning!" Arlan glared at him but his resolve was intact "we must slay those who are ill,if we risk taking them home we may as well return with the dragon,as the result will be the same,...in the end...do it quickly,don't look in their eyes, and be glad they are too sick to care".
Orlan pushed the blade until the point made a small indent in Arlan's neck, the sensation annoyed him, he was losing patience "hmm you recovered rapidly and you acted the part with ease,well aren't you forgetting something hmm?" the warrior groped for Orlan's left arm and twisted it up his back,he struggled and swore but still the blade was held fast in his right hand. Arlan was unimpressed he pulled up his sleeve with his teeth, to reveal the needle from Pharlain's transfusion the blood was black congealed and ugly.Orlan was inexplicably scared of it and he backed away as Arlan ripped the needle out of his arm and inspected the bruise "hmm it il heal..slowly so are we moving or would you prefer to sit about and watch this ruthless mercenary slit my throat"
Altar tossed the needle in Orlan's direction and turned his back,in deliberate provocation Pharlain leaned against the wall holding Altar's unsheathed sword, only you would dare to touch it..you will use a blade soon the strength is returning fas...."suddenly Pharlain's eyes dilated fully in warning Altar turned slightly and swung the sword it gleamed in the cloud dimmed light, he pirouetted with the grace of a dancer, and hammered the blade down on Orlan's shoulder he fell in silent fury and 2 of his men lunged at Altar who cut them down like trees ripe for felling. Orlan cursed and rubbed some sensation back into the stunned joint while Altar took some ale and watched his opponent's arrogant deceit
Altar was impatient to get this over with and return to the village. Concern for his sick brother haunted him,he grabbed Orlan by the scruff and threw him outside, the frigid wind had shifted to the NW and it was beginning to rain. Orlan focused his mind and ignored the slippery ground,the slightest mistake would be fatal..Altar strode out swinging his sword taunting the mercenary to try his luck,Orlan came at him with an even stride...they fought on a bare patch of slate, scree, and neither man would concede an inch, or admit to exhaustion, this was as much about pride as survival Altar's sword landed several deep cuts on Orlan's arm but he changed hands and cut the warrior down,his sword was inches from Altar's throat when he kicked upwards and knocked the wind from the mercenary's lungs he collapsed in a tight knot, the sword still in his hands. Altar surveyed it as if it were a snake ready to strike "get up! I ...see... this is new..for you hmm..let me educate you"
A booted foot whipped out and kicked the young man hard in the mouth. Orlan reeled from the kick while choking on iron rich salt. Altar raised a sword and rested it on his shoulder,then aimed the other at his enemy,Orlan swallowed the rest of his blood and the urge to vomit,he cursed and backed away as Altar advanced towards him,finding some safer ground the mercenary attempted to stand he swayed the injuries made him dizzy and angry. Altar stopped and lowered the captured sword Orlan seemed to be fascinated like a cat with its dying prey, he watched as the blade came to rest just below his jugular vein.Then the fascination turned to realisation as Altar impassively slid the razor sharp blade across Orlan's throat, his heart quickened as the pale unwashed skin gave in to the metal and rattled across the bones. Altar felt little as Orlan's life spilled onto and mixed with, the muddy rain melted snow.He rammed the sword through Orlan's heart then pulled it clear and wiped the blade on the ground.