Created By
Rate this Story
Embed
|
Shattered Mythos: Red - Chapter 7
Horror
 Created on 8-28-07
 Views(57)
 Story Rating G
|
Chapter 7: Derik
Authors Note: The rough version of the chapter, as always. Uhli's son takes centerstage as the greatest gear starts turning.
A great howling wind was blowing down the beach from the general direction of Wulfenguard. With it came a torrential downpour that pooled and carved trenches in the sand below, creating an eery pattern on the beach when viewed from above. A signal flame sizzled and popped as the rain beat down upon its cerulean flame. Far down the beach a lone figure sprinted away from an approaching storm that threatened to swallow the sky whole.
Derik, son of Uhli, and war leader of the tribes lurched to a halt and spun around, eyes trained on the horizon. Visibility was getting worse as the storm advanced, much longer and he wouldn’t be able to see even a hundred yards down the beach. However, he didn’t have to see the invaders to know they were coming. The wind carried the sound of their incursion with vicious clarity.
He tore off his soaked cloak, cursing the bitter cold that greeted him. To keep that burdensome garment on would only allow the soldiers on his trail to catch up. He added his two-handed claymore to the sodden heap and reached for a large bone horn that was strapped to his hip with a large rawhide band. He pressed the horn to his lips and blew with all the strength that was left in him, filling the air with a hauntingly sharp melody. He gazed at the cliffs above, praying to his Goddess that the watchers would hear and light their fires, but nothing happened. He had gotten lucky with the advanced scout that was sent to eliminate his watch point. If he hadn’t been relieving himself away from his post he wouldn’t have seen the soldier sneaking up to the signal fire. Apparently the others hadn’t been so lucky.
He tossed the horn onto the ground and began sprinting down the beach just as a musket ball bit into the sand near his feet. Onward he surged, the wind carrying him with each step he took. Behind him he could hear the sounds of the musketeer’s futile curses. Far ahead of him he could just make out the tendrils of smoke crawling out of the seaside caves. A million thoughts raced through his head. He wondered why the ritual caves were in use and why the ghost weed was being burned. Ghost weed was only to be used in rituals by the Elder. Something important was happening and he had to get there as quickly as possible to warn them of the soldiers that were en route.
By the time he reached the cave entrance he was dead on his feet. All of his reserves had been spent just getting there, so how was he supposed to protect the Elder from the incoming foes?
Two guards were posted at the entrance of the caverns. Each was clad in boiled leather armor and wielded staves of resin-soaked oak. One of them tossed Derik a skein of some intoxicating liquor, which he gladly poured down his throat. As the cool liquid reached his stomach he could already feel his strength, and more important, his breath, return.
"You look as if the Nether had you in its grasp!"
Derik raised an eyebrow at the guard that had just spoken to him. "Is Father inside?"
"Elder Uhli is inside the cave, yes, but he gave explicit instructions to block anyone from entering. Even his own son."
"We don’t have time for this. Invaders from Wulfenguard are approaching along the beach. The Elder’s life is in danger. You will allow me to enter if you value your life." He took an offensive stance to stress the point, one foot firmly planted in the ground behind him, the other slightly bent before him, ready to pounce and force his way inside if the guards could not be swayed.
The guards glanced at one another and simultaneously stepped aside. Derik plunged into the cave, pausing to call back over his shoulder for a moment, "One of you, go to the village and get anyone that is capable of picking up a blade to protect the caves, send a small party with the women, children and old ones and escort them to the south camps. Go now!"
"As you wish, Master Derik," the guards responded in unison.
Derik snorted and stared into the cavern. The scent of ghost weed was strong in the air, and grew stronger with every step he took. He was getting closer. Closer to his father and, just as probable, Jorgmin.
The passage opened abruptly into a large chamber. Rudimentary statues of the Goddess had been carved into the sandstone pillars and walls of the cavern. The space itself was shaped like a massive dome, open at the top to allow the elements to enter for the sacred rituals of the Elder. The center of the room was raised and leveled, similar to a plateau, and only large enough to allow one adult enough space to lie down comfortably. Two figures were arranging items on the plateau.
"Hail Father," Derik called.
The two figures paused for a moment and glanced toward the newcomer. The younger of the two stood and helped the eldest rise to his feet. They waved and beckoned for Derik to come closer.
Derik approached and kneeled before his father, staring into his strange, glowing blue eyes. Slowly he lowered his gaze to the ground and decided to speak, "I am sorry for the intrusion Father, but invaders from Wulfenguard have arrived. The watchers have most likely been slain already. The intruders will be here shortly."
Uhli stared at his son for a few seconds before glancing at Jorgmin. "I did not think this would happen so soon. Fate has become too muddled since we tampered with the Wheel. Continue the preparations Jorgmin." Jorgmin nodded and got back to work as Uhli placed his hands upon his son’s shoulders. "Derik, my son. The ritual must be completed or all is lost. We’ve tampered with the Wheel to give us a chance at survival. The Wulfen have a plan to restore balance to the world, but it can only come to fruition if we can seal or destroy the Walker. This is our only chance. We will get no other. Do you understand what you have to do Derik?"
Derik dug his fingers into the soft sandstone, feeling the stone separate and crumble under the pressure. He closed his eyes and as a single tear traveled down his cheek he whispered, "I don’t want you to die Father..."
Uhli was taken aback by his son’s comment, but managed to smile. "It is not truly death my son. I am not passing into the Nether, but rather ascending into the Aether, the realm of the Gods. I will know what the Wulfen know and be able to guide our people through Jorgmin. My sacrifice will bring my companion from the Aether into our plane. A Wulfen, Derik."
"I.. . ." Derik flinched as his hand cut into a jagged section of the sandstone. "I will defend the cave if the Elder wishes it of me."
Uhli helped his son to his feet and nodded, studying him through tear-filled eyes. "Your Elder does so command it."
Derik was about to speak, but was interrupted by one of the guards that had been guarding the entrance to the cave. The man had burst into the chamber and collapsed after several steps. Before Derik could even make it to the fallen man he already knew that the man was dead. Several gaping wounds were seeping blood from the man’s back, most likely from musket fire.
"I’m sorry we could not part under happier circumstances father," Derik called, grasping the fallen guard’s staff. "If I do not see you again in this life, I shall look for you in the next. May the Goddess protect you!"
Uhli called out as he watched his son leave the chamber. Jorgmin had finished the preparations for the ritual and was quietly awaiting his consent to continue. From this side of the cave he could barely discern Jorgmin from the sheets of falling rain that cascaded like a waterfall through the ceiling above.
"Are you prepared Jorgmin?" Uhli called as he approached his successor.
Jorgmin stepped down from the plateau with the ritual box and nodded, "I am prepared Elder, are you?"
Uhli glanced again towards the exit of the chamber, knowing well that he had sent Derik to his grave. "I am prepared, lets begin."
Comments
Please Login to post comments| On August 30th 2007 lunaticlp Said : | |
|
Heh, aye. Things are just starting to fall into place. It'll be nice to sit down and start writing the bulk of the story, which begins around chapter 11 or 12. |
| On August 30th 2007 suicidalangel7 Said : | |
|
How intense! Sad that Derik is loosing his father, though. But I understand how it must be to save their clan. I cannot wait to read the eighth chapter^_^ |
