Nights Guard
Sitting with his back pressed hard against the trunk, Tobias cowered with his head in his hands as the battle between the Nights Guard and the Outlanders raged wildly below him. The high pitched whine of steel against steel and arrows whizzing overhead made him want to run and not stop until he was miles clear of this godforsaken place but he felt too scared to move. This war had been going on for at least three months now and had devoured almost all of his countrymen.
Torn between his head and his heart he ultimately knew that he must return to the battle before Lord Marchment noticed that he was missing, he would never become a full member of the Nights Guard and these years of hard training would all be for nothing. He levered himself up slightly with his feet delicately balanced on the periphery of the branch to get a better look at the carnage going on below.
The sweat dripped from his thick black hair into his eyes as he peered through the crisp green leaves, he wiped them clear. The midday sun blazed on, causing a blinding glare on the canopy which he could barely see through. However the noise and smell of fresh blood were more than enough to make him recoil to the safety of the massive branch. Removing his broad sword he plunged it hard and fast into the thick brown branch, the sap oozed slowly out stopping just shy of the edge, he removed his gloves to mop it up and put them into the side compartment of his satchel. Opening the satchels food compartment he stared into its dark void. It was empty. He hadn’t eaten for around three days now; he leaned against the sword as exhaustion took him into a deep slumber.
A strange rustling sound forced Tobias awake. The moonlight shone through the trees making strange silhouettes as he struggled to focus on where the noise was coming from. Standing on the branch looking out into the darkness, he listened for the sound but there was only silence. Knowing that he would surely have to stand before the Elders with the possibility of death for fleeing the battle, he scrambled down the tree as swiftly as a primate and landed effortlessly on the Ner grass. Trying to find his bearings in the pitch darkness, he heard the rustling noise again, this time louder. Weaving in and out of the trees trying to pin point the noise he began to see flickers of light ahead in the distance. He slowly fumbled his way towards the light being careful to stay as silent as possible.
Getting closer to the light he realised it was a small fire. Fear struck him hard and fast as he peered through the clearing to see two Outlanders throwing a corpse onto the fire. Edging closer and squinting hard to see who or what it was, the tales he had heard as a child from lord Marchment came flooding back to him. He had been told of the Outlanders’ strange rituals and practices and how they ceremoniously burn all of their fallen warriors to give them safe passage for their next life in the Kingdom of Versta.
A jingling sound filled the silent air; Tobias quickly looked down to see his leg had been tangled in a long thin piece of wire. Quickly tracing the wire he could see that it veered up into the trees where attached to the end, he reckoned must be a small bell. Instinctively he drew his sword and placed his back against one of the tall trees. Standing in the darkness he thought about running but knew that the Outlanders would track him down within minutes. He stood his ground scanning for the slightest movement to lock on to.
A spear jammed itself deep into the tree inches from his head. Tobias rapidly turned in the other direction only to be met with the electric blue eyes and bright white teeth of an Outlander. It was standing so close he could fell its icy breath on the tip of his nose. His bones rattled as his sword bounced like rubber off the Shattle skull shield of the Outlander. Tobias frantically swung his sword again manically chopping nothing but the air as the Outlander easily dodged every swing.
Crack!
Tobias’s mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood as it flowed like a burst tap from his nose, the Outlander had caught him on the face with the blunt end of the Shattle skull. Fumbling on the ground for his sword he could see the soles of the Outlanders’ leather boots. Grabbing the sword and stabbing it violently into the air he could feel his ears vibrating with the high pitch wine scream as the Outlander landed face first on top of him. Wriggling free from its massive bulk Tobias checked that it was dead by kicking it in the stomach.
Arrgh!
Tobias screamed as an axe skimmed past his right arm its ultra fine blade slashing him just above the elbow. A succession of blows from the shattle skull rained down on his face .Hitting the ground and curling up Tobias waited for the final blow to come, a few minutes passed. Nothing. Tobias spun round to see that he was completely alone. Still dazed he himself up he set off through the maze of trees to find what was left of his kinsmen.
Spending the best part of two days climbing to the highest point he could find, Hanfax hill, he exhaustedly he looked out over the whole of Bunberg. Seeing the Harden River shining like a newly born star gave him the determination to carry on as it had been too long since he last felt its freshness on his skin, he would find his people and tell them that although he was in the wrong to flee the battle he single handily fought with two Outlanders and lived to tell the tale.
A Shin eagle glided aimlessly through the air and dived bombed the Harden River reappearing with a massive fish in its beak. Looking west, watching the path of the eagle Tobias thought he could just about make out the trailing edge of the banner of the Nights Guard. He wasted no time and manoeuvred his way down Hanfax hill.
Travelling for three days straight through bog land and forest; ravaged by hunger with only four hours sleep Tobias reasoned that he was only a few hours behind his kinsmen. He could see were they had spent last night as the dark grey embers of the fire they had set were still warm to the touch.
Setting up a small camp for the night Tobias trapped, killed, skinned and ate a wild Hare. He could feel every mouthful land in the pit of his stomach. Picking the excess meat out of his teeth with a small bone he sat staring into the fire. Looking through the dancing flames he could see a shadow weave in and out of the trees. Taking no chances he quickly leaned back and pulled his sword from its sheath. As he turned back round he caught a blow to the right hand side of his jaw which started to burn intensely. Rubbing his face to ease the pain he could see the Outlander waving a burning log, like a deranged fire fly. Stumbling to his feet he ran straight through the fire, sword thrust straight out in front of him. The noise the Outlander made was a small yelping sound like a small animal.
Tobias looked down at the injured Outlander looking at its eyes he could see that they were fading out of existence. He lifted his sword high above his head to finish the Outlander. Tobias’s sword clunked to the ground as he stood staring in disbelief. What had he done? He was a monster. The Outlander was clearly pregnant.