Would be a knight

[rbo214]

The group of five readied themselves to leave. Ella had said they would look for survivors. Noric had agreed that was a good idea, as had Dumar which made Treborin wonder what he was up to.

Thorn was leading the group, looking around smelling and listening for any sign of life.
Ella was walking by Noric, she couldn't help but tease him a little about his broken jaw promising that she would cast another healing spell when the stopped looking.

Dumar was lagging behind, making Treborin feel uneasy, and breaking his consentration. He was trying to use his elf senses, which he had now realised was stronger than the others's. He cleared his mind for the third time his scenes flowing out all around, there were a few animals, but no humans, and for that matter no Vampires. He had to push it further, he had to try and find someone, they couldn't all be dead. "Help me!" he heard in his mind, and he stopped.

"What is it?" Dumar asked, not bothering to hide his disdain for the boy. There is someone alive, that way, he pointed deep into the jungle. There underground, trapped.

Everyone stopped, "Dumar help me," Noric ordered before he started hacking his way through the deep jungle. Dumar grumbled but Joined Noric while the others walked behind.

Thorn had another drink, then sniffed, she couldn't smell the human, what had Tre found?

 

[Iscaa]

It seemed like hours as they slowly made their way through the thick foliage of the forest. Ella realized that Tre's elf sense far exceeded the normal range. Noontime came, she realized they needed to rest and eat something before continuing on. She signaled for a halt looking at the tired people around her. It had been a long grueling morning, and looked like it was going to be the same for the afternoon.

"OK, we need to rest and eat, Tre can you still hear the cry for help?"

At his nod she continued,

"We'll not linger long, just eat a quick meal and push forth. At this rate I want to get there before the sun goes down. We need to see who we are dealing with, but as you all know, darkness brings it's own trouble.

To speed things along, everyone took out their elf way biscuits and drank water from their pouches. It was a short 30 break when the signal to move on was once again given. Dumar groaned as he got up off the log he had been resting on grumbling,

"This better be worth it, or I just might kill somebody."

It was slow going as they labored on through the thick forest with Thorn and Ella taking turns as well. There was only about one hour left before sundown when finally Ella heard a faint voice in the far distance. It was hard to pinpoint the direction so she signaled everyone to stop moving hoping she could hear it clearer. They gladly did, some like Dumar happy to have a break in the heavy work of clearing the way. Noric Treborin and Dumar were sweating profusely so took the opportunity to wipe their faces as they waited.

Finally Ella heard the cry again, she quickly signaled before quietly saying,

"That way, go cautiously now we have no idea what we will find. This could be an ambush for all we know. Tre can you give carry on, Noric looks like he needs a break. Dumar keep going I know you haven't worked as hard. Everyone keep as quiet as you can until we know it's safe."

As Tre traded places with Noric they all started moving once again.

 

[rbo214]

Dumar hated this type of work, he was nearly 700 years old. Older than everyone else added together. He started hacking again, as the boy joined him. He looked like he was enjoying it... "fool" Dumar thought.

It wasn't just the work, but they had drunken most of their water rations, they would need to be refilled. He looked over to see thorn drinking again, this was the only thing that made him smile.

Tre was hacking through the jungle, he hadn't worked this hard in a while, and had removed his shirt and coverings. His sweat was running down his back, but he kept hacking at the plants with his sword. They were close, but now he was closer he was a little more concerned. This person didn't feel human. It wasn't a demon, or an Elf, what was it?

 

[Iscaa]

When Bula first started calling for help she hoped someone would find her quickly. She was getting cold and hungry in this damp hole. She kept calling every five minutes, then suddenly she felt something touch her mind. She blinked a few times holding her breath, (What can this be? Is it a demon? Should I keep calling?) She paced back and forth thinking this over, but finally decided (Whatever that was, I need to get out of this hole.)

She stopped pacing put her hands to her mouth and called again. Holding her breath she waited. Bula jumped, there is was again a touching of her mind. There were no words just a feeling of another mind for a second. Sighing she leaned up against the damp wall of the hole and called for help every 5 minutes. This went on for the rest of the morning, between sitting on a small rock she had found or pacing back and forth. She was getting so hungry now, hadn't had anything since noon yesterday.

Between calling for help Bula couldn't stop herself from crying for her parents. Remembering how horribly they had died. Those trolls, had been following her til the sun poked it head up this morning. She shivered knowing they would be back as soon as the sun set. Whoever was coming to help her better get here before dark.

The afternoon passed and still Bula called out for help, her voice was starting to get pretty hoarse as the hours went by. Time was running out for Bula and she knew it, by the light above she could tell the sun was going to set soon. She kept on pacing up and done, getting herself more and more upset. Finally she watched the last of the light disappear, she pressed herself against the wall closed her eyes and waited. Hoping against hope that those trolls had lost her trail.

Soon enough there was a crashing noise and harsh voices to be heard coming her way. Bula held her breath and crouched down trying to make herself as small as she could. Hoping they would not see or smell her in the hole.

 

[rbo214]

Thorn and Noric were hacking through the plants. The sun had just set, when Treborin suddenly felt something else... something huge. "Stop!" he shouted. There's something else there now. We are close." Thorn Looked at Ella, and she nodded at her. Thorn Jumped into the tallest tree, climbing to the top. She could see a clearing, they were so close, but two giant trolls were there, one was lying down Reaching into a large hole and the other was almost dancing jumping from foot to foot.

"She shouted down to the others. "Trolls! We aren't going to make it." And with that she jumped from the tree heading towards the Hughe beasts.

Treborin Looked at Ella, "We have to help her!" he shouted.

But Noric and Dumar looked less than impressed. They were both thinking heading towards giant trolls wasn't very smart.

 

[Iscaa]

Bula watched trembling from head to foot as a big ugly face came over the edge of the hole. He, for it was indeed a he, Zarb grinned evilly showing his great big black teeth. He looked back at his brother Jab laughing,

"Well well bro, looks like we found our little treat!" He turned back to face Bula, "You will be our treat little girl, me and my bro we share everything, now come stand up and I will lift you out."

Bula watched in terror as the troll spoke, something in her came alive as she remembered what they had done to her parents. She searched around her finding a rock, standing up she aimed it at that ugly grinning face. With a swift movement she threw it at him, hitting him right in the eye. She smiled when he howled in pain. She had always been good at throwing.

Zarb fell back holding his eye rolling around on the ground cursing. He brother laughed at him as he then knelt down carefully putting his head over the edge. Up came another rock hitting Jab on the forehead. He quickly drew back. The angry trolls looked at each other slobbering and growling. Finally Zarb took his hand away from his eye and found it full of blood and gore realizing his eye was gone. He roared in anger all over again.

"I'm going to get her for this, make her scream in pain for hours before I am done!"

He got got to his feet going back to the edge of the hole grinding his teeth,

" I am going to make you pay for putting my eye out. Come on Jab "LETS GET HER"!!!!"

Another rock came flying out!

 

[rbo214]

Thorn jumped to another tree and then into the clearing, the large trolls looked even bigger up close, but neither had seen her yet. She smirked as the saw another rock fly out of the hole, hitting one of the trolls, but the other had picked up a boulder.


Tre was trying to get through the trees, Noric had told him to wait, but he couldn't. Ella hadn't ordered him to stay, so he was running and scrambling as fast as he could.

He looked at his hand hoping for the runes to start glowing again, but they didn't. He cursed out loud if he lost her after all they had been through...

 

[rbo214]

Dumar watched Noric having a drink, Ella had her head in her hands, she was struggling, slow, not thinking. He smiled The Gull weed was working. He had put it in all the water pouches and Thorns blood. He walked up behind Donella. "Noric it is time to return home wouldn't you say?"

Noric looked at Dumar, "Should we not go after Thorn and Treborin?"

"No, they will come after us. We should take Donella back to her family... yes?"

Noric nodded, and Dumar hit her from behind. "bind her hands, and remove her ring and her pouch!" he shouted and Noric did what he was told. "You should carry her." Noric placed the semi-conscious Donella on his shoulder and started back down the path they had come up.

"It's still hot, make sure you drink every hour and make her drink too," Dumar said a triumphant smile on his face.

"Yes Dumar," Noric replied as he followed Dumar down the path.

 

[Iscaa]

As Ella saw Tre run after Thorn, she sluggishly thought, to order him back, but was having a hard time making her mouth form the words. She moaned quietly to herself as she leaned against a tree (What is wrong with me?). She put her hands up to her head. She took a deep breath and pushed herself off the tree trying to walk in the direction she had seen Tre go. She staggered a bit before stopping she didn't know what was wrong but something definitely was. She shook her head if she could only think, she could figure it out.

Ella's ears picked up a conversation between Dumar and Noric, but it seemed it was far away, she frowned as she heard their words, first Noric's then Dumar's,

"Should we not go after Thorn and Treborin?"

"No, they will come after us. We should take Donella back to her family... yes?"

Suddenly Ella was hit from behind and fell to the ground, moaning since it hadn't been hard enough to knock her completely out. Dumar shouted,

"Bind her hands, and remove her ring and her pouch!"

She was gently rolled onto her back, there was Noric looking down at her with a blank look in his eyes. He took her hands binding them together with a small length of rope he always carried with him. Once done he turned her around again relieving her of her precious pouch and the ring she always wore along with her dagger. The world seemed to be spinning around her as she heard more words but couldn't make any sense of them. She moaned as Noric pulled her limp body up and tossed her over his shoulder. Turning around he and Dumar started back down the path they had just come from.

Poor Ella could only try to use her bound hands to hold her head away so her face didn't keep on bumping into Noric's back. As time went by Ella started to feel less groggy and she was able to think a little more clearly she yelled,

"What the hell are you doing? Let me down now!"

 

[rbo214]

"Good your awake," Dumar said as he came up beside Ella. "Please have a drink," He offered a flask to Ella. She wanted to shout and fight back, but suddenly she felt thirsty and had a long drink. "Good girl. Now I want you to be extra quiet and you are to stay by Noric."

Ella closed her mouth, she didn't want to, but she had to, what was going on.

"Noric you can put her down now, Ella will walk won't you." Noric did what he was told. Ella scowled at Dumar. She felt strange. She was angry but couldn't shout at him."

Dumar took a length of cord from his pocket and tied it around Ella's neck. He then briskly headed off followed by Noric catching Ella by surprise the cord cutting I to her neck as she ran to catch up. "Good girl," Dumar said as he chuckled to himself.

 

[Iscaa]

Meanwhile Bula suddenly felt that strange link to her mind again. Whatever it was it was much closer now, she hoped whoever was touching her mind was coming to help her. Taking a deep breath she decided to do what she could from down here.

She furiously searched for more rocks to throw at the trolls. Shivering as she heard the first one roar in pain followed by curses and threats of what he was going to do to her. It seemed like she had found all the bigger rocks near her, leaving only small egg sized or smaller ones to throw now. She had to keep throwing them giving her rescuers time to reach her. She wished she had some really good sized rocks to throw, these puny ones wouldn't do much damage.

Bula looked up waiting for a face to show up again, she was going to try for the eyes again, anywhere else would not cause even a bruise. Trying to keep her courage up she shouted,

"Come and get me you ugly, stupid, good for nothing trolls! I hear your so inbred you don't even know who your father is.!"

She heard another roar but this time it was of anger rather then pain. Hoping losing their tempers would make them less cautious she made ready to throw more rocks.

 

[rbo214]

The troll looked into the hole the boulder above his head, he was going to crush this little Orc, but suddenly a girl flew across his face, two daggers slicing his lip and chest. The troll realized the bolder, placing his hand over his face to check the damage, and the huge rock fell onto his head and he sat down stunned.

Thorn stood defiantly in front of the second troll, who looked very surprised. He tried to grab her, but he avoided the clumsy grab vaulting backward, landing on the other trolls head. She smiled at the standing troll as he swung his club, Thorn avoided the swing, but his brother wasn't so lucky. The club cracking his skull and the troll bit through his own tongue.

Thorn jumped on to the club and kicked the still conscious troll in the face, she avoided a swing landing back on the floor, but she stood on the tongue and slipped. The troll grabbed her cape he had her, she desperately unclipped her cape, but the Troll swung its club again.

Thorn raised her hands to try and block the swing before the Troll screamed in pain and stood up. it turned around and Thorn saw Tre, his sword sticking in the trolls back. Thorn jumped and stabbed the troll in the neck, it took a step back, tripping on the bolder, Tre let go of his sword, and the troll fell on his back, the sword tip showing through his chest.

"Are you ok?" he asked her, but she just smiled back.

 

[rbo214]

Tre ran to the hole and stuck his head over only for a rock the size of an egg to hit him in the mouth, he fell backwards blood running down his face.

 

[Iscaa]

Bula getting ready to throw another rock, saw a small girl fly through the air, followed shortly by loud grunts and groans. She tried to see what was happening but the fighting was just out of her line of sight. She wanted to help so badly, that small girl had no chance against those brutes! She waited anxiously as she listened.

The battle carried on for a another few minutes, as Bula listened ready with her rock in hand. She couldn't tell who was winning until she finally heard am male's voice ask,

"Are you OK?"

Then her eyes widened in fright as she saw a shadow start to lean over the edge of the hole. Before even thinking she let fly with the rock. She saw too late it wasn't a troll that she hit, but a man. Poor Bula with her hand at her mouth waited for what would come next whispering,

"Oh my....what have I done?"

 

[rbo214]

Treborin spat blood on the floor, he looked over at Thorn and saw she was trying hard not to laugh. Tre touched his mouth a couple of his teeth had broken, and his mouth was really sore. He tried to speak, but the blood was restricting him. He hoped Ella would be able to heal him.

Thorn jumped down the hole to see who was down there, while Tre, glared at the hole, not finding the situation funny at all.

......

Noric couldn't work out what was happening, he felt overtired. They had been making good time and had reached where they had fought the Vampires. "Stop here," Dumar suddenly said. I am going to rest. Noric, keep watch and don't let Donelle escape. If Thorn or Treborin turn up, or any vampires, wake me." And with that Dumar sat down and rested. "Oh and have another drink both of you, sit down, and only disturb me if something important happens."

 

[Iscaa]

When Dumar told Noric and Ella to stop saying he needed a rest, Ella sighed she felt like she was going to drop if she had to go much farther. She stood still even though her knees wobbled, for some reason waiting to hear what else Dumar had to say. She couldn't move or even think straight right now.

Seconds later she heard Dumar's voice again giving Noric orders on keeping a watch for vampires as well as on herself. She glanced over at him frowning slightly as he added,

"Oh and have another drink both of you, sit down, and only disturb me if something important happens."

Sighing heavily she moved over to a nearby tree so she could put her back up against it. She closed her eyes for a few seconds it felt good to rest both her tired body, mind and eyes. She heard the shuffling of feet looked up and saw Noric standing before her. She couldn't help but think, (He's still handsome as he was all those years ago before he betrayed me for his stupid career damn him.) She watched him as he took a drink from his pouch then handed it down to her. As she reached up for it, her fingers slipped she watched dazedly as it fell to the ground spilling most of it's contents.

Ella glanced over to where Dumar was resting with his eyes closed, she thought, (He's asleep so didn't see the mishap with the pouch good!) Noric bent down to remove her pouch from her belt but she stayed his hand whispering,

"No, I am sure there is enough water left in this pouch, why don't you go get some rest? I'll be fine right here."

With that he nodded his head shuffling like a zombie over to a place that he had a clear view if any of their enemies showed up. Ella looked down at the pouch, she was thirsty so took it and upended it over her mouth. As it turned out there was only a half dozen drops left in it. She was too tired to fumble with her pouch at that moment deciding to rest a bit before taking another drink. Taking one more glance around she then closed her eyes. Seconds later she was fast asleep.

 

[Iscaa]

Bula watched in awe and admiration as the small girl jumped down into the hole, landing just a few feet away from her. They both looked at each other for a long minute, each measuring each other up.

Bula saw a small elf girl full of confidence she smiled slightly asking,

"Are you alright? Did those brutes hurt you?"

Meanwhile Thorn looked up at a green girl orc, she was at least two feet taller then she. She wasn't dressed like your typical orc. Thorn blinked twice, she knew it was dark down here in the hole, but she had good eyesight, better then most in the daylight. This orc girl had on human type cloths. (Oh there must be a story here!) She waited to hear what the orc would say. Orcs were not known for being very smart, and as for knowing any other language but "Orc" it was pretty much unknown. But this girl had called for help in English. It was getting more and more interesting by the second.

When Bula saw the elf girl smile, she sighed relaxing a bit replying,

"Yes I am fine, now that you are here. Thank you for saving me, I hope I didn't hurt your companion too much. I know I hit him with a rock."

She looked upwards expecting to see that person she threw the rock at. But realized he probably wouldn't do that again unless it was safe. Glancing back down at the elf girl she said,

"My name is Gra-Bula but I am known only as Bula. I hope you have some rope or even a tree trunk would do, I am strong and can easily climb up it."

 

[rbo214]

Treborin had headed over to the trees. He had noticed some long vines as he had made his way through the jungle. he used his dagger to cut some long lengths. He tied one end to one of the Dead trolls and through the other end in the hole, without looking.

"Oy watch it!" he heard Thorn shout as the vines landed on top of her. Thorn Suddenly jumped out of the hole, Tre edged closer, trying to see who was down there without making himself a target again. A green faced girl suddenly poked her head up.

 

[rbo214]

Thorn smiled at Treborin, but he didn't smile back. "Ann Oric?" he managed to stay, burbling through the blood, as he looked at Bula. He needed some water, to wash the blood off and to have a drink, but had left it with his top and shield. he wiped him mouth on his arm, but more blood flowed, It wouldn't stop.

Bula smiled at the strange boy she had thrown a stone at, he was kind of cute, even with blood running down his face, though she had never seen people with pointy ears, and now she had met two.

 

[Iscaa]

Bula looked over at the two dead trolls for a few seconds. She was not sad to see them both dead, they had killed her parents and would have killed her too. She glanced back at the two elves,

"I want to thank you both for saving my life. They killed my parents yesterday."

She tried not to but couldn't help it she started to cry again. Wiping her eyes with a handkerchief from her pocket before blowing her nose. She looked at the two silent people before her,

"I have no home now....no family what am I going to do?"

She looked to the girl that seemed to have more sympathy for her plight. The young man frowned as he continued to bleed. Bula seeing him struggle came up with another handkerchief and handed it to him saying,

"I am truly sorry I hurt you, maybe this will help to stop the blood."

She then tried to brush off some of the mud and dirt she had got on her dress when she fell into that hole. Her Momma always liked her to look her best and right now she knew she would not meet her high standards at all at this moment.

 

[rbo214]

Treborin, couldn't take his eyes of Bula, he had risked his life for an orc!

He had never met an orc before, but his father had told him stories of war and conquest. Ella had said the reason they were even out in the forest was because of orcs, in the king's territory.

He took the small cloth from her and wiped his mouth. She was acting strangely, and speaking human. She wasn't like any orc he had ever heard about.

"vee need to gep bacp, Ella be vating." He said hoping Thorn would understand, but she was trying to suppress a smirk.

Treborin turned and stormed off back towards where they had left the others, showing his anger towards Thorn and Bula, but also wondering why the others hadn't reached them by now.

 

[Iscaa]

Bula looked at Tre as he walked away, turning to the elf girl she asked,

"I don't think he likes me very much. I did apologize for hitting him with the rock. Oh well I am sure once he gets to know me he will like me. Oh by the way I didn't catch your names."

The two girls started walking after Tre, Thorn smiled up at the tall girl replying,

"I am known as Thorn and that guy is Treborin. We are part of a small company of elves. I think you better stay with us for awhile. Do you know how to fight?"

Bula smiles nodding her head as Thorn talked, then suddenly stopped,

"Fight? Me...oh no my Momma brought me up to be a lady, I have never liked to even argue with anyone. But I can read and write pretty well. Momma has been teaching me ever since I was 6 years old. I am now at a grade 10 level."

She proudly went on,

"I was going to be a teacher you know but now I don't know what I am going to do with my life."

 

[rbo214]

It didn't take long to get to the clearing, but there was no sign of Ella or the others. Had something happened?

Treborin, grabbed his shirt armguard, shield, and had a sip of water. Something was very wrong. he closed his eyes trying to sense Ella and the others, but all he could concentrate on as Bula's chatter. "Quiet," he shouted, trying to sense anything, But Bula moaned saying Tre was being rude.

Then he sensed something, they weren't alone. He readied his sword and shield, the sword glowing, and the runes on the shield also gave a pulse of light. he hadn't seen that before.

Thorn also readied herself, drawing her daggers, as three vampires dropped down in front of them, all snarling. Thron hissed back allowing them to see her fangs, but Bula screamed "Monsters before running back into the jungle. One of the Vampires jumped over Thorn and Tre and headed after Bula.

"Go!" Tre shouted at Thorn, "Save... er... the orc. Leave themb to be."

 

[Iscaa]

Bula couldn't believe what she was seeing. Three vampires that wanted to kill them she stood there frozen while Thorn drew two daggers and hissed back at them. That is when Bula saw her fangs, she screamed "Monsters!" turned on her heels and ran back the way they had just come. She kept looking back every few feet when she tripped over a large root.

Falling heavily Bula knocked the wind out of herself. She paused a moment to catch her breath when she heard hissing. With terror filled eyes she turned her head to see a vampire leaning over her prone body. Instinct took over, she twisted around and swung her leg kicking it in the groin. It went flying to the side clutching at his tender parts, moaning and hissing at the same time. Seconds later his blood red eyes focused on Bula, his lips lifted in a snarl.

Bula screamed as she pushed herself up and attempted to run again. The vampire even in his pain was too fast for her, he grasped her by the shoulders. She tried to shake him off crying and screaming her terror. As the vampire tried to push her head to the side to get a bite, she was able to grab at his hair and pull for all she was worth.

They were both strong creatures and this was how Thorn found them a few minutes later. Both pulling and wrestling, til they fell down to the ground rolling back and forth. Thorn waited until the vampire was once more on top of Bula exposing his back to her. Then she swiftly stabbed it through the heart. When it paused in surprise she already had a stick ready to take the place of her dagger. Within seconds the evil creature fell off of Bula, burst into flames and within seconds was only a pile of ashes.

Meanwhile Bula couldn't stop crying as she franticly moved away from the burning thing. Thorn moved closer to try reassure the orc girl. But Bula looked at Thorn with more fear and blubbering.

"Don't....don't come near me...please you don't want my blood...believe me it's not red it's green!"

Thorn stood quietly with her hands up in peace replying,

"Bula, I am not a real vampire, but have been bitten, we are on a quest to cure me before its permanent. So you have nothing to worry about from me. Now come on, we have to go help Treborin."

Bula slowly digested Thorn's words, deciding to believe her. She got up brushing the dirt off her dress she sniffed, blew her nose and nodded.

"OK....yes we should go back and help Treborin....yes I am OK now. Thorn thank you for saving me, I won't forget it."

With that being said the two girls headed back towards where they had left Tre to fight two vampires.

 

[rbo214]

These vampires were hungry, drawn to Treborin's blood, but they didn't know about his sword or his senses. they circled him almost laughing. he was all alone and swords were not usually good weapons to fight vampires with.

Both launched themselves at him from either side, but Treborin sensed they rash attack spinning on the spot. his sword cutting one on the chest the other on the face. Both cried in pain, and Tre charged at the first one.

It held its hand up trying to defend its self as it recovered from the cut, but Tre's sword cut through its arm like it wasn't there, and he thrust his sword into its chest.

Treborin looked into the vampires eyes watching them boiling from the inside. The vampire burst into flames and turned to dust.

He spun on the spot, his senses letting him now the other vampire was close and beheaded the monster. Treborin hadn't looked, he had just known where it was. He stood there in the clearing smiling to himself. He didn't need Roderick's or Ella's training. as long as his senses were working he could fight. And he had this new magic, which slowed down his opponents. For the first time he knew he was dangerous, and if anyone wanted to kill him or Thorn, he would be ready.