Would be a knight

[rbo214]

Trborin could see how pissed off Ella was, he couldn't hear what Noric had said, but he saw Ella reluctantly handing them a long dagger each. All 3 elves walked passed, Treborin, Ella through him a look, telling him to be on his guard. Noric smiled at him, but Dumar looked at him with so much loathing, that he felt terrible.

Treborin was about to follow when he heard a very loud growl. Something else was in the tunnels.

 

[Iscaa]

Ella agreed, she wasn't happy but she agreed as she first handed Durmar his dagger then Noric . As she handed Noric his dagger she added,

"Lets stick closely together now since we have no idea what we'll find at the end of that tunnel, but I'm sure it won't be much to our liking."

With that said she stepped towards the black opening of the tunnel, with relief she saw that the other two were not far ahead. She held out her light glob and quickly closed the gap. She could feel the men only a few feet behind her, at least she felt secure from that end. She shook her head as they all walked around fallen rocks and debris, thinking she just had to get a handle on her anger towards Noric, at least until they were out of these caves. Then she figured all hell would break loose, knowing him as she did, he would not willingly go to go back home empty handed. She mentally shook her head, to refocus on what was ahead.

She needed all her attention and faculties targeted on the dangers in front of them. As she and the men stepped forward she could see that ahead of them was a vast cavern. In the center was a dull light that was being emitted from the ground around some kind of shrine. Ella looked to Thorn quietly whispering,

"Thorn, tell me do you think or feel that shrine is where the Blood Stone is kept?"

She watched as Thorn turned her head towards her slowly nodding yes. Ella eyes widened as she continued,

"OK...then lets move slowly towards it, but everyone be on total alert now, I have a feeling we are not alone."

Ella put her light glob back into her pocket, the dull light in the center of the cavern was enough to guide them forward. Plus it was better if they weren't seen by anything not living! Suddenly a very loud growl was heard, stopping everyone in their tracks.

 

[rbo214]

in the centre of the shrine was a table. there were several orangie-red coloured rocks embedded in the far wall and the ceiling was propped up by four large stone pilers.

Treborin followed Thorn, she kept nervously looking around. Tre was really missing his elf sense right now, he had never relied on it until he met Ella and Thorn and now it wasn't working he felt almost blind. The table had several runes. he looked at his hand where the Bloodelf amulet had burnt him, the runes now branded in to his skin.

Somthing want right here.

The others followed in to the chamber, only for the room to shake, and a stone slab fall against the entrance. They were traped.

There was suddenly a roar, and everyone looked up, only to see a large beast falling towards them. it was huge, standing over 8 foot tall covered in hair. its head looked more like a wolf than a man, there were blood stains on its naked chest and its eyes glowed. it landed on the table, and the runes glowed. It flexed its mussels and its claws grew long and sharp.

"What the hell is it," Dumar shouted, but no one answered.

The creature roared again before charging at the 3 elves. Thorn was faster jumping on its back, biting it and stabling it with her daggers, but it span violently and caught Thorn with its huge hammer like fists sending her crashing through one of the pilers.

"Thorn!" Treborin shouted before focusing back on the beast. It was looking at him smiling. Treborin stood there pointing his sword at the creature, tryng to be brave.
as it turned and launched itself at him.

 

[rbo214]

Noric had never seen anything like it, some sort of giant ware-wolf or one crossed with something else. Fire and sliver hurt ware-wolves, the boys sword would properly hurt it to.

He watched thorn taking a wiled swiped fist, knocking her through one of the pilers. Treborin shouted her name out of concern, and he watched as the beast charged at him.

"Take the pilers out!" he shouted as he ran towards the one at the far end of the room. He saw the boy, dive to the side and cut the creature. Noric had hoped it would burst in to flames like the other terrors they had encountered, but no, it growled in anger, swiping its claws at Treborin, he only just ducked in time.

Noric was now by one pillar and Dumar by another. Noric threw his dagger at the creature and it yelped in pain as it stuck in its neck. The creature turned only for Treborin to stick his sword in its back.

The boy was brave, Noric thought but knew that was his end. The creature took a swipe at him there was no way he could avoid those claws. but suddenly he wasn't there, Noric look on confused, but not as confused as the monster that was trying to kill him.

Te creature changed target charging at Noric. at the last moment he vaulted over the ware-wolf and the creature smashed through the second pillar. Noric backed up to the wall with the coloured stones, and ducked under a huge swipe. the creatures claws shredding through the wall like it wasn't there, sending rocks and chunks of stone flying.

Noric was running for the next pillar when the beast hit him. it was too fast, Noirc slid across the floor stunned, as the monster closed in on him.

 

[Iscaa]

Things started to happen so fast once that creature had made it's appearance. As Ella made ready to defend the group, Thorn jumped in before she could be stopped. She watched horrified as Thorn flew threw the air crashing through the hugs pillar.

Ella ran through the dust and falling rocks to get to Thorn, waving at Tre to fight the beast off. She bent down turning the girl over,

"Thorn...Thorn, please don't be dead!"

Ella saw her chest rise and fall, she sighed in relief. Moments later Thorn's eyes fluttered open moaning,

"Ahhh what happened? I feel like I hit a stone wall!"

Ella couldn't help but chuckle,

"Thorn, you did hit a stone wall, can you stand up?"

Thorn nodded her head so Ella put her arm around her waist and helped her get up. At that moment, they both saw the beast take a mighty swipe at Tre. They both thought that was the end of him, when suddenly he disappeared. At that moment Noric shouted to take down the pillars. So much was happening at the same time.

Ella let Thorn go, saw the creature launch itself at Noric, missed the elf and took another pillar out when it crashed into it. She then glanced at the pillar to her left....brought her arm up and blasted it out. Stones and debris were falling all around them. From the corner of her eye she saw Noric running for the last pillar, the beast right behind. She directed her arm towards it, but it was too close to the elf.

She hesitated trying to decide whether to fire and risk Noric when she saw the creature hit him. As Noric slid across the floor of the cavern Ella fired at it with everything she had in her. It lit up like a torch, roaring it's pain and anger. She kept on firing again and again until her magic was totally depleted.

As Ella's arm dropped to her side, she felt herself starting to fall to the floor as she slipped unconsciousness. Thorn dropped to Ella's side glancing around, ready to protect her if needed.

 

[rbo214]

Treborin had no idea where he was. It was dark, his elf scenes were still not working and he had lost his sword. He had one of the elven daggers to defend himself, but that was it.

He kept his hand against the wall moving slowly. If there was anything dangerous I here he knew he had little chance of surviving. Still he kept walking looking for the others unsure what was going on.


Noric opened his eyes to see the giant ware-wolf falling towards him. He rolled away, just in time. The creature was stunned, but not dead. he scooped up one of the orangey-red stones placing it in his pocket before heading over to the unconscious Ella.

"We have to get out of here," he said to Thorn and Dumar, I will carry her. he scooped up Ella's body but heard the creature growling again. He looked at the slab of stone that was trapping them. He had no clue how they were going to get passed it.

He looked around quickly and saw Treborins sword on the floor. Dumar get the sword, kill that beast.

Dumar scooped it up running towards the beast, but suddenly it jumped up its body showing burns from the magic which had stuck it moments before. Dumar stood there, sword in his hand frozen with fear. and the creature hit him hard, Dumar's body flying across the room not moving.


Treborin had reached the end of the tunnel. there were rocks barring his path, but a good push and they fell he looked around the room there were some wired shaped holes letting in the light at the end of the chamber.

Treborin looked through one to see the beast hit Dumar and his body fly across the room. He was behind the wall with the coloured stones. He pushed against the wall, but it was too strong. He could see Noric was holding on to an unconscious Ella, and Thorn was hissing at it, her fangs fully exposed, she was looking scary.

Treborin felt along he wall, there was a door... a secret door. but her couldn't open it. it could only be opened from the other side. Treborin picked up a rock and started banging it against the wall, he had to get in there, but suddenly the floor started to crack.

 

[Iscaa]

Thorn felt her anger grow as the beast turned towards the last three of them. She didn't know if Dumar was alive or not, but she felt that this was it, she hissed at it as she launched herself at the beast. Both hands had daggers as she landed on its shoulders and quickly slipped to the back of it's neck. This way it couldn't easily grab at her. She yelled,

"Die you filthy beast die!!!"

With those words she stabbed at its neck over and over again. It howled in pain and rage as it tried to get the girl off. Thorn kept stabbing, finally one of her daggers hit an artery in it's neck. Blood poured out now, gushing with each beat of its unnatural life. It roared as it still tried to get rid of the elf on it's back. Blood now drenched the front of it's hairy body, dripping all over the floor. It tired to run but when it turned it slid on it's own blood going down like a massive boulder.

Thorn jumped off as the beast went down. She was gasping with the effort of fighting the thing. The blood still pumped out in huge spurts with each beat of it's heart. It was only a matter of time, Thorn could see that it was weakening as she watched it. Hating to see anything suffer, she quickly moved towards its massive head took her knife and cut it's throat. It twitched for a few seconds and lay still.

She glanced back where Noric had Ella. She walked over to the table and looked around thinking,(That blood stone must be here somewhere, I have to find it now.) She heaved the table top over and discovered a chamber beneath it. Ignoring Noric's call Thorn lifted the small door and looked inside.
It was black but that didn't matter, she could see in the dark. The chamber was large with chunks of rock here and there, finally she spotted a small round object wrapped in a black cloth. Thorn stuck her hand inside reaching for the object.

She had to lean into the opening as her hand reach further in, there seemed to be creepy crawly things that ran across her hand, making a face she kept on. Finally hearing Noric call again she turned and yelled back,

"Keep your shirt on will you? I'll only be another minute!"

Turning back she reached a little further and felt the cloth and hard object with the tip of her fingers. Her hand grabbed onto it. She started to pull it towards her when something grabbed her hand and started to pull her in. She screamed for Noric to help her.

"Noric....help me, something has me...it's pulling me in....HELP ME!"

 

[rbo214]

"Its me!" Treborn said as he pulled himself out of a pile of rocks, "Its me Thorn, the floor gave out. I thought i was dead, or at least berried alive. Thorn helped him up and pulled him out of the chamber. Treborin held his hand out showing Thorn a large blood red stone. "This what you were looking for?"

Thorn grabbed the stone looking at it and smelling it, before smiling at Tre.

"If you two don't mind!" Noric shouted, "We will need your strength to move this slab."

But even with Thorn and Tre, the slab wasn't moving.

Dumar started to complain again, but Treborin, pointed to the far end of the room. "There is another passage behind that wall," he said, but Noric wasn't listening.

 

[rbo214]

Dumar, was not happy, he had been knock across the chamber and was hurting.
There was blood running from his forehead, and he couldn't lift his arm. but what was really upsetting him was the half elf boy was still alive. Didn't anyone know how dangerous it was to let him live?

He had thought the wolf beast had him dead to rights, how had he avoided the claws, and how had he ended up under the table? Dark magic?

They couldn't get out the stone slab wasn't moving. Dumar glanced over at Treborin. If they were trapped in here they would all die, but the boy would die first, by his hand.

If they did get out of here, he had to make Noric understand the boy and the vamp girl needed to die, Ella needed to be taken back. If they got out of here that is what had to happen.

Dumar turned to talk to Noric, he started to talk, before he froze, there was a low growl, echoing through the chamber. he looked over at the beast, was it still alive?


Everyone was silent, Tre was still pointing at the wall, he grabbed his sword, and repeated "There is another passage behind that wall."

 

[Iscaa]

As they talked, Ella started to come around. She listened for a minute before opening her eyes. The low growl from nearby got her fully awake now plus hearing Treborin say,

"There is another passage behind that wall."

Ella opened her eyes looking up at the others, suddenly she saw the creature move she shouted,

"Didn't you hear what Treborin said? there is another passage out of here!"

She sat up with Thorn's help and quickly got her bearings,

"Come on lets get out of here, wait...Thorn did you get the blood stone?"

Thorn whipped the stone out of her pocket for Ella to see before hiding it again. Ella still shaky yelled,

"That thing is getting up, it's now or we never leave this cave!"

She put her arm out towards the creature, but little lighting came out, she was out of juice and still very weak. With Thorn on on side and Tre on her other side they started for the far wall and opening. Noric took the front and Dumar the rear, as they all moved together. Just as they made it to the opened Dumar came crowding in on them crying out,

"That creature will kill us, we have to get out now!! Move faster!"

He pushed at Tre knocking him to the side and taking his place at Ella's side. Now Tre was at the rear and facing the angry creature. The others made it to the opening and through it. As soon as Dumar was into the passage he let go of Ella turned around and quickly shoved the stone door shut, leaving Tre behind alone with that thing!

 

[rbo214]

"What are you doing?!" Thorn shouted at Dumar, realising Ella and snarling at the elf that had sealed her friend in.

"He's half elf. Half blood elf." You know the legends. Satan will find him, and will use him to destroy, all life in the world." He turned and looked at Thorn or does that not bother you since in 10 days you will be dead!"

Noric stayed quiet, Thorn was so angry he was sure he was going to rip Dumar apart, but he was surprised that Ella wasn't rushing to defend the boy.

Dumar pointed his dagger towards Thorn. "That's why it was banned, the coupling between humans and elves, and any found are to be put to death. At least now his death means something, he will die so that we can escape!"

 

[rbo214]

Treborin was banging against the door, but it wasn't moving. he was trapped. The creature was still week, it had lost most of its blood, but still was alive. It looked at Treborin and growled.

Treborin stood there. He was scared, but still found the courage to point his sword at the giant wolf. It was dragging its legs across the floor towards him, It was level with the table.

Treborin was suddenly running he dived through the table into the other chamber avoiding the beast's claws. He looked around the dark room. There where he had fallen he could see a light. Ella's light globe. He heard Dumar say "That's why it was banned, the coupling between humans and elves, and any found are to be put to death. At least now his death means something, he will die so that we can escape!"

He started clambering up the loose rocks and pulled himself up through the hole.
No one had seen him, everyone was looking at Dumar. Thorn looked like she was going to kill him.

 

[Iscaa]

Ella shook herself as all the drama went down with Dumar and Thorn. Her mind finally cleared as she heard Tre pounding on the other side of the stone door. She glanced at the silent Noric before shouting,

"LISTEN TO ME ...STOP THE FIGHTING, we have to save Tre, he is very important and I won't have him die like this! Dumar your just an ignorant fool!"

She saw from the corner of her eye, that Tre had popped his head through a hole, relaxing a bit she continued with her lecture.

"Noric you better get your man under control, or I won't be responsible for what happens to him. The last thing we need now is treachery, and make no mistake what he just did now is exactly that. Give me your word that you will keep him in line, or we part company now!"

She moved her glob to her left hand so she could signal Thorn to stand down, as she waited for Noric to speak. At that moment, Tre pushed a rock to the side making a noise that got everyone to turn towards him in total surprise.

Thorn ran over to him, grabbing his arm to help him climb out of the hole. The relief showing on her face made him feel at least wanted, compared to that Dumar. Once he was out Thorn gave him a quick hug. Ella smiled glad to see that the boy was not hurt. She turned back to Noric stating,

"Well, what's it to be? Stay with us and keep your man under control or do we separate now?"

 

[rbo214]

Tre excepted the hug from Thorn, but was staring at Dumar, who looked very angry, but Noric was holding his hand up, signeling him not to reply.

"We will follow you until we get out of here, and no harm will befall your followers." He turned his head and looked at Dumar "Is that understood!"

Dumar looked positively sick but nodded in agreement.

Treborin now pointed to the tunnel, "It's that way," he said, "but there's no light."

Suddenly there was a huge crash and the wolf beast forced its head through the wall.

Dumar squeaked like a little girl as he ran to the tunnel, making everyone except Noric to smile.

"We should depart now before it gets through the wall," he said as he walked past the others to join Dumar at the entrance to the tunnel.

 

[Iscaa]

Ella agreed with Noric before glancing at the beast's head. She wished she could blast it now but it would take time to replenish her powers. She was lucky to have gotten her strength back so she could now do without help. She looked to Tre and Thorn,

"Well come on lets get out of here before that thing gets through the wall, follow those two as closely as you can, I'll be right behind you."

They all picked up the pace as they heard more rocks bounce onto the floor of the cave. That beast would soon be right behind them. As they drew near to the light at the end of the tunnel, Ella could see that the sun was going down. Even as they came to the mouth of the tunnel the sun dipped below the horizon, shrouding the area in darkness. Ella moved forward first, then stopped, there at the edge of the trees she saw a dark mass that radiated evil. Turning to Thorn she saw that the girl had seen it too.

Ella signaled the group to stay together and move in the opposite direction of that place she and Thorn were watching. All of a sudden a huge black Vampire stepped out, his red eyes directly looking at Thorn. Thorn snarled as she made to leap at it. Ella shouted,

"No Thorn, not here not with that beast right behind us. Now is the time to run, you can confront that vampire when we are in a safer area. Come on everyone run!"

Even though Thorn wanted to go after the being looking at her so intently, she knew Ella was right. This was not the place to make a stand, but she knew she would be fighting it soon. She joined the others as they ran over towards the trees to the west. Within minutes they were under the trees, it became darker as they moved along. The last glow of sunlight would soon be gone.

The beast finally came to the mouth of the tunnel, but wouldn't step beyond the entrance. It shivered in the last of the sunlight, feeling it's strength dwindle. I would wait for the light to completely go before it went to the vampire that awaited it. Then the two of them would tract their prey. It licked its lips, their blood would greatly restore it's body. It squated down and waited.

 

[rbo214]

Treborin was very glad to be out of the tunnel, and to have his elf senses back. He didn't know exactly what, had happened in the chamber, but all of them had made it out.

He closed his eyes for a second, he smelled the air and focused his mind to the surroundings. they weren't alone. He could sense the Vampires, they were close.

One was in the tree just to the left, but he wasn't attacking, just watching. They were heading back to camp, it wouldn't be long before they had help.

Noric and Dumar were just in front, the last of the light faded. They expected an attack to come, but nothing moved. they could see the camp up ahead, but something was wrong, Noric couldn't sense anyone.

All five of the travelers froze at the edge of the camp... Everyone was dead. It was a surreal sight. Bodies lay streamed across the floor, Treborin could see the bite marks in some of their necks. It was a horrible site. There was one figure standing in the middle of the field of dead soldiers.

Everyone drew their weapons, as the figure turned.

"Welcome back," The Pail man said with a smile "I hope you didn't mind, but I had some fun with your friends." The shadows suddenly started to move, surround Ella and the others, and now more Vampires dropped down, but the Pail man suddenly didn't look pleased.

A large Vampire walked into the clearing, he was twice the size of the pail man. "Malfurian told me you would be here. I am here for the girl, the rest are of no concern to me."

"You may be a clan leader Virol, but you don't command me. My orders are to take the sacrifice and the son of Marchel to my master." The pale man said spitting in anger, and Treborin clenched his sword a little tighter.

"You jest, Pale Man. You and your shadows are no match for me and my troops." The pale man snarled at Virol, but he turned his back on him and in a blink of an eye he shot across the dead bodies and had Thorn by the throat. "You are mine now girl, I will walk in the light of day, and you will sustain me forever."

 

[Iscaa]

As the creatures argued amongst themselves Ella quietly got her hand in her special pouch. She searched inside until she came up with a small stone. She had been saving it for this very kind of situation. It was her last resort but there was no other option, they were going to die if this didn't work,

Ella held the gem closed her eyes as her lips chanted the spell. Suddenly the five of them found themselves in a shadowy gray realm. They had disappeared.

Thorn, immediately brought her hand up and punched pale man in the chin, causing him to loose his grip on her throat. She backed up and gave him a terrific kick in the nads. In a flash she ran to Virol withdrew a small stake she had in her pouch and stabbed him near his black heart. While everyone was taken by complete surprise that their leader had fallen to the ground, she bit him on the throat and was able to fill a small vial with his blood. Seconds later she joined the other four holding up the vial before putting it away with the other one she had.

Doubled up in extreme pain the pale man screamed for his men to find the elves, kill them but capture the girl and halfling. At the same time Virol still on the ground but recovering, commanded his troops to get that girl and kill the rest. They all ran around looking for the five, but couldn't see them.

Meanwhile Ella whispered,

"Run, keep together, but run for your lives. I don't know how long I can keep us in this realm, so run as fast as you can!"

They backed up until they found an opening where there was no searchers turned around and ran. They couldn't help but make some noise, this brought the vampires attention to their direction. They would now search by sound and smell. But it was slow going to keep on their trail.

Ella soon realized it was only a matter of time before they caught up to them. She had to keep Tre and the girl safe. Grabbing Noric by the shoulder, she quickly told him,

"Look, you and the others keep on going I am going to try and divert them giving you more of a change to escape. I'll meet you as soon as I can. Don't give me that look, just do it."

With that said, she turned and fled in the opposite direction, knowing she had little chance of meeting up with them any time soon. The four with the protest of Thorn and Tre, hurried on. Meanwhile Ella put as much distance from the area as she could. She could let some of the magic that shrouded her to weaken so the vampires would zero in on her and not notice the slight noise from the others.

She gave them a merry chase before her magic finally ran out. They cornered her at the base of a cliff. She frantically looked around as they all surrounded her. The pale man held up his hand when the vampires were about to strike. He looked around, seeing that she was alone.

"Where are the rest witch?"

Ella was silent, Virol growled knowing he was in big trouble if they had lost the girl. Malfurian would have his hide for this. He wanted to kill this woman, he grabbed her by the throat baring his teeth.

The pale man shouted,

"Wait you moron, she is our only link to finding the elf and girl...do you want to kill our only chance at finding them again?

Virol let Ella go and stomped away growling his frustration.

Pale man eyed Ella licking his lips, he would dearly love to drink her blood, but that would have to wait. He turned to one of his men commanding,

"Put the elf rope on her, her magic will do her no good now. Then we better find some kind of shelter before daybreak."

After Ella's hands were tied with the painful rope she was roughly pulled along for the next few hours. Finally they found a cave opening that was large enough to accommodate all of them. They went in as far as they could some just dropping down onto the dirt others making sure it was safe from the light of the coming day. Pale man went up to Ella shoving her onto the ground grabbing her by the throat, he glanced at one of his creatures,

"Get another piece of that rope, tie her feet together good and tight mind you."

Turning back to Ella he smiled evilly,

"You will not be going anywhere now. Don't forget after we find your friends, I will be enjoying your blood, have no doubts about that. You and your friends have no chance of getting away from us."

Soon after they all settled down for what was left of the night. Dawn would be coming up within the hour.

 

[rbo214]

This was a new situation for Noric. his mission was to take Donella back to her father, and Dumar wanted to kill the two youngsters. One for being part elf, and the other for being bitten by a vampire and not turned.

He owed Donella no loyalty, he was only supposed to follow her orders until they got out of the cave, but he still had to get her back... if she was still alive.

Keep your weapons drawn, we stay here till dawn, then we go after Donella and these vampires. we have more advantage searching in the sunlight. He turned and looked at Dumar. you will not harm either of them without my order. Do you understand me!

"Yes sir," Dumar replied with a look of disdain on his face.

he turned and looked at the others, "Er you vampire, you can find her?"

"You haven't bothered to even learn my name," Thorn thought, but she nodded at Noric.

"And you boy..." Noric started, but Treborin interrupted him.
"Its Treborin, son of the famous and renowned knight and monster hunter Marchel. And my friend is called Thorn."

Noric remembered the name Marchel, he was well known to the elves. He now knew why that sword was so powerful. "Well, Treborin, you and that sword will cover the rear, and trust me with vampires that is very important.

Dumar looked almost sick, but at the first rays of sunlight the group of four headed off after Ella.

 

[rbo214]

Treborin was trying to keep his wits about him but kept his heartbeat under control so his elf sense was at its strongest.

He saw Thorn jump into a bush, Treborin wondered what she was doing till she jumped back out blood on her face where she had just fed on some sort of animal.

They were heading into a hilly mountainous area, in the middle of the forest.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Dumar shouted, and Thorn threw him a look before answering.

"I can smell her, she was dragged this way. she hasn't been bitten.... yet"

They needed to find her soon, the day would soon be over and then they would lose their only advantage.

 

[Iscaa]

Thorn didn't really want Treborin to see her when she had fed on the rabbit she had caught in the bush, but she couldn't control her need for blood even if it had only been a small animal. It did help to bring down her appetite somewhat. He had looked away when he saw her wipe the blood off her face. She sighed, (I still need two more samples of the leader's blood before the time is up, it's not going to be easy.) She refocused her mind back on the immediate problem, "tracking Ella". She hoped she was right meaning she had not been bitten yet.

Thorn gave Dumar another sneering glance as she walked by him. He was really really getting on her nerves, which meant she was having one hell of a time controlling herself around him. She couldn't help but mutter,

"One more outburst like that one and I am going to give you something to really hate me for.)

When Noric looked at her, she said,

"We are getting close, I can feel it...her. I sense they are in some dark place like a cave or underground, so we have to be quiet now and search for some kind of cave opening. The're all sleeping right now, but soon the sun will go down and we will be in more trouble then the four of us can handle. We must hurry."

Noric nodded his agreement, Dumar just scowled at her. Treborin walked over to her, smiling his encouragement letting her know he knew she could find Ella. Thorn smiled back at him ignoring the other two.

 

[rbo214]

Trborin was trying to be supportive. He couldn't deny his feeling for thorn, but he also couldn't help thinking about the dead bodies he had seen.

He found himself hoping Ella was still alive. When they had first met, he didn't like her or her style of command, but now... now he wanted her to be ok.

He was using his elf sense he knew No Vampire couldn't survive in sunlight, The pale man had proved that wrong, but hopefully him and his shadows were to only danger until night fall.

He couldn't sense any thing, except Thron, Noric and Dumar. Dumar wanted him dead, and he wasn't suppressing that feeling, but he was obeying Noric, for now.

They were heading through an open area when Thorn put her hand up signaling them to stop. "They are in there," she said, pointing to a cave in a steep rock face.

Treborin could see several shadows on the rock face with no obvious source.

In the cave, they would have no advantage, and they would be surrounded by shadows, and who knew how many vampires would be in there.

He closed his eyes his elf senses flowing out over every rock, he could sense movement inside of the cave... There an elf, she was scared.

Tre opened his eyes, to see everyone staring at him, "What?" he asked, "I was using my elf senses."

"And what did you sense?"

"Ella is in there, she's scared, but there are lots of Vampires to many to count. The pail man and that large Vampier are in there too..." Treborin suddenly went quiet, Did Noric not know this? he had an elf sense too.

"I told you he has demon powers, Noric," Dumar said. "We should kill him and flee, there is no chance we can save Donella now."

 

[rbo214]

Thorn and Treborin looked horrified. but Noric sternly looked at Dumar, making him, be quiet.
"Don't be so stupid," he shouted. Treborin looked quickly at the cave, but nothing seemed different. so he looked back smiling.

Noric walked over to Dumar and spoke quietly so Treboiin and Thorn couldn't here. "We need her alive else we will be executed, or don't you remember the kings orders. plus the boy and the girl are both powerful. We can use that. Now get hold of yourself, do you still have the cloaking sphere?"

Dumar looked nearly sick, but he took a golden marble out of his pocket and hand it to Noric.

What's that? Thorn asked.

"It a cloaking sphere. it can make someone invisible for 10 minutes or two people for 5 minutes. I will use it to free Donella and we will sneak out."

"Does it mask your smell?" Thorn asked, "Else it will be a pretty stupid idea."

Noric narrowed his eyes, he wasn't used to people questioning his plan. "I will need you three to make a diversion, I will sneak in and free Donella. I will be back in 10 -15 minutes. " He turned to Treborin, "and I will need your sword."

Treborin looked at him then looked at his sword. He didn't trust Noric, and giving him his sword would leave him very vulnerable. but without it would Noric be able to rescue Ella? He reluctantly passed the sword, and Noric smiled.

"Dumar, Treborin you will wait here, and charge into any of these shadow creatures." Noric turned and looked at Dumar. "And if anything happens to him, I will kill you, understand me." Dumar nodded showing his contempt. "Thorn you and I will enter, when we have been detected you will run back to Dumar. I will activate the cloaking sphere and continue alone free Donella, hopefully, all the vampires will chase you levin me a free run."

Thorn didn't seem to happy with this plan, but with only four of them and only a few hours of light left in the day, their options were limited.

Dumar and Treborin ready themselves daggers in one hand and wooden stakes in the other, and more stakes ready and close at hand. They watched Thorn and Noric enter the cave. All they could do now was wait.

 

[Iscaa]

Thorn sure didn't like this plan but couldn't think up anything better. Time was running out, they had to get Ella away from those killers especially that pale man. She shivered as she thought of him, hoping he kept his hands off Ella.

As Noric quietly stepped towards the cave entrance, Thorn moved behind him looking around with her excellent night vision. She pulled out her dagger and one stake, just in case they were needed. Once they were inside the cave, she could see bodies all over the place. Her lips curled, (filthy vampires, I hate them!). She silently crept along with Noric until finally their luck ran out.

Getting too near one of the prone bodies, Noric stepped on a hand, (his sight not being as good as Thorn's). Instantly it cried out in pain and then saw the big elf above it. Before Thorn or Noric could stop it, a scream erupted out of its mouth. Noric whispered,

"Run girl....run get as many of them to chase you as you can. Tre and Dumur will help you. Run!"

Thorn dropped the stake she was holding, turned pretending to be afraid, (which wasn't all that hard to do since she was.) she ran this way and that but always heading for the entrance. A big cold hand grabbed her she quickly sliced it off with her dagger. It screamed and cursed. She did the last ten yards super fast since she could feel a hoard of them just a few feet behind her.

Bursting out she headed for the waiting Tre and Dumar, the three of them back to back were shortly completely surrounded.

 

[rbo214]

Dumar hadn't taken his eyes of Treborin, who hadn't taken his eyes off the cave. He would stab the boy if Noric wasn't back in 30 minutes, he knew if he was that long he would be dead.

Treborin was keeping his senses flowing, the shadows on the wall suddenly moved quickly heading into the cave. Tre was about to shout for them to head in as Thorn and Noric would be trapped when Thorn burst from the cave several vampires holding on and trying to drag her back. all erupting in fire, where the light touched them.

Thorn kept running, shadows dancing around her, she was quick, but the shadows were all around her. Treborin ran towards her, he jumped slicing apart one of the shadows and stabbing another where its heart would be with his stake.

As soon as Treborin was with her she turned and shredded another shadow. The two friends back to back, cutting and slashing the shadows until they all flew away heading back to the cave.

Tre was feeling a little happier now Thorn was back, but then they heard laughing, and the pale man stepped out of the cave. "I can't believe you came here, made our job easier to find you."

Thorn hissed at him her fangs showing, but the pale man just laughed again, "You are no match for me girl, even with your special blood, you have no chance."

Dumar was watching from the hill, behind some large rocks. He wanted to run, but knew that would mean his death if Noric survived.

Treborin tried to position himself between thorn and the pale man. "Run!" he whispered, "get away, I will slow him down."

"You won't last 10 seconds against me." the Pale man said looking at the boy who was trying to save his pray. "Not without your sword... Where is it?"

The smile suddenly faded, and where is the other elf. I know one is hiding behind those rocks, but where is the other one?"

No one said anything, and after a minute the pale man smiled "O very clever," he turned and clicked his fingers, and over 100 shadows flew from the cave surrounding Treborin and Thorn. as the pale man headed back to the cave.

 

[Iscaa]

Ella could sense something was happening, she squinted in the near blackness of the cave. That wasn't going to help, she closed her eyes and concentrated, there she finally felt...two elves, Noric and yes it was Thorn. they were sneaking in, coming to free her. She swore under her breath, (Idiots, they are going to get themselves killed!)

She shifted her body, trying franticly to get the painful ropes to loosen. A minute later there was a cry and screech. Ella looked up, all hell erupted as vampires got up and ran towards the front of the cave. She redoubled her efforts with the rope when suddenly Noric was bending down over her whispering,

"Hold on Ella, let me cut these ropes, get ready to run like hell, my cloaking sphere won't hide us for more then a minute now, we have to be out of this cave by that time."

He cut the last rope on her ankles and pulled her up,

"Ready or not, Run!"

At at speed that Ella had not known she had in her she ran for all she was worth just seconds behind Noric.