The Realms of Animar (8 page)

“Wait until I have them occupied,” he gasped. “Then make a run for it. Do as I say. Tell Trussil…tell her goodbye for me.”

Dugan’s eyes began to water but he regained his composure. Without hesitation he turned and charged toward the ranks of the closing hyenas, barely dodging an arrow aimed for his head.

The boys watched as the dog-like creatures engulfed their friend who was quickly wrestled to the ground. As life escaped him Dugan transformed into his animal form, an involuntary occurrence that took place the moment death occurred. The once impressive giraffe now lie collapsed on the ground, a feast for the carnivores that surrounded him.

Three vultures lingered behind the hyenas, apparently waiting for scraps to be tossed their way.

Realizing it was time Thane looked over at Javan and grabbed his arm. “Let’s go.”

The boys jumped up and ran for the village as the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches filled the air. Several of the hyenas leapt up from the carcass and began pursuing them, barking and howling as they ran.

When they broke free from the forest, Thane morphed into a horse and slowed for Javan to climb onto his back. The large boy had never ridden a horse before, mainly due to his size not to mention his lack of agility. After a few quick attempts he gave up and transformed into his rhinoceros form. Together they began galloping as fast as they could back to the village.

As they crossed the fields, the hyenas closed in on Javan as the small rhinoceros began to tire and slow. He could not keep up with Thane and his pursuers were much faster.

A loud roar suddenly pierced the air. The boys looked ahead and spotted a charging group of animals, led by Semu, descending from atop the hill. The guard captain was followed close behind by two adult rhinos and the orangutan, Esa.

Like he was as a human, Semu was a massive specimen in his gorilla form. His long muscular arms, broad chest and thick black fur made him an imposing sight.

The hyenas, however, did not slow at the sight of the charging guards. The small rhinoceros was the only thought racing through their hungry minds. They were closing in. Fast.

With just seconds to spare, the guards reached Javan and crashed into his pursuers. Semu encountered the first, slamming his arms down as a hyena leapt for his throat, sending the scrawny dog crashing to the ground with a broken back.

Thane and Javan stopped and together they watched in awe as the gorilla and rhinos tossed and trampled the hyenas with ease. Without putting up much of a fight, what was left of the pack turned and fled back to the trees, pursued closely by Semu.

The hulking gorilla then stopped and let out a deafening roar that quickened the pace of the defeated carnivores. After they disappeared into the forest, Semu returned to the boys where the rest had gathered.

Esa then stopped, morphed into her human form and fell to her knees crying. She glanced to the forest, her red hair fluttering in the wind and her bright green eyes flooded with tears. She then cried out and buried her face in her hands. The happiness that she and her husband had found was now shattered.

As the rest of the group continued back to the village, Semu stopped on the crest of the hill and turned back to where Esa was sitting. He grunted quietly and sat down in the cool grass, watching over the woman from a distance as she wept.

Chapter 5

T
hane did his best to describe the horrible events that he had witnessed in the woods to his parents. While he spoke, leaning against a wall in the den of their small home, his mother Felia held his hand and tried to keep him calm. Her long brown hair was pulled behind her head, exposing her thin, beautiful face. Thane had feared he would never see her again. Just the sight of her was comforting.

Avryn paced around the room behind them as he listened, gathering his thoughts before deciding how to react. This was the first real carnivore attack since they had settled in the area. They had to react swiftly for many reasons.

When Thane had finished Felia slowly walked the boy to his bedroom. She calmly tucked him into bed and said softly, “Try to get some rest. I will come get you after I make some of your favorite stew for dinner. We can talk more about what happened later.”

“Dugan said you sent him to get me,” Thane sniffled. “It’s my fault he died.”

She sat down on the bed beside him and pulled a blanket to his neck. “No dear, it’s not your fault. The attack would have taken place if you were there or not. These things happen. It’s a sad but natural part of life. We are just lucky that you came out alive.”

“But he came out there because of me.”

“I couldn’t find you and was concerned about the headaches you have been having. Trussil told me you almost passed out in school last week.” Felia stood up and then smiled down at him and continued, “Don’t worry about that right now, you have enough on your mind. Now try to get some rest.”

Thane watched as his mother turned and left the room, quietly shutting the door behind her. He closed his eyes and tried to clear the terrible images from his mind. As if the attack was still taking place, the scene would not escape his thoughts. He could hear the sounds of the vicious hyenas echoing in his ears and the screams, the awful screams.

He wiped the dampness from his cheeks. If only he could have done something, if only he had known how to fight. He would learn. Next time he would be ready.

***

Just before nightfall Avryn called forth the members of The Council who served as representatives for the various groups that lived in Avryndale. Word of the attack had spread quickly; panic and fear were not far behind.

The Council convened within the Great Hall, a spectacular building constructed mostly of stone carved from the Bluemist Mountains. Although the majority of the shops and homes in the village were made of wood and of much simpler design, the workers had toiled diligently to construct the Great Hall to serve as a symbol of their unity. Taller than all other buildings in the village, the hall was entered through two massive oak doors that were flanked by enormous pillars that had themselves kept a dozen villagers busy for nearly a year.

Their efforts did not go without reward for on this day like so many others, as the last flickering light was sent out from the setting sun, the pale blue stone gave forth a subtle radiant glow. Inside, however, things were not as pleasant.

Avryn was seated at the head of a huge table and was joined by the other nine members of the council. They varied in size and shape but were all dressed in attire very similar to the guards, with blue tunics emblazoned with the symbol of Avryndale. Avryn was also adorned in a similar tunic but in addition he wore a white, finely woven wool cloak that had been given to him by a group of sheep that joined the village earlier that year.

A small blonde boy was walking around the room, clinging to a burning torch. He stood up on his toes and reached to ignite one of the unlit wall sconces as he prepared for the setting sun. He was startled when Avryn slammed his fist to the table.

“How could we have become so careless?” Avryn roared as he looked over the council members seated before him. “Is this not what I warned you about?”

They shifted in their seats, looking at one another, feigning bewilderment.

“Today we lost several great friends and I nearly lost my son,” Avryn continued, glancing appreciatively towards Semu who was seated to his left. “Eventually we knew our enemies would track us down and that time is now upon us. Those that escaped today will tell others. This is a turning point for us and our future hinges on how we react. We must protect our people or face returning to the horrible lives we once led, never knowing what was hunting our scent or when our homes would be attacked. I will not live as prey again, nor will my family.”

“Aye Avryn,” a short, frail-looking man agreed. “But what can we do to prevent further attacks?”

A large bald man slammed a goblet of wine he was holding to the table. “I say we hunt them down and return the favor! Kill these scum who dare invade our land before they can bring help!” Several voices cheered in agreement.

Avryn quieted them with his hands and said, “Aye Elephas, I think we all share in the desire for revenge but we need to be cautious. We don’t know how many are out there. They are instinctual hunters, taught to stalk our kind from birth. Most of our people are helpless when unarmed. We need to increase our numbers by providing safe travel here for those needing a home. We should return to patrolling the area daily and stockpile more weapons and train more people. If we build up our defenses, we will be safe. The winter comes soon and will give us time to prepare.”

Soft whispers circulated around the table and then a small but long-faced graying old man stood up. The respect the council members had for the man was obvious when they fell instantly quiet. His name was Papio, voice of the primates and the wise-man of the village.

“Avryn is correct,” he said firmly. “Our survival lies here. If we leave, we are doomed.” Papio then sat down and looked over the other members of the council as they nodded in agreement.

Avryn then turned to the guard captain, “Semu, take a group of men – whoever Elephas and the other council members suggest – and burn the bodies of our fallen and then go after these monsters. Hunt them down but stop at the mountains. We need you back within three days.”

“It would be an honor to do so,” Semu replied and then placed a fist to his chest. “I will not fail.”

“Thank you Semu,” Avryn said. “When you return, we need a single voice to take over the defense of Avryndale while we focus on other aspects of our situation. The men respect you and will listen to you. Increase the guards and patrols. Our survival will depend on your efforts.”

Semu bowed his head in acknowledgement and the council agreed with silence.

A loud knock suddenly echoed through the hall and shifted the attention of the gathering.

“Enter!” Avryn shouted.

The doors slowly opened inward and the sound of creaking wood filled the chamber. A ragged woman stood at the entrance to the hall, her shoulder bandaged and her eyes tired.

Avryn recognized Esa through her dangling red locks. He walked briskly to her side and put an arm around her shoulder. “Come in, please,” he said as he walked her to the table. Semu quickly stood up and allowed the woman to take his seat.

She tried to maintain her composure but soon after sitting down she erupted into tears. “It was so…horrible.”

“Esa, I know this is difficult,” Avryn said. “We have to hear your account of what happened out there. If you could try…”

“Difficult?” she replied through tears. “I watched my husband get devoured by those savages!” She wiped her eyes and then added, “I’m sorry Avryn. I will try.”

After a brief pause to collect her thoughts, she continued, “We heard Eryk scream and ran as fast as we could…looking for him…all of us including Dugan who had just arrived. We came across a vulture, only we didn’t know it was a vulture. This man, he called himself Critias, he just sat there, taunting us from a tree. We just didn’t know.”

She fought off tears and said, “Pan found Eryk’s body and then the hyenas attacked…tons of them…from all around. They were waiting on something, like they were signaled. It was just horrible. The sounds they made…so horrible. He knew we were in trouble so Dugan told me and Pilus to run for help and we did as he said. On our way back we were attacked by vultures and…they got Pilus and he fell…” She then broke off, overcome with grief.

“Esa, we are deeply sorry for your loss. This will not go unpunished. Semu is taking some men to hunt them down. Please, if you need anything, my wife and I, like all of the council I’m sure, would do anything to ease your suffering.”

“Just get those bastards!” she cried. “Make them pay for what they did.”

“We will do our best, I promise you that,” Avryn said. He then turned to the council, “The rest of you go calm your people. Ensure them that we will make it through this.”

He then stood up and walked over to a window while the others made their way out of the hall. Semu joined him and together they gazed out at the countryside and watched as the sun slowly disappeared into the depths of the forest to the west.

“This doesn’t feel like an isolated incident,” Avryn said. “There were too many hyenas and cooperating with birds – highly unusual. Things will get worse when winter passes. I’m sure of it.”

“We will get stronger,” Semu declared. “I know we will.”

“I hope so my friend. Our survival depends on it.”

Chapter 6

M
oonlight sparkled off of the vulture’s eyes as it soared above the mountains, gliding silently in the night sky. Although his kind was not fond of flying in darkness, this was an opportunity that made such risks worthwhile.

Lightning flashed in the distance, momentarily turning his eyes into shimmering mirrors just before thunder boomed in the distance and announced the rainfall that was soon to follow.

While the others were sleeping Critias had snuck away, anxious to tell their master what he had found. He wanted the credit all for himself and though this was a ruthless act he felt no guilt. They would have done it to him, had they the wits to think of it first.

The news that he carried on his wings was of such importance that he was certain the master would reward him greatly. Would he be showered with treasures or women? He could only imagine.

Fortunately his wait would be short because when he glanced down he saw his destination - a dark opening in the base of the mountain that seemed rather simple from afar but housed a dark evil more sinister than the land had ever known.

The cave entrance was flanked by a pair of torches that struggled to fight off the howling wind that tugged at their flame, casting eerie shadows that bounced around the two large lions that guarded the opening. The massive beasts were confined by thick iron chains, a form of captivity that drove them to such fury that even the bravest of unwanted visitors would not risk attempting to pass.