Chapter I: Strangers In The Night

A Chapter by Danny-Dark0

Jayth stumbles into a foreign land, his pursuers are gone, for now. With no choice but to move ahead, he finds himself caught up in events.

A frigid gale cut through a vast expanse of woodland, the once tall and imposing pillars of bark with their sweeping outstretched arms now withered, sapped of all splendour. The parched vegetation made a distinct crunch under the man's boots as he stumbled, out of breath, clutching at his chest, emerging almost from the bleakness. He cast a tense look back, with fear etched on his face as he scanned his surroundings, his eyes darting from left to right almost in a chaotic dance, he had to be certain. His face not only scarred by dread but by an actual scar that stretched from his jawline all the way past his left cheek and ending near his brow. He regained some composure and breathed a sigh of relief as he found his feet and flicked his shoulder-length, now windswept raven hair from his chiselled face. The man wore a fitting black raiment that was slightly worn, it had silver buttons and elaborate gold embroidering which was now faded. It cloaked the length of his tall, sinewy frame which was in stark contrast to his chalky complexion. His large, piercing violet eyes all the more dominant against the pale visage, glinting like two amethysts cast against a sea of pearly white.

“I think I lost them.” he uttered as he brushed the dirt off his now somewhat tattered garment.

He breathed a heavy sigh of relief but did not stop, he briskly made his way through the last patch of land and up a small knoll. The man wiped sweat from his brow and cast his eyes toward what appeared to be a small village off in the distance, though the pervasive gloom made it hard to make anything out. He saw a series of tall, crudely looking, scattered square structures which resembled houses, and a muted yellow glow which seemed to be the lights in the windows, though he could not be certain.

He glanced up, the ominous, thick dark clouds now loomed overhead, blotting out the last faint flickers of the sun's gaze like an opaque blanket, smothering it completely.

“No turning back now,” he mumbled matter-of-factly, sighing, feeling burdened by his current predicament, “Anything is preferable to death.”

The man cut a lonely figure through the dreary surroundings, it was if beauty and hope itself had been cast out. Nature's once great splendour had succumbed to the merciless elements, the clutches of darkness held a firm and inexorable grip on this land as if it had known nothing else.

He strode purposefully through the last stretch of fields until the village now came into sharper focus, a welcome relief from all the vast, gruelling terrain, even if it was the quintessential picture of utter drabness. There was a large stone wall that seemed to encircle it, though it looked weather-beaten, barely held together.

The cobblestone path now ended and he was greeted by an archway with a nondescript iron gate stretching across it. He cautiously walked up to it, grasping at the pommel of a dagger he had secretly tucked in his waist; it was quiet, eerily quiet, only the faint wail of the wind was audible amidst the stillness. He peered through a space in the gate and could see several stone houses scattered about, each with distinctive thatched roofs and small, rectangle windows. The one nearest to the gate had a faint, yellow glow emanating from a window upstairs.

“Looks like someone’s home.”

He leaned up against the gate and nudged it slightly, it did not move, he then pushed it forcefully with both hands and it started to come free slowly. The dark-haired man then crept through the narrow gap and was now inside the walls of the small village.

He scanned his surroundings, still no signs of life, the only company was a lone tree a few metres ahead swaying in the wind, the soft, rhythmic swishing of it's leaves provided the only ambience. As he squinted slightly he then noticed the faint outline of two figures way off in the distance who were slowly approaching. He jumped almost as if a bolt of lightening had struck him, startled out of his cool-headed exterior that was now reduced to an almost frenzied panic. The man leapt over to the nearest cover which was the building, spending no time trying to properly distinguish these mysterious figures, he just wanted to hide, he knew who they could be and that was enough to impel his instincts into immediate action.

The footsteps were now drawing closer and closer, cutting through the quietude like a dagger, he felt a looming, menacing presence over him, the kind that he had hoped had gone for good.

He then faintly heard what sounded like the two mumbling to one another but could not make sense of any of it, it was indistinct and muffled. Against his own will to survive he gave in to his curiosity and got himself a bit closer whilst keeping behind the relative safety of the house, his back against the wall, both literally and figuratively. The footsteps stopped, and for a moment his heart was in his throat, but he had to know.

“-Are you sure about this, Lani?” a deep male voice said, in a slightly raspy tone.

“Yes, when have I ever been wrong? I'm not about to start now, besides I have it on good authority that he escaped.” The second was a female voice, but sounded the more dominant.

“Why should we trust him? He's an outlander, can't say I'm overly keen on the idea of extending our hospitality on a plate, should we hand him a bottle of wine, some cake and a stuffed teddy bear too?”

“Ha, don't you trust my judgement? Besides, Elwyn's counsel is wise.”

“Uh, you still place trust in that old coot! Any kind of rational, sensible advice vacated that deranged mind of his years ago. We might as well consult with a senile mystic, wonder which one of the voices were going to listen to today..please.”

“Then trust me my dear Devren, we need to find him quickly. Tharion should have some information that will prove very useful to us, come on.”

“Can't believe we had to come all the way out here though.”

“Safer that way. Far away from prying eyes and unfastened ears, he's no fool, besides the Crown has no foothold here, which is very good for us.”

“Heh, which one?”

He was stunned by what he heard, could they be talking about him? He had no time to properly process it, he then heard what sounded like a creaking of a door and then footsteps, presumably of the two people he had overheard talking. The door then closed and all was silent again. He was relieved that they weren't who he thought they were, The Vanguards, his relentless pursuers. Mighty, masked suits of armour that had been chasing him for longer than he cared to remember, indomitable in their will to kill him. Breathing a sigh of relief, he pushed himself from the wall, still curious as to who these people were and whether they were in fact speaking of him, and how they knew, so many questions. He hungered for answers.

The man then slowly came back around to the front of the house and approached the door, crouching, keeping a firm grip on his dagger, this village now became a lot more interesting.

Before he could blink he suddenly heard a thunderous crashing sound coming from inside the house followed by a series of what sounded like a clashing of steel on steel, back and forth, back and forth each more intense than the last. The frenzied, unrestrained sounds of shouting and grunting added to the chaotic cacophony unfolding inside though he would not be deterred, not this time, he opened the door, he was compelled to move forward.

“Devren look out! Quick!” the female shouted, “You-!”

“Curses! You wretched curs! Eat steel you ugly b******s!”

The commotion was coming from upstairs, with no time to take anything in, he crouched under one of the nearby tables, illuminated slightly by the dim candlelight, the clanging and shouting still going on, crashes and clonks ringed through the air.

“Why...won't...you DIE!” “A sword through your FACE will be a drastic improvemen-”

“DEVREN!”

The inevitable, visceral thrust through flesh then brought the deafening chaos into complete silence. It was palpable, a large thud then broke the silence momentarily, before it went quiet again, it was now over. He remained under the table, almost paralysed in place, he could hear only his own laboured breathing, nothing else.

“...Devren are you all right?” The sound of the woman's voice finally broke the silence, which came as a relief to him, even if they were still strangers to him.

“I'll be fine, it's just a flesh wound, I think they got off worse, ha.”

“I can't believe they were waiting for us.” an exasperation in her tone.

“Tharion that scurvy, backstabbing blaggard! I knew he couldn't be trusted, wait till I get my-.”

“Wait! We don't know that yet, these were highly-trained assassins, it doesn't make any sense.”

“Not trained enough evidently.”

“Come on! We have to get back to The Den!”

The rush of footsteps then came barrelling closer to him, a sense of urgency in each and every step. He leaned up from the table and was immediately greeted by a tall, imposing man standing at about 6'2. A hefty bulk of a man with wavy, dark copper hair and a stubbly face. He had emerald green eyes and a grubby, youthful complexion, most probably in his mid to late 20's. He also wore an unconventional, brown duster coat with dark trousers and a thick leather chest-plate underneath.

“What the-?” the lofty man drew his sword at a lightening pace and pointed it at him, his eyes like daggers. The sword still coated in the rogue of blood, it gave off a slight sheen in the candlelight, “Come to finish the job eh? Your friends weren't so successful.”

The man leapt backwards and threw his hands out, “Wait! Wait! I'm not going to kill you,” he pleaded, “Please!”

“Devren!” the woman yelled, a venom in her tone.

She emerged from behind the man, a striking, lithe figure with a kind of exotic, Bohemian elegance. Unusually tall for a woman with almond skin and shoulder-length locks of untamed, steely grey hair, her piercing wild eyes and strong cheekbones all the more prominent to him. She had a noticeable small cut on her left cheek which looked fresh. She too wore a fitting set of tough leather armour, with noticeable slash marks across the chest, it looked slightly worn but well crafted. In the one hand she held a distinctive long pole weapon which resembled a naginata with black and gold embroidering on the pole and a very long, serrated blade on the end. It too was painted in blood. She gave her companion a look who stood back slightly and then she cast her beady eyes on the man.

“Who are you? What are you doing here? You're obviously not an assassin.” she started to size up the man.

Devren glared at him, “If he is he's one of those cowering ones, had second thoughts scum? Maybe you should consider another line of work.” he enjoyed tormenting him.

“No! Please...I can explain-”

“I reckon he's one of the Crown's beagles, could be working for either one for all we know. A royal interloper if ever I saw one, spineless, pathetic and really badly dressed.”

She placed a hand on his shoulder to placate him, “Let him speak Devren.” she was curious, his look suggested to her that Devren's suspicions were not at all accurate.

The man composed himself finally, at least she seemed to be more forgiving, “My name is Jayth. I fled my homeland and I literally just stumbled upon this place I swear, I'm just running, trying to get away.”

Lani's eyebrows shifted, her curiosity piqued, “On your own?” he nodded.

Devren sighed, “You're not seriously buying his snake oil are you?” he said, noticeably vexed.

“Look, I know what it looks like and you have every reason to be suspicious but I'm just passing through, trying to stay alive.” his tone was earnest, even if inside he was still somewhat shaken and understandably so with a sword still in his face.

Lani scanned him up and down once more and smiled,“Well, if you want to survive a little longer then I suggest you come with us quick. You have wandered into a harsh world Jayth.”

Devren was incensed but before he could protest, Lani quickly gripped him tightly by the sword arm, “Trust ME,” she said firmly, a great strength in her voice. He finally lowered his sword and nodded somewhat dejectedly.

Jayth breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you. Lead the way.”

She smiled. "I'm Lani, and I see you've met Devren here."

He rolled his eyes, “...Yeah, charmed I'm sure. I'll be keeping a very close eye on you, know that, stranger. ” Devren declared with an icy tone.. He sheathed his sword and gave Jayth a glare.

Lani quickly took the lead. She strode purposefully, with a kind of grace, her flowing hair dancing in the wind. “Come on! Stay close, we've been marked so we need to get back to The Den immediately.”

Jayth followed with Devren who came up behind him, no doubt his intent. He glanced back and saw his intense, beastlike eyes watching him, like a predator stalking it's prey. “The Den?” he asked, in an attempt to take his mind off it.

“Yes, our little sanctuary. Granted it makes us sound like a pack of wild animals, but I guess that isn't too far from the truth, eh Devren?”

“Well, sometimes I like to hunt vermin, rats being my favoured choice.” he retorted dryly, no doubt speaking of a certain someone.

“Be nice Devren.”

The trio quickly made there way through the drab surroundings, the other houses seemingly abandoned. It was still too quiet to provide any kind of relief from the momentary madness that occurred in the house, the harsh wind did little to remedy that.

“Seems like a good opportunity for an ambush. I don't like it.” Devren said, glancing round, panting slightly.

Suddenly the sounds of steel unsheathing rang out across the village, one after another, like the chimes of impending doom, the trio immediately shifted to a defensive stance, Devren quickly unsheathed his blade, all their eyes darting from left to right and behind, they could see nothing.

“I hate being right.” he sighed.

”STOP RIGHT THERE!” a booming voice said, which seemed to be coming from ahead of them, though they still could not see who.

Then they noticed seven figures approaching steadily in a v formation, all with their weapons drawn, now bearing down on them, clad in steel armour from their neck down. They were all men with undistinguishable characteristics, all heavyset with fierce faces and unkempt hair. The one in front who appeared to be the leader the more pronounced of the pack since he wore a helmet which shielded his face.

“Something about the Crown not having a foothold here, Lani?” Devren gibed.

She shook her head and cast him a scathing look, keeping her eyes on the men who by the gesture of the leader now stopped moving, they were now only a few feet away.

“Still up to no good, Devren.” the deep voice slightly muffled under the helmet.

”Huh?” Devren looked puzzled, the voice seemed familiar to him but he could not be sure.

The man chuckled and coolly brought his weapon to his side, confident he had the advantage while his men kept their swords on the trio. He removed his helmet revealing a scarred, bewhiskered face with shark-like eyes.

“...Ronas? Of the Steel Brotherhood?”

He nodded, a smug grin of satisfaction on his face, “Not just a lowly steel brother any more, I AM the Steel Brotherhood.”

Devren scoffed, “Let me guess, you killed more defenceless crones than everyone else? You really got to watch those you know, some bite with what little remains of their teeth.”

Ronas laughed, “We are not so much mindless cut-throats and thieves any more. I've widened our horizons, there's far more golden crowns to be made elsewhere.”

“You're acquainted with this irksome toad?” Lani quipped. She already loathed the man, her naginata pointing directly at him, her urge to kill him only rising.

“Why you-!” one of the men said.

Ronas raised his hand, to stop his subordinate. He gazed at her curiously, which made her shudder,“Well, well the girl everyone is after. The Crown has offered a very, very handsome reward for your capture.”

“Really? What am I going for these days? It was 500 golden crowns last I checked.”

Jayth remained quiet, not wanting to get involved. He was a little further back from Devren and Lani who were in a fighting stance while he stood rather off balance.

“It's 800 now,” he raised his sword and pointed it directly at her threateningly, the two exchanged fierce looks, “your crimes against the Crown must be impressive indeed, the one who calls herself 'Lani', if that is in fact your true name.”

She remained silent, not wanting to dignify his vacuous words with a response. She felt a sudden rage boiling up in her, which could only be placated by separating his ugly head from his shoulders.

“Which crown? There's two kings now remember. Never ever figured you for the royalist type.” Devren replied.

“Ha, we don't concern ourselves in political affairs, we don't declare allegiance to either. The two can tear the kingdom apart for all I care, what I do care about is that reward.”

“I suppose you expect me to surrender willingly,” she almost had to control herself from not bursting into a fit of hysterics at the absurdity of it all, “if you've heard so much about me then you really should know that making idle threats to me is very detrimental to your life. Those that have tried have done just that, tried...you want to try too?”

“Back off Ronas, if you know what's good for you. Walk away.” Devren was losing patience.

“I don't think so,” he cast a look at Devren, “you really need to choose your friends more wisely.”

Suddenly as Lani focused more on Ronas she noticed something directly behind him, it was if the air itself had formed into a human shaped entity, it had no real corporeal form at all and she gasped in shock, “Oh my-!”

A deafening slashing sound ripped through the air, Ronas's neck start to suddenly gush forth with blood, he gurgled and grasped at his neck which had now been cut from ear to ear. Devren and Lani stepped back in horror, as he bled profusely, his men too were paralysed with shock and fear as they swung their heads from to side to side but could see nothing, one took to attacking the air. Ronas fell to his knees, his body now lifeless, as the blood painted his once steel grey armour a deep sanguine colour, his entire body then hit the ground like a weight. Devren and Lani turned around and noticed that Jayth wasn't there, he was gone.

.
“Where the?” Devren said, looking completely bemused.

“KILL THEM!” one of the men shouted.

Lani and Devren then rushed towards them, “This is where the fun starts.”

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