Bloodstone Lost

Hidden in a thicket of rhododendron deep blue eyes slowly scan the far bank, up and down the stream as far as he can see, searching for any unnatural movement, anything that might warn of a trap. Seeing nothing he hesitates. If only he could afford to wait a few more candlemarks the sun would be down and he could cross in the darkness. But now he could not afford to wait any longer. Those following him could not be far behind.

 

Unable to spot even a hint of any Elven presence, Sadron leaped from his hiding place and dashed across the gravel shoal into the cold water. Even at its deepest point the water barely reached his knees. The current was not so swift that he had to fight for balance. Both depth and current slowed him. With each step his eyes roved over the far shore or peered behind.

 

“So far so good” he thought. If he could only reach the other side safely he knew he could elude even the most experienced tracker.

 

At mid stream he paused and took a quick look back. At the same instant, two Elven trackers emerged from the forest then four more followed them. All he could do now was try to outrun them. Turning toward the far shore, there stood six more spread out along the shore, silent and waiting.

 

Trapped! No where to run! No where to hide! There was nothing left to him other than stand and fight.

 

“Then they shall have to come to me” he decided, “here in the water.” Sliding his feet along the bottom he searched for just a small area of good footing to make his stand.

 

Resigned to his fate he waited. Recalling the final words of Minyadan, his uncle and his King “even upon the pain of death allow the Bloodstone to no other hand than the one it is intended,” an idea began to form. Perhaps there was yet a way.

 

Turning to face down stream so he could keep most of both groups in view, Sadron hoped that the dying sunlight would help cover what he was about to do. At least they would not have it but then it would not reach the intended one either. Now both groups of Elven hunters entered the water simultaneously, spread out to keep him from getting past them.

 

Reaching up over his left shoulder with his right hand, his left snuck under the light vest for the little gray cloth pouch that held the Bloodstone hanging from the thin chain around his neck. A strong quick jerk and he felt the sting of the chain breaking from his neck. With the pouch hidden in his hand he reached to grip the two-handed hilt.

 

Screaming out his defiance, he drew the sword with exaggerated flourish and speed. As his hands and sword reached chest level, he let the pouch fly from his hand. It could not have traveled far.

 

Luck was with him! The dark gray of the cloth and the small size of the pouch hid it well beneath the failing light; it fell but four or five long strides past the last Elf in line who noticed nothing as it sailed past.

 

Glancing left and right, denying the urge to see where and how far it went, he watched each end of the line of Elves begin to curl around to encircle him.

 

None seemed to see anything other than the sword he held. “At the least now they shall not have it” he thought.

 

He knew the finely woven gray Elven cloth would hold out the water for a short time which would allow it to float further down stream and then the water would begin to soak thru. The pouch and stone would then sink from sight hopefully hidden from Elvish eyes.

 

The circle closed. The Elven hunters stopped some eight or so paces away and stood silently, each one staring at him. Turning slowly he recognized each one. None spoke, nor did he. Finally, one he knew as Fereder stepped forward a pace.

 

“Give it over, Sadron” he commanded. “You can live to walk away.”

 

He knew better.  As soon as he gave the Bloodstone up, they would kill him anyway.

 

“No” he replied fiercely, shifting to a ready stance. “You want it, you come get it!”

 

“We’ll have it either way” said Fereder, just as he darted forward hoping to catch Sadron off guard. Slashing from overhead all he found was the point of Sadron’s sword. Shoving the dead Elf away, the current carried the body away.

 

Now three Elves stepped forward from three different directions. The space between them insured that none would impede the other as they attack him at the same time.

 

Spinning and turning, facing one then the other, he fought them off for a few moments. But the odds were too great. One sword drove point first into his back, another struck downward across the side of his neck, while the third tore thru his shoulder. Each pulling their swords free and stepping back they watched as he fell, dead before he hit the water.

 

Before his body could drift away, several of them grabbed hold and drug his body to the gravel shoal. Dropping it several pace from the water, two began to clear a spot for a fire while the others gathered wood. The sun had finally settled behind the far mountains and night prevailed.

 

A shortlwhile later they had a fire burning brightly. Pulling his body close to the fire uncaring hands began to search every pocket, every seam, nothing was left to chance. At last convinced that the Bloodstone was not on him, they shoved the body into the stream. Within moments the current carried it from sight.

 

Far down stream Lady Moon shed her light over the stream. Silvery reflections of light glanced from the rushing waters. Barely visible the gray pouch bobbed along with the swift flowing current becoming more and more water-logged until finally it began to sink toward the bottom of the stream.

 

Over time, spring floods and summer storms turned the stream into a raging torrent sending silt and stone crashing against larger stone. The pouch, battered and worn, finally tore away leaving the Bloodstone to the wiles of Mother Nature.

Author's Note

All comments are welcomed.

Reviews

[Angel's Lady]

Good story line. Leaving many unanswered questions - definitely a lead-on! Good job!

[Corey Lunare-]

This is a wonderufl begining to a marvelous story i am sure. you make me wonder the purpose of this stone...i am intrigued and wonder how such a stone could be so importnt? but i am sure that it is. Poor Sadron, i like this charecter ad he was very noble and apparently loyal to his cause. A good person. Anyways great job my friend! I will return to read more soon!

[ShadowWolf]

Thank you Lady Wildflower! Corrections made.

[Wildfleour]

Two picky details - I would look over where you used exclamation points. Not all are necessary, in my opinion.

Also - last sentence I believe should read, "....leaving the bloodstone to the wiles of Mother Nature."

A great beginning of a mystical tale.

[ShadowWolf]

Thank you, Lady Diamond!

[Diamondjules]

Ooooh - my new friend - you should start a book!! I loved it and it looks like you have a couple of sequels to this adventure series - I shall continue on! Julie :)

[a Messenger]

Very well done.
An interesting story line with believable characters
hold the reader's attention.
I noticed no spelling or grammatical errors, which
is a bit unusual here at the Cafe. It's a smooth read with
no rough spots to stumble over, all in all a great read.

[[untitled]]

You know the Raven loves this! This story in your series, and you need to publish the others here too, is a bit more masculine than the others. I enjoyed it.

[WritefromtheHeart]

First of all...I love your icon!!

This is a wonderful piece of writing, I was drawn into it very quickly. Your descriptions are great and I liked the brisk pace of the story...you left me wanting more ;-)

I have two suggestions. Perhaps you might want to edit to give some space breaks between paragraphs for the small font made it a little hard to read.

Also, I noticed this passage: "A shortly while later they had a fire burning brightly." I think you mean a short while later??

Wonderful write, I look forward to reading more of this adventure!!