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Chapter 13
-Complicated-
Enemies of my enemies are my friends.
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We had just begun carrying the unconscious Gareth as a group of strange elves with bows drawn show themselves to us. They number about eight but I am sure there are more hidden about. Their demeanour hostile but I find it hard to believe that they would raise arms against me as they seem to be of the same species as Dueilen albeit more chitinous. However, had I perhaps done something to awaken their ire? They do not speak but instead motions us to stay still. They made sure to let us know their intent should we fail to comply with an arrow stuck in the ground between Mael’s legs. What seems to be their leader is speaking or should I say chittering in a foreign language. Immediately, half of the group breaks off.
“Are these your friends?” Mael chuckles with a nervous laughter. “Never seen creatures like these before.”
“Creatures?” The leader speaks up with a broken annoyed tone. “How dare it speak such?” It draws a blade as it walks up towards Mael. Mael with eyes of horror looks towards me pleading for help but how can I? “May not kill but could cut hand.” It clearly seems amused at the thought as a wicked smirk emerges on its chitinous face. However, it decides against as it as quickly reverts back to where it stood earlier sheathing its blade.
Out of the woods arrives yet another elf, this one looking much more like Dueilen.
“Daughter of the woods I presume?” Its voice strong as if it is standing right next to me yet it is still quite far away. It hints no interest at Mael nor Gareth but looks straight at me as it walks towards us. With a few chittering words to the leader, the group hastily make their way out of the shrine grounds leaving us alone with the newcomer. It somehow looks like Dueilen but something tells me it is not. The way it carries itself and its features hints it as a woman. Its tanned skin with a shade of sunny spring green. Breasts small yet apparent through the brown dress it carries. Shoulder length dark black hair combed down and large wholly black slanted eyes staring piercingly at me. Her dress albeit elegant is by no means not meant for combat as it seems hardened and leathery. Her skin is very much like Dueilen’s, unnatural and seemingly hard with no pores nor dents. Considering that her features are so apparent then can I perhaps presume that Dueilen is a man? Their whole species seem shrouded in mystery yet I somehow believe them all to be elves albeit strange ones at that. Not like the stories of old I heard of. Seated upon its shoulder is a small feminine fairy curiously peeking at us. Yet the woman’s face stare harshly at me.
“She is the daughter of the woods yes and we are her ‘guardians’.” Mael’s voice catches me off guard. He probably spoke as there was a lack of response from me.
“You are to speak when spoken to.” Her gaze stare Mael down. It is strange to see a man as large as he covering in fear or respect.
“I am Rhia and you are?”
Not bothering with formalities she continues. “Your mother stand accused of harbouring a Skuugack, hence absolving herself of our protection and blessings.” Her eyes flash in anger at the mere mention of this Skuugack. “You stand accused as well as per association thus facing equal charges. However, seeing as you were blessed by the elder tree, we’ll show mercy and kindness. Hand over the bow granted from the elder tree as you are deemed not worthy of wielding it any longer. It shall be returned to the seat of elders until a decision can be made on whom it shall be given to. Hereby, you are barred from entering the deeper parts of our forest and it will be seen as an act of aggression should you fail to comply.” Her voice cold, harsh and not as broken as the other elves. She speaks fluently and with such strength that could rival the most gifted with speech. The whole ordeal however sound surreal. She holds her hand out awaiting me to return the bow to which I comply.
Never did I think that they would revoke their support like this. The trees themselves seemed so eager to aid me albeit in what little way they could. The forest itself is far from safe all things considered but it felt like I had a place to return to if I ever needed aid. A place to escape to but that door is now barred shut.
“But why? I do not even know what this Skuugack is. Please, you must help us. Our friend is badly hurt. Could you please at least heal him?” Motioning towards Gareth limp at Mael’s back I plead for aid. These men are my last life line. Without them, I have nothing to rely on. Without the elves and their trees, I have no backing. Without their aid, Gareth will die and I will lose Mael’s support too.
She stares at me with intent and the little fairy looks up towards her, almost pleading her to help as well. The fairies seem to be kind creatures, always trying to help as I have experienced first-hand. However, the elven woman does not share such virtue as she having received the bow now turns heel and walks away. Her voice however echoes as if she never left our side. “We have shown you enough kindness daughter of the woods. Return home and treat him yourself.” Suddenly she stops in her steps, turning around facing us. “or ask your mother’s creature, the Skuugack for aid before we send a hunting party.” Her stern voice cold but speaks true, perhaps I should seek the creature out. It did aid us and if what she says is true, then it might be able to help us. The elven woman slowly disappears through the foliage, leaving us behind.
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“Follow me.” With newfound determination I head towards my home.
Mael swiftly make his way to my side still carrying Gareth. It looks like he harbours many questions but dares not ask me any. He simply follows queue in silence.
As we almost reach our home I turn towards the south where I believe I saw the creature venture so many nights ago.
“Wait, daughter of the woods, where are we heading? Can we not simply ask your mother for aid?” Mael finally asks with a tone of uncertainty. “I don’t think he has very long now.” Gareth looks very pale and is still unresponsive.
“I wish we could but she has not yet returned yet and I fear she never will.” Mael and Gareth might be my sole support in this world now but it is based on their respect for Elain. It is high time that I earn their trust and support for myself and telling lies is not a good start. However, they just might leave me or worse but it is my one shot.
Mael stops in his steps confused. “Was it not she who summoned the beast, Skuugack was it? Did you summon it?”
“I do not hold such power nor am I as powerful as mother. It was solely the beast’s doing and we shall soon find out why.”
Mael stares at me in disbelief but asks no further questions.
Our footsteps echo loudly as we enter the grove. The ground littered with dead trees and branches. It was not hard to find large, inhumane footsteps but following them seem to lead nowhere. Mael follows queue panting, carrying Gareth all this time is surely taking a toll on him. That not mentioning Gareth’s sorry state. Is he even alive? The grove is far too silent and we meet once again the edge leading back to my home. We are going in circles.
Frustrated I call out to the beast. “Skuugack! I know you are around here, please we require your aid!”
Mael looks at me with a defeated face. “We are losing him. He’s barely breathing now, lost far too much blood. Only the gods can save him now.” Dejected he gently lays Gareth down on the cold ground. Gareth is indeed very pale. His lips are blue and he is practically dead already. “A finer shield brother and friend is hard to come by. I’ll miss you Gareth ap Gareth af Arbro. You’ll be with your family and ancestors soon.”
“Skuugack!” desperate I cry out. “Show yourself! Please!” The grove still ever silent as if mocking our plea. However, by chance I spot that the trees seem to shift in the far distance revealing a small hill. Curious I peek in the direction and a small opening reveals itself before my eyes. “A cave!” My voice let out with such relief as if all our prayers are heard. “Come, follow quick!”
We stumble across branches and roots as we make our way to the apparent cave. The ground surrounding the cave is littered with bones of animals, creatures and men. A whole impaled ribcage on a pole adorned with a skull stare meekly at us. Ribs, bones and skulls dons the entrance to the cave forcing me reconsider our options. Mael seems to share my concern but we have no choice in the matter if we wish to save Gareth. Grabbing a hold of my senses I take a step forth, bones and snow crunched under my feet as I finally enter the dark cave.
A foul stench meets my nostrils as I with great effort keeps myself from barfing. It reeks of rotten meat and death. It is dark, far too dark to see clearly where we are heading. With a hand against the wall we step down further into the depths, bones still crunching under our feet. Further in, a slight light reflects against the wall revealing skulls covering the walls and roof. Instinctively I remove my hand from the wall not entirely sure if I had touched any skulls on my way down.
“By the gods.” Mael mutters in equal parts amazement and fear.
As we move closer the sound of anguished moans echoes, something I at first thought to be the wind is proved to be something horrendous. A large door bars our way but it is already slightly opened. A weak light exits the room and the silhouette of a large creature paints itself on the wall. Stumbling further I move towards the door, my heart drums hard in my throat. Fear telling me that whatever I will see beyond that door will never be unseen and I might not live to tell the tale. Mael gulps behind me, he too feels the pressure emitting from the room ahead. The anguished moans louder but suddenly it stops. Out of fear I look towards the silhouette on the wall but it is gone. There is only silence.
Steeling my heart, I grab a hold of the door and swing it open wide.
Before my eyes lay a naked man with his entire chest opened up and his ribs bent up and broken out. Another man seemingly already harvested for organs and skin lay on the side of the table, now chopped up and put in baskets. The walls are loitered with skins of various creatures and to my horror, people as well. It is marked with strange markings all over. Piles of hides and skin books are scattered about and they too carry these markings. The Skuugack however is nowhere to be seen in this room. There is a pile of gnawed bones near a dining table and a small resting place in the far end of the room. Mosses, hides and straw makes up the most of the large bedding. Mael simply stares ahead, he is perhaps even paler than Gareth.
A claw like something land gently on my shoulder and the face of lizard like creature emerge from the darkness on the other side of my head. “Welcome to my dwelling honoured guests.” It takes a deep breath, breathing my scent in.