| Subject: Thank you. I'm glad you do. It really helps a writer when their work is appreciated. :) Here's the next part INSIDE> |
Author:
Sekin Brightfall
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Date Posted: 22:30:44 12/19/03 Fri
In reply to:
KiokoMaemiMitsu
's message, "More, more! I really, really like yourstory!" on 20:20:15 12/19/03 Fri
One of the riders was sitting quite still in the saddle, hardly moving at all. The horse’s eyes were slightly hooded as the demon sensed the Weaving and listened to it. “Sarvin?” The Captain exclaimed and then the rider stirred in her seat, bright eyes shooting open, as she heeled her mount forwards. Immediately the ground ceased its upheaval and came to a halt as she galloped straight for her Captain. With a hideous curse, he threw himself to one side, the air of the rider’s speed causing his cloak to flap angrily.
The rider headed straight for Fyrth, slowing her mount down only to reach out a guantleted arm. Fyrth’s face never changed, but he grabbed her arm and vaulted easily into the saddle, right behind her. With a vicious jab from its rider’s heels, the horse leapt forwards into the forest.
The Captain stared after them for a second, like a hawk bewildered by the sparrow’s unexpected maneuver, or a wolf startled by the gadfly’s sudden sting. Then, he surged up off the ground and jumped into the saddle of his horse. As soon as the demon felt its rider’s weight descend on its back, it threw back its head and with teeth bared, screamed a hideous whistle. Immediately, the fifteen other demons screamed with it, throwing back their skull-like heads, black manes rippling.
The Captain surged forwards, growling, “So the Hunt goes on Serpent. And now you have aid from Sarvin…Interesting, but the odds are still far from even.” His riders went with them and the Radgem as well, like dogs heeling their masters, ghostly faces turned up to the breeze, scenting their quarry.
Grisen had barely gone twenty paces before the sound of hoof-beats drummed out again. Through the trees he could see a black horse running towards him, mane and tail flying in its speed, two riders on its back. The first was hooded and cloaked in black, even down to gloves and boots, with fearsome dark gauntlets reaching from wrists to forearms. The second rider wore the same dark tunic but with cowl thrown back. It was Fyrth!
Grisen darted in front of the horse’s path as it charged towards him and the animal reared violently, sliding back on taunt haunches and pawing at the air, but Grisen didn’t move. When the horse dropped back down to its forelegs, the black cloaked rider had drawn a sword from the scabbard at her waist. “Move human!” barked a female voice from inside the hood. “Move or I swear I’ll run you down!” Her voice was harsh but rich and the horse tossed its head fiercely, its eyes suddenly filled with the light of insanity. Grisen stood his ground.
“Fyrth, I need answers!” Fyrth’s eyes seemed to see right through him, but Grisen went on, a slight quaver in his voice giving away his pretense of strength. “Please! I’m grateful to you, but I need answers!”
The cloaked rider never turned her gaze away from him, but when she spoke it was in a quieter voice. “A friend of yours Fyrth?” Fyrth blinked and his eyes seemed suddenly to focus on Grisen as if seeing him for the first time.
“I told you to run.” His voice was as quiet as his companion’s but with a hint of what might have passed for disappointment.
Grisen shook his head. “I couldn’t. You looked as if you needed help and I have so many questions.” The blood-curdling shriek ran out again, with a hint of rage and eagerness. At least a dozen other whistles burst the silence to join it. The horse beneath them pranced wildly with high, impatient steps and tossed its head, but the black rider pulled on the reins and it stopped its movements.
“We cannot afford to linger Fyrth and he cannot ride a shetan!” Was that a note of panic in her voice? Grisen eyes flicked to Fyrth desperately.
Finally, without taking his eyes off Grisen, Fyrth said quietly, “Go with him Sarvin.”
The woman twisted around in her saddle to stare at him. “And you?”
“I’ll find you soon enough, you know where. Go with him.” Hoof-beats rang out through the trees.
“He’ll crush you Fyrth,” she spat. “You know you cannot even deflect his Weaving much longer. I can!”
“Go with him Sarvin.” There was a ring of command in Fyrth’s voice. “Now!”
Sarvin narrowed her eyes, but swung out of the saddle, shooting Grisen a hideous glare. Fyrth leapt into the front of the saddle and without even a glance at the pair of them, heeled the horse on. With a surge of speed, the black animal charged into the dense forest.
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