Midnight; his favorite time. He strode through the dark wood like a shadowy ghost. When he came to the clearing he stopped, still as Death. His dark hair whipped in a surging blast of icy wind that engulfed him. It carried the stench of death and the cries of the damned. He spun, arms extended, laughing. It's demented sound ringing through the night,
"So at last, the time has come," His sinister voice almost shrill with excitement. Slowly, the wind died down, the only sound was the shadow's quiet laughter. He stared up at the moon,
and whispered to the sky, "I'm coming Calypso."
Chapter One: Calypso
My hand slides slowly to my quiver, reaching for an arrow. I silently nock the arrow, aiming for my target, a silver wolf. This particular wolf is massive, as big as a work horse, and it is prowling below the tree I'm in. I line up my shot, then fire. Right before the arrow comes in contact with the wolf, it erupts into a shower of silver sparks. The wolf growls softly and looks up at me. I smile down on it, then jump out of the tree. I land lightly in front of the wolf,
"I win," I declare proudly, "again!" The wolf glares at me,
<It's not very fair, you shouldn't hide so far up.> I roll my eyes and pat the angry wolf's side,
"I'll let you win next time Artex." Artex grumbles to himself as I grab my pack stashed by a tree and leap onto his back. I lean forward to whisper into his ear, "Now let's check on our new friend." Artex starts working up to a steady run. My legs hug his sides, leaving my hands free if I need to use my bow. Artex runs steadily, the forest speeding past us as we head home.
My home is a castle. It's not my castle, it belongs to a wealthy baron named Larksis. The castle has known war, plague, and many other horrors. My job at Larksis Castle is simple. I act as a healer and an occasional agricultural advisor. I live in a personal section of the baron's castle, in a wing next to a decent sized courtyard where I can grow any herbs or spices I need.
When we arrive at the East Gate, the baron's gate, I shout up at the tower guard,
"Open the gate!" the guards look down at me, I hear a scoff, then I see a glint of white and a horn sounds. The gate slowly opens, and a garrison of guards is slowly revealed. Poised to defend, they point spears and swords at us over brilliantly colored shields. A deep, commanding voice breaks the silence,
"I see you have returned, deceitful witch." The guard splits to reveal the baron's son, Hiro. I sigh and shake my head,
"What is it now? I'm a very busy person." Hiro struts forward, attempting to look powerful, but only managing to look like a drunken chicken.
"Did you think we wouldn't discover you're latest treachery?" he turns to the back of the guard, "Bring the wretched thing!" He continues to approach, but my focus moves to the body two guards are dragging forward. They toss it in front of us into the dirt, and I see the face,
"Phike!" I leap off of Artex's back and kneel beside him,"Phike? Phike?!" I lower my head to his chest and listen for the thrumming of his life force. I sigh with relief as I'm greeted with his faint, but beating pulse. I glare up at Hiro,
"What is the meaning of this?" He takes a step back at the vehemence in my voice,
"You have brought that thing into our castle! He is a monster, a fiend that we must destroy!" Artex growls and jumps over me and Phike, landing in front of Hiro.
"Easy there, Artex. If we were to kill him, Larksis would not be pleased," I look back down at Phike, "We need to get him out of the sun, he is too weak for this much exposure." Artex eases back from Hiro, and turns to me,
<Very well then... Hoist him onto my back, and I will carry the demon.> I sigh,
"I know you don't mean it as an insult, but would you please not call him a demon?" Hiro starts to shriek,
"See? She just spoke to the beast! She is a witch!" There is a collective sigh from the soldiers, all of whom are tired of Hiro's constant accusations. I wrap my arms around Phike's torso, and struggle to lift him. I pull until my arms hurt. I sigh and let go of him.
"Will one of you guys help me? I'm a very tiny person!" The crowd of men is silent, and then a voice calls out,
"I will assist you then, if all these lazy louts won't." A noble figure strides out from between the ranks, a young, but well built man. His clothes label him as wealthy, but his form is that of a warrior. He quickly crosses the distance between us, and kneels beside Phike. He picks him up as if he weighed nothing, "What shall I do with him now?" I point to Artex,
"Lay him across the wolf's back." He lightly sets Phike down, then turns back to me,
"I am a little... confused on what exactly is going on here. Would you care to explain?" I look over to Phike, and then back to the man, debating how long Phike could survive in the sun. I decided not to risk it,
"I would love to explain this, but I have to get him out of the sun. You can come with me if you like, but I really must hurry." I motion to Artex and we start to walk through the gate. After a moments deliberation, the man follows.
We cross my private courtyard and enter the small dining hall for my personal use. I instruct the man to move Phike onto the table, then have a servant sent for cold water. I stand beside Phike, and check his body for wounds.
