Short Story: SoV, Chapter 2

The Snows of Valoreth

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Storm
Chapter 2: Secret Meetings

Chapter 2: Secret Meetings

Time seems to stand still for him. It has been six hours since he found this spot. Six hours he has waited, only to find the dark begin to overtake the forest. The light is falling now, and all too quickly. The bitter cold is starting to have its effect on him. His gloved hands tingle no longer, and his boots, soaked to their core, seem to be heavy and unwilling to follow his direction. It has been six hours too long he thinks to himself.

He stands near a tethered horse, not far into the trees beside a long and narrow trail that is the north road. The trees on the western side are dark, and on the eastern side, at least from his vantage seem devoid of any movement. His thick green dark robe offers little protection from the fierce wind, which whips through the trees as if it were a living thing, berating them for some wrong doing. The howl of the wind is all about this place, and though his senses are keener than most, a stranger might have little difficulty in taking him by surprise.

“It’s been too long…” He says quietly to himself. The man is human, and wears a longbow strapped to his back. At his side lies a quiver and a small hunters knife. A half-empty bag of oats and frozen berries lies sprawled open a few feet from him. “Alright Chiras, we will wait no longer. It was foolish to wait this long… And night is drawing too near.” His horse seemed to like the idea, lifting its head and then pushing the pack of oats nearer to him.

“Alrin, son of Adille of Valoreth.” The words sounded too close, and spoken with a different dialect. The man spins quickly, surveying the forests edge and trying desperately to find the speaker.

“Can’t see me, it is good to be this. Just listen to my words, you were called to hear them and it is why you have come here in this hour.” The speaker was definitely elven, but still cloaked to him. They sounded as if they were so close… though Chiras didn’t seem spooked. Alrin glances once more to the road, covered in thick snow. He was thankful at least that it had stopped snowing, but being out past dark meant Sirion’s retribution, and he did not want to risk it.

“I’ve waited as long as I can, and must go now, lest my life be forfeit! Reveal yourself and I might stay to hear your speech, elf-kind.” His words spoken were quiet, hoping the speaker would respond, he waited a few moments before gathering his belongings.

“Very well Alrin. I put my life in dangers way just as you have. See me now.” The words were coming from in front of him, and for a moment he noticed a silhouette. Blinking twice, he felt a rush of air and looked again to see an elf standing before him, not ten paces away.

“What news do you have for me? Why have you made me wait so long, as now I face a harsh trip back to reach Valoreth before nightfall…” Alrin steps closer to the elf, anger lighting his features. His voice louder this time, the sound arcs outward into the lonely forest.

~~~

Its sense of hearing is keen, but its sense of smell controls its nearly every action. The mangy beast turns its attention to a familiar scent on the wind. A horse is near, its blood seems to pierce its brain like thunder pierces a gathering storm. It lumbers quietly towards the sound of one mans lowered voice. Drool begins to form and drip out of its incisor laden mouth, the dire wolf can think of nothing else but the horse… the blood. And then there is nothing. Its world seems to disappear, and its voice of hunger seems to fall quiet and unnaturally docile.

~~~

The elf walks towards Alrin, and quietly says: “A woman has come to Valoreth. Her name is Dylenna, and she is a friend to us. Look after her if you can.” The elf steps closer still, standing slightly shorter than he. “Sirion has been busy. His guard still loyal to him, they took one of our kind to the keep. My sister- Elanewin’alao. He has bound her body to his will, she serves him as the Drei’ak’Vast- the undead… Do you understand what I am saying to you?”

Alrin lifts himself onto his horse after tying up his bag and then says quietly, “You mean Sirion has killed her and risen her spirit?” The elf takes another step closer, and sighs heavily. “No, her spirit has been freed. It is her body that he has risen, and to do nothing more than works of evil. And there are more like her. Our eyes have seen four. Three others are humans, and one a dwarf-born.” The elf suddenly bends his back and peers towards the road. “We have spoken too long. Find Dylenna, be wary of Sirion, evil he commands and with vengeance in his heart!”

At that the elven man seems to fade from in front of him. Spooked by the elves last reaction, he peers wearily towards the road. After a moments hesitation, he turns Chiras towards Valoreth and the two quickly make their way towards town, leaving behind the tall trees. The wind still howls and the air still bites into him, a deep and bitter cold. Yet one thing still alarms him, and Alrin can’t place it. He thinks nothing more of it, not noticing the two dim eyes peering at him from a place not far away.

~~~

“Alrin’s returned sir!” A young mans voice shouts out towards the entry to the barracks. The dark clouds overhead obscure the moon, though they move quickly and at times the moon’s light can be seen in irregular patches on the frozen ground.

Another mans voice sends out the message of Alrin’s return, and then another from inside the barracks. Not long after a tall man steps outside. He is wrapped in a dark blue cloak, and hefts a battleaxe strapped to his back. His large boots crunch in the fresh snow, moving down a slight hill ever closer to the stables. The stables and barracks were quiet around this time, and not many were seen about. It was uncommon for men and women to be out this late- and none dare be spotted outside the city limits, lest they pay a terrible price.

It was this notion that drove the large man to anger. “ALRIN!!!” He tapered off the name towards the end, yelling loud enough for people to leave the area. He pushed open the large stable doors and inside found the scout, unbuckling the heavy saddle Chiras bore during the journey.

“Just what the HELL took you so damn long you fool?? You want to rouse Sirion, there are ways to do it- but this ain’t one of them!” He moves closer to Adris, and sneers a little when he doesn’t get an answer.

“So what is your report then??? You’re just going to ignore me, I can have you whipped you realize?” The old man lowers his shoulders a little and then shakes his head in annoyance. “I have nothing to report father. Sadri’s farm is as they’ve left it. Nothing remains after the fire.” Adris turns and meets his gaze with a little hesitation.

The larger man sneers and then slaps Adris in the face. “Never be out this late again- next time you’ll be whipped.” The large man waits a moment longer and then storms back towards the barracks.

“Guard- wake the chancellor… I’m thinking we’ll have visitors tonight…” He points and barks the order to the guard standing next to the barracks door. The two exchange glances as the master of arms enters the building.