, mighty magic had been cast on this spot.
Climbing down to investigate the area further, Callistra closed her eyes and used her magic to read the remnants of whatever enchantments had been cast on this spot. The vampyre part of her thirsted for the blood that was spilled here. It had been weeks since she last fed and the hunger was becoming unbearable again. Calming herself, she fell into the trance needed to ‘see’ the battle. In her mind’s eye, she watched the ten companions arrive.
It wasn’t as clear a picture as those she enjoyed in the past but it was still entertainment. As she watched the battle unfold something in the mannerisms and appearances of some of the companions tugged at her memories but were quickly forgotten when she witnessed the treachery of Tariq. As the companions began arguing, it was times like this when she really missed having sound. Callistra was shocked when the nine companions didn’t kill the assassin but let him live.
Weak fools.
However, the trussed up assassin would make for an easy meal. Letting the spell drop, Callistra remounted her steed and turned toward the distant forest. With luck, she would be able to overtake the bound assassin before sunrise, not that she couldn’t be out in the sunlight. It was just so damn bright that she preferred the darkness. Either way, she knew she would soon sate her thirst once more.
* * * * *
Chester called out to his older brother. “Sanford, wait up.”
As always, Sanford slowed down but chided his younger brother. “Chester, why are you always lagging behind? You know we have to gather the mistletoe before the second moon sets.”
“I know. I know. Mother will be very displeased if we don’t bring back two full baskets but why do you always rush? We’re out of the house and the weather is nice tonight.”
Sanford stopped and turned to face his little brother. Closing the hood on the lantern, he plunged the surrounding woods into semi-darkness. “Because we need to be quick or else the Wood Witch will get us.”
Chester ’s face went pale and his eyes widened. “The Wood Witch? She’s real?”
“Of course.” Sanford struggled to keep the smirk off his face as he added, “However, since this is Wotan’s Day, she should be far to the south.” Pausing to look around conspiratorially, he added. “But she still could be on the lookout for fresh meat.”
When a n owl hooted nearby, Chester clutched the sickle he was carrying tighter to his chest and looked around wildly. The fear on his younger brother’s face was more than Sanford could stand. Bursting into laughter, he bent over holding his stomach. Realizing that his brother had played a trick on him again, Chester dropped the sickle and leapt on Sanford’s back. Momentarily stunned by his brother’s wild attack, the two fell to the ground and began wrestling.
Mere seconds into the fight , the cracking and breaking of branches reached their ears.
Forgotten was their argument. Rolling clear, both boys pulled out their daggers and prepared to defend themselves from whatever was plundering through the thick underbrush of the forest. It was only a few minutes before they saw two goblins in the bright moonlight carrying a struggling form wrapped up in some sort of black bands. Neither brother had to ask what to do. Goblins were to be killed on sight. Period. No questions asked and no exceptions. Having lived their whole life under the threat of goblin attacks, the brothers knew how to deal with them and moments later, the two goblin zombies were dead once again.
Sanford moved over to the struggling form of Tariq and poked him with his dagger. “Chester. Get the lantern. I’m not sure what this is but we need more light.”
“Gotcha,” was all he said and ran off to gather their things.
Sanford knelt down to study the trussed up assassin as best he could in the pale moonlight while he waited. Minutes passed. “Dammit Chester! Where are you?”
A
Climbing down to investigate the area further, Callistra closed her eyes and used her magic to read the remnants of whatever enchantments had been cast on this spot. The vampyre part of her thirsted for the blood that was spilled here. It had been weeks since she last fed and the hunger was becoming unbearable again. Calming herself, she fell into the trance needed to ‘see’ the battle. In her mind’s eye, she watched the ten companions arrive.
It wasn’t as clear a picture as those she enjoyed in the past but it was still entertainment. As she watched the battle unfold something in the mannerisms and appearances of some of the companions tugged at her memories but were quickly forgotten when she witnessed the treachery of Tariq. As the companions began arguing, it was times like this when she really missed having sound. Callistra was shocked when the nine companions didn’t kill the assassin but let him live.
Weak fools.
However, the trussed up assassin would make for an easy meal. Letting the spell drop, Callistra remounted her steed and turned toward the distant forest. With luck, she would be able to overtake the bound assassin before sunrise, not that she couldn’t be out in the sunlight. It was just so damn bright that she preferred the darkness. Either way, she knew she would soon sate her thirst once more.
* * * * *
Chester called out to his older brother. “Sanford, wait up.”
As always, Sanford slowed down but chided his younger brother. “Chester, why are you always lagging behind? You know we have to gather the mistletoe before the second moon sets.”
“I know. I know. Mother will be very displeased if we don’t bring back two full baskets but why do you always rush? We’re out of the house and the weather is nice tonight.”
Sanford stopped and turned to face his little brother. Closing the hood on the lantern, he plunged the surrounding woods into semi-darkness. “Because we need to be quick or else the Wood Witch will get us.”
Chester ’s face went pale and his eyes widened. “The Wood Witch? She’s real?”
“Of course.” Sanford struggled to keep the smirk off his face as he added, “However, since this is Wotan’s Day, she should be far to the south.” Pausing to look around conspiratorially, he added. “But she still could be on the lookout for fresh meat.”
When a n owl hooted nearby, Chester clutched the sickle he was carrying tighter to his chest and looked around wildly. The fear on his younger brother’s face was more than Sanford could stand. Bursting into laughter, he bent over holding his stomach. Realizing that his brother had played a trick on him again, Chester dropped the sickle and leapt on Sanford’s back. Momentarily stunned by his brother’s wild attack, the two fell to the ground and began wrestling.
Mere seconds into the fight , the cracking and breaking of branches reached their ears.
Forgotten was their argument. Rolling clear, both boys pulled out their daggers and prepared to defend themselves from whatever was plundering through the thick underbrush of the forest. It was only a few minutes before they saw two goblins in the bright moonlight carrying a struggling form wrapped up in some sort of black bands. Neither brother had to ask what to do. Goblins were to be killed on sight. Period. No questions asked and no exceptions. Having lived their whole life under the threat of goblin attacks, the brothers knew how to deal with them and moments later, the two goblin zombies were dead once again.
Sanford moved over to the struggling form of Tariq and poked him with his dagger. “Chester. Get the lantern. I’m not sure what this is but we need more light.”
“Gotcha,” was all he said and ran off to gather their things.
Sanford knelt down to study the trussed up assassin as best he could in the pale moonlight while he waited. Minutes passed. “Dammit Chester! Where are you?”
A
Similar Books
