ONE - Spectres in the Shadows

      O N E 

Spectres in the Shadows

Druenn dragged his heavy feet and forced his eyes open, sleep deprivation was causing his eyes to shut automatically, leaving him to stumble and almost fall, the company of Reinhold had traveled through the night and were now marching through the Northern forests leading towards camp Swiftrunner, Druenn looked over his shoulder towards his friends noticing Emily and Rick kept their distance. 

Druenn saw Emily watching him but as soon as they made eye contact Emily dropped her eyes to the ground, “I’ve hurt them so badly, I never meant for any of this”.

Raeflik was by Druenns side the entire march barely even able to lift his feet any longer showing the signs of being weary due to the distance they had managed to cover and the lack of sleep starting to hit him, the twins Bram and Sam trailed a little behind both keeping their heads to the ground trying to focus as they both pant rhythmically. 

Druenn searched the trees, it was now noon and the sun filtered in small rays of light in between the gaps of the branches, it seemed particularly dark under these trees despite it being midday. Druenn noticed the ground was soft under his feet, the ankle high grass brushing against them softly sounding like a windstorm as the company continued through. 

Emily caught up to Druenn tapping his shoulder, Druenn turned to her, his fears of seeing that angry face of hers that cut him like a stab wound. Her face was not, it was contorted between dislike and rationality.

“Druenn I am so angry with you right now, you can't begin to imagine how angry I am, but I want to put our differences aside whilst we are here, you’re right we must be strong and stick together right now, Rick agrees” Emily whispered softly into Druenns ear, Druenns eyes shot to Rick, he nodded respectfully back.

Druenn collected his thoughts and placed a reassuring hand on Emily’s shoulder “We will get out of here together, I swear it to you”.

A scream from the front of the column echoed round the forest, Druenn whipped his head round to the direction in which the sound came from “Halt you fools, what was that?” the voice squawked. Druenn knew it was one of Terribor’s prefects, he put his finger to his mouth facing Emily to tell her to be quiet and then another voice shouted back

“He’s dead Sir, he’s been hit by an arrow”

another yelled  “From where? 

Druenn looked up into the trees.

Emily’s face dropped in horror, her breathing quickened.

She knew it was time, Bram and Sam knocked an arrow ready, Reaflik drew his sword and slipped his shield off his back and slotted the straps around his wrist, Rick turned to them puzzled as to why they had quickly armed themselves.

Emily whispered to Druenn, his eyes still focusing on the trees “What is it Druenn? What do you see?” she said, her voice hoarse from her dry throat, Druenn’s eyes began darting between tree to tree.

“They are in the trees” he replied panic quickly rippling through his body, adrenaline began racing through his veins. 

He took Emily’s hand and held it tight as he slowly drew his sword and kept it by his side. “What?” Rick whispered, barely able to find the words, Druenn was sensing the desperate fear in all his friends

“I must get them out of here! It's because of me this is happening”.

His eyes looking directly at a ranger shrouded in leaves and shadow, all he could make out was a green cloak and hood with two eyes and a bow, then another he’d spot then another and another.

“How many Dru?” Reaflik whispered.

“I’ve already lost count” Druenn replied absently watching the Rangers,

“Should we run now?” Bram asked, his voice shockingly even and calm.

“Not until they begin the attack otherwise the focus will be on us, we can lose them in the confusion” Reaflik answered.The front of the column began to shuffle forward as the leading prefect pushed a young student.

“Alright get this group of maggots moving again!” a whistle flew through the air before the prefect fell to his knees groaning, the front three lines shifted back as the leading prefect landed face down in the grass, an arrow protruding from the top of his neck.

Panicked cries rang out before the students began noticing shadows ahead of them, Druenn looked ahead to see rangers approaching slowly on foot, his gaze returned to the trees - The rangers had now begun pulling back their bows ready to fire.

“Ok, time to go, remember everyone, just like we rehearsed!” Druenns hushed tones became louder with each word dread increasing in his voice, Emily shot him a glance perplexed “They have rehearsed this retreat?” she thought to herself. Rick quickly armed himself with a large rectangular shield and strapped it firmly to his arm. 

“GO!” Druenn yelled, the six friends ran back the way they came, the twins taking point, their arrows prepared to fire, Sam stayed left of Rick, Bram to the right, directly in front of Rick was Druenn and Emily and in front of Druenn and Emily was Reaflik, leading the way. 

They dashed away from their certain doom. 

“Stop scum!” the prefects called but it was too late, arrows fell from the trees like a rainstorm, students fell where they stood, shields went up to stop the shower of needles, The column scattered trying to find cover.   

Rangers charged forward bearing swords and spears, the students took up arms and fought back. 

The superior strength and tactical fighting skills of the rangers quickly cut down the young students, the prefects fought hard but not for long, they quickly succumbed to the ranger’s blades.

The six tore through the forest, Rick repelled the shower of arrows crashing against the shield like thunder claps, the twins aimed at any ranger they saw and fired, causing them to fall behind, before long they ran to catch up with the others.

Druenn watched Reaflik in front of them disappear through a bush, a ranger from the right leapt into the bush with him, Druenn ripped through the leaves to find Reaflik all the while clinging tightly to Emily’s hand. 

Druenn came across a ranger that had slipped over, Emily and Druenn quickly slid their blades into the ranger's back and the ranger cried out in pain then fell limp, Druenn’s eyes darted left to right, there was no sign of Reaflik.

He cried out in the hopes his friend would reappear from the trees, when he fell silent he heard more screams in the distance.

“Reaflik!” Druenn tried again.

No one appeared, and nothing moved.

“Come on Druenn!” Emily yelled breathlessly tugging Druenn, Druenn felt his heart drop; the sense of being alone began to creep back inside the shadows of his heart, his sense of belonging quickly evaporated as he looked back.

Rick, Sam and Bram were gone.

Emily tugged again.

Rick burst through the brush to the left of them, his shield was dirty and dented and covered in arrows, like a spider with over thirty legs. The two stopped relieved to see Rick was still alive. 

Rick’s eyes turned to the skies horror masking his usually calm and composed features, he barged past the two, Emily looked back in shock. “Why did you…” she called in confusion, then she saw the shower  of arrows heading towards them, the thunder ripped through the shield again.

“Go!” Rick shouted.  

“No, we need to stay together,” Emily agonised. 

Rick turned to Emily, suddenly an arrow struck him in the shoulder, his eyes went wide, and he winced, Druenn and Emily stood horrified as they watched their injured friend struggle.

Rick tried to regain his composure and stared at Emily, her eyes welling with emotion and love for her good friend.

Druenn realised what Rick was planning to do too late, he shook his head violently; a familiar lump in his throat rendering him speechless but Rick did not look at him.

He stared at Emily and shook his head slowly as if to say, don’t help me, then slowly nodded as if to say, you know what to do.

Emily wiped the tears away and nodded back.

“Go!” Rick whispered, giving a small grin.

Emily grabbed Druenn’s hand and ran and she didn’t look back too upset at what happened. 

Rick turned towards the oncoming Rangers as a further two arrows sailed into his chest “For the Descendant” he rallied his will power as he slammed his shield into the closest ranger, the second closest slashed with his blade, rick blocked as another arrow struck his shin he roared in pain as his scream was suddenly cut short.

    

Druenn and Emily both ran on, listening to the screams behind them slowly beginning to die down; they both knew that all their friends were dead, Druenn spotted Emily wiping her tears away, she whispered

“Goodbye Rick, Precious, Rest in peace Ruby.”

“This is my fault” he thought, dashing through a brush he felt a slice across his cheek from a low branch.

Two rangers leapt into view, their swords raised, their bows on their backs Druenn took the lead and began tugging on Emily’s arm darting in an alternative direction. 

“Druenn slow d…” she tripped and they both stumbled over each other,

Druenn pulled himself up, the fall temporarily dazing him, his clouded eyes spun, the brown leaves blanketing the ground, the trees dancing in the breeze. Reality crept back; “we have to escape, they will kill us!” he pulled on Emily’s hand.

“Come on, we need to go!” Druenn pleaded.

“No Druenn, I can’t” he spun to see Emily face down on the ground. Her face was smeared in dirt, leaves poked out from her scruffy hair, she blinked at him, Druenn’s eyes dropped to her expression the spark in her eyes had gone, she looked defeated, “Emily is never defeated, she’s a fighter.”

He panted, forcing the air back into his lungs so quickly his chest burned to the point of pain “We…need to…move” kneeling next to her he scanned the forest for any signs of life. Nothing, no one.

“At least we are safe for the moment”. Druenn pulled on Emily’s hand again.

“You are not giving up, after everything we have been through, you’re a survivor!” he pulled harder this time, tugging her enough she slid forward, she winced in pain.

Druenn felt a surge of panic wash over him, his best friend was in pain, she clearly wasn’t in a state to move. “What is wrong with her?” his mind raced and he felt a similar stab of pain that he had for his father, “Thomas Lightblaser”. He realised Emily wasn’t just a friend,

she was family. A family to fill the void he had lost. Guilt washed over him. “I’ve been neglecting her ever since I knew about this bloody overdrive.” His panting increased again, his throat throbbed from this strong emotion for Emily instead of being able to make things better, here she was on the ground struggling to get onto her knees, not even to her elbows. 

His body shook violently, and he scanned her body for wounds, it took him only a second to see what was causing her the pain.

From the left side of her back was an arrow, the white flights splattered with blood.

Druenn felt his body go rigid with fear, he felt numb, sorrow, anger and regret, too many feelings were running through him, he panted harder forcing back the overwhelming urge to cry. “If it weren’t for me she wouldn’t be here.” Flashbacks shot through his conscious thoughts.

Her shielding him from Rupert, the giggles, the canteen. “And what did I do for her to repay her kindness… nothing!” He scolded himself. 

Druenn searched the trees again, still silent. 

The brown leaves and the green grass from in-between them swayed in the cool breeze, nothing could be comforting in this situation, his eyes met Emily’s and the guilt punched him again.

He felt sick with anger towards his selfishness and arrogance, he cursed under his breath and tears welled in his eyes, unable to contain his grief. “Druenn you have to run” Emily whispered as she heard voices begin to approach.

Druenn felt the lump in his throat break and his eyes began to tear up

“No Emily, I won't leave you” , taking her cheek in his palm and gently running his fingers down to her chin, her lips trembling as her breathing quickened, her eyes began to dart around as if she could not see Druenn. “I’m here” he whispered in between groans of pain towards his best friend.

Pulling her body on top of his lap he rocked her gently, Emily wrapped her arms around his legs sobbing into his trousers.

“I'm sorry Druenn, for everything, I know this hasn’t been easy for you learning about your mother and Divine Victory and…” 

“Shh, shh” he hushed. “You need your strength” cradling her now. Footsteps were coming closer and the leaves being kicked up sounded like rain smashing against the trees.

Druenn jumped up with Emily still in his arms and pulled her behind a large bush behind them as the two rangers ran past, their voices and footsteps disappearing into the distance calling to the other rangers.

His eyes turned to Emily again; he sniffed, rubbing the water from his nose, she looked up at him, her loving smile returning to her face then as fast as it was there it disappeared and her eyes bore through Druenn looking at nothing. 

Druenn convulsed, causing Emily’s body to bounce, he couldn’t hold the tears back, he wanted to scream out, but he forced it down low “They all risked their lives and paid the price, for what? Me? My bloody legacy? The dean, Rick, Reaflik, Sam, Bram, Warren’s gone”. Anger welled in his chest, he ground his teeth and bared them, boiling hatred sat in the pit of his stomach for the rangers and Terribor Strife for killing so many innocent lives. 

He looked up into the trees above and in between the crack, blue sky and white fluffy clouds slowly drifted by, he softly growled at the sky.

“No Divine awaits us after our deaths. The Divine doesn't even exist, it’s a lie. No loving souls would be this cruel to good people.”

He looked down at Emily again, a tear dripping onto her soft cheek,

he breathed loudly and returned his gaze to the sky “Mother, where was your Divine? Where was anyone’s Divine in their last moments?”

Druenn didn’t know what thinking about his mother would do.

He growled again.

“Answer me!” he spat. 

A familiar crack within him instinctively made him stand, he laid Emily on the ground gently and returned his view forward, a few yards away a shadow fell from a tree.

Mistfear slowly walked towards the boy in front of him, bow still raised aimed at the boy, after shooting the girl moments before and seeing his reaction he knew he was in for a nice fight.

“Nothing better than killing loved ones when you are after a decent fight”. He thought cruelly.

“Why did you all come here?” Mistfear asked, refusing to lower his bow, slowly side stepping for a better view of the boys' face.

“You killed her didn’t you!” Druenn seethed his eyes glowing crimson, he slid the bow off his back, Mistfear fired. 

To Druenn everything seemed in slow motion, the arrow made a pretty whistle through the air, he turned his head slightly to the right and the arrow sailed past him. 

He stared at the elf who now looked stunned “How did you...” Mistfear started, before he could continue Druenn had knocked an arrow and fired, the arrow sailed then made a mighty crack, Mistfears eyes bulged whilst he stared at the arrow lodged in his Femur.

Druenn dropped the bow and drew his sword.

Falling to one knee and now stationary Mistfear Drew his own blade and the swords clashed, the swords clashed over and over, voices could be heard heading towards their location, Druenn didn’t care. “They’ll die, they’ll all die!”

He toyed with his prey clashing with Mistfear’s sword then slashing at flesh again and again, blood began to flow freely from Mistfear’s body from multiple locations, he stared up at this crazed fighter, his heart pounding and his sword feeling heavier by the second. “I’m going to die! I know it!”

Druenn swung his sword one final time flinging Mistfear’s sword from his hand, Mistfear stood knelt on the ground panting, spitting blood from his mouth, exhaustion wracked at his bones, he began to feel cold. 

The boy didn’t say a word until he placed the sword across Mistfears left shoulder, Mistfear took a glance at the sword on his shoulder then traced down the length of the blade to the hand that held it, to the arm then to the boy, Druenn looked at Mistfear with a scowl of disgust.

“You shouldn’t have picked a fight with a descendant!” Druenn spat, horror filled Mistfear as realisation hit him with what Shreftwood had told him about not fighting these people “they weren’t the enemy!”

 The sword drew back.

He looked down at the ground then his world disappeared.

Druenn closed his eyes as he listened to the head fall on the leaves, he breathed slowly and deeply trying to slow his furious heart but his heart was too busy computing the loss of his new family. 

His shoulder began to jolt again as the waves of tears ripped through, he opened his eyes to see Emily’s body. 

Memories flowed through him like a river, he shook his head, he dropped his sword and clutched his temples forcing the memories, those wonderful memories. “I'm alone, completely alone again.” 

He clutched his chest and wrapped his arms around himself and cried for everyone that was gone. 

His dad dying in his arms, Alex, Joseph dying by his hands, Rick left to die then something Druenn did not expect.

A whistle then...

Smack...

Pain.

The shock hit him like a horse had kicked him, his eyes shot to his shoulder - An arrow protruded from his right shoulder.

Smack...

An arrow appeared in his leg.

Smack...

Another arrow embedded its jagged iron head in his other leg,he hit the floor like a bag of potatoes roaring in pain unable to contain himself with all the mixed emotions.

A shadow came into view.

“What to do with this one Tyrion?” a ranger asked another they refused to unveil themselves, their hoods and neckerchiefs hiding their features.

Three more rangers appeared.

“We take him back for questioning, I’ve never met anyone who could best Mistfear let alone take his life…and a boy!”

Druenn dazed close to unconsciousness felt his body being dragged away before everything went black. 

Tyrion placed the bag over the boy’s head and began walking with the other three who dragged the boy and his brother in arms, Flynn.

“We will question him once we have regrouped and checked our loses” 

“What of the bodies Tyrion?” Flynn asked. 

“Leave them for the Cetni guards to sort when their patrol gets here”

He took one final look back then threw his bow over his shoulder and headed back for camp.