#excerpt 4

“You feel that there’s something behind this, too. Don’t you? It might be important, so we should really check this out. You go first.” [Ariel]

Evelyn shook her head. “There is no reason I should go first. This is about curses, so you’re the go-to person. You should go first.”

“It’s likelier that there’s a burglar behind this, or a horned chicken. That’s your area of expertise, so you should go first. I am far too fragile to be put in such a danger.”

“Ariel, you were the one who went to attack a Mare four years back, do you remember?”

“Yes, and I have learnt and changed myself through that experience. More specifically, I have learnt that it should be you who deals with these kinds of matters. So after you.”

Evelyn sighed deeply and then shrugged. “You know what? Fine. There’s no reason not to check out this room too. I can ignore some cold shudders down my spine, I am not that easily frightened.” Just as she put her hand on the door knob, though, the knob dissipated to dust right in front of her. Evelyn and Ariel exchanged a glance. “I feel like something doesn’t actually want us to enter this room.”

“No shit.” Ariel stepped back even farther and then waved for her to move out of the way. Evelyn just managed to get far away enough before they tried to kick the door open.

A loud yelp, a loud bang when the door flew open, but nothing else happened, no monster jumping at them, no screaming ghost, and no attacking burglar either. Behind was a simple study, filled with bookshelves and a big desk full of papers and letters.

“I am slightly disappointed. That’s what I hurt my ankle for?” Ariel said as they stepped inside. Evelyn followed right after and couldn’t hide her slight awe. For a few seconds, the sight of the study overwhelmed them, a space that was clearly well cared for, a space that must have been so precious a long time ago. It was as obvious as it could be, small decorative figures on the shelf, a few letters framed on the wall. The only sign of neglect was the thick layer of dust on the books, even inside there. It was the few seconds in which Evelyn’s heart beat a bit lighter, forgetting about the fact that it pumped liquid silver through her body. The spell was broken as Ariel’s words settled in a bit late. “You hurt your ankle? Should we go and check with a doctor?”

“No, it’ll be fine. This is how devoted I am to curing you. Let’s check out these open letters and books, maybe we will find a clue about the curse,” Ariel whispered.

---

“Report,” General Shora, pausing from tying off a strip of cloth around a gash on his bicep, looked up expectantly at Alaeko; his dark eyes betraying that he dreaded what would be said.

“Everyone else is dead, sir,” Alaeko said with grim dejectedness. He paused as the memories of his comrades’ bodies flashed before his eyes. “They’re… the plants are already covering them.”

“How many hostiles?” the General asked, his eyes never leaving the scout.

Though his expression did not change, Alaeko noticed the general’s knuckles slowly whiten as he tightened his grip around his maul’s handle, the leather creaking quietly.

“I couldn’t count them, sir,” he replied, shaking his head. He couldn’t help but feel that his scouting had done nothing but tell them what they already knew. “They just seemed to,” he paused, searching for the right word, “disappear into the trees.”

“Don’t be daft, Alaeko,” Tryn said, gasping for air. He raised a hand and clutched at the hole in his armour, as if that alone could ease the pain. “They can’t just disappear.”

Tryn then doubled over and slumped to the floor, shaking as if chilled, and his face contorted in pain. His coughing was gargled and rattled, and blood flowed from his mouth in deep red bubbles.

“Take it easy, corporal,” the General ordered quietly, tapping Tryn’s nearest foot. He waited patiently for the man’s convulsions to ease, and for Tryn to look at him. “That’s an order.”

“Yes sir,” Tryn replied, his voice hoarse. He pushed himself back up, hawking out a gob of blood tinged spit as he did so. “I’m not leaving with the Serpent tonight.”

“You better not,” the General said sternly. His eyes bore into Tryn for a moment before softening slightly, and a smirk graced his face. “Or, I’ll have you charged with desertion.”

“Nice to know you’ve still got your sense of humour, sir,” Tryn chuckled quietly. He started to cough again, but by sheer willpower forced himself to stop. He flashed a weak smile, showing teeth red from blood.

“How can you joke at a time like this?!” Osada stared wildly at the two of them with his one good eye. His breathing was shallow and rapid, which made his whole body tremble. “The Legion of Chains is dead! We’re all that’s left! And those… those… things are going to mince us up like they have everyone else!”

“Calm down, sergeant,” the General ordered, glaring at Osada disapprovingly. “We’ve been in tougher situations than this before. We were far worse off when we were fighting for Droshire’s independence.”

“That was against the Serpentine Empire!” Osada stared at the ground by his feet. His voice was barely recognisable through his growing hysteria. “We knew what the Empire was doing. We knew how to fight them,” he babbled, his panic blinding him to the fact that the General had risen from his position. “What do these things want? Why have they attacked us? How are they killing us so–”

He didn’t get a chance to finish his question, as the General drove his free hand into the side of Osada’s face. He reeled at the force and was sent sprawling across the floor. He was motionless for a few seconds as shock washed over him, but the he slowly rose to prop himself on his knees. He placed a quivering hand on his injured cheek; several small cuts were already starting to bleed from where the General’s gauntlet had caught him.

“When I said ‘calm down’, it wasn’t a suggestion, sergeant,” the General snarled angrily. His left hand tightened again, preparing to make another attempt to strike sense into his subordinate; the gauntlet made a quiet screeching sound that hurt Alaeko’s ears.

“Y-yes sir,” Osada was gasping shakily. His body still trembled as he tried to calm himself, but at least he didn’t look so terrified. “Sorry sir.”

“We’re going to get out of this,” the General said as he looked to Tryn and Alaeko as well. His eyes hardened with an iron will, showing his determination to keep his promise, as he turned back to Osada. “We’re going to get back to Droshire, and you’ll be there to see your wife give birth; your second child, right?”

“We’re hoping for a daughter,” Osada nodded, his shaking stopping entirely as he focused on his family. He smiled weakly before chuckling quietly. “Neela said she’s going to hit me if we get another son. She’s a tiny woman, but she’s deadly with a skillet.”

“You sure it’s safe for you to go home?” Tryn teased, chortling wheezily as he did so.

“When we get back, she can hit me all she likes,” Osada replied, joining Tryn in carefree laughter. For a moment, they were away from the danger, and were sitting around a fire in their barracks, talking about what they were going to do when they went home for leave.

“Alright, alright… Let’s get out of here first,” the General called, bringing the men back to the situation. However, no one could miss the small smile on his face as he turned to Alaeko. “Give me your best estimate.”

“Twelve, I think … at least,” Alaeko thought hard to make sure he wasn’t underestimating the enemy’s numbers. “Most of them are in the courtyards; the rest are along the western wall.”

“Then we’ll just have to take the eastern battlements instead,” the General nodded thoughtfully. He looked at the last men of his Legion and hefted his maul to rest on his shoulder. “Let’s move out.”

Alaeko left first, an arrow notched into his bow, and quickly scouted the area before nodding to the General that it was safe to depart. Osada quickly went left and set up a defensive position while the General supported Tryn with his free arm. Alaeko looked to his commander as they passed.

“Remember, getting out alive is the main priority, now.”

“I know, sir,” Alaeko met his commander’s eyes calmly. He tightened his grip on his bowstring and arrow. “I won’t let any of my arrows fly unless I absolutely have to.”

The General nodded, satisfied with his answer, and they moved to regroup with the others. As they continued down the west battlement, Alaeko spared a glance down into the training courtyard. The bodies of his comrades and those stationed at the outpost were strewn across the open space, the roots of sapling trees were already crawling over them. Some of the roots had sprouted within the chains that bound the weapons to the men; forcing apart the links, breaking the connection between each fallen warrior and the weapon that they lived and died with.

Alaeko tensed at the sound of a rattling chain, and glanced over at Osada. He was staring at the bodies, glaring at the plants that dared to break the chains. He had a vice-like grip around his sword, turning his knuckles white and making his hand shake with the strain.

“There’s nothing we can do, sergeant,” the General said as he too gazed over to the fallen of his Legion. His voice was tight, suppressing any emotion that might dare betray him. He jerked his head to the path they had to take. “This mission, everyone’s death, will be for nothing if we don’t report back to the council.”

The sound of snapping wood made everyone look up, fear clenching their stomachs for what they would find. But, all they could see were roots, the main body of the tree having grown too large, too heavy for the precarious position it was in and had broken and fallen to the sea. The broken ends of the roots swelled as amber leaked out and dripped slowly down the walls, as if it were some twisted type of crystalline blood.

Silently, the group continued, keeping their left side to the wall. Alaeko took the lead; with his sharp eyes he could still see movement past the night and the rain. He raised his hand to stop the others as he scouted the junction ahead, crouching behind the low wall and peering round.

The courtyard was divided into two by a huge arch that ran to either side of the outpost. The walkway would take them west to the docks, where their boats were moored. However, the sides were covered with the fast-growing trees, and the enemy hid within.

Alaeko breathed deeply and signalled for the others to advance, darting past the walkway to continue on the battlements. He watched as Tryn joined him first, pausing as he did at the walkway before dashing across. His friend held a hand to his chest, clutching at the wound that plagued him. The General came next although, with his height, he did not bother to conceal himself. He walked slowly, his eyes never leaving the overgrowth until he stood by them.

Osada was the last, having had his back to them to avoid flanking. They watched as he turned and slowly crept forward, following the wall to join them. He froze when he reached the walkway, staring down it for any enemy that hid within. After what felt like eternity, he carried on his advance.

Then he tripped and fell forwards, his sword clashing against the stone floor as he threw out his hands to catch himself. Even with the distance, Alaeko could see his face turn white with terror before his body was yanked backwards. He grabbed at the flagstones, vainly trying to find somewhere for him to hold onto, before clutching at the corner of the half-wall. He pulled with all his might, but disappeared into the walkway with a startled cry.

He reappeared, clutching at a vine that had wrapped itself around his throat and was lifting him off the ground, tightening until Osada couldn’t even speak. As a hooded figure emerged from the dense foliage, he threw out his hand towards his comrades, his eyes wide with fear; his expression pleading. The figure slashed a savage knife across Osada’s throat, blood fountaining from the jagged wound, then coldly tossed him off the walkway. A second being emerged and followed the direction his hand had pointed, staring impassively at them.

“Shit!” Alaeko swore as he aimed his bow and let loose his arrow. He watched it fly true to its mark and land squarely within the centre of the second creature’s head.

The creature went down without a sound, and its companion turned to face them as well. In the dark, they could see nothing beneath the cowl, but they could all feel the definite sense of malice coming from the figure. Silently, it raised the bloody knife, pointing it towards them.

“Run!” the General yelled as more creatures poured out of the cover and advanced on them, as if the raised knife had been a signal to attack. He hoisted Tryn over his shoulder and raced down the battlement.

Alaeko followed at his heel, frequently glancing over his shoulder to gauge their pursuers. For so many of them, they moved without a sound, only the rustling of the trees below echoed with the falling rain.

They turned right when they reached the north wall and made their way towards the docks. As they drew closer to the north-east watchtower, they kept uneasy eyes on the trees that had overrun the eastern wall. But, it seemed that all the enemies had taken to chasing them, rather than attempting to cut them off. Regardless, none of them were eager to try their luck, and they entered the watchtower.

Alaeko darted up the ladder first while Tryn and the General found some way to barricade the doors. He paused at the top, bringing only his head above the floor, and scanned for danger. When he saw none, he quickly ducked back down to give the others a nod and then clambered onto the observation station. He knelt below the perimeter wall and slowly rose to glance down onto the battlements below, grimacing when he saw the number of creatures.

He started at the sound of a bang, and turned to see the General kick the trapdoor shut, Tryn by the man’s side. He rushed to join them, crouching low until he was a few metres away from the wall. As they approached the corner nearest the docks, he paused and glanced worriedly at his commander.

“Do… do you think that pier can support us… sir?” he stuttered, staring down at the wooden landing below them. From the height they were, the planks looked far too thin, far too fragile to remain whole.

“We’re about to find out,” the General replied as he grabbed Tryn round the middle and carefully hoisted him over his shoulder again. He turned back to Alaeko with a grim expression. “We don’t have time for another plan.”

Alaeko nodded his head understandingly. He kept his face as expressionless as possible, hoping he could hide the fearful, twisting feeling in his gut. Despite his best efforts, images of failure, each more terrible than the last, kept flashing before his eyes. The fact that the General also didn’t look entirely comfortable with the plan didn’t help.

After taking a calming breath, he stepped forward and carefully climbed onto the corner merlon. The dock was a small jump before him, but the drop and tiny size of the target made him hesitate again. He quickly checked around him for signs of the enemy, not glancing back at the General and Tryn lest they saw his fear.

Then, gathering all his courage, he jumped. As the air rushed past him and the ground seemed to be coming up to greet him far too quickly, he reigned in his terror and fought the urge to yell out. He forced himself to focus and straightened his legs for his landing.

The force of impact jarred his legs and he tumbled to the side. He struggled to overcome the shock of the landing when he suddenly felt himself falling again. Instinctively, he reached out, hoping to grab something as he rolled off the pier. His right arm wrenched when he grabbed a mooring post and he cried out in pain.

He had no idea how long he hung there, his legs up to his knees in the water, while his regained his reeling senses. Once his breathing calmed, his sight was the first that returned, and the buzzing in his ears and head faded quickly after. With normality returning, he climbed back up and waved to the General.

It was only on the dockside that he realised just how far he’d fallen, and it made him shiver. He saw the General nod his head then turn to Tryn, obviously to assure his friend that he was still alive. Without another second’s pause, he watched the General follow suit and jump. He quickly scanned the outpost’s gates, checking that nothing was about to attack.

For someone so large and carrying the extra weight of a subordinate, the General’s landing was surprisingly steady. He hit the dock far heavier than Alaeko did, but he didn’t lose his footing. However, the impact dislodged the General’s helm, and he didn’t have the energy to chase it before it fell into the water.

His legs still weak from his own jump, Alaeko stumbled over to the General and Tryn, who looked positively ill as he was lowered to his feet. His face was pale and clammy. The gash on his head seemed to have stopped bleeding; whether that was good or not, Alaeko couldn’t tell.

“I can’t believe it,” Alaeko laughed shakily, running a trembling hand through his hair. Now that they were truly out of danger and moments away from getting safely off the island, he could feel his entire body quivering from pent up fear. “We’re… we’re going to be okay!”

“Let’s get the boat away from here first,” the General suggested as he smiled wearily. He glanced worriedly at Tryn and gently pulled at the man to get him moving. “Come on, corporal.”

“We’ve made it,” Tryn whispered in a tired voice. He followed the General’s tugging almost blindly, staggering whenever his superior wasn’t holding him up. He smiled as tears unashamedly fell down his cheeks. “We’ve made it. We’re going to be fine.”

Tryn’s face suddenly dropped into a blank expression. His whole body slumped and he slipped from the General’s grasp, landing face down onto the pier. A jagged looking knife was lodged in the back of his head; the half that wasn’t wedged in his skull was already covered in slick, red blood.

Alaeko and the General twisted round to see the hooded figure standing above them on the battlements. He made no indication that he was going to move, and Alaeko strung his bow and aimed. As he was about to take the shot, he heard creaking from behind them, and glanced over his shoulder.

“Sir,” he stared wide-eyed at the sight behind him, and didn’t know if his commander had responded to him.

The creatures that they had seen pursuing them were climbing out of the boat, blocking their path. Even in the dark, he could see strange hands that seemed to coil around their weapons, which looked like jagged shears of bark. As they stood, he could see that they wore minimal clothing, a skirt of reeds and dry grass if the rustling sound were anything to go by. A strange rope was wrapped around their arms and legs.

“Sir?” Alaeko repeated as he turned and aimed his bow at them. He couldn’t stop his hands from shaking from fear at the thought of close combat. He had a small knife, but he knew that he would be practically useless in this fight.

“Get to the boat,” the General ordered solemnly. He held his maul in both hands and he altered his grip slightly, making the leather creak. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Sir?” he sputtered, glancing back to his commander. He could barely comprehend what the man meant, the shock refusing to let him understand.

“One of us has to make it back,” the General said as he looked about him to observe the enemy. Once he was satisfied that they weren’t going to advance, he turned and looked calmly at the petrified scout. “It’s been an honour, Private Alaeko.”

Alaeko stared at the General for a few seconds before turning to the creatures obstructing his path to the boat. His mind was bizarrely calm, as if he had suddenly detached himself from all of his emotions. He could hear his heart beating evenly in his chest and his breathing was slow.

He raised his bow, aimed, and fired. One of the creatures collapsed as his arrow struck it, and the others charged towards him and the General. He could hear them growling and roaring, which seconds ago would have paralysed him, but he let the sounds wash over him and he prepped another arrow and fired. As another fell, he saw that the others seemed indifferent to the loss; a fact he didn’t dwell on.

He heard the distinctive sound of the General’s maul wiping out a group, and he felt the impact through the wood. He glanced behind him to see three figures plummet into the dark water, with two more about to be struck on the return swing. He turned back to his own opponents and released a third arrow.

By the time the arrow struck, the remaining three were too close for him to fire at. He grabbed at the dagger in his belt, the one that was chained to his manacle, while he swiped at them with his bow. The first one caught it effortlessly, its hand wrapping around the wood. As he struggled to wrench his weapon from its grasp, slashing uselessly with his dagger, he heard a cracking that made him freeze. He watched helplessly as the creature’s hand constricted around the shaft, tighter and tighter, until the bow snapped with an almighty crack.

He yelped when he felt strong hands grab him, the rope that the creatures held snaked down his arms and wound around his body. Through his body plate, he could feel the rope slowly squeeze him, making the metal buckle and warp. He fought frantically against the bindings, even as he forced himself to breathe, his lungs screaming for air.

A yell made him turn his head to the General, who had noticed his predicament and was charging over to him. He saw the hooded figure appear through the carnage, striding calmly past the fallen towards the General. They raised a hand and a rope flew out from the figure’s sleeve and wrapped itself around the General’s throat. The figure pulled out a savage bark-sword, like the ones the creatures used, and plunged it into the General’s chest, forcing it through the metal back and chest plate.

He stopped struggling when he saw the General jerk with the force. He watched numbly as the blade was yanked out, the General’s right shoulder guard falling with its severed strap trailing after it. He saw the rope seemingly untangle itself as a hand grasped the General’s shoulder and shoved him off the dock and into the water.

As Alaeko’s vision started to darken and blur, he saw the figure move towards him casually. He turned his head to gaze forlornly at the boat; a mere few paces away, though it may have well not been there at all. He then looked back and focused on the blade that was slowly approaching him, swaying slightly in a hypnotic manner. When it got too close for his eyes to follow, he stared at the darkness that was hidden beneath the hood. He almost fancied that he could see a pair of eyes staring back at him… almost.