Brian Anderson - Of Gods And Elves

“Enough of this!” Maybell’s voiceechoed over the trees. The ferocity of the woman’s tonestartled the others.

Malstisos bowed his head. “I am deeply sorry,sister. I know you must be cold and tired.” He turned to Jacob.“I’m certain we can conduct ourselves with bettermanners.”

Jacob continued to fume but nodded sharply. “Fornow,” he grumbled.

Maybell snorted in disgust at the scene. “How muchfarther to the next village?” she asked Millet.

“Two days,” he replied. “But there’sa hostel we could reach before sundown if we keep our next restshort.”

“Good,” said Maybell, trying to hide herrelief.

Malstisos stiffened his back, and he drew his longknife.

“What is it?” whispered Millet.

“Something follows.” The elf dismounted.

“I told you” scoffed Jacob. “They havesent trackers. Weren’t you paying attention?”

Malstisos shook his head. “This is no tracker.Whatever it is… it smells wrong.” He closed his eyes fora moment and sniffed the air. “Stay here.” He placed hishand on Millet's shoulder. “If I do not return in one hour,flee as fast as you can.”

“Where should we go?” asked Millet, alarmed.

“Stick with your plan,” the elf replied,then turned to Maybell and smiled. “Don't worry. I may only bechasing shadows.” He disappeared into the nearby trees, leavingthe group behind.

Many minutes passed before anyone dared to move.Finally, Millet reached into his pack and retrieved a loaf of breadand passed it out to the rest. Maybell reluctantly took a piece andfound a spot a few yards from Millet and Jacob to sit by herself andnibble.

“What do we do if he doesn't return?” askedJacob through a mouthful of bread.

Millet met Jacobs’s eyes. “We'll do asMalstisos said and continue to Baltria. There I will contact yourfather. Now if you don't mind, I would rather not speak untilMalstisos returns.”

“If he returns,” muttered Jacob.

Millet shot a furious glance and stormed away.

Minutes seemed like hours as the group stared into thesurrounding forest, hoping to see Malstisos return. Finally, just asMillet was about to tell the others it was time to leave, he caughtsight of the elf, head bowed low, holding what appeared to be asevered head in one hand and his long knife in the other. Maybellgasped. Millet and Jacob stared in horror as the elf tossed the headto the ground beside the horses. The elf's knife and hands werecovered with thick, black ooze, and the stench of rotting fleshfilled the air. The head resembled a human man, but its features weredistorted and grotesque, as if burned by fire, its hair tangled,stringy, and covered in filth.

“What is that thing?” whispered Maybell witha shudder.

Malstisos looked at Jacob. “I was hoping our youngfriend here might be able to enlighten us.”

Jacob’s eyes went wide. “Me? How should Iknow? I've never seen such a creature.”

Malstisos studied Jacob then looked down at the remains.“I found it about half a mile behind us. It was clearlyfollowing our trail. I tried to approach unseen, but it must have hada keen sense of smell because it knew I was there the moment I sawit. I am no seeker, but no human I have ever encountered, saveperhaps Lord Starfinder, could have heard my approach. When I knew Iwas discovered, I decided to withdraw, but the thing was on me in aninstant. It moved as quickly as any elf, though not as graceful. Itstruck at me with bare hands, but with power beyond human strength.As it was unarmed, I had the advantage and buried my knife in itsheart.”

“Then why cut off its head?” interruptedJacob. “And why bring this disgusting thing here?”

“Like I said,” Malstisos responded in a lowtone. “I was hoping you could help identify it. You have beenhere throughout the entire occupation. Have you never heard of such acreature? But that's not the only reason.” He reached into hissaddlebag, retrieved a flask and a small cloth and began cleaning hishands and knife. “I have the creature’s head because itwas the only way I could kill it. My blow through its heart servedonly to enrage the beast. As I pulled my blade loose, it charged inwith a ferocity I have never encountered. Again and again it charged.I was only barely able to avoid its blows. I slashed away at everypart of it and watched in horror as it had no effect. It wasn't longbefore I knew I had to either kill it or flee, so I waited for it tocharge one last time and brought my blade across its neck. To mygreat relief my stroke fell true and the creature died.”

“What should we do now?” asked Millet. “Ifthere are more of these things we don't stand a chance.”

Malstisos dried his hands and wiped his knife with oil.“If there are more, then we are in mortal danger.” Hechecked his pack and sheathed his knife. “I cannot protecteveryone at once. Still, I don't see that we have any other choicebut to continue with our plan. If we are lucky, there are no more ofthose things about. If not, then I'll do my best to kill them beforethey are upon us. Now that I know how to kill it, one will pose melittle danger and with only Maybell at my side, I should be able tokeep her safe.”

“It's settled.” Millet mounted his horse.“The crossroads, then we will part ways. By then we should knowif there are more of these… creatures.”

The party rode on through the rest of the day insilence. It was nearly sunset when they arrived at the hospice. Itwas little more than a small cabin with a small adjoining stable, butthe smoke from the chimney and the aroma of roast pork filled theirhearts with joy. Millet dismounted and motioned for the others towait. “I'll see to our accommodations,” he said. “Iwon't be but a moment.”

The interior was as he expected. The single room waslarge enough to hold a dozen beds and a roughly made dining table. Afire crackled in the hearth and was the sole source of light, givingit a comfortable, albeit dim, atmosphere. A thin young man sat at thetable carving a piece of roast pork. His blond hair and fine featuresindicated that he had not seen many winters. He looked up as Milletopened the door and frowned.

“If you're here to rob me, I have nothing to takebut some roast pork and a half bottle of wine.”

Millet stopped and bowed low. “I am not here torob you, young man. My companions and I seek a bed for the night.”He scanned the room for signs of other people but saw none. “Areyou master here?”

“I am,” the boy replied. “At leastuntil my uncle returns.” The boy stood, wiping his hands on histrousers. “I'm Gerald. And you are welcome here, though I havelittle to offer.” He walked to the hearth and stirred the fire.“How many are you?”

“Four,” Millet replied. “And we onlyask for a bed and perhaps a bite to eat.” He fished threecoppers from his pocket and placed them on the table. “Thisshould cover our expense.”

Gerald’s eyes widened and he retrieved the coins,clutching them tightly. “In that case, you are very welcome.”

Millet smiled warmly. “If you would allow me tostable my horses.”

“Of course,” stammered Gerald. “I'lldo it for you, if you'd like.” He headed toward the door stillholding the coins.

Millet grabbed the boy gently by the arm. “Thatwon't be necessary. But if you could prepare a meal I would begrateful.”

“Yes, yes,” said Gerald. “It's alreadyprepared. It will be waiting.”

Millet thanked the boy and returned to the party. Afterthey unpacked and stabled the horses, they entered. Four plates andcups had been placed around the table. Malstisos was careful to hidehis features beneath his hood.

Gerald whistled merrily as he placed blankets on thebeds. The roast pork, though a bit plain, was well received, and soonthey were laughing and talking as if they hadn't a care in the world.