Hunted!
Two days since the escape, and still no sign of anyone or any civilization. Seeds of spells Barrent doesn't yet know have started to form in the back of his mind. He can almost make them out clearly. He has felt this before. He is again at the edge of acquiring new magic. For sorcerers, obtaining new magics just comes natural. This is where wizards and sorcerers differ. A wizard must study and prepare the spells to memory in order to use them. A sorcerer simply casts the spells, as they come naturally. Like breathing comes naturally to everyone. But both must rest to recover spent energy used up in casting those spells. Ever since his capture, Barrent hasn't had proper rest to recover his energy. The constant attacks on him as a prisoner, and even now through his escape, he has barely been able to get more than 2 hours of sleep at a time. Using the last remaining arcane energies to channel into his draconic breath, he has been depleted of any useful magics.
Night. For most races, the night is not welcome, wanted or desired. Those races usually can't see beyond the edge of their torch or lantern, all the while stumbling, tripping and barely able to move faster than a cart with no wheels. But not so for Barrent. Dwarven generations upon generations have lived long in the lightless underground passageways in their kingdoms. They developed long ago, the ability to see in complete darkness. Normally, the night would benefit him in this situation. But not this time. This time his pursuers see just as well as he can, if not better!
Running, jumping, ducking under branches, and tearing through brush like there's no tomorrow, because well… because for Barrent, there may not be a tomorrow if he gets caught! Familiar is the "fzzzt" sound of little crossbow darts flying by his head. To be struck by just one could mean the end of his life. Historically, dwarves are hardy enough to withstand most poisons and toxins, but the Drow are so much more capable when it comes to poisons.
Barrent spots a thin and a
Barrent quickly surmises that this will probably be his only chance to lose them. The terrain seems to be shifting to a more rocky composition. Trees are becoming sparser, and he can see for longer stretches at a distance. One last spell is all he has, so he will have to make it count! The ground gives way to a short landing on the other side of a tree. Rather odd, as it's like the ground was up heaved on one side, and pushed down on the other. No matter, it helps him in this case. As he runs by the tree Barrent jumps down to the lower landing, and immediately sidesteps and back pedal to few bushes that have grown in this recessed area. Quickly he brings forth the last spell in his mind. It's nothing powerful, hell, it's not even a spell that can cause damage but it's all he has got. "Et Mos Imagicara" escapes his lips in a barely audible whisper. Concentrating in his mind, Barrent pictures himself still running, dodging, and making his way to the edge of the hill ahead. As he opens his eyes after casting, he can see an image of himself doing exactly what he wanted it to do.
Silent as death, two shadows pass over Barrent, intent on following the image. He sends his image over the hill and out of the sight of the Drow. Without knowing what lies on the other side, the ruse won't last for long. As fast as he can, Barrent gets on to his feet and heads to the left of the direction he sent the image off on. A quick thought crosses his mind, and he dismisses the image before the drow crest the hill. That should keep them guessing for a few moments longer and buy a little more precious time to escape.
One minute passes, and no signs of them. Five minutes, then ten, and still no sign of them. He may have just finally managed to pull it off. Thirty minutes pass, and Barrent feels confident enough that his body finally starts shutting down. The adrenalin has finally wore off, and now all the scratches, bumps, bruises, and probably even a few broken bones all start yelling at him. Weary and exhausted, he tries his best to find the largest tree in the area to attempt to hide against. As he sits at the base of the tree and dares to relax a little, he can still feel his leg muscles twitching as they still believe he is running. Barrent glances around trying to examine just where he is or at least, what direction he is heading. He begins to realize why the ground seems so odd.
A long time ago, when he was but a child still wandering the mountain paths that covered the mountain range he called home, Barrent's father had taken him to some place his father called a "crater". He said the clan had found rock that had fallen from the stars. Upon seeing this crater, Barrent came to respect what devastation this rock from the stars had caused. The fallen rock had pushed up the surrounding ground giving it a ripple effect hills that were pushed up. The odd leveling of the ground came later with time as the earth settled and the sheets of bedrock that had been displaced because of the earth underneath now being eroded away by weather. Ashbenford was southwest of such a landmark, and not too far!
This sudden realization of hope surges newfound energy through his limbs. "This is not the time to be sitting on your butt.", he remarks. Getting back on his feet this time proved to be a little more difficult, and a lot more painful. Having to actually turn and push himself up to one foot with his arms makes Barrent think he is getting too old for this kind of stuff, even though he's barely an adult. He chuckles at the thought and proceeds to bring himself up to stand on both feet. ...Or so he thought. For some reason the right leg didn't answer his brain's command to move, and he ends up falling face down in to the dirt. "Ow! Damnit, I wasn't sitting for that long for my leg to fall asleep." he mutters while he tries to pull his face out of the dirt. Then the shock hits Barrent. His other leg was no longer listening to him. “Just great.” He tries to roll over on to his back to at least get his face out of the dirt when he finally notices a small needle sticking out of his right shoulder.
Panic sets in and now he feels the rest of his body not responding to any of his thoughts. Suddenly, Barrent jerked over to his back and hovering over him, is the pair of drow that was chasing him. "You actually thought you were going to get away, didn't you?" A diabolical laugh erupts from the drow, "You really are dumber than dirt, but what else should we expect from a dwarf, no?" The drow smiles as he pulls out a rather wicked looking dagger, "Well now, I suppose it's time to have a little fun before we kill you." Downward he plunges the dagger into the stomach, twisting a few times and starts "sawing" with it towards Barrent's right side. Tears roll from his eyes as all he can do is sit there. Not even the muscles in his neck and throat are responding now. A silent death is all he has to look forward to. "I tried. I did your best, but it apparently wasn't enough against these drow..." he tries to say, but the words never leave his mind. Never could he have imagined such pain. "Father... “Barrent starts thinking to himself, "It will definitely be good seeing you and Grandfather again.” Barrent finally tries to resign his thoughts while fighting off the immense pain. "It's time to go. There's no point in delaying this." Barrent begins to see a bright light from above him. Thoughts of stories by people who have claimed to have seen the edge of death and returned, we coming back to memory. Stories of those who saw a light at the end of a tunnel. Never before did he think it was real. But now, maybe those people weren't so crazy after all... He starts to feel himself lift up and the pain is no more. Barrent can even swear he hear angels singing above you. Believing that part odd but inconsequential, he tries to shrug but of course it's useless at this point. He remarks in his mind how peaceful everything is becoming. Everything around him darkens as the light grows brighter and brighter. It pulls Barrent, and he cannot resist its urge.
"Yes, it will be good to see Father again...."
1 comment:
oh my gosh. that was pretty awesome. i didn't expect that ending for a second. well done my good sir! ;]
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