Hey guys! This is just a recently written extract from part of my novel. I just wondered what you thought of it. It won't make sense even if you have read the other parts, because I haven't posted the crucial chapter - chapter 5. Thanks!
Chapter Six
The Tenth Tenet
The lands were silent in the harmony of twilight, and all was still. Soon, however, life would erupt and the last breath would be taken ere it plunges into mortal slumber. Death would walk amid the outlaws soon, should all follow the master’s design.
A wooden hut, long trapped under sordid undergrowth, leaned against the roots of a mountain, decaying with age. Moss and weeds weaved their way over the building, locking in a lonesome shadow. Within this darkness, two spent men exchanged words with austere counsel and heed, under a flickering orange glow.
One was of kindly folk; Boutan was his homeland. He was fair and lived to much virtue. When else it should look doubtful, he did what he could to help truth prevail, but greed easily tempted and poisoned him when others should present it. In these manners, he followed that of his kin but generally strayed far from them and kept himself distant. The man that shared his shade rivalled his respects and morals. Equally, the fatherlands of his people flowed wickedly within him. He would smile at the misfortune of others, for his homeland was Faraheight, and he knew their hate as a cow bore hide.
“A traitor walks among us,” said Rarsog.
The other frowned under the dimming light, in an attempt to keep as far as possible from Rarsog, without it being too obvious. “Master?”
“I will not elaborate further, Ergöf, but I bid that you do as I say.”
Ergöf took a deep breath.
“We must commence the act of the tenth tenet,” said Rarsog. When no response came, he continued; “You know what that entails, do you not?”
Ergöf gulped. “But master you cannot mean—”
“I can, and I do,” Rarsog intruded coldly. “Now, leave my presence and cleanse our ranks. Strike down the traitor. Strike them all down, and only then, will be sure of success.”
“But master—”
Rarsog raised a hand for silence. “Do not deny me. Follow my biddings and the gods will favour you, child.”
“Yes s-sir,” Ergöf stammered. He turned towards the rotting door, trembling; whether it was from fear, cold or dark he did not know.
“And if you fail,” Rarsog muttered. “Your grave will not be so pleasant.”
#
The man and his wolf cast themselves down for the night, and slept long and drearily in the safety of the caverns. Aedomir’s true intentions were to prolong his journey through night, but with Seridon’s lack of mind he knew the venture would be too risky.
Throughout the hours of darkness, Aedomir’s dreams were plentiful but peculiar, yet fitting for the extraordinary riverbanks. A voice spoke to him, whose words would have seemed like wisdom, if it were not for the rejection in his heart. The words talked of his time; the past, the missing pieces and all that could come to pass. They spoke only of what Aedomir knew, but what he feared held them back. “You care for yourself little,” it said, “but you love others far more. Soon, you will carry the fate of many, and within the bundle, will be you.”
To that, Aedomir felt much concern, but replied, “You speak as if you care for my living! If so then leave me! Go; go to the kingdom of the gods! You are truly the last of Serigiil to not doubt me, now see it that no more will succeed you, for though I hate the wicked solitude; I would rather bathe in loneliness than hear your pity, so save it! I do not care for it!”
At those words, Aedomir feared he had unleashed an unkindly host, but more was said, and the final of which gave a somewhat comfort to him. “I am you,” it said. “And I will be the last, if you do not learn to love yourself before others, because if you do not, then who will? Do as I say, and then you will see that you will not be the last, but the first.” The voice ceased, but the mark was made, and Aedomir then gave long and hard thought over it.
#
Before dawn, Aedomir arose, but Seridon remained in drowse. He bestowed little thought to food, even aside the many colourful fish that basked in the water and that filled themselves with colours, mighty and majestic, under the rainbow, hanging above their river in the spray of the falls. Although he considered taking one for a token in the travels to come, Aedomir feared the taste would be foul, and would rather be short of it than risk such an illness. Scar bowed over the riverbank, contently drinking deep the water with a lolling tongue. Aedomir washed himself and bathed in the water, for the falls had given plenty life and he could not doubt it. Nonetheless, he stayed clear of the animals, not because of fear for himself but that he felt he owed nature. Before, the water had been cold but now it seemed almost spring-like. He soon felt renewed and beckoned Seridon to swim when he awoke, who did what he could to keep a clear head after stirring. Also, he took a moment to thank Scar—whom Aedomir had been quick to introduce—for what he had done.
At first light, awe fell upon Aedomir, for now he could look upon the falls, and he saw that time had not spent it, and whether by fate or fortune, the eyes of the wanted had keenly looked away. Nature had flourished from nothing, and it was from the short memory he had of the place that he recalled its desolate stance, but now as he gazed upon it, he smiled at the endurance by which it thrived. It was the birds flocked above the spectacle that grasped yet more of his thought, for they were more beautiful and proud than any of their kin. They called for Aedomir as they beat their wings against the breeze of the air and sang peacefully with their slender tongues, as if yearning for his stay, and his story. When one flew down close to him, he greeted it with a heart smile. Together, their many colours flecked over the river as a rainbow, drowning all grunge and foul colours. From this was gladness, for the living beauty, and then sorrow and a hidden anger. If these falls had prospered in my absence Aedomir thought, then what might I see now if the light had not sunken into shadow? Wonder overwhelmed him once more, this time passing an air of freshness, shining a sun on Aedomir’s new horizon.
#
He looked down at his belt, to the arrow he had taken the day prior. He thought of asking, and decided to keep it. Seridon’s surprise upon his on look of the arrow was clear, and Aedomir was reluctant to let go of it without consulting him of it. Now though, he knew, would not be the time. He also wished to talk with him of the village, and the bodies—but time was short. Short of what, exactly, he was unsure.
For the first time in a distant recollection, Aedomir felt joy to touch such a magnificent symbol of beauty, and both honoured and cherished the moments. At the hour of sunrise, the great fire burnt over the tree-tops as a rekindled aroma, and shone upon the pool. Aedomir stood alone, arms outspread beneath the thinning falls and let the water flow upon his body, for a vast longing warmed his heart. To bless them, he sang of his yearnings. He desired greatly for the shadow to lift and a peace to succeed in its eternal downfall, and then, a little gift for him; his company of old. He thought of green pastures and merry tidings, shimmering under the glow of sunset. Through the crystals that swept over him, he knew one thing; while he had strength left, never would he surrender to storms of horror, which beset upon him.
When finally all seemed prepared he stayed his song, and they left for their journey. Aedomir considered waiting, and enjoying the falls’ bliss while he could, but he knew it would only be spoilt if they lingered in comfort for too long.
Ergo they went on once more, save this time, they felt no need to issue haste, for Aedomir felt more content, and Seridon could not, as he loathed his weakness. Aedomir felt saddened upon their leave, but promised he would return.
