Chapter 3: A perilous journey
Trymissius heard the sound of boisterous hooves, as Heládran’s army rode toward the empty plain.
“I told you, Heládran. I made it very clear to you. Bring the boy to me!” Trymissius yelled.
“Master, two other men were with him, Rugen being one,” Heládran said.
“Three men…you had a lot more than three centaurs!” Trymissius barely contained himself.
“You don’t understand,” Heládran began.
“I think I do. I think you failed,” Trymissius assured, pointing his staff at Heládran. “Do you know what I do to people who disappoint me?” he asked.
Grunting angrily, Heládran reached for his swords, his eyes fixed upon Trymissius. “I am by far your strongest warrior! You will need me alive!”
Glowing bright green, Trymissius’s staff focused on one centaur behind Heládran. Vines quickly erupted from the earth, ensnaring the centaur’s hooves. Panicking with fear, the beast struggled, reaching for his sword. The vines increased their hold, not allowing its victim to attain his weapon. Fidgeting violently, the centaur attempted to gallop away, when a large vine shot up from the ground, wrapping around the centaur’s stomach. Pinned to the ground, the centaur noticed smaller vines slithering up his face, arms, and chest. The nearby soil softened, as the frightened, squirming centaur was dragged under the earth, to his death.
“Next time, that will be you,” Trymissius stated.
“My journey to the farm did not go to waste. I forced them to travel to Red Vine Forest,” Heládran affirmed.
Closing his eyes, Trymissius gave a sneer. He saw a pair of menacing eyes inside his mind. “Three warriors are going to pass your way. Rip them to shreds,” He ordered the faceless creature, gazing at him in his mind. “Thank you, Heládran. I guess you’re not a total loss.” He gazed at the tip of his staff, which conjured a view of a forest with vines encompassing it, and outstretching his hand, the vines turned blood red.
* * * * *
Astride their horses, Themeus, Rugen, and Baitamius began their journey towards Plastil. Themeus gazed back several times at the scorched farm, remembering that it had been his only home. He thought of the new environment and life he would be exposed to. These new lands were foreign to Themeus, he had heard about them in the journey’s Rugen had told him, but they were unfamiliar to his eye. He thought of the amazing journeys that lie before him, and the hardships that may overwhelm him. Themeus had only seen Plastil from a distance, and could not believe he would have the chance of ruling it.
Running alongside Baitamius, a small stream trailed through the grasses, halting before a large forest in the distance. A long mountain range stood beyond the forest, and a grassland, extending for miles, appeared below the forest.
“How far away is Plastil?” Themeus asked.
“Four-day journey,” Baitamius replied, coming to a sudden halt.
“What is it, Rugen?” Themeus interrupted, gazing at a large forest before his eyes. He noticed fear in both Baitamius and Rugen, especially Rugen.
“I’ve been here before, Red Vine Forest. It is an evil place. All its inhabitants serve Trymissius,” Rugen said. “Let us go another way.”
The forest suddenly drew near in Themeus’s mind. It curved and twisted in his vision, seeking out something. Finding its destination, Themeus gazed at a tall well, seeing a tall figure walking towards it. The vision suddenly drew closer to the well, increasing speed as Themeus found himself gazing at the small basin at the top. His mind went through the blackness of the basin, hearing a loud and frightening roar. The forest zoomed out in Themeus’s mind, and now seeing everything, his vision ended.
Astride his horse, Themeus did not move for a moment, but pondered what he had just seen. Dismounting his stallion, he gazed towards the forest, trying to identify where his vision took place. Grasping Themeus’s ankles, two vines sprang from beneath the ground. His horse whinnied in a panic, seeing his master plummet to the earth. Acting bravely, his stallion galloped away from the forest, now relying on his own instinct for protection. Struggling frantically, Themeus attempted to unsheathe his sword, but was unsuccessful. The vines increased their hold, as Themeus lifted himself up at the waist, seizing them, attempting to loosen their grasp.
“Themeus!” Baitamius yelled. Dismounting their horses, both he and Rugen ran towards Themeus. Turning towards his mare, Baitamius held out an open hand, as the horse whinned in its place. Directing his staff at the vines, Rugen shot a spark from its tip, releasing Themeus as the vines retreated back into the ground. Themeus stood up, brushed off, and looked towards Rugen.
“Thanks for that,” Themeus said.
“We had better take another way,” Rugen cautioned.
The blackness inside Red Vine began to sway, and the trees began to crackle. Gazing intently at the forest, Rugen heard the slithering movements, hidden in the darkness. Springing from inside the forest, two large vines shot out, clasping Themeus’s legs. He immediately fell forward, striking his head against the ground. Readying his bow, Baitamius locked on to his target. Leaping from the ground, a vine knocked his bow out of his grasp. Hurrying to retrieve it, he stood up and regained focus. Baitamius saw Themeus half-way towards the forest, and unsheathing their swords, he and Rugen both ran towards him.
Passing many trees, Themeus struggled to free himself. Every oak stood silent, nothing emerged from the forest, only the rustling of the vines, and the faint yell from Rugen’s familiar voice. No life rested in the trees, and no music echoed from its branches. The soil was solid, feeling though no rain had touched the ground in many years. Increasing their speed, the vines dragged Themeus more vigorously, battering him against rocks and twigs. Falling from the sky, a single raindrop hit Themeus’s face. Oh! Not now Themeus thought to himself as the raindrop soon formed a heavy downpour. Gazing into the forest, Themeus gazed upon a tall black well in the center of a circular cut-out. The vines released their victim, as they sank into the ground. Lying on his back, Themeus rubbed his face, staring at the rain. Muddy and wet, Themeus stood up, scanning his surroundings. He examined the many wide tree trunks, supporting tall, bulky branches. Clinging to the trees, small cobwebs appeared on many twigs, confusing Themeus. Many tree roots formed on large, wide bases, forming hill-like areas.
One object caught Themeus’s attention more than anything in the forest. A tall, black well stood in the midst of him. Walking towards it, he heard a faint voice, calling out his name. Themeus rotated his head in every direction, wondering the origin of the sound, and whose voice it came from. Themeus could feel his eyes closing as a mysterious force drew them shut. Blood red, a large eye overwhelmed Themeus’s mind. Opening his eyes, Themeus saw nothing, only the lonely forest, obstructed by rain.
* * * * *
Dashing after Themeus, Baitamius strained to see through the dense rain. Leaping over tree roots, his head turned frantically, attempting to see some trace of his king. Baitamius’s every step caused water and mud to fling up at his face.
“Themeus!” Baitamius yelled, searching continuously. Spotting a figure on the ground, he ran towards it.
“Are you alright my king?” Baitamius asked.
“I’m fine,” Themeus replied.
Not far behind, Rugen ran towards Themeus. Drenched with water, his gray cloak displayed a light tan, and his beard acted like a sponge, absorbing the water and creating a straw-like substance.
“Good. We are all together,” Rugen stated, gazing at the environment. His eyes halted at one point, and his body froze. Rugen felt limp, as if a lighting bolt had struck his feet, moving upwards to his chest. Fear was evident in the wizard’s eyes, gazing at a black well directly behind him.
“What’s that noise?” Themeus wondered.
“I hear it too,” Baitamius observed, quickly grasping his bow.
“Rugen!” Baitamius yelled. Grasping Rugen’s arm, he released the wizard from his temporary trance.
Springing from the ground, many vines wrapped around Rugen, Baitamius, and Themeus. Entangling their chests and legs, the vines pinned them all to the wet soil. Frantically tossing and turning, Themeus, Rugen, and Baitamius tried to free themselves. They grasped their swords, swinging violently at the vines. Hearing sudden movements, Baitamius gazed towards the darker part of the forest. A large spider crawled into view, its eight green eyes focused intently through the weather. Its sharp, powerful legs pierced the trembling ground. Flashes of lighting illuminated the spider’s sharp and powerful jaws, ready to devour.
Rushing towards Themeus, several smaller spiders took heed of their leader. Cutting the vines with his blade, Baitamius freed himself, and attained his bow. His eyes fixed upon the large spider’s head, releasing his arrow. The arrow pierced the spider hard, as blood flowed from the insect’s skull.
The spider lunged at Themeus, barley missing him with powerful jaws. Themeus’s freed hand swung his sword at the spider’s front leg, cutting it off. Ignoring the pain, the spider again flew at Themeus, almost striking him, if not for Baitamius’s arrow. Cutting his remaining vines, Themeus rolled over, evading the spider’s attack. Themeus struck the ground with his blade, releasing Baitamius.
“Thank you,” Baitamius said.
“Your welcome,” Themeus responded.
“Themeus, look out!” Baitamius shouted.
Themeus ducked an incoming spider leg, swiping at his skull. Drawing his knife, Baitamius cut the insect’s leg, as blood spattered over Themeus’s face. Giving a squeal of pain, the wounded spider retreated back into the advancing insect pack. Running towards Rugen,
Baitamius hacked as many spiders as possible. An enemy suddenly leapt on his back, struggling to bite the man. Blasted into the air, the spider detached himself from Baitamius, still working its jaws, longing for flesh.
Baitamius gave a nod to Rugen, observing his staff, freed from the vines. Baitamius hammered his blade on the ground, detaching the vines that held Rugen. Getting to his feet, Rugen felt a heavy breath on his back, and turning around, he saw the green eyes of the gigantic spider, its jaws ready. Lightning flash, and the wizard saw the gruesome mouth of the enemy, opening wide. Rugen drove his sword into the beasts throat, and pulling it out, sent the spider back into the darkness where it came.
“Let’s find a way out of here,” Rugen said.
The three suddenly heard a strong echoing squeal, ever increasing in the warriors’ ears. Themeus, Baitamius, and Rugen all grouped together. Holding up his staff, now illuminated at the tip, Rugen spotted several gigantic, black spiders coming towards them. Readying their bows, Themeus and Baitamius shot, each striking two victims with single arrows.
“This way!” Baitamius shouted, noticing a glimmer of light in the distance. Crowded by spiders, Rugen shot a spark from the tip of his staff, blasting three enemies into the air. Running hastily towards the light, Rugen, Baitamius, and Themeus dealt with all who opposed them. Clinging to Themeus, a spider drew its jaws, plunging them into his shoulder.
Themeus gave a loud cry, trying to conceal the pain. Stabbing the spider, he fell to his knees. His whole body felt as thought it was on fire. The spider venom traveled quickly down his spine, disbursing throughout his body. Themeus immediately became limp, and the sounds of the battle became faint in his ears. His vision fogged, and the corners of his eyelids darkened.
“Themeus!” Rugen yelled, immediately running towards him. Crowding around Themeus, the spiders suddenly flew backwards. Motioning to Baitamius for help, Rugen heaved his blade along a spider’s belly, shedding blood upon his enemies. Baitamius picked up Themeus, carrying him horizontally over both shoulders. Baitamius and Rugen darted for the forest’s exit, fighting off spiders along the way. The ground began to rumble, and the rain drops on the soil began to move. Sensing something was wrong, the spiders halted, slowly inching themselves backwards. The rain began to collect into a massive amount of water. Charging the spiders, the massive water cluster moved at an incredible pace. Panicking with fear, the spiders hastened each other away into the trees. The huge wave bolted across the forest, displaying its incredible strength.
Ignoring the devastation, Baitamius and Rugen advanced towards the door. Moaning deeply, Themeus’s eyes grew wide, and his pupils began to dilate. Baitamius could feel the heavy chill from Themeus’s body.
“We’re almost there!” Baitamius yelled, “Rugen! Do something!”
Directing his staff at the large cluster of water, Rugen commanded the waves to pour over Themeus. Setting Themeus on the ground, Baitamius stepped aside. Themeus felt the rush of the water over his body. He felt the clean waves flow through his veins. Placing Themeus back on his shoulders, Baitamius again darted for the light. Clearly seeing the forest’s exit, Baitamius looked hopeful.
They ran past a door-like structure, lining its sides with vines, and out into the setting sun. Smelling the fresh air, they knew they had finally escaped the nightmares of Red Vine. Gazing at the open sky, Baitamius and Rugen showed signs of relief.
Grasping his staff, Rugen focused on the ground below the forest’s exit. Glowing bright red, the tip of his staff caused fire to emerge beneath the door-like opening, engulfing the whole exit.
“You get some wood and start a fire,” Rugen commanded. Laying Themeus on the ground, Baitamius ran to the edge of the forest. Reaching in his cloak, Baitamius grasped a small, wooden, single-bladed axe. Halting in front of a large tree, he swung his axe at the bark, creating large incisions. Repeating this action several times, Baitamius watched as the tree collapsed. He drove his axe down upon the newly struck tree, dividing the wood into small sections.
Collecting the newly formed pieces of wood, Baitamius walked towards Rugen with two logs in hand. He set one log behind Rugen, and the other beside Themeus. Baitamius walked back to the forest several times, carrying the pieces of wood. Setting the wood in a circle next to Themeus, Baitamius backed away, examining his creation. Rugen shot a diminutive spark from his staff, igniting a fire in the circle’s center. Baitamius sat down on the log, staring at the embers.
“Stand guard Baitamius. I suspect we might be a while,” Rugen commanded, sitting down on the log beside him.
Nodding respectfully, Baitamius walked away from Rugen, halting at a designated distance. Peering down at Themeus, Rugen pondered some questions. The wizard thought of Themeus’s strength, and how the young king could persevere, and live through this hardship. He thought of all the threats on Themeus’s life that would take place, and if Baitamius and he could protect their king. He tended not to think of the worst, for he saw Themeus’s face already regaining color.
“He will make it,” Rugen assured, kneeling beside Themeus. “Spider venom can kill you within minutes, but he is strong.”
