Dark Travelers Ch. 03

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The journey begins.
6.7k words
4.7
20.4k
9

Part 3 of the 12 part series

Updated 09/22/2022
Created 10/22/2010
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GinaTina
GinaTina
256 Followers

Author's Note: Please forgive my late continuation. I had a bit of writer's block. I'm still not very pleased with how a few paragraphs came out - they seem awkward to me - but they're written. Don't you just hate that? Thank you for the feedback and the votes - heh, I finally figured out what those numbers in front of my story mean. You've been a spectacular audience. And to the one or two people who emailed me complaining about the lack of sex thus far: it is coming, I promise - but I won't be rushed. So there. Neener. ;)

Now then, on with the show.

Ginnnnnnnnna!

8.

She felt Andi clutch at her from behind and begin to shake. Anya closed her eyes briefly, nodded, and began to lead her sister out the ruined front door and into the unknown.

She shifted the pack on her shoulders and squinted into the wind, trying to get her bearings. She knew the general direction to the trail into town; but she didn't trust her senses in this weather. She'd probably get them lost in minutes, and then what would the two brothers do to them?

She briefly considered leading them on a wild goose chase but quickly dismissed that idea. Kirik seemed for the most part to be intelligent. Very intelligent. She'd be willing to bet he'd catch onto her ruse before long. And again, what would be her punishment if that happened? Or, even worse, what would be Andi's?

"Well?" Kirik snapped, impatient to get going. "What are you waiting for?"

Anya gave him a cool stare, "do you want me to lead you in the right direction? If so, then I suggest you let my eyesight adjust to the darkness."

"You cannot see in dim light? You must be jok-"

"Halt! Stay as you are!"

All four pairs of eyes instantly turned to the direction of the barked command. A lone deputy stood at the far end of the walk way, pistol drawn and trained on the two creatures he saw before him. He tried to hold as steady as he could, but his heart was pounding in combined fear and disbelief. The tip of the gun wavered slightly as adrenaline whipped through his body.

Anya remembered Andi's skeptical remark earlier; something about the creature she'd seen being able to take down a police man. She began to realize why Andi hadn't been put at ease by the sheriff's visit.

The deputy looked young, scared and unsure of how to handle this. He had probably just figured on checking in on the two girls and returning home without incident. The trembling way in which he brandished his firearm didn't help to reassure her much, either.

Kirik was startled at first, having not heard the man's approaching footfalls above the storm. Annoyed at being caught off guard, he studied this new threat quickly but carefully, scanning for weaknesses.

He took in the male human's unsure posture, shaking weapon and fearful expression. He relaxed; this would be easy. He muttered something to Kael whose face brightened in eager anticipation as he nodded in agreement, snickering slightly.

"No talking! Hands in the air! Both of you," the cop ordered.

"Certainly," Kirik said politely, raising his hands to either side of his head.

Kael had imitated his brother's action, seemingly unconcerned with the unexpected turn of events.

Hesitantly, the deputy inched his way closer; failing to remember proper protocol. He kept shifting the pistol to aim at first Kirik, then Kael, then back to Kirik, and so on. He knew he was outnumbered and he had no clue of what he was dealing with.

Closer and closer he came until Anya could almost make him out completely, despite the darkness. She despaired. He was very young. Probably fresh out of training. She watched as Kirik and Kael seemed to cooperate; but something was off. Both of their faces were relaxed, amused even. The deputy was almost within arm's reach now. This wasn't right. She opened her mouth to cry out a warning.

Too late. Kirik lunged forward and snatched the barrel of the gun, yanking it out of the man's grasp. He glanced at it, curled a lip in contempt and threw it aside.

The cop paled and blinked at his now empty hands. It had happened so fast-

Kael charged forward at the instant Kirik had grabbed the gun; silently, sword drawn. Before the man could even drop his arms to react, Kael had swung his weapon down in a swift diagonal arc. The deputy didn't move for a moment, unsure of what had just happened. Then both of his hands fell to the ground, completely severed.

His shriek of pain and horror was high-pitched and strangled. Andi screamed right along with him, hands clasped over her eyes. Anya's mouth dropped open and she swayed on her feet, the world going fuzzy briefly.

Kirik watched as his sibling circled the wounded man, assessing his attack form. His brother was improving immensely at his sword-play. Pride swelled in the elder's chest. Soon he'd be able to give Kirik a real run for his money. However, his expression remained neutral as he observed Kael's next move; revealing nothing of his thoughts.

The younger brother flicked a glance to his elder and saw no approval but no disapproval either. Encouraged, he pondered what the next best move would be. He'd already ensured the man's doom; leaving him incapable of wielding any sort of weapon ever again. But what to do next? Silence his screams, perhaps? Seemed like a logical choice. Couldn't have any more attention drawn their way. It simply wouldn't do.

Kael, expression casual, followed the deputy, who was trying to stumble away still screaming. He whirled, gave the sword a fancy flip to show off a bit, and then ripped it sideways through the air once more.

Sudden quiet.

The sisters watched in horror as the deputy froze in mid-step and then crumpled as the upper half of his body slid off the lower part and fell into the snow. Kael turned back to Kirik, beaming with obvious pride. Kirik gave a curt nod and said something that made the young male's grin grow even wider.

Anya saw that some of Kael's teeth were pointed as well, just a bit shorter than Kirik's. Funny to be noticing teeth at a time like this, but the human brain dealt with trauma in all sorts of ways. She shut her eyes and tried to calm her erratic breathing. Sounds seemed too sharp, everything stood out in poignant detail and sensations were very intense. She supposed she was in a state of shock, but really couldn't be bothered to worry about such trivial things now. Andi had grown silent when the deputy fell apart. Her eyes, huge as saucers, were trained on the corpse. Her hands were clenched into fists and were pressed against her mouth. Her breathing was harsh and ragged.

Anya covered her sister's eyes, "don't look. Just don't look."

Andi swayed a bit but managed to keep her balance. She had never seen anyone be killed before. The image was seared into her memory. The terrible way that his torso had just detached from his middle would never leave her.

Ever.

She focused on Kael, who seemed to be utterly pleased with himself, and felt slightly nauseous. She remembered the dark glares he'd thrown her way earlier; and the way he'd threatened her with that exact sword in her bedroom.

She also recalled when she'd slapped him and wondered if he was still angry about it. She wondered just how close she'd actually come to death at that moment, then decided she didn't really want to know.

Kael, still grinning boyishly, gave the weapon a sharp flick. Dark red droplets flew off the sword and dotted the snow. He drew a gloved hand across the edge, removing the last traces of blood from the shining blade and re-sheathed it carefully. He gave Andi a quick glance and then turned his attention back to Kirik, awaiting further instructions.

Kirik merely looked at Anya, smiled, and inclined his head at her, "only a slight delay. Please procede."

He behaved as if the terrible act of violence had never happened. Anya stood there in disbelief, "you're just going to leave him there?"

Kirik appeared puzzled, "what else would I do with him?"

Anya stared at him. "The dead are meant to be buried and mourned," she said quietly.

Andi broke in bitterly, "you think he cares about that?"

Anya hushed her and stood in front of her as Kirik considered the younger girl once again. "You best tame your mouth as your sister has instructed you. Else I may decide to let Kael play with you after all."

Kael perked up at the sound of his name and glanced curiously at Kirik then again at Andi. Andi needed no further warning as she shut her mouth and took a step back. Anya took her arm and pulled her up the walk, skirting the cooling corpse. She tried not to look at it as she passed, but she couldn't help herself. She struggled against tears and also tried not to wonder if the young deputy had had a family.

Anya led the group across the clearing and towards the town. As she got further and further away from her cabin, her dread grew. She wondered if she would ever see her little house again. No one would know what had happened to them and she rather doubted that anyone in town would even think to check on them.

There was one small hope; when the deputy failed to return, he would be looked for. The last place he would have reported going was to their home; and that's where his body would be found. With any luck, the police would realize something had gone horribly awry at their cottage and there would be a search party sent out after them.

She grasped onto that idea and made a mental note to tell Andi about it as well. If she got the chance to speak to her sister privately, that was. It would give them the strength to go on if they could at least hope for a favorable outcome.

As it was, Andi was dragging her feet with a hanging head. Every now and then she could hear a muffled little sob issue from the girl.

She risked a look back towards her captors. It was still a bit difficult to see much of anything in the darkness save their glowing eyes. Both sets were trained on her, and they were very close. As she watched, Kirik raised his hand and gave her a cheerful wave. Unnerving.

Finally, mostly just to break the silence, she began to speak, "this path will merge with the main road in the village square. It will take us through town and all the way to the falls. From there, we'll have to take a detour around Shadow's Peak-"

"Through town?" Kirik repeated, stopping abruptly.

Anya hesitated and then paused as well. "Ah, y-yes. This is the way I always go-"

"Stupid woman! We cannot cut through town; do you suppose we'll just blend right in with the commoners?"

Anya felt an unexpected sting of anger at being called stupid and she spun around to face him. "This was YOUR idea, my good sir. And this is the only way I know. Had you given me the proper notice, perhaps I could have mapped out a route that appealed to you."

Andi whimpered, frightened at Anya's tone and began to back away. She was very close to just running in fear. She gave the trees a longing stare; there would be cover in the deeper woods. Plenty of places to hide - despite the threat of wolves and mountain lions and whatever else dwelled in the deep forest.

Kael watched his brother bickering with the dark-haired female and rolled his eyes. He wasn't even sure why the two were traveling with them in the first place. They could find this wizard on their own, who cared if it took a little longer? Stupid humans weren't worth the flesh they were made of. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the little yellow-haired bitch getting rather fidgety so he turned his attention to her.

She kept looking into the trees and then back at the two of them. Well, well, well. Was she thinking of fleeing? Really? Kael smiled in the darkness. He half hoped she would. Then he could chase her down and punish her for it. After all, hadn't Kirik said that she was his now? Besides, anything would be more exciting than this.

Andi saw that Kael was eyeing her sourly. So much for that plan. Was a foolish idea now that she thought about it; she'd most likely get eaten by a bear. Being eaten alive was an unpleasant idea indeed, even more so than being a prisoner.

She furrowed her brow, frustrated, and turned away from him with her nose in the air once more. The posture irked him. It was as if she believed she was better than him.

Really.

He thought about this as he stared at her. Perhaps one day he would be allowed to show her just how wrong she was in assuming such a thing. Had he not just proven how accomplished he had become? Had he not taken down that human male with laughable ease? Didn't she realize that he could do the same to her? She must. So why did she present such an air of superiority? Perhaps it was a front? He began to study her a bit more closely.

But if it was an act, how had she managed to gather the courage up to strike him? It hadn't phased him; physically at least. The stinging pain that had resulted had been more insulting than anything. He still planned on paying her back for that. He would've already had it not been for Kirik's refusal. Kael began to speculate a bit more about this. His brother was acting rather strangely this evening. If they'd been at home and she a slave, he definitely would have been allowed reprimand her.

He turned his head to consider Kirik and the other human woman again. They were still facing off, each glaring at the other. This was getting them nowhere.

"If you want to take a different way I make no guarantees that we shall get there at all! I've never tried to bypass town before. If we get lost in the deep woods don't blame me," Anya finished huffily, crossing her arms.

"You live here, yet you've made no effort to memorize the surrounding terrain? What in the hells is wrong with you?" Kirik sounded astonished and exasperated at the same time.

"Forgive me for not realizing that I would be kidnapped and forced to-"

Kael cleared his throat impatiently. The two gave him a glance and he twirled his finger in a "let's get going" gesture. Kirik seemed a bit taken aback, he hadn't meant to get into an argument with a mere human. It was a new experience for him to not be obeyed instantly. This Anya woman seemed intent on trying his patience.

Andi began to shake her head, "no, Anya. We can't go in there! We'll get lost! There are wild animals! They'll kill us!"

Kirik walked towards Andi and crouched down in front of her, staring directly into her eyes. "What do you suppose I'm going to do to you, little girl? You ought to be concerned about me," he said softly.

Andi took a step back, gulped nervously but managed to respond in a somewhat steady tone, "c-couldn't we just follow the trail until w-we can at least see the town square? Then we could cut around the outer wall and not through. No one will notice us if we do that."

Kirik straightened up and considered. "That seems reasonable. Woman," he turned to Anya, "would that work?"

Anya watched Andi, surprised that she'd gotten enough courage up to speak. "Aye," she finally said. "It'll take a bit longer, but at least there's no chance of ending up lost."

Kirik rose and nodded at her, "lead on then, woman."

Anya gave him a rather irritated glance, annoyed with the way he addressed her, but said nothing. She took hold of Andi again and began to walk once more.

9.

Kirik spoke softly to Kael as they followed the two humans, explaining what they were to do. Kael rolled his eyes and shook his head, aggravated, and opened his mouth to reply. Kirik swiftly cut him off.

"For once, will you not argue with me. I've no time to babysit three children," he snapped, speaking in his native tongue.

"You wouldn't need to if they weren't coming along, brother," Kael replied matter-of-factly.

"We're strangers here and we needed guides. We've no choice," Kirik shot back.

"No? And I suppose it couldn't be because you've a weakness for a pretty face? Even if she isn't one of us?" Kael's upper lip curled into a knowing sneer.

"Watch your tongue," Kirik snarled dangerously, eyes flashing.

Kael smirked, pleased. "I call it like I see it, brother. Why else would you allow her to speak the way she did to you? If she'd been male you'd-"

"Enough!"

Kirik's exclamation was forceful enough to startle the two women. Both jumped and paused, looking back over their shoulders nervously and then at each other. Kirik sighed and placed the fingers of one hand against the bridge of his nose in a gesture of frustrated fatigue.

Kael drew a sword and gave Andi a sharp poke in the back to get her moving again, smirking.

Andi squeaked as the tip sank through her clothing and bit into her flesh. She began to speed walk, trying to get out of his reach. Anya matched her pace, and glared at the younger brother. Kael returned her glower and sped up, giving her a prod with the weapon as well.

Anya took the hint and faced forward again. Her eyes had adjusted almost completely by now and she began to recognize familiar landmarks. The worn path was lined with trees and shrubs, many of them. She'd never taken special notice of the vegetation before, save the edible variety, but now a tiny plan began to form itself in her mind.

She feigned stumbling over a rock and crashed into a bush, breaking several branches and knocking off the the piles snow that had gathered on it. Andi arched a brow and moved to help her sister right herself. Anya wasn't given to clumsiness, that was usually Andi's specialty.

"You ok?" She whispered.

"Aye, just a bit tired is all," Anya mumbled back, risking a glance at her handiwork.

The damaged shrub was obvious among the other untouched bushes. A perfect sign for anyone who might be trying to track them. If she could leave a trail for someone to follow maybe, just maybe, they'd get out of this in one piece. That is, if she wasn't found out.

Kirik narrowed his eyes at the two of them, not liking the way they were whispering to one another. "Can we continue? Or do you feel the need to tumble to the ground a few more times?"

The dark-haired sister shot him a surly look and straightened her posture, "I've told you already, I can't see very well."

Kirik shook his head and muttered a few guttural phrases. He held up a hand and a small ball of crackling green light began to glow in his palm.

Amazed, the sisters watched as it grew brighter and larger, until the path ahead was lit with an eerie greenish glow. As they stared, the orb of light rose out of Kirik's hand and slowly floated to the front of the group, stopping directly in front of Anya.

"Will that suffice, woman?"

Anya stared and reached out to try and touch it. The ball drifted out of her reach and rose a bit higher into the air. Andi's mouth dropped open. She'd never seen any sort of magic before, and she was suitably impressed.

"Woah," she breathed softly.

Anya watched it for a few seconds more, mesmerized, before continuing on. The trail was clearly illuminated now and she had no problem recognizing the well-known road.

They were not yet halfway there, and she was beginning to feel weary. She wondered if the creatures would allow them to rest or if they expected them to travel the whole way to the light house without stopping. For all she knew, they didn't need sleep.

She looked at her sister. Andi's eyes were half-closed and the girl issued a large yawn. Sooner or later they would need to rest.

"Kirik," she began, turning to face them.

Kirik's ears twitched at the sound of his name and he nodded at her, "what is it now?"

"You realize we will need sleep at some point? We cannot travel indefinitely," she said, rather hesitantly.

He tossed her a withering glance, "of course. I've watched you slumbering many times now."

Her eyes widened and even Andi turned to stare. "W-what?" She stammered. The idea was horrifying.

The sight of the two women walking backwards with blatant shock written all over their faces was amusing, and he chuckled before going on.

GinaTina
GinaTina
256 Followers
12