Jake was stunned to see Jandar speaking to him, but he was even more surprised to learn that he wanted to talk to him so soon. The bigger question here was how he got here in the first place? He began to remember what had happened, from when he was with Sonlen, to the capture, and to the revealing of the leader. His mind then focused on her, and her dire message. His eyes widened and he bolted himself up out of bed, pushing the covers off in the process.
“Jandar! Drake and Sonlen! There is something I need to tell you! It’s about—” he began to say, but Jandar raised his hands and placed them on Jake’s shoulders.
“Calm yourself, soldier,” Jandar said in a calm tone. “We can discuss everything in due time. You must remain composed if you’re to tell me of your tale. So relax.” Jandar’s words seemed to soothe Jake and he was able to rest his back against the bed. Jandar turned to the healer who promptly handed Jandar a pad and a sheet of paper. Jandar looked at the sheet and began reading aloud what was on it.
“Your name is Jacob William Ross, male, age 22. Wounds report: bruises along left and right side of face. Several cuts along right arm, and scrapped knees and legs. Records: Your record shows that you have preformed multiple accounts of disorderly conduct, disobeyed nearly fifty orders by a higher ranking officers, and also have caused a fight in the local pup when it came over a woman.”
“Now that was an awesome night,” Jake said to himself, a smug look spreading across his face. Jandar took notice of this and placed the sheet on a nearby table before turning back to Jake, a look of disappointment etched into his face.
“Jake you are the worst case for a disciplined soldier that I have ever seen.” His statement was blunt and true and Jake’s smug look was no longer there, but replaced with concern over his previous actions. Jandar placed his hands together, his fingers overlapping one another, before continuing.
“I would like to know how an incompetent solider like you obtained information meant for Sonlen and got to follow in his little venture.” Jandar remained calm and formal but his raspy tone was serious and not to be taken lightly. Jake had the answers but was hesitant to reveal them, especially the parts with the wolf leader in detail. Jake looked back to Jandar who continued to remain in the same position, his hands overlapped and covering his face, waiting to hear his testimony. Taking in a breath and collecting his thought s, Jake began his tale.
“Well, where to start?” Jake said as he fumbled the words.
“I suggest from the beginning,” Jandar replied, his voice showing no humor.
Jake swallowed the lump in his throat and knew that Jandar would want to hear everything. “Well,” Jake said while rubbing the back of his head, ” I guess I can start when I was resting in the courtyard.”
Jake began his tale of how he met the messenger and how he was surprised when he met Sonlen. He explained that Sonlen had to bring him along because he had seen the message Jandar had sent. Jake then explained how they made their way through the village, and explained in detail when they met the villager who was scared to death and how they spotted the fires near the chapel. As Jake continued with his story Jandar remained where he was. Jandar asked questions now and then and Jake easily provided the answer to the best of his knowledge. Jandar listened intently to all the details that Jake provided; he was greatly intrigued when Jake explained how the undead were killed and that it was not by their hands. Jake then explained how they entered the chapel and were later ambushed by the wolves. From there, Jake began to get into the details.
“After waking up I was able to get my switchblade and loosen my bonds when I was taken to meet the wolf leader. The wolf leader, she seemed very interested in—”
“Hold a moment, Jacob.” Jandar raised a hand, telling him to stop. “You said a female? What was her name?” Jake blinked a moment and realized that he had neglected to give the leader’s name.
“Her name, of course, her name is Rain,” Jake replied. Jandar’s eyes widened slightly and his left eyebrow rose as well. Jake wondered at the sudden movement.
“That is strange news. There have been reports of a new wolf commander that has been sighted in many skirmishes of late. Survivors reported a hooded wolf in those attacks. Very cunning and capable of slipping by our defensive lines. However, most of the early reports said the wolf was a male attacker, not a female.”
Jake was puzzled by this; he knew what he had witnessed and experienced first hand with Rain, literally. “I’m pretty sure that she is female,” Jake said to reassure Jandar. “My guess is that she wanted her identity hidden from us, but why she wanted to I have no clue.”
Jandar’s brow furrowed and he looked down for a moment, deep in thought. Jake wondered how long Jandar would take; however, it only took a few moments before he stirred again. “And can you prove this? What is your evidence?” he asked the question that Jake dreaded to answer. The top answers he could think of would be ‘no comment’ or try to steer the conversation to something else, but he knew he needed to tell.
“Well,” Jake began to say as sweat began to drip down the side of his face, the nerves getting the better of him, ” it is kind of hard to explain—”
“Stop,” Jandar interrupted, lifting his hand in the process, ” this is not a confessional, you don’t have to give me all the details.”
“Thank crap for that,” Jake thought to himself, feeling great relief for not telling. Recollecting his thoughts he began describing the events leading to his attack on Rain. He recounted how he attacked the two wolves that held him and his weapon, the pinning attack from Rain and to revealing herself when he failed to kill her. Jake then described how she marked him, which thankfully he didn’t have to go into detail, and explained that he was allowed to go free but not after being followed out the chapel and into the forest. Jandar took interest and looked to the two sentinels behind him.
“You two stated that you found Jacob near the edge of the village correct?” he said and both sentinels looked at one another and back at their leader.
“Yes, my lord,” one of the sentinels said, his voice deep yet elegant. “He was unconscious when we arrived.”
“He was also covered in bruises and cuts all along the left side of his body. We patched him up to the best of our abilities before we returned to the capital,” the second sentinel explained. Jandar nodded to the two before turning to Jake. “Now that comes to my last question,” Jandar said after clearing his throat, “how was it that you were wounded after being released? Can you explain how you received such injuries?”
Jake looked down at the floor, avoiding Jandar’s gaze. “Well, Jandar,” he started, “I was followed during that night.” Jake looked up at Jandar who remained where he was; however, the two sentinels eyed him and wondered what he had had to endure. “Once I was near the forest edge I looked back to see the wolves continuing to watch me. My only instinct was to run and so I did. I began running, trying to get to the village and wait out the rest of the night. However, the wolves were chasing me. They followed me at least a good fifty feet behind, every time I looked back they kept getting closer. I ran as fast as my feet could take me, running past trees, bushes, shrubs, trying to lose them as best as I could. It was not enough. I ran into one that somehow got ahead of me and I landed flat on my back. I stared into the wolf’s eyes as he stood over me. He smiled at me and waited for me to move. With the other wolves coming I bolted and manged to push past the wolf, yet he didn’t chase after me. The other wolves followed me and were gaining speed, yet they kept their distance. I kept going, kept moving, and trying my best to escape. With the wolves chasing me I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings. I ran headlong into a tree branch and it nearly knocked me out, the blow also made me fall into a thorn bush that I got tangled up in. After a few seconds of struggling, and my body racing with adrenaline, I forced myself out but that only tore my shirt and pants. After several minutes of non-stop running I managed to get back into the village and headed straight for the homes only to find them all locked. I banged on several doors, asking them to let me in yet they wouldn’t. They were all scared and none dared even move. I saw at least fifty wolves chasing from the forest and I kept running in the streets. I neared the end of the streets only to feel a direct kick on my back. I landed hard in the dirt, and immediately felt a pair of large feet surfing across me. All of the air in my lungs went out of me and the wolf on my back leapt down. I turned and was on my back and saw that the wolves had surrounded me, all of them glaring and some even smiling at me. Exhaustion over came me and the last thing I knew I blacked out and awoke here.” Jake took a breath when he finished his tale and Jandar was left to ponder his words. The two sentinels spoke to one another with soft voices, and the healer nearby covered her mouth with her hands when she heard his tale. The silence soon ended when the doors opened and another sentinel entered. Passing by the two other sentinels he leaned close to Jandar and whispered into his ear. Jandar’s eyebrows rose slightly but it didn’t cause Jake to take notice. Jandar nodded to the sentinel and he quickly left the room. Jandar turned to Jake who gave a small smile.
“It seems I have other matters to attend to. Be sure to get plenty of rest Jacob, you need it. Now if you’ll excuse me,” Jandar said and he left the room at a quick pace, being followed closely behind by the two other sentinels. Jake was left alone with the healer and he remained where he was, not sure if Jandar wanted to hear more or had heard all he wanted to hear. Jake leaned back to rest up, hoping that his mind would finally be at ease for what he had gone through the past day. However, something was bothering him. He opened his eyes to see the healer wringing out a wet cloth, its contents spilling into a small bowl on a wooden table.
“Excuse me,” Jake said. His words startled the kyrie woman before she turned to see her patient. “How long have I been out exactly?” The healer smiled at Jake, at the same time wiping away the remaining stains on his arm before bandaging the wound.
“It has been nearly two days since you arrived, but your don’t have to worry anymore. You’re safe now,” she said to reassure him while wrapping the bandage around his left arm. Jake looked down at the wound and the bandage that was being neatly placed and tied around the final scars. She tugged on it and a twinge of pain ran through Jake. The pain was enough to make him remember that night, and the warning that Rain had given him.
“You and I will meet again, very soon.”
The words echoed in his mind and he knew what they meant. Outside the door he heard footsteps running past and Jake noticed several soldiers passing by the open doorway; they all looked ready for a fight. Seeing this Jake stood up and bolted out of bed.
“Wait, you haven’t eaten! You need rest!” the healer protested but it fell on deaf ears, Jake knew what was happening and he needed to get to Jandar. Heading out the doors he ran down the halls, following a group of knights that were making their way toward the courtyard. After several minutes of running he was soon outside, standing atop the stairs that went straight toward the courtyard. All around him he saw many knights and airborne making their way toward a gate on the far side of the courtyard. They were all preparing themselves for combat and prepared at the gates. Jake scanned the crowds and saw Jandar near the middle of the courtyard, several sentinels gather around him and relaying orders to the troops. Jake headed down the stairs and went to Jandar’s side.
“Jacob? Why are you up?” he said in surprise when Jake appeared beside him.
“Jandar… Rain is,” Jake said through forced breath, “she is coming!”
“I already know that,” Jandar replied. Jake was dumbfounded.
“What?!” Jake said, appalled, ecstatically, confusion etched deep in his face. He looked at Jandar who remained passive and Jake could not fathom as to why he remained calm.
“You knew? When? How?” Jake asked, trying to comprehend what his leader had just said.
“When you were brought back I wished to send my Sentinel guard to wipe them out entirely. However, we stayed our blades when they held hostages. Our scouts confirmed earlier that a large group has moved from the forest to our capital with at least twenty five of our soldiers. They most likely wish to parlay with us for the prisoners.”
As Jandar finished explaining, a guard atop of the gatehouse waved his hand toward Jandar.
“The enemy is at the gate! They wish to enter!” the guard yelled out.
“Send them in!” Jandar yelled back and the gates began to be pulled inward. Jake’s eyes widened as the gates opened and revealed a column of wolves moving through the gate. As , as he watched, the sentinels moved close to Jandar’s side, standing in formation around their leader. The wolves moved forward, in a tight formation. In the center of the group there were twenty-five airborne troops that were held by an equal number of wolves, Jake was disappointed when he could not find Drake or Sonlen among the group. On either side of them stood fifteen wolves on each side, lumbering along as they moved. In the front of the column there were five wolves that were heavily armored in bronze coating; if there was a fight they were the most prepared. At the front, striding along in an elegant fashion, was Rain. Jake began to feel sweat pour down the side of his head. He knew what Rain was capable of and he worried what she might do as she moved toward them, her body and tail swaying as she moved. Around them the knights and Airborne quickly surrounded them and closed the gate. The gate shut with a loud thud and the men held their weapons facing the wolves, ready for any attack the wolves might make. However, the wolves continued to march forward, unfazed by their current surroundings. They soon stopped at a good pace, but Rain kept moving ahead of her guard. She soon stopped twenty feet away from Jandar, many knights and Airborne surrounding her on all sides. Jandar cleared his throat and addressed her, his raspy voice booming to all of the men in the courtyard.
“Hello, Rain. We meet at last. I have heard of your many deeds throughout this land. Your tactics and evasive maneuvers should be commended. However, since you foolishly allowed yourself to walk into my city, I will have to ask that you hand over the prisoners, and surrender yourself to the alliance.” Jandar finished and the men all moved closer against the wolf pack, several knights moved their spears close to the wolves, yet they still remained unperturbed by the danger around them. Jandar waited for her response but was surprised to see that she was more relaxed than worried. She smiled at Jandar, her head tilting slightly to the side to see Jake standing behind him.
“Ah, hello again, little rabbit. I knew I would find you,” she said and gave a low chuckle to Jake, completely ignoring Jandar before her. Jake shuddered at her words when she regarded him. She turned to Jandar, who seemed irked by her strange demeanor, and addressed him, “it’s also good to meet with the leader of the Alliance; I am honored to meet such a renowned kyrie of your caliber. However, I must simply decline your generous offer.”
Jandar’s eyes narrowed at her and she seemed pleased at this. “You are mistaken Rain, you will have no choice but to turn yourself in, for there is nowhere to run.” Jandar closed his eyes to Rain and waited for her response. What he got was more of an insult.
“Oh I’m sorry princess, but what I have to offer would be far more to your liking,” she seemed to hit a nerve with Jandar as he was unamused by her humor.
“And what could you possibly offer that would secure your miserable hide?” he stared at her, waiting to see what move she would make. Jake looked on and wondered what she could possibly offer. She was surrounded, enemies all around her, she couldn’t possibly offer anything that could secure her freedom. What she did next surprised them both. She bent down to one knee, lowering her head, and outstretched her hands to Jandar. With a humble voice she said something that shook Jandar to the very core.
“My pack will join your alliance and the wolves will fight at your side. In return, I ask that you kill the one wolf who is holding my people back, who blindly follows a tyrant and works together with our foes. I ask you to kill my father: the Darklord Khosmet!”
September 21st, 2014, 10:47 PM
TAF was the Storyteller... 
Bro-man is a Minion of Utgar...
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