Soul of Darkness Chapter 5

Ambush in the Forest

Closing the secret passage tightly and seeing that no one was around, Galatin stealthily moved back toward the river. The rain had ceased to fall left a muggy atmosphere with the ground wet and muddy. The water seemed to have risen since he had crossed it only hours before, he almost had to swim as the water was more than waist deep.

He had found the parchment and pen in the shed, thanks to Cornelius’s teachings he was able to write the note. Afterwards he climbed to her balcony and delivered it before she returned. The rose was a rare flower, one that could only be found on his side of the river deep in the forest. He had found it one day as he was foraging. Caring for it for years the plant eventually died every year and would be replaced with a bed of offspring. It always brought hope to Galatin for some reason. The thought that there was hope, even for the most unlikely.

Cornelius must be wondering where he had gone, perhaps even out looking for him. The thought of getting caught by his master brought a painful feeling deep into Galatin’s bones, not that he felt guilty nor discouraged at what he had done but more of the feeling of disappointment from his mentor. The very thought caused him to shiver.

                Finally he made it to the other side, he was safe now, no one from the city ever ventured across the river, except on very rare occasions. He looked one last time towards the city, the image of her face burned permanently in his mind. It was true what he had said, she was worth it and she would be worth it forever.

Breaking away from his daze he listened intently and scanned the area. Something was not right; it was too quiet, not even a sound of a bird was heard, let alone anything. It was the same feeling he felt every time him and Cornelius sparred, the feeling and silence when someone was close by.

Cautiously he drew his sword and his knife. Listening carefully to all his surroundings Galatin moved closer into the opening of the trees. If there was something or someone hunting him they would find him now that he was slightly in the open, which was what Galatin wanted. He was ready now, he had his guard, and he was ready strike.

                He walked for another foot then suddenly stopped. The sound was faint and almost nonexistent but he knew exactly what it was when he heard it, a crack of someone stepping on a twig behind him. Without hesitation he turned and threw the knife toward the figure who was attempting to sneak up on him. The knife flew through the air and stuck directly into a tree, only inches away from the attacker’s face. Abruptly stopping with surprise, the Elf looked directly at the knife with wide opened eyes.

It was a young squire of the knight’s academy and Galatin didn’t have to look at his face a second longer to know who it was; the long scar cut down across the lads face was enough to tell Galatin that he was in trouble once again. He himself had given him that scar only years before. It was Aremos, and where Aremos was Galatin was sure he would encounter at least the other two. Without thinking twice Galatin made a run from his attacker who gave chase with a high speed sprint.

                 It seemed as if he had run for only a few feet and already could feel the breath of his attacker from behind, he was on his heels. Galatin had to do something quick, think of something that could stop or at least slow down the chase. Even though he was very active, judging by the speed and acceleration of his opponent he was no match for him much longer.

He could feel Aremos’s hands begin to clasp onto his cloak, he had to do something fast before he was dragged down. He ran toward a tree then stopped. Turning, he swiftly slammed his opponents head into the trunk using his own speed to lunge him forward.

Aremos fell to the ground from the blow. His nose began to bleed down his mouth and chin as he rolled on the ground and wailed in pain. Galatin knew however it was far from over.

Instantly and without warning he was grabbed from behind by Cal. The large brute’s  arms like giant snakes squeezed across Gallatin’s chest and with much force found himself swooped off the ground and thrown ten feet from where he was standing into a tree.

“Take him down Cal!” Aremos said, now back on his feet drew his sword and holding his possibly broken nose charged toward Galatin. Rising quickly to his feet Galatin grabbed the wrist of his attacking foe and tossed him over his shoulder straight into the same tree Cal had thrown him into prior, knocking him out of the fight.

Cal drew his sword and furiously swung it toward Galatin who dodged away from his strikes, ducking from a swing for the head and somersaulting from one for his side. Frantically he searched for his own sword which had been lost from when he was thrown. It was about ten feet away with Cal directly in his path.

Cal raised his sword and swung downward. Grabbing his wrists as they came down on him, Galatin pulled Cal down and kneed him in the face making him stumble backward. With haste he ran to his sword and back into the trees away from his attackers.

Catching his balance, the young warrior shook off the shock and quickly pursued after Galatin. Thinking he would corner him in the thickness of the trees, he smiled deviously. He turned the corner to what he knew was a dead end; there was no escape this time Cal thought. He could almost taste the victory and honor of ridding the dark menace from existence. Quickly he turned to face his prey and swung blindly towards the direction, Galatin was gone.

“Show yourself you coward!” Cal yelled amongst the trees. The giant oaf scanned nervously completely around him. Sweat dripped from his damped dark hair and he breathed heavily. He knew exactly what was going on, the tables had turned, he was now the prey and Galatin was the predator.

Gracefully and delicately a small leaf glided down directly above Cal whose eyes caught it as it descended past them. He looked up from where the leaf had come and for a split second he saw the dark shadow of Galatin crouching on a high branch. Leaping quickly from his point, Galatin pounced on him throwing a good blow to the head knocking Cal out cold.

A small quiet applause sounded from behind Galatin. Turning from his knocked out opponent he didn’t even have to guess who it was that had basked them with his presence with a small arrogant clap.

Mounted on his horse in a posture of arrogance, the young leader grinned mischievously towards his nemesis. It may have been years since Galatin had seen the face of Natilius but he recognized him just as well he had been recognized by them.

“Bravo, bravo Galatin. I’m impressed. You’ve single handedly defeated my best men,” Natilius continued to smile as he casually leaned forward on his saddle, “It’s also a surprise to see you’re still alive. “

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Galatin said as he glared at Natilius with eyes as piercing as swords and burning red with anger. “What do you want Natilius!”

“Simple dark one, I want you dead and I want to be the one to kill you.” his voice still calm as it was before.

 “I don’t want to kill anyone Natilius. I’ll go my way, and we’ll call it even, but if I have to fight you I can promise you that you’ll be no match alone against me.”

“On the contrary my friend you are clearly outnumbered,” Natilius said with a small smirk as six young horsemen appeared from the thickness of the trees behind him, armed with swords, bows and arrows. “I came prepared this time.”

Galatin’s eyes widened and his heart felt as if it had leaped into his throat. The Archers drew their arrows and aimed towards their target.

“I suggest you run,” Natilius smiled as he raised his hand to direct. “Archers! Release!” he shouted as he motioned the order just as Galatin dove into the trees.  

Arrows wisped passed his head, swiftly Galatin crawled more into the thickness of the forest. “Cavalry! Pursue!” Natilius ordered as he drew his sword and led the charge into the vegetation.

He had done it now. Galatin thought in his head as he ran slightly crouched so as not to be seen by his hunters who were swiftly getting closer, cutting their way through the trees. He could only out run them for so long, he knew he could use the vegetation to hide himself and to slow them down but he also knew this game of cat and mouse would only last for so long.

His options had grown thin, however he still carried his bow but only one arrow remained in his pouch. He had to think fast, what did he have for advantage that they would least expect? He thought, they would be expecting him to run and nothing more, the last thing they would expect him to do would turn and fight.

 So they wanted to play, or at least that’s what Galatin was thinking. If they had come all this way and gone through so much trouble to take him out he had better make it worthwhile for them.

Slowly he slid behind a tree knowing that the riders were right behind him, he wasn’t sure about his plan but he had to do something. He drew the arrow and held it tight in his hand. The gallops of one of the horses moved closer. His heart thundered loudly in his chest as the gallops came closer and louder in his ears. He closed his eyes and breathed heavily, imagining his plan over and over in his head, it was a giant risk but there was no turning back now. He had to succeed, he had to live, live to see her once again.

 The horse began to pass from around the corner, without hesitation Galatin drove the arrow into the side of the beast and using it as a handle held for his life as the horse surprised at the attack took off on a rampaging run. Without another moment to think, Galatin swung himself up to his enemy.

The young knight hardly had enough time to realize what had happened before he found himself thrown off onto the ground by the hijacker. The horse was lame now from the wound but it was better than what he had before.

Maneuvering passed the trees at high speed Galatin made his way toward the cabin. His hopes of being free quickly vanished when he looked behind him only to see himself being pursued by Natilius as well as the other five riders.

With his attackers gaining quickly Galatin changed course making his way into the thicker parts of the trees. He ducked out of the way of a lower limb barely making his way through and looking back just in time to see the rider to the right of Natilius thrown from his saddle and slam to the ground which threw off the rider closest to him out of control and head first off his mount so as not to trample his fellow soldier.

Natilius ducked from the limb and continued the pursuit with the other three. “Split up and take him by the sides!” Natilius shouted to his men who dispersed in opposite directions.

Galatin looked around him and saw exactly what was going on, he had chasers to his left and his right with Natilius behind. Looking forward he smiled competitively as he leaned to the side of the horse and reached to the ground and gracefully scooped up a rotting log from the ground.

The rider to his left came in by the side with his sword drawn and struck toward Galatin who blocked it barely with his wooden weapon. Galatin looked into the eyes of his attacker and smiled confidently as he pushed his sword back and struck downward on the horse’s shins causing him to buck forward. The rider had no chance, like a rag doll he was thrown forward into the branches violently.

Looking to his right now Galatin could see the other attacker engaging fast, keeping his distance the young knight drew his crossbow and aimed. Galatin’s eyes widened at the sight as the arrow cut through the air, he changed course just in time, causing the arrow to graze across his shoulder. The pain almost threw Galatin off balance as he steered the horse away. The young knight smiled at his accomplishment but carelessly focused too much toward his target only to turn back focus into a low limb to his face.

Natilius winded and maneuvered passed his fallen comrades, if he had to do this himself he would. It was now between the two of them, nothing to this point in his life was anything compared to the eager Natilius felt at this moment, he was going to catch up and he was going to fulfill his duty and cut the bastards throat.

Galatin had to think fast, he knew this forest probably better than anyone other than Cornelius. They had been moving west and Galatin knew that he was heading for a drop. About a half a mile more the terrain was altered to a steep hill, Galatin had to begin slowing down in order to make it; he hoped however that his opponent wouldn’t. Slowing down would be a challenge in itself; the other was avoiding the strikes from Natilius.

Drawing his sword, Natilius, determined and anxious engaged Galatin from behind and swung for the head. Ducking quickly Galatin avoided the decapitating blow, he had to focus on speed, he couldn’t slow down too much but couldn’t speed up either.

Furiously Natilius engaged again striking downward, Galatin grabbed his wrist in defense and pushed him away avoiding another fatal blow and causing Natilius to fall back a bit.

Galatin could now see the drop; he had to be quick and precise if he wanted to make it. The horse leaped downwards making its way down the hill. Galatin pulled back on the reigns hard and arched his back. Finally he slowed down to a stop just as Natilius whipped passed falling right into the trap.

The horse lost balance causing it to roll almost completely over and tumble down the hillside. Natilius after falling off his mount quickly threw himself out of the way of the beast tumbling down passed him making him fall uncontrollably into the trees brutally.

The body of Natilius flipped and twisted down the slope until finally it landed at the bottom. Not a muscle moved nor did it look as if he was breathing. With his face down in the dirt, Natilius moaned and finally moved. Galatin watched from up top as his nemesis painfully arose to his feet.

Bruised and scraped the angry Elf looked towards the top of the hill, Galatin had vanished from view.

“Bastard! You’ll never be rid of me!” Natilius yelled furiously, “This will not be our last meeting!” Angry and enraged he struck the ground violently, he had failed yet again. The rat had outsmarted him once again and made him look like a fool.

Limping in pain, the young knight walked toward his horse that had regained its strength behind him and returned to the city.

Galatin made his way calmly back through the woods, he was far enough now that no one would dare to continue chase. Dismounting the horse he carefully pulled the arrow from its side, and with a quick swat sent the hose on its way back toward the city. He had gotten away from them this day but he knew it was far from over.  

He wiped the head of the arrow off on his pants, he was lucky it hadn’t broken. Not an hour had passed when he found a small antelope and with his last shot took it out without trouble.

It was nearly dark when he returned home. Cornelius, worked away with his duties hardly noticing the bruises and cuts on Galatin’s face or his shoulder from the blows earlier. Perhaps he didn’t notice them or perhaps he just didn’t want to know.

“Took you long enough,” Cornelius said breaking the silence just as Galatin began to make his way into the hut. “Anything happen unusual?”

Galatin froze in his steps. He could tell Cornelius knew something had happened. Attempting to not look guilty Galatin shook his head casually then headed off to sleep.

 For the first time in his life Galatin laid wide awake the entire night. He could help but ponder of the events that had happed that day. Nothing of Natilius or the chase that had happened however, all he could think of and all he could see was her face. It almost seemed he was meant to meet her. He hoped he would see her again but couldn’t imagine how it would be possible. He had never felt this way before for someone else; a sense of connection and understanding. Perhaps the key to acceptance by his kind was through her, Calina.

Natilius limped down the dark corridor; he had spent the final hours of the day locating his wounded men from different areas of the forest. Slowly he walked until he eventually made his approach to two guards who halted him at the door.

“I have a meeting,” Natilius stated in a raspy voice, “I need to speak to him.”

“No one is to disturb him at this hour, especially not an apprentice!” The Guard stated with authority.

A cold voice was heard from behind the door, “Let him pass.”

The guard reluctantly moved from his post. Natilius limped his way passed him and entered the room.

 Standing in the center stood Sethal. Slinked over slightly and leaning on his cane, the foul snake looked up at the young soldier with a small wicked smile. “Cadet Natilius, the job is done then I presume.”

The young student lowered his head in shame then turned away from the old priest. After a few minutes Natilius broke the silence, “He outsmarted every single one of my men and slipped through their fingers.”

“He outsmarted you! If he continues to live the fate of this city will be on your head!” Sethal scolded the young apprentice. “I knew you could not carry out even the simplest task of killing one man! Now the city is one step closer to its doom because of you!”

“You won’t have to worry about that my lord, Galatin will die.” Natilius’s fists clenched, the anger and hatred was almost more than he could bear, “I will make sure of that!”