@Jelenis Tythe Opaas was surprised by the horse's ability to take to the air so effortlessly; or so it appeared. She guided the horse just as if they were on land.
As they flew the weather remand temperate. Which he was glad for. He kept watch for dragons as they were getting closer to the boarder in which they lived. But besides a few birds they encountered nothing of alarm.
The Angelic seemed to be able to gauge Engof's stamina and didn't push the horse too far. Every so often he would land so the horse could rest a bit and then off they would go. Engof's landings getting better with each one.
One of the landings Opaas gave the description he had from the sketch. It was an abandoned farm house with a stable. It was on the eastern side of the mountains, set a little ways back. He mentioned they should probably stop soon for the night as the sun began to descend.
"Maybe another hour and we should think of setting up a camp for the night. This will give me time to collect some timber and get a fire started."
Alorin knew it was time to rest, from the sky he could see the farmhouse and he started to spiral downwards knowing the horse would follow him. Once on the ground he survey the building and the stable, it would suffice for the night.
"If you collect the timber I will settle Engof." He said as Opaas dismounted.
It was important the horse rested well overnight as well as himself.
"Certainly." Opaas wasted no time once dismounting. He also checked the area for predators.
He cleaned a section and began to get the fire stoked to a manageable blaze. He notice Engof's saddle bags where laying near him and he smiled must have read his mind Opaas thought. He pulled out two dried flanks of elk. Did the angelic eat? He never asked and so he wasn't sure. Either way he would need to eat so he constructed cooking rack with some rocks and thick sturdy sticks.
If truth be told he was tired and he rubbed his face as he let the warmth of the flames ease his tension. He felt confident that Engof would be well treated by the Angelic and this helped. Him relax.
Alorin ran his hands over the horse, with some straw that he found in the ramshackle barn, wiping away the sweat. He was careful to check the animal's new wings making Engof stretch them out and making sure all the feathers remained in tact.
Once he was finished he found hay and placed it in a pile for the beast to dine on, there was a well not far and he drew some water in an old wooden bucket to ensure the horse had plenty to drink too.
"Not bad for your first long flight." He whispered in the horse's ear and patted his shoulder.
"Not bad at all."
Engof whickered as if in agreement and nudged the Angelic quite fondly.
Finally he went over to join the man at the fire, his wings were gone from view, he looked like a man again.
"Take your rest Opaas....I will watch." He said softly.
He came too with a start. He hadn't realized he had dozed off. "Wh-what?" She shook his head a bit and ran his large hands over his face. "Yes, thank you."
He stood and pulled a bedding roll from his pack of things and spread it out. He laid his sword next to the bedding. "How is he?" Opaas wasn't concerned for he knew the Angelic would tell him if there was cause to worry, but he had to ask just to hear it for himself.
"Oh also, sorry I must be exhausted. I didn't sleep well last night. There is a flank of elk for you. I wasn't sure if you ae, you know, like elves and humans do. Or if you would only eat vegetables. If you do I apologize I do not have any of that. But it is yours if you do eat meat."
He laid on the bedroll and closed his eyes. Sleep came rather quickly for the elf.
Alorin sat quietly watching the night, a short way off he could hear Engof shuffling about and across the fire he heard Opaas snoring gently. He removed the meat from the flames and set it aide for the elf, he did not eat mortal food, he was sustained at the moment on ambrosia.
He wondered where the. Nephilim was, what his state was, if he had been seduced to darkness yet.
Opaas slept soundly. As he naturally progress from his slumber her stretched and yawned. It was still dark but the fire was still full and high. He wondered how long he had been out for.
He notice the uneaten elk and he nods. "Sorry, I just wasn't sure if you ate as we do. Do you need me to gather anything?" He sat up as he was speaking and felt around for his water bladder and took a few hardy gulps.
Picking up his sword and he stood up he looked over at the Angelic, "If you want you can you my bedroll to catch a few hours and I will stand watch.
Alorin shook his head.
"I do not need sleep often, perhaps you should take your fill and eat, and Engof would be pleased to see you I wager."
He could sense the horse knew that his master was awake as the activity where he had been bedded had increased. He wrapped his wings about himself almost like a large feathery cloak and settled down again to watch the flames.
The elf would not like what he found when they did happen upon the boy and his sister, Sabre was good at what he did.
He smiled at the mention of Engof, right now it was about the only pleasant thing in his life. "Yes, thank you. I will."
He bent and took the meat and standing again he rummaged through his saddle bag for a lump of brown sugar. He didn't often give it to Engof but the horse surely deserved a little sweet.
He hesitated and even though their situation was grim Opaas knew he was much better off with the Angelic then alone. "Thank you for everything you have done to aide me, I will not forget it, nor will I forsake you."
Opaas wasn't much for this type of talk so once he was done he quickly walked to the stable to see Engof.
Alorin smiled to himself as the man walked away.
Theirs had been a chance happening upon each other, though Alorin believed that they were meant to find one another.
What were the odds that this elf's sister and the Nephilim were both with Sabre. He had hoped never to see that demon again, he was wickedness itself, with a huge swathe of demons at his command, it had been thought he was vanquished as he had been silent for so many years.....obviously not.
"Sabre Renarion." He said the name slowly to himself.
"King of the Tenth Ring of Hell."
Opaas was excited to see Engof and when he arrived he immediately gave the treats to him. He pulled the brush out and softly tended to him. Just because Engof always enjoyed it. He spoke softly to beast.
After he finish tending the horse he came back out and ate the elk. "I know I am pushing it but, when do we leave?"
Alorin looked up,the sun had not risen yet and it would not be safe for the horse.
"When it is light, do not be impatient Opaas, you surely do not want to see Engof injured by trying to take off over uneven ground that he cannot see." He said softly.
He turned his eyes back to the fire, he sensed something, he was not sure what but it felt like more demons had come through into this plane, but he could not see where. Was Sabre summoning his faithful to him, if so that would make things very difficult indeed.
Opaas nodded "Of course you are correct."
He finished eating and tried not to think about what lie ahead. He leaned down on his bedroll and let the fire lull him. He wasn't actually asleep but felt the rest would do him well. He wondered what happens once they find the young man and Flori. What if both were held under this demon's spell? Or worse dead? He actually said another pray. Asking for the two souls to be watched over and if possible save-able.
Alorin did not know whether to tell the elf about the Demon incursion onto this plane, he might be wrong about it but unlikely.
He stared into the flames moodily and snorted, Sabre was too clever for his own good, he had managed to hide them from sight and with his minions coming it would only enhanced his skills. The sooner he found that slippery son of a she dog and put him down the better. Also the extra demons could only mean one ting, he was gearing up to corrupt the Nephilim and access his demon side and make it prevalent. It could be done in a few ways, immoral seduction, pain, tempting pleasures all things an Angelic should be able to resist but the boy was only half an Angelic.
The girl would be already snared as deep as one could be, likely she loved the beast, and would protect him with her very life, Opaas was going to have his work cut out for him. Likely scenario was that they would both end up Sabre's prisoners and he would be tortured and Opaas would be turned.
Opaas was torn laying there. He just kept his eyes closed. The breeze was soft and the scent of the fire mixed with night lily made him smile. He could only pray his sister could be saved. The young man...what was his name? Anyway, he just had to cling to the hope something could be done for them. The night before he had such a dread come over him and he didn't understand it. He wasn't very outspoken so he hesitated telling the Angelic but thought maybe he should. It might be easier here like this.
"Alorin? Last night I barely spelt. " He opened his eyes and sat up turning to the man. "I felt a dread wash over me. It could be just my mind playing tricks on me with all that has happened but it felt so foreboding. Can you see him the boy? Or feel him close yet?"
"They are hidden by powerful dark magic." He said looking up.
"I have felt incursions into this plane by demonic entities...recently but I cannot locate them!" He said with some frustration.
"They may already be lost to us!"
He nodded and tightened the muscles in his faces to try to keep calm. "I am worried Alorin. I am very worried." He looked back over at the Angelic. "How are two supposed to fight his army?"
He looked at the fire and back up again, "Will those two demons help? I know it isn't the perfect situation but would it be something that could be done?" He was grasping at anything. He felt the sinking of his heart. This was not going to turn at well for his sister. No matter what she was going to hurt.
Alorin tilted his head.
"Bel and Trayder....you would suggest we join with that Demon scum...I would not stoop so low Opaas!" He growled.
Though that pair might be able to penetrate the darkness that hid Sabre and his horde, though it was well known that Sabre was powerful, he had trapped Bel and Tray with out a second thought.
"Let me think on it!" He did not want to leave the elf with no hope on the horizon.
Opaas nodded. He felt off asking but with just the two of them and if the angelic was right and he was summoning his armies what chance would they have?
He began to clean up his bedroll and other things. "I think I will go check on Engof once more." Opaas got up and went to the stable.
Alorin watched the elf go and he felt bad for a moment in the way he had spoken. He had banished the pair of demons back to their realm very temporarily but knew they were close now, following them unseen in the shadows. He knew Bel would not pass up a chance to get some payback on Sabre for firstly hurting his Master's son and secondly duping Trayder and himself.
"I know you are there Belisarius." He said softly.
"Know I let you follow....the moment you sense Sabre or Jelenis....you tell me...is that understood!" He hissed.
In the dark and deeper shadows the General grinned, he and Tray would get a sense of Sabre at some point, the son of a she dog would let slip sooner of later when he got complacent.
Opaas walked into the run down stable and slowly rubbed the horse's nose. He wasn't one for beating around the bush but maybe he shouldn't have brought up the two demons. They had been most vulgar and would not be trustworthy.
He should have thought that out better. He was just worried for the first time his foe was not of flesh and blood. But of an entity he knew nothing about. He sighed as he leaned on Engof. "Well old boy looks like I will soon be in hell. I am sorry I am dragging you with me."
Alorin rose and went to the stable fully meaning to apologise to the elf but he paused outside and listened as the man spoke to his horse. If he had any idea of what the Hell Plane was like he would not speak of it so lightly. He opened the door and stepped within the gloom, smelling the scent of old hay and warm horse.
"I am sorry Opaas....I should not have spoken so testily to you...your idea has merit and you should know they are already with us....they have been for a little while, I did not send them back fully." He said softly.
"They are choosing to remain unseen and unheard but I know they are there...probably better they are for demons do not generally make congenial company."
Opaas looked up as the Angelic entered. He was appreciative of his words. "No, please...Oh! Well, yes, yes I see." He brought his hands to his chin and rubbed it. "Well, thank you. I was going to apologize to you for even mentioning it. But with what you have told me I must admit I think it for the best...that is to have more help."
He began to prepare Engof as the sun was coming up and he didn't want to miss a moment of the light.
Alorin watched as he prepared the horse.
"You know we cannot trust them." He said softly.
"Not fully...they are demons and they are not affiliated with Sabre in fact their master bound Sabre to the boy, he is free means the boy's father is failing or dead. Which means their allegiance may change."
His wings flickered a little and he continued.
"There are 12 Rings of Existence in Hell, each has a king, Sabre is the King of the Tenth, the boy's father King of the Fifth, they are always fighting, games of one upmanship, shaming one house to the others.....it is the way of Demons, they constantly war among themselves."
He paused momentarily.
"If the boy's father is dead....he is Heir to the Fifth Ring....Sabre will not allow him to take that throne, not with Angelic blood in his veins still, he will make sure he is considered unsuitable, shame him to the other Houses, make his name one of scorn and ridicule. The demons of the Fifth Ring will not accept him."
He stepped forward to tighten the girth of Engof's saddle.
"He will leave him nowhere to go except into his service, he will corrupt him so fully, so irrevocably that the boy will become a demon and nothing will save him. Your sister will help him to this end."
He stepped back.
"I hope we can find him before this is done.....or my job will be all the much harder."
Opaas listened. He knew nothing of the rings of hell. Knew nothing of demons, in fact considered it all nonsense. Now he saw how wrong he had been.
"I understand. I apologize as well. I do know they are not trustworthy. I won't lie to you." He stopped and exhaled deeply before continuing. "I have a healthy level of fear, but it means not that I won't meet the challenge."
By now he was coming to terms that his sister was lost to him. All they could hope to do was save the boy. He felt this was a good as time as any to admit this to Alorin. "I know." At first it was so low he was sure the Angelic didn't hear him. "Alorin, I know. She is gone. There is no hope to save her. But the boy he may still be salvageable. With that I go with you. Even if it means I must put a sword into my sister, if it saves the boy." He lowered his head.
Opaas never cried and did not wish the Angelic to see him this distraught. But losing his sister and admitting it was harder than he thought. He buried his face into the neck of Engof who sensed his masters distressed and stamped his left hoof and neighed.
Alorin was not so far removed from emotions that he did not see the Elf's distress.
"I lost my sister...she was murdered, by Sabre likely....I understand your pain." He said softly.
"Your sister is still alive, though not as she was, she is something else now, you might not have to kill her but you will have to confront what she is and reconcile that."
He took a breath.
"I have a feeling that we are going to lose the boy too, but that is something I will have to reconcile too. We will likely be taken prisoners by their overwhelming force, even with that pair outside with us. Bel is getting old...Trayder....well....he is naught more than a glorified nursemaid who has formed a less than healthy attachment to the boy...not the greatest of allies!"
He patted the elf on the shoulder.
"But we have to find them first....do we not!"
Opaas was able to pull himself together. The sun was cresting and this made him smile. All that Alorin said was not lost on him. It wasn't his sister anymore. Whomever he meet would be within the demons hold. His sister sided that terrible night Lord Hernon gave her to the demon. The boy. That was all he needed to focus on. The fact he said they would be taken prisoner was not lost on him. This was concerning...but maybe...they could overcome the demon. He could only hope.
"Yes! We will find them! We will!"
Alorin nodded.
"We can but try...though being held prisoner by demons is not what you might expect." He said softly.
"You they will try to corrupt....bring you over.....me.....not so much pleasure I am afraid."
They would torture him, a mortal enemy, oh they would use their seductions or try their succubus, but on one as old or as steadfast it would not work....they would result to pain.
"Let's take Engof out and decide where we should go." He said softly.
He nodded and guided Engof outside. He rubbed his neck softly as they exited and came out of the old barn. Where too next? That was a good question. They had two other options. The Island or the land of ice and snow.
The words corrupt...bring you over rang in his ears. Whatever they would do to Alorin seemed to be even worse being that he didn't mention it.
Absently he looked around as if he would see the other two demons. He didn't think he would see them it was more of a reflex. As he brought Engof around he pulled his satchel out and all the maps and paper. "So we have two locations left. Hyoite and Yoreiq." He held up the papers he had to look them over. He still couldn't shake the words completely...corrupt just kept on rolling through him.
Alorin looked at the maps, Bel and Tray were of no help at the moment as they were plotting what they were going to do to Sabre if they found him.
"Yoreiq." He said softly.
"We will go there first, Islands can be remote, inaccessible to some, hard top escape from...it might appeal."
He absently patted Engof's neck and the horse nudged him lightly.
"Shall we?" He said shaking out his raven black wings and securing his sword.
Opaas agreed.
"Yes, it is a light house we are looking for. It wasn't used anymore she had said in her letter to me."
He mounted Engof and guided him into a trot then full gallop. Within a few moments they were airborne again. He mused that his horse seemed to like this new trick of taking to the air. It made him feel a bit free as well. For a few minutes he let himself enjoy it.
Normally in a ship it took weeks as they we dependent on the winds. This is why he had not gone before. This was making the travel much faster.
Alorin soared high and down below nearer to the ground he saw the black mist of demon travel, Bel and Tray were following them it appeared.
"I follow you....let us find this Light House you speak of." He said above the rush of wind to Opaas.
"The demons follow by their own methods."
Opaas stayed high so thankfully for his own senses he did not see the mist. The morning was turning into a glorious one. Bright sun, light breeze and a pleasant temperature.
"Certainly we are making wonderful time with the winds pushing us along."
They were on a steady course to island.
Next chapter in the Yoreiqi Isles
Link:
http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=19787.new#new