Rebellion and New Life

Chapter 10

SkekMal the Hunter was hot on Rian's trail. He would find that Gelfling and collect his trophy before he would plan to eat him. He would make his strength his own. He tracked him all the way to the Stonewood Swamp area.

Rian had a difficult time getting other Gelfling to believe him that the Skeksis were a threat to all Gelflings. He had even tried to warn his father and his clan's Maudra. But they had thought he was ill in the mind, as the Skeksis had told them. Rian defended his opinion and had to get away from them, even his own father.

Chamberlain's carriage arrived there soon after. He kept his distance, but he was confident he would find the Hunter. He had to keep the Hunter from killing Rian right away. And he was risking his own life too just dealing with the Hunter.

All the Skeksis had a good sense of smell, even though the Hunter's might have been more advanced since he lived out in the wilds of nature most of the time. He was rarely ever called back to the castle due to his wild behavior. At the moment, Chamberlain was also using his to track the Hunter down.

Sil was glad that his stomach problems were a thing of the past, but he had had no idea what had caused it then. And he had no idea of what he still had yet to find out.
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The Hunter later caught up with Rian. His father had sacrificed himself to save his son and he showed his father the truth before, but it was too late for Ordon. Mal captured Rian and tied him up upside down while he had been unconscious. His hands were tied behind his back.

The young Gelfling was terrified and the Hunter was threatening to kill him and take his tongue. That was when the Chamberlain caught up with them.

"No! I need Gelfling alive! Must bring before Emperor." Sil interjected.

"I will have my trophy. I will have this Gelfling's tongue!" Mal snarled.

"No!" Rian cried out in terror.

"No!" Sil shouted. He ran quickly from behind Mal and came in front of him to stop him. "Must take him back to castle. After Emperor sees my triumph. After General is humiliated. I get my seat back." He tried to explain.

"Pathetic!" The Hunter declared. Sil gasped. "You hunt a chair!"

"No. I hunt power. My trophy. You have yours, I have mine." Sil said.

"I will honor your hunt. Take your trophy... but if you deny me." Mal threatened Sil with his sword.

Sil knew he meant it. "Yes! Yes! Hunter will never stop until hunt is done."

The Hunter then stormed off angrily that he had been denied his trophy this time. Chamberlain was just glad that he had honored the hunt. Now for his main prize. He went up to Rian and began searching Rian's clothes for the essence he had escaped with.

"No, Mira!" Rian screamed.

Sil was really wired up and knew he was intimidating the Gelfling. He sought some revenge against Rian too for the escape and what his friend had done to him when Gurjin had stabbed him in the leg. He drank Mira's essence, and he instantly felt some rejuvenation. His leg injury healed immediately! He couldn't have been more smugly proud of himself.

Rian's screams carried loud into the forest.

Chamberlain then got him down and untied his hands, but retied them in front of him. He dragged Rian back to his carriage to head back to the castle. If the Emperor wanted results, he would get it. He had it now.
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The Ritual Master and General were up in the Gelfling capital of Ha'rar at this time. They were wanting seven volunteers to come with them to stand up and fight with them as their lords, and eventually, being brought in for their essence too.
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