A Voice in the Night

A Voice in the Night, Part 1

Chapter 1.

Zaber sped across the grass plains at an inhuman pace, the scent of his quarry ahead of him and the smell of the grasses all around him. His skin soaked up the heat from the sun and transformed it in his body into strength, stamina and energy. It fueled his body and enhanced every sense, the magic was like a drug.

Ahead he saw his prey, a gazelle raced along in front him but he was gaining fast.

'Come here you beauty,' his voice wasn't even strained as he closed the gap drawing up level with it.

He reached down to his waist and drew a short slightly curved saber. His hand closed around the wooden pistol grip and with a fast motion he flicked it across the beasts' throat and it stumbled then fell skidding to a stop.

He pulled up short in his run, dust settled around his feet, the smell of blood and sweat met his nostrils and he let the excess magic channel into his muscles to lend him strength.

He lent down and picked up the animal by its ankles swung it over his shoulder then started to walk back to the jungle.

He neared the tall grey trees with their dark green leaves and strangled with vines. Their immense trunks were not straight but twisted and winding with branches poking out at every angle. He didn't even pause as he saw a shadow flit from branch to branch on some of the trees on the outer ring.

Not caring he carried on to the position he had seen the movement.

As he entered the trees there was a swish of cloth and a voice spoke out of the leaves.

'You could use a bow like a civilized being.'

Zaber grinned, 'as though you and your kin are civilized.'

He said the word kin as though he wasn't one of them, in some ways that was true.

The shadow and cloth dropped to the ground and neared him pulling their hood back revealing a soft light face, long blond hair and pointed ears. Her small mouth twitched the hint of a smile.

'More civilized than you, I would like to think.'

'Civilization is over rated,' said Zaber. 'I like to show my prey respect. It took years for it to grow, it lived a happy life. I wont kill it from shade and cover with a bow, it deserves some effort on my part.'

The she elf smiled, 'your sense of honor becomes you.'

Zaber began to walk again and the she elf fell in beside him at a steady pace.

They walk for a couple of minuets in silence till Zaber turned to face his companion. 'You are rather quiet today, what's on your mind Zahara.'

Zahara didn't reply straight away, Zaber noticed she fingered the pommel of her sword.

'There have been reports of a remnants of dark magic being used in canyons to the south.'

Zaber gave her a glance out of the corner of his eyes. He knew where this was going.

'A group of hunters returned telling of patches of the jungle being sapped of life, blackened even scorched. I was hoping you might help me investigate.'

'Uh huh,' Zaber ran his fingers though his hair. 'And what would induce me to do that?'

'Your sense of honor,' she said with a smirk.

Zaber thought about it. He had heard the same stories. Nothing more substantial than rumors really. However they did interest him.

'How far south exactly?'