Awakening Book 1: Rebirth [Editing]

Part 8: Jack

Jack awoke, feeling something soft and wet rubbing his face. He opened his eyes and instantly found out what it was. The horse's tongue slid back into its mouth when it realized Jack had awoken. He wiped his face and found that any motion caused pain. He groaned as he tried to sit up, barely able to get his shoulder blades off the ground. Sensing his trouble, the horse lowered its neck, down onto Jack's chest. He wrapped his arms around the beast and let it lift him to his feet.

Jack's body screamed in pain. He had to hold onto the horse to stay upright. With all of his might, he lifted a foot into the stirrups and ignoring the blinding pain, he swung himself up onto the saddle. He collapsed from the effort, resting his head against the creature's neck. He had no energy left for riding but the horse began to walk, seeming to know the way.

They moved slowly but Jack didn't mind. He welcomed the rest. His body was sore and aching from the fight, and he thought he had a cracked rib. He tried using healing magic but found he did not have the stamina to sustain any major spells. All he could do was heal his minor cuts and bruises.

He was still deep in the forest and feared another attack from those monsters. He needed to stay alert but felt himself drifting. He could feel something oozing down his neck. His hand shot back, feeling the back of his neck. Pain shot through his shoulder from the quick motion. His hand felt a warm fluid dripping from the back of his scalp. He brought his hand before his face and to his horror saw that it was red. I don't need this now, he thought to himself. He tried healing magic again but it only drained his strength further. He could feel a tingle as the magic began to work. His eyes felt heavy as his strength weaned further. He felt the hairs of the horse's mane as his head slumped against it. Sleep took him swiftly.

***

Jack awoke lying on the ground. He wondered how he had ended up there again. He was blinded as the sun broke through the thick canopy of leaves above him. He was no longer on the road. Where did the horse take me, he wondered. He moved his head around, examining his surroundings. He noticed there was no more pain. He wondered how that had happened.

As he searched the area for a clue as to what happened he spotted a young girl standing under a tree, watching him. Their eyes locked and she bolted behind the trunk. Jack noticed her unusual clothing. She wore a dress of green leaves that seemed to flow around her. As soon as their eyes had met, the leaves had stiffened and changed their form. The leaves had arranged themselves into a form of scale mail, hard and gleaming in the light. The girl had a bow strapped to her back and a dagger at her waist. 

He sat up and stared at the tree she was behind. There was no trace of her but he could sense she was still behind it.

"Hey, you can come out. I'm not going to hurt you," He called out.

The girl appeared from behind the tree, an arrow drawn and pointed at Jack. He noticed her golden hair was pulled back behind her ears and was surprised to see that her ears tapered of into points. 

"It should be you who fears getting hurt," She said firmly, keeping the bow trained on him.

He held up his hands, "Whoa, no need for any violence. I'm not a threat, I promise,"

"The wildlings seemed to think so, and you murdered many of them," 

Wildlings, so that's what those things were, Jack thought, as he watched the girl.

"They attacked me first. I was just passing through,"

"Just passing through. Hmmph! You ride a shadow lord's  horse and dress like a warrior from the Shadow Wars. You expect me to believe you aren't here to make trouble. Tell me, who sent you? Kronra? Tyrget? Or was it Dymat? He especially enjoys enchanting his steeds, the arrogant fool,"

"Warrior . . . from the shadow wars? Who sent me? What are you talking about? I am not lying to you! Lay down your arms and let us discuss this!" 

The girl's face scrunched as she pondered his words. She slowly lowered her weapon.

"You speak the truth, traveller. I do not sense any lies. If the Shadow Lords did not send you, why are you here?" She said as she slung her bow across her back. Her leaf armour shifted back into the flowing dress. She walked slowly over to Jack and sat down. 

"I am Jack, if I have a surname I don't know it, and I am from a mountain clan, off in the Frostwind Pass. Dymat came and destroyed the village, murdering everyone. The Great Elder told me to seek the Sentinels out in a western valley. So, now I'm here, after being swarmed by those . . . wildlings. I'm not sure why the horse brought me here exactly. Maybe it sensed the presence of other people. Can you enlighten me as to where I am?"

"You are in the Old Forest, called the Whispering Wood by most travellers. So . . . you are from a mountain clan. I have never heard of Frostwind Pass. Is it very far? How long have you been traveling for?"

"Uhh . . . I guess it's far, I have been traveling for a few days now with short rests at night and the horse is quite sturdy. So I guess it is quite far. Speaking of my horse, where is it?"

"It is safe, don't worry. We would never harm an innocent creature,"

"We? Who is we?"

"I guess I should explain now. It will be easier for you later if I do so. I am Darya Silentstride of the People. Your horse  carried you into our section of the forest and I was sent along with a few other hunters to intercept you. And I found you here, on the ground, passed out. We, the People are an ancient race, but I cannot divulge more than that, it is not my place,"

"Okay," He said, trying to understand. "So, what are you then? You are clearly not human,"

"You are correct. I am not human. I am what was once called an elf. A remnant of the old world, once bound and hidden by the Shadow Lords. We awoke many centuries ago, but have stayed hidden. Those who find our dwellings never make it out of the forest,"

"Does that mean you are going to kill me? I seem to have found you . . . or been found,"

"No, we are strong but not foolish. We know of the carnage you caused fighting the wildlings. We do not want that upon our people. You will be coming with me to my village. Not as a prisoner, but as a guest. The elders wish to speak to you,"

"I thought I was wanted dead, for being sent by the shadow lords,"

"That was only a suspicion. The elders had other ideas as well,"

"Fine, what other choice do I have? I'll go with you," Jack sighed, still confused.

"You never had a choice," Darya said, winking. She stood up and held out a hand. 

Jack took her hand and let her help pull him up. He looked into her eyes as he did so. They were a pale blue, and filled with a strong will. It was then that he noticed her beauty. He made nothing of it though. 

"Follow me," she said, walking off into the forest. Jack stood, watching for a little while. He shook himself and began to jog to catch up.