Shaded Death

Chapter 5 Part 1- Pathways

Almost a month had passed since Shade's first training session with Julius, and he had gotten much better. Now, he was able to hit the center whenever, changing angles and targets as he went. Everything was going good the day that Julius said to Nyx after training with Shade:

"Nyx, dear, interested in a walk with me? It's lovely outside."

She smiled and said, "Why not?"

"Like to invite Shade or your Mum?"

She nodded, and went to find Shade and Piper chatting outside. Shade's dagger was nowhere to be seen—presumably in its sheath. His quiver was slung on his back, all two dozen obsidian-tipped arrows sharp and gleaming in the soft sun. He was sitting cross-legged with his bow lying in his lap.

Shade had stopped, though, and was looking at Nyx right as she was coming into view. He smiled and, coming to his feet, said, "Interested in a walk? I was just telling Pip how nice it is outside."

"Actually, me and Julius (or Julius and I, for those who is bothered by my purposefully wrong grammar) were going to go on a walk and invite Mum and y... and you already know, yes?"

He shrugged, "Sure I do. But back to the main point, a walk would be lovely. Pip?"

"Oh, no thank you. I'll stay behind and make you three some dinner when you return. I have some cleaning to do, anyways."

"You sure you wouldn't need any help?" Shade asked. Along with training, he was also a great help around the house. Too bad his history—he could have been a real gentlemen if he grew without the influence of Frost, Piper thought sadly, and gave an answer, "Oh, it's alright. Go on, now."

Shade nodded and slung his bow over his shoulder. He glanced at Nyx for a second to make sure she was following—which she was—then joined Julius who was waiting for them a little ways away. With a smile, they all turned to start the peaceful stroll.

Even though it was very peaceful outside, Shade was nervous. Outwardly he looked calm, yes, but secretly he was trying to make sure that there was nobody tailing them or waiting for an ambush. He tried to calm his nerves. Nobody will come. What's the chances of that? He thought.

But that was when he knew.

The small smile that he had disappeared.

Nyx noticed an asked, "Shade? What's wrong?"

Magenta eyes glanced at her, something unreadable in his gaze as he touched her shoulder with his left hand, "Stay here. You as well, Julius."

"But... why?" Julius asked, frowning.

"It doesn't matter. Just please stay here..."

After getting a confused nod from both, he turned and ran in the opposite direction.

Towards the cabin.

He had melted into the undergrowth as he neared, eyes wide hidden under his hat with what he saw:

Almost three dozen Krarin guards, all wearing their green and silver wolf crests.

He knew that he had to get a scout of the area. He had to find out what was going on before rushing in. Still hidden, he made his way around.

But that was when he saw her.

Piper's limp body, pooled in blood.

"No..!" Shade couldn't help but whisper. He had been too late. Turning, he started to run back to Nyx and Julius. He had yet to know that about six guards were going up the trail in search for others. As he neared, though, he heard Julius yell, "Shade?"

That alerted the guards. And they started running.

Yet still, Shade remained hidden. He was too far away from Nyx and Julius to get either of them to safety at the moment, and if he was seen, then he was sure that they all were dead. He was no small deal in the Kingdom of Kraris. People were ready to do anything to capture Shade.

Even... even if it meant killing innocents.

So he remained hidden. He could see the two now, bot sadly so could the guards. They heard the man call out Shade's name. The guards were sure that the two strangers were a connection to him.

Soon, though, as Julius and Nyx was running, the trail narrowed. Still unseen in the undergrowth surrounding the trail, he was now able to grab one of them to safety. The other was still too far. He reached out a hand and grabbed the upper arm of Nyx. She was about to let out a scream when he covered her mouth with his free hand.

"Shush!" He hissed angrily, yet quietly as she started to struggle. At recognizing the voice as Shade's, she stopped, and Shade let her go, "Stay here. I'm-"

He suddenly stopped when he heard Julius' cry of pain. One of the guard's short swords had hit his arm, creating a large, deep wound. He was unable to stop himself from slowing, though, and by the time he tried to run, they caught up to him.

Tackling him and raising the sword, the one guard let out a sudden hiss of pain, before dropping his weapon and falling over, dead. There was a gleaming black arrowhead that pierced through the chainmail armor and through the chest.

But that was only one of the six guards. There were still five left.

They were all aware that Shade was now here, and that they would all be dead in a matter of seconds. So they all lunged toward the already wounded Julius.

It was an impossible situation: It would only take one single blow to kill him, and Shade had to hit all of them before that one blow was placed. Firing arrow after arrow, in his state of panic, he missed twice. They were wounded, but not dead. One lunged forward and stabbed Julius in the chest.

He fell, letting out a cry of pain, then lay still.