Legends Lost: Galdin

Legends Lost: Gladin (Book 1, Chapter XI)

Note: This is the 11th chapter in my fantasy novel, Legends Lost: Galdin. There are 52 chapters total and I will post 1 chapter every Friday. But if you wish to read the entire book now, it is available for purchase on Amazon, iBookstore, Kobo, B&N, and Smashwords.

Chapter XI

Questions

Nylana awoke suddenly. Unsure of what had awakened her, she got up. Still dark. Eyeing the sleeping bodies around her, Nylana moved away from the glowing embers of the fire. Carefully, she moved through the forest taking extra care to not make a sound. Her soft footfalls did little to detract from the chirping crickets and musical night bugs.

She touched the knife in her belt for reassurance. A rustling noise startled her. Instantly, Nylana hunkered behind some brush. She peered into the darkness, but could make out nothing.

Clanging metal told her that she and her companions had company. Curiosity got the better of her. She crawled along the forest floor towards it. Stomping feet told her that she was close.

Suddenly, a hand covered her mouth while another grabbed her around the waist yanking her aside and into a thicket. She started to scream, but stopped when she noticed a group of men dressed in furs and metal plow through the very area that she had been moments before.

"SHHH," whispered a male voice. A hand pointed to the group marching past.

"Move it," growled a gigantic man.

Nylana's eyes focused on the man's boots as they lay inches from her.

"Go on you lazy, maggots," growled the man again. He shoved a soldier that moved too slowly for his taste. "Get a move on!" shouted the man. "Vasagius wanted us there weeks ago."

"What is the hold up?" The second voice sounded inhuman.

Nylana looked up. It looked like a black beast with red, glowing eyes that pulled you in. Instantly, her will subsided as her arms and legs went limp. A hand covered her eyes. Just as quickly as she had succumbed she recovered her will and control over her movements.

"Don't look at them," hissed the male voice in her ear.

Nylana stared at the moldy leaves in front of her. What was that thing? Rocks crunched beneath the shifting feet in front of her.

"Nothing," said the fur covered man. "We are moving as fast as we can."

"Then I suggest you speed things up," said the creature. "Those boats will not wait forever." The creature stalked off to harass another bunch of men as they marched along.

"Get going, you swine," yelled the muscular man cracking his whip against the flesh of those before him.

Nylana watched, her heart pounding as the barbarian army marched past unaware of her presence. As the army vanished through the trees, the grip around her slackened. Immediately, Nylana whirled on the man placing her dagger by his throat.

The man put his hands up. "If I wanted to harm you, I would have already."

Slowly, Nylana recognized the man: Orrin. "Are you following me?"

"Hardly," answered Orrin, "I am headed in the same direction you are."

Nylana stared at him suspiciously. She jumped to her feet lowering the knife to her side, but maintaining the tight hold upon it. "What do you mean?"

"I need to get back to my father's palace before he notices that I have been gone too long. But lately, the slavers have shown little regard for nobility traveling through here. And they will think nothing of selling the prince into a life of servitude. You witnessed that today."