Clandestine Prequel Volume 2: The Silver Fang

Chapter 5: The Clash

                 Sivore picked his head up off the cold ground, his face wrecked with dirt and sweat. What had he done? How could it had gone so wrong? And what was he going to do now? He knew that he couldn't stay in one place for too long or, they would find him. The scene was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. The bloodlust in those dark soulless black eyes. The horror as they shred through men they had once called comrades.

                Some lost limbs, some had their throats crushed, others, a grotesque combination. He sighed as he dusted the dirt from his hair. Even his horse had been driven away by the commotion.

                'What can I do?..... How can I make it right?.... '

                  He sighed again pushing his hands off the ground picking himself up. Slowly he took a step forward, looking in both directions, He knew there was a town nearby but, even near was actually quite far and even with a horse, the journey would take days, without one, there was no way he could escape the monster soldiers. He took another deep breath before taking another step forward.

                  Suddenly, he felt the ground rumble under his feet, he knew something was coming, He reached back grabbing the handle of his sword ready to remove it from its sheath at any sign of danger. He planted his feet firmly on the ground bracing himself as the beast came in sight. A large black horse. That was good, or at least, that's what he thought, there was no way that those monsters would be able to control a horse, or stop themselves from eating it. Or, at least, he hoped desperately.

                  The beast got closer and closer, its hooves clapped on the road kicking up dirt and dust. As it got closer, Sivore noticed something, he recognized that horse. And the prospect of who the rider was, scared him even more than the horrid scene he had seen just a day before. The beast kicked its back legs as it halted making a deep snorting noise. Its rider jumped from its back rushing at Sivore, he pulled back but the figure lunged forward with a blade pointed at his neck.

                   "I should remove you from this world here and now!" The young Vivoide growled as he held his friend by the arm. "However, if I am correct, and if what I saw was true, we are going to need to work together. He quickly pulled the blade back, putting it back in the sheath on his back. "Get on." He said coldly.

                   "I am..." Sivore tried to speak but Vlad pushed past him climbing back on the back of the beast. Sivore quickly joined him as he commanded the creature to move. It started with a slow trot but quickly turned to a gallop and then a quick canter.

                    "We cannot afford to go back within the ruling city walls, they have assuredly taken the fight back there already if the vile creature made good on her pact at all that is." The young ruler said. "Still, I don't want to leave my people behind."

"May I speak Your Highness?" Sivore asked, trying to remain regal in order to hopefully avoid his friends' wrath any further.

"Tis not like I have any other way to go, what is it?" Vlad asked curtly.

                    "There is a town not far off, we can collect our thoughts and rest while we do so." He said.

"Very well." He said as he pulled on the reigns a bit.

                    "Still, we will have to make camp about halfway, not to mention, the horse will need water and food too." He said.

"Yes." Vlad said again coldly. Sivore sighed as he kept his eyes on the road.

                    There was no way that he could look in the eyes of his friend. Not that Vlad was interested in looking at him either. It was just barely daybreak but even still, the sky was darker, the air was thicker than before. Sivore knew that there was something dark in the wake.

                     The horse moved with speed and grace. It's hooves crashing against the ground with ferocity and purpose.

                      The rest of the ride was quiet, even when they stopped for food for themselves and the horse, Vlad still said less than two words to Sivore. The two of them had always been close, they never had this kind of disagreement before. Even when they had stopped to rest for the night, the young ruler made it a point to sleep on the opposite side of the fire than his longtime friend.

                       When the next day had finally arrived, it became painfully clear to the two young men that things were very different. As the sun rose over the horizon their bodies became increasingly stiff, pain and extreme discomfort took over as they tried to clear their vision to see where it was they needed to go next. The sun was now an invader to them.

"We cannot afford to wait till nightfall once again, it will give either enemy time to catch us." Sivore said.

                        "You needn't tell what I already know." The young ruler shot back. He turned to ensure that their steed was still present and then turned his attention back to the road, a short way in the distance he thought he could see smoke rising. "We are close, but I cannot control the animal like this." He said, referring to the extremes discomfort in both of his eyes. Nearby, Sivore noticed a break in the road where the water and had collected during the last rainfall.

                         "Do you still have the eyeglass piece?" Sivore asked. While covering his face with his right hand, Vlad reached into the satchel over his shoulder and plucked out a small round piece of glass. Meanwhile, Sivore stepped up to the small hole and scooped a very thin layer of thin mud. Vlad was at a loss but nevertheless, he reached into his own satchel and pulled out the eyeglass and gave it to Sivore. He spread the thin mud across the outer frame of the pieces and handed them back to Vlad.

                          "The cool moisture from the mud will keep things cool, and the layer should protect your eyes." Without a word, Vlad wrapped the small chains along his ears and placed the pieces on his eyes... He had to make sure not to blink or he might get the mud in his eyes, but it was a solution.... For now.

                           Mounting the horse again with Sivore behind him Vlad signaled the animal to begin its journey again. Slowly the horse began its Trott. Sivore closed his eyes trying to keep the sun from burning too badly.... Thankfully, the camp they had made was not too far from the town, it was only about a ten-minute trot before Vlad pulled on the reigns signaling it to stop in front of an old saloon. Vlad lowered himself down off the horse with Sivore following suit, the two entered the Saloon and a tall lean woman leaned over the bar counter.

                            "Well, would you look at this, what brings you to our quiet little town Lord Vlad?" She asked "Please, let me humble myself and get you a drink, Ale?' Vlad straightened himself out as he walked to the counter.

"Thank you, good woman, I also request information....This may seem an unusual inquiry but, I seek someone with true knowledge of the occult."

Sivore sat down at the woman placed two goblets down and poured a clear liquid into each.

                            "That is a very unusual inquiry My Lord, but, there is a family, on the edge of town they are mighty secretive, some may even say Clandestine but, they just may have the knowledge you seek."