Darksiders: The Seed of Knowledge

Chapter Six

The youngest Horseman materialized from the portal in the roots of the Tree of Life, at long last arriving in the mystical Woodlands.  He took a moment to reorient himself, squinting at the sudden light from a late-afternoon sun and steadying his breath.  Then, shaking off the blood from the battle he had just waded through just to reach the Tree of Life, he slung Chaoseater onto his back and made his way into the forest.

He didn't get very far.  As soon as he stepped off the path connecting the realm to the Tree, a group of elves barred his path and pointed their swords at him, all of them on horseback.  Their blades and armor were a curvy, polished steel designed for elegance and mobility.  Their long hair hung from a single hole in the back of their helms, the sides of which bore an eagle insignia that marked these warriors as scouts.

"State your purpose, Rider," said one elf.  War recognized him as the captain, based by his blue cowl.  And from the tone he used, he clearly believed the Horseman was an enemy of the Balance, just as everyone else did.

"I've come for the child," he answered.

The captain lowered his blade, followed by his soldiers.  "If you mean the human, you won't find her here."

War looked up slightly in confusion.  "Where is she?"

"We don't know."

The Horseman narrowed his eyes.  "You don't know?"

"Our druids gave her a talisman that hides her presence when she doesn't want to be found," the captain explained.  "She left the castle shortly after they bound it to her flesh.  We've been searching for her for weeks without success, and our Lord Chancellor has grown concerned for her safety."

"Then your Chancellor has never seen her with a blade."

The soldiers shifted uncomfortably on their horses, and War realized that perhaps they had seen her with a blade.  No doubt her skill with that knife had impressed them, though perhaps their uneasiness came from seeing her wield a proper weapon.  It wouldn't have surprised the Horseman if the girl was also an excellent swordsman, given what he'd seen in her fighting style.

I ought to test her abilities myself, he thought with the slightest of grins.

"She stole some medical supplies before she disappeared," the captain said.  "He believes she may be in danger."

Isn't that why I'm here?  "Perhaps you haven't found her because she doesn't want to be found," said War, his features stoic as the captain looked up in startled insult.  "Tell your Chancellor I've arrived and that he needn't worry."

The scout captain narrowed his eyes, then sighed.  "Good luck, then, Horseman."

The elf steered his horse away and began to lead his regiment deeper into the trees.

"Captain," War called.  The captain halted his party and turned his steed around.  "The girl.  What is her name?"

The scout leader gawked for several moments, then quickly recovered.  "Faith."

And with that, the scouts rode off.

Knowing he had a lot of ground to cover, War called out mentally and summoned Ruin.  The massive, red-brown warhorse appeared from a flaming vortex that somehow caused no harm to the environment.  Even the fiery wisps from his hooves should have burned the green around them.  Perhaps the forest was protected against such harm.

War placed a hand on the beast's muzzle.  "At least the Council didn't take you."

Ruin snorted and shook his mane.  Then the Rider mounted, took the bridle chain and set out with his steed.  But he didn't give his horse any specific direction.  After a while, Ruin snorted as if asking where they were going.