The Curse of Sunderwood

Chapter 6

That night as I slept, darkness probed my dreams, grabbing images of corrupted Jean and Assuric's bared talons. My stomach tied itself in knots until the horrors nagging at the back of my mind caused my eyes to open.

Between the stagnant leaves the sky was gray and the air was cool. It would be good to sleep more, but I was too afraid of what haunted my dreams.

Dunlan slept with his head buried in his cloak. I shook him awake, trying to communicate with his mumbles. It took a few minutes of nagging to convince him of starting early after a long day.

We fell into our grooves and walked... and walked. My body was trying to numb itself to the pain, but I could sense the life draining from my limbs. Going against my better judgement, I pushed on past sunset until we camped. Part of me wanted to sink into an endless sleep, and another dreaded the chances of nightmares.

The next morning I woke up fatigued without having really slept. This time, I confided in Dunlan about the problem. He made another concerned scrunchy face and blamed it on the poison. He assured me we would reach the grove by the end of the morning.

His mood shifted after that and he became distant. He wasn't exactly a chatterbox, but there was something in his silence. Unspoken words hung in the air around him as he avoided all eye-contact.

"When we get there..." he started, finally, as he glanced at Arocia bouncing at my side, "I... I want you to be prepared for whatever happens. Sorcerers are rare and unpredictable."

I took his advice to heart, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he meant something else – or left something else unsaid. The thoughts of what could be were bouncing inside my head.

Dunlan proved himself trustworthy twice over. It would be ridiculous to think he would betray me now. Perhaps there was something he knew about the Sorcerer he was afraid to tell.

I didn't have time to press him on it as he stopped and pulled me to the ground. He shushed me with a finger and helped me balance on my feet. He led me forward, crouching in the bushes.

I peered through the foliage and spied an open area with a hut and large fireplace. A trail of smoke drifted from the pipe in the corner of the hut, contrasting with the breathtaking view of the mountains beyond.

A figure in a long robe marched out of the hut. If I didn't know better, I would have thought it was Nathor.

Dunlan looked at me with his hand on Falier. A wave of indiscernible emotion washed over his eyes. "This is the best way." He yanked Acrocia from its place at my side and charged toward the Sorcerer with both blades brandished.

I jumped from the brush after him, trying to realize what just happened. "Dunlan, stop!"

The Sorcerer raised his arms as Dunlan swiped down with full strength.

"You!" The swords glinted off the Sorcerer's wrists like they were made of metal.

"I've returned with your tickets to hell!" Dunlan attacked harder. Each of Dunlan's superhuman blows were blocked or dodged.

As the Sorcerer's surprise vanished, he aimed his fists at Dunlan's face. One hit made it through his defense and punched him in the eye.

I needed both alive, but I knew it would not end until one is dead.

I had to draw Dunlan away.

Conjuring up the most pathetic cry I could manage, I clutched my shoulder and dropped to my knees. If he would only pay attention to a damsel, he would get one.