Pendalia: Malik - New Beginnings

Malik - New Beginnings - Chapter Two Pt. 1

 Guards hustled about, knights ushering their squires along as they got lost in the commotion. Malik stood tall before his bevy of adventurers and investigators, a large, brown leather satchel across his body. He wore a cream tunic that was half laced, black trousers, brown traveling boots, and a dark brown, knee-length cloak to tie it all together. On top of his head he wore a black cavalier hat, a red feather sticking out of the side.

Queen Meabh had exited the castle now, a temporary gofer from Malik's castle assigned to her aid carrying the large luggage of the elk's travelling supplies. "Is that satchel all you're bringing, your highness?," Meabh stood beside Malik, watching over the preparations as well. "Of course not, my stuff has already been stored," Malik replied.

The party contained twelve horses. One for Queen Meabh, another for Malik, five for the knights, and five more for the squires. It was a little less than what the situation might have required, but Malik knew they couldn't afford to lose too many people- in case things went south. Besides, he had some potions crafted that could help them in the worst of situations... well, he hoped they could at least.

"Sir, the troops are ready," Astrid, the Commander, bowed before Malik. She took her job very seriously, and the loyalty reputed among wolves proved to be very true with her. Astrid was easily the strongest knight among King Malik's court.

"Thank you, Astrid. Are you ready, Queen Meabh?," Malik looked over to Meabh, who nodded certainly. "Right then," Malik sighed heavily, "Are you going to come down from there now?"

Zink glared from the top of a nearby tree. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to notice me at all," he grumbled, standing tall on the pine branch and spreading his great wings, soaring down at top speed to the ground just before catching himself dramatically, showing off his strength. He stood tall among everyone there. Malik rolled his eyes. Show off...

King Malik stepped forward, reaching into his boot-pouch and pulling out an ornate dagger- It had an ivory white handle that was glossy and smooth, capped with a gold tail. The blade was holographic and shifted in a million colors under the sun. "For my absence, Zink will be my official proxy. Under his rule, he will carry The Dagger of a Thousand Souls to assert his power. Zink, do you accept this responsibility?," he held the blade out to Zink, who took it effortlessly- a faint gleam in his eyes as the power flowed over to him. Malik envied that dragon.

"I do," Zink couldn't stop the sinister smile forming upon his lips and he flipped The Dagger in the air, "Be on your way now, fair traveler... bring back closure to the people." Malik nodded, heading over to his own steed- a large, brown and yellow horse with thick hooves. He jumped up effortlessly, taking his satchel off and attaching it to the saddle so it didn't wear his shoulder out.

The rabbit made his way to the front of the party, Meabh a close second behind him on the right, Astrid on the left. He looked over to Zink one last time. The dragon winked and blew a kiss. I swear to Rya's magic... end that imbecile!

Malik looked back to the path ahead- a good trek to go before they even reached the Passing Forest itself. "Right then. Onward!," the king commanded, taking lead as the rest followed along behind in a triangular shape. The journey had begun.

As the troop came upon the dirt road connecting Monalae from Pendalia, they halted and looked on at the grass that slowly blackened the closer to the Passing Forest it got. Even the bark of the trees was scratched and black, the leaves wilting and a dark, sickly green.

"King Malik, we can camp here and wait for tomorrow, or use the remaining daylight to travel into the forest now and set camp there later. It's your call," Astrid spoke up from his left side and Malik turned over to look at her, thinking. It could be more dangerous to stay the night in the forest... but it would also be more efficient and time saving if they went in now.

"We'll continue forward and camp in the Passing Forest. Let's go," Malik started the trot back up and the party followed after him. The horses became weary as they got close to the forest, but they all pushed through and entered the dim woods. The grass was pitch black. "We'll slow our trot from here," Malik said, guiding his horse carefully through the underbrush.

The journey in the woods had been rather peaceful, the only thing really setting him off being the reminder that sixty Monalaen had gone missing here. Other than those nerves, nothing happened to the group as they trekked through the forest, scanning things out until the sun had gotten a little too far down and they began to settle for the night.

They had mats out for everyone to sleep on and provided thick blankets, just in case Pendalia's cold found its way through the dense trees. Astrid took charge of setting fire, her squire gathering way too much firewood... leave it to a beaver to get fixated on lumber. By the time the sun had set, camp was lit and ready for the night. Most of the knights and squires immediately dozed off into light, alert sleep. Astrid kept first watch and Queen Meabh journaled. Malik lay his tired head down on his jacket, which he used as a pillow, and closed his eyes as he quickly fell into slumber.

"Holy fuck!" "Oh Rya, what is that?!" "What the hell is going on?!" Shrill screams sounded around Malik and he sat up hastily, throwing his blanket off of him. Immediately, he caught sight of all the knights in combative stances. Beyond them stood a creature at least twelve feet tall with a lanky, sharp, shadowy body and a white mask with razor-like, yellow teeth sticking out of its mouth. It's black claws were stretched out threateningly and it drooled a purple-black saliva.

"Death Dancer...," Malik whispered under his breath.