S:1 Ep: 1-4 (The Dissent)
(A Hall in the Castle)
Noretaku paces back and forth in front of the rear servants exit to the back castle gardens. She's anxious and keeps checking the clock that hangs above the door.
"Come on Chern....." She pleads to no one. "Please...." She stops pacing and listens for signs of someone coming down the hall. Her heart beats hard in her chest but she hears nothing and begins pacing again. The clock ticks closer and closer to daylight and Noretaku paces faster and faster.
(Meanwhile in the woods surrounding the castle) Chern tramps through the woods muttering under her breath.
"Damn that cross-dressing....he-she.....b*****d!" Her face is reddening..."Stick me out here in the woods....follow the trail she said....it won't take long she said..." Chern kicks at the plants around her. "She didn't mention that this trail hasn't been used in who knows how long...ugh!"
She punches the tree to her right and stands stock still. Her face becomes even more red and she bites her other fist. "Mmmgggghhhhhhh!!!!" When the pain in her hand subsides she slouches against the tree and slides to the ground unconscious.
Chern is only out for a few moments but when she awakes she is almost an entirely different person. She stands, shakes her head and pats the dirt off of her clothing before continuing following the trail in silence.
(Back At the Soldier's Campsite)
The soldiers have packed up and put out their fires. They await Hempnode's order to march but he is fast asleep by the long extinguished fire.
Taljic who had been in the woods hunting approaches. Two rabbits swing from his belt. He spies his friend who is snoring softly and approaches quietly. He reaches down to shake Hempnode's shoulder but stops when he hears the words "princess" and "my love" escape Hempnode's lips.
Tajic straightens back up and looms over his friend with his head cocked
to the side. He stays this way for a few minutes listening but Hempnode says nothing more. He shakes his head and gives Hempnode a sharp kick in the ribs.
"Ah!" Shouts Hempnode rudely awakened. "What the hell Taljic?!" He rubs his side.
"Oh?" Taljic looks down with a surprised look upon his face. "I'm sorry Ser...I didn't see you there."
"Yeah, I bet you didn't." Grumbles Hempnode as he stands.
"I didn't."
"And I didn't see you when I punched you in the arm."
"You didn't punch me in the mmff!" He grunted as Hempnode's large, tan fist collided with his arm. "Don't you think that's a little below the belt?"
"Not at all my friend...not at all." He chuckles and hurries off to gather his belongings. Taljic stares after him.
When Hempnode is finished packing up, he hears a loud commotion and follows the sound to a group of soldiers all standing in a circle beating something with sticks.
Taljic who had been resting against a tree ran quickly to investigate.
"What is the meaning of this?" Shouted Hempnode over the yelling of the group. "Would someone explain to me what the hell is going on here?!"
The soldiers stopped what they were doing and backed away from whatever was between them.
Hempnode and Taljc looked at each other before walking forward to take a look. What they saw was very disconcerting. Laying on the ground was a soldier beaten to a bloody pulp. He was sprawled on the ground.
It looked as if he hadn't even tried to defend himself. Taljic knelt and placed two fingers against the man's throat. There was a pause before he spoke.
"He is gone." Taljic looked up at the soldiers standing around him. They were all rigid and staring at something. Taljic followed their gaze to Hempnode and understood immediately.
Hempnode stood hunched forward slightly, his fists clenched. His head was down and he was shaking violently. "Hempnode...?"
"What the hell is wrong with you...you bastards?!" He moved forward and grabbed one of the soldiers by the neck raising him nearly off the ground and bringing their face inches from his. "What did he do to you?!"
"Ser...you...you don't under-" pleaded the soldier who was grasping Hempnode's arm desperately.
"HEMPNODE CALM YOURSELF!" shouted Taljic in a voice louder than anyone had ever heard from him.
Hempnode immediately released the frightened man from his grasp. He fell to the ground and moved away as best he could while clutching at his throat. Hempnode stood silently. Then he turned slowly to face Taljic who was still kneeling.
"What is it?" He said in a flat voice.
Taljic raised a hand with one finger up as if to say "one moment." Then he lowered his hand and moved it just above the dead soldier's forehead. The group of soldiers gasped as a bright orange glow suddenly appeared in Taljic's hand. Hempnode could feel a slight vibration coming from somewhere..he moved to stand in front of his friend on the other side of the body.
Taljic moved his hand slowly down the length of the man's body and then back again. As he did this, the corpse raised off the ground a few inches. The soldiers muttered nervously among themselves. Hempnode studied his friend's face. Taljic was concentrating too hard to notice.
Hempnode noticed how pale the wanderer looked and suddenly one of Taljic's eyes began to change color. It changed from it's light silver color too a bright and strange orange.
"He's...a mage?" asked one of the soldiers..moving his hand towards his sword.
"You touch him, I'll strike you down." Said Hempnode. "Remember he helped free you from the enchantment that bound you."
The soldier nodded and crossed his arms.
"Shadow....what is it?" Asked Hempnode. There was no response. "Shadow?"
Taljic nodded towards the hovering body.
"Watch." He said weakly. Suddenly the body began vibrating violently and something began oozing out of the nose. It wasn't blood...it wasn't liquid at all in fact it was like a gas..but thicker. Hempnode had seen this before a long time ago. He understood what was happening.
"Everyone back up...march ahead a mile..now!" He shouted. The soldiers immediately ran to gather the others.
"Can you hold it long enough?" Hempnode asked.
"I don't know.....yes..I think I can." Taljic focused even harder on the body and the orange glow grew brighter. The gas like substance was now solidifying. "Get ready...you'll need to strike it as soon as it reaches full form.....I don't know what form that will be."
"Alright." Hempnode nodded and unsheathed his sword. He held it in both hands and raised it above his head.
"Ugh..it's coming...this one is...strong..." Taljic struggled to stay focused..he felt tired...like he could sleep forever.
The substance began to take form...it grew into the figure of...a cloaked woman. Her feet landed on the ground and she stood staring at Hempnode.
She was smoky and beautiful...her hair fell upon her shoulders. She opened her mouth and spoke in a silky voice. "Do no hurt me Hempnode my love..." She spoke in Noretaku's voice.
She began to step towards Hempnode who had lowered his sword. The smoky woman's hair was turning crimson just like Noretaku's and her grey body was turning the color of Noretaku's skin.
"Silence creature!" Shouted Taljic. The orange eye grew even brighter and he made a few strange sounds that sounded like some sort of foreign language. As he did this, the smoky woman began to walk towards Hempnode but as soon as she did she cried out in pain and strange golden markings appeared on her skin.
"Please my love!" Shouted the woman, reaching towards Hempnode. "He is hurting me...stop him!"
"Let....her...go." Hempnode spoke he was breathing heavily. How could Taljic hurt Noretaku..they were friends..he new how much she meant to Hempnode.
"It is not who you think it is...think...about it Ser...it wouldn't make any sense." Taljic pleaded with his friend.
"Why are you hurting her.....why do you betray her?"
"Noretaku is...in the castle... probably in her chambers asleep....she could not be here now...Hempnode...please!" Taljic begged. "I can't...take much more!"
The desperate cry of his companion cleared Hempnode's mind. He shook his head and raised his sword once more.
"Please my love!" Cried the woman.
"You...die!" Hempnode brought the sword down upon the woman's head and it melted through her like a hot knife through butter. The woman turned to smoke and vanished. Silence fell.
Hempnode dropped to his knees and shook his head again. He turned to speak to his friend but Taljic did not look well. He was on all fours and staring straight ahead. The orange was fading from both his palm and his eye and he was silent.
"Taljic?" Hempnode whispered
Taljic could not see. He turned his head in the direction of Hempnode's voice and this sent a strong feeling of dizziness and nausea through him.
"Taljic?" Hempnode called again a little louder.
"I'm going to lay down for a bit." Said Taljic.
Hempnode watched as his friend shook and slumped onto the ground unconscious.
(The woods outside the castle)
Chern is nearing the back of the castle now. She has been hearing strange sounds...almost like a scuffle and she feels a presence nearby. She stops and picks up a large stick. She is not afraid but feels the need to be prepared. She keeps walking forward, her eyes are glazed over.
After a few moments she comes to a fork in the path and as she begins to turn to the path on the left a cry rings out. "Help!" It is a woman's voice and it is coming from nearby.
She grasps her stick tighter and runs in the direction of the call. As she runs, thorns and thistles scratch at her arms and legs but she is unfazed. Soon she finds the source of the cry.
A castle guard is having his way with a young woman who is desperately trying to get away.
Chern hides behind a bush. A pain surges through her head and she puts a hand on each of her temples.
"No...makers no...not now."
The pain surges again and Chern's eyes change...they were a deep blue but now they are pitch black.
She stands and walks stiffly around the bush. She stays out of sight and creeps closer. She is in shadow and she watches the pair. The girl is clawing desperately at the ground and this strikes a chord in Chern. She drops her stick causing the guard to stop what he is doing and look for the source of the noise. When he turns his head to the right Chern has already made her was to his left. The girl is staring up at Chern with a look of desperation on her face.
She opens her mouth to speak but Chern raises a finger to her lips signaling for her to stay quiet. The girl nods and lays very still.
Chern creeps closer just as the guard turns his head towards her. She grabs it and twists. There is a crunching sound and the guard falls flat on the girl. Chern inches a foot under him and with surprising strength, is able to roll him over. The girl clamors to her feet. "Th..thank you!" She says looking down at the guard, tears still streaming from her eyes. She looks up at Chern and her jaw drops. "Your eyes..what's wrong with your eyes?"
Chern closes her eyes and when she reopens them her eyes have returned to their blue color. "What....happened?" She asked.
The girl turned and ran.
Chern sighed and shrugged her shoulders before turning back the way she had come and continuing down the path.
(Back in the Castle Hall)
Noretaku has calmed down a bit by focusing her thoughts elsewhere. She thinks about Her horse Bloodbane. She loves that horse. He is strong and brave and always takes her where she needs to go.
She remembers when he was born...he was a sickly, weak little thing. The castle mage, Pierce was assigned by the King to help strengthen him so that he could one day be Noretaku's. That was how she had met him.
Each day the two would meet in the stables to visit Bloodbane. Pierce who had always preferred to be alone would grunt at the sight of Noretaku. Pierce always wore a long blue cloak that covered him almost completely. He also had long bluish bangs that covered his eyes so Noretaku could only see his nose and mouth. She could tell what his mood was by watching his mouth.
Most days his lips were set in a straight line...expressionless. He didn't speak much and this drove Noretaku mad with curiosity. She was tiny then but still tried to be respectful.
"How are you today Messere Pierce?" She would ask in her artificially boyish voice.
"Fine." He'd say.
"It's a fine day isn't it Ser Pierce?"
"It is...fine." He would turn his head up as if looking up at the sky and then turn his attention back to Bloodbane. Lights came from his palms, they were all different colors.
"Your magic is fantastic." Noretaku said an amazement.
"...Don't you have something...princely to do your...Grace?"
"No Ser."
"I see..." Pierce would mutter under his breath.
One day while he and Noretaku were visiting Bloodbane, Pierce reached into his cloak and withdrew a rune of some sort. He placed it on the pony's side and waved his hand over it. He made a few sounds and the rune dissolved. The pony lifted it's head and made a quiet sound that seemed to say "Thank you."
Noretaku muttered under "his" breath, trying to repeat the sounds.
"Eh...nic...ishe..."
Pierce turned his head towards the prince and cocked his head slightly observing "him".
"Eh...nic...ishe..." The Prince said again focusing hard.
A faint grin flashed upon the mage's face and then curiosity struck him. He removed another rune from his cloak.
"Cup your hands." He said. Noretaku did as "he" was told. Pierce placed the rune into her hands. "Now repeat after me."
"Yes Ser."
"Eah."
"Eah." Repeated Noretaku.
"Nek."
"Nek."
"Ishai."
"Ishai."
"Now say it all together quickly and clearly." said Pierce.
"Eahnekishai." As soon as the Prince said this, the rune vibrated and crumbled in "his" hands. The Prince looked sadly up at Pierce. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to break your rock Messere Pierce."
"That is no mere rock your Grace." Pierce stood and placed a hand on his chin grinning. "That you were able to break it shows...potential." He offered a hand to the Prince who looked at it as if it were some sort of strange creature. "It's alright." The Prince smiled and took the mage's hand, getting to his feet.
"Thank you Messere Pierce."
"You...do not have to call me that...your Grace, Pierce is sufficient."
The Prince straightened his back and squared his soldiers in an official sort of way.
"Then you may call me Noretaku." The prince bowed.
Pierce looked upon the Prince. He had so much curiosity and life in him. He reminded Pierce of a friend who had passed many years ago. The mage shook his head and spoke.
"Noretaku..how would you like to be my...mage's apprentice...?"
"Really!?" Noretaku was so excited that she nearly forgot to disguise her voice. She hugged the Mage tightly. He flinched but relaxed after a moment and patted the Prince's head.
Noretaku's thoughts were interrupted by a series of knocks on the door. She waited a few moments then quickly opened the door and shut it giving whoever had knocked only seconds to slip in before she re shut the door. It was Chern who now stood with her back to Noretaku.
"I was beginning to worry..did you have any trouble?" Asked Noretaku. There was silence. "Chern?"
Chern turned slowly to face Noretaku. Her eyes were glassy and she looked slightly pale.
"No trouble." Chern spoke in a monotone voice. "Nice and easy."
Noretaku was not afraid but was weary of her friend.
"Chern..are you alright...what's wrong...why are you talking like that?"
Chern cocked her head for a moment then closed her eyes. When she opened them the fire that Noretaku had seen in them before had returned. The color came back to Chern's skin and she hugged the Prince.
"I thought I'd never get here..did I make it in time?"
Noretaku shook her head and spoke. "Just barely, hurry and follow me I have somewhere for you to hide." She grabbed Chern's hand and led her down the hall.
As they walked Noretaku questioned Chern.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine..why do you ask?"
"You don't feel strange at all...feverish maybe?"
"No...why?"
"You just looked..pale for a few moments."
"Oh..I'm fine..really." Chern sounded like she was hiding something.
"Alright if you say so." The pair came to a small wooden door. There were cobwebs everywhere and the place was very quiet. Noretaku fumbled in her pockets for something. After a few seconds she removed a small key. "I found this one day by chance while I was wandering around the castle. She showed the key to Chern. "There is no other key like this. This room hasn't been used by anyone but me for a very long time."
She put the key in the door's lock and after a little work, the door creaked and opened. The two women walked into the room and Chern looked around. It was a small space but there was plenty of room because there was no furniture save for a small bed in the corner a small dresser with a lamp on top and a dusty bookshelf. The walls were a light blue. The far wall was taken up almost entirely taken up by a large window that overlooked the castle grounds. Chern could see some of the castle guards on patrol and some of the servant women starting their day. The sky was a light gray.
"I know it isn't much..." Noretaku shrugged her shoulders. "But I have a feeling you won't have to stay in here long..."
"It's perfect." Chern sat on the bed. She was exhausted. She lay down and as soon as her head hit the pillow she fell asleep.
Noretaku waited a moment then approached the bed. She reached into her pocket and retrieved a small pouch. She searched through it for a moment a took out a small rune with a figure on it that looked similar to the letter "F." She placed it lightly on Chern's forehead careful not to wake her. Then she recited the incantation that Pierce had taught her all those years ago.
"Eahnekishai..."She whispered. The rune glowed a faint blue and then dissolved into nothing. Chern still laid there fast asleep, breathing softly. Noretaku hung her head and stood over Chern for a moment before exiting the room and closing the door quietly behind her.
(Somewhere Dark and Quiet)
Taljic sits...alone somewhere familiar. Everything is silent grey and foggy. He stands and walks forward a few steps. He senses something magic nearby and his eye begins to glow it's orange color again. He searches through the fog using the orange glow as a beacon of sorts. He hears muffled voices and follows them through the mist.
Suddenly he sees something and stops. He is looking at himself...and Hempnode. They are fighting something...Taljic struggles to see in the fog. It is another of the strange misty creatures..like the woman that took Noretakus form but this one...
"No..." Taljic clenched his fists. He moved closer. The copy of Taljic was swinging at the creature with his sword but to no affect. It was still in it's gas like form.
Taljic's copy called out to Hempnode. "What is this?!"
Hempnode brought his axe down upon the substance. "I do not...know."
Suddenly the substance took on the form of a small child, a little boy. The copy of Taljic and Hempnode stilled their weapons and stared at the boy. He was dirty and had large, sad looking eyes that glowed a deep orange. He reached out his hand towards The copy of Taljic and spoke in a sad and frightened sounding voice.
"Help me Ser..."
Hempnode spat. "This is a fallen Taljic do not listen to it."
The boy called to The copy again. "Please....help me Messere."
"What...do...you....need?" The copy of Taljic dropped his sword.
"Taljic...focus." Hempnode said.
"I need a body..." The boy's voice changed. He sounded cool and calm now. "I seek....knowledge...."
"Knowledge..." Repeated The copy of Taljic. He dropped to his knees.
Taljic called out to himself. "Don't...please makers don't!" The copy didn't hear him nor did Hempnode. Taljic ran forward and attempted to tackle the boy but he fell through him onto the ground. It was as if he were a ghost.
"Give me your knowledge..." Said the boy. "..and I will give you mine...an eye for an eye...take my offer."
"Don't...do it Taljic..." Said Hempnode. He lifted his axe.
"Do not hurt the boy...he is innocent...." The copy of Taljic raised a hand and extended it toward the boy.
"This creature is not a boy...it is a fallen...a betrayer of the Makers..Taljic..be sensible." Hempnode pleaded.
"You...accept...my offer?" The boy said again reaching for the copy's hand.
"Yes...." The copy of Taljic sounded as if he were in a trance.
Right before their hands met, Hempnode brought his axe down upon the boy and he vanished in a cloud of smoke. All was quiet until suddenly The copy of Taljic screamed and fell backwards twitching and convulsing. He held his head and screamed louder then struggled desperately to remove his shirt. Hempnode dropped to his knees and helped him.
"It burns...hot...I burn!" The copy screamed and it was all the other Taljic could do to sit still as he watched himself suffer. The copy began speaking in strange tongues at an insane speed. Orange markings appeared on his skin he clawed at these in desperation. Then he suddenly fell still and silent with his eyes closed...seemingly unconscious and breathing heavily. After a few moments he sat straight up, and turned his head in the direction of the other Taljic. It gave Taljic a strange feeling.
The copy opened his eyes and a bright orange glow enveloped Taljic.
"Taljic..." A voice called. "Taljic!" It called again.
Taljic sat up awoken from his horrible nightmare.
"You were having the dream again....you were yelling in your sleep." Said Hempnode who was kneeling beside his friend on the ground. Taljic felt something cold slide down his forehead and land in his lap. He jumped then saw that it was a wet rag.
"How long was I out?" He asked.
"A couple of hours..."
"I see.."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hempnode did not make eye contact with his friend.
"Talk about what?"
"What happened that day...in the clearing with that creature."
"He can hear you, you know." Taljic grinned in a strained sort of way and stood.
"I'll take that as a no." Hempnode rose as well.
"We need to get moving." Said Taljic. He picked up his things which were scattered on the ground and began walking. The two didn't speak for a long time.
(The Stables)
It is now midday and The King and Noretaku prepare to go horse riding. The King mounts his horse which is unnamed and waits for Noretaku. Noretaku brushes Bloodbane's mane before mounting.
As they ride the King questions his "son."
"What happened to the girl...Chern was is?"
"...The b***h gave me the slip..." Noretaku forced herself to sound aggravated.
The King laughed. "Playing hard to get eh?" He laughed again. "Looks like she got you good though."
Noretaku patted her bruise. "Don't worry father..I got her too."
"Good my boy...good." They rode on for awhile talking about politics and women. The King did most of the talking. After a while they returned to the stables and dismounted. After they had fed and watered their horses they went their separate ways.
(Chern's Room)
Chern awakens to find that Noretaku has gone. She stands and stretches and notices a tray of food on the dresser near the bed. She walks closer and is thrilled to find bread and honey, sweet meats and boiled potatoes. There is also a glass of milk and a cup of water. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the smell of the food hit her nostrils. She shoved the food into her mouth hungrily and didn't bother to shut her mouth while she chewed. Then there was a knock on the door and Chern turned to see Noretaku standing in the doorway with a box in her hands.
"Oh..." Said the Prince sounding embarrassed. "I uh....I'm sorry to interrupt.
Chern turned away and swallowed the food as fast as she could before wiping her mouth on her sleeve and turning again to face the Prince. Her eyes were now a bright and lovely green and she crossed her legs in a very ladylike manner.
"Tis no matter." She reached and patted the bed. "Come..sit." Noretaku sighed and walked over to the bed where she sat down.
"This meal is marvelous." Chern continued. She turned back towards the dresser and saw her reflection in the lamp. "My hair!" She exclaimed. "Oh I'm
terribly sorry you had to see me this way I-"
"I've brought you a gift...of sorts." Noretaku interrupted.
"A gift?" This peaked Chern's curiosity. "Oh I simply adore gifts, you are quite generous my dear."
Noretaku handed Chern the box. Chern lifted the lid slightly and then dropped it back down. "Oh the excitement is killing me!" She closed her eyes and took off the lid tossing it across the room. She opened one eye and glanced at the box's contents. She opened her other eye. "Oh....light armor..."
"You don't like it?" Noretaku asked studying Chern carefully. "I thought you would love it."
Chern looked at Noretaku and cocked her head. She studied Noretaku's face for a few seconds before closing her green eyes. When she opened them they were back to their blue color. She blinked a few times and looked first at Noretaku then at the armor and then the lid of the box that was laying on the floor on the other side of the room. She lifted the chest piece out of the box.
"It's perfect." She said flatly. "Thank you."
"Well?" Asked Noretaku.
"Well what?"
"You said you wanted to try it on so go ahead."
"Oh...right!" Chern stood and removed the rest of the armor from the box. "Turn around if you would." Noretaku stood and turned her back to Chern. After a few moments Chern spoke. "It fits perfectly, take a look."
Noretaku turned around. Chern stood tall in her new ensemble. The armor was light brown and black leather that fit her perfectly. She flexed her fingers in her new black gloves and walked in a small circle to test her new black boots. They had a small golden details on them.
"Thank you Prince I-"
"When were you going to tell me?" Noretaku demanded her head was down.
"I don't understand."
"You never said you were going to try the armor on I made that up to test you...you are corrupted...there is a fallen inside of you...more than one by the looks of it!"
"I....fallen?" She looked confused. "...you mean the spirits don't you...you spoke to them." Her voice sounded strained. "I never wanted this...I just wanted to help them...I didn't know...." She fell to the ground sobbing.
Noretaku saw that Chern was genuinely confused. She walked over and knelt next to her taking a handkerchief out of her pocket and patting Chern's eyes. Chern looked up at her. "You called them...fallen...what...what is that?"
"You mean you don't know?"
"N...no...it's something to do with religion isn't it...I never learned..."
Noretaku helped Chern to her feet and they both sat on the bed.
Noretaku searched her mind for a place to start. "The Fallen...were once a part of the Circle of Makers who reside in the Heavans. The Makers had children and grew as any family does...but they had the strong need to create and so they made the Earth and the first humans...They taught these humans right and wrong and watched over them." Noretaku glanced at Chern.
"Many of the Circle's children grew jealous of the humans because the Makers loved them so much. Others amongst the children thirsted for power and so together they forged a plan to destroy the Makers and take their power but one among them had a change of heart and told the Makers of the plan.
The Circle's anger was so great that they damned the children to roam the Earth. They now search for humans with kind hearts that they can take advantage of...they move into their bodies in an attempt to pass for a human. They do this in the hopes that the Circle of Makers will be fooled and love them again. Some do not search for love but for power in the human world..or for human knowledge...others just want to corrupt..defile and...kill."
Chern took all of this in and sighed. "They were women...two of them..or at least that is how they appeared to me..." She covered her face with her hands. "They were scared and told me a man was after them...that's how they drew me in...then they had me and I let them inside of me...to hide..I suppose..." She sobbed. "They just wanted to use me to get back at their...parents? ...I'm such a fool."
Noretaku rested her hand on Chern's shoulder. "It's alright....I can see that you are still a good person."
"Did you see the black eyes?" Chern asked.
"Yes..."
"That one comes out when I am...angry or upset...she dulls my emotions and takes control..."
"I see...and the green eyes?"
"That one....she is vain and likes to put herself on a pedestal."
"I can tell..."
"I'm...me though...now anyway...I..." Chern stammered.
"I know...it's alright...I think...I think we can use this to our advantage...I have to go." She stood and rushed out of the room. Chern stared after her for a moment then bowed her head and cried.
(A Grassy Hill Not far from the outskirts of the Kingdom)
Hempnode and Taljic have been walking for a very long time in silence. They come across a very steep hill and pause to rest a moment.
"Is that why you call me Shadow?" Taljic asked his companion.
"What?"
"The deal with the fallen...the shadow boy...when you call me shadow...are you talking to me or...him?"
"I'm talking to you Shadow."
"You b*****d." Taljic laughed.
Suddenly they heard the clashing of swords on the other side of the hill. They looked at each other and climbed the hill as fast as they could, weapons drawn.
When they reached the top they stopped dead and stared at the sight before them. Body after body after body...dead soldiers left and right...and ocean of blood. Soldiers were still fighting each other savagely.
"What...what is this?!" Hempnode exclaimed...he felt himself growing hot with anger.
"It looks like...."Taljic said observantly. "It looks like another group of soldiers met our as they were marching back....they must've been under the enchantment and attacked our men when they saw that they were free of the magic."
"...We can't let them report back to the King..." Said Hempnode.
"I know."
"But how can we tell which are our men?"
"Their fighting...the men under the enchantment will be savage and animal like...our men will be focused and steady."
Hempnode nodded. The two men ran down the hill and into the fray. The corrupted soldiers immediately ran for them at high speeds. Taljic moved behind Hempnode and the two stood back to back, weapons ready. A soldier lunged at Hempnode and he struck him down with one blow.
Two more soldiers approached looking apprehensive..they circled the men and then lunged at them. Taljic whistled and ducked and at that moment Hempnode spun with his sword and axe knocking one two the ground while Taljic kicked the other and pinned him to the ground with his sword. His eye glowed orange and he lifted his hand. A large blast came from it and the soldiers head imploded on itself.
More soldiers ran towards them..this time a small horde. Hempnode yelled. "Shadow!" Taljic quickly pulled his sword from the corpse, turned and ran towards Hempnode. The Soldiers where circling around them now. Taljic grabbed Hempnode's shoulders as tightly as he could and Hempnode spun in a circle fast enough to lift
Taljic off the ground. As Hempnode did this, Taljic who was now flying in a circle, kicked each of the soldiers in the head and they all fell to the ground unconscious.
A few of the non corrupted soldiers ran over and began sticking their blades into the fallen enchanted men.
"Where is their General?!" Shouted Hempnode. "He must have an amulet."
"He rode off towards the Kingdom Ser!" Shouted one of the soldiers.
Hempnode and Taljic looked at one another.
"s**t." They said in unison.
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