| Sect six: the black bird By Richard LeBlanc Julia tried to back up - but when she looked over her shoulder she remembered that they had just traversed up a mountain. Her attention returned to the ravenous looking green skinned horde that was slowly stalking towards them. "Pretty girl," one goblin slurred. "I want her," another ebbed. The wolf growled at the goblins - many backed away. Others continued to slowly stalk forward. In a blur of motion the wolf pounced. She watched as goblins were flung like toys by the giant wolf. It was then that her attention returned to some goblins that had managed to sneak passed the wolf. "Big doggy no hurt us," one said pointing a knife at her. Timidly she tried to back away from them - but her back touched rock. She looked for another means of escape but the small band had her surrounded. "But we hurt you good," another added. Just then a high pitched screech resounded. The goblin ducked just as a jet-black falcon dived at him. The others looked up and saw the bird arching back up into the sky. It was then that the sound of thundering hooves got their attention. Like a lethal shadow - a black horse leaped over a rock and came crashing down on one of the goblin. Before they had a chance to even think of reacting the rider leaped off and cut the rest of the stunned group into uneven pieces. "You think you so tough? Big Brother will get you!" a goblin piped. The ground trembled as a large hulking beast of a goblin made his presence known. The rider looked over his shoulder at the stunned girl. "Midnight - protect the girl. I will deal with - that," he said to his horse. The horse seemed to nod. The man dressed in black leather armor pointed his sword that had been stained with the blood of the goblins at the beast. "I heard about you. There is a big bounty on your head for what you have done," he stated coldly. "Try - and take it," the beast goaded. The large monster rushed towards the man in black. Julia watched in disbelief. The man wasn't even attempting to move. Her attention shifted away when the horse deterred a few goblins that had sought to sneak by him. Back where the monster was - its hulking arm arched up and prepared to fell the puny human as it had so many others. Just then - the man redirected the killing blow to the ground. As the fist shattered the rocky ground below them - the man spun around and cut the hand off the beast. It howled out in pain - getting the attention of all the goblins. "You will die painful death for that human!" the beast growled. The man hopped back - not taking his eyes off the large beast. He took on a combat stance that he used when fighting larger foes. "So you say - try again!" the goaded. The beast howled and raced at him. Just then it almost seemed as though the man vanished - he moved that fast. He then landed on the other side of the beast - holding his sword out before him. The goblins watched as the monster staggered a few steps then stopped. The man twisted the blade in his hand. The beast howled in pain, as a large wound appeared on its midsection - had the attack been a little closer it would have bisected the beast. Slowly - the man rose to his feet and looked over at the beast that was slowly dying. "You - will - suffer," the beast strained. The man stared at the beast with eyes as cold as ice. In a blur of motion he severed the beast's head from its body. He then lifted the head up for the goblins to see. Upon seeing it - all the goblins present began to squeal and run away. With the crisis averted - he tossed the gross head aside and looked over to where Julia was. "You - are in goblin territory. Traveling alone and unprotected can get you into a world of trouble," he pointed out - sheathing his blade. Julia wanted to say something but was held in awe at how the man before her looked - his face appeared to perfect - deep blue eyes and shoulder-length dark-brown hair that was tied up in a ponytail. "Something wrong?" he asked curiously. She instantly blushed - realizing that he noticed her staring at him. "I'm sorry - I was traveling and these goblins surprised me," she answered - trying her best to force the color from her cheeks. The man quietly laughed and walked over to where she was and smiled. "Always be wary when a beautiful maiden - is concerned. My name is Drake - I am of the Order of the Black Bird," he introduced. He did a sharp whistle. A bird screeched and flew down and perched on his shoulder. "I am Julia," she replied. He was about to kiss her hand when the wolf bounded over the rocks and began to growl. Drake leaped away and stood between her and the wolf. "Stay where you are Julia - this monster of a beast won't hurt you," he reassured. Julia made her way around the horse and hurried over so that she was between the wolf and the man that had saved her from the goblins. "That - won't be necessary," she reassured. The wolf snarled - showing his huge fangs. She sighed and shook her head. "Now stop that. He saved me when those goblins had you busy," she stated sternly. The wolf calmed down as she walked over and patted it as others might pet a dog. "He - is a pet? You court danger being in the company of such a thing. Wolves aren't to be trusted. They will turn on you when you least expect it," the man said - scowling at the wolf. She scowled at him and walked over to him and began pointing her finger against his chest. "I will have you know that I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for him. So I would thank you very much if you would stop insulting him!" she retorted. Drake would have sworn the wolf was smiling at the display. He sighed and sheathed his blade. "Apologies my lady. Wolves - have cost my kingdom many friends and family. They are treacherous and evil creatures that attack with no cause or reason. My only concern is for your welfare," he stated sincerely. "Why? We don't know each other," she pointed out. He quietly laughed. "Not yet - but if you would give - me a second chance - I would like to," he added. Again she found herself blushing. Although she had experienced boys being interested in her before - there was something about this man that made her heart beat faster. "I - I don't know," she began. "I might be able to help. You say you are traveling - perhaps I might accompany you? These mountains aren�t very safe for one as fair as yourself - even if you are traveling in the company of a - giant wolf," he pointed out - casting a sideways glance at the wolf that was still watching them closely. "I wouldn't want to take you away from," she began. "The reason I was here was because of that thing. So my schedule is free as luck would have it," he politely interrupted. She quietly laughed and shook her head. "You don't take no for an answer very often do you?" she asked coyly. "Depends on what is at stake - and getting to know a lovely lady such as yourself - would be worth just about any cost," he replied in a charming fashion. "You," she began but stopped. He quietly laughed and leaned against his horse. "If you are so insistent on traveling with me - I suppose I can't stop you," she remarked coolly. He chuckled and stepped away. "On the contrary. I am no one's burden if you feel I am one - just say so and I will leave. Either or - is of little consequence to me," he flirted back. The wolf seemed to roll his eyes as he lied down. "You really want to travel with me?" she asked curiously. "It would ease my conscious knowing that you would be safe. And getting the chance to know you a little better - well - I guess that would be an added perk," he added sincerely. She smiled at him. "I guess I owe you that much for helping me out," she commented. "You owe me nothing - save a smile or two," he rebutted. The answer forced a smile to her face. She laughed and looked away. "Okay," she modestly replied. "If you are so adamant - uhm - what did you say?" he asked curiously. She looked over at him and smiled. "I said - okay," she repeated. "Wow - I thought for sure I was going to be sent packing," he commented. "If that is what you want," she began. He raised his hands. "I'll shut up. So - where are we going?" he asked. "There is a ruins of a city - that way," she replied pointing in the direction of the desert on the other side of the mountain. He looked over and sighed. "Only place over there is Gemma - desolate place. What could possibly be there that would attract you?" he asked seriously. Julia sighed and looked over in the direction of the ruins she had to go to. The words of the witch echoed in her mind. "I don't know who I am," she replied. "What?" he asked. "My parents died when I was very young. I was raised by strangers. They treated me well and good - but I know nothing of who my family was - or if I have any family left," she replied calmly as she walked over to the wolf. She didn't like the thought of lying to him. Not one little bit. "Then - a night or two ago - not sure now - I heard my parents - the folks that raised me speak of Gemma," she added quietly. "You think - your parents died when Gemma was razed by the demon host?" Drake asked. She sighed and nodded her head. He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. "If the answers are there - we will find them," he reassured. She looked over at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "You - you mean it?" she asked. "Yeah. I know what it is like to grow up without family. It isn't something I would wish on an enemy. But do you have any idea of how dangerous that place is? I have heard that a daemon resides there now," he stated. "If the answer I seek is there - I must go," she replied calmly. He sighed and nodded. "I know better than to try to change the mind of a woman set in her beliefs. Shall we be off?" he asked with a smirk. She nodded and climbed onto the wolf. As the wolf rose - he resisted the urge to attack the beast. "Is it safe for you to ride that?" he asked calmly. "He's taken me this far," she replied. He shrugged his shoulders and mounted his horse. "So be it then. Next stop - Gemma," he stated. On that note the two rode off through the mountains towards the desert. To be continued... |