| Chapter 7:

| By the time they returned to Rothar’s cover, it was late afternoon. Waiting there for them were half of the Zagorans - Geff was one of them, but Eric didn’t recognize the others. Rothar explained to Eric that these were the team responsible for sabotaging the Hethren’s damn, and that he must ward them to give the Hethren as little notice as possible about their approach.

| Whatever the warding was, it took only a few minutes. Rothar ran his hands from head to toe of each of them while the faint red glow of the Jantra told Eric that something had to be happening. They thanked Rothar, each grasping the Seeker’s forearm in their way of shaking hands, and trotted off for the Hethren tribe.

| The wheel of events was now in motion, and it was just a matter of time until the Hethren came. Late afternoon turned into dusk, and the fading light quickly gave way to another cool evening. Eric stayed with Rothar, while the remainder of the Zagoran’s prepared the village for the inevitable. Rothar sat, quietly, in his Zen-like position. His eyes were closed and his hands rested with palms upraised on his knees. For a long while, the cover was completely silent. Eric only watched, and worried about what was coming. He jumped as Rothar spoke unexpectedly “I’m feeling for them… if you’re wondering.” His pale eyes opened slowly, looking straight at Eric. “The warding protects them from detection by keeping them silent, but it also helps me to feel what they feel.”

| Eric only nodded, not really able to do much else. “Are they okay?”

| “Yes. They are loosening the damn. They have not been seen.” Rothar sat back and placed his legs out straight in front of him, which pointed straight at Eric. With a quiet hiss, he closed his eyes and flexed each leg, stretching it; flaying his toes to Eric as he did. Eric was awe-struck - he starred with fascination at the Zagoran’s feet and legs - powerful, and perfect. Each toe stretched out with its black claw, and the sole of his feet tightened as the Seeker worked the stiffness from the. Eric suddenly had the odd thought of offering a massage, just to get a better look. Rothar’s eyes opened again, noting Eric’s darting back to meet his own. “I must return to the counsel and give them the news. I will return shortly.”

| Slightly unsettled, Eric thought to himself. Dammit… he’s going to really start wondering if I don’t stop starring like that! “Umm… Would I be able to come with you? “

| “No my friend, only counsel members can be present in the hall.” Rothar rose, and placed his hand warmly on the human’s should. “I won’t be long. In the mean time, could you refill the lamps? I think neither of us will sleep much this night.”

| Eric reached up and gave Rothar’s hand a little squeeze. “I’ll fill them.” Rothar gave a little squeeze back then turned and opened the door to leave. “Rothar?” Eric was glad that his new friend at least understood his uneasiness. “Thanks.” Rothar smiled, then quietly closed the door to his cover. Eric rose and went to one of the selves to retrieve more lamp oil. He began filling each of the lamps as Rothar had instructed, wondering how much longer it would be until the Hethren came.

***

| A short while later, Rothar returned. He opened the door of his cover and called for Eric to accompany him. Together, they went to the far end of the village, where the opening in the Thorn bushes was. “I must close this about us. I thought you might want to see how it was done.”

| Eric smiled and nodded “I’d be honoured.”

| Some of the Zagoran’s left in the village gathered round to watch their Seeker at work. Massic was one of them, watching with his cool stare. Rothar raised his hands and the red glow of the Jantra surrounded him. For a moment, it seemed like nothing was happening, then Eric could hear a rustling in the thorn bushes. They began to twist and turn; growing at a fantastic rate! They spiralled around, forming complex shapes, and grew together in every direction until the opening that had once been the entry to the village was no more. Eric figured the thickness of the thorny mass was at least 50 metres!

| Rothar’s hands came down and the glow about him faded. Massic walked over to him, and spoke. “That should slow them nicely. Now, save your Jantra and strength, for we will soon need it.” Massic looked down at Eric, measuring him a moment with his gaze. “I hope Rothar instructed you well, human - evil is soon upon us.”

| Massic turned and strode off motioning the crowd back to their places. Eric felt a chill along his spine again as Massic’s words lingered in his mind. “Does Massic always have to drive home his points like that?” Eric looked up at Rothar cracking a grin.

| “Yes - he seems to enjoy instilling fear in the weaker of us as if in an attempt to compel them to be otherwise. Still, he is right - the Hethren will notice the damage on or before morning, and they will come.” They returned to Rothar’s cover, and strode inside. Rothar pointed at the pelts “Try to rest - you’ll likely need it. I will wake you when the time comes.”

| “What about you - should you not rest as well?” Eric had a genuine look of concern on his brow, worried that his new friend needed the rest more than anyone.

| Rothar shook his head “I can’t - I must sense the others, that is how we will know when the Hethren have discovered our plot.” Moving to the sleeping pelts, Rothar extinguished the candles and lamps there, making a comfortable darkness for Eric. “Rest Eric, please.”

| Reluctantly, Eric nodded and took off the chest and sword belt. He felt like a third wheel; not able to help Rothar, and even not sure if he could help anyone else in the tribe. Despite his misgivings, Eric was tired. Hours of training and a very adventurous second day had taken its toll on him. He lay down in the pelts, pulling one about him in the hopes of getting comfortable and warm. Rothar sat down, in the toe-showing way he always did, and closed his eyes. Eric watched him for a few minutes, admiring, before his eyes became heavy and he trailed off to sleep.

***

| Eric’s dreams were not his own - it was the dream realm again. This time he quickly realized where he was, and his sword was in his hands at the ready. Rothar wasn’t there - he somehow sensed his absence. Looking around, he saw that he was standing at the edge of a flooded field. As he looked closer, he saw the debris of a village floating in the pond’s centre. The Hethren village! The plan had worked - he must be seeing the near future. Just by looking at it, he couldn’t tell how many of them it had destroyed, but the massive amount of water before him couldn’t have spared very many.

| A terrible screech from his side made him whirl around to see a blackened shape charging him at incredible speed. He rounded in an instant, and caught the creature on its side as it dove for him. The Hethren landed in a mass of writhing black scales and blood. It leapt to its feet in an instant, and turned on Eric, screeching madly. Eric found himself wishing that his sword was a little bigger and lighter - and as if in response to his thoughts, the blade grew and became as light as if it were made of plastic.

| Setting awe aside, Eric charged at the Hethren with a graceful arc, but caught only one of the dragon-like fins on the side of its head. Blood sprayed from the wound, but the Hethren only seemed to become more crazed from its injuries. It swatted Eric down before he could strike at it again - the creature’s claws leaving deep scrapes along his unprotected back. He impacted on the ground with a thud, and instinctively rolled away, just in time to avoid one of the Hethren’s massive feet slamming down where his head had been.

| Staggering back to his feet, he faced the beast again. Blood was pouring from the Hethren’s wounds, staining the sand red around them, but it didn’t seem to care as it’s red eyes starred with hatred at the human. Eric met it’s unnerving gaze, and readied himself. The black mass came in a rush at Eric, who leapt neatly to one side while simultaneously swinging his blade around and down.

| The Hethren fell in a shower of blood as its head was cleanly severed from its body. Eric staggered back, trying to catch his breath. He stared at the creature before him in disbelief - disbelief that he had killed something so large and terrifying. The body suddenly began to fade, becoming more and more transparent until it blinked out of existence, leaving only its blood to taint the white sand.

| It was here for a reason… I can feel it! He turned around and looked at the flooded village. It was trying to see what was coming too! Well, at least this one won’t be saying anything anymore. Eric became numbly aware of the pain on his back. Damn… I need to be more careful. Wait… I have to warn Rothar - tell him what’s happened!

| Dumbly, Eric stood there, wondering how one exited the dream realm. Well now what - this is stupid, why can’t I just wake up!? For a long while he stood, silence about him save for the slight whistling of the morning breeze.

***

| Rothar shook Eric, whose eyes blinked open. “They come. We must ready ourselves!” Quickly, the Seeker turned and slid his sword into the sword belt.

| Eric rose quickly, strapping on his chest and sword belt. “Rothar, I was in the dream realm again - there was a Hethren there.” He reached for his sword and holstered it in his belt.

| Rothar turned and starred at him with a worried look “What did you see? Tell me what happened while you were there.”

| Eric conveyed the news of the flooded village, the Hethren, and the battle that ensued. Rothar scratched his chin thoughtfully, but never lost the look of worry. “This is worse than I thought - not one but several can enter the Realm. Eric, you may have saved out lives. Had you not slain that Hethren, it could have awakened and warned the others of our plans.”

| For the first time since his arrival, Eric felt a sense of usefulness and accomplishment - that maybe there was something he could do in return for the Zagorans.

| Rothar smiled at Eric and extended his arm. Eric took it and held it in the way the others had, grasping the other’s forearm. Rothar nodded in satisfaction, and said “We go together against the coming evil - may Dar Souljeth grant us the strength to prevail.” Eric nodded, and together they left the cover to face the darkness about to descend on them.

***

| Rothar stopped first at the counsel chambers, where Massic was waiting with some of his warriors. He told the massive leader of his vision, and Eric’s battle. Massic was in awe that the human not only could enter the realm, but had slain a Hethren whilst there. He sent runners to awaken the remainder of the tribe with word that the Hethren would arrive before daybreak. There was an almost instant sense of urgency about the village as remaining tribe members lit fires along the perimeters of the village, adding to the dim light of the night. Eric was surprised at just how dark it could get when there were no city lights about to chase away the shadows.

| All was in readiness; the village was as brightly lit as the fires would allow, the Zagoran’s stood ready, and Eric stood with them. His heart was pounding so hard he wondered if he would hear the Hethren coming above its ceaseless beating. He looked nervously to Rothar, who met Eric’s frightened gaze with the chilling pale eyes, almost glowing in the firelight. Eric’s voice was but a whisper “How… how are the others going to get back in?”

| “They cannot. They will have met and attacked part of the Hethren by now, and Dar Souljeth with them, will be circling around to return to us by the noon sun. We are on our own for this battle Eric.” Rothar turned his gaze back to the darkness beyond the thorn bushes, watching.

| Eric swallowed hard, and kept a white-knuckled grip on the hilt of his sword. It was then that he heard it - distant, but awful. They were coming, screeching wildly as they had in his dream, but there were many more than one this time. The screeching steadily grew louder until he saw something that chilled him to his very soul. Over a dozen pairs of glowing red eyes appeared in the blackness of night, trashing up and down madly as the Hethren charged the village. Eric let out a gasp and looked desperately to Massic.

| The great Zagoran stood, seemingly unaffected by the terrifying image. He did not look away from the glowing red eyes that approached, but stood defiantly at the front of his tribe. The others looked on, shifting nervously from side to side as the Hethren drew closer. As the Hethren reached the thorns, the screeches of rage were mingled with screams of pain. The thorns tore at them from every angle, but seemed to slow them little as their rage drove them madly forward. Their dragon-like shapes were becoming visible as the firelight reached them, reflecting off their black-scaled bodies and glistening blood.

| Massic smiled and looked on with wild eyes - the warrior was about to break free. Slowly he drew his sword and hissed “Come to me Hethren!”

| Rothar drew his sword and turned to Eric frantically “Get back and be ready!” Eric nearly stumbled in fear, backing away, yet, just as afraid to leave the side of his friend.

| The Hethren broke through in a mad rush of blood and claws, spreading wildly in all directions. Massic let out the nerve-jangling roar that Eric had first heard on coming to the village, and charged the nearest Hethren. It fell, dead, in an instant at Massic’s blade. The giant chief fought with frightening power - taking the legs of another off at the knee. The black creature fell screaming, but still slashed out at the Zagoran leader, tearing him badly along his calf. It didn’t get a second chance to swipe at him as its head lopped onto the white sand.

| The others were charging to meet the Hethren that had oozed into the village. Graven’s giant sword hand cut one of the massive Hethren clean in two. Another leapt onto his back, only to be forcefully thrown down by his incredible muscle. Blood sprayed forth as his massive sword pieced the chest of the creature, just as another Zagoran’s blade cut through its throat. Graven staggered back, blood appearing from the fresh claw marks in his back.

| Rothar’s eyes were wild - more wild than Eric had ever scene them. He tore into pack of Hethren who had downed a Zagoran. In a graceful arc, the head came off of the first, who’s foot was already pressed down over the nose and mouth of the fallen Zagoran. As it fell to the ground, the blade arced again, and took a clawed hand from the second Hethren. The creature screamed and staggered back as it clutched the spurting stump. The third monster trashed out hard, catching Rothar along the back before he could bring the blade around again. He fell hard to the ground, and quickly rolled to his back in an effort to rise again. The Hethren leapt as he did so, landing one foot on his sword hand, and the other on his chest. It screeched with satisfaction, holding him there, helpless. The other Hethren, less a hand, stepped back in to pin Rothar at his shoulder. “Aeeee Seeeeeeeekeir!” one screeched, and they began to laugh in a hideous pitch. “Yiew weeeeeeel beeeeeeeee ah sweeeeeeeeeeeet death!” The Hethren on his chest raked his claws slowly and torturously down, tearing into Rothar’s perfect body. The other dug its claws deep into Rothar’s shoulder. The Seeker moaned with pain, and twisted in an effort to free himself.

| Eric looked desperately around, but the others were all in battle, fighting for their own lives. He looked back frantically as the handless Hethren pressed down on Rothar’s shoulder, lifting his other foot to the Seeker’s nostrils and mouth where it pressed it down to suffocate him. Rage overtook Eric, and he let out a yell as he charged the misshapen creature. The Hethren never saw his death coming; Eric’s sword severed its head in a flash of metal, and the twisted form fell dead on the white sand. The Hethren on Rothar’s chest leapt at Eric, who caught it along its leg with his blade. It fell screeching angrily at Eric, and bounded back for another attack. Again, Eric’s blade came down, burying itself in the creature’s side. The Hethren, driven by its rage, was oblivious to the wound, and threw Eric to the ground, knocking the sword from his grasp.

| The rough landing knocked the breath from Eric, and he lay flat on his back, stunned. As he tried to rise, a scaly black foot pressed down hard on his face, driving his head into sand. He twisted and fought, but he was pinned tightly in place by the Hethren’s massive weight. No! I can’t! Rothar… Eric tried to yell, but the Hethren’s giant sole was blanketed across his mouth, and its toes clenched down on his temples and nose. It was like the dream - he could smell them, almost taste them - these horrid clawed feet that stole away his air, yet part of him was thrilled. He was blacking out… numbness was all he could feel of his body, that and the blood trickling warmly down from the wound on the Hethren’s leg, seeping onto his face. He thought, hazily of Rothar. I failed… I’m so sorry. The black weight upon him suddenly ceased, and standing over him was Rothar, bloodied chest heaving, and pale eyes widened in tearful fear.

| For a moment, they stared at one another, shocked to be alive, each by the other’s hand. Rothar blinked, and the calmness began to return to his pale eyes. He reached out his claws and helped Eric to his feet. Shaken, the two beheld the rest of the tribe.

| All who had fought were bloodied and torn from the Hethren’s fury. Massic had wounds all about him, but he didn’t seem to notice. The Zagoran that Rothar had saved was Naffit. Old as he was, he had come to fight, but was overwhelmed by the Hethren. He lay still in the sand, his chest rising and falling slowly - unconscious, but still alive. The Hethren lay all about them, slain. Beaten.

***

| The remainder of the night and daybreak became a blur. Rothar began using his Jantra to heal the injured. He healed the scrapes on Eric’s face, left by the claws of the Hethren, and the gashes and injuries of the rest of the tribe. Rothar healed himself last, after making sure the others were well. Only Massic refused the healing, instead preferring to sit in solitude by one of the far fires, sword held in rest before him.

| The last of Rothar’s efforts was to move back the thorns and open a path to the others. As the bushes crept back into place and halted, Rothar collapsed - the glow of Jantra winking out as he did. “Rothar!” Eric ran to his side and helped him to sit up. “What happened? Are you still hurt?”

| Rothar reached around touched Eric’s arm warmly. “I am just weak from the battle and constant use of the Jantra. I just need to rest.”

| Massic rose from his place of solitude - the first time he had moved since the end of the battle. He walked over to Eric and Rothar and spoke in a soft voice. “Take him to his cover human. He needs rest; see that he gets it.” He turned and strode into the counsel cover, motioning the remaining counsel to follow. Eric helped Rothar to his feet, and together they returned to his cover in the faint light of morning which finally brought an end to the terrifying night.

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