By: ToeClaws
| The aftermath of the Hethren assault left the tribe shaken and worried. As soon as Geff regained his senses, he ordered armed parties of two to leave through the entrance of the village and scatter - scouting in all directions for signs of any other Hethren attackers. Massic stood alone, for a long while, staring at the pool of blood where Waverek had been in the throws of death, until he was healed. Eric returned from the ally between the covers, a grim look in his pale eyes.
| “Rothar…” The Seeker turned to meet the Realm Walker. “This wasn’t a random attack at all - they came for me. They knew who I was, and where to come.” He stopped short of Rothar, looking at up the Zagoran with a grim worry.
| Rothar nodded slowly. “I know - their intent was all too clear. I doubt it is safe to remain here much longer.” He looked about the village, noting the injured amid the shattered remains of their celebration. Only a few of the touches remained lit and partially standing. The pale eyes shifted back to Eric. “I must see to the wounded. Perhaps you should tell what you know to Massic and sound council. I will attend when I have seen to my duties.”
| Eric nodded “I will.” He turned towards the massive chieftain, who still stood where Waverek had lain. Eric approached him, and stopped at his side, looking up at him. “Sir… Massic… I need to talk to you.” The great Zagoran’s head slowly turned and looked down with a lost and sad gaze. It seemed like an acknowledgement of Eric, but little more as his thoughts consumed him. “We… should talk in the counsel cover, not here. Massic?”
| Wordlessly, Massic nodded, and motioned a clawed hand towards the large counsel cover. The two walked the few short steps to its location and entered soundlessly. Massic sat down in his large chair and hung his head in his hands a moment. Eric said nothing, feeling a lump growing in his throat at the feeling of Massic’s thoughts. They were strong - heart wrenching memories that refused to leave the leader’s mind. Eric could feel them so clearly, and found himself wishing he couldn’t. Massic spoke softly after a moment, breaking the silence. “It was as if I stood over him again Eric… only moments sooner, to see the last pained breaths of life ebb from his body.” He closed his golden eyes and leaned back, taking a long breath. As he spoke again, the eyes slowly came open to meet Eric’s. “All these seasons later and I cannot release myself from the hold of my memories.”
| “Maybe you’re not supposed to.” Eric tilted his head to the side, slightly, he was sensing Massic’s memories and, it seemed right somehow that they were there.
| Massic looked up at Eric quizzically. “What do you mean?”
| “I don’t know… it just… feels like you need to remember them.” Eric sighed and leaned forward on the great table. “I still think you should talk to Rothar about what happened. I know he could help you.”
| The statement hung in the air a moment then Massic blinked, and locked a more usual defiant gaze on Eric, dismissing the conversation. “You wished to talk to me about the Hethren - what have you to tell?”
| “They know of me sir. They know who I am, and worse, where I am. Their leader was named Drass, and before I killed it, it told me the OblaKan spoke to it - told it of me, and of this tribe. He said there will be more, until I am dead.” Eric’s pale gaze held the burning golden yellow eyes of the Zagoran leader, as the ill news was explained.
| Leaning back in his chair, Massic placed a clawed hand on his chin and scratched it thoughtfully. “The OblaKan, you say? It is a well known thing - a great symbol of evil - but there is no mention of it speaking to anyone.” His eyes stared ahead for a moment, and then flickered back to Eric. “Still, you are the Realm Walker, and I cannot discount your words. Logic would concur that they knew of our whereabouts, and they definitely seemed to want your blood on their claws more than anything.” His look became grimmer, and he rose slowly, towering over Eric. “How much time do we have until they descend upon us?”
| “I don’t know, that he didn’t tell me. There is more sir; Rothar and I know where they are - where the OblaKan is. If we can make it there, we can destroy them forever.”
| “Aye… that is the path of your destiny, Eric.” Massic began pacing around the table, saying nothing and thinking out the situation in his mind. After a moment, he stopped and looked back up at Eric. “I will ask Rothar to reach out and feel for the Hethren to see how far they are from us. If there is time, we will stay in order to properly prepare for relocating the village as well as prepare you for what lye ahead, otherwise, we must flee quickly for the sake of our lives, and yours.” Massic pointed to the door, and gave his instructions. “Find Rothar and ask that he see me as soon as he finishes healing the others, then find Geff and have him summon the council. Come back to me when you are done.”
| Eric nodded. “Aye sir.” He looked down at Massic’s powerful body, noting the scrapes and gashes from the fights with the Hethren. “I will also tell Rothar that YOU are to be healed as well.” Massic’s eyes widened and his mouth opened to sound his protest, but Eric shook his finger. “Ah ah, I may not give orders often, but that will be one of them. I don’t want you distracted or slowed by injuries. You will let him heal you and say nothing more of it, okay?”
| Considering who he was talking to, Massic closed his mouth, and begrudgingly nodded. “As you wish."
| Eric grinned back at him and shifted his eyes momentarily down to the two clawed feet of the Zagoran leader. They clenched at the sandy ground slightly, showing the muscles and tendons that comprised them clearly. Massic was not used to taking orders, and the tension was showing in a most delightful way. Eric turned and left, still grinning, but worked at donning a more serious look before anyone saw him.
| Rothar was not difficult to find. He stood at the centre of the village not far from the council cover's entrance, healing the last of the tribe that had been injured in the attack. As Eric approached, he finished the last, and began to bind his own gashes and scrapes. Eric looked with concern at some of them as he stopped just before the Seeker. Rothar's eyes were closed as he slowly traced his fingers along his cuts, closing and healing them as he went with the red glow of jantra about him. The scene, simple as it may be, looked like living artwork in motion. Rothar's every moment was graceful, and the glow of jantra made it seem almost surreal. For a moment, Eric stood and stared before coming back to his senses. He spoke softly "Rothar, Massic has ordered us all to the council cover... just as you said he would."
| The pale eyes of the Seeker opened slowly, locking with Eric's. "Good. We have dark times before us Eric; it has come time that we must prepare to face them." Rothar's hand lifted to Eric's cheek, where there lay a tiny scrap. Gently he brushed his claw along it, and his jantra sealed it over. Eric's eyes closed and he smiled. As he finished, Rothar cupped Eric's cheek in his hand and patted it. "Dark times, yet we shall have a shinning light to guide us."
| "Hey... don't start with that again." Eric's eyes blinked open, noting Rothar's wry grin. "If there's any guiding light in any of this, it's you. I think I'm more like the gas that gets thrown on it."
| Rothar's brow raised "Gas to throw on a light? I am not sure I understand."
| "Arg... umm... like oil on a lantern... that's sorta what I meant." Eric grinned awkwardly, reminding himself to stop using sayings from the world of his past.
| Chuckling, Rothar patted his shoulder "A good analogy my dear one," but look quickly shifted to bashfulness realizing how he had just referred to Eric in the openness of the village.
| Eric only smiled warmly in response, relaxing Rothar. "When you get to the cover, Massic is to be healed. His wounds were worse then yours, and though completely obedient to his orders, I did insist that he follow that particular one of my own. I didn't want his injuries to slow him or remind him of... well, just get in the way. I imagine you'll need to tell him you know as well because he won't likely say anything, hoping I didn't tell you."
| More chuckles sounded from Rothar. "So you can do the impossible! That may be the greatest miracle you work, considering the individual you worked it on." Rothar gave Eric's arm a squeeze "You shall find Geff at the village entrance, since I presume you are to find him next. I will see you in the cover with the others." With that, he turned and walked briskly to the council cover. Eric watched his form move gracefully along; soles and claws showing slightly as he walked.
| Geff was exactly where Rothar had said he would be. He had been waiting for the scouting parties to return with their news of Hethren activity. It wasn't long before they did, and Geff hurried off to gather the remaining council. In a matter of minutes, everyone headed for the council cover, lead by Geff and the Realm Walker.
| All entered the cover, and gathered around the table facing their leader. Massic rose and leaned forward on the table, gripping each side with his massive clawed hands. His golden eyes shifted from face to face with grim and determined gaze until those who had assembled fell silent. “We must soon leave this place.”
| Murmurs of shock and confusion sounded in the council, though unbroken images of calm comprised the looks of Rothar and Eric as they stood on one side of Massic, and Geff on the other. Massic held up a single hand, and silence immediately fell upon them. “The Realm Walker is known to the Hethren now. They have learned of him through the evil of the OblaKan. Even I could scarcely believe the claim, but it was made by the Realm Walker himself, and thus we know it must be true.”
| This time, there were gasps amidst them all, and their eyes settled on Eric. He looked up at Massic who nodded back to him, so Eric cleared his throat and addressed them all. “It’s true. Rothar and I have seen the OblaKan in the Dream Realm, and it is what told the Hethren of this place, and of me. Their leader told me before I slew it.” Eric looked from face to face at the wide eyes that held level with his own. “They know where we are, what I am, and how to find us. It's only a matter of time before more come… a lot more.”
| Grimly, Massic nodded. “Aye and we cannot stand against so many, so often, only to risk our lives and the life of our champion. We have enjoyed a long stay at this place, but we must move again, hiding ourselves as best we can.” Massic turned to Rothar. “My Seeker… the time we have is surely limited, but only you can truly tell us by how much. Each day, you must reach out and feel for the Hethren, track their movements, and sound warning of their approach. We need you to guide the journey ahead, as you have before.”
| “Of course, my lord.” Rothar gave a slight bow. “I shall do so now, to make sure none come in the night.” He neatly leapt onto the table top, and sat down in his Zen-like way. The foot under his left knee rested only a few feet from Eric, who couldn’t help but stare for a moment at the crunched toes and sole of his partner. As if to tease him, Rothar flayed them slightly as he closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He placed the palms of his clawed hands on his knees, and concentrated. A faint red glow flared about him, and danced enchantingly about him as he reached out across the land. There was complete silence as he did so - everyone hoping for a positive answer. After a minute or two, his eyes slowly opened, and he spoke to all in a quiet voice. “There exist no Hethren for many weeks journey. Those that came to us came from a random pack - closest and easiest for the OblaKan to summon.” He shifted his position slightly, and looked up at Massic. “We are safe for now my lord, but I will check often to ensure no trickery.”
| Taking in a deep breath, Massic nodded, and looked from member to member of his council. “Then we shall prepare for a great journey. The Realm Walker must seek the OblaKan, and we must aid him. As time affords it, we must prepare ourselves and Eric as best we can.”
| Everyone spoke in agreement “Aye”, “We must”, “We shall”, "Of course lord".
| “Inform all others, and aid in any plans you can. Geff is to be informed of your progress and will report to me each night.” Geff nodded subtly at his side. “Now we must tend the broken village. As before, we gather the dead beasts and prepare them for an offering. Go now and see to things - there is no more to say this night.” Massic clapped his big clawed hand on the table, and others began to shuffle past him to whatever tasks awaited them as Rothar hopped down from the table.
| Eric and Rothar remained after the others left. Massic shook his head sadly. “A long and hard time lies ahead of us, but it will be the means to a righteous end. We need only hope we survive it." For a moment, he stared at the two paled eyed friends; an odd pair. "Our fate lies in you both.” He bowed slightly to them, and exited to help the others. The two friends looked at one another, wondering how they would ever live out their destinies.
***
Gathering the fallen Hethren and cleaning the shattered remnants of Eric’s celebration took a surprisingly short time with everyone helping. Only two Zagoran did little - Naffit and another slightly chubby looking one whom Eric had learned was called Leethan. Naffit was ancient, so his rest and supervision was understandable, but Eric wasn’t sure about Leethan. As he thought about it, Eric didn’t remember seeing Leethan in any of their battles either, yet he was one of the council members. Eric and Rothar left the centre of the village as Graven tossed the last of the Hethren into the massive fire, and headed for their cover.
| Looking down at the dirt and blood that covered his body, Eric sighed. “Well, much as I want to collapse into bed and sleep for about 3 days straight, we really need clean up again. Jeez... if this keeps up, dirt and blood are going to start feeling as normal as my skin!”
| Equally adorned in the remnants of their battle, Rothar smiled wearily. "You are becoming accustomed to it already. Our lives are those of warriors, and so now is yours." Rothar lifted off his sword belt, and set the weapon and its scabbard on the table, as did Eric. Another basin of water was prepared and Rothar fetched another dailnish root - his last. "Tomorrow we shall acquire more supplies. You can see how we gather them, since you have not yet learned how."
| Eric stripped down to wash, and sighed. "Your right... I don't know how you even get half the things you have. Some champion of the tribe. I'm supposed to save your race and I don't even know where to find soap when I run out."
| "You will learn Eric, and not knowing is not something to be ashamed of as it is something that can be remedied." Rothar stripped down as well, and the pair quickly washed up, anxious to rest after a day of journeys and battles.
| As they washed, they shared weary conversation. Eric brought up the question of Leethan - curious as to why he seemed to not participate in battles or chores… and for that matter, why he was the only Zagoran in the tribe that seemed out of shape. Rothar’s response was certainly a surprise.
| “It is with good reason, Eric. Leethan carries the first young one in the tribe in a great many seasons.” Rothar leaned over and began washing along his legs.
| Eric’s eyes widened. “He’s pregnant!? Whoa… I guess that explains the tummy on him.” Eric was busy washing off his chest. For a moment, he thought back to when Rothar had told him about children - how they had them, that there were few being born now. “How long until he lays the egg?” Lays the egg… heh… that sounds strange to say.
| “Before the next full moon; thus any day now. When he does, he will need my presence to ensure all is well, and place Dar Souljeth’s blessing upon the young one. You would do well to come and share in the experience.” Rothar swished his tail around and began to wash along it.
| “Me? Come see that? Shouldn’t we clear that with him first… I mean, he might be embarrassed that I’m there watching.” Eric gulped.
| Rothar chuckled softly. “Nonsense. He would be honoured to have the Realm Walker give his blessings to the egg.”
| Eric smiled and shrugged. “Well, if you say so - then I would be honoured to be there.”
| Rothar finished washing first, and went about the cover, puffing out lamps and candles, and preparing his bedding. As Eric finished, he went to prepare his own. Rothar lied down, and his pale admiring eyes watched Eric a moment before speaking softly. "You may lie with me tonight, if you wish."
| Despite the dream that had help to sound their feelings for one another, Eric froze at the words. He forced out a shaky response. "Ar...Are you sure? I mean, I know what I did in the dream, but I would never be that forward in real life."
| Smiling gently, Rothar nodded. "I am sure. Though… forgive me if I have asked something that is improper for my place."
| Sighing, Eric ceased working on his own bedding and stood. "Rothar, you don't have a place - and it's okay to ask. I... I would have myself but... I didn't know if you would want to."
| Laughing quietly, Rothar nodded. "It would see we have the same shyness to hinder us. I was not sure I should ask either." He shuffled over a little on his side to make more room on the fur pelt.
| For a moment, Eric admired him again. His sleek yet powerful body lay in a neat line, supported by his side. Behind him, his tail swished softly, as if in nervous anticipation, though the look that adorned his face was clam and warming. Eric was learning that Rothar was indeed good at hiding things, even nervousness, but not perfect. He smiled, and carefully lied down with his back to Rothar's chest. He closed his eyes and felt himself sink back into Rothar's body, feeling its every muscle's ripple, and the wonderful fine scales. Rothar reached around gently and placed his arm about Eric, holding him dearly with his clawed fingers sprawled lightly along the human's chest.
| In return, Eric reached up with his hand, and held Rothar's to him, glad that this time, it was no dream. As he did, Rothar's tail swished around and neatly wrapped about Eric's leg, swishing slightly in a caress the likes of which Eric had never experienced. He smiled and sighed happily, resting his feet along the tops of Rothar’s and sliding them along slightly to caress the beautiful claws that adorned the Seekers perfect toes. He wondered if he would ever be able to get any sleep with as much as his groin started aching.
| Moments passed, and sleep worked its way steadily onward in the pair's minds. Eric began drifting off with a blissful sigh as the clawed fingers of his partner’s other hand began stroking through his curly hair. Just like the dream, the feeling was incredible - no past girlfriend’s nails even coming close. As sleep found Eric, Rothar was not far behind, and hoped that Eric had not sensed the heat rising around his klish and klishna - a feeling that even Rothar was yet unaccustomed to. With a whisper, the Seeker smiled "Sleep well my Realm Walker" and soon drifted off to sleep himself.
***
| The sounds of frantic scrapping brought Eric abruptly awake. He looked around at the darkened cover frantically, wondering what was going on. As his eyes searched around to the Windows, he met a set of glowing red eyes starring back at him. "Hethren!" He shook Rothar hard "Get up! They found us already!" He moved for his sword but found his legs to be like lead, hardly wishing to move.
| The Seeker opened his eyes wearily, as if coming awake on his own in the morning. As he did, the door of the cover was thrown open, and through it stormed the Hethren, filling the cover, and surrounding the pair. Two of them grabbed Eric, and held him securely as they all filed in, hissing and screeching madly. Eric struggled for his life, but there was no escaping this time - they had him, and power that he normally felt within him would not stir. Three other Hethren pinned Rothar in his place, and turned to rest their unsettling gazes on Eric. One of them smiled an evil grin and pointed at Eric. "Weeeeeeeeeeee Fiiiiiiiiinnndd yoooooouuuuuuuuuuuuu Reeeeealllllmmmmmmmm Waaaaaaaaaaaaakkker."
| The others about him screeched in fury and began to chant wildly "Keeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiillllllllllllllll KEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLL!! The pair holding him began to dig their razor like claws painfully into him, and he yelped in agony.
| The one that had spoken yelled above the others. "Waaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiit!! Noooooo... we keeeeeeiiiiilllllllll Seeeeeeeeeeeeeekeeer fiiiirsssssssssst. Lehhhhht himmmmmmmmm waaaaaaaaaaaaatch!"
| Eric cried out "NO!!! Get away from him!!” Eric growled with rage and worry for his partner, and tried to tear himself away from the Hethren that held him, suddenly oblivious to the claws digging into him. The creatures only laughed at his vain efforts.
| The beast that stood directly before Rothar laughed in a high pitched screech, raised it’s powerful claws, and thrust them straight forward, burying them deep into the Seeker’s chest. He yelled in agony and the Hethren began to twist its claw in his chest, working it even deeper. The Seeker’s body went into a fit of shivers, then completely still; his last sounds nothing more than a gargling exhale as blood poured from his open mouth.
***
| Eric bolted upright from his sleep and screamed “NO!!!!!” His eyes turned from pale cyan to white and he could feel Dar Souljeth’s fire building in him. He raised his hands before him, aiming where he thought the Hethren still stood around Rothar, and the table near the door went airborne, smashing into the wall as if hit by a blast wave. For a moment, he was lost in the memory of his dream, lost in fear and worry until a hand reached up and softly touched his cheek. He let out a panicked yelp, and turned to see Rothar sitting before him with a worried look. His eyes faded, and returned to the pale cyan from before, and Eric sat panting.
| Sitting beside him, Rothar placed his palm on Eric’s chest in a slow and claming way, looking momentarily at the upturned table and cracked cover wall. “What happened Eric - did you see something in the dream realm? I sense an odd mix of terror, anger and sadness about you.”
| For a moment, all Eric could do was close his eyes and try to wash away the image of Rothar lying dead before him. After a moment, he opened them and took a deep breath. “It was a nightmare - not the realm or anything, just a nightmare.” Rothar’s palm was still pressed against his chest warmly. Eric reached down to hold it in his own. “Man… dreams don’t usually bother me that much, but… well in this one, a gang of Hethren came and broke into the cover. They captured us, planning to kill me for what I am, but… before they were going to… they made me watch one kill you.”
| Rothar gave a reassuring smile “Apart from being a little startled and weary, I am very much alive, and there are no Hethren for a great distance.” He tilted his head slightly, holding Eric in a curious pale gaze. “Perhaps the dream speaks your hidden worries Eric.”
| “Hidden worries?” Eric sat up, crossing his legs to listen.
| “Aye - dreams often explore the worries we do not wish to speak of, or sometimes fail to recognize.” Rothar reclined back further, and rested his clawed feet in Eric’s lap with a little grin. Eric smiled; suddenly feeling much more relaxed at the sight of the wonderful clawed toes, and began to rub them as Rothar continued. “When you were captured, were you able to strike out against them Hethren?”
| “Hmm… no, not really, they grabbed me before I could arm myself and normally, I can feel this surge of power in me; Massic calls it Dar Souljeth’s fire, but this time, it didn’t come.” Looking down momentarily at the wonderful feet in his lap, he stretched two of the toes slightly to watch the scaly skin between flex beautifully, then met Rothar’s gaze again with a content smile.
| “Since you could not strike out and helplessly watched as I was slain by the beast, it would seem to indicate that you worry about being powerless to help us.” The Seeker flayed his toes slowly and smiled wryly. “Under the circumstances Eric, I would say such a worry is not unfounded.”
| As usual, Rothar was exactly right. The greatest fear in Eric’s mind was to be a failure when so much faith and destiny rested on skills he barely knew anything of. He sighed, and rested his hands gently on Rothar’s feet. “I think you’re right… but that doesn’t exactly fill me with a lot of confidence.”
| “Confidence is a product of experience, Eric, of which you have little. Much has transpired amid these last few days, but we may now have a brief lull - a time in which we can help you to gain the experience to bolster your confidence, and guide you on this challenging path.” Rothar smiled reassuringly back at Eric, who grinned. “Why do you grin?”
| “You’re always so… matter-of-fact like, only not because you think you’re right, you ARE right. I don’t know… it’s just kind of humorous.” Eric looked back down at his lap, and began rubbing Rothar’s feet again.
| The Seeker let out a happy sigh. “That would only be because your dream was obvious in its meaning. It is not always so clear.” His eyes closed slightly as Eric’s thumbs circled down along the balls of his soles. Rothar leaned back and yawned widely.
| Eric had never really watched him yawn before. The teeth that lined Rothar’s mouth were sharp, and numbered far too many to count. They were spaced fairly close together, and all seemed neatly formed. His tongue was long, and pinkish in colour, stretching out in a long arc at the centre of his mouth as he reached mid yawn. The bottom jaw rounded off with perfectly shaped jaw bones which slid gracefully along as his mouth widened and closed. The scaly lips curled back in mid yawn, then closed neatly in place as he finished. Strangely, everything about it was just as alluring as his other features. Eric smiled and spoke softly “I suppose we should get back to sleep… must be the middle of the night.” He patted Rothar’s soles then lifted them gently away. “I’m sorry I woke you up in such a freaky way… didn’t mean to scare you.” He looked over at the table and cringed. “And definitely didn’t mean to do that. Sorry.”
| Rearranging the fur pelt covers slightly, Rothar shook his head. “Do not feel sorry my dear one. It is nothing that cannot be mended and set right tomorrow. For your own sake, it was better to face those fears with me than to keep them bound to yourself.” He lied back down and patted the bed before him. “Come, let us try at sleep again; tomorrow will be a full day for you.”
| Eric slipped back into place under the light pelt, and Rothar wrapped his arm warmly about him again. The feeling of safety and contentment that suddenly filled Eric as he pressed back against the powerful Zagoran’s body was wonderful - as if nothing could dare harm them. Soon, sleep came, and this time, without any worried dreams.
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