The Dark Age Chronicles: The Fall of Night. -
Meetings and Bondings
“Hey Ihloden come take adrink with us boy,” A voice called out from somewhere in the rabble that isGrims Tavern. Ihloden felt the almost unperceivable silence that followed thestatement. He also felt the temptation keenly as he had felt it the last sevendays he had been asked that same question.
And like the last seven dayshe answered the same cheerful way; “Not today boys, gotta keep the man’sbusiness going you know.”
The silence lasted for a fewseconds more, then the crowd went back to its normal noise. Ihloden breathed asigh of relief and went to get more beers for the customers. Grims had a lookin his eye when he came into the back for the next rounds to carry out. Helooked at the tall broad man, “What?” Grims shrugged.
“Glad to see you getting back on your feetboy.” Then he turned and began hollering at the other workers. Ihloden allowedhimself a small grin and went back to work.
The day ended well enoughthat Ihloden headed back home to replace Voren sitting with a strained happy lookin his face. It was still weird coming home to replace the young man sitting inhis living room. But surprisingly his mother and Shila somehow benefited fromhaving the man’s company. It was almost as if they thrived off having anothermouth to feed and another person to bicker with. Voren got up and limped tomeet him.
“Get me out of here,” hewhispered with the same happy strained look on his face, “If I have to keepthis smile on my face any longer it is going to become permanent.”
Ihloden laughed and slung an arm around hisshoulder, “My dear boy, this is what you have to bear when you are part of afamily. I have had it for eighteen years and now it is your turn.” Even as hesaid he saw something in the man’s eyes. A look of longing and of hurt. Then itwas gone and Voren laughed.
“You sure are cruel,” hesighed. Ihloden heard the accusation in his voice despite the attempt to hideit. Ihloden shook his head in wonder. He was also still getting used to themood swings that Voren went through. He was almost healed; the puncture woundswere almost closed over, his hair had even grown back, well most of it, afterthe griffin healed him. The only thing still bugged him a lot was the ankle.But despite his body recovering, there were wounds that were deep inside himthat no medicine, normal or magical could heal.
“Oh by the way,” he saidwalking over to where his sister was cutting cloth, “Nurilah wants to see youtomorrow Voren. She wants to check your ankle.” Voren slipped out from underhis arm and picked up the cut cloth and gave it to Ihloden to fold.
“She is one scary lady,”Voren said shaking his head. They all laughed while Voren look a bit offended.
“What? He exclaimed, “She is! I mean she ishuge and so stern at times.”
“She may be all that Vorendear,” Shila said giving him a sly wink, “But she has a heart of gold.” Ihlodenfrowned as Voren returned her wink.
“Well I cannot not deny that,” he said, “Oncemy ankle is fixed, you will teach me how to hunt right?” the last part wasdirected to Ihloden. He nodded back andtook the next piece of cloth that Voren gave to him.
“I don’t know how you could not know to hunt,”Ihloden said, “I mean you nobles always hunt.”
Voren shrugged his shoulders, “My father was avery over protective man. He never let me out of his sight without a guard ofsome sort.” Ihloden snorted.
“Dinner is ready,” hismother called from the kitchen, “Some help to set the table please.”
“Coming”, they all said inunison. Ihloden frowned again as he saw the supposed hidden looks that passedbetween Voren and his sister. As Shila moved off and Voren moved to follow her,Ihloden laid a hand on Voren’s shoulder.
“Oh by the way,” he saidquietly. Voren suddenly became alert serious.
“What is it?” he said hisvoice low as well.
“I don’t like the way you are gaping at mysister. You are a bit young for her, aren’t you,” Ihloden stated. Voren startedat him. He then blinked. Then stared at him again. A small smile played aboutthe edges of his lips.
“How old do you think I am?”he asked.
Ihloden shrugged, “Abouttwenty or so.”
“I am twenty five Ihloden,” hesaid. Ihloden felt his jaw go slack in disbelief. “And I believe that Shila istwenty four,” he continued, “So I am not too old for her. But to ease yourmind, Shila is a very smart and wise woman. I am sure she will be able todecide if I am a good for nothing man or someone worth flirting with.” The grinthen disappeared and Voren said in a low somewhat solemn voice, “I swear on mylife Ihloden. I will not hurt your sister.”
Ihloden felt a bit off balance at the suddenmood swing. But he nodded, “I will take you at your word Voren. You better keepit.” Voren nodded back to him.
His mother’s and Shila’svoice rang into their solemn moment, “Ihloden !Voren!” Solemn moment wasforgotten in the mad scramble to get to the kitchen before they were further scolded.
The next day he and Vorenset off to Nurilah’s place after Ihloden secured the day off from Grims to goand hunt some game; with the promise of part of his catch. They strode incomfortable silence till they reached the rugged house and while Voren wasstripping down to his short underpants; Ihloden was strapping on his huntinggear.
“I already set the other gear at the site,”Nurilah said softly. Ihloden nodded as Voren announced he was ready. Ihlodenslapped his shoulder lightly.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered to him, “She isless stern in the morning.” Voren gave him a glare that was meant to scald him,but Ihloden just laughed and headed out into the wood. Once inside he stretchedhis arms out wide and took a deep breath. Then he headed off towards theGriffin.
The Griffin was alreadysitting waiting for him in the clearing. “Sorry I did not come to see you,”Ihloden said tucking his bow and arrows away into the little alcove where thesaddle and armor lay ready. The Griffin sent a wave of concern to him.
“He is doing better,”Ihloden said strapping on the armor and picking up the saddle, “He is gettingchecked up right now. Nurilah is going to give him some exercises to do to testhow well his body is healing up, so we should have a few hours ahead of us forsome flight.” A wave of amusement followed as he tied on the saddle. Ihlodenstepped back to make sure the saddle was on right and then with smooth jump, hesettled into the saddle. The griffin gave a short screech. “I know,” he saidsmugly, “I did come on better didn’t I? Practice makes perfect.” The Griffinanswered by rearing up suddenly and leaping into the air, clawing towards theskies, its wings beating laboriously. Ihloden felt the familiar sick lurch ofhis stomach as he leaned to flatten himself on the Griffin to ease the flightupward. Then in a glorious moment that he never got used to, they burst out ofthe tree line and into the morning light. The sun shone down on them; turningthe Griffin from a muted sand-brown into shining gold. Ihloden took a deepbreath in and at the same time the Griffin gave a long scream into the skies.“Alright darling,” he said with a smile spreading across his face, “Let’s racethe wind to the Krogas.”
Ihloden was starting to feela bit nauseous by the time he and Griffin had finally settled into a straightflight. The Griffin had made up for that missed day by doing twice the numberof aerial maneuvers. “Seriously,” Ihloden said reaching to pat the Griffin’sside, “Did you have to do fours tight full spins followed by that backwardflip? Did you have to?” The griffin projected its amusement to him. “Very funnyfor you,” he groaned, “You are not the one with breakfast trying to makeanother appearance.” Suddenly the Griffin banked left and dropped low to thetree line.
“What is it?” Ihloden asked,“What’s wrong?” the Griffin projected a concerned feeling and he followed itline of sight to see nothing but trees. Then a flash of color. Then there wasnothing. Then another flash of darker color. They both looked ahead to see thesame thing. The Griffin projected danger. Ihloden craned his neck, “I can’t seewhat it is. Can you get a little lower?” The Griffin nodded and ducked a bitlower. The flash of color appeared to be a person running in wild abandon, glancingback several times. Then following him were three other people, dressed darkly;with the sun glinting off drawn blades. Ihloden stiffened. “We should gethelp,” he said. Then he glanced back toward Molvn. The Griffin sent a wave ofurgency to him. It had not turned its head but remained following the path ofthe running people. The people in the dark clothes were catching up to theperson in front of them. Ihloden glanced back to the people, then back towardsMolvn, his heart sinking at the realization that the only help he could get washimself and the Griffin. The people closed further on the man in front.
“He could be an escapedmurderer or something,” Ihloden protested. The Griffin sent another wave ofurgency. Ihloden was about to protest again when he saw it; the symbol ofLyficen blazed on the sleeves of dark clothed men. The man in front stumbledand fell with food scattering from his tussled clothing. Ihloden felt coldinside at the men drew near to the fallen man. They raised the swords. Ihlodenfelt himself scream. But it was as if he was far away. Then the trees came uptowards him; blindingly fast. Then they were through, into the forest below.The swords were coming down. The Griffin’s scream now added to his own. The menturned in union towards them. He saw the fright and awe on their faces.
Then they struck. One manwent flying into a tree trunk. The other man dropped his sword the instantbefore the Griffin slashed its fore claws at him, tearing through cloth andflesh. The Griffin spun toward the third man who had fallen back onto his buttand was waving his hands, saying something. But Ihloden could only hear ringingin his ears and feel the rage and the cold fighting urge that was both his andthe Griffin’s. The Griffin geared up to pounce on the man when suddenly a flashof gold hit the Griffin from the side. The ringing stopped as Ihloden wasthrown from the saddle and the bond was broken between them. Ihloden hit theground hard, skidding across the leafy floor. “Griffin!” he screamed scramblingup to his feet swaying drunkenly. “Yes?” a loud deep voice answered him.Ihloden ripped the helmet off his face and looked to where the voice had comefrom. Before him stood another Griffin.
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