Forgotten Guardians

The group had been making their way north along the mountains. It had been a week since Weldon’s death, but Uuger still felt the sting in his heart. He never left Miranda’s side as they trekked through the rough terrain. Sometimes Wolf would allow Uuger to ride for a awhile. Uuger had found his in place the group; he helped Josan gather fire wood, lent a hand to Miranda with the cooking, and even brushed Wolf’s fur.

Since they had left the village they had only encountered a small group of goblins. Who were scared off after the first few fell in battle. Uuger had even clobbered one with his small enchanted mace. Other than that, the journey went well with little disturbance. Fall was now in full swing and the wind whipped about with a chilling bite. Josan didn’t know what they were going to do during the winter. They moved farther and farther north each day. He knew the winters up in this region would be brutal and saw that there would be no way they could track Vander. They had to find somewhere to spend the winter, but where? Not a village or town, too many people and too many secrets. They would have to find some abandoned cave somewhere and take up residence. The idea didn’t set well with Josan, since Vander was still out there somewhere, causing havoc. He knew that he could keep on through the winter, even Wolf could probably, but Miranda and Uuger would surely die in the freezing cold. They were his friends though and he wasn’t about to leave mem. He also knew Miranda would never let him go on alone. Maybe a few months of rest would do him some good. Besides, Vander couldn’t do anything in the winter either.

The group made camp in a clearing of shrubs that night. Everyone was doing their part as if it was second nature. They had seen a village in the distance and were steadily making their way towards it. Josan figured they could reach it by the next afternoon. They ate their dinner and fell asleep. Josan smiled as he watched his three companions huddled together. Uuger curled up in Miranda’s arms and Wolf on her other side. He pulled his hood down and leaned back on rock to fall asleep to await his nightmares.

Miranda was awakened several hours later by unearthly growls and muffeled screams of terror. Her eyes popped open and her hand insticlty went for her sword. She swung her head around looking for the attackers. Then she spotted Josan thrashing about in his sleep. He sounded as if he was in torment. His face cringed in horror as he tossed and turned.

The dreams were always the same. He was standing in a gray mist. In front of him he could see the silhouette of a woman being attacked by a monster. Screams of pain and rape rang in his ears. His muscles trembled in rage as he tried to reach the woman, but he couldn’t move. He looked down at his hands and saw that they were covered in blood. He looked back up and saw the woman and the monster laughing at him from behind the misty veil of smoke. Then laughter and sneers erupted all around him. Small faces formed in the mist and dissipated. Their hissing and laughter pieced his ears like knives. Whip-like claws came from mist and lunged at him, lashing out at his body, leaving his limbs numb and powerless. Suddenly, there was something different, a voice, it was faint but it gradually became louder. A sweet musical voice, “Josan...Josan.” he knew the voice from somewhere. The mist creature squealed in pain as the melodic voice became louder. Suddenly, Josan awoke and found himself looking into Miranda sparkling almond eyes.

“Josan, are you alright?” Miranda asked with a concerned look.

Josan sat for a moment letting his mind wash away the dream before he answered. “Yeah, I’m fine.” he rolled to his feet and brushed off his long coat. He started to walk away when Miranda grabbed his arm.

“Josan, what’s wrong?” she asked sincerely.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry,” Josan said as he started to turn around.

“Do you have them a lot?” she asked.

“Ever since I could remember,” Josan said solemnly as he turned and starting walking away.

Miranda sat watching Josan as he walked into the underbrush and disappeared. She truly felt sorry for him. There had to be something she could do for him, she thought to herself. But what? Josan was so secretive all the time and she didn’t want to pry. No, she was a part of his life, as he was a part of hers. She took a deep breath to stem herself and walked after him. She wasn’t going to let him fall into himself like always.

She tracked his foot prints, though it was quite difficult. Josan was an expert at hiding his trai. She finally saw him on top of a ridge overlooking a valley. As stealdily as she could, she crept up next to him and sat down. The moments passed as the two just sat there looking at the morning rays hit the lower valley. Finally Josan spoke.

“You’re not very quiet when walking through the woods,” he said casually.

Miranda jerked her head and looked straight at him. She had made no sound when she approached. At first she thought Josan was criticizing her, but then realized he was only teasing. He probaly did her coming. Josan had keener senses then anyone else she knew. She turned back and watched the sun crest the hill tops.

“What are the dreams about?” she said while still watching the sunrise.

Josan sat with out speaking for several moments. “It’s the same dream every time. I have been having it since childhood, but every night it still brings pain,” he said, lowering his head as if just the mere thought of the dreams brought back anguish. Miranda didn’t speak, just sat there un-judging. She knew not to push too much at one time with Josan, so she let the matter drop. Eventually she would hear the whole story.

Then, to her surprise, Josan spoke up again, “I’m in some sort of mist watching some creature rape and kill a woman. Creatures appear in the fog and laugh and attack me. I can’t fight back. Then I can hear the woman’s shriek of pain turn into laughter,” he said, still watching the ground.

“It is my mother,” he said with a pained voice. Miranda’s heart broke for Josan. It pained her to see him like this. A man who could not be accepted in reality or in his dreams. She scooted close to him, wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder. They sat there for a few moments until a voice broke the silence.

“Pretty lady, pretty lady,” a frantic voice echoed through the thick forest. A few minutes later they heard Uugcr tromping through the thick underbrush. They both stood up and seeming a little embarrassed at the thought of

Uuger finding them so close. A second later Uuger popped out of the brush with a huge grin upon his face. He scurried over to Miranda.

“Why pretty lady not there when Uuger wake up?” Uuger asked curiously.

“Me and Josan came out here to watch the sunrise,” she said calmly. Uuger accepted the answer without doubt and spared Josan’s feelings as she had hoped.

“Uuger hungry,” he said as he rubbed his greenish belly.

“I’ll cook you some food,” Josan said with a smirk.

“That’s not funny, Josan,” Miranda said in mock anger. Josan let out a little laugh while Uuger sat confused, not understanding what was going on.

She took Uuger’s hand. “I’ll make you some food,” they headed back through the forest, while Josan stayed behind to watch the sun rise in the sky.

That morning mey ate a short meal and headed to the village they had seen. Josan wanted to reach it by midday, for they had started to run low on supplies. Josan also wanted to see if he could find any information on Vander. They reached the village a little after noon. Wolf had taken off when they reached the outskirts, as was his customary fashion. Miranda took Uuger with her as she headed to re-supply their provisions while Josan headed for the tavern. Many people stared as Miranda walked down the muddy roads with Uuger next to her. She saw the stares and quickly dismissed them to village altitude; she knew how villagers thought and didn’t take offence to it. She probably would have stared, too, if she had seen the same thing in her village only a few months ago.

Josan made his way to the battered wood building which was the village tavern, where so many men go to drink away their hopes and dreams. It was a small and dirty place. The floor was covered with dried ale and flies buzzed around looking for prey. After entering, Josan made a quick scan of the place. Most of the patrons were villagers coming for a drink before going back to work, though some looked as if they never left. More than a few eyes were locked on him as he slowly made his way to the bar. The bartender eyed him suspiciously as he puffed up his chest and walked over.

“What do you what stranger?” the bartender spat accusingly.

“Some information,” Josan said calmly.

“About what?” he said, crossing his arms over his chest to look more imposing.

“About a man who might have come in here awhile ago,” Josan said, trying to sound non-threatening.

“Many people pass through my tavern, I can’t remember them all,” me bartender said gruffly.

“This man would have had two finely crafted swords with unusual carvings,” Josan said. Before he had finished he heard at least a dozen chairs pushed back. It was better than bells ringing, he was on the right track. He remained calm knowing that a least a dozen men were about to pounce on him at the bartender’s signal. He kept his gaze on the bartender as the man became very nervous.

“What do you want to know and why?” the bartender barked, but Josan could tell that his bark was far worse than his bite.

“Where was he heading?” Josan said still remaining calm.

“Who are you?” the bartender demanded, as a few men slowly made their way towards the bar.

Josan lowered his head and took a deep breath, “I’m the man who is going to bury him,” Josan spat with venom.

The bartender backed up a little at the tone in Josan’s voice. He could tell by the determination in Josan’s voice he spoke the truth. The bartender slumped his shoulders, letting a hardy laugh and walked up to Josan and patted him on the shoulder. The men behind Josan turned around and continued on with what they were doing. The bartender turned around, picked up a mug of ale, and set it in front of Josan.

“On the house,” the bartender said with a smile.

Josan really didn’t care for ale, but took a swig anyway not wanting to be rude and thanked the man. “What do you now of Vander? Do you know where he might be going?” Josan asked almost desperately.

“He knew that you would be showing up here, told me to tell you about it,” the bartender said while cleaning a glass. “He came in about three weeks ago. Killed two good men, the little son of a bitch. A couple of the boys here saw him leaving the next morning out the west gate. They were going to do something, but decided not to at the last moment.”

“It’s good they didn’t, they would probably be dead now,” Josan stated matter of fact.

The bartender eyed him curiously and asked, “Why are you chasing him? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Josan looked down and signed, “He killed someone who meant a lot to me.”

At that moment Miranda walked into the tavern with Uuger holding her hand .They walked up to the bar. The men hooped and howled as she passed, while Uuger scowled at them for their remarks.

“Mind your manners lads or you’re going to get a thrashing,” the bartender yelled over the crowd as Miranda came up and sat down next to Josan. Uuger climbed up on the other side and took a seat. The bartender stood there with his jaw open looking at Uuger, until he remembered Miranda. “Can I get you anything, Milady,” the bartender asked trying to sound like a gentlemen.

“No thanks,” she said simply. She turned towards Josan, “All supplied and ready to go. Did you find out anything?”

“He was here and he’s moving west now.” Josan said determinedly.

“Well, let’s get going,” Miranda said with a bounce in her voice. Then a hiccup drew everyone’s attention. Uuger sat there with Josan’s mug and his upper lip covered in ale. Josan and Miranda gave a slight chuckle and even the bartender managed a small laugh at the sight. The trio stood up and started to move towards the door.

“I almost forgot, he met with some other strange looking man here and the boys tell me that they left together.” the bartender said.

“What did this man look like?” Josan asked curiously.

“Well, let me remember, he wore long robes with some circle design on it, same as the tattoo on his bald head,” the bartender remarked.

“A wizard,” Josan stated. Uuger perked up at the sound of the word. The bartender only shrugged saying that he didn’t know.

“What’s the next town to the west?” Josan asked the bartender.

The bartender rubbed his head while he thought, “Well, that would be Springsnest. It’s about a week’s trek, but you’ll never make in time before the mountain snows. The trails are impassable after the first snow fall.”

“Is there another way to the town?” Miranda asked.

“Well, there is only one way else, but it is just as sure as death,” the bartender said.

“What, where?” Josan asked, sounding more demanding then he wanted to.

“Through the Dark Caves. It goes straight through the mountain as I’m told. But you don’t want to go in there, bad things live there,” the bartender shuddered just thinking about the caves.

“Where can we find this cave?” Josan asked.

“The old wagon trial out side the west gale, but don’t go in those caves. You’ll surely die.” the bartender said.

“Thank you for all your help,” Josan said as the trio spun around and hurried towards the door.

They reached the West gate and Miranda turned to Josan, “So the pass or the cave?” she asked.

“Well, either way we might be doomed; we could get caught in the pass, or be eaten alive in the caves. Me? I don’t want to die in the freezing cold, how about you?” he said with a sly smile.

So down the old wagon trail to the Dark Caves they went. Soon after leaving the village Wolf rejoined them as they made their way to Springsnest.