#the accurst

[lammergeared]

You always get heroes who face tragedy, and struggle with stoicism and anger. It’s okay to be tired, or to cry. You’re still a hero.

[lammergeared]

The idea of death, the fear of it, haunts the human animal like nothing else; it is a mainspring of human activity—activity designed largely to avoid the fatality of death, to overcome it by denying in some way that it is the final destiny for man.—

Ernest Becker, 1973

The Hunter

[novaedi]

The Accurst pt. 20

Before long a tall, stone gate appeared around a bend in the road, entrenched in thick snow, and flanked by two guards with iron helms, and thick fur coats. It was hard to gather their intention with their blocked faces, but judging by the appearance of two archers atop the wall it was not a welcoming one.

“ State your business, Elves, “ one of the guards said, directing his spear at the party.

“ They’re with me, “ the hunter said, stepping forward. “ And they’ll cause no harm if no harm befalls them. “

The guard looked the hunter up and down before signaling for the gate to be opened. After a while of clanking the gate began to rise up out of the snow, and the guards gestured toward the interior.

“ Keep them out of trouble or you’ll be hanged, “ the guard barked, but the hunter ignored him and began walking inside. The rest of them followed, and Heqet sneered at the guard, and tugged Anika’s chain, pulling her along.

“ What are y’looking for here, Red One? “ Ramla asked, stepping up and walking beside the hunter.

“ Work, a magic shop, and a laboratory, “ he answered promptly.

“ Where d’you expect to find one of those? “ she asked further.

“ Here, “ he answered, matter-of-factly.

Though the walls had been tall, old, and made of stone the interior was largely wood, with thatched roofs, and freshly repaired. The hunter looked around as they walked, his fur-bound package still in his arms, until he spotted a sign that read ‘ Mila’s Magical Goods. ‘

“ Uncle, find work for me. I’ll be gathering supplies, “ the hunter ordered.

“ Right, “ Haakon nodded, and marched in the other direction, toward the local tavern. The hunter, and his entourage entered the magic shop and were greeted by a short woman who managed the desk—or two short women?

“ Good night, m’lord, “ One of the women said, “ Good night to you three, too, m’ladies, “ the other woman said, standing uncomfortably close to the others. Heqet grimaced when she realized what was going on.

“ Mila, and Sara, it’s been a while, “ the hunter smiled, which was an unusual sight. “ I swore you two worked in the capital. What happened? “

Mila and Sara weren’t two women standing oddly close, they were attached—conjoined. “ Well, business is better out here, and we’ve got a ton of fools willing to venture into the wilderness for reagents and raw magic for us, “ laughed one of them.

“ And speaking of fools, what brings you here? “ spoke the other.

“ The dark haired girl has a unique form of Lycanthrope, and I need supplies to find a cure. I’m no herbalist, so I can scarcely tell a mageroot from a feythorn tuber. So here I am. “ he replied, speaking much more freely with them than he had ever in Anika’s experience.

“ Well, “ one of them started. She had long blonde hair pulled up into a bun, with a comb stuck in it. “ We’re running low as of late, with the curfew in place we haven’t had anyone willing to break the law to get us supplies, and some tall lad has been cleaning house. “

“ Speaking of which, “ the other said, her hair was dark brown and cut low. A tall man, with a dark hood opened the door, he looked around at their shelves, and grabbed the oddest looking jars and vials and brought them to the desk. “ I don’t like him, “ Heqet whispered to Ramla, but the hunter could hear her.

“ Why not? “ he answered before the other elf had a chance to. She narrowed her eyes at him before speaking.

“ He looks suspicious, and he wears a dark hood, “ she answered, still whispering.

“ I wear a dark hood, “ he glanced at her. He did, in fact wear a dark hood. He was wearing one at that very moment.

“ I don’t like you either, but he reeks of magic. Dark magic; more than the lot of us. “

The hunter narrowed his eyes at the man as he paid the women, and turned and left with a satchel full of odd supplies.

“ What do you know of him? “ He turned and said aloud to Mila and Sara.

“ Not his name, “ the dark haired one said.

“ But, I think his house burned down last month, mysteriously, “ the blonde said.

“ In the middle of winter? “ the hunter raised an eyebrow.

“ She did say mysteriously, “ the dark haired one raised her shoulder in a shrug. 

[novaedi]

The Accurst pt. 19

The visions started again, not that they’d ever stopped. The sounds of the settlement quieted all at once, and at once the hunter lost touch with the world. The visions had just been information before, a few images but nothing so vivid. A mountain exploding. Though it held no real significance to the hunter, he felt tied to it, and felt the loss and pain attached to the event. He could hear the screams, and felt his heart beat heavy in his ears and the crashes of stone and fire.

Haakon shook his shoulder, causing the hunter to awaken from his trance. “ You alright, boy? “ he asked.

As his vision cleared he took the world in around him. It was night now, and they were moving. He passed his eyes around them quickly. Haakon sat with him, but the girl was nowhere to be seen. They were moving quickly through the forest, in sleds probably. Reindeer sleds, he confirmed based on the animal’s sounds. A company of elves rode with them, and Anika and Ramla sat in another nearby sled, and lanterns of some kind dangled from either side of both of the sleds.

Haakon shook him again until his attention snapped back to him. “ We thought we lost you, boy, “ the old man smiled.

“ What happened? “ The hunter asked. Haakon shook his head and looked to the other sled.

“ Well, just after you passed out they showed up with the girl, and told us they were going to be joining us. “ He answered. The hunter’s face wrinkled into a small frown.

“ I figured as much. I was half convinced they would have just killed us to be done with it, but I knew something was going on when they took the girl. “

Haakon nodded, and looked at the other sled. He saw the two elves seated conversing, while Anika sat silently atop whatever supplies they had packed. The other elf he wasn’t familiar with. She looked very Elfish, much like Ramla, but with longer ears and a slighter frame and shorter hair, blowing backward due to the speed of the sled. The two drivers wore thicker coats and masks to protect their faces, but they were still obviously elves, with short blades dangling from their hips.

The majority of the ride was relatively silent, with the sleds maneuvering the forest like snakes through grass until they reached a well-travelled road and stopped. Ramla, and the other elf stepped off of the sled, and helped a halfway reluctant Anika off, while the hunter and Haakon climbed off of theirs. A third and fourth sled appeared shortly after they’d stopped, with the remainder of their company inside.

“ Be safe, sisters, “ one of the other Elves said, a long spear in his hands, before shooting a glare at the hunter.

“ Great owl guide your arrows, “ replied Ramla, resting a hand on the other’s shoulder. She and the Elf who held Anika’s chain began gathering up the fur-bound packages from the sleds, while the others watched around.

“ So then these are ours? “ Asked the hunter, gesturing toward the similar looking bundles in their sled. Ramla nodded, and then took them up.

They walked down onto the road, and the Elves started walking down the road. The men followed behind them, while the remaining members of the company watched them from the edge of the forest until they’d gone out of sight. The forest whispered for a short while, and when it stopped they knew they were alone.

Haakon walked up closer to the Elves after a long while. “ I take it you’re Ramla, “ he said, gesturing one hand to Ramla, and placing the other hand on the other Elf’s shoulder. “ And who are you? “ He asked her before she swatted his heavy hand.

“ Don’t touch me, “ she snarled at him. She was taller than Haakon, who himself was a very large man. Taller even than Ramla, the other elf, and much more hostile.

“ Mind yourself, “ Ramla barked at the other. After grumbling momentarily she finally spoke.

“ Heqet, “

“ Haakon, “ the old man responded, now with his hands far from either of the women. “ Pleasure, “ he said, half heartedly. 

[novaedi]

The Accurst pt. 18

Sakhmet and Ralma walked on either side of Anika, with a third elf holding her chain as they entered the longhouse. The room was thick with incense, and pale light, from paper lanterns hanging down from wooden poles lining either wall. The long, single room had an eerie feeling, as it was all but empty save an Elf with the most intricate tattoos that she’d seen yet, seated on a wooden throne, that looked as though it had been a tree grown for that specific purpose, and two elves, their faces tattooed much like the others, and their arms resting on their longbows, with axes and swords in their belts and knives on their thighs.

“ We’ve acquired the Marked One, Lordship, “ Sakhmet spoke, as he, Ramla, and the escort kneeled.

“ I trust y’didn’t run into too much trouble along th’way. “ the Elf Lord responded, his voice lighter, and more calming than Sakhmet’s.

“ She was in the Red One’s possession when we found her, and he didn’t offer any resistance. “ spoke Anika’s escort.

“ The Red One? “ the Elf lord raised a thin eyebrow. “ And what was the Red One doing in these parts? “ he looked at Ralma.

“ I didn’t invite him, Lordship. We were hunting the Marked One, like y’said, and we found him with her. “ she spoke, her head still bowed.

“ Hm. It seems that whenever we’re involved in the affairs of Man, he’s has a part in it. And he seems t’be wiser than the lot of you; you went without magic dampening tools. You’re lucky he’d been prepared. “

“ What do you mean? “ Sakhmet asked.

“ The manacles on the Marked One. They suppress the chaotic magic in her veins. Without them she would’ve torn y’lot apart, I’ll wager. “

“ There were sixteen of us, Lordship, ten in the trees n’ six on the ground. If anything happened we could’ve put her down, “ Sakhmet responded, critically.

“ Y’ speak as though you know what you’re even dealing with here, “ the Elf Lord frowned.

“ And what are they dealing with, uhm, Lordship? “ Anika inquired, perhaps out of place. The enthroned elf had narrowed his already narrow eyes to slits, and rested his hand on his chin.

“ A curse, child, “ he answered finally. “ A curse that’s sweeping through the people as a plague. You were the first, in fact. You were, or are like a training ground for th’ evil that’s coursing your veins. “

“ The hunter said that it’s a condition. “ she pressed her dark eyebrows together.

“ The so-aptly-titled ‘hunter’ would like it t’ be, “ he said in disbelief. “ There’s more magic out there than he’d like to believe. “

“ Is there a cure? “ she frowned deeply, and spoke plainly.

“ We’re looking into it. “ he said, rubbing his face thoughtfully.

“ So you don’t know. “ she took a step forward, much to the dismay of the elves escorting her. “ Then why am I here? Why are you wasting my time? “ she asked sharply. “ I’ve had to live with this curse—this condition—all of my life and I was going to be cured, and you stop me! “ she shouted, her hands still in bounds with her entourage too shocked to respond.

“ We can’t leave you with the Red One. “ The Elf Lord now frowned, and spoke harshly. “ I don’t trust him with th’ fate of the accurst. He cares less for the magical affairs of the world than he does about you, and I will not leave the fate of a people in his hands. “

“ What is your stake in this? “ She demanded. “ Are your people suffering too? Why don’t you study them instead? “

“ I can’t! “ He shouted back, and the guards were now at the ready.

“ Father, perhaps I could-“

“ Why not? “ Anika interrupted Ramla when she started to speak, still shouting.

“ Don’t dare question me in such a manner! “ he shouted back.

“ Father! “ Ramla shouted now, injecting herself between their dueling wills. “ I’ll travel with them—make sure the Red One fulfills his duty, and kill him if he doesn’t. “

She was standing now, as was the Elf Lord, his tattooed face now a bright red. He reclined back into his chair to regain his composure.

A long silence fell over the hall. Anika still stood up, glaring defiantly at the Elf Lord, while he rubbed his chin.

“ You will go with them, and Heqet will travel with you. “ he finally spoke. Ramla bowed down again. “ Take your leave of me. I’ve had enough Human for one day. “ 

[novaedi]

The Accurst pt. 17

The other Elves had been closing in on them while Ramla and Sakhmet were talking, and they quickly, and systematically bound the hands of Haakon and the hunter. One of them—female by the looks of her—gruffly gripped Anika’s wrist and tugged her off of the wagon. The other elves moved the hunter and Haakon off into the forest, following Sakhmet into the forest. Ramla walked alongside Anika as they trodded through the light snow.

“ How did you do that, when you appeared behind the hunter? “ Anika turned her head and asked Ramla.

“ Well, we can’t spoil the magic, dear, “ the slightly taller Elf woman said, smiling. “ You’ve gone and got yourself into a right mess travelling with the Red One, haven’t you? “

“ So, you know him? “ the girl asked.

“ Yea, from long before he started with this revenge foolishness. “ the Elf frowned.

“ How long? “

“ I don’t gauge in Human years, dear, “ she answered, in a way that sort of dodged the question.

“ Well, how did you meet him? “

“ You’ve got a lot of questions, girl, “ the Elf quickly retorted. “ And you’ve got a lot of time. You’ll get your answers. “

The old man, and the hunter were being driven through the snow like cattle, being roughly pushed along behind the more important cargo. The hunter’s potion belt, and sword had been taken from him in the earlier commotion, as well as Haakon’s sword.

“ Oi, “ the old man yelled. “ What’s to become of my horse? “

“ We’ll probably cut her up for food. “ The elf behind him answered, cruelly, causing Haakon to sigh.

“ So what was all that spew about loving life? “ the hunter asked, glancing at the elf.

“ The horse gave its life to you, and we value her life as much as we value yours, Red One, “ the elf was quick to respond.

They were guided over frozen rivers, and ponds, and along cliff ledges, and over felled trees used as makeshift bridges. Though he was a good distance from her, the hunter never lost sight of Anika, and her escort. Time passed quickly on the Elfish trail, though the hunter was sure that if they’d tried these paths on their own they’d have died long ago.

The sun began to set over the forest, and had just crested the top of a tall, wooden wall. It had blended perfectly into the forest, and without the proper guides it would have been almost invisible. “ Take the prisoners to their cell, “ Sakhmet ordered of Haakon and the hunter’s guards. “ The Marked One comes with us. The lord’ll want us to report to him first. “

Like clockwork, they moved around to hidden gates in the walls, Ramla, and Sakhmet, and Anika to one and the hunter’s escort to another. They passed through the Elf gates and into their stronghold. The Elves were busy in their daily lives inside, not intent on concerning themselves with the new arrivals. The last the hunter saw of girl was her entering a tall, wooden longhouse before he was shoved inside of a dugout prison.

“ Don’t try anything funny, Red One, “ their guard said, tying their hands to the roof. “ Every Elf here is trained to kill. “ 

[novaedi]

The Accurst pt. 16

“ Can’t we just go around it? “ Anika asked.

“ If only it were that easy. We already made the mistake in stopping. By now they’re training their arrows on us. “ the hunter said, now climbing out of the wagon. “ I don’t know what you want with us, “ he yelled out, into the forest. “ We are but humble travellers, in the country of the Man-King Skald “

“ We don’t recognize your leaders, or your borders, Human. “ they heard an almost phantom voice speak, from almost every direction. Haakon placed a hand on his sword, and the girl looked around, trying to place the sound.

“ You lot’re just alike to wolves. Y’urinate on a few trees and call the forest yours. Y’weave a few banners and call yourselves Kings. “ they spoke again.

“ I don’t make any claim to your forest, or to sovereignty. You cannot truly see it as just to punish one for the trespasses of another. “ the hunter called out to the forest.

“ O’, red son of war, “ another voice said. “ Your hunt for death is not a trespass to those who love life? “

The hunter spat on the ground. “ If you’re going to kill us, then do so. Don’t waste our time, or your breath. “ he said in an irritated tone, arms at his sides. A silence fell over the forest, as if all of the whispering, and all of the animals had stilled.

As if to break the silence they heard a whistle, the whistle of an arrow. It landed at the hunter’s foot with such precision as to imply that it could have landed anywhere else if it so pleased.

“ For one who claims not to be magic, Red One, y’reek of y’know. “ a voice said from behind him, this one very tangible. Haakon and Anika turned to see a tall figure, a woman in dull browns and greens with white hair bound in two long braids, with short, pointed ears standing behind the hunter.

“ You’re at least a day’s trip outside of elf country. Trying to start a war? “ he replied, not turning around.

“ Y’know better’n that don’t you? We follow the magic, Red One. “ she replied. “ They’re friends. “ She yelled out.

Just as quickly as she’d said that, more of the white-haired Elves appeared from behind trees, and rappelling down from high branches, bows and arrows in hand. They had tattoos on their foreheads, and around their eyes and covering their jaws.

“ You know these people, hunter? “ Anika asked, cautiously.

“ You could say that, “ answered the Elf woman, walking around in front of the hunter.

“ Ramla! “ a voice shouted. “ We have business. We haven’t any time for your reunion. “ this Elf’s ears were much longer than the woman’s, and his facial tattoos much more intricate. He approached them, bow in hand and a stern expression on his face. “ We’re here for the marked one. “ he said, staring the hunter in the face. Their stayed locked on each other’s for a long time, with no sounds but the hunter grinding his teeth.

“ I imagine you’re referring to my quarry. “ the hunter spoke finally, calmly.

“ Oh, your quarry, we’re so sorry, our mistake. “ the tall elf said, sarcastically. “ I mean, we could put you down here, and take ‘er if you so choose. “

“ Sakhmet, “ the woman, assumedly Ramla spoke. “ M’father wouldn’t like it if y’threatened my guests. “

“ Your father wouldn’t like it if we didn’t bring the marked one back to him. “ he responded, now paying no attention to the hunter.

“ I’ll take the rest of them, too. See? Easy fix. “ she smiled, wittily.

“ I don’t imagine I have any say in this. “ the hunter interrupted, causing the elf man in front of him to snarl at him.

“ Bring their things with them. If either of the men try t’run, shoot them down. We’ve no time to chase after them. “

[novaedi]

The Accurst pt. 15

They finally arrived at the building, now more obviously an armor shop. ‘ Gunnar’s Arms ‘ read the sign hanging above the doorway, carved in wood. The hunter pushed the door open, and peered around, carefully examining the walls. Swords, and axes, and shields of fine make adorned them, while coats of mail and leather and lamellar plate sat on wooden posts.

“ Welcome! “ shouted the proprietor, a heavy-set man with a thick, brown beard, and golden hair cut short. “ See anything you like? “

“ That coat, “ the hunter said, gesturing at a leather tunic, with iron plates on the sleeves and shoulders. “ And a coat of chain. “ he added.

“ A fine choice! “ Gunnar responded, leaving his desk and gathering the requested items. “ We have a sale on women’s swords as well if—“

“ This’ll be all. “ the hunter interrupted.

“ Very well. “ the salesman nodded. “ Seventy-three silvers. “

The hunter offered up a gold piece and grabbed the armor in his arms, and turned to leave. “ Don’t be a stranger! “ Gunnar shouted after them.

They made their way back to the wagon, and the man dropped the things inside. “ Where’s Haakon? “ Anika asked.

“ You just like to throw names around, don’t you? “ the hunter asked rhetorically in response causing the girl to roll her eyes. “ He’s probably still in the teahouse. “

“ Oh, right, “ she laughed a little. “ I’d forgotten. “

“ We’ll wait for him here, “ he said, leaning up against the wagon.

“ Do you not need to find work here, too? “ she said inquisitively.

“ They seem to have their affairs in order. “ he replied quickly.

They waited around for a long time, silently. The girl was now sitting in the driver’s seat of the wagon, over the edge, watching the hunter. “ You don’t like it, “ he finally said.

“ What? “ she asked, confusedly.

“ The shirt. I saw the way you looked at it, “ he was now looking at her.

“ I don’t know what you’re talking about, “ she said, matter-of-factly.

“ Alright, you too, let’s be off. “ Haakon said, walking up with a satchel in his hands. “ I got supplies enough to last us a good week of travel, in case work stays scarce. “

“ The capital always has good work—always a nobleman afraid of the dark, or a farmer being terrorized by a troll. “ the hunter chimed in.

“ Then to the capital we go! “ Haakon declared. “ That’s about a three-day’s ride, if the weather’s good, and the roads are clear. “

The hunter grunted in agreement, and climbed into the wagon, Haakon getting into the driver’s seat, depositing the satchel of supplies into the back. “ Glad you didn’t get kicked out this time, “ Anika said, jokingly to the hunter.

“ I reckon if we’d given him another hour he’d have done it. “ Haakon laughed in response, causing the hunter to groan, and sink into the wagon. They rode out of the city, the driver hailing the guardsmen as they went. The road was clear, and the weather was fair, as far as winter goes. Haakon and Anika exchanged laughter and banter in the driver’s seat that mostly escaped the hunter’s ears, but he’d been occupying himself with his leather-bound book.

“ What’s that? “ Anika asked, concernedly.

“ God, I’m not sure. “ Haakon replied, slowing the wagon. This caught the hunter’s attention, and he climbed up to the front. The wagon came to a stop, and the hunter saw it now—an effigy made of bones, human bones.

“ That doesn’t make sense. “ He finally said.

“ What could’ve done this? “ the girl asked.

“ Elves, “ the hunter answered gravely, pressing his brows together, looking around. “ Do you hear it? “ he asked, concernedly. “ The forest’s whisper? I’m surprised your guard friends didn’t warn you, uncle. “

“ They said the road’s been clear, “ Haakon said, nervously.

“ Look’s like either they were wrong, or this is fresh. “ the hunter said, grabbing his potion belt and throwing it over his shoulder, buckling it across his chest. “ I don’t know which is worse. “