Furry Art Pile

The Delivery

The Forest was dark this cold night, an eerie mist surrounded every tree. Two travelers were pacing through the depths of foliage and grime trying to desperately reach their destination. They had been traveling for hours, unhindered by the amount of danger in this forest.

As the night grew darker and the stars were consumed by clouds, the youngest traveler was panting and sweating furiously, “We have to rest,” He said over large breaths, “I’m sure your legs are just as tired as mine.”

His partner replied, “Silence, we aren’t far from Ghallis, we can rest once we are there.”

As they strode deeper and deeper into the natural maze they heard a large snap break the silence. They immediately looked in the direction of the disturbance to see the same darkness that had surrounded them for as far as they could see. “I don’t like this,” Whimpered the younger traveler, “This forest is hiding something, I just know it.”

“Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.” Assured the older traveler, unsheathing the Dagger that was strapped to his side. After a few minutes of complete silence, they continued on their way, walking at a quicker pace to make up for the time they had lost.

It was some time later until they finally reached the edge of the forest; both travelers were extremely tired from the trip and alert from the events within the forest. “How far to Ghallis now?” Asked the younger traveler.

His partner replied, “It shouldn’t be far now, we just need to…”

He was suddenly cut off by a large black blur that came rushing out of the forest a few meters to their left. The younger traveler almost fell backwards but was caught by his partner. The black blur stopped and was revealed as a large wolf, its fur was jet black and its eyes had fixed themselves on the two travelers. Both the travelers were completely still with the wolf just a few feet in front of them, eyeing them viciously. “Just don’t move.” Whispered the older traveler, unsheathing his Dagger. Once the dagger was out the wolf pounced at the older traveler, in his haste he pointed the dagger at the creature’s chest. Just before the wolf landed on the dagger blade it disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Both travelers looked around wildly too see where the wolf might have disappeared but neither could see well enough in the darkness of the night. The older traveler heard a growl behind him and immediately turned to see the wolf just a foot away from him. He readied his dagger when the creature went for another lunge, this time dodging the dagger and knocking the traveler onto the ground. “Run! Take the package to Arrok in Ghallis! I’ll try and hold this thing off!” Yelled the traveler as the wolf attempted to scratch at his chest. The younger traveler ran as fast as his legs could take him, away from the painful screams and loud howls as his partner and the wolf battled. As he ran further and further the screams faded to a stop.

It didn’t take long for the traveler to reach Ghallis, it’s large iron doors opened as soon as he came near, revealing his surroundings with the light of several lanterns held by the gate guards. He entered quickly incase the wolf had followed, his master’s cries echoing in his ears. The gates shut behind him quickly to dim the chances of any dangers entering after the traveler. As soon as he heard the bang of the doors shutting his attention was immediately set to finding Arrok, though finding him shouldn’t be hard in such a small place. The town he had entered was underground, a series of tunnels and large areas of space for houses and tents, lanterns hung every few meters to illuminate the rocky passage. As he walked slowly through the stone passage he heard someone greet him from behind.

“Hello there, Johan. Have you come for me?”

Johan whizzed around to see an elderly man with a rather large cane standing behind him. “Yes, I was just on my way to look for you.”

“Well I guess I’ve saved you that time, come to my home, we can talk there.”

Johan followed Arrok through the small streets of the town, not many people were out of their houses at this time of night. After a few minutes they arrived at a small cottage slightly hidden behind a boulder. Arrok opened the door for Johan and invited him inside.

“By your state I guess you have traveled far to get to me?” Asked Arrok.

“Yes, me and my master had traveled for several weeks, though in the end he didn’t make it.” Replied Johan.

“Really? I’m sorry to hear that,” Arrok said with a sorrow tone, “He was quite the fighter, it must have been something great to have taken his life.”

There was a slight pause in the conversation before Arrok asked “Would you like something to drink?”

“Yes please, this great travel has left me quiet parched.” Replied Johan as Arrok got up to walk to the rather tiny kitchen.

Arrok was in there for a few minutes before returning with a large pot of tea and a pair of cups.

“Nothing like a nice warm cup of tea for the end of a long journey, eh?” Arrok stated with a dopey smile.

“No, nothing like it…”

“You never did tell me why you came all this way, I’m sure it must have been of great importance for you to have traveled this far.” Said Arrok, cutting off Johan.

“Oh! I had almost forgotten, the journey must have drain me of more than my strength.” Replied Johan with a small chuckle.

Johan reached into his bag and pulled out a small package wrapped in paper and tied shut with a golden string. He handed the package to Arrok who stared at it with wide eyes.

“I can see this package is important even before I open it.” Said Arrok with amazement. “By the look of it, it looks like something sent from the King himself.”

As he slowly opened the package his eyes lit up with amazement as he held a diamond like object in his hand.

“The gem of Fhorok,” He gasped. “I thought your master would find this sooner or later, he was a skilled one in both combat and stealth.”

“My master never explained what the gem is for, in fact he never mentioned it whilst we were in possession of it.”

“He would be foolish to mention it whilst you had it, if he did then those he stole it from would learn of it’s location, and from there would spark a chain reaction of events that would result in both of your exterminations.”

There was another slight pause whilst Arrok observed the gem and Johan thought to himself.

“Who did my master steal the gem from?” Johan finally asked.

“I’m not sure exactly who, but I would only have the faintest idea.” Replied Arrok.

There was another pause where both Arrok and Johan began their tea.

“Let me ask you, Johan. How did your master get through your training?” Asked Arrok.

“I had almost mastered the Dagger and Rapier, but he said I still had more to learn.” Replied Johan.

“Then what would you say if I ask if you’d like me to continue your training and possibly even fit in something new?” Said Arrok with a small grin.

“I would be honored.” Replied Johan, straightening his back.

“Good, you can stay here until we figure out what to do with this gem.” Said Arrok. “I’m expecting some great things from you Johan, I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t, master.”