Galloping Lantern Chapter 2

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    The Galloping

    Lantern

    Chapter 2

    All copyrights belong to Rowan Visser

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    Bartholomew and Alam Leave Port Nolath

    Bartholomew and his associate had been travelling away from Port Nolath for over a week

    when Jones discovered the remains of the fourteen men, two floors above the public bar. Had

    their rent payments been up to date they would have stayed there until they stank, but they

    were nearly two months late and Jones was forced to go round, threatening eviction. He

    didnt say anything though, considering the state they were in, but called the funeral director

    and the police instead. It was a peculiar case, everybody agreed and Jones really hoped it

    would not have an effect on his business. For weeks the news papers would report on the

    mass murder, but in the end people gave up trying to solve it, distracted by other more

    pressing business, like the rising price of tea.

    Out on the lonely country roads Bartholomew was sad to have had to leave Port Nolaths

    bustling streets, its poor, hopeless people, and its abundance of evil. There were reasons,

    besides his tutors poor health, why creatures like them lived in cities. Lately the old man had

    needed more sustenance than ever, his health visibly deteriorating. Where Bartholomew

    could sustain his immortality with one, maybe two lives a year, his master, in his poor health,

    needed at least one a day - an ordered which was hard, or nearly impossible to meet, outside

    of a big city. Where else would he find so many worthless lives off which they could feed?

    Where else could someone go missing and no-one notice until a year later when a debt

    needed collecting? They needed for people not to care about each other and they needed for

    people to turn a blind eye and every city around the world was like that - Istangal, Reuta,

    Helstangal, Mrestufar, you name em, but Bartholomew preferred Port Nolath above them all.

    Visions of the days when he used to entertain small crowds, for an even smaller profit, came

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    into his head every time they passed through those old cobbled streets. He could see himself

    in his torn clothes trying to scrape a living together, intending to buy an engagement ring,

    dreaming dreams that would never come true and, as futile as it seemed, it held a certain

    romance, a certain frailty, which was both beautiful and sad. It made him smile for reasons he

    could not remember and his heart would break for reasons he wanted to forget. Port Nolath,

    where he lived when he was a man.

    Sadly though, as a result of his associates insatiable appetite, Port Nolath was no longer a

    safe haven for them, at least not until another fifty years had passed. Bartholomew had taken

    every precaution imaginable, killed everyone he thought knew of them, but still they could

    not be careful enough, not with his teacher being as frail as he was. They simply had to move,

    a notion which depressed Bartholomew every time he thought on it, but he could not blame

    the old man, as much as he wanted to. He respected him too much for that.

    Bartholomew remembered his teacher, Halam AlKahaaz when he was an impressive six foot

    seven and full of muscles. He remembered how the tanned man would stand head and

    shoulders over everybody and how he could draw the attentions of women, even those with

    the most pious virtues. Halam AlKahaaz had been a man other men wanted to be like, a man

    amongst men.

    Bartholomew, who still carried the resemblance of a man in his thirties, looked at his teacher

    now with pity. The once proud Halam AlKahaaz had shrunk to five foot, if that. His hair,

    which he used to shave off, had fallen out completely and his tattoo covered skin was madly

    wrinkled. It was rather distressing to see such a proud being dilapidated and Bartholomew

    felt compelled to hide him from the world for he looked less and less human with every

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    passing day. But, as the teacher would say, Its not bad for something as old as I. And old

    he was. Bartholomew Harbottles associate was as old as the mountains, as old as humanity.

    He had spoken to kings and queens, whom had been forgotten by history, in languages which

    no book could remember. He had walked on streets, that no longer existed, in cities which

    now lay at the bottom of the seas, climbed mountains taller than any remembered in

    geological charts, but what was more impressive than all of this was that he could remember

    every moment of it. There was not a second of his long life that was hazy in his memory.

    When he closed his eyes, as he often did those days, he could relive it all as if it was

    happening around him. Clear as daylight.

    Master, Bartholomew asked as they rode together that night, stars streaking the skies

    overhead, cold air blowing in their faces, is there a cure?.

    A cure? Halam AlKahaaz said quietly. It is strange that the disease should seek a cure for

    its illness, but it is only sensible to do so, I suppose. Unless, of course, all value of life has

    been lost, as is so easily done if you place yourself in our shoes, dont you think,

    Bartholomew?

    Bartholomew hesitated in his answer, not sure what his teacher meant. But we are not the

    disease, are we? We feed on the wicked.

    Ah, it is true, but there must be a balance. A balance can not be achieved by taking from one

    side and not the other. You and I have placed ourselves in a position on this scale of good and

    evil where we can not be either. Look at what we do Bartholomew! Day in and day out we

    commit evil against evil. How many lives have you taken in my name? Halam AlKahaazs

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    voice broke as he said this. He suffered from more than just old age.

    I Bartholomew tried to think, I dont know. A lot.

    Exactly, life to us have become something so unimportant that we do not even mark the

    passing of it. A coughing fit took Halam and he clutched at his chest until it passed. His

    horse instinctively stopped and waited for the fit to pass, which it did after a while, at which

    the animal started moving again. It rendered Halam out of breath every time it happened, his

    chest aching with the contractions.

    How, he continued, clearing his throat loudly, can we claim to be living by the virtues of

    our teachings, think ourselves restorers of the good in the world, when we have become the

    very monsters we set out against? Bartholomew was shocked to hear his tutor speak like

    that. What had got into the old man? Was his illness more than just physical?

    But there is nothing for it, Master. We can not humourthe wickedness out of the world, can

    we? A murderer will murder and a thief will steal. No amount of punishment can ever change

    the nature of these men. You told me that and then you told me that the only way to rid the

    world of these crimes is to remove the perpetrators completely, permanently.

    Of course, but where we were meant to be protectors of men we have become their hunters,

    Bartholomew. We live in a world where little good remains and, as much as we try to remove

    the wickedness, we have to accept that the scales have been recalibrated without our

    knowing. It has been made to compensate for the vast majority of people who now have an

    element of wickedness in them and through all of this we have been left weighing too heavily

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    with the blood of our enemies. Bartholomew, Alam AlKahaaz brought his horse to a halt

    and waited for his companion to do the same, our crimes have been the self-sanctification of

    our actions, beyond reason. Night after night you have gone out and enjoyedhunting those of

    weak spirit. You have, in my hour of weakness, fed me the essence of people who have been

    victims of their circumstances as much as you and I have been victims of ours and there in

    lays the problem, my dear friend. There in lies my disease. As we justify our actions, so have

    those, which you and I have fed on, justified theirs. I have tainted my longevity by setting out

    on this self proclaimed crusade, by not offering anything but pain and death to thoseIjudge

    to be evil. It is that lie that wears me down, day after day.

    Bartholomew was quiet upon hearing all of this and instantly felt shame at disappointing his

    teacher in something so simple, so easily avoidable.

    Then what are we to do, teacher? he asked in earnest.

    Well, it has been a long time since we have looked at the fundamentals of our way, but I can

    remember that it was never meant to be the path of the just. Our religion, the basis for our

    power, is rooted in wickedness and, as much as we have tried to use if for the purposes of

    good, I think a time has come where we have to reconcile ourselves with our true nature. We

    have to let go of our good intentions and revel in our depravity. We just have to be who we

    were meant to be and stop all this fantasy of grandeur. Alam AlKazaar coughed again,

    clutching at his chest as he did so. Bartholomew could see the pain in his eyes and the

    desperation in his fists as it tried to take the strain off his ribs. His master, who had taught

    him everything that matter, who was the single most powerful living thing, was willing to

    undo his lifes work to live another minute and Bartholomew saw no shame in it. Alam

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    AlKazaar might have lived his entire life following the wrong path, it was possible. It was

    unlikely, but it was possible and at that moment Bartholomew could see no harm in testing

    the theory of an old sick man, even if he was clutching at straws. Besides, there was no point

    letting his master die for the sake of an ill-conceived notion of superior morality.

    After an alarming silence Alam spoke again, We are to approach this new era with a new

    vision. No longer do we seek out the wicked, but we make do with who so ever crosses our

    path. We cannot allow ourselves to cast any judgement on those who become our victims and

    we must embrace them as victims, not as criminals, regardless of who we know them to be.

    We are no longer laboured with sorting of the wheat from the chaff. Do you understand what

    I am saying, Bartholomew?

    Bartholomew nodded in silence, he would never disagree with his master and he would

    absolutely do as he was instructed, but it was hard. How was he to take all of this, he

    wondered. If he had to live an eternity without any greater purpose, how was he to justify his

    own existence? He had spent many hundreds of years ridding the earth of people who had no

    purpose, people who wasted their lives as if it meant nothing to them, and now he had to copy

    them in the very act he detested. I understand, he said at length. He was not entirely

    convinced, but he was willing to try and he set about changing his thoughts, trying to find

    reason in his future existence.

    He thought about the city they were travelling too and tried to imagined his new life amongst

    its walls. They had never been there and it seemed an apt location to test this new way of

    thinking, but as hard as Bartholomew tried to imagine what it would be like he had to admit

    that he had no idea what would be in store for them once they arrived. Where older cities had

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    rest of that night. They needed cover and they needed life, a lot of it. He cursed himself for

    being so rash with the man called Paul. Had he be been less eager to deal death they would

    still have been in Port Nolath and life would have continued as it had been, peaceful. But, he

    reminded himself, Paul was one amongst many who had been noting his actions. It was not

    Pauls fault Alam was out in the cold that night, it was his own. He could see what Alam had

    meant. Things had spiralled out of control for quiet some time now and he agreed that they

    had to do something about it. All of this was fine by him, but it was just so very inconvenient

    and made Bartholomew feel tired just thinking about it.

    While he was thinking it occurred to him that he did not know where they were. Over many

    years he had fallen into the habit of following his teacher with blind trust, but now he was not

    so sure of the old mans ability to lead them steadily. Ahead of them, up the road, a thick

    forest lay, black against the night sky. The path they were on led straight into the darkness

    between the trees, away from the light cast down by the moon and the stars overhead.

    Alam, look, he said.

    Alam raised his old head and looked up the path, his eyes finding the forest. He sighed

    deeply. Ah, Grimforest. Im surprised it is still here. Nearly as old as I am and a lot healthier,

    by the looks of it. he said quietly, his breathing laboured.

    Shall we enter then? Bartholomew asked, unable to judge Alams voice.

    Not yet, Bartholomew. Let us make our camp by the entrance, hidden amongst the long

    grasses. Perhaps we shall meet a traveller there, if fate wishes. Alam did not take his eyes off

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    the forest as he spoke.

    Do you not trust the trees then, teacher? Bartholomew asked, interested to know why his

    associate was hesitant to enter the forest.

    I am cautious, yes, I admit. It might be that in my old age my fear of the unknown had

    grown, but it might also be that I know when to follow my instincts and right now they are

    telling me that the darkness ahead of us holds more than it should. Alam said and spurred his

    horse on instead. It was cold and he was tired, needing his bed more than a conversation.

    As they approached the forest Bartholomew looked amongst the trees, probing the darkness

    between the thick trunks. It was completely black, impenetrable even for his sharp eyes.

    Perhaps it is no longer possessed, teacher. he said as he dismounted. They had decided on a

    spot to the right of the entrance, hidden from the road and the forest by some low shrubs.

    Perhaps, Alam said as he waited for Bartholomew to help him off his steed. But let us not

    waste time thinking on it any longer. The night is cold and I am tired. Please, let us set up

    camp so I can lay my old head down.

    Behind them Grimforest blocked out the night sky, like a black mountain leaning over them

    and Bartholomew looked over his shoulder a couple of times while he readied the camp.

    Blasted forest, he whispered under his breath as he lit a fire to warm his old friend by.

    Every time he looked around the forest seemed bigger than the last time, its blackness

    seeming to encroach the night sky like a giant black cloud.

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    Come, master. he said after he was satisfied with the camp and then he helped the old man

    lay down on some blankets near the fire. Alam thanked him and fell instantly into a deep

    sleep, his breathing laboured as it had been earlier that day. Bartholomew stepped away from

    the flames, closer to the forest and stared at the trees before him.

    What is your secret, old forest? he asked quietly. Why is Alam so afraid to cross your

    threshold? The forest was still as he watched it, stars slowly disappearing into the tops of the

    black trees as if the universe moved while the forest stood fast. What sorcery do you hold

    amongst your trees?. What ever it was that caused the old man to refrain from entering the

    trees, Bartholomew was sure that he could feel it too. Something about those trees made him

    feel very ill at ease, as if he was being watched. For a long moment he contemplated leaving

    the old man and going to find those hidden eyes, but he did not want to leave Alams side in

    the event of it all being a trap. Reluctantly Bartholomew lay down in his space by the fire and

    closed his eyes.

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    The voice in the woods.

    He must have been tired, for as soon as he had closed his eyes Bartholomew fell into a deep

    sleep filled with dreams and horrors.

    One moment he was standing on the shore of a beautiful lake besides to the woman he

    intended to marry when he was a younger man, the next moment he found himself staring

    into the terrified eyes of a young man he had caught stealing and to whom he had promised a

    painful death. As he stared into the young mans eyes he could see the resemblance with his

    former lover and slowly it dawned on him that he had murdered his sweethearts younger

    brother, a young man for whom she had cared deeply because of his frail mind. Her brother

    was a simpleton and probably had not known he was stealing, but Bartholomew could

    remember distinctly that he had murdered the young man unceremoniously and cruelly.

    Again the burning shame he had felt earlier warmed his face and the heat on his cheeks

    bothered him. Far away he could hear the young mans sister calling his name.

    Bartholomew! his heart trembled. The voice was both sweet and terrifying.

    What am I to say to her? he wondered.

    Bartholomew! she called again and he cowered in his sleep.

    I am sorry, my love. I am so sorry! he sobbed, I just got carried away. I did not recognise

    him. It felt terrible.

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    Bartholomew! her voice was not accusing, only inquiring. She was looking for him.

    Bartholomew woke up with a start, instantly relieved to find that it had been a dream, but the

    memory of the young man still stuck with him and he could not remember if that face was a

    memory implanted in his mind by his nightmare or if it was a memory from his past. He had

    killed too many people, washed his hands of too much blood, to be able to bring a single face

    to mind. But it was irrelevant now, because the voice was not a dream. From deep inside the

    forest he heard it again.

    Bartholomew! a high pitched female voice sang his name. It was not the voice of his former

    lover.

    Startled, he sprung to his feet and ran to his horse where he removed his long sword and

    sheath from the saddle. He tied them to his waist and walked over to the far side of the fire,

    nearest to the trees.

    Bartholomew! the voice shouted again, no nearer than it had been before.

    He walked over to near Alams head and looked to see that the old man was still asleep.

    Wont be long, he said quietly and then walked to the road leading into the forest.

    Bartholomew! the high pitched voice went again.

    Bartholomew hurried forward. The forest ahead of him was dark and overbearing, it trees

    shrouded in near complete blackness. When he reached the tree line he stopped to let his eyes

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    adjust to the lack of light.

    Bartholomew!

    Slowly darkness gave way to shapes and before long he could make out the silhouettes of the

    trees around him, but it was still impossible to judge any sort of distance because of the

    darkness. Bartholomew did not care. He was enraged by the voice and he had to made up his

    mind that he just had to find it. He sped forward, picking his feet up high to avoid tripping

    over roots, but he found his path surprisingly level and before long he was running as fast as

    he could in the direction of the voice.

    Bartholomew! it sounded nearer now.

    What are you? Bartholomew shouted as he went, his feet carrying him ever closer to

    whatever it was that was shouting his name. Around him a mist had come between the trees

    and he could feel the moist ground through his boots. Above him the trees completely

    blacked out the sky, not a single star visible through the canopy.

    Bartholomew! Where are you?! the voice shouted this time.

    I am here, he growled, where are you?!!

    Here, the voice said directly behind him before pushing him forward onto the ground. And

    here, the voice said to his side before kicking him hard in the ribs. And here, the voice said

    again on his other side, another kick to the ribs.

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    Aargh!! Bartholomew shouted in frustration.

    Around him all had gone suddenly quiet. He pushed himself up off the floor and holding his

    sword out in front of him he turned this way and that, looking for his attacker.

    Where are you, witch?! he shouted to the trees, but there was no answer. Instead a breeze

    rustled the leaves high above him and an ice cold wind blew across his cheeks. He shivered

    despite his long coat.

    We know who you are! a deep voice boomed from all directions, shaking Bartholomew

    where he was stood.

    What trickery is this? he whispered to himself and instantly regretted ignoring Alams

    warning. It was not often that Bartholomew Harbottle found himself feeling scared, but he

    was thoroughly frightened now and wished he had stayed by the fire.

    Trickssster another voice hissed up from the forest floor, deceiver, ssstory teller,

    imposstor, sssnake, sssss you!!

    Bartholomew ran to a big knarled tree left of where he had been stood and jumped on its

    thick roots, avoiding contact with the ground. Get away from me snake! he shouted at the

    forest floor. You have no business with me!.

    Oooooh, but we dooo, Barrrtholowmeeew!!! a slow voice trembled through the trunk he

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    had been hugging and Bartholomew threw himself away from the tree. He landed a little

    distance away on his knees and found himself unable to move, his sword away to his left.

    What are you??!!!! Bartholomew screamed

    We are. A little voice whispered in his ear, the same voice which he called him out of his

    slumber.

    And I am, he replied quickly, something in the back of his mind prompted him to say,

    therefore we are equals.

    Ssssnake, the forest floor hissed again sending shivers up his spine. He wish he could run

    away.

    We have a message for you, Bartholomew Harbottle and for the old man you travel with.

    The little voice in his ear said menacingly, Turn back to him and tell him that you are not

    welcome in Llech-y-Darl. You and your sort will not pass through here.

    Bartholomew was quiet for a few seconds, fear welling up in him. These thingsknew his

    name! He did not even know what they were but it was clear they did not like him. His eyes

    kept moving from bough to shade, hoping to catch a glimpse of his assailants. Suddenly a

    smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Although he was still terribly frightened an idea had

    suddenly come to him and his mood improved tremendously.

    Is this Llech-y-Darl? he suddenly asked, I had no idea I had entered the famed forest of

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    Llech-y-Darl. If I had known I would never have assumed See, my master had informed

    me that we had reached Grim Forest, so naturally I had not given it a second thought. He

    swallowed heavily, feigning his fear which was fast becoming a memory. Ill tell you what

    though. Ill go and tell my master what a big mistake we had made. Im sure he did not intend

    to be coming this way in any case so we shall leave as promptly as we can. He even held his

    hands up to show he was not armed.

    Yes, leave now, the little voice agreed.

    Would it be possible to show me the way back though? Bartholomew asked as sincerely as

    he could, Im afraid that I have somewhat lost my bearings. It was a lie, of course, he knew

    exactly where he was.

    Come, the little voice said without hesitation.

    Bartholomew felt himself free to move again, raised up from his knees and followed in the

    direction of the voice. After a few steps he walked off into the wrong direction though,

    pretending to be lost again.

    This way, the voice said harshly.

    I am terribly sorry, but it is somewhat hard to follow something quite as invisible as you

    are. he said dramatically.

    Follow my voice, she said and he followed her again for a few steps before making off

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    between the trees in the wrong direction.

    You are testing my patience man child, the voice sounded positively annoyed.

    Honestly, your voice becomes disrupted between these trees, I can not follow you blind. he

    protested.

    The voice was quiet for a while and then a small female nymph, about a foot tall appeared

    before Bartholomew on the ground. Now, she threw her hands in the air, can you follow

    me? Every second longer you spend in our forest is a second longer we have to endure the

    stench of your wickedness. With that she turned on her heels and marched ahead of him in

    the direction of his camp. Bartholomew, walking behind her, knew she would only lead him

    as far as the edge of the forest so he had to act quickly. Silently he started chanting, at first

    only thinking the words, not even mouthing them. Selli solumatra, Phremto eristrimil, Nefim

    teritnimNarayansolumatra, Phremto eristrimil, Nefim teritnim aluratrim

    He looked ahead of him into the forest and smiled his satisfaction. It might just work, he

    thought to himself. On and on they walked and on and on he chanted, every verse slightly

    louder than the last until he was whispering it to himself.

    What are you saying? the little nymph turned to ask him.

    Nothing, just singing to calm my nerves, he smiled nervously down at her. Nearly there

    now. He added to which she did not reply, only carried on walking.

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    After a while they reached a large boulder and the nymph seemed to stop for a second, but

    then shook her head and carried on.

    Perfect, Bartholomew thought to himself and starting chanting louder again. Selli

    solumatra, Phremto eristrimil, Nefim teritnimNarayan solumatra, Phremto eristrimil,

    Nefim teritnim aluratrim!!

    What are you doing!! the nymph shouted and then screamed as she saw the big wolf

    appearing from between the trees behind Bartholomew. She shut her eyes tightly a few times

    and then screamed again. What have you done to me, why am I not disappearing?!!

    I have not done anything, he replied calmly, it seems that you have just gone to far out of

    the forest and you have lost your powers. He flicked his wrist and the scene around them

    faded to reveal that they were half way between the edge of the forest and his camp. His

    magic had worked, it had tricked the nymph to leave the safety of her trees. Quickly, like a

    flash of light, the wolf jump from behind Bartholomew and scooped the nymph in his jaws,

    holding her firmly in a cage of razor sharp teeth.

    You cannot do this! the nymph shouted out, but Bartholomew only laughed. He could and

    he just had. In the distance he could see the glow of their camp fire and the old man sitting

    beside it.

    Teacher, Bartholomew spoke as they approached, I thought youd still be asleep. The old

    man looked up, his eyes narrowing as he looked upon the wolf and what it was carrying in its

    jaws.

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    It was the first thing we came across, as you instructed. Bartholomew said quickly.

    And you are still associated with these Wynar, I see the old man has never approved,

    but as usual Bartholomew just ignored him. The world had changed a lot, as the old man

    himself has said, and Bartholomew could see no harm in enlisting the help of these useful

    creatures. Besides, they were always so willing to help, their payment the scraps of his toil,

    inexpensive.

    Bartholomew walked past the wolf and took the nymph from his mouth, holding his thumb

    firmly tucked under her chin. They were small creatures, but they had vicious little teeth

    which were best avoided. He walked over to the old man and sat down next to him by the

    fire.

    Look, their lives are longer than those of humans. Please, you need this. He held the nymph

    out to Alam AlKazaar.

    We have made a vow Bartholomew, the old man looked at the small creature, hesitation in

    his eyes, if the blood of this creature is spilled in judgement I might die from this. I hope you

    understand my hesitation.

    His master, after near enough seven hundred years, knew him better than he knew himself

    and Bartholomew was hurt that the old man felt that he could not trust him. Then test her.

    he said plainly. Test me.

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    Alam AlKazaar looked at Bartholomew for a long time and then nodded. I shall test what

    you say. He looked at the small creature in Bartholomews hand and whispered softly under

    his breath. Instantly the nymph started to hiss loudly, a mortal cry mixed with anger and

    frustration. She wriggled around franticly and tried to get her face around Bartholomews

    thumb so she could sink her sharp little teeth into him.

    Stop it! Bartholomew snarled and tightened his hold on her, crushing the air out of her

    lungs. This way will not hurt you, but if you jump from my hand it is almost certain that

    your death will be excruciating. She glanced over at the wolf stood to the left behind

    Bartholomew and her shoulders dropped. He was right, she was doomed.

    Behind the old man a long black tail uncoiled while he continued whispering his chant. He

    raised a bony hand over the nymph and watched as a small column of smoke appeared above

    her. After a few second the column thickened and he used his other hand to smooth the steam

    into a shiny ribbon. Behind him his tail twitched and flicked round to within an inch of the

    ribbon where it stopped dead.

    Alam AlKazaar looked up from the nymph into Bartholomews eyes. I hope you understand

    that there is a lot that hangs in the balance here, my old friend. A lot. His eyes stayed on

    Bartholomew until the younger man could no longer stand his gaze and had to look away.

    Master, I swear. See for yourself. He spoke quietly, not wishing to sound arrogant.

    Ever so slowly the black tail began leaning towards the shiny string. It danced as if entranced

    by magic music before it gently touched the narrow ribbon of light. The old man closed his

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    hand around the tiny creature and took her from Bartholomew. He needed to know that he

    was sensing only her, no interruptions. Like a flood her thoughts and memories poured over

    into his inner vision, Alam closing his eyes to focus better on them. Suddenly his eyes flashed

    open.

    What is the meaning of this? he demanded from Bartholomew.

    What do you mean, teacher? Bartholomew asked.

    You bring me the protector of an Ellyllon?! Alam AlKazaar was furious, his old face

    shaking with the ferocity of his words. Do you not know what the punishment is for

    attacking them, directly or indirectly? Bartholomew was surprised.

    Master, I do not know what you are talking about. his heart sank to his stomach. He had let

    his master down again.

    Why do you think they do not want us in there, Bartholomew? The old man looked at him

    with a deep frown on his forehead. An Ellyllon is settled amongst those trees somewhere and

    they suspect that we might be after it.

    Why would we be interested in an Ellyllon? Bartholomew asked and noted the nymph

    turning her face away in his masters hand.

    The old man had also noted her shrinking away in his hand and he smiled down at the little

    nymph as he answered, Because an Ellyllon child could render us completely immortal

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    And the punishment? Bartholomew had to ask.

    Details, the old man smiled broadly and then scuffled over to where he had been asleep to

    find his bone flute, nothing but details, my old friend. He looked down at the flute when he

    had found it, let his eyes take in the details engraved on the white shiny bone. It was

    completely covered in small details carvings of the faces of frightened children. They looked

    so realistic that sometimes the mind would trick you into believing that you actually saw one

    move. It was his most prized possession and he knew just how to use it.

    This little flute here, Bartholomew, is going to unlock the secret for eternal life for us. His

    eyes glimmered as he spoke, You would not believe how long I have been waiting for this.

    Bartholomew was confused, but he smiled regardless. His master looked more cheerful than

    Bartholomew had ever seen him look and he could not help but feel happy with him.

    How is this flute going to help us? Bartholomew asked.

    This flute, made from the very bones of Nebsukar, the necromancer, draws the spirit of

    children to the person who plays it, one soul at a time. They leave their beds in a dream, stop

    in the middle of their play, forget the chores they are doing, and follow you where ever you

    are. It was meant to attract the souls of the dead, but instead it attracts the souls of the young.

    The old man looked up at Bartholomew expectedly.

    The Ellyllon child will not be drawn to the sound it brings for their spirits are never young,

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    so while I can feed on the souls of the human children to keep me, you will have the comfort

    of chaos on your side in aiding you to find this Dark Elf child and bring her to me. Alam sat

    back, smiling.

    She is in that forest? Bartholomew did not like his masters expectations. He had only

    narrowly escaped his last ordeal.

    You have your wolves, dont you? the old man said casually, Ill show you where she is,

    you just have to get those devil dogs to go there and bring her back alive. Simple. Alam

    looked down at the nymph in his hand and winked at her, at which she sobbed loudly.

    Bartholomew was not so sure, but it was his masters wish and he had to comply. I will still

    have to enter amongst those trees, teacher.

    As long as you stay with the wolves and do not draw your sword the trees will take no note

    of your passing, but you have to be quiet - theyve heard your voice and will recognise it.

    Alam seemed very sure of himself and Bartholomew took courage in the older mans

    wisdom.

    You, my lovely, Alam looked at the nymph in his hand, you will have to stay with us for

    the time being. I think your friends out there, he glanced up at the forest silhouetted against

    the night sky, have a vested interest in you remaining alive and so you will as long as things

    go our way, understand?

    She glared up at him. This is never going to work, you worm. Our eyes are everywhere and

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    our ears never sleep.

    It might be so, but with what I have learned from you I know exactly where those eyes look

    and I know what those ears cant hear. Out here they certainly can not see or hear you. He

    laughed as he slipped the nymph into a canvas bag and tied to end with a leather strap.

    Bartholomew, let us get some rest. Tomorrow we start our hunt for the Ellyllon child.