• Erthrisan Chronicles:

    Adventures in Erthrisa

    Chapter 3:
    The Katsine’s Story and the Trials of the Elders

    Hollind rubbed his head as he pulled himself up off the ground. Though he was awake now, he dared not open his eyes. He feared what he would see. Once his head had stopped pounding, he slowly opened his eyes. It was still dark and his eyes had yet to adjust. He peered through the darkness above him, to see that no stars were visible. This could mean only two things.
    One, he was still outside in the camp, the sentries had let the fire go out, and the stars were being blotted out by clouds.
    Two, he was inside a dark cave, all alone, and he was the lone survivor of the vicious battle between the giant creatures now dubbed dragons.
    At this thought, he shut his eyes again. No such battle had ever occurred, and it was just a trick of his mind. He opened his eyes once more, and he found that the darkness seemed to have passed, and he could now see clearly. The cave was vacant, and not a single other human, nor dragon had a presence in this dim place. He got up and looked around the dark cave. This couldn’t possibly be the cave that the battle had taken place in, there was no death, no dead bodies, not even shiny scales that had littered the ground earlier.
    It confused him immensely, for he knew not why he would be here all alone in a cave in the first place. He searched for clues as to what had happened, though he dreaded what he would find. As he began to lose hope for solving this mystery, he came upon a darker spot on the rocky cave floor. As he approached it, a sick feeling came over him, and images flashed through his mind, clear as water.
    He saw himself smashed against a wall, blood rolling down his arm and side of his head. He watched as Throen looked towards him in worry, as though he was preparing to run to Hollind’s side. He watched as his own face took a look of horror to match his own, as the great dragon raked its claws across his back, tearing at his spine and flesh and blood and muscle. He watched as the self he saw screamed in anguish and despair at his fallen friend, the one who had been a father to him, in the short time that he had known him. As though recorded in his mind, he heard Throen’s last words once more…
    “…I died the way I wanted, in battle as a warrior. I couldn’t have asked for a better end.” He gave a bitter laugh, then choking as blood attempted to slide down the warrior’s throat. He coughed as his last words came from his dying throat. “F..i..g..h..t o..n..”
    Hollind came back to the present, but fell to his knees as though the terrible tragedy was still taking place, and he wept for his fallen father once more, anger and despair filling his mind as he began to recall all the details. Once his tears had stopped, he remembered not long after Throen’s death, the council that the great beasts had held, and the decision that decided his fate. He remembered the gift he had been granted, and he quickly looked at himself in the light that had slowly begun to creep into the cave from the rising sun.
    If he had been expecting something drastic, he was disappointed to that degree, much to his relief. He gave himself a full look at his entire person, checking on his chest, removing his covering from his torso and feeling his back. Both seemed fine, no marks nor blemishes. He was a little disappointed, despite the fact that he did not want any noticeable features on his body. As the thought of the previous night came back to him, he placed his hand on his forehead to run it through his hair, when he abruptly stopped.
    As his hand touched his forehead near his hairline, he felt something that seemed like a cut. With slight exasperation, he slowly, but shakily, examined the mark with his hand. At first he thought that it had been a wound he had received from his collision with the wall, but as he felt its odd pattern and path along his forehead, he realized that this was the mark of the dragons’ gift, their connection to relate to him as the gift bearer of the entire race.
    As he ran his hand along smooth edges of the mark, he felt a little disappointment creep into his mind once more, this time of true disappointment at having expected a little more than a mere mark as the gift. At most this was just a disfiguration more than an actual gift. He sat down on a nearby rock protruding from the cave side and pondered it all.
    What was this gift exactly? What did it do? What did the Elders expect him to do with it? And most importantly, he thought, where were these Elders? Why had they given him something he didn’t know how to use, and why hadn’t they explained it a little better?
    The frustration of it all built up in him, and he got up and began to pace on the cliff ledge at the mouth of the cave. He pondered the same thoughts again and again, and they merely continued to frustrate and irritate him. Eventually he got so irate that he kicked the rock he had sat on. Far from helping his situation, he sat down to nurse his now jammed toe.
    As the time went by, he noticed that the dragons he had met in the cave were not the only ones. He watched as dragons emerged from their caves and stretched before taking flight and diving into the sky from the great heights.
    He watched them in wonder, imagining how travelers could have ever thought of them as great vicious creatures from such a far distance. They looked relatively harmless as a matter of fact.
    As the day went on, he wondered what would happen if he were to return to the camp, or whether the camp was still there. Since the Elders had yet to come back, he decided to take a look. He began the perilous journey down the cliff face, for it seemed that in their fear, the entire camp had worked together to destroy the path, as though it would keep the flying creatures at bay. It did keep him on his toes, though, as he looked for foot holds so that he could climb down. He eventually made it to the cave he and Throen had investigated. The path was untouched.
    Now that his mind was free of concentration, he had more time to ponder his dilemma. He wondered the same questions he had on the cliff. Why did I get this gift? What do they expect from me? What exactly does this gift do?
    He puzzled and puzzled, and eventually surprised himself when he found he had already made it to the bottom of the mountain. He peered over the vast plains, and could make out a small line of white smoke coming from a distant area.
    Hopeful, he sprinted over the plains, happy to see that his tribesmen were still nearby. However, as he came close, he quickly ducked beneath a thicket of yellowing grass. This was not his tribe. This tribe wasn’t even human. But though they were not human, he knew them well enough, from the stories and tellings of warriors who fought these things.
    “Katsine!” he muttered under his breath. There was no mistaking their features, for though they stood upright and spoke, they were also covered in fur, with great fangs and claws, though they used other weapons as well. Their yellow eyes gleamed in the suns light, bright and yellow.
    Hollind cursed at this misfortune, and though he was outnumbered, he felt the odd urge to get closer and hear what the Katsine that sat around the fire were talking about, as their mouths were moving animatedly.
    He made a furtive look over the small covering and when it was clear he ran to another tuft of grass, and ducked behind it as well, taking a quick glance to make sure he hadn’t been seen. He took another look from behind the grass and ducked quickly as a Katsine sentry looked towards his direction. He hid for a long while, daring breath only when he was sure that he was safe. He took another look, and noticed that the sentries had left their post and were speaking with one of the Katsine near the fire.
    This Katsine had to be the chief of this tribe. It had a great, golden mane, and its clothing was strong leather, stitched finely together. It had a long tail, which in itself was revered as greatness by all Katsine, for their tails were normally not too long. His side holstered a small bone dagger, finely carved and crafted for killing swiftly. His claws were bright white and sharp as razors, like a dragon’s, and his toe claws were just as deadly. The most distinguishing feature, however, was a long scar running down his currently exposed chest, a token from a deadly hunt most likely.
    Hollind moved to the edge of the camp, and ducked as the chief barked out an order to the sentry. Hollind peered around the corner, then swiftly pulled back as the sentries walked by quickly. He had closed his eyes, sure that he would be caught so close to the camp, but the sentries continued to stalk one of his previous hiding places.
    He was relieved and confused for a moment, for how could they have not noticed him? Then fear and dread welled up inside as one of the sentries got down on its front paws and sniffed the grass and dirt. He scrambled away as quietly as he could, to hide himself from the chief’s hunters. He saw them go from stalk to stalk until they came to his last resting place. He watched for a short time more, and, readying to escape, turned to steal away in the encroaching evening’s light. However, his luck was running a little thin as he collided with a Katsine warrior who had just came around one of the tents.
    They stared at each other for a short time, confusion on both their faces. Then Hollind yelled as the Katsine let out a snarl and reached for its weapon. Hollind’s training with Throen allowed him to strike faster, though, as he had no weapon, he let fly a fist at the Katsine’s bared teeth. The Katsine howled in agony as blood came from its mouth where a fang had been. Hollind stole its weapon and stuck the Katsine, and jumped over its body as the sentries came running. Hollind was strong and fast, but the Katsine were faster. Two of them had ran ahead of him to surround him between them and two others following close behind.
    They circled around him slowly, baring their teeth at him and growling, spears flashing and licking their lips. Hollind was a warrior also, and did not stand down. But he knew if he did not submit, he would be killed, for he was far outnumbered. He raised his arms slowly and dropped the liberated weapon to the ground. As it hit the ground, the Katsine moved in slowly, teeth still bared, eyes cautious, though they were a little more confused now that he had done this.
    There had never been a human they had ever fought or heard of had ever dropped their weapon, no matter what the odds. One of them lowered its weapon slightly, and Hollind, not wanting to cause any more trouble then what he already had, stayed still. The Katsine approached him, and sniffed the boy’s face. It snorted and jeered.
    “What human has such fear in his heart?” The other Katsine laughed.
    Another taunted, “You’re as pathetic as the last bunch of humans we trapped.”
    They laughed and pointed spears at Hollind.
    Hollind could feel shame filling him like boiling water, and in anger, he yelled.
    “ENOUGH!”
    The Katsine fell silent as though they had been stabbed. One of them dropped its weapon. It was as if some force from his cry had rendered them helpless, but Hollind was too angry to notice.
    “You think me a coward? You think that because I do not wish to die, I am weak?” He continued to contradict them, and he couldn’t help but notice the undying attention they gave him, and he took advantage of it.
    “I threw down my weapon because I am not ready to leave this world just yet, and I would think that hunters such as yourself, with all your abilities to survive would respect that. You shame yourselves by putting me down!”
    At his last word, they all dropped their weapons and fled back to the camp. Hollind was so amazed at the effect that he stood there for quite a long while, wondering what had just happened. As he came back to his senses, he turned for one last look at the camp, when he saw that a Katsine, surrounded by several others, was approaching him. They were not moving as though to attack him, but as though they merely wished to approach him.
    As they came closer, Hollind could make out the features of the center Katsine. He was bound in strong leather with a bone dagger at his waist. As it came within range, a broad, fang filled grin crossed its face as it approached this seemingly weak human, though he knew better from what his sentries had just told him. He raised a clawed paw to Hollind in greetings and peace, and Hollind returned the gesture.
    “Hay-lo, human. My sentries tell me that you spoke weeth such ferocity that you had them running scared like little kittens!” The chief guffawed at this before continuing; “I would be honored eef you would join me in my tent, for I wish to speak to one who has the power to send off my elite sentries in such a manner.” The chief reached out his paw.
    “Do you accept hoo-man?”
    Hollind had barely kept in his amusement at the Katsine’s accent, but realizing it best not to insult him; he firmly gripped his paw, and said, “I accept your offer, chief…?”
    “My name is Hulisa, human.” The Katsine licked his lips, before asking, “And what is your name, for it is only fair that if I give you mine, that you offer yours in return.”
    Hollind answered slowly, unsure whether it be wise to give his name to a Katsine tribe-chief, then decided that no real harm could come from it.
    “My name…is Hollind, chief Hulisa.”
    The Katsine purred, and said, “Excellent.”
    He beckoned for Hollind to follow him back to camp. Hollind followed, and as the sun began to sink beneath the horizon, he found himself in an extraordinary tent.
    It was certainly much bigger than all the other tents, and it must have had more in it then any other Katsine’s. On the one side of the tent, there must have been at least twenty pelts of many small animals that had fallen prey to this Katsine’s spear and claw. On another tent side, there were three enormous pelts, looking to be from a bear, a moose, and the last one; he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. Hulisa looked to Hollind then followed his gaze to the great black thing that was a trophy.
    “You like that?” the Katsine asked.
    Hollind looked back at Hulisa, then returned his gaze to the pelt.
    “What is it?”
    The Katsine stood for a moment, apparently reminiscing on his slaying of the giant beast.
    “Ahhh…Eet was a hunt to remember eet was…” Hulisa looked at Hollind. “Do you want to hear about eet?”
    Hollind knew it was only respectful to listen to a story if someone asked so, unless circumstances did otherwise. He nodded his head, and said, “Indeed. Do tell. It seems it would be an interesting visage.”
    The Katsine gave its great grin, and began with, “Eet took place long ago, when I was still a cub…”
    Hulisa told of his venture into the forest beneath the mountains, where his tribe had gotten lost and he was left alone in the dark place.
    “I was fearful, for the forest eetself felt as though eet was against me, even though I knew my ancestors came from this enchanted place.”
    Hollind nodded, for he knew how there was once a human tribe that had ventured into the forest to hide from their enemies and never returned, though a nearby Katsine tribe could hear their screams.
    “Many days passed, whilst I roamed that forest blindly, and madness began to set in, for the forest created illusions and blocked previously open paths, and the sounds of whispering always surrounded me.”
    For the first time, he saw a look of discomfort on the Katsine’s face. The very thought of it made Hollind shiver. Hulisa noticed and nodded.
    “Aye eet was quite a horror, being trapped in those dark woods. And eet was only the beginning…”
    “After a few days, I began to realize that something had been stalking me. I did my best to flee the creature, but eet always kept pace, and eet seemed to be waiting for me to fall asleep, for as I grew drowsy, eet would get closer and closer. One day, it came too close, and I was able to see eet through the trees.”
    Hollind tilted his head, and asked, “‘It?’”
    Hulisa nodded. “Yes, the creature that once held the pelt you see on my wall. I don’t know to this day what eet was, but eet was physical and dangerous, eet was not a forest treeck. I heard eet whispering, whispering that eet wanted to hunt, to flit through the trees and play hunt with me. Far from enticing, I was fearful, and I kept caution, and to help my sanity stay, I blamed everything that was happening in this place on him, and I was able to keep my mind clear. However, hunger began to set in and I was weakening. So I cried out to eet, saying ‘Come and fight me, creature of shadow! Eef you’re going to kill me, then do eet now! I don’t fear you!’ and that must have set something off in eet’s mind, for eet came out to deal me death.”
    Hulisa paused and looked at the pelt. “We fought for a long time. No weapons, just claws and teeth. Eet had an advantage over me, for eet thrived in the darkness around us. It was during that fight that I received this token to remember heem by,” He said pointing to his chest, “Eet was a long fight, and in the end, eet fled from me, to nurse eet’s wounds and come back to finish me off. But I didn’t let eet. I hunted eet down for three days, not letting eet rest or heal. Then on the third day, I managed to make my way ahead, for now eet was focusing on escaping, and did not sense my overlapping of heem. As he came around a corner, I jumped and bit into eets vile neck, and could feel the cold black blood of the creature flood from eets arteries. Eet screamed, a terrible, earsplitting screech, and eet began to shrivel and prune, as though it were drying up at an alarming rate. Then when no blood was left to fall, hees screeching stopped, and I was left weak, but standing and triumphant,” The Katsine grinned once more as he looked at Hollind, “I doubt that any human, or other Katsine for that matter, ever managed what I did, and I let out my first roar.
    I drug the creature from the forest, as the screeching seemed to have paralyzed the trees, and a kin’s tribe was nearby. I waved my paw and waved to them, and then raised my kill high for all to see. Eet was a great kill, and one of which had never been seen. They accepted me into their tribe, and we feasted over the bodies of freshly killed venison and stories and song. Eet was the next day that the tribe’s chief accepted me as his cub, and I became the inheritor of this tribe when he died. I have been tribe-chief since then, and my authority has never been challenged.”
    Hollind finally broke his silence.
    “That is an incredible story. And with this pelt as proof, there is no doubt in my mind that it is true. You are truly a skilled hunter, and worthy of your title as chief.”
    Hulisa smiled, then remarked, “Thank you, Hollind. Your words and kind and respectful, and I honor you more. However, my story doesn’t end there…”
    Hollind looked at him in wonder, and thought of how this story could possibly get better. “What more is to it?” he asked.
    Hulisa laughed, then said, “You are a most delightful audience. I will continue.”
    “Eet was not too long after I had slain the creature, about a few days later, that I felt my name being called. I couldn’t tell who was calling for me, but I felt that I should go to the voice.”
    “I exited my tent, and found that the only ones awake were the sentries, and none of them had voices like the one I had heard. They asked me to sit with them and tell stories, but I told them I couldn’t and I proceeded to leave towards the voice. They attempted to follow me, but then I heard the voice tell me that I must come alone. I turned and told them to leave me be, and I proceeded towards the mountains, sidestepping the forest as much as I could. One adventure was enough.”
    Hollind continued to listen intently and when Hulisa saw this, he continued on.
    “I came to a cave as I climbed the mountain path. Eet was dark, and I was fearful. What if there had been more of those creatures in this cave? But then I felt something deep in my heart that told me to keep going, that there was nothing to fear.”
    He stopped and looked at Hollind, who was still drinking in every word, and asked, “Do you know what I found in that cave?”
    Hollind thought for a moment, and then slowly looked up at Hulisa.
    In a quiet voice he asked, “Dragons?”
    Hulisa could not stop his eyebrows from disappearing into his mane with the surprise that a human knew of the existence of dragons.
    “You know of them?” he asked. It was his turn to look awestruck.
    Hesitantly, Hollind answered, “I…have had encounters…we’ll leave it at that for now. First finish your story. Please continue.” He waved his hand in a gesture to continue. Hulisa didn’t lose his look of suspicion that had crept onto his face.
    “Right, right. Let me continue telling my history, and then we can hear some of yours…”
    “I found in that cave, a dragon, though I didn’t realize what I was seeing at first. All I could think was ‘predator’ and I almost ran from the cave. The only thing that stopped me was that this giant, white beast put its paw on my tail and I was stuck. Do not laugh! For it is not as comical as it sounds. You don’t know fear until-”
    Hollind interrupted him. “Trust me, I know how it feels to be trapped by a giant beast. I do not poke fun at you for it. Please go on.”
    Hulisa let loose a genuine smile, and said, “Of course.”
    “I yowled, I scratched, I beet, and I hissed, but eet did not relinquish its hold on me. I came close to just chewing off my own tail, but then the creature lifted eets paw from the ground, releasing my tail. I was so confused that I didn’t run once free. I asked ‘Why have you freed me?’ and she told me in a mesmerizing voice, for I knew that she was female by the sound of that beautiful tone.
    ‘Fear not, little kitten, for I am have not lured you here to eat you, just to meet you, for you are a very special being now. You have always had potential, and you showed that you could use it. Tell me; Do you have the pelt of the shadow beast?’
    “I was so surprised and slightly relieved that I said yes, and she told me to fetch eet so she could see. I didn’t want to anger her, so I ran back, and grabbed the pelt, not stopping to explain to the sentries and early risers as to what I was doing.”
    “I made my way back to the cave, and showed her the pelt. She said, ‘Lay it before me so I may truly admire your power and grace in the slaying of this abomination of nature.’ I laid eet before her and I noticed her eyes begin to sparkle really brightly, as though her eyes were filling with light. Then they suddenly stopped and she looked back at me, smiling with great fangs that a Katsine could only wish to have. ‘You have done well’ she said, ‘There are big events to revolve around you. No living creature besides the trees of that old forest have ever managed to break the spell of those creatures and kill it.’” The Katsine looked into space for a moment before asking, “Do you know what she said next, Hollind?”
    Hollind looked mildly surprised at being asked a question in the middle of someone else’s story. “No I don’t. What did she say?”
    Hulisa laughed and said, “I was hoping you could tell me!” He laughed again at the astonished look on Hollind’s face, “Oh, I heard her well enough, but I couldn’t quite understand, until now that is.” Hollind was in a cross between confusion, curiosity, and still astonishment. Hulisa waited before coming to his conclusion.
    “She told me that I would have one last task to complete before fate looked away from me forever, my final task before freedom. She told me that sometime in the near future, I would meet a human, whom she did not state a name or gender. She said that my scouts would try to kill the human, but somehow be forced to retreat. When she told me this, she also assigned my task.” He looked meaningfully at Hollind and then said, “She said that I would tell this story, then tell them to go back to the mountains, for their own instructions awaited them. I was doubtful, but when I noticed my sentries were running back from a stalking, I could not ignore the signs, even if they were ten years in the making. I rushed, or walked as fast as my legs would carry me. When I came upon you, I was a little disappointed at first glance, but after a little analysis, I found you met the requirements. If I am correct, Hollind, you are the human sent by Rasinji, no?”
    Hollind’s mouth gaped at the conclusion. How did he know? His story…all the pieces fit, and all he could do was ask, “How-What-?”
    Hulisa guffawed at Hollind’s dumbstruck expression, then wiped a tear away and patted Hollind firmly on the shoulder. “You have completed the first half of the first task eet seems! The other part requires that you return. You don’t have to, rest assured, but she doesn’t seem like the sort of dragon to be trifled with or ignored for that matter. She will most likely find you and take back whatever eet is she gave you, but I am sure she would leave you unharmed. If you ask me, I would go back, just because of my own curiosity for what is in store. Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back!” He guffawed again at his quote, then looked at Hollind a lot more seriously, “I would go if I were you. You have a great aura surrounding you, that even my own can smell on you, and what a waste eet would be to run away and lose eet.”
    Hollind looked at the floor of the tent, thinking as he noticed the stitching in the animal skin floor. After a while, he slowly looked up to open space, and more to himself then Hulisa, he said, “I…will go.”
    Hulisa nodded his approval, as though Hollind had passed some sort of test, and told him, “I can give you some supplies for the trip back, however short eet is, but I insist that you stay the night here in my tent. It is dark, and even darker creatures roam the land during the time of no light. Please, accept this as my gift to an extraordinary person.”
    Hollind smiled and nodded.
    “It would be an honor! I would love to stay in your tent this night.”
    Hulisa purred and clapped his paws, then grinned extravagantly, saying, “Excellent! Eet will be so!” Then he turned to the tent door and burst from the flaps, shouting from the outside, “Bring all the kills of the day here! Make a roaring fire! Break out the fresh water and bring our bards! Tonight is a night of celebration, for tonight we have a special guest! Let us show him that our hospitality for guests is almost better than our hunting!” Many laughed at this, then began to get to work, setting up a feast of venison and wild boar.
    The night was filled with merriment that Hollind had not experienced since the death of Throen. He was able to jest, sing and tell stories of his own. Spirits were passed around, and Hollind drank his fill. It was in the middle of night that they were all gathered about the bonfire that stories were then passed around. Hulisa had just finished telling one of his hunting stories where he had stalked a bear for five days, when he then looked at Hollind, who was in the middle of a delightful conversation with another Katsine on battle tactics, and asked, “Didn’t you have a tale to tell, Hollind?”
    Hollind’s face was slightly red from the spirits, and then barked out, “Of course! I got somethin’ you’ll never believe!” He took a moment to recover, and then began his turn in story telling.
    “I was supposed to go with these raiders to the mountains, and we was looking for stray tribe members that would try to break apart our unity. Well we gots there, and at first all we found was these neat little objects that sparkled and were tougher than diamonds!” At this there were many ‘Ohs!’ and ‘Ahs’ and he continued further with a sheepish grin on his face.
    “Anyways, we was looking for the rest of our men, which we found them in a cave further up the path. They found the same things in their cave as well. It was late so we went to sleep. In the middle of the night though, someone yelled really loud, and we all got up and…” he lowered his voice and looked at them as he leaned in for suspense, drawing their attention to him, some of their eyes glowing with excitement, though a bit glazed. Hulisa’s eyes flicked to the fire for a moment, for the flames swept back and forth, as though wind struck it, though the night was still. Hollind said in a quiet voice, “We saw a dragon!”
    Many of the Katsine hissed in anger for a moment, then came back for more, for this story was getting exciting already. Hulisa was the only one who continued to watch intently, and Hollind noticed out of the corner of his eye that Hulisa’s water skin was filled with just that. He was truly interested, and had not wanted this to be spoiled by foolishness in his own mind. Hollind hesitated, looking into the fire, which seemed to be darkening, as though the very night itself was invoking its own blackness upon it, souring its colors and beginning to cast a darker shadow. Regardless, Hollind continued.
    “Well at first, nothin’ happened, and then some idiot in the back of our group threw a spear, which shattered and started the whole big conflict.” Hollind sat in silence for a moment as he recalled the bloody fight, then looked back up, his face as serious as one as drunk as he could get it, and said, “We fought long and hard, but most of our men ran. The cowards!” Many Katsine nodded their drunken agreement, then one waved for his story to continue, “We fought and in the middle of it, I was knocked to the side of the cave, and I banged up my arm and head pretty badly.” He gulped as he came to the part that, even in his drunken stupor could remember like it had just happened a moment ago.
    “Throen, my best friend and father figure, he went and turned his back to the enemy like he always told me not to, and he was thinking to help me, but then he saw my look of horror and turned to see what it was, but he was too slow. The brown dragon rent him across the back as if he were a leaf from a tree! He told me his last words, and then he died there in me arms…I was so angry, I was ready to kill them dragons then and there, but I just couldn’t find the will to go on without Throen! I told the beasts, ‘Kill me now you brutes! Don’t toy with me! Just kill me!’ But you know what? They didn’t kill me. They were sorry for what they had done, and then somehow, I don’t quite remember, we got into conversation, and after a while they said that they were going to give me something,” He leaned in closer for greater affect and drama, and Hulisa could not help but feel the fur on his body become ridged as he turned his eyes away for a second to see what was going on, for the wind had picked up and the fire was roaring with a dark glow, and in that second, Hollind made his statement.
    “You know what it- GAAAAHHHHH!!!”
    The fire before them exploded in a shower of black sparks as a like-night shape rose from the ashes. But it wasn’t alone…Three more of the things erupted from the fire, hissing and screeching, and the Katsine yowled and hissed as the creatures dove out and began to slaughter the Katsine tribes people as they fled. Hulisa howled in fury as he grabbed for his spear and unsheathed his knife to combat the dark foes.
    Hollind, who had been closest to the fire, was knocked back into one of the tents, collapsing it. His mind suddenly clear, he looked to his left and found the bed roll had a small blade beneath it. He grabbed at it and ran back to the fire, where Hulisa was combating a dark creature, and the others were running through the camp, killing kittens and females alike, and, from what Hollind could tell, draining the blood from their veins, though it wasn’t to feed, it was to kill and dishonor the things they killed. Hulisa raked his claws at the arm of the terrible creature, and it fell back, hissing in pain. Hollind joined Hulisa’s side and, as another of the creatures joined the first, he asked, “Are these like the creature you hunted?”
    Hulisa growled. “Yes and it seems that I have angered them by killing one of their kin. I have no problem doing so to these either!” He jumped forward to fight one of the black creatures as one of them came from behind and tackled Hollind. Hollind let out his own growl and the two rolled on the ground as Hollind kept the things sharp teeth as far away from his vulnerable veins and arteries. Its breath smelled like that of fresh blood, and its breath came in short, hot blasts. Hollind reached within himself and let out a powerful fist to the things face(If you could call it that) and it growled as it clutched its face. Hulisa was in a death lock with his, and a few of the sentries were doing their best to fight two others.
    Now that the field was level, Hollind stood staring down the black creature, and it returned the gesture. Then, as though they read each others mind, they both jumped at each other, weapons and claws flashing in the fire light. They clashed, and bounced back, Hollind holding one of his arms as blood poured down it, whilst the black creature growled and wiped away its own black blood from the vertical wound that had came from Hollind’s blade to its chest. Hulisa’s fight seemed to be going better than the other two combined, for he was slowly wearing the creature down with constant attacks. Hollind had time to look to the battle with the sentries and saw two still standing as one of the black creatures came to join the fight with Hulisa. Hollind turned to Hulisa, yelling “Look out!”
    Hulisa’s eyes darted to his back, though it seemed too late. The black creature brought down a powerful swipe, which seemed to cut the very air, and it…
    Hulisa spun faster than anything Hollind had ever seen and Hulisa dodged to the side, and with a roar of triumph, brought the blade down upon the things back, renting it in two, with still enough time to block the other’s blow with his spear. The dying creature let out an ear shattering scream, and the other three stopped. As though they could fight no longer, they fled to the darkness surrounding the camp and off towards the forest.
    All was silent as the remaining Katsine came into the fire’s light. Hollind counted about seven left, not counting him and Hulisa. Their expressions were a confused mess, not knowing whether to cheer or weep for the fallen. Then from nearby, a small cry pierced the night as a Katsine kitten wept for its fallen brother, who lied on the ground with a look of terror on his face, his chest torn open, but his blood still colored his body, though he was already dead. With that kitten’s lament, the whole tribe wept for the massacre of their brothers and sisters. After much time of grief, Hulisa spoke. The Katsine regarded him with utmost attention and respect, for at their chief’s feet lay another pelt, another dead creature of the dark.
    He looked at them, sadness in his eyes, but determination in his face. He was a proud and honorable leader indeed and they listened to him as though he had just come back from the forest once more.
    “Hear me my brothers and sisters! Though we have lost many loved ones to those nightmares, know this! Another of their kin is dead, fallen by my claw and knife! And had it not been for the assistance of Hollind the Strong, we would have fallen this day. Rejoice! Our sisters and brothers will rest well in the hunting grounds of Paradise!” He peered to the west and saw light creeping in on the plains. He pointed to it. “Look! We have beaten the creatures until the sun rose! We have shown them that we will always fight them till the break of dawn! This day goes to the Katsine!”
    The remaining Katsine cheered, for it was truth. They had lasted and the shadow had not. Light will always outweigh the dark, it seems.
    Hollind stood before Hulisa as the sun lighted all of the plains. Hulisa stared at Hollind with pride, then grasped him in a bear hug, squeezing the bruised Hollind. He set him down and said, “These are the provisions that I promised you, thank the hunters of the sky that they didn’t destroy these as well. I wish you luck on the journey.” At the worried expression on Hollind’s face, he added, “Do not worry, Kat-Rushata. We will be fine. We will move out soon. We were not meant to be so close the mountains, and last nights attack has proven that. We will be fine, we will find another tribe to help us. We will first take care of the dead, for their death and burial belong solely to us, as we know the rites of honor to which we lead our kin to the great hunting grounds of Paradise. Go now, and fulfill what is sure to be your destiny!”
    Tears filled his eyes as Hollind looked at his friend. He felt so much gratitude that he could only express it by returning Hulisa’s earlier hug. As they broke apart, Hulisa called, “One last thing…” He unbuckled his knife and offered it to Hollind. “Please, take this. It is my last gift to you.” Hollind could tell the power it took to give away such a prized possession, and he took it with out retort.
    “Thank you, Hulisa the Hunter. May you find peace in your journeys.”
    “And you as well. Good-bye, Hollind the Strong.”
    With that, Hollind turned and made his way to the mountains.

    * * *

    Hollind found himself at the base of the mountain once again. He looked back to see the smoke was now gone, and the sun was high in the sky. He looked back at the mountain just as a voice came into his mind.
    “We are waiting for you at the top, Hollind the Strong. Do not tarry, for your task awaits you, should you wish to accept it.”
    Without thinking, Hollind felt himself reach out unconsciously and speak back.
    “I will not leave you disappointed. I am on my way.”
    He heard a chuckle inside his mind, then heard the voice, which he now recognized as Thrasdil.
    “Good! Come! We wait for you eagerly.”
    Hollind smiled and he began his journey up the mountain path. It was much easier now that he had learned all the paths, and soon found himself outside one of the caves. He poked his head inside, and saw nothing. He heard another voice in his head.
    “Not there, Hollind,” It was Noram, “Search higher!”
    Hollind knew they were testing his patience, and he would not give in. Over the time he traversed the mountains, he must have searched at least twenty different caves. But he did not let his frustration show. At last, though, he found the cave they all sat in, gazing at him with colorful eyes. Rasinji was not visible.
    He pulled himself in, and looked around. “Where is Rasinji?” He asked.
    The brown dragon, Hulistuu, raised a paw to its muzzle as though shushing him and said, “Patience, young one. You’ve done well so far, don’t squander it now.”
    Hollind wanted to retort, but instead, he sat on a rock, and silently waited. The sun was far below the mountains now as Rasinji flew into the cave, a buck suspended from her maw, blood dripping on the cave floor. She walked past Hollind, who had stood up, and she found a small space under a rock and gently set the buck down and nudged it with her paw into the opening. This took her several minutes, and Hollind knew she was still testing him, as much as he wanted to shout how ridiculous this was. Once she had finished, she conversed with the others, and then looked at him, her teeth bared in a grin. She opened her mouth and, to Hollind’s great surprise, she spoke. And her voice was incredibly beautiful, like a song.
    “Hollind, you are strong; The test of Power. You are patient; The test of Wisdom. Your final task lies before you.” She looked at him with piercing eyes. “Will you wish to accept, no matter the task?”
    Hollind didn’t even think.
    “Yes, Rasinji.”
    She nodded her approval, then spoke again.
    “I have learned from an Elder of a foreign land that trouble has arisen. There are not many details right now, but it is in the Heartlands, across the eastern sea that you will go to help the Elder resolve this problem. The most I know is that it involves a dragon and a human heiress of a throne. They-”
    She stopped abruptly, and her eyes began to roll as she fell to her knees, and her head slammed on the ground. The others growled and roared in fury and confusion. They ran to her side and tried to calm her. But her tail and claws and legs were flailing about, and they could get no closer. Then she stopped moving. Her eyes burst open, but they were not normal. They were glowing with a powerful light, a light that even in the darkness of evening lit a wall of the cave. They grew brighter and brighter, and then with an incredible flash, the lights of her eyes went out, and the lids snapped shut. Everyone in the cave eyed her warily. Then her eyes slowly opened, the pupils dilated and round. She slowly arose to her feet once more, and she moaned slightly as her legs struggled to get up. Noram approached her.
    “Are you alright?” he asked delicately.
    She shook her head, then looked at him, her eyes returning to normal.
    “I….I think I am better now.” She looked at Noram, her eyes intense now. “What was it like this time?”
    Hollind was confused now, as well as frightened. This had happened more than once? How was she still standing this day if she went through incredible seizures like that? His thoughts were interrupted by Noram’s as he replied to Rasinji.
    “It was the same as the last time, though it was more intense, as though something was about to burst from you.” He looked at her worried, and Thrasdil asked the question on all their minds.
    “Will you not tell us what happens to you when it takes you?”
    She was slow to answer, and then said, “I…see nothing, I hear nothing, and I smell nothing. It is nothing but a seizure of a dragon that has seen her better years.” She straightened up and looked around at all of them, her eyes coming to rest on Hollind.
    “We have more important things to think about than my own…illnesses.” The others agreed with her, though worry still hung in their minds and in their expressions.
    “Now, as I was saying, this task involves the problems of a foreign land, and it is in this foreign land that you will help to solve the mystery between the dragon and the heiress to the throne. I will give you safe passage to the eastern coast. From there I cannot help you get any further, for if I leave Yasta, my presence will be sorely missed. You must find your own way across the water. I am sorry I cannot help you further in this matter.” She gazed at him with old silvery eyes and said, “Just think of our gift, and if your need is great enough, all should make itself clear for you. Come, we cannot waste time, for it is of the essence. Let us go!”
    She walked to him, and lowered herself to the floor, then nodded her head towards her back. Hollind looked nervously.
    “Do not fear, Gift Bearer! I will not drop you, and you will find no faster transportation than on my wings. Come!”
    With that, he clambered onto her back, found the most secure spot then waited. A strange light sparkled in her eyes as she looked back and grinned at him.
    “Are you ready?”
    Hollind gulped. “As I’ll ever be.”
    She stood up and walked to the cave entrance. Her sides began to vibrate and with a great rush of air, her hundred foot long wings expanded and she gave an experimental flap, as though to make sure that she could still fly, then without warning, she jumped from the high cliff, diving towards the ground at alarming speed. Hollind felt fear grasp him as he thought they would smash on the ground. Rasinji spread her wings again and flapped vigorously, sending them soaring into the sky. Hollind let out a whoop of excitement, and Rasinji could not help but laugh at his pleasure. She flew over a crystal lake, over a great tree in the forest, and finally over the mountain sides into the east as they glided off into the sunset.