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Slayers Terrian traveled through the dreary dark landscape. Dark gray clouds hung heavy in the sky obscuring the sun. His mount plodded onward, the dry cracked earth crumbling beneath its' weary steps. Blackened trees scattered throughout the countryside were little more then twisted mockeries of what they once were, reaching their withered limbs upwards. He sat tiredly in the saddle. His weathered black tunic was that of an Archeon soldier. There was embroidered silver piping along his collar, now dulled and frayed, signifying he had once held the rank of captain. Beneath his tunic, he wore a chain shirt, pitted and scarred from battle and neglect. The long sword strapped to his right side was his only possession still in decent condition, well oiled and prepared for battle. The ruggedly handsome, unwashed face sported a heavy growth of stubble while the hard gray eyes were etched with pain and sorrow. It had been many days since Terrian had entered this desolate land that the surrounding inhabitants called the Plain of the Dead. A cursed region where nothing that lived did so for long, in this area haunted by ghouls and other creatures from beyond the pale. The soldier interrupted his journey through the dangerous wasteland, just long enough for his horse to rest before continuing unwaveringly on. Those brief intervals were spent in restless slumber. In his dreams, a woman approached him with outstretched arms, yearning for his sweet embrace. Her doe like brown eyes were filled with love. Suddenly her visage changed as a bright red gash ripped across her face. The once peaceful eyes suddenly filled with hate and accusation as she presented him the bloody remains of a small child. "No!" the man screamed awaking at the terrifying sight, his entire body soaked in sweat. After recovering from the vision, with dogged resolve, Terrian remounted his steed urging the loyal mount forward in his desperate quest. The undead things that did dare to approach him were quickly dealt with. Few opted to approach him however, choosing perhaps some less troublesome prey. Riding on, his ears soon detected a sound in the normally silent land. Listening intently, he determined it to be a female voice singing. He had rarely heard anything so exquisite as the singer's voice. Yet, despite its beauty, the tone evoked a feeling of loss and regret. Curious as to the origins of the melancholy song, the soldier spurred his horse on to investigate. Approaching closer, he could hear the singer more clearly. Slowly, a young girl came into sight, apparently oblivious of the intruder. Her ash blonde hair was done in tight braids falling limply down upon her slender shoulders. Her eyes were blue like the color of the sea, matching the fine silken gown she wore on her slender form. The soldier ceased his movement, lost in the wave of emotion created by the talented songstress. She finished the sad refrain in a sudden high note though, still laced with irony and regret. "A most beautiful song my dear," he complimented her as she lowered her head at the end of the refrain. " Though it was a very sad song I fear." "I can only sing what I feel," she replied without bothering to glance up. "Then your heart must be filled with great sadness, "Terrian observed, as the young woman arose to her feet. He noticed that the young woman carried no weapon of any kind. "You also place yourself at great risk to travel these dread lands with no means of defense." "I never learned the art of combat," she remarked in a slightly annoyed tone. " Besides the undead denizens here ignore me. Perhaps they sense a kindred spirit." "A very somber statement for one so fair," he said." Forgive my curiosity, but why would one so young and beautiful seek the company of those who inhabit the undead plains?" "I seek no company," the young girl retorted," and I might ask what brings a soldier of Archeon out to this desolate region?" "I am here to face the dreaded Beast of Malice." "So you have come all this way for glory and honor?" she scoffed. "No," he answered in a weary voice," I don't expect to destroy the beast for I fully anticipate it will slay me." Terrian paused briefly as the visage of the woman of his dreams danced in his mind's eye once more. " You still haven't told me what brings one as lovely and as talented as yourself here." "I am Brigit, a bard hailing from Tylnor's Keep, and if you must know my love recently died in battle following the orders of some fool captain." "I am truly sorry your lover died," he said, dismounting from his horse. " These many battles have taken too many young lives." "I said love," she corrected him, "not lover." "My apologies," Terrian said with a respectful bow, "I did not mean to offend you, it is very honorable to wait till you and your betrothed are handfasted." "We were not betrothed, " Brigit replied her voice softening, "he didn't even know how I felt about him." "I am truly sorry then," the soldier replied quietly. "I could never find the courage to express my feelings," she said, " I am able to express my feelings in my music but not in words." "And you do have a most remarkable gift," the soldier complimented her. "And what good did it do me," she cried bitterly. "I always thought there would be plenty of time to express my love for him. Then one day he left for war and never came back leaving me with the words forever caught in my throat." "So you came out here in this land of the undead to free those feelings." The soldier added. "Yes," Brigit confessed. "All that I sang or composed was tinged with bitterness and regret after that. People wish to here songs to make them forget not remember. So I came here to release the pain in my soul, if such a thing is possible." "Then I wish you luck in your endeavor," the soldier said sympathetically, spreading a rough ragged blanket upon the parched soil. This was as good a place as any for him to rest. What's more, if rumors were true he would soon reach his objective. “So tell me soldier," Brigit queried. "What brings one of Archeon's Captain's out here on such a foolhardy quest? One that everyone knows would most likely end in their death." "I am no longer a member of the Archeon military," he corrected her. "I left the service of the Emperor several months ago." "I see," Brigit commented, "so do you have a name, or should I simply refer to you as ex-soldier of Archeon?" "Call me what you wish," the man responded, "but my name is Terrian.” “Very well Terrian," Brigit stated emphasizing the name. " Though that does not explain why you are here seeking the indestructible Beast of Malice. For the glory of conquest I would imagine, " she added sarcastically. " No, "Terrian told her removing a few pieces of hard tack from his saddlebags, offering one to the young girl who joined him on the blanket. “Those things mattered to me once, not now. There was a time I rode boldly into combat with a smile upon my lips and sword at the ready, reaping praise from my superiors and medals for my so-called bravery." "And now?" Brigit prodded him. "Now I see just how much of a hollow mockery it all was," he said with a note of disgust. " My selfish desire for glory caused me to lose the one thing that should have mattered most in my life but I was too blinded by my wishes to see what was in plain sight." "What happened?" Brigit asked compassionately, placing a hand upon Terrian's trembling shoulder. "It was a day like any other," Terrian began, trying to keep his voice from cracking, "I was preparing to leave my wife at the time heavy with child to ride on some fool campaign. My wife urged me to remain but like so many other times before, I ignored her requests." Terrian glanced over at the young bard. A single tear trickled down his haggard face. "She didn’t want you to leave?" Brigit asked. "No, " Terrian answered shaking his head sadly. " I wanted to earn enough funds so we could live comfortably together. Though she said that didn't matter. I always thought we would have time to be together so laughing at her distress I rode off to join my comrades ready to fight yet again for some obscure cause." "So what happened?" Brigit asked, taking the mighty warrior's trembling hand. "While I was gone, "Terrian related through quivering lips, "raiders came and burned our small town. They slaughtered everyone in the town including my mate and our new born child." "I hunted down the raiders upon my return, "the warrior proclaimed squaring his soldiers. "With the help of my comrades, we tracked and slew all of them, but this gnawing emptiness remained in me. I always believed there would be time for us, now there was none." " So you came out here where the Beast of Malice is rumored to dwell for one last battle." Brigit concluded. "After I finished the gruesome work of revenge, I spent my days drowning my sorrows in ale at various taverns. I prayed that strong drink would numb my mind and heart," Terrian cried. "I even attempted several times to take my own life only to find I was unable to complete that rudimentary task. So, I decided to journey here and face a foe in pitched combat. A fight that can only end in my death." Terrian started to sob uncontrollably after he completed his confession, collapsing upon the slender shoulder of the bard, "I always thought there would be time," he lamented. No others words were spoken or needed. Brigit wrapped her arms around the trembling warrior, rocking him gently, back and forth attempting to soothe his wounded soul. As she did so, the young bard began to sing a refrain of regret and loss. The music was so stirring that even the undead soulless things passing near them stopped, listening as if the music reminded them of a time long ago when the breath of life dwelled within their withered husks. The two spent the night wrapped in each other's arms, awaiting the suns first feeble attempt to break though the barrier of gray clouds. Terrian tenderly removed himself from the embrace of the young bard rising to his feet. "So where are you off to?" Brigit asked, the edge that had been in her voice now blunted. "Those ruins just on the horizon," the warrior told her pointing his finger, "That is said to be the beast's lair." "So you still intend to go and commit suicide?" Brigit snapped leaping to her feet. "Nothing has changed," Terrian said quietly, rolling up the blanket and securing back it on his steed. "Really," Brigit shot back. "Didn't you feel anything at all last night? There was a connection for a brief time between us. You want to deny that?" Terrian chose not to reply to the bards' words mounting his steed and heading him in the direction of the ruins. " I wish you well," Terrian offered. "Save your platitudes," Brigit replied coldly turning her back on the soldier, "go off and get yourself killed. Nothing matters anyway." Riding off, Terrian could visualize the beautiful face of the bard in his thoughts. A wistful smile appeared on his lips as he remembered those deep soulful eyes gazing into his. Shaking his head violently, he pushed her image back into the recesses of his mind. He had lived too long with his guilt and grief. It was as much a part of him as his skin now. Setting his hardened eyes Terrian pressed on for the blackened ruins looming before him. Eventually, the ruins resembling a blackened charnel house materialized into a view. He imagined the structure before him might have been a great keep at one time. Those blackened blocks once part of a thick sturdy wall of stone, rising out of the earth protecting those within its confines. Terrian could almost picture the ancient warriors manning the ramparts ready to repel all foes. Legend had it the region named The Plains of the Dead had been the heart of one of the mighty wizard kingdoms before the advent of the Gem Wars. The devastation inflicted during this period nearly decimated the known world. The formerly proud fortress, whose name had been forgotten with the passage of time, now rested upon the scarred landscape, an ominous monument to the once proud kingdom. His mind continued to ponder upon the fate of the ancient people as he passed through the ruined gate. Like the rest, the entrance was blackened and pitted from a mighty conflict. Terrian fully expected the Beast to ambush him as he rode through. But it did not. He continued to move unchallenged among the remains of the keep. The great buildings like the wall were in ruin. Turning a corner, Terrian found himself entering a courtyard. In the center, he spotted the dreaded Beast of Malice. The Beast opened its blood shot eyes raising its jackal-like head upon hearing his approach. Stretching its massive limbs, the beast rose to its feet. The body was like that of a huge cat though covered with black shiny scales. The monster casually stretched its' gigantic leathery wings before folding them neatly on its' muscled back. "Yet another foolish mortal warrior come to slay the evil beast," the creature growled, in an eerie hollow voice. Terrian was taken aback by the sudden words of the beast. "Don't be so surprised, " the Beast explained as if reading his thoughts. "I am a creature of magik. Surely, you must have realized I would be sentient. Though I feel things would have been better if I had been blessed with a bestial intellect." "It had not occurred to me," Terrian confessed," though it changes very little." "Of course not," The beast mocked. "You seek the glory bestowed upon you for slaying the evil monster. I pray it were only possible. "Well," the Beast sighed, "let's get this over with." "I am not here for glory’s sake, "Terrian told it. "For I fully expect to die in our conflict." "Really?" the beast paused. "You are a curious one mortal, you actually seek your own demise?" "Yes," Terrian confirmed, "though I must confess I am curious myself. You wish that I could slay you?" "Yes," the Beast of Malice answered. "Being given the ability to think and reason I can see my purpose in life is that of senseless destruction. Being intelligent and with memory, allows me to carry the sight of my many victims, more then you can possibly imagine." "So you came to this blasted land away from humanity to avoid causing more carnage?" Terrian queried. "I couldn't bear the devastation further," the Beast almost seemed to cry. "Now only those seeking fame find me out and they are rare these days. Though I still have those recollections to plague me forever." "And you can't die," Terrian added with a sad nod. "I am immortal, " the Beast, replied. " Many have tried and failed. I will even tell you that a sudden wound just beneath my lower left leg could kill me instantly, though you will never succeed in reaching it. So, you see mortal for whatever reason you have. You shall get your wish while I will live on." "Then," Terrian replied dismounting from his steed, "let us begin this fight and one of us will have our demise." The Beast of Malice nodded in agreement, charging the soldier as he drew his sword. Terrian dodged left barely avoiding the sharp claws. Stumbling back, Terrian countered with a downward strike on the large forearm, which was deflected harmlessly by the protective glistening scales. Terrian managed to regain his footing, thrusting the blade forward at the beasts' massive head. Sparks flew as the edge grated across the jowl of the creature. The Beast of Malice butted the warrior with its armored head, sending the soldier crashing to the ground, the sword flying out of his hand. "I had hoped you might succeed," the Beast sighed wistfully staring down at the stunned warrior. "Oh well, you have your wish mortal." The Beast raised its massive claw over Terrian, ready to deliver the killing blow when the air was suddenly charged with a sweet lyrical refrain. The Beast paused in mid-strike, turning its massive head in the direction of the music. Brigit Sat upon one of the piles of blackened stone as she performed her most recent work. It was a lovely tale of two lonely souls who discovered each other in a dead place. How for one brief moment they shared a moment together allowing them both to feel not quite so alone. The beast was so enraptured by Brigit's composition that it stood motionless. Upon struggling back to consciousness, Terrian caught sight of the location the Beast had spoken of, now exposed. Relying on reflexes developed from years of battle Terrian lunged for his sword. Before the Beast of Malice could react, he recovered his sword and sprang forward plunging the blade deep into the creature’s vulnerable spot. Roaring in pain, the Beast of Malice reared up on its massive hind legs. One of the flailing forearms grazed Terrian across the chest sending him to flying backwards. Landing sprawled out on the ground several feet away. In it’s death throes, the Beast of Malice flapped its large wings swatting the bard propelling her across the courtyard slamming her headfirst into the ruined wall. A bright red streak appeared on the wall as Brigit's unmoving body slid down. Terrian scrambled to his feet, even as the beast folded it massive wings. The huge form still twitching as life escaped its body. Terrian stumbled to where the bard laid in a heap at the base of the wall. Her blood smeared hair draped across his arm as the mighty soldier gently lifted her in his arms. Brigit slowly opened her deep blue eyes staring up at Terrian, whose eyes were filled with tears. " Why?" Terrian sobbed. " Because whether you deny it or not, " she began in a soft weak voice, " something passed between us last night. For once, I decided to act rather then just let the moment pass." " I am so sorry, " Terrian cried. " Don't be," Brigit comforted him raising one trembling hand brushing his cheek. Her delicate hand dropped away. Her eyes closed as a small contented smile graced her thin lips. Covering himself in the gore from her mortal wound, Terrian cradled the lifeless form of the bard next to his chest crying violently. After what seemed like an eternity, he arose with the body placing it in the center of the courtyard. Terrian removed the blanket they had recently shared from his horse wrapping Brigit's body lovingly in its folds. Next, he rode out gathering up any dried wood he could find, building her a funeral pyre, so that the foul denizens of the plains would be unable to devour her lifeless body. Lighting the blaze, he watched as the dark smoke billowed into the gray sky. Heaving a sigh, Terrian mounted his horse riding out of the Plains of the Dead. The dark clouds hung pregnant in the sky as if threatening to rain at any time. But of course, it never rained here in this dead land. The End |
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