The night had come full circle and had covered the forest in black. The wind was slightly blowing causing them to rattle. Owls in the dark called out searching for their next meal. In the distance wolves howled and could be heard preparing to stalk the nights prey. The crackle of the fire echoed slightly through the woods. There was no moon to show the smoke and the brush that surrounded the camp site was thick enough to hide the glow. Kraygoss lay on his side feet stretched straight out towards the fire. He was dreaming as he twitched occasionally and gave out a soft howl. Dreaming of a time he had hunted some prey for sport.
Mathis sat quietly pondering upon things he had not thought about for a long time. His past was coming back to him and it was like jumping into ice water. Long ago Mathis hunted targets and killed them without remorse. He chose the targets in which to dispatch. Orcs were his main prey, as they were the minions of The Dark One. Mathis only allied himself with the side of light. He fought in their armies, and along many great warriors. He saw death many times and it gave him a rush like no other. Overtime he became well known and even took part in the assault of the Dark Castle. Playing a key role in the siege, Mathis was one of the few warriors who helped vanquish The Dark One, but soon afterwards he lost interest in battle and death. Maybe it was because of the love he lost, or maybe he just got tired of it all.
Mathis’ mind started to leave their camp. “What brings you to our part of the world at this time of day”, the waitress asked. Her eyes caught my attention. “Sir, can I help you with anything”, she asked once again? Mathis smiled looking down at the table, “With what I do, not much help needed, but I’ll just take some ale and bread for right now”, said Mathis. “I’ll get it right to you, and if you need anything else let me know”, she said and started to walk away. “Might I get a name so that I might ask for help though if indeed I find out I need some”, asked Mathis. “Jessa”, she commented and then continued to walk away with a smile. Mathis sat back pulling out a pipe to smoke on. Relaxing one of the few times he ever had a chance to.
Finally finished and happy to have a hot meal Mathis placed his money on the table and stood to walkout, but stopped and looked at Jessa behind the counter. He looked back at the table and grabbed the money. He walked over to the counter and placed the money in front of her. “Sorry”, he said. She looked up at him and said, “For what?” “I didn’t need any help”, said Mathis. “I brought you food after you asked and kept your glass full. It would seem I helped you some”, she said. “Yeah”, said Mathis placing the money on the counter. He smiled and then walked out thanking her. She watched him leave smiling, and left wondering who he was, and if there could have been more.
Mathis walked out and when the door shut he dropped his shoulders and let out a deep breath. Looking back over his shoulder, he straightened up and then walked on off. The town he was in was small and close to a highly active area of rogue orc war bands. The Dark One scattered his minions all over the place after he was defeated. Without a leader they created their own clans and were running amuck throughout the land. The largest of the clans and most active area was not too far away. Mathis had been called in to help rid the clan of their head. If he could kill the leader then they would scatter off, most likely the rest of the orcs left would join the other clans or be killed off because they had been defeated. His specialty was getting into places that were hard to get into and dispatch foes that were are to dispatch, so he was sent for right away. His reputation was legendary, but his face not known well, and he liked it that way.
Kraygoss laid quietly in the dark alley. Hidden and sleeping as the villagers wouldn’t take to kindly to wild beast as they would like to call him. Mathis went over to him and sat down next to him. It was winter now and snow as about, but it was not sticking to the area that they were in. The wind blew some and it would make you pull your jacket in a little tighter. Kraygoss was made for cold and gave off warmth. As Mathis sat next to him it was like sitting next to a fire with a warmth of comfort. He pulled some meat out of his pack to give to him, and he perked up at the smell and tasty morsel. Light chatter and song could be heard from the tavern, as well as in the streets, but it was a quiet night. Many soldiers were in the town, and it saw many come and go throughout the day. Mathis was just waiting it time out for when it was right to move on and continue the hunt for his target.
Suddenly there was scream, and then glass and wood broke. A growl came from Kraygoss, but Mathis, with a hand gesture kept him still and quiet. A roar went up and then the eyes of the enemy could be seen from the few lit light of the street. Orcs were upon the town. Mathis pulled back into the alley and Kraygoss followed. He was planning on a better vantage point to get involved in this raid, but was cut off from existing from the back end of the alley. Three orcs started to walk by the alley and stopped, they smelled the air and looked down the alley. The meat left that Mathis had given Kraygoss was still on the ground. The Orcs stepped forward in the alley and bent over to grab the leftovers, but heard a growl. They froze and looked down the alley. Kraygoss stepped forward and the torches the orcs held started to showcase something large and mean in front of them. They growled back and started to move backwards, then there was a sound of a sword being drown.
With a short crisp whistle Kraygoss lounged and caught one of the orcs the others screamed and fell backwards. One stood and went to strike Kraygoss as tore his prey apart, but just as he swung it’s blade was stopped bouncing him backwards. Mathis stepped forward and reading his swords. Mathis and Kraygoss might not be well known amongst his people, but orcs knew him and feared the duo. The last of the orc ran in fear. Mathis looked about checking the area seeing what to take on next. The night hide much, but the attackers were caring torches allowing for easy targets. Mathis was curious as to who was leading this attack and had a notion as to who. Looking at the corpse of one of the dead orcs he found what he was looking for. There was a brand on his back that told him that it was the chieftain that he was called in to kill. Now he was on the hunt. This kind of brash attack was not going to be led by just anyone. Problem was the orc that got away was no doubt heading straight toward the leader and telling him that he was there. He would retreat immediately fearing Mathis. “Kraygoss, track”, said Mathis. Kraygoss smelt the ground where the last orc stood and then leapt forward in the street and looked around smelling the air. He turned and growled looking to the right. The chieftain was standing right at the end of the street. He was holding the neck of the one orc that had ran. Mathis stepped out and looked out down the street. The orc looked up and his face turned shocked. “Well that wasn’t hard”, said Mathis.
Just then Jessa stepped out of the tavern running from an orc. Mathis uncharacteristically froze at the sight of her. Without hesitation he ran forward. Kraygoss followed leaping at another orc running out as well. Mathis met the closet orc to her and through his sword through him while grabbing his hand and keeping it from slashing it at Jessa. As he through the lifeless body on the ground he looked down at Jessa and then suddenly he felt a pain in his right side. Stepping back he looked down and saw a arrow sticking out. Looking up the chieftain was smiling and walking away. Mathis went to chase him, but felt a hand grab his left hand. He stopped and looked down. Jessa was looking at him in tears. “Please don’t, your hurt”, she said. Jim looked back towards where the Chieftain ran away. He started to pull away, but she said, “Let me help you.” He stopped trying to walk away and helped her up. She looked at his side and then at him. “Don’t worry I’ve had worse”, said Mathis. “Maybe I want to worry”, she replied. “I don’t want you to”, he said. She stood looking into his eyes. “Have you ever let someone”, she asked? He did not respond.
“Come on, we need to get off the street and inside”, said Mathis. They walked back into the tavern and blocked the door. Mathis held his side and walked around checking all the windows and the back door. The orcs were starting to scatter about as the chieftain had fled seeing Mathis. The other soldiers in the town were starting to finally get things under control and it was calming.
“Come sit and take off your jacket”, Jessa said. Mathis did not argue and went to her. He looked down at the arrow and then at her, “Can you take it out?” “It will be difficult, but I might be able to manage. We don’t have the best healer, but he would be better. I know a little”, said Jessa. “Then get the cloths ready”, said Mathis. “Why”, asked Jessa. Just then Mathis pushed on the arrow and forced it through the back side. He broke the back part of the arrow off and then pulled the rest of the through. “Oh, that’s why”, said Jessa.
She dressed his wound the best she could till the army healer showed up and finished the job.
The captain of the army showed and talked to Mathis for a bit then left. “So, you have to leave”, asked Jessa? “Let’s just say I have some unfinished business”, said Mathis. “Well, be careful”, said Jessa. Mathis smiled and walked out. She stood still watching as he left. Walking over to a table in the tavern she sat, and then started to cry. The emotion of what had happen was catching her, and something else had her stirred. She buried her bloody hands in her face and bent over. Just then a hand touched her shoulder. She looked up and Mathis was looking down at her. He knelt and then said, “Thanks for helping me.” She smiled and laughed then leaned forward quickly kissing him then releasing. Mathis shocked smiled back, “Be here when I get back. This won’t take long.”
The fire gave off a light glow of warmth as a log crackled and then broke sending small embers into the air. Mathis shook himself, freeing his mind to be clear and focused. He and Kraygoss were away from the orc encampment he destroyed, their camp was far enough away and in a safe location as to not draw attention if another orc scouting party came by. The night seemed darker than usual and the air still and heavy. His senses becoming more heightened as he focused on the battle. It all had slowed time for Mathis and he saw everything clearly. He had almost forgotten the thrill of the fight and adventure. His blood was pumping and he once again felt the rush that only battle and death bring. He was calm and completely in control of his mind. His thoughts turned to what was going to be the next move. He knew that going to the orc fortress would take at least two days. He was going to have to get some provisions before leaving, meaning a trip back to his home before heading out.
Mathis’ mind was completely focused on the orcs that he had destroyed. It troubled him that they were here. Orcs had not been seen since the Great War with The Dark One. No one had seen any evidence of them since the war had ended. This forest, The Phantom Forest, was once the orcs Dark Lands. It is said that once The Dark One was vanquished the orcs themselves vanished and were never seen again. Orc war parties roamed the lands doing The Dark One’s biding. Battles that were fought with them saw great bloodshed and death. They are a ruthless bunch of monsters, blood thirsty, and savages. Lead by which ever orcs were the strongest and the most ruthless. To win the war the Armies of Light had to first defeat the orc armies.
It is in the transcripts that the Armies of Light had pushed the orcs back to their lands and surrounded them. As the Armies of Light kept them at bay a few special warriors and small force attacked The Dark Castle and they were able to destroy The Dark One. As The Dark One was about to fall he yelled out some words of his own tongue. No one knew what they meant, but it is said that storms grew over the dark lands. Black Lighting flung down striking the ground and hitting the orcs. The orcs scattered but could not get away. Soon all the orcs laid dead with the ground stained in their blood. The Armies of Light stood shocked and confused as to what was happening. Soon the ground started to shake and from the blood stained ground a dark purple haze started to raise and soon trees with dark bark and black leaves started to arise. Soon all the Dark Lands where transformed into this dark forest.
The Armies of Light decided that this forest was cursed and not to be entered. Scouting encampments were engineered on the perimeter to keep a watchful eye on the forest. It was soon discovered this forest had dark powers that created evil creatures, and once created sent them forth from the forest to attack and destroy. These Phantoms of the Forest, as they came to be known, attacked on random, and were different beings every time. The forest however did not always create these creatures. At times the forest seemed normal and calm, but at times it changed and its creations of darkness spewed forth. This caused the Armies of Light to call it The Phantom Forest.
Soon after the first attacks small out posts stationed at safe distances that could see the entire perimeter now kept watch of the forest. They watch for the times in which these phantom beings will once again spew forth. It has been a long time now since an attack has happened. Mathis himself decided it would be wise for someone to be on the inside ever watching. So, he made the decision to live in The Phantom Forest. He wanted to be away from everyone, but be ever watchful. He made his encampment in a place he found to be less active than most, but could still have darkness arise. A few times he had to defend his home from dark creatures that tried to kill him. These attacks are part of what allowed Mathis to find Kraygoss, as no beings nor beast were safe from these deadly dark creatures.
Mathis looked into the small fire, it now glowing less as it needed more wood, setting legs crossed on the ground and arms crossed keeping the warmth in his body. He stood and walked over to a pile of wood to add more. Kraygoss jumped being startled by his movements looked about and then stood. He yawned, then stretched, turned and then laid over again this time with his back facing the fire. After throwing the wood on the fire Mathis once again sat looking into the fire.
It troubled him that these orcs were once again among the living. If they were here then that must mean that The Dark One was somehow still alive. “Why else would these dark creatures be here in this forest”, Mathis sat thinking to himself. Mathis knew no others knew of their existence, and that if gone unchecked then the orcs would have an advantage when they decided to attack. Mathis needed to know what was going on in the west. At first light Mathis decided he and Kraygoss would set forth to their home to gather their needed provisions.
Mathis glanced up at the stars and then laid back with his hands behind his head. He knew that this was about to be a big adventure, and some part of him was happy that he was on it. To be back in a battle and once again have the rush of destroying an enemy. Mathis was at ease and calm as he thought of what had to be done. Needing rest he closed his eyes and soon fell asleep. With Kraygoss laying by him on the ground he knew he was safe from any attackers. At first light they would set forth and an adventure would soon be under way for them. Mathis would jump at the opportunity to once again be on an adventure and soon he and Kraygoss would be. The fire crackled lightly as both Mathis and Kraygoss slept under the night sky. If the orcs were back that also meant that this forest might soon be awakening to once again create its dark creatures. This world could soon have darkness upon it, but only time would tell.