Stalker
Chapter 10: Rest
Kryger, in human form, walked up and down the rows of tents. Dwarves sharpened their weapons. Any fear from yesterday was replaced with determination to fight. Krogi ran to him. “There’s someone underneath us. I can feel it.”
Kryger tensed. Had the goblins or trolls found their tunnels? He drew his bow. “Warn the others,” he whispered. “Attention everyone! You are now free to rest. We’ll take a break, and attack the goblins in the morning.” Kryger made his voice loud. As some dwarves looked at him, confused, he pointed with his bow at the tunnel opening. “We must be ready to attack. We will use the tunnels.” A few dwarves understood. They walked to the tunnel, axes ready. Kryger backed off, fake yawning. His bow never stopped being trained on the tunnel.
The large rock over the tunnel shifted slightly. Kryger’s eyes narrowed. He pulled the bow string taut. “Hold,” he said under his breath.
The rock flipped open, and the face of Frogi emerged. Frogi glanced around. “Wait, it’s me!” he yelled. THe dwarves stopped. They backed up. “Sorry, I guess we’re all a little high-strung,” said Kryger. “Did you find Vanyen?”
“Yes,” Frogi replied grimly. “She needs help.”
He lifted a limp form from the tunnel and set her on the ground. Kryger rushed forward. She wasn’t dead, just unconscious. “Put her on my back,” said Kryger, as his body became that of a horse. A few dwarves helped lift her up. “Give Frogi some food. I’m going to Corbon to get her some medical attention.”
Without waiting for Krogi’s response, Kryger’s hooves began pounding on the blood-stained dirt toward the town.
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Vanyen’s eyes opened on the face of Marshal the elder. “Welcome back, Vanyen.” His voice was low and soothing. He handed her a bowl of stew and a glass of water. She ate quickly, remembering how tired she was. Feeling some strength returning, she looked around. She was in an upstairs side room in the village hall. Marshal was wearing a doctor’s robe. She had forgotten he was the doctor as well. Her armor was off, in the corner. It appeared to have been polished. Her axes and dagger were there as well. She wanted to stay in this bed forever. It was the nicest bed for a couple leagues, filled with goose feathers.
“What happened?” asked Vanyen.
“I don’t know the whole story,” replied Marshal. “But Frogi brought you through the tunnels and at some point, you just collapsed. You don’t seem to have any wounds, so I think it was the stress of this war.
“Um. Yeah.” There was no need to correct him. It was the Stalker, who played in her mind every hour. She couldn’t forget. “Wait! I have to get back to the battle! I remember, trolls! I have to help Kryger!”
She struggled to her feet, but Marshal gently pushed her down. “You’re in no condition to fight. Wait until morning.”
“Fine.” As Marshal was leaving, Vanyen added, “Thank you.”
“You’re always welcome,” replied Marshal.
Vanyen waited 5 tocks, then got out of bed. She put her armor over her battle clothes. She placed North in her left hook and Hydra in her right. She felt already stronger with her axes at her sides. She twirled North, testing the feel. She already felt better.
A chilly wind blew through the room and the door creaked open slightly. With the wind, a tune.