elf in twain. Freistal raised his knife just in time. Sparks flew as the sound of metal on metal reverberated.
Kaylia knew this was her chance to flee. Quickly, she looked at her surroundings. Six Vrykol had engaged the bulk of the company, and though they fought with ferocity, were falling one by one to the wicked swords of their foes. Five elves had joined Freistal in the fight and were driving the Vrykol back, but their blades were useless. Clearly they did not know how to kill the creature. The arrows had ceased, and the elf archers filed in from the forest, blades drawn.
Kaylia turned and ran, bereft of hesitation. The last thing she saw of the battle was Freistal clenching at the Vrykol's blade that had run through his gullet, only a moment before.
She felt anger and regret, but there was no time to dwell on it. She needed to get as far away as possible. The Vrykol had said Gewey was near, but she still couldn't feel where he was through their bond. She hoped that if she got far enough away, the Vrykol’s influence would wane and she would once again feel the reassuring presence of the bond she shared with Gewey. The trees were a blur as she ran faster and faster.
As she focused on her flight, a dark figure appeared a few yards ahead and Kaylia slid to a halt. A Vrykol loomed, sword drawn. Its cloak was shredded from the battle with the elves, but still she could not make out its form beneath the tattered rags. Instinctively, she reached for her knife, only to realize she was unarmed. She looked around for signs of other Vrykol, but there were none. Her legs tensed for a moment, then burst to action with the rush of battle as she ran straight at the creature. This apparently surprised it, and it side-stepped, slightly lowering its blade. Just as Kaylia was in reach, she ducked and slammed her fist into the Vrykol's knee.
It was like hitting iron. She felt pain shoot through her hand and up her arm, but her blow was enough to part the Vrykol's legs wide. Kaylia thrust her body upward burying her shoulder into the beast’s chest, sending it stumbling back.
Kaylia knew she had no hope of defeating the Vrykol without a blade, and trying to disarm it would mean certain death. It was far too strong. Her only hope was to outrun it. But could she? She had seen how fast they could move. This one had caught up with her, even with several minutes head start. Fear gripped her chest, but she fought it back and ran as fast as she could, not bothering to look back. She had unbalanced it, but she knew only for a few seconds at best. “I must move faster,” she thought.
She had only run a few yards when she felt something hard strike the back of her head. She tried to keep her feet, but felt herself losing consciousness and tumbling hard to the ground. The world began to turn dark as she heard the footfalls of the Vrykol approaching and the hiss of its foul breath. She wanted to cry out, but the light faded from her vision, as the blow to her head overcame her.
Chapter 2
Linis halted, a confused look on his face.
“What is it?” asked Gewey.
Linis bent down and placed his palm just above the ground and closed his eyes. “Something follows our quarry,” he muttered. “Something...unclean.”
“Vrykol,” growled Gewey.
“Yes,” agreed Linis. “It must be. Nothing else I can imagine would leave such a scent. It's like...death.”
“Then we have to catch up with Kaylia before they do,” said Gewey with no hesitation.
Linis opened his eyes and looked at Gewey with determination. “Don't worry, my friend. We will.”
They continued to race through the forest. Gewey kept a few paces behind Linis, all the while reaching out to Kaylia. He told himself that since he didn't lose her entirely, it meant they were going in the right direction. It wasn't until it was fully night when Linis halted again.
“We must slow our pace,” decided Linis.
Gewey's jaw tightened. “If you can't keep going...”
“It is not that I am weary, my friend,” said Linis, cutting him off. “But if either the elves or the Vrykol are aware of our pursuit, they may decide to lay in wait. And though I am uncertain of the Vrykol's skill in stealth, I do know that it is unwise to believe