The Auric Insignia Read online

  - Jennifer! Bring me a glass of water or something, will ya!?

  He wiped the sweat and sot from his brow with the sleeve of his shirt.

  - Jenny? Have you gone out?

  - Taking a break again? That’s no way to run a business...

  Brock froze, he recognized the voice but it was not the soft voice of his Jenny. If this voice had had a body, it would have been made out of ice, hard and cold.

  - Oh, hi Marielle, you startled me.

  Marielle was sitting by the table, her black dog sitting beside her.

  - My apologies, Brock, that was not my intention. Please, join me.

  He looked around the room before taking the seat across from his guest, failing to see his wife anywhere.

  - Have you seen Jenny around?

  - Forgive me, she asked to tell you she loves you, and that you will be reunited shortly.

  - Oh, great, heh, out for an errand I suppose.

  Where earlier he had been sweating, Brock now felt chilled to the bone. Noticing that he was being observed, he tried to retain a calm composure.

  - So, Marielle, to what to I owe the pleasure?

  - That’s a nasty bruise you got there, how did you get it?

  Brock swallowed, his throat reminding him of its condition.

  - I, I eh fell and hit myself the other day. Too much to drink, hehe.

  Marielle joined in his chuckle but her laughter never reached her eyes.

  - Amusing... You know, I heard another funny story earlier today, from Gumma no less. She said that she ran into Roarke the other night, drunk as a lord as well apparently.

  - Oh well, you know Roarke.....

  Brock’s hands grew clammy.

  - Well that’s the thing, isn’t it? In all the time I’ve known Roarke, I’ve never seen him at the tavern, not once.

  - Really?

  - Really. What’s even stranger, Roarke’s vanished, his cottage stands abandoned, supplies and tools, gone.

  Brock’s heart rate began to increase as the realization that Marielle had figured out what had transpired. Brock’s hair stood up on the back of his neck.

  One dog, there was only one dog there but Marielle always had both dogs with her everywhere she went. With a sudden panic, he jumped up from the table, knocking over the chair behind him.

  - Where’s my wife?! Where’s Jenny?!

  - Well let’s see, Rugeux, come here.

  Emerging from the bedroom doorway, came the giant hound that was the second part of the duo that made up the hounds of Marceau. Originally tan in color, the rough coated beast had taken on a dark red hue, blood dripping from the rugged fur. Hanging from the jaws by the hair, was the head of Jennifer, the Smith’s wife, torn and mangled. Her eyes frozen in their last moment of living fear. Brock felt sick, his stomach churning at the grizzly sight of what remained of his loving wife. Tears ran down his face as his body crumbled and he fell to his knees.

  - Jenny....

  - Don’t worry, like I said, you’ll see her soon enough.

  And with the slightest nod, the huge black hound received the signal it had been waiting for. In a frenzy of blood, ripped clothes and mauled flesh, the smith joined his wife in death.

  ***

  Korri has a stupid face

  The scents of earth, bark and flowers created a whole other world beyond what eyes could see. It calmed him, like the face of an old friend. accompanying him on his journey into the unknown.

  - You see those berries over there, the red ones?

  - Uhuh, I see them.

  - They are tasty! But you have to be careful not to eat too many, or you’ll get the runs!

  She helped as well, though not an old friend, they had quickly become friends in the days since they had begun their journey. They were traveling north towards a supposed safe haven. Roarke had complied under protest when they had entered the mountain range that normally signified the end of the relatively civilized world. They had entered the valley known to the inhabitants of Brightseed as Blackhorn pass, going like a twisted wedge between the two tops that gave the mountains their name. Despite Korri’s assurances, Roarke couldn’t help feeling a bit on edge. Roarke, having prided himself over the fact that he wasn’t superstitious, had, due to recent events, reevaluated his earlier skepticism and found himself looking over his shoulder more often than he would have liked to admit.

  - Are you sure it’s safe this far north?

  - I’m telling you, you have nothing to fear from the inhabitants of these parts, not when you’re with me. In fact, for every step we take north, we get closer to the safest place in this world, but more importantly, we get further from our enemies and their influence.

  - Enemies I’ve yet to hear anything substantial about.....

  She gave him a look of played annoyance.

  - You will, I promise.

  - I’ll hold you to that.

  They continued their march into lands more foreign by the minute, following a path Roarke couldn’t see but that Korri assured him was there. The very air seemed more feral, and it had since they had entered the pass. The trees seemed stronger and more wild. The flowers and vegetation that covered everything like a carpet, shifted in colors combinations Roarke had never seen before. Like Korri, it had a fierce and untamed beauty about it. Suddenly, Korri slowed down, smelling the air.

  - Oh great, just my luck.

  - What is it?

  - It’s fine, an old acquaintance is all. Stay here while I go ahead and explain the situation.

  - What situation? You said we didn’t have to worry.

  - We don’t, its okay. I’m just taking precautions. I’ll be back before you know it.

  - Well why can’t I come with you then, shouldn’t we stay together?

  - Because you’re the situation. Just don’t move around too much and nothing will happen.

  She gave him a stiff smile before bolting off through the trees.

  - Oh great! I’ll just stay here then, great!

  Remembering where he was, he decided to heed her advice and proceeded to sit down next to a big tree.

  - Unbelievable.......

  He picked a flower growing beside him, on a root that shot out from the tree, making its way across the forest floor. He had not seen this kind before, pointy petals that almost seemed to shimmer with teal hues. After smelling it and finding that it made his nose itch, he ripped off a petal.

  - Korri has a stupid face.

  He ripped off one more.

  - Korri has a really stupid face.

  As he was ripping off the last one, he heard a noise. A faint whooshing, so faint the Roarke questioned if he had really heard it. Hearing it again, now accompanied by muffled thrumming, Roarke stood up and tried to locate the origin of the sound.

  - Korri?

  After it was too late, he saw what was coming towards him. A pack of wolves came darting through the trees, weaving between them, back and forth. Before he could formulate a plan, Roarke had been surrounded, standing tense, not knowing how to proceed. Looking around him, Roarke saw ten wolves standing in a circle around him. Snarling and biting the air, they were held back as if by some unknown force, muzzling their ferocity. Roarke was stunned, sightings of lone wolves were not uncommon but a pack of this size behaving like this was unheard of. Slowly, Roarke reached for his axe that were hanging from his belt.

  - Human, I would advice against it.

  The low ferine voice came from beyond Roarke’s field of vision. Emerging from the myrtle green tapestry, was a huge gray shape, walking erect like a human but that was two heads taller than any man Roarke had ever seen. A muscular torso covered in ragged silver fur, supporting a head with canine traits. A snout ending with a big, black nose, situated above rows of sharp teeth. The eyes were yellow like those of a wolf, settled in a face distorted in anger. A large scar ran down one side of the worn face, telling of former battle.

  - Who are you!?

  - Silence human, you presume to ask!<
br />
  The fearsome creature quickly closed the distance between them, stopping right in front of Roarke.

  - These lands are not for you, human, you should not have come here. What is your mission? Speak!

  - I don’t have a mission. I..

  - My patience grows thin, human! Speak the truth and I will grant you a quick death.

  - I am speaking the truth! I came here wit....

  The wolf-creature moved with supernatural speed, knocking the wind out of Roarke with a closed fist right to the gut, who fell to his knees gasping.

  - Lies and deceit. Humans don’t travel past the mountain border. You’re an agent of the miscreant, a servant of Gota!

  Lifting Roarke by the hair, the beast prepared to strike the final blow.

  - Your kind has done enough. I will not allow you to poison these lands and its inhabitants with your toxic words. Your foul quest ends here!

  The pain in his scalp pulled Roarke’s mind and vision into focus, hanging a foot off the ground, he was face to face with his attacker. Smoldering hate gave a red glow to the eyes that faced his own, like pits of ember, scorching him. Warm waves of breath washed over his face, each exhale like bells ringing, counting down to his seemingly inevitable demise. Raising his free arm, the beast flexed his claws, like black knives in the faded light under the canopies. An axe beginning its descent to the cutting block, so did the claws that would claim Roarke’s life.

  - No!

  Chaos, everything seemed to happen all at once, moving instantly but at the same time not moving at all. Gracefully, almost floating, Korri came bouncing into the scene, clearing the invisible border held by the surrounding wolves. Seemingly beyond the laws of gravity, she reached Roarke and his would-be executioner. Twisting in the air, she kicked away the arm holding Roarke whilst landing her other foot square in the face of the wolf-man. Who had, in his fury, grown unobservant and because of this, was taken by surprise. Feet up off the ground, the wolf-man flew ten feet before hitting a tree, that upon impact gave off a loud moan as to protest its involvement in the current altercation. Quickly recovering, the beast flew to his clawed feet, snarling and ready to pounce. As what had transpired became clear, he was joined in his anger by the growling of the circling pack.

  - Korri? What is the meaning of this!?

  - Stay your hand, Ama, this human is with me.

  - What is this treachery you speak!? You caught me off guard, squirrel, don’t think it will be so easy next time.

  - Ama, I don’t want to fight you, but this human, Roarke, is not to be harmed.

  - Roarke!? The deceiver has warped your mind! The humans are not to be trusted!

  A cacophony of snarls indicated the pack’s support.

  - Please Ama, calm your heart, I am not your enemy, and my mind is my own.

  Loosening her stance where she stood in front of Roarke, she raised her hands in an attempt to plead peace.

  - I’m sorry sister, the human cannot pass. Step aside, I don’t want to you hurt if I can avoid it.

  Korri stood her ground, tail jerking from side to side.

  - No.

  Ama looked at her with eyes filled with sadness, rather than with hot rage.

  - So be it, sister.

  Ama dug his claws into the ground, preparing to spring into action, his movements mirrored by his reluctant adversary. The very forest seemed to hold its breath, silence permeating the area. The already heavy air seemed to thicken by the heartbeat, as the two combatants stood waiting, neither one wanting to initiate what would surely mean the death of one of them. Roarke was sitting on the ground at Korri’s feet, holding what he thought must have been at least three broken ribs. His focus was set on the tense shape of Ama’s muscular frame until something caught his eye. Almost invisible against the verdant backdrop, a beetle landed on his boot. Folding its wings in under its green armor that shimmered in golden hues when it caught the light, it sat motionless.

  Roarke looked at it, feeling a memory rise up but not quite breaching the surface. Deeming the effort futile, he looked up only to see more beetles occupying the air. Upon closer inspection there were at least one flying around everyone, human, wolf, and Kappa alike. Korri’s stance had once again relaxed and she was sharing a look with Ama, standing some distance away. Inhaling deeply as to extinguish the anger raging inside, Ama looked at Roarke, sitting where he sat.

  - Understand this human, hurt our kind and no being will stand between you and my retribution.

  Upon his command, the pack regrouped and bounded off north. Before setting off, Ama turned around and faced Korri.

  - I hope you know what you are doing, sister.

  - Trust me brother, trust me.

  ***

  “Beetlefactor”

  - For someone so weak, you sure are heavy!

  - Well gee, I’m sorry! I should have thought of that before I foolishly went and got my ribs punched into the next week!

  They were walking north, closing in on their destination or at least Roarke guessed as much. For every hour that passed, the forest seemed to ascend to another level. The trees grew bigger and wilder than any Roarke had ever seen, and he had seen some big trees. It wasn’t just the flora that grew more vibrant, on every other branch sat a bird that Roarke had never seen before. Some of them were short and stout, sitting perched like gray balls of feathers, their chests emblazoned in carmine red. Others had feathers that took on a shining quality that made it look like they were covered in scales of orange and turquoise gems. Curious eyes that watched as they slowly made their way through the green pillars that made up the land. Korri had offered to carry him but Roarke had insisted on that he would be fine with a shoulder to lean on, lest his pride take a bigger beating than his body had.

  - Yeah well that was stupid wasn’t it? Make sure you consider that next time.

  - Yeah, fuck you too.

  They shared a smile as they passed through another thicket, that rose every so often, like green walls separating the forest into roofed halls.

  - We’re here.

  In front of them were a sight worthy of awe, by some sublime border there lay a grove within the forest. A stream ran between the trees, giving off a babbling that had just a second ago been inaudible. The trees within the grove seemed even more than before, connected, vines and grasping branches creating natural walkways that started at ground level and that continued up into the canopies. Trees with white reflecting leaves allowed the sun more presence than usual, painting the trunks in amber tints.

  - Wow.

  - I know what you mean, home sweet home.

  Roarke had always seen the beauty in nature but what lay before him was on another level. Had he been a man with such inclinations, he could have easily thought he had perished and entered a fabled paradise. Even if he had never set foot here before and didn’t know what this place had in store for him, he felt inexplicably at peace. After he had taken in the grand scope, he saw, upon closer inspection, activity up by one of the tree trunks that acted as one of the main columns of the natural construct.

  - Are those..?

  - Kappas? Yeah, they are.

  - Is our “beetlefactor” one of them? Get it? ’Cause of beetles and benefactor....

  - Har har! I got it, great joke.

  - I know, it’s a gift.

  Shaking her head, Korri turned back to face her missed home, only to see one of the Kappas coming up to meet them.

  - Will you be okay to stand on your own for a moment?

  - I think I’ll survive.

  Leaving her injured travel companion behind, Korri shot off towards the incoming individual, a joyous spring in her step. The other Kappa responded by increasing her speed as well. For she was a she, Roarke could see that now. Velutinous antlers sprouted from a head of lush flowing hair. A river of strands shifting from hazel to wet dirt in color, twisting this way and that as she bounced forth on legs that ended in cloven hooves. Like Korri and Ama, her body was covered covered i
n a coat, hers a downy one, painted pale brown with details in darker tones. A face with the traits of a deer of some sort, blessed with bigger and browner eyes than Roarke could have imagined existed.

  - Korri!

  - Vaya!

  They met in an embrace some distance ahead of Roarke, who found himself standing around awkwardly, waiting to be introduced.

  - My sister, I’ve been worried for your safety. Plista said something had happened but assured us you were safe and on your way back home.

  Her eyes landed on Roarke, who didn’t know how to react, not wanting to contract more broken ribs.

  - So Ama was telling the truth, I almost didn’t believe it when he told us of what he had seen. You travel with together with a human.

  - This is Roarke, he’s a friend. He helped me avoid the traitor’s lackeys and he... he actually saved my life.

  Vaya disengaged herself from Korri and walked up to Roarke. Sensing his apprehension, she offered a smile that Roarke reckoned could melt the coldest of hearts. She was truly beautiful, sweet eyes that promised safety, as big fuzzy ears twitched, gently rocking entwined braids that flowed along side the main part of her hair. Roarke returned the smile whilst he felt his cheeks heat up.

  - I understand Ama didn’t give you the warmest of greetings, please forgive his anger, he has his reasons. Please know that you will not receive any hostility from me, if Korri says she trusts you, I trust you. And if I understand, you should not only have my trust but also my gratitude for saving my sister, allowing her to return to us.

  As she finished talking, she moved in, embracing him, all while giving him a peck on the cheek. Her, despite the differences, womanly body so close to his, voluptuous breasts squeezing against his torso along with the fragrant smell of her hair, lit a fire inside of him, making him harden. If she noticed, she gracefully let it go by unremarked and as their short embrace ended, she smiled once more.

  - Come, you must be weary from travel, and we have to see to those injuries as well. But where are my manners, my name is Vaya, Kappa of reindeer.

  She gently bowed her head.

  -... And welcome Roarke, to Vanalf, and to the trees of Braida.