The Fifth Horde (pt 4) - Writers Forum

Dresdor · 01-08-2006, 08:35 PM

The Fifth Horde (Part 4)
By: Marshall Todt

Aggrig watched banner after banner march through the gates. The eleven emissaries from the other clans has arrived a mere three days after the call for a Council of War was sent. Now all twelve chieftains would meet and spend long hours feasting and arguing about a war that may never happen.

“I still don’t know how Urgon convinced them to meet here,” a voice said from behind. “The Earthen Rock clan called this Council, and their halls are larger and more suited to it.”

“The High Priest has a way of getting what he wants, Bacra,” Aggrig said, not turning to look at his cousin. “He probably mentioned how the bones of the four Masters of the Horde lie at rest below the stones of the meeting room, or that our clan is the smallest, so there are fewer ears to hear the great plans of the Horde.”

“Or perhaps that the plains-dwellers won’t consider this clan a threat, and would not attack here,” Bacra stood next to Aggrig. “Our Chieftain always seems to know exactly what is going on. Sometimes I wonder if he needs the seers at all.”

“Maybe he doesn’t.” Aggrig watched the last banner enter the gate. “Maybe he has seers to tell the future, and if he doesn’t like what they see, he forces it to change.”

“Aggrig!” Bacra said sternly. “You shouldn’t say such things against our Chieftain. I thought you knew better than to slander someone when they’ve done you no harm. If anything Urgon has helped you more than any other hordling.”

“What if I knew he was planning to do me harm,” Aggrig stared at his cousin. “What if I knew he was plotting things? What if I knew he was twisting the threads of fate so that he came out on top of things?”

“I will listen to no more lies, hordling.” Bacra said firmly. “I came here to deliver a message from Urgon, not to listen to your tall tales. It has been decided that you will take your Trial of the Hunt two nights from now. All the tribes have heard of your mastery of our history, now they want to see your mastery of the blade.” The seer turned, walking into the caves in silence.

Aggrig sighed. “Whatever honor I earn in two nights will be Urgon’s. If I succeed, it will be because of his guidance and teachings. If I fail, it will fall on someone other than the Chieftain.” He looked up, and saw the moon rising into the night sky. “How like the cursed moon you are, my chieftain. You are not the great sun, but you pretend to be. And he is not a great leader, but he still pretends. I will not be his plaything.”

Aggrig knelt and drew his sword. “Blessed sun, Great Holy Fire and kindler of my spirit, though I cannot look upon you with my own eyes, or bathe in your warmth, I pray to you now and always. On this night and in this hour, for now and forever I swear this oath. Never will I be like Urgon, nor will I be his pawn. I will see his ways exposed and that he is given the sentence due his crimes.”

He slid the edge of his sword across his palm, cutting just deep enough to bleed. Pressing his hand to the ground, he continued. “Blessed earth, great mother and provider, I ask for your strength. As you blessed the four great Masters that lie at rest in these caves, may you bless me. Grant me your guidance and love always, sweet mother.”

“Should my honor ever be in question, or my courage ever falter, take my life from me, great spirits. By honorable flame, sacred light, and blessed earth may I have the strength I need.” Aggrig sheathed his sword, and stood. He cut a strip from his shirt, and wrapped his hand, glancing down at the reddened rocks at his feet. He sighed, and walked back to his room.

Dresdor · 01-08-2006, 11:29 PM

*shameless bump*

Dresdor · 01-10-2006, 02:58 AM

Part 5:

“For two days we’ve spoken of nothing but war,” Urgon said. “Tonight we will take leave of such talks to honor the final steps of Aggrig, a hordling of my own Flaming Spirit clan, along the path to manhood. Aggrig, step forward.”

Aggrig stood before the assemblage of warriors, chieftains, and the entire Flaming Spirit clan. “I am here to answer the call of the Holy Fire, chieftain, and to earn my place among the warriors of my clan.”

“As High Priest and Chieftain of the Flaming Spirit, I command you to go with the blessings of the Immortal Sun. Slay a beast of mother earth and earn your shield, hordling.”

The crowd parted, and Aggrig walked out into the wide plains. Once clear of the crowd, he ran swiftly into the night. He could barely hear Urgon say “Now we must return to matters of War. Post the sentries for his return. If he is at all like his father, he will be back shortly.”

Aggrig stalked through the tall grass. His feet fell silently. His ears strained for every sound that rang out into the night. The grass rustled. His sword slid silently from its sheath, and the young hunter moved slowly towards the sound. A furrow was plowed through the tall grass. The pale moonlight reflected off of some liquid on the grass. Stepping closer, Aggrig saw it was fresh blood. He moved closer, and the grass stopped moving. Peering over it, he saw a deer lying in a crumpled heap. It was dead, killed by three deep claw marks on its side.

Something roared behind Aggrig. The hair on his neck stood up, and he turned sharply. He was staring into the eyes of a great beast. It was like a cougar, but three times larger than any brought down by hunters of the Horde. Long fur covered its neck in a beautiful mane, and its sharp teeth were stained with blood. It roared again, and Aggrig gave up a foot of ground to the monster.

“Orgristin, only one of us will leave here.” He said calmly. His sword shook in his quivering hands, but his voice was steady. “And I have an oath to keep.” He stamped his foot forward in a feint, and the great cat charged. Aggrig stepped to the side, and cut the beast’s flank with his sword. The blade did little damage, and just made the cat mad. It turned quickly, and knocked Aggrig to the ground. His claws scythed through the hunter’s calf, and Aggrig screamed. Orgristin put a heavy paw on the hordling’s chest, and its claws cut into him.

Its jaws opened. Aggrig gagged on the beast’s foul breath. The jaws came closer to his face. Drawing on all his strength, he thrust his sword into the monster’s mouth. He stabbed up into the roof of its mouth, driving the blade into its brain. The monster collapsed onto Aggrig. He couldn’t breath. The dark night grew darker, and all Aggrig knew was the pain of his wounds.

Dresdor · 01-12-2006, 08:15 PM

Final bump