Atlantis: The Beginning (The Atlantis Saga Book 1) Page 4

  My eyes widened in surprise as Fendrell Godfrey, one of our fellow participants, stepped out from behind one of the trees, flanked by two huge tigers.

  I remembered that he could control animals. He belonged to the Godfrey family, one of the five great mage bloodlines of Atlantis.

  ''Where is Jessika?'', I asked, looking around.

  ''Give me the sword'', he demanded, ignoring my question.

  ''I don't have it'', I replied in a matter of fact tone.

  ''Give me the sword or I will kill you, like I did the other two'', he said, in a menacing tone.

  I felt a pang of fear, my thoughts immediately going back to my friends. ''What have you done?'', I asked, rage bubbling inside me.

  ''It doesn't concern you, tell me where it is, or you will be next''.

  ''You will never have it'', I spat, angrily.

  ''Kill her'', he commanded his animals.

  The tigers charged forward. I loosed an arrow, which pierced the flank of one of the brutes, but it kept charging. I threw the bow aside and drew my sword.

  As one of the beasts pounced for the kill, I swung my sword, separating the head from its torso. I ducked as the second one pounced on me and buried my sword in its chest, but I failed to pull it out in time.

  The bear was already in front of me, and before I could defend myself, it slashed at my face with its claws. I fell on the ground, clutching my face, screaming in agony. It attacked again and slashed at my side, cutting right through the leather armor. I momentarily blacked out, as I felt the searing pain in my side.

  Suddenly, a wall of water crashed into the beast, throwing it off me. My friends had arrived.

  Alice yelled out in anger and charged forward, burying her blade in the animal, before turning on Fendrell. She grabbed his shocked face and banged his head on the tree trunk behind him. He dropped to the ground, unconscious.

  Alec rushed to my side and started tending my wounds. ''Damon'', he called. ''I need your help. The wound is too deep and she is losing blood. We need to get her back to the Capital''.

  Alice rushed to my side and gasped when she saw my wound. ''You are going to be alright scar. Stay with me....''. The rest of her sentence faded as I slipped into unconsciousness.

  ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

  2. The Hunter's Mark

  When I regained consciousness, I was lying on a soft bed, with no idea where I was. I winced as I felt my wounds. My left eye was bandaged. I saw Alice sitting at the foot of my bed. She smiled as I raised my head.

  ''Where am I?''.

  ''In the Infirmary. So much for the great hunter'', she smirked.

  ''I was outnumbered'', I retorted.

  ''Sure, sure'', she said, patronizingly.

  ''How long was I unconscious?'', I asked, scowling at her.

  ''A whole day, since we brought you here''.

  ''I lost my eye, didn't I?'', I asked, feeling the bandage.

  She nodded, looking at me sadly. ''I'm sorry''.

  ''Don't worry about it. I still have the other one''.

  She smiled, shaking her head. At that moment, the healer arrived. She was a middle aged woman, wearing plain white clothes and her dark hair was tied up in a bun.

  ''Are you feeling alright, sweetheart?'', she asked, giving me a kind smile.

  ''Yeah'', I nodded.

  ''What about the eye? Does it hurt?''.

  ''A little'', I lied, even though I felt like it was being pricked by needles.

  ''I am sorry. I did everything I could. The claw punctured the eyelid and damaged the iris''.

  ''Its alright. I can manage with one'', I said. ''When can I leave?''.

  ''You can leave after a couple of days'', she smiled.

  ''But I am feeling great''.

  ''You need more rest. The wounds have not yet healed and you have lost a lot of blood'', she replied sternly.

  I slumped back into bed, disappointed.

  The day passed very slowly. Alice kept me company. Alec and Damon came to visit and brought some food. We ate together, discussing our adventure in the cursed forest.

  ''What happened to Fendrell?'', I asked.

  ''He was sent to the council to face trial for murdering Vance and Belinda'', replied Damon. ''Their bodies were found in the forest, mauled by animals''.

  ''He should be hanged, that weasel'', Alice swore angrily.

  ''Their parents took their bodies'', said Alec. ''They will be buried in their hometowns''.

  ''What about the others'', I asked.

  ''Oliver and Nicole returned shortly after us and Jessika was found later wandering in the forest. Fendrell tried to kill her too, but she escaped'', Alec replied grimly.

  ''Something tells me he was not really interested in the test. He must have been after the sword'', Damon added thoughtfully.

  ''Where is the sword, by the way'', I asked.

  ''Its with master Kaiser'', replied Alice.

  The healer returned and ordered them to leave. I sighed and closed my eyes, pondering about the events that had taken place, before sleep overtook me.

  It was the day of the awarding ceremony. It was almost a week since I was discharged from the Infirmary. The wounds at my side had started scabbing and I had a scar on my left eye. I had covered it up with an leather eye patch, which Alice had made for me.

  ''How are you feeling?'', asked Alice, as we were getting ready for the ceremony.

  ''Never better'', I smiled.

  We slowly made our way to the grounds, where the rest of the pupils had assembled. Everyone was wearing black to mourn the death of Vance and Belinda. The grounds fell silent as the head of staff, master Kaiser Frost, stepped forward on the dais.

  ''There is much I would like to say to all of you'', he said, ''but first we must acknowledge the loss of two of our best students. Let their souls find happiness in the next world'', he said.

  We bowed our heads, paying our respects in silence for a few minutes.

  After some time, he continued. ''Now it is time to award the winners. This year, some changes were made, owing to the circumstances and hence all four participants who came back with the sword will be given the mark. I now call upon the winners''.

  I stepped forward along with Alice, Damon and Alec. The master touched each of our necks and started muttering a spell. I felt a prickling sensation as the mark started forming on my neck.

  The end of the year feast continued into the night. Here and there, people sat on stone benches. The bards played their instruments and sung merry songs while the others danced. Campfires were lit and food was passed around.

  The four of us were sitting on the lawn beside the hedge, watching the campfire. Suddenly, we heard someone whispering in low voices, from behind the hedge.

  I listened closely, trying to make out the voices. It was the head master talking to one of the staff. They were whispering, ''…........has been missing.............hasn't reported since yesterday........ keep it quiet for now. Inform the council. It is very dangerous in the wrong hands....'', the voice faded as they walked away.

  ''What was that about?'', asked Alice.

  ''Dunno'', replied Damon, stifling a yawn. ''Sounded like someone had stolen something dangerous''.

  ''Do you think it was the sword?'', asked Alice.

  ''Who cares, we got the mark'', replied Alec.

  We argued for a while, about the conversation we had just overheard, before heading back to our dormitories.

  The next day, once we had finished packing our things, we were on our way to the city. From there, Alice and I would be heading to Greenport, where my mother lived.

  I had invited Alice to stay with me, since she did not have a place of her own. Alec's parents lived in the capital and Damon lived in Southshore, which was near Greenport.

  Poseidonia was the most beautiful city in all of Atlantis. The huge ornate houses stood far apart, separated by lush and beautiful gardens. The headquarters of the Atlantian council stood in the middle of the city. In fron
t of it was a huge fountain, on which stood the statue of Lord Poseidon, the patron god of Atlantis.

  ''You two must come to Greenport sometime'', I said, looking at Alec and Damon.

  ''My father works at the naval base in Southshore, maybe I can convince him to take me with him'', replied Alec.

  ''I will definitely visit'', winked Damon.

  After exchanging hugs, Alice and I headed towards the outskirts of the city. We walked for some time along the road leading out of the city.

  ''Finally!'', exclaimed Alice, waving at the approaching wagon.

  ''Wher'ee you headed'', asked the coachman in a gruff voice.

  ''Greenport'', we replied, at the same time.

  ''Get in'', he said, gesturing at the back of his open carriage. We sat on the rough wooden bench at the back. It was going to be an uncomfortable ride back home, but it was better than walking all the way.

  The coachman was quite friendly. We exchanged stories as we traveled. After a couple of days we reached a small village named Ostfield. It looked like it had been recently fortified with wall made of wooden logs.

  It was nearly dark and the coachman stopped the carriage near the gate, which was closed. He went up to the gate and knocked. A small window opened beside it and a head peered out.

  ''Who is it?''.

  ''Travelers from capital, headed to Greenport''.

  He peered at our carriage suspiciously. Once he was sure that we were just travelers, his head disappeared from the window and the gate opened.

  ''Come in, make haste'', he said, glancing around nervously.

  As soon as we were in, he locked the gate behind us.

  ''Where can we find an Inn?'', asked the coachman.

  ''The seventh building to the right'', he replied, pointing down the road.

  We headed in the direction he had pointed. The streets were empty and the doors were locked.

  ''Something must have happened here'', whispered Alice.

  ''In that case we mustn't stay long'', grumbled the coachman.

  We found the Inn at the corner. A lamp was hanging over the door, below which swung a signboard that read ' The Anxious Goose '.

  The coachmen tied the horses to a post outside the Inn. As we walked inside the door, I noticed that it was almost empty. A couple of travelers sat huddled in a corner. The innkeeper waved at us from behind a counter.

  ''What can I do for you, my good travelers'', he said, giving us a slight bow.

  ''A room fo' these two ladies, and supper for three'', replied the coachman, handing him some coppers.

  ''Right away, sir'', said the innkeeper, before disappearing behind a door at the counter.

  ''What about you?'', I asked the coachman.

  ''I don't like sleepin' indoors'', he replied.

  We sat down at a table in the corner. The innkeeper returned after sometime with three plates laden with food and some ale.

  ''Wha' happened to this village? It was more cheerful, last I was 'ere'', asked the coachman, looking at the Innkeeper.

  ''Strange things have been happening, my good sir. Some dark creature lurks beyond the walls, terrorizing the villagers. People go missing in the middle of the night. The ones who go to search for them never return. We do not dare even step out of the gates. We had sent a messenger to the capital. He has not returned still. We will just have to wait'', he said, glumly.

  Suddenly, his eyes widened, as they fell on the marks on our neck. ''You are hunters!'', he exclaimed. ''You can help us capture the creature. Please! You are our only hope. It will be days before the council sends hunters from the capital'', he begged.

  ''We are still apprentices, but we will do all we can to help'', I replied. Alice nodded in agreement.

  The innkeeper looked relieved. After answering some of our questions, he decided to show us to our rooms.

  ''This is yours'', he said, opening a door at the top of the stairs. ''Make yourselves at home. If u need anything, I will be downstairs'', he said, handing us the key, before he walked out of the door.

  There were two small beds in the corner and a table. We were so exhausted that we directly crashed into the beds, without bothering to undress.

  ''Do you think the creature is a vampire?'', asked Alice, looking at me nervously. ''Or a werewolf?''.

  ''In Atlantis? I doubt it. It would be mad to enter a country full of hunters'', I said.

  We debated about the attacker for a while, until we finally fell asleep.

  I was woken up by Alice in the middle of the night. Someone was shouting from the streets. I walked towards the window, just as alarm bells started ringing. I saw people walking towards the gate.

  ''Is it the attacker?'', I asked, looking at Alice.

  ''Probably'', she said, belting on her sword.

  I grabbed Shadowfang and dashed out of the door, followed by Alice.

  Almost half the village was gathered near the gate. I squeezed my way through to see what was going on.

  ''What happened?'', Alice asked one of the villagers.

  ''Another attack! The Watchman was patrolling the streets when he heard a scream, but by the time he reached here, the gatekeeper was already dead'', replied the villager, pointing at the body lying in a pool of blood.

  I got down on my knees and examined the body. It was still warm. I pulled out a towel and cleaned the blood off his neck and sure enough there it was! Two small holes, fang marks of the blood drinker.

  Suddenly, a woman came running from one of the nearby houses. Her face was ashen and she was trembling with fear. ''My son!'', she sobbed. ''He is nowhere to be seen. Please someone help me find him'', she begged, tears falling down her cheeks.

  ''Stay here. We will find him'', I assured the woman.

  I looked at Alice and whispered, ''You were right''.

  We grabbed a couple of torches from the brackets near the gate and searched the outer perimeter of the village.

  ''Scar, here'', called Alice, from the edge of the forest.

  There was a trail of blood leading into the forest. We informed the villagers and set out into the woods, followed by the watchman from the village.

  The forest was dark and strangely silent. We followed the trail, deeper into the woods. Moonlight shone through the gaps in the leaves. We walked in silence, our eyes fixed on the ground and our ears strained for the faintest sound.

  ''What if it attacks us?'', whispered the watchman.

  ''Shhh! Quiet''.

  As we went deeper and deeper into the forest, the trail started getting fainter. Suddenly we walked out into a clearing. A lone battered cabin stood at the center.

  ''What is that?'', Alice asked the watchman, pointing at the cabin.

  ''A family of trappers used to live here, before they relocated to the north. It is abandoned now'', he whispered, glancing around nervously.

  ''A good hiding place for the creature'', muttered Alice, as we started walking towards the cabin.

  The roof had almost caved in and was covered with vines. A foul stench hung over the cabin. The door had fallen off and the inside was in even worse shape. The furniture had decayed and the ceiling was covered with cobwebs.

  I saw a fresh set of footsteps on the dust covered floor leading to a door at the other end of the room. It was slightly ajar. As I pushed it open, I saw a set of stairs leading down into the basement.

  I cautiously walked down the stairs, gripping my sword in one hand and the torch in the other. I gestured at the others to follow me quietly.

  When I reached the foot of the stairs, I saw a pile of dead bodies lying in the corner. I gagged in revulsion, as the sickening smell hit my nose.

  In front of the pile, stood a small boy. His clothes were stained in blood. He was staring at me with wide eyes. I handed the torch to the watchman and started walking towards the boy.

  Suddenly, I heard a low growl and something crashed against me, throwing me onto the floor. I lost my grip on Shadowfang and it skidded out of reach.

 
A hideous vampire stood over me, Its lips smeared with blood. It was dressed in rags, its body was covered with bruises and cuts.

  It opened its mouth, baring a set of sharp fangs. Without warning, it lunged, aiming at my neck. I was ready. I grabbed its face and gouged its eyes with my thumbs. It screamed in pain and jumped back on its feet.

  The watchman was trembling with fear, cowering against the wall. Alice jumped forward, driving her sword through the vampire's chest, but that did not seem to have any effect.

  It snarled and grabbed her neck, lifting her off the floor. But she was quick. She caught the handle and pulled upwards, ripping through its flesh. It wailed in agony, dropping her to the floor.

  It removed the sword from its chest and looked at Alice with hatred. Its wounds were already closing. I crawled towards my sword, which was lying in the corner.

  Before it could regain its composure, I picked up my sword and jumped back to my feet. I lunged at the vampire and drove Shadowfang into its heart. The vampire looked down in horror at the blade protruding from its chest.

  ''No!....It cannot be....'', it whispered as its whole body started smoldering, before dissolving into a pile of ashes.

  ''How did you do that?!'', asked Alice, shocked.

  ''Do what?''.

  ''A vampire cannot be killed by inflicting physical injury, except with fire. So, how did you kill it?''.

  ''It must have been my sword'', I said, holding up Shadowfang, even the vampire blood on its blade was evaporating. ''Here'', I said, offering my hand to Alice.

  ''I knew your sword was not normal. It is imbued with magic'', she said, as I helped her up. ''Thank the gods for that. For a moment I thought we were dead meat''.

  ''Our first hunt'', I smiled.

  I picked up the small boy who was cowering in the corner and made him sit on the stairs. His neck was still bleeding. I tore a piece of cloth from my tunic and bandaged his wound. He seemed to have lost a lot of blood.

  ''We should burn it down. Especially with all these bodies rotting in here'', I said.

  Once we were outside. Alice grabbed a torch from the watchman and set the whole cabin on fire. We headed back towards the village, as the cabin burned to the ground along with the creature.