Crown of Vengeance Read online

  “I don’t think that these would do much good at all against what we almost got caught by,” Erin added, holding up her crude weapon. “It was horrible.

  Ryan commented, “Then we are going to have to stay real alert, all of us together.”

  “First of all, we are all in the same boat. We don’t have any idea of what or where this place is,” Lynn said. “We were just out camping in the woods with our friends, down by the Gorge. The fog rolled in, just like you said, and Erin and I were suddenly alone in this place. Our friends and the camp were gone.”

  “I have no idea why,” Erin said with evident frustration. “We didn’t do anything to deserve this.”

  “What were you guys trying to do just now?” Lynn asked.

  “Just trying to find out more about this place,” Lee said. “And beginning to think about what we need to do for food and shelter.”

  Erin shook her head in agreement. “Like we’ve been doing, only we were forced to move pretty quick after getting here.”

  Lynn proceeded to relate the tale of their harrowing pursuit by the flying creature in detail, including the unexpected intervention by the unseen, roaring beast, and leading all the way up to the most recent moments where they encountered Lee and Ryan.

  “Well, what do you think we should do? As in right now?” Ryan inquired when the women were finished with their account.

  “I think the same things you two were about to do, just as a quartet now,” Lynn said. “We don’t have that many options. We need to figure out some kind of place to settle in when night comes, and we need to think about finding some kind of food.”

  “I don’t even want to think about what comes out at night around here,” remarked Erin somberly.

  “Good thing there are four of us now. We can set watches with two at a time,” Ryan observed.

  “Each watch can be done with one of us, and one of the two of you,” Lee quickly suggested, “if that would make you feel more at ease.”

  “Thank you,” Lynn responded appreciatively.

  “Well, then, let’s try and find some food, and find some more things out about this place,” Lee stated, before adding, “but hopefully no more creatures.”

  “We’re in full agreement with you there,” Lynn said.

  After a few moments’ discussion, they decided to start off in a direction that neither party had previously been going in. They made sure that it was one that definitely did not go anywhere near to the area where Erin and Lynn had encountered the fearsome woodland denizens.

  Lee already had a good mental image of the flying beast that had pursued them, and he was not sure that he wanted one of the roaring creature that had inadvertently saved the two young women. It was abundantly clear that the young women did not want to risk an encounter with their unseen savior. Added to the flying creature that Ryan had seen from the treetops, at close range, it was indisputable that the forest sheltered some very dangerous residents.

  In low voices that were near to whispers, Lynn and Erin spoke further with Ryan and Lee about their experiences. Lee was very glad for the new companionship, and felt a little better about their chances in a larger group of four. The two women seemed to have wits enough, though Lee’s first impressions were that Lynn was the more focused of the two.

  Having already traveled far that day, it was not all that long before the entire group possessed throbbing leg muscles that seemed ready to take on the consistency of jelly.

  After recognizing that each of the others was in such a condition, they all finally decided to stop and search for a place to settle for the evening. They had not been lucky enough to blunder into something more familiar, like a building or a road, and it was becoming evident that they would be spending the night in the wilderness.

  Lee thought back to the day’s trek as the shadows began to lengthen. The distance that they had covered had been fairly substantial, likely far more than he ever would have thought himself capable of.

  The rest of the day had gone mercifully without incident, free from the unorthodox creatures that they all had encountered after emerging from the fog into the strange forest. For Lee it was a tremendous relief, though he knew that the two women probably held much more gratitude for the absence of encounters with strange fauna.

  The landscape had continued to remain much the same. It seemed like an endless series of slow rises and dips in the ground, surrounded by trees and brush that obscured any distant view. The continuous litany was broken only by the occasional encounter with a stream or creak. The air remained refreshingly clean to breathe, and the only sounds to reach Lee’s ears were those of birds and their own footsteps.

  The light of day continued to slowly decline, as the deepening pools of shadows expanded and started to fill the woods. Lee realized that the growing gloom in an unknown world would be much more menacing if they did not soon fabricate a makeshift shelter.

  After the group had agreed upon a place that looked favorable, Lee instigated the formation of a basic shelter that took little time to erect. Using some long branches and a bevy of grasses, they worked together on fashioning a lean-to shelter at the base of a steeper hill. When finished, Lee saw that the small shelter had the added benefit of being relatively concealed.

  Even with the shelter accomplished, Lee had some growing concerns as it came to light that the two women were relatively inexperienced in survival issues. He had hoped otherwise, given that they had been camping when the fog had enveloped them. As the women discovered the same general fact about Lee and Ryan, that they were not naturalists or versed in wilderness skills, a definite anxiety began to rise within the group.

  Erin and Lynn’s camping and hiking experiences had involved large numbers of people, equipped with plenty of modern conveniences such as sleeping bags and waterproof tents. The majority of their excursions were into the Gorge area in the Daniel Boone National Forest, with clearly marked trails and highly trained rangers in the vicinity.

  Lee and Ryan’s wilderness had always consisted of a jungle of concrete, metal, asphalt, and large numbers of people.

  They were all finding themselves to be far out of their element, but Lee could see that necessity was quickly bringing them together for mutual support.

  After some more conferring, it was decided that Lee’s earlier idea of using one of the women and one of the men to serve in watch shifts would be implemented. The pair on watch, as well as those sleeping, would be situated within the little enclosure, so that none of them would be left too exposed out in the open.

  With the evening’s arrangements settled, they set out as a group in the waning daylight to search around the immediate area for any possible source of food. Lee did not expect instant success, but hoped that they could get some ideas for the coming day.

  Lee urged the others to check into the beds of nearby creeks, suggesting that there might be the equivalent of frogs or crayfish lurking within the waters and grasses.

  The others did not appear to find the idea altogether appetizing, and Erin looked entirely revolted by the suggestion. But Lee at least knew how to prepare both frogs and crayfish for consumption. He also realized that they would soon be eating tree bark if they did not find other solutions for sustenance.

  The worries of the others turned out to be for naught, if just for the moment, as nothing was turned up from the couple of creeks that they probed.

  Erin succeeded in discovering some mushrooms, which none of the group wanted to try. They had all heard stories about people eating the wrong kind of mushrooms, and none felt certain that what Erin had found was not one of the toxic varieties of the fungus. Lynn found some unrecognizable type of berries, which they also decided against trying for much the same reasons.

  When the last vestiges of daylight finally ebbed, they all settled themselves into the enclosure with ravenous appetites harbored inside of them. Thirst overrode caution, and they drank abundantly from cold creek waters near their camping site, hoping that no contamin
ants were in the water. Bellies full of water helped to take a little of the edge off of them, but Lee knew that it would not be very long before solid food would become a major issue.

  The night eased in upon the forest, and the sibilant sounds of insects chirping filled the woods all around them. There were only a couple of moments in which the woods went silent, which caused the group to tense at what was perhaps the passage of a larger creature nearby. Once, Lee’s head shot up in alarm at what sounded like a far-off shriek. It took some time for his nerves to settle back down.

  Good fortune prevailed overall, though, as there were no major disturbances throughout the rest of the evening, enabling those who were not on watch to allow themselves to surrender to sleep. The largely peaceable night also caused those who were on watch to struggle to stay awake, especially the first pair, as all four of them were entirely exhausted at the outset of the evening.

  Lee had volunteered for the onerous duty of the first shift. He knew that it would be the toughest, and in that sense the most important, as it carried the greatest risk of leaving the group vulnerable by having those on watch inadvertently falling asleep.

  Lee had been joined by Lynn for the unpleasant challenge, and to his delight soon found her to be very pleasant company. Yet in their great weariness they spoke rather sparingly, and when they did it was often only to help each other remain awake.

  After the first shift had ended, and they had roused Ryan and Erin to take their places, Lee could barely keep his eyelids parted. The cloak of sleep came as a very welcome mercy, and not a moment too soon. Lee’s consciousness tumbled into a dreamless sleep as he lay upon the hard, uneven ground.

  The engulfing fatigue that plunged him into the dark depths of unconsciousness was not without its useful merits. He knew that otherwise he would likely have spent the entire night battling a rising tide of fears and anxieties, the greatest of which being that the sojourn that had begun that day in the peculiar forest would not be ending anytime soon.

  JANUS

  A few hours later, the mesmerizing sky began to dim as the sun descended towards the west. Janus was intrigued as to what kind of sunset would occur given the different hue of sky, but there were far more pressing matters at hand.

  Though night was approaching, it was not yet fully dark. Janus, Derek, and Kent had been passing the time letting their bodies rest up a little.

  There had been no major incidents during the past few hours. There were no signs of any sort of strange new life forms, like the creature in the grasses that Kent had startled upon their arrival. The only noises to be heard were that of the air sweeping through the high grasses, and the waters as they flowed through the channel of the river far behind them.

  Growing tired with the inactivity, Janus stretched his limbs out and got to his feet slowly. Taking a deep breath, he walked well away from the others, until he was back at the river’s edge. He looked all about for any sign of the boat.

  To his continued dismay, there was no clue as to what had become of the vessel, and he felt a lump in his throat as a growing anxiety gripped him. He gazed back to where the unbroken line of trees heralded the beginnings of the vast forest. As the light dimmed, the shadowy boundary looked ever more mysterious and foreboding.

  It was becoming evident that sooner or later they would have to begin thinking about getting something to eat. The forest would likely serve as their most opportune place to search, perhaps offering some nuts or berries. The river before him could well be teeming with fish, but they had no poles or nets available.

  There was a small victory to be had nonetheless, in that there was plenty of accessible fresh water to go around. Cupping his hands, he knelt down and scooped up some handfuls of the water and drank it. He imbibed the cool liquid with relish, even as some of it dribbled down the sides of his mouth and neck.

  He took in rapid breaths after the long draughts of water, still amazed at the clean feeling of the air as it passed into his lungs. He concentrated on gathering his wits, which was the most important asset that he still had available to him in this extraordinary place. He knew that they could not sit around and wait forever, but they had absolutely no idea as to how to get back to the lake.

  With a barely audible sigh, he spun about and walked back down to where Kent and Derek were still resting.

  “Anything new?” Derek inquired, idly looking up into the blue-green sky.

  A couple of large, black ravens flew by overhead.

  “Not always the best harbinger,” Derek remarked with a rueful chuckle, watching the dark birds slowly fade into the distance.

  “You mean the ravens?” Kent asked him.

  “I’ll explain it sometime later,” Derek replied with a dismissive air.

  Janus shook his head and frowned.

  “What are you thinking about?” Derek asked him.

  “Everything. Just what we do know,” Janus responded dourly. “Boat’s gone. There’s a strange forest nearby. We have no idea what has happened or how it happened. The sky is entirely different to us, and we’ve already seen an animal that is very different from anything we’ve known. My gut feeling is that none of it bodes very well.”

  “We’ll have to head forth sometime and explore our surroundings. That much is obvious,” Derek declared. “We’ll look for some source of food too. Can’t assume we’ll be back home anytime soon.”

  “Not far at all from what was running through my mind,” Janus said. “I wonder if there is anyone around this place, as far as people.”

  Janus let his breath ebb out in a long, controlled exhalation. He stood with his hands resting on his hips, looking down at the swaying grasses caught in the early evening breezes.

  Under the circumstances, the most simple of things appeared daunting.

  “There are others,” a strong, deep voice intruded suddenly.

  Janus whirled around, even as Derek jumped up immediately to his feet in a combative stance. Kent’s eyes snapped wide open, and he twirled around with a mien of renewed panic, as he scrambled up to his feet and stood close to Derek.

  All of their eyes were fixed upon the speaker, who had somehow managed to approach them without any of them having heard or seen anything.

  The one who had addressed them was a tall man of very advanced years, clothed in full-length, blue garments. A wide-brimmed hat with a low, rounded crown topped his head.

  Thick white eyebrows, a mass of long white hair, and an extensive white beard were among the most prominent features of the peculiar stranger. His long, sharp nose poked out over the abundant growth of facial hair, and a lone blue eye gazed intently at the three of them. His left eye was hidden from view, fully covered by a patch.

  The elderly man looked to be very calm, even amiable in manner. “I mean no harm to any of you,” he continued, before they had a chance to reply. “But there are others such as yourselves in these lands. In there!”

  He extended his right arm, pointing to where the great forest began.

  “There you will find others, who have gone through what you have gone through,” he proceeded. “It is where you must start.”

  “Who are you?” were the first words out of Janus’ mouth.

  It was pretty evident that the man represented no great threat. Janus and his companions were physically capable enough, and he knew that Derek was an exceptional fighter if a greater danger arose.

  “I am … a friend … names would mean little to you now, and perhaps be more trouble than it is worth,” the old man replied. “Dire times indeed have struck this world, and there are very few that you can trust now. The violence across this world is great, and an unrivaled age begins. Everything is at stake. You must join the others who are here, who have come from your world.”

  The old man’s remarks about two distinct worlds sent a deep feeling of unease rippling through Janus.

  “Sounds absolutely wonderful. But perhaps you can tell us where the hell we are then,” Derek retorted sharply, agitat
ion and sarcasm lacing his words.

  The old man did not respond to Derek’s statement, nor did he seem to be offended by the curtness.

  Instead, he calmly repeated his urging, “Go to the forest, and you shall find the others. I have matters of my own to attend to, but it is important that you know that others are nearby. Begin there.”

  With no further instruction or comment, the old man turned casually and started to walk off in a direction parallel to the forest. Janus noticed how easy and supple his movements were for an old man, and how his robes flowed gracefully with each long stride.

  Janus glanced over at Derek, and discovered that the other’s face was exhibiting the same utter confusion about the situation that he was feeling inside. Janus’ eyes reverted back towards the old man as he continued heading away from them.

  Janus and Derek simultaneously shook their heads in disbelief. Janus rolled his eyes and broke into a swift trot, hurrying to catch back up to the old man.

  Without breaking stride or turning, the old man snapped his right hand up as Janus neared. Janus came to an abrupt halt, as the old man stopped and turned to look at him again.

  This time, the sunlight caught his right eye directly, revealing it to be a bright, sparkling blue.

  “I know that you are filled with questions. But it is best to keep the questions that you have to yourself for now, as any answers I give will only multiply your questions. I assure you, in time you shall know more. And as I have indicated, in time you shall find that you also know less, as each piece of knowledge beckons to several more,” the old man told him.

  The old man’s voice then took on a very purposeful, careful tone. “Here is some wisdom. You may find help from sources that you can see, and some help from sources that you cannot behold with the eyes that you see me with at this moment. See to your friends, and go find the others from your world. That is the best that you can do right now. I shall return to you soon enough.”