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Chapter- 5 " Baymon The Worthless. "

Haraku got up drawing Anareecie's attention from the flames.

"Where are you going?" She asked with an annoyed yet concerned tone.

"Taking a piss," he stated plainly. "Care to join me?" Just as the last word slipped from his maw he watched as Annareecie's jaw dropped and her face contorted into utter disgust.

"You're repulsive!" She scolded. Haraku just sort of rolled his eyes while shaking his head as she had clearly misread his intent.

"It drives off any animals that might come looking for an easy meal, besides I had a lot to drink.." Haraku wandered off a short way before relieving himself. Upon his return, he went to the cart first retrieving a fist full of arrows from his quiver and the rest of the rope.

He also took the amulet from the breast pouch of his armor, stuffing it into his belt and wandered over to her. "You up for a little sport?" he asked handing her the arrows. Anareecie blinked for a moment looking at the arrows than to him before gently taking them as she stood setting them into her quiver.

"But..you know I'm a terrible shot."

"Then we will work on that first." A little more eager now at the prospect of learning she slipped the quiver on her shoulder exchanging it for her bow and followed his lead. Haraku stopped a short distance from the fire and scanned the immediate area. "stand here. " he pointed to the ground as he drew a line with his foot. Anareecie moved up to the line and watched patiently as he moved about 20 to 30 yards away. Haraku knelt down and tied one end of the rope to a short piece of timber about as thick as his forearm and just as long before he cast the other end over a tree branch and tied it off suspending it in the air at about chest height.

He gave it a quick push making it swing back and forth. "there is your target." he said returning to her. The wolf stood to her side a few feet away. "hit it." he instructed and watched as she took a stance. Anareecie was a little nervous now with a set of eyes watching her every move. With a shaky hand, she drew an arrow from her quiver and notched it drawing it back as she tried to take aim. She took her time and when she felt ready. "FOOM!" The bow made that familiar sound as she released the arrow and watched as it sailed into the night over the target never to be seen again. Her hazel eyes shifted to his as he tilted his head. He didn't even watch the arrow she realized he stared at her the whole time. This made her a little uneasy. " You look like no ones ever taught you how to shoot." He said rather plainly.

"no..." her eyes fell to her bow. "Father never taught me. He hated the idea of weapons and violence." Haraku shook his head getting behind her. Unsure of what he was doing she jumped a little feeling his hand on her back.

"Stand up straight," he ordered before gently knocking his foot against the inside of her ankles. "spread your feet a little." he grabbed her shoulders and helped adjust her stance slightly. She followed his instruction but couldn't help but tense up a little feeling those heavy clawed hands on her. The rough pads of his fingers sent a chill down her spine and she pulled away instinctively.

"s-sorry" she stammered "its just...I'm kind of on edge with everything and-" the wolf cut her off.

"just relax, no one is going to hurt you here, your safe. But I can't help you if you don't trust me either." his tone was softer now and admittedly helped a little. Haraku stopped and gave her a moment to compose herself, taking a breath and rolling her shoulders.

"ok...continue," she said as she regained her focus. Haraku took it in stride getting behind her again

"Alright now I'm going to tweak your position a little more so don't tense up." Anareecie nodded mentally preparing herself. Haraku grabbed her hips gently and pivoted her to to the side a little. "now draw without an arrow.

This way she realized wasn't struggling as much to pull the string back.

"that feels a lot more natural right? not nearly as difficult." She nodded surprisingly he was right, this felt so much easier. Haraku lowered his head putting his muzzle near her ear. "now do it again with an arrow this time, draw a deep breath and hold it just as your ready to take aim. " Anareecie did just that no longer trembling with an arrow notched she picked her mark. "hit it..." he breathed.

Anareecie let the arrow fly and watched as it hit with a satisfying "TOK" spinning the piece of wood around and around. Her face lit up, a giddy little grin pursed her lips. "I did it!" Haraku chuckled taking a step back. "good now again."

"but now it's spinning to fast." she protested watching the wood spiral and swing in a chaotic loop.

"the enemy won't stand still for you either girl. Take the shot." Anareecie's brow furrowed some as she repeated the process and to her own surprise landed a second shot. "you're a natural." He praised her with a clever grin.

"bit more practice and you will be forced to be reckoned with" Anareecie beamed and blushed a little at the boost of confidence. "I'd say you've earned your self a prize." he nodded slipping the amulet from his belt he tossed it to her. Anareecie caught the object with her free hand, examining the carvings.

This pentacle symbol was starting to turn up everywhere she thought to her self looking at the same symbol on her bow before slipping it back on her shoulder. The amulet was quite pretty. She recognized some of the other markings as old elven runes but even she didn't know what they signified. "It's my old good luck charm. Consider it a gift." He nodded with a smile heading back to the fire where he propped himself against the base of a nearby tree once again.

Anareecie put it around her neck admiring it as it rested neatly on her chest. Taking a moment to her self she retrieved the two arrows before going back to her bedroll taking a seat.

"how does it look?" she inquired puffing out her chest slightly. Haraku just smiled for a long moment admiring her through the flame the dull glow it cast on her pale skin, the slight sparkle of the carvings of the stone resting at the center of her bust.

"You wear it well girl...do you like it?" She nodded giving him a fiery grin.

"if this makes us friends though you shouldn't call me girl," she mocked him slight for his use of the term. "I'm not you know." The wolf smirked.

"what would you have me call you then?" She looked down to the amulet sort of fidgeting with it for a moment.

"Just Reecie is fine." she was a bit coy in her reply. Haraku remembered her father calling her that all the time, or at least for the short time he knew him.

"Reecie it is then."

"Should I refer to you as Aku the vile?" she giggled a little bitting her bottom lip hoping she hadn't offended him. Haraku looked more embarrassed than anything and stuck his tongue out giving her a repugnant look.

"by the gods no!" he chortled "I never came up with that name I'll have you know. But Raku will do just fine." Reecie snickered a little before regaining her composure.

"Raku... I like it." The wolf fliped his cowl up and over his eyes looking like some sort of cultist as he yawned, sharp teeth glimmering in the firelight for a moment.

"well, Reecie we should get some rest, my wounds especially. If we get up early enough we might reach an Inn outside of Black Rock before night falls again.

"Alright then. Good night Raku."

"good night Reecie," he said with a sigh. She set her bow and things aside before snuggling up in her bedroll with her cloak for extra warmth and comfort. Raku was fast asleep within a few minutes. Reecie lay on her back for a long while watching the stars in the night sky her mind wandering to someplace far away.

"Father...if only you could see me now. What trouble have I gotten myself into." She whispered to the stars. A tired smile came to her as she closed her eyes hearing the wolf start to snore as he fell deeper into sleep. Her father used to snore. "Used to" just the phrase pained her. The sounds of crickets and animals of the night, the crackling of the embers and the soft hiss of the flames. If she imagined hard enough it was like she was home again. A solitary tear ran down her cheek as she drifted off to memories of a simpler time.

That following morning Reecie had managed to convince Raku to rest in the back of the cart and let her drive for the remainder of their journey. While a rather uneventful and bland day. The sun was out today keeping her spirits bright for the last arduous leg. She could only assume they were nearing the city as the road became quite a bit livelier as the day began to wane. She passed many beings, elves, dwarves of all colors and sorts were traveling down the road as well. Some on horseback, others in wagons and some on foot. Strangely though she noticed there was almost no beast folk. Save for the occasional feline caravan on the roadside peddling goods. Perhaps it was due to the climate or some other factor.

Either way, these curiosities left her as some of the taller towers of Castle Black Rock came into view. Cresting a large hill Reecie was able to see a thriving city within its walls. Her heart fluttered with excitement at the sight. She had never been to or even seen such a place. A dull flickering of light caught her eye a little farther down the road. A great plume of smoke rose to the heavens from a large building. As the cart got closer she realized this must have been the Tavern/Inn Raku was talking about. He failed to mention just how grand it was. When they finally arrived Reecie drove the cart off the road to the side where she saw several horses hitched.

Inside she could hear music being played and boisterous laughter.

But the smell of the kitchen was what really got to her. That heavenly aroma of fresh bread, seared meat, and seasonings. While primarily vegetarian Reecie found the scent of all these things delectable. Eager to see it for herself she climbed down and took a fist full of the gold from the back in the bench and filler her personal coin purse before climbing down and hitching the horses. Raku was somehow still passed out in the back. "lazy wolf." she muttered deciding to go and get them rooms before bothering him. The inside looked even more amazing than she had imagined.

Several long benched tables were dotted through the ground floor leaving plenty of room for patrons to move about. Several barmaids were delivering drink and food to some. In the far corner was a large bar where one bartender was wiping down mugs the other cleaning the vast bartop. Her rural little shack of a Tavern didn't hold a candle to this masterpiece. She stood there for a long moment taking it all in before approaching the bar.

"Hello, I would like two rooms please." She asked.

"ten coin-" one man started to say as the other cut him off.

" we've only the one left Bromur. He said to the other tender.

"sorry lass you're lucky we have the one we are usually booked for the night by this time. Bromur nodded.

"apologies that will be 5 coin...if you still want it." Now Reecie had a bit of a predicament. At the far of the bar, a strange elf was listening in before he intruded. Without so much as a word, this white-haired elf snapped his fingers getting both the bartenders attention as well as Reecie's. Bromur approached the decadent looking elf. He wore a red robe with gold trim. His white hair cascaded down the sides of his face to his face and around his ears to about his shoulders.

Bright blue eyes contrasted his similarly pale skin. Bromur leaned in and the two of them had a short discussion before the elf appeared to produce a golden key from his sleeve and hand it to the bartender before waving him away. Bromur returned to Reecie and grabbed a worn copper key from the counter behind him setting it before her along with the gold key the elf had given him.

"courtesy of that gentleman down there," he said and pointed to the elf. Reecie looked to the elf once more. He raised a silver goblet and nodded to her with a smile as if to invite her to join him. The elf made a lazy gesture towards the stool next to him. She was, to say the least as the bar stool suddenly slid out a little guided by some unseen force. Reecie took the keys thanking both the tenders before moving down the bar taking a hesitant seat on the corner next to this stranger.

He sipped what must have been some sort of red wine from the goblet and set it down. Before him lay a book riddled with symbols and text she didn't recognize. Several rings decorate the elf's delicate fingers as he offered her some expensive looking salami, cheese, and bread on a plate next to his book.

"Hungrui?" (hungry?) he asked. Speaking only in elvish. "Reecie shook her head.

"Sorry I don't want to be rude," she replied. The elf dismissed her concern and moved the plate in front of her.

"but I insist, please help yourself." Hesitantly Reecie took a small piece of cheese and a bit of bread. "I don't think I've ever seen you here before, and you're hardly forgettable, are you traveling?" Reecie nodded taking a bite of the cheese.

"to the castle," she replied blushing a little at his flirting. Everything about this elf seemed noble and clean-cut even his voice was soothing to hear and he spoke the language so eloquently.

"seems your journey is at its end then, business or pleasure?"

"I'm sorry, should I know...you?" She asked unsure of just how much information she should give willingly.

The elf chuckled, popping a slice of meat in his mouth before washing it down with more red wine.

"Forgive my rudeness. I am Vandel Draithe. Arch-Mage of Castle Black Rock, and you are? " She was a little anxious after hearing his title.

"m-my name is Anareecie Voltaire." she struggled to get it out.

"interesting... a woodlander, we don't see many wood elves near the city. No matter, welcome to the Iron Wood Tavern, my favorite retreat from the busy streets of the city of Black Rock." Vandel snapped his fingers again and nodded Reecie's direction. One of the bartenders came over with another goblet and filled it with wine setting it next to Reecie. Forgive me if I'm keeping you, may I offer you a drink? " Reecie was beginning to like this Arch-Mage. After all, where did she have to go for the rest of the night? why not have her first taste of wine in the company of one of Locke's personal advisers. At the very least he didn't smell like dog.

"you're too kind lord Draithe." She smiled taking a sip of the bittersweet liquid. It was smooth like velvet and held a faint fruity aroma. This was something she could get used to.

"to good health and fortune." Vandel raised his goblet in a toast. She met it with her own taking another drink. It wasn't until she set her grail down that she noticed Vandel was staring at something next to her. She looked over her shoulder to see Raku standing behind her, fist balled up tight. He looked as if he might leap across the bar and tear Vandals head from his body...if he could. "This is your beast I assume? quite a specimen..." His words clearly struck a nerve with Raku.

"my beast? oh no its nothing like that we just-" Raku cut her off.

" We work together and we are very busy." He growled threateningly

Vandal grinned producing a small whistle from his sleeve before he blew into it. Raku winced painfully and there was a sudden series of heavy thuds from upstairs. The stairs themselves accessed the second floor of the tavern at the other end of the bar near the door.

"don't be rude!" she scowled at Raku who grabbed her by the arm.

"we should go.." Reecie pulled away from him.

"go where? I thought we were staying here for the night?" She whined unclear as to what had gotten into him.

"We have a busy day tomorrow..." he muttered through gritted teeth.

"I'm just having a drink and relaxing!" Raku bent down whispering to her.

"the company you keep is not what you think." Reecies eyes darted to Vandel who appeared to be shocked she would let a beast handle her like he was. behind him thumping down the stairs with a slight limp was a mange plagued Wolfkin, much of its grey skin was dry and cracked, patches of black fur dotted its hide. Slightly larger than Raku even with its hunched and limping form. Its eyes an unnatural black that seemed to only reflect anything that looked in. A thick iron collar was fastened around its neck. The beast turned at the bar and approached the three of them. It was hard to understand as it spoke in the broken common tongue. Its jaw sat at an angle, the result of either a defect or healing wrong after a break. Raku fought the urge to yelp as the beast dropped a heavy hand on his bad shoulder.

"you make trouble for master...Baymon takes trouble away." Baymon's voice was a deep gravely rumble. His grip tightened on the bandage. Raku nearly dropped to his knees.

"should we show this beast his place? Vandel asked. Baymon had a half-witted grin on his maw as he forced the smaller wolf to submit.

Frustrated and upset that her peaceful evening had been ruined by this sudden pointless power struggle.

" No..I'm so sorry about this Lord Draithe. I-I-I need to go. She sounded flustered as she got up. Vandel waved Baymon away dismissively. The beast relinquished his grip and moved to the side. Angrily she stormed towards the stairs. She glanced back once she started to ascend to see if Raku was following. At the same time though she caught Vandel giving her a wink and raised his goblet again a sort of farewell toast. She blushed a little getting all the more aggravated. When Raku hurried after her his hand bracing his shoulder.

Vandel finished off his goblet, his demeanor turning to utter boredom as the two stormed fighting.

"I want her amulet." he snapped glaring at the simple and diseased looking Wolfkin. "Be discrete I do enjoy my time here." Baymons cocked jaw shifted a little in a grotesque grin that split nearly to the back of its head. Vandel sighed and closed his book the pages making a loud clap as he snapped it shut.

Upstairs the arguing continued.

"Reecie let me explain." He begged but she continued, rounding the corner to see a hall lined with a few doors on each side. Looking at the keys she found each corresponded to a number etched on the side that matched a given door. "Reecie!" he called again finally catching up to her. "listen to me." She spun on her heels thrusting the copper key into his hand.

" no you listen!" she snapped. Raku staggered slightly his back bumping the wall as she yelled up at him. This was the first time he had seen her angry. "I may not be able to tear some troll-sized lion apart but I can handle a guy hitting on me at the bar! " Raku shook his head.

"it's not that-" he tried to explain but Reecie was having none of it.

"your jealous aren't you?" Raku was completely caught off guard by the accusation.

"wait, wha- me? jealous of-of that little elf and his tricks?" Reecie was in disbelief.

"you are! I can't believe you really are...." She fumbled with the gold key for a moment in the rather elaborate door. Before Raku could even get another word out she entered and slammed the door in his face smashing his snout into the wood.

"gah!" he yipped grabbing his snout. Ungrateful bitch!" he growled. Reecie needed time to clear her head. Now, so did Raku as he mumbled angrily going to the room that matched his key. Reecie stood with her back to the door not noticing any of the finer details the nobleman's sweet. Instead, she buried her face in her hands and began to weep.

"father... you were right..." She cried slumping to the floor.

Raku meanwhile paced back and forth in the standard room containing your basic bed, a nightstand, and foot chest at the end. A single window looking out over the road sat on the back wall.

"it's not that I'm jealous...." As he paced he was going back and forth arguing with himself at this point. "I'm not jealous he just...that thing." Raku shook his head. " He uses that creature to do his bidding," Raku growled and sat on the bed. " I was trying to protect you..." he sighed Outside he heard horse galloping by. The sun was gone now and the moons had begun to rise. Alta bore two moons a larger white one and a smaller second moon that had a soft blue hue to it. Raku stared out the window at the ghostly shadows the two of them cast across the land. The worst of it was that raku couldn't even rest his mind having slept most of the day he was wide awake now studying the wood grain beneath his feet.

Reecie eventually made it to the bed having cried her self to sleep. It seemed the issue of trust had reared its nefarious head once more between them. The soft glow of the moon's light shined through the single window giving the walls a soft bluish hue. It was a quiet night or so it seemed. Reecie rested peacefully, nestled into the pillow. She hardly stirred when her amulet started humming gently, a subtle vibration coming from the stone. Tucked in her shirt she mumbled in her slumber rolling to her side facing the wall.

Outside the decorative door, the floor a gentle thud followed by the creaking of floorboards broke the silence. While nearly pitch black save for the moonlit window. Under the door, a dark liquid crept into the room. The pool of thick goop continued to spread until it covered the whole of the floor. Reecie's amulet was nearly rattling against its chain with vibration now. As the black ooze spread farther now crossing the threshold of the moonlight it was as everything it touched was transformed into emptiness. The neat square of light on the floor was now a just a beam shining into a bottomless void.

Once it reached all four walls the ooze began to drip up towards the ceiling defying gravity where the drops landed started spreading covering everything in this ethereal darkness. Soon even the window was covered sealing the room entirely. What awoke Reecie was the overwhelming stench of death that emanated from the substance. She coughed, covering her nose as she sat upright.

"Raku?" she called. "what is that smell!?" She heard the humming of her amulet before she realized it was quivering against her. Disoriented and confused she grabbed the amulet stifling its hum. "what's happening? why can't I see anything?" Her natural night vision should have made the low light a non-issue. Putting her hand in front of her face she realized she couldn't even see that.

Was she blinded somehow? could it be possible there was no light at all? Was this some sort of dream? and the smell... Her stomach was fighting the urge to wretch. Reecie began to feel around the bed finding the edge first before sliding her legs over. she hesitated as something on the floor started to gurgle and wheeze. "what's going on I don't like this." Panic was starting to set in. She pulled her legs back up just as something whooshed past them disturbing the foul air. Her heart began to race as something started to take form in the middle of the room. she couldn't see it but that only made the sounds worse. A sudden heaving moan accompanied by a wet splashing sound. She felt something hit the side of the bed making it shutter slightly. "what is that..." she breathed. Her heart was beating in her throat as the sounds got more intense. A cacophony of moist flesh tearing, ligaments and tendons snapping, an what she could only imagine were bones being broken down like the sound of a cat crunching into a mouse. Two almost blinding white orbs suddenly appeared before her. When in all actuality the light they emitted was barely a glow. The unfathomable darkness amplified the light giving way to the silhouette of a ghastly figure. The only clear details were those orbs and just below them as if coming from within the thing itself rows of jagged pearl white teeth began to protrude as the thing moaned and jerked violently.

"so....hungry." its voice was a loud rasp that sounded like multiple pained beings speaking in unison.

"HARAKU!!!??" She cried and shut her eyes tight pulling her knees up to her chest. The amulet vibrated wildly around her neck now.

"louder...." the voice came again as it inched closer to the bed. "we....want...want..the hearts fear...must...feeeeed." The multiple voices drifted in and out of unison as it spoke. "PICK THE TRINKET FROM ITS BONES!..."One voice shouted. "yesssss" another chimed in yet all came from the same amalgamation.

Raku had been laying there in his room so long he was starting to drift in an out. He winced a little as a sudden ringing assaulted his ears.

"what is that?" he muttered. He propped himself up on his elbows, ears shifting this way and that as they trying to pinpoint the terrible sound. Somewhere outside of his room. Determined to find the source and stop it Raku poked his head out of his room and looked up and down the hall. Nothing, but the rigging was a little louder. "giving me a headache" he muttered and stepped out. His head shifting this way and that along with his ears finding the source once more. Oddly enough he traced it to Reecies door. He gently placed one ear against the door. All was silent except for that damn ringing like the chime of a bell that never stopped. "Reecie?" he called, but there was no answer.

Jiggling the handle revealed the door was not locked....odd that she would leave it open while she slept. Raku cracked the door open and peered inside. "Reecie?" he called again softer this time not wanting to wake her if she was sleeping. To his surprise however, the room was empty. Opening the door all the way he scanned the room. No signs of a struggle no sign of anything really. The ringing was deafening now his fur stood on end. This was definitely where it was coming from so what was going on? and where was Reeice? A sudden squeak coming from the mattress as if something moved on it perked his ears. He noticed now some sort of ghostly object rocking back and forth. floating above the mattress. The wolf drew closer to the strange ghostly visage.

He reached out to touch it and the moment a claw made contact there was a tremendous crack and pungent scent of death. Reecie seemed to appear out of thin air before him. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up half relieved and half horrified she slid to the wall pinning her self against it looking past the wolf. An agonizing howl echoed behind Raku. He spun around to see Baymon writhing on the floor, his eyes fading from white to black as he thrashed. Unnatural long teeth jutted from his maw like an angler fish as he rolled to all fours and let out a sharp hiss. "NO!" the beasts multiple voices bellowed. "how did he anchor her to this realm!?" they wailed. "master will be furious..." another moaned. " this isn't over!" they hissed in unison again. Before Raku fully processed what had happened Baymon launched himself out the window and into the night. Raku gave chase to the window but saw nothing beyond its broken panes. The beast was gone as if it had jumped into another plane of existence. "Baymon...." He muttered. Reecie was never happier to see the big mutt. She practically fell off the bed as she leaped into his arms. Tears soaking into the fur of his chest as she buried her face in it clinging to him like a traumatized child.

"I was so scared....I'm so sorry I doubted you." Reecie Continued to ramble thoroughly terrified. She tugged at the fur of his chest looking up can I stay with you tonight? I don't dare be alone, I couldn't bear it please... don't make me" Raku cradled her trembling frame keeping her close to comfort her. A shuffling in the hall drew Rakus attention as several angry patrons were standing in the hall some in front of the door.

"bad dream I guess." he shrugged. Angry murmurs had them retreating to their rooms. Raku glanced to the window once more before carrying Reecie back across the hall where he sat back on his bed. Reecie curled in his lap.

"w-what was that thing?" Reecie's arms began to ache from hugging the wolf so tightly. Haraku sighed.

"I believe that was Draithe's pet...Baymon. You must have something Draithe wants...desperately." Raku sighed "this complicates things"