El'Anorath (First Draft)

Chapter Four

         Nathalya awoke to the scattered din of gunfire early the next morning.  She jumped up and ran over to some soldiers crouching low behind a rock structure and knelt beside them.

         “What's going on?” she asked.

         “Scouts reported a small band of stalkers passing through from the west.  That would be all we need for them to show up at a time like this."

         Nathalya left them and, with a quick jog, made her way to one of the western lookout points.  She climbed the ladder up and into the tree and stood upon a platform fixed to the trunk.

         “Where are they?” she asked the lookout, a short man who was busy looking through a pair of binoculars.

         “About half a mile west and coming this way. Six of the bastards.  Our snipers tried to take them out at a distance, but their rounds just bounced off of the Stalkers' armor. They didn't bring the ammo needed to fight stalkers, they don't normally come this far out of the west, and in broad daylight, too. Have a look for yourself," said the lookout and handed his binoculars to Nathalya.  She took them and removed her glasses. Then, pressing the lenses to her eyes, she found where the Stalkers were running towards the camp. 

         She'd never seen a stalker in the field before and didn't quite know what to make of them.  They were almost fully dressed in what looked to be heavy chitin-plate armor and moved with a sort of hunch to them.  Their bodies were covered in fur and they wore giant rending claws on both arms.  Beneath their helmets, Nathalya could barely make out the long teeth that protruded from their snouts.

         “What are we going to do?” asked Nathalya, calmly.

         “That's above my pay grade, ma'am, and we don't have a lot of time to figure something out before they get here," the lookout replied. 

         Sudden, fierce gunfire echoed over the hilltops. From the north, Nathalya saw a large group of men walking towards the stalkers and firing automatic weapons.  One by one the armor of the stalkers was pierced and they fell dead to the ground.  Nathalya looked closer at the men who had come, seemingly, to their rescue.

         “Who's that?” asked the lookout. 

         “Corrinites,"  she replied and tossed him back the binoculars.

         “Well that's just peachy.  Wait, where are you going?” he asked, watching Nathalya as she walked to the edge of the platform.  She didn't answer, but replaced her glasses and then dropped down out of the tree and sprinted for the edge of camp.  Several Alliance soldiers were there already and had formed a firing line of two rows.  She ran ahead of the squad and waited at the border of the camp.

         The Corrinites, twelve in all, approached slowly, guns lowered as a sign of peace.  Nathalya kept her hands in plain sight; she didn't have her rifle anyhow.  They stopped and one man stepped forward.  He was dressed in a blue and gold uniform and had short black hair.

         “I am Lieutenant Harrison.  We're looking for the female soldier who can disappear at will.  Our Commander would like a word with this person," he shouted.  Nathalya took another step forward. 

         Unexpectedly, a Corrinite soldier broke ranks and ran towards Nathalya, a rapier raised in his right hand. 

         “You killed by brother, you witch!” he shouted.  "I'll kill you!" 

         Nathalya stood firmly in place.  She lifted her right arm and brought it down swiftly in a diagonal fashion in front of her.  Flame erupted in a line in front of her and the solder stopped just short of running into it.  The eyes of the Corrinites and Alliance alike widened at the display of power.

         “No! Do not attack, we've come to deliver this message in peace," said the Lieutenant.  The charging soldier stared at Nathalya for a moment, their faces glowing red in the firelight, then walked silently back to his people, the Lieutenant eyeing him severely.

         “What is it you want with me?” asked Nathalya, letting the fire burn low.  Alliance and Corrinite alike looked at Nathalya with new wonder.  The Corrinite Lieutenant spoke again. 

         “Our Commander wishes to speak to you.  He heard of an Alliance warrior from yesterday's battle on the hilltop that could vanish from sight, and says he has information he believes you need to know.  Will you come with us and speak to him?”

         “How do I know I can trust you?” asked Nathalya.  Wells' voice sounded desperate in her ear. 

         “I know you aren't actually thinking about going with them!” she said.

         Nathalya ignored her for now.  The Lieutenant took a step forward.

         “Because,” he said. “The information he has may very well affect us all.  It is greater than any quarrel between the Alliance and Corrinites.  You will be treated as a guest and will come to no harm."

         "Go on," said Nathalya.  "I'm going to need more than that."

         "Our commander is Lord Tesson.  His information has to do with the events that took place on Erath some time ago.  I will risk saying no more in the open."

         “Give me time to think it over," demanded Nathalya.  “Come back tomorrow morning with only enough soldiers for protection.  I will give you my answer then. Until that time, I call for a cease fire between the Alliance and Corrinites in this area."

         The Corrinite Lieutenant bowed and ordered his troops to depart.  Sergeant DeVega came and stood next to Nathalya and watched the Corrinites closely as they walked back over the hill. He turned and looked at Nathalya with a stern look on his face.

         “In case you have forgotten yourself, you do not make deals with the enemy on behalf of the Alliance.  I ought to arrest you on the spot," he said.

         “I am an Agent of the Alliance,” responded Nathalya.  “I have every right and authority to call for a cease fire in the best interest of the Alliance."

         “You may hold the rank of Ghost, but you are not in a position on El'Anorath to make a decision as you have done.  You'd delay the entire campaign a full day so that you can take counsel with the enemy?”

         “If what the Corrinite Lieutenant said was true, then the fighting that takes place here between us and them may be pointless.  You know what happened to Erath."

         “It is not your place to decide!” shouted DeVega, becoming flushed with anger.  “As far as I am concerned, if you go with them, then you can stay with them.  The Alliance has no room for soldiers that do not know their place.  If you return, you will be arrested for treason!” 

         DeVega stormed away and left Nathalya standing there, feeling betrayed.  Wells' voice came softly in her ear.

         “If you go, they'll send me back to the Constable," she said.

         “Maybe that is for the best, Trin."

         “How can you be so sure that what they have to tell you is worth becoming a traitor?  You know the rules; unless you are captured or escorting a prisoner, you are to have no contact with enemies of the Alliance."

         “I know, but they killed the Stalkers for us.  That doesn't sound like the actions of someone with ill intentions.  There is no telling what would have happened if they had reached the camp and we didn't have the ammunition ready to deal with them."

         “I suppose, but it still sounds sketchy," said Wells.

         The morning turned to afternoon and the afternoon quickly passed into evening.  Nathalya spent most of the day thinking quietly to herself as she walked around camp.  Alliance soldiers glanced at her with mixed looks as she passed by, as though they were deciding whether or not she was trustworthy.  When she walked by his campfire, Sergeant DeVega caught her attention.

         “May I have a word, Agent Harms?” he asked, politely.  Nathalya nodded and sat down beside him by the fire.

         “I wanted to apologize for the way I acted earlier.  I've been under a lot of stress and our losses yesterday are weighing heavily on me.  I've spoken with the Commander since then; he is not pleased, but said that what is done is done.  He doesn't want you to, but you may go, unhindered, if you must."

         “Thank you, Sergeant.  If there is a greater threat to the Alliance than the Corrinites, then I think we ought to know it.  And if the only way to find out about it is through the Corrinites, then it is a necessary evil.  If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go get some sleep,"  Nathalya stood and walked away without looking back or bidding him good night.

         “So it sounds like I'll be staying here after all?” asked Wells' voice.

         “Sounds that way."

         The next morning came swiftly and Nathalya found herself awake before the sun.  She sat by a fire and sipped at a hot cup of coffee with her cloak pulled around her.  She longed for a hot shower to wash away the morning weariness she felt.  Another hour passed by and Wells' cheerful voice came over the earpiece.

         “Good morning, up already?” she asked. 

         “Unfortunately," replied Nathalya, yawning and standing to stretch her arms above her head.

         “What's for breakfast?”

         “Coffee and fresh air.”

         “Sounds delightful.  When are you meeting with the Corrinites?”

         “Probably in a few minutes, I can see the sun coming up now over the horizon."

         “Let me see," she said.  A short pause followed.  "Yeah, I can see about five signatures moving towards your camp.  Must be them."

         Nathalya walked off towards the west end of camp where she had met the Corrinites yesterday morning.  She found them standing at the edge of the camp facing a large group of Alliance soldiers.  Neither side had weapons drawn. 

         “Are you sure about this, Nat?” asked Wells.  Nathalya didn't answer, instead she slung her rifle and walked up to the Corrinite Lieutenant she had met yesterday. 

         “Have you decided?” he asked.

         “I have,"  said Nathalya.  “I will come with you." 

         The Lieutenant bowed low and Nathalya nodded. Nathalya made to hand him her weapons, but he held his hand forward.

         “That won't be necessary.  Besides, I doubt you even need those guns if you wished to harm us.  Keep them as a show of good faith.  If you will follow us, please,"  he said and the company turned and began to walk away from the Juliette camp.

         They walked quietly for a while before one of the Corrinites could take the silence no longer.

         “What do they call you in the Alliance?” he asked.  Nathalya looked at him and saw he was a young man, probably close in age to herself.  He had short blond hair and glasses that rested lightly on his nose. 

         “I'm Ghost Agent Harms or just Agent Harms."

         “Where did you learn to move like that and conjure fire from nothing?” he asked.

         “My mother taught me how to do that."

         “Could you teach me?” he asked, looking hopeful.  Nathalya smiled and the young soldier blushed. Nathalya seemed to him, her eyes like an ocean of dark green emeralds, like a daughter of the kings of old.  He found her very beautiful and mystifying.

         “Unless you have the blood of the Calari flowing through your veins, I don't think I'll be able to," she said.  The soldier looked disappointed.  “What is your name?”

         “Errol, son of Erruk," he replied.

         “Well, Errol, son of Erruk, how far away is your camp?”

         “We aren't going to the camp," interjected the Lieutenant.  Nathalya's eyebrows rose questioningly.

         “Our Commander resides in Corrin City, our capital.  We have several horses nearby that will carry us through the Tarrin Woodlands.  The outskirts of the city lay just beyond."

         “Horses?” asked Nathalya.  “I've never ridden a horse before," she admitted.

         “You can ride with me," said Errol, blushing again.  “I've been riding since I was a little boy growing up on my parents farm."

         Nathalya nodded and accepted his offer. "And what of the cease fire?" she asked.

         "Our forces were commanded to withdraw from the mountains," the Corrinite Lieutenant explained. "It is a heavy blow and a great victory for the Alliance, but the order came from the Commander directly.  We will not fire at the Alliance unless we are attacked in our departure from the mountains.  I pray for the villagers who stay behind."

         "Had you told me this, I would have trusted you from the beginning," said Nathalya.  She didn't notice, but the Lieutenant allowed a small smirk to pass over his thin lips.

         They walked another mile or so and the trees grew thicker.  At the edge of what seemed to be a small woodland, they found a man standing near seven horses all tied to trees.  He wore a green tunic and brown pants.  Nathalya suddenly felt as though she had traveled back into the dark ages she had read about in history books.

         “Why don't you use modern transport?” she asked as the man untied the horses.  Errol jump onto the back of a white horse with brown spots.

         “We're conserving our fuel for the war and do not use vehicles unless we have to.  Since the Alliance came crashing into our lives, they've taken control of our richest mining operations and enslaved most of the workers,"  explained Errol. “I don't think you are as evil as the rest of your comrades."

         “The Alliance is just doing what is best for its citizens," said Nathalya.

         “By destroying and enslaving lesser planets?”  snapped the Lieutenant.  “My apologies,” he said quickly. “We will not discuss further the conflict between us."           Nathalya didn't reply.

         Errol held his hand out to Nathalya as the others climbed onto their steeds.  She took it nervously and climbed into the saddle behind him.  Lieutenant Harrison led the group into the woodland and Nathalya clung tightly to Errol as their horse stepped to the rear of the group. 

         As the company made their way through the woodland and Nathalya became more accustomed to the motions of the horse, she relaxed and could smell the cool, sweet air.  She marveled at the greens of the plants and gray-green lichen on the trees that scattered around them.  They trotted through shallow creeks and over slick, moss covered, banks.  Bees flew back and forth over brightly colored flowers and birds chirped overhead.

         The company stayed mostly silent as they rode deeper into the woodland.  The afternoon sun grew warm and Nathalya allowed a yawn to escape.  The Lieutenant saw this and halted the company.

         “We will rest here, there is still some ways to the other side.  Haakon and Merril, get a fire going and let us have some lunch," said he.  Two men quickly dismounted and started gathering wood for a fire.  Nathalya slid awkwardly off of her horse, followed by Errol, who hopped off easily.  Errol pulled something out from a saddle bag that Nathalya had never seen before.

         “What is that?” she asked.  Errol held it up for her to see.

         “You mean to tell me that for all the might of the Alliance, you don't know what a hunting bow is?”

         Nathalya looked it over.  It was simple, but had elegant etchings along the handle and down to the nocks on both ends. Errol pulled the quiver from the bag and handed it and the bow to Nathalya.

         "I saw them used on the hilltop the other day, but I haven't seen one quite as beautiful as this one."

         “It's a simple weapon; not much use in battles these days.  I'll show you how to use it, if you like?” he offered. 

         “I'd be glad to learn," she said and together they made their way off into the woods.

         They walked for a few minutes until they came to a small clearing.  Errol looked around and listened intently.  They waited there for a time and suddenly he put a hand on Nathalya's shoulder.  He pointed past a bush and Nathalya saw the gray and white rabbit foraging there.

         “Put an arrow on the bow," he instructed.  Nathalya did so and Errol made a small adjustment.  He gave her a few more instructions and Nathalya followed them as best she could.  “Take a breath, and when you're ready, let it fly," he said.  Nathalya took a breath and held it to steady her hands. She loosed the arrow and it flew fast and straight, but landed beyond the bush and scared away the prey.

         “Very good!” said Errol.

         “But I missed," frowned Nathalya. 

         “Let's take some practice shots at that knot in the tree," he said.  They spent another several minutes and soon Nathalya had the technique down.  She took a final shot and it flew straight and true and landed deep in the middle of the knot on the bark.

         “You're a fast learner.  Ready to try on the real thing again?” he asked.  Nathalya nodded and they waited for the next quarry to pass into the clearing.  It wasn't long before she had the opportunity to try again.  Nathalya pulled back the string and took the shot.

         The afternoon wore on as the company sat around the fire.  Nathalya sat next to Errol and a Corrinite soldier named Loman.  The company was all talking together happily in light of Nathalya's kill.  Her wild pig had been skinned and skewered and put over the fire.  When the meat was cooked, they took turns serving themselves many times over.  Nothing went to waste.

         They thanked Nathalya and complimented her skill, and for a moment, it seemed as though Nathalya was sitting and eating amongst friends.  She laughed and joked with Errol and the rest of the company.  Lieutenant Harrison, however, sat quietly and had eaten very little.  He sat a while longer in silence until he could take the merrymaking no longer.

         "It's time to go," he said at last. "We've tarried too long and you forget you have an enemy among you.  Let's deliver her to our Commander and be done with her."

         Nathalya stood and looked hard at the Lieutenant.

         "And should I decide to wander off, back to the Alliance, and leave you to deliver nothing but your empty hands to your Commander?" threatened Nathalya.  A thin smile spread over the Lieutenant's lips.  Nathalya stood still as the rest of the company stood and took their places behind the Lieutenant.  Errol looked conflicted.

         "Might I remind you that there are five of us and only one of you?  We have very clear instructions, 'Agent'," said Harrison.

         "I may be your enemy, but as you said, we must put that aside for now.  Are you finished?  Or did those instructions include harassing me?"

         "No, but they did include bringing you to Corrin City, alive, at all costs.  I will detain you if I must, girl,"  he jeered.

         "I've shown you no reason to distrust me," said Nathalya, her heart rate increasing.  “But if you continue to make threats, then I will leave.  If your Commander wants to speak with me, then he will have to brave leaving the safety of his hole and come find me himself." 

         “You are an enemy of the Corrinites, and that is reason enough not to trust you.  Loman, restrain her at the wrists," ordered Harrison.  Loman walked forward, producing a pair of heavy clasps from his pack.  Cautiously, he approached her. But as he reached for her wrist, Nathalya took a step back and pulled her pistol from the holster on her leg.

         “Stay where you are," she demanded, not raising her voice as she spoke.  Lieutenant Harrison took a step forward, but Nathalya kept the pistol pointed at Loman.

         “I suggest you stay where you are, Lieutenant," she said.  Lieutenant Harrison continued to walk towards her.  She moved to point the pistol at him instead.  However, the Lieutenant was not where he had been just a fraction of a second ago.  He appeared suddenly in front of her and knocked the pistol aside. Before she could react, the Lieutenant brought a heavy hand across her face that knocked the glasses off of her nose.  She fell to the ground and Loman quickly clasped the heavy restraints around her wrists. 

         The Lieutenant kicked her weapon aside and knelt beside her to remove her earpiece.  He stood and towered over her.

         "Foolish girl," he said, throwing the earpiece down and stomping on it.  "You think you are the only one with such abilities as yours?"

         Nathalya turned over, her head felt split in two, and looked into Harrison's eyes; they were burning red and he appeared to have grown to a great height, the air around him was dark. 

         "Not all Calari were lost," he said as Nathalya tried to blink the fuzziness out of her eyes.  "They found their way back to El'Anorath and prospered after the disappointment on Erath.  You are still young and have not quite awakened to your true potential.  Now, if you'll kindly follow us, we will have no more talk of such matters.  Our Commander will fill you in on all the details, I'm sure."

         His eyes returned to normal and he seemed to diminish, the light coming back to the area.  Errol walked over and picked Nathalya up by the arm, then searched for her glasses.  He found them, mostly undamaged and slid them back onto her face, trying hard not to look into her eyes.  He then led her, clicking and clanking in her binds, to the horse and helped her up and into the saddle before climbing up, himself.

         "Why didn't you tell me he was like me?" Nathalya asked quietly, wiping blood from her lips.

         "I didn't know, myself.  I thought the Calari were just stories until you came along," said Errol softly.

         "I thought I knew my heritage well.  The stories are true," Nathalya assured him. "but by the looks of it, we haven't heard the full tale."