Untitled Part I

Jaran walked quickly through the forest, occasionally looking over her shoulder at the empty path behind her. Though she couldn’t see him, she knew he was there. The man who threatened all life.

Gar’tel. The master of all evil creatures, large and small. Owner of the Tierlde, or the Dark Book. The only book in creation that could destroy everything living.

Jaran was unsure why Gar’tel was chasing her. However, she was certain of one thing - she didn’t want him to catch her. Capture meant death.

The moon rose as Jaran continued walking, never stopping or stumbling. Fear drove her body forward, though exhaustion begged her to sleep. Various night creatures looked up from their preying, their feeding, their hiding and saw only this frightened girl. They were going back to their work when when another presence caused the animals to scatter in fear of something they couldn’t see.

Jaran slowed and gave in momentarily to her body’s plea to stop and rest. She bent over, panting, head ringing. But, in spite of her weakness of body, she still noticed the silence that surrounded her. He’s close, she thought frantically. She forced herself to continue moving, consoling herself with the knowledge that she was only a mile or so from safety. She knew, with some unconscious recognizance, that when she got to Serlei’s house, she would be safe.

The closer she got to Serlei’s domain, the less presence of Gar’tel Jaran felt. As if there was a barrier that only she could pass through. This was encouraging to Jaran and she sped up, now within one hundred paces of her destination. A lamp turned on inside the dwelling and an old man stepped out of the front door.

He looked around, mildly curious as to what was causing all the ruckus. "Child!" he cried on seeing Jaran, not noticing how pale she was. "What’s the matter? Why are you running?"

"Right - he’s - foll-" was all she managed to say, before collapsing. Her body’s energy was sapped; it would not hold her up any longer.

Serlei, despite his fragile exterior, managed to carry Jaran into his house. He looked sadly down at her unconscious body and tears streamed openly down his face, making him appear older than he really was. He laid Jaran down gently on a cushioned chair and started searching.

** ** **

Jaran awoke with a start, confused as to where she was. The sunlight was coming into her room the wrong way, her lamp had magically moved and her legs hurt like nothing she’d ever known. It was only when Serlei walked in, carrying a warm towl, that she remembered. Everyhing came rushing back into her mind.

She’d been on her way to Serlei’s house, running an errand for her father. Busywork was all it was. Her father couldn’t stand to be around her, ever since her mother had died, supposedly from a drowning accident. At least, that’s what her father thought. Jaran knew better. It was too messy to be a drowning. People still often reminded her how much she looked like her mother. That was the reason she’d been sent by her father in the first place. Her father said to go get flour, but she knew they had half a pound in the parlor. She’d gone only to humour him.

Then something had begun to follow her. She’d known instantly that it was Gar’tel, though she was never sure just how she knew. The last thing she clearly remembered was seeing Serlei’s house. Then - nothing.