chapter 2
1282 Words
In the Rogue Lands
Arden felt the eerie silence of the woodland pressing down on his ears like a warning. Her breath mingled in the chilly air as she walked carefully. It seemed like eyes were watching her from every tree creak and leaf rustling.
Then it arrived. The roar was deep and rumbling.
With her heart hammering her ribs, Arden came to a halt.
“Show yourself!” said Arden.
The darkness changed. She caught the attention of a pair of bright golden eyes. Then the wolf appeared, large and thin, with tattered fur and a snarl of fangs that was lethal.
Arden's hands clenched.
Arden: "I can't run," she says to herself. I'll be caught.
Unexpectedly, the wolf sprang, its claws cutting through the air. Arden just managed to toss herself aside. Sharp claws scratched her skin as she struck the ground hard, causing agony to surge through her arm. Warm, sticky blood pooled and soaked her sleeve.
She gasped and sprang to her feet, searching for anything she might use.
With slow, snarling motions, the wolf circled her.
"I won't die here," Arden said, clenching her teeth. Not in this manner.
A broad branch clasped in her grasp. The wolf attacked again, and she swung it furiously. With a dull thud, the wood made contact with its side. Despite its cry, the wolf did not flee.
It squatted, preparing for another blow. The branch's weight caused Arden's arm to shake.
A piercing voice broke the tension.
???: "Enough."
The wolf's ears flattened as it froze in mid-pounce. The growls became a faint whine.
Arden's eyesight was fuzzy from dread and tiredness as she whirled toward the source of the voice.
A figure emerged from the darkness. He had piercing eyes that appeared to shine even brighter than the wolf's, and he was tall. He exuded danger due to a jagged scar that ran down one side of his jaw.
Kael: "Go," he said commandingly.
The wolf paused, glancing back and forth between Arden and Kael.
Kael: “Now” (firmer).
The wolf snarled reluctantly and slunk back into the darkness, vanishing as swiftly as it had come.
Arden's legs gave out, causing her to stumble backward and drop her homemade weapon.
Arden: “Who… are you?” (panting)
The guy stepped forward, his face inscrutable.
"Kael Nightthorn," said Kael. I own this region.
Arden blinked, finding it difficult to comprehend what he had spoken. She felt lightheaded from the blood loss, and her eyesight swam.
Arden: "Why... help me?" (weakly)
As she fell, Kael grabbed her, his hold powerful yet kind.
"You're lucky I found you," said Kael.
Her whole world went dark.
The warmth of a fire was the first thing Arden noticed as she woke up. The illumination flickered against the rough wooden walls as it crackled quietly. The pain, a burning, piercing agony in her arm, was the second thing she noticed. She tried to sit up, but she winced.
Kael: "Avoid moving too much," he said without glancing at her. You'll rip the sutures.
She looked around. Kael was hunched over the fire, honing a sword with his hands. The light fell on his scar, giving it an even more sinister appearance.
Arden: "Where... am I?" in a raspy voice.
"Safe, for now," said Kael.
Arden glanced around. The area was cramped and rough, more like a temporary shelter than a house. Her nose was overwhelmed with the smell of burning and moist ground.
"You didn't respond to my question earlier," said Arden.
Kael looked at her, his face icy.
"Why did you save me?" asked Arden.
Kael was silent for a minute. The knife gleamed in his fingers as he rose up.
"Because you were pitiful out there," said Kael. Another minute wouldn't have passed for you.
The heat rose to Arden's cheeks as she squirmed.
"I didn't ask for your help," said Arden.
The scar tugged at the corner of Kael's lips as he grinned.
"No, but you needed it," said Kael.
Her appreciation and pride were at odds as she bit back a response.
Kael: "Accustom yourself to it. The weak are not pitied by rogue countries.
A voice outside called before Arden could answer.
Rogue 1: "The patrol has returned, Kael."
Kael's attitude changed abruptly. He took a moment to look back at her before making his way to the door.
Kael: "Remain here. Don't talk to anyone. Don't touch anything, either.
He left Arden alone and went outdoors.
The silence was intolerable. Arden's mind was racing, each notion more desperate than the one before it. She didn't know Kael's true identity, where she was, or his plans.
She was jolted out of her spiral as the flames burst. She examined the rough but tight bandage covering her damaged arm. He hadn't let her bleed out, whomever Kael was.
She tensed at a sound outside.
Voices. angry ones.
She leaned against the wall and listened.
"Why did you bring her here?" asked Rogue 2. We don't have her.
(Calm) "She's not a threat," said Kael.
Rogue 2: "Not yet. Kael, you are aware of the rules. This is not the place for outsiders.
"She'll be gone soon enough," said Kael.
Arden felt sick to his stomach. "Gone" may indicate many different meanings.
As the guys left, the voices became quieter. Arden pressed her face on the softwood and let out a breath.
After some while, Kael came back with a somber countenance.
"Get up," said Kael.
Arden paused.
Kael: "Now" (snapping).
Biting back a groan at the ache in her arm, she pushed herself to her feet.
Arden: "What's happening?"
Kael remained silent. He flung a cloak to her after grabbing it from a wall hook.
"Put this on," said Kael. Keep your head down.
Arden scowled but complied, covering her shoulders with the scratchy cloth.
Kael motioned for her to follow him as he opened the door.
She had underestimated the size of the camp. Smoke rose from many flames, and amid the trees were rudimentary tents and wooden constructions. Rogues walked about with inquisitive, piercing eyes.
With the weight of their glances bearing down on her, Arden continued to look at the ground.
"Where are we going?" said Arden in a whisper.
"To the main fire," said Kael. You'll remain there until I decide how to handle you.
Arden gulped hard, her nervousness growing with each step.
Kael halted at the fire and faced her.
“Sit,” said Kael.
Taking a moment to think, she dropped herself upon a log. Although she appreciated the warmth of the fire, it didn't really calm her down.
Rogues walked past with icy, inquisitive looks.
Arden: "Why are they staring at me?" he said softly.
"Because you don't belong here," said Kael.
His directness infuriated Arden, but he remained silent.
A yell suddenly came from the camp's edge.
Third Rogue: "Intruders!"
Kael's body tensed as his head jerked up.
Kael: "Remain here," he said to Arden. Stay put.
He vanished into the escalating commotion before she could object.
The noises of growling and yelling filled the air, and Arden's pulse raced. The metallic smell of blood started to waft on the breeze as figures scurried between the tents.
She tightened her fists, her thoughts urging her to flee and hide, but she remained still, anchored in place by the weight of Kael's warning.
A person with a distorted, angry visage burst through the woods. They had the mark of a rival pack, therefore they weren't rogues.
The invader fixed Arden with his gaze.
Intruder: "You!" (snarling)
As the person came at her with a sword glistening in their palm, Arden's breath hitched.
- Writer
