TravelingDog

Prologue- Hiding

 

The five figures scrambled as they ran through the darkness, desperately trying to find shelter out of the pouring rain. Though the heavy rain drenched them to the bone, they were thankful as it covered their escape. Relief flooded them as they came across a small town. Though they were so near to safety, one of the five figures stumbled and fell down onto his knees. The others stopped and turned back in alarm. One figure, the largest and bulkiest of them all, was quick to run to his side.

The large figure wrapped his arm around his companion as he supported him while they stood up once again,

He encouraged “Hang in there Shakkal, just a little further.” The weak figure had no choice but to lean  upon his companion for support as they staggered on, his torso and eye bleeding heavily.

At long last the small group managed to find sanctuary in an old, abandoned barn. Now that they finally had the chance to rest, two of the members stood, another sat on a hay barrel, and another figure kneeled over their wounded companion who lay on the floor. They were all nearly consumed by exhaustion, but there was a pressing threat which kept them awake and alert.

“I’d heard the rumors that there was a looming attack, but to think it would come so quickly…” Sprug, the largest figure, a black, minotaur fighter commented from where he stood by a wall.

“I know that most of the members were threatened with their lives, but I’m disappointed so many threw away their allegiance just like that.” This time, Rayakar, a wood elf druid with unnaturally darkened skin voiced his anger. Rayakar was the figure sitting on the hay.

“If it hadn’t of been for the boss, we wouldn’t have made it out of that.” Snozz, one of the two half-kobold rogues pointed out from where she knelt over the fifth, wounded member.

“Yeah.” Shady, the other half-kobold rogue agreed. “How’s the boss doin’ Snozz?”

“He ain’t doin too great. I don’t think he’s gonna be able to keep goin’ anytime soon.” Snozz shook her head. Everyone appeared troubled by this. Suddenly, Shakkal groaned and struggled as he pushed himself up. “Boss!”

“You all need to keep going.” Shakkal said between breaths, moving further back so that his back rested against the wall.

“We thought you were unconscious…”  Rayakar admitted.

“You’re too wounded to continue on.” Sprug argued Shakkal’s original statement.

“I know. I said you must keep going.” Shakkal corrected. The others were shocked. “They won’t be far behind us, and I’ll only slow you down, but you all mustn't stay in a group, it’ll only make you easier to find.

“Rayakar, you should hide out in the wild for a while where they won’t be able to find you. Shady, you and Snozz should head north to Kyrasha. I trust that she will be able to hide the two of you in her guild. I’m afraid there’s nowhere easy for you to hide, Sprug.” Since Sprug was the right hand man in the gang, he was just as infamous as Shakkal and minotaurs didn’t blend into society as easily.

“If we were to leave, what would you do Shakkal? You cannot treat these wounds on your own, would you go to the local healer?” Sprug questioned.

“Of course I cannot do that. It is the first place they’d look on their way through.” Shakkal quickly shot it down.

Snozz now argued “Then there’s no way we can just leave you like that-”

“I didn’t sacrifice what I did so you lot could be caught and killed by them!” Shakkal suddenly voiced his anger, pushing down the pain that came with the raising of his voice. Everyone was silent for a minute until at last, Rayakar stood up.

“Ray?” Shady asked surprised. Rayakar said nothing however and merely walked out of the barn. “What?! How can he just leave like that?!”

“He’s not in the wrong.” Shakkal said simply. “The longer you all spend here, the closer they will get. If you still respect me as your leader, then you will do as I say and leave.” The last three turned to look back down at him. Snozz then turned to Shady, looking at her expectantly.

At last, Shady sighed “All right. But we’re not gonna leave until morning. We gotta rest up too if we’re heading North.”

Shakkal appeared satisfied with this, but Sprug still said nothing.

Several hours later, the half-kobold rogues had fallen asleep and Shakkal slipped in and out of consciousness several times, however Sprug continued to remain silent and vigilant, despite a heavy blow to his shoulder. Before long, a light run could be heard approaching from outside in the splashing rain and mud. Sprug quickly tensed as he grabbed the hilt of his sword, while the half-kobolds were slowly awoken and Shakkal looked to the door. As the door was pushed open by a large, drenched, cat-looking creature, they all relaxed, though they were still shocked.

“Ray?!” Snozz was the first to voice in shock as her and Shady stood up once again. Rayakar, in his displacer beast form, walked further in, carrying a bag in one of his tentacles and did his best to shake off the excess water. He shifted back into his original form but still remained rather soaked. He threw down the bag next to Shakkal and its contents spilled out slightly. Inside was what appeared to be in general white, cloth clothing.

“It’s priest clothing. You should hide here while you heal up.” Rayakar explained briefly as he pushed his soaking orange-red hair back and out of his eyes. “I grabbed it from an old church I found in the next town up, so you don’t have to worry about any townspeople recognizing it..”

“Priest clothing?”

“You actually expect me to disguise as a priest?” Shakkal asked dubiously.

“Unless you have a better idea. There’s a church not far from here. You can wander in there and tell them the thorpe you came from was ravaged by bandits. They’ll be able to heal you there without taking you to a healer and if they come looking for you, the priests will think they’re the bandits.” Everyone was silent as they thought over this plan

“It’s not a bad plan Shakkal.” Sprug admitted “And it’s probably your only option.” Despite his agreement, Shakkal still seemed unsure.

“If you want us to leave, then you’ve got to do something, Boss.” Shady encouraged.

“Jaree, Shivsi, and even Eryad.” Rayakar suddenly began listing the lizardman, the rashaska, and the harpy, shocking the others. “I may be a loner by nature, but I’d rather not see any more of my friends die.” They were all silent to this, still in mourning for their lost comrades.

At last, Shakkal sighed “Damn Ray, when did you become sentimental like these fools?” The others all smirked, relieved that they’d managed to convince him.

Rayakar was the first to set out the next morning, eager to get on the move again. Shady and Snozz were now preparing to leave as well.

“I’ll contact Kyrasha to be sure the two of you made it.” Shakkal informed them from where he continued to rest against the support beam.

“Right.” Shady nodded simply

“When things have cooled down, we can come back to you, right?” Snozz asked looking sad.

“When this is over, perhaps.” Shakkal made no promises to the more innocent of the cousins.

“Just focus on one task at a time,” Sprug recommended. Snozz nodded and followed Shady out of the barn. Finally, it was just Shakkal and Sprug,

“You know as well as I do that recovering from the damage that you took will not be as simple as mending a wound.” Sprug noted. “You used up far too much power back there,”

“I may recover, but it will take no less than a year, and even when I do, I may never regain my full strength.” Shakkal agreed.

“Is it not foolish then, for me to leave?” Sprug questioned. “I should remain here, for you may not be able to protect yourself against the usual enemies.”

“No. I’m afraid a minotaur is not so easy to hide as an elf. You are better off staying on the move. Any city guard could easily recognize you.” Shakkal insisted.

“But what about you?” Sprug continued concerned.

“I will lay low for however long it may take, After that, we shall see.”

“We can’t leave it with nothing planned. In three years, we will meet here once again.” Sprug decided.

“That seems rather flimsy. Do you honestly expect me to count down the days…” Shakkal had begun to protest

“Promise me Shakkal.”

“ … Very well. You have my word.”