Korrin

KORRIN

T he mist clung to the rocky slopes like a shroud, obscuring the narrow mountain pass. I crouched behind a boulder, my men hidden in similar positions around me. The quiet rustling of leather and metal told me they were ready.

Roji's gray eyes met mine from his position across the path. He nodded once, confirming our target approached.

I held my breath as the first of Orland's soldiers came into view. Twenty men, led by Captain Lyxar. Perfect.

I raised my hand, muscles tensed. The moment stretched, then?—

I dropped my arm. Arrows whistled through the air.

Chaos erupted. Men screamed as shafts found their marks. Swords rang as they were drawn. The scent of blood filled the air.

I leapt from my hiding spot, sword already in hand. Two of Orland's men turned to face me. I grinned, relishing the challenge.

The first man swung wildly. I ducked under his blade and twisted, my elbow connecting with his jaw. As he stumbled, I kicked out, sending his weapon flying.

The second attacked more cautiously. Our swords met with a clang that reverberated through my arms. I pushed forward, driving him back. A quick feint left him off-balance. I struck, disarming him with a flick of my wrist.

"!" Roji's shout had me spinning. His sword flashed, blocking a blow meant for me.

I nodded my thanks, moving to stand back-to-back with my old friend. We'd fought like this countless times before.

"Just like old times," Roji said, parrying another attack.

"Let's hope it goes better than Alopor," I replied, taking down another soldier.

Roji snorted. "You're never going to let that go, are you?"

My retort died on my lips as I spotted a figure slipping away from the main fight. Captain Lyxar.

"Cover me," I shouted to Roji, already in pursuit.

Lyxar was quick, but I was quicker. I cornered him against a rock face, our swords meeting in a shower of sparks.

He was good, I'd give him that. But I was better.

Our blades danced, a deadly rhythm of thrust and parry. Lyxar's face twisted with effort as he struggled to keep up.

I saw my opening and took it. With a twist of my sword, I sent Lyxar's weapon spinning away. Before he could react, I had him pinned, my blade at his throat.

"Where is Orland taking her?" I demanded.

He looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I pressed my sword closer, drawing a thin line of blood. "The woman. Where?"

Blood trickled down his neck. "You're wasting your time, . I won't betray Lord Orland."

My grip tightened on the hilt of my sword. The battle raged behind us, but all I could focus on was the man before me. The key to finding her.

"You're loyal. I can respect that." I leaned in close, my voice low and dangerous. "But loyalty won't save you from what I'll do if you don't talk."

Lyxar's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but his jaw remained set. "Empty threats."

I laughed, a cold, humorless sound that echoed off the rocks. "You clearly don't know me very well, captain."

With a swift motion, I drove my knee into his stomach. As he doubled over, gasping, I grabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked his head back.

"I'll ask one more time. Where is Orland taking the baroness?"

"Go to hell." He spat at my feet and my patience snapped. I slammed his head against the rock face, not hard enough to knock him out, but enough to daze him.

"Wrong answer."

I dragged him away from the main fight, to a secluded spot behind a large boulder. The sounds of battle faded, replaced by Lyxar's labored breathing.

"You know, I've learned a lot about pain over the years." I circled him slowly, my sword gleaming in the dim light. "There are so many ways to hurt a man without killing him."

A flicker of fear broke through his bravado. "You wouldn't dare."

I crouched beside him, my voice little more than a snarl. "Try me."

My blade found the gap between his armor plates, sliding in just enough to nick his skin. He hissed in pain.

"That's just a taste," I said, twisting the blade slightly. "Now, shall we try this again? Where is Orland taking her?"

He gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his brow. "I... I can't..."

I applied more pressure, feeling the resistance of his flesh against my blade. "You can, and you will. Unless you'd prefer I start removing fingers?"

His resolve crumbled like sand. "All right! All right!" Lyxar's voice cracked. "The old Noemo castle. Orland's taking her there."

A shout from behind had me turning. Roji sprinted towards us, panic clear on his face.

"Reinforcements coming!"

I cursed, then slammed the pommel of my sword into Lyxar's temple. He crumpled to the ground.

"Fall back!" I yelled to my men. "Into the mountains!"

We fled, the sounds of pursuit echoing behind us. But I knew these paths well. We'd lose them soon enough.

The damp tunnel opened into a vast cavern, its rough stone walls faintly glimmering with traces of luminescent fungi. I motioned for my men to fan out and secure the area. Their leather boots made little noise as they moved with practiced stealth.

Roji caught my eye and jerked his head, beckoning me over. I joined him by the mouth of the tunnel, our breathing turning to faint puffs of mist in the cavern's chill air.

"What's going on with you?" he murmured, studying me with concern. "When was the last time you slept through the night?"

I grimaced, shifting my weight subtly. "It's been...a few days."

Roji's frown deepened. "More than a few, by the looks of it. We've finally got information. We can't have you collapsing."

Straightening, I gave him my most reassuring look. "I'll be fine. None of us have gotten much rest lately since the baroness was taken."

He grunted, unconvinced. "That's no excuse." He gripped my arm. "Are you sure you're still… you?"

I held back a sigh, tamping down my frustration. I couldn't tell Roji about the dreams that had plagued my sleep for weeks now, even before this latest disaster.

He was already worried that my Valti was too close to the edge, too close to taking over completely.

And I couldn't say that he was entirely wrong.

"I'll be ready when it counts," I said firmly. "We're too close to falter now."

Roji studied me a moment longer, then gave a curt nod and moved to check on the others. I forced my attention outward, surveying the shadowed cavern.

The aroma of roasting game birds filled my nostrils, mingling with the earthy scent of the cavern.

As I settled onto my bedroll, a flicker of anticipation ignited within me. Sleep had become my sole refuge during these trying times, for it was in my dreams that I would encounter her once more—the woman, the spirit, who beckoned for me.

In my mind's eye, I saw her clearly: a cascade of golden hair, eyes as deep and mysterious as the most profound lake. She was a being of otherworldly beauty, as alien as she was captivating.

In our last shared dream, I had finally caught her, nerves alight with exhilaration and trepidation. Capturing a Frostling was said to bring misfortune, but I found myself powerless to resist her allure.

The warmth of her body pressed against mine defied the ghostly nature of her skin. In the realm of sleep, she felt as real as the breath in my lungs.

Would she grace my dreams again tonight? Would I have the chance to capture her once more, to feel the thrill of her resistance melting into surrender?

She was the only glimmer of light in the grim waiting game which trapped me, and I eagerly anticipated the moment I could close my eyes and slip into that enchanted world.

But Roji was right. Soon it would be time for action.

And I would bid farewell to my impossible dreams.