Nightmare

[Johan Batara]

The Hullack Forest was dreaded, so he was informed, in all of Cormyr. He had seen no such danger in the deep, dark wood, yet there was an unusual feeling in his heart...the feeling of danger. There was something in the woods that watched him, yet he was uncertain of what it was. The sign had warned him, and so have the many Purple Dragons he had encountered. Hmpf, they did not know him. He was no farmer.

Kojiro opened the brown vial in his gloved palm and poured it on the wood, setting the timber aflame. Night had set, and he was about midway inside the Hullack Woodland. He set down his gear on a tree trunk and took out a jar of salted fish. He opened its light lid and impaled the meal on a stick, roasting it on the crackling fire.

It had been about three moons since he had set off from Daggerford. He had seen plenty of sights and wonders that Faerun possessed, but home still called. He had been to the great and vast City of Splendors, Waterdeep. He had even met a kinsman there, who sold secondhand wares of his nation. From there he had sailed to Baldur's Gate, a dangerous and unconquered land. He had crossed its risky roads and traveled its bustling trade towns, spending his nights in the lively inns and taverns that were available in such villages. He had been to Beregost and Nashkell, places of interest. But still, it was not what he had been looking for.

Then there was the great Kingdom of Cormyr. He had crossed the Stormhorns, and had stopped by in Arabel, the Caravan City. Not as great as the huge Waterdeep, but it was grand in its own right. At least it was safer than the Deep. Then he had gone to the countryside, travelling Eastward. There was still nothing. No suitable work, nothing he had preferred. And that was what drove him into the Hullack. Coin. He felt disgusted.

"Gah! No!" He alarmingly grabbed the stick and glared at the burnt fish. So much for a decent evening meal. He bit the burnt fish and chewed it carefully, doing his best to preserve his rations and food for the journey. Still a very long way...

Hiss. Something slithered in the woods, and Kojiro's left hand instinctively went for his blade. He bit off the last of his fish and looked around. He drew the dagger sheathed on a strap tied around his shin and neatly cut off some cloth from his cloak. He tied the black cloth around the stick and let it burn. Come out, shadow. You cannot hide forever.

Kojiro waved the torch around, glancing around the dark wood. "Anyone there?" he asked clearly in accented Common. "Please grant me the courtesy of showing yourself, if so."

Nothing.

Kojiro muttered and tossed the torch in a nearby pond. A moan came nearby and Kojiro went into a martial stance, expecting the worst. Still nothing. Now he could not sleep.

He walked around, hand still on hilt. "Show yourself!" The Kyoda warrior yelled. "Cease these foolish games and have the courage to reveal yourself and your intentions, or I will have to correct your behavior." he added dangerously. That was it. He reached into his obi, or belt, and dug his hand inside a small pouch. He tossed a magical powder around him, designed to reveal invisible beings. Nothing.

Kojiro let go of his sword hilt and sighed. More trouble was something, but that was something he couldn't handle right now. He unrolled his bedroll and lay it on the ground, and he sunk into sleep...

***

Kojiro stood in a dark house, his sword drawn in his hands. He was with Akitsuki, one of his vassals and trusted friends, who had his naginata clutched in his hands, looking dangerously at the shadows that surrounded them. Kojiro did not flinch, but it was strange to fight such enigmatic beings.

"My lord, at your command." Akitsuki's eyes were glaring at the surrounding figures, and the red mon on his dark black armor shone. Kojiro knew that on command, Akitsuki would vanquish these demonic entities and send them to the hell they belong, even if his life were to be shattered.

Kojiro was just about to issue the command when the black shadows around him swirled in an ebon whirlwind and formed one dark silhouette. He looked beside him and saw Perel, a swift elf in Daggerford who had magically healed him of injuries and saved his life many times, and Banu, the Uthgardt warrior with whom he was on good terms with. They were both wounded, and their weapons were prepared. His own was bloody, and he noticed that there were dark cuts on his own self. Perel and Banu were wounded as well with similar dark slashes, and their heated gazes were on the tall shadow in front of them.

"I can take them away from you, young one, if you so wish it. These Westerners are incapable of doing anything well enough, and you have no need of their foolishness and savage natures. Come with me, and we will be successful together." The shadow's voice was low, and for some reason, Kojiro seemed a little familiar with the voice.

"Wh-what? Betray my allies? I will rather die, creature!" Kojiro fiercely responded. But in him, doubt was clouding his emotions. The creature may have been an Easterner, and he had sworn to aid his brethren.

"Nay, Kojiro, don't listen ta him," said Banu in a deep voice. "We're friends, aye, and he is only foe. We need not listen."

"Indeed, Kojiro," spoke Perel quietly. "He only wishes to misguide you. Do not fall for his offers, and instead turn to us. We can help you."

Suddenly, the black shadow turned to Akitsuki in a flurry of dark shadow. "You will turn your back on the Kyoda, my lord? For these...savages?!" he said in disgust. "You are a dishonor to us all."

Then all around him shifted, and it turned to a burning castle. To be specific, Castle Kyoda. Arrows nailed every space on the gate, and it was only a matter of moments before it burned. Kojiro's mouth was agape.

"You would betray us for this..." Akitsuki's voice was soft as the scenery changed to the high walls of the Mosque of Tyr, and then to the busy town of Daggerford, and then to the tall gates of Waterdeep. "You turn your back on your people?"

Kojiro shuddered. "N-no! It is the people I serve. I do not serve these savages." He turned angrily at Banu and Perel. They were shocked, and their eyes revealed rage.

"You betray us? And we considered you a good man..." Banu raised his axe and chanted, a boar appearing at his side as he struck Kojiro. Kojiro ducked and kicked Banu, soon cutting at his chest. Perel quickly struck with his blades at Kojiro, who screamed. In his wrath, Kojiro struck true at the attacking boar and cut it down in one stroke.

"Stop this dark magick, lad, and heed us!" Banu pleaded with mixed anger. He bashed Kojiro in the stomach as Perel held his swords near Kojiro's neck. Kojiro seethed. He then turned to Akitsuki, but the man was gone. Banu raised his axe once more, and hacked it down at the Kyoda warrior...

***

"AGGGHHHH!"

Kojiro jumped from his bedroll, sending the birds above the treetops flying in fear. Daylight crept gently beneath the canopy, and the sun's grace blessed the woodland with light. Kojiro's fire died of wind, and Kojiro still stood still, shocked. What was that dream? So vivid, and he had felt pain...

Sighing, he rolled his bedroll and fixed his pack. The forest did not intimidate him. Fear was inside him. Kojiro shook his head as he dressed in his armor and tucked his blades into his belt. This was Hullack Forest. This was somewhere he would rather not be. With that in mind, the Kyoda daimyo rose and walked East, the dream forgotten. It was a product of this wood. It must have been a dark spirit who torments travelers. It was...designed to destroy him. But still, his grandfather's words were in his mind...

Life is a river
Stones bar its path on the way.
Yet it still passes by.

Time would pass, and the nightmare would be forgotten.

[Audark]

Bravo, Perel is now literally someones nightmare

[Ros-King]

Excellent read....

Cheers, and keep up the good writing eh?

-Ros

[Tynndahl]

Bravo, Perel is now literally someones nightmare

+1 axe wielding savage barbarian

PC - Banu "dont let me make you dream" Softclaw.