They were creatures of blue and death draft.docx

7/27/2019 They were creatures of blue and death draft.docx

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They were creatures of ice and death, rotting flesh and protruding bones visible through their

decaying rags and rusted steel. Wrenched from the ground against their will by the warlocks

of the once forgotten Nuiat Clan, they hunted relentlessly.

Aeron fled through the frozen terrain swiftly; weaving his way among thick oak and pine

trees, across boulders with a thick with ice. His footing slipped as he tried to scramble over

rocks; he could hear their footsteps as they chased him. Ahead he could see the woods

thinning out and could only hope that he had taken the right path.

He had. The lake, he gasped, out he was safe, he was home. They wouldnt come on to the

lake. Long ago they would have followed without thought; only hungry to devour their prey

but the longerthey lived the more cautious they became.They must be a few that the Nuians have held captive to train them . If I were them I would

break the ice and doom us all to a cold death. At least it would be over then, Aeron thought

as he made his way cautiously across the ice.

He would have to hurry if he was to get his warning through; he had been running for three

days now since the Ice Walkers had descended upon his scouting team. He heard the cracking

of ice; taking a quick glance he saw that the Walkers had followed onto the ice. He thought,

They must not have been held long enough, theyrestill too stupid.

Aeron quickened his pace to avoid capture by the freezing waters; the ice gave way. Water

devoured the Walkers that had followed. He chanced a quick glance behind, and was

surprised to see a Walker climbing out of the water, mouth wide open howling with rage.

Cursing he doubled he efforts to put some distance between him his pursuer, only to slip andfall.

Aeron drew his sword whilst struggling to right himself; but only managed to crawl

backwards. The Walker was within ten feet of him now; he could see its snow-white eyes

with desire to kill. It lunged for him with nothing but its cold hands; he struck out his sword

but missed. Cursing as he lost his grip he put his other hand up to fend it off but the Walker

was too strong, and proceeded to wrap its cold hands around his throat.

Feathers, wood and steel entered his vision via the Walkers temple; its grip loosened and

finally released. Feeling the pounding of his heart through his ears he stayed still on the ice.Get the ropes tie him quickly, said a gravelly voice sending chills down his spine. That was

the last thing he remembered.

He woke disorientated and bound. Strangely warm he thought curiously; he lay still and

listened for sounds of activity. Hearing none he opened his eyes and saw a fire dwindling

away. He was inside; he could hear wails of a snowstorm outside. As he looked around he

took in the old tribal curved blades and ritualistic markings on the walls.

Im to be sacrificed,he realised. He tried moving and realising the ropes had some give, he

began work at them, keeping his senses tuned for any approaching noise. It didnt take long


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to release himself; standing stiffly, he wondered how long he had been unconscious. Quietly

as the first snowflake in winter he crept close to the doorway.

Peering out the entrance he could make out this was a small camp, probably one of the tribes

on the outskirts, only one guard in sight. Quick as a frost tiger he broke his neck; stripping

him of furs and sword. He wondered where all the people were and why he was guarded so

lightly.

Winter Solstice,he realised, thats why they had captured him, thats why they had killed

their own Walker- it would have killed him and robbed them of their sacrifice.

Ive got tofind out what theyre trying summon and warn the southern tribes. Suddenly he

heard footsteps behind him and darkness commandeered his mind again.

He was shocked back to reality by prickly pains in his chest, which quickly escalated to a

sharper stabbing. Attempting to defend himself he tried flailing out but a girl with a spearstepped out of reach.

Shhhh said she so quietly he wasnt sure if she had spoken at all; she started to untie the

ropes, which rebound him. As his eyes adjusted to the light provided from her torch fixed in

the ground he noticed that she was covered in furs had a childish quality to her face but he

tell by her height she was almost a grown woman.

What are you doi.? Aeron started to say but was cut off as a surprisingly quick hand

covered his mouth. He righted himself as the last of the ropes came loose and freed his limbs.

Rubbing his wrists he looked around and noticed that this place had been better guarded thanthe last, although numbers had hardly helped them; four bodies lay on the floor unconscious.

Did you? he askedconfused indicating to the bodies, as she brought the torch up to her

face. Now standing he was able to see that his rescuer was indeed older than her face

suggested; her eyes were a deep ocean blue, which gazed right into his mind.

No time, must go now, she whispered quickly as she started towards the door, Aeron still

trying to comprehend what was happening. NOW she hissed through her teeth louderthan

before. He grabbed his furs and followed.

Outside there was a blizzard raging through the village. His rescuer, dowsed the torch in

snow, grabbed his hand and started to pull him in-between, behind and around the camps. He

was lucky she could see; he could barely make out her frame in front of him.

After what seemed like hours of running and diving behind cover as to remain hidden they

reached a cliff face. His saviour started pressing against seemingly ordinary rock face. We

will discovered here if we stop now, Aeron managed through the storm; she ignored him.

Finally a crack appeared which she pulled larger till both could squeeze through. This closed

quickly behind them. She immediately started to make a fire from logs and tinder already

stored there.

Why did you save me? he finally asked as the silence became too much.


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You had to be savedShe replied thankfully so that you could save us all Aeron the

Liberator.

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They were creatures of blue and death draft.docx