Dawn broke as the five riders burst out of the Everglade Forests, the territory of the gorgeous royal maiden Lady Athenian who was now the friend, soul mate and wife of Bleu Chanomulus; an immortal having been brought from earth to the country of Nixador. Here in the world of Panima to help all Paniman Elves in their fight to bring the Sorcerer to his knees. He was a fallen wizard who was trying to subject the elf world to torture, abomination and slavery and misery.
Chanomulus looked up at the gentle rays of the sun shining down, giving warmth and energy and allowing all life to live on.
He said, “Oh Apollo, hear me oh God give me the strength and the will and humour to do this task asked of me, allow us? The Royal Foresters of Nixador, the Companions of Our Lord the King and for us to work together without constant dispute; to face the trials and tribulations without blaming anyone or ourselves and not to turn on any individual on the team, to listen, understand and to accept each team member and leader’s point of view and to give guidance. For us to face the task ahead and set this out for us with optimism and humour and bring the Sorcerer to his knees and catch and to turn the Arch-Fiend over to the authorities. There for him to be judged and have pronounced on him the verdict decided on by the High Elf Court Judge and by the Jury of twelve good elves: peers of equal rank and of the same status as of Mister Brownston, oh Apollo, hear my prayer.”
Bleu Chanomulus looked up and saw that the sun was beginning to turn a gold intertwined with redish rays as the sun began its slow climb up and over the skies of Nixador. With arms outstretched towards the sun Chanomulus looked up seeking a good omen. His prayers were answered as from out of the horizon starting as a small speck; a white dove flew into view. It landed on a tree branch nearby to Bleu and the white dove symbolising purity and goodness cooed out a message to Bleu. He heard and understood and he was dumbfounded.
Smiling, and gratified with the good news, Bleu Chanomulus turned his face upwards and said, “Thank you, oh Apollo, may I be able to repay in full the boon that you have granted me in this our task, set and asked of us by Our King and country. Humbly and graciously I thank you, oh Apollo.” Bleu bowed his head in holy reverence to the majesty of the Sun God Apollo, the husband of the female goddess, torch and lantern bearer of the Gods, some say.
Turning as one the Four Dark Riders pointed the way out to Hurus the wolf and Bleu Chanomulus the immortal; the way that they were to take to reach the Elf Training School of Logistics, Warfare and Academic Achievement. Chanomulus raised his hand to the four in thanks and the Four Dark Riders went once more into the dark woods of the Everglades and soon they vanished out of sight, until again they were called to do what no Angel or creature had power or the strength to do. Bleu secretly was pleased that the Riders had left some of their power because it was awesome. He dismounted from Thudrus now to have breakfast with Hurus the Elf wolf and his mountain horse Thudrus. He tethered Thudrus near to the brook running by and he walked slightly off, and took out some dried meat for himself and the Wolf to eat.
Chanomulus squatted down and he beckoned to Hurus to come and eat. Hurus took one more drink then turned and looked and cocked his head at his master. Then he padded silently over to Bleu, his man friend. The two friends began to eat when suddenly Bleu and Hurus realised that an unseen enemy was nearby playing cards. It sounded like there were three orcs and Chanomulus and Hurus melted into the trees searching out the threat.
They turned out to be two unkempt orcs who were busy gambling, oblivious to everything but money and they were being watched by their leader. He was a brute, cunning, a devious giant troll just as dishevelled and who was now urinating on a sorrowful bush about twenty yards away from the two orcs. Every so often the giant troll shook his head, staring bemused at the antics of his two soldiers. Hurus and Bleu Chanomulus watched for a while and deciding on action, stepped into full view of the two orcs and said, “Good morning, gentlemen,” as he drew out his sword Torkanebulous.
Chanomulus did not spare or give quarter here, knowing full well that if he or Hurus had been caught by these creatures, they would have been tortured with a sadistic pleasure and then n been left tied up, still alive to be pecked to a slow death by the birds of prey circling overhead and so Bleu drew his sword and neatly decapitated the head of the orc nearest to him. Hurus at the same time leapt into the air roaring out the call of the wild. He sank his fangs deep into the other orc’s jugular.
He too died as bright red blood gushed forth and splattered over the two companions neatly drowning them in a sea of frothy blood. The two companions together stepped forward to confront the last enemy. It for a moment looked fearfully at them.
The two Special Companions looked on as their enemy did up his britches grinning at the two friends, a cunning look in the brute’s bright eyes. The troll was confident that he would kill the two Special Companions. He began to swing his huge mace. He advanced on Hurus and Bleu now only about eight metres away. Hurus curled back his lips and growled and Chanomulus decided to end this game of mischief once and for all. He brought out his bow and drawing an arrow out from his quiver, he went down into the archer’s position. At the same time he pulled back the arrow now notched to his bow and he aimed. The Troll had changed his manner and turning in fear began to run. They would probably have been put on a spit, cooked alive and eaten if the tables had been reversed, thought Bleu. So resigned, Bleu sent an arrow at the giant troll, which entered through the nape of the thing’s neck and then came out and onwards tearing out the creature’s throat.
It staggered, turned and sprawled out now dead but a hideous reminder to those passing by of what can happen to innocent children and elf folk these days, whilst the Sorcerer and his unseen forces were allowed to be out and about. Bleu then dragged the three bodies to a shallow grave that he had dug still shaking with wrath at seeing the Things. He buried the three warriors praying silently that their souls and entities went out and into the deep abyss below and never to be allowed to return.
They were evil. The prayers included that the three dead entities live in a state of constant fire and damnation, until every bit of evil and filth was driven out of the two, now humbled, dead orcs, and that applied to the dead malevolent giant troll as well, he thought. Until they became at one again with the Holy Omnipotent One, if ever and saying, “Amen,” Bleu Chanomulus departed with Hurus the wolf into the dark night – no moon up there tonight, thought Bleu.
The two Special Companions headed down a deserted overgrown bridle pathway cautiously heading south-west for the Training School that was their immediate destination. Bleu took out the compass and the map that had been given to him. He checked in his inner pocket that the sealed envelope with the King’s signature was safe and still in one piece – it was.
The Special Unit had no idea of what they were to do once on the shores of the country of Alilia. Bleu knew that the envelope had been sealed and put into a waterproof container and was vital to the mission of the Unit, and without the dispatches no way could they succeed. It contained the orders of the plan, the escape route, times and dates and the very rendezvous details of their contact in Alilia. Chanomulus patted his inner pocket once more. He grinned and thought a very sacred trust that had been put into his hands. He felt humbled but honoured.
At that moment he heard the sounds of horses approaching and quietly he slipped into the dense undergrowth off the side of the bridle pathway. Into view came two elf children on horseback. They were followed by their folk in a cart pulled by a huge fell horse. Bleu Chanomulus smiled as he listened to the husband being given a scathing lecture, the male kept in turn repeating to his wife, “Yes, ma dear, have some more Madeira, ma dear,” which seemed to get her even more angry. A similar word on earth thought Bleu, how strange? I wonder what it means here. Who knows, he thought.
Bleu smiled and muttered quietly, “There is nothing as strange as folk,” and the family contingent disappeared up the bridleway. Bleu Chanomulus, grinning very innocently, asked Thudrus to step out once more onto the bridleway. Thudrus complied. Stopping Thudrus, he held out the compass and on his map reading the contours, escarpments, ridges, and roadways until he found where he and Hurus the wolf and Thudrus were exactly. Chanomulus calculated that the three of them should be safe by tomorrow evening at dusk, unless of course the three of them ran into more trouble. Feeling confident, aware and travelling light, Chanomulus and his friends continued on to their intended destination, his sixth sense acutely active, which was good for Bleu.
He knew that the river was approaching and that he had to get all three of them over and that was probably where the Sorcerer’s guerrilla units would be? Hoping to catch someone, find out information by any means and then to dispatch whoever fell into their vile villainous hands. Bleu continued cautiously, knowing that the river was nearby. He could hear the sound of it and judging by that sound it was deep, probably with a fast dangerous current into the bargain.
He continued carefully and silently assessing his future course of action. He was very aware of the hidden dangers and not just from the river, he thought. At that moment he felt a strong hand put over his mouth and it said, “I am your friend – tell the wolf not to growl and follow me at once,” the voice commanded.
Bleu knew that voice was from earth, someone whom he loved, respected, obeyed and trusted but for the life of him Bleu Chanomulus could not remember. His mind had instinctively for some reason gone blank; always happens, thought Bleu. Chanomulus turned off the bridleway and followed the stranger feeling strangely young again, but very secure in this company. Bleu Chanomulus knew that this person he was following was somebody very close to him but whom? Bleu resolved he would find out and continued to follow the stranger through the dense jungle of the hidden secret river pathways.
They had being moving through trees and dense undergrowth when they stepped out suddenly into a glade and the small group were momentarily startled by the suddenness of a weird eerie scene. It made Bleu freeze for a moment and Thudrus reared up into the air his eyes rolling, snorting and his hooves came crashing down. Warning those he saw in front (Thudrus was descended from those two elf horse deities Vision and Fortitude). Hurus advanced, stopped and growled menacingly. They saw three old hags dancing and muttering strange words and magical incantations as they threw strange effigies into the cauldron. As the Unit watched the water began to swirl. The leader of the crones turned and she looked first at the stranger and said, “Have you told him, Sire?”
The stranger dressed from top to bottom in an Ishmahal suit of black armour with a full visor pulled down said to the crones, “no and hold your tongue or be prepared to leave this world very quickly.”
The crones, highly amused, cackled with mirth and beckoned Bleu to come forward – he hesitated but the stranger said, “they will not hurt you, Bleu.” Bleu could not help but hold his breath. My God, did they stink so very rotten, he thought.
“You are with me – oblige these old hags. They are going to do a service of good deed for you and your companions too, who are waiting for you just across the river at the Training School. Trust them, please. They want to be of service to you and to our country of Nixador.” So Bleu fearfully but bravely went forward as beckoned. He waited and they hissed at him to look into the bubbling cauldron and he did as he was told.
The black swirling water began to unfold and he found himself drawn right down into the dark waters and pictures from within the cauldron. They reached out and encircled him till he too became part of and within the pictures. He felt stifled and was forced to look, take in and listen and what did he see? He understood what he was told, that it was of his and the Special Companions’ destiny and much more. Then suddenly he was released and Bleu plunged backwards and he blacked out.
Bleu’s last recollections were of fainting and now he found himself in a cave. He felt very much awake and very alive. He was annoyed that he had fainted but it had happened. No use crying over spilt milk, he thought and stood up in the cave. Bleu’s gaze took in the place and saw the stranger still in the Black Armour of the Holy Order of Nixador standing guard. He was watching the entrance with the wolf as if expecting visitors, thought Bleu.
Bleu took in the stranger more fully and noted that he had his visor still in the position for battle. Bleu approached the person not sure of what to expect but knew it could only be good. Bleu, keeping out of sight of any unseen eyes, which might be watching out there, squatted down next to the person. He gently stroked his wolf.
Hurus looked up at Bleu and gently he licked his master’s hand and Bleu continued to stroke his friend. Patiently he waited for the stranger to speak and hopefully then the stranger would identify himself to Bleu. Some entity from Earth that Bleu was sure of and he knew he loved, adored, respected and trusted implicitly. But for the life of him he could not see nor think whom or recall this person but this mystery would be resolved in time. But Bleu still found it irksome and frustrating to be in the dark and thus he waited for the Stranger to speak.
The stranger glanced round and said, “Ah, you are wide awake, good, I have fed your wolf. A lovely creature of the wild – let him go freely when he decides and he will go back to the wild. The calling will be too strong.”
Chanomulus paused, taking in the person and listening to his words, seeing the stranger’s awesome charisma and charm that attracted him so much to this person. A Captain of Industry this one would be on Earth, thought Bleu Chanomulus. Bleu saw the person’s integrity as the stranger continued speaking, his goodness and his physical athletic strength were more than apparent and much more Bleu saw. He felt awed.
Bleu Chanomulus interrupted the stranger saying, “You are an Elf Army Officer of a very high rank, sir am I not correct?” The person looked through his visor at Bleu and Bleu said, “Do not lie to me, Sir. I appreciate and thank you for bringing me here and saving Hurus, Lady Athenian’s wolf, and my life probably too but who are you? We have met before, I know you, I feel I have always known you, who are you?”
The Great Entity paused seeing that Bleu sensed and knew him and his gaze softened, looking down at the young man. The person saw an intelligent, good-looking man, who had integrity, loves humour, was brave and would probably lay his life down. He would do this for his colleagues, his wife and family and his friend and his fellow. He was not afraid to speak his mind either, and does listen, showing he can and will take orders. In time he will make a fine and good friend and husband to Lady Athenian the Lady of the Wood. He thought with this guy there was a feeling of good life and of a sense of real normality for those lucky to be in his company and he is so resilient, intelligent, perceptive and athletic. He liked him and he had not changed – he smiled.
The Knight of the Ishmahal Holy Order said, “Enough, Bleu all will be revealed in due course. Have a little patience and now we must get you over the river to safety. It is dangerous here, for you all. The unseen enemy can smell you and wants you. Not for good gain either and when they are tired of you? They will tear your parts asunder and put your head on a pole for the birds to peck. It will also act as a warning to the gentle folk of all ethnics and cult not to mess with the Dark Forces. I do not lie, I see no point! I need to get you, the mountain horse and the wolf onto the other side of the river now before it begins to snow again.”
The stranger stood up and smiling said, “I know you can and will fight, but the Elf Kingdom needs you alive. You have the Dispatches. I suggest you read them now and burn the evidence in the fire over there – do it now, Chanomulus. We have not much time left if we are to succeed and I safely get away too, hurry!” Bleu Chanomulus nodded. He quickly moved into action. He opened the sealed envelope, read and memorised the information then burnt the papers in the embers of the fire and hurriedly, once all was burnt put the fire out. Bleu then joined the stranger.
Bleu felt the river current swirl around them, and then he felt the shock of the ice-cold water but Thudrus, snorting began to swim across the river. Bleu then held on to Hurus, trusting the mountain horse’s huge fortitude. The three of them, even though swept down river by the fast current, were soon across and into the safe haven of the County of Nixador; military country, thanks to Thudrus. As he expected, he was spotted almost immediately and an elf soldier said, “Stand still and declare yourself or we will shoot you down, stand still on the ground now.”
Bleu said, “I am from the King of Nixador, a friend and fellow soldier like you. I am one of the Special Companions. Travelling light, please take me to the Logistic Training Camp at once. I am expected there by nightfall, the Commander of the Camp is expecting me, hurry soldier.”
The elf soldiers came warily down and searched Bleu, taking his weapons. They were a little uneasy of Hurus and Bleu said, “The wolf will not attack you. That is as long as you treat me right,” he said with a strained smile.
The warriors closed around the three companions and the leader said, “We will give you your weapons back once we have verified your story. In the meantime we will take you to the School Training Camp. If you are who you say you are, you and your friends are expected. These are dangerous times.”
Shrugging his shoulders the officer said, “Troop, surround the man and his friends. On the ready, when I say we will break into a trot. Then we will go into a canter and into the gallop and we ride for the Army School Camp. We are expected,” and the warriors moved off and into a thick swirling snow-storm that had now descended on them all – it was thick, hypnotic and blinding. They were soon lost from view. Hurus, Thudrus and Bleu at present were now in the middle of the elf troop and had no time to think about anything else but to survive.