Excerpt
Dark ghost shadows slipped through low-hanging mist in the Sargossi forest. Three hundred riders cloaked in black and mounted on black horses larger than any Sargossi warhorse, watched for sign of ambush from beneath black cowls, hands resting on weapons. Silence announced the huge horses passage as they stole between trees leaving no trace of passing in soft moist soil and moss. Not even clink of armor or sword disturbed the forest upon their passage.
Looking up from gathering wood, a Sargossi peasant spied the ghostly column drifting through mist-shrouded forest in the distance. Terror seized him. Losing his grip on wood clutched in gnarled hands, his bundle rattled to the ground. Mind screamed flight, but legs refused to obey. The peasant listened in terrified silence. Wind sighed through trees and forest animals scurried through damp leaves and chattered in boughs above his head. All nature was oblivious to his spectral vision.
A raven swooped low. Brushing peasants head with black wingtips, black messenger winged deftly between branches. Streaking with grim purpose toward mysterious riders, the raven settled on the leaders hand. After several moments, it beat its wings and climbed back into the air, disappearing through sparse spring canopy.
Gasping in horror, the peasant wiped sweat-soaked brow with trembling hand. Without visible signal or sound, ghostly column stopped and the leader turned purposefully toward him. Trying again to command unsteady legs, the peasant found himself rooted to the spot. Invisible hands held him fast.
Slipping agilely between trees, the monstrous black horse moved with deer grace toward him. Never had he seen such a large animal and he had seen many war-horses in his brief life. Clad all in black, his face hidden in shadow beneath hood, the rider looked like death or dread underworld phantom. The peasant feared rider, for sword and dagger were plain to see, but the animal terrified him more. Cold dread raced down the peasants spine when he realized the horse wore no bridle.
Oh, please dear God, protect me from this apprition from hell and I promise Ill be in the chapel every day singin yer praise! He quailed aloud, his voice ringing frightened octaves through the forest.
The hooded apparition laughed a clear ringing laugh in reply. You should not make promises you will not keep, he added in dark humor.
The huge horse stopped inches from the peasant and the animals sweet breath warmed the trembling mans dirty face.
Such promises are especially ill-advised when made to God. You need not fear me little man, I will not harm you, a kindly voice spoke from beneath the hood. With that, the rider threw back the hood revealing a handsome noble face and laughing gray eyes, his short-cropped dark hair slick with sweat. What is your name? The rider asked in a gentle yet commanding tone.
His knees refused to hold him up any longer. The little man fell to the ground shaking. As he fell, he glimpsed the glint of shiny black beneath cloaks folds. My name is Alfredo, great lord, he croaked. Please spare me, I ave a large family and they need me! He cried, burying his face in trembling hands.
Without another word, the rider dismounted and landed firmly on the ground. A twig broke with a muffled snap beneath wet leaves under his feet. Alfredo, I told you I mean you no harm. Rise, there is no need for you to grovel, the dark stranger said, lifting the trembling man from damp ground.
Alfredo felt himself lifted as if he were a child. Looking into smiling gray eyes, his fear vanished.
The stranger smiled. You have seen the others we are following, have you not? He asked.
Aye, mlord, that I ave. I thought praps ye was with em, Alfredo breathed a sigh of relief, yet puzzled that he no longer felt afraid.
Earlier in the day, he had seen other riders who were not so silent in their passing, yet he had feared them too. He lay under wet leaves for an hour after they had ridden past just to be certain that they were gone. He would have done the same with these riders, but for the power holding him in thrall.
You were wise to avoid them, Alfredo, and lucky they did not find you. They would not have been as gentle with you. Could you count their strength?
Well, mlord, me not being much with such things, I cant say exactly. I can tell ye though, their numbers were many moren yer own. Ye wouldnt be thinkin to fight em would ye? Alfredo asked in wonder. Strange sensations buzzed his skull.
Yes, I have been hunting them and soon I will destroy them, the man affirmed evenly. That is why I stopped when we saw you. Leave here quickly as you can. Tell your lord there was a battle in the clearing over there, the dark stranger commanded, pointing east as he spoke. You know the one?
Alfredo nodded. Aye mlord, that I do.
Tell your lord that there are many fine steeds left there for his taking, as the victor had no need of them.
Beggin the dark lords pardon, but I cant help wonderin, Alfredo began as he scratched his head. Ye aint no Sargossi lord, but ye speak our tongue as though ye were. All this movin through the forest without noise and ravens flyin where they aint normally seen just aint natural, if ye catch me drift. I be certain yore a wizard or magician of some sort.
Well, well your tongue certainly loosened in a hurry! The stranger laughed. I am a sorcerer, he affirmed.
Beggin yer lordships pardon again, but our Bishop would have ye roasted for a heretic if he caught ye. Praps ye should at least get yer horse a bridle for show. He sorter draws attention without one, what with having a saddle and rider on him and all.
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