The Ever War: Chapter 2.8

Malachi sighed. "If you are going to attack, then may I suggest you do it now? After all, those three will only be out so long." Echo ground her teeth together. The old man always had a way of getting under her skin. He casually leaned upon a staff, which made her wonder where it came from. He certainly hadn't had it a minute ago. She frowned; she should know better than to underestimate him. His powers rivaled those of Lord Saevio. She set her teeth and prepared herself. Malachi watched her with an almost disinterest.

She rushed forward, only to swing at vacant air. She whirled about just in time to feel the smack of wood across her face. She spun in the air, landing on her face. Blood ran from her nose as she rose to her feet. The staff struck her in the gut, causing her to double over. The staff came down across her back, and she fell back to the ground.

Malachi watched as she struggled to her feet again, observing her with now mild interest. "You haven't learned a thing since we last met. Still rushing into things, still ending up flat on your face. And I haven't even used a single spell."

Echo glared. "Damn you! Damn you, old man!" Malachi sighed and tutted.

"That's enough from you! Begone!" With a wave of his hand, she vanished from sight. Malachi took another swig from his flask. He shook his head and knelt next to Sarah. He gently touched her forehead. She groaned and opened her eyes.

"Malachi?" she asked softly. He smiled and helped her sit up.

"You took quite a nasty blow to the head, but I must say that you did some damage." He moved on to Josh and Thoden. Both of them groaned and stirred. Josh tried to leap to his feet, thinking the assassin was still about, but ended up falling back down. "Ah, ah, you. Take it easy. All is well now, though I must say, you're not too shabby with that sword. And you, Thoden, are just as your father said you would be. It is good to see that you have grown to be and honorable man." Malachi gave a slight bow to the giant. The giant bowed in return.

"It is good to see you once again, Pathfinder." Thoden smiled. Malachi turned sad eyes to the smoldering village.

"A real shame. This place was a very sacred place, which ironically is what drew them here." He murmured.

Josh kept glancing around, expecting to be attacked at any moment. "Is it safe to be standing around like this?"

"As long as I am here, perhaps. Although, if we are attacked, then we will be assured that we are where we are supposed to be." He groaned and stretched his back. He stabbed his staff into the ground. "Ah, my aching joints. I haven't moved like that in three centuries." He proceeded to perform a series of stretches that included several arm stretches, twenty push ups, and one cartwheel, much to the amazement of the three onlookers. "Ah, now, that's more like it! Now, where are we headed?"

Josh glanced around, and when he realized they were all staring at him, he blinked a few times in surprise. "What? I have no idea! All I thought about was finding whoever we were supposed to find. And we found him."

Malachi clicked his tongue and smiled. "So ignorant compared to the last generation. Ironically, that happens to make you perfect for this job!" He muttered. The others stared in confusion, but he shook his head. "Oh, you will all find out soon enough. Now, Josh, you have the ability to hear the Road, a trait that has never fully developed in anyone like it has in you. Listen to it, and it shall tell you where you are to go. Now, have you any other questions? I must be off soon."

Sarah frowned. "Where is it that you need to get too?" Malachi shrugged his shoulders.

"I have absolutely no idea, but I know that I must get there. Now that you lot have an understanding of all this, it's time for me to head out." Malachi strode off into the forest and was gone in minutes. Josh shook his head.

"I'm not sure whether I want him to answer anything or just let us struggle on our own." He said.

Thoden spoke up. "He has always been an odd one. He is the old, that's for sure. He has visited my village from time to time for as long as anyone can remember, going back hundreds of years."

"And yet he can still do a cartwheel. Heh, that'll probably be me one day." Sarah sighed.

The wind blew, and on it, Josh seemed to hear something else. It was like a beckoning, a feeling in his gut that pointed out a single direction. "We go that way." And he pointed to the west.

Thoden's face grew grim. "That's what I feared."

"Why?" Sarah asked.

Thoden turned to her with grave eyes. "Because that is where the Yacota live. A dangerous and savage race that seem to kill for no reason." He paused before continuing. "It is where we send those condemned to die."