Rude Awakening

by T.A. Walk

Background
A 1000 word or less flash fantasy fiction collection! Each chapter is meant to both stand alone and connect into the overall story.

Prologue: A Chance Meeting Summary

Dwarven fighter Orin Shieldbearer and Elven ranger Vortex Varian meet unconventionally in a dark forest. One on a trek alone, the other alone and starving, the pair choose conversation over battle. While wary, the travelers find solace in company.

Chapter 1: The Necromancer

Ulric the Paladin, Serene the Ranger, Valerie the Mage, and Yagami the Ninja are hired to assist a town with a frightening problem. A necromancer has moved in and begun killing their lands. However, there’s a twist!

Chapter 2: Dwarves For Dinner

Ulric the Paladin, Serene the Ranger, Valerie the Mage, and Yagami the Ninja arrive at an inn and bar for a welcomed night of rest. Interrupted and once again rising to the need of others, they must face a gruesome foe to avenge the fallen.

Chapter 3: An Unsavory Encounter

Ulric the Paladin, Serene the Ranger, Valerie the Mage, and Yagami the Ninja hope to barter when they come across a wagon along a dirt road. Unfortunately, the thugs tending the wagon aren’t inclined to host guests.

“Yer a fine storyteller, Elf, but I aim to rest,” Orin said, interrupting Vortex. “Do ye plan to sleep, too?”

“I do, Orin, if you’ll allow me some comfort by the fire with you,” Vortex answered. “I’ll lay my weapons out where you can see them if it makes you more comfortable.”

“Aye, it does, but keep ‘em close. We mighta avoided a fight, but some things in these woods won’t allow us the choice. I aim to trust ye, Vortex. Me schedule’s important, don’t be a regret.”

“Thank you, Orin. For both your hospitality and your respect. You don’t have to worry about me through the night, good Dwarf. I have pledged it so.”

With that the unconventional pair spread their furs out and made themselves comfortable. The awkward silence drown out the other sounds of the forest. Neither knew what the next day might hold, but each was oddly satisfied with the outcome of this day.

“Night, ye durned Elf.”

“Goodnight, good Dwarf.”

***

Vortex shook Orin’s shoulder until he finally stirred from his slumber. Immediately the Dwarf attempted to push upward, but Vortex’s strength surprisingly held him firm. The Elf held a finger against his mouth to signal Orin to stay silent. From this proximity, Orin could see hints of silver in Vortex’s hair closest to his scalp. The auburn hair was a costume color to hide who he really was.

Vortex slowly moved his index finger away from his mouth and extended his arm out to point into the darkness. Orin squinted his eyes and focused. He jerked his head back and opened his eyes wide as he caught movement in the foliage.

“What?” Orin whispered as he carefully worked his body free of the fur covering him.

“Wolves,” Vortex replied quietly.

Vortex held one hand in front of him with his fingers and thumb extended before adding the other hand in the same manner. He followed this by dropping his hands and shrugging his shoulders. Orin reached out for his hand axe while Vortex slowly drew a dagger from a sheath on his belt.

Suddenly, the fight was on. A wolf tackled Vortex backward into the fire. He broke free and deftly slid his blade across the wolf’s lower left side. Meanwhile, Orin shimmied and wiggled along the ground until he felt the handle of his axe.

He gripped it tight and rolled sideways as a wolf pounced at him. He swung the axe high and brought it down as hard as he could. The wolf’s head bounced beside him as the rest of its body fell limp. A pair of young wolves stepped up before him. Orin rose to one knee and scanned the campsite for his shield. Partially covered by a fur blanket, it lay between him and the wolf pair. Orin was startled by the weight of Vortex leaning against his back.

“I have three in sight behind you, Orin.”

“Aye, I got me two o’ them buggers on this side. I’m missin’ me shield!”

“Switch, Orin!”

Vortex pushed his weight to one side, pushing Orin to do the same. As the wolves stood contemplating how to kill their prey, Orin and Vortex rotated as if they were dancing. When the two had successfully turned, Vortex dove forward. He extended his hands out, grabbed the shield, and flipped back up onto his feet.

“Orin!” Vortex shouted.

The shield soared through the air to Orin. The pair of wolves both lunged at Vortex as he turned back to them. Orin caught the edge of his shield in his free hand and used its momentum to bash the skull of one of the trio of wolves before him. The other two used the distraction to advance.

One wolf clamped down onto Orin’s left forearm. His shield fell to the ground as the wolf tugged at his arm. Vortex barely held one wolf’s snapping jaws back as he stabbed at the other with his dagger. Orin swung his axe frantically to keep the second wolf near him at bay as he attempted to yank his arm free.

Vortex drew a pained yelp from a wolf with his blade before dropping it to combat the wolf on top of him. He grabbed another handful of fur and held on with both hands. Orin’s heavy night coat ripped, and he finally pulled his arm free. The tugging wolf fell backward while Orin fumbled toward the other wolf. It simultaneously lunged as he fell. He maneuvered his hand axe in between them.

“Help!” Vortex cried out.

Thankfully, the wolf Vortex stabbed was severely injured and unable to fight. The wolf above him tore at his chest with its front paws as it snapped and pressed its weight downward. Orin collided with the wolf in front of him, splitting its head in two until its weight no longer carried it forward. Orin used the impact to move back toward the wolf that bit him.

His axe came free with a squelching sound and Orin brought it up and over his head. The wolf had dropped the cloth and ran into the forest. With expertise Orin spun and tossed his hand axe lightly. He grabbed the end of the hilt when he caught it and flung it at Vortex’s attacker.
The axe hit the wolf in the top of its front shoulder blade. At the same time, the force of Vortex’s push knocked the wolf to the side where it fell motionless. Orin walked over and offered a hand to Vortex, who gladly accepted the help up.

“Thank ye, Vortex Varian. Ye saved me life tonight!”

“I believe a thanks is owed to you as well, Orin. Thank you.”

“Aye, aye. Ye dinna break yer word, for sure. Ye wanna come along then?”

“I would gladly walk with you, Orin.”

“Go on then. Go back to tellin’ yer durned stories. Ye wanna help pack up me camp.”

“Gladly,” Vortex said, smiling at his new friend.

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