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Mercy's Blessing

To my friend Besonik for whom I jumped over my shadow

Part 1

Late Sumr 5153. Far in the western forests of the Wild Venkat, Allard and Corwin were traveling north. Days away from the next settlement, they were all alone in the wilderness. The warriors wore black and dark brown leather armor and dark green cloaks, each secured by the mark of the holy tree. They wandered uphill through the woods in search of a place to refill their water skins and camp for the night.

"It must be right after this rise," assured Corwin.

"You said that before the last hill!" Allard protested.

"Oh, shush. Is this little trip too tiring for you?"

"Pff, I could drag you all the way by your tail!"

Corwin pursed his lips and his eyes narrowed. After a moment, both burst into laughter. Allard loved that he could be so lighthearted with Corwin. Joyful days like this were such a relief from the gloom and grief of darker times. To them, the most important thing was to enjoy life.

The snapping of a twig nearby split the air. Both immediately turned silent and stood back to back, hands on their swords.

"See anything?"

Allard looked about, eyes wandering past heavy brush, trees and twisted old roots, but saw nothing. He relaxed and turned around, patting Corwin on the shoulder.

"Let's move on."

Corwin nodded and they headed towards a wall of heavy brush.

"Through here?" Allard asked.

"Well, we could go around, but that might be more trouble than it's worth..." He stepped into the thick brush and Allard glanced back one more time before following.

A clearing on the other side opened into a wider valley. The silver gleam of water snaking through the bottom sent scattered midday light to play through the trees on the far side. The slope they stood on fell away into a steep, rocky hillside, but to their luck a path led around the worst of it.

"So, this time you were right, it seems." Allard chuckled and patted his buddy on the back.

They heard a rustling in the brush behind and shared a look of concern before glancing back. Out of bushes, a huge bear burst through the cover, running towards them at full speed. Corwin pushed Allard out of the way and leapt the other direction just in time. The animal swung around, and rose to its hind legs, roaring in bestial fury.

"You alright Allard?!" Corwin yelled as he dumped his backpack and rushed to stand beside him.

Allard threw off his pack as well. "I'm fine!"

They both stood facing the bear. Allard turned his palm toward it and allowed his eyes to lose focus. He reached out to the animal with his mind. 'Proud bear, you do not own this forest alone. Let us stay for just one day. We are the Warlocks of the Wilds! Make way!'

The bear bellowed in rage and raised its paw, taking a step towards Allard.

Allard stood frozen. He had no time to draw his sword. From the corner of his eye, Allard saw Corwin leap past him and into the air, supported by his long tail. His eyes were wide and his fangs bared as he shouted, "Leave him alone!" He kicked the animal's paw away, then struck the bear under the chin with his boot.

It huffed and stumbled backwards before falling with its back against a tree. Corwin was on the bear before it had a chance to move.

He yelled at the animal and struck its head with a strong left hook. The bear growled furiously and swatted at him with a paw, but Corwin followed his first blow with such a strong right that it smashed its head against the trunk of the tree. It huffed in pain, and when Corwin grasped his sword, the bear clumsily ran for its life. It staggered and stumbled along, hitting tree after tree as it went, until it was gone into the deeps of the woods.

"If I ever see you again I will shove my sword so far up your ass that it tickles your tonsils, you piece of shit of a bear!"

Shaken, Allard stepped up beside his friend and rested a hand on his shoulder. Corwin turned towards him and Allard quickly inspected his friend for signs of injury. "Corwin... you okay?"

"Aye, not a scratch." The anger faded and his eyes relaxed. The corners of his mouth curled into a smile as he looked up at Allard.

Allard smiled back, but for one moment three dark eyes flashed up and filled his mind's eye. It was only for a fraction of a second, but it left him off balance. He shook his head to clear it.

"You good?" Corwin tilted his head.

Allard's attention returned to his comrade and he shuddered. "A.. Aye. I am unscathed ... thanks to you. Jeez, buddy, you beat up that bear with your bare hands!"

Corwin hugged him with one arm and touched his cheek to Allard's. "I am glad you are fine."

They looked about searching for any further danger, but soon Allard sighed. "Come, let's head on. The river is just ahead." He picked up his pack.

Suddenly he heard Corwin swear. "Where the fuck is my backpack?!"

Allard looked around and walked a few steps down the slope onto a ledge. He peered over the edge.

"There it is! Down at the riverbank..."

He heard his friend sigh, but Allard walked back to him and patted him on the back. "Come, we need to get down there anyways."

"Aye... If I see that bear again, may Misericordia have mercy on his soul!"

"Hey buddy, calm down and let's move on, cause you know what they say."

"No, I don't. What do they say?" He eyed Allard with suspicion.

"The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground."

"Don't give me this bullshit you picked up somewhere!"

"Uh, wasn't that from some wise guy?"

"Nope."

"Okay, how about 'bear happens'? Is that better?" He chuckled.

Corwin groaned and rolled his eyes, but could not stop himself from smiling.

The sun shone warm and high as they made their way down the path. It was around midday with no clouds in the sky. A soft, cool breeze made it perfect.

Allard enjoyed the feeling of soft grass underfoot after days of walking through the forest. His armor was not heavy, but he was looking forward to getting out of it. A bath, some fresh water and a good meal was an utmost inviting thought. It was steep and some loose rocks rolled down as they carefully treaded on the dusty path. At least they had the side of the rock to hold on to.

Allard breathed in the cool air and felt himself relax when he heard the rush of the river. As they stepped around the bend in the path he saw Corwin's backpack near the water.

Corwin's voice broke the silence. "Where the hell is my sleeping bag?" He looked about, frowning.

When Allard looked up, he saw Corwin's sleeping bag hanging from an old root high on the cliff. It must have caught the backpack by the roll of bedding, then pulled it out of the leather straps. He tapped his buddy on the shoulder. "Look, up there!"

"Oh, for fuck's sake!"

"Anything broken in your bag?"

Corwin inspected the contents of his bag before sitting down. "Luckily not, but how do I get my roll back?" He looked despairingly at the bed roll swaying above them in the breeze.

"Hm ..."

As they were pondering, a gust of wind rolled through the valley.

"Oh, hey, look! The wind might pull it free!"

Indeed, a moment later the sleeping bag fluttered free of the root. Corwin walked backwards to catch it, slowly gaining speed.

"That's right, come to me!" He held his arms up, eyes fixed on the flying fabric. Allard picked up his pack and followed him.

"Almost there!"

Yet another gust sent the sleeping bag sailing over his head.

"No! Nonono, stay here!"

He tried to catch it and turned around running after, but it was too late. Corwin stumbled and fell into the river and his bedding was carried away by the current.

Allard rushed to help him, but the water was not deep so close to the bank. There Corwin stood soaking wet.

"I thought Warlocks were supposed to look mighty and majestic!" Allard tried unsuccessfully to suppress a laugh.

Corwin smirked. "Not when nobody's looking!"

Allard openly laughed at that. "Anyways, come out of the water. That sleeping bag is gone."

Corwin waded back to shore, shook himself and took off his drenched cloak.

"Bugger... Now I have to sleep in my cloak. It's going to be cold tonight."

"Oh well, you know what they say, Corwin."

Corwin eyed him wearily. "...No, I don't know what they say, Allard."

"You can only lose what you cling to." Allard grinned.

Corwin poked him to the chest and leaned in close. "I will remind you of that next time a fish slips your grasp!"

"Hey, wow, now we are getting serious. You wouldn't dare!"

"You bet I would!"

Both couldn't help but laugh. "Aye, but seriously, I guess I have no choice but to roll up in my cloak beside the fire till I get a new one," said Corwin.

Allard felt guilty. Corwin had just risked his life for him. The thought of him now sleeping in just a cloak troubled him. "Corwin, you can have mine. I don't mind sleeping in both our cloaks for a while."

"That's out of the question! I lost mine, I have to deal with it."

Corwin stripped away his cloak and armor, dripping water everywhere.

Allard sighed as he turned to open his bag. He dug around until he felt his bar of herbal soap and gave it to his friend. "You are soaked already. Go take a bath. I will collect some firewood and tend to our armor."

As Corwin made his way into the water, Allard took a small axe and busied himself with hacking away at the dry branches and trunk of a fallen tree. The work was tiring, but before long he had a decent amount of firewood. He piled it beside the remains of the trunk and gathered their belongings at the camp site.

As he began unstrapping his sword, a cold chill crawled down his spine. He felt the fur at the back of his neck stand on end and shivered. His hand wandered to the pommel of his sword as he looked around. "Harro!"

Fumes emerged from his chest and took the shape of a netherdragon standing on top of Allard's head, peering into the brush.

'Do you see anything?"

'No...' He heard his netherdragon in his mind.

Allard exhaled. 'Just nerves, I guess...'

"Thanks, buddy. I am just jumpy today. Want to take some time to stroll around?" Harro just vanished into his chest again. 'No place like home, eh?'

A warm emotion from Harro made him chuckle.

'Alright, time for the birthday suit!' He thought and stripped to just his loincloth.

He separated their armor pieces and spread them out on the grass, then cleaned and oiled each with care: greaves, bracers, breastplates, gloves, belts and straps. As he worked, he took time to appreciate the beauty of the forest, savouring the feel of the warm sun on his back and the gentle breeze through his fur.

He heard splashing, turned his eyes to the river, and smiled. Corwin stood in the river, the water above his knees halfway to his waist. Allard admired his friend's form as he rinsed the soap from his fur, fond feelings welling up within him for the brother he never had.

Vayle's death had brought change into their lives. After losing him, they decided to learn the art of combat, the art of healing and to explore their spiritual abilities together. Three years ago, Aldreda sent them out into the world to learn what she could not teach them. To this day, Allard wondered what it was the druid had sent them to find. What could be out there, that Aldreda, Eldest of the Wilds, could not teach them? The long travels had forged an unbreakable bond between him and Corwin, but he had yet to find an answer.

'Oh well... It is better to travel well than to arrive', he thought. He looked again at Corwin. 'If I am honest with myself, I don't care for the answer anymore. All that matters, is that I can be together with you.' Allard smiled and continued his work. Soon all armor was clean and well maintained.

Corwin just finished his bath and shook off the water. "Your turn." He threw Allard the soap.

"Are you sure you washed behind your ears? There is still so much soap left." He joked while putting his loincloth aside.

"Ah har har." Corwin playfully hit Allard on the arm.

"Ouch! Careful, I am sensitive!"

Both laughed.

Allard walked towards the river and just as he was about to step into the water, he froze. Gazing into the water he saw a shadow beneath. He could not stop himself from grinning. He threw the soap into the grass and leaped into the water.

Splashing around it must have looked like a fight in the water.

"Allard?!" He heard Corwin yell.

"Allard, you alright?!" His shouting came closer.

Just in that moment Allard surfaced, smiling wildly. He threw a fish of remarkable size onto the grass, just past Corwin.

The blood pounded in his ears as he scanned the water. The rushing of the river, the beating of his heart, the cool water around him and his prey was all the world in that moment. Nothing else existed. He saw a second shadow pass by and he struck like a bird of prey. A second later he resurfaced and tossed another, bigger specimen over Corwin's head, missing him by an inch. "Today we feast like kings!" Allard yelled in delight.

"Oh, you nutjob!" Corwin shouted at Allard for bombarding him with fish. "Get a bath already, you are full of fish slime!"

"Wohoo, fragrance de fish." Allard shouted, grabbed the soap and submerged.