Our story continues yet again….
Struggling through the thorny undergrowth....cursing his way along.
From time to time catching glimpses of the white prey. Like it was urging him on.
After what felt like hours....the sun was setting among the tall trees.
All of a sudden there was a clearing. A serene, tranquil clearing with the mist from the coming evening cold laying low on the grassy floor.
A small stone chapel against a steep cliff side. It looked like it had been cut right out of the rock. Except for the wooden roof.
Had he really come this far..? This was where the forest met the mountains.
It could not be...this was days from where he had started the hunt.
It must be some foul magic at work here.
The chapel had long been abandoned by the looks of it.
Overgrown by bushes and the door hangning slightly ajar
An ornate wooden door. Mystical symbols, trees, animals.
He drew his sword and pushed it ....it swung open...creaking on rusty hinges.
A moldy, earthy smell came from inside....leaves covering the floor....fallen through the semi-collapsed roof....rough cut stone benches.....last rays of sunshine peering through the window, behind the large altar at the back of the chapel.
The light hitting....hard to see the shape at first.....what looked like fur...
Bohemund moved closer, thinking it some heathen idol...exquisitely carved...but all the same... just a large reclining statue or idol...but.....then it moved!!
Almost falling backwards....stunned.....grasping behind him and catching one of the benches.
Its was....a lion?....incredible...here...deep in the forest of Arden....
A huge yellow lion.....licking its paw.....then slowly looking up.... its dark, black eyes burning into his soul...as if searching for answers....then it gave a low earthshattering growl.
"You have come..." its thunderous voice proclaimed....."I have been waiting for You..."
It spoke!!??...it could speak man tongue?
Its breath hitting Bohemunds nostrils...hot and heavy.... it smelled of carrion.
"Hear me now... son of man"
"Since the days of Beren I have watched your family."
"Bohemund, first son of Guilvray, who was brother to Hagen. Honour to your tribe."
"Your long service in the fight against the southern non-believers have proven you worthy for a great cause."
"You will raise an army for the glory of Taal. "
"Your soldiers will be powerful creatures of the forest, the mountains and the great oceans... your own white hart, the wolves, the red fire dragons, the mighty kraken.... and of course... my own kind."
Raising its paw....giant claws shot out...revealing a piece of bloody, red meat stuck on one of them.
A swipe of the lions great tongue and it was gone.
The smell hadnt been carrion...it was the smell of a fresh kill.
A drop of blood from its claws hit the cold stone altar
The giant beast lifted its head and let out a mighty, eardeafening roar that felt like it almost shook the stone walls of the small chapel.
Its deep booming voice contiuned.
"Ride...not only under your own banners...but join with the Prophets soldiers....follow his Green Cross.
"And victory shall be yours."
"Not only in the fight between brothers and tribes. But foremost...in the coming war with the great Enemy."
"Show no mercy...as you will be shown none."
"Ride now my son...ride for Castle Couronne."
"Ride for Taals glory."
Rising on its haunches it made a giant leap towards Bohemund who, ducking down, barely escaped its huge paws passing overhead.
With another thunderous "ROOOAAARRR!!!!" that shook the little clearing the great lion passed out the chapel door and was gone.
Outside was darkness.
A shooting star was falling across the black sky.