The Devil's Dawn
by Steve Lazarowitz
Perhaps I should have taken the sullen weather as an omen of the actual event. The night I met Olrec was as dismal an eve as I can remember, more so because nature made its presence felt in only the most subtle ways. The air was still and humid, the sky covered with clouds and a dark mist rose from the streets. I have since made it my business never to trust anyone met under such conditions, but back then I didn't know any better.
The tavern was called the Hunter's Hut and it was like every other tavern in every town I'd ever visited. The locals kept to themselves and the strangers found sporadic seating where available. I was just passing through and can't even recall the town's name or perhaps I've just blocked it out. The gods know, I have reason.
Olrec, like myself, was one of the outsiders. You could tell just by looking at him. He was about my age, twenty-four at that time. His face was in need of a shave, his hair in need of a brushing and I did not doubt he could have used a bath as well. Like myself, he was your typical mercenary. I knew it from his stance and the way his eyes kept track of every coming and going. Olrec and I were two of a kind.
I don't know what possessed me to take my mug of ale and make my way to his table. Perhaps it was just the loneliness of the road preying upon my young shoulders. Too many bars, too many women, too many battles and not enough hot meals or decent nights sleep in between. Perhaps I was just getting tired of wearing my best friend on my hip. I don't think I'll ever know.
He noticed me immediately, of course, but pretended not to. Not until I stood right in front of him. He kicked out the chair opposite him and it slid a foot further from the table. I placed my mug down and sat, never taking my eyes from his.
Now that I was closer, I was even more certain of his occupation. I could see the telltale scars of a man who had engaged in many conflicts. He still said nothing, but regarded me with an intense scrutiny that must have been a mirror of my own. We realized it at the same time and each smiled, slightly.
I had approached him, thus it was up to me to break the silence.
"Evening, warrior."
"Evening."
"Hope you don't mind a spot of company. I don't want to intrude. If I'm one too many, I'll be on my way."
He considered it for a few seconds. I knew from his reply he was a foreigner to my country, but I wasn't surprised. Foreign mercenaries were far from uncommon.
"The table and the evening cost me nothing. To share them is of no consequence."
I thought about this and though his choice of words seemed odd, it was not very different from what I might have said.
"It's a nasty night."
"We call this the devil's dawn, back home."
"And where would that be?"
"South Dulgravia. I won't be insulted if you've never heard of it."
"The island?"
I was surprised. In all of my travels, I had never met anyone from there, though I had heard about it from a comrade at arms.
"It's supposed to be beautiful."
He chuckled. "Beautiful, perhaps. Hospitable, another matter entirely."
He spoke for a time about his home land and I could sense in his voice a sadness not unlike that which occurs when lovers part. I was so caught up in his description and the tales that followed that when I next looked up, the Hunter's Hut was almost empty. I rose unsteadily, having also lost count of how much ale I'd consumed. Together, Olrec and I made our way to the street.
Outside, the night was still, the fog had thickened and a warm mist hung in the air. I moved toward the small town's only inn. Olrec turned toward the shadows.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to check on something before I retire. Good night to you."
He turned to leave again.
"Check on something?"
"It is of no consequence. Perhaps we shall meet on the morrow."
"It's dangerous in the woods at night."
"Then I shall be careful."
"You do not want company?"
Olrec sighed. "I am concerned for you my friend. It is a bit of a walk and you are in no condition."
I straightened up to my full height, reeling only momentarily.
"I am in fine condition. Come, I will accompany you. We warriors must stick together."
He looked doubtful, but said nothing else to dissuade me. Together we set off out of town. A few minutes later found us on a forest path. Perhaps, had I been sober, I would have noticed the ever-present night sounds were almost nonexistent. Even the crickets seemed to have taken the night off. Nor did Olrec say anything to break the stillness. Together we plodded onward, inebriation dulling the sense of danger.
The silence gave me time to think. The oddness of the situation sobered me a bit. At length, I found myself wondering how I had ended up in the woods at night, following a complete stranger. As the question formed, I felt a tingle on the back of my neck. Over the years I'd come to recognize the signal. My sword was in my hand before I had taken my next step.
I looked down and there was blood on my tunic. Before me stood Olrec, dagger in hand, leering like a lunatic. I raised my blade and smiled grimly, only now feeling the burning sensation in my side.
"The warriors of South Dulgravia are without honor."
His bark of mirth was nothing like the more cultured laugh from earlier, nor was his accent when he spoke again.
"Dulgravia! It's a dump. As for their warriors, I never said I was a warrior."
I looked at him again. At first I thought it a trick of the light, but then I knew it wasn't. My attacker was transforming, changing into something both less and more than he had been back at the Hunter's Hut. His new body was smaller and less impressive than its counterpart, but what it lacked in size, it made up for in sheer evil. I took an involuntary step backwards.
"The wizard Mendolar placed a curse on my family and this is the result. He gave each of us a quest. If we all succeed, he will remove the curse. It is my task to return to him the heart of a Elathian warrior. Yours will do nicely."
The new Olrec was a thin, sickly green creature, that might have once been human, but had certainly broken the habit. His small pointed teeth were also green and his dark eyes were those of a maniac.
“A prize not easily claimed. You will not have been the first to try me and fail." I did not raise my sword, but held it ready, waiting for the fiend's next move.
"You speak bravely for a wounded man. Feel the ripped flesh on your belly? The blood seeping inexorably downward? How long before your step falters, warrior?"
For a second I grew weak, but I fought off the sensation, my body responding from long years of habit.
"I've had worse." I sagged a bit then, an intentional ploy to throw my would-be assassin off guard. He leaned forward and I moved.
At the last minute, he tried to raise his dagger, but it was no match for my superior strength and longer weapon. When the blade finally cut into him, I didn't quite understand the almost jovial expression on his face. Perhaps pointed teeth always look like they're smiling.
He sank to one knee, looked at me and spit his last words in my direction.
"Free at last, warrior. You will pay dearly for this." Then he pitched forward into the moist earth.
Almost immediately, a breeze appeared from the north and the mist seemed to vanish. By the time I trudged back to town, the sun was already beginning its daily climb.
It has been a year since that tragic event and I have passed through more towns and bars than I can recall or even attempt to name. I am more wary these days for all the good it does me.
The change began several weeks later. The skin of my arms itched as green scales began to replace my skin. Next my gums became sore as my teeth changed shape. Other changes occurred that I hadn't noticed on Olrec. My tongue is now forked for example, and I have claws on both my fingers and toes.
Other people seem to see me as I once was, for which I am grateful. At least I can move among them without fear. On the other hand, I'm not certain how long it will be before I can no longer stand living like this and will make my own attempt to attain the heart of an Elathian warrior.
Copyright © Steve Lazarowitz ~ All Rights Reserved~