Life

13th Omonreb

I have decided to keep this journal for two reasons. The first is so I don’t lose my, now tenuous, grasp of reality. The tactile effort seems to aid that in some way, at least for now. The second is that if I fail in my task then others can learn from my mistakes, can learn how to stop this thing I seem to have created. The wind and rain are warring outside this shelter as I write, so I hope to rest here long enough to tell you what has befallen me so far.

I am Andea, princess of the Elven people. I am on my journey of life, as my people call it. I wander the world outside our realm and aid where I can. It is something all elves do when they reach their first century. Four days ago I was met on the road by a horseman, he made me feel uncomfortable enough that my hand inadvertently reached for my sword a few times. He smiled and rode off after a short while, much to my relief. It was one of those meetings that happen often on the road and I dismissed it as such. I continued my journey eastward, pushing myself on despite the setting of the sun, my elven sight saw the path as clear as if it were still day in the twilight hours. Eventually I struck camp, more out of exhaustion than the dark…

I must move from here, it is no longer safe, it closes in . I will write more soon…I hope.



14th Omonreb

I have finally found the small cabin I was aiming for, with luck I will be safe here for a while, though I dare not light a fire less I give my position away more than I have already done so, but it gives me time to continue.

I made camp and fell asleep almost as my head hit my pack, it was part of the reason I pushed myself hard each day. With no-one to keep watch it is the only way I have found to get some sleep when in the wilds. I was woken by a sound, in an instant I was both alert and armed, looking for the danger. I saw nothing but trees. I was about to put it down to a nightmare when I caught sight of him, just past the tree line of the little clearing. It was the same horseman from earlier that day, I knew it without understanding why. He charged at that moment, spurring his horse from a trot to a canter to a full gallop in a matter of metres. I reacted more out of training and instinct than conscious thought. Side stepping the attack I killed the horse with a sword blow to the neck. The rider came on, his own sword drawn and we fought. I won, eventually breaking through his defences to cleave his head clean from his neck. I gathered my pack and ran. I don’t know why, the only thing I remember is that suddenly that small clearing seemed to ooze anger and rage and evil for want of a better word for it.

I ran until I saw lights, and then headed for them, thinking there would be safety in numbers. It was a small hunting inn, one of many scattered around the eastern woods to cater for the hunters and trackers that roamed these woods. I all but fell in the door. Kind hands reached out to aid me, guiding me to a seat. A strong drink was placed in my hand and I gratefully took a sip. The man asked what was wrong. I don’t know why, but I trusted him enough to relate all that had happened. He regarded me with a mixture of sympathy and fear. When I asked, why he explained about the deal the dark gods offered some. A chance of immortality. All they need do was kill a princess when the moon was high and the storms approached. They were told that even if they died they would be granted another chance to make the kill until the moon was whole again. They had an advantage too, as the one who reads this as I write well knows. (There was no need to kill them all, they were no threat to you and it made my decision whether to end you myself so much easier.)What he may not know is the deal is a lie. It is the dark gods form of entertainment when there are no wars on, which is why it is only offered in times of peace. I see what you see too, I know you close in on me but I know too that I will be long gone when you reach here. Our paths are chosen now, there is no way back, and I for one no longer want one. I have the key to destroying you, to those that read this in the same dilemma I leave this advice, forgive the handwriting but I must write it blindfolded.

You must lead him back to the place he was first killed before the moon is less than half and kill him in the same manner you did before.



I have started a new page for the same reason that I blindfolded myself. I have learnt that he can see through my eyes, as I do his. The dark gods obviously find that part of the fun, the hunter and prey each aware of where the other is. I don’t know what happens if they fail. Whether they become permanent dark spirits or….I have to go, he nears me by a few miles, I will add more when I can…


15th Omonreb


I am back. Not for long now, he has gained far more ground than I had predicted. I am lucky, I know many a hunter cabin and hide to well hide in. I am also an elf, which means my stamina is greater than most. Granted, unlike the undead I do need to rest, but that is why I fear my mind is going, that and I have never believed in ghosts. I am irked that I have to find out this way, even more so when I find I could put him to rest. After what he did, I don’t think I want to even try. I glossed over it last time…time being in short supply. You may have well guessed what happened though, he came into the small hamlet, that served as a social gathering for people that didn’t like villages, towns or the like. He killed them all, no pause no offer of surrender just a darkness descending on folk who had the misfortune to have me come amongst them. That is why I run alone, he must chase me for his gods amusement. I did this, I will take the risk alone now, I wish I had from the start.

I am too weary to continue. I have run as hard and as fast as I can but this link between us denies me any respite. I know what I must do, though my heart beats in such a manner that it may well be the death of me just trying. He moves to fast, to easily through the toughest terrain for me to hope to evade him. I must try the other plan.


16th Omonreb

I seemed to have spilled something on the last page so now I must use this last one to aid you if need be. I have found that I have run in a circle, you may look to marking trees should you be in this situation. I am tired, despite my hopes of yesterday, that I could continue. I have barely paused for breath little alone food. I have decided, if I am to die, then it will be here. I’m weary of looking at every shadow and wondering if I have been found. I am going to sleep, no matter what.

I have laid the trap, I can only hope he falls into it. If this works then I will be the happiest on the planet. I just have a feeling that the sword would work better. Either way I brought this evil to the world, it is up to me to try and stop it. I have left this journal in my last place of rest, before I confront this spirit. If you find it I have failed.





Andea sat in the small clearing. The bodies of a horse and man lay, some part away from their heads. She shuddered as she recalled the attack, then steeled herself for what was to come. She could feel her heart, trying to escape from her chest, yet she knew that she could run no more. Her attempt to find safety in numbers had resulted in nothing but more death. She closed her eyes and watched him approach.

“I am surprised you are alone, I had thought a trap.”

“Pointless when I can hide nothing I see from you.”

“True, but an effort would have been nice.”

“This is effort,” Andea said, swinging her sword again.

The horseman’s amusement, turned to fear…

Word count 1548 (ish)