Chapter 5: Forest of death - II

*Rafael woke up to find himself tied to a tree, he was unable to move and a gag was placed on his mouth*

"Ummm Ufff Umm"

*Rafael saw one of the 15-20 guys turn around, he was some 6 feet tall, very muscular, wearing a black tank top and a baggy cargo pants, his blonde hair a mess around his chiseled face, and his expression stern, as he now stood face to face with him*

"Sorry about the whole gag and tying but we can't really have you running around killing all of our prey. Who are you, how did you get here and what are you doing here?"

"mmmfff ummm ummmmm"

"Oh sorry, I guess I should take the mouth gag off"

*The stranger clicked his fingers and the mouth gag vanished. Rafael took a deep sigh of relief before he was able to speak anything*

"My name is Rafael, I was brought here by someone who claimed would teach me magic, and then threw me here. As of what I am doing here, I have no idea at all. Now would you mind untying me and telling me who the hell are you?"

"Sorry about the whole tying thing but we couldn't be too careful. You just killed the spirit bear, one we were hunting and so necessary precautions had to be taken. My name is Jason, I am one of the seven generals of the magical dimension of Alexandria, the rest are my company of soldiers that I am here to train"

*Before Rafael could respond Jason clicked his fingers once more and his bindings had disappeared. Rafael breathed a huge sigh of relief. He felt as if finally, he had met somebody that wasn't so eager on killing him on sight*

"You said you were brought here by a guy who promised to teach you magic? I have a pretty good idea though but still what was his name?"

"Gorion"

"Haha I thought so. So, the old man is still kicking?"

"You know him?"

"Know him? Almost everyone in Alexandria knows Gorion, I know him on a more personal level, I was on of his students as well"

"Oh!"

"His methods may seem crude at most times but the results are promising. You are in good hands my friend"

*Rafael and Jason were talking around and getting to know each other more, sat around the fire that was now built, a bowl of stew in hand*

"So, I turn my back around one minute and you are already here trying to spoil my student?"

*Rafael spun around in response to the raspy old voice that has become too familiar in the past few days, but before his eyes could register much, he saw Jason being thrown face first into a tree. The impact was so strong that the tree broke and he went diving into the next one. No human could have possibly survived that, no one*

"ARE YOU INSANE GORION? WHAT KIND OF A MONSTER BEHAVES LIKE THII....?"

*Once again Rafael was unable to finish his sentence, as Jason came flying first and collided directly with Gorion, who though appeared to be struggling was able to hold Jason's charge off with his two hands. They remained that for quite some time until finally they separated*

"You have grown Jason"

"Oh, don't mess with me. Just what kind of monster are you? I have spent every day in training ever since you recruited me but I still am no closer to your power today then I was then"

"Haha! I am what I am young one and you really have grown"

"Thank you Gorion. It has been a long time haven't it"

"It sure has"

"Oh Rafael, please be seated. I am touched by your concern, but me and Gorion always greet each other this way, to keep a measure of our strength, and in all honesty, you do not need to worry about me. I am a general of Alexandria, the commander of the Army. I am not that easy to kill. And Gorion he isn't just your everyday recruiter, he is Grand Master Gorion, meaning he is above the council he speaks of and is answerable only to the king himself"

"Oh! Oh what?"

"haha the look on your face is priceless. Gorion, would you please join us for supper?"

"Of course, since you already have foiled my plans. Btw what are you doing here Jason? How are things going on the front lines?"

"Not so good Gorion. I am here to train this squad for the battles at the front lines as well. We have lost quite a few soldiers in the last battle, and new ones are needed at the battlefront"

"New squad so soon? Didn't you train one couple of years ago?"

"Yes, they are all training squads of their own as well. The situation on the battlefront is dire, but a strange phenomenon seems to be happening. One that no one else is willing to notice. The attacks seem much more frequent, much more organized, as if somehow planned. We are losing more soldiers than ever and number of enemies per attack has also decreased. It seems after such a long time, the void dwellers have finally found a leader, one which possess intelligence"

"Are you aware of what you are speaking Jason? What you are saying, if you don't have any proof of it, it may be a crime as big as a blasphemy. But the risk of it is too big. If your suspicions are correct, then we could be facing eminent destruction, we could be fighting a war that we have no scope of winning"

"Hmm"

"The situation is dire indeed. I will try to talk to the council, and see if I can get some sense into them. Give me a few days, till that you take care of Rafael, I will travel back to Alexandria and see what I can do"

*Rafael came and sat next to Gorion and Jason, but he could sense that the conversation was quite serious so he kept his mouth shut and silently ate his dinner*

"Rafael, you accompany the young general for a while, while I go and settle some urgent business till the time"

"Have a safe journey old man"

"You are a thousand years too young to worry about me"

"Looks like you are stuck with us for a while my friend, rest well for tomorrow we go hunting"