The First Shadow Trail by Rafael Faria (great books for teens .TXT) 📕

Catching Dominic by surprise as the creature turned around Dominic fell backwards and off the hammock onto the dirt floor. When he opened his eyes he found himself staring at something he had only read about in his book during his growth in the shadows of his torture chamber.

"Who are you?" Dominic asked and the creature smiled. He had long golden hair that seemed to intertwine with his redish golden beard. Eyes so small it was as if he had only pupils, no iris. His skin was a yellowy tan, with wrinkles spread out as if carefully placed upon his face. And his smile revealed a set of white and gold teeth. As if to mimic a checker board.

"I am Maltez. Keen and swift. I have been sent to assist you on your journey west into the dark lands" Maltez looked so eager to be standing where he was, speaking the words he spoke.He then stuck out his hand to offer Dominic a hand up from the dirt floor.As soon As Dominic reached out it was as if he had been launched to his feet. Only then did he realize that Maltez was about three feet tall, wearing gold and green leather garments.

As Dominic examined his new partner, and soon to be friend, he asked, "Wher did you come from? Was it you moving aroundin the brush last night? Why did you wait til i was asleep to sit at my camp?" 

Dominic had many questions. Maltez quickly stopped him and offered to help pack the campsite while question were answered. Dominic agreed and began taking down his hammock. Maltez picked up Dominic's hiking pack and began stuffing everything back inside.

"As for where I'm from, I was born in a forest called Emitald forest. It lies at the bottom of Yemisite Mountain." Maltez spoke with an accent Dominic has never heard before.

"Isn;t Yemisite Mountain home to the last of the dwarves?" Dominic could recall this from a book in his past.

"Yes it is. I am only half dwarf. I am also half leprechaun. I could never be accepted amongst the dwarves.

Maltez pause as if the thought of being rejected by his own people was the equivalent to having a knife run through his chest. He glanced over at Dominic who said nothing as he listened to what Maltez had to say.

"To answer his other questions," Maltez continued, "Yes it was i who moved about last night. To meet a bring such as myself in total darkness would only have ignited a battle. For i doubt you would have been as understanding as your are now in darkness."

"But i can see perfectly in total darkness." Dominic contested.

"That may be true, but the shadows alter my appearance. Being half leprechaun has curesed me to look like a beast throughout the night. Much like a demn of old. Those treacherous creatures are looked down upon by all who know of their existence."

Dominic could not believe his ears. The old ones. Now way they were still around. No one has seen them in centuries. But then again, part of this world contains a world hidden from view that no one is aware of. No one but the keepers. At least that's what the books say.

"If the old ones are still around, how come few know of their existence?" Dominic curiousity can now be heard strongly within his voice. 

Maltez stopped, closed the backpack, and turned to Dominic "If the demons of old were known to Humans, they would be hunted down. This world will fall into darkness and chaos. The old ones do not tread where population thrives. Those that encounter them are either devoured or enslaved unless proper tribute or sacrifice is made."

Dominic did not know what to say. They both turned and began walking. Maltez had a spring in his step that allowed him to walk as fast as Dominic. Shocked at all he had heard, Dominic could not brig himself to think clearly. He didn't even realize they were still heading west. Away from the road he once followed. In deep though, Dominic could do nothing but follow the footsteps of his new travel companion.

As the sun rose up above their heads Dominic suddenly realized that they were still in the woods. Now it seemed as if there was nothing but bireds and trees in every direction. 

"Maltez, where are we? And where are we going?"

"We are going west. Currently trecking through the Dead Forest. hence the leafless trees and lack of wildlife. The birds only pass through. This was a place of war. War between races. Until a man, much like yourself, rose dead trees from the ground, separating the humans from the other races. Closing all portal and severing the rift from which darkness flowed."

Dominic began to get eager and with ecitement asked "Is that the war that broke Pangea? The last great war before humanity's enslavement?"

"Yes Dominic. I am surprised you know of this war. Growing up with humans I assumed you thought it to be a myth. Or even a land no man walked, as it is said among your kind that Pangea only existed during a time where dinosaurs walked the earth without the other races."

Maltez did nothing to keep the amazement from his voice. But as he spoke he realized Dominic was no longer beside him. He turned to see a look of great concern on Dominic's face. He was so fixed in place not a hair on his head had moved. As Maltez turned to see what it was that had Dominic in such a frozen stance he couldn't belive his eyes. But he knew one thing. They had to run.

"RUN DOMINIC!!!" Maltez shouted while simultaneously grabbing his wrist and pulling as he himself begain to run. It was as if being formed completely of shadow, rose from the ground, pursuing them with such a swiftness it almost seemed like they never moved. 

"Maltez, what are they?" Dominic broke his amazement.

"Those are Ragul. Dead warriors trapped inside the trees when Bankrow created this forest. Unless the tales are true i can not explain why the have come out in daylight." Maltez spoke clearly, not breaking rhythm, not losing one breath.

Dominic couldn't focus on the billions of question that begain to pop into his head. He just ran. Trying to keep up with Maltez was harder than he imagined. But the Ragul were still in pursuit. Closing in on them, Dominic could feel their cold breath just behind his neck. He then remembered an incantation from one of his old books. Bits of it came to him as they ran. Hoping he remembered it fully Dominic jumped and turned to see three Ragul just inches away from him.

"DRAKAN ENROATH MOSKINONE" Dominic was surprised he could remember the spell. Instantly the three Ragul were trapped in a box of light bright enough to house them withough blinding neither him nor Maltez. Maltez helped Dominic off the ground just after he threw daggers towards the Ragul which made both the light chamber and them disappear. 

"Who knew you could speak the lost language of a time before words were ever recorded" claimed Maltez with a curiousity in his voice that wanted to know more about Dominic.

"Books were my only friends as a child" Dominic proclaimed as he dusted himself off from the dirt and twigs. "Besides, who knew you could cast magick without an incantation."

"Oh that, that was childs play" laughed Maltez as he spoke "Your ancient magick is still stronger. Though the are no incantations of it recorded in our books. You must have a deep connection to the world itself."

"I'm telling you, everything i know came from those books i somehow got my hands on. Maybe i mixed a few things and played with words. But i only cast when i know the magick will work. Otherwise I'm just putting myself in danger" Dominic tried to help Maltez understand what he knew.

"Either way," Maltez continued as he turned to keep walking "We must get out of this forest before more Ragul show up. I just hope we don't get followed. Legends say that they can leave the forest when they are attacked."

They were still seven miles from the woodline. They had to keep walking, despite the ever approaching sunset. The Dead Forest was no place to camp, no matter how strong you or your magick is. It is said that the forest comes to life at night. All of the dead and dark creatures that dwell within roam the forest in search of unlucky travellers who get lost within the trees, unable to find their way out.

As Dominic and Maltez exited the forest, they realize that more than half the night has passed. Being within proximity of the Dead Forest was still not ideal for a campsite. Tonight was to be a night of no rest. As they tred on growing further away from the woodline Dominic could tell that Maltez was beginning to grow weary. His feet slowed up and he soon began dragging his feet through the dead leaves on the dirt floor. Though they were still within a forest, it was clear that the Dead Forest was no longer in sight. All the trees here had leaves and an owl hooted in the distance.

"Maltez, I think we should make camp. You seem to be growing weary. Plus we only have a few hours left before sunrise, and you know how I want to reach a road and hopefully get a ride to make the trip even a day shorter." Dominic sounded as if he was pleading with Maltez.

"We will never be able to hitch a ride. Nor will we be able to reach the road. Remember my existence is unknown to humans, along with the other races. We can keep going until sunrise just to be sure we weren't followed by the Ragul or anything else from within the forest." Maltez insisted.

"I thought you said the the Dead Forest was the sepereation between the humans population and everyone elses? Wouldn't that mean that you should be able to freely walk the world without having to hide?" Now Dominic was confused.

"Yes this is true," Maltez explained "but we never stepped through the portal. Deep within that place is a portal to unlock the veil which keeps our races from colliding with each other and sparking another war. But that is at the center. We never came close to it, I know shortcuts."

Now as the first light crept up over the horizon and the early birds began to sing Maltez came to a halt. He said nothing, only began to unpack. Dominic did not question him and began to tie up his hammock. Maltez laid out a sleeping bag and the told Dominic that he would gather some firewood so that they can have a meal before sleep. Dominic began to gather rocks from around their campsite to make a small pit. Maltez came back and forth dropping sticks each time.