The Dream Warriors - prologue

The sun was beating down and Ned needed shelter. He could see a grove of trees in the distance, a hillside rising behind them. He pushed his horse an extra step, digging the spurs deep into the chestnut flank. Dust kicked up as the horses hooves quickened,and it wasn't long until the shade lowered the temperature.
Ned climbed down,and loosely tied the reins to a low hanging branch. He held out a food bag to his ride, while taking a sip of water from his canteen. Realistically he needed to be heading back to camp soon, but he still held the hope of finding one untapped resource of gold. Ned knew his fortune was out here, he just needed to know where.
Lifting his hat, he tipped a little of the water on his head, soothing his scalp under the thinning brown hair. The three day stubble itched in the heat, and he wasn't sure who smelled worse, him or the horse, as Ned unhitched the small shovel from his pack, and investigated the rest of the woods.
The stillness further into the trees took him by surprise. Checking back on the horse Ned felt tunnel vision, the trees enveloping him, drawing him deeper into their clutches,and he had the feeling that he wasn't alone in there. Despite the warmth of the ride, he started to shiver, and pulled his coarse jacket closer around his neck, clutching his shovel a little tighter at the same time.
Now panting, Ned realised he was walking up an incline. Turning back, he couldnt see his horse through the trees, but was sure he spotted some wisps of smoke rising from along the path he had walked. Where he stood, the air still felt chill, the closeness of the wood keeping a level of darkness. His boots were now not raising dust clouds, instead catching on tangled vines.
Tucked away in the back of the copse, Ned found a small opening. Inside the cave, the air was cleaner, crisper, and the change in temperature cooled him down. Looking around, he realized the cave stretched back a long way, further than he could see, so he set his lamp down at the entrance. Lining the walls were rudimentary paintings, showing stick figures battling large animals, drawings that seemed to come alive under the flicker of the kerosene light. The paintings told a story as he headed deeper into the expanse, until he entered a large cavern, bones crunching under his feet. Ned jumped back, but immediately saw the glint of gold, and stepped across the remains. The gold was fashioned into small figures, people with long bodies, and large mouths, full of teeth. Around him were hundreds of these models, more than he could hope to carry, but Ned started to pocket as many as he could.
His pockets and pack weighed down, Ned retraced his steps towards the glimmer of his lamp, not noticing the few wisps of smoke where he had taken the figures from, or the slight movement from a dark alcove. 
As the air started to grow warmer, he knew he was on the right track, and before long was outside the cave, now trying to find his horse. The light outside had grown darker, and the trees now felt closer, as though their branches had moved towards the cave entrance, forming a solid canopy overhead.
The path back was rocky, and in the dimming light, his horse was hard to find. Underfoot, vines and large stones tripped him up, while overhanging branches caught at his hat, pulling him back. Eventually Ned found his horse, and packed the figures into his saddle pack. 
Behind him, the undergrowth started to rustle, and when he turned round, Ned was sure he saw eyes blinking. He mounted the horse, but as he headed towards the pathway, he was hit by a flying man.
“Aagh” he screamed, falling off his horse, and rolling into the undergrowth. Ned struggled to understand what was happening. The man was wrapped around him, long legs pinning his arms while the man pounded at Neds head, screaming incoherently. Ned flapped his arms at the assault, and with his slight height and weight advantage managed to gain the upper hand, grabbing his shovel as a makeshift weapon. 
Using his full weight, Ned held his attacker down with the shovels handle. The face staring back at him was painted bright red, with wide angry eyes, and long pointed teeth, gnashing at his fingers. 
“Just stop” he shouted, pushing harder, feeling the body under him start to convulse, before the movement stopped, and the legs stopped thrashing. He leant back, and looked down at the now prone attacker, taking in the tiny loincloth, and painted body. The man was darked skinned and muscular, long black hair tied into a bun atop his head. Hanging at his waist was a long dagger, and Ned was relieved it hadnt been drawn.
More noises came from the direction of the cave, and Ned quickly gathered his senses, shaking his head. He grabbed his horse reins, and checked his pack.
Crashing noises through the undergrowth signalled another imminent attack, and Ned spurred the horse on, looking back to see a pack of crazed painted men following him, cat like in their ability to run. He wasnt designed for speed, so made sure to hold on to his horse.
“Yah” spurring the mare on, faster as branches caught his head and clothes, knocking his hat flying, and almost dismounting Ned.
In his pack, the gold figures clinked and clanged together, the rhythm driving his chasers even faster. In the distance, the open plains were visible, and the overhang of trees finished. Ned burst into the sunlight at great pace, his horse now at full gallop, and turned back to see the pack of men stop at the edge of the wood, panting and howling after him, daggers now drawn, shaking into the sky. Strangely they seemed to not want to come out of the darkness of the woods.
The camp seemed much further away then Ned remembered, but he was relieved when finally collapsing onto his cot, his family already asleep in their tent.
“Papa” his youngest son Timmy cried, jumping on Ned to wake him up.
“Hey champ” he replied, wincing at the bruises on his back and chest. “Did you miss me?”
His wife stood by the tent entrance, a cup of coffee in her hand, her long blond hair tied in a loose pony tail. Timmys sister Angel was hiding behind Becky, unsure what to do. Their clothes looked noticeably tattered and torn, the effect of a long trip into the unknown.  
“How did it go Ned?” asked Becky, handing him the steaming mug, and gently touching his chest.
“Not alot out there” he replied, rolling Timmy off and taking a drink, glancing at the pack tucked under his bunk. “Found a few things though”
He passed a small figure across to his wife, watching as she turned it over and over, feeling the carved features, and testing its weight.
“There were many more of these” he added, declining to mention his brush with the pack of cat like men. “Lets get packed up and start heading back”
“If there were more, you should get them” Becky told him, and passed the figure back. “We will pack up the camp while you do that. These could make our futures here”.
Ned could see the desperation in her face, and so nodded his agreement. They decided he would go the next day, once his bruises had eased, and when the family had had Timmye to rest. The children were exhausted and hungry, ribs visible through their thin clothes, and Ned knew his wife was secretly not eating to ensure they had enough to survive. Her once plump face, once beautifully framed by her golden hair now looked gaunt and grey skinned. 
They spent the day readying the camp, and Ned managed to catch a rabbit to eat, which cheered the mood somewhat. By the time it was dark, the children were in their bunks, settled with full stomachs. Ned and Becky stayed up talking for a while, before they both turned in, making sure the animals were secure. 
Ned woke with a start, the moon high and the stars bright in the sky. Nothing was moving, but Ned felt the family was being watched, and despite the fire having died long ago, there was a smell of smoke in his nostrils. His head was pounding, and now he was awake, Ned wasn't entirely sure if the person watching him was in his dreams or was real. He cocked his rifle, and sat up right, watching to see if the guard dog made any kind of reaction, but still nothing moved. Ned sat propped upright, and eventually fell asleep with the rifle cradled between his legs.
The next time Ned woke, there was movement, but it was the sound of Becky screaming that shook the sleep from his eyes. 
“Ned, quick, Timmy” she yelled incoherently, Ned running over to see the boy lying on the floor convulsing, his limbs twisted and teeth grinding against each other. Ned held him tight, while Becky put a spoon between his jaws, hoping to keep Timmy comfortable until it passed, and eventually he settled, but fell into a deep slumber.
“He said he had had a bad dream, and had a pain in his head” Becky told Ned, “and then when he tried for more sleep that happened. Angel and myself have also had pains in our heads this morning. We need to leave this place Ned, we need to go home. Get what you can, and then lets go. Do your best”
Ned agreed, and so saddled up the horse quickly, planning to get to the cave and back before the mid afternoon. Angel helped her mother tidy away the tent, and Ned packed the figures he had already taken into a bag in the wagon. He left the family tending to the rest of their animals, and rode off.
He had a sense of foreboding as he drew nearer to the woods, but couldn't see any sign of the men at the point he had left them, aside from some scuff marks in the ground. He tied the horse up, and pulled his revolver, slowly advancing into the dim light.
The path to the cave was easier to find this time, broken branches and torn vines showing the route of his pursuit yesterday. Ned found the spot where he had scuffled with the first attacker, but there was no sign of the painted man.
The entrance to the cave was covered over again, and Ned pulled aside the foliage. Inside the light was as dim as yesterday, and he waited for his eyesight to adjust before lighting a torch, still holding his pistol in the other hand. 
The air was again much cooler, and the freshness struck his cheeks, causing him to catch his breath.Today Ned could see how big the cave actually was, a vast expanse with numerous side passages. Slowly and quietly he crept further along, glancing down these side tunnels, but not seeing further than around the curve away from his light. There seemed to be a pattern to the crude drawings, and he realised this showed what the different areas were used for. 
The gold figures were in an area with drawings of larger beings, towering over small groups, god-like in their position. Ned quickly gathered as many as he could in the bigger packs that he had brought, and did one final look around this room, before heading back towards the main passageway.
By the entrance to this tunnel, Ned spotted a smaller area, with very slight light flickering. He knew he shouldn't, but intrigued Ned slowly walked in anyway, but then froze a few paces along. Curled around a dying campfire were his pursuers from the day before, huddled against each other, thankfully fast asleep. Ned shielded the light from his torch, and backed away from the group, nervously looking around to see if he had missed any on his way in. 
He reached the main cave, and a pile of branches caught his eye. Quietly Ned moved them across the entrance to the sleeping men, and when satisfied, touched the thinnest driest branch with his torch. Swiftly the kindling caught ablaze, and Ned stood back, watching as flames grew to the ceiling, the light making the cave paintings come alive. The smoke and heat also made the sleeping figures wake up, and they rushed at the blocked entrance, howling in anger at Ned through the frames. He silently watched as an elder man walked to the front, the others silencing as he passed them, his lips and hands moving as he chanted and stared at Ned.
Ned felt a rush in his head, unsure if it was the smoke or the chanting, and had to catch himself as he stumbled to his knees, a pain growing behind his eyes. He took one last look back, and half ran, half crawled to the cave entrance, throwing any large branches and rocks he could find across the entrance as he exited.
Smoke seemed to follow him as he ran to his horse, wisps curling around his legs and the legs of the mare. Ned leapt in to the saddle, the pack strapped across his chest, and the horse bolted, the smoke following. It felt as though he was being clawed at by invisible hands, and Ned spurred the horse on faster, desperate to escape and get back to his family. The sunlight ahead marked the edge of the woods, and the two shot like a bolt into the brightness, both panting heavily. The smell of fire filled Neds nostrils, ash clinging to his jacket. 
Soon however, he could see his family, and jumped down to attach the horse to the wagon. Becky and he exchanged a brief glance, and he nodded, not wanting to give more away.
They rode hard for the rest of the day, eventually setting up camp close to a small settlement. Ned headed into the town for supplies, while the children turned in for the night.
That night Ned tossed and turned, his brain becoming overrun with thoughts, and his dreams becoming more real. Finally he sat up, looking around their camp to see the family fast asleep, only their dog watching over them. A noise from Timmys bunk cause him to quietly head to the child, fearful that another fit was about to start. 
Timmy was lying in his bed with his eyes wide open, his pupils shrunk so small his eyeball looked pure white. Ned reached down to check his breathing, and as he did his son's arm shot up, his hand grabbing Neds jacket. His pupils suddenly turned jet black, and swivelling his head, Timmy looked directly into Neds face.
“Put them back” he hissed, his tongue smacking against his front teeth, “Leave this place, and never return.” 
His had gripped tighter, pulling Ned closer by his sleeve, suddenly his other hand taking hold of Neds neck, fingers reaching out and squeezing his throat.
“Leave now” Timmy shouted into his ear, “Leave now!”
Ned jerked his head away, trying to loosen his sons fingers, but to no avail. Becky was now awake.
“Timmy, whats happening?” she screamed, reaching forward to touch him, when Timmys hands quickly let go of Neds jacket, and grabbed Becky by the hair, banging her head against the side of the bunk.
This release gave Ned a second to gulp some air, which cleared his mind, and look what was going on.
More smashing of Becky, and she was now starting to go limp, the side of her head a red mush, her hair caked with flecks of blood. Spots flew up across Neds face, and he in turn now tried to prise his sons fingers from Becky.
“Get off” he grunted, desperately attempting to stop the assault, but Timmy was too strong, seemingly overtaken by a super human strength. Even combined with his wifes now weakening help, Ned couldn't free her, as Timmy just kept smashing her against his bed.
Ned grabbed at a broom by the bed, and began hitting at Timmy with it, each swipe making contact with the boys head, jarring him back, only for him to rebound and continue his assault on Becky. This went on for a few more minutes, until Ned started to tire, and tried using the broom to break Timmys grip.
“Leave this place” screamed the child, “Leave, and put them back”
Ned still couldnt stop his son, and as his wife became ever more lifeless, knew there was only more option. He let go of Timmys fingers, still curled tight around Beckys hair and neck, and stepped back to his pack by his bed, drawing out his pistol. He carefully took aim to miss his wife, and pulled the trigger, the bullet hitting Timmy in the shoulder, and causing him to let go of his mother, who dropped lifelessly to the dirt floor.
“Put them back” gurgled Timmy, clutching at his shoulder, “Leave now”.
“No, you leave now” shouted Ned, as his son fell to the floor, convulsing in the dirt, blood mixing with soil.
Ned knelt down to hold him steady, hearing the childs teeth grinding and breaking against each other, before the boy fell limp in his arms. Ned pressed his jacket hard onto the bullet wound, and looked around for help, only now realising that he hadnt heard Becky for a while. 
Angel was standing over her mother in a shocked state, tears flooding down her pretty gaunt face, wetting her white cotton night dress. 
“Mother, mother” she gently sobbed, and Ned laid Timmy down and went to her.
He could tell that Becky was beyond saving, the right side of her face now a concave red mess, her hair matted and sticky. He held Angel close, her sobs directed into his chest, her tiny body wracked with grief. Ned didnt know what to do, and the two stood there, until a passing horse rider stopped upon seeing the bodies on the floor.
The man kindly helped Ned calm Angel, and stooped down to check on Timmy, his face quickly telling Ned the bad news that his son had passed aswell. Together they made arrangements for half of Neds family, and the next few days went by in a blur. The only task Ned could recall doing later was finding a lead lined box to carry home the gold figures. It was only by using this that Angel and him could sleep without waking with crippling headaches.
It was only two weeks later that Ned and Angel found themselves aboard a boat, heading away from America, and onwards to England, where Ned bought a house on the coast of Cornwall, burying his treasure in the box by a tree, not telling a soul about it.