by W.O. Cassity
***
“It will be getting dark soon,” Talia informed them.
“I should go check the traps,” Adam said, setting his wooden sword down.
“We should all go together to check the traps,” Donadeir countered. “I think I can safely get across the stream with you guys now.” Donadeir had been concerned before he would lose his balance on the large rocks Adam and Talia used to cross the stream. If Talia’s training had taught him just one thing, it was how to control his balance by shifting his weight.
Adam amended himself, “Yes, we all can go.” Talia agreed with a nod and a gesture of her hand, suggesting Donadeir lead the way.
Donadeir felt stronger in his legs than he could ever remember feeling before. There was only one space between two of the larger boulders resting in the middle of the stream where he was a little concerned about how far the leap was. He had also been concerned the stones may be wet on the surface, but was relieved to see the sun had dried them out during the day. Taking a deep breath, he leapt the distance between the two stones and landed safely, adjusting his weight forward, so he wouldn’t fall backward into the stream.
“Be careful crossing the stream,” Adam said. “Since I haven’t been fishing every day, I didn’t notice until now the current has increased. As you can see, the stream is wider, its bank only twenty meters away from that large driftwood log. The other day, the bank was twice as far away.”
“If the waters rise too much, we will consider moving to higher ground until we are fully prepared to leave,” Talia said. “If we do need to move, then I’d like to find a place where our backs aren’t against the wall. The last thing we need is to face a larger group of enemies with no backdoor strategy.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, Talia,” Adam started. “If you are facing a small group of people at once, how do you decide who to fight first?”
Donadeir crossed the stream with ease, following behind Talia and Adam. He listened intently as she explained to Adam how to assess multiple targets during combat.
“Focus on which elements of the group’s strength would be disrupted by its greatest weakness,” Talia explained. “One enemy member’s overconfidence could be used to get in the way of another group member who may be more focused and alert.”
“So basically, we should pick a group apart by using their own alliances against them?” Adam inquired.
“Exactly,” Talia confirmed. “Multiple enemies will focus on the same target and although they may try to coordinate their attacks against you, you can subtly play off their emotions to turn their individual efforts against one another.”
Donadeir, who was several paces in front of his friends, was the first to see a snow-white rabbit hanging by its paws. It had nearly slipped clean through the noose, running out of luck in the end. He wanted to jump and shout in excitement because it was a snare he had set himself. Remembering Talia’s words about being quiet, he settled for just feeling thankful they could add it to the food store of cooked meat and gathered rations they were saving for their trip. They should have plenty of food before they set out in search of Talia’s father.
After securing the rabbit, Donadeir fell behind his friends as Adam took the lead, making their way into the edge of the eastern forest and along one of the larger animal paths. He was disappointed when the other traps they checked didn’t yield any results.
“The forest has grown quiet—eerily quiet,” Adam stated.
“We should head back to the clearing,” Talia commanded, becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the silence.
Donadeir watched Talia’s face as she scanned ahead of them, looking for something. He became worried when he saw Adam also turned and glanced around quickly. Donadeir agreed, taking Talia’s suggestion to heart as he too became aware something didn’t feel quite right.
Silently alert, the group hastily moved to get back into the open in order to better understand what was wrong. Donadeir brought his hand to his face, and his nose crinkled with disgust as the wind shifted in their direction from the woodlands. A moment later, he knew Talia and Adam smelled the putrid, sweet smell of old sweat even though their noses were not quite as keen as his. There was definitely something there, staying hidden in the encroaching darkness as the sun fled into the western sky.
Talia signaled for them to head back to the stream, post haste. No one needed to tell Donadeir twice, he had become exhausted with unexpected surprises. Adam kept pace, just behind Donadeir’s right side, while Talia paced him to his left.
