Later Shala waded into the stream, and found the water pleasant, not at all as cold as the Seluin waters. Here the river had already pooled at intervals, taking in the warmth of sunlight. With her clothes, old and new, left on the bank of the pool she washed herself, relieved at ridding herself of soot and dried blood. She was alone, but high above a familiar eagle kept watch, and as it was now it was not bothered by the arousals of men and neither was the Princess the least bit troubled about it.
Afterwards she dried and dressed in the shelter of the woods, regretting leaving Shadow at the mill as stepping from the water had left her surprisingly cool. Small blasts of wind rustled the trees, and it was these that robbed her of warmth. And then when the wind stopped the rustle strangely persisted, until a snapping twig underneath a boot made it very clear Shala had something to worry about.
A man approached her from dead ahead; the suddenness with which his garb no longer faded with the woods a trickery Shala thought was terribly unfair to his prey. He had keen eyes and a fine-trimmed beard lining his mouth.
More pressingly, the moment Shala had spotted him he approached with an upraised hatchet in his right-hand, and put his finger to his lips with the other. Somehow Shala was just as worried about whether he had seen her exposed as about whether he posed any danger.
He beckoned her to come closer, slowly… and then lunged forward with the hatchet just as she started moving.
He had been looking over her shoulder, so she knew he was not aiming at her, and true enough when she turned around she saw he had downed a goblin that had evidently been stalking her. When the little creature took its deathblow, the rest of its brethren emerged from hiding.
Metrus came down in a swoop and just in time as well, landing some thirty feet from where Shala was stranded in a snare of enemies. Becoming a man with bow in hand his powers prevailed as the goblins met the green fiery arrows spitting from his bow. The Druid was not merciful, as he kept on firing even as the goblins fled from arrows that hunted them down deep into the woods.
The stranger with his hatchet watched in awe of the Druid's powers and after the last goblin cry had faded, turned toward the Princess.
‘Thank you sir,’ was the first thing Shala could think of to say.
‘Not a good place to wander so alone, my Lady,’ he replied.
‘Not a good place to wander for anyone,’ said Metrus approaching, ‘Who are you and what are you doing here?’
‘There's plenty of movement in the west, Master Druid. More than usual anyhow. My name is Von Gillivez, of a House fallen from grace many ages ago.’
‘Well met, but we need to take our leave,’ said Metrus curtly, ‘farewell traveller, keep your wits about you.’
Shala was surprised at Metrus, although she suspected she knew exactly why he wanted to get them away from this stranger, even if he had probably saved her life just now.
‘Allow me to be forward,’ said Von Gillivez, ‘I fled the destruction of Attoras and only made it out alive by some exceptional luck. The goblins have flooded the continent; you will know this better than anyone with your eagle eyes. If you'd have me, I would like to stay under your protection until we are within a stone's throw of civilization. I might not make it on my own!’
By the look of the Druid Shala knew he was going to refuse Von Gillivez, and she couldn't get it over herself to leave the man stranded.
‘Let's take him with us Metrus, at least for awhile,’ Shala interceded.
He looked reluctant. Finally he said, ‘You will need to speak to Bhask and convince him.’ Shala realized that would not be an easy task.
Dream of Embers Book 1 Page 27
