“Captain? Sir Darian?” Tealor laughed. “That's a little official for you, isn't it?”
“It certainly is,” the rogue nodded. “So you can imagine just how serious this is.”
“What is it?” the knight asked.
“Those trolls,” the rogue answered. “It's like Sarena said, they're probably tracking us by now. She would have made a very clean get away during the rescue if those monsters didn't have such an incredible sense of smell.”
“Hmmm,” the warrior replied. “I see your point...”
“What is his point?” the Telian asked.
“My point, Darian, is that they're probably very angry right now, they can track us by scent, and they're faster than we are. We also have to keep in mind that there are... wait, how many did you leave alive?”
“All seven,” the warrior replied, shaking his head.
“I figured as much,” Kilren nodded. “You'll be glad to know that Sarena killed two out of two.”
“Yeah,” the warrior chuckled, glancing over his shoulder at his bride, “she'll do that sometimes.”
“Either way,” the rogue continued, “that leaves seven that are very probably hot on our trail at this moment.”
“Agreed,” the captain nodded. “What do you suggest?”
“We need to throw them off the scent,” the rogue replied.
“How do we do that?” the Telian asked.
“Well,” Kilren said, “there are several ways. I think the most expedient would be to travel up stream for a while. That creek a few miles up the road would do the trick. It's narrow and shallow, but I think it'll be enough. It might also be the same one that flows right past the tower. I don't remember crossing another this morning.”
“We didn't,” the warrior replied. “That sounds like a good suggestion. Although, I don't think we could afford the time it would take to follow it all the way back to the tower – even if that's where it leads.”
“No,” Kilren agreed. “It would be nightfall before we got there. We should just follow it for a couple of miles or so and then head directly through the forest.”
“If we leave the road, will we be able to find our way back to the tower?” the Telian asked.
“I'm fairly certain I could,” the rogue nodded. “I'm positive Erana can.”
“Then, let's do it,” Darian nodded.
“Good,” the rogue replied. “I think we had better double time it until we reach the water. Those trolls move fast.”
With a positive, and nearby, destination in mind, the band quickened its pace. The wardens were in good shape and, what was much more surprising, good health. They were able to jog along mile after mile without any obvious ill effects. As they traveled, something moving parallel to the road attracted the young rogue's attention.
“Darian,” he said, his eyes focused on the creature partially hidden by the verdure. “Is that the same unicorn that's been following us?”
“Where?” Erana asked excitedly.
“Just over there,” the rogue replied, pointing covertly as he did so. “I think it's been trailing us for days.”
“That's wonderful,” the elvish maiden exclaimed. “They're very noble creatures. If he's watching over us, you can be sure we're at least a little safer than we would have been.”
“Oh, I'm fairly certain it's keeping watch,” the knight asserted.
“He's,” the ranger corrected. “They're very intelligent and I doubt he'd appreciate your referring to him as it.”
“He's beautiful,” Gwendolyn observed. “I wonder why he's following us.”
“That's a good question,” the elf replied. “They're very particular about who they befriend. You may have noticed that some of the nobles ride into battle on unicorns. In most cases, that's because the noble's family and the family of the unicorn have been allied for generations. I wonder which of us he's watching.”
“I think he's the same unicorn I healed during the battle,” the knight speculated.
“You healed a unicorn?” the ranger asked.
“I did,” the Telian nodded. “One of them was injured pretty badly, so I helped him. I couldn't completely heal him, of course. There were just too many wounded that day. But, I did get him back on his feet... er hooves.”
“That's great,” Erana said excitedly. “I mean; not that he was injured, of course, but that you were able to help him. I can assure you, he won't forget it.”
“Are you sure it's the same one?” Kilren asked.
“Fairly sure,” the knight replied.
“Can you recognize him from this far away?”
“No.”
For a few seconds, the four young people rode along in silence. When the rogue realized that the Telian didn't intend to say anything more, he spoke.
“Alright, Darian,” he sighed, “I'll bite. If you can't recognize him from this far away, how was it you came to recognize him?”
“Oh!” the knight replied with a touch of surprise in his voice. “I recognized him when he rescued me. Well, I think I recognized him... They all look a lot alike to me. I mean; I suppose to other unicorns they look...”
“Wait,” the young sorceress interrupted. “What do you mean when he rescued you?”
“Oh, right,” the Telian replied with nod. “I haven't told you yet.”
Having said this, he quickly recounted the details of his near disaster.
“That's amazing!” Erana said, wide eyed.
“It was,” Darian agreed. “I mean; one moment, we were one place and the next, we were in another. I'd never experienced anything like it.”
“No,” the ranger replied. “Well, that is to say, yes. I'm sure that was amazing. But, that's not really what I was referring to. What I'm telling you is that it usually takes years before a unicorn will let someone ride them. Unless the rider is a very close friend, they consider it degrading. At least, that's what I've been told.”
“Well, he let me ride him,” the knight said. “I'm pretty sure he saved my life.”
“It sounds like it,” Gwendolyn replied. “We all owe him a great debt. Do you think we should try to thank him?”
“I did,” the Telian pointed out. “Well, I said thank you, anyway. I would like to do more, of course, but he just ran off as soon as I was off his back.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure you'll be seeing more of him,” Erana speculated. “If he had just felt that he owed you a debt, he'd be gone by now. I don't think there's any question that, by saving your life, he’s repaid you.”
“He did,” the knight nodded. “I'm sure of that.”
“Exactly,” the elvish maiden said. “That means he wants something more.”
“What could it be?” the young sorceress asked.
“I have no idea,” the ranger replied.
“Well, either way,” the rogue began, “I feel a lot safer with him around. I mean; Darian just can't seem to stay in the saddle. So, we may need him rescued again.”
“I don't have any trouble staying on my mount,” the knight asserted.
“You do,” Kilren disagreed. “You fell twice just today.”
“Alright,” the Telian replied with a nod, “but when else has that happened?”
“What about your first battle?” the human maiden asked. “Didn't Sir Barlan knock you off your horse?”
“Yes, he did!” the rogue replied, snapping his fingers.
“No, he didn't,” the knight disagreed, shaking his head, “he attacked my mount and the poor beast threw me when it reared back.”
“It amounts to the same thing,” Gwendolyn observed.
“No, it doesn't,” Darian said.
“Look, Sir Darian,” the rogue laughed, “you're either on horseback or you're not. There's not a great deal of in-between there.”
“Alright,” the knight replied. “Other than those three times, when have I been knocked from my horse?”
“That troll knocked you down last week,” Erana pointed out.
“Oh yea!” the rogue exclaimed. “I forgot about that one! My whole memory of that fight is still a little fuzzy. So, do you admit that one or not?”
“That thing was right behind me!” the knight replied defensively. “I turned around and immediately got hit right in the chest by a fist bigger than my head. So, yes, being hit that hard completely unexpectedly, caused me to fall off my horse. But, other than those four times, when have I fallen?”
“Are you serious? Four fights, four falls, and you're asking other than those?” Kilren continued. “It's blindingly obvious that you constantly fall off your mount!”
“I wouldn't say constantly,” the knight sighed.
“Well, no,” the rogue admitted. “Sometimes you're not on a horse when the battle starts.”
At this, both maidens couldn't help but laugh.
“Does all this have a point, Kilren?” the knight asked as a slight blush tinted his face.
“Yes, it does,” the rogue nodded. “The same point I started with: I'm glad that unicorn's around. You may need rescued again.”
“That's true,” Erana agreed with a mischievous grin on her face. “However, my love, Darian might not be the only one who needs rescuing. I seem to remember other members of our little band having had some rather embarrassing moments.”
“Oh, so I'm your love, am I?” the rogue asked, a wide grin on his face.
“You are,” the maiden replied with a coy smile. “But, there's no point in trying to distract me. I clearly recall that the same troll that unseated our noble Telian, as mistress Sarena would call him, also knocked your horse right out from under you.”
“Yes, it did,” Kilren agreed. “That's exactly what it did. It drove my horse into the ground, so I had to jump off. That's not exactly the same thing as...”
“Look, Kilren,” the knight interrupted, “you're either on horseback or you're not. There's not a great deal of in-between there.”
“Very witty,” the rogue replied with a slight look of disdain in his eyes.
“Then of course,” the elvish maiden continued, “there was that knock on the head.”
“What knock on the head?” Gwendolyn asked with a wide smile on her face.
“Come on,” the rogue said, shaking his head. “That totally wasn't my fault. I couldn't see anything and you were screaming for help.”
“Calling, my love, not screaming,” Erana corrected. “I was calling for you, not screaming for help.”
“Well, it didn't seem like that at the time,” the rogue replied. “What's with all this sudden my love and whatnot? You sound like Sarena talking to Tealor.”
“Exactly!” the elf exclaimed. “I'm practicing talking like a married woman. I'm going to need to be able to do it soon.”
At this, all four laughed.
“Not all married people talk that way,” Kilren pointed out.
“Well, maybe they should,” the ranger replied, shaking her head playfully.
“Either way, what knock on the head?” Darian asked.
“Oh, right!” Erana replied. “He almost did manage to distract me.”
“It was worth a shot,” the rogue sighed.
“Well, my brave champion, was attacked by a massive – and I must admit rather vicious – oak tree,” the elvish maid laughed. “In fact, it almost knocked him unconscious.”
“Is that so?” the Telian chuckled.
“It is,” Kilren admitted. “But, it's hardly my fault that I can't see in the dark! And I was in a bit of a panic. I thought she was in danger. Next time, I'll know better. I'll just wait until the following morning to rush to her rescue.”
“Oh, I think we all know that's not true,” Gwendolyn observed.
“No,” Erana said with a thoughtful tone in her voice. “No, I'm sure it's not... I really need to speak to Ian about that.”
“About what?” the rogue asked.
“Nothing,” the elvish maiden smiled. “I'll show you later.”
The next few miles were filled with the two lovely maidens fondly recalling the recent misfortunes of both young men, much to the amusement of all four. This quickly passed the few minutes it took for the party to reach the ford of the small stream. At this point, the band headed north; slowly making their way up the little waterway.
“Will this really work?” the knight asked, gazing down at the shallow water splashing just above his horse's hooves.
“It will,” the rogue replied. “At least, I think it will. I've got to admit that I've never been on the run from trolls that were trying to sniff me out. Either way, I've heard it works on wolves.”
“It does,” Erana confirmed. “And I feel certain it will work on the trolls, as well. Every trace of our scent will be washed downstream. Of course, trolls are smarter that wolves; even if they're not all that much smarter. My only fear is that they'll figure out what we've done when they lose the scent. If they do, they may try to follow the creek just to see if they can pick up our trail again.”
“I can see that,” Kilren replied. “But they won't be able to tell whether we went north or south. And I doubt they'll be that persistent. Either way, we can stay in the water for a couple of miles. That should be enough to really discourage them.”
“You're probably right,” the ranger admitted. “Under normal circumstances, I'd be positive. However, as we've already experienced several times, these aren't just normal trolls.”
“No, they're not,” the rogue agreed. “We'll just have to do our best and see what happens. Besides, if they were stupid enough to follow us to the tower, we might be able to kill them all. I think even they would have a hard time busting into that place.”
“That's probably true,” the elf speculated. “I just hope we don't find out.”
“I agree,” the rogue replied.
“Kilren, lad,” Ian said, riding up from behind. “Can you lend me a hand for a few minutes?”
“I expect so,” the rogue replied. “How can I help?”
“I figured we might as well make the most of this stream while we're in it,” the bard replied. “So, if you'll hop down, you can help me catch a little food.”
“Alright,” the rogue replied before climbing from his mount.
Erana and Gwendolyn agreed to lead the mounts of Kilren and Ian, respectively, while the men were occupied. With this detail taken care of, the bard began digging through one of his saddle bags. As soon as he retrieved what he was searching for, he turned to find the rogue bent over; scanning the now slightly deeper water carefully with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“What are you doing, lad?” the dwarf asked.
“Looking for fish!” Kilren replied. “What would I be doing? Or were you hoping for venison? I can get my crossbow, but I've never seen a deer swimming along in an ankle-deep creek.”
“Don't be daft!” the bard chuckled. “We don't have time to try to catch them by hand.”
“Then, what did you have in mind?” the young man asked, standing upright as he spoke.
“This,” the bard answered, lifting a net in his hands as he spoke.
“Yeah,” the rogue nodded. “That’ll work, I suppose... If you want to do it the easy way.”
“I think this time, we'd better,” the dwarf smiled.
The pair spread the net out between them, walking as near the edges of the stream as was practical. Within a few minutes, they had caught several large trout. The silk bags that Ian always kept with him were quickly unpacked to hold their catch. As they stepped along, Kilren noticed that several of the wardens had begun collecting something from the creek. Before he thought to ask about it, Ian stopped suddenly with a wide smile on his face.
“Aha,” he said before reaching down into the cool water.
The bard lifted a very large mussel out of the stream.
“That one's certainly worth keeping,” he observed.
“So, that's what they've been picking up,” Kilren smiled.
“Aye, lad,” The bard nodd
ed. “You should be able to feel them with your feet.”
“I've still got my boots on.”
“There's an easy fix for that.”
Moments later, the rogue was walking through the stream barefooted, having hopped up on his horse just long enough to remove his footwear. Between the net and their searching feet, the party quickly collected a large number of fish and mussels. They weren't exactly a complete meal on their own, but it was a very nourishing – not to mention, potentially delicious – start.
After roughly two miles of trudging along in the creek, Tealor led the party into the woods to the east. They had lost a little time moving so slowly. They would need to make it up now. There were very good reasons not to be caught in the badlands at night if they could help it. As soon as the wardens stepped into the woods, they fanned out around the party; doing their best to search for more food while maintaining the rather quick pace.
The knight, who had ridden near the middle of the party for a brief time, had once again taken his place at the front of the band. While they had been retracing their own steps, it seemed less likely that invisible trolls would attack them. Even then, however, the young knight had kept his eyes open. Now that they were once again moving quickly, he focused a vast majority of his attention on detecting any unseen attackers that might be lurking in the woodlands.
He couldn't help but watch the foraging wardens, however, as they ran up a short distance ahead or just off to the side of the band, to gather a handful of nuts or to dig up some root. It fascinated the young knight that they seemed so capable of finding food in what appeared to be – at least to him – a complete wasteland. It was obvious that the badlands hadn't always been a dead and empty place, but they certainly seemed to be that now.
“What caused this?” the knight said, almost to himself.
“Caused what?” Kilren asked.
“This,” the Telian replied, waving his hand before him as he spoke. “The land can't have always been dead. Look how much food the wardens are collecting.”
“Yeah,” the rogue nodded. “I have to admit, it is fairly impressive.”
“It is,” Darian nodded. “My point is that things used to live here. This land was really alive at some point. Although, it obviously hasn't been for many years.”
The Beasts of Areon (The Chronicles of Areon Book 2) Page 23
