by Reaves, Troy
He turned his attention away from the fleeing goblins and their pursuers to watch the pair of pack leaders. The gray wolf was on its side near the body of the dead goblin leader, and the auburn wolf was now standing near its companion's body. It tentatively touched the fallen animal with its muzzle, as if checking for signs of life. Gregor watched in wonder as the auburn pack leader sat back on its haunches facing away from him and began to transform. The front legs became arms as the fur that covered it thinned and shortened, and hands replaced the front paws. The body lengthened, with fur appearing to draw into the creature's hide, revealing tanned skin along a well-muscled back that was clearly human even at this distance. The fullness of the figure's hips was the only indication it was female, as soft auburn hair lengthened from her scalp, stopping just at her shoulders. Gregor felt embarrassed for his intrusion, but could not bring himself to look away. He watched her run her hands over the large gray wolf slowly, as if seeking the wound. Her body tensed as blood spread across the fur of the wounded animal. The figure's head lowered as she brought her hands together, seemingly where the short sword had penetrated. Moments later the gray wolf stirred, and Gregor noted the rise and fall of its chest where the hands of the female lay. He found he had been holding his breath, and released it in a rush. He drew air into his own starved lungs, and moved closer to the edge of the river. "Hello! You there!" Gregor shouted to the woman, wanting to let her know she was not alone. She glanced at him over her shoulder, and without pausing to acknowledge him, she scooped the wounded animal into her arms and turned toward the forest. Gregor could only marvel at her strength, as a moment later she disappeared into the woods with her arms full of the great gray beast. He was glad to know the animal had been rescued, but he was curious to know by whom. He had never heard of such a creature that could change form this way. Gregor shook his head, once more amazed at how little he knew of the world. It seemed pointless to stand wondering at the strange course of events, so he once more began moving along the river's edge.
***
Tana was worried. Problems were plenty in her forest with the incursion of the goblin tribes. The wolves were slowly starving or being killed as the goblins encroached more and more. Their normal game was slaughtered, and the interlopers seemed to be appearing everywhere. Lone wolves, driven out to hunt by hunger, had even begun attacking grazing animals that strayed too far from their herds. Men would come into the forest soon seeking the animals, thinking the packs were to blame. Things were bad enough without this new complication. A soldier, or mercenary more likely, had seen her change. She yanked her pack of clothes from the tree limb where she had left it, and moved near where Fang rested. The leathers were such a trial to deal with, but it looked like she was going to have company soon one way or another, so best to be dressed for it. Tana strapped on the delicate blade she kept for encounters with poachers, and strung her bow and quiver across her back. Her tall form was clothed and ready in moments. "Well, girl, let me see if I can get you on your feet again, and we will go find this new problem together. We can beat him to the bridge easily enough."
***
Gregor found a crossing point the next day where a great tree spanned the river half a day's march from where he had camped the night before. He was glad to have a chance to resume his path properly, even if it meant moving across the river to the forest of the unknown female. His dreams had troubled him, and Gregor wondered at the safety of entering the forest of a woman who clearly held sway over the animals that called it home. Her flight the day before was a sure sign she did not wish to be bothered. It had not taken Gregor long to reason this out, as he gnawed at a breakfast of seasoned boar meat and hard tack. The breakfast also served to remind him he was running out of provisions, and food had been hard to come by as he had traveled the river's edge. The simple farm boy in him longed for a fishing pole and a bit of luck, but his days of plucking hapless fish from the waters near his home were over. Gregor looked into the surrounding trees on the far side of the river, and seeing no more reason to delay, he started across the ancient tree that formed a bridge where it had fallen. Someone had been using it regularly for that purpose, as the branches had been cut away to make a relatively safe path across the breadth of the river, though there was no mark from saw or ax to indicate it had been felled for this purpose. Still, Gregor had learned his lessons well enough in the woods, and he watched where he placed his boots as he slowly made his way. The whisper of an arrow, followed by the appearance of the same near his right boot, made him aware that not only was he not alone, but that he was in a very bad spot. Gregor had no desire to alarm the archer, who could easily have put the arrow in him if that had been their purpose. Any question about whom that archer might be was answered with a low growl just ahead of where Gregor stood. He very slowly tipped his head up to find that the large gray wolf he had seen wounded the day before was in fine health, and currently blocking his path just a few paces away.
"Can you swim? She can. Fang can just about swim like a fish when she has the need. I bet that chain mail would drag you right to the bottom, if the current doesn't take you first. I want you to think hard about that for a moment, and then we are going to talk. Can you hear me okay out there? I don't want to shoot you just because you can't hear me." The voice could not be called musical due to the hard edge of her tone, but Gregor found it strangely evocative in spite of his current predicament. He longed to look up at the face of the woman of the forest, but he decided he had better not.
"Yes, ma'am, I can hear you and I can't swim in this armor or otherwise." Gregor's heart felt like it might fly out of his chest, but at that moment he could not have said if fear or exhilaration was the primary cause.
"Good, I am glad I have your full attention. Rest assured you have mine as well. Now, you are going to look up slowly, and if I even think you are going to draw those blades, or try running back across this tree, then you better learn to swim in that chain mail quick. You understand?"
Gregor felt he was doing well not to fall off the tree at that moment, so she didn't have much to worry about. Still, there could be no harm in reassuring her. "Yes, ma'am, I understand.” He brought his hands up slowly to show he was more than willing to comply.
"Bring your chin up. I want to see your face while you tell me exactly why you are in my forest and where you are headed. You will also tell me exactly who you are, and why I should care. Watch him, Fang."
Gregor brought his chin up as instructed, and was struck silent. The woman before him stood a bit taller than he, and was exquisitely formed from her life in the forest. The muscles of both her arms were taunt with the pressure applied to her drawn bow. He had no desire to taste the sting of the arrow she held nocked and ready. Her green eyes glittered with intensity even at this distance, though a nonchalant look colored her features. It appeared she had pretty much planned this meeting as just another part of her daily routine, and was ready to be done with it. If she had any hesitation about firing, Gregor could find no indication of it.
The woman drew the bow away slightly from its sighting position, addressing him before assuming a proper targeting stance once more. "Are you going to start talking, or am I going to shoot you? Let me make it easy for you. What is your name?"
Gregor decided after only a moment's deliberation that the truth would serve him best once again. He raised his voice so that it would carry unhindered to her, finding strength in it he had not noticed until now. "I am Gregor, honored with the title of weapons page to the Knights of Bella Grey until they were destroyed. Lord Galant Silverwing was my mentor and now has sent me to Nactium for education with the priests at the Temple of Light within its walls. The blades I carry are those of my mentor. He was wounded in a melee with bandits and, fearing more would come, he sent me through the wood toward the city of Nactium following a path west."
A smile crooked her mouth as Tana answered the voluminous information she received. "Well, that was a bit more than a mouthful. Do yo
u always share your life story with strangers, or has the potential bite of both my bow and my companion influenced you? No answer required, as the positive influence is obvious. It was more of a rhetorical question than an actual inquiry. Why do you want to go to that city anyway? Your armor and stance show training as a warrior, not a priest. I doubt there is much the temple priests could share with you in the area of martial pursuits."
Gregor took her pause as an invitation to continue his story. He noticed with some amount of relief that her bow was lowered slightly, and no longer at the ready, though the lady before him still kept her arrow nocked. "I believe I am to be educated in many things within the temple. My knowledge of the God of Light is limited, and my healing abilities are lacking. Master Silverwing indicated that the priests of the temple would be able to complete my training and allow me to more fully enter into the service of the God of Light. The sword hands of the Light have been severed. It is my hope to number among those that are to serve as protectors of the common peoples and slayers of the evil forces that have grown so numerous in recent days." Gregor felt himself come to his full height as he spoke. He did not know where the last words had come from, but he felt the truth of them bring him strength. The statement brought him something else he had not expected; something he had not really felt since the terrible dream he had experienced in Dakin's home. Hope, pure hope that could not be shaken by doubt about his own abilities or fear of the unknown trials that he would face. Despite his current predicament, Gregor smiled.
Tana lowered her bow and waved her hand, urging Gregor to come across the tree. It appeared her interview was over, and Gregor would be allowed to continue. Fang seemed a bit more judgmental than her mistress, not quite ready to give up her position until Tana called her. "Come to me, Fang. He means no harm, and there would be sin in drowning him. Let's see if we can get him to his precious city, and out of our forest. My name is Tana, not that you will have much need of it after today. The walls of Nactium are little more than a half-day's walking from here. The wolves are nervous enough without another interloper in our forest, so I will take you to the gates myself. Be sure you keep up. The sooner I am rid of you, the sooner I can get back to tending these woods."
Gregor felt his words and honesty had been well invested in the mistress of the forest as he fell into stride beside her. There was a well-worn path leading from the tree bridge that allowed the two to walk abreast with Fang taking up watch between them. Gregor found his new companions equally quiet, though he was able to learn a bit about Tana with gentle questions. She ignored most of his inquiries, though she confirmed that she was the protector of the wood.
The huntress had lived almost her whole life among the trees she called home, making fast friends with the wolves that lived there. She followed the ways of the Goddess of Nature revered by most rangers and druids within the wilder lands. These chosen people taught the ways of nature to the villagers and farmers outside the cities, and sometimes acted as healers to the more remote settlements outside the reach of the temples.
Tana's view of the cities and the people within was easily understood by her few remarks concerning them. "City dwellers have forgotten the gifts of the wood and the link to nature we all have. The druids are little more than wild priests to the city dwellers. We carry no more importance than the farmers that provide their homes with fresh meat and grain. You seem like a good sort for a man. It is a pity you would choose to poison your innocence seeking counsel within a city that has spawned so much evil in recent years. Be wary of those you choose for companions, and do not let me find you in my forest again. There is nothing for you in the wood, and it would be a shame to see harm come to you."
The words were very clear in their intent, but somehow Gregor suspected this was not to be the end of his and Tana's association. Fang gave a low growl as Tana finished speaking, appearing to be displeased by her companion's words. The large gray wolf had acquired a taste for the remaining dried meats Gregor shared as they traveled. When Tana was about to dismiss him at the road, the wolf nuzzled Gregor and playfully nipped his thigh. He tried not to jump at the pinch of her jaws, and lost his balance, falling toward Tana as Fang neatly stepped to one side. Tana quickly turned to catch him, setting Gregor back on his feet before the warrior's full weight dragged them both sprawling to the ground. "Now, what is this about, Fang?" The huntress cautioned the wolf with a severe look. "He needs to go, and so do we. Are you so easily swayed by treats? There will be no living with you for a while, I see." Tana brought her attention back to Gregor once more, favoring him with a small frown. "You need to make haste if you are going to make the gates before sunset. The guards of Nactium lock the walls tight after nightfall, since the goblins and orcs have become more aggressive. You will shine like a beacon with that armor and the blades you carry, so I would not advise waiting for the brigands that haunt the road to come out for their nightly patrols. A single warrior would serve as a prime target for them, I would imagine." Fang signaled her displeasure at Tana's words with a bark. The gray wolf pushed at Tana's back, forcing the huntress to take a step closer to Gregor. Tana turned to look down at Fang, clearly annoyed by the animal's interference. "Don't worry about him, Fang. I am certain this brave warrior can make his own way to the gates before nightfall."
Gregor felt that Fang had her own opinion of his abilities. The wolf turned back to eye the young warrior, cocking her head to one side, and once more pushed Tana toward Gregor. Whether it was the hope of more food or a genuine concern for Gregor's safety, the warrior could not say, but something in the wolf's stance indicated that the beast was not ready to leave him. Gregor felt compelled to speak. "There is one more favor I would ask of you. Master Silverwing and I parted with such haste that he gave me no indication of how to find the proper temple within the walls of Nactium. Have you been within the walls, and if you have, could you tell me where I might find the Temple of Light? I assume a city so large has many temples dedicated to the Goddesses and Gods of the lands."
Tana seemed openly frustrated by this request, and Gregor regretted it immediately. "Yes, I know the city well enough to take you to the city watch and the jailers. I am also familiar with the judges who have set poachers free, lining their pockets with ill-gotten coins, and the governor who issues bounties for the packs that seek only to hunt in their own forest without molestation. You will find that the streets are well marked, and except for the occasional pickpocket, few will trouble you. The streets are patrolled regularly, and I am certain that with a bit of coin you can receive an escort to the temple you seek."
"So I should be able to hold out my purse and find a guide to the main Temple of Light easily enough in any tavern?" The innocence of the young man's smile affected Tana. Gregor's honest reply to her vitriolic words caught Tana by complete surprise, and as he finished speaking, laughter equally honest broke from her of its own volition.
Tana regained her composure quickly and blushed at her own reaction to his words. "Forgive me, Gregor, but Master Silverwing is not unknown to me, which is why you are not swimming to the city as we speak. I would have thought the ranger would send someone more prepared to the treacherous city you approach. The merchants and rogues alike would be at your heels, smelling an easy mark. Gregor, you do not even have the basic skills to make it to breakfast in the inn at the gate. May the Goddess bless you, and hopefully me, as well. It appears we are to journey together to the city after all. I hope you are happy, Fang." Tana fixed Fang with a baleful look before turning down the broad dirt road. Gregor closed his mouth with a click of his teeth as he hurried to catch up.
***
The group made the city gates by evening, though Gregor was winded from the increased pace. The bandits who must have been shadowing the road gave them no trouble, and there were few travelers so close to nightfall. Gregor had noted the slow moving caravans of merchants that had stopped along the road, making camp together well before reaching Nactium in order to to take advantage of the
safety of numbers. Great bonfires had been set, awaiting the igniting touch of flame in anticipation of a long night at the camps. Gregor saw that many rugged looking mercenaries serving as guards had organized patrols, moving around the ring of wagons. The hired swordsmen appeared to be little more than paid thugs themselves, and although they did not challenge him and his companions, he found himself wondering just how safe the huddled merchants and tradesmen really were. Tana had aired similar thoughts after they were out of earshot of the roaming guards. "I doubt the tradesmen would find much comfort in traveling with those mercenaries if a large group of brigands set their minds to organizing an assault. The smarter rogues would wait until the merchants were set upon by a goblin horde, or worse. There is little safety in numbers outside the city gates, and bonfires do not deter the boar men when such a large prize is set before them. No doubt the 'guards' would flee to the woods in hope of saving their own skins, only to return later and see what the orcs had left behind. There is truly no honor among thieves, even well paid ones."
