“Figures...” the rogue nodded.
The party resumed their trudge, following along the course of the stream. Before long, their ears were met by a familiar sound. The rushing roar of a waterfall could be heard in the distance. A few more steps brought the source of the sound to their sight. They stood before a natural cliff face almost a hundred feet high with a torrent of water pouring from the top of it. Each member of the party gazed up at the slippery natural wall that stood before them. After a moment of consideration, Ian shouted over the thundering water.
“There's only one thing we can do,” he yelled loudly enough for the entire party to hear.
“Yes!” Gwendolyn shouted in reply, “Start climbing!”
At once, she turned and started searching for a handhold to pull herself up on the wet rock face. Darian grabbed her gently by the shoulder and turned her around to look at the dwarf's shaking head.
“If we try to climb up here we'll get ourselves killed,” he yelled over the din. “We're going to have to find a better place or give up following the stream. For the moment, we just need to get far enough away so we can talk without shouting.”
The party turned to follow the dwarf as he marched off into the surrounding woods.
“I could have made it!” Gwendolyn shouted to Darian.
“It wouldn't have mattered,” he yelled in reply. “I couldn't have. Not without a rope and I don't think we've got one that's long enough.”
Once the party had sufficiently distanced itself from the noise of the waterfall, the discussion was renewed in softer tones.
“We have two choices,” the dwarf began as he found himself a comfortable place to sit. “We can find a way to scale this cliff, or we can desert the stream.”
“Well, the right answer seems to depend on where we're going,” Erana replied.
“Aye, that's true,” the dwarf replied. “Where are we going, Tealor? Did you have a particular place in mind?”
“I do,” the large warrior answered. “There's a trail I hope to hit that runs across this mountain range. The stream has been heading in the right general direction, but I see no reason to keep following it. We need to strike more to the north-east soon, one way or the other.”
“Also, if our pursuers figure out that we've been using the stream for a road, it would be an easy way to track us, my love,” Sarena pointed out.
“True, dear heart, very true,” the warrior agreed.
“Then, we leave our little path behind and strike north-east,” Kilren said, turning his attention to the looming wall just a few hundred feet from them. “We'll still need to find a way up the cliff face.”
“I don't think so,” Tealor replied, “We've been heading almost due north all day. We could stand to go a fair way to the east before we take a true north-east course. For the moment, I think we can just follow the wall.”
“Anyone pursuing us is likely to do the same,” the rogue observed. “We might do better to head south-east for an hour or so before we make camp.”
“That's a good idea,” Tealor nodded. “We'll leave the cliff wall about an hour before dark. Let's get moving; we have a long way to go.”
Having come to a decision, the little band immediately struck out along the cliff face; following their course until the shadows of the evening told them that they had less than an hour before sunset. With the hope of throwing off any pursuit, they headed into the surrounding woodlands, directing their course to the south-east. By the time the last rays of the setting sun disappeared behind the mountains, they had left the cliff miles behind them. It was in a small natural clearing that Tealor decided to end their marches for the day. The first stars of evening were already visible above when the party finally made camp.
“I think we should keep going!” Gwendolyn said, pacing back and forth in front of the small fire Ian had started. “Our enemies have horses. We should keep moving as long as we possibly can!”
“We can't walk all night,” the dwarf said, glancing up at her with a grin. “Even if you can, lass.”
“You can't be tired, Ian!” she said, returning his smile. “You don't even have anyone to carry.”
“Maybe he's not, but I am,” Tealor replied, stretching himself out on the ground with a satisfied sigh.
“Yeah, I've had enough for today,” Kilren said with a stretch of his own. “We can start early tomorrow but, in a moment, I'm going to be asleep.”
“Well, if you boys can't go on, I guess we'll just have to rest for a few hours,” she replied with a giggle before taking a seat beside Darian.
The knight had already laid down with his head on his pack and was gazing silently into the fire.
“Thank you for helping me today,” the maiden said, staring down at the young knight.
“Don't mention it,” he nodded. “It was my duty, you know.”
“Oh, it was just your duty?” she asked playfully.
“I wouldn't say just,” he replied slowly. “I'm happy to help whenever I can. I was just saying you don't need to thank me.”
“Well, I do!” she said, laying herself down beside him, “How much further do you think we have to go before we get home?”
“I don't know. A long way,” Darian chuckled. “I'm sorry, but it can't be helped. I suppose you're anxious to get home.”
“Not really,” she said, shaking her head. “I'm having a wonderful time. I do miss my parents and Nanna but, believe it or not, I'm really enjoying myself.”
“I am, too,” the Telian replied sleepily. “This is the life I was born to lead.”
“You mean; running around the countryside, defeating villains, and rescuing fair maidens?” she asked, gazing over at him with an almost wicked grin on her face.
“Yep,” he replied, his eyes firmly set on the little fire.
“Is that all you have to say?” she asked, leaning back and staring up at the stars above.
The knight lay for a moment with his brows pulled together before taking a deep breath and making his reply.
“Yep,” he said, nodding his head slightly.
“You're no fun!” Gwendolyn said, rolling over on her side to look at him. “You should have said something chivalrous!”
“Sorry. I'm tired,” he replied. “We need to get to sleep.”
“Well, I'm not going to be able to sleep!” she exclaimed, as she rolled over on her other side. “I've never felt more awake in my life.”
“I'm sorry,” the knight began after a few moments of silence. “I'll stay up for a while yet. One of us will be up on watch, so you've won't be completely alone.” Here, the knight paused for a few moments more, “What do you mean by chivalrous?”
The knight's question was destined to remain unanswered. A few moments’ still silence was all it had taken to wrap the maiden gently in sleep.
“Gwendolyn?” he asked, turning his head.
“Shhh,” Ian whispered to the young knight. “She'll sleep peacefully until morning if we leave her be.”
“Good,” Darian nodded. “She needs to be well rested for tomorrow. I'll take first watch, if you’d like. You were up a lot earlier than I was.”
“Thank you, lad,” the bard said, laying his head down. “Just wake me when it's my turn.”
The night passed quickly from Darian's watch to Ian's, and from Ian's to Kilren's. As the sun began to rise, the rogue gazed up with concern at the red clouds that caught the first rays of morning. Many were the days he had camped in the wilds. He knew at a glance that the weather was likely to turn against them. It seemed probable that it would be a long, wet day.
“Looks like we're going to have a storm,” Erana said quietly, staring up at the sky from where she lay.
“I thought you were asleep,” Kilren replied, turning his eyes to her with a smile.
“I was,” she nodded. “Now I'm not. I think it's called waking up.”
“You know, I believe I've heard of it,” the rogue chuckled. “Anyway, I was thinking the same thing.
It looks like we may run into some rough weather today.”
“Then, we had better get on the move,” the beautiful ranger replied, raising herself from the ground. “We should get as far as we can before the storm hits.”
“I think you're right,” the rogue agreed.
Shortly after this brief discussion, all the members of the party were on their feet but one; stretching themselves and yawning as sleep slowly loosed its grip. Gwendolyn, however, refused to respond to the general summons and lay just as she had when the camp was silent just minutes before.
“Gwendolyn,” Darian said softly, gazing down on the fair young maiden, “It's time for us to go.”
To this statement, she made no reply, but seemed wrapped as soundly in sleep as she had been the entire night. The young Telian reached down and gently shook her by the arm. This did get a response. She turned her head and gazed up at him through one half opened eye.
“What time is it?” she asked in a whisper.
“Early,” Kilren chucked.
“Good,” the maiden replied, stretching herself and closing her eyes once more.
“You have to get up,” Darian pointed out.
“I don't want to,” she said plaintively. “I need a few more minutes’ sleep.”
“There's no time,” Kilren replied, shaking his head. “It looks like we may have a bit of a storm and we want to get as far as we can before it hits.”
“I don't feel like getting up...” she sighed. “Carry me, Darian.”
“Where's all the energy you had yesterday?” the young knight asked, bending down and gently lifting the maiden from the ground.
“Put me down,” she said with a laugh. “I just wanted to see what you'd do if I actually wanted you to carry me.”
“Well, now you know,” he replied, lowering her to her feet.
“I guess I do,” she smiled.
Within minutes, breakfast had been eaten and the little band was on its way. Tealor set their course to the north-east and the party marched resolutely forward. For more than an hour, the dark clouds above were happy to do nothing more than threaten the travelers. However, at last, nature's attack fell on them in a rage. The wind howled around the party and drove a drenching rain into their faces while thunder echoed through the hills and bolts of lightning lit the sky with their blue flames.
Darian was soaking wet before he even had time to remove his pack. He was cursing his shortsightedness as he dug through its depths searching for his cloak. At last, his hand found the elusive object and drew it from the bag triumphantly. In a flash, he had thrown its ample folds over the young maiden that walked beside him.
“Sorry I didn't think of that before!” he yelled to Gwendolyn over the storm. “I'm afraid it's too late to keep you dry, but at least it'll help keep you from getting any wetter!”
“Thank you!” she shouted as she pulled the hood further down over her face.
“No need...” he began.
“To thank you?” she interrupted him. “I know, but you have my thanks anyway!”
The valiant knight was the only member of the little band that wasn't wrapped in the protection of a cloak. Both Erana and Sarena loved the rain, however, and both strolled along with their heads uncovered. Darian had almost laughed at the careful preparations Ian had made before they broke camp. Not only was he covered from head to toe, but his hat had been carefully stowed within a waterproof bag he kept in his pack. As the rain beat down on him, the young Telian began to see the value of such preparation. In future, he would keep at least two cloaks in his pack.
As the party trudged along, mile after soaking mile, the storm showed no signs of relenting, although the wind did lessen to a noticeable degree. The bold knight began to suffer for his sacrifice as they slowly marched along. His boots held just enough water to keep his toes constantly submerged and every ounce of heat was drawn from the steel that encased him by the pouring rain. He almost shook with cold despite the season. All the warm spring air that surrounded him couldn't drive the chill from his drenched skin. In the beaming rays of the sun, his armor was glorious. However, in the cool embrace of a driving rain, the young knight would have rather been without it.
Another issue that quickly arose to make his journey more difficult was the mud. The weight of his steel shell made him sink in the soft ground they traversed and, more than once, he lost his balance and tumbled into the mire. The first time, he only stumbled to his knees and managed to raise himself from the ground with some shred of dignity. However, his next fall was less graceful and he found himself laying on his back and squirming ignominiously in the mud as he tried to regain his footing. With loud laughs and smiling faces, the warrior and the rogue grabbed his filthy hands and raised him to his feet.
“You think you should take that off?” Kilren asked, pointing at the young knight's breastplate.
“Where would I put it?” the knight asked with a shrug.
“Good point!” the rogue admitted.
Shortly after this mishap, the party found itself at the banks of another small stream. The storm had greatly fed its usually gentle current and it was hard to tell how deep the water was – or how treacherous the crossing might prove.
“Do you think we should follow it and look for a bridge or a ford?” Ian shouted over the rising wind.
“I don't think we'll find one,” Tealor replied. “At least, not for many more miles.”
“I agree,” Darian added. “Even if we knew of a bridge nearby, it might be held by Valrak's men.”
“Well, I may have mentioned before that I can't swim,” the dwarf said.
“You did,” Tealor nodded.
“Then, how do you suggest I should get across?” he asked, staring at the raging water. “That current might prove too much for you if you try to swim across carrying me like baggage.”
“I wasn't planning on swimming,” the warrior said. “I don't think it's that deep.”
“What makes you think that?” the bard asked.
“Optimism,” Tealor chuckled.
“I didn't think you were what could be called overflowing with that quality,” Ian replied with a grin.
“I'm not,” Tealor said, shaking his head. “But, from time to time, I get small doses.”
“Well, I have more than enough faith to match your optimism,” the dwarf said with a wave of his hand. “Go on and see how deep it is.”
Without another word, the large warrior stepped into the wildly running stream. He reached the half way point and the water rose no higher than his waist, so he turned and slowly made his way back to the party.
“It's as I thought,” he said, returning to the shore. “It's not too deep and the bottom is very firm. I have to admit there's a good bit of current, but it won't be a problem.”
“Excellent,” Darian nodded. “You can help Ian and Sarena, Kilren and I will help Erana and Gwendolyn.”
“Agreed. Shall I carry you across, master dwarf?” the warrior asked, turning to the bard.
“No, it's not over my head, I'm sure I can withstand the current,” Ian replied before glancing down at his clothing. “On second thought, I would appreciate it – if you're sure you don't mind.”
“Not at all,” Tealor replied, reaching down to pick up his friend.
“Hold, sir!” the bard said, raising his hand and taking a step back. “I'll not be carried across like some delicate lady. If you'll just give me a hand up.”
In reply, Tealor put out his hands. Ian stepped up and took a seat on the warrior's broad shoulders.
“I'll be right back, my love,” Tealor said with a wink at his wife.
“Be careful, dear heart,” Sarena smiled. “When you return, I'm going to need you to carry me across as a delicate lady.”
The dwarf's unusual mount strode out into the water, making his way quickly for the far shore.
“You want me to carry you across?” Kilren asked Erana, holding out his hand with a grin.
“No, tha
nk you,” she said, stepping into the stream. “I don't mind the water.”
“Well, just be careful,” he replied, following closely behind her.
“I will,” she nodded.
It seemed that the current was more powerful than the elvish maiden had counted on. As the water neared her chest, she began to lose her footing. In spite of all her efforts, she was being pushed down stream. However, Kilren reached out in a flash, grabbing her by the wrist and tugging her on toward the shallow water beyond.
Just before the warrior reached the opposite shore, he stepped in an unseen hole and tumbled into the water throwing his unsuspecting passenger head long into the stream. Fortunately, the dwarf landed in water not quite up to his waist, and he immediately arose; spitting and sputtering and storming toward the shore.
“Sorry!” Tealor yelled after him.
Having apologized, the warrior quickly crossed the stream again in order to retrieve his bride.
“You'll remember where that hole is, my love?” Sarena asked as her husband stepped up on the shore.
“I'm not likely to forget, my darling,” he laughed in reply.
The husband quickly lifted his wife and strode into the stream, leaving the Telian and the maiden alone on the far side.
“So, are you going to carry me across?” Gwendolyn asked, glancing sideways at the young knight.
“If you'll permit me,” he answered with a slight bow.
“Well, as there's no one else to do it for me, I suppose you may,” she replied with feigned indifference.
“Thank you,” he said, gently lifting her in his arms.
“Don't drop me,” she pleaded.
“I'll try not to.”
The water was much colder than the knight had expected and, as cool as he had been before, he now felt that every ounce of heat was being washed out of his body from the waist down. It was with slow and careful steps that he made for the shore. He had done his best to make sure that the young girl he carried remained warm and dry and he felt it would be a shame if all his efforts were defeated by a single careless step. The armor that had proved such an enemy in the slick mud showed itself a ready ally as he marched along the stony bottom of the stream. In very little time, he set Gwendolyn safely on the opposite shore.
The Stars of Areon (The Chronicles of Areon Book 1) Page 19
