by Justin Wayne
Chapter Three: Faceoff
Outsider sensed the approach in his rest and without stirring, opened his eyes. Slowly, adjusting to the bright light of day, his eyes found the small goblin watching them from the crest of the valley. He tensed, knowing no goblin was foolish enough to attack a group, even of only two, on its own. Which could only mean there was a larger force somewhere nearby.
A scout.
As soon as the goblin had vanished over the peak of the hill atop the valley, Outsider bounded to his feet and lifted the hobbit onto Jiff, who was already standing and ready to go as soon as his master was. Thom stirred and looked around quickly, fear obvious in his eyes.
“We’re leaving already?” he said with difficulty. His nose was curved to the side, probably broken, and his lips had busted between his teeth and the cold, solid ground. “It can’t be past nine!”
Outsider tightened the girth strap on Jiff so the saddle wouldn’t slide and knelt beside the fire for a few moments before jumping up and mounting the gelding and taking off at a fast trot.
“What’s going on, Outsider? I’ve had my fair share of dealings to know when something is wrong.”
Outsider decided to tell him in the hopes it would make him more cooperative. “We’ve been spotted. A goblin scout found our camp, so I can only assume it’s a nomadic group of goblins or orcs. Possibly both.” He looked behind them and decided to keep to the slick grass rather than the dirt. It was slower going as the horse had to work to maintain traction but would leave a more difficult trail to follow.
“So why aren’t we fleeing at top speed then? Let’s get out of here!” Thom tried to reason. But Outsider simply shook his head.
“If they hunt out here in the plains they’ll need horses. Meaning they could follow us if we leave a dust trail from a full gallop. Too risky. This way we have time to get far enough away to leave direct sight, without giving them a way after.”
Thom couldn’t argue with the bounty hunter’s logic and had to admit he lacked the knowledge and experience his captor had in such a circumstance. He himself had only been in towns and cities, always paying a carriage or merchant caravan to take him through the roads and wilderness as fast as possible. He wasn’t cut out for such a life out here. Sleeping on the ground, eating over a fire made by wood that hasn’t been cleansed, going days without washing. It was barbaric and filthy and he would prefer prison to this he soon thought as the stiffness in his muscles from sleeping was replaced with a sore ache from riding.
They rode on for a half hour or so when Outsider decided it would be about time to witness. “Watch and see.” he said when Thom asked why they were sitting still.
