The company had been riding hard through the dark forest. It was unlike those Thibalt had encountered in Feldom. The old pines were clumped together densely and covered in thick, dark moss and overgrowth that gave the entire area a moist outer shell. A thick stagnate mist hovered above their heads and far into the distance, obscuring much of their vision, but Kilthies and Fliethu were riding ahead to ensure they did not run into any unwanted surprises.
Despite the moon's dazzling light, the intense darkness of the forest caused Thibalt's hairs to stand on edge. He sat huddled on Esree's back with his cloak wrapped around his body and his right hand gripping the hilt of his sword underneath.
Estallion slowed Falgo down to allow Thibalt catch up to him. "Luss tells me that Fliethu has picked up their trail. We are headed the right way," he voiced softly.
Thibalt also kept his voice low. "How does she know? He must be at least a mile ahead of us."
"Their powers allow them to send their thoughts over vast distances. She has been in contact with Kilthies," answered Estallion.
"Well...good. I don't wish to spend any longer in this forest," commented Thibalt. "The shadows seem to be closing in around us, as though reaching out to choke our very throats."
"I have to agree with you. This hideous place has taken the cheer out of this party." He glanced around at the Feldonian soldiers. "Look at them. They appear as though spectres are haunting their steps. Their nerves will not hold much longer."
Thibalt agreed as he saw the state of the riders around him. Pale and drawn faces were noticeable on all but the Thaldun Blades, who rode determined and alert, ever vigilant despite the haunting forest. "I just hope that Christill is alive."
Estallion paused for a moment as they rode onwards amongst the towering trees. After a while he said, "Life is complicated, Thibalt."
"What drives you to that thought?" asked Thibalt, noticing a change in Estallion's usually playful tone.
"Death...It is so utterly uncontrollable. Were it that we all lived out a certain length of years and then died, life would be simpler. Never would a parent outlive their child. Never would disease or a blade take a loved one from you. But as it is, the gods have chosen to make life complicated," Estallion finished.
"I see little that we can do to change that," replied Thibalt honestly.
Estallion inclined his head. "Exactly my point." He let out a deep breath. "When my father died I thought it was the end of my life. I had no hope...no reason to live. There was nothing left for me as my mother and I were never very close. I thought my life was at an end. I was only a young lad back then."
Thibalt felt as though he should say something reassuring, but was at a loss. Estallion had only ever mentioned the loss of his father fleetingly. Any talk on such personal topics had always been laced with an overtone of humour. Yet now he could sense the emotion in his friend's words.
"As you know I'm still here," he added with a chuckle. "I decided I had no right to cause my mother any further grief. So I locked away my troubles and hid them behind a mischievous personality."
"The loss of someone you love can change you forever," commented Thibalt, feeling a newfound respect for Estallion.
Estallion paused for a moment, looking down and continued. "I was not always like I am today. I used to be a shy and most would say boring lad. I guess I just began acting foolishly in an attempt to forget my father's death. The real reason I rant on about useless things is to avoid having these conversations with people. Mainly because I am afraid to tell anyone my true feelings."
"I am no stranger to such habits. I have never been good at talking to people either. In Miirvk I had few friends, and those that did show me some kindness did it only due to my skills in the forge," said Thibalt, cringing noticeable at the thought of his former home.
"I guess what I am trying to get at here is that you cannot always control the situations that you are faced with in life," Estallion said with a smile. "And when things go wrong you have to move on. There is no use lingering on the past."
Thibalt shifted the reins in his hands and replied, "You can be foolish, but there is some wisdom in there. I am glad you shared that with me."
"To be quite honest I have never truly had a friend, Thibalt. You are the first man, that isn't part of the local authorities, that has ever talked to me for longer than an hour."
Thibalt smiled. "Then let us make an oath." He raised his left hand in an open gesture and clasped Estallion's wrist with his right. "Whenever we are in trouble, we will look out for one another. Watch my back and I will watch yours. Let's make sure our friendship lasts."
Estallion took Thibalt's hand in his and clasped his friends wrist in the same fashion. "As long as I have legs to run and arms to fight, no harm will come to you," he replied with a wink.
Thibalt released his grip and they returned their attention to the path.
Up ahead, at the head of the column, Errollan rode besides Ludvic.
"We cannot be too far behind them. Though they have the advantage of knowing the area, they are on foot which will slow them down," pointed out Ludvic. Errollan who was lingering on his own thoughts simply nodded. Years of friendship gave Ludvic the ability to tell when Errollan was dwelling on concerns. "What's on your mind?" he asked.
Errollan blinked and turned to Ludvic. "Everything, old friend. The world seems to be crumbling underneath our feet."
"I know what you mean," replied Ludvic, sensing despair in Errollan's voice. "Things keep moving from bad to worse."
Errollan rubbed his neck. "We have a war to win and then this happens. To add to our troubles a bridge rises from Lake Moonsong, for which no man can provide an answer, providing our enemy with a clear path into our land. And now Baldoroff threatens to form his own nation, stripping us of men that we so desperately need."
"We will get through it."
"Will we?" posed Errollan. "Can you see us fixing all of these problems?"
"Well it is our job, and I'll be damned if I just sit around and let things get worse," replied Ludvic adamantly.
"I understand...I am just tired old friend, that is all."
Ludvic shook his head. "We are all tired."
From the mist ahead they could hear a rider approaching. Errollan raised his fist to signal a halt and drew his sword.
One of the Blade's riding to his left motioned for him to lower his sword. "It is Kilthies," he told Errollan.
The leader of the Thaldun Blades popped into view soon after, with a harsh look on his face. In a sombre voice he called out, "We have found them."
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 78
