"Well it seems that you have seen just as much strife as I since we left Andron," said Christill.
Thibalt shifted in his saddle. "Not quite as much, but I have had my share of adventures," he replied. Thibalt was more than pleased to see Christill making a recovery and was also happy to see that some of his brother's liveliness was returning. "So you were really going to become a disciple?" he asked.
"I was hoping to," answered Christill. "Dievu was going to take me to Karmena and help me enter the Academy of Nyrune." Christill had not yet mentioned anything about the Children Valerious to his brother.
"You always had to be different," commented Thibalt with a taunting grin.
Christill smiled. "Hopefully Dievu will still be able to assist me when we return to Feldom," added Christill, happy to have found out that his master had survived Novokai's attack.
"I am sure you will get your chance soon enough."
Christill peered ahead and saw Estallion happily chatting away with Luss. "That Estallion seems to be an odd character."
Thibalt began to chuckle. "Yes, odd indeed, but do not look into it too much. He is a true friend."
"I am glad you have found some happiness," said Christill. "There were many nights where I found myself wondering what mischief you were getting yourself into. Though I never imagined you having a hand in saving the Honour Guard's lives."
"You should have seen the look on my face when I found out you had been kidnapped by Dargonians. I always knew you would get yourself into trouble, but I never imagined seeing you in such a grave position," replied Thibalt.
"It still surprises me to be honest."
Thibalt turned his head to peer into the dark forest at his side. A dim light shone through the canopy, casting wicked shadows on the forest floor and giving the area a sinister disguise. He gasped out aloud as he saw a silhouette flicker amongst the pine trunks, causing Christill to quickly turn his way.
"What is it?
Thibalt opened his mouth to speak, but stopped short. He waited, keeping his eyes focused on the tangled undergrowth and finally shook his head. "For a moment I thought I saw something dart out from under that bush, but I must be tired."
"What did you think it was?" asked Christill.
"It was probably just my imagination, but I thought I saw that creature that attached itself to your leg at that oasis in Miirvk."
Christill raised his brow in curiosity and felt a slight tinge of apprehension. "Well, it was probably just your imagination," he replied. "This whole thing is most likely getting to your head."
They rode on silently and in the distance the forest grew less crowded and they could see it opening up to fields of light snow ahead. Thibalt continued to peer into the forest around him, still unsure whether he had seen something or not. He relaxed slightly when the number of trees began to thin and the path opened into the outer limits of the forest. The strong scent of pine began to leave the air, replaced by the crisp breeze being carried from the freshly fallen snow on the Beon Ranges.
They were roused when a call came from the back of the company. "Flee! Ride for the fields. We are being pursued."
Thibalt turned Esree and saw Fliethu bolting up from the rear with a swarm of creatures at his heels.
Both Christill and Thibalt nearly fell from their saddles as they managed a proper look at the creatures and realized that Thibalt's imagination had not gone wild. Teeming out of the trees, in vast numbers, were small creatures akin to that which had attacked Christill during the hunt. Back then the creature had posed a small threat to Christill, but in a swarm of this number they could overpower the strongest of warriors. Around them the soldiers turned their mounts and began to flee the forest, the brothers quickly following their example. A strange gurgling sound filled the trees around them followed by a high pitched screech and Thibalt realized that the sounds were coming from the strange hound like creatures.
The company rode hard along the snow flaked path and as they sped amongst the trees more of the hounds leapt from amongst the branches onto the riders. Horses fell with their riders as the creatures attached themselves to their legs, tearing at hamstrings. Thibalt and Christill did not turn back and kept up the pace hoping to make it to safer ground. From the front of the company came Kilthies and Utith who were riding back to save those who had fallen. They bolted through the midst of the company and trampled several of the hounds as they headed back into the forest.
Thibalt finally sped past the final tree and rushed to catch up to Errollan and Harrinus who had turned their mounts ready to fight. Once he had reached them he brought Esree to a halt and drew his sword to join the line of soldiers ready to defend the Queen. Christill sped past them to Ludvic who was riding with Queen Triel in his lap. Triel looked at Christill with dazed eyes and smiled slightly, not fully aware of what was happening.
Errollan turned and shouted to Ludvic, "Keep riding. We will do what we can to keep them here." Ludvic nodded and spurred his horse. Together with Christill and three of the injured men he made his way over the frosty field towards the Beon Ranges.
At the edge of the forest the creatures stopped their pursuit, letting out screeches of frustration, and turned around to pursue Kilthies and Utith. "We must go in and help them," said Errollan, readying his mount to charge back into the forest.
"No!" yelled out Luss. "They will be fine. If we move back into there we will be more vulnerable."
So they waited on the outskirts of the forest and for several minutes nothing was forthcoming. Until, with a crash, out of the forest dashed Kilthies followed moments later by Utith who was carrying an injured comrade on his horse. They were not followed out of the forest and quickly reached Errollan and the defenders.
"They have returned to their hiding spots," panted Kilthies.
Luss moved over to the man on Utith's horse and began to mend the several bite marks covering his body. "I have never seen anything like those things. They attacked so suddenly and I was completely unaware of their presence."
"It is extremely odd," commented Fliethu. "Some foul magic has given life to these wicked beasts. Else we would have sensed them."
Thibalt moved up to the group. "I have seen an animal like this before," he announced.
Kilthies turned. "When?"
"Over a year ago, when I was in Miirvk. It attacked my brother in the desert and I killed it. We never found out where it had come from or even what it was."
"Something strange is afoot. First the creature at that attacked us in the Ranges and then these," said Errollan. "We must notify Perephine and the other disciples of these beasts."
"We can worry about this later. For now we need to get back onto Feldonian soil," pointed out Kilthies. "I will continue to mask our trail and set anyone following us in a false direction."
The company agreed and set off westwards to catch up to Ludvic and the other survivors.
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 87
