Scepter

by Scott Collins

Crossing the clearing in front of the house, Daniel and Aidan walked on either side of Olivia as she approached the path through the woods. Olivia would be leading the way, at least for this leg of the journey, as she was the only one who knew the way back to her house. Eager to get back to her sister, Olivia moved swiftly into the trees, the boys staying close. Daniel scanned the forest looking for any signs of danger. Aidan, on the other hand, was completely at ease. Daniel glanced over at him, slightly annoyed by his nonchalant behavior.

  “Keep your eyes open,” Daniel warned.

  Aidan snapped out of whatever daydream he’d been lost in and shrugged off Daniel’s warning. “There’s nothing around here that’s dangerous to us. There are a few animals, but I haven’t felt anything from them that makes me think there are any other humans around, or werewolves. I can’t think of anything else we need to be concerned about.” Aidan admired the woods that surrounded them. “We’re safe in here. Nothing can get to us without us being warned first. Besides, Custos is protecting us.” He reached his hand out and gently brushed a shrub as he passed it. A small lizard darted out from its hiding place and startled Olivia. A small cry escaped her lips before she could stop it, and a deep blush colored her cheeks. Both boys smiled to themselves.

  Composing herself Olivia asked, “Who’s Custos?”

  Daniel glanced up at her. “He’s Aidan’s pet bear.”

  Aidan scowled. “He’s not my pet.”

  Olivia’s mouth hung open. “You’ve got a pet BEAR?”

  “He’s not my pet!” Aidan repeated. “He’s just...a friend. Custos has been my friend, well, forever. He’s out there,” Aidan motioned off to their left. “He’s keeping an eye on us, keeping us safe.”

  “Was he there last night?” Olivia asked, searching the forest where Aidan had indicated.

  Aidan nodded though neither of the other two saw. “He stood right in front of the door, guarding Daniel.”

  “Well, make sure to tell him thank you next time you chat with him, but I can take care of myself,” Daniel grumbled.

  “He was just doing what I asked him to do,” Aidan replied. He caught Olivia’s eye questioningly. She shrugged and shook her head.

  “I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “Okay.” Aidan decided to give up and just walk. Obviously Daniel was in a bad mood and didn’t want to talk.

  An occasional comment broke the silence as they walked, but for the most part only the sounds of the forest could be heard: birds twittering, small animals in the trees, and the rustling of leaves in the morning breeze. The path widened and narrowed as it wound its way through the trees, Olivia constantly on the lookout for Custos.

  “Can we stop for a rest?” Olivia finally asked, turning to look at the brothers following behind her, now in single file due to the thick brush that bordered the path. “My shoulders are starting to hurt and I’m getting hungry.”

  “I could use some lunch too,” Aidan agreed. “It’s been a while since breakfast, and I need a break. Let’s stop at the next clearing, and we’ll eat. That okay with you two?” Daniel nodded his agreement, since his back was aching as well. They came to a small break in the trees a short while later, and the three dropped their packs and stretched, trying to work the kinks out of their shoulders and lower backs. Aidan lay down and looked up through the trees at the clear blue sky peeking through. The grass tickled the back of his neck, and he tossed his head back and forth to scratch it before lying still. Closing his eyes and breathing deeply, he savored the smell of nature, the husky aroma of the earth, the sweet bouquet of the grass that swirled around him, the vibrant perfume of the flowers blooming in the nearby trees. Olivia sat down next to Aidan while Daniel pulled some meat, biscuits, and nuts out of their packs and handed them out. Sitting on a small rock, Daniel bit into a small piece of dried venison.

  “How much farther is it?” Daniel asked.

  Olivia looked up from her lunch. “It took us just over two weeks to march from my house to yours after they took me. I think we’re traveling faster than the soldiers were, so I’d guess we’ll arrive sometime in, I’m not sure, twelve days?”

  Aidan sat up. “Twelve more days? I don’t think Argyle knows what’s happened yet, but I’d sure like to get to your place faster than that. We don’t want them getting there first, and I’d hate to still be there when his next patrol comes through. They aren’t gonna go easy.” Daniel nodded in agreement while slowly chewing his food.

  Olivia took a bite of her biscuit and added, “Well, one good thing is that we’re going to turn east in about a week, toward the Great Lake. Then we won’t be walking right toward his kingdom. I really don’t see how his men can beat us there. I’m sure Argyle doesn’t even know about it yet, and it’s at least a two-week journey from the castle to our home.” Aidan noticed her picking at her biscuit nervously as though she wasn’t entirely convinced of her own words. She rubbed small crumbs between her fingers and tossed them mindlessly aside before picking off another piece.

  “I’m sure you’re right,” he offered, glancing at Daniel behind her back. “How close do you live to the Great Lake?” he inquired, trying to sound nonchalant. Though unsure of what Aidan was getting at, Daniel eyed him suspiciously, catching the forced indifference in his tone.

  “Oh, only about a half-day hike,” she replied turning to face him. “We used to go there during the summer before my parents were...you know.” Olivia paused and looked down at the food in her hands. “We used to have so much fun building campfires on the beach and sleeping on blankets in the sand.” Daniel’s concern over Aidan’s question disappeared as he focused on how her face lit up with her recollection of her family trips, her brown eyes sparkling and her tan face flush with excitement. As she told Aidan all about the fun times they’d had, the games, the adventures, and more, Daniel found himself admiring the way her dark wavy hair shone in the sunlight. A small gust of wind caught a wisp of hair and blew it across her face as she laughed at some memory she’d been telling Aidan. Olivia caught it with her pinkie and pulled it away from her face as she turned to say something to Daniel. Embarrassed, he quickly dropped his eyes and dug mindlessly through his pack as though looking for something. He looked back up when she didn’t continue.

  “I’m sorry, what?” he replied, realizing he had no idea what she’d said that had prompted her to turn and look at him. The fact that she now sat with an expectant look on her face gave him the impression she’d asked him a question.

  “I asked if you’d ever camped at the beach with your parents.”

  “Uh, no,” Daniel answered, taking another bite from his jerky and inspecting his feet.

  Olivia turned back to Aidan and continued talking. Daniel only caught bits and pieces of their conversation as his mind wandered back to Olivia’s smile. Eventually the three finished their meals and stood to continue their journey. “Would you excuse us for just a moment?” Aidan asked, grabbing Daniel by the arm and pulling him toward the trees. “I have to, um, well, you know, before we go.”

  Olivia turned a brilliant crimson. “Oh, yes, go ahead. Good idea. You two go over there. We’ll meet back here in a couple minutes.” She turned and disappeared into the forest on the other side of the meadow.

  “What’s going on?” Daniel asked as they made their way farther into the woods. Remembering Aidan’s look when he’d asked about where Olivia lived, he continued. “Why so many questions about where she lives?”

  “I don’t want to scare her,” Aidan replied, “but I was thinking about Argyle. I don’t know how he could have found out, but if he heard about what happened at the cabin...”

  “What?” Daniel interrupted.

  “Well, it wouldn’t take them two weeks to get to her house. They could sail down Styx River to the Great Lake. You heard what she said. She only lives about a half-day’s walk from the lake. That’s travel with two children. How long do you think it would take Argyle’s men once he finds out? It may take two weeks walkin
g, but what if they sail? A day on the river, half a day on the lake, and then maybe a few hours to get to the house?”

  Daniel tugged on his right earlobe, a nervous habit he’d developed as a child and had never been able to kick. He became concerned for Olivia’s sister’s safety as he processed Aidan’s words. “You might be right, we need to hurry,” Daniel agreed. “Let’s push a bit harder and see if she keeps up. If she doesn’t say anything, maybe we can cut our travel time down a bit. We should get started.” He stepped behind a tree to relieve himself and Aidan followed suit. Back at the clearing the two boys strapped on their packs, helped Olivia on with hers, and handed her the rifle.

  “Let’s go,” Daniel remarked, taking the lead on the path to try to set the pace. Aidan let Olivia fall in behind his older brother and followed closely in a silent attempt to get her to walk faster. The hours dragged on as the three trudged through the forest, stopping occasionally to take a drink of water. The breaks were quick and as infrequent as the boys could make them without arousing Olivia’s suspicions. As night fell, the trail became difficult to navigate as the thick forest canopy cast deep shadows across the path, hiding roots and rocks that threatened to roll an ankle, or worse.

  “I think we should stop here,” Daniel announced, coming to a stop in the middle of the path.

  “What?” Aidan asked. “We can’t stop here. There’s nowhere to lie down. What are we going to do, sleep in the middle of the trail?”

  “No,” Daniel answered, trying to stay patient though he was tired and hungry. “We can step off into the bushes and sleep there for the night. We’ll keep going at first light.”

  “Why don’t we just keep going until the next clearing?” Aidan argued. “That way we don’t have to sleep under a bush. I don’t know about you, but I’d be more comfortable stretched out in the grass.”

  “We don’t know where the next clearing is Aidan. And with how dark it is, we can’t see where we’re stepping. We’re not going to get there as fast as we need to if someone gets hurt. Besides, if we sleep out in the open, someone might see us. We need to stay out of sight until we can get to Olivia’s sister.”

  “Lilly,” Olivia interrupted.

  “What?” both boys said simultaneously, caught off guard by her seemingly odd statement.

  “My sister’s name. It’s Lilly. And I agree with Daniel. We don’t know who’s out there or if anyone is looking for us yet. I don’t think anyone is, but I’d like to stay safe. We have to get back there.”

  Aidan looked at Daniel and then back to Olivia. “Fine,” he finally agreed. “You get first watch,” he joked, poking Daniel in the chest. “Call it a perk of being in charge.” Aidan pushed his way through the bushes that lined the path, and disappeared. Daniel and Olivia followed. After a supper the same as lunch, Olivia and Aidan lay down and quickly dropped off to sleep, the physical exertions of the day having taken their toll. Daniel sat listening to the soft whisper of the breeze caressing the small leaves that surrounded him. He leaned back against the trunk of a nearby tree and struggled to keep his eyes open. Blinking furiously trying to relieve the dry, burning sensation, Daniel pulled his knife out of the sheath on his belt, grabbed a small piece of wood sitting near his leg, and began whittling, another pastime he’d shared with his father.

  Chapter 7

  Wake Up Call