Archer of the Lake

by Kelly R. Michaels

  ***

  It was noon when Feraan reached the oasis. Even a cursory inspection made it obvious that this was where Grimault and his army had camped the previous night. ?Perhaps the most unsettling thing about the campsite was the heavy, lingering odor of elf blood that filled his nostrils and made his stomach roll and his head spin. ?There was no doubt it belonged to Caelfel, and he didn't want to think what caused this fresh injury.

  He walked around some more but then lost his patience for the place, spurring Firnis on in the direction of the princeling's fortress. ?He didn't want to think about what waited ahead. ?Instead, Feraan kept his mind trained on the endless stretch of sand. ?The heat made his head feel heavy, and Feraan periodically reminded himself to take sips from his water skin so he wouldn't suffer from traveler's delusions.

  Soon Firnis's fatigue became obvious, and Feraan stopped to allow his horse to rest even though they had not been able to locate another oasis. ?He allowed the horse to drink from his water supply, and when he was finished drinking, Firnis eased himself on the ground, nudging him for more.

  "We'll find another oasis," Feraan promised as he sat next to him, pushing the heels of his palms against his eyes. ?He hated the desert.

  The pressure of his hands brought sparks of color to his vision. ?Feraan rubbed at his eyes, but it only brought a clearer image to him.

  It was Caelfel sitting on a horse with her hands bound and dried blood caked on her head. ?She looked angry and tired, and Feraan knew she wasn't fond of the desert either.

  He didn't think much of the vision until a human's voice entered the scene. ?"I know you can speak."

  Feraan froze and focused on the vision more closely. ?He saw Caelfel turn to the voice, and it appeared as though she were staring straight at him.

  Feraan jumped at this. ?The vision had disappeared but it still made his heart race, filling him with a renewed sense of urgency. ?He got Firnis to stand again, and they continued their chase through the desert.