“Me an’ Muler,” Phoenix paused to work her tongue around a hot piece of taproot, “were headin’ t’ town. We was tryin’ t’ get there a’fore it got dark.” He raised an eyebrow, and she could tell that he didn’t believe her. “Musta lost track o’ th’ time,” she muttered before attempting to shovel another large portion of soup into her mouth.
He nodded slowly. “Yes, you must have, to be traveling at this hour.” He sat down and watched her curiously as he chewed his bread.
Phoenix made herself slow down her eating. Marla would’ve scolded her endlessly for such bad manners.
She cleared her throat of the unexpected lump at the thought of the Healer. “So... you travel th’ woods often? I didn’ think anyone did tha’...”
Malcourt chuckled dryly. “Not many do anymore. Too many hungry beasts for most people’s tastes these days. I do travel them now and then, but I never expect to see anyone else while I’m out. I guess we have the weather to thank for our meeting.” He smiled at her, and she was surprised to see that he meant it.
Phoenix nodded. “Tha’s true. We were aimin’ t’ get t’ th’ next town a’fore we stopped, but we got caught in th’ storm. Probably woulda kept goin’ if it weren’t fer th’ wolves.”
Malcourt paused. “Wolves?” he asked, his eyes bright. “There are wolves out there? Did they follow you into the clearing?”
Phoenix shook her head. Using her bread, she sopped up the last of her broth. “They stayed in th’ trees. We heard ‘em howlin’ in th’ woods earlier, but once they gave chase we looked fer somewhere t’ hide. Muler found here, wit’ you.” She felt a small wave of embarrassment for intruding on his campsite.
“Did he, now?”
The both looked towards the donkey, who had left the main area and was sniffing Powder in a friendly fashion. The mare ignored him except to give her tail a flick of annoyance.
“Well, I’m glad he found us when he did. It’s dangerous out there.” Malcourt added more sticks to the fire. “You’re welcome to share this cave with us, my dear. Both you and Muler. Powder and I would love the company, and we can all head to town together in the morning - if you’d like.”
Phoenix, now that her belly was full and her body warm, felt the stress of the day evaporate. “Well...” The idea of returning to the cold outdoors to be trapped in a clearing surrounded by hungry wolves was not exactly appealing.
Malcourt chuckled. “The two of you can think about it and let us know in the morning.” He stood and rummaged through his things, a pile of supplies stacked neatly behind him. “In the meantime, there’s more than enough food for your friend.”
Sure enough, as if on cue, Muler sidled up to Power and sampled some of the mare’s feed.
Now that the adrenaline had finally worn off, Phoenix could acutely feel her body aching all over. The idea of standing, of heading back out into the freezing cold, seemed almost impossible. The heat felt too good on her face. Even her tremors had finally stopped.
She cleared her throat. “Thank you,” she told Malcourt softly. He disappeared from sight for a moment, only to reappear behind her to drape a heavy blanket around her shoulders. She was conscious of how soft it was and made a noise of surprise. None of the blankets at Avondale were anywhere close to being as nice.
“Get some rest, my dear,” Malcourt said. “You must be exhausted after such a terrifying evening. It’s not every day someone has to outrun a pack of wolves.”
He went back to his side of the fire and settled in his blankets, looking strangely vulnerable lying on the ground. He curled up in his sleeping roll next to the dying flames and smiled at her, his eyes twinkling.
“Sleep well.” Malcourt pulled his blankets up over his shoulders and rolled over, presenting his back to her. Once again, Phoenix was struck with the notion that he was doing it more for her comfort than for his.
Phoenix watched as his breathing became deep and even. She was unable to tell if he had actually fallen asleep or if he was just pretending for her benefit.
Her eyes felt heavy and Phoenix bit her cheek to keep herself alert. She pulled the blanket tight around her, savouring the feeling of the heavy material around her, the scratchy wool against her cheek.
She straightened her spine and fixed her gaze on Malcourt’s slowly expanding torso.
His breathing was a soft whisper in the cave, one of the only sounds save for Powder and Muler’s quiet munching.
Phoenix rested her chin in her hands, determined to stay awake until she found herself and Muler a safe place in the next town.
***
“There’s one left,” a rich voice said in a hushed tone.
Phoenix’s senses rushed back into focus. She could hear someone talking behind her, the deep voice soft and gentle, and she was intensely aware of both the hard rock under her back and the pounding in her head. At some point during the night she had fallen asleep, that much was evident from the way she was slumped back onto the blanket, but she couldn’t say how long she had been like that. Phoenix cracked open her eyes and looked around.
The tiny fire was no longer lighting the cave. The morning’s light dimly lit the sheltered space, casting long shadows towards the rocky back walls.
Malcourt stood across from her, next to Muler, stroking the donkey and talking to him softly.
“Sorry about the slim pickings,” he apologized to the donkey, his tone serious. “We only have treefruit left. There will be extra for lunch, though. I already notified the chef.”
Muler sniffed his hand eagerly and took the offering with a wet crunch. Malcourt chuckled before turning to find Phoenix staring at him. “Ah! You’re awake! Wonderful. Did you sleep well? I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of giving Muler a treat with his breakfast.”
Wiping his hands on his trous, Malcourt bustled over to the fire to stir a pot that rested on the embers. He moved fluidly, confidently, as he crouched down next to the fire pit, but Phoenix could see that he was watching her out of the corner of his eye. Hastily, she tucked her pendant back under her tunic before he noticed the jewellery that had become visible during her sleep.
“Uh, yes. Thanks.” Feeling self-conscious, Phoenix removed the blanket that she was wrapped up in and began folding it.
“Oh, don’t mind that. It’ll be washed soon enough.” He poured water from the pot into a cup and held it out to her. “Tea?”
“Thank you.” Grateful for his kindness, she accepted the tea even though the cave was stuffy and she was still warm from sleep.
“You’re very welcome. I hope I steeped it long enough… I’m not very good at making it, despite my many adventures on the road.”
“Thank you. It’s wonderful. Really.” Phoenix blinked back sudden tears, surprised at her reaction to his concern, and looked around the cave slowly to avoid his gaze. “Issit late?”
“A few hours to mid-day.” Malcourt shrugged. “But I do have to be on the move shortly,” he sounded apologetic. “Did you want to accompany me to the town? I could use the company. Powder isn’t much for conversation...” Malcourt looked at her hopefully.
He seemed so forlorn at the idea of being left alone with his horse that Phoenix found herself nodding quickly. “I’d be delighted.”
“Splendid!” His eyes twinkled as he began to pack up his things.
When his back was turned, Phoenix poured her tea into the campfire, dousing the glowing embers with the hot liquid. She was unable to enjoy it in the heat of the cave as it did little to slake her thirst.
Phoenix kicked dirt over the embers, smothering the red-hot glow into oblivion, thankful for her good fortune at meeting Malcourt. Even if Thomas was searching for her, he would never think to look for her with someone else.
Feeling her hope renewed, Phoenix went to check on Muler.
Malcourt tied his bag to Powder’s saddle and hoisted his satchel so that the strap rested across his chest. The bag had strange pictures embroidered across its top flap, and Phoenix
was surprised to see that everything, including their blankets, had fit easily within the two bags.
He secured Powder’s reins. “Ready?”
Phoenix secured her small carrysack and nodded. “Ready.”
Malcourt took the front and led them from the cave.
The sun was blinding at first. Drops of dew adorned the plants around them, slipping down to land on their heads as they exited the tunnel. Phoenix found the fresh breeze a refreshing change to the cave. Even the light, which hurt her eyes, was a welcome feeling on her face.
The terror of the previous night almost seemed impossible. Everything looked fresh and new after the storm; even the animals seemed to appreciate being back out in the open. Happy noises from the forest bombarded them from every direction.
Phoenix became aware of how badly she had to relieve herself. She cast her eyes around the clearing for an opportune spot, finally spotting a gap in the thicket behind the rocky hill.
“I’ll just be at the edge of the clearing,” Malcourt informed her, leading Powder towards the road.
Saved from the embarrassment of explaining her detour, Phoenix scrambled into the sheltered spot, making sure she was hidden in the leaves.
On her way back to Muler, Phoenix paused to inspect something that caught her eye. Withered strands of grass and thistle had turned grey where they clung to the rock. Their roots were bared to the elements as if the soil itself had recoiled from the grass, their remaining stalks ashen in between the rot.
Phoenix frowned, tracing the path of decay with her gaze, noting how some places were so grey it appeared as if the plants had turned to ash.
“Everything all right?” Malcourt called. He sounded cheerful, yet urgent.
Phoenix hurried back to Muler and led the donkey to where the pair were waiting.
Malcourt was toeing the ground lazily in a shallow arch, but stopped when he saw Phoenix approach.
He whistled softly to Powder, clicking his tongue at the pale mare as he led her through the trees, her flanks pearlescent in the dim, dappled light of the forest. Phoenix assessed him as they walked, now that she was able to see him fully in the light. He wasn’t as dirty as she’d first imagined; unshaven and travel-worn, but his clothes seemed surprisingly new, and his horse was of a fine standard. Phoenix felt a prickle of apprehension coil in her gut. Who was this man?
Abruptly, Malcourt stopped. “What did you say was chasing you?”
“Wolves.” Wary of his tone, she searched the surrounding area. “A big ol’ pack o’ ‘em. I could hear ‘em howlin’.” Her apprehension turned to fear and she struggled to keep her voice steady. “Why? Are they still here?”
Malcourt ignored her question and continued to stare at the ground in front of him. “And how was it that you knew where to find me?” His words were chosen with care, and when he turned to look at her she found herself rooted to the spot.
His eyes were dark sapphires. He watched her suspiciously, eyes narrowed as if he were trying to see through her somehow, see into her, as though he were searching for her thoughts.
“I didn’,” she reminded him, slowly. “Muler did. P’rolly smelled Powder in th’ cave an’ thought it was a barn... Why?” She didn’t like the expression on his face.
Malcourt looked at her, then nodded and relaxed. “Sorry.” He gestured in front of him. “The tracks just surprised me, is all.”
Phoenix took a few steps forward to see what he meant. She blinked a few times, not understanding what she saw. “Wha’ are they?”
Several hand-lengths away, a multitude of paw prints were stamped into the now-dry mud. They curved down into the earth, as if large claws had retracted to gouge into the ground, and even with the shrinking of the mud each one was as large as her own footprints.
“Stormhounds,” Malcourt murmured. He looked troubled as he scanned the area.
Phoenix felt the hairs along her neck stand up. “Wha’s a Stormhound?”
“You don’t know?” Seeing her look of confusion, Malcourt sighed and rubbed his face. He looked very tired all of a sudden. “No,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. “Of course you wouldn’t.” Clicking to Powder, he led the mare through the trees and onto the road.
“Stormhounds,” he said finally, when Phoenix had caught up, “are hunters. They are given the task of finding a certain thing, or person, and they are unstoppable until they reach it.”
Securing Powder’s reins, he hoisted himself up into the saddle. “They travel with the storm. It’s impossible to detect them until they are on top of you. And if they consider you prey... You were very lucky, my dear.”
She swung into her saddle. Even in the heat of the day, Phoenix could feel a shiver run down her spine. Something that large and dangerous seemed surreal, and she found herself making the sign against evil despite herself. “Where are they now?”
Malcourt gave her a smile, eyeing her hand gestures with amusement. “They can’t conjure storms in light. They can only travel at night until they return to their maker. Don’t worry. We’re safe.” Clicking to Powder he set a brisk pace for the two animals.
“And you Heard them...” he said softly. His words carried back to her unintentionally.
Phoenix didn’t respond and they rode on with silence between them.
***
It wasn’t long before Phoenix found that she had to rearrange her carrysack in order to remove her cloak. Malcourt, for his part, seemed quite content bundled up in his traveling clothes. She watched him as he scanned the area frequently. If he was uncomfortable in the heat he gave no outward sign of it.
“What’s your business in town?” Malcourt asked, as if he could read the curiosity in her mind.
Phoenix was caught off guard by the question. Quickly, she tried to come up with an answer. “Oh! Uh, I’m meetin’ m’ Aunt - at th’ inn. She’s expectin’ me.” The lie rested on her tongue like a foreign object, and Phoenix swallowed with a wince. “Hopefully she’s not worried… wit’ my bein’ late an’ all.”
“Your aunt lives in town, then?”
“No! No, we’re jus’... meetin’ there.” Phoenix felt uneasy as the lie grew. “I dun think she knows anyone there.”
“I see.” Malcourt nodded absently, his thoughts elsewhere. He offered her a friendly smile as an afterthought.
They rode on in a pleasant silence. The pace was not grueling and the little donkey had no problem keeping up with the larger mare.
After a time, however, her curiosity got the better of her. “Are y’meetin’ someone?”
“Yes,” Malcourt replied easily. “A friend at the very same inn, I believe... We have urgent business elsewhere, however.”
Phoenix took this as a subtle hint that they would be parting ways there. She gave an absent minded nod that mimicked his own. “I see.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Malcourt’s lips twitch into a small smile.
“It’s just over that next rise.” He pointed ahead of them. “The inn is toward the center of town; just off the main road. That’s where your Aunt should be waiting.”
Phoenix peered ahead of them with interest. Too late she realized that they had not come across the giant tree that blocked her path last night. She pushed aside her discomfort when she realized he was looking at her expectantly. “Yeah,” Phoenix said hurriedly. “She was s’posed t’ get there yesterday.” She felt her face flush, but Malcourt looked ahead without noticing.
The forest began to thin before them. Phoenix watched as the town’s wall came into view. It started as a smudge on the horizon, a lip of grey among the dwindling trees, then the shadow stretched and grew until it was all that could be seen. It wasn’t as tall as she expected - she could still see the peaks of the building-tops over - but the walls were thick enough that the guards patrolling their tops were deterrent enough for anyone thinking about climbing them.
Two guards were posted at the entrance. They stood in light armour, their postures relaxed as they chatted between themse
lves. The one furthest from her held a long spear, but was hanging off of it so thoroughly that Phoenix wondered if he was able to stand on his own. Apprehension swirled in Phoenix’s stomach as they rode closer.
“Halt!” One of the guards stepped into the path. “State your business in Pine’s Haven.” They both wore thickly woven outfits, the pieces a mismatch of colors and style except for the boiled leather chest pieces that prominently displayed large tree emblems on the front.
The guard that started towards them inspected the pair intently.
“Harv? Guard Harv, is that you? I’d recognize you anywhere! How are you, my dear boy?” Malcourt’s voice seemed strangely high-pitched as he dismounted and offered his hand in greeting. His dark blue eyes were squinted as he came forward, their stamp of recognition hidden by his unkempt hair and suddenly-terrible posture.
Guard Harv looked confused, but returned the greeting with his own hand. His eyes roamed Malcourt for any hint of recognition. “Ye passed through ‘ere... a few weeks ago?”
“Yes! Saunders. We spoke then. Such a delight. Yes.” Malcourt continued to talk in the peevish voice that Phoenix found so strange. She could see something shiny pass from his hand to the guard’s.
“So, y’know ‘im, then?” the other guard asked while leaning lazily against his spear.
Phoenix had to wonder if he knew how to use the weapon or if it was just for show.
“Aye. ‘E passed through las’ moon. Headin’ t’wards th’ Narrow Pass ‘e was.”
“Narrow Pass, eh? By th’ Crystal Forest? Tha’s a bit uv’a trot, innit?” The other guard didn’t seem as friendly as his counterpart. He straightened his shoulders and eyed them suspiciously. “Wha’ wuz yer business tha’ far away, Mr. Saunders... if I can ask.” It was a statement more than a question. By his haughty demeanor, he knew he had every right to investigate the pair.
Unaware of the scrutiny, Malcourt gave a dopey smile and sighed. “Love.” He continued to beam like a simpleton and Phoenix had to avert her eyes, finding it hard to keep a straight face as she watched him.
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