by Pedro Urvi
Egil gave her an apologetic shrug. “It’s the fastest way.”
“It’ll be full of soldiers,” Nilsa pointed out.
“Exactly. We’ll have to sneak in between the Zangrian lines and those of the Erenal army.”
“Why between the Erenal lines as well?” Nilsa asked in surprise. “We’re not at war or in dispute with them.”
“Well, it’s true we’re not, but if you were an officer of Erenal and you saw four hooded figures crossing the lines, what would you think?”
Nilsa gave a pessimistic snort. “That they were spies trying to sneak in.”
“This is getting better and better,” Valeria said sarcastically.
“We’ll manage it,” Egil said, trying to sound as positive and convinced as possible. “We need to avoid being seen and move south as far to the southwest as possible. There are good paths we can take as far as the Thousand Lakes. We’ll travel by night and stay hidden during the day, so that there’ll be less chance of being seen. I’ve brought a couple of excellent maps which will help. Once we reach the lakes we’ll follow the same tactic, crossing them until we get to Erenal.”
“Put like that it sounds easy,” Valeria said. “Piece of cake.”
Nilsa was shaking her head. She was not so sure, but she trusted Egil and his plans blindly. She snorted in relief.
“If it’s one of your ideas,” she said, “it’ll come out well.”
Egil smiled. “There are no guarantees in this life, but I’m deeply grateful for the trust you’re placing in me.”
Nilsa gave him a nervous smile. “Always.”
“So we cross the river?” Valeria said. She was eager to get into action.
“No,” said Gerd. “We wait for the night, then cross.”
“Oh, yeah, sure.” She shrugged. “You know I’m a tad impulsive.”
“Well, you’d better warn us when you feel some sudden impulse,” Gerd said with a worried smile.
“Ha! I’ll try,” she replied, laughing.
They waited for night to fall, and rested. They would need their energy restored before they could cross the border without being spotted.
Gerd gave the order to set off around midnight. On foot, each one leading a horse, they left the forest very warily. Gerd went in the lead, with Nilsa behind him, Egil in the middle and Valeria closing the rear.
“Keep your eyes peeled,” he warned them in a whisper.
“Also ears and nose,” Valeria murmured.
“That’s right,” said Nilsa. She quoted from the Path: “A Ranger is always guided by the three senses when she walks at night.”
“Yeah, because touch isn’t much use in this situation.”
“Taste helps a bit,” Nilsa said. She opened her mouth to pick up the tastes which were carried on the night breeze.
“And there’s always the sixth sense,” Egil added.
Nilsa turned her head to try and make out whether he was being serious or joking. “Sixth sense?”
“In some cultures it’s said that there are six senses, not five.”
“That’s strange,” Valeria said. “I always thought they were sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.”
“Yes, for the Norghanians they are. But in other cultures they speak of the spirit, of the ethereal, as the sixth sense.”
“I’ve never heard of that.”
“It’s never too late to learn something new,” said Valeria.
“Can you stop talking?” Gerd warned them. “We’re crossing the border. We need to keep absolute silence.”
Valeria covered her mouth and Nilsa muffled a giggle, Egil nodded to Gerd and smiled. The giant was shaking his head and muttering under his breath. A moment later they were all moving in absolute silence.
The river was dark, with only a few stars faintly illuminating its banks. The current was foaming. Gerd began to look for the best place to cross. The others waited in silence, looking around in case some Zangrian patrol should appear.
They heard the howling of a wolf to the east, followed by the answer of another further south. The breeze brought the smell of moisture and ash-woods from the opposite bank. Nilsa began to be nervous, hopping from one foot to the other, staring at the current, trying to assess its force. Egil was squinting westwards, wondering about the plan and the course of action they needed to take. Valeria was checking her elemental arrows, making sure they would not get wet during the crossing.
She heaved a deep sigh. “Water’s an Elemental Archer’s worst enemy.”
Egil nodded. He too had to make sure his maps and a couple of tomes he was carrying did not get wet, or else they would be useless. In addition there were a couple of special friends in leather pouches tied to his Ranger belt which he would probably need, although he hoped not. The mission was going to be a very complicated one, and he had foreseen different scenarios which would probably need exceptional resources. He packed everything safely into his saddlebags.
Gerd pointed to the crossing-point he had chosen. “I’ll go first. Follow me once I’ve finished crossing, then wait for my signal to say everything’s quiet on the other side. Nobody cross until I say so. There might be watchmen hidden on the other side.” He looked fixedly at Nilsa.
“What? Me?” she said, as if the warning must be for anyone except her.
“Yes, you. You can never stay put or wait.”
“Well, okay then, but don’t take long making the signal or I’ll get nervous.”
Gerd sighed. “I’ll give the signal when I’m sure there’s no danger and we’re not all going to fall into an ambush.”
Valeria raised a golden eyebrow. “And if they capture you?”
“Well, don’t cross, and withdraw. Obviously.”
Nilsa folded her arms. “Nonsense. We’re not going to let you be captured.”
“I’ve crossed here before. It’s one of the least-guarded spots on the border, but today it could be crawling with Zangrian patrols. If that happens, I’ll try to slip away. You go back. Don’t follow me, no matter what.”
“But –” Nilsa began.
“Gerd is right,” said Egil. “That’s the best way to proceed. We’ll withdraw and work out what to do next,” he added, to draw a line under the subject.
Nilsa made a face, looking very unenthusiastic. “Fine …”
Gerd gave Egil a grateful nod. He took his horse and very slowly went forward into the river. The horse shook its head and snorted, not at all keen about getting into the current. Gerd went on, careful where he put his feet. The current was strong, not enough to carry away someone who was paying attention, but if he should slip on the rocks at the bottom, he would lose his balance and be dragged away. By the time he reached the center of the river the water was only a little above his waist, so that the others would have no trouble crossing: Egil perhaps with some difficulty, being the shortest and weakest, but he would manage.
The group was scanning the other shore and the ash-wood for any possible threat so that they could warn Gerd. If any enemy appeared, the only option the giant would have would be to abandon his horse and let himself be carried downriver by the current. Going on toward the shore would mean heading straight toward danger, and retracing his steps would be almost as unwise a choice, because if the enemy had bows or javelins, he would be an easy target.
Nilsa was getting more and more restless, and it looked as though at any moment she might plunge into the water after Gerd. Egil had to grab her arm to calm her. All they could do was wait for their friend to finish crossing and give them the reassuring news.
At last Gerd managed to reach the other shore and came out of the water, pulling his horse after him. He lingered there, watching the edge of the forest in silence, scanning it from side to side. He inhaled deeply, seeking unusual scents, listening carefully. Everything seemed to be quiet. He took a couple of steps toward the trees and repeated the process, then did the same at the entrance to the forest. Finally he went into it.
Nilsa, who was
looking worried, craned her neck to get a better view. “I can’t see him,” she whispered.
“I can’t see a soul,” Valeria said. “Everything looks calm.”
“We’d better not be too trusting,” Egil pointed out. “Fortune is a fickle lady.”
Valeria nodded.
Gerd reappeared after a while and gave them the two-handed signal they were waiting for.
“High time!” cried Nilsa, and got into the water eagerly, leading her horse. The poor animal, taken by surprise, got a thorough scare. When she was halfway across, Gerd signaled to the next one.
“You go, I’ll bring up the rear,” Valeria told Egil.
He nodded and went into the water. The current was strong enough to put him in difficulties, forcing him to make an effort. He got as far as the middle of the river, where the water was deeper, and here things turned serious. The water was up to his chin now, and he could feel the strength of the current tugging at him. He stopped hesitantly.
Valeria went into the water at a signal from Gerd and began to make her way towards Egil, who by now was in deep trouble. On the opposite shore, Nilsa who was already out of the water, was running toward Gerd, who had taken shelter among the ash-trees by the crossing-point.
Egil was losing his battle with the current. His physique was not great, and he was being overwhelmed by the force of the current. Despite this, he took one more determined step toward the shore, struggling against the flow. He was not going to give up, as his friends knew. When Nilsa reached Gerd’s side, she hid her horse in the forest and looked back to see what was going on.
“Egil’s in trouble!” she cried when she saw him struggling.
“He’ll manage,” Gerd said confidently.
“I’m going to help him!”
He grasped her arm to hold her back. “No, wait,” he said as calmly as he could. “We’ve got to stay hidden. A patrol might appear at any moment, and the fewer of us there are in the open the better.”
“But –”
“If the Zangrians attack them, we’ll be able to help them from here. If we’re in the open, we’ll be an easy target.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Nilsa admitted.
“Try to stay calm. I find it hard enough to deal with my own fears in dangerous situations.”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t even realize. You know what I’m like … how nervous I get …”
“We both need to keep ourselves under control.”
She smiled and squeezed his arm affectionately. “You’re absolutely right.”
Egil took two more steps with his jaw clenched, barely able to breathe because he was swallowing water and coughing uncontrollably. Suddenly he slipped, and the current dragged him away. Nilsa cried out in horror.
His body was floating, but instead of giving up he held with all his might to his horse’s reins, trying to keep his head above the water. The horse snorted, but bore Egil’s pull on the reins and strained its neck in the opposite direction to avoid being dragged away.
“I’m going to help him!” Nilsa cried.
Gerd held her back. “Wait. Look!”
Valeria was already in the water and making her way toward Egil. “Hold on, I’m here,” she said as she reached his horse, while she held fast to her own. “Give me one hand and hold the reins with the other.”
“I don’t … know if …” Egil stammered, but swallowed water and was forced to close his mouth.
“I’ve never seen a horse fishing with human bait,” she joked, as though she found the situation amusing.
“Val will take care of it,” Gerd assured Nilsa.
“Are you sure?”
“That girl’s tough and strong-willed. I’m sure she’ll manage.”
Egil’s horse was snorting and tugging hard, trying to get away from the danger, but he followed Valeria’s instructions. She began to pull him towards herself.
“Now let go the other hand and grab mine.”
“Will you be able …” he managed to say before he swallowed some more water.
“I think so. We’ll find out soon enough.”
Egil let go the reins and grasped her other hand. Finding itself free, his horse waded on toward the shore and Valeria’s, which was also loose now, followed it.
“We have to get hold of the horses,” Gerd said to Nilsa.
They both emerged from the trees at a crouch and hurried to the horses, which luckily allowed themselves to be caught now that they were out of the water. Gerd and Nilsa ran back to the forest with them and tethered them alongside their own.
In the river, Egil’s struggle to survive the current was still continuing.
Valeria gave him a forced smile. “That’s good, you hardly weigh a thing,” she said. She was making a tremendous effort to keep herself firm and hold him at the same time.
“I’m … going to try… my foot …” he said. He was swallowing water every time he opened his mouth.
“Get a good grip with your feet and hold on tight.”
Egil managed to find his footing on the riverbed. He snorted and took several deep breaths.
“We’re there,” Valeria said. “On we go. I’m right behind you.” She clutched his cloak tightly and pushed him in case the current caught him again. In the end he managed to reach the shore, where he collapsed in exhaustion. Valeria sank down beside him.
“Thanks …” he muttered.
She smiled. “It was nothing. A little excitement is welcome now and then.”
“We’d better … hide …”
“Yeah, let’s get under cover.”
Crouching, they reached the trees where their friends were waiting for them.
“Are you all right?” Nilsa asked nervously.
“Yeah … a pleasant swim …” Egil replied with the ghost of a smile, though he was as pale as snow.
Valeria laughed whole-heartedly. “Yes, a really invigorating swim.”
“Well, you made it, which is what counts,” said Gerd. “Next time, if possible, try to do it without scaring me to death.”
Egil barely had the strength to reply. “I’ll try …”
“Well then,” Valeria said, “we’re on this side now. That was easy as pie.”
“That’s right. Welcome to the kingdom of Zangria,” Gerd said. He spread his arms wide and spun round.
“Great, I was really looking forward to travelling and seeing the world,” Valeria said cheerfully, full of energy.
Egil smiled. “Me … not so much.” He was making sure all his precious belongings were safe in his saddlebags.
“This is going to be really exciting!” Nilsa said, clapping her hands.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Egil commented, looking worried.
Chapter 17
Nilsa, Valeria, Gerd and Egil rode on, following the road south on their way to the west of Zangria. They were wearing their hooded Ranger cloaks, with no scarves covering their faces, and so far had had no unfortunate encounters with soldiers of the rival nation.
“Keep your hoods on to cover your hair and faces,” Egil advised them. “The Zangrians are quite a lot different from us. If they see blond or red hair and very white skin, they’re certain to realize we’re foreigners, and we’ll find ourselves in a compromising situation.”
“In that case I’d better put my hair up,” Nilsa said. “My fiery mane stands out a league away if the sun’s out,” she added with a giggle.
“I’ll put mine up too,” Valeria said. Her golden hair, almost platinum, shone brightly with every ray of sun that fell on it.
Egil smiled. “Yes, that’s a good idea. Your long, beautiful hair and those faces with the beauty of a northern goddess give us away.”
“How gallant, Egil!” Valeria said. “I didn’t know you could be so poetic!”
Egil laughed. “Not at all. It was just a moment of inspiration.”
“You ought to write poetry,” Nilsa said with a chuckle. “You’ve got talent. And with everything you know a
nd the number of strange words you use, you’d be famous at court.”
“That plan has two notable weak points,” Egil objected. He was stroking his horse’s neck to encourage it to go more smoothly.
“What weak points?” Nilsa asked.
“The first, and most widely-known, is that my learning has nothing to do with poetry, which I’ve never studied or felt any interest in. The second, and most heartbreaking, is that I doubt very much whether any Norghanian noble at court would understand, much less appreciate, a poem.”
“You’re right enough on that second point,” Nilsa said. “What a bunch of morons the Norghanian nobles are. For them the arts are an insult. All they can talk about is war axes, shields and beer.”
“I don’t think it would take even a season to become a full-fledged poet, you being the person you are,” Valeria said. She winked at him.
“Absolutely,” Nilsa said. “He’s a real phenomenon! Everything he reads stays fixed in that privileged mind of his.”
“Poetry, just like singing, painting and other arts, requires a particular talent. Being scholarly and having a good memory aren’t enough, and that other kind of talent is something I’m afraid I don’t have. Much to my chagrin, I have to say.”
Nilsa laughed. “But surely everything you know would help you if you decided to become an artist.”
Egil smiled. “I’m not saying it wouldn’t, but I don’t see myself embarking on that journey in the immediate future.”
“Don’t be like that,” Valeria said mischievously. “You should try it. Then the next season we’ll expect you to delight us with poems about our incredible hair and beautiful faces.”
Egil snorted helplessly. “Well, I’ll do my best.” He smiled. “But I can’t promise anything, seeing that I’m not deeply versed in that praiseworthy art.”
Gerd brought the conversation back to where it had started. “Quite honestly, we’re going to attract the attention of the Zangrians no matter what we do,” he said, sounding worried.
Valeria rode up to his side eagerly. “Why? What are they like?”
“They’re really ugly.”
“Are they? It can’t be that bad,” she said. From her expression it was clear that she thought he was exaggerating.
