Light Of Loreandril (15 page)

“Cradon, are we sure about this? Don’t you think some of the things he says are strange?”

“Of course, but he has been living alone like a hermit for years. Anyone would be a bit strange after that. Even you!” Cradon turned Hindfel and set off up the lane to catch up Tavor with Nechan following closely behind. There was some truth in Cradon’s words.
Perhaps he was just being his usual paranoid self.

Behind them, unseen, a dark shadow watched the threesome leave the farm, taking note of their direction. He quickly mounted his black steed and galloped off through the forest, travelling parallel to the lane, to report his findings.

By dusk, the exhausted comrades had finally reached the start of the woodlands. Not only were they relieved to leave behind the rotting stench of the marshes, they were also grateful to finally find some shelter from any prying eyes of the enemy. The Empire had brought many things into its service, not only humans, but animals and birds as well. The companions were constantly aware of the smallest creatures scuttling in the undergrowth or branches high above them.

After travelling nearly another hour, deeper into the woods, they finally stopped, finding the place that seemed the most densely surrounded by vegetation. It was pitch black by the time they set up camp.

“Eilendan, I am going to find firewood and scout out the path ahead. I will not be long.” Jaidan could not hide the fact he felt uneasy, despite the relative safety of being in the woods.

“You should rest, my friend. We all should,” Eilendan suggested. “I know you are restless, but we need everyone to be as strong as they can be. I need your eyes to stay sharp. We both know it’s not over yet.”

In the dim firelight, Jaidan kicked the mossy grass at his feet, thinking about what Eilendan had said. “We will still need more firewood.”

The elf sighed as he watched Jaidan quickly disappear, merging easily into the grey and brown tree trunks, followed closely by Khar.

The moonlit woods were unusually quiet. There was hardly a chirp of a bird, or rustle of a vole in the leaf-litter. Normally, with the presence of a cunning predator like Khar, the woods would be alive with the chatter of animals warning each other, but tonight there was nothing.

Jaidan felt a strange tenseness hanging in the air as he silently crept forwards. Slowly, he strung his bow, keeping his gaze fixed ahead of him. He could not shake the feeling of eyes all around him. The woods might have been deadly quiet, but he knew there were creatures out there watching him. The Brathunder motioned to Khar perched high above him. She spread her wing, and in a single, smooth beat of her feathers disappeared into the canopy above.

As still as stone, slowing his breathing, the clansman waited patiently, hidden by the dense undergrowth. Fleetingly he caught a glimpse of a small, dark shadow dart into the vegetation. It was difficult to see in the grey light, even for Jaidan’s keen eyes. Hardly moving, he brought the bow up to eye-line and in a fluid, silent motion followed the black shape with his arrow. It slipped out of sight amongst the undergrowth again. Careful not to break cover, he began to creep forward, heading to where the animal had disappeared.

It must have been watching him approach. The animal sprang out from the shrubbery and the hunt was on.

Jaidan could clearly make out the distinctive shape of a black fox, its brush tail and lean body easily identifiable. With effortless agility, it bounded between the trees and the undergrowth, knowing its life depended on it. Jaidan pursued it closely, his bow still raised, waiting for the perfect shot. They ran deeper and deeper into the still woods, Jaidan only just making out the movement of the fox amongst all the shadows.  

He stooped and crouched for a brief moment, watching as the fox jumped over and in between some fallen trees and branches. Holding his breath, he pulled back the bowstring in anticipation. The fox ran up onto another fallen trunk, unknowingly placing itself in perfect line of sight for Jaidan. Without pausing, he took his shot. There was a high yelp, and the fox fell out of view.

Jaidan found the animal, still gasping for breath, collapsed on its side with an arrow sticking out of its flank. It stared at Jaidan, the whiteness of its eyes glinting in the darkness. With one swift flick of his bone-handled knife Jaidan ended its suffering. Khar glided down from the canopy and settled on a mossy tree stump. She preened her feathers and watched her handler curiously.

“You missed it! Where were you?” He spoke quietly, gently stroking the soft plumage down her chest. Khar cocked her head to one side, studying him with her bright, yellow-rimmed eye. He cleaned his knife, wiping the scarlet blood onto the moist moss underfoot. Khar hopped onto the warm carcass and began clawing at the matted fur. She pecked at the revealed flesh, but quickly turned her head in disgust, rejecting the easy meal. Clearly the taste of traitorous meat was not to her liking.

Standing, he picked up his bow and plucked the arrow from the dead fox. Khar fluttered up to take her normal position on his shoulder. Leaving the carcass for the worms, they returned back to camp, collecting a bundle of firewood on the way.

The sound of the companions travelled through the silent woods making the camp easy to find. Jaidan made his way silently towards them, hoping to take them by surprise and prove a point to them. It worked, and his fellow travellers felt suitable chastised when their friend jumped into the camp, startling them.

“I could hear you all a mile away! I am sure we are not the only ones in these woods tonight.” He dropped the firewood at Gomel’s feet.

“You’re right! We’re just pleased to be out of those stinking marshes,” smiled Nymril.

“Well, we don’t want to lure everything to this camp. It would be nice to have a peaceful night.” He collapsed onto his bedroll, lying flat on his back.

“You didn’t bring anything back other than wood?” moaned Gomel, sucking on his weed pipe. “You were gone so long I assumed you were hunting!”

“I was, but not the sort of hunting you’re thinking of. Even Khar didn’t want the animal I killed.”

“What do you mean, Jaidan?” Eilendan asked, concerned. The rest of the camp stopped what they were doing, sensing Jaidan had important news.

“I killed a black fox. One sent to spy on us.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely positive. I could have sworn I saw the same animal earlier today and maybe even yesterday,” Jaidan explained, his eyes now closed, still lying on his back.

“Jaidan, there are plenty of black foxes in these woods. I’m sure it wasn’t the same one!” jested Gomel.

“Think what you like. But we have all sensed something watching us.”

“Do you think it is still safe to stay here tonight?” asked Gaular, picking up his war hammer. Everyone was still weary from the long days of constant travelling, not to mention the injuries some were carrying.

“I don’t think any of us are prepared to move tonight,” answered Eilendan. “We will take watches in turn. I will take the first. We all need some rest.”

No one wanted to argue with the elf. He spoke the truth. They decided to extinguish the fire, knowing it was better to be slightly cold rather than have a signal fire for the enemy. They each slept clutching their weapons, hoping and praying the morning would come without incident.

“This is one of my favourite parts of the woods,” Tavor revealed proudly. It really was a beautiful area, with late autumn flowers scattered about the tree roots, surrounded by the golden leaves that drifted down from the stately, slender birches and elms.

Tavor had brought them thus far safely, and their journey had seemed quick and easy. Although they no longer appeared to be riding along a definite path Tavor never hesitated.  Nechan’s confidence was now growing and he was starting to find a new sympathy for the exiled clansman. Cradon, on the other hand, had never had a problem with trust and was already idolising his new best friend, hanging on his every word and action.

“So you’ve been to these parts often?” Cradon urged Tavor to continue.

“Many a time. I can’t stay hidden away in my farmhouse all year round. I might be an exile, but they have to find me first to stop me wandering through these woods!”

“How do you know they won’t find you, or be waiting back at the farm? Doesn’t that worry you?” Nechan was several paces behind Cradon and Tavor, but could still hear every word.

“If there are people in these woods, I would know about it long before they have any chance of seeing me.”

“How is that possible?” Cradon laughed, assuming his friend was joking.

“The woods tell me!”

“The
woods
tell you!” mocked Nechan. ”Cradon, he’s just playing with you!”

“Believe me or don’t. It’s up to you. But I hear the voices of the trees through the rustle of their leaves. I read the signs in leaf litter, moss and mud. I understand the behaviour of the animals, birds and even insects. They tell me all the secrets I need to know.”

“So, you’re basically a tracker.” Nechan did not sound too impressed by Tavor’s intangible exaggeration.

“Perhaps, but I will leave that for you to judge.” Tavor was unperturbed by Nechan’s attitude. Cradon, however, was irritated by his brother’s lack of faith and respect.

“Hey, Nechan! He sounds like he could be one of those Elves old Barnon always tells you about! Doesn’t he say they were
one with nature!”  
Cradon jeered, pleased with his quick wittedness.

Nechan just scowled at him.

“Well, your old friend sounds very knowledgeable. Tales from my clan have always whispered about us once being friends with the Elves, so, maybe that is why I am so good!”

Nechan just smiled and nodded politely. He was not deceived. Tavor was nothing like any elf that he had ever imagined, so why was he trying to humour him? Besides, he felt uncomfortable talking about Barnon, fearing either he or Cradon would accidentally let slip about the secret things they  carried.

They rode on, but every now and then Tavor would turn and stare at Nechan, making him apprehensive.
Did he know something? No, how could he, unless he watched Cradon dig them up?
Nechan was positive his brother was not foolish enough to tell even Tavor despite being enamoured with him. Tavor suddenly broke the latest gaze, and as if realising he was making Nechan uncomfortable, laughed to himself.

“I think we should stop for something to eat. There is a sheltered sunny spot just down here. It will make a perfect place to rest awhile.”

Tavor led the twins down a little gully, following a dry riverbed. Gradually the sides became steeper and the central area flatter, until it eventually opened up into a wide expanse of green grass, surrounded by high, rocky cliffs. The area was so sheltered that autumn did not appear to have visited yet.

“What is this place?” asked Nechan. It was  like a natural arena which echoed with his voice.

“This used to be a small surface mine. The rock is white granite. Very hard to come by so far north.”

The group dismounted. While Cradon unsaddled his horse, Nechan could not resist studying the walls. The tool marks of chisels and picks were clearly visible, as if the workers had been there only yesterday. The rock was smooth and cold to the touch, and every scrape and gouge showed the precision with which it had been cut.

“Dwarves used to mine this area, you can tell by the precise handiwork. Maybe they mined it for the Elven cities.”

“How do you….” Nechan was taken in for a brief moment, his desire to believe in such things overwhelming.

Tavor grinned again. “I don’t. It’s just my theory. A nice one though, don’t you think?”

Nechan pretended not to care, but continued examining the rock. He remembered clearly how Barnon told him about the white cities of Elvendon
. Perhaps this rock, with its light grey, nearly white colour was used in their cities?
Tavor was right, it was a nice thought. Nechan dwelled on this, touching and studying the rock, deep in thought, imagining the Dwarves helping the Elves to build their white towers.

“Nechan, come eat!”

Cradon had already broken out the supplies and was dishing up portions for everyone. There was crusty bread, still relatively fresh, with ripe cheese and fruit. They all ate well, aware that such food would quickly go stale, leaving them with the tasteless salted meats and dried fruit their mother had provided. Tavor had also kindly replenished their supplies, included two large sacks of hay and oats for the horses during the cold winter months.

“So how far from the edge of the woods are we?” Cradon sprayed breadcrumbs as he spoke with a full mouth.

“Still a long way. Maybe four, possibly five days riding.” Tavor ripped off another chunk of bread with his teeth and then continued. “Perhaps we should stay here tonight? The horses are safe and there is plenty for them to graze on. Besides, there is no need to rush through these woods, we are safe here.” Tavor suggested, as he cut himself another thick slice of yellow cheese.

“That sound’s like a great idea.” Cradon lay on his back, stretching out his arms and legs. “What do you think, Nechan?” He folded his arms behind his head and closed his eyes.

“Do you not think we should go at least a bit further today? We haven’t really travelled very far at all. I would like to put as much distance as possible between us and those soldiers.”

“It’s up to you two boys. But, I did send them off in the opposite direction, and I have made sure we have left few or no tracks. I wouldn’t worry too much.”

 “Fine! We’ll stay here tonight.”

“Thank goodness!” Cradon thrust his hands up into the arm, very pleased with his brother’s decision.

“We will need more water though. There is a stream just a short walk from here. I am quite happy to go and fill the skins while you two rest.”

“Thank you!” Nechan handed Tavor his waterskin and watched him leave the mine. That was a generous gesture.

Cradon rolled over and looked at his brother. “Are you sure you are alright about travelling with Tavor?”