Launi and Swift finally reached the forest a few hours later. The sun still offered a little light and it drifted through the trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor. Launi could barely see where she was going, but she knew forests. She had grown up in one. She knew what to listen for, what the shadows were, how to maneuver without making a sound. Launi was comfortable among the trees.
The two of them walked through the trees, following the path. Launi walked alongside the horse; giving him a well-deserved break. She searched for a good place to spend the night.
Roughly a mile into woods, Launi found a small clearing a safe distance from the trail. Tying Swift to a tree so he wouldn’t wander off in the dark, Launi took out the blanket and wrapped it around herself. She took a gulp of water and a couple bites of dried meat before settling down with her back against a tree.
Launi played with the pendant around her neck; gently rubbing it between her fingers. She wished there was someone here with her. She didn’t want to be doing this alone. She missed her father and his wisdom. She missed the villagers; they were her friends, her family. Worry filled her. Thoughts of what would happen if she failed to convince the witch to help them plagued her. She refused to think about the fact that the dark curse could take place before she even got to the witch. She couldn’t fail, but Launi felt that nothing was on her side. It was just her and Swift against dark mages. Just a horse, and a girl who never been this far from home.
Eventually, Launi fell into a light sleep. She woke up from time to time to the sound of creaking branches and loud rustling leaves, but nothing ever came into their clearing.
By dawn, Launi woke for good. She didn’t feel rested. She felt worn and tired. Her body ached and her mind felt cloudy. Shaking her head, trying to clear it, Launi ate a little food and packed up what little she’d gotten out. She took Swift by the reins and led him back to the trail. She mounted; they continued on their way.
The day soon lightened and the soft mist that had been drifting through the trees burned away. The woods came to life around her. Birds began to chirp, squirrels and other small animals started to scamper around the trees. Launi caught sight of a few deer. The tension in her shoulders was able to release, at least a little. She was back where she was comfortable. The open expanse of the grasslands had unnerved her.
If she cleared her mind, Launi could almost imagine she was back among the trees that surrounded her village…almost.
As they walked, Launi’s thoughts drifted. For a while, she tried to distract herself with remembering everything her father had taught her about healing, which was quite a lot. She went through every treatment for broken bones, coughs, colds, nausea, everything she could remember. Her thoughts then began to drift to memories of her and her father exploring in the woods; looking for ingredients for salves and elixirs.
They approached another tiny stream and she dismounted. Launi played with the necklace around her neck. She had no memories of her mother, only the stories told by her father and the other villagers.
Her mother had been kind, they’d told her countless times. She’d had Launi’s broad nose and curly hair. She was kind, fair and beautiful, taken before her time. Taken when Launi was only a baby. She’d been out hunting and had never come back. They’d found her body many miles from the village. From the stories they’d told, Launi had gathered that it had been a quick death. A deadly wound received in a fight. For that, at least, she was grateful. Even though she would never meet her mother, Launi was comforted by the knowledge that she hadn’t suffered.
The villagers had helped Darthax raise the six-month-old Launi. The entire village became her family and she the village’s daughter.
Launi shook her head trying to free it of memories and swirling thoughts. She filled her flask with water and let Swift drink from the stream. The sun was almost at its peak. The air was still and cool. Autumn was not far off.
After a few minutes, the two set off again, winding their way through the woods. As the afternoon wore on, clouds began to drift across the sky blocking what little sunlight filtered through the trees.
Launi continued to hear the scampering of small animals. From time to time she’d see larger animals and birds of prey.
A sudden realization struck her.The two of them seemed to be alone in the forest; she had seen no one since leaving Screbra’s village the morning before.
Launi felt unnerved, never having gone this long without seeing another person. A chill ran down her spine; she straightened. Her eyesight became clearer and her hearing sharper. Swift seemed to sense her unease and raised his head, alert.
They continued along for quite some time. The farther along the path they went, the stronger the unease became. Something was about to happen, Launi knew it. She wouldn’t have been able to explain it to anyone, but she knew. Some unknown was approaching. Another chill ran down Launi’s spine and her grip tightened on the reins.
To their left, there was the unmistakable sound of a snapping twig. Launi knew that sound. She’d know that sound anywhere.
There was someone lurking in the trees.
I am still on pins and needles! 🙂
Yay! 🙂 I’m glad you’re enjoying it
I am still on pins and needles! 🙂
Yay! 🙂 I’m glad you’re enjoying it
Great tenterhooks, as usual 😉
Thank you 🙂
Great tenterhooks, as usual 😉
Thank you 🙂