"Scared of insects and lizards?" Nikolai chuckled as he placed the sleeping bag on the verdant floor. They were fortunate to find an unused hut on the forest to sleep on. It would be difficult to manage the night without enough shade since they also considered their youngest sister, Vysela.
Markolin sneered. "Stop making fun of me and help Vysela prepare hers."
Vysela turned to Markolin, frowning, "I told you, I'm not a kid anymore!"
"No one said you're a kid."
"Then stop treating me like one."
Markolin chortled, "Jeez. I only told Nikolai to help you unpack. I know you're perfectly capable of anything, little sis. We just want you comfortably rested. Right, Nikolai?"
"Your sweetness disgusts me," Nikolai replied that only received a hit on the shoulder. A few minutes later, they all finished preparing their spot. It was almost dark when Markolin and Nikolai decided to hunt and gather food for the night and for the long travel tomorrow. Vysela was left behind to make fire from the logs available beside their post and guarded the hut. She didn't forget to bring her favorite weapon, a bow. Aside from being used to sword fighting, archery was where she's best at.
"Where's Markolin?" Vysela asked as soon as Nikolai arrived and dumped all the food he found around—nuts, palm, durian and a squirrel.
"Didn't he arrive just now?" Nikolai skimmed through the surroundings. No Markolin. "I told him to go back immediately to check up on you. Are you sure you haven't seen him anywhere?"
Vysela shook her head. It was almost an hour since they left and she never heard of any noise coming from the forest. Also, Markolin was never the type to get lost anywhere; he had a good sense of direction. Even if he was placed in a maze, he'd still make his way towards the exit without trouble.
"I need to find him," Nikolai said. "Stay here and don't leave. If I won't come back in an hour, ride for the castle and call for help. You won't get lost if you just follow the main road. Don't come looking for me unless you bring backup with you."
"But—"
"Please listen to me."
Vysela stood, "No! You can't leave me here and ask me to pray for a miracle. Markolin is missing and I can't just sit and watch while you're out in the wilderness trying to find him."
"You're safer here."
"I'm not safe anywhere. No matter where I go, there will always be a chance I might be harmed whether I'm with someone or if I'm alone so stop being an overprotective brother and let me go with you!"
Nikolai groaned in frustration, rubbing his shut eyes. Every second they waste from finding Markolin was getting closer to the possibility that his life might be in jeopardy. They had no time to spare. Even if it was against his will, he heaved a deep sigh and looked at her sister, "Grab your weapons. We'll look for him."
***
The forest was endless, murky and diverse. A cacophony of noise, predominantly from small animals, reverberated across the expanse. Swooping branches dangled from every tree, and a potpourri of flowers, which grew all over the place, stuck out against the otherwise emerald landscape.
Nikolai could barely see anything if it weren't for the torch he got from the bonfire. He had a sword on his other hand just in case anything goes wrong and a bag on his back which Markolin brought along that might prove quite useful. Vysela treaded beside him, aiming her bow whenever she heard unusual sounds. The other weapon hung on the side of her waist.
They would have brought the horses along but it would only complicate the mission. It would be difficult to maneuver them especially at this time of the hour so it was best to move on foot.
"Markolin!" Vysela screeched on top of her lungs, "Where are you?"
They've been walking for half an hour already and there had been no progress in his search. Markolin left no trail that might help them.
"Markolin! Get out here and I'll give you a good beating."
"If he's around, he'll never show up if you tell him that," Nikolai kid despite the uneasy atmosphere.
"MARKOLIN! I'M ALREADY LOSING MY PATIENCE!" Vysela could no longer hold it in. The shouting was violence in the air, a way to take the nervousness out from her system. Nikolai watched her eyes. Then he knew. She didn't just raise her voice, her muscles tensed, desperate. She breathed in real slow after screaming his brother's name multiple times. Nikolai couldn't help but think. What if something happened to him? What if they'll never find him on time? What if he's gone forever?
Nikolai didn't realize when he was already shouting together with his sister. He didn't care whether he'd wake the monsters, if there was any. They could just eliminate it. The only thing he's most concerned about was Markolin.
"Poopface, where are you?!" Nikolai called.
Vysela was almost close to crying. She breathed deeply and yelled for his name for the last time, "Markolin, if you won't get out I swear—"
"Nikolai? Vysela? Is that you?" A voice came from the reserve. "I'm here!"
Nikolai spun around, searching. "Where are you?"
"I'm here! Help me!"
He couldn't recognize where the voice came from. He scurried forward with Vysela behind him.
"Here! I'm here!" Finally, the voice was clearer.
Nikolai directed his gaze towards the glimmering body of water on the center of the forest. They looked at each other in the eye like having a telepathic conversation. One nod at Nikolai and Vysela already knew what he meant. "He's in the lake. Let's go," he said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written and edited by ephemery.
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
Allyria will hunt you down to the ends of Arde Terra and cast you out together with the Undying in the Islands of the Cursed. You've been warned.
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