Faldrid was starting to get annoyed at the sisters bickering. They had been going back and forth since they went through the forest of Euma.
Apparently a Hand had left in the night. Sadine had said she had sent her to search ahead for any luxcian scouts that may be following the caravan that their party was tracking. Faldrid was satisfied with that explanation. Actually he was quite happy that someone had taken the initiative to do so.
When he heard the news he hated himself for failing to see that possibility, but he was relieved that someone had done it. He didn't want to be blamed if something similar to what happened days prior repeated itself.
However, Faldrid was skeptical that Sadine of all people had come up with the dangerous possibility, but the Hand's internal affairs were not his business.
"Really though, Vale shouldn't be questioning Sadine this much. What's done is done." Faldrid said to himself
"Then why don't you tell her that yourself."
Faldrid almost jumped out of Dela's saddle, "How do you keep showing up out of nowhere like that, Loutrin."
Loutrin ignored what he said, "You are equals in a way, so why don't you just tell them."
Faldrid furrowed his eyebrows, "I am far from equal to them, but if they keep going on like that I might have to do something."
Loutrin turned towards him with his head tilted, "What do you mean, 'far from equal,' you basically represent all the regular soldiers here, not to mention that cloak of yours."
Faldrid looked down at his dark green cloak. At times it was a blessing at others a curse, "Yes mine is green, but by the same logic theirs are black. The disciples are much more peculiar with who they hand those out to compared to the green ones."
A voice drew the two's attention away from their conversation.
"Stop lying Sadine. I know that you wouldn't just do something like that. You only have that reason because you went through the effort of coming up with it. Something had to make you do that."
Despite Vale's authoritative tone, Sadine was still nonchalant, "What are you saying? That I don't take the initiative at all?"
Vale looked at her with a look that said she didn't
A wry smile creeped onto Sadine's face, "Wow! The one time I actually do something productive you scold me for it."
Vale's gaze remained unchanging, "At least you admitted it. Though even if you did send that girl off for the reason you said you did, there is no reason why you would send her. We have much better trackers in our party, you for example."
Sadine put her hands up, "Don't tell me you didn't see how uncomfortable she was."
Vale smiled with satisfaction "So there was another reason behind it!"
Faldrid was finally fed up with their conversation. At this rate it would go on forever.
Faldrid was with the rest of the soldiers behind the Hands. Unfortunately Loutrin had a point when he said Faldrid represented them. Because of his cloak, all of the Bluecloaks looked up to him.
Faldrid rode through the other Hands to the sisters who were leading the party. Some Hands didn't seem too happy about his intrusion.
"Will you two just stop this already? You've been like this for hours. It's almost time to make camp and I would like to sleep in peace once we do!"
Sadine pointed to Vale, "It's not my fault! She's been accusing me of things I haven't done."
Vale raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?"
"Don't act like I said something you didn't know!"
Faldrid turned his attention towards Vale with a questioning expression.
Vale shook her head, she seemed tired of dealing with her sister, "She's lying about what she did, and all I want is the truth."
"I've been telling you the truth!!"
Faldrid gave a sigh, "Does it really matter that much? You can't change what happened. If Sadine isn't telling the truth I'm sure the reason for what she did will come to light in the future, and we will thank her for it."
He didn't believe the last part, but he was really just saying anything he could to stop their bickering.
Vale bit her lip, "Even so..."
Faldrid gave her a look that said he wouldn't listen to her.
Vale jerked her head behind her, "I'll go check on the others."
As she rode away, Sadine looked as if she had just accomplished a great victory, "Serves her right! I knew you would believe me."
Faldrid road closer to her, "Uh-huh. Just wondering though, when did you tell her to report back."
Sadine looked as if she had just been hit in the back of the head.
"Hmm...so she's not coming back to us. Then what way did you tell her to contact us."
Sadine started to force out words, "Well...you see..."
Faldrid rode closer, "Also don't tell me you just sent one scout. If you thought the threat was real it would surely be better to send more than one."
Faldrid rode even closer to the stupefied Hand, and lowered his voice, "Next time you let one of your Hands run away, you should really think more about the excuse you give others."
Sadine chuckled uncomfortably, "Sure thing. Thanks for the advice Faldrid. I'll make sure to do that before we camp."
Faldrid knew if Sadine didn't have all the areas of her story covered, Vale would eventually poke holes in it, leading to even more arguing. That was the last thing he wanted. Hopefully Sadine would cover more topics than just the ones he brought up.
As he rode back to his original spot, he saw Vale talking to some of the Hands. They all looked happy at her presence. Not as much as Morta of course, but it was close, if just a little. For a brief moment he thought about how far both of them had come since he last saw them.
Soon after they had exited Euma they had found that the terrain had begun to become more hilly. It was a burden on the attokas and slowed the whole group down, but it gave them a good campground nestled between two hills.
After overseeing the camps set up, Faldrid went on a walk through the thickets around the camp, giving the excuse that he wanted to be alone.
He wasn't lying exactly, but he had his own agenda that he needed to accomplish, and he preferred to go about this task alone.
At least that's what he wanted, "Well, what do we have here?" A playful voice came from above him, but Faldrid could tell that the owner was careful as to not attract the attention of anyone but him.
Faldrid looked above him and saw Sadine resting comfortably in a tree, which seemed impossible from how thin the tree itself was, "where did you…it doesn't matter just don't bother me." Faldrid whispered.
Sadine gave a grin and pointed an arrow in her hand to the edge of the thickets, "You're watching him aren't you," Loutrin was bent over a fire with other Blue Cloaks.
Faldrid rubbed his hand over his face in frustration, "Just be quiet, he'll hear you. Sadine, just this once will you listen to me."
"Mmm, he can't hear us, but he knows he's being watched. Well, he's known for a while now."
Faldrid squinted at the Loutrin through the thickets, "How can you tell? Actually, forget that. Of course you would know."
Sadine smirked from her post, "I'm flattered. But for starters he's too stiff. He's aware of every single one of his actions. I'm impressed that someone as inexperienced as him knew he was being watched, but he could work on his reaction."
Faldrid put a finger to his chin, "It's peculiar isn't it." he mumbled to himself.
"I guess. Is that why you're suspicious of him?"
Her response almost shocked him. He had forgotten how good her ears were.
As he thought about how to respond, he looked towards Loutrin, then back at Sadine, "Can you do me a favor?"
Sadine tilted her head, "Tell me what it is first."
"I need you to watch the boy. If you see anything suspicious, tell me."
She would be better at the task than him. He was no scout, and in reality she was the best person for the job. The only problem was that he wished he could have told her more, but she didn't value secrets.
Sadine stretched her arms towards the sky, "Sounds easy enough, but you didn't have to be so vague."
"Thank you, I'll owe you one."
Sadine snuggled into the crevice in the tree she was in, "You owe me a lot Faldrid. A lot.
Faldrid sighed as he slowly made his way back to the camp, "I know Sadine. I know."
That night he did not sleep well. He couldn't shake his head of the possibility of his suspicions being correct. For most of the night he thought about all the horrible things he would put that young tenebrage through if he was the one who caused Faldrid all these troubles.
The next two days were uneventful. Faldrid rode in silence for the most part. Vale had begun to grow frustrated with their slowed pace because of the sprawling hills that dotted the landscape. Sadine also started to look bored. Faldrid thought that if they didn't just have to follow the road to find their target she would have a lot more fun.
It happened on the third day. Faldrid spotted what looked like a huge yellow bird in the distance. Though as they began to get close he could feel Dela get a little uneasy. He once again forced himself to pay attention to the bird in the sky.
Faldrid's eyes shot open as he recognized what the creature actually was. A Loinir Attoka. From what he could tell it wasn't in a pack, so it must be a tamed one, and that meant a rider.
Faldrid rode hastily towards the front of the party, pointing at the beast, "Vale!"
Vale looked back in confusion, but soon understood as she followed his finger.
She grimaced at the creature, carefully taking her long bow that was wrapped around her shoulders. She patted her attoka, so that she would slow down.
Vale carefully almost gracefully took aim at the creature.
The reaction from the Hands was mixed. Some looked on in awe, while others seemed a little uncomfortable.
Faldrid smiled to himself, he had suspected that some hands still didn't like bows, but he still found it funny that it was the case when two of their prominent leaders used one.
Vale took a deep breath, pulling the bow sting a little more. She then breathed out, and the arrow whistled through the air.
They were now almost right under the Loinir Attoka. Faldrid doubted that Vale could miss from this range. Though that wasn't his concern. He hoped that the arrow would take him out of the air. He was confident that with her skill she would be able to do it, but there was always a chance.
As the arrow hit it's target the beast spiraled downward, and crashed into the ground next to them. Unfortunately it had been able to lessen the impact by flapping its wings a little bit before hitting the ground.
The whole unit was stopped now watching in preparation for what the fate of the beast would be.
A minute after the crash a single man with a silver military coat rose and faced them with a smile.
The whole group just stared at him with disbelief. Not only was his attitude out of place given the situation, but the fact that he had survived such a fall left them all in shock.
The general raised his hands in the air, and spoke in a playful tone, "Well I'm waiting."
Faldrid smiled in agitation, "Vale you take the Hands and anyone else that will follow, and continue on to the caravan. It can't be too far, based on his appearance."
Vale nodded, "What are you going to do?"
Faldrid unsheathed his kukri and a small shield at his waist, "I'm going to go take care of him with anyone who will follow me. We can't miss this opportunity."
Vale looked skeptical, "Okay just don't die."
With that she rode off with her hands.
Faldrid looked towards the soldiers, "Anyone who wants to go capture a general follow me. But you are still needed by the Hands, so not too many of you."
The more ambitious soldiers rode to Faldrid's side immediately. Some more followed, but after Faldrid had around fifteen the other soldiers figured that it was enough for one man, and they had lost their chance to join.
Faldrid had to hold his hand up to one member that wanted to join, "Loutrin I can't have you join."
For the first time Faldrid saw anger flash through the boy's eyes, "What do you mean?!" You know what he's done! I have every right to join you."
"I know that, but that is exactly why I can't have you join. You may be rash because of your desire for revenge. Besides, the rest of these people need a leader. After talking to you I know you would be the perfect one to take my place."
In reality Faldrid just hadn't put the possibility of Loutrin trying to kill him out of his mind. The events that unfolded that day were too suspicious and clouded in uncertainty, so there was still a chance he would be a traitor.
Surprisingly though, the whole leader's excuse seemed to work. Faldrid thought that was one of the more far-fetched reasons he could come up with, so he had to make sure to make a mental note that Loutrin was one of those people that praise would work on.
Loutrin hesitantly agreed and motioned for the others to follow him, "Just don't kill him without me there. I want to see that man suffer."
Faldrid just nodded and waved his hand.
Loutrin left with the other soldiers, and as Faldrid watched them leave he debated within himself the reasons why he wanted the general alive. It was Faldrid's wish as well but...there was still a possibility that it wasn't for the right reasons.