I awoke to Sebastion popping into my tent and kicking Celeste awake. She muttered and rolled over. I waved him out of the tent and poked Celeste. She glared at me.
"Come crabby pants, we have to vote." Celeste sighed and nodded. Her hair was a tangled mess, her eyes heavy with sleep. I helped her up and we left the tent. Terra, and Jameson sat around the pit, smoke billowing from last nights fire.
The sun's rays spilled through the trees as it lazilly rose in the sky. The warmth from the sun made the snow touched trees melt, making occasional drops fall on the camp. I looked around to find the deer had been cut up already, nothing but its legs, feet, and head where left.
"Okay let's make this quick because they will be upon us within the hour. All in favor of Aria's plan?" Jameson spoke up. Celeste and I where the only ones to raise our hand. Figures.
"Sorry Aria, it's just to risky!" Terra said as she grabbed my arms. I gave her a curt nod.
"I understand your reasoning. Let's hope that we can find peace in a nearby village." She smiled sadly.
"Normally i'd say pack up camp, but we don't have much time. They seemed to have travelled all night and has madd no move to stop anytime soon." Jameson stated blandly as he walked deeper into the forest. With a collective sigh we followed him.
The snow crunched as we made our way through the forest. Birds chattered and sang a they flew from branch to branch. A chipmunk couple ran vigorously across the trees, scrapping bits of tree bark off as they ran. It was a peaceful morning.
"How far is it to the village?" Celeste groaned. She had a low tolerence for walking, never had much patience either.
"It's only been a few minutes and you are complaining?" Sebastion didn't have much tolerence for anyone.
"I need a hot bath and new clothes! Even Terra has seen better days!" She exclaimed. Terra stared at the ground, embarressed. I patted her back. I sighed and untied my cloak from around my neck, providing her with warmth and a sense of security. She smiled her thanks and kept walking. I remember the days when she was so chatty. Long gone or those days.
"Stop shouting. You will alert anyone near by, and to answer your question, A half days worth." Jameson hissed. It would have only been a few hours if we had horses. But being fugitives we had no money. Another reason I bless the gods for our food.
I watched as Celeste slumped forward as she pouted. As she stomped in the snow.
"Celeste, that is so uneasy like." Sebastion sneered. As he laughed a snowball smacked him right in the face. I bit my lip, stiffling my laughter. Jameson stopped walking, disappointment clear on his face.
"I would expect this behavior from children. Start acting like soliders." I giggled as I past Sebastion and Celeste as they dragged their feet in the snow. We continued walking in silence. It wasn't until I heard footsteps ahead that I held up my hand into a fist.
"What is it?" Jameson whispered. I put a finger to my lips and pointed ahead of me. I listened intently, trying to figure out how many. Five. I could hear three different set of footprints. I motioned them to lay low as I expertly climbed a nearby tree. Bark bit into my hands, loose pieces falling to the ground as I went. When I got to the top, I secured myself against the tree. I leaned my back against the trunk and steadied myself as I launched myself onto the next tree.
"What was that?" A male deep voice asked.
"We are in the middle of the woods you idiot. There are animals every where. Stop panicking over everything." A female hissed at him. I positioned myself so I could get a better view. And I was right. Three people sat around a little fire. The female that spoke was a long blonde with green eyes and a pointed nose. She sat crouched warming her hands to the fire.
"I don't want to get caught by Atticus's men. We are fairly close to their border." That voice belonged to tall dark skinned man. He had brown eyes and very short hair. So short you could just she his scalp.
"Listen if you blow this attack because you can't keep your mouth shut, I'll kill you myself." Another woman spoke. She was short with black hair and blue eyes. She had piercings in her nose and all over her ears.
"Enough. I know you are getting antsy, We need to stay put until General Galtros is here." Galtros. The bastard that killed Jameson's wife. I dug my hand on the branch.
"They can't get here soon enough. I want to ambush these bastards and get home!" The man exclaimed. We could needed to give Atticus this information. They had enough tim to prep then they might just have a chance.
Quietly I climbed through the trees, getting back to my group. But before I could reach the bottom, my arms gave out and I fell. A Branch had snagged me on the way down. I felt my skin tear underneath. I sucked in a sharp breath, quietly cursing myself. I pulled my shirt up enough to see that it was bleeding. I sat for a moment, catching my breath.
If I told them about this they would berate me for sure. I can't look weak in front of them. They would see me as a burden and we already had enough problems. I steadied myself and carefully continued climbing down the tree. They waited patiently for me.
"Three of Malfalthicus's soliders up ahead. Sounds like they are waiting on the others. They are deffinetly heading towards Atticus's Kingdom." I landed next to Jameson with a soft thud. He was quiet.
"You didn't kill them?" Sebastion groaned.
"I don't kill unless i'm commanded to Sebastion." Besides, they gave me valuable information.
"No, we don't kill them. Last thing we need is an angry army hightailing it for Atticus's Kingdom. We shift plans and head to the Kingdom and warn them. I would hate to see another Kingdom fall when we can prevent this." I nodded in agreement. It would be wise to be a solution, not a problem.
"Atticus has aways prospered under war. They would be fine regardless." Celeste commented.
"I'm going with, or without you. Prosperous or not they need time to prepare. So far the only kingdom to have few survivors is us. They need to know what they are up against." Jameson nodded
"We are close enough as well, it wouldn't hurt to warn them and replenish supplies. We can actually sleep in beds tonight as well." Terra wrapped my cloak tightly around her shoulders.
"It's settled then, let's move. We already burned enough time sitting here." Jameson threw over his shoulder as he talked. I followed last, that way I could keep an ear out for any more movement. We skirted the area where the soliders chatted.
When I couldn't hear their complaints anymore we redirected ourselves towards the Kingdom. It was another long silent trek. The only thing to fill the silence was the chatty birds and squirrels as they pranced about. But my mind was to occupied on the throbbing pain scorching my body. I never heard them coming.