"Ash! Over here!" In heavy pants, Anika and Yeon come to view. I could tell they had been busy. Ani's hair was a little ruffled and Yeon's face was flushed. I wasn't going to get all excited that they had finally done something that clearly had to be discussed. No, there was a much bigger issue at hand. One they had no clue about until now.
"Why didn't you tell us the bell was ringing? We're going to be late now!"
I bit the inside of my cheek and looked at Marina, who was mindlessly looking around for the truth.
"Guys, we're leaving. It's not safe here. I will explain later." Yeon laughed and nudged Anika's side.
"Another prank like last time?"
There was only one way I could tell them and get them to understand how serious I am being. Having known each other for a long time, we knew what the words meant.
"Bless thy flame, I am not pranking you. We need to go."
Their faces turned grim. We only used this phrase when under no circumstances can we take it lightly. It was an oath we took since way back then. When Yeon had dived into the crate of expired food. When Anika was shy and I was running like mad. Running from everything in that dark place.
I scanned the crowd that was walking to the town fountain. Without a second thought, I nod to each of them in secret and quite understanding. It was time.
Each of us strode with precise steps, nothing was to stop us. Yeon kindly helped Marina walk at his pace as carefully as she could. She hobbled here and there but was shockingly strong willed and not scared. It's almost like she has done this kind of thing before. It worries me how she's taking this all since she hasn't said a word.
At last we arrived at the side gate where no one was seen. It was the best time to slip out with no one noticing.
"Do you have an idea where we will hide out, Ash?" Yeons forehead creased as he stared down from his extraordinary height. "Bless you have a spot."
"Yeah yeah, I have one in mind. It's one of the few things I could come up within the time I had to create this plan."
As if awaiting my answer, Anika circled her head to get me to spill.
"Norcana."
Both pair of eye blinked and looked crazed, like I had two heads and no eyes.
"Are you joking? Surely you jest that we could possibly oh I dont know… DIE?!"
I shake my head and press my back against the stone wall. The old rock crumbles off as I slide inwards, ducking my head slightly.When I could touch the other side of the gate walls and grumble out to him.
"Flames sake Yeon, I will tell you one last time. I am not kidding in any way from now."
That shut him up. Good.
Anika was next, gracefully gliding against the cold stone with her thin structure. I, on the other hand, didn't have the luxury of fighting with the moldy pile of rubble.
Once she too was out, Yeon led Marina in first, then he afterwards.
"How gentleman like." I called after him.
He rolled out his hand for me to take
"As always, madam."
Right.
"Well, if what I can remember, I think we have around about five hours to walk to get to Norcana Forrest. There we will find a place to build a shelter and later on find food."
I raise my thumb while bunching my right palm.
"Clear?"
Marina is the first to take a step forward with a small smile on her face.
"Lead the way, dear."
.........
The leaves brush past my lips, and Yeon swears.
"Holy flames, I thought I was a goner."
I roll my eyes even though he could see it. We found a clear path of only small rocks and sticks, easy enough to walk on without struggle.
"Don't be a pansy. That wasn't even a snake, you ditz."
I hold up a stick from in front of me before throwing it back lightly, making sure to startle him.
"My dear stupid and tall friend, that was a full grown vicious stick. There are no snakes out here, I assure you. Definitely much worse than a puny reptilia in these woods."
"Oh yeah, that sounds so much better than the blessed snake!"
A loud crunch shook the silence and Yeon yelped, jumping in defensive mode while holding said stick.
"Ah my savour." I sighed out sarcastically. "Honestly, at least use something other than the stick you have. It would snap the second some bear has its teeth clenched to it."
Anika lets out a laugh amongst the icy breeze, all of us shivered slightly. It all seems like a blurred dream. All of us are together, walking and laughing. The faint sweet smell of floral and grass. The fresh coldness from the morning due. It sent a buzz feeling through my chest, making it heavy to release a single breath. I was nervous; it was different.
I held out my hand in front of my eyes, in hopes of blocking the golden glow stretching from the sun. It was nearly nightfall.
"Perhaps we can start looking for a place to rest. We have traveled further than I thought we would."
Yeon looks up past the forest canopy and slightly nods as if surprised I've made him walk all this way. Marina seems very worn out from over exerting herself.
"Where would we rest then? Quite frankly, all I am seeing is large rocks and rows of trees."
I point above, suggesting the obvious which forces a heavy sigh from Yeon, then a light clap afterwards.
I tighten my things closer to me and observe the closest trees surrounding us. We had to make sure Marina could get up safely since I knew the others could easily climb with the experience we all have.
"We need to look for a tree with some kind of hollowed out grove so Mari can step up with ease, but we need to be off the ground in case we get found."
I stab a stick into the bark of a tree, twisting it a little.
"Even if the tree has a weak spot, we could dig out."
I hear Anika grunt for a bit as she too, starts picking at a tree.
"What about this one Ash?"
Chucking the stick backwards, I pace carefully to where she is. I can see a well-carved hole which brings a smile to our faces.
"Brilliant! With this, Mari can go up with us. Guys, pick a tree. I know you won't need any steps. I'll help Mari up then Ill pass some food to everyone. It's getting late and we can't be on the ground much longer."
Standing with Marina, I give her a smile and let her know she's safe with us.
"Love, what would I do without you."
Oh Mari.. you sound sad.
I help her put her foot in place before heaving her up as best as I could, not hurting her. I could hear rustling sounds around us. It was nightfall.
After making sure she's in a comfortable position, I walk to my own chosen tree and grasp its side and work my way up with ease. I wrap around the last branch in the way and swing onto the top, where I could rest without falling. This really takes me back to all the adventures we would sneak off to.
We all stare at one another in the dark branches, awaiting the danger to come any minute. We are scared and we can't turn back now.
I raise my cotton bag in front of myself, revealing a handful of berries I picked off earlier. I collected many for the four of us to eat. Tomorrow we would make weapons with the surrounding wood but now we must lie low until the next sun.
Each of us silently chew on mixed berries and green herbs from the journey here.
I couldn't help but think about the townspeople. Were they really put into custard for the Lord? I wonder if the knight told a lie, but for some reason I think we can trust him. His rings come into mind again. It was stunning and shining for everyone to see, almost like my own pendant though mine wasn't as beautiful as his.
Why would a knight help the poor? How many other people did he manage to warn?
"This is inane." Yeon whispered out. His sleep falling in.
"I pray you don't wake up on the ground, you nutt."
Only a soft chuckle escaped his mouth before a huge breeze came over us, making the leaves dance within the night. It was enough to also receive sleep.
********************************************************
"Sst"
Annoying.
"Pssst"
It won't stop.
"Ash, I swear on thy flame you best wake up now." Yeon softly yelled.
Anika woke before me with a groan.
"Yeon please."
He screamed and our eyes flew open. I sat up and looked into the darkness and saw what he was pointing at while shocked.
Eyes. Big, blue and piercing. A growl grumbled and claws scratched into the dirt. Dragging its huge paws with thuds. This was a Graven, and it was starving. Saliva dripped and soiled the earth and its tail moved like a snake. It was going to pounce.
"Yeon, move now!"
In seconds, the Graven jumps into action, clawing at his tree. It was intent on climbing to him, to shred him into pieces. The beast's jaw bites into the bark as it hisses at him.
Yeon is quick to jump onto the other branches, steadying himself and preparing to flee. His gaze looks at all the openings and choices he has to make.
"Quick, jump onto my tree. I'll try distract it from behind!"
He didn't need me to tell him twice. He leaped into the air with the Graven following him with the same speed he possesses. I watch as he spit blood from the knee while yelling through the pain. He made it.
"Ash, Yeon!"
I turn my head to Anika, who was together with a crying Marina. Holding her firm to her chest, protecting her at all costs.
"Ani! Don't come over near us okay? You stay there and protect Mari. We will try to distract the Graven from you guys."
She silently nods with a trembling lip. She understood everything.
I face Yeon and grab onto his arm, pulling him up with me. He catches his breath, then stares down at the snarling creature below. He pats his chest, looking for a heartbeat.
"Flames, I thought I was a goner."
"You still can be."
With that, I spin and latch myself to another branch, hanging down and spreading my feet out. Its teeth open for me to slide down the tongue. It scrunches up its nose as it waits for its potential meal.
"Ashlyn! Bless child you almost become its dinner!"
"You idiot, we are nearly the same age! Don't child me."
Without looking, I can already tell he's rolling his eyes. It's something he does.
I snap off a branch and aim it towards its face, readying myself to impale the skin and bone. The beast's eyes narrow into slits and saliva drips from its mouth, pooling onto the ground where it stood.
In seconds, I release the makeshift weapon and it hurdles straight into the open jaw of sharp teeth. Blood spurts and a wallowing screech comes from the monster, shaking the trees from within.
The Graven succumbs to the force of my strike and thuds to the ground. All of our breaths mingle with Anika and Marina's light sobs while the beast laid dead in silence.
"I think we can all agree that we sleep with one eye open, yeah?"
I don't think anyone argued with his statement. We were all exhausted when the sun shone through for morning.
—--------------------------------------------------------------
"We have to go through Norcana to get to our destination."
I point where the trees separated into a water clearing.
"It's deep so we can't walk through it and it's probably too strong with how violent it looks.
"Wait, can we back track miss adventure pants, where is our destination exactly? And why are you two looking at me all annoyed like? Stop that, you know I am sensitive."
"How you managed to survive that Graven last night is a mystery Yeon, seriously we discussed we were heading to Oakswood to lie low until we can move again!"
"Anika has a point where you just looking at clouds this whole time?"
Yeon scuffed the dirt and shrugged his shoulders.
"No, not exactly. I was-
Anika, who forced his mouth, shushed him closed with her hand. She too, could sense we were no longer alone.
"Hey yo-mmff"
A cold wind split on the side of my face, along with a silver and brown glint. We all heard it stab into the tree behind me. I was the first to look behind me and realised it was an arrow.
Soon three more came after, penetrating the ground before Anika, Yeon and Marina's feet.
"One movement and you all die!"
I scanned the area with my eyes, to see if there was more than just the one person. I noticed a few shadows within the deeper parts of the trees. Thought so enough.
"Give me a reason I shouldn't strike you down."
Then we saw him appear out of the shadows. He was precise with his steps, holding onto a sword and I could just tell even with his childlike features, he knew how to kill. He had bandages along both of his small arms, even wrapped around his fingers. I noticed the other sharp objects that hung from his pants. They clung when he heavily stepped closer to us.
Now that we could properly see him, we knew to not say a word.
His eyes were the same colour as emerald, the shape more feline than human. Those eyes scanned us each head to toe, narrowing them closer when he saw the spear I had in my hand. I clenched it tighter, which he surely noticed.
"You. Throw that away."
It only made me hold it closer to me.
He made two steps closer; he was now in front of me. A sword was suddenly at my neck.
"I won't repeat myself, girl."
I gulped and released the wood from my powerful grip. I raised my head slightly, making the sword's end scrape down to my throat. My body felt warm. It trapped me under his gaze and weapon. I wouldn't be able to escape in time.
"You must be the leader." He rotated the sword's hilt ever so slightly, ensuring I would answer his question.
"What brings you all here?"
I responded with what I had, the truth.
"We are hiding."
He let out an unimpressed sigh while his sword lowered slightly.
"You are hiding."
I give him a long and hard stare before speaking more slowly to him. Maybe he is a child and I should converse the same as his age.
I nod my head slowly and made sure I held eye contact.
"Yes - We - Are - Hiding."
It was silent for seven seconds.
"Tija!"
In another two seconds, a tall, tanned man stood his height next to the boy-child. His hair was the same, messy, with even bits of leaves tangled within the strands.
He caught me staring an immediately unsheathed his own sword and swung it my way. What's with all the sharp objects being pointed at me?
"You called."
I glance back to child-boy in hoping this isn't my last day, in the mercy of an angry shrimp. It was a challenge to not blink in this moment.
"This one has attitude."
This seemed to humour the tall man he called Tija. I could see the slight lift of a smile.
"I see."
"I don't have an attitude you midget! I have a bloody sword to my neck!"
"Ah, I really see it now."
"Whatever. Just let us go nicely and safely. We just need to hide, and the situation we are in right now is not helping us at all."
"I say we let em follow us. If they turn to be bad, we just kill them. No big deal!"
No big deal, he says.
"No, really, we just need to go, not with you, just us, so yeah. Kindly release please."
For once, he actually listened and returned his sword to the sheath with a soft tap.
"Fine. You four can come with us."
He took a step back while eyeing us suspiciously.
"If you even just annoy me, you're dead."
Yeon suddenly talks, which is surprising. He hasn't fainted by now. I also see that Anika is relieved and Marina is interested in the sword the Tija guy is still gripping.
"Is there food where you are going?"
The kid looks back at me in silence. Of course, my friend just has to be the moron of the group.
"Ignore him. I do."
Must have been the sun's rays, but there was a small glint in his emerald eyes.
Tija runs towards Yeon and slings his arm over the shoulder, bringing him in close.
"You like chicken?"
Oh, flames help us.