Darkness floods the sight,
branches stuck on the side,
constant creaking,
Trees moving,
Feeling being watched,
breaths down the neck,
sending shivers up the spine
Jolting at each sight,
even birds taking flight,
on top of it all,
dragging feed through slippery mud,
going down slope paths
that end with jagged rocks
Even though the sun is full-size,
none of it's light,
touched the muddy ground
through all its terror,
two shadowed figures wander,
treading down its path.
" Squeak Squeak."
Amon chimed every once in a while which was followed by the happy babbling of a baby. His feet constantly tested the ground before treading, making sure to be holding onto the trees and branches for support. Right on Amon's shoulders sat Little One, which had been secured to the back of Amon's head with the help of a headband. A headband that bore half the ripped symbol of Crimtroy. A headband that used to be, a flag bearing all the glory that the tribe Crimtroy is. Which was folded up and used by Amon as a belt for quite some time.
Something Amon thought was a great idea since it was useful to keep up his pants and whenever he did something that was a grand feat of achievement, he could wave the flag around. Claiming the glory for his tribe and finally earning the acknowledgment he deserved. Well, that was the former plan, now it was being used as nothing more than a safety belt for Little One's bumpy ride.
" Squeak Squeak."
Amon repeated causing the baby to bubble in delight and causing Philomel to finally let out an annoyed sigh.
" Must you do that every 10 minutes?"
Philomel demanded.
" Of course! This forest is extremely creepy! Don't want Little One getting scared now do we?"
Amon answered with much enthusiasm as he patted Little One on the head.
" Can't you make any other sounds? Hearing the same one over and over again is annoying! If you're trying to get back at me for cutting up that flag in two, just say it! Instead of this torment!"
Philomel whined as she accidentally slip on the mud and fell on her bum for the 5th time. Philomel lets out a frustrated growl as Amon lends her a helping hand.
" Cutting up the flag of our tribe was rather... heartbreaking but I understand, it was the only spare cloth item that could be optimized in terms of usage. Now it can hold up my pants and keep Little One safe on my shoulders. Granting freedom to my hands as we navigate through such hard terrain. Only now do I understand that my previous suggestion of going through with slightly dropping pants would have hindered me even more. Which is why I now am okay with you desecrating the flag of our tribe for a cause that increases our safety. "
Amon admitted finally, getting over his 2-hour anger at Philomel, for doing such a thing as he helped her to her feet.
" Good that you finally see it my way. Can you please stop with the squeaking then?"
Philomel asked nicely as she scraped the mud off the lower back of her dress and flick it onto the ground. Little One as soon as he heard the word squeak immediately babbled a reply.
" Unfortunately, no... Little One only likes that sound and it's the only word that he reacts to. See, Mooooo."
Amon demonstrated and Little One fell silent.
" Meow."
Philomel tried and Little One was still silent as he got distracted by the leaves touching his head.
" Little One."
Amon tried again but no reply.
" Sque..."
Philomel stopped midway and with just that Little One started squealing and babbling. Philomel let out an exhausted sigh.
" Ok fine! Whatever."
Philomel huffed as she pushed a branch out of her way and continued her way northwest through the forest.
" Are we close?"
Amon asked as he did his best to keep up.
" Just another day more, I think."
" Day?! But we have been at this for a week already."
" Whining about it won't change anything. Just be glad the rest of the forest wasn't as muddy and hard as this area."
" True, I really like the field, and camping in a cave wasn't that bad either."
Amon nodded as he recalled the smooth and even pleasant journey they had so far. There weren't any dangers, they even managed to gain food of nuts, fruit, and berries. Amon even managed to catch two rabbits, they were delayed for half a day due to the rain so they took shelter in a cave. Unfortunately for them, it made their journey through the deep parts of the forest more dangerous.
" From my rough estimate, we should be 2 days ahead of schedule and would be able to catch Lenny and Estrella at the edge of this forest where the road leads to the kingdom Alryne ."
" Wait! What?! We went through all that just to be two days ahead of them??"
Amon exclaimed.
" It was either that or we wouldn't be able to catch up to them. We definitely could keep up with them until they reach the kingdom Lunaris. Yes, we might be able to get ahead of them for 1 day but do you think that the King of Lunaris would allow them to continue their journey on foot? After knowing that they travel with the Miracle child?"
Philomel pointed out in a questioning tone.
" So... your saying... they might have horses?"
" I'm saying they might be traveling in a carriage guarded by at least 5 trained Knights. Remember the reason why they were so undefended was that they were sneaking out of the Kingdom and the rest were set as decoys. This time they would probably be more prepared and on guard. Two days are the perfect advantage we need. With some elbow grease and a few traps. We might get our hands on that baby."
Philomel cunningly stated.
" I hope you're right... but what do we do about Little One? Bring him to a battle like that is definitely a bad idea."
Amon asked in a worried tone.
" This is why we should have left him at the last village! Argh! How could I have forgotten about that!!"
Philomel huffed as she kicked a nearby rock.
" Well we all were exhausted and Darzirak pulling off that stun did rush us to leave quickly."
Amon empathized but at the same time was happy that Philomel forgot and he could be with Little One a little longer.
" *Sighs* We'll figure something out when we get there. "
Philomel sigh as she pushed aside a bush just to reveal the most beautiful sight ever.
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