Marching into the open unkempt pathway, a cold breeze greeted Cadin and the 30 more horsemen behind him.
As they ventured inside, the chirping of birds and rustling of bushes as small animals wandered could be observed by the unit.
Cadin marched in first, cautiously moving with his bow and arrow in hand, preparing for an attack. The men behind him doing the same as they looked at the trees and flora around them, their weapons at the ready.
The atmosphere was calm, even with little sign of an enemy the unit stayed vigilant.
"This place is beautiful....I have never seen such trees this large before." Joken said in amazement.
Branches sprouted from different heights on each tree, nearly 10 on each as birds among other small critters scurried on top.
'This area could be used for lumber if we wish.'
As they wandered deeper, Cadin realized. The pathway they trotted on seemed to become more clear and tended to than earlier.
Cadin raised his closed right hand, ordering the unit to stop.
"I do not think were alone here Joken. Weapons up."
A sense of fear hit Cadin, now expecting something to come out of the bushes throughout the area.
Farther into the forest, the pathway became more clear, and the noises of forest animals grew louder and louder. The bark of trees became darker and thicker the farther they continued, the daylight of the outside they once stood in now out of their sights.
Bushes were more lush and some even bearing berries, large rocks stood on the sides of the path.
'What lives here?' Cadin asked himself, looking up at the sky above, numerous gaps shone down light, making the area more visible than before.
Upon looking down at the path again, Cadin noticed. Hoofprints in front of him, not from his horse.
"Joken, someone or a camp is nearby. Stay close and prepare for an ambush. This print looks recent." Cadin ordered.
Joken relayed his orders to the men behind, who began marching closer together.
"My lord. Over there." Joken pointed to the side.
Away from the path, hidden behind a few trees and bushes, an entrance to a cave.
Cadin became relieved, his goal finished. He moved away from the path and into the bushes, his units following from behind.
The bushes nearly reached up to Cadin's boots, rustling loudly as more horsemen passed through them.
On closer inspection, the cave entrance was larger. It's entrance partly illuminated by the bright sunlight already piercing the trees.
'No signs of a mine or tools, seems were the only one to find this.' He thought to himself.
Out of the bushes and into a small plot of open ground just outside the cave entrance, they dismounted their steeds.
'Strange. Hopefully it yields what I need.' With the entrance already glowing bright from the sun's light, the unit entered inside. Holding their swords as they left their horses.
Water drops echoed out inside the cave with the faint sound of pebbles tumbling around. The scent of moss and water dominated the place.
Soon, after descending deeper with lesser light. Cadin placed his hand on a part of the cave wall, on closer inspection, he could see it. The color of iron embedded in stone. A smirk grew on his face.
"What is it my lord?" Joken asked from behind, his sword ready in hand.
Cadin chuckled for a few seconds, "It seems we found what we were looking for. Iron. Now all we need is a way here and security." He replied.
"Note this place down, we'll return." Finished with the expedition, Cadin went out with his army, all looking at the large cave as daylight hit them outside.
On top of his own steed, Joken scribbled down their location an empty map. The team had fulfilled their expedition.
While they prepared to head back, a sudden whistle alerted everyone.
Before the soldiers could react, one of them was struck in the chest by an arrow. His body fell to the ground with a loud grunt.
"Ambush!" Cadin turned to where the arrow came from. On a tree branch, a hooded figure stood, bow in hand.
Cadin quickly lined his shot, without delay he released it.
The arrow flew through the air, but missed as the man began fleeing down the tree.
"Do not pursue. Get him on his steed, we need to retreat!: He yelled out.
All rushed to get on top of their horses and the wounded man clutched onto his horse lead.
In a moment's notice, once all have mounted their steeds, the unit retreated. Speeding off through the bushes, tearing them apart as the horses galloped through them.
Back on the path, arrows began flying down upon them from above.
"Just keep moving, don't worry. The armor can take it." At the front Cadin ran forward, ignoring the arrows as they crashed down onto the ground. Some struck a few of the horsemen, but they continued charging out of the area.
In just minutes, the daylight of the outside could be seen in the distance.
"Keep moving! We are closer to the exit!" The barrage didn't stop, seemingly intensifying as they moved closer to the outside.
They breached the forest, rushing out into the sunlight in relief, basking in the heat. The unit didn't stop, continuing to move. The arrows seemed to stop as Cadin looked from behind. Many of his men were still alive, but injured with arrows embedded on their arms and backs, causing bleeding.
"We will return to camp and get you all tended to. Don't worry." Cadin called out to his men, no longer holding onto his bow and arrow, clutching the lead with both hands.
'My suspicions were true, a camp of sorts must be there. And nearby to the cave.' The sense of shock from the ambush went away as the silhouette of the forest disappeared.
Now bound for home, Cadin began thinking on his next course of action.
'Now i have a cave with iron, now i need a way to keep it safe and sustainable from a distance.'