Save for the soft and gentle rustling of leaves, interspersed by the intermittent and periodic call of a bird, filtered from somewhere really far away, it was unusually silent in the woods. The thick and rich foliage overhead that hung above them was supposed to be their protection, forming a canopy that should have ensconced them in a place of security, but considering how things were already shaping up, to Kiera and Martha, every shadow hiding in dim light and every single sound that ripped through the stillness seemed an equal and imminent danger.
During the past few hours, they had devoted themselves to the task of reinforcing and securing the cabin in order to protect it against whatever attack may be launched at it, preparing as carefully as possible for the worst eventuality that might happen; the heavy burden of Jonah's inexplicable disappearance weighed upon them with a continuing sense of waiting.
As night started to cast its dark veil over the cabin, Kiera found herself pacing the limited space in the small living area, her mind reeling with every type of speculation that she could imagine. The little skirmish they had endured earlier certainly made all of them hypervigilant, and the not-knowing-what-had-happened-to him factor in Jonah's case only added to the anxiety that was already fraying their nerves to a breaking point. Martha, meanwhile, sat at the table, clearly showing her anxious self as she riffled through the various documents and maps that they had garnered in a search for answers.
"Keira, we really need to have a talk about our approach going forward," Martha said as the silence that had surrounded them was finally broken. As much as her voice came out steady and calm, her eyes had a whole different story to tell, showing the anxiety she was feeling.
Kiera stopped pacing and turned around. "I am all ears. What is on your mind?
Martha subtly nodded her head toward the map that was spread out across the table in front of them. "We really need to consider our next steps with a great deal of caution and thoughtfulness at this juncture in time. Silas's men are out searching for where we are, and it's crystal clear we can't stay here very much longer. It is of paramount importance that we have a plan, find a method to clear our thoughts and assess what we have, reevaluate the situation we are in, and make sure that we don't accidentally put ourselves in harm's way.
Kiera nodded thoughtfully, her eyes drifting over the detailed map spread before her. "I couldn't agree more with that sentiment. In any case, we can't just leave Jonah out there to face the cold, harsh elements all by his lonesome. If we're really going to do anything to rescue him, we need to make sure the approach we decide upon minimizes the risk and danger for each and every one of us involved in this situation."
Martha's eyes dropped to the scattered papers before her; their weight was heavy in the silence. "I have been diligently studying Jonah's intelligence and strategic maneuvers. On close inspection, I have found that there is a traceable pattern in the movement of Silas, actually serving perfectly our interest. That could give us vital information; we might just predict what they're going to do next, and thus find Jonah and be prepared to counterattack effectively.
Kiera lifted an eyebrow. "What kind of pattern?
Martha adjusted her glasses on her nose and then leaned forward, about to give a more elaborate explanation. "According to what Jonah has told us, it would seem that Silas's men have a fair predilection to fall back to one or more pre-designated points in the aftermath of an attack. These can be considered safe houses-or at least, operational focal points. We can try to find one of these strategic centers and, in so doing, hopefully find some communication-intercept, at any rate, some incidental chatter-that will enable us to track where Jonah is and from whence he is being held."
Kiera leaned over the table, her gaze intently focused on the intricate details of the map spread before her. "If we can actually pinpoint the exact location of one of these crucial hubs, there's a good chance that we might just get Jonah out of his predicament and, at the same time, interfere with whatever Silas has cooking at this very moment. However, it must be done with extreme caution. This must be handled as a careful and precise operation."
Martha nodded in full agreement, propping the idea up with enthusiasm. "I wholly agree we should make it our priority to find that hub which is nearest to that particular location where Jonah was last seen. This may be a long shot, but at this point in time, it is the best hope we have of finding him."
Kiera huffed hard, blowing out a deep sigh, her face displaying much frustration. "This is getting so much more complicated than we thought it would be. With incomplete information and a ticking clock, what can't go wrong now?"
Martha looked up then and soberly told them, "We really have no time to waste or act in ways that will only lead to fatigue. Any further delay may cost us Jonah, and that would be the failure of our mission."
While others were merely reacting to the present situation, Kiera's mind was already deeply engrossed in calculating the next step in what was rapidly emerging as a complicated series of strategic moves.
After several minutes passed on the clock, they suddenly realized that some instants can, almost like an eternity, prolong themselves endlessly, as they, after many minutes, grappled for a notion of what the next pivotal step should be in the evolving scenario. Every once in a while, through the thick blanket of absolute silence, the woeful howling of a wolf would echo from afar or the soft rustling of wind outside the cabin, and each sound heightened the already tenser atmosphere.
They were still engaged in a spirited debate over the finer points of their meticulously crafted plan when, quite unexpectedly, a loud noise erupted from outside. In an instant, the two women halted in their tracks—the first woman instinctively reached for her weapon, while Martha swiftly turned her gaze toward the window to ascertain the source of the disturbance.
"What was that?" Martha whispered softly, her voice trembling as she shook a little.
Kiera raised her hand, and the gesture meant silence for the group. "Not totally sure what it is, but we have to go check out what's going on, now. Keep close to me."
The two females approached the door cautiously, their senses heightened for any impending danger that might well threaten them from the outside. Kiera opened the door just a smidge, pressing her head out into the enveloping dark to survey everything around them with caution. The moonlight filtered in, casting macabre shadows on the forest floor below them, but even with all these foreboding signs and portents, nothing was there to be seen that looked dangerous.
With great caution, Kiera stepped out into the complete darkness, Martha close behind her and ready for whatever lay in wait for them. The surrounding woods were once again tranquil-a silence both serene and hauntingly still-but that awkward feeling never seemed to lift off into the air. Kiera peered critically at her surroundings, her eyes scanning the darkened outlines of everything for any slight movement, or even any disturbance for that matter, which could indicate some sort of life.
"Stay alert," Kiera whispered to Martha. "Be prepared for anything."
Martha nodded in agreement as her face took on a pale color, but her expression was resolute and determined. The two women went ahead cautiously through the heavy woods, their footsteps almost silent as they trod carefully around the heavy undergrowth that emanated from every direction.
As they made their way cautiously and drew nearer than ever to the edge of the glade, the form of El'gor began to emerge, lying prostrate, not moving an inch on the ground, under the soft moonlight. Kiera felt her heart leap suddenly with that jolt of adrenaline, moving closer until briefly, the sudden feeling of concern caught up with her and her breath was momentarily caught in her throat.
There stood a man in clothes, which were tattered, matted into mud and dirt. As Kiera and Martha lowered themselves down onto their knees next to him, Kiera let out an audible breath that was profoundly relieving. This was no other than Jonah, unconscious and with bruises all over the body, despite the unfortunate state he happened to be in.
"Martha, help me with him," Kiera said in urgency. "We have to get him back to the cabin.
Martha nodded her head, trembling slightly, as she assisted Kiera in the careful and deliberate task of lifting Jonah. Together, they bore him, making their way back to the cabin in gratitude that they could do something to help, yet very aware of the serious weight of what lay before them.
They carefully placed Jonah onto the wooden floor inside the cabin and immediately got to work tending to his many injuries. Kiera worked with both efficiency and skill, her hands gently cleaning and meticulously bandaging each of Jonah's wounds.
"Is he going to be okay?" Martha asked in a voice which was really carrying a lot of weight in the form of worry and deep concern-evident in every word she spoke.
Kiera nodded her head in agreement, but still kept a serious and somber expression in her outlook concerning the situation at hand. "He's alive, which is a relief, but we need to ensure that he is stabilized properly before anything else can happen. We are going to have to be patient and wait until he wakes up so we can gather any information from him."
As Kiera went on with her work, Jonah stirred and his eyelids fluttered open. He sat up, gazing around the room in a daze as if taking in all that surrounded him in a mostly confused fashion before slowly settling his gaze on Kiera.
Keira." Jonah's voice was weak, though full of relief. "You found me."
Kiera's eyes melted into concern. "We did. You're safe now. But we do need to know what happened. Why did you stay behind?"
Jonah struggled in discomfort, trying to work his way up onto his elbows but finding himself too weak to fight. "I had to do it. They were closing in on us with urgency. I bought you some precious time, but unfortunately, they're getting closer and closer by the second. Silas's men are pursuing us with an unwavering relentlessness."
Kiera's heart had hit the bottom of her stomach, laced with a heavy weight of dread. "We are aware of it; so what should be our next course of action from now on? Is there any chance you could provide us with information on their current position or any plans they might have?
Jonah let loose a deep breath, letting the heavy weight of his burdens flow out with it, as his eyes mirrored the pain and fatigue of what the situation had taken from him. "Silas's men have congregated together at a nearby hub that serves as a vital point for them. Well guarded, this place is key to their entire operations. You take it down, and it'll cut huge into their plans and give us some much-needed reprieve in order to fight back." K
eira's mind was a jumble of racing thoughts, as one phrase keep replaying in her mind: Jonah's urgent words, "We have little time to waste. We must attack the hub before they build up their defense to maximum." The weight of his message hung heavily in the air, weighing in with the gravity of the situation they were in.
Martha nodded in agreement, indicating her understanding of the situation. Her face was set into a serious expression, reflecting the gravity of what lay ahead. "We shall have to make detailed plans," she said firmly. "We cannot afford to make any mistakes that could jeopardize our efforts." Jonah watched them closely, his face a mask of solemnity and apprehension. He said, "Be careful. They won't expect an attack, but don't be mistaken-they're ready for anything that comes their way."
Kiera nodded; a settled determination was written across her face. "We'll take all necessary precautions. For now, just rest. We'll handle the rest." With Jonah comfortingly settled into his warm bed, sleeping restlessly but peacefully, Kiera and Martha had set about getting ready for the next crucial step in their unfolding adventure.
Running deep in their minds, burdened by the importance of their mission, was the weight of responsibility they felt, yet they knew full well that every individual choice they would arrive at carried far greater importance than merely their immediate situation and would largely impact and shape the trajectory of the entire journey in the days to come. It was a night typified by sluggishness in the approach to strategy, accompanied by meticulous preparations.
The forest was somber and forbidding outside, wrapped in its thick blanket of darkness; it presented an uncanny atmosphere of dead silence, with rarely heard chirps of insects or other faint sounds that floated through the air from faraway places.
At this moment, the first light of dawn was beginning to break gracefully upon the horizon, signaling the arrival of a new day, as Kiera and Martha busily prepared themselves for the critical now-or-never attack that lay ahead. They had meticulously crafted and carefully planned their route to ensure they would meet at a location that had been pre-agreed upon by both of them, thus maximizing their chances of success.
In the distance, the hub was clearly visible, standing there as a reminder of their goal, and they both firmly resolved to launch their attack before the men of Silas could further bolster their strength and solidify their position any more than they already had.
As Kiera was getting ready to leave, her eyes lingered to cast a last glance at the cabin they had grown accustomed to, and a sense of wistfulness filled her heart at the expectation of the significant task ahead. Exactly at this point, they stood on the brink of taking some very significant action, every single minute was plotted for, and there should be no scope for mistakes.
With a final, tight smile of acknowledgment for Martha, Kiera faced front and joined the steadily moving column of Fate's, her steps confident as she boldly made her way into the woods, senses as alert as ever, focused, determined. Yes, it was true, an enemy of near insurmountable caliber was, in fact, moving closer this very moment, but for all that, they had given their oath to each other to do whatever it took to win their battle. And the stakes were high; the consequences of the final outcome of their task, would influence forever everything about their years-long war against Silas and his unfeeling Legions.