Nightshade: Chapter VIII
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VIII–The Boy and The Forest
Noë could not hide her sense of wonder as she walked through the ancient trees, more overgrown and looming the deeper westward they went.
For so long she had wondered what The Wilds truly had in store, and she found that here, deep within the forest, there was more history–more life than she could have hoped.
As they passed broken carts and carriages along the threaded pathway, Orion stopped them from moving further. Aren’s notice came close after. “There’s someone ahead. Haemir–”
“On it.” He pulled his sword and made way to break and go around.
Noë watched Haemir as he lifted his veil over his lips and disappeared into the treeline to the left. “Should I be concerned?”
Glea shook his head, bashful, yet growing more sure in her presence. “I’ve seen them do things I thought were impossible. I wouldn’t doubt it if they could take on an army together.”
Such talent and anticipation came from centuries long history between the two warriors.
Orion looked behind himself as the forest stirred, hearing a bow being strung. “Get back.” He said with a fast hiss as an arrow flew by, grabbing his own long red bow and shooting back faster than Noë could track, a resounding shriek of pain coming from the close trees ahead.
“Father!” a young boy cried, just as Haemir came from the trees behind, to see a spare traveller, injured with an arrow to the belly and a young boy of five crouched over him.
As the rest arrived, Haemir put his weapons away. “Humans, both.”
Orion kneeled beside the sweating man, his dirty blonde hair sticking to his head with foliage and blood. “Never shoot without expecting it in return.” He said in a word of caution to him as Noë came next, horrified.
Quickly she released Hrim and fell to the man’s side, his young son crying. “Gods, that’s deep.” she gasped as the crying boy turned away from the running blood on his father's tunic.
Orion looked at the wound further, “I can’t take it out without making it worse.”
She tried to think quickly. “Does anyone have Narwe? Sweet lily? Even an insignificant amount will do.”
Glea rummaged as the young boy clung to him. “I do. Just a leaf left.”
The man grabbed Orion’s sleeve, recognizing him instantly from his deformed ears. “You have… to get my son to Callonwood. Please…”
“He’s going nowhere without you. You must lie still.” She took the leaf, her eyes shifting gold as she looked at Orion across the man’s quickly rising chest. “Pull it–quickly.”
He nodded and pulled, coaxing the man’s scream to echo through the trees.
“Asëa.” she said softly, rolling the leaf in her palm with enchantment, the soft plant covering his stomach as liquid dripped into his wound, closing it slowly.
“It’s… working…” the man said softly as light returned to his vision. “Thank you. Gods–thank you.”
Haemir and Orion shared a look as Noë smiled at the human man.
There was more to her than Hel’s inbred coldness.
Not long after was the man fully healed, gathered with his son as he further thanked her for her help. “A group of us set out to get to Callonwood, but we were attacked in the Mistwood. Sixty of us against… lord knows how many dwellers. My son and I just barely escaped but we’ve been lost here ever since.”
Noë saw the young blonde boy playing carefully with Hrim as they splashed a puddle together.
Thin and road worn, it looked as if they hadn’t eaten in some time.
She went through her pack taking out as much–plus more–of what she could spare.
He waved her generosity away, but she pressed on.
“Please. Take it. If not for you, for your son.”
Tears pricked the man’s eyes.
“I… Thank you. Gods bless you. This will sustain us until we can find our way.”
Orion approached from his rounds, ensuring their area was secure. He bowed deeply in apology. “I apologise for your injuries. Please, allow my eagle to guide you to Callonwood. He knows the way.”
The man fell to his knees, bowing deeper. “Prince Orion, the fault is mine. I nearly hit you–I haven’t been trained.”
Orion extended a hand to him and raised him to his feet. That much had been clear from the shot he took. It was not the man’s fault that Orion’s shot had come back five times as fast, and did not miss.
He signalled at Haemir who brought over a spare thin sword. “Use this instead. It isn’t heavy, and you’ll find it useful at close range. To be sure of your target.”
Noë heard large wings descend as Orion whistled for Aren. As the eagle landed beside him, Noë’s eyes brightened. He was terrifying, and adorable all at once, blue and painted he was nearly as tall as her.
“Aren, lanu Callonwood.” He brought the man closer to allow Aren to see who he was hosting. As he squawked to confirm, he took off again, stirring wind and leaves as he went past the tree tops.
Orion looked at the dazed man’s face.
“It’s three days Northward. He’ll leave you once you arrive at the lavender fields and return to me.”
“The man bowed again. I can’t thank you all enough. Come, Eric.”
Noë waved as they walked the opposite way, following Aren’s leisurely circling. She looked up to Orion with admiration. “He knew you?”
Glea interrupted with a nod. “They all do. Humans are fascinated with him. Most hope they see him when they journey from the Wilds to Vertan in hopes that he’ll guide them to safety. It’s why we travel with him, to get others there safely or help settlements that are being attacked.”
It was clear from Glea’s voice that her admiration was shared.
Orion tightened his bow on his back. The words of praise meaningless in the eyes of fate. “Let’s keep moving.”
They were being followed.
To be continued...