“Dinnae let yer guard down,” Taran warned. “It could be a trick. But regardless, we cannae continue along this path. Even wi’out the danger of another attack, we could never manage tae get Emily through this section of the forest. We must move tae the edges where ’tisnae so much undergrowth and the trees aren’t so close together.”
He raised his sword and pointed a few miles west toward a steep, rocky ridge. “There. The forest should thin along the base of that ridge. We’ll try there. Besides, I like having the mountains at my back if we should have tae do battle again. I dinnae relish another attack like the last one.”
“That sound we heard,” Finn interjected. “I can’t put my finger on what it was. Man or beast. But it certainly got the attention of our attackers. Was it fear that stopped them, or allegiance to whatever it was? If it wasn’t human, we need to be wary of it stalking us. And if it was human, how do you supposehe knew we were under attack? Unless he was close by? And why did they respond so quickly to that sound, unless…”
“Unless?” Noah urged.
“Unless whatever, or whoever it was, has power over them. A leader, perhaps? Or is there darker magic afoot than we realize?”
“Are ye suggesting someone at the head of their group, or someone as powerful as, say…The Keeper, might hold power over The Others?” Taran pressed. “If so, ’twould mean he already knows of us and holds ill-will against us. But for what reason? If that is true, our quest is lost before we start.”
Finn shrugged. “I’m only suggesting we have no idea who or what we’re headed for. Man, magic, or…worse.”
“What’s worse,” Noah snapped, “is letting Emily die because we’re too cowardly to try.” The day was slipping away and while they battled here, Emily’s weakened body fought its own battle back in the cottage. “We’re wasting time talking. Time Emily doesn’t have.”
“Now, wait a minute,” Finn growled. “I only meant?—”
“Enough,” Taran held up his hand. “We’ve questions and conjecture enough. ’Tis answers we seek. Come. I want tae reach that ridge before we lose the sun.”
By the timethey reached the base of the mountain, exhaustion weighed heavily on each of them. They had fought, and from the look of the way Taran favored his right side, subtle as it was, he’d bled. Like Noah, Finn had superficial scratches and bruises, but nothing serious. Taran, on the other hand, must have sustained a deeper wound.
“We should make camp there, in those rocks,” Noah suggested, pointing to an outcropping. “It should provide bothprotection and hopefully hold in some heat from a fire for the night.”
“We’ve still a bit ’o light,” Taran replied. “We’ll go another few miles.”
“I thought you were in a hurry, lad,” Finn added.
“I’m not in a hurry to lose another member of my family,” Noah exclaimed, pointing at Taran. “He’s hurt. We need to see how badly. If Paige has taught me nothing else, it’s that wounds need to be cleaned as soon as possible. And if the look and smell of The Others are any indication, their weapons are likely as filthy as they are. Or worse.”
“I can manage another hour,” Taran insisted.
“No, Noah’s right,” Finn said, already heading to the outcropping. “I’ll gather wood for a fire. Just a wee one so we can heat some water and tend to that wound. Then we’ll all get some rest so we’re fit to face what tomorrow brings. If all goes well, we’ll find The Keeper and get the answers we seek.”
He turned to Noah. “Drag that stubborn Scot with you while I start a fire, then I’ll keep watch while you patch him up.”
Noah yawned,watching the first rays of light peek over the eastern horizon, illuminating the treetops. Thankfully, Taran’s wound hadn’t been deep or infected, and he’d been able to clean and dress it without issue. But Taran would likely carry a jagged scar as a souvenir from The Others.
Although Noah had slept soundly for the first two hours while the fire dwindled and darkness covered them like a blanket, something had startled him awake, and he’d been unable to find sleep again. He’d finally sent Finn to his bed and taken over guard duty.
Now, as he listened to Finn and Taran stir behind him, the anticipation for what today might bring bubbled inside him. He prayed to the God of his childhood that they’d find The Keeper quickly and be able to secure Emily’s transport to a time when her illness was not only recognizable, but curable. He couldn’t allow himself to consider any alternative.
Eager to be on their way, Noah had already built up the fire enough to brew strong tea by the time Taran and Finn finished rolling up their packs. A piece of jerky completed their breakfast.
By the time the sun was full up, warming the air and the land it presided over, they were on the move, sticking closely to the line of the ridge, ever wary of what might lurk in the cracks and crevices of the mountain, or behind the trees of the forest.
“I ken we could manage getting a small cart through here,” Taran stated, evaluating the area they traversed.
Noah nodded, relieved to let that one tiny piece of transportation worry fall away. There were still plenty of other fears and concerns to occupy him.
Keeping a steady pace, they alternated between a brisk walk and a slow jog, ever watchful for any sign of a trail or markings that might indicate a path that could lead to The Keeper.
If Taran’s wound bothered him, he refused to let on. They stopped once during the morning hours for water and a ten-minute rest, but they’d yet to stop for a midday meal.
Sweat trickled down Noah’s back and beaded his forehead, but like his companions, he didn’t waver. He glanced up, gauging the time by the sun, and caught a flicker of something high on the mountain. A bird perhaps. But…
He stopped, causing Taran and Finn to do the same.
“What is it?” Taran asked.
