surrounded by three heavily armored, heavily armed men. Each of the men sat upon an enormous white steed. It was a breed Ashton did not recognize. From this distance he could not hear what transpired, but he gathered from the men’s postures that they were not to be taken lightly. He watched the three armored men dismount their steeds, their highly polished armor all the while shining in the sunlight. Then Garret was off into the brush, and the men followed directly behind him. Ashton, unsure of what was happening raced through the brush, sure he could beat them to the shelter where Sara and Seth remained, unaware of the coming danger. Racing to the clearing Ashton paused to be sure Garret and the men had not yet arrived. Assuring himself they had not, he raced into the stone shelter not stopping until his eyes found his companions in the dimly lit space. Sara sat at Seth’s side near his face, and as Ashton approached, she raised a finger to her lips telling him to be quiet, telling him Seth was asleep.
“Wake him.” Ashton responded to her unspoken command.
“Whatever for?” Sara demanded in a hushed tone. “He needs his rest.”
“Yes but we may be in danger.” Ashton responded, turning Sara’s face grim.
“Again?” She asked
“Yes, three men met Garret on the road, they follow him now, and they follow him here. They are all armed.” Ashton related as much as he could, without being long winded.
That was enough information for Sara. She asked nothing further. Instead she leaned her face to Seth’s ear and whispered.
“Seth darling, I need you to wake up.”
Seth’s eyes popped open immediately scanning the room. He had perceived in Sara’s words a tone of fear, one she had not intended. No danger located he looked then to Sara.
“Men are coming, with weapons, they found your brother hunting, and he leads them here.” Sara spoke quickly not knowing how much time they had if any.
Seth nodded, and rolling to his knees, warily rose to his feet. Though knowing he was too weak to fight, he drew his sword, then reached to his belt and brought forth his dagger as well. Motioning for Ashton to follow, he handed the dagger to Sara, and led them towards the opening of their small cavern. As they neared the entrance Seth could hear voices and motioned the others back. Seth paused a moment to listen. Men were talking and there was the sound of a sword being drawn. Next the sound of bones breaking, followed by a hollow thud, the sound a body might make when it hit the ground. He listened a moment longer, his heart filled with sorrow, his brother was probably dead. Unable to dwell on what might be happening outside their hiding spot, Seth listened for a moment longer. Straining his ears, he could hear someone approaching the entrance. He turned and this time led Sara and Ashton to the farthest corner in the back of the cavern, where the shadows were darkest. If they could surprise the men who had followed his brother, they might stand a chance. Seth, knowing this may be his last chance to do so, looked at his Sara. She did not notice his gaze. Instead she watched the entrance, unblinking, shaking, fear in her eyes. How it pained him to see her this way, yet she had every right to fear. He would be unable to protect her in his weakened condition, and Ashton was not even armed. Her dagger would not be enough to protect her, and after the men disposed of him and Ashton who knows what they might do to her.
This in mind, Seth quickly formulated a plan, he was too weak to fight, but he was sure he had enough energy to put up a good show. He could rush the men as they neared the entrance, hopefully startling them, giving Sara and Ashton a chance to escape, and make a run for it. If he could live long enough to give them at least a few moments head start, they might be able to lose the men in the thick ocean of brush that went on for miles in every direction. Seth knew he would die, but he would gladly sacrifice his life if Sara would live. He turned to tell his plan to Ashton, seeing Sara’s look of fear mirrored on his friends face, and suddenly froze before he could speak.
A footstep sounded in the cavern, echoing across the stone. Seth dropped to a kneeling position, preparing to lunge if the opportunity presented itself. Another step, then another and another echoed through the open cavern. The steps came in fast succession, but Seth noted that it was only one person who came into their small ambush. He waited tensely, watching, hoping he could catch this enemy off guard. The approaching footsteps slowed and then a large shadowy figure emerged into the dark room, something large in its hands.
Garret remained frozen in place, as the horses and their riders surrounded him.
“Young man.” The rider in front of him said in an even tone, eyeing first Garrets face, and then sliding his gaze to land sternly on Garret’s hands.
Without realizing what he was doing, Garret too looked down at his hands. He realized then that he had forgotten momentarily that he was carrying Sara’s crossbow, drawn and loaded. He had it pointed instinctively forward, towards the rider in front of him. He lowered it quickly, not wanting to provoke the men, if they would even need provoking.
Seeing the weapon lower, the first rider, presumably their leader, continued to speak.
“Who are you and what is your purpose on this road?” It was a demanding tone, but not quite menacing.
“My name is Garret Derringer, and I was hunting.” Garret tried to control his voice to sound unafraid.
“Hunting indeed.” The man replied through his helm, again turning his steel gray eyes to the crossbow. He then continued; “Did you happen to notice any Goblin tracks during your hunt?”
“No.” Garret replied honestly.
“Hmm.” The man grunted, eyeing Garret as if considering something. He leaned forward in his saddle, scrutinizing Garret, and presumably decided, he continued to speak. “We are knights to the Kingdom young hunter, sent to track down a goblin raiding party spotted in these lands. Two nights ago we found them, and ambushed them in the night. A single goblin escaped our attack, and we were not immediately able to pick up his trail. Yesterday we found his tracks, heading in this direction. Be careful young hunter, even a single goblin can be a deadly encounter. If you see him, note his location, and report it to a member of the Valdadorian guard as soon as you might meet one.”
Garret thought quickly of how to respond, and deciding honesty was best, spoke to the Knight before him.
“I spoke true about the tracks sire, as I have seen no markings of the Goblin. I have however seen the goblin itself.”
At that point all three riders leaned in their saddles to listen closely.
“Last night, as my companions and I slept, the goblin attacked us.” Before Garret was able to continue, the large knight with the steel eyes interrupted.
“Yet you stand here.” He stated, and then waited as if to let Garret continue.
“Yes Sire, the goblin was wounded in the attack, with this very crossbow.” Garret raised the weapon for them to see, however the knights had no interest in it and so ignored it. Garret let it fall to his side again.
“Then I managed to finish it off with my sword.” Garret said.
“And what of your companions?” This time the question came from the rider to Garret’s left, his voice trailing off as if already assuming the answer.
Without turning to face him, still looking ahead to the Knight before him Garret continued.
“My brother was wounded in the fight, he now rests to recover. Our other companions were unscathed.” This revelation from Garret seemed to take the knight in front of him by surprise, as he reeled back in his saddle in response. He nodded his approval after a moment and leaned once again forward to speak.
“Where is the goblin’s body, I must see for myself if it is the same one we have been racking.” This he once again said in an even tone, and then as if in afterthought asked. “And what of your brother, how comes his recovery?”
“My brother remains weak after the ordeal, and we have run out of food. That is why you have found me here on the trail. I was hunting, hoping to help him regain his strength so that we may complete our journey to The Choosing ceremony.” Garret spoke, fearing he may have offered more details than they wanted and added. “I’ll show you the goblin.”
The knight atop the horse in front of Garret only nodded in response. Then as if a command was given that Garret was unable to hear, the three knights dismounted their steeds, and holding the reigns to their horses, stood facing Garret waiting for him to lead. Garret walked quickly back into the thick brush, not wanting to make them wait. He did not look back to see if they followed, there was no need. The Knights’ heavy armor creaked and groaned as they walked, and their feet pounded the ground nearly as loud as their mounts. Garret led the small
