“Ironhold?” the man asks surprised. He glances to the lady and then turns a serious look back to James. “Why would you want to go there? It’s said the place is haunted by spirits.”
“What?” asks Miko.
“That’s a bunch of hogwash,” Uther says. Jorry just snorts.
“What do you mean?” prompts James, trying to ignore the reaction of his comrades.
“I heard that some miners went up there in an attempt to reopen the mines and were never heard from again,” the woman says.
“Never?” asks Miko, fear creeping into his voice.
“Now don’t exaggerate dear,” the man chides her. “Most of them were found.” Turning his attention back to James and the others, he continues. “They disappeared for a time and all but two were found lost in the mountains. They claim a spirit came and took them away, leaving them lost in the woods. No mention was ever made of the fate of the remaining two.”
James glances back to the others and can see emotions ranging from the fear in Miko’s eyes to the disbelief in Uther’s. “Has anyone been up there lately?” he asks the man as he turns his attention back to the couple.
Shaking his head, the man replies, “Not that I’ve heard. None dare even go near there. Those that pass through do so quickly without stopping.”
“James,” Miko says, “maybe we shouldn’t go there.”
“Your friend is right,” the woman tells him. “It’s a bad place.”
“Be that as it may,” asserts James, “we need to get there.”
“Then take the north road out of town through the forest and it will lead you there,” explains the man. “The road continues past Ironhold to the northern kingdoms but no traveler dares to spend the night there. Those that have tell of strange sights and sounds.”
“We’ll keep that in mind, thank you,” replies James.
“Just be careful,” the woman says, concern in her voice.
“We will,” James assures her.
Turning back to the others he says, “Seems an interesting place.”
“Interesting?” asks Miko. “Cursed more like it.”
“Relax,” Uther says with confidence. “Most likely it’s simply the wind howling through the trees or something.”
“Sure,” adds Jorry. “There’s no such thing as spirits.”
Laughing, Jiron draws every eye to him as he says, “Well let me tell you about…” He then goes into the tale of complex in the swamps which everyone must have already heard a dozen times. He reminds them of the spirits of the dead which they encountered there. “So don’t go discounting tales of spirits so easily,” he concludes.
Uther and Jorry don’t look convinced. Sure, they’ve heard the story many times but never put much credence in it. After all, some of their tales are just as scary but truth be told, most of them are not altogether true.
“Do you still think it wise to go there?” Dave asks.
“Wise or not, that’s where the trail leads,” he replies.
Turning back to the couple he asks, “Pardon me, but do you know how far it is from here?”
Over his shoulder, the man says, “Couple days I think. Not for sure though, never had the occasion to travel there.”
“Thank you,” James says as he turns back to the others with a grin. “Not that much farther.”
“Great,” mumbles Miko next to him.
Chapter Twenty Six
Leaving the crossroads behind, they take the northern road through the forest where they’re told Ironhold will be found. Dave and Miko are dead set against going but follow along as they have no choice since they’re unwilling to abandon James.
Following the road through the trees affords them some protection against the bite of the wind. The further north they travel the denser the trees lining the road become and the thicker the canopy of leaves above them.
Their horses’ hooves crunch with every step as they ride through the layers of dead leaves the coming of fall has deposited upon the road. A few lone travelers are encountered coming from the north but none are talkative and keep to themselves.
By the end of the day they’re still within the forest. When the light begins to fade they find a clearing alongside the road and make camp. At least this night the trees will keep the elements at bay and hopefully James won’t freeze again.
Once camp has been set up, James says, “Get a fire going, I’ll go find us some food.”
“Can I come?” Dave asks.
Nodding, James gives him a grin and says, “Sure.” Miko comes along as well. As he enters the forest, he bends over and picks up several stones which will do nicely. Putting all but one in his pocket, he keeps the other one available in his hand.
“Are you going to kill something?” Dave asks.
“Shhh!” James says to his friend. Then he nods and whispers, “Yeah.”
“I thought you wouldn’t ever kill anything?” he asks.
Shrugging, he replies, “Back home I never would. Here it’s a matter of survival. Now be quiet and keep your eyes open.”
They slowly creep their way further between the trees until Miko lays his hand on James’ shoulder to get his attention. Pointing off to the right, he directs his gaze to a small animal sitting upon a fallen tree.
“Right,” breathes James. Cocking his arm back, he lets loose the magic and throws the stone. It flies through the air and strikes the creature in the head knocking it off the tree.
“You got it!” exclaims Dave as he breaks into a run toward the fallen animal. James and Miko follow.
They find the animal with half its head blown away. “Gross,” Dave says as he bends over and picks it up by its tail. Blood drips from the opening.
“Take it back to camp,” James tells him. “I’ll try to get another before it gets too dark.”
“Alright,” he says and heads back to camp.
Shortly after Dave leaves, James bags another animal. He and Miko then return to camp where the animals are dressed for the fire.
The night passes quickly and in the morning they have a quick breakfast, finishing off the remnants of the roasted animals of the night before. Once done, they mount up and return to the road and continue north.
All day long, the forest alongside the road remains constant. An hour or so after noon, they begin to notice the odor of wood smoke in the air. Shortly after that a cluster of buildings appears along the road out of the forest ahead of them.
“Wish we could’ve stayed there last night,” complains Dave.
“Would have been nice,” replies James. The others just give Dave an annoyed glance.
The village ahead of them doesn’t have all that much going for it, a few main buildings such as an inn and a chandler’s shop and not much else. Scattered amidst the surrounding forest, houses can be seen here and there.
One man is leaving the inn and James rides near and asks, “How much further is Ironhold?”
The man pauses and glances up at him. “About a day and a half,” he replies. “When you reach the foothills you’ll know you’re close.”
“Thank you,” James says and then continues on through. Glancing back, he sees the man hasn’t moved from his spot, merely standing there and staring at them leaving. The way he’s acting gives him the creeps.
Jiron notices him as well and says, “Wonder what that’s all about?”
Shrugging, James says, “Maybe he just wants to remember the fools going to Ironhold.”
Laughing, Jiron nods his head. Jorry and Uther join in.
“What’s so funny?” Miko asks.
