“An all too common tale, I am afraid,” Darshan murmured. “The empire is in a constant race to help her people. But there are only so many resources, so many hands willing to aid. A lot of people fail to see the problem, or simply do not wish to see, until it becomes theirs.”
“And some sit up in their gilded towers seeing all and nae caring about a thing,” Zurron muttered.
Darshan’s lips flattened, but his gaze remained on the road before them.
The daylight had gained a grey edge by the time they turned off the road and aimed for a clearing they’d used a multitude of times during their journey to the cloister. Quinn led the way, as he always did, scratching fresh marks into the same trees as he went.
The clearing came into view and Hamish sighed. Winter hadn’t been at all kind to this patch. An oak had succumbed to the weather, its fallen branches stretching across much of the space like the bones of a giant. The branches of other trees had also snapped off, dotting the edges of the clearing.
“Well, this is less than ideal,” Gordon muttered, swinging down from his saddle. “Looks like we’ve a fair bit of work, lads.”
Hamish dismounted and secured both his mare and his brother’s gelding to one of the heftier-looking fallen branches whilst Gordon unpacked the axes. He had expected the branches, there was always at least one every time they settled here, but trying to shift an entire felled oak? They could be at it for hours and not make a dent.
If their sleeping arrangements had consisted of a single tent, then there was already ample space cleared and far from any tree. But given they all couldn’t cram into one tent, they would need to make more room. At least there’ll be some wood. Not much, given that most of the branches would be sodden from their winter on the ground, if not starting to rot.
Hefting his axe, Hamish set to chopping off some of the larger branches to a substantial log. If he could cut close enough to the main piece, then he might’ve been able to roll it clear or even to the centre camp for a seat.
He eyed the oak after each swing. Even if they left the main trunk alone, they could be here for some time moving the branches from the middle of the clearing. A shame. There was a small cliff-side view not far from here that he wanted to show Darshan before the sun set. Guess I’ll nae be doing that. Perhaps on the way back to the castle.
“How can I help?” Darshan asked as the rest of them secured their horses and set to work on the smaller branches.
“Just stay out of the way, your imperial highness,” Quinn replied, his usually gravelly voice oddly light. “We’ve got this.” A few of the branches were easily dealt with, being small enough to drag under the trees, but the vast majority of them would require sectioning into more manageable chunks before attempting any sort of movement.
“We would’ve had a better handle on it if we’d brought a few lines of strong rope,” Zurron muttered. He tugged at a branch end almost as big around as his middle. Although the elf was the shortest of their group—by how much, Hamish didn’t know, but it had to be over a foot of difference from himself—his strength and stamina in hunts often made up for the lack of height. Even so, the branch didn’t budge. “The horses could’ve moved these bastards nae trouble.”
“You’re welcome to go back for some,” Sean quipped as they continued to chop at the wood.
“Feck off,” Zurron snapped back. “I’m nae riding back in the middle of the night.”
“But I thought elves could see in the dark,” the other guard needled. They were all well aware just how much better the elf’s vision was at seeing even in the blackest night when compared to theirs. Zurron often boasted about it.
Muttering and swearing under his breath, Zurron stormed over to a smaller branch and started hauling it towards the tree line. “Just because I can be,” he growled between tugs as the branch snagged on bush and grass. “Doesnae mean I want to be out in the dark on me own.”
Darshan shuffled on the spot near the horses. The silvery off-white shade of his sherwani practically glowed against the shadowy backdrop of the forest. “I am quite certain I can assist with—”
“Quinn’s right,” Gordon said. “Staying put is your best course of action. You’re nae built for this task and I wouldnae want to have you break something trying.” He swung his axe at one of the oak branches. The outside caved in to reveal the powdery white core of decay. Giving a disgusted grunt, his brother moved on to the next branch. This proved to have a little more substance. “Mind the horses if you feel the need to be useful.”
Hamish winced. Yes, Darshan would likely get hurt if he dared to attempt something as foolhardy as moving a branch as big as himself, but Gordon could’ve delivered that with a little more tact.
Sean let out a strangled yelp.
They all spun to find the thick branch Zurron had abandoned was wobbling in the air. It swung on its axis, ponderous and deliberate. When the length of the branch was finally lined up with the trees behind it, the branch sailed backwards to land amongst the undergrowth with the hearty thump.
He glanced at Gordon, praying his brother had witnessed the same spectacle. By the way everyone eyed the branch, he could be certain it wasn’t just him seeing things.
“As I was saying.” Darshan still stood by the horses, his arms folded with his hips and shoulders tilted cockily.
“That’s a
