I set myself against the corner opposite Edwyn, uncomfortable with trusting the man who had rendered me unconscious just hours ago to watch over me as I sleep.
The first coming of dawn has begun to advance into the den by the time I drift into darkness. Edwyn is still facing me as I nod off, as fresh and alert as if he had only just begun his watch.
CHAPTER SIX
It felt like I had barely blinked before Edwyn’s boot acquainted itself with my ribs. Rolling onto my opposite side, I ready to spring to my feet before…
“I said gently,’’ Guy complains from the entrance, but the hunter has already turned away to finish equipping himself with various hunting knives and other equipment. Edwyn simply grunts in response to Guy’s disapproval, apparently such discourteousness towards royalty was no big deal for Guy’s people, or perhaps he simply felt that the debt owed towards the hunter outranked such petty formalities.
After such a rude awakening, sleep has abandoned me instantly. I sit up to find Guy’s silhouette in the opening against the rays of dawn. He looks alert and ready; I would be surprised if he has managed to sleep at all with the prospect of reuniting with his tribe today.
“We’re leaving now,” Guy continues, “I’m going to find my people, they need me, and frankly I think you need us too. You won’t last long out here by yourself, and from the looks of it we share the same enemy.”
Without waiting for an answer, the young prince promptly leaves the comfort of the room and disappears into the blinding morning light. Edwyn hesitates, analysing me and then giving the room a sweeping glance, clearly not thrilled at the possibility that I will take up shelter in his outpost. My eyes drift to the torn flesh on one of his hands, the result of my frantic biting the previous day. After a long couple of seconds, he follows Guy, unwilling to let the royal begin journeying out alone.
It had all happened so quickly, I had only woken up seconds ago and hadn’t even had a chance to compose my thoughts or speak a word before Guy and Edwyn have left me with this ultimatum. The prince has left without any goodbyes either, presumably because he was either assuming that I would follow them or maybe he is just understandably eager to be on his way.
I momentarily consider staying here, despite knowing that the option isn’t a serious one. Despite Edwyn having taken a lot with him, there are still plenty of provisions, pre-made traps, and a few blades that could perhaps keep me fed, although I know it’s but a daydream. I’m no significant talent at hunting and whilst the traps might keep me alive, come dark I wouldn’t bet on myself surviving the considerably more dangerous evening predators should an unfortunate encounter occur. I also notice that the pair of them have either consumed the food or taken it with them, I wouldn’t even have that to reply upon until the traps began producing.
Grudgingly I rise, patting myself down to return the dust and leaves to the den floor. I move to exit before remembering the true uncertainty of my destination, inducing a wave of wariness to course through me. The last remnants of Edwyn’s gear catches my eye, at the bottom of a heap lay a small simple looking knife. It isn’t much but it should be easily concealable and might mean everything should I need it. Tucking the weapon into my waistband, I head out to embrace the morning light.
Whilst I may not be able to see him, I can still hear Guy quite clearly, despite him already seeming to be quite some way into the trees. I would never dare to be this loud away from Avlym normally, especially with people after me, but I suppose he must feel at home now. He probably knows these woods, and besides, he’s walking next to a monster of a man who would die for him without hesitation. I suppose if I were in his position, I wouldn’t fear raising my voice a little either. With my ears as my compass, I set off after them.
It doesn’t take too long to reach the lake again. Although, I am slightly ashamed of myself as we make our way through the all too clear trail of broken twigs and scuffed dirt I left behind me the other day. No wonder he had caught up with me so easily, a wild boar would likely have been stealthier than myself and whilst I was battling natural obstacles, I was at the same time removing them for him. Initially Guy pauses at the tracks before apparently realising their cause and continuing in silence. He and Edwyn would have had plenty of time whilst I was unconscious to talk and I woke up restrained so I would have thought that Guy had heard about my escape attempt and didn’t want me running off before he could have a chance to explain himself.
The peaks loom above us, and with time to appreciate them I now marvel at their enormity. Edwyn informs us that it is within these very peaks where the refugees have set up camp.
The lake is considerably larger than I first thought, it takes us a good hour of clambering over the loose rocks outlining the water to reach the other side. As it turns out, next to the stretch of rocks and timber jutting out into the azure that I recognise as the fishing spot for the distant stranger yesterday, a small oak hut
