Justin strained his ears, catching the last echoes of clashing steel and shouts, now distant and faint. Each fading sound sent a pang of guilt twisting in his gut. He wondered, against all hope, if Alistair could survive. If he did, would he be able to find them again?
While the first answer was a maybe, the second answer was almost assuredly a “no.” There would be no way for Alistair to catch up. If he found them later, it would have to be in some predetermined spot. As far as Justin knew, the only spot that would be possible was Mont Elea itself.
No one spoke as they ran. Eldrin set a grueling pace, and both Lila and Justin fought for air as the miles passed. The forest closed in around them, the trees thickening and the underbrush growing denser. The sounds had completely faded by now, leaving only the rustle of leaves and the distant call of a bird. It was getting darker, too. Sunset was two hours away, if Justin had to guess.
After another hour of relentless running, Justin’s legs felt like lead. His lungs burned, and each breath was a struggle. Just when he thought he couldn’t make it any longer, they emerged from the dense forest to find themselves on the rocky banks of the River Marin. The river was wide, its waters rushing with a swift and powerful current. The surface was broken by swirling eddies, hinting at hidden dangers beneath. The river’s chill seeped into the air, adding to the exhaustion that clung to Justin like a heavy cloak.
Eldrin was the first to speak, and was already wading into the water. “We need to cross.” The current tugged at him, and he looked back, his eyes concerned. “It’s not too deep here, but the current is strong. We’ll have to swim partway.”
Justin shook his head, fear tightening his chest. He put his hands on his knees to catch his breath. “I…don’t think I can make it. I’m beyond exhausted.”
Even Lila, thinner and in better shape than him, nodded in agreement.
Eldrin frowned, regret clear in his expression. “If only I had more Heartwood Elixir…”
“There’s the bridge to the south,” Lila said. “The one we crossed to get into the city. It can’t be that far.”
“About two miles,” Eldrin said, frowning in thought. “Not far at all.”
“What’s the problem, then?” Justin asked.
“If Gareth brought all his men with him, then yes, it’s perfectly possible to cross it. But if he left anyone behind, it would be an obvious point to block off. Gareth started with about twenty men following him out of Silverton. And if that assassin in Highcliff was any sign, he’s hired a few more since coming here. The bridge is too much of a risk.”
“I can’t swim this,” Justin said. “It’s too wide. Too fast. And it’s getting dark.”
“And the water’s cold,” Lila added.
Eldrin nodded. “Yes, that is a danger. There’s a ford ten miles upriver, but that’s a long way. I’d rather do this part of the river while there’s still daylight. There should be time enough to cross and lose them.”
“This is taking us in the opposite direction of Mont Elea,” Lila said. “They probably don’t expect us to cross the river at all.”
“I’m hoping so,” Eldrin said. “But I’m not making any assumptions until I’m sure we’ve lost them.” He took a deep breath, his expression settling into firm determination. “We head north to the ford. With my Pathfinder’s Pace, we can stay ahead. The ford will be shallower, yes, but it will also be darker and colder. We won’t have time to build a fire until we’ve gone at least a few miles west. And the ford will only work if Alistair has bought us enough time.”
Justin wondered what had happened. It’d been at least two hours by now, so the fate of the battle had long been decided. For all his strength, Justin couldn’t imagine Alistair surviving against twenty classed soldiers, one of them a high-level Shadowblade. All they could hope was that he’d put enough of a dent in their numbers to slow them down.
“Let’s move, then,” Justin said.
As they marched north along the riverbank, the sun continued its descent, casting a golden glow over the Umber Range. It was a beautiful sight, the forests silent, the wind sighing through the trees. The leaves rustled, already turned into shades of red and gold. Justin couldn’t believe that somewhere in this peaceful forest, someone was pursuing them. The temperature dropped, and Justin was grateful for his new coat, which kept the chill at bay.
As the setting sun finally disappeared behind the mountains, it plunged the forest into an inky darkness. Justin’s imagination ran wild, every rustle and crack of a twig a potential threat. His thoughts wandered to Alistair, hoping desperately that the Paladin had somehow escaped.
As they went upriver, the terrain became rougher, with the river flanked on both sides by tall cliffs. The trees seemed to close in, their branches intertwining above them, creating a canopy that blocked out the stars. Justin felt a creeping fear, not just of the darkness but of the unknown dangers it concealed. His mind conjured images of dire wolves and even malevolent spirits lurking just out of sight, watching their every move.
For hours, they traveled in silence. It was far too dangerous to run, so they walked quickly. Eldrin’s Pathfinder’s Pace was a boon; even in the darkness, they moved steadily, though not as fast as if it were day. As adrenaline faded, the exhaustion of the day’s events hit Justin in full force.
About a couple of hours after they headed north, Justin jumped when Shadowflight flapped down from the branches above. They took their first break as Eldrin related the bird’s news.
“They’re at the river now,” he said, turning to the others as Shadowflight fluttered away to do more reconnaissance. “A couple of hours behind us. They’re debating which direction we went.”
“And Alistair?” Lila asked.
Eldrin went silent.
“Look,” Justin said. “You don’t have to protect us, Eldrin. We deserve to know the truth.”
Eldrin nodded sadly. “He fell. But not before he took half of them down with him.”
The news was like a punch in the gut, even if it was expected.
“He’s the only reason I’m here,” Justin said. “I will miss him.”
“We must keep moving,” Eldrin said firmly. “We can mourn him once we’ve reached safety. That won’t be for a while yet.”
“Will they be able to track us?” Lila asked.
“Hard to say. Shadowflight will let us know soon, I’m sure. We’re about two hours away from the ford. We must keep pushing.”
They continued on, Justin’s thoughts spinning. He couldn’t help but wonder if there was something else he could have done. But no matter what, he kept on coming up short. All he could feel was guilt that the Paladin had to give his life for him. How could he ever be worthy of that sacrifice?
After what felt like an eternity, Eldrin turned toward the cliff, weaving a path down to the water. The river here was narrower but still swift and deep in places. It was difficult for Justin to tell, even with the moon and starlight. He told himself just to follow Eldrin, and he’d be all right.
Eldrin didn’t pause, going straight from rock to rock with practiced ease. Lila was graceful, easily tracing the Ranger’s footsteps. Justin was far less so, splashing into the water more than a few times, and it would have been even more had it not been for his cane.
About halfway across the river, they could no longer step on stones. The water, icy cold, came up to Justin’s chest, numbing his limbs. It felt like needles pricking his skin, each breath catching in his throat as the chill seeped into his bones. His muscles ached and stiffened with every movement, and he could feel his body growing sluggish. Lila’s head was barely out of the water, and Eldrin held her firmly so that the current wouldn’t carry her away while grasping a fallen log for support.
Soon, both Eldrin and Lila emerged from the deep part of the ford, entering some shallows that came up to their waists. Justin followed, the current tugging at him, threatening to sweep him away.
Eldrin held out his arm, which Justin barely grasped. He was pulled from the water, using his cane for support, finding purchase on the rocky bottom. The feat would have been hard enough well-rested. But by this point, they had been traveling all night, while exploring the Catacombs of Highcliff all morning and afternoon. Not to mention the draining fight against Malachor and his demon.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
After all that, it was a wonder Justin didn’t simply drop dead.
Together, they waded through the last of the rushing water, stumbling and slipping, but finally reaching the other side. They collapsed on the riverbank, panting and shivering from the cold. It was hard to guess the temperature, but it was cold enough for their breaths to make clouds.
“We need to keep moving,” Eldrin said. “I know that’s the last thing you want to hear, but it won’t take long for hypothermia to set in. We need fire, shelter, and rest. Then we must press on.”
Justin was too tired to argue. He almost wondered if death itself was preferable to the misery he now felt.
It was at that moment that he remembered the Ring of Hygiene. Its description said that once a day, he could become perfectly clean and groomed to his exact specifications.
Perfectly clean. Did they include becoming dry?
There was nothing but to try. He set his thoughts upon the Ring.
I want to become dry.
Instantly, yellow light surrounded him, and not even a moment later, he was dry from head-to-toe.
The other two looked at him, astonished.
“What did you do?” Eldrin asked.
“The Ring of Hygiene,” Justin said. “One of us needs to be kept from freezing.”
He took off his coat, placing it around Lila. He wasn’t sure what good it would do, but she needed it far more than him.
“Quick thinking,” Eldrin said. “Let’s go.”
Eldrin continued on, Justin and Lila close behind. The trees on the opposite bank provided some relief from the breeze, but not much.
“Do you know any place we might shelter?” Lila asked, her teeth chattering, her body hunched. “I…can hardly even walk…”
The coat seemed to not be doing her much good. She was cold and wet underneath it, which would continually sap her strength.
“Just a few miles more,” Eldrin said. “The further we get from the ford, the better off we’ll be. If they don’t know we’re headed here, they will soon.”
“Lila might not make it a few miles, Eldrin. We need to think about starting a fire.”
She didn’t respond, only shivering uncontrollably. Justin knew at these temperatures, it didn’t take long for someone who was soaking wet to get hypothermia. He had the advantage of having a bit of extra padding on top of his dry clothing. Lila, in contrast, was scrawny, and would lose heat much more quickly.
They continued for another ten minutes before Lila came to a stop, collapsing to her knees.
“Eldrin, we need a fire,” Justin said. “This is getting dangerous.”
“Stay here. Keep her as warm as you can for now.”
Already, the Ranger was wandering off into the darkness. Justin didn’t know what for. All he could do was grasp Lila, do whatever he could to warm her up. It didn’t seem to do much good. He placed their packs on her back and covered them both with dead leaves. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.
“It’ll be all right,” he said. “You’ll be warm soon.”
A few minutes later, Eldrin came back. “Created something of a shelter. It’s not much, but there’s plenty of underbrush. I’ve already prepared a fire.”
“Wonderful,” Justin said. “I think we need to carry her.”
They did so, along with Lila’s pack. It wasn’t easy to carry all that weight while following the Ranger through the almost pitch darkness. How the man navigated strange territory without the aid of a torch, he couldn’t guess. It probably had something to do with his class.
Justin was surprised when Eldrin brushed some branches aside and found a low ledge beneath which a small, smokeless flame crackled merrily. It wasn’t large, but he could already feel its warmth. Various branches had been piled thickly in front of it, obscuring the fire from view. Even with the flame, there was no way to spot it unless you were within ten feet of it.
“Stay here,” Eldrin instructed. “Get Lila out of her wet clothes and wrap her in anything dry you have. Keep her as warm as possible, as close to the fire as you can without burning her. Keep her awake and give her small sips of water, but no food just yet. Hypothermia can be tricky. I’ll be back soon. I need to backtrack a bit to make sure our trail is covered. Rest is necessary, but mark my words, they will be in the vicinity within the next few hours, and morning at the latest. I shouldn’t be more than a quarter of an hour. If I am, get some rest and don’t wait for me.”
Eldrin ducked out of the makeshift shelter and quickly disappeared into the night.
Justin worked quickly to follow the instructions. Lila wasn’t even shivering; her face was pale, and her lips were blue. He retrieved a fresh change of clothes from his pack. Though he hadn’t specified that the pack be waterproof when he’d bought it in Mistwatch, it seemed to have done a good job. All of his things were mercifully dry. He worked quickly to remove Lila’s wet clothing. Her skin was ice cold, and he worked as fast as his own shaking hands allowed. Even if he was dry, the plunge in the Marin had taken a lot out of him. He also removed her socks and boots, then dressed her in his own dry clothing.
He offered her a bit of water, but she was too weak to even do that.
With Lila settled, he changed into dry clothes himself, since his clothes had gotten damp from holding her. He set all the wet articles near the fire to dry, laying them on flat stones.
Justin stayed near her. Now that both of them were dry, she would warm up much more quickly. Lila revived slowly, her color gradually returning as the warmth seeped into her body. She shivered—a good sign—and her breathing steadied. She even smiled weakly at Justin, who nodded encouragingly. He wrapped her in his new coat, which had dried significantly, then sat beside her, feeding the fire with more kindling while ensuring it didn’t get too big. He offered water, and this time, she took a few sips.
At least an hour passed. Lila was asleep now, and Justin was nearly there too. Eldrin had still not returned, which worried him. He’d said a quarter of an hour, and it had been far more than that. If they had lost Eldrin besides Alistair, Justin wasn’t sure it was a blow they could ever recover from.
He would be back before morning. He was sure of it.
Justin carefully broke off some more deadwood for the fire. He resolved to stay awake, but the warmth of the flame and the day’s events were too much. He fell asleep right where he was sitting, leaning back against the ledge.
----------------------------------------
Eldrin faced a hard decision. Well, perhaps not so difficult as inevitable.
Checking their trail, it had become clear that they hadn’t traveled far enough to create a significant gap between them and Gareth’s soldiers. The trail they’d left from the river was still too fresh, making it easy to follow.
Eldrin backtracked, using his keen Ranger skills to identify and address the telltale signs of their passage. A broken branch here, boot prints in the earth there, a path cleared through beds of leaves…all these things told a story that was all too easy to put together, even for the inexperienced.
He worked swiftly and efficiently in the darkness, years of experience enabling him to erase all traces of Justin and Lila’s trail. After about an hour, he found himself by the river, faced with a choice: return to Justin and Lila and hope for the best, or absolutely ensure the two of them could escape before meeting up with them later.
The choice was hard, but it was also easy. Eldrin picked a stand of rocks downriver from the ford that would provide decent cover, then sat vigil.
Shadowflight returned, landing lightly on his shoulder. The bird conveyed its news.
“Closer than we’d like,” Eldrin muttered, his voice low. “Much too close.”
Half of Gareth’s forces had fallen to Alistair’s hammer, but the Shadowblade Lieutenant remained alive and determined, relentless in his pursuit. The onset of the night would only strengthen the undead soldiers under his command.
The falcon’s report confirmed Eldrin’s decision. Lila was too weak to continue, and they were beyond exhaustion. Even Eldrin, with his hardier Endurance and water-resistant clothing, felt his energy waning. Continuing the journey as a trio was impossible.
He needed to mislead their pursuers. It was their only chance, and he was the only one who could do it. Telling Justin his true intentions might have caused a needless argument. He had to trust the two of them to do the right thing in the morning and keep going.
Eldrin had already prepared a false trail, subtle enough to require a keen tracker but noticeable enough to be found, leading right to his position. It was their best chance to misdirect their enemies.
The Ranger didn’t have to wait long. Movement on the cliffs revealed Gareth’s group. They made no effort at all to conceal their presence, speaking to their confidence.
Or, Eldrin thought, their hubris.
Slowly, stealthily, Eldrin raised his new Bow of Eagle Sight. His Nature’s Cloak skill kept him hidden, while the poison he’d applied to his arrow, Nightshade’s Kiss, was the most potent he possessed. His Guerilla Expertise skill would ensure the first hit landed true, and the enhanced sight from his bow would help pinpoint his target.
The best moment to strike would be when the Shadowblade was crossing the river at the deepest part. Gareth was tall enough that his shoulders and head would both be exposed, at least for a moment.
As silent as a phantom, the Ranger waited.
After about fifteen minutes, the soldiers began crossing the dark Marin. Gareth, as the leader, took the rear, just as Eldrin had hoped.
Even with Eldrin’s skills, it wouldn’t be an easy shot. He was relying on his skills to ensure accuracy, but luck would play a part, too. He waited for the wind to calm, his focus sharpening. The forest seemed to hold its breath.
The first soldiers were already fanning out, exploring the rocky western bank. Eldrin waited just a moment longer for the Shadowblade to step into the deepest part of the river. He waited for Gareth to fully perform the action, to ensure his arrow would intersect the Shadowblade’s path perfectly.
He loosed the arrow. It flew swiftly, almost invisible in the night. At first, it looked as though it might miss, but then the wind shifted slightly, guiding the arrow to strike Gareth’s shoulder, the least protected area in his otherwise dark armor.
It landed true, and the Shadowblade slumped.
There was no sound, no scream. Panic erupted among the soldiers. Eldrin fired several more poisoned arrows, no longer bothering to hide himself. Some hit, causing confusion and chaos. With luck, it would create a couple more dead bodies.
A fireball lit up the night, aimed in his general direction. Eldrin ducked behind the rocks, the heat from the explosion warming his back.
Now it was time to lead them on a merry chase south. He melted into shadowy trees, leaving a few breadcrumbs for his enemies to follow. Alone, he could move much faster. He was in no danger of getting captured.
Eldrin had no illusions. The poison wouldn’t kill Gareth; it would only slow him down while the mages dealt with the wound. Gareth’s rage would drive him south along the west bank of the Marin. He would never suspect Justin and Lila were hidden not a mile to the north.
By the time Gareth figured out the deception, Justin and Lila would be far away, possibly heading west for the Umber Range or along the bank to Darkstream Crossing thirty miles upriver. Whatever path they chose, he planned to lose his pursuers and reunite with Justin and Lila later on.
The only thing he feared was that they might choose to go north into the Darkwood, aiming directly for Windfall. That forest teemed with monsters too high-level for two low-level Charisma classes to handle alone, and there was an old protective magic in those woods, courtesy of the Ilvari Elves who used to live there. It was quite easy to lose one’s way.
There were a few reasons they might choose that path. The first might be out of sheer ignorance, or their fear of staying too close to the river. They might also decide that the Umbers would take them too far from their original goal.
Whatever happened, Eldrin would do his best to find them.
After all, the life of a Ranger and a Paladin was a small price to prevent a greater calamity.