“I see. Our magic man’s not cut out for rowing?” One of the nearby Felren named Amber chuckled.
Karn wasn’t one to argue as felt his arm ache while barely holding his own oar. The repetitive motion was taking its toll. Amber, the leader of the six Feldreken seemed to relish in teasing him, almost as if they were playing a game of cat and mouse.
“Can’t you conjure up some magic for us?” she smiled playfully with a sidelong glance and tousled her single blonde braid down her slim, suntanned back.
Karn had only enough energy to reply with a weak smile. Ralina however gave the woman a scowl and almost hissed at her. Which only encouraged the teasing, which seemed to provide the other five Feldreken with endless entertainment.
“Steady the course,” Roven said, looking annoyed with the situation he was forced into. Two of his fellow villagers rowed near the front of the silvery green vessel and kept their eye on the group of Felren with suspicion.
Amber’s eyes narrowed at the apparent youth but didn’t argue. She had followed her Elder’s order to work under the man as an act of diplomacy.
Glancing over at the Feldreken warriors, Karn marvelled at them. It was as if they were powered by some supernatural feline magic. With each stroke, they effortlessly guiding their oars through the water and barely made a ripple.
Ralina leaned closer to Karn. "You're doing great," she whispered, her voice carrying a hint of encouragement.
It was the morning of the second day, and they had been steadily travelling east across the shoreline. Sweat glistened on Karn's brow as he pushed himself to keep up with the pace of the superhuman Feldreken.
The ocean swell had all but vanished as the new day’s sun beat down on the small wooden craft, casting a shimmering light on the surface of the water.
“Here, switch with me,” said Ralina as she allowed Karn moments rest.
“She’s looking after him again,” said Gilda, Amber’s second in command, who then nudged her with an elbow and chuckled.
“Beter watchout Gilda, she might try pouncing him again. Just like last night,” Amber added with a broad grin.
“Hey!” Ralina said sharply. “There wasn’t much room on the beach.”
The Feldreken all laughed and Karn’s ears burned red. They all knew painfully well that there was plenty of room on the wide section of coast. Ralina was just very suspicious of the other women’s affections towards their magically inclined ally.
Ralina bit her tongue and shrunk into her spot at the oars, her gaze shifting between Karn and the Feldreken warriors. A mischievous smile played on Amber's lips.
Roven sighed.
After a moment of respite, Karn locked eyes with Ralina and with a nod, whispered, "Thank you.”
He then tended to his aching muscles, using cupped hands to scoop up some of the warm, calm water from the ocean and gently dousing his arms and shoulders.
As the Feldreken warriors continued their rhythmic rowing, Karn's gaze shifted from his own reflection in the water to the vast expanse ahead. Ahead were two tiny specks on the horizon, barely discernible.
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He pointed towards the horizon. "Um, what's that?" he asked.
The Feldreken women paused their rowing and turned their heads then instinctively sniffed the air. Their expressions shifted from calm to a sudden seriousness as shadows cast over their features.
"Smoke," Amber stated, her tone grave.
Karn squinted but couldn’t see anything rising. "Smoke? But what does it mean? Is there trouble ahead?" he asked.
"We cannot be certain," she replied. "We must prepare for the unknown and remain vigilant."
The other Feldreken warriors nodded in agreement.
Karn's gaze locked with Amber's, and in that moment, he watched an astonishing change within her eyes. The deep brown irises shifted and shimmered, transitioning into a captivating golden hue that seemed to glow. It was a mesmerizing sight that left Karn momentarily awestruck.
Amber, her gaze still fixed on the distance, broke the silence with a low, rumbling growl that resonated in the air. "The closest ship’s from Branside," she announced, her voice laced with caution. "I recognise their colours."
Roven studied the reactions of the Feldreken warriors and directed his gaze towards the distant dots on the horizon. His mind churned with thoughts, looking for an answer in the situation. "They wouldn't be able to spot us from here," he mused aloud.
Amber nodded, her expression growing more resolute. "Indeed, their vision wouldn’t reach us at this distance," she said. "However, it seems our course is about to change. Best we head to shore. They’ll soon spot us if we go any further."
The implications of Amber's words sank in. The presence of the Branside ship and the need to divert their course implied a potential danger that even six fully trained Feldreken could not handle.
With a collective nod, the Feldreken warriors tightened their grips on the oars, their movements once more becoming synchronised. The craft surged forward, propelled by their combined strength and will, as they steered towards the shoreline.
Karn’s eyes didn’t leave the dots on the horizon as the boat thudded into the sandy shoreline. Roven was the first to disembark and held the bow steady as the others vaulted out. As soon as the last foot left the boat, the living wood creation diminished into a small bladeless handle that snuggly fit within Roven’s hand.
As Karn followed the Feldreken, he couldn't help but be captivated by the sight of the warriors as they glided up the beach in their sleek golden armour. The way the lines of metal plates hugged their bodies highlighted their toned muscles and emphasised their fierce strength, leaving little to the imagination. It was a combination that left Karn both fascinated and slightly distracted.
“This way,” commanded Roven as he ushered the party under the cover of the tree line.
As they stepped beneath the towering canopy of the growing forest, the temperature dropped. Karn shivered. The unexpected chill intensified his sense of displacement.
Amber suddenly let out a growl, her eyes narrowing. The other Feldreken warriors followed suit, their nostrils flaring as they sniffed the air, instinctively attuned to the subtle nuance of the surroundings.
Gilda broke the silence that hung in the air. "What is this place?" she inquired, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings, searching for danger.
"This is a place steeped in strange power," Amber hissed, reacting to a presence of an invisible energy.
Roven, his brow furrowed in thought, couldn't shake off the oppressive pressure that seemed to emanate from the unseen. He, like the others, seemed to feel the weight of the invisible presence bearing down upon them.
His voice carried a note of irritation as he voiced his thoughts. "I can feel a power that presses upon us," he grumbled and seemed to search for an answer in his memory.
Meanwhile, Karn remained unaffected. His gaze wandered through the forest, his mind racing with questions.
The forest itself seemed to respond to their presence, with trees towering overhead, their branches interwoven like a protective canopy. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the dense foliage, casting an ethereal glow on the forest floor. The air carried a distinct, earthy scent, infused with a hint of something mystical and untamed.
As Karn's gaze scanned the surroundings, his eyes caught a flicker of movement in his peripheral vision. Gliding gracefully on a current of wind, a long black feather danced through the air above them. Its elegant descent ominous.
"Look up there," Karn whispered, his voice barely audible over the hushed whispers of the forest.
The other Feldreken warriors, their instincts sharp and primal, also turned their attention skyward, their eyes tracking the feather's path.
"We’re not alone," Gilda whispered.
Amber, her eyes narrowing as she contemplated the feather's significance.
“Where are we?” Karn asked.
Roven snarled. “We shouldn’t be here.”
“And where’s that?” Karn asked again, sounding frustrated.
Roven eyed the forest like it had the intention of killing them all. “The Kraven lands.”