In the morning, we woke up early, before dawn. We quickly finished the leftover dinner, gathered our belongings, and loaded them into the boat. Our river journey began.
The boat was a small, open four-meter vessel with a mast, a rudder, and two pairs of oars. Its sides were lined with planks, and bundles of dry reeds were tied along them. Long ago in my world, people used to build similar boats. In the Middle Ages, warriors used larger versions of these vessels for movements. It's a normal boat, it inspired confidence. I named our watercraft "Seagull" in my mind. I wonder where the convicts stole it? I doubt they built it themselves because everything was too well-made.
I wanted to sit at the bow of the "Seagull" but they placed me at the helm and ordered to hold tight. Why such trust? Is it that every boy in this world knows how to steer a boat? Or is it simply that nothing can go wrong in this place? Illa settled in front of me on the adjacent bench. The rangers took the oars and swiftly maneuvered the boat to the middle of the river. The sail filled with wind, and we set off towards civilization.
The case turned out to be uncomplicated, and I quickly settled in and relaxed. I observed the shores, which were often overgrown with reeds in certain areas. The banks would sometimes draw near and then recede, but usually, there was around eighty meters to dry land. We sailed by several islands, and on one of them, we saw a dilapidated and tilted hut. A long time ago some vagrants lived there. They must have looked like yesterday's poor souls who had the misfortune to meet us. People always settled along rivers. If it weren't for the local peculiarities and dangers, there could have been a large city somewhere in these parts.
Closer to noon, we started encountering rocks. Boulders protruded from the water like the teeth of an unknown monster. Sometimes they were barely visible due to small waves. We had to triple our attention to avoid hitting one of these reefs. Brin sat at the bow of the boat, diligently scanning ahead. Petr lowered the sail and helped me maneuver with the oars. The river channel began to narrow. We comfortably covered a great distance, but everything has its end. Ahead of us awaited rapids and troubles. Pulling the boat over land with a rope is not a pleasurable experience. It's hard to say how much our "seagull" weighs. I can cautiously assume it's at least a hundred kilos.
Soon, the sound of rushing water grew louder. There were already a lot of rocks, and the banks became entirely rocky. We moored the boat to a spot covered in large pebbles and pulled it ashore. Petr went off to scout. I wanted to go too, but I was firmly denied. Illa comfortably sat between two large boulders and never took her sharp gaze off me. I felt like a closely guarded prisoner. I modestly sat nearby and building a stone pyramid. Brin was cooking porridge and frowned discontentedly at his thoughts.
After we finished our portions, a scout appeared. Petr reported that the surroundings were calm, and it was entirely possible to navigate the rapids. According to him, using backwater and a rope, we could easily pull the boat a long way. Then we would pull it onto the shore, and we would only need to drag it for about half a kilometer. After this challenging stretch, we will be able to navigate the boat through the backwaters again, leading us back to open water.
The tracker quickly finished the portion left for him, and we set off along the route he had planned. The men took turns pulling the "seagull". I walked ahead, scanning for any dangers. I had to assist the sweating men several times. The sorceress was guarding us. I constantly felt her gaze. It was as if someone had painted a target on my back. Illa never lagged behind me, not even by a step.
I understood that at the slightest hint of escape, she would instantly strike me down with her fiery whip. I behaved calmly and didn't provoke this deranged woman. We reached a section where the rocks no longer allowed us to proceed further. We had to pull the boat ashore and haul it by hand. Before doing that, the rangers decided to take a halt. Finally, we pulled the "seagull" onto the shore. Brin pulled the boat ahead, with Petr pushing from behind. I tied the oars together with a rope and dragged them along the rocks to lighten the rangers' workload. The sorceress kept an eye on me and carried our belongings.
Everything was going quite successfully. We took several breaks along the way. We covered five hundred meters of land in about four hours. Then we were traversing the shallows. We were knee-deep in water and pushing our boat further. The rapids ended when the sun was nearly touching the treetops in the west. We, exhausted, climbed into the boat and raised the sail. Although we still encountered rocks, we maneuvered easily. Soon, the last boulders were left behind, and ahead of us lay a spacious, clean river. We decided to postpone stopping for the night for as long as possible. In my opinion, it wasn't a reasonable decision, but I kept my thoughts to myself. The rangers didn't inclined to explain anything to me; they had some sort of plan. Perhaps there was a good spot ahead for a proper overnight stop, and they wanted to reach that place in time.
The men were in high spirits, despite their fatigue, but I noticed their attentive glances when they looked at Illa. Meanwhile, I pondered the possibility of escaping tonight. I didn't like the weighty gaze of the sorceress; she seemed to be plotting something. There's no point in postponing the problem any further, we're already not far from the edge of the forest. I can easily get out on my own.
Even if Illa doesn't do anything, I won't be pleased with a meeting with the interrogator. There is another danger in falling into the hands of the authorities. I don't know what abilities powerful mages possess. Perhaps they can easily unravel my mind and extract any information they desire. I have too many secrets in my head that are better off staying with me. I'll simply disappear into this vast country, and let them search. Besides a description, they have nothing else on me. Searching for an average-looking teenager can take an indefinitely long time.
It might be suspicious to travel alone, but it's a solvable problem. I believe it wouldn't be too difficult to join a trading caravan. At worst, I can simply walk to wherever I need to go. The authorities shouldn't launch a massive manhunt for a teenager. Who am I for them? Just a teenager who hasn't done anything. Yes, there are peculiarities in my behavior, but would they mobilize the entire empire or even the region for that? I doubt it.
It seems that Evan's family is likely to face challenging times ahead. I am certain that they will be bombarded with numerous questions, at the very least. They should only blame themselves; they shouldn't have sacrificed their son. Let them answer. There is a silver lining to this. My parents will find out that their son is alive. Perhaps it will bring them some relief.
Where should I go and what should I do? Firstly, I need to distance myself from these places. Secondly, I need to find a city for a peaceful life and personal growth. Thirdly, I need to find good teachers. I was leaning towards the idea that it would be beneficial to join the ranger training camp in a year. Brin told me a little about them. Such training camps accepted any teenager from the age of fourteen who could pass the entrance exam. I can lie a bit about my age. I don't think they're too strict about it here. I am mature and strong. How can they tell if I'm thirteen or fourteen? The training camps assessed physical fitness upon admission and conducted tests of intelligence. If I excel and have the opportunity to officially serve in the Great Forest, I'll have a better chance of finding information about the interdimensional portal of the elves. I think that in the elven part of the forest, there would either be the portal itself or information about it. In the government service, I will have more opportunities and access to a greater amount of information than in civilian life.
Perhaps the Mage Guild has more information about the portals. But how can I gain access to it? I don't possess the gift of manipulating natural energy. Most likely, my gift won't manifest at fourteen years old. I can sense that it's the case. If I'm mistaken, it's still far off. In any case, I need a peaceful place to live, time, teachers, and money. As for the latter, I had some practical thoughts, but they haven't solidified into a plan yet.
We floated peacefully down the quiet river. Already dusk was beginning to fall. I was in my place as helmsman lazing about and making plans for the near future.Three boats with people suddenly burst out of the reeds and rushed towards us.
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The boats resembled ours but were several meters longer. Each boat carried six men. Three of them rowed vigorously, while two stood at the bow with darts in their hands, and another steered the boat. Wow! A river pirate attack! I never expected such a thing to happen on a forest river. The rangers began to work the oars vigorously, and our "seagull" surged forward.
A chase began, which was not supposed to last long. The pirates' boats had greater speed, and they are swiftly closing the small distance between us. I started infusing my body with energy. Illa was sitting in front of me. For some reason, she hesitated. Possible, the sorceress wanted to let the pirates come closer and unexpectedly deal with all of them at once. Several minutes passed. The men rowed with all their might. It seemed like the boats were flying over the small waves of the river. The woman still waited. I caught her strange gaze a few times. Anticipation and some kind of triumph flickered in her eyes. Once, her beautiful face contorted with a triumphant smirk, but she quickly hid the grimace. It didn't resemble a fighting spirit. It was more like people eagerly anticipating an important event.
The three enemy boats were closing in rapidly. They spread out, attempting to encircle us. The first darts flew towards us, but they fell short and landed in the water. Time seemed to slow down for me, I was ready to take action.
The bearded pirate on the right boat swung his dart. Simultaneously, Illa and I jumped up from our seats. The pirate threw the dart towards us, and its trajectory was aimed at Illa. The sorceress was ready, with a magical shield glowing in her hand. The dart flew towards her chest. Illa waved her hands, and with this conjurer's gesture, the sorceress redirected the dart towards me. I was sure the sorceress would try to graze me with a fiery lash, making it look accidental, but she managed to surprise me. The sorceress's plan was cunning, and the execution was almost flawless. I wouldn't have had a single chance of survival if it weren't for the deal with Uzaya. I had enough time to react. I jerked my left shoulder backward. It passed just inches away from my shoulder. In that same moment, I forcefully kicked the boat's rudder to the left. Our "seagull" sharply veered, and I was thrown sideways over the right side. Before I hit the water, I caught a glimpse of the shocked woman gripping the boat's edge with her fingers.
A splash of water and sprays briefly concealed me from the enraged sorceress. Through the thickness of the water, I saw an ignited lash forming in her hand. I tried my best to dive as deep as possible, but it seemed like I couldn't make it in time. The wet clothes and bag hindered my movements. The woman's face contorted with malice. It seemed like I couldn't escape from the next strike in time. In her hand, a predatory spell glowed ominously. Luck smiled upon me. A true rain of darts showered upon the sorceress. The pirates sought to rid themselves of the dangerous foe while the sorceress was occupied with other matters. Illa had to shift her attention to the pirates. Above me, a brief and violent battle ensued.
Before my eyes, a toad's face flickered, and human hands clutched onto my clothes. Something swiftly started dragging me deeper into the river. I could barely make out the peculiar creature. It was a mixture of a mermaid, a human, and an enormous toad. Some strange creature decided to intervene. It's unlikely that we should expect any selfless help from anyone, but right now, I was a little grateful to the river dweller. The fiery lash danced above the river, and the spell traced beautiful patterns on its surface. The boats and the enraged sorceress were quickly getting farther away. Loa was dragging me away from the scene.
Just in time, that loa appeared. The sorceress could have easily reached me. What hatred drives this deranged witch? I severely underestimated the sorceress. The loa was swiftly dragging me underwater in a unknown direction. I attempted to resurface, but the loa actively thwarted my efforts. I wanted to settle this peacefully, but you brought it upon yourself. I created a sphere of spiritual energy and thrust it towards the strange creature. The river dweller shattered into pieces. I cautiously resurfaced and surveyed the scene. A capsized boat was sinking nearby. Several people were struggling in the water. Another vessel was engulfed in flames, with no sign of its crew. Illa wielded her whips, striking at the struggling pirates. The rangers sat in silence. The "Seagull" slowly drifted away. It was carried by the current and the wind. I dove once again and swam towards the nearest reeds, about twenty meters away.
It seems like everyone believed in my heroic death. It appeared quite convincing, especially for the men. Their field of vision was significantly limited. They must have seen the dart flying towards us and hitting me in the shoulder. I grazed the helm and went overboard, then simply drowned. I'm certain they didn't see Illa redirecting the projectile towards me. And she succeeded! How did she do it? Do magicians have higher perception than normal people? I guess that's the way it is. There's no other way to explain her phenomenal abilities. If I were an ordinary teenager... I don't even want to think about it.
What does the rangers expect in the near future? I don't think Illa will dare to kill the men. Right now, the sorceress relies on them. The small spirits on her body still make her vulnerable. The woman herself will have a very hard time getting out of the woods, so the rangers are in no danger.
I swam to the reed-covered shore. Our boat was already far away, and I couldn't see what the people on board were up to. I swam alongside the thick vegetation, searching for a convenient exit to the shore. After a few minutes, I found myself on the left bank of the river, it was nearly dark. With no other option in mind, I decided to climb a tree and spend the night there. Thankfully, it was summer and relatively warm. The wet clothes didn't contribute to my already gloomy mood.
I hurried to find a suitable tree. As visibility diminished, I came across a tall oak tree and quickly climbed higher. I securely tied myself to a branch with a rope. It seemed like the wind at that height pierced right through. I shivered for a while; it was very cold. Soon, the wind dried my clothes, and it became more bearable.
I woke up in the middle of the night to persistent coughing. I opened my eyes and didn't immediately grasp my surroundings. Thankfully, I had secured myself with a rope, or I would have fallen down. On a nearby branch, I saw a dark silhouette. Something was sitting there, dangling its legs in the air like a small child. Its terrifying eyes were darker than the night and eerily gleamed even in the darkness. I forgot how to breathe and simply stared into the darkness, trying to guess who or what was in front of me.
"Good evening, Evan." I heard the familiar voice of the Leshy. "I apologize for waking you up... We need to talk."
"Good evening, Grandfather Leshy," I managed to squeeze out from my fear-stricken throat.
"I will speak honestly and openly. I need the source that is located beneath the ruins of the tower."
"Why do you need it?"
"You already know that there was a war between elves and humans long ago, by human standards, right? " The Leshy looked into my eyes, and I felt a shiver down my spine. "How did it end?"
"Humans emerged victorious, and the elves retreated to other realms."
"I know about your interest in the portal. There was indeed a functioning portal in that part of the forest, which the elves used. What happened to it, I do not know."
"Interesting, " I regained some composure and managed to suppress the intense fear. "You, the master of the Great Forest, don't know something within your own domain?"
"It's complicated, boy. The elves brought powerful loa into this world. They started a war with me for this forest, for this world. The war has never ended. I don't have control over a part of the forest. If I obtain the source, I can win. Then I will guide you to the portal."
"Why doesn't the Domovoy give you the source? It's in his best interest too!"
"That fool has fallen under the control of a mage. He's a slave to a human!" The Leshy let out a nervous laugh. "He has orders to protect it. The command is very strong, and he cannot disobey it."
"So what should I do?"
"Dissipate Atzhas." The Leshy shrugged.
"Are you suggesting that I kill him?" I frowned.
"You're a shaman, aren't you? Killing spirits should be simple for you." The loa ran its claws along the tree branch, leaving a deep scratch. "I don't want it either. Atzhas was a good friend, but..."
"Are there any other options?"
"Only finding a way to free him from subjugation." The Leshy shrugged. "If you can accomplish that, I'll be glad and grateful to you."
"I'm not ready for that now." I stubbornly shook my head. "I'm just a child. I need to grow up, become stronger, and learn."
"And now you wouldn't be able to do it either. Many have tried..." Leshy paused. "Atzhas guards the source, and the source sustains the Domovoy."
"Perhaps we should leave it as it is?"
"We cannot..." Leshy sighed sadly. It seemed to me that he was sincere.
"Hm..." I tried to formulate a question.
"Fine." Leshy said thoughtfully. " Let's postpone this conversation for now. You can't do it now, but now you know what you're here for. Get ready."
"Wait..." I raised my hand.
I was afraid he would disappear now. Leshy raised a thick eyebrow.
"I need help." I said quickly.
"What kind of help?"
"Money, a lot of it. And finally getting out of the forest and joining the human world."
"Nothing comes for free! But... You still have a tiny reserve of luck. The change from the harpy." Leshy chuckled softly. "You know how to call me and what fee the loa want."
"Thank you, grandfather..." but no one was listening anymore, and I was left alone in the darkness.