The Sky shone a brilliant blue with clouds floating as if nothing were wrong in the world. Singing birds fluttered through the air, almost mimicking the cloud’s attitude. A crook babbled a little ways off the road as if it had never-ending gossip to tell of how quick the squirrels were to lose their nuts, or where a group of fox had found their last meals. A carpet stretched from the forest’s edge made of pine cones and needles. Evergreen trees hiding the gossipy crook, their needled branches bouncing with glee as the wind passed by, telling it news of far-off lands. The all-encompassing bright green seemed to take up everything, their great canopies leaving a cool shadow on the forest floor. Walking down the path, there was a lone man on his horse. Sword at his hip and dressed for adventure, but from his demeanor, you would never think it. A cloud of smoke escaping his lips as he strolled down the path.
“Beautiful day, ain’t it Winni?” Eren asked as they made their way down the path, more declaring it than asking. “What a shame you can’t speak, though. Imagine the conversation we would have if you could.” he took another smoke from his pipe as he rode along, letting out a rather large smoke circle as he blew out. “Well, look at that one, would you. I would say that was the biggest one yet, eh?” patting the horse’s side as they rode along, Winfrey let out a small neigh as they walked.
For Eren, all was right. A pouch of money jingled around his waist as he walked, and a bag full of provisions and goods sat on his back and hung from his saddlebags. “You know ole Winni, it’s good that lad a reminded me the date last week. After being out for so long, I nearly forget that Fred’s birthday was coming up, and with the time we’re making, we might even get back a day early. I mean, just look around us. We’re nearly at the crossing. I might even find a traveling companion who will actually talk to me cause Spirits know I’m getting tired of talking to a horse that can’t actually talk to me.” Eren leaned forward, his head falling forward and shoulders slumping. “A month on the road and not a single traveler that is going the same way as us,” Eren exclaimed as he straightened his back again and then looked to the sky, letting the reins slide from his hands. “I mean, we had that one chap camp with us for the night, but he barely spoke. All he wanted to do was eat, then sleep. Then not even a word when he left.” He let out a sigh as he absentmindedly watched the clouds pass over. “Well, on the good side, it doesn’t look like rain today. I wonder how the crops are doing at home. It hasn’t rained much this season now, has it?” Eren sighed again as he finally sat up and watched the trees as they passed. The Sun shone bright as it finally broke free from the forest’s grasp. “This seems the best spot of any if you ask me Winni.” said Eren as he steered her off the path back into the cool shadow of the forest. “a nice River to drink from and plenty of shade. let’s rest for a bit, eat, and bath cause even the Great Spirits know can probably smell the two of us,” Eren grunted as he hopped off and relieved Winfrey of his load. Looking around, he saw the mischievous look coming from the fox hiding in the brush not far off. “Alright Winni, keep an eye on our stuff don’t want a fox or racoon making off with it.” Eren said as he tied Winni to the nearest tree, making sure to give her plenty of slack. Eren reached down, pulling a coarse brush from his bag and patting Winfrey’s back as the brush started to glide along the horse’s side. The rhythmic motion lulling Eren into a sleepy mood. A soft neigh and a head toss pulled Eren back.
“That should be good.” Eren stepped back and returned the brush to his bag as the creek’s babbling wove its way to Eren’s ears. Standing back up, Eren made his way through the veil of trees to the creek’s edge. “not big enough to do much with.” Eren looked down at the water and kneeled bringing his face to the water and with cupped hands splashed his face, the icy water taking off the layer of sweat the covered it. Then pulling out a rag started with his arms and then to his chest. The icy water bring a shiver as Eren relished the moment.
Winfrey’s ears perked as her head lifted as she watched Eren emerge from the trees. Water dripping from the rag as he wrung it out and put it around his neck. Eren paused as he stretched his back and then dug into his bag, pulling out jerky and an apple. instantly Winfrey let out a rolling “Nnnnrrrhhh” as he made his way to Eren and nudged him with his nose. eye fixated on the apple. “Calm down.” Eren chuckled as his hand brought the apple to the horse’s mouth, its hard whiskers scratching against Eren’s palm as the apple disappeared. looking up, Eren took a bite, and slowly chewed, watching as the sun had already started its westerly descent.
“Well, we best get going again if we want to make the crossroads today.” He said as he finally got to mounting the saddle. The cool wind blowing on his back as they set out again. An occasional conversation would break out, but ultimately Eren just listened as the birds sang birds and to the creek’s babble as it occasionally broke free from the forest. The wind whispered as it made its way through the trees and the tall grass, swaying the branches till a sudden snap broke the silence. Eren’s eyes shot to the shadows as he saw the startled buck bolt deeper into the shadows. Then slowly the wind started to die down, and the birds stopped their singing, only for the crickets to start theirs, and Eren watched on as his shadow started to wander from underneath him to in front of him.
Looking farther ahead, Eren’s eyes shone as his back straightened up trying to get a better view of the two roads intersecting ahead. and then looking down the other road, Eren could see two figures slowly making their way towards the intersection. “Well spirit’s take us, I think we’re in luck Winni.” Eren exclaimed, breaking the silence he had held for a while. “It looks like we might have company tonight, an abundance even.” Eren said as he stood up in his saddle, seeing two people riding down the other path towards the crossroads. “With any luck, they’ll be heading our way” Eren pulled on the reins, bringing Winfrey to a stop as he squinted, trying to make out anything about the riders. “and with even more luck it might be Jon and Scarlet.” Eren sat back down, grabbing the reins and giving Winni a quick kick as she started to trot. “Looks to be a man and a woman riding Winfrey, might even be heading to Passis.” Eren’s hope grew as he saw them stop at the crossroad to look his direction and wait. Looking at the girl, a tug pulled at Eren’s lips as her flowing blonde hair became more visible, her posture tall, almost regal. And at her side sat a shorter stocky man with a thin beard and short brown hair.
“Eren,” a boisterous laugh erupted from him as Eren got within arms length. “You seem a bit more ugly than last I saw you, but maybe my memory is failing me.” Jon said as Eren finally arrived, his hand stretched out.
“Jon, last I remembered your horse could barely hold you,” Eren joked as he reached out and Clasped Jon’s forearm. “Are you both wanting to make camp here tonight or do you both want to ride through the night?” Eren looked to Scarlet; her eyes sparkled as a smile lit up her face, her hair flowing as the wind pulled at its loose strands.
“I don’t see why we shouldn’t camp here.” Jon patted the bag that hung off his saddle. “I have a good bottle of rum that needs drinking,” Jon smiled as they all started making their way to a clearing off the path. “hell, what’s a reunion of friends without drinks and tales?” Jon said as the sun finally dipped down past the Horizon.
“So, Eren, how was that merchant on the road? From the looks of him, he seemed really skittish traveling. Almost like he didn’t want to leave the village.” Scarlet said as she stretched her arms reaching towards the darkening sky. “Seemed like a bit of a handful, if you ask me.”
“You would not believe this man Scar,” Eren took a breath as he finally dropped his saddlebags to the ground and unpacked his tent. “getting this man to sleep in the beginning was a near impossible. He jumped at the sound of every mouse that ran though our camp.” Eren said chuckling “He thought every cloaked traveler was a Quintan looking for his next meal, and every gust of wind was a Nephilim that was flying about.” Eren unrolled the tent and untangled the rope and stakes. “but after the first week he calmed down, and by the second week, we even had a traveling companion.” Eren pulled the ropes tight then hammering down the stakes watching as the tent took shape.
“So I can understand the Quintan Scare…. somewhat,” Jons tent a simple lean to, was already standing as he started to work towards a fire” but why the Nephilim? I mean, they rarely leave their beloved city and there isn’t even a Nephilim settlement till you reach the mountains, and that’s nowhere near where you were going.” Jon said, small arms starting to fill his hands.
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“Whelp, the man has always wanted to see one, and thought that his luck paired with traveling would bring one to his cart. This man’s imagination ran wild out there,” Eren said as he tightened the final cord for his tent.
“He sounds a lot like you when we were younger,” said Jon as he dropped his armful of sticks and logs. “I feel as if it were yesterday when you nearly fell out of that tree thinking you saw one of em. And then it turned out it was just a hawk flying past with a rabbit in its talons.” Jon stooped down, arranging the sticks into a teepee. “Remember that you had us following that hawk for miles and the disappointment when it flew down low enough for you to actually make it out?” Jon let out a small chuckle that was joined by Scarlet.
“Well you know what they say don’t you?” Eren asked a smile on his lips as a scarlet and Jon both stopped what they were doing and looked at Eren. silence filled the air as they waited for an answer.
“What do they say Eren?” Scarlet asked brows furrowed finally breaking the silence.
“I dont know i was hoping you guys knew.” Eren said as he held back his chuckle.
A stick flew through the air and a thump rung out as it hit Eren in the chest.
“how do you not get dumber when you tell such stupid jokes Eren” smoke started to rise from the teepee of sticks.
laughter rang through the air and the moon soared high in the night sky. as the aroma of cooked meats and sauteed onions filled the air.
“so let me tell you” Eren said through a mouthful of meat “This trader knew nothing of living in the road. Every snapped twig had him jumping. The first few nights of traveling with him was horrible.”
“what, was he yelping with the blowing wind” Scarlet laughed
“No, worse. every hour he kept waking me up saying a pack of wolves was surrounding the camp, or a lone figure standing in the woods. damn near started tieing him up at night.” Eren chuckled as he took another bite. “New traders are the worse, but at the same time they are the most profitable” Eren said smirking as the sounds of clinking coins came from his bag.
The night air seemed to calm and settle around them bringing an air of calm while the moons light fell through the trees making the woods almost seem a dream. a twig broke and Eren’s eyes dashed to find it
“Oh calm down Eren, theirs nothing dangerous in these woods except for the racoons that would steal the coin purse you’re so fond of. “ Jon said with a smirk. Jon grabbed another stick and stoked the fire bring the flame back to life after having turned to just a small stream of smoke floating through the air. Eren’s eyes continued to search the dark recesses of the woods. searching out the dark patches and trying to see what lay in them.
“The other night I saw a something strange, but I wasnt sure if it was a dream or not.” Eren said as his eyes finally came back to the fire. bringing his cup to his mouth he took another sip. “a blue antlered wolf. I never seen one before and half thought they were just a myth. But it came from the woods, bout three days ago. Iit just walked out of the darkness and just stared. it seemed to want to tell me something but it didn’t or mabye couldn’t speak. and behind it the woods seemed dark and menacing making the traders fear all real.” Eren paused as he gazed into the fire and took another mouthful.
“Well it looks to me like that traders paranoia has passed to you. There’s been no dangers here since that pack of quintan tried to take up residency in the caves near the woods. and the crowns guard saw to it they moved from the cave to the next life.” Jon put his bowl on the ground and took another swig.
“to me it sounds like a spirit was trying to tell you something, and its not impossible for change to happen Jon.” Scarlet said as she rubbed her hands together and put them next to the fire. “ When we get back ill let the village guard know and and well look into it. It sounds to me like a wandering spirits warning, and it does no good to ignore that.” Scarlet and Erens eyes met as the fires crackling filled the night air. “But that’s something for tomorrow. and its getting late.” Scarlet stood stretched and let a yawn escaped her lips. Eren’s eyes were frozen “well goodnight. I intend to sleep in an actual bed tomorrow and that calls for us to rise with the sun tomorrow morning.” Turning around she started to walk to her tent. Eren was frozen. watching scarlet go. her confidence apparent with each step she took. Pulling her knife she tossed it in the air catching it with ease. and nearing the the tree her tent lay under she gave it a light throw looking back to Eren as a dull thud sounded from the tree. “ I suggest you both go to sleep shortly, and dont burn down the forest with that fire, Aeron says he’ll make sure you two burn with it” scarlet stooped down and then disappeared behind her tent flap.
“Well damn lover boy, could you make it more obvious.” Jon chuckled as he took another bite. “why dont you ask to take her to dinner already, maybe, even ask her to have your babies.” a smirk on his lips as he watched Eren cough his rum now on the ground, and over his shirt. “That was a good drink,” Jon grabbed his stomach as laughter broke through the night’s calm “why’d you go and waste it like that?”
“Jon, she’s right there. she can still hear you; you deaf son of a bitch.” Eren hissed trying to keep his voice low
“Well if your not going to make anything happen I figured I might as well help you out” now pointing his stick at Eren he continued “ If you keep waiting some other lucky prick is going to take her out of your hand. and believe me, you have her in your hand; just stop being such a little bitch.” Jon continued taking another bite as a rock sailed through the air striking him in the side of the head.
“I swear if that rock was any sharper than your head wouldve have popped.” Eren said as he got up and tossed his stick into the fire. “I’m going for a quick walk in the woods. have fun doing what ever idiots do .” Eren said with a smile on his face as he disappeared into the shadows of the trees. The crackle of the fire slowly faded as he went farther into the darkness. Slivers of moonlight made their way through the branches and leaves as the babbling creek sounded off in the distances.
“Green woods with water blue,
fishes here and foxes too.
Moonlight, the stars bright,
the sun fast asleep.” Eren sung softly.
Humming, he kneeled next to the river filling his waterskin, and taking a gulp. A splash followed shortly his feet now soaking in the river. Glancing up towards the night sky Eren found mostly branches, with the occasional patch of starry night breaking through. Eren’s shoulder’s tensed as a shiver ran down Eren’s spine “Why dont you come on out, it’s off putting to have you stalking me like I’m prey.” Eren announced as he let out a breath and stared at the dark undergrowth on the other side of the stream. Blue light shown from behind the trees and overgrown bushes. “So it looks like you weren’t a dream after all” Eren said as the antlered wolf exited from the bush. “I’m curious are antlered wolves just a shape that spirits take on, or are they actually animals that slowly dwindled till now, where their not seen much anymore.” Silently, it walked next to the creek looking Eren in the eyes and sat opposite him. In silence they both sat with the peace of night all around them. Neither moving as the night went on. The pit that was in Eren’s stomach started to ease as he finally spoke. “ What is it that you want? If you wanted to warn me of something I already told the Ambient charged with the safety of these lands.” Silence ensued as the Wolf let out a snort and looked from the river back to Eren. “Look if you’re trying to tell me something I’m not understanding.” the Wolf let out a low growl as he looked back towards the woods. Eren looked and saw nothing but the light glow from the wolf fade. once more the wolf let out another growl as it looked back at Eren now standing. It let out a howl, and it’s light exploded outward. Eren stood and jumped back falling down on the bank of the creek. and looking back the wolf was gone his blue light fading as it ran into the woods. “What in the fucking world was its problem” Scrambling back to his feet Eren looked around trying to spot what the problem was. squinting Eren looked into the looming darkness all around. The blue light faintly a glow now, and slipping away like a dying ember. “What is with all the ominous stuff you dumb spirit. Just speak plainly!” Eren yelled. the pitch black seemed to swallow his words whole. looking more like a smokey haze than a normal darkness. A weight seemed to appear on Eren’s shoulders as he squinted his eyes adjusting to the murky black that encompassed him.
The silence was thick as if the forest became devoid of it, and shivers ran down his spine again as eyes seemed to be staring at him from every directions, pressing in, watching and waiting. The pit in Eren’s stomach seemed to widen and deepen, and a cold hand seemed to grab at his heart turning the blood in Eren to ice. his hand went to the hilt of his blade, gripping it tighter than he ever had. Slowly he started walking, every vine and every piece of undergrowth grabbing and clawing at his legs and arms.
Eren’s jaw was clenched tighter than he thought possible as he walked back with his hand glued to his hilt. A snap echoed through the darkness and Eren’s blade slashed into the moonlight; his head darting back and forth. Hands clammy and throat dry. A shiver went down Erens back as he circled looking for the sound. And finally looking down his shoulders heaved as his sword found its place in its hilt. adn staring at the broken branch underfoot. “It was just me.” Eren whispered. “Just me”