Tales of Norwood (eBook)

Chapter 5. Decision

“Do you know where you are going?” Tsam asked Skye.

“I am not sure. I was headed straight for Melto where the king and queen are my uncle and aunt, but now I have two Adrikan soldiers in my path. Perhaps I will head west instead though the forest and then turn south,” Skye explained.

“There is another alternative,” Tsam offered. “But it has its own dangers,”

“Tell me more,” Skye asked.

“I have heard of a very old trail that is not well known. It goes over the Samuk Mountains and to Melto,” Tsam told him. “To find it you must walk about five miles north of town and look for three large rocks piled on the eastern side of the road. That will be its beginning, but it is hard to call it a trail for about the first hundred yards. Beyond that, it is more distinct. But the forest is full of lupes and there are orcs in the mountains. That is their favorite habitat.

“I think I’ll…,” started Skye until interrupted by Tsam.

“You mustn’t tell me what you decide. That way no one can learn anything from me,” Tsam said. “Good luck and may the Mother bless you. Return when you can. I promise we won’t make you wash any dishes.” And with that, Tsam shut the door.

Skye decided he would at least investigate the trail Tsam had mentioned, so he headed off to the north, keeping an eye on the eastern side of the road for the three rocks. It was difficult to do in the dark of early morning. After about five miles, he found them, and as Tsam had warned there was nothing to suggest the existence of a trail. He couldn’t even penetrate the forest in that place. He went a little further north until he found a place where he could enter. He continued east for about 500 hundred yards, and then headed south. He soon found it. There definitely was a trail and it looked as if thousands of feet had trampled the surface so that it was clear and smooth.

“Why, this looks like a fine trail and I think it is unlikely that any Adrikan soldier will stumble across it by chance, let alone suspect this is the route I’ve taken,” Skye thought to himself, relieved he would be able to travel in relative safety.

It was about an hour before sunrise, and it had been a long day. He decided to allow himself a few hours’ sleep before going on. His clothes were dry at last and the night was warm, so he threw down his cloak and put his head on the pack. He was sound asleep in no time.

He woke a few hours later, feeling better, if not wholly refreshed. He opened his pack and made a meal of bread, cheese, and an apple. He felt his strength returning! Now he was feeling even better! He packed up his things and headed east. He felt safer than he had for weeks. He began to feel himself relax.

As he walked east along the trail early the next day, the terrain became steeper as he entered the foothills of the Samuk Mountains. Signs of lupes were all around. He carried his bow with an arrow nocked and stayed watchful. By day’s end, he had encountered no lupes, so he found a good place to make camp and stopped for the night. He even allowed himself the luxury of a fire. He had nothing to cook, but the fire felt comforting. The day had become somewhat cooler as he approached the mountains. He fashioned himself a bed of pine boughs, supped on a quick meal of bread and cheese, and covered himself with his cloak. He slept soundly and without fear, for he knew the lupes hunted during daylight and the fire would cover his scent.

He woke just as the sun was beginning to lighten the eastern sky over the mountains. He ate a quick breakfast, packed up, and continued on his way. As he did yesterday, he kept his bow at the ready with an arrow nocked.

As he followed the path, he came upon an indistinct path, a little more than a game trail, that seemed to head to the north. That was definitely not the direction he wanted to go! He continued following the well-worn path. Soon, the path curved to the south and led to a good-sized stream. It was not deep where the path encountered it and someone had laid rocks so that the stream could be crossed without getting your feet wet. It was getting late in the day, so Skye decided to camp along the path by the stream. He lit a fire and had a pleasant dinner of bread and cheese followed by one of the apples. Then, he settled in for the night and rose early in the morning.

When he had gathered all of his meager possessions and was about to cross the stream, he heard voices coming up the path from the south. He quickly shouldered his pack and ran into the woods to the west He came across a fallen tree and quickly hid behind it. As he peered over the tree, Skye saw two Adrikan soldiers crossing the stream. It didn’t seem as if they had seen him scamper into the woods.

Once across, one of the soldiers noticed where he had a fire the night before. Damn! He hadn’t hidden the evidence of his fire, because he did not expect to encounter anyone on this trail. The soldier pointed out the fire spot to his companion and they discussed it with hushed voices. Then they left the trail and began to search the woods to the west.

Skye considered using his bow, but, at best, he could take out one of the soldiers and that wasn’t guaranteed. They both were wearing chain mail. It was not long before one of the soldiers discovered Skye behind the tree.

“Aha! What is this? Sergeant!” the private exclaimed as he drew his sword. The sergeant soon joined him.

“This surely looks like Prince Skye, a little worse for wear! On your feet lad!”

“What shall we do with him?” the private asked. “The lieutenant wants him dead.”

“Then, we would have to carry his body all the way back to camp. Let him walk!” the sergeant suggested.

The private quickly grabbed Skye and tied his hands behind his back. Then, they went through his pack. They found the rope and tied one end around his neck. They used the rope to roughly get him back on the trail, leaving the remains of his pack and bow where they lay behind the tree, and pulled him southward along the trail.

As the trail crossed two more streams and curved to the southwest, Skye realized too late he was on the wrong trail. Perhaps he should have taken the small path that seemed to head to the north. That must be the one that crossed the mountains.

As they walked, Skye felt the rope binding his hands loosen and, with a lot of effort, he was able to free one hand. H quickly put his hand back through the rope, so that, he hoped, his freedom would not be discovered. It would all be for nothing if these two soldiers thought to check the binding.

The going was slow with Skye in tow, so the sergeant hurried on ahead to alert the lieutenant of their find.

It got to be late in the day and the soldier leading him decided to stop for the night. Evidently, it was some distance back to his camp. The soldier tied the rope around his neck around a tree so that Skye had no choice but to sit with his back to the tree. Then, the soldier ate a quick dinner without sharing anything with Skye; not even water, and sat down with his back against another tree. Then, the soldier put his sword across his lap and watched Skye. Skye pretended to sleep and, after a few hours, the soldier’s head began to nod. Skye watched as the soldier’s head fell to his chest. Then, Skye freed his hands and managed to untie the rope around his neck. He quietly rose, picked up a large stone lying nearby, and made his way to where the soldier sat. Just as he reached him, the soldier woke and his hand went for his sword. He was not quick enough. Skye brought the stone down hard on the soldier’s head.

Skye was free! But, he thought, not for long, for the sergeant was soon likely to show up probably with others. Skye quickly untied the rope from the tree, grabbed the soldier’s sword and hurried up the trail to the northwest as quickly as he could safely travel in the dark. Soon, it became light enough for him to see the trail ahead and Skye increased his pace. He was getting very tired, but he dared not slow down. Soon the dead soldier would be discovered and other soldiers would be in pursuit.

The sword was slowing him down, so he tossed it into the woods to the west of the trail. Now, the going was easier, but Skye was exhausted. He was forced to slow his pace.

As he reached the first stream, he took a long drink. It had been more than a day since he had his last drink. He felt somewhat refreshed and hurried on his way once again.

As the sun was beginning to fade into the west, Skye reached the area where he had camped the night before last. He retrieved his pack and bow from behind the fallen...