Akzane didnt mind water but when Ashe started rocking the small boat in an attempt to find his balance she had hit him and mumbled that swimming was still an option. It was, as the riverlands South of Alder held mostly fish and not the kind to swim up to your boat and drag it to a muddy end. There were no water giants or Ahihamiri in the river, but Ashe didn’t know that. So he sat down in the moving boat, eyeing the water nervously. Akzhane, who sat on the wooden guard rail, frowned. She didn’t like this place either but had steadier nerves. A stern look on her face with her pipe, an object the size of a hammer, safely lodged between her jaws. She peered into the dark river and let the smoke fill her lungs.
It being night, the water around the boat reflected the indigo sky and the forest. Seemingly pitchblack underneath its reflecting surface. Rows of birch trees dipped their roots in the water. They were old, the eyes on their bark had already opened. Grey irises followed the party as they glided down the river. “The rest of the journey will be easier.” Darion said. He had kept his eyes on the bow of the boat but Akzhane knew he was miles ahead in his mind. Calculating the time they needed to catch up with their targets, where they could find new horses, and what else he would have to do in order to catch a Bakroe. “The path of light and dark is simply the safest way to travel at night.”
Akzhane stared up at the lanterns in the trees. She knew that the winding river was called the Path. Due to it’s fertile grounds villages clutched to it on either side of the forest. Villagers would venture into the forest at dusk to light the torches. The lights guard travelers and make sure people don’t drown in the river at night. That kind and compassionate spirit was typical for the people of the land. In the cities this kind of genuine kindness was rare.
“Would you do the same if you lived here?” Akhzane asked her commander.
“Do what?”
“Light the Path for us so we wouldn’t drown?”
Darius focussed on the lanterns. Their light reflected in his eyes as the current moved the boat past the trees.
“I would not.” He answered.
“I would buy my own lantern. If you fall in the river you deserve it. A guard of Alder should know better.”
“Fair enough.” Akzhane answered. Thats Alderian courtesy for you.
It took another hour for the guards to arrive at the dock. Rufus, a dark haired fellow, pointed at the empty scaffold. Darion made a low huffing sound that Akhzane immediately recognized as discontent. “What?”
“I sent out a message for fresh horses and for someone to help us dock the boat.”
“When?”
“Two days ago.”
The dock had some rope lying around and the closer they came the more it dawned on them that something wasn’t right. It looked like someone had left in a hurry. A bag lay next to the ropes, its content parcially spilled on the deck.
“Swords ready.” Weapons were unsheated as the boat glided closer to shore.
As the commander stept out of the boat a shudder moved through the forest. We have it. The trees whispered. Your gold we don’t need, your power we want. It’s so close.“Its them.” Rufus lept forward, ready to head into the forest, but Darion pushed him back. “It’s a trick.”
“Don’t you hear them?” The guard asked, his sword still pointing towards the first row of trees. “This is a trick. Their words echo, hear?” When the next whisper came it felt less convincing. Further away and fainter. Find us, why don’t you? Between the trees. From behind them, down the river, the voices now echoed. There are only a thousand or so.
Darions barked over the whispers, thundering orders to his people. “Get out of the boat and draw your weapons. “Our man got scared but he did leave the horses.” Darion nodded at the paddock a few feet from the road. “We’ll follow the road. Don’t listen to the voices, just follow me!”
They gallopped away, the voices still haunting them. Akzhane heard the whispers, even over her horse’s thundering hooves. Maybe we are in the water, or on that high cliff? Their voices grew louder and louder, until suddenly they stopped.
“Halt!” Darions horse turned around, foam dripping from its bit. It stomped around nervously but the commander held the reigns tight. “They are here.” He said. “Find them.” The road started to widen here, the birches made way for oaks and pine trees. In the distance the faint lights of a village could be seen.
Akzhane turned around. Heading into the forest and away from the road. The trees here stood farther apart and the moon illuminated a silvery tapestry of fern and moss. She followed the field of ferns when the vegetation in front of her suddenly started shaking. Darion’s horn sound behind her, signaling they caught a target. “Could be a rabbit?” She thought, looking at the moving ferns. In an explosive upward surge a creature the size of a fox emerged from the foliage. It let out a screech and started running. “Definitely not a rabbit.” Akzhane mumbeled and set her horse to a gallop. They sped through the forest but the creature was no match for the horse. Akzhane grabbed it by the neck to lift it up. “Let me go!” It screamed. “I do not have it!” Akzhane held the creature in the moonlight to look at its features more closely. “Still, you do look an awful lot like the fellow that might.” She said. When the Bakroe noticed she wasn’t going to let him go it started thrashing like a wild cat. Without hesitation she slammed its head on her saddle. A muffled scream and the body went limp. “Thank God this was a small one.” She mumbled and turned back to the party.
When she arrived at the road she saw Darion and the other guards surrounding a small group. “Akhzane, we got their leader. We are not to harm them.” Said Darion looking at the small creature on Akzhanes saddle. Limp and slightly bruised. “It’s not harmed, just neutralized.” She shrugged. The small creature let out an agonized squeel.
Darion turned towards another guard. “Just keep an eye on the big guy, they follow him. The Copper Head is close by, we’ll take them there.”