Chapter 5

I woke to a dark grey sky. Knowing that the impending rain was going to fall at any time, I moved quickly to relocate our small amount of supplies. The pot, flint, net, Mikael's bow and arrows and herbs were all moved under the cover of trees.

This done, I went over and used my boot to lightly nudge Mikael. He slept on. The rain began to fall, and with a worried glance at the sky, my nudges turned to hard nudges, and then soft kicks. Still he did not wake. I walked over to our supplies, thinking what I could use to wake him. Then my gaze fell on the water skin.

I was still grinning as we shouldered our belongings, ready to move on. Mikael didn't say where we were going; I didn't blame him. The water in that water skin would have been cold.

After we had walked for an hour, and were still in dense forest, I started getting agitated.

"Mikael, where are we going?"

"Well, I'm going to Amonta, in Ayortha. As for you, I couldn't care less," he muttered.

I was stung, even though I didn't particularly like him.

As we kept walking, I thought about where I would go. I couldn't go to Ayortha; that much was evident. I thought about what I had wanted to do straight after the fire that killed Father and my sisters, and then I knew. I would go to Kyrrian capital, Frell, and join the rebel group. I would have somewhere to stay, and I would help bring justice to my family.

As we stopped for lunch (cold roasted hare from the previous night), I asked which direction I would have to go in to get to Frell. My question seemed to surprise Mikael.

"Why would you want to go there? Wouldn't you rather stay out in the country?"

"Well… I… er… I have some friends who live there. As I can't go back to Lake's Edge, I might as well go to Frell. Hmm. Yes," I stuttered, hoping he would believe me. He merely looked amused.

"Well, if that's where you want to go, I'm not stopping you. We'll come to a track in about seven hours, if the rain lightens up. If not, we'll have to camp out again. Anyway, when you get to the track just walk along it until you get to the first marker, then keep on walking until you reach Frell. If you know where in Frell your friends are, you can ask anyone to give you directions once you're there."

After this statement, we walked in silence. The rain kept on pouring down around us, and the sky darkened early. We set up camp by one of the many streams that ran through the forest, and used the net to catch fish for our supper. I was shown how to use flint to light a fire, and soon had a small but warm one blazing away under the cover of the trees. Mikael cooked the fish, and we ate in silence. Even after we had finished, the silence was deafening. I felt terribly uncomfortable, so I tried to start a conversation.

"So… what's it like being an apprentice to a healer?"

He didn't answer; didn't even look up.

"Well. Just trying to start a conversation, so don't mind me." To be frank, I was hurt by his reaction. He had talked and laughed easily enough before; what had happened?

I didn't say anything for the rest of the night. We set up our bedrolls on opposite sides of the fire, and then turned over so our backs were to each other.

The skies had cleared overnight. They were a beautiful clear blue, without a cloud in sight. Mikael's mood reflected the weather. He was cheerful, talkative and friendly; completely different from the previous night. I, on the other hand, was silent. How could he change so rapidly?

I walked to the stream and washed my face and arms. Although there may have been bushes screening the stream from our campsite, I still wasn't comfortable stripping down completely.

As I walked back to camp, I let Mikael know that he could wash. He did so, and came back whistling. I couldn't stand it.

"And what are you so happy about? Because this behaviour is a far cry from last night!" I snapped.

"Well, my dear Areida, today we are parting ways! I no longer have to be slowed down by you. So, hence the whistling! And as for last night, I had to be delayed. You were shivering something terrible, and if you caught cold I would be slowed down even more. I was loathe to camp, but we had to."

Even though I had suspected that my departure may have something to do with his sudden change of mood, I was still stung.

"So, that is the way you feel. If you wanted me to leave, you could have said so earlier. As of now, I take my leave. I thank you for healing me, and goodbye." With this I rolled up my bedroll, took half of the remaining fish, and walked out of the clearing. As I went, I couldn't hep but note the amused look on his face.

A day later, the look was all but forgotten. I had used up my remaining share of the fish, and didn't have the means to catch more. I should have reached the trail by now, but the only thing I could see was forest. If the situation didn't change for the better, there was a strong chance I would starve.

To add to my discomfort, I had the feeling that I was being followed. When I'd sat down to eat the last of my fish, I heard twigs snap as something moved.

The next day I had stumbled into a clearing. To my disbelief, there was a burnt out fire, and burnt bread sitting in the ashes. I dropped my things and raced over. Gently wiping the powdery ash off the bread, I began to eat it. I hadn't eaten for a day, and I didn't care that the bread was black. It was food.

I was so immersed in eating that I didn't here the footsteps come up behind me; didn't here the sound of a dagger being pulled out of its sheathe. I only became aware that I wasn't the only person in the clearing when the point of knife pricked my throat, and a rough voice interrupted my eating.

"Well, what do we have hear?"

A/N: Sorry! I know that I took a long time in updating, but I have reasons. I've been in Queensland for two weeks, I was given heaps of homework on my return to school, and I'm having an operation soon, so I'm kinda stressed. But I've updated now, so yeah. I'll try and make them (the updates) more frequent. Anyway, replies to my reviewers:

sealednectar: all I can say is, all shall be revealed in later chapters.

stardustpixie: yeah, I been kinda busy with school too, so hey. thanks for reviewing!

pearlwalrus: how have I betrayed you? I reviewed, didn't I? and I posted this chapter before Monday, didn't I? anyway, Steph, this one's for you.

pussycat doll: more conflict shall be entering the story soon, so don't worry.

mickimeg: thanks!

hottyjessy: don't worry jess, all (or most, anyway) shall be revealed!

So guys, if you've read this far, please review!

Ellie