Chapter 5: Followed!
Raven's POV:
I jerked a wake, a hand clamped over my mouth. I looked into the blue eyes of Seth as he put a finger to his lips. I nodded and he removed his hand from my mouth, beckoning me to follow. I followed silently as maneuvered about the campsite. Will and Halt were already awake and were packing their saddle bags. I paused by Will.
"What's going on?" I whispered.
"We're being followed by the Red Soldiers," he whispered back. Seth handed me something, and realized it was a bridle. He pointed to a spot in the trees.
"You'll find a horse back there," he said in hushed tones. I nodded and walked over, quickly locating the horse. I bridled the bay horse and, not bothering about a saddle, climbed on top of it. I nudged the horse with my knee, signaling him to go forward. We walked back into the clearing. Will had already mounted Tug and was waiting on Seth and Halt. I maneuvered my horse next to Will. Halt finally got Seth's horse to behave, and we were off. Halt and Will ride in front, next was Seth, then me. The ride continued in in silence. We had entered the town, and naturally drew more attention then I liked. Finally I could stand the townspeople's stares no longer. I goaded my horse into a gallop. We tore through the town, narrowly avoiding several people and stands. After exiting the town we flew across a field. I heard the sound of galloping hooves as Will and Tug caught up with us. Will reached out and grabbed one of my reins, slowing my horse to a walk.
"Not much of a social person, are you?" He asked.
"Nope," I replied, breathless after my uncontrolled gallop across the field. I heard Halt and Seth behind me, but they seemed content to let Will and I lead. Suddenly Will asked, "What happened to your parents?"
"They died when I was ten," I replied. It was true, but not the whole truth. He turned in the saddle to look at me.
"Do you have any siblings?" He asked next. My older brother, well, he seemed like my older brother, was not an easy subject with me.
"No," I replied curtly, nudging my horse so that it speed up and walked in front of Tug. Thoughts of my "brother" filled my head. He'd had dark brown hair and black eyes. He had taught me everything I knew about weaponry, except the sword. He hadn't been there for that. He had left before that. I smiled, remembering the time me and Arratay spent out in my fathers fields, practicing archery, knife work, and hand to hand combat. Other times we would simply talk, watching the clouds roll across the sky. He was several years older than me, more than my young mind could comprehend at the time. Then, one night, a Ranger named Crowley came, and took Arratay away so that he could become a Ranger. That was the year my parents died and I was left with nothing. I never saw Arratay since he left, but now this, this Halt shows up, so much like Arratay. I tried not to show my feelings, but Halt seems to find me interesting, and I'm worried. Who is he? And why is he so familiar?
"Hey, Raven!" Seth's voice broke into my thoughts, "in case you haven't noticed, it's going to starting raining soon!" I looked up and was greeted by dark, threatening, ominous clouds.
"Oh, right." I spurred my horse into the woods after Seth. Halt fell in step beside me and groaned inwardly.
"Why do you seem so familiar?" He asked, shattering the silence. I shrugged.
"You've meet a lot of people. I'm sure I remind you of one of them." I said dismissively.
"No, I don't think so," he said quietly. I shifted atop my horse nervously. I didn't like where this was going.
"I knew someone named Arratay once." I found myself blurting. I screamed inwardly at myself to shut my mouth. But I kept talking. "He was like an older brother to me. But he left. My parents died shortly afterward." I didn't notice Halt looking intently at me.
"I see," he said quietly.
Halts POV:
"I see," I said quietly. I rode forward, stopping next to Will.
"What was all that about?" He asked.
"Oh, nothing," I replied. Abelard shook his mane, scattering raindrops everywhere. I turned back to Raven.
"You hunt?" I called, already knowing the answer. Raven looked at me cautiously, then nodded.
"Good. We'll need some food before the rain drives all the animals in to their holes." I said, turning Abelard into the thick of the woods.
Authors note: New chapter! The next one should be out later today, provided I have time after Church.
Willow Treaty: Thank you for your idea, I might be able to work it in. Seth will be in a detailed fight a little later in the plot. He and Horace should come into play a lot in future updates (once they reach Castle Araluen).
Anyway, if there are any questions please ask in a review. I seem to have cleared up the whole timeline change, but if I missed anything please bring it to my attention! Please review!