Detours

Ciara followed Kyner as he stepped back onto the deck of the beached river boat. There were only a handful of crewmen left, including the captain. None of the remaining crewmen were injured, they were the ones the gnolls hadn't gotten to.

"If you want to come with us," said Kyner, approaching the captain but being sure to address each crewman, "ready yourselves immediately. I intend to leave in less than five minutes."

"We stay," the captain said grimly to his men, "we stay and repair the ship. We are not leaving our cargo here."

"You will not last the night," cautioned Kyner, "the gnolls will be back, and they will want vengeance."

"Damn you, your ship, and your cargo," muttered one man as he broke away from the group, he was a man of modest height and build, black hair and a clean-shaven face framed his cold blue eyes. The man wore a leather jerkin and short swords hung from each of his hips. He approached Kyner with a sure step and his boots barely made a sound on the wooden deck.

"What is your name?" asked Kyner.

"Bohdan Gyles," replied the man, and he lowered his voice to a murmur, "I do believe I have a much better chance of getting back to civilization with you than that lot," Gyles motioned to the few remaining crewmen over his shoulder, all of whom were staring scornfully at his back.

"Get your things then," said Kyner, "and be quick about it."

"I don't trust him," said Ciara, softly, after the man had vanished beneath the deck.

"I don't either," replied Kyner, "I'd wager he's bloodied those blades of his before, and not in any honest venture."

"Why are you letting him join us then?" asked Ciara, her brow furrowed.

"There is strength in numbers and his talents may prove valuable."

The three left the wreck under the baleful gazes of those who remained. Progress across the hills was slow at first, while Bohdan and Ciara became used to the constant up and down of the small hills. Only Kyner seemed to move naturally across the undulating hills, but Ciara adjusted much quicker than Bohdan.

"Eh, sir," Bohdan started after a time, "could we have a moment to rest. I understand the necessity to keep moving but I'm likely to roll an ankle if we keep at this pace."

Kyner nodded, but he wasn't watching Bohdan, his eyes were on Ciara. They had been going for nearly five hours now at a fast pace over hill-country and the girl wasn't even breathing hard. She had only needed to adjust her balance and then she kept on as if she had been doing it for years.

"You have ten minutes to catch your breath," said Kyner, "I want to get as far as we can before nightfall."

"Aye," responded Bohdan, as he set about finding a convenient rock to sit on.

"Where exactly are we going?" Ciara asked Kyner, "I know that we were initially going to Hreispell. How much is this changing our plans?"

"A prudent question," responded Kyner, "we will go south in order to get out of the Jutonfar range as soon as possible. That road will lead us through the Aeterveran Wood."

"That's elven territory," Bohdan quickly said.

"So it is," responded Kyner, "but our only other option is to go the entire way along the Jutonfar Hills. I prefer the company of elves above that of gnolls. What do you think Bohdan?"

Bohdan sighed, "At least gnolls are predictable. Damn, what have I gotten myself into?"

"If you like, you can still make it back to your ship. They're probably still alive and might even make it with some help." Ciara was struck by the coldness in Kyner's voice.

Bohdan laughed, "That, I think, would be a worse fate than the mercy of the gnolls."

"This spot will do," said Kyner. The spot was a small hilltop like any other the three had come across during the course of the day. Kyner's gaze drifted to the setting sun, "we have to start setting up the tent now, or do it in the dark."

Kyner set down one of his satchels and began to remove the components of his tent by rote. Bohdan started planting the tend spikes. Ciara watched for a time as the two men set up the tent and then joined in with the ease of one who might have done it several times before. She learns quick that one, thought Bohdan. Sweet-lookinggirl but there's something not right about her.

Ciara lay on the light pallet that Kyner had packed for her. Despite the long walk she did not feel tired. The unevenness of the terrain had taken time to get used to but she felt she had adjusted well. For a long time she lay on the pallet, idling dragging her fingers across the dirt beside the pallet. When sleep did not come she stood and left the tent.

Kyner was standing outside the tent, watching the distance. Ciara could hardly see a thing.

"Can't sleep?" he asked without turning. Ciara only shook her head but Kyner perceived the answer anyhow. "Sleep won't come easy on a night like this. There are gnolls about, many of them. They are looking for us."

"How can you tell?" asked Ciara, and she stepped up beside Kyner.

"Take one of your rings off and put this one on," said Kyner, and he handed her the ring he had just been wearing.

When Ciara slipped Kyner's ring on she could see red shapes moving in the distance and all around the hills.

"What are those?" she asked.

"You're seeing the heat produced by the gnolls, a sense given to you by the ring. Mages call that sense selective infravision, it will only show you the heat produced by humanoids. True infravision is disorienting for those not accustomed to it." Ciara nodded and gave the ring back to Kyner.

"Will they find us?"

"I doubt it. There are too few of them and too much area to cover. We will eventually cross paths but I doubt it will be tonight. Try to get some sleep Ciara."

Ciara lay on the pallet for nearly another hour before she finally fell asleep. She thought her fingers might still be dragging along on the dirt.

Kyner slipped the infravision ring back on and turned his eyes south. A number of shapes were steadily moving north at a determined pace. They were too small to be gnolls and seemed to be armed. It was impossible to tell what kinds but the fact that he could see them at all meant they were probably heavy weapons. Few warriors would fight gnolls except with spears, great swords, or, preferably, pikes. If we can find them they will likely join us. I don't relish the idea of crossing Jotunfar with only two companions.
Ciara awoke before dawn. There was just enough light to make out a shape etched into the dirt beside her. Ciara rose on the pallet to stare at the shape. A skull stared back up at her. Although there was no expression on the fleshless face, Ciara was certain the thing was laughing at her. She scuffed the image out with her heel.

Ciara stepped out of the tent and was totally unsurprised to see that Kyner was still awake.

"Did you sleep well?" asked Kyner.

"I did. Did you sleep at all?"

Kyner laughed and shook his head.

"Get some sleep then. I'd hate for you to collapse during the day. I'll take the watch."

"I've no need for rest,"Kyner said, "it will be light soon, foolish to waste time here."

How long had he been traveling before he came to Noatun? wondered Ciara. He moves with the stamina of a man in his prime. I hope age doesn't catch up with him.

"I'll wake Gyles," said Kyner, "then we go."