Chapter 6: Wandering Dreams

I woke up, bedraggled, it took me a while to remember where I was. The sun was still rising from behind the trees and I payed close attention to the sparrows singing and the deer frolicking under the shade of the oak tree's thick branches.

In the distance I could see Forge and Zoe training, Zoe looked very uncomfortable clutching the sword in between her small hands, her stance was appalling and she swung the sword around as if it was a blunt stick. Forge stood behind her holding her hands and wrapping them around the leather hilt, he corrected her stance and I could tell that they would become great companions in battle someday. She eventually got it after a couple hours of training, Forge was relieved.

I sauntered to the river looking for breakfast. I scanned my surroundings searching for any signs of movement, a large, male hare was eating some grass on the side of the river, hears twitching. I picked up a pebble and through it near the hare, it ran and stopped. I move closer and through another pebble at it and it ran further, eventually running into a trap I set earlier. The hare was hanging upside-down and I saw some unusual scars slashed across its back. I knew it was a sign that we weren't alone.

I carried it into the camp sight, the hellhounds must have cause those wounds.

Maybe the ones that were after Zoe might come after us too. As I contemplated what might of happened I arrived at the cabin and begun training as usual. A few hours later it was time for us to travel to the town for more supplies.

As we left the cabin I confronted Zoe about what happened before she found us, "So do you remember anything before the hellhounds attacked you," I said subtly.

"No, not really. All I could remember is that I woke up in the woods and found myself running from those massive dogs." She responded.

"Their must be a reason that you were left in the middle of the woods, unarmed and vulnerable." I grumbled.

"Not so fast Tacs, let's not jump to any conclusions." Forge reminded me.

"Maybe your right, but I don't care anyway."

"I'm just happy I'm with people that aren't trying to kill me." She said happily.

The town was just ahead and we all kept quiet for the rest of the trip. The town folk know me very well as I would come here often. We walked into the town and we were greeted by warm smiles and excited faces. An old lady walked up to Zoe, taking her hands and analysing her wounds. She gave Zoe a type of cream that is rubbed into wounds to heal at a rapid rate. This kind of medical treatment was extremely expensive.

"Sorry ma'am, but I couldn't possibly afford this," Zoe said frightened, looking into the old ladies kind eyes.

"Don't worry child, it's free. You look like a beautiful, young lady and if applied it should heal in a couple hours," she said sweetly.

"Thank you," Zoe said politely as she clutched the bottle between her bruise hands. The old lady walked away and Forge and I raised our eyes but walked to the markets for supplies. I walked over to a very dilapidated hut type place and ask the man standing at the desk what was did he sell. The man spoke in a very disgruntled voice, "I sell all types of magic, dark, angelic, demonic, you name it I sell it." I looked across the room and a strange novel caught my attention. I inched closer to it and closer I got the more aura it emitted. I inspected the book, flipping through the pages. A gentle voice whispered in my head and I suddenly felt compelled to read it. I purchase the book and we left the market place and went back to the cabin.

I couldn't stop reading. The book was a sort of encyclopaedia on past battles, wars, weapons and armours of all sorts. As I read through the book I became more familiar with some of the weapons, as we would spend hours studying these sorts of stuff at Camp Elder.

It was time for us to continue on our journey again and Forge and Zoe were lagging behind as usual, probably doing extra training while I get more supplies. I think back to the time where Forge and I were just kids, and our mother would tell us about our father, he wasn't with us most of the time because he was busy. My memory just comes back In flashes whenever I reminisce about my mother.

I was looking for them and I saw Zoe practicing with a wooden bow and a few blunt arrows, "I didn't know you could do that," I said.

"I've been practicing," she said

"You're very good though,"

"Thanks."

We found Forge, asleep, in the cabin. It was just about time for us to leave for the next town. We got new weapons and packed extra food, for an emergency. I crafted a pair of enchanted gloves that I got before I met Forge that would improve her battling and protect her when she needs it. I also enchanted it with some abilities that would help her.

As we walked along the path to the next town, Zoe told us that she doesn't know where or how she learned how to use a bow. I walked over to a bush that caught my attention, I took a closer look at it, I saw a pair of eyes staring at us. The instant I turned around, we were surrounded.

We readied our weapons, Forge clutched the hilt of his battle axe, Zoe's gloves were glowing bright a she held her bow down, arrow facing the ground and I readied my fists at fighting position. I couldn't summon my sword. There wasn't enough light.