Chapter 5
Journey
We had finally decided to just cross the river. When we got across we were wet and cold. "Why don't we make a fire and get warm?" I suggested Karzach nodded vigorously. "I believe that's the best idea I've heard all day." Robin added his agreement and went to get fire wood. Black Wing flew off into the woods probably to get some nasty vermin for dinner. Karzach and I stayed and set up camp.
We finished faster than normal in anticipation of the fire that we would light. I looked around when we finished. "I must say it looks pretty good." Karzach laughed "that's just because you haven't slept in better conditions in days." I grinned. "That's probably true, but we did do a pretty good job." I looked up at the sunset. "How long ago did Robin leave for fire wood?"
Karzach shrugged. "I'm not sure but it must have been somewhere around an hour ago."He must have seen the worry on my face. "Don't worry he can take care of himself." I looked into the woods. "I know but Black Wing isn't back either." Surprisingly right after I mentioned his name Black Wing flew into camp and landed on my shoulder.
Karzach shook his head. "There is something very peculiar about that bird." I ignored him. "Maybe we should go look for Robin." Karzach rolled his eyes. "For the last time "DON'T WORRY ABOUT ROBIN!" I sat down. "Fine but if he's not back in an hour we are going to look for him. Karzach nodded. "Now that's reasonable."
After awhile I began to feel the cold. I gathered some twigs from around camp and started a small fire. A little while latter Robin came into the camp muttering under his breath. I stood up. "Robin where have you been?" He dumped the logs on the ground. "I met a bear and now I have no arrows." I looked him over his quiver was empty and his shirt was ripped and the white was now a blood red color.
"You're hurt!" I gasped. Robin looked down "it's just a scratch." I stared at him. "Just a scratch! Robin you are severely injured! Sit down and let me clean the wound." Grudgingly Robin sat down. As I cleaned the wound I found it was indeed just a scratch. After I cleaned the blood up I sat back.
"We have to stop before Thurgarton forest for some new clothes and horses." Robin looked at his ripped up bloody shirt. "Yes, I think we should probably do that." I stood up and brushed myself off. "We need to eat and get some rest." Karzach smiled "my two favorite parts of the day."
The next morning I woke up to find Black Wing pecking at my shoulder. "Leave me alone." I muttered but he kept pecking. Finally I got up. "What?" I demanded Black Wing stared at me and flew to the fire pit. I stood up and walked over to him. "What is it?" he cocked his head and flew to the edge of the camp.
Wearily I followed. Black Wing led me farther and farther into the forest, until finally he stopped by a stream. I bent down to drink the water when I heard a voice. "Don't drink that!"I looked up to see a young girl of about 10.
"Why should I not drink the water?" I asked. She sat down on a rock. "There is a dead deer a little down the stream." I looked at the girl. "Where are your parents?" she turned to me. "We came on a picnic. I heard a noise in the forest but when I went to investigate. I got lost and couldn't find my mommy and daddy." Tears started to run down her face."
I went over to her. "Don't worry I will help you find your parents." She looked up at me. "Really?" I could hear the hope in her voice. I nodded "really." Black Wing nuzzled her arm. "What's your name?" she tried to stroke Black Wing but he hoped out of reach. "Elizabeth Thornton." I nodded "We will need to go back to my camp before we leave the forest. Ok?" she nodded and we headed towards camp.
When Robin heard about what I had promised Elizabeth he groaned. "I'm not one to leave little girls in the forest but we must get to Nottingham if you want to save Dan."
"And my wife and son." Karzach added. "I know I know but this is on the way. From what Elizabeth has told me she didn't travel far to get to the forest."Robin thought it through. "Fine but we need to get going." I nodded. We packed up and headed out.