Chapter Twenty-One

The next morning, we started off by following the water downstream to our right. To keep from sliding down into the water, we had to use rocks and boulders to keep our footing on the sharp bank. Occasionally, the water's edge would flatten out into swampy muck and we would have track through it. Ormvard, acting like a child as he does at times, enjoyed swatting at the cat-tails and watching them explode. When the river began to turn into a babbling brook, we crossed it and headed north in order to find the main part of the Panther River.

We were walking between trees and through grass tall enough that is was able to concealed boulders when an imp started attacking us. It caught us off guard when it shot its first fireball at Lugrub and then it began kicking Ormvard, who couldn't get his battle axe far enough away from it to get a good swing. The imp's high pitched squeals shot out of its orc-like face and assaulted all of our ears. It took five arrows and a good swing of Mal's sword to take it down, and then its body twitched for a little while once it fell to the ground.

It wasn't long until we descended a steep hill to find ourselves in the middle of a set of wooden stairs that had been previously hidden by the fog. I wondered how Mal knew where to find it in dense cloud, but I didn't bother asking since my feelings were still a little raw from last night. The path would give way to grass and completely disappear at times, but the soothing sound of lapping water hidden by the fog reassured me that we were on our path. At times, the path seemed so long gone that I thought we were wondering aimlessly from boulder to boulder.

"Why are there so many damn boulders here?" I blurt out.

"Legend says Akatosh blew them off of Skyrim's peaks with a mighty dragon roar," I hear Ormvard answer me from the mist.

Only Mal appeared to know where to go and which direction to take, for he could apparently see signs and queues left by previous travelers that no one else could see. The fog began to glow an odd yellow-orange due to an increase in the amount of bog beacon plants and their luminescent bulbous heads. We cut close to the river again as the fog began to let up and I could see Aylied ruins sticking out of the water. I couldn't help but wonder if it used to be a bridge because the pillars that protruded from the water seemed to be the right spacing for it.

As the river tapers off, we go into a valley to cross over the shallow creek that remains of the water. We were redirected to go north-northwest and we had to sidestep at times to make it up the great slopes that loomed before us. I caught sight of a gray wolf stalking us and readied my bow. As it leapt towards me, I released my arrow and its body tumbled down the hill after I hit it mid-air.

We finally mounted the hill as the stars and two moons shined from high above us. This time when Mal ordered us to make camp I knew better to question him on the open area. I settled onto a rock outside the invisible border of our camp as I prepared for the boredom that accompanies having first watch.

"You barely spoke today," I heard Mal's voice come from behind me. It was Mal this time, not General Malpenix, who was speaking to me.

"I didn't have a need to. You should be getting your rest," I said stiffly.

"I wanted to make sure you were okay."

I glanced back at the campsite and saw Ormvard dead to the world, but Lugrub was looking at us suspiciously. "It would really be best if you returned to your bedroll, General."

Catching the hint, Mal glanced back to see Lugrub's stares. Before leaving my side, he gave my shoulder a firm squeeze and whispered softly, "I promise this will get easier."

My only response was a harsh chuckle. I wasn't sure if it will ever get easier to think about those nights in Leyawiin. Perhaps I will when they're not so fresh in my mind, but for now I fear the impending carnage of war will be my only distraction. Maybe spying will give me a renewed sense of self? I couldn't help but laugh at myself about the route my thoughts have taken. I never would've imagined I would become addicted to the excitement this journey has given to me.

The next morning was the first time I could see the Valus Mountains beyond the trees. I soak in the sight and take in deep breaths of the crisp morning air. We head down a slope almost as steep as the one we surmounted the previous day. At a couple points, the trees would part enough for me to get a good look at the mountains and the rolling hills that lead up to them. A gnawing feeling forms in my stomach as I look upon the high peaks and I hope that we won't have to do much off-trail hiking through them.

We come to Lake Canulus and stay to the western edge of it, passing on old fort that I thanked the gods wasn't occupied. At the westernmost edge of the lake, we have to deviate into the woods because the ground becomes too steep to climb in the direction we need to go. We realize it might be easier to walk over the part of the fort's crumbling ruins that have fallen into the water.

Once we're back into the forest, the boulders become the only thing that allows us to get enough footing to get up the steep hills. We finally reach a slightly flatter area only to find a pair of bandits camping. Though we outnumbered them, they didn't hesitate to draw their weapons and charge at us.

Ormvard quickly dispatched one with a swing of his giant axe, and then stood back with the other men to watch me head off with the other bandit. He swung his steel sword at me but I dodged him by crouching down. I see my opportunity and send my dagger into his thigh.

"A little help would be nice," I shout to the others.

"You need more training with those daggers, Elf. We're only giving you the chance to get some target practice in," Ormvard laughed.

I growled with frustration as the bandit hit me hard in my shoulder pads. It ripped the leather but didn't make it through the metal plating inside. I staggered for a moment and the bandit thought it was his turn to get a better swing in, but when he tried to put weight on his injured leg he stumbled and his swing missed. I grabbed his sword arm and pulled it to me. I brought my other hand up and twisted it in his greasy hair. With my grip tight on his upper body, I brought my knee firmly up into his groin and used his moment of weakness to drag my blade across his neck.

I tried to catch my breath as I watched the man bleed out at my feet. I then looked up at my three superiors for their approval.

"You're getting better, lass," Ormvard smiled at me.

Lugrub, on the other hand, wasn't as impressed. "You should've had him down quicker."

I looked at Mal for his deciding vote, but rather than putting in his input he said, "We'll make camp here. We'll reach Boethia Camp tomorrow and it's a long, uphill trek there."