CHAPTER 2: TROUBLE FROM THE TREES

It was getting late in the afternoon as everyone walked through the woods. With the shade of the trees, it was a little cool but still warm enough that a few drops of sweat ran down their faces. Sometimes a small conversation would start here and there but they tried to save their breath for the journey ahead. Kalmar looked at Artham, who walked beside him, and could almost envision the time when Artham rescued him from the Phoob Islands. Head high, eyes forward, the pace steady, and his back straight. But soon one memory led to another and led to the last memory of Janner. Kalmar wondered why every happy memory led to a sad one. Then Kalmar said, "Artham, would it be okay if I could carry Janner for a little bit?"

Atham looked at Kalmar, then at Janner, then back to Kalmar. "Are you sure you can carry him?"

Kalmar nodded. Artham hesitated a bit, then carefully put Janner in Kalmar's arms. Janner was a bit heavier than Kalmar thought but, with his new strength from the melding at Anniera, Kalmar would be able to manage for a little bit. Even though Janner was wrapped in his cloak, Kalmar could still see Janner's pale face in his head. Not only did Kalmar want Artham to rest his tired arms but also just wanted to be close to Janner and holding him was the only thing Kalmar could think of. Kalmar tried to hold back his tears but a few escaped and landed on the cloak. Then he felt Artham put his arm around Kalmar's shoulders. Everything was silent for a while, but the silence became eerie, and something needed to break it.

Kalmar was about to speak when he heard something in the trees. It sounded like something ran from branch to branch, and it sounded big. At first, he thought he was hearing things until Oskar said, "In the words of Balk Doowed the Pioneer, 'Did you guys hear that?' ". Everyone stopped and looked around to see what was there but they couldn't find anything. They were about to keep walking until they saw something run in the trees, then it crossed right in front of them, then back into the trees. Artham and Nia pulled out their swords and stood ahead of everyone else while Sara pulled out a dagger from her pocket and put a hand on Leeli's shoulder. Then Artham whispered, "Guys, go back very slowly." But before anyone could take a few steps back a deep, growling voice from the trees made them freeze.

"That must be him.", said the voice. Kalmar felt a shiver run down his back as he moved closer to Artham.

"Who's there?" Kalmar called out.

Then another voice came from the trees, but it sounded high-pitched and dry, "That is him. I recognize that voice from anywhere. Going on and on about," Then the high-pitched voice sounded like it was mocking someone," 'You can be changed' 'There's a better place for you in" Then the voice shivered, "Anniera." Everyone started to back away slowly again. "Hmmm." the high-pitched voice said. "Where's his fur?"

"That doesn't matter." The deep voice said. "You know what to do."

Then in a flash, a medal net fell from above and almost landed on top of Kalmar if Artham hadn't pushed him out of the way. And Kalmar was so stunned by the net that he didn't notice the Bat Fang that launched out of the trees and quickly moved in front of him until it was to late. Artham lept into the air to chase it but soon more Fangs came and dropped on top of him. Then more fangs came out of the shadows of the trees and surrounded everybody else. Kalmar then drew his sword but stopped. How did he draw his sword if he was holding Janner? Then Kalmar felt fear rising up when he realized he wasn't holding Janner. If he wasn't then who was? There were at least ten Fangs around the group and three more struggling to keep Artham on the ground. Then a Grey Fang stepped forward and said. "Hello King Wingfeather, it's been a while since we last met. What happened, you missed us already?" Then the rest of the Fangs laughed and sneered at their captives. A Bat Fang came down and stood on a branch, he was the one who took Janner. "Sir, do you think this one would be useful as well?" he said nodding towards Janner's body.

Just when the Grey Fang was about to speak music filled the air and the Fangs started to hiss and growl. Kalmar turned around to see Leeli playing her whisteharp and Nia striking down a few Fangs. Kalmar went to take down the Grey Fang but quickly dodged him and drew out a sword of his own as he said to the Bat Fang holding Janner, "Take it to Throg we'll come back for the rest!" Then the Bat Fang flew off as the rest of the Fangs ran to the East. Kalmar ran after the Fangs thinking that if he were to at least find Throg he might find Janner. But why do the Fangs want Janner? Kalmar thought. But he was so focused on chasing the Fangs that he didn't even hear Sara call out his name or notice that Nia was running after him.