Scene Two: The Old Forest

The sun was well into the sky when we set out from the Fallen Unicorn Inn. I hadn't anticipated sleeping in, but the antics of the past day must have taken a greater toll on me than I'd thought. I woke up to Snacks licking my cheek, already eager to start the day. I dressed quickly and got up to meet Will. I caught a glimpse of myself in the bedside mirror. My blond hair stuck up on all sides, and my clothes looked ill-fitting. Snacks looked lush as always, chirping at his reflection in the mirror. Resigned, I scooped him up and left the room.

Will waited for me outside my room, now outfitted in armor resembling the colors of his interesting Braviary. Syaotoan custom seemed to dictate that they only wore the shoulder pauldron, half of the breastplate, and the piece that flayed out across the hip. It looked impractical to me, but Will wore it with pride. I had to admit, with his performance the day before, I knew his armor and weapons got some use. A wood-handled lance was kept propped over his shoulder, its steel head covered with snapped cloth. A rounded blade sat at the back of his belt behind three Pokeballs. One of the Pokeballs housed his Braviary, and stood out for its green and brown color.

"Good afternoon," he greeted me with a knowing smile. "Come. We will head to Kimball's blacksmith nearby. My squad should be meeting up with us there."

I could clearly tell he'd been up for some time when I agreed. As we left the tavern, I'd hoped to catch a glimpse of Caryl from the night before, but a burly man stood in her place, polishing glasses and glancing down his nose at us. An even burlier Machoke clambered around behind the bar, lifting crates and barrels with ease. Amusingly, it had a short white apron around its hip.

After we'd checked out and Will had half his gold returned, Will remarked on my expression. "You liked the bartender from last night?"

"Caryl?" Yeah, I suppose. She was pretty cute.'

"Ah, you know her by name?"

"She did introduce herself, yeah. What?" I gave Will a dirty look as he chuckled. Eevee made a noise in my arms that sounded almost mocking.

"Oh, nothing." He shifted his bag on his shoulders, adjusting the Pokeballs at his belt. "Just that she is a good lass. Besides being quite good in bed, she takes care of her father. Works the inn at night, the fields by day. Her father has a Torterra who is mightily helpful. A couple Mudsdales who plow the fields. Even so, her father is well-respected in town, and his work and poor health mean he cannot handle all of it on his own, although his pride likes to tell him he can. My troops have helped out before."

I nodded absently, picturing the scenario. "She did seem like a good… Wait, you slept with her?"

Will chuckled. "She could teach you a thing or two, I imagine." When I gave him a scathing look, he raised his hands in an innocent gesture. "What? I only meant of farming tricks, surely!"

I shook my head, but couldn't hide my smile. Will noticed, and added, "She could not remove her gaze from you for very long, my friend. If you wanted to stop at her farm before we go…"

The idea made me blush scathingly, but I kept my eyes locked on the ground. "No. I mean, even if I wanted to… I have things I need to do."

Will didn't press the point, which surprised me a little – but was gratifying. Glancing down at Snacks, I wasn't ready to explain.

"Good on you. I can tell you are eager to begin your journey, no?" Will smiled at me. "I agree. Beyond tramping about the village, spending nights at the taverns and centers, stuffing our faces… my field commander has not left much room for actually helping people. We do what we can, but in the end, we must follow orders to some extent. A friend and I have taken to helping Caryl and the Pokemon on the fields. We buy rounds for the veterans of the southern war. I can tell we met for a reason, my friend. If nothing else, I am driven to press against the forces which oppress us."

"Oppress you?" I asked, curious. I didn't guess that Will was unhappy with his troops.

"Right. Here we are," he said abruptly, only a short jaunt down the road from the inn. "This is the best blacksmith in town – Kimball Cragg runs it, and he has been kind to us. Not many can maintain Syaotoan armor and weapons. He also sells a great oil for maintaining Valor's plumage."

"Valor is your Braviary, right?" I asked, shielding my tired eyes to look at the shop ahead of us beyond a gleaming sun. It was a simple one, stuck on the side of the road next to residential homes and a bakery. It looked like a home turned into a shop, and I could already feel heat resonating from the forge within. Despite being late autumn, the air didn't have much of a chill to it, or I might welcome the heat. Barrels loaded with halberds crowded around the open door like the smithy didn't have the room inside to hold them, and some pikes sat crested with full steel helmets. I took in the sight with surprise. Did Bytold really need so many weapons and armor forged, or was this why the forge was so well-stocked?

Other interesting pieces sat around the front. A couple suits of a heavy leather armor looked like they might fit large birds. Others looked like they might be armored saddles for four-legged Pokemon, many fitted upon mannequins of quadruped bodies.

"Yes," Will confirmed, tapping his Braviary's ball at his belt. "Valor is one of my longest partners. A Syaotoan variant, and quite unique at that. They are smaller, like hawks, but their plumage isn't all steel like a Skarmory. Come on."

Will led the way into Kimball's forge. I already wiped sweat from my brow, and Snacks didn't look eager to enter the humid building, either. Inside was just as cluttered as the doorway. Half-made weapons and armor mixed with finished ones among the barrels and finite shelving. The odors of sweat, smoke, and metal hung in the air as if they were a part of it. A heavy-looking anvil sat askew on a tilted log, where a hammer and a large pair of steel tongs lay abandoned next to the giant hearth. Though it didn't look to be currently in use, the hot surface emitted such a steaming aura that I couldn't look at it, and the cooling water next to it puffed steam.

A large, duck-billed Magmar sat next to the forge, looking right at home in the heat. Its naturally-narrowed eyes studied us with nothing unfriendly as it hopped to its feet, a motion that shook the floor of the shop under its great weight. It emitted a sort of excited honking noise, and I realized it must recognize Will.

A man, younger than I imagined, stepped out from behind the great bellows to stand with his Magmar, rubbing his neck with a towel. He only wore slacks and an undershirt, his muscular arms stained with burns and scars. Even his short, dark hair looked burnt in places, and the same went for the hair on his arms.

"Will, is that you?" the man asked, grinning. "What a surprise! Did your armor get mashed up or something?" Then his eyes fell on Snacks and me, and one bushy, tarnished brow rose in surprise. A smirk appeared behind his trimmed beard. "Ye brought me a customer? In this sleepy lil place?"

"That I did," Will started, but I would've been surprised if Kimball heard as he hurriedly strapped a huge mask over his head, stretching thick gloves onto his hands. He signaled to his Magmar.

"What'll it be, friend?" he demanded, having to raise his voice as he leaned on the bellows and his Magmar unleashed a whoosh of flames into the hearth, making the quieted flames shriek to life. "You'll have me forge a sword? Some armor? Something for that there Eevee, perhaps? Or maybe – gods, maybe a mallet?"

"Kimball, wait—"

The flames soared up again as the Magmar unleashed another hot burst of fire, and we had to step further away from the molten hearth. "What's that, Will? Y'know my shop's loud as the fires of Moltres when Mortar and I get fired up!"

Will managed to stop the clearly excitable blacksmith with a hand on his shoulder. "Wait, friend," he insisted. "I was not sure a hammer or sword would suit my young friend here. You see…"

He leaned in closer, and I couldn't make out the words over another excited whoosh of flames from Mortar the Magmar. When they settled, Kimball was giving me an incredulous look. "A trainer? Down in this village? And one who won't take some glorious new sword, or armor forged from the scales of a Druddigon—"

"You forge from Druddigon scales?" I asked, bewildered.

Kimball guffawed. "Sure, lad. If ye've the gall to go hunting in the Border Range, or perhaps the Atmos Woods beyond! Only places I think dragon-type Pokemon would hang out. But ye go fetch the scales, and I'll make yer armor!"

I frowned. "I'd have to kill a Druddigon to make armor from it? I could never. Don't they just… drop scales once in a while?"

Kimball descended into quite a fit of laughter, leading us away from the forge itself as he stumbled amid his piles of weapons and armor. "I like this 'un, Will. Better sort than that snide captain of yours. He'd fall for a tall tale like that and be chargin' out into the woods by now."

Mortar, looking quite devastated, drew the flames from the hearth in a whooshing breath, and soon the flames fell back to nothing. Its scales glowed quite brilliantly with the heat, but it didn't look thrilled. Snacks was watching the big duck-billed Pokemon with interest, sparks in its eyes.

"I apologize, Kimball, but the day is getting away from us—"

Kimball raised his hands in surrender. "Say no more, lad," he said, and stumbled through his wares until he reached a much more organized storefront. A tangible desk emerged from the piles of weapons. Behind it was an assortment of wooden staves, bows, and pieces of leather Pokemon armor. "I don't just forge, y'know, though it takes a mean smith to make a working bow. I'm also a carver. No, I don't do those runes meself. Lindsor Cerone's known for having studied those in his old days. His ol' Sigilyph was quite known for 'em."

"Lindsor Cerone?" I echoed, curious. "Like Caryl's—"

Kimball swore as he knocked over a barrel of pikes in an attempt to get to the desk, making Snacks leap out of her skin. "By Arceus! Wish these villagers would up and join the militia already like the good ol' days! Sell me out, for Arceus' sake. Can't just stop making arms and armor now, can I? But no, by Lugia. All they be wantin' is troughs and saddles for their livestock Pokemon!"

"You could always—"

Will couldn't finish as Kimball ducked out of sight, and then reappeared just as quickly, clutching what looked like a gnarled tree branch in his hands. Oak, I guessed, and about three feet long. He was currently socketing a white gem into its knotted head. Then, stepping out into the open, he thrust it into my hands.

"Oak staff," he said. "Yer basic staff, but with a little fixin'. That there on the top is a Harmonia Gem. Normally quite known fer harnessing and releasing elemental power from a Pokemon – and these backwater folk'll resort to it fer healin' or waterin' crops – this should work with an Eevee like yours. Means it should be able to synchronize with Eevee's element and make you able to fight alongside one another. Ya see—"

Now Will cut Kimball off. "How much?"

Kimball and I both gave the soldier a surprised look, but he wasn't looking at us. He craned his neck to look through a dusty little window near the entrance. I couldn't see what he saw from here, but I could guess. His squad had arrived.

"Right," Kimball agreed, clearing his throat. "Six gold, I'd say. Clearin' stock out, y'know?"

Will was already rifling through his gold satchel. "Of course. I appreciate it, as always," he assured Kimball, stuffing coins into his hand. Even at a distance, I could see it was far more than six. "Could you do me a favor?"

"Name it," Kimball said without hesitation. He didn't even look at the gold.

"Could you explain to my friend how to use it? I… must meet with my crew. We have some preemptive matters to discuss."

Kimball's eyes gleamed like Mortar's fire. "Gonna stick it to the man, then, are ye? Very well. Leave it to me."

Will nodded his thanks before taking off toward the door. Kimball and I watched him go while I clutched the oaken stick. I thought there was something awfully foreboding about the hunch on Will's shoulders. He almost knocked over a display of halberds as he went, shouting a hasty apology before ducking through the doorway – tall as he was, he had to bend to exit the store. Mortar honked, somewhat brazenly, as it went to right the barrel of halberds. Kimball only chuckled, bemused, stroking his kept beard with a smirk.

"Why does he look like he goes to battle Giratina itself?" I murmured, half to myself.

Kimball gave me a quiet look. "Ye must be new here. His captain's a character with lots to be desired. Every one o' his men boasts a heart of gold, save him. If nothin' else, it looks like you inspired him to finally stand up to that dodger." He sighed, gazing down at the staff. "Right. Now listen good, y'hear?"

I nodded as he gestured to the staff in my hands. Snacks hopped up on my shoulder, watching as intently as though she needed to wield it too. Looking at the staff now, I could see letters etched in an unfamiliar dialect, dark blue letterings that seemed made of an unearthly material.

"So normally, yer standard staff gets charged with one element. Fire-type trainers use Fire Gems, grass-types use Grass Gems, and so on and so forth. Way it works, you battle alongside your partner and the staff's gem gets synced up to their energy. This one's a little different.

"Harmonia Gems are s'posed to act like a mimic, basically. You copy an energy, you paste it. Typically, trainers don't even think to mount it on a staff, but soon as Will told me about your Eevee there, I had a gut feeling, and I'm hopin' it's not mistaken. I think ye'll be able to copy whatever element Eevee uses and harness it. Best part is, them runes'll be able to hold a few charges. Say your Eevee goes into Vaporeon for a couple attacks, then to Jolteon, and so forth. Yer staff should be able to hold multiple charges from that."

I looked at him in surprise. "I didn't know we could battle alongside our Pokemon. I mean, I saw Will and Valor fight, but…"

Kimball grinned gleefully. "You got to see his ol' bird in action? Marvelous." His expression turned a little stern. "Tis a dangerous world out there, 'specially if yer headed to the Old Forest, and Arceus knows what beyond that. A younglin' Pokemon like your Eevee could die out there. Would ya really want to send it into battle without knowing ye could help 'er out?"

I glanced down at Snacks on my shoulder, who looked back at me. He had a point.

"What if it doesn't work?" I asked. "What if I go to help Snacks and it doesn't work?"

Kimball grunted. "Yer a trainer. If ye can form a bond with her Eevee… Snacks," he muttered, shaking his head with a chuckle. "If ye can form a bond with her, it'll come to ye. Should the gem not work, find another. A Fire Gem would work nicely if you use Flareon, and… etcetera, so on and so forth. And til then, it'll make for a fine beatin' stick."

His gaze caught something behind me. I turned, and realized I could see through one murky window at the storefront. Will stood outside with almost a dozen men, all dressed in similar styles of armor to him. It looked like Will was arguing with one of them, a man with a steel helmet and a red cape over his shoulders.

"Right," Kimball said softly as Snacks emitted a worried squeak. "Don't ye go rushin' out there now. Impractical as their armor is, I don't think they'll take kindly to ye if ye try clubbin' their knees with this."

I was too worried to chuckle. Even seeing how well Will fought alongside Valor, I had to assume this squad had the same skills as him. If they didn't like me, I might as well stay with Kimball and Mortar forever in this shop. Perhaps I could find a future in smithing.

Kimball had retreated behind his desk once more, and now he returned holding a set of items. One was a short bow, almost half the size of the staff and curved taut by a thin wire. The other was a small, squared-off quiver chock-full of arrows, and strapped to a baldric. As he set these down, he also grabbed an item from near the desk. A small leather choker, far too small to fit my neck.

"Recurved shortbow," Kimball explained, as though that might answer any and all questions I had. "In terms of archery, tis a beginner's tool. Far simpler than yer standard longbow or crossbow." He picked the bow up and demonstrated moving with it. "Ye just loosen up yer legs and shoulders, keepin' yer body like a turret. Draw the wire back just to about this length – any more and ye'll snap yer ear off – then notch an arrow here, and…"

He moved much more quickly than I was able to properly follow, and then swiveled around and loosed an arrow at me. I bristled, and Snacks emitted a shriek, but the arrow sailed over my shoulder and twanged loudly into something behind me. I spun, alarmed, to find the arrow embedded in a target hung haphazardly on one of the shelves, an anxious Murkrow now flapping its wings around it and cawing in annoyance. The arrow had struck dead-center.

Kimball took a moment to stop laughing at my reaction. "Fairly simple when ye get the hang of it. I dabbled with the bow and arrow once upon a time." He handed me the bow. "Go on, lad. Give it a shot. Don't worry – only things breakable to an arrow in here are us."

I ignored his laughter at the idea, wary of all the Pokemon in here. However, to his encouragement, I drew the bow taut. It didn't have nearly as much give to it as it looked when he used it, but I was able to draw the wire back far enough to notch the arrow Kimball offered me. As I kept his poise and prepared to shoot, I let go of the arrow far too soon – it sailed into a straw display covered in armor. The Murkrow cawed loudly, almost derisively.

"Huh," Kimball murmured. "Well, ye stuck it between the plates. Were that a man standing there, you'd have struck flesh! On any man, that's a decisive arrow, mark my words. Forget that yer a mile off the actual target…"

I smiled sheepishly and went to hand the bow back to him. "Thank you. I'm sure I might kill someone with my next arrow – intentional or not."

But Kimball only chuckled, arms crossed. "Keep it. Will's been me best customer in a long time. Find me any of these damned village folk who'll talk shop with me for hours, or to offer me tips on how Syaotoan smithies do their work, and I'll sell ye my arm and leg." His smile turned a little wistful, I thought. "Will's a good lad, and somethin' tells me I won't be seein' him for some time. Or ye, for that matter. And any friend o' his is a friend o' mine. See to it that ye take down a few of them raiders or some dangerous Pokemon with this, at least, y'hear?"

I stared at Kimball incredulously, stunned. "T-Thank you," I managed to stutter, and bowed. Snacks took the opportunity to hop up onto my head. Kimball's brow shot up, but he chuckled. I had the feeling the bow I'd mimicked from my benefactor yesterday was foreign here. Did that mean the man who led me to Bytold… wasn't from here at all?

"Don't sweat it," he waved me off, "but stop by if ye should ever return to this sleepy town, and I'll make whatever ye fancy. Even if ye come across some Druddigon scales."

I laughed, but I wagered it was time to go. But before I could turn, Kimball offered me the other item in his hand I'd forgotten about – the small leather choker. I noticed it had a red bead on it. "Strap this here onto yer Eevee," he told me. "The bead's good fer keepin' her standing after a wicked hit that'd knock most Pokemon down. Breaks after one use, unfortunately, but ye can get the beads for chump change at any market. It's called a Focus Bead."

I couldn't remember the last time somebody had been so kind to us. I beamed, bowing again. "Thank you," I said honestly. "I have the feeling we'll need this sooner than later."

Kimball raised his brow with a half-hearted smirk. "I feared as much," he said, turning away to head to the back room. Mortar had waddled up to accompany him, and his Murkrow landed on his shoulder. "Don't go gettin' yerself or your Eevee killed. How else am I s'posed to find good customers?"

I forged an exit path through the strewn contents of the shop, passing by the still-suffocating heat of the forge on the way out. The strap of my bag nearly knocked over another display, but I managed to duck away. I was still fiddling with the strap of the quiver's baldric as I crashed into someone outside the door. Eevee emitted a startling cry, her claws coming out into my shoulder to keep her footing. Stunned, windless, and wincing at Eevee's little claws, I glanced after the tall figure who rushed past me and down the road.

"Sorry kid!" a female voice called back. She seemed awfully tall for a woman, I thought, and had a black kite shield bobbing over her shoulder. What almost looked like some kind of Houndoom jogged alongside her, though something was immediately off about it. Before I could discern what it was, she wheeled around a corner, and I lost sight of both her and her strange Houndoom. Shrugging, I turned my attention to the situation before me.

My new comrade had his back to me, standing, arms crossed, among a counted eight other soldiers. Three of them wore silver tunics, gold pieces of armor, and helms that shrouded their faces. One of them was the one Will stared down, his armor shinier and polished, with a red cape slung over one shoulder. He had his visor down, and the sides of the helm spanned out like small wings. The tip of his helm ended in a spike one could impale themselves upon. If I had to guess, he must be Lancet Cooper.

Standing next to Lancet was a tall, dark bird-type Pokemon. It looked like a Honchkrow, but there were differences. It looked slimmer, the feathers on its head converging into almost a flame-shaped crown, its feathers highlighted with red. It held itself proudly at Lancet's side, its glowing red eyes trained on Will with an almost suspicious level of distaste. On either side of the other two soldiers were a tall red Scizor, its claws dormant at its sides, and a sharp-edged Bisharp. Both Pokemon watched their confrontation but, like their trainers, didn't interfere.

Two more dressed like Will in green tunics, steel armor, and rounded steel caps on their heads. A tall Frogadier stood with one, arms crossed, one eye watching Will and Lancet. The other had a Pidgeotto hovering near him, flapping to keep itself airborne. Three more – all younger-looking than Will – stood in blue tunics with bronze armor. If I had to guess, their colors signified their rank, putting these three as novices. One stood next to a small, adamant-looking Riolu. A large, round Makuhita stood with the other, bouncing in anticipation, a mischievous smirk on its face. Hovering next to the last boy was a rather small Ledyba, its shell a sort of violet shade. Its six stubby legs were balled into little fists, its round eyes narrowed.

"This is the kid?" Lancet asked in an immediately snide tone. I could feel his eyes on me behind his sharp visor as I stepped up next to Will, but I couldn't see his face. "I see what you mean. However, you appear to be making a hasty assumption on the part of the Crown – one which, I must remind you, is not in your jurisdiction. Not in any sense of the word."

"I will be escorting him free of charge," Will replied. The icy edge to his tone surprised me. Even to a bunch of angry, drunken men, Will never sounded this… dangerous. "He has very little gold. Next to no supplies. He may be armed now, but the Old Forest is dangerous. You know that as well as I – you have seen the bounties. Not that we have acted upon them in weeks."

Lancet strolled away a pace, a hand on his hips and one upon the crown of his helm, and cursed under his breath. His Honchkrow remained where it was, studying both of us hungrily. When Lancet returned, he leveled himself before Will. My new friend was a head taller than his field commander, but nothing about the man suggested that made a difference.

"Will. You seem to be making a foolish assumption of what it is we're here for. Do you honestly think we traveled all the way here, to this backwater little village all the way from our grand kingdom – to protect the sheep? To escort a boy and some Eevee through the woods so, what, he may not form sores on his heels as he walks? To see to it that yet another snobby Trainer – useless, in the grand scheme of things – may see himself safely to the Capital of this whole backwater realm?" He chuckled, but in a way that almost worried me. "Please. We have urgent matters to attend to, more urgent than this poor sod of a child. While you and my other men have been frequenting the tavern, stealing off into the dead of night, and making house calls to bar-wenches—"

"I would go with Will."

The young soldier with the Ledyba stepped up on Will's other side. By the look both Will and Lancet gave him, he was speaking severely out of line. The boy was almost as tall as Will, his hair sandy and light, barely restrained by his steel cap. While most of the soldiers looked built and stocky, this one was more gangly and thin. Regardless, he crossed his narrow arms next to Will, settling his freckled face into a scowl. His Ledyba mimicked the gesture with all six of its legs, glaring at the Honchkrow.

"You dare—"

"Brom sent us here, to Harohto, to gain experience in our knighthood and do good by the people!" the boy cut his superior off, no shortage of emotion in his spindly voice. "If I may, sire – we have done neither by your lead. You would have us act as sellswords, offering steep prices to see people through the woods safely. No matter how you word it, that is robbery. That is not in our code – I have read it front to back, sire. Have you?"

Will nudged him in the elbow, and the boy retracted painfully. "Alex, cease this. Do you realize what you speak of?"

"I do, Will," Alex replied sharply, "and t'would be folly not to speak on it. Lancet claims we waste our money on booze? I see veterans at the tavern, hardly able to pay for a scamp meal and with none to hear their legends. Did you meet the man with the one arm, who lost his wife and daughter in the southern war? His Ursaring was terribly sick, Lancet. We fed both of them! We saw to their medical bills. Without us, the stump of his arm would have rotted to disease, and he'd have lost the only thing he had left!"

Lancet took a step toward Alex, a hand on the hilt of his sword. His Honchkrow's feathers ruffled and took on a reddish aura. "You insolent little—"

"Alex is right." This time, one of Will's rank stepped in next to Alex, arms crossed. His Pidgeotto emitted a warning shriek, batting its wings furiously at the soldier's side. Lancet stayed his hand, but just barely. He fixated the new soldier under the heat of his glare. "You would label us as criminals, sire? Sneaking off in the dead of night? Perhaps you mean how Will, Leif, and I went to the woods to find a child who'd been carted off by a wayward Drifloon?"

"When in truth, the child had followed the Drifloon out of hopelessness," the other soldier with the Frogadier added, presumably Leif. "Which led us to get her mother's medicine, who would have wasted away without telling a soul. Sneaking off in the dead of night? I did, and would again in a heartbeat. The forest is even deadlier at night, and the raiders up north don't sleep through it, either." He rolled up the sleeve of his tunic to show bandages wrapped around his upper shoulder, outlining what looked like a deep wound. "By your leave, we would still be awaiting a messenger from Lord General Brom on whether or not we could embark on such a task. But I know what his answer would have been." He flashed me a brave smile. "I know what he'd say now, too."

"What of all the work we did on the farms?"

Now one of the silver-tunic men strolled around, closely followed by his Scizor – and came to stand next to us. "Offering our Pokemon to help Lindsor Cerone, an esteemed man in the village whose wife passed years ago. Whose Torterra grows old and unable to keep up with their crops, of which supply the village. Of whom only has one daughter, who works herself ragged to maintain the household."

He looked Lancet in the visor and removed his own helm, shaking free a head of shaggy brown hair. "Oh, that is right. Helping the man was not of your command. It was by order of Will."

Alex was shaking his head, looking a little mystified. "And his daughter, hoo boy, what a catch she is! H-Hey!"

Will elbowed Alex once more. Lancet growled in irritation and spun to his last remaining silver-tunic. "What of you, Oliver? Tell me you still have sense in your head!"

His fellow man turned to face him and cleared his throat. His Bisharp folded its bladed arms behind its back, the symbol of refinement. "By your lead, Lancet, we have acted as little more than glorified field guides in this village. Whatever task Lord General Brom may have assigned you does not abide how you treat the populace. They need not bullies and tyrants to further tax them – they need gentle guidance, protection – someone to fight for them. If Will proposes a new task that shall exercise our skills and hone our blades, giving our Pokemon a chance to grow stronger – then I am all for it. Will has not misled us so far, even given his inexperience. Assuredly, it far outweighs what good we have done under your lead. Respectfully. And I would write home to our Lord General Brom and explain just as I have unto you."

By the time Oliver had finished speaking, not one soldier stood left by Lancet. All Syaotoan men gathered around Will, hands on the hilts of their weapons – not as a sign of aggression, but in a resting gesture to show they were steadfast. Will held Lancet's glare evenly.

"Very well, then." Lancet removed his helm. A mane of silver hair cascaded from within, falling to frame a sharp, angular face with slicing blue eyes. I thought he looked different from the others right away. Even the ganglier Alex resembled all the other soldiers in his stature, his earthy-colored hair and tanned skin. Lancet, however, was much paler, his silver hair standing out. My heart soared into my throat as his hand went for his sword. "I challenge you, Will. Duel me – you and that Braviary of yours. If you win, I'll allow this foolish endeavor while I single-handedly achieve Brom's mission. Lose, and you shall leave this trainer to stumble through the woods alone, and not cast a further thought about him."

"That is not fair!" Alex cried. The soldier with the Pidgeotto held him back – the Pidgeotto grasped Ledyba in its talons, and the little bug flailed all its fists furiously. "Together, we outclass you, ranking or no! Brom will listen to us!"

"Lord General Brom," Will hastily corrected him. He'd already reached for the ball at his hip. In a flash of light, Valor, his noble Braviary, appeared beside him, unleashing a shrill shriek. Its steel talons gleamed in the sunlight. In the same movement, Will drew his wooden lance. "Lancet, I accept your challenge."

The soldiers and Pokemon had to drag Alex away from Will and Lancet. I followed suit with haste, sure that I didn't want to be caught in this skirmish. As I retreated, I couldn't help but wonder about the outcome of this high-stakes confrontation. Could Will emerge victorious against his commanding officer? The memories of his effortless dispatching of five men in the bar gave me hope. Snacks sat in my arms, her fur bristled.

Will and Lancet cleared the distance between them with a lunge. The sounds of their weapons colliding was echoed by the Braviary and Honchkrow colliding in the air, a crack that sounded like a splintering iceberg. Will and Lancet locked hands, trying to each press the other back with all their might. The Honchkrow's plumage gleamed, and it loosed a narrow blast of flames at Valor, who pivoted around it with ease and retaliated with a barrage of steel feathers.

Will and Lancet jumped apart just as Valor and the Honchkrow collided once more. Will and Lancet landed on one knee, lances prepared over their shoulders like scorpion tails. Will's hand twitched near the sword at the back of his belt. Valor emitted a shrill shriek.

The next moment was tense. Soldiers and Pokemon faced one another, their bodies taut and waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Their was no sort of telltale movement in either when they lunged as one. Lances cut through the air like massive tiger claws, mirrored above by the incoming breadths of wings. Valor's steel feathers reflected the high noon sun with sharpness, and the Honchkrow surrounded itself with a violent red aura.

Lancet swept down in a deep thrust aimed for Will's ribs just as his Honchkrow dove in for a fiery peck at Valor. Will and Valor both pivoted with remarkable agility, spinning around to their opponents' other side. Will's lance curled up in a deadly wild spin. One feather from Valor's wing seemed to extend out into a curved blade.

No movement from any combatant was visible to the naked eye. All fighters moved like they didn't exist at all. In what felt like less than a second, each combatant stood elsewhere. Lancet was on one knee, his lance against Will's upper calf, his raised elbow just above Will's sternum. Will's lance lay against Lancet's collarbone. Similarly, Valor had the curved edge of her feathers up against Honchcrow's temple, where the huge, dark bird's beak rested just above Valor's heart.

They all stayed, unmoving, for a long and tense moment. My heart stuck in my throat. Will's chest heaved, but Lancet didn't look fatigued. Valor's bright plumage looked mangled, but Honchkrow didn't look at all weathered.

Finally, Lancet drew a heavy sigh.

"I concede this round," Lancet said. Will's weapon drew back slowly, almost with visible hesitation. Lancet got to his feet, sheathing his weapon over his shoulder. With a single motion, he pressed Honchkrow's Pokeball, calling back his bird from the sky. Will straightened as well, but Valor flew to his side. He absently reached out and touched the bird's head, and it cooed into his hand. For a moment, Will and Lancet's eyes locked, and I could see nothing but a bitter hatred between them. "You may embark on your foolish errand. Report straightaway to me once this boy reaches the Capital. If you should receive some sort of payment, distribute it as usual. I will remain here, doing something useful."

Will's eyes did not soften. He bowed appropriately and thanked the elite soldier. He exchanged glances with all the soldiers and Pokemon alike who'd sided with us, and led the way down the street. People and their Pokemon parted for us – we'd drawn a crowd. Bytold probably didn't see much battles as intense as that, and I could relate. I stumbled to follow them, clutching Snacks, my staff, and bow as though my life depended on it.

A short ways down the road, Oliver and the others stopped. He and the other silver-tunic with the Scizor looked older than Will – older than Lancet, even. Both had chestnut-brown hair, but Oliver looked a little older and wizened, while being one of the shorter soldiers. His Bisharp stood almost as tall as him.

"We will go pack our things from the Brazen Boar," Oliver told Will. "You look to have all your belongings. May we meet at the edge of town?"

Will only nodded, his expression still tight after his confrontation with Lancet. I sensed a great history between the two. Oliver went with most of them, leaving only the blue-tunic soldiers with us.

I waited for Will to speak up as we walked, but he didn't for a long time. By the expressions of the others as we passed through Bytold, they thought nothing special of this town and had probably been here a while. I felt like I was slowing them down as I took in the place with wonder. A little brook babbled through the town. Anglers' rods bobbed in the river, where fish Pokemon played beneath the surface, their scales shimmering as they splashed playfully in the water. The odd Magikarp occasionally broke through the waves and leapt to great heights, flopping in the air for a moment before returning to the water. One silvery Goldeen sprang out close to an angler's rod, flailing just out of reach for a moment until it splashed back home.

A farmer tended to his garden with a diligent Roselia by his side, its delicate flowers glistening in the sunlight. Both waved to us as we went. A pair of Pidgey watched us from their perches on a wooden fence, observing us with inquisitive eyes. Snacks hopped out of my arms and tried to follow the Pidgeys and play, but they had none of it, disembarking with dissatisfied cooing and leaving behind a spray of feathers. They crossed paths with a flock of Taillow in the air, exchanging in angry squawks at one another before parting in different directions. One of the Taillows had a delivery satchel tucked close to its small body.

Children chased after a mischievous group of Pachirisu that frolicked near the brook, their cheeks sparking with electricity, arms and mouths full of berries. Nearby, a squad of hardy Bidoof assisted in construction work, easily hauling planks of wood or buckets of materials. A couple Meowths and Purrloins lazed on windowsills, casting only the faintest of curious glances after us.

While we walked, I made sure to tie the little choker I'd pocketed around Snacks' neck. She looked adorable in it, and mewled excitedly with her new garment.

The edge of town appeared before us all too quickly. Perhaps I'd been too busy looking around the village to see the great wall of earthy-green that spanned a physical northern border of the village. Anyone could step between woodland and village in a single bound, with nothing to separate the small town from the potential dangers of the forest.

I began to see why locals dubbed it the Old Forest. We stepped up at the birth of a dirt path that burrowed into the thick of the trees. Each tree looked too large to wrap our arms around, and towered far above our eyesight. A good chunk of the road we'd been walking on was littered with pine needles, cones, and all sorts of little dried leaves. A couple of Burmy had fallen, too, and now inched their way back to the woods. Alex cupped one in his hands, leading it to the base of a tree where he let it latch back onto the bark. His Ledyba circled around it for a moment, watching the Burmy make its climb with intrigue.

Looking up more carefully, Snacks and I could see numerous Pokemon at home. A Hoothoot called out deep into the woods, its voice echoing in a haunting, lonely way. A Weepinbell dangled from one higher branch, its strange eyes staring down at us almost hungrily. Several Pidgey and Spearow sat upon branches, some nested in the tree for what looked like ages. A couple Metapod dangled down from invisible string, a yellowish Caterpie inching down to follow suit. Glancing deeper in, I caught a glimpse of a monkeyish face, observing us with a tricky grin for a moment before ducking into the darkness. This time, Snacks remained in my arms, trembling slightly.

Will came to stand at my side, staring up at the wealth of Pokemon in the dark canopy above us. While the village had been of little affect to him, he stared into these woods with adoration. It surely wasn't his first time here, either, and he'd probably seen thousands of forests like it. He kept Valor out of her ball, too, and the steel-adorned bird spun in excited aerial cartwheels.

"We are in for an arduous journey, my friend," he said, but his voice didn't lack faith. Alex and the others were rifling through their day bags, sorting out their supplies. I could already see Oliver and the others down the way, each of the men and their Pokemon holstering more than one backpack. "Rain will fall before making camp."

I followed Will's gaze. His vision was surprisingly good. I could only spot the edges of some dark clouds far beyond the west reaches of the woods. "Is that going to deter our trip?"

Will gave me an approving look. "Not if you are unfazed, my friend. It looks like you appreciate the great column of forest that rises before you, teeming with life. In rain, forests thrive even greater, like a flower before the sunshine. The trees seem to stretch even further out, seeking to trap every last drop of rain between their highest branches and deepest roots. While many Pokemon hide in the rain, others dance and thrive in it. Everything truly comes to life."

He spoke with an unmistakable fondness. "You've seen lots of forests, then," I noted.

Will nodded. "Syaoto does have a great many of them, and wild arrays of Pokemon to match."

I nodded, wondering what his homeland was like. "What of you and Lancet? What would have happened if you lost?"

Will's expression clouded over so quickly, I regretted asking. Snacks chirped unhappily in my arms. "It would not have," he replied. "Lancet Cooper allowed my victory today. Even a man of his ilk knew the others already outmatched him. If he won, he would have had to deal with eight men who already expressed their sentiments against him. It was a show for his crew, little more. Perhaps he even prefers working alone."

"To remind us that he remains our captain, and that he is the superior soldier," Oliver chimed in as he returned. He and his Bisharp set down two big rucksacks next to us. Neither one looked fatigued, which was startling from the impact the bags made on the ground. "Not that Will is short of a prodigy himself," he added with a smile, and offered his hand to me. "I apologize for the lack of formal introductions. My name is Oliver Rogue, a high-rank crusader from Syaoto."

I shook his hand. "Ryoku Dragontalen, a trainer. But I guess you already knew that." I watched as Snacks uncertainly approached his Bisharp. The edgy Pokemon reached down and pet Snacks with a gentleness I hadn't anticipated. It seemed able to retract the sharp blades at each end of its fists.

"We sure do," Alex agreed heartily, setting down his bag to join us. His Ledyba buzzed around us excitedly. "Not many trainers this far south. It's a pleasant change, to be certain! My name is Alex Retton. Novice rank."

Despite his gangly looks and kind, greenish appearance, he had a startlingly firm grip when I shook his hand. His Ledyba didn't look any less enthusiastic than he did, prancing around Snacks and the Bisharp with glee. "You were brave to stand up to Lancet like that," I told Alex.

He smiled sheepishly, and I didn't miss the stern looks Will, Oliver, and all the others gave him. "I have been known to speak out of line in the past. Especially when it comes to our oh-so-fearless leader." He spoke with so much contempt, I half-expected his words to come out as a ghost-type curse.

"That does not eliminate the need for respect," Oliver chastised. "You must be careful. I was also foolish to speak against him, but it was necessary to protect the lot of you. In the future, you must take your ranking more seriously when speaking to your superiors. Lancet could demote you for your comment about Lord General Brom alone."

Alex snorted, watching his Ledyba miming punches in the air, Snacks watching with fascination. "Brom cares not for such silly titles," he said. "Will, you are close friends with him. Our kingdom stands for so much more than titles and nobility! Even King Lionel—"

"Close friendship does not negate the need for respect," Will reasoned, "as you would do well to study. Our kingdom is tightly knit, yes. A king may be friends with a servant, but that servant could still face execution or exile for not properly addressing his king. That works in the army as well, and in life." He glanced down at the Ledyba, currently circling the Bisharp and pretending to rain punches down on it, which it completely ignored. "The same goes for Pokemon, perhaps even more so. Pokemon among high-ranking officials are often mighty. If Violet were to pick a fight with Lancet's Nightshade, for example, there is no doubt that Honchkrow could kill her if he so chose. Forgetting even the obvious advantage he holds in element."

Alex winced at the comparison, looking at his Ledyba – I wagered that was Violet, given the purplish hue of her shell. "I hate that idea. We will get stronger. One day, Lancet and his beefy Honchkrow will be sorry."

"Even evolved, Violet would likely never stand a chance," Leif intervened, approaching with Frogadier and his own pair of rucksacks. He set them down between us, and Oliver started sorting the contents. "I told you a long time ago, Violet won't do you much good even when she's fully evolved. You'll have to carry yourself well enough for the both of you."

Oliver interrupted. "Ryoku, where did you set down your bag? We can fill it with some of our supplies."

"I didn't…" I hesitated, exchanging glances with Snacks. I still clutched my bow and staff from Kimball. I hadn't thought to stow them away in my bag during the chaos, but…

"Did you leave it at the blacksmith's?" Alex asked, noting the absence on my back.

I scrunched up my nose. "No," I recalled. My bag had certainly caught on a display on the way out, but I left with it, adjusting the straps while I fiddled with my new quiver. Then…

I suddenly recalled the woman with the Houndoom I'd run into while leaving the shop. Did she…?

I confessed my realization to Will. Alex and Oliver looked alarmed, but Will only waved it off. "You had little to begin with, right? A couple coins, some dried bread, a sleeping roll?"

He gestured for Alex's day bag, who was already handing it to Will. They rifled through it, counting off supplies. Clearly the Syaotoan soldiers prepared for just about anything. "Well, here is a fresh sleeping roll. Unused – it was a backup. Some bandages and gauze, of course. Berries, both for you and Snacks. Fresh bread, trail mix, dried fruit… Oh, and this cloak should also fit you."

"We are well-stocked, Ryoku," Oliver assured me. "Whatever you need, it is no trouble. We travel in surplus quite often. It is part of our training. Any travelers we may happen upon in the woods, we are always prepared to lend a helping hand."

Will's head perked up. "I forgot to take you to market," he realized aloud. He flashed me an apologetic look. "With all the stress of facing Lancet… I do apologize, my friend. Although it seems this is a mixed blessing. We would have lost any Pokeballs we bought you anyway."

He took a few from his bag. They looked a little different than the standard I'd seen. Each one was painted red at the top, but appeared wooden at the bottom and sealed with a red gem. Seeing my curiosity, Will held it up to me. "They are not the common ilk sold in markets – these are what we can craft ourselves. Mostly wood, some paint, and the capture crystal." He gestured to Valor's ball, which looked similar, only painted green. What I'd thought was painted brown before was just the wood. "To catch a Pokemon, you just throw it and pray."

"Of course, you should weaken it first," Oliver amended. He took the ball from Will and rotated the gem – the ball sprang open, making both Snacks and I jump. "Once you have captured a Pokemon, doing this will release it."

Alex looked between Oliver, Will, and I with curiosity. "My word – have you never caught a Pokemon of your own before?"

I shook my head. Unmistakably, all their gazes shifted to Snacks, who merely glanced up and chirped. It was a story I didn't want to get into.

Will seemed to sense this first. "It is only the necessities, for now," Will told me, handing me the bag after he'd placed a few Pokeballs in it. "You should travel light. Should you need any top-up or emergency supplies, the rest of us have you covered."

Leif nodded his agreement fervently. "All uphill, too," he said with a smirk. "Not easy on anyone, but you look… not in shape. Have you done much hiking?"

I shrugged the new bag on. It was ill-fitting around the shoulders. "There isn't really the option," I replied, unsure how to explain. Before he pressed, I turned my gaze to the woods again. "Can't wait, though. It looks gorgeous in there."

Whatever they thought of my first statement, they all turned their gaze with me to the trees. "Damned right," Oliver agreed heartily, clapping me on the back. "She is a beautiful forest. Syaoto has the Royal Forest and all, but this one is a gem."

Will smiled at me. "Enjoy the last smells of the village – fresh-baked bread, mead, the blacksmith's burnt arm-hairs. For the next three days, it is aught but pine and herbs. Even the most seasoned outdoorsmen miss the smells of the village before long."

It took only a few more minutes for the soldiers to finish sorting their bags. Soldiers and Pokemon rose as one. Then, with one last look to the village, we piled into the beginnings of the forest trail.

Once we entered the cover of trees, the air noticeably thickened, and a shadowy darkness settled in around our heads. Dust glinted in the air like falling stars in stray streams of sunlight through the forest canopy, offering the place an even more mystical aura than I already gave it. We trod along a well-traveled path, littered with the occasional fallen log, tangled brush, and weeds that poked through even the most trodden soil.

We spotted several Pokemon in the early trek. Shroomish often lurked underneath or in fallen logs, shaking free some of their hazardous spores if we accidentally veered too close. Sentrets and Zigzagoon dashed across the trail from time to time, stopping to rummage through the underbrush. Countless bird and bug Pokemon hung in the trees, anything from the docile Pidgeys to the harrowing Spinarak, brightly colored to warn others of their toxicity.

The soldiers and their Pokemon marched along quietly, the shadows of the forest canopy dancing across their steel armor, so I had plenty of time to absorb all the sights and sounds. Most of the trees looked to be pine, but the occasional grand oak stuck out from time to time, much of their leaves gone in the late autumnal season. Not far from the path, the trees clumped closely together, strewn thick with a musty fog that gave me the chills. I stared out into it anyway, wondering if I might spot some unique Pokemon deeper in the woods. Given the constant clattering of the soldiers' armor, I doubted anything in trepidation of humans would venture near enough. Large boulders sat just off the path, somehow nestled among the trees with no indication of how they'd gotten there. A lone Geodude practiced its jabs on one of the boulders. Just before it switched targets to another smaller boulder, the boulder itself got up on two scaly legs and reared on the Geodude, which quickly clambered off as fast as it could.

A few hours into the path, Will signaled the group to stop. It was little more than a clever palm movement, one I'd caught only out of the corner of my eye, but every soldier stopped for him. I couldn't help but be impressed. Will might not be their commander, but they sure respected him.

"Fan out around the perimeter," Will told them. "Alex, Leif, find some berries and provisions from the woods. The less we damper our stock, the better."

"Not that we cannot easily feed the Fallen Unicorn at supper," Leif remarked idly, but he did not disobey. The seven soldiers and their Pokemon broke off. Some went further down the path ahead, but Oliver and another of the silver-tunics ducked off down a deer trail to the side.

When all the others were gone, Will guided me to a nearby lichen-coated boulder. Valor flew ahead of us, taking an esteemed perch high atop the boulder. "Sit," he instructed. "You are not used to this type of hike."

He helped me climb the boulder, and Snacks used my body as a ladder to clamber up with me. I took a moment to reply, catching my breath atop the boulder. "Sorry, no. Like I said, this kind of thing—"

"Is new to you," Will finished. He sat across from me atop the boulder, staring out into the woods. A couple Hoppips drifted past us on the breeze, chittering madly. "So you have said. It is a little odd. A new trainer, carrying only an Eevee without a ball, happens upon a village seemingly first of all. You said someone guided you here, but this is still the middle of nowhere. To have come from nearby, you surely should have started out at a village and come to know a lot more about Harohto than you do. That, and the Eevee with you is either wild… or belongs to another trainer.

"I do not care if she does," Will added quickly, seeing my expression. "One cannot foster how a Pokemon treats us. Snacks is quite fond of you, else a Pokemon without a ball would never follow you. Even more so if it belonged to another. You likely would not be able to register her at the Pokemon League without a proper ball, but that is another story."

I glanced away, unsure how to respond to his sudden onslaught. He had agreed to guide me this far without so much as a word to go off. "To be honest, I don't know much. Snacks was there when I… woke up. She was already so friendly with me that the, uh, the guy who helped me out in the beginning assumed she was mine. If he didn't, he didn't ask any questions, either."

Will's eyes sharpened a little. "Woke up?" he asked. "So you traveled here."

"Traveled?" I echoed. "Like… walked here? No, not so plainly. Not that I recall, anyway."

"No, not walking," Will said. "Traveled. If you know not what I speak of, then it is perplexing indeed. Do you know how far away Syaoto is from here?"

Snacks chirped worriedly on my lap, and I absently started scratching behind her ear. "No idea. I wager it's pretty far, given that nobody here seemed to understand anything more about Syaoto than I do."

"It is continents away," Will replied. "To travel there takes a certain ordeal of magic. It is something I am sure you will see in greater capacity when we reach the Capital." His glance wandered behind me, and a wry smile traipsed over his face. "Say, Ryoku. That bow Kimball gave you. Mind if I take a look?"

I obeyed. He turned the bow over in his hands, examining it. Snacks wandered over, appraising it as though she, too, were an expert. "Ah, a recurve bow. This is not bad for a beginner such as yourself. Kimball certainly knows his stuff."

He rose to his feet and plucked an arrow from my quiver, knotting it to the bow with dexterous fingers. Just as quickly as Kimball, he whirled around and loosed an arrow. Several bird Pokemon departed from the tree in a rush, squawking angrily. I turned, expecting to find some target hidden in the trees, or else a Pokemon struck dead, but the arrow just stuck out of the tree at a haphazard angle.

Will smirked sheepishly. "My mistake. I believe I wrecked the arrow. I am not so fortuitous in the world of archery, I fear, despite the best efforts of Brom and my father. Show me what you can do."

Hesitant, I rose to stand as evenly atop the boulder as I could. Snacks hopped off me, taking a proud seat next to Will to watch my blundering. Valor soon joined her, and the two conversed in quiet noises.

I mimicked the posture I'd taken with Kimball. Will tutted under his breath, appraising my stance. "No, my friend, you must relax. Remove the tension from your shoulders – no, not like that. More like this." He demonstrated a pose, emphasizing how he could freely turn his shoulders. "There you go. Now, notch an arrow. Draw it until the tail is nearly adjacent to your lip. The tail, which would be the feather end of the arrow! Not quite so close to your lips – you may never kiss a pretty barmaid again. Such a scornful expression! There is some force to that whiplash, I warn you. Okay, now…"

He coaxed me into it until my stance was perfect, and made me keep dropping and reassuming the posture until I could resume it with ease. It wasn't until then that he finally had me make a shot. My heart soared with my arrow as I loosed it, sailing through the air, past another boulder – and directly below the arrow Will shot. Glee and pride shone in his face as he bounded off the rock to retrieve it. Snacks and Valor cheered as well, Snacks prancing in happy circles around Valor.

"See? It is like breathing once you get used to it. And you even kept the arrow safe." He returned, handing me the arrow with a grin. "Do me a favor, Ryoku Dragontalen – do not forget this lesson. You will surely need it before long."

As I replaced the bow in my quiver, Will sharply glanced up. I realized, by how quickly he acted, he and Valor had been alert this whole time – I could not say the same. I tried to mimic his agility, but only caught the flash of a shadow flutter over the break in the canopy above. I blinked, but it was long gone. It could have been some kind of bird Pokemon, but… I doubted Will would jump so for such a thing. Moreover, by the size, it must have been a big Pokemon.

As if not spooked enough now, a sudden scream pierced the wind, making my heart plummet in my chest. Will's head snapped toward the sound. It was decidedly male. Could it have been… one of the squad? The faces of Oliver, Alex, Leif, and the others clouded my mind quickly.

Will cupped his hands to his mouth and let out a strange, loud call. If I had to guess, it must be some sort of owl call. The sound echoed so clearly that I was certain they would hear it, no matter how far they got.

The only response was silence.

"What was that?" I asked urgently.

"We must go," Will said urgently, already climbing his way back down the boulder. He stopped to lend Snacks and I a hand, but his expression was grim. "I cannot imagine how, but it seems we have angered…"

He trailed off, looking me over quickly. Snacks and I returned his stare blankly. "I saw how you did in the bar before I stepped in. You and Snacks could make a formidable team. Against a smaller or more reasonable foe, you surely could hold your own. Should the worst come to worst, however, I highly recommend you avoid such action in these woods. Stay close to me."

I stumbled after him and gave him a worried look. He only returned a half-smile, turning one of his Pokeballs to recall Valor in a flash. "What's going on? Are your friends okay?"

Will's smile remained tight-lipped, and beckoned for me to keep my weapon drawn. Hesitating, I reached instead for one kept at the back of my belt – a small, trusty knife with an oaken handle. Will didn't look surprised at all to see me draw it. With how observant he was, he'd likely seen it long ago.

Snacks hopped up on my shoulder, and we drew a simultaneous breath as Will led me back onto the trail, hoping we might be able to survive whatever was coming.