Chapter 6
After a cup of instant coffee and oatmeal, the three travelers were on their way again. Ice took the lead and set a steady pace as they entered the forest. Creatures scurried away from them, hiding in the foliage and branches above them.
"We'll be stopping at a friend's abode tonight," Ice relayed to the brothers. "He is letting us use the barn to sleep in."
"That's good," Dean answered. "Maybe we can get some fresh food to cook and save our supplies."
"Mair will gladly fix a meal for us and I'm sure we can barter for some food."
"Feels like we are in the Dark Hunt again."
"Almost, but we don't have to risk our lives to complete tasks."
"Anything we should be wary of around here?"
"There are always dangers no matter where you are. You just need to be alert and aware of everything around you."
Sam remained silent as he listened to his brother and Ice talking. He looked around him wondering what could be lying in wait among the trees that could harm them. He reached out with all his senses trying to determine any dangers ahead of them but didn't sense anything.
They had been walking for several hours and the forest was getting denser when suddenly Ice froze, holding his arm up and hand fisted, signaling for them to stop. Dean and Sam stopped and scanned ahead of them trying to determine what Ice had heard of felt.
A deep, rumbling growl echoed among the trees and noises of something moving toward them had Ice quickly going into action. He motioned for the brothers to move into a stand of trees that partly protected them. They waited in silence as the noises got closer until a creature came into view. It looked like a bear, but its features were all wrong. The hair or fur was too long, and its mouth was full of long fangs. It lumbered through the trees swinging its large head back and forth, sniffing the air like it was looking for something.
The companions did move a muscle as they waited to see what this creature was going to do. Dean's hand slowly went for his gun in case they needed to defend themselves. The creature snorted suddenly and ran into the brush scaring some deer like creatures that fled from the beast.
Ice still didn't move for another fifteen minutes to be sure the beast was not coming back before he stepped from their hiding place.
"What was that?" Sam whispered afraid to talk any louder.
"That was a devilum. It is dangerous and a killer. Good thing we weren't its prey."
"Kind of looked like a bear on steroids," Dean offered looking the way the beast had gone. "I think we should get moving before it decides to come back."
"I agree," Sam mumbled.
Ice nodded and set a fast pace wanting to put some distance between them and the devilum. He didn't slow the pace for several hours, until he thought they were safe.
"Okay, let's take a break and eat something," Ice told them as the trees started to thin. He found an area that had a scattering of boulders among the trees that gave them some protection.
"Great," Dean huffed. He unfastened his pack and sat down using a boulder for support. "You should have power bars in the side pocket to eat."
Sam wiped the sweat from his face and eased to the ground, glad for the rest. He looked in his side pockets until he found the power bars and pulled one out. He didn't notice Ice watching him as he opened the bar and took a bite. He opened his water to sip on it and quench his thirst.
Ice copied him and looked at the bar, looking back at the brothers as they ate theirs. After sniffing the bar, he cautiously took a small bite frowning and wrinkling his nose in disgust. The taste was different than anything he had experienced before.
"I hate to say this tastes like the mixture we use back home to fertilize the garden, but at least it's edible," Ice commented before he washed it down with swallows of water. He chuckled under his breath teasing the humans to get a shrug from Dean and a sorry look from Sam.
They rested for thirty minutes before continuing their journey. The brothers were happy when they finally stepped from the forest into the open surroundings. Ice paused long enough to check where the sun was and get his bearings before heading out across the rock field.
Spn
Ice led the brothers to a dirt road which made their trek easier. They trooped down the road drawing closer to their destination. Wagons driven by local people passed them and Sam stared in wonder at them thinking they were not much different than humans. Most were short in statue, with elongated faces, almond shaped eyes, and pointed ears, dressed in homemade clothes. The people mostly ignored them, giving them a wide berth, but the young ones stared at the tall strangers with curious eyes.
Sam smiled at the kids and gave them a small wave as they passed and was rewarded with waves back. He thought kids were the same no matter what species they were. They were curious and not afraid like adults could be.
"My friend's farm is just ahead. We'll need to take the next right and it's about four miles off the main road," Ice told them. He was anxious to get there so they could rest and get a good meal.
"Sounds good to me. I'm ready for a break," Dean grunted as he shifted his pack to make it more comfortable. "Are you doing okay Sammy?"
"Yeah, I'm fine and it's Sam," Sam answered checking out fields on both sides of the road that were plowed and planted with different kinds of crops. He saw people in several of the fields tending to them. Large butterfly like insects flew around flowering crops landing to collect nectar and move on. They were bright colors of red, orange, black, green, and yellow. He held out his hand and grinned when one landed on his finger and moved around on it before flying away since there was nothing for it to collect. He was falling behind the others because he was so engrossed in watching the display.
"Sammy!" Dean called to him when he saw Sam wasn't following but was taking a picture. "Stay with us dude."
"Okay, coming," Sam replied hurrying after the others giving the insects on final glance. He caught up with them and fell in beside his brother still looking at all the amazing things around them. "Really Dean, Sammy is a chubby twelve-year-old, it's Sam. I am an adult too." He gave Dean a bitch face and went back to checking everything out. He knew this wasn't new to Dean since he had been here before, but it was something Sam wasn't going to forget anytime soon.
It wasn't long before Ice turned off the road and headed down another road that didn't look as traveled. It wasn't long before they could see structures in the distance. The closer they got, the more detailed they became, and they could make out a house, barn, fences, and several other small buildings.
"Ice, my friend," a stout, older elf greeted them as he came from the barn carrying a bucket.
"Zorth, good to see you," Ice replied with a warm smile.
"I thought you might be showing up soon. Come, come, Mair has food cooking." He eyed Dean and Sam with interest thinking they definitely were not from this region.
"Zorth, my friends, Dean and Sam. Guys this is Zorth. We have known each other for a long time."
"It's nice to meet you sir," Dean greeted Zorth showing him respect.
"Hello," Sam shyly spoke, looking at the house when two young kids ran from the doorway and skidded to a stop to stare openmouthed at Sam. Their eyes roamed up his tall frame since they had never seen anyone his size.
"My children, Miles and Nina," Zorth said. "Children, it's not polite to stare. Go tell your mother we have company."
"Yes Dae," the two answered before scurrying back into the house.
"I've fixed a place for you in the barn. I hope it will suffice."
"It will be fine Zorth. I appreciate the hospitality."
"Anytime for you my brother."
Zorth led them to the barn and opened the side door so they could enter. He showed them a corner where hay was piled for them to sleep. They took off their packs and left them there and followed their host back outside.
"Come, I will bring us drink," Zorth told them.
They stepped onto the large porch and took seats in the handmade furniture. Zorth disappeared inside and came back out a short time later carrying a jug and his kids had cups. He filled each one and handed them out to his guests.
Sam looked at the liquid wondering what it was and watched as Ice and Dean took a sip. He didn't want to be impolite and took a sip deciding it was a cross between juice and cider. He smiled at the kids who stood near him checking him out. They whispered between themselves about Sam being a real giant like in the stories they were told and wondered if he could sing. They giggled when Sam reddened and glanced at Dean seeing he had heard and was grinning widely. He rolled his eyes knowing the teasing would begin.
"Yeah Sam, wanna entertain us with a song?" Dean chortled choking back his laugher.
"No," Sam muttered as he glared at Dean silently communicating, 'say anything else and die.'
"Go help your Moa with the cooking," Zorth instructed his kids, shooing them away. "My apologies, they have never seen outsiders before."
"It's fine," Sam replied. He guessed he would seem like a giant to the kids.
"Is there anything we can help you with while we wait?" Ice questioned.
"Yes, we're happy to help out to pay for our meal and a place to sleep in some way," Dean added.
"Well, I do have a few chores that I have not been able to get to."
"Show us what you need done."
They finished their drinks and Zorth led them to one of the smaller buildings to show where repairs needed to be made. They all pitched in and began to work on the needed repairs.
Sam looked up when he heard the neighing of horses and saw them heading their way. He watched as what looked like large dogs herded the horses to the corral at the barn. Zorth went to shut the gate and talk to the dogs, patting them and sending them on their way. The dogs eyed the strangers warily and growled softly before obeying and headed to the barn to have their meal.
"Damn, I bet they sleep in the barn," Dean whispered to Sam. "We'll probably wake up with dog hair and drool all over us."
"Hush, we don't want to offend Zorth," Sam hissed under his breath hoping he didn't hear.
They were almost finished repairing the building when Miles and Nina ran to them to let them know dinner was ready. They used a hand pump to get water to wash with and then headed for the house to eat.
A/N: Sam is amazed with what he is seeing and how friendly most of the people were. He was starting to see what Dean saw in this place. What other adventures lie ahead for them? Thank you for coming on this journey. I do like reviews/comments. NC
