31 The Trek
1461 Words
The paved road disappeared into lush rolling hills of grass and stone. There were thickets of trees scattered about with gaps in between them, but you couldn't make out where they started and ended from this vantage point. It was an intimidating sight, especially with Brimstone peeking from the distance. It was shaped like a perfect cone, with its tip seemingly reaching to the heavens.
Janus took a gulp of water and surveyed his maps. He knew there would be challenges after they reached the edge for the road and move past the last town of Galedon. Right now the landscape was staring him in the eye, and it wasn't interested in sharing its secrets.
He had been so sure that he could tame it when he was rummaging through his books and maps from the Golden Library, but at this moment he felt the uncertainty sink in.
He looked back at the wagons behind him. Hundreds of men, women, and goblin alike stared at the distance, their faces filled with varying degrees of awe and fear.
Sir Arthan whispered behind him.
"Is anything wrong your highness?"
Janus clenched his teeth, there was no turning back now. It was his responsibility to lead them.
"Nothing, let's carry on. Just as we planned."
That was the first day of their "trek" -- the first day where they would be journeying beyond human civilization. Soon they would be building a new settlement and a new life on their own.
By the end of that day, everyone was exhausted. The scouts hacked and slashed the thick vegetation in front of them to pave the way, with Janus' instructions on which direction to go. Their pace had significantly slowed down due to the thick vegetation and the uneven ground.
They found it hard to find the right rhythm. The scouts and guards would pave their path by moving out rocks along the way, while the wagons scuttled in by one by one. They made sure that the horses and oxen weren't too taxed in the process. Wagons were simply not meant to go through such treacherous paths.
Clearly no one had ever been this way before. Gone are the signs and landmarks along the road, save except for the occasional worn out trap and the remains of animals scattered across the path.
The priest that was assigned to go with them in their expedition came to see Janus on the second day to discuss matters.
The man looked worse than Janus had seen him before. He had tried his best to avoid the man, he couldn't help but be reminded of the Holy See. Janus tried to ignore him as much as possible but he knew that wouldn't do. He was only postponing the inevitable.
"Your Highness, may I speak to you for a moment?"
"Surely Father... Father uhm."
"The name is Father Galvan Ambriose. It is a pleasure seeing you in this fine day. I have already introduced myself to you before have I not?"
"Er... forgive me, Father, I had too many things on my mind back then."
"Not to worry your highness, I hope that our partnership during this expedition would bear much fruit. I was assigned as your aid to tame the land that Galedon has deemed too dangerous and barren top ever be productive, and I intend to guide you with the teachings of the Light along the way." Said the Holy Man.
"Certainly Father, although I do not think you are giving this land much credit. I think we can make a lot of good out of it, I daresay we could even flourish." Janus replied.
"Well of course, but you know that we should err on the side of caution, keep our options open. You may not know this, but I grew up on the eastern side of Galedon. I had my first years as an apprentice back at Muckshire, a town that we passed by some days ago. I know of tales and rumors from people who have journeyed beyond the borders to seek their fortunes in exploring the Forests of Mist. Those tales are seldom good."
"Really? So you are familiar with this place? Pray, tell me tales of what you know."
"The occasional troll would be spotted from miles away, but never stayed close enough to the towns and settlements. Hunters would stop at the inns for the promise of finding treasure and glory in the lost legends of the Mists. Mining prospectors would hire them for protection, only to never be seen again. I tell you, dear prince, the way ahead is treacherous."
"What do you suggest Father Galvan? Should we go back to the city and beg the Holy See and the King to take us back?"
"I am merely cautioning you, sire. We should set up precautions for when we need to take a retreat. What if we encounter a huge troll along the way? Or worse, what if there was a massive horde of orcs? It has been centuries since this place was explored by man."
"Orcs have never been spotted in this side of the volcano for three hundred years, if they did then that last town would have been plundered."
"Even so, there is a good reason why no man dares to venture to this land. We number at the hundreds, it would be silly to not think of safety. The stories of danger are not mere hearsay. All that I'm suggesting is that we take measures so that we can find our way back in case something untoward happens. This would serve as a double purpose. If-- I mean once we establish our settlement in this place, we will still need to establish trade routes, I can find no better opportunity than this. We should set up landmarks on the way."
Janus considered this. He looked for holes in his argument or any way that it might screw them in the future but he couldn't find any. Perhaps he was judging this priest more than he deserved.
"That is very sound advice, Father Galvan. I will relay a message to the last wagon to lay down flags and mark trees so that we can build roads back to the mainland in the future. As for our safety, I am relying on the fact that we have numbers on our side. Monsters and wild beasts would think twice in disturbing us, and there are scouts traveling in advance of a mile with a similar map than I do, so we should be alarmed in advance. If anything untoward happens, going back to Galedon will be our last resort."
"Thank you, your highness, all I ask is for us to take precautions. I shall take my leave now and continue praying for our safety."
"Thank you for your guidance, Father Galvan."
The man bowed and took his leave. Janus gave the order and went back to studying his maps.
On the third day of the ordeal, one of the scouts came to him panting and full of sweat. Janus gave him a wineskin to drink before asking what the situation was.
He was one of the manor's younger guards, he was a few years beyond twenty. His name was Kano "Fleetfoot" Porter. He earned his nickname from being the lankiest and fastest runner of the group.
"Your Highness, I found something unusual." The man said in between pants. "An old campfire."
"Did you find anybody there?"
"No sire, only five corpses. They looked like hunters. I found bones scattered along with hunting implements."
"Do you know what may have caused their deaths?"
Sir Arthan, Master Ringo, and Yvaine came in closer to listen.
"There were paw prints, I suspect it came from a pack of wolves, from what I can see."
"Get back to the scene as quickly as you can. Tell all the scouts to keep this a secret and don't tell anybody about this. I don't want us to raise a panic. Sir Arthan, can you check on the scene and inspect it along with the others? I'll decide our next course of action once we catch up."
"Yes, sir. Lead me to it." The knight said to the scout.
"Yes sir." Then they went off.
"Janus, is everything going to be okay?" said Yvaine.
"We'll handle it," Janus said. "One at a time."
He had no idea how to deal with wolves.
It was almost sundown when they reached the scene. Janus called out everyone to stop for a quick break. He gathered a few of his men and went to the spot.
Janus hadn't even taken a few steps towards it when the howling started. It came somewhere far in the direction of the north. And then it was followed up by a couple more howls. To the east, to the west. It moved and undulated across the trees and the mountains. The echoes drowned every other sound. It felt like they were surrounded.
They had to act quickly.
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