The night sky was overcast above them. They lined their mounts up on the street and pointed them toward the river. Tato again took the lead because although Cher was almost completely well, she still needed more rest. They intended to launch out across the river and then fly into the wind about a dozen pike above the water. The plan was to hug the tree line at the south bank...
Tato did not call out to the others, but he did wave his arm like a wagon master. They took off together and spread out a bit. Tato led them in a wide left turn. Soon the deserted town was left far behind..
They had traveled only a few minutes when the storm clouds became visible. Low, mean, grey, fast rolling billows headed toward them. Finnie and Flippie flew beside each of them and said "It's going to rain! Heavily at that!" Sure enough, sheets of rain fell from the sky. There was no longer any point in keeping quiet.
"Stay together!" called Elkin. "Follow the river!" called Tara. Soon, lightning flashed and thunder crashed. Point Hood had just come into view ahead of them when it began to pour down bucket-fulls. At this time the soldiers veered off to return into Toridar. They all waved goodbye. They either knew or guessed what the adventurers were going to do, and how dangerous it would be. The rain fell harder and the wind blew fiercely as their formation began to get sloppy. "We must land!!!" cried Elkin...
Everyone knew that with the water below, the trees to the left and the high wind ahead, it would be difficult to land. In fact, only a moderate, side-swiping gust would have sent the steeds and riders into the trees. Tato's sharp eyes searched frantically for a place to set down. He saw the roads on both sides of the river, but he knew that trees overhung them, making it impossible to land from above.
"The only other thing we can do is land in the river!" thought Tato in fright. "The pegasi could stand this, but the effereet?"
"Over there!" yelled Finnie above the noise of the storm as she pointed ahead. Suddenly, a small clearing came into view a little way from the south bank. Huge oak trees framed it.
"Follow ME!" cried Tato between two booms of thunder. They swerved up above the river bank trees, which slowed them down; and then made a braking maneuver down into the meadow. Their ragged line held, although the pegasi really pawed up the ground...
By that time the wind had turned into a roar, while the lightning and thunder had doubled in frequency. Everyone dismounted while Elkin went about counting them. They tried to calm the pegasi and effereet down long enough to seek cover...
"Elkin!" yelled Rollvag at the Trysti when he came close, "Where are we???"
"We're at the place where the Vivar and PT. Hood meet!" shouted Elkin.
"What are we gonna do?" screamed Rollvag. "We should make for the Arbor Forest!"
Elkin approached Tato, cupped his hand over Tato's ear, and spoke loudly into it. "Tato! You and Gvin must use your skills to get us past PT. Hood and into Arbor! We will have to walk -- leading the steeds!" Tato nodded and waved at Gvin.
...None of them would ever forget that trek. The road led over the mountain. In order to follow the river, they had to pass by several sheer cliffs. Tato and Gvin kept the trail in sight. Byc helped them occasionally too. Tato was impressed with the man who had formerly been his mentor. The depth and skill the Forester displayed in guiding them under those conditions probably will never again be surpassed. You see, dear reader, where the road washed out, the group had to leave the river bank and go around several ravines. Lightning lit up the sky every few seconds, while thunderous booms shook their ears. Water streams cascaded over the path on their way to the swollen river. Even Finnie and Flippie had to walk!...
The presence of Elkin and Gvin kept them calm. They were soaked on every part that was not covered by the cloaks. The adventurers realized that the cloaks must have some quality that repels moisture. Still, Rollvag thought "Crazy Elves! Why can't they do something about this weather!!!"
About the fifth tzon past midnight, the rain suddenly ceased. The winds blew the sky clear. A bright crescent moon of hope appeared above them. The stars shone radiantly. Soon they could hear the crickets chirping. Not long after that they could see the gigantic mountain of Arbor ahead of them. They had made it to the Forest.
Tato released his owl. They had to continue in order to make up for the time that they would have made up in the air. "Dare we continue by day?" asked Tato of Rollvag and Elkin.
"I suggest that we walk until daybreak, dear companion!" said Rollvag.
"I also suggest this, Tato. We are far too tired to fly the rest of the way to Arbor. Besides, the foothills of the Mountain are just ahead!"
...Dawn broke on the horizon as the adventurous band left the road and entered into a dark pine forest. It was impossible to see them in there from above. Tato's owl returned with a Pine branch.
"Ah, a good sign!" said Elkin. They set a camp at the edge of a fast running stream. Tato and Longsilver took the first watch...
Byc stood up in alarm. He woke up out of a sound sleep. "Someone's coming!" he hissed. Tato and Longsilver took out their bows and walked to positions on either side of the camp. The others shook themselves awake and attempted to hide as best they could. Rollvag snuck up to Byc.
"Who is it?"
"I thought it was an elf, at first, but now I feel that it is one of us!!"
"What!..." said Rollvag as Byc covered Rollvag's mouth with his hand.
A solitary man approached the campsite. He looked very woodsy. He even had branches in his green hat. All deduced that he could hide easily. Rollvag could see that Tato and Longsilver had their bows trained on them. The man crept closer. They could see that he wore camaflouge green. He had a bow and a silver handled sword. His face was smudged, so they could not quite see what it looked like. Suddenly, he saw the pegasi and stood up. He must have known that he was become as a target, but he acted quite unafraid. He whistled like an early morning robin three times, and then held himself absolutely still. Rollvag, as impatient as he was, had enough. With hand on sword hilt, he slowly stood up until he was visible to the woodsman. Then the man nodded and spoke in Vasquentan!
"Ah, Stormwielder, I presume." he said softly. He saluted crisply. "I am Neetah and I am Captain of one hundred. WE are reporting for duty, Sir." After that he removed his hat and bowed down on one knee in the old fealty position. Suddenly, everyone realized that the he was really a she! Her long brown hair flopped down to her side! She put her right hand over her left breast and held her head down.
Rollvag thought to himself. "Apparently, she does not know about Tato..."
Q(1) What will you do?
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© Copyright 1999 by Abram Paradies.
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