The Road Behind... Pt 3

The road to Norfolk was narrow; not enough room for two horses to run side by side. Dustin and Galen raced through the thick forest; it would not be long now before they would reach Norfolk. It was only a short distance between Maldor and Norfolk compared to the distance between Atanna and Maldor, or even Colodia and Maldor. There wasn't many places to stop on the road to Norfolk, but from the pace Galen was setting, Dustin and Galen wouldn't be stopping to give their horses a rest.

The sun was starting its slow descent on its journey to the other side of the world. Up ahead Dustin could see the forest get a little thinner. There's a clearing ahead, he remembered. Draven had made him stop there on their last trip, it would be safer to stop for the evening, no telling what wild beasts were lurking in the forest. Galen slowed his horse as the path gradually got wider.

"We'll camp in the clearing tonight," Galen shouted back at Dustin. "At first light we will continue on to Norfolk. We have an appointment to keep with Draven. You remember Draven don't you?"

"Of course, it hasn't been that long since he brought me out this way." Dustin replied. He let out a sigh of relief, it was good to finally know why they were headed to Norfolk instead of Colodia.

The forest slowly gave way to a large clearing. Scattered around were the remnants of previous travellers camp fires. Branches from trees were occasionally piled near the ashes. As the sound of his heart pounding in his ears subsided, Dustin could hear the sounds of the forest.

"Gather up some wood, we'll need a fire." Galen ordered. Galen wasn't used to travelling with another person. He was on a mission and he needed Dustin to complete it. "We'll need to keep the fire going all night, lets be quick, the light is nearly gone."

The two of them gathered branches that lay around. All of the piles that were left by previous messengers would help. There were no more travellers anymore. The world had grown distant, and people were more apt to stay in one village all of their lives. Once Dustin had heard of a band of mercenaries who aided those who wanted to see other towns, but that had been a rumour from his childhood.

Dustin pulled out a small bow and relatively straight branch from his saddle bag. He had used these two items to start many fires in the past. Just as he was about to make an attempt to start a fire, Galen struck some flint a couple of times and within seconds there was the warm light of fire upon his face. "Where did you get that?" Dustin asked. Flint was very rare; he had heard of it before but never actually seen it.

"We have lots of it in Colodia" Galen exclaimed. "When we finish up in Norfolk, I'll make sure you get some in Colodia.

"So what's this appointment with Draven all about?" Dustin Asked.

To Be continued: Next installment Jan 18, 2008

Image Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection