“Good, then let’s get you on your way.
Fang was the first to enter the circle, sitting down on his haunches as if he was more than happy to be getting out of the city.
“I don’t think your friend likes it in our city,” Lunarie said with a smile.
“Yea, we share that I’m afraid. The city is great and all, but we are more at home in the wilds.” Rone said as he joined Fang inside the circle.
“I would expect nothing less from a Thorn Caller,” Lunarie replied with a smile.
Both Trish and Katrina joined Rone as Traijen walked up to the Historian and hugged her neck. A move that shocked everyone except Lunarie.
“You be careful, nephew, don’t let your mouth get you into trouble.”
“I’ll do my best, Aunt Luna,” Traijen replied with a smile as he joined the others inside the circle.
“Oh, and aunt Luna, could you not tell father you saw me?”
“I wouldn’t tell that snake his boots were on fire.” She replied with a grin.
“Thanks,” Traijen said, sounding relieved.
Lunarie bid them all luck then whispered the words that sprang the portal to life inside the circle.
“I will leave these crystals aligned here so the one you carry will bring you back to this spot. Maybe when you return Trisha, I’ll teach you how to open them without crystals.”
“Thank you, Mistress, I look forward to it.”
“Just don’t tell the Arch-Mage,” Lunarie replied with a wink.
As they stepped through the portal, Rone looked at Traijen,
“So, why didn’t you tell me she was your aunt?”
Traijen just smiled and shrugged his shoulders,
“You never asked.”
Once they were gone and the portal had closed again, Tolf turned to Lunarie. A curious look crossing his face.
“You read the HoloFae’s fate, didn’t you?”
“I read enough of it to know he is in for a very tough journey. Even if he is successful in his quest, it will not be enough.”
“Enough for what?” Tolf asked, growing even more curious.
“For what is coming,” Lunarie replied solemnly, as she walked away.
27
As the portal closed behind them, Rone looked around to get a bearing on the lands around them. He did not recognize the area, and nothing from the map he had seen stood out as being anywhere nearby.
It was easy for Rone to see why this was called the badlands. The rocky landscape was devoid of any trees, being scattered instead with massive boulders and jagged rocks. That jutted out of the ground in large areas like the teeth of some great beast.
Small brown shrubs and the occasional green of a cactus was the only parcels of color against the harsh greys and browns of the rocky soil. Making it a far cry from the lush forests and green mountains of Agnar and the other places he had traveled.
It reminded him of the Dread Wastes where the Orc tribes made their homes, though he had only seen that area once. While taking supplies to the outpost stationed on the border. Still, it was a pretty dismal place, much like this one.
Fang shook and stretched himself to shake off the uncomfortable stiffness that the portal caused. Then he raised his nose to sniff in the new smells.
“Anyone know where we are?” Rone asked, scanning the horizon for some feature recognizable from the map.
“I do,” Katrina said, looking somewhat troubled.
“We are about half a day’s walk from my village,” she said, pointing to the east.
“Think we could get supplies there?” Traijen asked, hoping to find a good meal.
“Maybe, it depends on what mood old captain Hugh is in. Most of the villagers there are exiles, but they maintain a thin balance with the raiders and the Luna’Dwell by offering a place to rest and resupply. If he thinks we are a threat to that, he could be a problem.” Rone thought about it for a moment then turned to the others.
“I saw her village on the map, if we get there, I can lead us the rest of the way to Draconis’s cave.” It’s still a good way off, but we might purchase horses there, or at least stock up on food and water for the trip.”
“Food and water may be, horses are going to be a problem. No one is allowed to keep them in the badlands except the raider chiefs and the DokalFae from Luna’Dwell. It’s one of the ways they keep us from being organized.”
“What about merchants and traders?” Traijen asked, looking somewhat disappointed.
“They are given special passes at an outpost a few leagues from here. Without it, they will not be allowed to pass through unharmed.”
“Figures the DokalFae would need to extort people even in their own lands,” Trisha said, shaking her head.
“Well, what about you? You were a merchant, could you not get us a pass?” Traijen asked, thinking it would make things much easier for them.
“I am only an apprentice. Besides, we have no wares, a wagon, or even horses. Not to mention once they saw who I was traveling with, they would never buy that we are simply merchants.” Traijen could not deny her logic though he still thought it was a good idea.
“No, it’s best if we keep out of sight and go as unnoticed as possible,” Rone said as he stroked Fang's fur.
“That goes for you to boy, no wandering off too far. Blink wolves are not normally seen around here, and I don’t want you getting into trouble if we can help it.”
Fang nuzzled himself against Rone’s hand in a show of understanding.
“He understands you, doesn’t he?” Katrina asked, looking at Fang.
“As good as a person does,” Rone answered with a smile.
“Maybe even better, I’ve known you a long time Rone, and I still haven’t figured you out,” Traijen said, nudging Rone on the shoulder.
“That’s because you’re an idiot, Tray.” Rone chided with a smile.
“We better get started guys, the longer we are out here, the more chance we have of being discovered,” Katrina said as she took off toward the direction, she had said her village was in. Rone nodded in agreement, and the rest of the companions quickly followed after her.
They had been walking for a little more than an hour when Fang's low growl drew their attention to movement on the hilltop to their left.
“Did you see that Rone?” Traijen asked, placing a hand on the hilt of one of his daggers.
“I did” was Rone’s reply as he swung his bow from his back and into his hand.
“Any other villages close by besides yours?” Rone asked Katrina as he watched the figures scurry behind some large rocks.
“No,” Katina answered, feeling the tension building in the others.
The companions continued to walk but done so now in silence. They could hear the scraping of loose rocks being disturbed by unseen feet and instantly knew without a doubt they were being watched. Rone stopped a few times scanning the rocky hillsides around them but saw no sign of their stalker.
It was just after one such stop when the unmistakable whistling sound of an arrow, caused Rone to spin around. Just in time to make the shaft miss him as he turned. Ending up instead embedded harmlessly into a nearby cactus.
He knew they were too out in the open to defend themselves should their attackers use a barrage and immediately shouted for the others to move.
“Get behind those rocks, Hurry!” He yelled as everyone broke to run. They had barely moved when more arrows began to soar into the spot they had just been standing. As one bounced off a nearby stone, Traijen caught it then threw it down in disgust.
“It’s a Hobspawn Rone!” He shouted as they dove for cover behind the massive row of stones.