06-25-2009, 06:42 AM
1)
Alston nodded and followed after her. She moved like a ghost through the landscape, fluid and soundlessly. He knew he couldn't match her for stealth, but hopefully he'd learn enough quickly enough to do some good.
Samantha was alive, that bit of news left a warm glow inside. He'd been worried for her and had been sorely tempted to try to visit, but this was more urgent - the elf girl Nala had plans for those butchers and if he could help, he would gladly.
Even if she didn't like him very much.
They'd been traveling for about an hour when she finally stopped at a ridge overlooking the river valley. Part of it was covered in glowing specks of the embers of many campfires in the faint pre-dawn light.
Alston blew into his gloved hands. A fire would be nice about now, but he knew complaining would do no good. She was testing him, he could tell.
"Hmmm" he heard her mutter under her breath.
"What?" he whispered.
She didn't respond, continuing to study the soldier's camp far below. What is she looking for? he wondered. Or maybe, WHO is she looking for? he mentally added, remembering when he found her with Hallah.
"You know, if you told me what you were looking for, I might be able to help," he added quietly.
Still no response.
Alston sighed. Well, this was going well.
He looked out over the camp again. There were only a few men visible, the last watch of the night no doubt. Otherwise the camp was quiet. They'd be moving again in the morning, probably east judging from their progress so far. He tried to remember what towns were to the east, if he left now would he be able to warn them of the coming soldiers? Would it do any good?
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nala silently get to her feet. Hr quickly scrambled after her.
"You saw something?"
"Just try not to make any noise."
"In other words, yes."
She ignored him and started to make her way down the slope into the valley.
Alston nodded and followed after her. She moved like a ghost through the landscape, fluid and soundlessly. He knew he couldn't match her for stealth, but hopefully he'd learn enough quickly enough to do some good.
Samantha was alive, that bit of news left a warm glow inside. He'd been worried for her and had been sorely tempted to try to visit, but this was more urgent - the elf girl Nala had plans for those butchers and if he could help, he would gladly.
Even if she didn't like him very much.
They'd been traveling for about an hour when she finally stopped at a ridge overlooking the river valley. Part of it was covered in glowing specks of the embers of many campfires in the faint pre-dawn light.
Alston blew into his gloved hands. A fire would be nice about now, but he knew complaining would do no good. She was testing him, he could tell.
"Hmmm" he heard her mutter under her breath.
"What?" he whispered.
She didn't respond, continuing to study the soldier's camp far below. What is she looking for? he wondered. Or maybe, WHO is she looking for? he mentally added, remembering when he found her with Hallah.
"You know, if you told me what you were looking for, I might be able to help," he added quietly.
Still no response.
Alston sighed. Well, this was going well.
He looked out over the camp again. There were only a few men visible, the last watch of the night no doubt. Otherwise the camp was quiet. They'd be moving again in the morning, probably east judging from their progress so far. He tried to remember what towns were to the east, if he left now would he be able to warn them of the coming soldiers? Would it do any good?
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nala silently get to her feet. Hr quickly scrambled after her.
"You saw something?"
"Just try not to make any noise."
"In other words, yes."
She ignored him and started to make her way down the slope into the valley.