Chapter 8 - Shadows

The wind whistled through the trees and caught the falling leaves, bringing them on a slow descent to the forest floor. Birds sang high in the boughs of the bushes as Sá brine walked past, whistling to them in return. Hara groaned and brushed a leave from his shoulder. He looked to Scarlet, whose eyes darted about the forest, taking in the wonders the light of dusk revealed.

“Sábri -” Hara began.

“Don’t say my name!”

“Sorry, look shouldn’t we stop? We’re tired and haven’t eaten in days.”

Sábrine stopped and turned to face Hara. “There is a stream nearby. We need to get to it before the sunsets if we want to rest.”
“Why before sunset?”

“You don’t want to know, just keep moving. Stay close!”

Sábrine looked at Scarlet before running of into the distance again. Scarlet smiled and began to run after her. As they ran off, Hara watched them in amazement. He could understand how Sábrine could still run but how Scarlet was still moving swiftly and silently was a mystery. He had given up trying to match their pace just a few days after they had left the town. Hara slowly marched after them. He prayed that they would rest soon.

On they walked. The sunlight had completely faded from the world now, but Hara was still nowhere near the stream. There was a loud yell and Hara glanced over his shoulder.

Oh no! Hara thought as a swarm of small people raced over the trees towards him. Tree sprites!

He broke into a run, running faster than he had ever moved in his life. He began to yell to Sábrine and Scarlet. The sprites behind him laughed and jeered. It must have been hilarious for them to have a being five times their size running away from them. Sábrine’s strong voice echoed through the tree’s hurrying Hara onwards. Hara sighed as he heard the sound of running water. He dived through a hedge away from the sprites, only to land in a stream of water.

All of a sudden he felt himself being hoisted into the air and dragged onto a small island in the middle of the stream.

“Alright?” Scarlet grinned at Hara.

Sábrine raced into the water as the sprites appeared. She held out her hand and began to chant in a strange language. The sprites stopped and stared at her for a moment. The sea of sprites suddenly parted and a tall thin sprite came walking forward. He bowed to Sábrine, who inclined her head in return.

“Princess,” he said, “There is a mortal in your presence who has destroyed part of our homes.”

“What?” Sábrine snapped, glaring at Hara over her shoulder, “How could it be?”

“It was a long time ago but us sprites never forget.”

Hara stared at the small man who stood on the bank of the river. He had deep blue piercing eyes and his cropped black hair gave him a daunting appearance.

“I have never harmed you, I have never been in these woods before!” protested Hara.

Sábrine held up her hand to silence them both. “Sprites never lie Hara. The also never forget.”

“But I didn’t destroy…”

“If it wasn’t you, it was someone of your blood,” the sprite stated.

Hara caught himself before he began to argue once again. His father had died just after returning from the forest. He had been searching for sprites and had returned with several large wounds to his torso and face.

“The boy knows…”

Sábrine turned and looked at Hara. “Well?”

“It was my father,” explained Hara, “You were the ones who hunted him. You were the ones who killed him!” Hara growled.

The sprite shook his head. “Not us mortal. They did. We watched them hunt him. We tried to save him, he tried to kill us.”

Hara ran his fingers through his hair. His father wouldn’t. He couldn’t…

“Who did you say killed him?”

“Them.”

Hara’s eyes widened. “Are do you know where They take refuge.”

“We do, but we cannot help. This is a quest you must undertake by yourself.”

The sprite turned and spoke to the rest of the crowd. The small army began to filter away into the tree’s until only the leader was left. He bowed to Sábrine.

“Oh and the gypsy approaches. We have taken to avoiding her, we dislike her kind. Farewell Princess.”

“Bowan,” Sábrine smiled.

The sprite slung his bow over his shoulder and ran into the trees, never to be seen again.

Sábrine turned to Hara. As she walked past Hara, she forcefully pushed him to the side and marched on past. Scarlet shrugged and looked hopefully at Hara. Hara rolled his eyes and Scarlet laughed. They picked up their things and followed after Sábrine. She led them to the centre of the island where a small fire was burning away with a pot dangling on a stick above it.

Sábrine sat staring at the flames. Scarlet lay down on a bed of leaves and Hara sat beside the fire, across from Sábrine.

“You twat!” Sábrine snapped, throwing a stone at Hara.

“Ouch!”

“You complete and utter idiot! Do you think when I said stay close that I meant it lightly?” she hissed, continuing to throw small stones at Hara. “I mean of everything in this forest you were lucky - LUCKY - it was only sprites chasing you!”

“Lucky it was only sprites?! They were going to - ow - kill me!”

“I’m starting to think I should have let them!”

“Why…”

“Oh shut up!” Scarlet snapped.

Sábrine glared at him before rising to her feet and walking to her makeshift bed that was a short distance away. Hara growled under his breath and lay on his back.

He was grateful that Sábrine was helping them but why did she have to be in control all the time? He rolled over and looked into the flickering flames. He sighed. He liked Sá brine. It was just that he wanted his family back. He need them…

She paused and looked on ahead. There was a small island not far ahead, where the stream joined the river beyond. There was a rumbling growl and Tia spun around. A grey wolf stood at the side of the river growling at her.

“Not tonight friend…” she whispered. Her eyes flickered to a catlike green and she bared her set of shining white teeth. The wolf fell silent and slinked off into the darkness,

She turned her attention back to the island and slowly made her way forward. As she drew closer she could just see the glowing remnants of a fire and a body sprawled out beside it. She sniffed the air and grinned. Like a hunter stalking its prey, she moved closer. She slinked up the side of the island and came across a sleeping person. Tia slowly placed her hand over its mouth.

“Morning Sábrine,” she hissed.

The person jerked awake with terror in her eyes. Realising who was holding her, she bit Tia’s hand.

“Ouch! No need for that!”

“How did you get across the river?” Sábrine asked.

“It’s polluted upstream. That’s why I came to warn you.”

Sábrine sat up and looked around. “The mortals?”

“Still asleep. I have been delegated to the position of your night guardian,” Tia said.

“Should we move?”

“Most definitely!”

Tia and Sábrine rose to their feet and marched over to where Hara and Scarlet lay. The fire was almost out and Hara had nearly rolled into it. Sábrine tapped Hara’s shoulder and smiled evilly as he opened his eyes. He went to scream but she pushed her hand over his mouth.

“We need to go. Get your things and let’s move!” she said, hurrying off to grab her belongings.

Hara jumped as he noticed someone sitting next to Scarlet. He got to his feet and leapt at the person. They swiftly moved out of the way and Hara landed on Scarlet.

“Well hello to you to!” Tia snapped.

“Tia?” Hara asked.

“Yeah, you dimwit!” Scarlet hissed, “Now, get off me!”

Hara clambered to his feet and helped Scarlet up. He turned and looked to Tia. Her black hair was pulled back messily and she looked as if she had been travelling for awhile. He noticed she had lost her gypsy dress and was now wearing boys clothing.

“What are you doing…”

“There was a change of plan - we need to move now!” Tia snapped.

The two got to their feet and picked up their bows. They made their way over to Sábrine who was couched low to the ground, her dagger in hand. Scarlet placed his hand on her back and crouched down next to her.

“What is it?”

“There’s something down there…look!” Sábrine said, pointing to a dark shadow that prowled about near the river. A look of horror consumed Sábrine’s face as it stepped into the water. “Tia!”

Tia came running forward and looked to where Sábrine was pointing. She grinned nastily.

“I’ll handle this!” she said before running down the slope towards the creature in the river. “GO!” she shouted back as she raced towards the creature.

Sábrine nodded and began to run. Hara and Scarlet followed after her. They waded through the river and leapt onto the banking at the other side. There was a howl of pain and Hara stopped in his tracks.

“Tia -” Hara began, looking back to the island.

“Will be fine! She has a little trick up her sleeve,” Sábrine assured him. “Now come on! She’ll meet us later.”

Hara looked back. He saw a two dark figures fighting on top of the island. After a few moments one fell to the ground and the other stood up straight, towering above it. The standing creature turned and looked at Hara. He broke into a run and sped after Sábrine and Scarlet.

He kept glancing back at the island where the creature had been. It was now gone and the other lay dead on the island. He just prayed it wasn’t Tia…