A Story Of River by Lana Axe Read Free Book Online

camp as the others settled into their bedrolls.

 
    *
* * * *

 
    Dawn broke, and a breakfast of nuts and
berries already awaited the men who had slept on the ground. Mel and Thinal
were ready to head out, but they waited as the others had their breakfast and
packed up their gear.
    “We'll be at Enald by this afternoon,” Mel
said. “That is if we ever get moving again.” Finally, the group was ready to
set out again, and they walked noisily through the woods.
    “Why don't we walk a little bit louder!”
Mel shouted, obviously annoyed.
    “Who cares about the noise,” Loren said.
“We aren't hunting.”
    “No,” Mel replied, “but something may be
hunting us.”
    The men began to tread more lightly after
that. They had all seen firsthand the work of these dark creatures, and they
did not enjoy the thought they may be nearby. They traveled all morning and
straight through mid-day to reach Enald as quickly as possible.
    Finally, the village came into view, and
the Na'zorans were relieved to see it. It was a small market village at the
border of their country, and the bustle observed from a distance suggested
business as usual. There were no signs of an attack by the monsters.
    Upon arrival, Mi'tal was immediately
recognized by a courier. The courier had been drinking at an outdoor tavern and
slammed his mug down on the table. He ran to Mi'tal, wiping his mouth with his
sleeve.
    “My lord, Mi'tal,” he hiccupped. “I've
been waiting for you, sir, to bring you a message from the king. He requests
that you and the elves you've employed meet him up north at Duana. You'll be
traveling to the Westerling Vale.”
    “The Vale?!” Mel exclaimed angrily.
    “The Vale!” Thinal echoed excitedly. “Can
you believe it? I've heard so many stories of the Vale!”
    “Bedtime stories,” Mel said sharply. “The
place is a myth. It's the make believe home of Mistonwey, God of the Rivers.” Mel
shook his head and sighed. Convincing Thinal not to go to a land of myth would
be harder than chopping down a tree with his teeth.
    “Why the Vale?” Mi'tal asked the courier.
    “No idea, sir. I'm just supposed to make
sure you head that way immediately. Horses are available for you at the
livery.”
    “Thank you, young man. Please get a
message to the king that we are on our way.” Mi'tal flipped him a coin and
turned to face Mel and Thinal. “I hope this isn't too much of an inconvenience
for you. I know this wasn't what you expected, but there must be some pressing
matter regarding the Vale. Perhaps that's where the creatures are coming from.”
    Mel sighed, and the group followed Mi'tal
towards the stables. “We'll be needing horses for six,” he told the stable hand.
    “And a pony for my little friend here,”
Byord added and patted Mel on the head. Mel, who had had enough of Byord's
stupidity, quickly turned and punched him in the crotch. Byord doubled over and
moaned.
    “That was hardly worth it, was it?” Mi'tal
said. “Six horses, please. We're going to have some lunch, and I will expect
them to be ready when we've finished.”
    “Yes sir, my lord,” the stable hand said
and went off to tend the horses.
    The six of them headed along the dirt road
to the inn for a quick bite to eat. The food was hot, and the ale was dark.
Thinal asked for a glass of tea and was delighted when it arrived. Mel downed
two mugs of ale and belched at Byord.
    Once they had finished eating and
drinking, they headed back to the stables. Six brown horses were saddled and
ready to go.
    “To Duana, then,” Loren said as he mounted
one of the horses.
    “It's only about a day's ride along the
road from here,” Mi'tal told the elves.
    “Let's get going,” Mel said, offering Thinal
a hand as she mounted her horse. He hopped up on the horse next to hers, and
the group set out riding north.

Chapter 10

 
    “Twit!” Ulda shouted as he slapped the
young elf across his face. “I asked for skilled sorcerers to join me, not