Chapter 14 - Uncertain Steps

Toriban, Zara, and Allendrie walked through the woods for two days, hardly speaking. At the end of the second day, they set up camp. Allendrie set a snare trap to catch dinner, while Toriban set up a campfire and lit it with a flicker of dark power. Zara cleared the campsite. They all set down around the fire, and sat for a long while, no one speaking.

Zara eventually broke the silence. "Where do we go from here? We can't just wander through this forest forever." Toriban snorted. Allendrie just looked down in dismay. "Well? How can we continue the fight?"

Toriban glared at her. "Is the fight even worth continuing? The three of us just fought two of them to a draw. And the strongest among them didn't even lift a finger. If he had joined the fight, we would be dead now. Not to mention if the ice lord had been there."

"Issin," Allendrie said. "His name is Issin. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that we've hurt them. And if we've hurt them once, we can do it again. Inflict enough minor wounds on an enemy, and eventually they will fall."

Toriban snorted again. "But how many wounds will we need to inflict? And will we be able to make another one before the first one heals?"

"If we strike harder next time," Zara said, "If we could raise an army of followers, we could hurt them more."

"Where in God's name would we get an army?!" Toriban yelled.

A moment of silence passed, the Allendrie looked up. "House Coryn. When we first started our attack, Selphrin said something about me having joined with House Coryn, remember?"

"How would I remember something that happened when I was unconscious in the hallway?"

"Oh, yes. Right. Anyway, Coryn must still be putting up a resistance. That means that Calan, or Tabitha, or possibly both Coryn nobles are still alive. If we can find them, then we can join with them."

"Fine. Sounds good to me." Toriban looked over at Zara, who nodded her agreement. "The best place to start is at House Coryn itself. They may have left behind clues for people wishing to join them. We'll set off first thing in the morning."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well, Hooded One? Will I be able to use it again?" Selphrin down the bed to his leg, which was under examination by the Hooded One. The Hooded One pulled back his hood slightly for a better look, revealing a few locks of long silver hair.

"It is too early yet, my lord. I was able to get all the shrapnel out, but all I can tell you is that you will have to stay off it for at least another week. At best, you will only have a slight limp."

"And at worst?"

"It will be useless. You have to consider the fact that you may never walk again."

"It all seems rather fitting, though, doesn't it? An eye for an eye, and a hand for a foot." Selphrin laughed bitterly.

"What are your orders to the troops, my lord? Do we continue on to Shamya as planned?"

"No, Hooded One." Selphrin shifted in the bed to a more comfortable position. "Our top priority is the destruction of the remnants of House Coryn and the death of my brother. Send search parties to every village and town, double the guard around the capital, and triple the guard around the palace. And have Issin return to the palace. I will see my brother's head on a pole within a month, understand?"

"Yes, Lord Selphrin. It shall be done." The Hooded One turned and walked slowly from the room.