Chapter 2: The First Day's Journey!
D.Y. 500, The twenty-fifth day of Springtide.
-----Dawn is bright the next day! The first few rays of the sun shine over the eastern wall of the town in a clear blue sky. A light breeze barely plays on the air and the day promises to be warm.
-----Outside the town hall building, Raven, Rinda, and Sol arrive early. Soon Sarah and Kazel ride up almost at the same time. A cheerful sound can be heard approaching from down the street as Seth manages to hum in time with his horse’s hooves. A look of concentration is on his face as he maintains his balance. He pulls up to the others with a smile on his face. Just then a small prancing sound of hooves announces the arrival of the Dread Pirate on his coal black pony.
-----Sarius walks outside to meet the new assembled party. As everyone checks their supplies, the Lord Chamberlain hands Raven the map of Oakwood and Sol the Hearthorn Writ of Authority. He then wishes the adventurers well with his words, "It is much that the Court of Hearthorn asks you to do. It is also much each of you have already done for all our fair people. May the gods bless you as you seek those who would do evil to all each of us holds sacred. May the Holy Guardian be your shield!"
-----With that he watches the six riders mount up and head down the street toward the Market Gate.
-----Within a few minutes, the entire party crosses the River Bridge and heads toward the plains they had practiced on the day before. Raven and Rinda ride almost side by side with Sol. The gray wolf trots along while Seth’s crow flies overhead. Kazel rides more confidently than she did during her practice. Her silence echoes Sarah, who rides along with her hood drawn around her face. Seth seems to struggle less in the saddle and paces along side Gimplefwick.
-----Most of the riders find they must maintain a trotting pace. Even though the black pony rides at a canter to keep up, it remains in strong spirits.
-----After crossing the second River Bridge that spans the main fork of the Altor River, they remain on the trail that takes them to the southern plains. Two hours before noon, they leave the trail where it turns to the west. They continue on south toward the approaching line of trees that make up the Oakwood Forest. Within an hour, they pass by a quiet lake shaded by trees. Off to their left, they can see in the distance, the stones of an old Gorian cemetery.
-----After passing a small clump of trees, they stop to eat their lunch at a second lake less than a mile from the massive forest’s tree line. As they eat, they suddenly realize how warm the day has gotten and how much work they and their steeds have put in.
-----After they eat, they mount up again and make for the trees, skirting the forest on its western side. Sarius had explained that their first stop would probably be the forest village of Olv. It would be located at the western edge of the forest and they would see it if they continued south. After a night’s stay there, the next day’s ride would take them straight to the southeast through the woods to another village called Tre. Upon the third day, they would arrive at the village of Proat that was indicated on the map.
-----About three hours after noon, they approach another lake in front of them. To their right, the plains give way to hills in the distance. To their left, a thick patch of briars and rough bushes separates them from the tall trees.
-----Suddenly, just beyond the briars a bright light flickers out toward them from among the trees. The glare is as bright as the warm sun shining down. It looks as though something is reflecting the sun’s rays at the party.
-----Sarah curses and glances back towards the hills away from the light. Although her hood had saved her from most of the sun’s rays this flash of light had managed to get through and hurt her now sensitive eyes. "What is it, Raven?" She asks.
-----Raven rubs his chin as he looks towards the flashing light, "I suppose it either be someone wearing some really polished armor or someone trying to signal us. Other than that, I don't have clue. I'll take the wolf, circle around and see what's up there. You all wait here for a few minutes and then move towards the light. We'll all meet there." Raven points where the flashes are coming from, "Sound okay?" Raven starts to ready his short bow.
-----Gimplefwick nods at Raven's volunteering to go check on the glint of sunlight, "Aye, that be a good idea, but it'd be better if two teams were to go. If ye want to flank around one side, I'll flank around the other. But I'll go on foot and keep low to the ground, just in case. If ye get spotted, ye rally back here where everyone can be ready. Do the same once ye've ascertained what it is. I'll do the same from the other flank. Good luck." The Dread Pirate then dismounts and begins slinking off in the opposite direction of Raven and his wolf.
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