Chapter 6: The Hunt for the Children!
D.Y. 500, The twenty-eighth day of Springtide.
-----The next morning dawns a new day that resembles the ones that have proceeded it. Clouds dot the sky from time to time covering the sun while the temperature remains warm. The only difference from the day before is a light breeze that blows among the trees of the forest.
-----Most of the adventurers awaken after the day has dawned. With the various activities of the day before and the hard sleeping surfaces some of them had to sleep on, many of them still have fatigue clinging to their muscles.
-----Still, as they begin to rise, Zan cooks them a somewhat nourishing meal after tending to the prisoners in the basement. Rinda looks in on Sarah and after an hour’s time, emerges from the side room to announce the mage’s condition.
-----"Sarah is very weak but she should be strong enough to speak to us now," says the huntress. "I think it would be wise to set aside any anger that is felt. What is important now is that she is alive and finding out what happened."
-----With that, Rinda leads the others into Sarah’s room. It is apparent the young sorceress is conscious although her skin is very pale and her eyes look very heavy. Something about her blond hair looks strange in that there is an unusual fullness to the locks of her hair.
-----Gently, Rinda says to Sarah, "Sarah, we’re here now." The huntress then looks around at the others.
-----Raven moves in closer towards Sarah, "Tell us what happened Sarah."
-----Sarah’s eyes flutter open. They are extremely bloodshot. Almost instantly Sarah squints in the light of the room, her eyes being apparently more sensitive than normal.
-----"They took him. They took his manuscripts. I don't know why they didn't take me too." Suddenly Sarah sits bolt upright in her bed and looks around frantically. "Where's Chessie? Oh Destine, let him be all right, please!" Sarah looks all around, desperate to find her familiar.
-----The owl spreads its wings and screeches from its roost on the headboard. It looks down on Sarah and begins to settle, its large eyes staring.
-----Rinda places her hands on Sarah’s shoulders and eases her back down on her pillow. "Easy, Sarah," the huntress says calmly, " Who took him? Who did this to you?"
-----"There were two of them." Sarah says, laying back down. Looking up at the ceiling she keeps talking. "They came out of nowhere. I don't know what they were...devils maybe, monsters, zombies, I don't know what! But they're in the forest. There is a darkness there, an evil presence. It keeps talking to me. We have to go to it. If you'll let me come. I need your help." A tear rolls down Sarah’s cheek as she talks.
-----"An' ye got it." Sol replies automatically. There is a small smile on the warrior's face, but his frown overshadows it. "But ye ain't going anywhere fer a while. Ye need t'regain yer strength."
-----Seth sucks his teeth a bit and then moves over and looks into Sarah's eyes as if he is looking for something. "What did they do to you Sarah? None of us knew what to do? What are they saying?"
-----Kazel leans on the wall with her arms crossed as she listens. Finally she says, "Where? When? How about starting from the beginning and tell it exactly. And why do we 'have' to go in the forest?"
-----"They tell me I belong with them." Sarah says, softly, looking intently at the ceiling. "That’s why I have to go show them I don't, to show them they don't belong here. None of you have to come that don't want to."
-----Sarah reaches out and takes Sol’s hand. "Sol Herron," she says quietly, "someday I swear I'll make up for what I said to you. We're still friends, right?"
-----"Of course." Another cheerful automatic reply from Sol, "An' ye can go show 'em yer true feelings on th' matter when yer fit an' well."
-----Still holding Sarah's hand, Sol continues, "Some o' us are headin' south, t'try and find out what's happened to some o' the villagers’ children. That and take out any lairs that are on th' way. When we get back, and if ye've managed t'regain some strength, we'll see if yer physically ready to confront yer daemons."
-----The warrior looks around the small room, as if to gather support for what he says. He then looks back at the mage and offers, "Don't worry about further attacks against ye. Rinda and Zan will be prepared. Maybe even Seth or Dread will stay back, depending on where they want to go next."
-----Raven folds his arms across his chest. "I don't know Sol. With this new information, it wouldn't be wise to split up the group. Our prey has exposed themselves and with Sarah's help we can rip out their dark heart."
-----Raven turns towards Zan, "How so before Sarah will be up and around?"
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