Chapter 3: Detour through the Swamp
-----Arliss, Raven, Rand, and Thalog now leave behind the woods surrounding Krondor Keep. Crossing the trail road, they ride to the southwest toward the town of Hearthorn. The sun helps to warm the chill they carry from the woods they left. As the group rides on, Arliss seems very somber, and deeply in thought. He has been so ever since Thalog's suggestion that the curse might be spread through wounds caused by afflicted animals.
-----About a mile past the road, they move into softer ground that is wet. This slows their pace a bit. On their right, they see a farm shelter and a small pond in the distance. On their left, they pass swampy land that covers an area of a couple of miles.
-----Beyond the morass, the plains open again before them. They charge on for about three more miles. After about an hour since they left Krondor Keep, it is now a couple of hours before high noon. They approach another swampy area; this one larger than the last one they passed.
-----The men pull up to survey their surroundings. A section of high ground leads into the swamp. Pools of dark water stand in the mire. Leafless, gray trees seem to crowd together here and there. Somewhere ahead in the swamp, wisps of smoke rise from an unseen source and drift with the air. At this point to continue on to Hearthorn would mean either going straight through the swamp or circling around the swamp to the north or south. The swamp seems to stretch at least a mile in both directions.
-----As the group looks out over the swampy terrain ahead, Arliss clears his throat and speaks first.
"Well, my friends. This is indeed a difficult decision. Ordinarily, I would suggest that we circle around this swampy terrain, especially under circumstances such as these. Joren only knows what manner of animals reside in this bog, and right now wild beasts are the last things I want to see. Still, I fear also that we must be in haste to reach Hearthorn, so I hesitate to take the long way around. Help me, here, Raven. You are a skilled outdoorsman. How confident are you that you could lead us safely through the swamp?"
-----Raven sits back on his saddle and seems to sniff the air. Raven then looks to the swamp and says, "It's too quiet...something is wrong." Raven takes a bit of rabbit jerky and stuffs it in his mouth. Raven keeps looking toward the swamp as he eats. Finally Raven says, "Let's go through the swamp. What the hell, you only live once!" Raven starts off toward the swamp and tries to see which way would be the best for the horses.
-----Rand rides slowly after Raven into the swamp. A dark expression creeps onto his face as he looks all around him. He seems to be looking for someone....
-----As he rides along he can be heard muttering something under his breath, too quietly to be heard clearly but in snatches the others make out the words "A swamp..... the prophecy".
-----Arliss spurs his horse forward to follow Raven and Rand, not looking too happy about the choice. He mutters to himself, "I don't like this...never would have agreed to go in there if I didn't feel so strongly about getting to Hearthorn as quickly as possible...who knows what's in that swamp..."
-----Then, as Rand's words sink in, Arliss jerks his head up suddenly. "Prophecy? What prophecy? Rand, what are you talking about?"
-----Thalog follows the others into the swamp, he looks more confident with his horse. "This is either really stupid or very brave!" he tells the others. As Rand mutters, Thalog's attention centers on Rand for answers.
-----Raven looks back when he hears Rand's mutterings. "Ya, Rand, don't keep us in the dark." Raven stops his horse and turns to face Rand. "Why didn't you talk about this earlier?" Raven voice is inquisitive, not angry.
-----At Arliss's words Rand's head jerks to face Arliss. He appears startled by the question. For a moment a look enters Rand's eyes almost as if he is afraid of something, then it is gone again. Abruptly, he sighs and hesitates a moment searching for the words to answer Arliss query. In a quiet and strained tone of voice Rand says, "The Sun Lord, Jacian Dawnrider had a prophecy". Rand seems reluctant to say anymore, but upon seeing the expectant looks on the others' faces he continues. "She was running through a swamp, a gem in her hand... something was chasing her". Rand's voice falters as he finishes speaking, a tear slowly drips down his cheek. Rand quickly brushes it away seeming embarrassed by his show of emotion. For a moment he looks as if he wants to say more, but he apparently decides against it as he remains silent.
-----Arliss' blue eyes never waver from Rand as he speaks; they remain and clear and impassive as he listens, not once betraying what emotions well up within. Still, after an uncomfortably long silence, Arliss speaks, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Rand...you are among friends here. I am sure that I can speak for Thalog and Raven, as well as myself, that whatever it is about this prophecy that pains you so, you can trust us with that knowledge. Indeed, it may be that knowing more about it will make a difference in whether we come forth alive again on this swamp's far side, as Joren only can know. Please, Rand...will you trust us? Will you tell us more?"