by James Somers
Everyone smelled the odor of salt and fish as they drew nearer to the sea. The group approached the trail leading up the coast toward the Ardath Pass. Conversation had become sparse. The men and elves tended to keep to themselves, but Bon kept Daniel company while Meineke scouted their way up ahead from the skies. Louie had even begun to loosen up a little and had questioned Daniel a bit on where he came from.
Daniel found the cherub leader to be much friendlier than he had originally supposed. He was a ruffian to be sure, but good natured. Daniel still had a hard time placing his demeanor and his voice with the meek appearance of the cherubs. But they had been battling a dragon, so maybe there was a real edge to them not seen unless provoked. Daniel remembered his favorite bookmark. Louie looked very much like the Hobbit, Frodo, from his favorite book and movie series.
Daniel received a quick lesson in cherubic swordplay as they walked. Bon suddenly stopped next to them. He took in a deep breath of air through his nose. Daniel and Louie left off their lesson and came back to the big cat.
“What is it Bon?” Louie asked.
The panthera sniffed up at the air again and then his eyes grew wide with fear. “Jale!”
Bon shot away from them and ran to Marissa. “Highness, there is danger ahead!”
“How do you know, Bon?”
“Jale’s scent…a pheromone we release to alert others of our kind!”
The entire group had stopped. Everyone grew tense and ready for battle, drawing weapons and fitting arrows to their bows.
“I must go to him,” Bon said.
“Wait, Bon.” Marissa placed her hand on the panthera’s great shoulder. “We should all go together. We don’t know what has happened. It might be a trap and it won’t do Jale any good if we’re caught in it.”
Bon tried to calm himself.
“Let’s move quickly and quietly,” Marissa said to the others. “We’re coming near to one of the fishing villages. We’ll pause at the edge of the grasslands and spy it out before we make any other move.”
“I wonder why Meineke hasn’t returned with a report of danger,” Daniel whispered to Louie.
“Maybe he’s not able,” Louie said.
Daniel swallowed hard. “I hope nothing has happened to him.”
“Yeah, me too, kid…me too.”