* * * * *
“Is this necessary?” Gort grumbled.
“Aye,” Elryia said in a monotone voice.
“And we get no clues?”
“Aye.”
“Are you going to say anything besides that?” he asked, stepping in front of her and looking up, his lips tight and eyes narrowed.
Elryia perked the corners of her mouth and turned a beaming face down towards the grump, “Be quiet.” Then she patted his head lightly and continued on. The Dwarf huffed and glared, crossing his arms as she walked in front of him. She was a good distance away, as was everyone else, before he chased after them—his standoff would only get him left behind and lost.
Lanyan had led them to the north end of Sharia, to the only open front in the entire forest. It was there they were greeted by two guards, elegantly dressed in green tunics, black leather pants and long spears adorned with red feathers hanging from the blade. Before them, a long trail of trees and bushes formed a wall, the pathway then splitting off into two parts. The guards nodded to Lanyan and they shook hands before the Elf turned back to his companions, “I am not allowed to accompany you beyond this point, but I know you will make your way just fine.”
Elryia bowed and then hugged him lightly, “We will see you soon.”
Lanyan nodded to her and then to the others, “Good luck my friends.” He turned and ran swiftly down the walkway, disappearing into the trees. The two guards held the companions at the entrance to prevent them from following Lanyan or watching the direction he went. When a suitable amount of time had passed, they parted from the entryway and let the group through. Elryia bowed to each and stepped forward, leading everyone down the long, wide row of trees—all the way to the intersections. At that point she stopped, looking first left and then right. She sighed, seeing several rows lining each side, knowing there were dozens more beyond that. After a long debate, opted for the right, letting out another long breath, “The journey begins…”
In A Time Of Darkness Page 48