by W.O. Cassity
***
Talia lead them to a clearing where she strayed off the trails and began to cut directly north. Although it had been years since they had played here, she and her father had hunted wild elk near the Berring Forest tree line. They had also searched for rabbit and other small game in the thickets so Talia would have plenty to eat until her father returned from his mission in the Midsummer.
Although she wasn’t accustomed to traversing it at night, Talia was familiar with the area. It didn’t stop her from having to consider Donadeir’s size when choosing a way through some of the thicker brush. He simply couldn’t squeeze through areas she could easily walk through.
Just before the sun began to break over the eastern horizon, Talia and Donadeir arrived at their childhood play area near the Berring Forest. She felt a bit saddened Fort Triumph wasn’t as large as she had fondly remembered it to be. Donadeir seemed to be thinking the same thing when she tried to read his reaction. A few rotted logs remained where the jewel of their childhood kingdom had once stood.
Even though the fort was in ruins, coming here was still a good call, because Talia remembered there was a stream nearby, which could provide them with fresh water, and there may be some wild winter berries growing a little deeper into the forest. The low-lying area just before the forest began would easily give them enough time for a heads up if soldiers were to approach. She thought it was interesting even in her naivety before learning more about war and survival from her father, she had picked a good location for her fort. From here they could remain inconspicuous and undetected while having a clear line of sight in every direction.
“Let’s get some rest, and we will take advantage of the last hours of the day to gather what we need,” Talia said.
“Blessings to the Heavens,” Donadeir replied with gratitude, still trying to catch his breath. “I was starting to think you would be the death of me. I’m just glad we are finally stopping.”
Talia watched as Donadeir sat down against some of the old remnants of the fort and leaned against one of the few logs large and strong enough to hold him upright. He leaned his head back and sighed with relief.
“Later, after we rest, we will go for water and find some food to keep our strength up. After that, our heads should be clear enough for us to get a better grasp of the situation. If there are any other survivors, we should do our utmost to locate them as well. They may need our help,” Talia thought aloud.
“Very well,” Donadeir replied, but with very little enthusiasm.
Talia raised her eyes to look at Donadeir, “Dona,” she said.
A snore erupted from the exhausted Donadeir. Talia smiled to herself as she watched her friend. She knew the night had been difficult for him, but the truth was, he hadn’t really complained much about their situation at all. He had offered his full support to her and she knew he would stay with her no matter how difficult things might get. Donadeir was much stronger than he gave himself credit for.
Talia also admired how quickly he was able to drift into sleep. Her nerves were still wound up, and it was going to take a little while to get the rest she needed. Perhaps it was for the best. This would allow her to keep an eye on things for a little while. Chances were if a guard patrol were to come this way, it would be shortly after sunrise. The guards could follow the riverbank north until they neared the forest’s edge and then work their way across.
She worried about some of her other friends from the village and the people she knew. She prayed to the Fates those whose destinies were true had found peace without suffering. Talia closed her eyes and tried to see all of the faces of the people of Riverside she could remember. She quietly prayed for each, while her ears remained alert for danger. Fortunately for her, the only sound she heard the remainder of the night was Donadeir’s soft snores.