Seulf gestured silently to an outcrop of rock near the road. Asta followed him behind it. She crouched down behind the outcrop, her heart hammering. Could it be bandits?
Seulf took a knife from a sheath on his belt and they crouched there together, waiting for whoever, or whatever, it was to reach them.
Asta heard the sound of footsteps coming up the path. She drew her own small knife. She had no idea how to use it but it made her feel safer just to have it in her hand.
The dog was sitting beside them. As whoever it was drew closer the dog's tail began to wag against the ground, making a slight thumping sound. When the person finally stepped into view the dog stepped forward to greet them. With a start Asta recognised Fridmund, Ragnhild's brother.
Seulf grunted in surprise and strode out from behind the outcrop, sheathing his knife.
He crossed his arms and gave Fridmund a stern look.. 'And why would you be following us?'
Fridmund, who had been bending down to give the dog a pat, stopped and looked up at Seulf. He swallowed nervously, his eyes darting away from them. 'I was trying to find you.' he explained.
'And why were you trying to find us?' Seulf asked.
Fridmund continued to look at the ground. 'I wanted to go south with you.' He muttered quietly.
'Do your parents know you left?' Seulf demanded. Fridmund shook his head.
Seulf sighed and muttered something inaudible to himself. 'Why are you wanting to go south?' He asked.
Fridmund glanced quickly at Asta and away. 'To- to join the King's soldiers.'
Seulf narrowed his eyes, 'So that's it, ey? You want to go seeking glory?' He sighed, shaking his head, before giving Fridmund a sharp look. 'I've a mind to send you back on your way home, you know.'
Fridmund looked up at that, his jaw set stubbornly. 'If you did I would just turn back again and find my own way south.'
Seulf stared at him for a moment longer then sighed again. 'I suppose you would too. You'd better join us then. No dawdling when you're with me though, we walk fast and we walk hard, understand?'
Fridmund nodded, a relieved smile cracking his lips.
Asta walked behind Fridmund and Seulf as they continued on their way. She frowned to herself. Hopefully this new development wouldn't make things more difficult. She would just have to keep to herself on the way south. She only needed to maintain this disguise until the moment she set foot on a boat to her homeland, then she would be free to be herself again.
YOU ARE READING
The Language of Fire
Fantasy'Signy gasped as she saw the body on the ground. 'Asta, what did you do?' 'It was an accident,' Asta said desperately. 'The fire flared suddenly and his clothes caught alight. It wasn't me.' Signy stared at Hafgrim's charred body. 'They won't belie...
