Alcingeria

Chapter Fourteen: Vulrock

Chapter Fourteen Vulrock:

Wednesday June 23rd 1690

"We have to wait half an hour?" Robert asked, puzzled.

"Apparently."

"What happened?" Robert demanded, "who did you meet?"

Don explained our encounter.

"Fair," Robert admitted. "They could have been poachers, but we're not exactly on the right side of the law ourselves."

"They directed us to Vulrock, but the taller man threatened to shoot us if we went to Vulrock with them."

"What?" Robert exclaimed, "why?"

"I don't really know," Don admitted. "He told us to wait half an hour before heading there, he said that they didn't want us getting close to their score."

"Why would they threaten to shoot you?"

"That's beyond me," Don shrugged. "Whatever the reason, he seemed pretty damn protective of whatever they had."

"What could be in it?" Macalister wondered densely.

"Probably illegally caught game."

"For some reason," I muttered, "that doesn't fit."

"That's true, Robert's never right."

Robert punched him in the arm. I voiced my doubts, about why they had a gun and the lack of traps. There was a moment of silent contemplation, which Don broke first.

"Maybe they were poachers," Macalister began, "and had it to kill someone who tried to steal from them?"

Robert shook his head in confusion. He was frowning.

"That doesn't make sense. Who in their right mind would shoot someone over an animal?"

"Someone who doesn't want any witnesses."

"That raises Macalister's question," Don added. "What could have been in that burlap sack and why did they want to protect it so desperately?"

"Well, I saw the bag move, so it must have been an animal." I put in.

"Yes, but what animal in the world is worth shooting someone over? I'm no expert in this area, but what was in there couldn't have been bigger than a rabbit."

"Hey," I paused. "We're forgetting something. They mentioned the Queen, didn't they?"

"I'm confused." Macalister said sleepily. "How long has it been?"

"Why would they be poaching on the Queen's orders?" I continued. "It makes no sense."

"Well, there's no use puzzling over it," Don sighed. "Still, it makes you wonder..."

"We'll talk about this later," Robert said with a shake of his head. "It hasn't been half an hour yet, but let's head out anyway. I don't us want to be out here any longer than we have to be."

"It's not a good idea, but," Don grinned. "I guess we could give it a shot."

We all ignored his bad joke, much to his dismay. Regardless, he turned around, getting his bearings and eventually finding South.

"This way."

Robert Macalister and I followed Don. I looked up to the sky. The sun was almost setting. We had around an hour to an hour and a half of daylight left before it started to get dark. I looked ahead of us. The forest was getting denser and denser as we walked onwards. I kept expecting to see the gates of Vulrock appear in the distance, but they didn't. I looked to my left and right. All I saw were trees, boulders and fallen logs. The sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet filled the air. Somewhere in the distance, an animal moved. I was pretty sure it was a deer, but I didn't see it.