Fire and Ice

Chapter 4 - Greycrest

After the battle had continued on for a bit Adrian once more insisted I go and again I refused. This time he pushed me towards the thicker area of trees and grabbed Storm. I tried to get past him but he kept blocking me and then eventually I agreed to go. "Adrian, I will leave now but I'm going to help you." I whispered. "Don't do anything dangerous." He smiled weekly and then prompted me towards Storm. I quietly climbed on and looked back down. "Adrian?" I asked as I looked at him. "Yes?" A tear slowly descended down my cheek. "Promise me you won't get killed?" He looked at the floor and then back at me. "I can't promise anything Elisa." He shot a look at the soldiers and then lightly hit Storm on the rump which sent him into a quick trot.

After a short trot out of view of the soldiers, I pulled Storm up short and hopped off. I walked to the path and looked out beyond the trees to the way I'd just come. I could see the horses the soldiers had used and the remaining men who had stayed to keep watch just a short way off. I smiled at the open opportunity infront of me. I knew it would be risky but it would help my friends. I slowly raised my hands up and aimed at the ground infront of the soldiers. Here the fire would scare the horses without harm and get the men out of the way. I closed my eyes and concentrated. A small burst of flame was released from my hand and scorched the trampled grass, leaving it brown and singed. I rushed to Storm and then set off futher into the woods. 

A long journey took place before I reached a stone archway with a lopsided sign next to it. The archway  was cracked in places and the once brand new wooden sign had grass stains on it, giving a green-ish tint. I was also chipped on the corners and pushed over to one side.  I walked over to the sign and crouched down to read it:

Town ahead 

Greycrest

2 miles from archway

I climbed aboard Storm and walked on to Greycrest. 

Greycrest was quiet, humble, decent. Everyone greeted me and some even came and gave an apple to Storm. I quickly came across many I knew I would want to get to know in the future. I also spotted a inn at the far end of the cobbled road, meaning that I would be able to stay here for awhile while sorting out plans for the days and weeks ahead. 

The people were all very generous in the inn and gave me a small, but cosy, room to stay in for as long as I wished for a small fee. I pushed my things under the bed but grabbed the knife and tucked it into a case I found at the bottom of my bag. I jogged down the stairs, lowered my head slightly to the inn keeper as acknowledgement, then walked into the stables. 

Storm was quietly tucked into a stall and nickered slightly on entry. I strocked him lightly on his face for a minute or two before preparing his food. "Well Storm, this is going to be your first proper eat aside from grass and many apples." I joked as I grabbed a bucket for him. "You better enjoy it though, we well may be hunted by the king and his guards." Storm nickered slightly in discontent at something. I looked at him but nothing seemed wrong. Nobody was here and everything was fine. I shrugged and went back to my present task.

After this was done I took it over to my horse and held it there while he slowly munched away at it. I stared dreamily at him and felt once again happy. It hadn't happened for awhile and I enjoyed feeling like I wasn't being chased or trying to be killed. 

After he had finished I was going to put the bucket in water to soak. Just before I heard a coughing coming from a stall near the door. I jumped back, dropping the bucket then regaining my balance. Drawing the knife and advancing towards the stable, I opened the sliding door and looked around the empty stall. A small figure lay covered in straw and then coughed again.