IL SIGNUM

A Meeting Of Great Tension

Chapter 5,

       A Meeting Of Great Tension:

            Maximus woke up with a jump. There was something in the forest and it was moving slowly. Maybe the creature did not know that he was awake, thought Maximus. Quietly he unsheathed his dagger and waited for another rustle of leaves or snap of a twig, nothing.

He then got up and walked towards Arbus who was beginning to sense danger; this could only mean one thing, this instinctive action by Arbus shows that there is a creature lurking about.

The sound shook Maximus like a drum; it was a very distinctive bark. The search party must be near so Maximus quickly gathered his possessions and mounted Arbus then took off through the thicket of the trees making no effort to mask his trail.

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Dante heard feint barks erupting in the forest followed by the growing sound of the beating of hooves on the damp ground. Stepping on the remains of his small camp fire he gathered his small bundle and stealthily faded back into the shrubbery. Judging by the hoofs pounding the ground in the distance, they were moving in his direction.

As soon as the reality hit him, Dante climbed the nearest tree hoping to find a safe spot. Finally after cutting up his legs on the sharp fern he settled on a less exposed branch. Though uncomfortable, Dante felt safe for the time being. Pressing a hole through the leaves, he was able watch over the small clearing beneath him where he had camped for the past night.

The first one to arrive was a boy aged from what Dante predicted to be fourteen to sixteen. He seemed to be in a hurry, nervously galloping dangerously through the woods. His horse was being ridden hard, causing a thick layer of froth to form around his mouth.

Stopping under the tree, the boy stayed still, panting along with his horse, which under Dante’s judgment would soon turn lame if it was to be worked much harder. It then occurred to him that the boy was armed and trying to make sense of direction. The barking had faded in the distance causing the boy to relax.

From a safe distance up the tree Dante called down to the boy “Who goes there?” This call was followed by the rapid jerk of the boys head and the sudden sound of him unsheathing a sword. “I do not wish to cause you any harm young lad but if I was you I would put that toy away before someone gets hurt.” The boy did not look convinced and through his cracked lips he croaked “Show your face!”

Dante slowly edged away from the leaves that provided his cover while closely watching the boy. Finally he stood in full view on a large branch situated lower down the tree, but still unreachable by a blade. My name is Dante, son of chief Andrix of the Gaulish tribes of the North!” The boy sheathed his sword slowly.

“My name is Odon son of Fennis, a guard at the villa of General Titus, I am currently riding North in search of the truth. However, I was banished from the household after refusing to follow the commands of my father’s master.”

Dante looked at the boy and grinned “So we are both outcasts, maybe we could join forces and continue on this perilous journey together?” Maximus dismounted his horse “What makes me you think I can trust you?” Dante began to descend from the tree. “Friend, I think that you may have to. Me being a native of the North, will show you the road and guide you. In return I propose you give me a fair ration of food and coin.”

Maximus smiled and walked up to Dante then shook his hand “it is a deal, under one condition.” Tapping on his Blade Maximus continued “if you go against your word I will personally slit your throat.”