Tales of a Dead God

Chapter Six: Just Step in the Creek

The journey ahead was tense. Gabriel was more on edge in the week it took to make it to the border than the days they were running from the two soldiers. The argument between him and Noah still created turmoil between the two. Theo soon realized he would have to be a mediator if all three wanted to live to see the next day.

Gabriel stopped as they neared a small creek and stared ahead without a word. Theo and Noah were hesitant to ask what was happening, so they watched him carefully. The soft babbling of the creek eased the heavy silence that had encased the three for days giving way to a nice change.

"We're about to make it into a safe haven that many have failed to do," Gabriel softly said. He took in a deep breath and turned to look at Noah. "This doesn't mean the fighting will stop."

"War will still come." It wasn't a question. Noah knew deep down they would have to fight. He knew no matter how hard he tried to run or protect Theo that in the end, it would still come down to a fight.

Gabriel sat silently waiting for the two boys to pass into the Southern Kingdom. At some point, he had decided these two were worth protecting. He wouldn't throw them into a new city and leave. No, this was more than a job now.

"Hey, Gabriel." Theo rode up next to him. "So who exactly is this friend of yours? I mean will he try and rat us out like the last one?"

"I can promise you that he won't be one to give our whereabouts," Gabriel assured Theo. "He's not exactly fond of any authority."

Theo raised an eyebrow causing Gabriel to laugh.

"He's been around for... awhile. Seen a lot and now he's an old man living out his days as a recluse to anyone outside the small town." By while, Gabriel meant centuries, but how do you go about telling someone who's never been outside the walls of a kingdom that barely tells their citizens of the happenings in everyday life that some beings can live past human expectancy?

"What's his name?"

"Elmar." Gabriel saw Theo's eyes widen. He smiled to himself and carried on as if he didn't see the realization hit Theo.

"But that's an elvish name." Theo put two and two together. "I was told they were only children's book characters."

Gabriel glanced over and winked. "Like I said before. You're going to see things out here that you've never seen before." And continued ahead before Theo hurried to keep up.

"Wait! Gabriel..."

~~~*~~~

They were about a mile or so from the border when Gabriel stopped them. He looked around as a precaution hoping no one followed them.

"What are you doing?" Noah asked as he followed Gabriel's line of vision.

Gabriel glanced at Noah. "Making sure prying eyes aren't watching us enter the town."

Noah looked at Gabriel as if he had three heads. No town lay in front of them. A small creek moved along and miles of forest encased them. Maybe Gabriel had gotten them lost.

"You trust me?" Gabriel smiled.

Noah glanced again at the creek and then at Gabriel. "I don't know."

Gabriel rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Just... walk through the creek."

It was official. This assassin for hire was crazy and lured them into these woods to kill them. It probably wasn't even near the border. For all Noah knew, they had been going in the opposite direction.

Theo huffed and pushed past Noah. "Well if you won't go then I will." Before Noah could finish his protest, Theo led his horse through the creek and disappeared. Noah sat slacked jaw with Gabriel smirking at him.