Artemis and Caspian: The Spy

Chapter Thirty Nine

It started with a prickling sensation going up his spine. Lord Cerberus felt his body roll against the hard ground, the stinging of needles and edges of sharp rocks giving away his location. He was in the forest and basing inferences off his spotty memory, he was in the forest on the border between Calatan and Celestia. Lying there, unable to move anything, Cerberus passed the time thinking of ways to wreak havoc upon the medic responsible for drugging him. Killing him would be too easy, oh no, Cerberus was after blood. He wanted that man to regret the day he betrayed his realm with every chunk of flesh that was possible to tear off the body before the sweet release of the moon goddess's embrace. He tried to wiggle a toe. Nothing, still out cold. The only thing he could feel was a headache getting worse by the second. He cursed internally. Above him, his ears perked at the sounds of fast, hushed whispers speaking in worried tones.

"How far are we from Celestia?"

"A good half day's ride."

"Then let's go. We need to get him back to Guilamount."

"We can't travel through the dark. Not with the Lord incapacitated. It would be too dangerous."

"Then we should set up camp. Make sure Lord Cerberus is comfortable. I'll go gather supplies."

The Lord forced his eyes open making the three men jump. One was a medic the Lord didn't recognize. The one who drugged him was probably too much of a coward to show his face. The other two men were soldiers Cerberus had a hard time recognizing. The lack of tattoos running up their arms told him they were Guilamontian but their rank and names were beyond him. He did have to give Dagaric credit though, both candidates had broad, looming figures, they'd come in handy in a fight. The three men continued to gawk at Cerberus as he adjusted his jaw.

A blind numbing sensation crept up his jawline and settled in his bones, keeping the Lord from speaking his mind. All that managed to come out was an incoherent groan that stirred deep in his chest and escaped tensely from his softly parted lips.

"Are you feeling alright my Lord?"

Cerberus had just enough energy to narrow his eyes at the man.

Taking the hint, the soldier bowed briskly before heading back into the woods.

Feeling out of place, the medic shifted uncomfortably, eventually leaving his post at Cerberus's side.

"I'm going to get more supplies," he stated awkwardly before shuffling his way across the forest floor. Cerberus rolled his eyes as the medic trudged through the undergrowth like an elephant. If bandits didn't know where they were before, they would certainly know now. The last soldier remained standing, rigidly keeping watch. He let his careful, steady eyes sweep back and forth over the trees, dutifully watching over his Lord. The Lord, now experiencing some sort of feeling return to his body was about to roll over when a silver glint caught his attention.

"Let me see that."

The soldier, surprised at the sudden, raspy outburst looked down at the small object the Lord pointed to with a firm outstretched hand. Dangling from his belt was a tiny pair of shoes blowing innocently in the wind. The top looked like a gray type of suede, soft to the touch but coming apart at the seams, like a hand had tried to rip them. The bottom was impaled by small pieces of steel glinting in the silver light of the moon beginning to show through the fading sunset. Blood caked the surface of them in patches, staining the material and making the Lord's stomach churn. These were children's shoes. Where did he get them?

Too tired to attempt another command the Lord motioned to the soldier to come closer with an annoyed expression. It was better for his subordinate to believe he was irritated rather than weak. Guilamontians were trained to get rid of the weak.