The Stableboy's shadow (BL)

Chapter 11

My feet were slamming the ground so loudly I made myself cringe, as if my legs were purposely stepping on every branch and leaf I could, as opposed to my stealthy manners. I was following the general hustle of the shadow-haters running around to find Percevin, unaware yet that I had escaped.

I was facing a choice. I could get rid of each man, one at a time, falling them as they kept rushing forward, or I could try to find the stableboy too. In my current state, even though it would be preferable to take them out, I don't think I could manage 8 people. My breathing was becoming erratic, my head spinning from the hit I took earlier, as the adrenaline boost that allowed me to ignore my pain was wearing off.

I glanced at the nully cuff on my wrist as I stopped by a tree to catch my breath. I could unlock it right now, but my shadows could very well overload and it could cost precious minutes during when Percevin could be caught. And nothing would guarantee that I'd find him faster with my powers, not if I could efficiently use them in my current daze, or in overload.

Deciding against the idea, I pushed myself off the tree and started jogging again. I was keeping my broken hand close to my chest, the other was tightened fast on the hilt of the dagger I had. I was beginning to hear the running of a nearby river when I heard the first clash of swords. I immediately sprinted toward it, adrenaline kicking in again.

This was bad. If I had to fight, I wasn't sure I'd come out alive.

But after a few blows, I heard a cry of pain that wasn't Percy's voice. I heard a roar of anger and a splash. I ran faster.

There was a small clearing around the river. I made it in time to see the stableboy crossing the last meter of water, before he climbed on the shore and started running again. Where he came from, there was a man kneeling, holding his arm tight. He was quickly joined by two other shadow-haters and they saw the boy disappearing in the woods again. The were close to jumping in the river too when the kneeling man yelled again.

- Stop, he exclaimed through his teeth. It's no use having all of us run after him. The bigger threat is back at the cart. Have Trevor cast a barrier on the perimeter. Help me up, Liam, we're both going back to the road. Get the rest of the group to go after him.

The two standing men exchanged a displeased glare before doing as they were told. One helped the man up and started walking away as the other jogged back into the forest to reach the rest of the party meant to pursue Percy.

I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until I got dizzy again. I was hiding behind a tree and waiting for the sound of their steps to be nothing but a distant rustling before jogging to the river.

The cold water immediately hit the spot. I made a noise of pleasure before soundlessly diving into the shoulder-high current. I made the stupid decision of taken a few seconds to brush my good hand on my clothes, getting rid of the cakes mud and dust that had accumulated over the week. I even washed my face and rinsed my hair. After all, I had maybe a minute before the pursuing party would appear here again.

Then, I heard a loud hum of magic echo as the sunset colored the sky. Even with the cuff, I felt the wall of magic growing a few leagues around and we were now stuck here until that mage would lose his concentration.

I got to the other side of the river and followed the trail of dead branches and waterdrops I had seen Percevin take and managed to do so without making too much noise. If the boy had realized that no one was currently on his ass, he might slow down a little and allow me to catch up at last. If I could only reach him.

Surprisingly, it didn't take me this long. He was loudly breathing and tried to keep walking ahead but had slowed down when he heard no steps following his anymore. I called his name twice, loud enough for him to hear me, but not too much. He stopped moving and I could reach him. Just in time, as my feet catch on a tree root and I splattered on my face. He immediately rushed to my side and helped me into a sitting position. I spat the blood that filled my mouth.