The Otori Prophecy

XXV - Questions

It was so tiring, we'd already been riding for two out of the three weeks, passing around the outskirts of towns and villages. They were dotted about between large, rolling fields of green. We only stopped in towns twice on our journey, food for the horses and a small stock of food for ourselves.

"We need to slow down, my horse needs a break," Mathias called out to me. I clicked my tongue and pulled the reins back, my horse immediately responded, slowing. "Good boy, Grey," I murmured, patting my horses shoulder. He whinnied in response. We stopped in the middle of a forest path, surrounded by trees on either side. I had barely any time while we rode to take in the surroundings, map out where we were in Terare. The days just seemed to blur together, riding, sleeping, eating, repeating the cycle every day. I couldn't quite tell which direction we were going, too lost in my own thoughts. At least I had Mathias cracking jokes and making sure nothing was too glum.

All I knew was Mathias leading me south, though we should be coming up on a path towards the west soon, spending our last few days riding to Amphi. How he managed to keep an eye out for danger while acting like a buffoon was beyond me but I was appreciative. Mathias's horse reared on its hind legs, picking up on something we couldn't see. Both of us looked around but couldn't see anything in the immediate area. A strange unease started settling, the forest almost whispering for us to hurry through. We didn't have a choice, we had to stop.

We dismounted, Mathias taking my reins, tying them to a low tree branch. At least we were in the shade and there were trees to be sheltered under if there were to be a sudden rainstorm. "Hey Mathias!" I called out, just as he was starting to walk away. He turned from his path to look back at me. "I'll hunt for some food," I offered, more or less telling him what I wanted to do.

If I didn't do this, I think I would go crazy. Mathias had been making sure I didn't do anything too strenuous, always citing caution about my leg. I gently rubbed the spot on my trousers where my injury lie beneath it. Surely we could take the stitches out soon, it seemed almost fully healed but, Mathias did say four weeks and it's been two. "Don't take too long, wolves might eat ya!" he joked, returning to his task. I chuckled to myself as I ducked under the low branch, the one he tied the horses to. He knew always knew how to keep the mood light. I chucked down my bag by the horses, going as far as to shed my cloak in this humid air.

I took only my knife, leaving my sword in its sheath with the rest of my stuff. "Careful!" Mathias called to my back, another warning. This was a reminder that he was watching out for me even when I thought he wasn't. I heard his steps falter, knowing I heard him through the trees, waiting my response. I called back my thanks, disappearing through the trees and into the depths of the forest.

At the very least, this was something I knew how to do. I took in a deep breath, basking myself in the surrounding nature. It's been so long since I could just roam like this, surrounded by nature on all sides. The birds were twittering having a conversation that only they could understand. I heard a distant rustling of leaves. I missed this so much. I ventured further in, trying to scout out what made that rustling noise. I went even further when I saw movement deeper in the forest, I knew there must've been a deer or rabbit of some kind. Anything would do. I parted the bush finding myself right. A rabbit, not that far away from me, started chewing on a bush. I crept up on it, waiting for the perfect time to...

Twigs snapped behind me, the rabbit darting off, fallen leave crunching as someone or something approached. I whirled around, knife ready. Wincing at the slight tug in my leg. I let my shoulders drop as soon as I saw that it was just Mathias. "You startled me!" I spoke airily, my heart had started to rest recovering from my shock. I started to turn when I felt his hands grab me, arms snaking around my neck, squeezing. "Let go Mathias! It's not the time to mess around," I chided, using my free hand to tug at his wrist. This was the worst time to spar. He wasn't letting go.