The Sins of the God King

Chapter 13 : Lest

The first rays of dawn filtered through the dense forest within the northern part of River trail region, casting a soft glow on Sartos, Elly, and Lest as they moved forward, their bodies aching with exhaustion. Despite their weariness, they knew they couldn't afford to stop. Sartos, acutely aware of the relentless pursuit of Torryn soldiers. These were seasoned trackers who never gave up until their quarry was captured or dead.

Elly, gasping for breath, finally pleaded, "Can we please stop? I can't go any further." Her eyes begged for a reprieve from their relentless march.

Sartos looked at her, despair evident in his gaze. "You were never meant to come with us," he hissed.

Lest interjected, stepping forward, "She saved our lives. We owe her, and I agree—we need to rest."

Sartos glanced around, his eyes scanning the forest for any sign of their pursuers. "We're not covering our tracks. They're close behind," he warned.

"Just a few minutes, Sartos," Lest pressed.

Reluctantly, Sartos conceded. "Okay, two minutes. But after that, we have to keep moving," he insisted, knowing that every second they lingered brought their enemies closer.

Elly sank gratefully into the grass, the cold earth providing a brief respite from their desperate flight. Sartos's mind raced, trying to devise their next move. "We should find water," he said decisively. "There's a river to the north of us. If we can reach it, it could give us an advantage."

Lest and Elly nodded, appreciating Sartos's strategic thinking. "The river it is, then," Lest confirmed.

After hours of running, they finally reached the river's edge, their bodies yearning for the replenishment only its waters could provide. Lest eagerly sank his head into the cool stream, his thirst quenched with every sip. Elly followed, relishing in the momentary relief that washed over her. Sartos, filled his flask with the precious liquid, knowing they couldn't afford to waste a single drop.

As Lest and Elly lifted their heads, their faces radiated with a newfound satisfaction. "I don't think we're still being chased," Elly remarked as she wiped the water thru her face. Sartos, however, remained cautious, his experiences ingrained within him.

"You don't understand the relentless nature of my Army, especially the Ughren men. Hunting people is their preferred pastime," he asserted, taking a deep gulp from his flask before continuing.

"I believe to the east of this river lies a Craglin village. That's where we'll go," Sartos mention .

 Elly, her curiosity piqued, confessed, "I've never seen or met a Craglin before, but I'm aware they too were under the King's command." 

Lest nodded in agreement.

"But the King is dead, Remember?" Sartos interrupted, a tinge of bitterness in his tone.

Elly, ever perceptive, "You know what I mean. The Craglins, like us Xeldorians and the other former Navo'rians, were beholden to the King's orders."

  "Craglins care little for this war," he explained. "They simply do as the King commanded them, and now the king is dead."

As fatigue seeped into their bones and hunger gnawed at their stomachs, Deep inside, Sartos was unsure of the statement he said. Doubt cast upon his resolve, but he knew that they had no other choice. They had been running tirelessly throughout the night, and their bodies yearned for sustenance.

"We need to find something to eat," Sartos declared. Turning to his companions, he asked, "Do either of you know how to catch fish?" Lest and Elly exchanged glances, searching for a solution within their limited resources.