EXPEDITION: An Unmatched Fanfiction

Chapter Fourteen: The Hounds of Mighty Zeus

Sinbad, Little Red, and the Huntsman did not spend much more time staring at the bleak stone figure. They did not want to go too deep into pondering its grotesque origins, though they knew it was highly possible they would confront whatever caused this tragedy within the woods. They instead continued travelling their planned path, but the image of the outlaw haunted Sinbad. He saw the soul of a frightened man within the stony eyes of the statue, and he dreaded what he would feel if he encountered the same demise. He, too, questioned the man's consciousness. Was he aware of his own fate, forced to be stuck in marbled isolation forever, knowing what caused such an outcome but being unable to do anything about it? He shuddered.

He looked to his side, expecting Little Red to be there, but she was not. Sinbad stopped momentarily and glanced behind himself to see her several paces back. She was not walking as quickly as she was before they found the statue. Before, she was easily able to see up with Sinbad and the Huntsman's gait despite the crowded forms of shrubbery that blocked their path. Now, her strides her slow, almost lackadaisical. Her head hung low, and she only perked up when confronted by a rogue branch she had to hack down.

"Little Red," Sinbad called to her. She stared at him, and Sinbad was able to get a better glimpse at her face. Though she had not shed a tear, her eyes were glassy, and her mouth was curled in an unflattering matter. "What bothers you?"

"Nothing," she responded, monotone as ever. "Just...tired from travelling." She looked down again and continued to walk. However, Sinbad stood still, watching sympathetically as she slowly came closer to him. Once she nearly passed him, she noticed that he had not moved, and spoke up. "Well, we gotta move. Come on."

At this point, the Huntsman recognized what was happening and approached Little Red. He bent down, reaching her eye level, and placed a large, caring hand on her shoulder. "Long have I sought to keep you safe, and I will not stop now." After this, he straightened himself and addressed Sinbad. "But, she is right. We've gone too far to waste time. Let's keep going."

Little Red and the Huntsman walked by Sinbad as he gazed at the Huntsman in amazement. He was stunned at his ability to cheer Little Red up with so few words, as she already had a quicker step. However, they seemed to have some history Sinbad knew little about, so he shrugged it off and continued hiking with the pair.

As they continued to walk, the greenery did not become any less obtrusive. Sinbad felt that every two steps he had to stop and clear some overgrown plant from the path. Even though the ground still gave the trio a hard time, the trees were becoming much clearer. They were becoming less abundant as they trekked, and they did not have to chop down as many interfering branches as they did thick ferns. Sinbad had an acute sense of this change, and while it made it easier to continue on their journey, it made him uneasy. He questioned why these trees were less plentiful.

He surveyed the area, and he saw many stumps appearing around them. This unnatural decline of trees was not an act of nature, rather some manmade pursuit. Sinbad first thought this could be a popular area for loggers or another similar trade, but they were still so far from any sort of civilization that it would be inefficient for someone to come out this far for lumber. He could only ponder, then, if this anomaly had a far more sinister origin.

Suddenly, Sinbad heard a noise. It sounded like wind, but erratic and rapid, almost like flapping. He looked up at the few trees surrounding them and saw a shadowy figure hop from one to another. Before he could observe the creature, it disappeared behind the trunk.

"Huntsman, Little Red," Sinbad said. "There is something in the trees."

"Yeah, they're called birds," Little Red sarcastically chuckled.

"No, this figure appeared much stranger. Look!" Sinbad pointed to the tree. Just then, the creature behind it revealed itself and lunged for Sinbad. He ducked, letting the creature glide over his head and land on the ground behind him. When he peered back to see what had attacked him, however, there was no assailant in sight.