The Assassin and the Murderer

Chapter 4

Four days of travel later, everything had been going completely fine. They were walking though a small clearing when a flaming arrow found itself right in front of Oletha's feet.

She yelped and jumped back into Denzel, just as three more arrows rained down on them.

"Split up. We have to lose them." Denzel ordered. "Leave a trail of breadcrumbs so we can meet back up."

He took out a bag of colorful candy, and ran off in the opposite direction.

"Damn it, Denzel! Stay in groups of two at least! It's safer that way!" Sam advised, chasing after his brother.

Spencer and Gabriel disappeared through the trees, and Laurel grabbed Oletha's hand, dragging her after Jemma, who was running to their right.

"What the hell is going on?" Oletha asked, looking shocked.

"Not sure. But we have to assume that they're after Spencer. I swear to God, I'll kill him if he gets himself killed!" Laurel said.

"How can you possibly kill someone who is already dead?" Oletha asked, rolling her eyes, despite the situation. "I mean–"

"Shush, girls." Jemma said from up ahead.

Oletha and Laurel quieted down, and silently walked up to where she was waiting, listening carefully.

"I thought I heard–"

Suddenly Jemma was abruptly yanked from the ground, and Oletha screamed.

"What's going on?" Denzel asked, bursting through the trees opposite of where they had come.

He suddenly saw Jemma suspended by her neck in the air, a rope keeping her tethered to the trees above.

"Shit!" He said, just as Sam came up behind him.

Before anyone could do anything, a flaming arrow seared through the sky, landing itself right in it's target, and Jemma went up in flames in front of them.

"No!" Sam screamed, fighting against Denzel, who was holding him back.

"We have to get out of here, Sammy. Let's go." Denzel said.

But Sam was not listening. Tears streamed down his face as Denzel and Laurel pulled him away from the scene.

~

"Althalos Montfort has declared war against Erilan due to our aid in the escape of Laurel Renier and Spencer Cortland, along with their accomplices, Gabriel Newton and Oletha Linnet. I need your best troops at the battlefront." Gavin told Charles that day.

"Yes, sir." Charles said, turning foot to gather troops.

"One more thing," Gavin said.

Charles turned, and for a split second, he thought he saw a glimmer of the Gavin he knew before.

"Be careful out there, Captain Torrin."

~

Oletha, Laurel and Denzel walked solemnly through the woods in search of Gabriel and Spencer. Sam was separated from the group by a few feet, staring blankly ahead, and saying nothing.

"Spencer!" Laurel called, hoping he would respond and be alright.

Nothing.

"Gabe!" Oletha called a few minutes later, but still nothing.

"Spence! Please tell me you're okay, because I swear to God if you don't come I'll–"

"I'm fine. We're both fine." Spencer said, pushing back a few tree branches to reveal himself and Gabriel.

"You're alive!" Laurel breathed, hugging him. "You aren't dead. You came! Oh my God, Spencer, I was expecting the worse."

"I always come when you call." Spencer smiled, hugging her back. "I'm alright. Calm down."

"Where's Jemma?" Gabriel asked.

Oletha sighed and shook her head.

"Oh God."

"Just leave Sam alone for a while." She whispered, dragging him over to a fallen log. "I'll patch up that gash on your face."

She rummaged through her pack, and pulled out a cloth, and dabbed at the blood on Gabriel's cheek.

"It's late anyway. We need sleep."