The Hidden World

The Stranger

'' Let us make camp behind those trees'' suggested Jim pointing to a thick line of trees . '' Good idea '' said Charles leading his horse that way.Suddenly as they were about to enter into the trees a young man jumped out of them and started to run, but unfortunately ran into Brianna's horse with a thud. Gothbart made quick work of pinning him to the ground .The young man looked poor and was clothed in peasant garb and was covered with dirt and grime , but what everybody most noticed was his

odor. He smelled of trash and was that the smell of... well pigs? They all wondered silently to them selves .'' What is thee about?'' Charles asked looking vicious with his tip of his sword pointing at the neck of the young man. The young man looked at him with pleading eyes that looked haunted. Christina wanted to look away ,but couldn't there was something urgent about his bearing ''Please sir spare me.. have mercy... I must get bake to my family... to warn them''.'' Warn them about what?" asked Jim tensing up and looking around. '' About the ... wait maybe all of thee is with them". said the young man his gray eyes clouding with suspicion. '' I can assure you we are with no one, but everyone who is with us.'' The suspicion cleared from his eyes and he said '' I have to warn my family about Lucifer's army. As we speak he is crossing the Great Sea to kill us all!'' The man stopped and to allow the horrible words to sink in.'' We must be on our way then, release him Gothbart and give him some food for his journey.'' Charles commanded '' Yes my master'' Gothbart replied .'' Which route are you taking ?'' the man asked hurriedly. When the man saw Charles eyes cloud with suspicion he continued. '' Thee might be going to or pass my family's farm". Charles looked at Jim with raised eyebrows . Jim shrugged his shoulders. '' Pass the town of Thorpington .'' Charles said slowly. The man's eyes light up '' That is nigh east a mile or so far from my farm'' he said excitedly. '' Will thee all take me ... I fear for my safety alone '' the man continued . " Let me talk to my friends " Charles motioned with his head and all Christina family lead their horses next to Charles's in a circle and whispered. " I don't know about this ''. muttered Jim . Christina's mom said " He seems sincere enough" " He might be lying" offered Brianna raising her eyebrows and glancing at the stranger. Christina followed her gaze and her eyes locked with his. His eyes were pleading with her. " If he's not?. Will we be responsible for his family's safety?" asked Christina tearing her gaze away from the stranger's eyes ." I would take him, if it wasn't for you girls" said Jim. "But what about his family?"persisted Shannon. " What's your opinion Charles " asked Christina noticing he was quiet on the subject. " I do not wish to jeopardize you and your family, but I do not wish to jeopardize his family either " he said sighing . Charles glanced at the stranger . It looked like the stranger had heard the words , for he hung his head and ...was that a tear? Christina wondered. Charles must have seen that because he then said " I think he is telling the truth". Jim sighed " Let's pray about it "

Suddenly Jim's head shot up. " We need to take him...I don't know why , but we do." " That settles it then" said Brianna walking her horse towards the stranger." You can come with us" said Brianna . Charles nodded at Gothbart to back off of him. " We have no more horses said Charles . " You'll have to ride in one of the carts. " That is good enough sir" the man said gratefully. " It will have to do" said Shannon. " We will try to get to your family as fast as possible" said Charles . " I Thank thee sir." the man replied. " Well we better try to get as far as we can each day , because of the army. said Jim after getting the stranger settled . " Thou is right. Let's get moving" said Charles. Christina sighed another long day , I hope we get to where the King is soon." 

"I'm positive I heard something " said Brianna frustrated that no one believed her .She was sure she had heard someone or something walking around their camp in the dense brush that surrounded them . It was around midnight , the same day as the stranger had joined their company. " Honey why don't you go back to bed , me and Charles will explore, okay?" Brianna crossed her arms . " Go back to bed was a command not a suggestion" Jim continued sternly. Brianna uncrossed her arms and turned away , but turned back and said " Just be careful , will you, if there is something out there?" " Yes, now go!" Jim said firmly. Brianna turned and walked angrily toward her and Christina 's tent. Well, at least Christina is still asleep, don't want to bother her with this with her dreams and all. Brianna thought to her self.

About fifteen minutes later her dad opened her tent and whispered " There is nothing there ". " Brianna sighed a sigh of relief even though she had been sure she had heard something, Maybe I was imagining it after all. she thought to her self as her as she  drifted to sleep.