Escape through the Sacred Forest: Lich Lord Wars Book 2

Chapter 3

"It seems that Lord Gidon has learned from the past."

"The people in the keep?"

"Gone. Everywhere we go the people seem to melt away. Lord Aguarius was ready, not to fight us but to run and hide."

"The coward."

"Believe that and you will deserve your fate. Where is he now?"

"Heading west; towards the border of the forest."

"Really? Than he is out of our reach for now."

"Maybe not, Ormeun has gone after him."

"Ormeun should pay better attention to his enemies. Gidon knows you never fight your enemies on their terms."

All of Gidon's experience told him to find another defensible position and fight off the pursuing undead. Right now they were just a long  line of exposed people moving at the best pace the old and the young of the group could muster.

Ulec insisted that if they continued as they were that they would reach safety in time, but the woodland began to thicken as they approached the boarder of the sacred forest and he couldn't help but worry.

 As Gidon helped the line of refugees move forward he found Ulec leaning against a tree watching the road weary people pass by. He had what most would describe as a sullen expression but Gidon knew the young elf well enough to know that it was the expression he had whenever his mind was elsewhere among the plants and animals.

Almas was pacing nearby showing the anxiety that his friend didn't. Gidon felt a pang of sorrow at how his second born seemed to have aged several years in the past week. The worries of a man now creasing his face. Yet he couldn't dwell on it. Right now the physical safety of his children was more important than the emotional. He could worry about healing those scars when his family was safe.

"Ulec," Gidon addressed the elvish boy, "my scouts report that the undead forces will overtake the rear of our column before they reach the border of the forest."

Ulec didn't even look up as he answered, "I know--I'm working on it."

"Working on what?"

"Slowing them down," Ulec said with a smile slowly spreading across his face. Finally looking up he added, "We were caught by surprise last time. This time the forest will be ready. The front of the column is getting close to the border, we should move up the line."

Ulec turned and walked off at a quick pace towards the front of the line of refugees. Gidon glanced at Almas who just shrugged and went to follow. Gidon couldn't help but ask himself why elves had to be so mysterious all the time.

As he moved to catch up with the boys he heard wolf howls and it was only a few moments later he caught a glimpse of a large pack of wolves running in the opposite direction of the refugees.

"Are those dire wolves?"

Gidon looked and noticed Lamuem nearby shepherding a group of children. The ranger had taken it on himself to keep an eye on the large group of children rescued from Demon Mountain. Izybel had fitted him with a peg leg a few days ago and the ranger was already walking without crutches and as fast as any man still with both legs.

Before Gidon could respond to the man's question Almas, who had stopped to watch the wolves pass, asked, "Dire wolves?"

Nodding, Gidon answered, "Dire wolves are also called wolf lords. They are largest and smartest of all wolves. The god Mundial created animal lords to rule over the different kinds of animals. Most animal lords live in or near the sacred forests."