Inferno

Chapter 5

P.O.V- Cole

When he woke up, everything came rushing back to him. The elf, Taryia, lay sound asleep by the dimming fire wrapped in his bedroll. His horse, Nylron, stood off to the side tied to an oak tree. A small brook was off to his left.

"Good boy," he whispered to his horse. "Well at least she can tie a decent knot." He bent down to where his saddlebags rested, and pulled out an apple. Nylron snatched the apple out of his hand, and replaced it with horse slobber. He wiped his hand on his pants, and a dark stain formed.

After that, he bent down and picked up the saddlebags. He gently set them down on Nylron's back and tightly strapped them. He then checked the bags to make sure everything was in them and in its proper place. His father's sword lay at the base of an oak tree next to it his hunting knife.

He picked up the sheath and slid the sword into it with a silent hiss. His knife was slid into a holster on his leg. He then swung himself up onto the horse and rode off into the early morning.

Branches hit his face as he was riding, cutting him. His black cloak was billowing behind him. He urged Nylron faster. The underbrush was thick and hard to ride through. Eventually he made it out of the forest and into the village where he would buy supplies needed for him and the elf.

Nylron's hooves made loud sounds as they hit the cobblestones below. The market was in full swing despite the elf that had passed by only a few days earlier. He tied his horse to a rack just outside the furthest stall, and grabbed one of the saddlebags to fill with supplies. He then continued on into the market looking for the best prices and quality of the supplies he needed. The noise in the market was deafening, even for a human. He couldn't imagine what it was like for the elf.

"Apples, apples, get your apples here," shouted one man waving around an apple.

"Hot food, and good prices," yelled a man with a few missing teeth.

"Fresh vegetables! And lots of good meat!" yelled the butcher and his wife.

As Cole progressed through the market, a loud hammering sound filled his ears, as well as the laughter from the tavern. Smoke filled the streets as he came closer to what he assumed to be a blacksmith's shop. The air suddenly grew too warm, and he knew he had just left the market and entered the more permanent shops.

He was just about to leave when a grumpy voice called out to him, "Hey what'cha doing a'way outta here lad?" A burly man stepped out of the blacksmith with a hammer in his hand, and a scowl on his face. "Are ya one of those pesky little brats from the market?"

"No sir, I'm just here for supplies, and well, I got kind of lost," Cole replied calmly.

"Well then lad, ya better get outta here before I smash yar head in!" he yelled. His face was lit up by a sudden flare of the fire, and the smoke surrounding him made him look even more menacing. The hand that held the hammer rose above his head, and he had started to inch closer to Cole. Cole took off towards the market leaving the smoke and ashes behind.

He was still sprinting when he entered the market again. He only slowed down when he was swallowed by the crowds of people. He wandered around aimlessly for a few minutes still not sure if that man had followed him. When he finally felt safe he walked over closer to the stalls with non-perishable foods. He decided to buy several sticks of jerky, a few loaves of bread, some produce, and another canteen for the elf. When he was done shopping he walked back to where Nylron was tied up.

The sun was well past noon, and evening was falling. When he finally escaped the crowds and the stalls he hurried back to his horse. When he got there the blacksmith was putting on new horse shoes onto Nylron.

"Um..." Cole was dumbfound. He was stunned at what this man was doing. He was so rude early, but the way he tenderly held the horse's hoof would have made him think of the man as kind hearted.

"What'cha ya doing here?" He questioned his focus still on the horse.

"Well that's my horse, and I kind of need to get back to my friend," Cole said.

"Your friend ya say?" He asked still not turning around.

"Yes sir," Cole replied.

"Never thought I'd see the day a noble has common friends," he said a silent chuckle escaping him. By this time he was done applying the shoe to Nylron's hoof. He stood and dusted his hands on his stained apron.

Cole was again stunned. This man had seen right through his disguise. "How...How did you know I was noble?" he questioned incredulously.

"Well for one yar clothes give ya away, and the crest on ya sleeve," he said his chuckle now a full laugh, and Cole's hand immediately went to the crest on his sleeve. The crest of the Valitors. The man walked over to Cole, and he finally realized how big this man really was. The man gave Cole a hearty back slap, and started to walk back towards his shop. He was only a few paces away when he turned around and said, "My name's Arnold." Then he left.

Cole stood still for a few minutes before he shook of the daze he had slipped into and he jumped up on Nylron's saddle. He spurred the horse towards the woods. The sun had completely set and the forest was dark. The forest was almost silent except for the sound of the Nylron hooves, and the occasional twig breaking because of a night time predator. He took the journey a little slower because he couldn't see anything. Along the trail glowing orbs floated in the bushes, and watched silently as they passed. Cole was becoming uneasy as well as Nylron. Every sound made him jump and sent a shiver down his spine. Normally he wasn't this scared, but after finding the elf he didn't know what else he would find. He was only halfway back, but a tree had fallen when he was in town and it was blocking the path. Well that's just great! Now I'll have to sleep out here.

He slid off the horse, and made a loud sound when his boots came in contact with the ground. He looked in his saddle bag and realized that the bedroll was back with the elf. Since he couldn't use the bedroll he decided to use the saddle as a pillow, and he would have to sleep on the ground. He set the saddle on the ground, and tried Nylron to a tree. He laid down and set his head on the old leather saddle. The trees blocked his view of the stars, but soon enough he fell asleep. This night was the first in while that he slept without dreaming.