Chasing Blue- The Final Saga (Book 4)

Chapter 10: Pursuit

Snap.

Crackle.

Tangled roots and vines twisted and cracked against the weight of my sandals. I kept my head low, my ears tuned to the slightest of sounds. The sounds of birds cooed above in the tree canopies bringing the sleeping thickets to life. I wiped my eyes, now stinging from the dripping sweat. There were footsteps along this footpath. Someone else was here. I followed Danaeus' lead as the three of us men trailed the footsteps until they stopped at the top of the hill, where the ground turned gravely and the trees were replaced with shrubs.

Then we saw a man coming around the other side of the hill to meet us. We all held our breath hoping it was Cyphus. The man was lanky in build and even wore the same beige tunic...but it was not him. I watched Danaeus fiddle with his sword tucked in its sheath.

"Who are you?" Danaeus called out warily to the man as he kept coming closer to our group. The man remained silent as he quickened his pace. His face remained stoic as he edged closer.

"Do not take one step closer, until you tell me who you are," Danaeus warned as he pulled out his long sword at the man's chest. I sucked my teeth, not wanting to respond to Danaeus' hasty actions.

"You do not belong here," the man said in a cold tone. His hands perked slightly up in surrender fashion as he slowly backed away to the edge of the hill.

"What do you mean we do not belong?" Danaeus retorted as he motioned the sword towards the man's arms, which by now found their way behind his back. I glanced at Danaeus' look of confusion and dismay. Suddenly the thinness of the air had become tighter; making my breathing heavy.

"If you come to plunder our village, leave now, because you men have already caused too much damage," he hissed. "I am not scared of death," he said coolly before whipping his sword out on Danaeus. The sharp iron blade pointed a few inches from the knot in his throat. Danaeus took one step back while keeping his sword aimed at the man's heart.

"I do not know who you are, or what you are saying but you are harassing the wrong men. We are not here to plunder anything. Do we have an understanding now?"

"What Danaeus means is that we come in peace," Marius said, plastering an uneasy smile. I watched his palms tremble as he stared back into the stranger's intense coal eyes. "We are here because one of our crew is missing. We were wondering if you saw a lanky fellow about this tall," he said, gesturing his hand over his head. "His cropped hair is the color of chestnuts like you, and he had a mole on his left cheek. His name was Cyphus." Marius sheepishly motioned for both men to put their swords down. I watched as the two men were locked in a vicious staring contest before they both surrendered.

"I have not seen such a man before. But if you men claim who you say you are, then you need to leave while you still have a chance."

"Why?" I blurted aloud.

"There are reports of pirates raiding the ports of the island and they are going along the coast of Malta," he uttered in a grave voice. "They are coming for new loot to steal." This time his voice was so calm it scared me. "And if you resist they will cut your throat. They are coming. They are coming..."

"You men leave now to the boat. I will stay behind with this man until he tells me where I can find Cyphus," Danaeus ordered.

"Danaeus, you should come too. The man doesn't even know Cyphus!" Marius croaked. Danaeus shook his head no.

"I can handle myself," he muttered. "Now go!"

"Come on Troy, we have to go," Marius said patting me on the shoulder. The momentum came in our steps as we rushed down the hill, through the maze of shrubs and trees. I could feel the tear in my ankle as I brushed past hidden thorns and gnarled branches. I am almost there. Then in a small clearing in the brush I could see the boat still wading along the coast. We were almost there. I did not look back; even to see if Danaeus or the other fellow was behind. As I brushed past the overhanging brushes and shrubs, I did not notice the scrapes and scratches that marred my arm and exposed thighs.