Cursed

Chapter 22: Danger lies in distraction

There I was again, strolling through the endless trees. It wasn’t like two days ago when all I felt was lost and alone. Now a heavy bag with food and clothes was strapped against the holster on my back. Heather had returned my weapons, which were dangling along my belt.

It felt good to be prepared, to be on a mission that my whole heart was invested in. This time, I had a goal. Where it would lead me, I didn't know, but for the first time it felt alright not to know. This path I was on felt exactly where I was supposed to be.

A bramble bush rustled on my left. My body tensed, my hand fell on my dagger but I stayed still, not wanting to make a sudden move and alert my position.
More movement.

Then big brown eyes surrounded by the most beautiful brown mane peeped from behind the wild growing plant. Immediately, my tension disappeared and my heart grew exponentially.

The mare stayed quiet when she noticed my presence. Her eyes shifted slowly, as if it was judging me. Slowly I lowered my weapon and put it away into its leather socket. In slow motion and with my hands outstretched in front of me, I crept closer to the horse. She snorted. My head tilted to the side, a little grin curled the corner of my mouth.

"What's your name, pretty lady?" I asked, my voice soft and low.

The mare snorted again. All the while she remained in the same place, patiently awaiting my next action.

“Can I call you Argo?”

I outstretched my hand even further, now only inches away from her black nose. Her heavy breaths heated the skin of my palm. When she didn’t budge, I stepped closer so my fingers touched her. My lips curled up in a smile.

“Io once told me this story about a hero on a quest, he called his ship Argo.” My finger rubbed up and down her nose. “I have my own quest now, and it would be so helpful to have an Argo by my side.”

The mare snorted once more, before it pressed its nose closer into my palm.
“Well then, my dear Argo. Let us set sail then!” I snickered, while love bloomed inside my heart.

***

Battle was always audible in a forest. Nature absorbed most of the sounds, that was true, but it also killed the calming melody of nature.

So an hour after I had crossed the main travel route between the Great River and the eastern cities, the small hairs on the back of my neck rose at the tranquility. Birds didn’t chirp anymore and small animals didn’t rustle between the fallen leaves on the ground. A heavy pressure hung in the air that I couldn’t quite identify, but it was never a good foreboding.

With a small hit of my heel against the mare’s side, I halted Argo. My hands reached for an arrow and my bow. My feet landed with a soft thud on the ground. Argo’s head gave my shoulder a little push, I had to smile.

“Yes, my dear friend. I will be careful. Now go, be safe! We will find each other again.”

With reluctance, Argo turned around and marched away between the oaks and birches. My eyes remained on her for as long as possible, making sure she was at a safe distance, and only then, I traveled further by foot.

From afar, it was already visible what was going on. Four Hunters were hiding behind the broader trees, their weapons dipped in wolfsbane poison. The thick brownish liquid coated their normally clean and shiny blades. They themselves wore leather gloves, something I had learned about in my classes, but never seen in practice.

At first, I didn’t think much about why I was observing the observers and not simply killing their target. It was only when a hoarse growl echoed through the forest, that my body tensed and realization hit me.