Into the Land of Valentia

Chapter the Fourteenth

XIV

As planned, the group set out as soon as the pre-dawn light began to filter down into the clearing. Sometime during the night the fire had died down and while taking the last watch, Vivica hadn't bothered to start it anew. She had scattered the ashes about as they broke camp and rode out.

"If we split off on a northwest heading from here, we should be able to come up near the base of the River Silver by mid-morning tomorrow." Vivica paused. "I think."

Cayden, who had taken the lead, didn't seem reassured by her estimate. "You think?"

Their trek back along the narrow trail towards the main path had been slow, though easier than it had been the night before. Vivica had anticipated the complex twists and turns, and guided Garrett and the others through with more ease. During the walk, she had allowed a portion of her mind to drift to the route they would have to take once they emerged from the thick of the forest. She'd come to the conclusion that, while she did know sections of northwestern Valentia, the area was far more unfamiliar to her.

"I'm fairly sure. The direction is right, it's the timing I can't be absolutely positive of. I spent most of my time slaying near dragon territory. It wasn't as though many dragons wandered about near Verida."

Narick spoke up. Yet again he was riding in the middle. Unarmed, it was the safest place for him to be. "If we have a heading, then we need only head there without delay. The only thing stopping us from reaching there by mid-morning is halting to bicker."

Cayden looked thoroughly scolded. "You're right. Northwest we go."

Despite Narick being a new addition to the group, the day was spent travelling like any other. Vivica kept to the rear, watching for the approach of any threats. Cayden kept to the front. She could remember Garrett's accusation, about how Cayden would tend towards the front despite not knowing the forest's layout near as well as she did. It was why, she was certain, he had been searching for an archer from the villages instead of choosing one of the soldiers. It would have saved time, but the castle's soldiers were trained to fight. They knew little of Valentia's layout. Slaying dragons, Vivica had learned many of the land's secrets. She could not only guide Cayden, but keep them safe.

Clearly she wasn't the only one trying to keep them safe. Cayden had come to accept her, in his own way. While he was willing to let her accompany him on the quest, it was apparent that he was still going to try to shield her from dangers he believed she couldn't protect herself from alone. Even though, she wanted to inform him, no self-respecting thief came from the front. They snuck up from behind. 

As they rode on, the path slowly widened until it became easier for the horses to ride abreast. Cayden continued to move on alone in the front, but Vivica moved into a position alongside Narick.

The stable master nodded in greeting. Before they had set off that morning, he had strapped his newly-notched stick to his gear. Now, it was firmly tied to the straps of one of his saddlebags. The freshly carved notch was clearly visible. Vivica hadn't asked him about it, or her knife, which he had returned to her soundlessly before they left the clearing.

"Nice horse," Vivica said. "Will the king miss him?"

"The horse is mine." Narick allowed a small smile onto his face. "I only moved him into the stables after more stalls were opened up when the stablehands left. Before I kept him in the town."

"Where did you get him?"

"It's a bit of tale, really. I suppose I may not have obtained him by the most legitimate of means. But he means more to me than I can say."