Pathfinder

11 - Little Bird

When she'd first spotted them she'd hid in the reeds. The problem was that of course it was precisely then and there they'd decided to stop to give their horses a chance to drink, and also then that a particularly young and eagle-eyed one of them had spotted her tracks and consequently her. Their eyes had met for a moment, his baffled, hers terror struck, before she made a run for it. That was when the other four had spotted her and the pursuit began. Their legs had been both longer and stronger though, and it was not long before they'd caught her. She hadn't shrieked though. Nor fought against them. Just frozen and curled up...just as she had back when she and Kirsha had hid under the floorboards, at their home. It was as if her throat itself had tied itself into a knot and she just couldn't bring herself to utter a sound. At least later she realized it might have been a good thing. When they couldn't get any answer out of her to where her sister was or if she was alone they'd half presumed she might be a mute. And she wasn't about to prove them otherwise.

They definitely knew she wasn't deaf though. She could tell from the way the three remaining hunters would often murmur in hushed tones among themselves. Damitri guessed it was about the other two they'd left behind to weed out Kirsha. They hadn't returned yet though. Somehow it seemed they had either managed to miss her sister entirely or something had gone very wrong. Which meant there was still room for hope, even if a hard lump had gradually formed in the pit of Damitri's stomach and until she knew what had become of her sister, she felt sure it wouldn't unravel.

To the girls surprise though the hunters hadn't treated her badly. Quite the opposite, they made sure she was fed and warm, and if beds were scarce one would always volunteer to sleep on the floor so she wouldn't have to. Usually the one called Bjorn. A very tall and hardy, but soft-spoken man with straw-like hair and a somewhat unkempt beard. Damitri often wondered if they were feeling some pity for her because she was still a child.  She'd kind of felt that when the younger of the remaining ones, Anton, had chained her legs together. But it had just been a hint of slight reluctance in his action, she might have missed, if not for an almost inaudible sigh. She supposed though at the time she must have been quite the pitiful sight. Cold, wet, shivering and redfaced, if not outright crying. She'd promised herself she wouldn't let them see her cry though. Because big girls didn't cry. 

The hunters didn't get up as early today as they had the morning before. Damitri had an inkling it might be because they were hoping if they lingered the others would catch up. As the early part of the day dragged on though they didn't, and it was around the time they were leaving that her suspicions were finally confirmed.

She was still chained to the bed when she heard them arguing, past the wall in the stables.

"Something is not right, I can feel it in my gut Jonah!" It was the young one, Anton speaking. "How long it's taking them, the sudden snow, it's-"

"It's just weather." The most senior of them , Jhona, retorted swiftly. His voice was harder to read than the other two's, but what he said he always did with a sense of authority. He was an older man who kept his graying hair short, beard trimmed and always wore his things properly. The way he carried himself too made her feel like the older man might be of better breeding than the rest of them. In all honesty he somewhat reminded her of an eagle. 

"They wouldn't be this delayed by snow, and snow alone..." She heard Bjorn chime in hesitantly.

"Perhaps not, but getting the girl back to the capital is what's paramount, and we cannot afford to turn back to go looking for them now."

"We don't even know for certain if it's her Jhona! She hasn't spoken a word since we've found her!" Once again it was Anton who spoke.

"Oh trust me, it's her alright. I've asked around and the locals recognize her. The reason she's quiet is she's been taught better than to speak to us. Clever girl thinks we won't ask questions if she she can't answer them. Seen it all before, but lucky for her in this case she's right."

"Still I don't understand what makes the brat so special, when Gregor and Luca could both be in danger and there's still a witch on the loose!"

"That question is not for us to ask and you know that full well Anton. We have our orders and I won't let you forget it just because they're dragging their asses in the snow."

There was a small pause. She could feel the tension in the neighboring room growing.

"Still...You're on to something you're not telling us...I don't like it Jhona. I really don't."

Another pause. Jhona let out a weary sigh, then for a moment the steeliness in his voice wavered. "Some times... it's better not to ask too many questions. We bring the girl to the capital, and then we forget about her. And as for Gregor and your brother, don't worry. The old dog might be a bit crazy but he knows what he's doing. It's just not in his blood to give up once he's gotten the wiff of something. Be it witch or beast. Too much of a man of principle, but trust me when I say Luca's in good hands. "