Chronicles

Quest Part Three

The ranger, Belar, froze with an upraised hand. The forest around them had grown quiet. The warrior, Ren, unsheathed his blade, falling into a practiced stance, sword held in a relaxed grip. Belar's bow blurred rising, knocking, and releasing in one fluid motion. The resulting thud on their left caught the rest of the group's attention. Belar was the first to move, Ren not far behind. The mage, Alphius, cast a reveal spell upon the surrounding area. Finding no unwanted guests, he followed the men as they came upon the sight of a large stag. It's pelt untainted but for the black arrow imbedded behind its front foreleg. The stag's black tipped antlers angled towards the group as if still defending it's lost life. Belar kneeled as he touched two fingers to his forehead then the Stag's in respect for its life and gift of death.

"Just a stag." Ren spoke his stance relaxed as he sheathed his sword.

" Not quite." Alphius's lilting voice came out in a murmur as his hands moved in complex concentric circles. His brows furrowed in concentration. " There are traces of a Slayer's spell. But, it's as if the script has been partially erased in death. I can't discern the spell's origin." The statement was met with silence, the master mage hadn't been stumped by magic since his apprenticeship. Alphius caught the concern.

"The spell could be incomplete showing, incompetence, not mastery." He spoke the lie confidently as dread seized his heart.

Belar let out a low whistle as they cleared the trees to be met with four ready battle horses; bred to run till they drop.

"How do you do it ?" He asked the dark paladin who sat astride a large grey charger holding the leads to three large battle sworn chargers.

"What? Catch up with you lazy fellows or find these beauts?" The paladin replied with a smirk but continued, "Let's say there was a toll hustler that left me in a foul mood; His purse was recompense." Ren shrugged and took the reins of a black charger without comment. Belar was chuckling as he swung his leg over a red roan. Alphius stood apart, a disapproving frown gracing his pale face. "Do you want to reach the mountains in time for the eclipse?" The Paladin asked throwing his hands up defensively. Alphius sighed and accepted the riens of a silver bay. Alphius glanced back at the forest, his eyes glowing gold as a hawk rose from the pines screeching. It followed the group keeping watch miles overhead.