Eric Elmoor and The Gauntlet of Godric

Chapter Five: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

CHAPTER FIVE

“First Impressions”

Days passed by.

Eric felt himself growing thinner, if that were possible. By his estimation they had been traveling a little over a week – maybe longer. Thankfully the horses had not given up...yet. The road to Fairwood had been laden with grassy plain-lands with an odd pond here and there. The horses had been well tended to. The humans, on the other hand, were scrounging for anything they could get their hands on. Eric had grown quite adept at catching small rodents on this trip: the proper way to trap them, cook them, and leave nothing to waste. Still, it wasn't enough.

“It'll grow on you,” reassured Ben. Eric didn't buy it. How could anyone tolerate this way of living?

Ben has managed, you will too, a voice in Eric's head told him. Although the food at his school was pathetically stored, cooked, and served, it still amounted to more than he had gotten over the last few days. Eric found himself wishing for his school food, a thought he never suspected would enter his mind.

“How much further?” asked Eric, exhausted.

“I reckon not too much longer, if the horses hold their pace,” Ben said as he gave Eric (who was leaning over his saddle) an encouraging pat on the back. “Look sharp, Eric. Your brethren do not take kindly to weakness. I'm going to scout ahead.”

Eric watched as Ben kicked the sides of his horse and sped off over the hill ahead of them.

“At this point, I really don't care,” groaned Eric. He tried to sit up straight, but the motion caused him pain in all of his joints. He felt his body was starved of much needed nutrients. Reaching down, he got his small leather flask of water, popped the lid, and dumped the contents into his mouth – which amounted to no more than a few drops.

For some reason, this angered him beyond anything he had endured yet. He felt cheated somehow. Instantly, all the pain left him, he could feel his exhaustion suddenly whither away as he sat up straight. He replaced the leather flask back onto the side of the saddle then kicked his horse hard. The poor creature gave a quick yelp of pain before setting off at a sprint as if a predator were at its tail.

This is taking too long. We should have been there by now. Did Ben lie to me?

As Eric rode to the top of the hill, he saw Ben galloping back toward him. But something else caught Eric's eye – a line of forest that stretched from north to south as far as he could see. The treetops stretched higher than he had expected. The canopy was thick with only small shafts of light breaking through.

Soon enough, Ben arrived back at Eric's side.

“Is that it?” asked Eric, astonished. He didn't know if it was because they were finally there or because of the immensity of it.

“Aye, that it is. Welcome to Fairwood, home of the elves. Come,” said Ben as he lightly kicked the side of his horse which set off in a steady gallop toward the woodland.

Eric patted the side of his horse, almost as if in a silent apology for being too rough earlier. The horse apparently accepted as Eric galloped next to the mage.

“Amazing, isn't it?” asked Ben.

“Fascinating...,” uttered Eric, at nearly a complete loss for words.

As they strode closer, the forest seemed to grow bigger and bigger. The trunks of the trees were wider than the trams of the cities as they stretched into the sky several hundred feet.

“I now know that you will not follow my strict directions, so I will not tell you to mind your mouth,” started Ben, a coltish grin stretched on Eric's face, “But the elves are proud people. Easily offended. You do not want to make enemies here.”