Sira and Zoya followed the tracks through the forest for some time. Their progress was slow, as neither of them were particularly experienced trackers, but the trail was a good one and they didn't have too much difficulty following it. Eventually the trail stopped next to a stream, causing Sira to come to a stop. After looking around up and down stream she looked to the other side, something she probably should have done from the start. Sira spotted the deep impression of hooves in the soft mud on the other side of the stream emerging from the water and continuing on into the forest. Glancing as her partner Sira pointed to the tracks then started undoing her boots. "Looks like we're going for a swim," she said as she pulled off the first boot, followed a moment later by the second. Sira considered holding the boots over her head, but the stream looked like it might be deep out in the middle and the current might be strong as well. After considering her options Sira simply shrugged and tossed one of the boots across the stream. The boot sailed through the air and landed on the dry bank across the stream with a thud. Sira smiled and threw her second boot which didn't make it quite as far, landing in the mud, but still clearing the stream.
Sira took a moment to check the rest of her gear and made sure it was all secure before plunging into the stream. The water was cold and felt good, and a short ways out he stream got deep enough that she actually had to swim. Kicking with her feet and stroking with her arms Sira swam across the stream. The current was strong and she was carried some way down before she made it to the other side. Once across she made her way back to her boots and stood drip drying while she waited in Zoya to catch up. The cool water dripping off her clothes felt good on her skin, but she knew it wouldn't be long before they were dry and the heat of the spring sun was warming her once more. When Zoya had crossed and was ready to go once more Sira grabbed her things and led the way into the trees once more. The trail was more difficult to follow and more than once they had to double back and find the trail once more. It was during one such doubling back that Sira and her companion came across the first sign.
Sira paused next to a tall tree, kneeling down next to it. She was studying something, and Zoya might have assumed it was just the tracks they were looking for except that Sira motioned her over. The track Sira was examining was not a hoof print, but that of a boot. Furthermore, there were drops of red blood on the ground trailing behind the print. The tracks veered away from the direction that Sira and Zoya were heading, but Sira could not just ignore what she had found. "Zoya, I think someone was injured. It looks like they were dragging their other leg, and the blood must be from some wound." At that moment a scream sounded not far away and Sira's head snapped up, "Whoever it is they're in trouble," Sira shouted as she jumped to her feet. "We've got to help them!"
Sira took off into the woods following the trail of blood. She didn't know if Zoya was following her or not and neither did she care. Besides the scream, Sira had heard another cry for help. One in her mind. A Wind Eagle had been harmed, and might even be dead, and there was no way Sira could ignore it. Secretly she hoped Zoya was following as she pulled an arrow from her quiver, because whatever had taken down an eagle and it's rider would likely be too much for Sira to tackle alone. They didn't have to travel far and when Sira burst into the clearing her jaw dropped. A group of four Symenestra surrounded a lone rider who was fighting for his life. Nearby lay the body of a large male wind eagle, arrows protruding from it's body. The sight filled Sira with rage. If Zoya was still with her she silently motioned that she was going to sneak around to the other side, then off she went pulling back her bowstring and making her way around to flank the symenestra. She moved as quickly as she could, having little honest concern for stealth considering the fiendish spider people were busy fighting the injured rider, and once she was in position she readied herself and took aim. Sira hoped Zoya would follow her cue and be ready herself.
Sira took a deep breath, steadying her shaking arm. She had never been in a real battle before, never taken a sentient life. But these Symenestra had downed one of the eagles, were tying to kill one of her Inarta brethren. They deserved to die. Sira pulled the string back an inch more, even with her ear. She sighted down the arrow, she could see the symenestra at it's end, and she released. The arrow zipped through the arrow and hit the symenestra in the leg drawing the attention of the others. The injured one shouted something and one of the uninjured Symenestra turned from the Endal and charged the kelvic. Dropping her bow Sira drew her sword and readied herself for the fight to come. She was nervous, she was sweating, but this was she had dreamed of for so long. A chance to actually defend Wind Reach. A chance to finally prove she was worthy of being an Endal. |
|