" This way everyone. " A low manly voice said ushering a pathway past some branches.
Behind him a long line of people followed. They were simply dressed, nothing extravagant. Their clothes were tattered and stained with different saturations of brown and green. They wore thin soled animal hide shoes to protect them from the bare forest floor.
The other thing they had in common were the dripping leather bags and containers they each carried. Some flung them over their backs others held them in hand and some, who had grown tied, dragged the bags down across the leaf covered undergrowth. But no matter who it was, somewhere on their body they had a leather bag or container.
The only ones who didn't fall under this when the village guards perched up on the tree. They were dressed in their normal dark green attires with a weapon or two stashed somewhere in them. They were vigilant like hawks as they watched over the people walking below. The forest was a hungry place. One miss step and all the people below would become the shriekers dinner.
" All right everyone. Single file as we approach the river. "
The sound of the water crushing against the rocks and river banks had gotten louder. It rushed and splashed with new vigor something for the past six day had been unthinkable. Its smell refreshed the forest air, removing the previous pungent and rotten smell that had been encompassing compassing it.
The serenity of the river coupled with the forest air had became something the villagers had come to cherish. Especially since they only went outside of the village once every week.
After the river contamination began movement in and out of New Salur diminished. The fear of what the poisoning could do coupled with the roaming shriekers clouded the villager's minds. And so in order to minimize casualties the villagers shut the gates of the village in hope that the poisoning would spread.
But a recurring problem arose. In their enclosed space, food and water was limited. Thus within the first few months the village food and water supply was completely spent. Hunger starvation and thirst fell upon the frail village completely trapping them in their woodland prison.
But something like a miracle happened.
Two weeks passed without any reliable source of food and water in the village. The fear of the dangers of the outside weighed more than the pleas from Elder Lin on opening the gates.
Then one morning everything in the village disappeared. The villagers woke up to find their entire village covered in fog. Thick and dense it stretched out far and wide obscuring everything that was beneath it. Sparks of confusion lit amongst the villagers at the new phenomena unfolding before.
Its light was subtle but anyone who understood arcane could feel its healing touch. The entire forest floor glowed in a gentle light as a rhythmic pulse raced across the forest touching all in its path.
The phenomena was mysterious at first. The villages called it a blessing but we're still skeptical. Amongst them only a few had studied arcane or had any knowledge of what arcane phenomena's were.
Amongst those few was the person who created and lead the village guard.
Elren.
Knowledgeable in different arcane topic, Elren swooped in and cleared the fog in the villagers minds.
" There is no need to worry. " he said addressing a few of the village's respected members.
" What was it then ? "
" Maybe it's the guild ? "
" Have they found us ? "
Panic and worry spread like wild fire amongst the gathered honored ones.
" No it's not the guild, " Elren reassured.
" That was an arcane circle. "
The murmurs slowly faded.
" Judging by its scale I doubt the guild could have managed that feat. "
" How do you know that ? " a skeptical question rose.
" One because the arcane circle was too big. I saw its extend and it was too large for a single guild member to achieve. And even if they did they would have spent their entire arcane reserves, then what would be the point. "
" Also if it was the guild… we would all be dead by now. "
Silence hover across the room.
" So who cast it ? "
" I don't think it's a single person. "
" For a cast large like that was it would need a lot of arcane… so it was… " Elren said rubbing his hair.
" Tsk ! " he cursed.
" What ? "
" Judging by how far the fog had spread it must have been the Condensation point in Laptove. " he concluded.
Word spread fast. The news of the blessing from the condensation point reignited the fading hope amongst the villagers.
A plan was then set by the honored village elders. Its aim was a way to procure food and water and stock enough for the entire village to be able to survive during river poisoning.
And at the center of it all, Elren and the village guard were appointed to coordinate the collection and distribution of the resources to the villagers.
…
His eyes were as cold as ever. He stared into the flowing waters of the river, watching how the small Peebles moved at crashed into each other as the river flowed. He hadn't blinked for a while but his eyes didn't sting. He looked like was frozen in time his gaze never leaving the stream.
" How's the replenishing going ? " Elren asked.
Will was walking towards him, his footsteps barely rustling the leaves beneath them.
" Everything is going on smoothly. " Will answered.
" Good. "
" And what about our little runaways ? "
Will was hesitant.
" Not yet. "
" Tch ! "
" Useless pebbles. I don't even know why I keep them around. " Elren snapped.
Will's eyes dropped.
Elren pushed himself from the tree bark he was supporting himself on. He turned and paced towards Will.
" You're not one of them. " he said placing his hand on Will's shoulder.
" Do you think they'll come for him ? " Will asked .
To their side, lying in a ever growing pool of scarlet, a man slept unconsciously. His hands were chained by runed metal cuffs that were connected by what looked like a steady stream of air. He was motionless with the only signs of life the small ripples that rippled every time his breath met the pool.
" Yes, but only the boy. " Elren answered.
" He has this non sensual sense of justice that will bring him to us. "
" As for the girl… I bet she's crying somewhere in a corner hoping that the guild comes to save them. " he added ending with a smirk.
" And what about your sister ? " Will added raising his eyes.
" Won't she have a problem ? "
Elren's eyes narrowed.
" Ery is not a problem. They might have been influenced her a little bit but at the end of the she's my sister. "
" She's family. " Elren added bringing Will's temple closer to his.
" She'll choose right. " he added looking into Will's eyes.
He let go of Will and walked to the side.
" Either way it won't matter. "
" They'll be dead soon. "