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The Misfits of DametreosChapter 8: Into Creak Woods
“So you’re a bit of a legend in these parts, are you not?” Reno asked Lord Barbod.
“Aye, I am,” Barbod said while ripping into the deer’s belly, “These BLOODY FALCONS mostly talk about me though.”
There was a rustle in the bushes from where the deer had come from.
“What was that?” Drakko asked.
“It’s probably just another deer.” Reno said, happily eating his portion of the deer.
A crossbow bolt shot past Reno's head and stuck in a nearby tree.
“That's no deer lads,” Bjarn said, taking his bow out and putting an arrow on it.
The rest of the group readied their weapons, apart from Barbod, who was still happily eating the deer. Suddenly a bolt struck the dead deer he stood and raised his spear. “No man ruins my meat!”
He looked to the place from which the arrow had come.
“Show yourself!” Barbod spat upon the dirt.
An arrow whizzed by Reno's head, coming from the opposite direction of the first.
“Worry not, lad!” Barbod smiled, “These men either want us alive or have horrid aim! Show yourself!” he shouted again, and something began to rustle in the bushes.
“You heard the man, show yourself!!” Reno screamed.
Another bolt came whizzing through the air, but this time its aim was true and it deeply struck Reno in his left arm.
“ARRRGGGHHHH!!” Reno shouted in pain and he dropped to the ground.
“Ha ha ha ha!” a voice crowed from within the trees.
This time an arrow got fired from Bjarn's bow and obviously hit one of the assassins as one of them fell out of a tree. It seemed the assassins were retreating so the group went over to see the attacker.
“What the.…” Bjarn muttered.
“A elk? A elk on the man's chest?” Barbod was dumbfounded, “What in blazes is that?”
“That is the Forestmen crest.” muttered Bjarn.
“But you are one of those! Did you send the assassins?” Barbod cried, and then turned to Reno.
“Are you ok, Reno?” he asked as helped up the wounded man.
“I'll be ok…” Reno said slowly.
The assassin began to move. He slowly started to get up, only to be impaled by Barbod's spear.
“Forestmen…” Barbod shook his head. Bjarn said nothing.
“Best be moving. This is not a safe place for us.” Drakko said, and together they marched into the woods. A little while later Barbod turned to Reno and asked, “So Reno, what does this brother of yours look like?”
“I don't really know, his name is Aros and he's an adventurer but that's all I know. He's probably near Crusaders land. He always wanted to go there... but as soon I can I'm going to go get my mother's pendant from the pirates and then find my brother…”
The group continued into the forest until it was dark, and then they set up camp, each with his own thoughts.
Drakko was confused. Had his king lied to him? If Lord Barbod was evil, he could have killed Drakko a long time ago. But everything was peaceful in the western part of the land. By leaving the Black Falcon lands, is Drakko considered a deserter and a traitor? He did not wish to confront his King as he did not want to anger the King. He was in no position to accuse the King of lying. However, he had pledged his loyalty and would not disobey his King. But Lord Barbod is not the evil person that Drakko thought. Drakko made up his mind to join this group and planned to seek the truth.
He then thought about the other three men. Reno seemed like a good person. He is looking for his long lost brother. Lord Barbod on the other hand, seeks to regain his throne as King of the Bulls.
But what about Bjarn? What is his quest? He seemed to have allies with the Wolfpack. Drakko didn't trust the Wolfpack. He had heard bad stories about this pack. Wolfpack were known to be thieves and could not be trusted. They would take what they wanted and used it to their advantage. Drakko decided he should keep an eye on Bjarn.
Bjarn leaned against a trunk of a tree and contemplated his three companions. During his trek with them he now knew more about them all.
That Reno is an interesting chap, thought Bjarn, He's brave, not as experienced as the others though. He keeps talking about long-lost brother and some kind of necklace his mommy gave him. Bjarn rolled his eyes, working himself into one of his many bad moods. I don't give a rabbit's rear end about lost relations or family heirlooms. The only reason I'm stuck with these dunderheads is because I saved their lives.
Bjarn snorted and stretched. And that bearded one, what's with him? He's so desperate to get his behind on a golden throne his doesn't think about anything else. Power-hungry, he is.
Bjarn's eyes traveled to the last figure, curled near the fire in a threadbare blanket. Bjarn almost felt pity for the Falcon. Everything he knew, everything he believed in a had been snatched away when he ran into a band of misfits. Misfits, that's what we are. Wanders. People without a home. Rejects. And with that thought, Bjarn fell asleep.
As the foursome prepared for another day's travel, Bjarn confronted Lord Barbod, Reno and Drakko.
“I heard your muttering in the night,” he growled, “And I want to make clear to you three several points. First, I am not a member of Wolfpack, I am a proud member of the Forestmen.”
“So it was you who sent assassins!” Drakko accused.
“Second,” Bjarn continued as if he hadn't heard, “Those assassins were not Forestmen. For starters, true Forestmen would never fire one who carries the Elk Crest.”
Bjarn wielded his heavy shield in front of their faces.
“Also,” Bjarn smirked at Reno and his makeshift wrap over his wound, “Forestmen are better shot than those folk. Reno'd be deader than a log if those assassins were Forestmen.”
“Pirates!” Barbod shouted, “Pirates must have dressed up in Forestmen gear like they did with the bloody Falcons!”
Bjarn smiled grimly, glad he had convinced at least one person. “Pirates could only have acquired those clothes from one place; a Forestman camp. I suggest we head south into the Forestmen Realm and search out all the camps. We might find your necklace, Reno,” he added as Reno began to protest. “If after we have searched all the camps and have found no sign of the pirates or your treasure I suggest we continue on to Wolfpack. They have spies everywhere and are well informed about almost anything that occurs in the world.”
“Alright, let’s go!” shouted Lord Barbod, who had worked himself into frenzy, “I like a good quest!”
After a long day of traveling, the group was reaching the border after a long journey. Reno looked tired. He needed to rest but he kept on going. He was determined to find his lost brother.
Drakko was leading the group when suddenly Shadow made a lot of noise. It was scared. Drakko was unable to control it. He fell to the ground and when he tried to get up, he could feel a line near his right leg.
“Don't move! Its a booby trap!” hissed Bjarn.
“What?!”
“Don't move,” explained Bjarn, “If you move, there will be arrows sticking at your back. It's a Wolfpack trap to keep outsiders out from their territory.”
“What do I do?” asked Drakko.
“I want you to stay put while I try to locate the arrows.”
After a thorough search, Bjarn managed to find the arrows.
“Now...when I say down, I want you to prone as fast as you can. Understood?” commanded Bjarn.
“Yes.”
“Down!” shouted Bjarn.
Drakko dived as fast he could. A few arrows flew above him but one managed to hit his leg. He shouted in agony. Bjarn helped him to remove the arrow as he was the only one skilled enough to do so while Reno applied some of his healing potion on Drakko’s injured leg.
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