Still damp, they had barely set off for an hour before Feanias began to notice something was off. He scrunched up his face, unsure of himself. Captain de Graf, or Lord Simmeon, depending on the circumstance, rode next to the young man. Feanias cleared his throat. “Permission to-” he began to say, before Simmeon waved his hand as if to say we’re not exactly following protocol right now. Feanias could’ve laughed, if not in these circumstances. “My Lord, do you notice anything… strange? This place feels off.” He said in a hushed tone.
Simmeon nodded his head. “You have a good sense, young lord.” Simmeon responded with the same polite honorific. “The Veil… it feels…” Simmeon began to say quietly to Feanias, “scared.” He finished, cryptic as ever. Such a thing did nothing for Feanias’ anxieties about what they were chasing as they rode deeper into the ancient woods, finding it even harder to traverse as the land became even more claustrophobic with trees and roots. This place was ancient, forgotten by the world for who knows how long. It was said that the forests of Yerona were the one place man could not conquer, for all who tried found themselves rejected most fatally from the woods. Soon enough they’d have to abandon their steeds and go ahead on foot… not a thought he savored. But he knew Simmeon was right, he could feel it on the air, what spirits remained fled… and not from the Renders.
Feanias cleared his throat. “Perhaps the spirits flee from us.” He said, though he knew such was not the case. Simmeon shook his head, knowing far better than any other there.
“The spirits do not run from mortals, even such as we, even such as the Ancient.” The mystic had said. Simmeon leaned closer to him and said in a hushed voice, “whatever we approach… keep your wits about you.” he warned. Feanias nodded, fiddling with the hilt of his sabre nervously.
In this distance rang a shriek, faintly heard by the men. They looked around, one and all finding the hilts of their blades or pistols, save for Feanias who unslung his rifle. In the process, Maggie made a terrified noise and took off, ignoring Feanias’ control over her, and as soon as she did all suddenly all heard the shriek of a beast, all but Feanias, as he was far too busy falling. He hit the ground hard and all the air was forced from his lungs, he groaned as his vision turned and blurred. For a moment, pain was his world. He shook his head and tried to get his wits about him. Then he realised, oh gods, Maggie! He thought to himself, worried more for his horse than himself.
Feanias pulled himself out from under her, “I’m alright!” the young man said as he stood. There was an indent in the ground, all too luckily big enough for his leg to fall into, and all the more lucky for Feanias or else the poor girl would have turned his leg to dust and red mush. Feanias fell to his knees shakily and rushed to the mare’s side. “David, you used to be a Mender! Come do something!” Feanias shouted to David as a worry for his poor steed overtook him while the beast whined and cried in agony. He stroked her mane gently and tried to hush her cries, trying to make the hurt mare realize things would be okay soon.
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Reiner’s cold voice cut through the air. “How long will it take?” He asked David, as if to say anything more than a minute and we’ll leave it for dead. They won’t… they can’t Feanias thought to himself in disbelief.
“With the state the Veil is in… and I’ve not Mended in years… let alone on an animal.” David said quickly. “Even if everything went perfectly… at least six hours.” He said in an apologetic and soft tone, trying to soften the blow. Reiner dismounted, drawing a knife from one of his saddle bags, intent clear. Feanias looked up, saddened. Five years of riding together… and she goes to a bloody fucking root. He thought to himself. He would not allow his trusty companion to go to such a ruthless man.
“No… I’ll do it.” the young lad said, a merciful thing but a sad deed nonetheless. “You lot go on ahead… I’d like a moment.” Feanias said as he eyed his steed with pity and mourning. Reiner shrugged his shoulders and rubbed the exhaustion from his eyes.
Reiner sighed and then said “So be it. We’d have to go ahead on foot regardless.” That cold voice proclaimed, as if Feanias didn’t just lose the one he cared for more than any human. “Don’t be long.” Reiner added, whether that was advice or an order was up for debate. David, Lyial and Simmeon all dismounted.
“Carry what you can, might be days before we find a trail and we don’t need the horses collapsing or tripping from the extra weight.” Reiner ordered the men. All four of the men unslung cavalry rifles from their saddle, the barrels were shorter and the guns light which made them ideal for quick cavalry engagements but coincidentally also for travelling on foot. Feanias was unaware of what they were doing, so focused he was on his poor steed. Feanias faintly heard Reiner shooting orders at the men. “Aye, David you take the food, you’re the least like to make waste of it. Lyial, you’re a big man, carry the water.” He ordered, looking last to Simmeon, he added “And you… keep your Channellers handy.” Without complaint, the men did as told.
The men hiked off, horses now on leads. While it’d slow things down to not leave the horses behind, it would’ve been unwise to leave them behind. While he did not notice, Feanias had received sympathetic looks from all but Reiner. He stroked Maggie’s mane as a tear fell down his cheek. He regretted coming out here, even to rescue his friend Reman. “I’m sorry girl, I shouldn’t have brought us out here.” Feanias said sadly as he maintained eye contact with the sorry beast. “You’ve gone through everything with me, thick and thin… but I suppose I’ll be joining you soon anyways.” Feanias said as he drew his dagger. The mare didn’t scream or whine anymore, for she was happy to spend her final moments with Feanias.
