Fury of the Crown, page 7
Six
Trouble in the Wood
Spring 965 MC
* * *
Urzath peered through the underbrush, then looked behind her, signalling with her hands.
Hayley interpreted the ranger's signs for Albreda's sake. "It looks like some two dozen, and they've set up a camp."
"I still can't imagine how they made it this far, we're deep into the forest, I should have received warning."
"I can't explain that," said Hayley, "but the question remains what we can do about those intruders."
"Do? We must eliminate them, what else?"
"We are outnumbered," cautioned the High Ranger.
Albreda gave her a look that would brook no argument. "I might remind you I am the Mistress of the Whitewood. I shall deal with them myself if necessary."
Hayley held up her hand. "We'll work together, but let's not just stumble in their with arrows flying, we don't want anyone getting away."
"You have a point, I suppose. What do you suggest?"
"It's getting dark. Once they've settled in for the night we'll send in Skulnug to take out those on watch. Once they've been eliminated we'll move in and finish the rest of them off."
"And what shall I be doing during all of this?"
"I would prefer you stay back here and watch."
"I cannot sit back and do nothing."
"Nor would I ask you to, but from here you'll be better able to oversee the entire camp, that will allow you to use your magic how ever you see fit."
"A remarkably keen observation," said Albreda, a hint of reluctance to her voice. "I suppose there is hope for you after all."
"I shall take that as a compliment."
"If you must."
Hayley fell back, well out of earshot of the camp. There she gathered the rest around her to explain what she had in mind.
"Bert, you and Sam make your way over to the south side of the clearing. Once Urzath and Skulnug begin their part, there's a good chance that someone might waken. If they do, you'll take them down with arrows, understood?"
"If Sam is going south, shouldn't I go north?" asked Ayles.
"No," said Hayley, "you might get in each others way, the last thing we need you to be doing is shooting each other in the dark."
"Skulnug, you'll work your way around to the far side. When Urzath moves in from this side, you'll take out the sentry on the opposite."
"What of the horses?" asked Gorlag. "We don't want anyone using them to escape."
"That's where you and I come in."
"Might I suggest that I take care of that?" said Albreda.
"What are you going to do?" said Ayles, a smirk to his face. "Talk to them?"
Albreda gave him a withering look. "That is precisely what I'm going to do. Horses can be quite reasonable animals if one treat them with a little respect. Now, off you go, all of you, we haven't a moment to waste."
Ayles was dumbstruck. It took Sam giving him a shove to get him moving into position.
Hayley moved up to the edge of the camp, Gorlag beside her. They watched, waiting for everyone else to get into position. A bird chirped, the signal to begin, and Urzath moved forward, a long knife in hand.
The sentry didn't stand a chance. He was warming his hands by the fire one moment, lying in a pool of his own blood the next. Skulnug's target never saw the attack coming. He was pacing, his feet obscured by the brambles and weeds, then he just fell to the ground, his cries stifled.
Albreda approached the horses, moving quietly. She reached out a soothing hand, then paused as her eyes caught sight of the saddles sitting nearby. They were stacked in a pile, along with a vision that turned her curiosity to rage, a series of wolf pelts. She felt her blood boil and without even thinking turned from the horses, heading directly towards the sleeping Norlanders.
Into the camp she strode, as bold as brass. Words tumbled from her mouth and then the entire forest seemed to come alive. Skulnug dove to the side as trees began to move, whipping their branches across the clearing and plucking men from their blankets. A distant howl echoed through the woods, and then Albreda pointed at the fire. A tiny dot of light flew from her finger, sinking into the ash, and then something began to sprout from its depths.
The Norlanders, alerted by the noise, began shouting in alarm. One stood, only to be taken down by Urzath's knife. Another called out, grabbing a crossbow, but an arrow took him in the chest and Sam yelled out, "Got him!"
Small green vines reached out from the fire, growing thicker as they stretched out, searching for victims. Some caught fire,creating a macabre scene as burning vines began sprouting razor sharp thorns.
One of the Norlanders leaped to his feat, a hatchet in hand. He rushed at the Druid with a yell, but a grey blur rushed across the clearing, grabbing the mans leg and bearing him to the ground. Snarl growled as he fought, tearing flesh from bone.
Others were beginning to react now, seizing whatever weapons were at hand. Hayley kept up a constant barrage of arrows while Gorath moved in closer, drawing his axe.
A yelp issued from the great wolf as a sword scraped across his side. His attacker pulled back his sword for another strike, but an arrow took him in the shoulder and he fell to the ground, in agony, to be smothered by the ever growing vines.
Albreda's voice began to grow in intensity and the very forest seemed to loom over them. A tremendous crash sounded, and then a mighty root broke the surface, reaching out to grasp a Norlander by the ankle. He screamed as it twisted around his leg, then he was pulled into the ground, driving the air from his lungs. Moments later, all that remained was his head and shoulders protruding from the ground, all sign of life extinguished.
Hayley called the rangers back, staring in awe at the devastation unleashed by the Druid. The ground began to tremble, and then small gaps appeared. They grew in size, forming an ever widening chasm that seemed to have no bottom.
Albreda fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. There she sat for just a moment, then her eyes rolled up into her head and she keeled over.
The rumbling ceased and the forest grew quiet.
"Wait here," ordered Hayley, then made her way towards the Druid. Pausing at the ravine, she looked down into its depths, but it was not as deep as she had feared. She stepped across the gap, careful not to lose her footing.
Snarl limped towards the motionless Druid, crouching by her head and licking her face.
"Albreda?" called out the ranger. "Can you hear me?"
The Mistress of the Whitewood sat up rather unexpectedly and wiped her nose with her sleeve, noting the blood. "What happened?"
"You destroyed the Norlanders," said Hayley.
"Oh yes, I remember now."
"What happened to the plan?"
"I couldn't help myself. I saw the pelts, you see."
"Pelts?"
"Yes, over by the horses. Wolf pelts."
"You mean?"
"Yes, they must have slaughtered the pack. They were my family, Hayley, would you have done any less for yours?"
"I understand, but you very nearly got us all caught up in it. A little warning would have been nice."
"I do apologize, but I was upset."
"So we saw. I had no idea you could do something like that."
"Nor did I, I'm afraid I lost control, one of the hazards of being a wild mage I suppose."
"Has this ever happened before?"
"Not to this scale." She spat out blood. "My throat feels absolutely parched."
"You must rest," said Hayley.
"But we must get to the Hollis estate."
"We have plenty of time for that, and in any event we now have horses, we'll be able to make up for lost time."
"Yes, I suppose we will," muttered the Druid. "Help me to my feet, will you? I feel a little weak."
With Gorlag's help they steered her to an overturned stump. Urzath and Skulnug began searching the bodies, looking for anything that might give a clue as to why the Norlanders were here, in the Whitewood.
Hayley examined Snarls wounds, then used a damp cloth to clean them as best she could. Throughout the ordeal the great beast simply sat, his eyes locked on his mistress.
"There, that should do you, though I wish Aubrey was here."
"You need a paste of kingsleaf," suggested Albreda.
"Kingsleaf?" said Sam, "That has to be brewed, doesn't it?"
"Usually, yes, but it's rather difficult to get a wolf to drink it. I've found a paste works rather well, especially when you combine it with warriors moss."
"A great idea, but where in the world do we find such luxuries?"
"Right behind you, dear," said Albreda. "You're almost sitting on it."
Samantha turned in surprise. "So it is!"
"Come," said Hayley, "you look after our Druid friend while I see to that."
The young ranger replaced Hayley. Albreda reached out, holing the woman's arm to steady herself. "I feel quite faint."
"You're not going to pass out on me, are you?"
The Druids voice grew frosty. "I'm not THAT faint."
She's back to normal," said Sam.
Hayley smiled, "so I see. Keep an eye on her anyway, she's too stubborn to admit she needs rest."
"I do not need rest!"
"See what I mean?"
The High Ranger got to work collecting warrior's moss.
* * *
By next morning the Druid looked much recovered. They buried the wolf pelts by dropping them into the fissure, then Albreda used her magic to seal it, returning the woods to its unblemished state. Snarl let out a mournful howl that seemed to go on forever.
"What do we do now?" asked Ayles.
"We continue on," said Hayley. "Are you up to it, Albreda?"
"Of course," said the Druid, but her face still looked drawn and pale. "Snarl can lead the way."
They rose to continue, but Albreda stumbled. Sam moved up beside her. "Here, lean on me," she said.
Hayley wore a worried look, but hid it quickly. "Put her on one of the captured horses," she said.
"What do we do with all the extras?" asked Urzath.
"Let them go," said Albreda, "they will be safe within these woods."
* * *
Halfway through the morning, they stopped to rest. Hayley crouched by a small stream, scooping up handfuls of water while Snarl drank thirstily. The great wolf's ears pricked up and then he went rigid, an action that was not missed by the ranger. She acted quickly, stringing her bow and nocking an arrow. The rest of the group was some distance off, resting amongst a small clearing and chatting amiably, but the wolf was focused in the opposite direction.
Snarl let out a howl that echoed through the woods, then waited, his eyes looking eastward.
Hayley heard the reply, a higher pitched sound, far off in the distance. She glanced back at the camp, but there was no sign that anyone had caught any wind of it.
She thought of informing Albreda, but the Druid had yet to fully recover from her ordeal. "Looks like it's up to us," she said.
Snarl's head pivoted to look at her.
"Go on," she urged, "I'll be right behind you."
The great wolf ran off into the forest, leaving Hayley struggling to keep up. She leaped over a fallen trunk, then passed by a low hanging branch, feeling the branches sting her face as she ploughed on. Ahead of her she could just make out Snarl, hurtling towards the distance.
In the moment of distraction, her foot snagged on a twig and she tumbled to the forest floor, the wind driven from her lungs. She cursed her bad luck, then rose, shaking loose the leaves that clung to her. The wolf was out of sight now, leaving her in the middle of an unknown forest with no sight of friend or foe. Others might have panicked but Hayley was raised by a poacher, such terrain held little fear for her.
"Snarl?" she called out. "Where are you?"
The answer came as another howl, allowing her to estimate the direction. She took a deep breath. "All right, let's see if you can do this without tripping," she said. She exploded into a run, eager to close the distance.
The wolf howled again and again, a mournful cry that tore into Hayley's heart. Was he injured?" She finally stumbled into a glade, almost tripping over the wolf in her rush. Fighting to catch her breath, she looked around. Snarl was standing over something and howling and it took a moment for the ranger to realize what it was. Moving closer, she spotted the fur, and then it moved, revealing its blue eyes and pale grey face.
"You found a wolf pup," she said, moving closer.
The poor little thing looked lost and forlorn, its coat matted and covered in burrs. She dug through her pack, fishing out a piece of dried meat. The animal stumbled forward, limping slightly.
Snarl moved closer to the ranger, sniffing her hand, then took the meat, dropping it before the pup. The tiny wolf picked it up hesitantly, then began chewing.
"Well aren't you the cutest little thing," said Hayley, "and out here all alone? We can't have that, now can we?"
She reached out, touching the rough fur gently. The pup shrunk back, the meat still firmly in its mouth.
All her life she had found nature fascinating. She was under no misconceptions, of course, for animals could be dangerous creatures, but here, in this glade, this small little animal tugged at her heartstrings.
Snarl lay down in on the forest floor and the pup seemed to relax. Hayley, seeing the effect, sat, determined to wait out this encounter. Her hand sought her pack, pulling forth more meat. At this rate she'd run out of food before they reached Beaconsgate, but she thought the situation worth it.
The ranger wasn't sure how long she sat there, but she must have dozed off. She awoke to find the wolf pup snuggled into her leg, fast asleep. Carefully, lest she wake the poor thing, she began plucking the burrs from its fur.
"Well now," she said, in a soothing tone, "what are we going to do with you?"
Snarl looked up at her and she could sense a smile behind his eyes. "Don't worry, we'll look after him."
The snap of a twig brought her senses alive. At first she thought a predator had found them, but Snarl seemed unconcerned.
"Hayley?" came a familiar voice, "where are you?"
"Over here?" she called back. The pup stirred, but, overcome with its exertions soon fell back asleep.
The sound drew closer, and then Albreda appeared from behind some trees. "What have you there?"
"A wolf pup," said Hayley, "Snarl found him."
The Druid looked down at the little creature. "He must belong to the pack the Norlanders killed."
"What do we do with him?" she asked, fearing the answer.
"We must take him with us, of course."
Relief flooded the ranger. "Thank Saxnor for that. I thought you'd want us to leave him."
"Why would I do that?"
"It's the law of nature, isn't it? The strong survive, the weak perish?"
"What a load of rubbish," said Albreda. "The strong look after the weak, it's the whole basis of the pack."
"But he's so young?"
"Old enough to eat meat, at least. Any younger and we've have had no choice but to let him perish."
"How old do you think he is?" asked Hayley.
"No more than a month, I should think. I'm surprised to see him here, his den must have been relatively close by."
"He seems to be having difficulty chewing."
"He's still young. At his age his mother would have pre-chewed the meat. You'll have to do the same for him."
"You mean I have to vomit?"
"No," said Albreda, "though that's what his mother would do. Just take a bite and chew it, then spit it out, he'll carry on from there."
"Can't you do that?"
"You're the one he's chosen as his new mother."
"Me?" said Hayley. "I can't be his mother, I'm the High Ranger?"
"And?"
"I'm too busy!"
Albreda looked down at the small pup and smiled. "It seems you have little choice."
The rangers hand instinctively stroked the little creature. She could feel tears welling up in side of her. "Oh, very well."
"You should give him a name, you know. Something to call him other than 'pup'."
"How about Gryph?"
"A fine name, and one that reflects your fascination with nature." She knelt, reaching out to touch the pup. "Well, Gryph, what do you think of your new name?"
In answer, the tiny wolf opened his eyes, letting out a big yawn. Hayley moved slowly, rising to her feet. She reached down, plucking her new friend from the ground and holding him against her chest. He responded by licking her face. "He likes me."
"I'm sure he does," said Albreda, "but he's actually telling you he's hungry."
"He is?"
"Yes, a wolf pup will lick its mothers mouth, it causes her to regurgitate food."
"I wish you hadn't told me that."
"Why?"
"It makes my stomach feel queasy."
"It's a perfectly natural behaviour."
"Not to me," said Hayley. "In any event, he's had enough to eat for now. Hadn't we best get moving?"
"Yes, of course, the others are just behind me."
Albreda retraced her steps, leading them to the rest of the group. The sight of Gryph soon took their attention and resulted in all sorts of questions that threatened to delay their mission even further. Hayley finally put an end to the discussion by insisting they leave the subject alone until they camped for the night.
* * *
They made rapid progress and the Whitewood began to thin. The ground grew flatter, the forest floor easier to navigate and by the end of the day they had covered a significant distance.
That evening they sat around the fire, discussing their plans.
"We shall soon be reaching the edge of the Whitewood," said Albreda. "From there we will be crossing relatively open ground."
"And were is the estate of Lord Hollis?" asked Sam.
"North of the city," said Hayley, "close to another great forest."
"The Lingerwood," added Albreda.
"Funny name that," observed Bertrum Ayles. "Why do they call it that?"
