The rest of the night mercifully passed without incident. Kai was shaken and bruised, but otherwise none the worse for wear.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the tree limbs high overhead, the members of the Pasgrota threw off their blankets, got up, dressed, and made ready to continue their journey.
Faslo and Kai inspected their arrows and bows, making sure nothing was damaged or damp.
Collop and Poldi left for an early morning hunt.
To Faslo’s surprise, Ox jumped out of bed refreshed and in good spirits. He nudged Cuddles, who grunted and rose on his powerful legs and wriggled his wings groggily.
Ox produced a think hunk of fragrant wood he’d concealed behind a rock. The beetle’s eyes widened and he pounded the ground in excitement as Ox waved the snack in front of him and then tossed it up to his waiting mandibles.
A deceptively calm and normal half-hour passed in the camp, but it was destined to disappear.
Just then, Collop and Poldi emerged from the brush on the left side of the camp.
Poldi carried a good-sized (but not Eshak-sized) Tikmo on his back. Collop held a sack filled with edible berries and some crunchy insects for texture.
Faslo walked over to greet them but noticed the concern on their faces.
Collop spoke up first.
“Fas, we need to talk. About halfway through our hunt, we spotted a patch of trouble.”
“Okay,” Faslo said. “What are we dealing with, felas1? sikas2?”
“NESLAH.” Poldi rumbled.
Faslo’s hands fell to his side, and his blood ran cold.
“Did they see you?” Faslo asked, his voice suddenly a husky whisper.
“Nay, Fas, they did’na get a glimpse of us,” Collop said.
“How many of them did you see?”
“We only saw one,” Collop said. “But with Neslah, one is enough and they never travel alone. There’s a razkod3 nearby, bet your life on it.”
“Break camp,”Faslo said once he had all the men gathered around him. “We leave in 5 minutes.”
The men all moved swiftly and silently, gathering their supplies and finding their designated spots in the column.
On Collop’s recommendation, they branched off the main path. They melted into the dense brush without a sound, barely making a ripple in the leaves.
Faslo said a quick prayer and made sure his weapons were within easy reach.
NESLAH, he thought. Those butchers won’t stop me from finding Grig, but may heaven protect us from them just the same.
Kefita for cat.
Kefita for rat or similar vermin.
Neslah death raid. See chapter 8 for a bit more information.
Uh oh 😟