Chapter 10: My Nightmare
I opened my eyes to see the midday sun shine through the window. My body was sprawled out on the bed comfortably. I had over slept. After last night I guess I needed it. Dinner had been an effort to get ready in time and afterwards I ended up not only teaching Taylor to cook but also Lara. To say the least their abilities were similar. Count in I was still recovering from my drinking, the result was me now.
A loud knock resounded through the door, "Rain may I have a word?" It was Ardent and considering what day it was I knew what he wanted.
I opened the door not bothering to clean myself up, "Good mor- afternoon."
He raised his brow, "You look well rested."
"Thank you," I yawned.
"I was wondering if you could join me on an excursion today. It won't take too long and we'll be back by tonight." His eyes were shining, "You see I heard of an interesting oasis nearby that might just-."
I rose my hand cutting him off. If he got started on this it could take a long time before he stopped. "Sorry Ardent not today. I have some things planned."
"Oh... umm... that's okay," his expression turned downcast and suddenly I felt I was looking at a dejected puppy.
"No well today isn't possible but tomorrow I could probably make some time." It was a lie. If everything went as I thought it would, as I knew it would, then we wouldn't have the time.
"Really? Then we shall!" he smiled cheerfully. "You see I heard tale of an oasis that...," and on he went as I nodded my head listening to his vivid and excited explanation. Still, it was nicer to see him like this than the serious Ardent I saw during the invasion.
By the time he left my stomach was grumbling for food. I got changed and headed downstairs. Luckily the person I wanted to talk to was in the dining room. I approached him immediately.
"Ronalt good afternoon. May I sit here?"
"Of course Rain," he gestured to the seat.
I got straight to the point, "Have you heard anything from the fortress commander?"
"Nothing substantial. If anything he told me that there has been a lack of sightings within the border. Perhaps it is as you said and the demons are pulling back to establish a new defence line."
I hid my frown, "I see...." That definitely wasn't the case.
As I ate lunch with Ronalt I thought about the situation seriously. The border forest was a quarter hour ride away from Greytree at a brisk pace. To the North East was another smaller forest that extended away from the border but aside from that Greytree was surrounded by plains and some small hills. Visibility would be clear. If what Ronalt had spoken of was true and the scouts had seen nothing of interest, it was no wonder why the commander was calm. Even if they were blindsided and the demons rushed from the border forest with an army it would take at least ten or so minutes for them to reach Greytree. For a trained fortress town that was plenty of time to sound the alarm and close the gates but there had been almost no sign of a siege when Ardent, Earnest and I came to the town. Looking back on it further I hadn't seen any form of mount in the demon army, no birds, horses or whatever else they used. With the amount of soldiers they had marching would have taken far longer which just made it more confusing as to how Greytree was overwhelmed. They may have used a new weapon but I didn't see any sign of it. If they had used magic on the scale needed to transport them Ardent would have sensed it. It was a mystery.
"Rain is something on your mind?" Ronalt asked breaking me from my thoughts. "You're playing with your food."
"Ah sorry," I had subconsciously drew a map of Greytree's surrounding area.
"Well I understand if you're still worried. In fact I'll be paying a visit to the commander now. I'll be sure to contact you if anything happens."
"Please do and thank you," I bowed my head.
"Till later."
"Yes, till later," I stared at the improvised map of peas and mashed potato I had made. I thought the sudden invasion had been suspicious but tossed it on the Greytree's commander being careless. From discussions with Ronalt however it didn't seem like he was. There was something I was missing and I needed to find it or else I really would be repeating this week again.
*
"What are we doing?" Taylor asked as she jogged besides me. "You don't think the demons are really going to attack us are they?"
"I believe it wholeheartedly," I replied and moved around her. It was the late afternoon and we were making our way north away from the Greytree. On my back I had my bow and a small bag to hold my potions. I was expecting to use them.
"Then why ask me to come with you?" she easily matched my pace.
"You weren't busy," I said simply.
She looked at me and pouted, "No other reason?"
"Well you're also pretty handy to have around," I answered honestly but if we were being 100% truthful I would have rather to have Ardent or Lara. Not that Taylor was bad, it was just like me she couldn't use much magic.
"Haha you got that right," she poked my side.
I flexed outwards and began to slow down checking my watch, "Okay stop."
"Already?" Taylor looked around. "Umm I'm not sure about you but all I see are plains and a few hills. Are you sure you're not still drunk?"
"Can we not talk about that?" I sighed. I know Lara hadn't meant it and only told them out of concern but now it was their easy way to tease me.
"But I'd really like to know more about it," she leaned closer towards me. "Just what expressions do you make when you're not holding back?"
"And you're too close," I pushed her back lightly.
We were five minutes away from Greytree going at a jogs pace. That was the limit I had set. Somewhere in this area the demons had to be hiding or planning something. Any more than five minutes and it would be far too risky for them to march at Greytree without them closing the gates. It would be different if they had siege weapons but not only had I not seen any before, they were hard to move and easy to be spotted due to their size. Even the most incompetent commander could see them coming.
"So what are we looking for?" Taylor walked around me with her hand above her eyes.
I looked around as well, "A tunnel I think."
"A tunnel?" she stood back and laughed.
"Don't laugh, it's possible." It was the only explanation I could think of that would get them this close. Using magic it wouldn't be impossible just difficult. If the demons were desperate enough they could do it despite the risks of a cave in. With the Monster no longer lurking in the border forest there was little to stop them putting in the effort as Greytree's guards hardly passed the first few hundred metres of trees.
"Fine I'll take this seriously," she shrugged and was about to move away but I reached for her arm.
My hand gripped around her skin, "Stay close to me."
"Are you scared?" she teased while acting smug.
I answered seriously, "And if I am?"
My gaze got through to her and she nodded, "Sorry. I'll stay close by. If you're this serious then I really should be as well."
"If I'm right I just don't want either of us to be taken by surprise," I let go of her arm. The demons wouldn't be stupid enough not to have a hidden scout on the surface to guard their exit point. So close to their invasion time a missing person or two wouldn't cause too much of a problem compared to the risk of being found entirely.