Battle of Nyeg Warl by Rex Hazelton

Author:Rex Hazelton [Hazelton, Rex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-20T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25: The Tsadal

Four powerful steeds galloped in a southwestwardly direction, deftly winding their way beneath the canopy of leaves that spread out like a roof over Forest Deep. Elf-ponies would not do for a job like this. Greater speed was needed, speed that carried them towards evening.

By the time dusk finally arrived, the four horsemen had allowed their mounts to fall into a gentle gallop. When night finally engulfed the warl, they dismounted and led their horses on foot, picking their way through the shadowy trees, continuing on through the darkness. In time, with little night left, they stopped and made camp along the Norstlyk River, at a place marking the western boundary of Forest Deep. This would be as far as Silvamor and Shalamar would accompany their friends. Though they hated to let Jeaf and Alynd face the treacherous journey on their own, they knew that the elves could not yet interfere in matters concerning man. But the day would soon come when elven thread-arrows would light up the dark night of despair that had fallen over Nyeg Warl.

Drinking cool river water and eating honey cakes filled with raisins and walnuts, Jeaf listened to Shalamar tell a story about the Elf-Man. Alynd sat quietly listening, the brim of his hat tipped down over his eyes. Reaching out with his Powers of Intuition, Jeaf touched his friend's mind, and what he felt surprised him. Neither pride nor embarrassment could be detected. It was as if Alynd wasn't even listening, like he had better things to do.

Later, after the full moon had set, the four friends put out their fire and went to sleep, resting their heads on their saddles. The horses, who had earlier been freed to graze among the lush grasses and succulents growing on the banks of the Norstlyk River, would return to camp at the first sign of daylight.

Not long afterwards, while dawn courted the warl with the promise of a new day, Silvamor and Shalamar, astride their eager mounts, were heading back into the mists filling Forest Deep. Meanwhile, Jeaf and Alynd were riding southward along the Norstlyk's meandering course, heading towards the Bjork city of Thundyrkynd. Their short night's rest would have to do, speed was now essential, especially with the knowledge that bounty hunters and hunchmen were on the prowl.

Alynd was careful to steer east of the river to avoid the realm of the Tsadal, a realm that lay west of where they would travel. He negotiated their passing like one who estimated the length of a fettered guard dog's chain. Bound by a self-imposed spell, that relegated all other people of Nyeg Warl to a status slightly above their livestock, the Tsadal could be an obstinate and contrary people. Though they seldom left their valley, Alynd asked Jeaf to keep a look out for their unwelcome presence. And in time, the young Woodswane got an eyeful.

Alynd and Jeaf, during the course of the day, moved steadily southward except for a brief stop for a midday meal.

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