Hazelhearth Hires Heroes by D. H. Willison

Author:D. H. Willison [Willison, D. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Shin and Sally scouted ahead of the group as they normally did, though this time at a considerably longer distance. Compared with the party’s trip to Irondale, the work crew—a dozen and a half men, women, and children—was alarmingly conspicuous. The fact that every worker was armed, they had numbers on their side, yet the group still needed escort, spoke volumes for the risks of the wilderness just a few hours distant from the city.

The phrase, ‘we leave at dawn,’ applied to their departure, though only on a technicality. It was dawn somewhere on the world, just not here specifically.

“Are we expected to help gather?” asked Lee, eyes scanning a tree line in the purple predawn light. He balanced on the narrow right-side running board of the cart as if it were a second home.

“Nope,” said Gnebnik. “But since there’s a road out to where the crew’s heading, we take advantage of it. There’s a time to travel light, an’ a time ta equip yourself ta the teeth.”

“We expecting an attack—” Lee was cut off by the approach of Shin, fifty paces distant.

Gnebnik brought the cart to a halt.

“A pair of wood panthers just off the road to the right,” said Shin. “Doesn’t look like they’ve fed in a couple days. Warn the crew to keep the children close.”

Shin darted off ahead of the group, with Gnebnik waiting until the lead wagon was close enough to confirm a hand signal before driving the cart forward.

“There.” Gnebnik pointed at a gap between the trunks of two walnut trees. The panther, considerably larger than an African lion from Earth, stared intently at the cart, tail twitching slowly.

“Shin said there were two,” said Sam.

“Aye. One’ll often drive prey toward the other.” Gnebnik pulled the cart to the edge of the rough road.

“Should we go after them?” said Lee. “I mean if they’re hunting us.”

“Wait till we see the other one.”

“There. Right there,” said Sam, pointing to a second panther, the bulk of its elongated body hidden behind the thick, gnarled trunk of a walnut tree.

“Good,” said Gnebnik. “This is a good encounter. Lee, twenty paces that way, sword drawn, shield ready.” He turned to Sam. “Stay in the cart, cover us with your crossbow. Load the acid-tipped bolts.”

Gnebnik took position a dozen paces to Lee’s left.

Lee glared at the pair of panthers. “So what now? You said it was a good encounter. Do we attack?”

“Nope. We stand our ground an’ show dominance. If they approach, use yer battle cry. If they keep comin’, Sam, you put a bolt in one of ’em.”

A crunching of gravel and clopping of hooves drew closer.

Lee’s meaty left fist clenched and unclenched the handle of his shield, his right squeezing the hilt of his longsword till his knuckles turned white.

Two pairs of orange feline eyes stared at them, the bodies of the two panthers frozen in place, ears twitching like the itchy fingertips of a wild west gunfighter.

Sam drew slow, deliberate breaths, her crossbow trained on the right panther.

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