Specters by D.M. Turner

Author:D.M. Turner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Otherworlder, Book 3 - Fantasy with a Christian worldview
Publisher: Dawn M. Turner
Published: 2016-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“IS something wrong? Zara hasn’t said a word since we left The Haven.”

Ray glanced at the silent woman riding at his right side. She stared into the forest ahead, appearing not to hear Philip’s words, preoccupied with her own thoughts, whatever they may be. Her face was incredibly calm but distant. Given how visible her feelings usually were, that left him increasingly uneasy. Something was very wrong, but her silence wasn’t unusual.

“She’s been thus the duration of this trip,” Ray assured Philip, who rode on his left. Since Zara had barely said a word during the two-day ride to The Haven, he didn’t anticipate any different from her on the return journey. The Haven was nearly two days behind them, and she had been so quiet he could almost forget she was there. Soldiers riding point and rear chatted amicably with one another, their voices low, but only they held the silence at bay.

Philip nodded, appearing satisfied with that answer.

Toward evening, Philip’s scout, known only as The Hunter, emerged from the forest. His presence made the soldiers uneasy. They fell almost as silent as Zara and kept their eyes on the man as though he might attack them at any moment.

Ray overheard one of the men comment that The Hunter was part Gwilt. He didn’t know if there was any truth to it, but he supposed it was possible. The man had an animalistic way reminiscent of the wild race of humans that frequented some isolated areas. The soldiers feared him more than they respected him. He ignored the distrustful scrutiny of those around him and fell into step beside Philip’s mount.

“Ambush ahead. Three men, I think.”

“Can you handle it?” Unlike the others, Philip seemed unflustered by the man. His gaze was direct, never wavering when it met the strange scout’s dark eyes.

“I believe so.”

“Then do it.”

Without further prompting, The Hunter disappeared into the forest again.

“Perhaps we should have Zara ride between us,” Ray suggested. He had no doubt Ray’din would have such in their path as they grew closer to Baylose.

“That would be wise.”

Ray turned to suggest that Zara switch places with him, but she was gone. Horse and all, and he’d heard nothing. Turning in the saddle, he looked behind to see if she had dropped back. No Zara. No horse. He reined in his mount then felt a light touch on his arm. There was no one there.

* * *

“I’m here,” Zara whispered and hoped he’d keep riding. He did, nudging his horse into motion again. She drew her hand away and rode on, glad for confirmation that the weave of invisibility worked.

“You could’ve warned me,” Ray said shortly.

She didn’t respond.

A short time later, scuffling in the trees overhead preceded a man falling from a limb, crashing to the forest floor about twenty feet below. A clump of undergrowth cushioned his fall, but he didn’t move. Another man crashed through the underbrush with an arrow protruding from his chest. A second arrow joined it, and he fell.

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