Ulrik by Wendy L. Anderson

Author:Wendy L. Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wendy L. Anderson
Published: 2021-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen – The Search

Ulrik, Tessa, and Emmer, despite being on horseback had not caught up to the boys. They stopped to catch a few hours’ sleep during the night when it was too dangerous for the horses to travel in the dark. In many places going down the mountain, they had to dismount and walk the horses. Ulrik chaffed at their slow pace, frequently cursing in Old Norse and Tessa’s brow was constantly creased with worry. It was times like this when Ulrik’s Viking heritage came out and he was prone to almost violent anger. This time she was not able to placate him. Their eyes constantly scanned the distance for signs of Hunter and Archer.

Emmer remained quiet during their journey. Guilt painted her lovely face, but when her parents were not looking her blue eyes sparkled with excitement at the adventure. She had always been the dutiful daughter but reading and hearing about other people made her feel restless in a way she could not describe to her mother.

They came to the open fields and after a tense search, Ulrik found the boys’ trail. They followed quickly on horse for another day, sure that they would overtake them easily since they were mounted, and the boys were on foot. The following day they reached the spot where it looked like Hunter and Archer had stopped to eat and rest.

Ulrik cursed as he read the signs of their passing.

“There were many horses here. There was a scuffle. There is blood in the dirt.”

Tessa gasped, “We must find them!”

Ulrik vaulted onto his horse and followed the path the horsemen had taken. Tessa and Emmer rode closely behind him. After another day and a half riding over the gently swelling hills, they came to a valley. They dismounted and looked down. A huge settlement filled the valley floor. Smoke rose from the tops of many huts and small figures could be seen moving among the many buildings.

Ulrik swore again in his native Norse as he counted the number of men and estimated the size of the settlement. It was most probable that Hunter and Archer had come or been taken in this direction. Ulrik gripped his sword hilt, his knuckles turning white with anger. Tessa’s face flushed with fear as she contemplated what could be happening to her sons.

Emmer’s eyes grew wide with wonder at seeing the settlement. She had never in her life seen anything like it. The only people she had ever known were her family. She remained silent out of fear for her brothers, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity and she had to calm herself from wanting to dance with excitement.

Ulrik helped Tessa down from her horse and Emmer leaped lightly down from her own. He constantly searched the horizon to make sure no blue people would come upon them from behind.

“Tessa, you and Emmer are not safe here.” He growled. “I should have never agreed to let you come. I do not know what I would do if you were taken too.

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