Unending Trails

I couldn’t fathom how often we were traveling. At one point in my life, I had dreamed of doing this. Well, at a much larger scale for one thing… but now I see how much of a chore it is. No longer did I only see the cliché point A to point B gratification. As much as I hate it, the path it takes to get from the two points is more… of a toll, per se. That, of course, doesn’t rule out that getting to point B has no motivation at all for me, it’s just I now see the price one must pay to receive it. Thinking back to the very words he said to me at ‘Daviid, I’m glad I didn’t see it then. Otherwise —knowing me, I for sure would’ve much rather stayed.

1352. The year was 1352, and wha-

Don’t forget the AN.

In no short of awe that I could express my impatience, I slightly shook my head.

He said it wasn’t that important. Sorry… continue.

The year —as of now— was 1352. When I had asked again, Alton had simply put that the AN simply stood for After Nefas… whatever that meant. In his words, it had been too long since AN had happened —or 1352 years ago to be precise, and that most people don’t even write it together with the year anymore.

It was a golden question when I had asked though, as it opened up even more for me to ask. ‘Daviid, which Alton had attested to, fell in 1343. This, I can say, was yet another hammer destroying my mind. A complete revelation of me that practically sent me on another mental pilgrimage.

In almost shocking denial, I’d ask and ask many times, and each and every time he assured me that it was in that year that it fell. How could it be that nine years had already passed, and yet it felt as if it was only a couple? How was it that to me, ‘Daviid fell just yesterday?

I thought back to what I told Alton when we first spoke about ‘Daviid’s fall. I remember I told him I was young when it’d happened, just as if it had happened not a year before. In reality, now I see how wrong I am. At that time, I was probably a little boy that was barely finding the confidence in his own voice.

And you wonder why we all can’t remember what’d happened. Did you even have the ability to think back then?

‘Probably not.’

Though how funny was it that I knew more about everything else than I did of me? Ever since the conception of time was taught to me by my father, it would never again cross my mind. Slowly but surely, I lost it, just as easily as I had learned it —and by the time I had even gotten the chance to ask, I —in time— lost myself. Never the year of the date I was born on, or even how old I stood alive in this world would ever become apparent.

Never bothered to ask, and fortunate enough for me, I never needed it. Lost in time —I’d come to find that it was a snug experience; granted, it was breathtaking to once again experience it. Finally, it was the one wall I crossed. Ironically, it was one wall that seemed so infinitely intricate —so daringly mysterious, and yet, I could’ve crossed it at any point with just a single question.

‘Ten years it was when I’ve last seen ‘em.’

Oh-hoo no, not today. Stop thinking about it… only sadness will come if you do.

I sighed a deep and depressed sigh, barring the memories from turning into something I didn’t want them to.

Far into the distance, a howl from what seemed to be a wild dog pierced the night ambience. It was faint, but held a brief —but sturdy— call before it broke into whimpers, allowing the rustling of the trees and the call of bugs near us to overpower it. Definitely not as a wolf, but it did sound confident.

I turned to Alton who was lying on his left arm and almost to a side of his back —away from the fire— to see what he’d do. He had been reading just one of the few books he brought, and surprisingly, not even the call could lift his eyes from the pages. Lying as still as could be, he angled the page so that the light from the fire could illuminate the ink from the parchment. Thinking back, I smiled at the thought of when he offered me one of the books to read. I guess he saw how bored I looked, but in reality, it was just me enjoying peace.

In all honesty, I was a little worried that maybe that call was for the pack, and that they indeed smelled what we had made to eat for the night.

“Do dogs like soup?”

Alton, who still kept his eyes locked onto the page, smirked, “Maybe these do.”

Feeling no emotion to his response —or any jest, I turned my head back into the forest. Staring deep into the darkness that surrounded us.

“Is it true that camping like this is dangerous? Over anything, I heard you’d have a much easier time just starving.”

“It depends. Some provinces have the most ferocious little pests that roam —maybe even beasts if you’re lucky enough. Others might have almost none at all. Here, you might find the average; maybe wods, maybe wolves,” he added, gesturing his head to the list and how big it could be. “I wouldn’t worry though. We haven’t cooked meat. Granted, food is food… no telling how they’re doin’ out there —but what you’ve heard is true.” He looked up from his book, angling it so he could easily see me, “Never… bring meat with the intention of eating it.”

I nodded primarily at how he said it. His words were honest and surprisingly audacious. It was just as he said earlier when I had asked if there were any beasts that made their home here. He said there was, which he stood true to his plan earlier that if in case something springs up and he was incapacitated in some way, I knew where his sword was, and that I should take either Sorrel or Dahlia and ride the path through. Preferably, he wanted me to take Sorrel if I had the option to choose, but he’d understand if it was in the heat of the moment.

Too unnerving if you ask me.

Though I truly didn’t like the term “beast.” It was broad, and what many people would usually label something that was certainly deadly and destructive. In my eyes, it was a term I always thought was just made up because they were lazy, a subtle refusal to study their true names; but, I digress.

Straying from thinking of what could happen if worse came to worst, I focused back onto our trip. It had been just yesterday when we had visited Teurin, and now, during the late hours of dusk, we were well on our way to Durnatel. If I remember right, it would take yet another day or so to reach the city —maybe even two full days as we made frequent stops to snack and rest.

Though just like ‘Daviid, Alton liked the idea of staying there for a while. Stables outlined the outskirts of the city, which would allow Alton to not have to worry about Sorrel and Dahlia, and there were multiple inns as well as activities we could do to occupy us.

I wouldn’t bother me too much though. It sounded nice to the ears, but I knew some tiresome activities when I heard them. Just me hearing all of that made my feet hurt.

Your feet hurt? You’re the lucky one here…

Completely forgetting, I had no right to complain. One thing above all I consider to hold is how I viewed animals. I looked over to the two horses, both of which had each been tied to the tree nearest to us. If I felt tired just by sleeping and enduring this, how did they feel walking what is basically settlements and cities apart?

Smiling, I watched as both laid next to one another. Sorrel —who was on the far side from us, still had his head perked upright, watching and listening into the forest. Dahlia, on the other hand, found it much better to sleep. Though what I found interesting was Sorrel’s paranoia; many a time I’d see his head raise, his guard refreshed —only to get tired seconds later.

Alton seemed to find this his regular behavior. From all of the stories he’d tell of him and Sorrel, he’d attest to him essentially being a strong-willed bombproof horse. Though from time to time, he’d always be wary.

Hearing the still lively fire crackling, I satisfyingly yawned, stretching all of my limbs. I examined myself, looking down to view the crudely stitched shirt I had worn for the past few days. Near the end of the sleeves, there had been many tears and small holes, all the while my dark pants were in no better condition. It had been what I usually wore when I was in Silver Rising, and each day I look down to see myself, I couldn’t help but think of home.

Though, I also couldn’t help but think of how other people would see me. In all honesty, I wouldn’t doubt they would smell me before they did see.

Around this area, it wasn’t a hassle to bathe and clean oneself. Rather, it was more of a custom to do so, even among villagers and people that probably were limited in clothing. Just as long as you lived near a body of water, cleaning wasn’t an issue. Neither was upkeeping clothing, though sometimes clothing doesn’t last long depending on what one’s profession was.

I continued to drift off in thought, only to be distracted by extremely faint rustling to the far left of me, which scarily enough would be where the forest had been. It sounded as if someone had been trotting, or some kind of animal was skimping around us. Keeping my attention in that direction, I had seen Sorrel’s head turn in my peripherals.

Now you’ll see why he’s been like that all night.

It wasn’t until I turned my head that I saw Alton, who was still lying on his side with the book open, though eerily he had his eyes into the forest as well. This, above all else, sent chills down my spine as I began to worry.

Anybody wanna take a guess? Wolves maybe?

Wolves? Absolutely not. It has to be something small though, that’s for sure.

Well, we better guess quick before we die.

‘Will you be quiet? You’re makin’ it worse.’

Almost startling me, Alton broke the slow-fading peace. He sat up and turned his body towards the fire, where just ahead of him was where the sounds were coming from.

“Looks like our guests are here.”

Trying to keep collected, I asked, “What do ya think it is?”

“Almost entirely positive it’s a pack of wods.”

Though I figured any answer would send me into fear, I had hoped to have heard something along the lines of “nothing.” It didn’t help that as I heard the rustling coming ever so slowly louder, my heart began to beat faster.

Wods were often animals who joined in packs, similar to wild dogs. Though they are similar in size, wods often displayed a sense of intelligence. From what I’d learned, they were cunning and devilish little creatures that had a keen eye over when to pick a fight, and when not to —regardless if they were starving. Often times it was a scheme they’d pull to ambush, while other times they just made the most of carcasses and what was left by beasts. Though unlike dogs who were found around settlements, they found their homes across the provinces —be it deep in the massive forests, or likewise near settlements.

They had short fur, and sometimes tufts of fur going along their neck and back. Unfortunately, it was rare to see lone wods, as the bigger the pack, the more deadly they become. This struck my worries even more, as most certainly the sound was getting louder —with the added fact that we couldn’t pinpoint a specific area.

You feel it don’t you? They’re strategizing, seeing the best way to ambush…

Looking briefly to my arms, I had seen the hairs stand, all the while I had goosebumps. Turning back to Alton who still had his eyes locked into the forest, I worriedly looked to see if he had his sword near him. From this point, I didn’t know if I had a heart anymore, as it probably sank through me.

SERIOUSLY?! The ONE time you don’t have it? Yep, I knew it, we’re gonna die. Mother, father, I just wan-

Caaalm doooown, deep breaths now…

As calm as I could say, I stuttered, looking back into the forest, “H-hey, you have your blade… right?” No response. Growing impatient with the tension, I quickly turned my head to usher him a response. Nothing. There he sat, still as a rock —his eyes seemingly in a trance. In a little louder voice, I asked again before he stopped me. “Alto-”

“Shh-sh-shhh…” he responded, sounding as if I was an annoying child.

Utterly confused and frustrated with his inaction, I turned my head back to feel what I now knew would be pure fear. About a distance away from where the fire’s glow met its stop and no longer could one see the large giants of the massive boles, pairs of small shining eyes stared back at us, each one completely still. I had counted what would be around four that I could just see staring, each one having irregular movement, blinking in what I hoped to be no more than curiosity.

It was in my fear that I’d see some pairs of eyes vanish, turning away to scamper back into the darkness, while others would come back. Being now completely reliant on my hearing more than anything, I had heard Alton rustling around the fire, to which I had turned my head to see him opening his journal he had always written in.

Oh for the love of- is this really a time to be doing that?

Stop panicking. That’s possibly the worst thing you could d-

We’re going to die. Get eaten alive… you understand that?

Yes, I do. But why die now because of being stupid, when you can probably roll your dice?

With my jumbled thoughts clashing with each other, I began to think back to what I could possibly do. Though of course, I knew that too would fail, as what I’d learned from my parents didn’t include survival tips in the wild. Though gracefully and slowly , my dark voice came to be present as well —but I didn’t know if it was appealing to my ego, or genuinely trying its best to calm me down.

Have sense. Fully well know, they will do absolutely nothing. Pests, but shrewd ones…

Oh yea? And how do you know that?

They would have already killed us by now. Only on one front do they gather.

‘Yea… we’ll just go with that.’

Hearing the intense scribbling just beside me, I turned to see Alton more concentrated on whatever he was writing. Still in disbelief that he seemed to be gaining a little more “enjoyment” than I was, I turned, only to find all eyes gone, and once again the darkness was silent. In just a short period of time that more closely felt like an eternity, I sighed heavily in relief, thanking whoever was up in the sky watching us for another chance.

See? Would’ve been a different story if you probably made sudden movements.

Oh shut it, I wasn’t the only one thinking that.

Leaning my head back and having a newfound appreciation for being alive, I heard Alton calmly laughing to himself, chuffing through his nose.

“You’re nuts,” I said as I leaned back, my hands propping me up behind me. I had opened my eyes to the stars above, seeing the smoke rise into the sky before fading into nothingness. He inhaled deeply, and I knew for sure he had been smirking.

“Welcome to the trails, boyo.”

It was then that I had just sat there for a time, staring at the stars —mapping them, counting as many as I could before I lost count and restarted over. A little concerned, I was thinking about Alton. It was odd that at this point, I had never really felt uncomfortable with his decisions —taking into account what all we’ve done so far. For the first time, I felt a little irritated at what he did… a little unsafe.

“I think I’m gonna head off,” I said, yawning.

“Alright. I’ll keep alert for a while longer. If anything springs, I’ll wake you.”

Lying across the cloth sheet that was under me, I shook my head. “Don’t. Probably would be better if they just ate me while I was asleep.” I turned my back towards the fire, my eyes watching the glow of it flicker onto whatever was near. I had seen Sorrel still felt a little cautious, as he was still aware and awake as well.

Alton laughed through his nose, “Sure thing.”

Keeping my eyes on the darkness in the forest, I closed my eyes, unwilling to see if there had been any more eyes watching.
Though… why? Why did he do what he did? It was a clear warning to me —a realization over how far he was willing to go just to jot down notes. Though I couldn’t really blame him, as I’d do the same thing. In how he immediately logs it into his journal, I’d remember it ‘till the end of my days.

‘A good story to tell to anyone else.’

I smiled to myself, my concern fading away. Maybe this was the excitement of the paths. Maybe some people do travel to feel the thrill. I for one didn’t know how to take it. If this was how it could end up, then I surely wanted no business with it.