Damos cocked his head to the side and ran a finger over the top of his axe. “Radvall Mill?”
Jade joined the conversation. “I think he means where they are cutting down the trees, closer to Alderth Castle.”
“Ah. We have been discouraging anyone from coming around here. Liala keeps watch and usually can scare people off without us having to intervene directly. But there are other places in this area, I believe, that some refer to as hollows…certainly there are more caves than this one,” Damos said, gesturing behind them at the cave mouth.
“There are?” Ruschmann said in disbelief. They had both studied the map, and there was no other mention of more caves than this one.
“Of course. Can’t you feel them?” Damos said in an offhand way, then sighed. “Right, you don’t have magic and cannot feel the earth. You would not know what druids know.”
“Is that a skill all druids have? Feeling the earth?” Ruschmann asked, awe lacing his voice.
Damos nodded. “Yes, or at least to an extent. It is a latent druid ability. When we are within a certain range of natural features, we can feel their existence. It is particularly useful when we’re traveling to a new place and need to find water and shelter.” The centaur paused. “But we are getting sidetracked. I was trying to apologize for our tactics. As you mentioned, it wasn’t the best choice, but that is now in the past. If you can accept my apology, then we can move forward.”
“Apology accepted,” Burchard and Ruschmann said in unison.
Burchard tugged on his lip, considering his next words. “Is there a particular reason why you wanted it to be us to help you? And how did you know where we would be?”
Jade and Damos shared an unreadable look before Jade spoke, “You are likely unaware, but your attempts at being quiet as you move through the forest are not very successful. We could hear your approach long before we decided to apprehend you.”
“Really?” gasped Ruschmann.
Sir Peter taught me how to move quietly. I wonder why it’s not working, Burchard pondered.
“Yes, you really were quite noisy. At least to a druid. Maybe to the people you are around on a regular basis, your movements were not as noticeable,” Jade explained.
“What about why you wanted us to help you?” Burchard pressed.
Jade twisted the end of her hair. “Most Etrians do not take kindly to outsiders. Our hope was that since you are not full grown, your opinions on the matter might be different than most of your brethren.”
“You’ve never come across my brother then,” blurted Burchard before clamping his mouth shut. Jade giggled, then schooled her face into a more blank expression. Burchard struggled to do the same before continuing. “Now you’re making it sound as though it was just luck that you came across us instead of some other Etrians. Yet you knew who both of us were before we introduced ourselves. I will ask again. Why did you want our help?” He bit his lip.
Jade glanced to Damos, as though seeking his permission to answer the question. “We were given some information that you would be the ideal candidates to help us rescue the centaurs.”
“Given by whom?” Ruschmann asked, his voice an octave higher than normal.
Jade’s mouth pressed in a thin line. She shook her head, unable or unwilling to answer.
“Have you been spying on us in Alderth Castle?” Ruschmann asked incredulously.
Damos took a step forward, face tense, tail swishing. “No. But we are able to gather information from animals and plants with our deep connection to nature and the gods. For the time being, you will have to accept this as our explanation. Perhaps after we rescue the centaurs and you have fully earned our trust, then I will provide the details you want.”
Burchard watched as Damos unclenched his fists and let his fingers dangle loosely at his sides. The sharp movements of the centaur’s tail also ceased. “When are you proposing we rescue them? It’s dark.”
Damos nodded. “Yes, I know. I think it would be in everyone’s best interest to do the rescue in the morning. I know the cover of night holds some advantages, but I do not think your distraction will be as successful if they cannot see you.”
Burchard covered his mouth with his hand, stifling a yawn. “Sleep would be welcome.”
Damos led the two squires partway into the cave. Their bedrolls and bags of gear had been brought inside at some point. Burchard yawned again and decided he was too tired to care about how his gear made it. He quickly laid out his bedroll and slid inside. As soon as he shut his eyes, just wanting a brief moment, he was fast asleep.
Burchard found himself standing in an area filled with white fog. He couldn’t see much else. He took a few steps forward. Unlike last time, it felt like soft grass under his feet. He knelt and ran his hand over it, confirming that it was indeed grass.
As he was mulling over why there was grass and not dirt, the large white wolf appeared. Burchard was still kneeling, and she walked right up to him, their eyes level. Burchard shivered at the intensity of her gaze. She turned and walked a few paces away before sitting down and facing him. He breathed a sigh of relief.
You must help the druids tomorrow, Eos said matter-of-factly into his mind.
Why? Burchard replied, slowly standing up.
Eos just stared at him until Burchard had to look away. There is no real reason for you to decline.
I suppose not, muttered Burchard.
The wolf bared her teeth. Burchard couldn’t decide if it was supposed to be the wolf’s version of a smile or a more sinister expression. Then it is settled. You and Ruschmann will help the druids rescue the centaurs tomorrow.
Can you tell me the outcome? Burchard asked, wondering if that was even possible. He still couldn’t decide if he was in some very strange dream or if this conversation was really happening.
The wolf tilted her head to the side. The outcome will make itself known to you tomorrow. Burchard pursed his lips at her non-answer. Just trust your instincts, the wolf said softly, then slowly faded away.
Burchard walked over to the spot the wolf had sat in.
He took a step forward and found himself thrashing around in his bedroll. He hit something soft with his legs.
“Hey!” yelped Ruschmann.
“Sorry,” muttered Burchard. He scooted away from his friend and tried to get the blanket to loosen its hold around him. It took him a while to get settled, but eventually he drifted back to sleep.
