Lorin pulled the other strap and the mix of fabric and leather all fell around his feet. "I won't need that, then. It will just slow me down." Lorin was eye to eye with Varron. "You can use it if you need. Wouldn't want your perfumed ass to get hurt. My Lord."
Varron scoffed and started to walk deeper into the woods.
"Forgive him, Lorin," Theo said, resting his hand on Lorin's shoulder, "At times he can be overbearing, but he means no offense. He is a different breed—noble blood does strange things to a man's head."
Lorin stayed silent, and started to walk in pace with Theo. While they walked, Lorin saw that the pile of weapons, which before had been laid out by his water pump, was now about Theo’s person. Most notable of the collection was the large crossbow he held in hand, made from a spiral of black-iron rods fused together like thorny vines. Theo now looked intimidating to a dangerous degree.
The two caught up to Varron right away. Stepping close, Lorin rammed his shoulder against the back of Varron's breastplate, knocking him off balance. Varron flailed for a moment, but managed to keep from hitting the ground.
"Lead the way, Theo," Lorin said. "I'm sure Varron can tell us if we are on the right path."
"Halt!" Varron yelled from behind. "You just insulted Varron Demore, rightful Baron of Jence. I can have you imprisoned or executed after we are done."
"Calm down, Your Highness," Theo said.
Lorin thought he saw Theo roll his eyes when he turned to face Varron.
"This isn't befitting the situation," Theo said.
"You cannot order me, Ruckman. You are under me as well," Varron said, his face turning a particularly bright shade of red.
"Aren't you here to help?" Lorin said. "For someone leading a group to protect the people, you're a little full of yourself. Your Highness," Lorin said with a bow. The movement dripped with sarcasm.
Varron stood silent, his breastplate rising and falling with angry breath. After a moment of silence, Varron let his breathing normalize as thoughts raced behind his bloodshot eyes. His face softened and he said, "You're right, I am a selfless man of the people." It sounded dignified, but each word seemed to physically hurt him as he said them, "As such, I will graciously have a lapse in memory of this… misunderstanding." Varron smiled. "I hope your memory stays sharp." He bit off that last word. "And teaches you the practicality of manners in front of royal blood.”
Unease crept up into the back of Lorin's mind. It wasn't what Varron had said, but something moved behind Varron's eyes as he spoke and unsettled Lorin. Out of the corner of his eye, Lorin saw Varron's hands ball into fists and shake at his sides. He thought, though he couldn't be sure, that he saw a few drops of crimson drip from Varron's knuckles.
"Such grace, my Lord," Theo said, pulling Lorin's focus away from Varron. "Lorin, may I suggest you and I take the lead on our journey." He extended his hand toward the underbrush.
Lorin nodded and after they were just out of earshot, Varron started to follow behind.
They walked for a few minutes in silence, taking careful steps to navigate the shaded undergrowth without much noise. The few rays of light that punctured the heavy canopy weren't enough to heat the morning. Although not unpleasant, the air still carried a bite of cold. The floor of the forest was littered with large-leaved plants and mossy rocks that hid plenty of small wildlife. Colorful birds, easily spooked, darted between the trunks of trees, diving to the floor and disappearing among the plants, while the din of chattering squirrels kept the forest from being too silent.
"Are your other partners trustworthy?"
"Strange to ask that question now," Theo said. "Perhaps, you are more curious about the female of our group?"
"I didn't just say her," Lorin said, giving Theo a sidelong look.
"Others never express an interest in Nock." Theo shrugged. "Everyone always asks about the elven beauty."
"I have a loving wife." Lorin shifted his quiver up a little higher on his back while stepping over a dead tree. "Don't care what she looks like, I care that my family is safe and healthy."
"Ha! Thanks, but that's never been an issue," Lorin said. "Getting time away from the kids is the problem."
"I am afraid I cannot help much with that. Children are scared of me, and the others in our group are scared of children," Theo said.
A comfortable quiet fell over them. Lorin looked back and could see Varron following in their path, his face a mix of annoyance and scorn.
"Is Varron really the only one of the group that can find the hive?" Lorin asked, walking a step and a half behind Theo.
"Yes," Theo said without any hesitation. "He has a connection with monsters, which is why we know what we do."
Lorin thought for a bit. "Was it dumb to leave two at my home? Varron's sword looks like it hasn't ever been pulled out from its scabbard. You look capable, but I don't think two men can handle this job."
"No need to worry, my friend," Theo said. "We are skilled at what we do."
A small creek trickling between the trees cut through their path. Lorin took two quick steps and leapt across, getting not so much as one drop on his boots. Theo continued his stride and stepped across the water, not even noticing it could be an obstacle.
"Nock is the one to get close and dirty for us," Theo continued. "You are skilled with your bow, and the Queen is like to have lots of smaller ones around her. From a distance, you can kill enough for us to move close without issue. Nock would charge in to draw the first blood. It is an effective strategy, but with this hunt I feel more caution is wise. I think it was a good idea to leave him back."
Lorin scratched his arm. "I hope you’re right, but it just feels—"
"Theo!" Shrill and loud, Varron's voice sent a dozen birds feathering into the forest, "Get back here, my foot is pinned."
Theo sighed, turned, and walked to Varron. Lorin followed close.
"I stepped on the edge of this rock and it slid against my ankle," Varron said, his finger quivering when he pointed. "It's too heavy."
"Looks to me like it's right stuck, M'lord," Lorin said, reaching down to pull his knife out. "Need to cut it off is my best guess."
Varron's face whitened, and his eyes darted between the two men. Lorin's face remained impassive as he tested his knife's edge with the pad of his thumb. Theo, however, cracked a bright smile at Lorin and without looking pulled the rock back with one hand and freed Varron.
"Oh thank God!" Varron said, rubbing at the new impression in his leather boot.
"How about you thank Theo, M'lord?" Lorin said.
Varron stopped and glared back at Lorin. "I could've been warned this rock was a danger."
"I could do with an honest answer," Lorin said, walking a few steps away and then he turned back. "When your chamber pot is emptied, is it sold for perfume? You seem certain you're better than us, so I wonder if that's the reason."
Varron stood and walked up to Lorin. Standing eye to eye now, Varron said, "I know I am better than you. I am son of the Baron, his firstborn, and I rule this land. I can trace my lineage back through fifteen generations of pure, royal blood. It is not luck that one is born into royal blood." Spit began to bubble at the edges of Varron's mouth. "It's a purposeful right that the best are privilege to. Although, a common man would never be able to grasp such a concept. Fall in line and let someone who knows something give your meaningless life a purpose." His last word echoed through the forest.
"I'm sure you will correct me even if I am not wrong," Lorin said, calm and
collected. "But even my uneducated mind knows Barons and their children aren't of royal blood."
Varron's face flushed red.
A single squirrel poked its head up from under a dead tree near Varron's foot, curious about the raised voices. Varron glanced down and, after a blur of movement, grabbed the squirrel. Its shoulders and head poked up from his clenched fist while its lower legs desperately scratched against the leather of his glove. Its wide eyes darted around in panic looking for any means of escape.
"I see you're still not getting the concept, worm," Varron said, his eyes bloodshot and wild. Something in his voice made the hair on Lorin's neck raise. "I am royalty, I am king, I am God. You are this pest. I control you. I allow you in my land so you can collect your acorns, feed your family, and live through the winter. That is the privilege I graciously bestow to you. But just like this squirrel"—Varron's forehead reddened and wrinkled from strain—"I can choose to end your puny life."
A vein pressed clear against the skin of his forehead and the leather of his glove creaked against itself. The little squirrel's futile attempt at escape quickened, its eyes beginning to bulge. A sound that made Lorin's skin crawl escaped, though muffled, from the glove. Varron released his grip, dropping the creature on top of a flat stone. The squirrel hit hard, and its silent screams matched its spasms. Arching its back unnaturally, it spun in circles, with two front legs blurred in motion while the other two dragged along the stone.
"Understand?" Varron said, his voice cold. "I am doing you a favor by removing this hive that would cull the countryside. Just so you can keep on living your meaningless lives. Get in line and do as you're told. I'm following the natural hierarchy, and it's time you did as well." Varron lifted his boot and brought his heel down on the paralyzed lower half of the squirrel. Another crunch rang out among the trees. The squirrel's lower body flattened against the rock in a red smear. Its eyes had almost been pushed from their sockets and were now searching for safety, while its front paws failed to drag itself away. Varron then carried his step past the stone and continued in the direction they were heading.
"I'm sorry about that," Theo said, trying to put his hand on Lorin's shoulder. "He isn't usually like that."
Lorin ducked from Theo's reach and knelt beside the squirrel, his knife in hand. He held the knife tip over the squirrel's skull, and with a quick precise motion, he hit the butt of the knife with his palm. After wiping the blade clean and replacing it in its sheath, Lorin stared at the Baron's son.
"That wouldn't be a wise move, Lorin," Theo said.
Lorin looked down and saw his bow in hand, an arrow nocked.
"The wise move would be to protect your family. Kill the Queen and let things go back to normal."
Lorin watched for a long moment, but never touched his bow string. "Walk with him," Lorin said after he stood. "I'll stay back and keep watch until we get close to the hive."
Theo nodded. "I trust you will only keep watch?"
Lorin didn't say anything and just kept his eyes locked on Varron. Theo turned, and with a little haste, his long strides caught him up next to Varron. Lorin held his bow at the ready and kept the two in sight.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The air in the forest warmed past being comfortable before Theo signaled Lorin close. After the group’s stutter-stepped hike through a dense section of trees, the canopy thinned to a clearing. The sun was now high in the sky and bathed a massive boulder, covered in moss and spiraling vines, in light. The criss-cross of vegetation melded together, making the stone look like an old man's wrinkled fist. The bottom corner, where the little finger should be, was missing stone behind the green plants, and a slope to darkness disappeared under the boulder.
"There," Theo said. It was the closest to a whisper he could manage, but it still rumbled louder than Lorin thought safe. "The beasts emerged from that cave."
"I have yet to see one," Lorin said, taking a knee beside Theo. "This place should be crawling with them, right?"
"Doesn't surprise me," Varron said, not trying to hide his voice at all. "They stay out of sunlight during the day and rest till night. The sun burns them to ash—it's taught in children's books." Varron kept his sight away from Lorin. Then, under his breath Varron said, "Though I doubt you could read those."
"Varron, not the time," Theo said. "I suggest we enter weapons drawn while they sleep."
Ignoring Varron, though he could feel his face flush with heat, Lorin turned to Theo. "A sneak attack is a good idea, but we should look around. It would be bad to be trapped in their den if the entrance was blocked. If one of us fails to remain quiet"—Lorin gave a pointed look—"they could swarm us from a blind spot."
Pulling out a small pouch hidden in his granite belt, Theo looked around and picked a few leaves from a deep green plant. He rubbed the leaves between his index finger and thumb, creating a runny paste that he then dropped into the pouch and handed to Lorin.
"This will smoke for a long time," Theo said. "It should keep any that are sleeping down for a time, and any others awake will be numb. Don't look surprised—we know different ways to deal with these creatures using whatever is around."
Lorin smiled and pocketed the pouch. "Fair, but we should wait and scout beforehand, right? Then, we can come up with a better plan."
"Oh look how clever it is," Varron said out to the air.
"I don't think so," Theo said without any acknowledgment to Varron. "The sun is highest now, so it's the best time to catch them off guard. An advantage not to be wasted."
"Wait, we don't have to rush this, it would be dumb to—"
"We don't have time, Lorin," Theo said, standing straight. "We were too slow walking here. Our attack could be over in minutes or hours, but if it is long, we will be stuck when dusk hits. Traveling at night this far out is more dangerous than any fight under that rock."
"I won't charge in without knowing at least a little more."
"There it is," Varron said. "You can see his real colors now."
"I'm not afraid to fight and die," Lorin said, moving in front of Varron's disinterested gaze. "But I would rather we fight when we have the best chances to survive!"
"You will not be in danger, friend," Theo said, pulling his crossbow string in place. "Varron and I will take the lead. You will cover behind us, keeping a few steps back. I personally will not let one of those little roaches through, I promise you that."
"Thank you, Theo," Lorin said. "But this isn't a smart plan. I don't feel good about it."
"Do not worry." Theo gave back the sword he had been carrying for Varron. "You will have fun, and the sooner we are done here the quicker you and your family will be enjoying a warm meal at your home." Theo gestured Varron to his side and they both walked toward the wrinkled fist.
Lorin held back and watched them walk. His head tilted back and forth in thought while trying to spot out any dangers. He saw nothing. This whole assault didn’t feel right to him. Everything was too fast and felt off. His grip relaxed and tensed, and he rubbed away some spots of dirt from his bow. Relaxed. Tensed. Relaxed. Tensed. The two were halfway toward the shadowed entrance when Lorin's better judgment gave way. He moved to follow them while pivoting on his heel to scour the area for anything. Still nothing.
The two reached the entrance. Theo ducked to descend while Varron walked tall beside him. Their shapes were swallowed by shadows before Lorin could close the distance toward the entrance. Within a few steps of the descent, a rustling of grass behind him shot tingles through his skin. Spinning, bow drawn, he saw grass folded around a black, three-legged creature. Its skin was glossy against the bright sunlight pouring on it. The creature stopped in its tracks at Lorin's turn, its motionless muscles pulsing with tension. Lorin held the bow ready but only watched, staying just as still as it was.
It's out in the sun?
After a few breaths, the creature appeared to feel safe enough to continue one deliberate step at a time. Lorin was being stalked, and it gave him a stra
nge sensation. His hairs rose, skin crawled, and stomach floated—the same feelings Lorin had had when Varron looked at him. He let the arrow fly and turned down to the cave as a wail started and was cut short behind him.
His eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness, though rays of sunlight highlighted by dust motes illuminated his first careful steps. The ceiling sloped higher as he stepped lower, and once under the stone, it was spacious. His vision, still focusing in the dark, showed a circular space with water dripping into small puddles on the loose shale floor. Opposite Lorin to the back of the cave was an opening wide enough for two men to walk through shoulder to shoulder. A faint light flickering from it highlighted the tunnel against the shadowed walls. Lorin made his way toward that light. Each step crunched the loose material underfoot with a hollow sound, like stepping on a rotten log. Lorin reached the end of the circular room and leaned his back again the cave wall. He was about to peek into the passageway when he noticed it wasn't shale on the floor. The warm dancing light brightened the shards of white bone near his feet, each jagged tip of marrow making sinister shadows away from the light. Fear flashed, then lingered in Lorin's mind.
"Theo," Lorin said in a hushed voice just loud enough to be heard. "This isn't right."
No response.
Lorin leaned his back against the wall at the edge of the opening. He began to look around the corner when a loud clash of iron froze him in place. The dancing light from the tunnel quickened and fluttered like a bird taking flight. Lorin collected himself and turned around the corner, bow drawn. The hallway walls were made of smoothed dirt and rock with wooden supports spaced down the length of the tunnel. Just past the midpoint, the wall had a wide wooden door inset in the dirt. At the end of the hall, the light of a torch outlined a man with straight, shoulder-length hair standing behind the iron bars of a gate. With a wicked smile etched across his face, Varron reached up and pulled an unseen lever. The wooden door in the wall between the two men slid open.