We've made it out of the valley and now we approach a wall of trees that stretches beyond what the eye can see. Crossing the valley was the only time we traveled on the main path. We were exposed to being seen but didn't have any other choice. If someone had seen use we would of known about it by now. Whether it was an outright attack at that time, or later. There wouldn't have been much we could have done to prevent it. Though now we have the chance to move along side of the path unseen.

The forest path is only a few paces in front of me. It narrows a bit as it wedges itself between the trees. Both sides of the path is covered in dense shrubbery and forest. The path extends a few hundred feet towards the hills before making a gradual turn to the right and disappearing around the bend.

"This forest covers a wide area before it reaches the hills. It'll likely take us two days to make it through. We'll follow close to the path and will meet back up with it just as it climbs over the pass." says Thane

The three of us walk off to the side of the path and into the forest. It's very dim under the trees it's similar to when you first set foot indoors on a sunny day. The canopy above is extremely thick and allows very little light to pass through it. A few small slivers manage to break their way through and touch the ground. Those are few and far between though.

Erik, while awkwardly stepping over fallen branches and roots loudly says "I don't see why we can't just follow the path. We could travel twice as fast without all of these obstacles in our way." His foot snags on a root he overlooked tripping him. He quickly manages to reach out and grab on to the nearby tree trunk for balance. Standing back upright he continues "It's not like we have even seen anyone this entire trip. How do we know they are still searching?"

Thane in the front of us struggling the most says " Just because we haven't seen anyone doesn't mean they aren't there. Lunis likely believed they stamped out the Red Heart years ago." He says as he walks along.

His massive height is constantly getting in the way. Most of the branches hang low. While Erik and I can easily walk right under most of them. Thane has to duck below nearly all of them.

"Now that they know it's still alive you can be sure to assume they will not let us walk about easily. I'm sure they want to find anyone left alive and eliminate any possible threat of us ever reforming." Thane continues

I'm walking in the back of the group having little trouble traversing through the trees. Placing my hand on the rough tree bark for added balance "You have to remember Moorhall isn't that far away now. The closer we get to town the better chance we have of bumping into a patrol." I say to Erik. I didn't think someone could be so oblivious to how things work. I figured it would be self explanatory. How much can I expect from a fisherman though? A fisherman from a remote location I might add.

Erik says, not speaking to either one of us directly "Fine, if you say so. I just want to make it out of here in one piece." He sounds frustrated and tired. His arms wave in the air giving weight to his frustration.

After this we don't speak to each other much. The occasional 'watch your step' comes forward here and there. Aside from that, the next several hours is fairly quiet. I think everyone is ready to get to town. We all want a bed to sleep in, and a hot meal. We had some luck catching rabbits a couple times, but haven't eaten in a couple days now. Thanes hunting hasn't produced anything. I gave it a try a few times but came up empty handed. I've never been much of a hunter. Don't have the patience I suppose.

The next several hours is filled with nothing but my own voice in my head. Thoughts spin around and around in my mind like the slow stirring of a stew. The same questions keep coming full circle back to the front of my mind. I know I've asked the same questions dozens of times. The same, where are my friends, are they okay, how did I fall overboard? It does no good to dwell on what I can't control right now, but I can't help wanting to know.

I reach into my pocket and pull out the last bit of coon moss I have. Not much, maybe enough for one more cup of tea. As I become more focused on what's in my hand, I begin to walk at a slower and slower pace. It's shortly after that that I stop completely. No one seems to notice at first. Thane and Erik keep walking ahead unaware I am falling behind. It doesn't matter, I just keep staring into my hand. I shift the moss across my fingers using my thumb. I try not to be rough with it. I don't want to drop even a shred of the dried remains. It's precious and valuable to me. Soon my fingers stop moving at all and the moss lays there motionless in my palm. I stare off into it thinking to myself, you're my only hope. My fingers close around the moss creating a safe cocoon for it to hide. "Come on, I need you to work." I say as if it's intelligent enough to hear me.

I let out a long deep sigh of tiredness as I slide the moss back in my pocket. Once it's safely in place I begin to step forward. As I lift my head back up I see Thane and Erik stopped ahead of me. They don't say anything. Instead they wait for me to catch up. I quicken my pace and go into a slight jog closing the gap between us. Once i'm a few steps behind them I slow back down.

Thane waits for me to stop walking and says to me "I've said it plenty of times before, but I still believe it. I'm sure you will find them soon." He puts one hand on my shoulder while the other raises up and points ahead with one finger. In a deep but comforting tone he says "You see that light shining through the canopy ahead?"

I look forward squinting my eyes slightly to see what he's talking about. My line of sight shoots ahead and slithers left and right as it passes through the dense forest until it finally hits its target. The light Thane was talking about. I see it now, it's different from the small occasional beam that falls through the canopy. It's bigger and brighter. The sun is no more than a couple hours from setting so it's not as bright as midday, but still noticeable. After I've made eye contact with what he was pointing at I reply back to him "Yeah, I see it."

Thane points his finger with more force now. It's as if he is trying to break through some imaginary wall in front of us. "That's the main path. Up ahead is where it forks." After walking under the protection of shadows I lost track of where we were. I realize it now though, instead of saying anything I let Thane continue. "All we have to do is make a right at the fork and we will be at the foothills by nightfall. By this time tomorrow we will be in Moorhall. I'm sure your friends are there waiting for you."

He doesn't know that for sure. They could be anywhere. For all I know they could be dead. Despite all that though, his words encourage me to keep moving. I look up at him with a very slight smile and say "What are we waiting for then?"

Thane lifts his head up and lets out a quiet chuckle "That's the spirit. Now let's keep moving." He puts one foot forward and lifts his hand off my shoulder. His wide hand then swings forward and gives a friendly slap on my back. The force jerks me forward and feels like it will cause my heart to explode out the front of my chest. Sometimes I think Thane forgets how much strength he wields effortlessly. I feel sorry for anyone that opposes him.

He keeps moving and leads the group once more. Erik who remained quiet this entire time moves forward too. I follow behind and keep to the back as we approach the fork. It's not far off, maybe a minute or so away. After traveling for days a minute passes by in a blink.

We make it to the tree line just before the path. I look out past the trees and see a tall wooden pole with two signs on it. Each sign is pointed at the end making an arrow tip. The higher one points to the left and reads Bullmar. The one below that reads Moorhall. It feels good to finally read that name. Not much more to go now.

Thane turns right and we follow. Still staying behind the tree line, this is the closest we've been to the path in a while. I can see it off to the side as we walk. I'm able to pick out small identifiable marks on the path and watch as they fall behind us. A small rock, or tuft of grass fades off into the distance as we make our way. Dusk is approaching and our day of travel follows right behind it. Soon we can take a rest and head back out in the--

Suddenly my attention is snagged on the loud sound of several footsteps behind us. I stop immediately and turn my head down and off to the side as I listen in. Horses, I hear horses approaching. It's not likely they are wild either. It's loud and approaching quickly. The steps sound heavy, the horses are carrying men on their backs. I can't tell if they are friend or foe from here. We need to vanish from sight now!

"Quick hide!" I shout out to them as I dash behind a nearby tree and place my back up against it. The two of them stand in confusion for a brief second before they hear it themselves. Not wasting any time both of them sprint for cover and each hide behind a tree of their own. Erik backs up to one and so does Thane. His shoulders are almost wider than the tree itself. It barely manages to conceal him from sight.

The galloping sound begins to boom louder as it swiftly approaches. Every second that passes it becomes clearer and clearer. Each step burrows deeper and deeper into my skin. I peek around the side of my tree and look out onto the path to see who's behind us.

Nothing but a large dust cloud is visible from this distance. A light shade of brown spins and tumbles through the air like a haunting presence following us. I lean back around the tree out of sight and take a deep breath. I have a feeling of who it may be, but that's something I definitely don't want to be true. I let out a long exhale and once again peek around the tree.

This time I see it-- or should I say them.

A hexa patrol. I count six in total. My hearts makes a giant leap into my throat. We are out numbered two to one. Only if you count Erik as a capable fighter. I don't, so that leaves only me and Thane--three to one. The two of us alone were able to fight off more wolves than that. This is different though, these men don't rely on feral instinct. They may not have as high of a pain tolerance as wolves, but are deadly in other ways. While wolves may be able to push their weight around more, men fight with intelligence. Especially a hexa patrol, they don't just simply watch the roads. They stamp out anyone who stands in their way. Bandits and wanted men are on the top of their list. They strike with calculation and precision.

I lean back around out of sight and calm my breathing. We can do this. No reason to fear them. I'm ready for this. Not only am I ready, I'm eager. It's been days since my last good fight. They won't know what hit them. I reach my hand down and place it on the hilt of my sword. I can feel it's thirst calling to me. I take another quick look and size them up. The five in the back all wear matching armor. From head to toe they are covered in hard leather. The one out front differs in his breastplate. It's metal, shined to a polish. Light ricochets off when it hits the center, soaring out into the sky as he sways back and forth from riding. I can see a prominent symbol painted firmly on the center of his breastplate. A crescent moon evenly surrounded by six daggers. The only other difference I see in him is the lack of a helmet. Leaders of a hexa patrol rarely wear them.

The gap between us lessens as they continue. The dirt cloud follows closely behind. They are about to pass by. I quickly lean around the other side of the tree and watch them intently. Peeking out only enough to give one eye vision.

As I'm looking at the man in front he turns his head in my direction. His eyes line up with the tree I'm using as cover. His brow drops and his eyes focus in like a looking glass. He clenches the reigns tight and pulls them back commanding the horse to stop. It digs its hooves into the ground and slides to a complete standstill. The sudden change in speed causes him to lean forward and have to regain his balance. Once the other men see this they follow suit.

All of them stand a good 40 feet away from us now on the trail. The leader steps off his horse and plants his feet firmly on the ground. He reaches down at his sword and holds on to the hilt as he walks towards our side of the forest. His eyes not fixed on any one location. I can tell he lost track of which tree I was behind. Knowing he doesn't see me I slowly slither back and vanish from sight. I look over at Thane and Erik, both of them standing as still as possible trying not to make a sound. Erik is behind the tree closest to me. Our eyes meet and he watches me closely as I raise one finger up and press it over my lips. He nods his head and looks down. Droplets of sweat form on his forehead and trickle over his eyes. Not wanting to move an inch he refrains from wiping them off. His hands begin to shake as the footsteps of the man get closer. I can't see exactly where he is, but it's close. If Erik's heart were a drum it would bellow a monstrous beat.

The steps come closer and closer, leaves and twigs crunch beneath his boots as he stomps toward us. I slowly pull my sword out being careful to not let it ring as it slides against it's scabbard. Erik sees me do this and shakes his head. His eyes widen as he tries to tell me to stop. He wants to avoid a fight at all costs. It doesn't phase me. I continue to raise the blade up and rest it along the bridge of my nose, holding it firmly with two hands. In and out, in and out. I steady my breath and heart as I prepare for battle.

Suddenly the sound of footsteps disappear. Steel can be heard ringing in the air as a sword is pulled from it's scabbard. "Come on out." A commanding voice calls out only a few steps away.

Just a couple more steps, come on, step closer. I've been through too much to let you ruin it all now. I don't call Lunis home anymore, and I plan to keep it that way. It doesn't matter how much I wish him to come closer, he is standing still. Keeping his ground and awaiting someone to come out. He is probably intelligent enough not to approach what he can't see, but if we get the jump on him we can easily win. After he's dealt with we will only have five more to go. I can't see Thane right now, but I'm sure he will join in once I decide to catch this guy by surprise. Erik sees me getting ready for battle. He gives a small hand gesture to get my attention. I look over at him and he widens his eyes and shakes his head, no. I know he doesn't want a fight but this is no time to be a coward. I don't see any other way out of this, if we are going to be victorious then we need to strike now.

Erik then reaches down and begins to unbuckle his belt. He fumbles around nervously as his hands shake uncontrollably. The tension in my muscles relax and my sword lowers a few inches as I stare at him confused. I try to get his attention and mouth to him 'what are you doing!?'. It's no good though, he isn't paying attention to me anymore.

"Are you deaf?" an angry voice barks "I said come out... now!"

Erik's belt is undone completely and his pants struggle to stay up. He grabs on to them with one hand and raises the other high into the air. He nervously jumps out from behind the tree now in plain sight. "I'm out! I'm out!" he cries. The one hand is still high in the air signaling he is cooperating. I still can't see the man and have only my ears to get a grasp at what's going on. With Erik having left his original position I have a clear line of sight of Thane. I look over at him and mouth 'what is he doing?' he shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head not sure what to make of it. Not sure what to do at this point I prepare my sword for a surprise attack. Thane sees this and gestures with his hand telling me no.

I want this guy dead. Though if Thane want's me to hold off then I will. He must have something planned so I'll follow his lead.

"Ugh!" can be heard once the patrol leader makes eye contact with Erik. He stammers in a mixture of disgust and confusion "What--what are you doing?"

In a slightly high pitched voice Erik nervously replies "Sorry, sorry! I'm sorry. I was just walking on the path on my way to Moorhall when--" Erik pauses and looks behind the tree he was hiding behind. "When I needed to, well-- relieve myself. I thought this was a good place to get a little privacy."

A burst of laughter can be heard coming from the path as the rest of the men see Erik. Hahaha they all cry out together struggling to keep a calm demeanor. "Come on boss, leave this peasant to his dirty work." can be heard from one of the men as he fights back laughing even harder.

Erik has yet to say anymore still holding on to his pants with one hand. The sound of faint footsteps can be heard coming closer now. Erik stops him dead in his tracks by says "I wouldn't go back there if I were you." he takes another look behind the tree and then back to the man. "It's not the most pleasant smell. I wouldn't want to upset you."

At this point the men explode in even more laughter. I can hear the horses fidgeting as they all must be struggling not to fall over.

"Hm, very well then." crunch, crunch leaves and twigs crumble under his boots as he walks away. They momentarily cease as he turns and says "Just-- bury that when you're done will ya". He continues to walk away and eventually gets atop his horse.

Another one of the men cries out to the rest of the group "I'm just happy he didn't raise both hands in the air" followed by another burst of laughter.

"Alright, settle down." grunts their leader. I cautiously look around the tree and see him snap the reigns back telling the horse to keep moving. Everyone else follows his lead while still struggling to stay upright. The group moves down the path followed by another cloud of dust. It doesn't take long before they trail out of sight and the cloud behind them dissipates.

Once they are gone Thane steps out from behind his tree and begins laughing himself. He approaches Erik who is standing there almost dumbfounded and pats him on the back "clever thinking!". Erik falls forward flat onto his stomach and lets out an "oof" as his pants fall to his ankles. Thane laughs harder at this "I didn't realize the moon would come so early today"

Erik stands back upright while lifting his pants back up and buckling his belt. As he secures the notch he says while still laughing "I can't believe that actually worked. We didn't even have to fight them."

Thane calms down as he wipes the tears from his eyes "Guess there is more than one way to deal with a hexa patrol."

I reach over and place my sword back into its scabbard while walking towards them. Once I reach them I say to Erik "good job". Truth is, I would have rather fought. It would have felt great to knock some heads together for a change. Erik looks over and gives me a nod as a way of saying thanks.

"Let's wait here for a little bit. Better give them a good head start so we don't bump into each other again." says Thane as he looks off down the path.

"Fine by me. I could use a bit of a break." says Erik as he sits down and rests up against a tree seeming proud of his small victory.

I look down the path where the patrol went and see the sun is not far from setting. We don't have much time before it's completely gone. "Alright, but not for long. I don't want to waste anymore time, Moorhall is waiting for us."