The sea of grass stretched over the hills for miles as we rode along the dirt path. Berenthir still hummed the song I had written for him and Silmarien.
It had been five years since his wedding and he still remembers each line. Of course as do I, after spending a full fortnight writing it (and coming up with a toast).
A shocked look comes over my face to the realization of the past five years and how short they seemed.
"What? What do you see?" Berentir looks off into the distance then back at me. Almarion looks up from the mending of his tunic, "I don't see anything."
I laughed. "No, no. I was just thinking about how much has happened in the past five years. The two of you meeting Silmarien and Alassiel, your weddings, my promotion to Captain. It seems so much in so little time."
"Wait until ya get married, the a lot can happen in a shorter amount of time." They both laugh quite loudly. Ariyon and Culdaevor shouted up at us.
"Yes well, I have to find someone first, you know?"
"And why do ya think we're taking this trip?"
To deliver three carts of goods through brigand territory to Bethron because they cannot cross the mountain pass?"
"Yes, yes." He gave em that look that says 'it was not what I meant.'
Birds burst forth from the top of the forest to our left. "Oh the Almighty! Why can't supply runs be simple? Don't alarm the drivers. Tell Ariyon and Culdaevor to continue behind them, I'll keep ahead."
"Alright, when we get to that brush, we'll drop back in the trees." I looked at Berenthir, "I shoot, you ride. They'll be mounted as well, so I'll take to the trees."
"You can't do that! they'll--"
"Hey, it's me!"
I took off into the forest. I found a nice oak to hide up in with a perfect view. I saw the brigands, only seven mounted but ten persued on foot. Well nine are now. No, eight. I could see Berenthir rideing through the trees coming up behind the other riders.
No more than two songs' length later, he was on the last one, I had three to go. Berenthir came upon the last mounted one.
I should have seen it, Ber should have seen it. But I had a better view. Though I did not see it, I should have. Seconds seemed like minutes. I should not have had so much pleasure in downing our attackers with Elven crafted arrows, not that they mattered anymore. I sheathed my bow and drew my swords. Now the minutes seemed like seconds.
I tore through the last three men with blood-thirsty eyes and a cry that froze them all mid-run. I did things with my swords I did not know I could do. It had been a while since I had seen red blood drip from them. I left them in the last man and ran to Berenthir. "NOOO!" Almarion came seconds later.
"Break the most off. I'll ride him ahead."
"NO. I'll do it, you're to heavy."
"And that gash in your leg won't get ya far before ya fall off the horse. Get to Ariyon, he'll rap your leg. Don't worry, I'll get him there."
"By the Almighty, you had better. I didn't see it, he just fell. " I looked at Berenthir, he would not come to. "Come on, Ber, come to, get up!"
Almarion nearly broke my jaw, but I'm just glad I was not standing.
"Look at me. He'll be fine, you get yourself to the horses and take them to the carts. I'll take care of Ber."
