Get ready for non-stop action!

~Chapter Five~

Eris woke in the night to a dog barking. She was groggy, and tried to block out the noise and go back to sleep, when she realized it was Wind. She sat bolt upright in bed. Something was amiss. Smoke. She smelled smoke in the air. Thick, putrid, smoke. She immediately panicked. The worst case scenario made its way to her mind first: the candle incident was just a coincidence. The mysterious men were going to the burn the town while the villagers slept!

Eris leapt out of bed, trying to think of a different source, to convince herself that it was just something burning in the oven. She looked out the window. Several cottages were already burnt to the ground! Eris shut her eyes tight. It wasn't real, it wasn't real! It was just another nightmare and she would wake up any second. When she opened her eyes it would be morning and all would be well. 

Her eyes snapped open. She stood alone, in the dark, the smell burning her eyes and nostrils. 

Eris ran to the step-ladder. She would climb down and tell her mother and they would get to town in time to put the fire out. But to her horror, the way was blocked. A flame climbed steadily up the ladder. Eris didn't waste time watching it. 

Quickly, she ran to the window and tugged until it opened. She stuck her head out. If she climbed out, she'd be on the thatched straw roof, and would be able to slide down and then jump. It would be only about a four foot drop from there. 

Quickly, Eris turned and grabbed a few of her belongings, stuffing them into a burlap sack, and climbed out onto the roof. 

The icy wind whipped Eris’s hair behind her. She shivered despite the fire the burned just feet from her on the ridge of the roof. She went down on her backside, scooting down the roof feet first, using her hands for balance. When she reached the edge, Eris dangled her legs over the ground and slid off. She landed hard on her side. 

Eris jumped to her feet and looked around to get her bearings. All around her, buildings, fences, and trees were burning. The fire was too big. She couldn't put it out. All she could do now was escape. She didn't have time to be upset. Panic hit her full force as she saw the black smoke rising from her own house. She hoped her mother and father had woken up and found a way out. There was no way to get inside the cottage now. Eris watched in horror as a line of soldiers took captives from the burning village and tied their hands behind their backs a few streets over. At the front of the line were the two men who she and Finn had heard talking in the alley the day before. They had to yell over the wind and the sound of burning timber, and Eris could just barely make out their words. 

“‘’Ey, Nark, is that all of em’?” She heard the shorter man say. 

“I b’lieve so, but I'll check over ‘ere at these cottages to be sure.” Nark, the stranger who had ridden into town, said. As he neared the cottages, he caught sight of Eris. 

“Oy, Laryn, lookie ‘ere! Ain't that the girl we saw yesterday evenin’?” Nark called over his shoulder. 

“I b’lieve 'tis! She sure gave us a load o’ trouble, didn't she, with ‘er little friend?” Said Laryn. “Get ‘er!” 

Eris turned away and ran to the barn. A wave of cool relief washed over her as she saw that it had not caught fire yet. Working quickly, she haltered the horse and donkey, brought them out into the open and tied them to a tree. Next, she opened the gorsie pen and shooed the poor spooked creatures toward the mountain. They might just survive there, she thought sorrowfully. She did the same for the Ingiss hens, who cackled and squawked to the forest. There was nothing more Eris could do for them. She hugged the donkey, who's name was Willow, before slapping her behind. Willow took off down the road behind the Glidel cottage. Eris hoped she'd be able to find her way to the next town safely. 

Finally, Eris untied the beautiful flea-bitten mare and swung herself up. There was no time for a saddle. Casting a glance behind her, she saw that Nark wasn't far off. 

“Fly, Ash, fly like the wind!” She dug her heels into the horse’s sides. 

Eris smiled when she saw Wind tagging along at Ash’s heels. Eris rode away from her home. From all she'd ever known. She was soon into the forest. The trees were far enough apart for Ash not to have much trouble here. They rode on until they reached the stream, and they followed it until they reached the place where it widened into a river. 

“Whoa,” Eris breathed, and dismounted. Ash was thirsty, and Eris let her drink. Wind had become tired as Ash and Eris cantered through the forest, and had fallen behind. But a few minutes after they stopped, Eris saw the familiar white dog making his way toward her. He was favoring one paw, but was otherwise unharmed.

Eris collapsed at the base of a tree. She was exhausted. Everything that just happened would take anyone's breath, and you must remember that this was in the middle of the night. Eris decided she would close her eyes, just for a moment. Often, when people close their eyes for ‘just a moment’, if it is late at night and they are very tired, they will fall asleep. Eris was no exception. Soon, she was slumped against the tree with her dog curled at her feet. 

When Eris woke for the second time that night, she was alone in the forest. It was still night, and she wasn't sure how long she had slept or how long it was until dawn. Wind was still sleeping soundly by her feet, but when she looked around, she realized Ash was gone. Eris silently cursed herself for falling asleep. What had she been thinking? And now, her beloved horse, as well as her only means of transportation, was gone. 

Just then, a twig snapped. Eris jumped. Her first thought was that it was Nark. She pressed her back against the smooth tree, willing herself not to look behind her. Another crunch. Eris stood, looking around. She dared not make a sound. Then, she ran. 

She ran as fast as she could through the forest, weaving between trees. As she neared the base of the mountain, the forest thickened. Trees grew closer together, and underbrush caught her gown. Finally, Eris stopped. She doubled over with her hands on her knees, panting. She hoped she had got a fair ways ahead of Nark and Laryn and whoever else was chasing her by now. 

Suddenly, a figure dropped from a tree and landed, crouching, on the ground. It startled Eris, but before she could scream, a hand clamped over her mouth. She struggled against it, but to no avail. Whoever had covered her mouth leaned around her and whispered directly into her ear, “We aren't here to hurt you. I will release you, but you mustn't yell.” Eris nodded her head, and the person drew back. 

The first figure, the one that had dropped from the tree, spoke in a whisper. “We know who you are, Eris Glidel. We know everything that has happened her in the last two days.”

Eris gasped. “But how do you—“ she stopped and thought back to yesterday. And suddenly it all made sense. “You were the ones in the alley yesterday! You saved me and Finn!” She exclaimed. 

The figure smiled. “Yes. We are Elven Rangers.” He bowed, and it was then that Eris noticed the silver clasp on his cloak with the emblem of the Rangers, and of course, his ears. 

Now the other elf spoke, the one who had restrained Eris just moments before. 

“I am Rowyn, and this is my father, Gladir. We have come to take you back to Thraenen, our base across the mountains.” He smiled pleasantly. “Come, quickly. We don't want to run into those nasty men again.” He winked at Eris. 

It wasn't long until the three emerged from the wood and into a meadow just below the mountains. Eris was lost in thought. She wondered if her mother and father and Finn were alright. If they had escaped, or been taken with the other prisoners, or even survived. 

Eris turned at the base of the mountain and looked back at Fynnesse. It looked so small from here, burning brightly like a star in the dark. Suddenly, the full force of all that happened hit Eris like an arrow to the heart. Her heart sank. Her home, and everyone and everything she'd ever loved was there, right there in that burning little village. And it was all gone, like the ashes in the wind. She collapsed on the ground and began to cry quietly into her hands. 

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Toryn. 

“I feel as if all I've ever known is being torn away from me.” She said. “This is the farthest from home I've ever been. And my parents were there and my friends.”

“Come, mistress Eris. It'll be alright. We must make it over the mountains before dawn. You must be strong for them.”

Eris dried her tears on her gown, and let Rowyn help her to her feet.

“We will take the Mountain Path, a pass through the Sornians that the rangers made long ago for such travel to and from Minildrith.” Said Gladir, as they made their way up the slopes. The night air was chill, and before long, Eris began to shiver. She drew her red wool cloak and hood from her sack, thankful she brought it, and draped it over her shoulders. 

“Why did you come for me, and not the others? Is there something that makes me special?” Eris said finally, after pondering this thought for awhile. 

“We elves have our reasons.” Gladir replied. “And you shall have your answers soon enough.” Eris glanced at Rowyn and thought she saw playfulness dancing in his eyes. He probably knew the answers to her questions and was holding back from telling her. 

The elves were silent for the most part of the journey, talking only occasionally, with Eris asking questions from time to time. Soon, the three had reached the entry to the mountain path, which was smoother walking, but more dangerous as there were many cliffs and drop offs and places where rockslides could occur easily. 

Eris was tired. After all, her sleep had been interrupted, not to mention all she'd been through since then. Time and again she stumbled, or tripped, not being near as agile as the elves. 

Eris didn't notice, but Rowyn was watching her quite closely. Gladir had taken the lead, being the elder among them, and Rowyn had fallen into step with Eris. He took it upon himself to see that she wasn't harmed during the journey, and he carried this task out well. Rowyn was nothing if not loyal. Rowyn was also intuitive, and he had a feeling this was the beginning of a strong friendship. Or, if nothing else, hoped it was. 

The journey wasn't a particularly long one, but the elves and Eris walked long into the night and on to morning. 

They were beginning to near the end of the path when Eris noticed the stars start to fade and a bit of light creep into the black sky. As she trudged on, that black sky lightened to a dirty grey, and then to a pale indigo, and soon it was as pink as the spring blooms that she used to put between her toes as she and Finn played in the wood together as children. 

Eris wondered about Finn now. Was he okay? Was he taken prisoner with the others, or had he escaped like herself? And who were the men who set Fynnesse on fire, and why did they do it? Eris had too many questions to even put them into words. She wished they could have gone back for Finn. Even just to check in his cottage and make sure he was out. Eris knew very well it was too dangerous, but just might have been reckless enough to try it, if it wasn't for the elves. She knew what Gladir would say before she asked him, and so she didn't bother to. 

She didn't know what Rowyn would've thought of the idea. Maybe he would've helped her. She wondered why she got a weird feeling in her stomach whenever he smiled at her. She didn't like it, and decided not to think about it. 

By now the sky was a light blue with streaks of pink and orange like someone had painted it. The sun was up, and Eris was even more tired than she had been. They had emerged from the mountain path now, and were descending the foothills into the valley below. Eris could see the edge of a forest in the distance. As they neared it, it grew and grew, and before Eris knew it, it was quite close. 

Alrighty, folks. Get ready for some big reveals. 

~Chapter Six~

When Eris woke, she found herself in a comfortable sort of hammock hanging in a room made beneath the roots of trees. She glanced around the room, trying to get her bearings. 

Where am I?

In the corner was a girl with soft dark brown hair falling into her amber-hazel eyes. She was reading a thick, ancient looking book. When she looked up, she noticed Eris was awake. 

“So you rise finally! I wondered if you'd ever wake up.” She said, smiling. 

Eris was confused. 

“Where I am I? What happened?” 

The girl's eyes softened. She brushed her bangs out of her eyes. 

“You are in Thraenen, the great Elven fortress. Your village was set to flame. Rowyn and his father, Gladir, two of our most trusted men, went after you and brought you here. Do you not remember?” 

Suddenly, it all came flooding back to her. The flames. The screams. Her people being taken hostage, lined up with shackles on their wrists. She shuddered.the last thing she remembered was sitting on a white horse behind Rowyn. 

“You fell asleep on the ride here. It's a good two hours on horseback. You slept the entire time, and it's a mercy you didn't fall off! Probably a combination of a steady horse and Rowyn’s careful eye. He, more than anyone, wanted to make sure you were safe.”

Eris blushed. Why did feel as if one thousand butterflies had just come out if cocoons in her stomach? She ignored the feeling, not wanting to think about it. 

“I remember now.” She said. “I'm Eris, by the way.”

The girl giggled. “I know. We all do.” When Eris looked surprised, the girl explained. “We've been tracking you for at least a month now. We all know who you are.”

Eris was stunned. “Wh-why? How? Am I special?” 

“You'll find out soon enough.” The girl smiled mischievously. “I'm Tryss, by the way.”

Eris was soon out of bed and Tryss looked her up and down. She was still in her stiff white nightgown. Tryss shook her head. 

“It's pretty, but it'll never do out here, in the forest.”

She found Eris a nice green tunic, comfortable and practical, and some grey leggings. Paired with strong leather boots and a cloak of her own, Eris almost felt like one of them. 

Almost. 

She was lacking the silver clasp they all wore on their cloaks. 

It wasn't long before Tryss was showing Eris all around Thraenen. Thraenen was where all the elf rangers lived. It was actually a large fortress. Its walls were thick and tall, and well concealed from anyone brave enough to venture that far into the forest. Inside the walls, most of the elves’ homes were made in, around, or under the trees. Unlike the thin woods in Minildrith, Darkest Forest was a huge woodland, thicker and lusher than the woods in Fynnesse. The trees were of all shapes and sizes, many of them huge, the biggest trees Eris had seen. Their roots were large too, often stretching up and across the ground instead of under it. Inside these roots were many rooms, homes, and meeting places. Around the trees were often stairs leading to platforms higher in the treetops that the elves used for various purposes. 

Eris was fascinated by Thraenen. Though the elves of the forest were very practical, they also enjoyed beautiful things and fine crafting, and much of the design and architecture was beautiful and enthralling. 

Eris spent most of that day exploring and learning all about Thraenen, the way of the elf rangers, and anything else she wanted to know. Most of the elves were quite friendly and enjoyed answering all of Eris’s questions. 

Eris and Tryss were at the top of one of the two towers inside the fortress, in the Great Library. Earlier, Eris had asked Tryss about the book she was reading, which drew them into a long conversation about books, a subject which they both happened to love dearly. When Tryss learned that Eris loved books, she practically dragged her to the West Tower. 

“I have to show you the Great Library right away, then!” She had said. 

She was right. 

The Great Library consisted of two levels, each one round, in the shape of the tower, and the walls completely lined with books, from floor to ceiling. On the walls between the shelves were stepladders, going up to reach different heights of different shelves. There were also small railed ledges jutting out from each stack of two or three shelves, so that from the stepladder, you could easily walk the length of that shelf. On the floors were different tables on which sat scattered books, and by the tower windows sat overstuffed chairs where you could sink in and just read. 

Eris immediately fell in love with the Great Library. To her great joy, she found that it was open day and night, and she was to be allowed in anytime she wanted. After that first initial introduction to the library, she and Tryss must have spent hours there. The library seemed like a place where time didn't exist, where one could stay forever and ever and never miss a thing. It was so quiet and serene, and though time passed, Eris didn't seem to feel it. 

At this moment, Eris was sitting in one of the afore mentioned overstuffed chairs, falling into a very interesting book she had found from the very top shelf in the room. Browsing all the shelves alone must have taken her a good two hours. Before Eris was very far into her book, however, a bell at the top of the tower began to ring. Eris looked up from her book. 

Tryss noticed, and answered her unvoiced question. “That's the diningbell. It rings at mealtimes. Come on, we don't want to be late for dinner!” 

She hurried Eris (who was neither hungry, nor happy at having her reading interrupted), down the tower stairs and into the courtyard. 

“Every night, we all gather to eat dinner together. After dinner, we'll have the meeting.” Tryss explained. 

“What meeting?” Eris asked, quite puzzled. 

Tryss grinned. “The meeting where you get all of your questions answered.” She turned the corner. “Come on, the dining hall is just this way.” 

The rounded into a large open area, under a stone arch, where vines hung down above potted plants. A small fountain sputtered water in the center of the area, and just behind it was a very long table where a few of the elves were already gathered. Eris recognized Gladir and Rowyn, and another elf from the night before. 

Rowyn approached them. 

“Evening Tryss, Eris.” He grinned and mock-bowed. 

Tryss laughed. 

“I see you have already met our newcomer, Tryss.” He said. Then he turned to Eris. “And I bet you are just about ready to have an explanation.” He chuckled. “I know I would be.” 

Just then, two tall elves, both with black hair, called for attention at the head of the table. 

“We better go sit down.” Rowyn said. They followed him to the table, and Eris sat between him and Tryss. 

“That's Lord Oryn and Lady Etheryn, the leaders of the rangers.” Tryss explained. Eris recognized Lady Etheryn as the she-elf that had met them early that morning and escorted them back to Thraenen. 

Then, Lord Oryn began to speak. 

“As you all know, tonight is no ordinary night.” He began. “It may seem like a usual evening. We are all gathered to eat in the dining hall together just as every other night. But there is another among us.” He looked pointedly at Eris, and all eyes followed his. Eris suddenly became very interested in her feet. Oryn went on. “You all know of what I speak, except for Eris, whom I will speak to later, in private.”  Eris stopped and looked at him strangely. What was he talking about? 

Oryn sat and began to eat, as did everyone else. Eris had lost her appetite. Her mind was spinning and her stomach was churning in anticipation. She felt Tryss nudge her with her elbow. 

“Aren't you going to eat?” She asked. Eris looked at her bowl. It was some sort of stew. It looked delicious, like the kind you'd want to eat on a chilly evening after just coming indoors.

“I'm not very hungry.” She replied. 

After dinner, when everyone was chatting and talking to one another, Eris felt a presence behind her. Somehow, she knew it was Oryn without looking. She turned to him. 

“Come.” He said simply. She got up from her seat and followed him into the trees behind the Dining Hall. He led her into a small stone pavilion and told her to sit one of the bronzed benches. 

“I'm sure you are quite curious why you've been brought here, and what it is everyone but you knows.” He started. 

Eris nodded her head firmly. 

“And that is what I am about to tell you. But I must start from the beginning. 

“Years ago, there was a fair elf-maiden who fell in love with an elf-lord. They were joined together in marriage, and soon had their first child. Now, they could see that war was coming. Turmoil was coming. Darkness would soon be over the land, just like the lord of evil across the sea promised many centuries ago. Those elves had been blessed with a weak gift of foresight, and even elves that didn't possess that gift could sense it coming. They could sense a change in the air, in the water, in the trees. Things were not as they once were. The birds didn't sing quite as loudly as they used to. The air was not so crisp and clear as it had been. Even the winds were changed. 

“The two elves loved their child more than anything, but she was a mere baby. They didn't want her to have to grow up in war, for they didn't know how long it would be until war came. They knew the peaceful valley of Minildrith would be safe for her. So, as much as it pained them, they went down into the valley, and found a young couple who hadn't been able to have a child of their own, and they gave the baby to them, asking them to take good care of her. They hoped that when she was old enough, she would be able to return to them. Not long after this, they had a second child, another girl. But her mother was very sick, and died during childbirth. The baby was healthy, however, but her father was devastated at losing his wife, and he couldn't bear to lose this child as well, so he kept her, in hopes that war would hold off until she was old enough to really be trained, fifteen or so.”

During this story, Eris had begun to catch on. She knew it even before he said the words, but those were the words that confirmed it. 

“Eris, you were that child. The first child.” 

Eris's head was spinning. What? She was elven-born? She couldn't believe it. No. She was Minildrithan born! She had to be! And if she was really an elf, why had her parents never told her? Her parents! They weren't even her real parents! Eris felt like crying, though she didn't know why. It was because, of course, everything she thought she knew was a lie. And, though she had never known her real mother, she was saddened that she had died. 

Tears began to roll down Eris's cheeks. Then she realized something. 

“Who was the other child? Do I have a sister?” She asked. 

Oryn smiled. “Yes, and you know her, though you don't think you do. Tryss is your sister.”

The realization hit Eris full force. It was so much to take in Eris couldn't really process it all. She had a sister! And it was Tryss! 

“But Tryss and I look nothing alike!” She said out loud, more to herself than to Oryn. 

“That doesn't make a difference. Tryss looks exactly like your father, and you are the image of your mother. Same mouth, same eyes. Same hair.” 

Eris smiled. “Is my father—my real father—still alive?” She asked. 

Oryn’s expression changed. He hung his head and sighed. “I am sorry to tell you that he is no longer with us.” 

Eris's face fell.

“He ventured out of Thraenen one day, said he was going to find something, and never came back. We believe he was going mad.”

“Who does Tryss live with now?” Eris asked. 

“No one, really. She lives on her own, though there are so many elves here to help her if she really needs it, that it doesn't seem that way.”

Eris had one more question. 

“Why did you bring me back?” 

Oryn looked up at her. 

“Tryss had a vision. She saw you in the Glass Pool. And she saw your village burning, and many other terrible things she wishes not to have seen. It was a sign that it was time to bring our kin back to whence you once came.” he paused. “There is something else. Something only I and a few others know about, but that I will reveal to everyone tonight.”

Later that night, all the elves of Thraenen gathered in a meeting room nested in the branches of a tree. The moon shone down silver, gleaming off of Eris’s hair and making it look white. 

Lord Oryn cleared his throat. 

“As you all know, last night the village Fynnesse was set to flame. It burned long into the night and may still be burning, for all we know. Two men by the names of Nark and Laryn were the criminals who started the blaze, and they took all the survivors captive. We had no way of knowing who they were or where they came from, but I sent out Gladir and Rowyn on the day of the festival they hold in Fynnesse to keep an eye on any rough looking men that might've been looking to cause trouble. They saved Eris and another young boy when they listened in on the men, a wise idea, I might add, if it ended badly. But just earlier this evening I received word from two men on a ship that we sent out about a month ago. They had been keeping watch for signs of the enemy's second strike, as promised, and the messenger said we have reason to believe the the enemy plans to strike soon. I heard just earlier today, also, that a band of hostages was being led through the western gate of Minildrith in the direction of Angyth. They say a long bridge spans the gap between Angyth and Engar, on the other side of the sea.” Oryn looked over the crowd. 

“These men are working for Him. The enemy across the water. We now think that he plans to send forces to other lands, burning and ravaging towns, in the same way that he did the weak town Fynnesse.”

Eris bristled at this remark, but deep down, she knew she agreed. The town was weak. The people unprepared for such a calamity. 

Lord Oryn continued. 

“We have reason to believe that he uses those prisoners as minions, turning them into awful creatures, and that once he musters his army, he will be able to cover the lands in darkness again. I'd like to meet with some of my most trusted men and women to discuss our next move in this. Fainor, Arglith, and Lady Etheryn, if you wouldn't mind meeting me here on the morning of the morrow, we will plan out our next move.”

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd. They wanted to know the elf rangers next move. They wanted a say in it. And so did Eris. 

That night, Eris lay in the same hammock as she had that morning, Tryss sound asleep in the hammock beside her. Unlike her sister, Eris was wide awake. She had too much on her mind to sleep. Everything that had happened the night before was enough to keep anyone awake, and on top of that, she had just learned that who she thought she was was a lie. 

As soon as Eris fell to sleep, she began to dream about her town burning. This time, it happened exactly how it had in reality, except she saw Finn burning with the town. Eris awoke with a yelp. She sat up in her hammock. 

The noise had woken Tryss, who looked at Eris groggily. 

“Are you okay?” She mumbled. 

“Yeah.” Eris said under her breath. “Just a dream.”

“A dream?”

“A recurring nightmare. It's different every time, but this time…”

“This time?” Tryss prodded. 

“I had a friend in Fynnesse, a very good friend, and I don't know if he made it out. I dreamed he didn't.” Eris said, her voice cracking at the end. 

She sighed and rolled over, looking up at the moon. She wondered where Finn was now. If he was okay. If maybe he was looking at the same moon. 

And, in fact, he was. 

And...POV switch!

~Chapter Seven~

Finn had woken up, confused. He smelled smoke. Thick, black, smoke. It was coming from the roof. The thatched hay of the roof was burning!

Finn started coughing and got to his hands and knees, hoping the floor would be less smoky. He crawled to his door and attempted to open it, but it seemed blocked. Finn rammed his shoulder against the door over and over until he was able to bust it open. 

He flung himself into the hallway outside his bedroom, and crawled, coughing, eyes burning, toward his father’s room. When he got there, he found the door wouldn't open, and he couldn't kick it down either. 

He had to hope his father had gotten out the window. 

Suddenly, the front door of Finn’s cottage was knocked down, and a short man with a beard rushed in and grabbed him by the arm. 

“Come on, boy, if you want ta live.” He said roughly, jerking Finn toward the door. 

Finn knew something wasn't right. Then he realized the man was the same man he and Eris had heard talking to the strange man with the horse the night before. 

Finn struggled against him, but the man had a strong grip. The man, Finn later learned his name was Laryn, led him through the town toward a line of Fynessians. Past the cottages that had once held love and hope and happiness. Past the streets where just yesterday there had been people singing and dancing. Past the burning booths and carts that had been selling gooey buns earlier that night. Past what had once been his home. 

Laryn bound Finn’s hands and chained him to the line of other prisoners. Some were old, some were young, there were men and women and children. He knew many of them.

“‘’Ey, Nark, is that all of em’?” Laryn barked.  

“I b’lieve so, but I'll check over ‘ere at these cottages to be sure.” Nark headed in the opposite direction. Finn's heart skipped a beat. That was where Eris lived! Eris—was she okay? Had she gotten out? Finn scolded himself for not thinking of her sooner. What if she'd been trapped in her house?

“Oy, Laryn, lookie ‘ere! Ain't that the girl we saw yesterday evenin’?” Nark called back from a fair distance. Finn jerked his head in that direction. It was Eris! She was bringing her horse out and getting ready to mount. She had made it! 

“I b’lieve 'tis! She sure gave us a load o’ trouble, didn't she, with ‘er little friend?” Said Laryn. “Get ‘er!” And now they were coming for her. 

Finn had to do something. 

Eris took off on her horse, galloping away toward the forest. Nark wasn't far behind. 

Finn hastily squatted down and grabbed a few fair-sized rocks which he threw at Nark. They hit his legs, causing him to curse and stumble, but it wasn't much. Laryn went over and struck Finn with a blow to the face, knocking him to the ground. His face stung and felt like someone had just thrown at brick at him. He held back hot tears. A few drops of blood stained the ground red. Laryn turned. Finn glared up at the back of his head, gritting his teeth. 

Later Nark returned, dirty and tired. 

“I tried to catch ‘er, but the horse was fast. They got too far into the woods and I lost ‘em.” He admitted. 

“Nark, you dummy! I don't what made me think you could. Oh, no use wasting extra time. It's just one girl. C’mon.” Laryn replied. 

The two men led the train of silent prisoners away from the burning village, Laryn on a pony in the front and Nark on a pony in the back. A few other men they had brought with them flanked the prisoners on each side. 

Finn trudged along the road in silence. He didn't know what to do, or even what was happening. He hoped Eris had been able to escape into the forest or over the mountains. The last time he had seen her, she was angry at him and ran to her house. He wasn't sure if they were even friends anymore. He sighed. 

Things had been quite good for Finn before Fynnesse burned. He had spent his childhood wishing he were somewhere bigger, wishing he could see the world, and imagining himself somewhere else, instead of being content where he was. Now he wished more than ever he could have that back, as he was forced away from his home. 

The Fynnessian prisoners greatly outnumbered their captors, and perhaps if they had been men of the river, who were experienced fighters, they could free themselves. But they were weak and unprepared. They didn't know how to fight or what to do. So they walked on, occasionally stumbling, blindly following the orders of the men. 

They walked on in the night for a long time. Finn didn't know how long. Eventually, the reached the Western Gate on the Minildrithan border, where they met with a group of prisoners from Cargon, and a group from Larton, and went on, out of Minildrith. 

Now, a day later, Finn was still walking in line with the other prisoners. They had been allowed a few hours of sleep the night before in a prisoner camp, and now, walking under the light of a full moon, they were about to stop and set up camp by the river. They would cross in the morning. 

Walking mindlessly for hours had given Finn time to think. Tonight he'd escape. While they were all asleep, he'd escape. He'd been going over and over his plan. 

So, once the men had set up the tents and the prisoners were tied into them so that they couldn't just run off, and the men had all gone to bed, leaving two soldiers to guard, he set his plan to action. 

One of Finn’s ankles had been tied to a post on the tent, in the hopes that with his hands free, he'd be comfortable enough to sleep (and wouldn't drag along come morning) but he wouldn't be able to get up and run from the camp. Finn, though, while walking down the road, had found a shard of glass. It was large and amber-colored, probably from a broken bottle of ale, and he had almost stepped on it. The sunlight had happened to glint off it, and Finn had seen it, so he picked it up and stowed it in his pocket for later use. So, now, Finn rummaged around in the darkness, hoping to find a stick on the ground. He did find one, soon enough, and used a strip he ripped off his nightshirt (for that was what he'd been wearing when he was captured) to tie the glass to the stick. A makeshift dagger. It wasn't pretty, but It’d do the trick. 

Hastily, Finn cut through the rope the bound his leg to the tent post. It must've taken him at least twenty minutes to finally do it, what with the glass being thick and not as sharp as he'd hoped, and the fact that the glass kept coming off of the stick and having to be retied. But eventually, he was able to free himself and get out of the tent. 

The guards were fast asleep as Finn crossed the camp to the tree the ponies were tied up to. He untied one of them and mounted, but it was stubborn and lazy. No matter how hard he kicked its sides, it didn't want to go anywhere. Its sleep had been interrupted, and it wasn't moving until morning. 

Finn sighed and gave up. He'd have to go on foot. But as he dismounted, he landed in a pile of leaves with a terrible loud crunch. It spooked the pony, who whinnied loudly. 

“Shhh! Shhh!” Finn tried to sooth him, but it was too late. The guards were awake. 

“‘Ey, boy! Whaddaya think yer doin’?” One of them yelled. Before he could escape, the guards seized him and escorted him rather roughly back to his tent. 

Finn was made to sleep tied to a tree outside as a penalty. And to make matters worse, the guards had found his ‘dagger’ and taken it. Finn sighed and rolled over. Looking up at the moon, he wished he could be anywhere else. He had failed escape. Now what? He doubted he could pull it off again. He only hoped things were faring better for Eris. 

I have exciting news, guys! I just reached my 25,000 word goal on NaNo! *parties* Since November (and this story) isn't over, I'm considering lengthening my goal by 5,000 words (but ya know, after that awesome winner's page, it's gonna be hard to do XD). What do you guys think? Keep the win, or go for more?