"Of course.."...
..."We should return to Milvahn.. Your men will need rest and food.."
And so, after taking only a short time to exchange a quick and warm greeting to those that remained of the men who he had ordered be left behind,
Faulkin and Yvaine led the wearied warriors, slowly, through the crooked wood, to the better kept road, and on to the sanctuary of Milvahn. All the while there was apprehension in his heart, for as they drew nearer he feared that Dalgarren would have guessed his chosen path, and followed the remains of his troop there to this place. But, this anxiety was not one for fear of being dragged back, no.
This was a fear for what he may be led to do.
The sound of horses and gleeful shouting woke him. Alwin's head throbbed, and he wished he could say it was from last night's drink. No, whatever they were giving him for the pain did well in the moment, but the aftermath was even worse than a hangover. That or those beasts had really done a number on him, and the fact that he was laying here in this bed made that a very likely possibility. But as he came to, a rush of shock came over him, curious as to how long he'd been out.
"Nurse,
nurse!"
"Yes, yes! Are you alright?" the nurse shouted in return, scrambling her way in as quickly as she could.
"Yes, yes," Alwin replied, rubbing his head, "it's just... how long have I been asleep? Where is the Captain? Where is Yvaine?"
Relief, and then irritation washed over the nurses face, and she resisted the urge to give him a light wrap on the arm, "M'lady and the Captain left just this morning, but-"
"Good," replied Alwin, and struggled to lift himself from the bed.
"Now you just sit yourself back down, or I'll-"
And without protest, Alwin collapsed onto the bed, and promptly passed out from the pain. The nurse checked him, and he had developed a mild fever. In a slight of panic, she rushed off the find the doctor.
With their number, and how many of them were wounded, it was not until nearly sunset when Milvahn was again in their sight. As the Sun had drawn closer and closer to the horizon, he would be lying if he said he hadn't grown more and more nervous at the thought of nightfall. The thought of facing those
monsters again. He wasn't even sure that they couldn't have attacked at any time, but as they dark came closer and closer, he felt in his heart this was so, and each passing moment became more and more difficult. A glance out into the eyes of the men showed that he was not alone in this anxiety, that indeed, they all felt it, and urged themselves to move faster, especially once the town's lights came into view.
The bell sounded.
Riders and carriages raced out to meet them, and take those who were unable to carry their own weight. The town's militia, expecting them this time, was eager to lend them aid.
Faulkin, by now having gave up his horse for one of the wounded, followed up the rear of the survivors and ensured not a single one was left behind. As they were guided into the warmth of the town's torchlight, he cast a look back out into the dark...
...and saw two red eyes.
Watching him.
Stalking him.
Night descended over the small town, and quiet gripped the air. In the street, odd footfalls and the crackle of torch light were the only sounds, aside for the infrequent echoing of distant laughter from a small gathering down the road.
On the wide porch of the healer's home they sat, discussing things under hushed tones.
"You're telling me you know what these are?"
"Yes... these are merely beasts of the land, reshaped by a relentless curse which had taken hold over a hundred years ago."
"I've traveled these lands my whole life, why have I never heard of these things before?"
Tinúviel hesitated, looked between each of them, and then continued,
"this curse had first befallen my people, and decimated our realm, and we have worked to cleanse our lands of this evil... but we have failed. The fulfilment of it has come, and all our peoples' are doomed if we do not stand together."
Faulkin looked up to Tor, who stood with his back to the group with his hands upon the rails of the porch, looking out from beneath its cover.
It was raining again.
"I suppose this is why Drennantor lost touch with them..."
With Faulkin's attention turned away in brief discussion with Tor,
Tinúviel turned to Yvaine and spoke,
"you have heard the curse's song, haven't you?"
Though she heard his voice, his lips didn't move.
