Chapter 7

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Take new moments,

Ponder them,

Learn them well,

Then use them.

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The wagon train stretched out into a winding snake, crawling slowly through the forest. A massive canopy of ancient trees stood firm on either side, their grey gnarled bark disappearing into the sky, their very mass overshadowing the path. Soft rays of sunlight continually shifted through the leaves, brightening small patches of moss far below, and creating a green-gold glow to the atmosphere.

The caress of a gentle breeze brought with it the scent of unknown plants, a heady arid smell that seemed to seep into the skin. Dampness to the air provided by early morning mist made it feel almost tropical.

Deep underbrush covered each side of the road. The colors of a few certain flowers were particularly vibrant. It was as if someone took a paintbrush and spilled it enthusiastically without any pattern in mind, creating a kaleidoscope of color to assault the senses.

The road was more dirt trail than a stone path, and multiple times the guards had to gather behind one of the wagons and support it out of a mud hole or particularly bad rut. Once, rough-hewn boards were brought and laid before the wheels for traction and support.

The boy ignored the guards, and instead watched the passing foliage, his mind creating beasts to walk among shadows beneath the trees. If giant furry lizards existed in this world, surely there were more exotic and colorful creatures hiding behind the leaves? If he listened closely, he could just hear birds chirping and calling distant melodies from within the canopy. A faint rustling could be heard as smaller rodents scampered through the leaves and on the forest bed, but the noise and commotion of the wagons prevented any of these animals from showing themselves. And any larger creatures were first spotted by keen-eyed guards and fought in the forest, away from the trail. So, the ride was fairly boring.

He had tried once or twice to start up a conversation with his fellow caged occupants, but they just stared blankly at him every time he spoke. He gave up fairly quickly after that.

They hadn’t passed any other travelers during their journey. He surmised this was due to the new direction they took. Whereas the previous caravan was heading in what seemed a westerly direction, this path led to the south. His assumption was based solely on the positioning of the sun, and he eventually realized his directions might be entirely off if he was truly in a new world.

A shout suddenly echoed out from one of the scouts, his tone full of urgency and fear. Bounding towards the slave cages was a massive beast. The boy's first impression was that of a giant tiger, except this creature had sharp horns and jagged teeth and was covered in black fur. The creature had somehow slipped past the guards until the last moment and was now leaping in for what seemed a tasty meal.

Scrambling with everyone else to the far side of the cage, the boy hugged the bars as the beast slammed into the wagon, shaking it and almost tipping it over. Screams filled the air and several slaves gasped as the tiger’s horns pierced their skin. For a moment, it seemed as if the wagon would be completely overturned, then the pressure of the beast was gone and wagon rocked back on its four wheels. The boy stumbled and fell, slamming his head into the cage walls. The pain of it shook him, and he gasped as a ringing filled his ears. Struggling to sit up, he squinted through teary eyes.

In front of the wagon stood the leather armored man, a long spear in his hands. The man grinned and popped a reed into his mouth, chewing fiercely as he watched the tiger pick itself off the ground before him.

He shouted something, a taunt it sounded like. Twirling his spear, the man fell into a stance. Again the boy noticed that faint wisp of energy collecting around the man, twirling about each of his limbs and sinking into his tanned skin. It seemed to have a faint silver sheen to it.

Then…

HE MOVED!

A giant bound forward took him beside the beast and the spear flashed. Once, twice, three times! The tiger’s violent roar could be seen, bark splintering off trees and plants shredding as the sound tore through the guards. The armored man twisted and smashed the spear point in the ground, a pulse flashing from where it stuck. His knees hit the ground as the roar finished, and then he was up, hand flashing with silver energy.

Black fur now covered in blood, the tiger growled and spread his teeth, too many and too sharp to be from earth. The beast chuffed in laughter and pawed the ground, leaving long furrows with his wicked claws. He began to circle the man, slowly.

The armored man grinned in response and finished a movement with his hand, ignoring his bleeding ears. The boy watched entranced, as the energy collected and formed runes, flashing with meaning. Spearhead glistening silver, the man leaped up and thrust forward, still twenty feet away from the creature. A flash of light and a splash of blood.

Now the tiger flew backward and impacted a tree, it’s bulk bending the trunk. Across its entire chest spread a single wound, gaping and pulsating with blood. Its weak roar could barely push back the guards as they began to surround it, and even those cries were quickly ended as five different spears plunged into its body.

Several of the guards began to skin and strip the tiger even as the rest returned to their posts along the wagon train. The armored man walked over to the wagon that had been tipped and bent to check the frame. Shaking his head, he then straightened and glanced at its occupants. Several of the slaves were holding blood-soaked rags over their wounds and all looked pretty shaken. He snorted, and then shuffled around in his pack before drawing out a few reeds and throwing them towards the wounded.

One of the closer slaves managed to snatch his up, but the others weren’t fast enough. Long before they could reach over, the reeds had disappeared into the mouths of people that looked regretful but unwilling to share.

The boy scoffed. His head still hurt but he couldn’t care less. What he had just seen… it was something new. Something his broken memories felt no familiarity with. And that meant he could learn it. If that man could control the energy and use it to fight… surely there were others? Was this the true purpose behind the reeds?

Perhaps, just perhaps, he could use it to escape when the time was right. Then, he could utilize it to find that little girl. How exactly that might happen he wasn’t too sure. One plan at a time would probably be best. But he could do it! The armored man’s gaze passed over him, and try though he might, he just couldn’t keep the new excitement out of his expression. The man stopped, noticing that look. His eyes sharpened, and for a moment he just stood there, watching the boy. Then, he shrugged and walked over to the beast's carcass.

“Good.” Thought the boy. “Ignore me. Forget me. One day it will be too late. One day, you won’t be able to stop me.”

He smiled at the thought.