Chapter 43: By the Riverbank

Alcar and Olynka were still running when they reached the edge of the valley, and continued to flee eastwards downhill alongside the small river. Hearing further yells of pursuers behind them, Olynka pointed towards a rocky area close by, and led the way in that direction.

This involved splashing through the water to the southern bank of the small river, which Brutus did with great enthusiasm, and Alcar considerably less, holding his robes high around his thighs as he went.

“They won’t expect us to cross,” said Olynka urgently as she led the way to the jagged rocks immediately ahead. “And it will be harder for goblins to use the wargs to track us, if that is what they plan.”

Alcar nodded, and soon the companions were in a deep, shaded hiding place in the rocks – not quite a proper cave, but a natural recess that was shaded from the afternoon sun. Brutus settled at Alcar’s feet as the two humans continued to look out, but no goblins and wargs had yet come in their direction.

After a few minutes, Olynka pointed up towards the road at the far side of the valley. “They’re up on the road there, look,” she said.

Alcar followed her gaze. He had expected any pursuit to continue eastwards – after all, if the goblins realised that they were looking for Kora, they would no doubt expect them to move back towards the area of their recent confrontation, and to return there in greater numbers. But what Alcar could see instead was three groups of around five goblins each plus a warg, all moving westward – back along the road towards Katresburg. And the wargs seemed to be sniffing the ground as they went.

“They’re going the wrong way,” he said, speaking quietly once again.

“Right. I wonder what scent they have picked up?”

“Perhaps Kora escaped and fled for home.”

Olynka nodded enthusiastically at that notion, still watching the road as she did so. “Let’s hope so, my friend.” She looked back at him, and frowned deeply. “Especially as you completely fucked up her rescue! Damn it, man – what were you playing at?!”

Alcar scowled in response. “I’m new to sorcery, Olynka – what can I say? I wanted to help, didn’t I? I came here after Kora, and it was not without some personal risk, I might add. You seem to be a natural to archery, but some of us need more of a learning curve with our new skills.”

“I guess.” Still scowling, Olynka led the way out from the jagged rocks. ”Come on, then – it looks safe to get moving.”

The two companions began to follow the river eastwards as it burbled down a rocky slope before stretching out across the Dathmir plain.

“It took us, what, half an hour to get back to the valley?” mused Alcar as they walked on.

“I guess.” Olynka looked over her shoulder, and then nodded. So far, there was no sign of pursuit.

“It’s just... I wonder how far Etienne and Leppie will have got in that time. They had the pony. They could be pretty far ahead by now.”

“Hmm,” responded Olynka noncommittally.

“On the other hand,” continued Alcar, “without the wagon, having the pony wouldn’t really speed them up very much. It could even have slowed them down. And it would have taken at least ten or fifteen minutes to lash all of the supplies to the pony’s back, if they even managed to do so.”

“Stop babbling on, man,” said Olynka, shooting him an angry glare. “I’m still really pissed with you. Okay, I get that it was an accident. But it’s not you that stands to be a goblin slave for the next... however long.” She shook her head sadly.

“I know, and I’m sorry,” said Alcar.

After that, they walked on along the grassy riverbank in almost total silence for a long time, as the early afternoon turned into late afternoon, and the sun began to sink over the hills behind them.

Finally, Olynka paused, and looked around. ”I think it’s safe to cross back to the road now,” she said. “The going is getting pretty wet underfoot now, and we’d make faster progress on the other side.”

“Agreed,” said Alcar, glad that she had finally suggested it.

He would be glad to get back on the road – though, on the other hand, his breeches had finally somewhat dried out from their previous fording of the river, and were now apparently due to get soaked again. There were several large rocks in the river itself, however, and while Brutus once more charged gleefully though the water, Olynka and Alcar were able to pick their way from rock to rock with minimal splashing.

On reaching the other bank, they stopped to take a drink from the river, and Alcar splashed his face, which felt filthy from the smoke and dirt of the forest, as well as the dust of the riverbank trail. He wiped water from his eyes, wincing. Then, Olynka nudged Alcar’s elbow. “Hey – is that Etienne up ahead?” she said.

Wiping the last of the water from his face, Alcar turned and took a few steps away from the river, looked in the eastward direction towards their destination.

“It’s a person with a pony, certainly,” he said excitedly. “A small person.”

“I’m prepared to risk it,” said Olynka, hurrying up towards the road. “We’re in safer country now. At least, if you are a fan of the Dathmiri military.”

“Better than the Imperials, surely.”

“You can say that again. But there will plenty of those around, too.”