Chapter 5

 

 

For the rest of the day the trio followed a trail south over the Wolf Hills. As they went they would occasionally spot Moonwing circling in the air above the trees or hear his hoot. They stopped only once to rest and eat a quick meal of biscuits and cheese.

 

Then in the late afternoon they came upon a high hill covered in ankle deep snow. Below it was a wide, snow filled valley. On its far side were tall trees, a northern fringe of the Forest of Rivers, Nyssa home. A river tumbled down out of the hills a little to the west and flowed down the valley.

 

‘Snow River,’ Nyssa said. ‘Where it joins the Moonlight River further inside the forest is where we’ll find a canoe.’

 

‘Then let’s quicken our pace,’ Rena said. ‘We can rest again once we have found it.’

 

They headed down into the valley and then along a bank of the Snow River. By the time the sun was setting in the west they had reached the forest. A blustery wind had begun to blow and a drifting of snow had started, warning that Orcon may be forming another blizzard. They were glad to get  under the cover of the trees.

 

Night fell and Nyssa led them along a narrow trail that wound through the massive trees. They used a lantern to light their way as Orcon’s clouds shut out any starlight. It was very risky as it would be seen by any pursuers behind. But without it they would have been walking blind. Not even Nyssa could see in the dark when there was no star or moonlight.

 

She touched a few trees as she went, the bark rough under her fingers. Her home lay a day’s trek to the south, her family and friends living in the Elvin capitol of Leaf. A simple name, but a true one. She could see the tall trees, even bigger than those around them. With rope ladders from the leaf covered ground climbing to narrow wooden bridges. They connected the trees and the dwellings nestled on bough and limb where the elves lived.

 

She wished she had time to go there, to warn her folk  what was happening. They would find out soon enough, she guessed, but wished she could do so quicker.

 

They walked on for the entire night. They hurried as fast as they could, but not too quick to over tire themselves. They knew they might need some energy if goblins caught up with and they had to run for it.

 

Then just as a dim dawn light began to seep into the air they arrived at the junction of the two rivers. The Moonlight River was larger, flowing out of the forest from the east, its waters darkly deep and swift flowing. A stone bridge crossed the Snow River just before they merged and crossing it, they followed the north bank of the Moonlight River.

 

But they had not gone far when they heard the hoot of an owl, its call sounding urgent.

 

‘That’s Moonwing,’ Rena said. ‘I think he’s saying that goblins are very close behind. Where is the canoe, Nyssa?’

 

‘Not too far away,’ she replied.

 

Tired as they were they broke into a trot, knowing that they had to hurry. Nyssa led them along the bank a little further before reaching a spot she seemed to recognise. She led them into the trees and short way in they found a canoe, its wood a pale white in the grey morning gloom.

 

It was a good size, large enough to carry four and the extra space would be handy for their packs. They rolled it over and found some paddles lying underneath it.

 

‘Quickly, now!’ Rena urged. ‘Let’s get into the river and be away. I don’t think we have much time.’

 

She and Lore picked it up at either end and followed Nyssa back to the riverbank. They slid it a little into the water and then stowed their gear inside. They put Eldor’s staff on the bottom with their packs on top of it.

 

‘Right,’ Nyssa said. ‘Lore can sit at the prow, Rena in the middle and I’ll steer from the stern.’

 

The dwarves didn’t argue with her as they knew she was the best judge of who should go where. Elves were very accomplished river users and whilst Lore had been canoeing with Nyssa a few times, Rena had not been in one in some time.

 

They clambered aboard and took up a paddle. Nyssa waded into the water and pushed the canoe away from the shallows. Then she climbed nimbly aboard and taking up a paddle as well, they all began to stoke down the river.

 

They didn’t look back and so didn’t see the sudden movement in the trees where they had been. Kreel’s band of goblins burst onto the bank to see the canoe slip round a bend.

 

‘Just missed them!’ Kreel growled, slashing at the air with his sword in frustration.

 

‘They’ll get far ahead of us now,’ one goblin said. ‘We’ll never catch them on foot.’

 

‘Then find some canoes!’ Kreel snapped. ‘There’ll be others somewhere on the riverbank.’

 

* * *

 

The trio paddled down the Moonlight River for the entire day. The weather was as foul as it had been for much of the night, with a chill wind that sent flurries of snow swirling through the air. It made the river quite choppy and treacherous. But Nyssa quickly schooled Lore and Rena in how to handle the canoe in the tricky conditions.

 

But even with the bad weather they were heartened that they had so far escaped any pursuit. They were tired, having been awake now for two days. But if they stayed on the river for the day they would put even more distance between any goblins.

 

Nyssa thought there was slim chance the goblins would get captured by some of her folk. Yet her town of Leafall was deeper to the south and east. Her forest was a large place and even they might not see another elf.

 

So they paddled on till dusk arrived and the light faded. It was growing too dark to stay on the river, so they pulled the canoe ashore beneath a drooping willow tree. It provided them with good shelter and after eating a quick meal, they were soon asleep on the mossy ground.

 

Morning came and with it the weather had improved. The falling snow had vanished and only a light wind blew across the river. It seemed the Orcon’s wintry might did not extend this far south as yet, even though his dark clouds still filled the sky. As they ate breakfast they discussed the journey ahead of them. Rena drew a rough drawing on a patch of bare ground with a stick.

 

‘Here is the Forest of Rivers,’ she said as she drew. ‘The Moonlight River flows south, emerging from the forest and then crossing the Sunflower Plains. It then flows through Eldor’s Forest before meeting the Barren Hills to the south.’

 

Nyssa nodded.

 

‘They stretch west and then north again around the forest,’ Nyssa said. ‘Lore and I have trekked through them there, but not to the south.’

 

‘Then you know how rough the country is,’ Rena said. ‘And it’s where we’ll have to leave the canoe unfortunately. The river flows through very treacherous gorges that our canoe won’t be suited to. We’ll have to trek over the hills to woodland country on their far side. From there it’s a three day march to the Bleak Mountains.’

 

‘How far do you think we’re ahead of any goblins?’ Lore asked, looking north back up the river.

 

Rena shrugged.

 

‘It depends on whether they’ll find canoes as well,’ she said. ‘We could be some way ahead of them or only a matter of miles.’

 

‘I think they’ll find some,’ Nyssa said uncomfortably. ‘We keep a few around the place we found ours.’

 

‘Then let’s pack up and get back on the river,’ Rena urged. ‘If we can travel hard today, we can reach the Sunflower Plains by nightfall.’

 

They finished eating and were shortly back on the river.

 

* * *

 

Craw was a worried goblin as he sat on Brodon’s throne. With Rena and her accomplices having gotten away with Eldor’s staff, he knew Mogrom would be furious if she found out. He only hoped Kreel would catch them quickly and return with it before she did.

 

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he failed to notice something disturb the fireplace. Its flames suddenly flared as if disturbed by a wind. In the next moment they were snuffed out with a crackle and hiss and a thick white mist began to stream down from the chimney. It began to spin into column before the fireplace and a ghostly image appeared within it.

 

‘Craw!’ Mogrom’s voice snapped and the goblin leapt out of the throne in shock. He turned quite pale as he saw Mogrom’s image floating within the column of mist.

 

‘Mo… Mogrom!’ he stammered.

 

‘I see you’re making yourself very comfortable,’ Mogrom said. ‘Does this mean all is well?’

 

‘Ah… yes, Mogrom!’ Craw stammered. ‘All… all is well. We took the citadel with no trouble.’

 

Mogrom was silent a few moments, eyeing Craw intently.

 

‘You’re nervous, Craw,’ she hissed. ‘Something has happened, hasn’t it? Out with it!’

 

Craw swallowed nervously before replying.

 

‘Brodon’s sister, Rena and two others escaped during the night.’

 

‘So! What can the three of them possibly do?’ she replied impatiently. ‘You’re hiding something else Craw. Don’t try and hide anything from me!’

 

Craw paled even further as he spoke.

 

‘Well… they took… they took Eldor’s staff...’

 

A might rumble of thunder split the air outside, making the citadel itself shudder. But even louder was Mogrom’s shriek of rage.

 

‘You fool! It must be recovered, do you hear?’ she fumed.

 

‘I…. I have goblins on their trail at this very moment, Mogrom!’ Craw said, shaking at her fury. ‘They’ll get it back, I promise!’

 

‘They had better, or I’ll have Orcon freeze your stupid hide!’ Mogrom replied coldly. ‘I shall do something about them from here as well. Until they are caught, don’t make any more mistakes!’

 

‘Yes... yes, Mogrom,’ Craw stammered as her image began to fade away, the mist vanishing.

 

Once it was gone he slumped back onto the throne. He wiped his forehead with a trembling hand, knowing he was lucky to have his hide still intact.

 

* * *

 

As Mogrom stepped out of the column of mist Orcon had created so she could contact Craw, the Ice Lord eyed her with dark anger.

 

‘The wizard’s staff must be recovered, Mogrom,’ he said icily. ‘It must not be allowed to reach Ashmon’s cave. If he is freed, it is you who will suffer the consequences.’

 

‘Can you find those that have taken it?’ Mogrom asked. ‘They’ll still be beneath your storm clouds.’

 

‘Very well,’ Orcon replied.

 

He pointed at the column of mist and slowly an image appeared within it. It cleared to reveal a wide river edged by forest trees and then a canoe on its waters. Mogrom could see its occupants, two dwarves and an elf. Then the image suddenly switched to two more canoes, these filled with goblins.

 

‘How far are the goblins behind them?’ she asked.

 

‘Nearly a day,’ Orcon replied.

 

Mogrom snarled in frustration. 

 

‘Can you stop the canoe?’ she asked.

 

‘I cannot expend the magic, Mogrom,’ he replied coldly. ‘I must gather my strength so I can move south to Ashmon’s cave.’

 

Mogrom looked at the image again and her eyes suddenly glimmered hotly.

 

‘They’ll stay on the river, thinking it takes them to safety,’ she hissed. ‘But they head closer to us and I shall have a welcoming party waiting for them.’

 

* * *

 

For a second day the trio paddled hard down the Moonlight River. To pace themselves and not get over tired they took turns, one resting and two paddling. They weather stayed chilly, with rain now falling from the dark clouds. But the wind stayed low and the river proved not as difficult as the previous day.

 

Then in the late afternoon between one river bend and another, Orcon’s clouds suddenly drew away and patches of blue sky appear. The forest trees began to dwindle over the next several miles and then they emerged from their cover.

 

The gently rolling grasslands of the Sunflower Plains swept away before them. They were some named because in spring and summer bright yellow sunflowers grew amidst the lush green grass. Above them now was a clear blue sky with a warm sun lying low in the west.

 

‘Oh, that sun feels marvellous!’ Nyssa said in delight.

 

‘Not a better sight to be seen I think,’ Rena agreed. ‘It seems we have left the Ice Lord behind for the time being.’

 

Yet when they looked behind them they could see his dark clouds piled high in the northern sky and still very much a threat.

 

‘He won’t be still for long though,’ Lore said.

 

‘No, he won’t,’ Rena agreed. ‘Let’s go on. They’ll be stars out tonight and we’ll be able to see what’s on the river.’

 

They did so and it was near midnight before they finally stopped. They were weary but pleased they had put a greater distance between themselves and Orcon’s clouds.

 

The dawn found them back on the river and they paddled on for much of the day. But with the sun out and a clear sky, it was an enjoyable one. They dried out their clothes and allowed the warmth to chase the chill from their bodies they had felt for days. As they went they occasionally spotted Moonwing high in the air and hear his hoot as he kept pace with them.

 

Then toward late afternoon they reached Eldor’s Forest, its tall trees rising high into the air. The river continued on and it was dark when they came upon a small bridge. Nyssa recognised it as she had been here more than a year ago. It was the one she, Eldor and her good friend Jena the gnome had crossed on their way to rescue Jena’s brother gnome from Mogrom.

 

They stopped beneath it for the night, then continued their journey with the dawn. It was near midday when they finally emerged from the forest and ahead rose the steep flanks of the Barren Hills.

 

It was an inhospitable place of mostly bare earth and rock. They only plants that managed to grow there were stunted trees, thorny bushes and course looking grass.

 

The river started to narrow and quicken as the hills rose beside them. They rounded a bend and on the western bank they spotted a shallows where they could bring the canoe ashore.

 

‘That’s where we’ll find a trail over the hills,’ Rena said.

 

They paddled toward the low bank that was shadowed by large boulders and overgrown with thorny looking bushes. They had almost reached it when a harsh hoot sounded and Moonwing swooped low over them.

 

‘Something’s worrying Moonwing,’ Lore said nervously.

 

‘Back from the bank!’ Rena snapped urgently and they began to paddle hard away from it.

 

At that a thunderous roar of voices filled the air and a horde of goblins rushed onto the bank from the bushes.

 

‘Goblins!’ Nyssa exclaimed.

 

‘Look out!’ Lore cried in warning. ‘Some have slingshots!’

 

The goblins were well known for their use of slingshots, using them sometimes with deadly accuracy. Egg-sized stones began to pelt the river around them, several cracking against the sides of the canoe. One hit Nyssa on the back and she cried out in pain.

 

Then another caught Lore a nasty blow on his forehead. He slumped forward, his paddle dropping into the water and himself in danger too. But Rena grabbed him by his belt and hauled him back to lie in the canoe.

 

‘He looks badly hurt, Rena!’ Nyssa said in concern, eyeing the bleeding gash on his head.

 

‘We can’t worry about him yet, Nyssa!’ Rena replied. ‘We have to get away from the goblins.’

 

More stones cracked against the canoe till the river took them out of range. They barrelled down a high walled gorge, its cliffs rushing past in a grey blur. They were carried around a sweeping bend and then heard a deep rumbling sound ahead.

 

It sounded like the river churning over something and as they sped round another bend, they saw what was making it.

 

‘Rapids!’ Rena shouted in alarm.

 

Nyssa’s face turned pale with fear. Jagged fangs of stone stood clear of the water, some quite tall and wide. But even worse were others lying just below the surface that could rip the bottom out of the canoe. And the whole river was a boiling white as it surged along.

 

‘We’ll never make it!’ she cried in despair.

 

‘We have to, Nyssa!’ Rena shouted as they hurtled forward. ‘We’ve got to or Lendor is doomed!’

 

So with terror in their hearts they plunged into the rapids.

 

* * *

 

The river tossed and leaped as it flowed through the rapids and the canoe shook and shuddered. Rena was kept busy with one hand on Lore and their gear, making sure none was tossed out. It was up to Nyssa to steer them through, but they were moving so fast it was near impossible.

 

She managed to steer them clear of the stones above the river’s surface, but could do nothing about the ones lying just below it. Many times the bottom of the canoe struck them, the shock sometimes so great that they were nearly thrown out. And worse still was when they rounded a bend, the canoe carrying such speed that they crashed into walls with a sickening crunch. Several times they almost tipped over before the river flung them forward again.

 

For what seemed like an eternity they battled on, Nyssa fighting to keep them all alive. Her arms soon grew leaden and aching till she was barely able to move them. They all got badly bruised too as they were shaken about against the side of the canoe. Many times they thought they were doomed, only to have Nyssa’s skill or just plain luck save them at the last moment.

 

Then quite suddenly, between one river bend and the next, they were safe. The river suddenly widened and slowed and the rapids disappeared. The Barren Hills fell behind as the river flowed into woodland country, its trees hugging the riverbanks.

 

‘We’ve… we’ve made it!’ Nyssa croaked in disbelief, tears streaming down her face.

 

‘Yes… yes, we’ve come through,’ Rena said hoarsely, wearied to the bone from hanging onto Lore and their gear. Eldor’s staff was safe too, still lying on the bottom under their packs.

 

‘How’s, Lore?’ Nyssa asked in concern.

 

‘Still unconscious,’ Rena replied. ‘We’d better get ashore and see to him.’

 

In the late afternoon light they wearily paddled toward the eastern shore. They slipped under the trailing branches of a willow tree and grounded the canoe. With the last of their strength they lifted Lore out and laid him down. The gash on his head wasn’t bleeding, but its lump was big and his face was very pale. They lay down next to him, thinking to just rest for a moment. But they instantly fell into an exhausted sleep.