First Tale of the Chromatic Dragons: Chapter 4 (Rough)

"Magikan Erithian Vearlae!" It was his mother, standing at the front door, hands on her hips. Looking down at him from the porch.
"It's not like you to be late for dinner." It was true, not once had he ever missed dinner time, though tonight she couldn't blame him not with the burden over his shoulders. She was smiling though and he could see the teasing twinkle in her eye. Atleast when you
never miss a meal you wont get yelled at for the first offence. He couldn't find the words to explain....... it was.... complicated. Didn't have to think for long when his mother proceeded to ask:
"What's that you've got there?... Why do you look so worried?" Nothing got past her one on one but then this wasn't your normal run-of-the-mill problem. He adjusted the load on his shoulder, if it wasn't for the dirty and bloodied clothes this person could be mistaken for a recently killed animal.
"All I know is that her name is Colleen and she needs help." He took a glance back over his shoulder towards the way he came, then back to his mother, holding her gaze. "I think she's being hunted but she collapsed before she could say anymore. She's the reason I'm late. I chose to help her, whatever the reason." Tiredness had caught up with him at this point and the vision of his mother looking concerned blurred. As did the recollection.....

The scene of his shelter in the woodlands returned as he mouthed his mothers next reply.
"If anything happens she's your responsibility, now get her inside quickly." Looking around, Magikan took in his familiar location. He'd found shelter inside a tightly knit set of trees and feasted on a rabbit he'd caught the night before. There had been no rainfall the area was dry and the fire he'd made were down the the barest embers. Time to make a move, he stood up and stretched, hoping to relieve the dull ache of sleeping on uneven ground. Rolling up his ground mat he tied it neatly to his pack, which needed a little reshaping after being his pillow for the night, finding his breastplate nearby he put his arms and head through the holes and neatly tightend the buckles. He retrieved his sword and strapped it over his shoulder then picked up his acquired crossbow and bolts still in the quiver which he tied to his belt, keeping the crossbow at hand, but left unarmed. "Now." He said to himself, picking up his pack and putting it over his other shoulder while leaving the shelter. "To check on the trap I laid." Sure enough when he got there he found a freshly trapped rabbit, though looks like some early morning scavengers had done the killing for him. Loosing the rope, he then attached it to the bottom of his pack. No use in wasting it. The sun was up and it was time he continued on his way, if he kept yesterday's pace he'd reach Horns Breech by the afternoon.

"We'll reach Horns Breech by this afternoon with any luck Ragnarok, surprised how far this woodland trail leaves." Ragnarok shrugged his reply happy in the knowledge he wont have to sleep rough and hopefully as nice a place as the one they left that morning. Fenris also seemed happy to be on the move, leading the two down the trail, seeming very interested in his new surroundings. Gerontius walked side-by side with his brother, both holding their bows, using them as gentle walking sticks, his only complaint would be Fenris' interest with nearly every road side tree, another reason for Ragnaroks happy mood.
"If Fenris keeps this up with every tree near the road, we may have to skip lunch."
"If he bothers you that much we could have him for lunch." Ragnarok, always the joker, smiling at his brothers glare which slowly turned into a smirk as he sensed the amusement in his brothers words.
"You might have a point but another good idea would be to have Fenris find out food for us." Turning his gaze from his brother Gerontius seeked out Fenris. Finding he was no longer in front of him, spinning round a curse on his lips ready for use he realised Fenris wasn't bring affectionate to yet another tree but was gazing back the way they came, the wolf's lips parted in silent warning that someone was approaching. A warning that both brotheres heeded as they moved amongst the trees while sloting an arrow to their bowstrings.

After a while, the crossbow started to become a burden on his hand and arm, so after searching through his pack and finding some appropriate string, he attached the crossbow to his belt, letting it rest against his right leg as he walked. He was starting to tire of the sight of trees, the sun now at it's uppermost point in early springtime, soon enough it would be time to eat again. As his thoughts took him to food and the rabbit dangling from his pack, his eyes lost interest in the trees that began to all look the same when they spotted something unexpected and his mind drew a blank till his feets stopped moving and he could better take in the sight he saw ahead of him. "What's a wolf doing in this woodland?" He thought to himself "didn't think there were meant to be any around here." Lifting his crossbow, still unloaded but just to be safe, he continued on. The wolf seemed to just stand there waiting for him, as he got closer Magikan could see that the wolf's teeth were showing as if in warning. Slowing his pace he kept moving closer and closer still. He estimated the wolf was about 20 paces away when it growled a further warning, stopping him in his tracks.
"Now what's a wolf like you doing here, hmm?" Echoing his previous thoughts aloud to the wolf seemed the best idea, still unsure. "Perhaps you are not here of your own account.." Pausing in mid sentence, he glanced around at the nearby trees but saw nothing, but then he didn't expect to "..you seem obviously defensive for whatever reason and that makes you a smart one. I think I may have something for you." Keeping one eye on the wolf, crossbow still at hand he reached behind his bolt quiver for his bribe.

"That's far enough stranger, let me see that hand of yours." Came a voice from his left side, soon followed by the owner, bow drawn and aimed at him. Magikan slowly brought his hand back infront of him clasping his other hand, bringing the crossbow to his middle, tilting it to show it wasn't loaded, keeping a straight face.

'Just when I thought I'd be able to avoid conflict today. Lets see how this one turns out'

***

She was in no hurry. A flash of coin brought information and a flash of steel kept the same mouths shut about her. She knew the person she sought was less than a days journey away, even if he travelled all day it would only take her two more. He seemed to have no idea he was being followed. "Ah, here's the crossroads. The popular opinion is that the man was heading east." She looked at the sign post thinking to herself once more. "Horns Breech." It read, satisfied she headed east, knowing she'd catch up to him by nightfall. "Maybe just the one day then, lucky me." Drawing her cloak around her even though the sun was at it's highest. Continuing on alone, as ever, with her thoughts.