Siren's Song VIIII

Three women and ten men stood by their horses ready to head out. Wendell stood with his soldiers Older Went, Vox Silver, Tanner and Aromus, while Crispin checked and rechecked Syren’s pack. “Will you stop that? You’ve already checked it three times before.” She scoffed at him. He dropped the flap and stomped over to talk to Forthroan.

“He’s only worried about you.”

“I know Angel, but he’s going to drive me crazy.” Siren checked her ponytail to see if it were still up. She smoothed down her grass green tunic and bark brown pants. Her necklace was tucked safely under her tunic. Angel sat behind her horse’s saddle cleaning herself.

“Your attention please.” Came the straggly voice of Waynew. The stick figure stood before the Leader.

All talk stopped as they waited for Daylon to speak. The sun had started to set showing a fabulous display of pastel colors. Pale pink and violet peeked between the green leaves of the trees while an array of orange and blue shown over the hills. Birds sang in rhythm of the crickets and frogs. The sweet fragrance of the flowers planted around the Stronghold drifted around the small group.

Daylon stood tall in front of the group. His stomach lying over his belt, his chin rested on his chest and he had crossed his arms. “I am standing here before you heavy hearted. Heavy hearted because I wish this quest did not have to be undertaken. But as fate would have it I must see your group leave tonight and hope that you are successful. So go with my blessing and my strength. And as fate would have it I will see all of you soon.” He then walked around and shook everyone’s hand.

Crispin was standing next to Siren again and Daylon stopped when he got to them. “Captain Ravenlocke, good luck.” He turned to Siren; a puzzled look crossed his pudgy face. “And who my dear are you?”

Crispin stepped in front of her he replied, “This is Siren, Forthroan’s niece.”

Siren stepped to the side of Crispin and extended her hand in greeting. “It is nice to meet you Leader Daylon Breazeale.”

Daylon reached for her hand and turned it over to inspect it. “How can you be Forthroan Teals’ niece? Your fingers are not long enough.”

“He is my adopted uncle.” She replied holding her head high. “I am not a Treemen.”

“I see. Say aren’t you that lovely girl that give my people a better outlook on life?”

Siren’s face blushed and she lowered her eyes in modesty, “I would not say I do all that kind sir. But I do hope that I make their lives a little better.” She pulled her hand away.

“When this is done I would like you to sing for me. Can I look forwarded to that?”

Her face turned a darker shade of red, “I think that can be arranged.” She met his sharp eyes.

Pleased he turned from her and called over his shoulder. “Good, speedy return then.”

“That went surprising well. He didn’t even ask what you could do for the group.” Crispin said.

Siren nodded her head and mounted her pure white horse, Rage. Angel had curled up on the horse's rump and was breathing deeply.


***
The group traveled to the edge of town. There Crispin had them halt, “I need the tracker.” A small girl with chestnut brown hair clipped close her head walked up. “What is your name tracker?”

She held her head high with confidence. Her dark brow eyes stabbed at him. “Belle, I am with the Leader’s guards, 5th battalion sir.”

“Good,” he said approvingly. “See to it.” She disappeared into the land. “You’d think I’d know my own people.” He said to no one in particular. “Pegg, take the lead. We’ll travel half the night and then rest till morning.”

A tall man with broad shoulders and a weathered face rode to the front. His jet-black hair flying behind him.

Crispin took up behind Pegg with Siren following. Vox Silver followed with the seer Cinzia along with Darion. Forthroan lead the last five guards.

They traveled through the lower grasslands beyond the city. The night was filled with sounds of crickets. Small creatures ruffled the knee-high grass and shrubs searching for food. Here and there farmhouses sprinkled the landscape. The stars and Caylor shone brightly giving them adequate light. Once in while Belle would materialize to speak with Crispin then disappear again. No one else spoke.

They made camp by a cluster of willows with a small stream wandering beside a clearing. Tanner and Vox Silver tended the horses while the others prepared camp. Silence followed the small group. They ate a cold dinner of fruit, dried meat and bread. Crispin dispatched Jenkins and Tanner to keep watch while the others withdrew their blankets and prepared for relax.

Siren lay looking at the stars unable to sleep. Angel lay on her chest contently purring and washing her whiskers. Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and she sat up on one elbow up heaving Angel.

“What did you see?”

“Movement,” she whispered.

“Where?”

Over there near the bunch of bushes.”

“Wait here.” Angel padded off swiftly.

Siren strained her eyes looking at the bushes where she had last seen the cat enter. Nothing else moved for a few minutes. Suddenly a shadow like a human lurched forward heading towards camp.

A voice whispered in her head. “It is only Belle.”

Siren let out her breath and settled back down. She watched as Belle talked with Crispin and Forthroan then disappeared into the night again. Angel settled onto Siren’s blanket and went promptly to sleep. Siren stroked Angel’s coat calming herself. Late into the night she finally dropped off to sleep.