*****
With a new sense of unity, Phoenix, Jade, Brynn and Marcus walked on in damp silence for three hours in a roughly south-westerly direction. Nothing stirred in the sodden forest around them and the rain showed no sign of letting up. Phoenix began to consider where they would sleep and how they would find and cook food. He carried the two small pigeons, half-smoked above last night’s fire. It would be a meagre supper if that were all they had to eat tonight. His stomach already rumbled audibly.
“Brynn,” he called out.
The boy stopped and looked back, brows raised. He had an endearing smear of mud across one cheek and the beginnings of dark circles beneath his bright eyes. Phoenix glanced at Jade and saw she, too, was starting to look tired and distracted. She kept staring around at the trees as though she was looking for something or someone. Marcus’ mouth was set in a grim, straight line. They needed to rest and plan.
“How far do we go today?” he asked Brynn.
The boy narrowed his eyes and looked down the faint path winding between huge oaks ahead. “Maybe another two hours at most?” He sounded uncertain. “We went by the main road with my brother, so it’s hard to know exactly how far away we are.”
“But where are we headed? It’d be nice to stay somewhere warm and dry tonight,” Phoenix added. “I don’t like our luck hunting or finding dry firewood in this weather.”
“I’d a mind to reach the next village tonight,” Brynn agreed. “We can’t stay in a tavern with you two,” he jerked a thumb at Jade and Marcus, “but I’ve a maternal aunt who’d be willing to house us for fair pay.”
“She wouldn’t betray us to the soldiers?” Marcus asked sharply.
Brynn cast him a scornful glance. “Nay, she’d not. She knows what happened to my family and she’d not turn me over to the invaders for anything. I know my kin.”
“I’m sorry,” the Roman murmured, flushing
“OK,” Phoenix said, “we can make it that far, can’t we?” He sent a sidelong glance at Jade.
She nodded but closed her eyes briefly. He got the impression that the magic she’d performed had taken a lot out of her.
He made a quick decision. “First we need to find somewhere dry to rest for a few minutes and eat something. We’re all tired and if we keep pushing ourselves someone will injure themselves – or worse, we won’t be able to defend ourselves against unexpected enemies.”
“What about there?” Marcus put in, pointing a little off to the right of the path.
They all squinted through the drizzle. Jade gasped, her face alight. He was pointing at a massive oak tree about fifty metres away. Its branches were so widespread as to shade the ground twenty metres in each direction. Its trunk was so thick that ten people could stand, arms stretched with fingertips touching, and still not encompass it. A million tiny, new green leaves sparkled on every branch and twig. It was a thing of beauty. There was a narrow, dark breach in one side – only just wide enough to admit a man’s shoulders.
“Perfect!” Jade breathed. “So that’s what I’ve been hearing. I knew she had to be around here somewhere.”
“It’s just a big, hollow tree, isn’t it?” Brynn asked. “How can you hear a tree?”
She smiled secretively. “Yep, just a big, hollow tree.”
“So why don’t I trust that smile?” Phoenix stared at her.
She punched him on the arm. “C’mon. Let’s go.”
“Wait!” Marcus called. They all looked at him. “Did you hear that?” He stood still with one finger raised, turning his head slowly.
The others stopped and listened hard. Nothing. Brynn opened his mouth to make a smart comment when they all heard it – the sound of many, stealthy feet creeping inexpertly through the sodden forest around them.
Jade closed her eyes and turned in a circle. “Romans,” she stated. “About fifty of them.” She opened her eyes. “I was too busy listening to the tree to hear them before. There are too many for me to put a control spell on and too many to fight.” Frowning, she looked around and shivered. “There’s something else out there, too. I can’t tell what. Something that’s….hunting the Romans. It’s hungry.” Clutching at Phoenix’s arm, she stared at him, wide-eyed. “It’s getting closer and so are the soldiers. We have to move, now!” She tugged him toward the great tree.
Phoenix hesitated, drawing his weapon. He’d prefer to fight his way out again, than to hide like a coward. He glanced around, seeing flashes of red through the undergrowth on either side of the path. They’d prevailed once; surely they could do it again? Jade yanked again at his arm even as she gave Brynn a push toward the tree.
“What’s the point of hiding in a tree?” Phoenix growled. “They’ll know we’re there and just smoke us out or burn the tree.” Jade snorted and he glanced around at the soggy forest.
“OK,” Phoenix growled, “then they’ll just wait us out. We can’t stay in there forever! We should fight.”
“Go, Marcus!” Jade insisted. “Now, Brynn. Run!” She turned back to Phoenix and muttered fiercely. “Trust me on this. The Romans are the least of our worries. We do not want to be here when that…thing that’s hunting them arrives. I promise we will not be trapped inside but you have to run now!” When he still didn’t move, she sent him a despairing look, let go and dashed away toward the great tree with long, swift strides. Her hood fell back and her long hair fluttered like a tattered, wet flag behind her.
All three of his companions were now almost at the dark entrance to the tree. Phoenix stood, still undecided. The adrenalin rush of battle surged through his Warrior’s body. He wanted to fight them. He was strong. Why should he run?
Phoenix heard a twig crack behind him. Suddenly, the kid in him realised the idea of fighting fifty trained Roman soldiers and one beast of the Dark Woods on his own was pretty insane. There was bravery and then there was sheer stupidity. He wasn’t stupid.
He ran.
Behind him, Phoenix heard shouts of anger and frustration as the Romans realised the last of their prey was escaping. The sound of many feet running, branches snapping, leather armour creaking and weapons clanging dogged his footsteps. They gained. He had only about twenty metres to go. He was going to make it!
Four soldiers stepped out onto the path ahead, blocking his escape. They lowered pila and waited with set faces and planted feet for him to impale himself. More appeared to either side so he couldn’t leave the path. Phoenix saw and gritted his teeth. Instead of stopping, he increased speed. The soldiers’ looked slightly anxious. When he was only metres away from the end of their speartips, they looked downright worried.
Inside, Phoenix was worried as well. He thought he could do what he intended but part of him wasn’t sure: the thirteen-year-old part. Pushing fear aside, he drew a deep breath and screamed the loudest, most terrifying war cry he could summon. One of the soldiers took an involuntary step back, shocked by the ferocity of this suicidal Breton Warrior. The tips of two javelins lowered slightly.
Phoenix made his move. With a mighty effort, he increased his speed again and bunched his thigh muscles. Then he sprang.
It was an impossible leap – especially since he somersaulted in mid air and sliced down and back with his sword as he went. The blade connected with the unprotected back of one soldier who then fell heavily against his companions, clutching at their arms. It caused enough confusion that Phoenix was able to complete his manoeuvre unchallenged. In the real world, he would have simply crashed headlong into the Roman soldiers or been skewered by their spears. Fortunately, in this world, it seemed the impossible was sometimes possible, if you believed it.
He landed lightly, allowed his legs to collapse and executed a reasonable Aikido roll. Letting his momentum carry him, he came to his feet and dashed the last few steps to the tre
e. Shouts and footfalls behind him said he was only just ahead of his pursuers. He stripped the shield from his back as he ran and slid sideways into the narrow gap. It was a tight squeeze into dubious safety.
Inside the tree, he skidded to a stop in pitch-blackness and utter silence. Confused, Phoenix spun to look for the opening. There ought to be light, or at least angry Romans, coming through it. There was nothing.
Fighting rising panic, he blinked a couple of times and rubbed his eyes. Was he blind? The darkness was so absolute it almost felt thick; the silence so complete he could hear only his own harsh breathing and creaking leather. Cautiously, he reached out and turned a slow circle – but touched nothing.
“Hello?” His voice sounded muffled; the blackness a blanket soaking up sound and light. Clearing his throat, he tried again. “Jade? Marcus? Brynn?”
There was no answer.
He was alone.
****