Chapter Nine
The adventurers headed back into the swirling mist of the trolls’ valley with the glow of the evening sun disappearing behind them. Hopper, free of his infestation, led the silent riders toward the long, deep gorge the map displayed. The entrance to the cavern was located at the base of a large ravine. That was where they would find the Cave of Sorrows. A thick mist greeted them as they neared the remains of the charred shack.
The silence of the forest sent chills through Jack. It reminded him of the sensation Shala had given him that night in the clinic. What was it about her touch that sent such icy heat through him? Why was he secretly grateful for the old doctor’s intrusion on their plans? Was it possible that Dr. Strong knew about Shala’s promise to ‘entertain’ him? Either way, Jack couldn’t shake the feeling that Dr. Strong had rescued him from some unknown disaster.
Shala and Homun did not fit Dr. Strong’s world. Perhaps they had been patients of his once. Homun certainly seemed strange enough to be under psychological counseling, and there was something unusual about Shala. Shaking off the eerie sensation that the curvy blonde-haired woman was hovering over him waiting to pounce on Jack’s sleeping form, Jack searched the mist for signs of the elfin warriors. Several times Hopper motioned for them to stop, tilting his head; he would listen to the silence that threatened to smother them. Each time Sarah’s eyes would dart anxiously through the forest. Jack worried she would pass out from fright at any moment.
Jack caught sight of something large moving in the shadows of the mist, parallel to their trail. It disappeared before Jack could speak. He kept his silence, no sense in upsetting Sarah any further. Yet the shadow continued to follow them, sneaking through the gnarled trees. Jack caught brief glimpses of its existence, teasing him, taunting him to pursue. Something inside warned him not to rush into battle in the darkness of the mist. He would wait for it to show itself. If it showed itself. Jack hoped it was just his imagination.
“Todd, I think we’re traveling in circles,” Sarah said as she moved her horse closer to the blonde troll. “That stand of trees looks familiar, and I think that’s the same thicket we passed over an hour ago.”
“Honestly, I can’t see anything in this fog,” he admitted. “Why don’t we find a place to sleep and start fresh in the morning? The mist should clear by then.”
Nicole nodded, in agreement. “That cluster of trees is in a hollow. It’s as good a place as any.”
They headed for the trees, dismounted and made camp. The fog had finally grown too thick for enemies to spy a fire. Sarah cast her fire spell on a pile of wood Hopper gathered so they could warm themselves. Jack made a bow using a long thin branch and hair from his horse’s tail, then went in search of wild game. Nicole silently followed him into the night. He ventured a mere three meters into the darkness when a jackrabbit dashed out of the underbrush
Jack sent an arrow through its heart. Nicole rushed to the kill and deftly pulled the arrow from its body. “Thank you,” she whispered, and they returned to camp.
Nicole tossed the rabbit to Hopper. He skinned it deftly and placed it on a makeshift spit, consisting of two large forked sticks leaning over the fire. They ate in silence; fatigue and muscle ache consumed them. When the last of the rabbit disappeared and the remainder of the berries and nuts eaten, Sarah and Hopper nestled together against a large fir tree, a short distance from the flames.
“Have you checked that dense patch of brush behind you, Hopper?” Jack asked, gazing past them from his perch on a small log.
“Checked it for what?” Hopper yawned and stretched his long back then pulled Sarah back into his arms.
“Trolls, snakes, badgers, wild boars...”
“Is our little adventure finally getting to you, Barbarian?” Nicole teased from across the fire.
“No, I just thought that might be a good hiding place for a bear or something,” Jack stammered trying not to sound paranoid.
“Is there something you’re not telling us?” Sarah asked softly as she leaned forward staring at him.
Gazing into the fire, Jack silently assessed their situation. “I’m not sure, but I think something has been following us. I caught sight of it in the shadows a while back.”
“What is it?” Nicole asked, rising to throw another log on the fire.
Jack explained, “I’m not sure; it stays back out of sight. I’ve only been able to catch glimpses of it. It’s big, and there could be more than one, I’m not sure. It doesn’t always walk upright. I can’t tell you any more, all I’ve seen are shadows.”
Hopper shifted, leaning closer into the conversation and asked, “When was the last time you saw it and why didn’t you say something before” Sarah slid off his lap and onto the grass beside him.
Jack rose and met Nicole’s eyes. “I thought it was my imagination, that I was just overly cautious. I haven’t seen anything since we broke for camp.”
“That explains why the hair on the back of my neck was standing on end,” Hopper said.
Nicole stood up ready to take control of the situation. “I’ll take the first watch. Get some sleep; I’ll wake you if anything comes near.”
Sarah moved closer to the fire and opened her book. She knew she needed to be ready for any challenge that presented itself. Turning the delicate pages one by one, she glanced over the incantations to re-familiarize herself with the scope of her powers.
“How about you and me checking out that patch of brush?” Hopper said to Jack.
Jack and Hopper headed into the thicket, taking two thin logs from the fire for torches. The dampness inside the underbrush took Hopper by surprise. Moisture clung to his fur. He thrust his makeshift torch ahead of him and continued to move inside. The thin line of bushes was quickly pushed aside to reveal the narrow entrance to a cave in the side of the knoll. The triumph of their discovery fueled the two friends with renewed energy. Retracing their steps they headed back to inform the women they had found the entrance to the cave.
“I guess Dr. Strong’s taken pity on us,” Hopper said.
“Or you had a better idea of where you were going than you realized,” Jack countered as they cleared the brush and glanced around.
Sarah sat before the fire studying her book, Nicole was nowhere in sight. Looking up, she smiled and beckoned them near. “I’ve found the incantation to set the Elf Queen free. There’s an emancipation spell that sounds right.”
“Great! We found the entrance,” Hopper announced, “It is right behind the brush.”
“Where’s Nicole?” Jack interrupted, searching the darkness surrounding them.
Sarah frowned as her thoughts returned to her conversation with Nicole. “She insisted on taking a look around. I told her it was a bad idea and reminded her we were supposed to stay together, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“Which way did she go?” Jack asked.
“Calm down, she can take care of herself. She promised she’d stay within hearing distance.”
“I’m going after her. You keep your eyes open. If anything happens head for the cave.” Jack pulled his sword free of its sheath and headed in the direction Nicole disappeared.
“Should I go with him?” Hopper asked, staring after him.
“No, Jack can handle it. Sit down and relax.” Sarah tugged at his hand.
“Tell me about the spell,” Hopper asked as he settled down beside her.