Thank you Justindo,
I hope you like this next part...
Early the next morning the two awake and return to the clearing, where the band is preparing for breakfast.
“It looks like we have time,” says Aun, “Go collect some wood and I shall find us some food.”
As Etir returns to camp, Aun heads around the clearing, remaining hidden in the tree line. At the other end of the clearing, next to the men’s breakfast table there lays a bow and quiver of arrows. Stealthily the King approaches the weapon, making no sound as he nears the men, who have their backs to him.
He takes the bow, but as he is turning away he catches a glimpse of a conversation between two of the rebels.
“To think we would be working for them! Were we not their slaves just years ago?” One of the men says as he sips his drink. “Still,” he says, “they pay well… and if they keep their promise all of Belathre will be ours!”
“Agreed,” grunts the other man, “if they keep their promise.”
“So I thought!” thinks Aun, “Another force is at work here. But to claim all of Belathre? That is a large goal! Who could accomplish such a task?” So are his thoughts as he leaves the camp, and returns to his own clearing.
Etir looks up to see the king dragging a whole bear carcass toward their camp.
“My lord!” he exclaims, “there are but two of us, we cannot eat a whole bear. Was it not wasteful to take such a shot?”
“It was against my will to do so,” Aun said, “But it had blocked my path, and I came upon it unexpectedly. It was frightened by my presence, and therefore took a hostile stance towards me. Had I not killed him, he might have done so to me.”
“What is done is done,” says Etir and takes the bear from Aun, preparing to cut him open. But try as he might, he cannot stick the bear.
“Hear,” says Aun, “use mine.”
After they finish eating and storing as much of the bear as they can, they return to the camp to find them just finished breakfast. The rebels snow stand around the clearing, while their leader seem to be waiting.
Suddenly, something catches the gaze of the leader of the rebels. Aun follows his gaze, and sees in the tree a raven. The raven looks at the rebels, and then takes off west.
“Come,” shouts the leader, and the men file after him.
“We shall move too,” says Aun, and he and Etir begin to follow the group again.
To be continued.
