Ambush

Hunter nodded at Islana as they began their journey to the mountain valley on horseback. He was not sure what to expect but he was hoping for the best and planning for the worst, especially since he was traveling with Islana and Alcuin.

Islana returned the nod and then gave one to Alcuin before getting on the back of River. She was hoping things would work out for the best. It was just a matter finding the two that had gone missing and hopefully safe.

You travel as far as you can in the dying light before making camp. You all take turns watching over your sleeping companions. There is little talk that evening or even the following morning as you push your horses hard. Closer to midday you leave the canyon behind you as you take an old paved road into the valley below.

The valley looks like a huge bowl surrounded by green hills and prestige mountains on all sides. Here and there you see streams of silver water flashing with sunlight.

At some point Hunter starts to fall behind. His horse is lame and you have to stop.

Malacost seeing Hunter start to lag behind calls out to Islana. "Young lady. Your friend back there seems to be having problem with his horse." He says bringing his horse into a trotting.

Islana gave a nod of thanks to the prospector, turned River around, and headed back towards Hunter. "Do you think your horse can go a little further, if you lead it? I can look for a place to stop. We can decide what to do next, when we get there, but clearly your horse needs to rest."

Hunter got off his horse and examined the wound on its leg. He was curious what or who hurt the horse. Hunter replied to make an excuse, "Looks like my horse stepped on something." As he looked over the horses leg he found the problem.

While Hunter was checking his horse, Islana set off to find a better place to stop for at least a brief time. She didn't think it would take very long and didn't want to go far, but all the horses could use with some grass and water. So, the huntress looked for a place that would accommodate that.

Malacost watched as the young redhead left looking for a place to camp. It had been too easy to shove a jagged piece of rock into Hunter's horse last night during is watch. Zim was smiling of him as always. He needed to deal with the young assassin first. The man had been suspicious of him since Aquilo. Once he was dealt with he would go find Islana. Maybe have a bit of fun with her before bring the two back to Ostiarium. One thousand gold pieces for these two. Malacost could hardly believe his luck.

"Hang on..." He told Hunter getting off his own horse has Islana created a small rise disappearing from view. "I have a bit of experience with horses. Worked as a stable boy when I was young..." He said joining Hunter patting the flanks of his horse. "Lift his leg up again. Let me look at that hoof." He asked.

Hunter was still cautious as he didn't trust Alcuin. Hec it took nine months for him to trust the others he considered allies and friends, so trusting a suspicious guy who looked like a merc and claimed to be a prospector was not happening anytime soon. Hunter would sooner trust a snake first. Then he replied, "You don't say? You seem very experienced for a prospector."

"Cleaning shit in stables and grooming horses is experience now?" He laughed, but without mirth. He was getting tired of this charade now. He kept walking towards Hunter, circling the horse. "I guess it's not easy for someone like you to accept help."

Hunter was still on guard as he replied, "Someone like me huh? Well I guess it depends on the person who is offering help. That reminds me of an old story about a little bird who fell out of a nest during winter. It cried for help and eventually it was found by a cow. When the little bird asked the cow for help as it shivered in the cold the cow then proceeded to crap on it. The bird was upset by the smell but it was warm now. However it continued to cry for help till a fox found it and plucked it from the dung and cleaned it off. The little bird was very thankful to the fox for saving it. That was till the fox ate the little bird." Hunter then stood up and looked at Alcuin with a cold glare as he asked, "So are you the cow or the fox?"

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