“You are not alone in your travels.” The words still sent chills through Mesu’s body. It was something that she knew. Anna had been by her side since the beginning and continued with her.
“There is more than just one companion. Be aware of this one. They don’t have good intentions.” They had spent an extra night in town as Anna was in no shape to travel after her late night. The day helped them find a place closer to the edge of town to stay, as well as allowed Mesu a little time to shop around. Her interest was piqued by a window full of unique offerings. Vanaseys Magic was the sign above the door. Mesu had heard of magic but never seen it. Legends were filled with spells and summonings. The real world was much more mundane.
Mesu had wandered around, looking at the trinkets and oddities. A voice in the corner startled her and asked if she wanted her fortune read. Curiosity got the better of her, and she sat down. The teller knew that she was on a journey and had traveled with someone close. A couple more observations, and Mesu started to believe. Then came news of another traveler with them.
The sun was creeping down as they walked along a tree line. Mesu felt there were eyes on her and not just Anna’s momentary glances. A couple of worrisome looks from Anna at Mesu let her know that it wasn’t just her feeling the tension.
“Why don’t you relax?” Anna asked.
“I’m relaxed. I just feel like we should set up camp soon.” Anna sighed as Mesu knew she couldn’t get anything past her friend. Mesu kept her knife on her as she made sure to look around as they set up. The sun had set, and the only lights were the moon and their fire. It was easier to relax after eating and an uneventful prep of the area.
Mesu still listened to the outside of the camp as best she could. There was a possibility that the person trailing them was looking to grab any treasure they acquired in their travels. The warning could have been nonsense as well.
“Do you think there is anything to what she had said, Anna?”
“You mean the fortune teller?”
“Yea.” Mesu nodded as she answered.
“I don’t think so. There’s no reason to follow us. Two girls who are headed out to a likely ruined temple. Nothing too exciting about that. We made it pretty clear we have no treasure on us. We don’t even have horses anymore.”
Mesu was in agreement with all the points Anna brought up. They sold the horses and wagon as it was more trouble than help. They bought just supplies to get them through the few weeks it would take to go to Eberdeen and back. The rest of the coins were for places to stay and warm meals. She missed the wagon but knew this would be faster for them. Mesu sighed.
The sounds of the night continued. Noises that neither of them could identify sounded out, but they had done so every night in the wild. It was nothing that was too threatening to their survival. Nothing like the last encounter they had.
“What do you think we will find in Eberdeen?”
Mesu was caught by surprise by the question. She hadn’t given it much thought at all. The story described how the temple they were traveling to was destroyed. She had imagined broken walls overgrown with trees and grass.
“I don’t know. We know that the artifact was taken by Enya. I don’t think it was at our house either. We didn’t have any golden statues or anything. Being from a temple, I would assume it would be a religious item. Nothing I’ve seen fits that description.”
“Were there a lot of those items at your house?” Anna asked.
Mesu laughed and shook her head. The relics were really limited if all the stories were true.
“We had a handful of weapons. Coins and a few statues, but that’s all. My family talked about how the fortune went into buying the land we farmed. It’s thought that there is a place hidden that has a lot more, but if there is, it was kept a secret and lost before my parents had a chance to learn about it.”
Anna made some notes and tucked they notebook into her pack. It was part of the padding she was using to sleep at night with the other books.
“Do you hear that?” Mesu dropped her voice to a whisper. She squinted her eyes as she scanned around. Anna took a moment to listen as well.
“I don’t hear anything.”
“Exactly, shouldn’t there be some sound. Get your bow.”
The words were just in time as a chattering came from the thick darkness. Mesu was thankful that the fire and campsite were out of the tree line because of her paranoia. Cracking of branches sounded out among the unknown language that approached. Mesu stood and pulled out her dagger from her belt. Anna scrambled for the bow and grabbed it with the arrows. She crawled behind Mesu and got to her feet.
“Fire!”
Anna let an arrow go, half by surprise at the word. It was hard to tell if it did anything. The sounds still approached at a rapid pace. Mesu walked backward and forced Anna a step with her.
“Again. Hurry!”
Mesu could hear Anna prep the bow again and fire. This time a clear crunch was heard as the shapes came up on the fire and split around it to avoid getting burned.
“One more, then run!”
They stepped back again. One more arrow shot past Mesu’s arm, and she could hear Anna backing away. Mesu wasn’t sure if it would be better if she ducked or stood still and waited for these things. The shape matched what had attacked her at the house, and she froze. She knew she would have to use the dagger again. She gripped it and bent her knees. It would be just like when her brother charged at her, except he was never trying to kill her.
The force slammed into her and took her off her feet. Her wrist pushed and sliced wherever it could. Claws scratched at her sides, and she could feel sharp points piercing and scraping her skin. She screamed out but didn’t let her hand quit.
A head dropped directly on her nose. Her vision went blurry with the impact and temporarily stopped her from stabbing. Her hands were held down, and no space to maneuver out. Another scream came out of her, this one filled with rage. She could feel the blood as she tried to grip her knife and start powering her way out. It was getting easier, and she could start moving again.
“Stay down!”
The voice was angelic but gruff as it boomed. The sound of bowstrings filled the night. A low growl was let out as another body was removed from Mesu. She lay there, hoping that whoever was there was an ally. Nails dug into her side and were ripped out as the rest of the body was sent flying. Mesu screamed and clutched her side. The moon silhouetted a giant form standing above her. It looked larger than any human she had ever known.
“Sorry, didn’t know it would do that.”
Mesu panted. She tried to think of a response and was unable to get it out. Her vision blurred as she continued to look up. The hulk walked away. More footsteps approached her. She tried to raise her arm. The exhaustion was too much, and she let herself give in.
“Mesu, Mesu, are you okay?”
She felt Anna’s hands on her shoulders. They stayed there as a foreign pair of hands started prodding at the wounds. She could feel heat like a torch was running over her injuries. Mesu opened her eyes to see the night sky and shapes around her. She had questions she needed to ask. All that left her lips was a groan. Mesu let her eyes close heavily again.