Distracted by his thoughts, Ryden entered the woods of Asfame, feeling a gentle breeze blowing through his hair. Moments later, knowing speed was not needed in this terrain, the carter slowed down. Ryden didn't argue. It was his first time truly riding a steed, and his legs were already starting to hurt.
"I'm leaving the rest to you for now." he stroked the carter's fur, dropping the reins.
A thrilling sense of solitude enveloped him, this journey was his alone. No soldiers were sent with him because the general wanted him to journey alone and gain some experience. The ones sent upfront would see to any blocking or danger that might arise during the journey.
He looked in his bag. Apart from the sweet-smelling fruits and a carefully wrapped roll of bread and meat, there were some healing herbs he identified from his training. A small pouch filled with Darmine coins, ones used as currency by most settlements, jingled softly, accompanied by a fire starter tucked away in a component pouch. The last piece was a waterskin tucked in his belt.
It all felt so perfect. The sun high above blocked by the intertwined branches of silent oaks and trees, Soothing streams of wind filling his lungs and the rhythmic wobbling of his steed.
There was an occasional bird call from the green canopy and rustling in the foliage. The Carter huffed, wiggling his ears around.
At noon, they stopped for a well-deserved break, the carter munched on berry bushes as Ryden stretched and wandered around, taking in the vibrant landscape. The greenery was pleasant, unlike anything he had felt before. In his excitement, he started swinging his short sword, practicing the drills he had learned during his training, slashing several trees.
Left swing,
Right upwards,
Duck, and thrust,
His blade went deep in an oak trunk, drops of sticky sap oozing around the steel. He suddenly realised what he had done, hurting the greenery of the woods. He looked up at the oak's green crown, and saw a pair of emerald eyes peering down at him.
A man sat perched on the thickest stem, gazing down, his skin a rich oak shade blending seamlessly with the tree's bark. Ryden's body went cold, and his legs trembled. He pulled at his sword but the wood held it tight. He backed away, breaking into a run towards his resting steed.
The man jumped from the tree, landing softly on the forest floor, and pulled the short sword free from the trunk. Ryden had learned about several forest dwelling creatures and how to fight them, but nothing prepared him for this.
He ran to the carter, pulling on his reins. Looking back, he saw the man running towards him at alarming speed. A scream escaped his throat as his legs went weak; he sat down and closed his eyes as tears escaped through, and then, nothing. He sat there for some moments and finally opened his eyes, looking through the tears.
The man stood in front staring at him, and suddenly burst into laughter, the loud voice echoing through the forest. Ryden stared at him, unable to understand the situation.
"Oh boy!" the man said, in between laughing, "Is it your first time?"
Ryden tried to stand up, but his legs were still numb.
"Y-Yes," He finally answered. The boy he faced was not much older than him, his bare torso taut with muscles, tousled hair crowning his head, and gem-green eyes.
"Never abandon your blade," the boy said, moving towards the Carter "Remember this rule whenever you are out alone,"
Ryden was standing now, looking at his hands still shaking from the experience. He did not know what to say, he had just embarrassed himself by crying and running away.
"You are Ryden, right?" It was the boy again, stroking the steed's head, "The second Zornika."
Ryden was startled by the recognition, "Yes, how do you know?"
"I can still smell the city on you."
Now, Ryden thought, That is not normal. He is not human. I need to run.
"And, who might you be?" was all he could ask.
"Well, I've got many names, but you can call me Thorn." He turned towards him, he was wearing fur and leather down his waist, torso bare under the sun. Ryden noticed a dull green imprint on his neck, a ribbon, similar to his crimson shoulder.
"So, Thorn, where are you from?" He asked, taking his sword back from Thorn's hand.
"Well, not from anywhere here." That was enough to confirm Ryden's suspicion.
"So you are headed to Denzal as well?" Ryden said, not wanting to ask him straight about his identity.
"You are smart enough to connect the dots, good."
Gods, does he not answer anything straight?
"So you are the first Zornika."
"Yes, I have been roaming in these woods for quite some time, waiting for you."
"Me?"
"This place is very different, you will need first-hand guidance."
"So, should we keep moving then?" Ryden was relaxed now, happy to have another companion, especially one he had wanted to meet for so long.
"To Denzal? No, not now." Thorn waved away the idea.
"What do you mean not now, we are supposed-"
"No, I am not ready," He interrupted firmly,
"Why?" Ryden had finally found someone he could truly trust, he did not want to leave again.
"There are many reasons," he answered, "But most importantly, I have work to finish"
"W-What work?"
"The chief of a nearby village promised me a pay of my choice for solving a little problem they are facing."
Ryden contemplated his options, "I will go with you, then."
"You don't even know where I'm headed. You really prefer to share an adventure rather than face it alone?" Thorn asked, assessing his choice.
"I've made my decision, I want to reach Denzal with you. You clearly know this place better than I do, and it will give me time to grow stronger."
"You do need improvement," Thorn admitted, thinking about the decision. "Okay, you can come. At least the Carter will be useful."
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As they rode due west, the woods got really dense, leaves getting darker, stems stretching wide, letting in barely any light.
"So," Ryden was riding the carter, and Thorn had some serious endurance because he had been walking beside them for several hours. "Where are we going?"
"Now you are asking some real questions, we are going on a raid."
"Raid, like taking over some dungeon?"
"We are raiding a stronghold of sorts. It is mostly manned by lesser orcs and goblins. They have been raiding and burning farms and villages, wreaking havoc everywhere. They don't have alot of members, but their leader is cunning, that's what we know."
"Have you done this before?" Ryden was glad for some conversation.
"Twice, alone each time."
"You will not be alone this time."
"The carter won't be going in." Thorn retorted.
"N-No, I mean me."
Ryden could not see Thorn's face, but he could hint at a strange smile playing on his face.
"I am not going to babysit you; you will have to manage yourself," Thorn replied.
"I can take care of myself." Ryden protested, he felt betrayed. Something rose inside him.
"You have food?" That was not the reply he was expecting.
"Yes, I have some fruits and bre-"
"Throw it away." Unexpected again.
"Throw it? But it's fresh!"
Thorn stopped, reaching for a nearby tree trunk. "They can smell it easily, and we want to attack, not get ambushed ourselves."
Ryden opened his mouth to protest, but was stopped by a soft, green glow filling the area they stood in.