different territories. The hunt was good at this time of year.
A portion of those colors had faded or had switched to darker tones with the arrival of autumn. But you could still see abundant flowers in many fields. And the green of the grass was still alive, even though during that season it didn't rain much. It had started late and it was cold. The temperature was not pleasant, but bearable.
The afternoon passed quietly, without incident. Almost without realizing it, they were nearing the end of their journey.
“I think this is the crossroads that the instructions indicated,” Erion said.
“I remember being here on other occasions, but always heading north or south to Deepcliff,” Mithir added.
This time they made their way to the west. By late afternoon they had reached the forest of their destination. Indeed, it was the only forest in the area and it did not seem very large. They entered it at nightfall, riding slowly, while paying much attention and looking for the camp. It took a while to find it, more than he would have liked, his leg was in need of rest. Finally, after a little less than an hour wandering through the woods, they saw a clearing below where someone had lit a fire, and tents for the night, horses and some ammunition were visible. They walked into the clearing.
*******
Thost and his companions had made a fire at nightfall at the rendezvous. Usually the fire drove away the wild animals, and gave them a good view of the entire clearing. They also used it to roast dinner: a pair of rabbits Samar had hunted, as usual.
Thost looked around. His son Ithelas and Samar were sitting around the fire. The camp consisted of four tents of various sizes, a few piles of wood already cut and prepared, a place for cutting logs, a small water hole, and little else. When they arrived, they inspected it thoroughly, but found virtually nothing beyond the described; neither valuable, nor worthless.
A hawk descended at high speed on the clearing and, after hovering around, landed on his outstretched fist. He wore a leather glove on his left hand, which prevented the claws of the animal to harm him. It was Houraz, his favorite falcon. And at that moment, the only one. He remembered the times in his castle in Borydos where his lackeys helped him keep a dozen falconry birds of all kinds. He loved to spend evenings with the animals, training them and teaching them tricks, admiring their flight and their ability.
He had a great ability to understand birds. The key was to know when you had to give them room. Birds are animals who appreciate their freedom, above all. He could have given the hawk the remains of the rabbits for dinner. Houraz liked to peck around the bones to precisely remove small pieces of meat. However, when the right time came, just before sunset, he removed the cap that limited the hawk's vision and released it, pushing it skyward. The animal would seek its dinner on its own. And in the process would enjoy the flight and freedom. But a few hours later, he would return with his master; the man who had raised him with love and affection since he was a little more than a chick.
When the magnificent animal was back, he stroked it a few times and put it on a stick with a tiny pedestal, which was stuck in the ground near one of the shops. Then he put his hood on again. He had chosen that tent to sleep in the case, seemingly likely, that they had to spend the night there. He didn't know what to expect, really, but he didn't think that the mystery client would ask them to leave that camp immediately after the conversation he hoped to have with him at midnight.
The letter he had received a day and a half ago was really intriguing. It also gave the impression of having been written by someone with education and money. This had been one of the key factors why he decided to accept the invitation; and also the mention of a good bag of gold after completing the request. Of course, not a word of what it was
A portion of those colors had faded or had switched to darker tones with the arrival of autumn. But you could still see abundant flowers in many fields. And the green of the grass was still alive, even though during that season it didn't rain much. It had started late and it was cold. The temperature was not pleasant, but bearable.
The afternoon passed quietly, without incident. Almost without realizing it, they were nearing the end of their journey.
“I think this is the crossroads that the instructions indicated,” Erion said.
“I remember being here on other occasions, but always heading north or south to Deepcliff,” Mithir added.
This time they made their way to the west. By late afternoon they had reached the forest of their destination. Indeed, it was the only forest in the area and it did not seem very large. They entered it at nightfall, riding slowly, while paying much attention and looking for the camp. It took a while to find it, more than he would have liked, his leg was in need of rest. Finally, after a little less than an hour wandering through the woods, they saw a clearing below where someone had lit a fire, and tents for the night, horses and some ammunition were visible. They walked into the clearing.
*******
Thost and his companions had made a fire at nightfall at the rendezvous. Usually the fire drove away the wild animals, and gave them a good view of the entire clearing. They also used it to roast dinner: a pair of rabbits Samar had hunted, as usual.
Thost looked around. His son Ithelas and Samar were sitting around the fire. The camp consisted of four tents of various sizes, a few piles of wood already cut and prepared, a place for cutting logs, a small water hole, and little else. When they arrived, they inspected it thoroughly, but found virtually nothing beyond the described; neither valuable, nor worthless.
A hawk descended at high speed on the clearing and, after hovering around, landed on his outstretched fist. He wore a leather glove on his left hand, which prevented the claws of the animal to harm him. It was Houraz, his favorite falcon. And at that moment, the only one. He remembered the times in his castle in Borydos where his lackeys helped him keep a dozen falconry birds of all kinds. He loved to spend evenings with the animals, training them and teaching them tricks, admiring their flight and their ability.
He had a great ability to understand birds. The key was to know when you had to give them room. Birds are animals who appreciate their freedom, above all. He could have given the hawk the remains of the rabbits for dinner. Houraz liked to peck around the bones to precisely remove small pieces of meat. However, when the right time came, just before sunset, he removed the cap that limited the hawk's vision and released it, pushing it skyward. The animal would seek its dinner on its own. And in the process would enjoy the flight and freedom. But a few hours later, he would return with his master; the man who had raised him with love and affection since he was a little more than a chick.
When the magnificent animal was back, he stroked it a few times and put it on a stick with a tiny pedestal, which was stuck in the ground near one of the shops. Then he put his hood on again. He had chosen that tent to sleep in the case, seemingly likely, that they had to spend the night there. He didn't know what to expect, really, but he didn't think that the mystery client would ask them to leave that camp immediately after the conversation he hoped to have with him at midnight.
The letter he had received a day and a half ago was really intriguing. It also gave the impression of having been written by someone with education and money. This had been one of the key factors why he decided to accept the invitation; and also the mention of a good bag of gold after completing the request. Of course, not a word of what it was
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