Chapter Seventy – Same Dogs, Old Tricks

Nassandra gazed back at the hundreds of miles of fauna they had crossed over. Beyond that horizon, she hoped that her father was safe from harm. She tugged on the scarf wrapped around her neck, it comforted her whenever her mind fell into a pit of worry.

They had lost track of the days. All the camp could do was hope that they make it through the forest soon. By now, they were beginning to ration out the rations. Rain couldn't reach them because of the thick trees looming above. Their only saving grace was the lack of dangerous predators that crossed their path. However, with hunger setting in, Nassandra knew it was only a matter of time before their resources were depleted.

She slumped against her tent. In the distance, she could hear the sound of her friends' training. Her eyes drifted to the side and she spotted Turrock standing nearby. She watched him as he stared at his compass and then outward in the direction they were heading.

Without looking at her, he smirked. ''You want to know how far we are from Fylian?''

''No,'' Nassandra said quickly. She sighed before nodding.

''Do you want the honest answer? Or the hopeful one?''

''I'm curious to hear both.''

He closed his compass and walked over to her. ''We're so far from Arsalan, I can no longer guess our location. That's my honest answer. The hopeful one is that we should come upon Fylian any day now.'' Finding a space next to her, he leaned back against the tent to stretch his arms.

Nassandra's heart jumped. ''I can't believe we've made it this far.''

''I think it's the belief that's carried us all the way.''

''I like to think that. For the first time in my life, I believe I can do anything. But...'' she stopped talking and looked away.

Turrock glanced at her. ''You're afraid once we get out of here, you're going to go back to the way you were.''

It wasn't a question, but Nassandra responded with a nod. ''I still feel it. The doubt. The anxiety. It hasn't left me, but, I feel that I might finally have control over it. I'm scared of losing that control.''

''Everyone's scared of losing control of their own mind. That will never go away, no matter what you do.''

''I know that,'' Nassandra admitted quietly. ''Even magic couldn't cure me. I would feel lifted for a day or two before it would all come rushing back at once. My only way of coping was having Fethawi by my side and keeping my distance. I didn't want to be Queen.''

He arched a brow at her. ''Past tense?''

She was quiet for a moment. A smile tugged at her lip. ''Everything's changed. I've discovered the dark history of my family. I've seen the atrocities inflicted upon my home. I have friends who are willing to fight by my side. I can't cower away. Not now. Not ever.''

''It's easier said than done, you know that, right?''

''Aye,'' Nassandra replied. To Turrock's surprise, she let out a soft giggle. ''I wonder what my father would say if he knew I received comforting words from a wanted gangster.''

''Ah, and here's hoping I would receive a pardon for assisting you.'' Turrock teased.

''I could do that if you want?''

He shook his head, his smile growing. ''I like living outside the law. I find it more freeing.''

Nassandra's eyes filled with intrigue as she turned to face him fully. ''What did you do to receive a bounty?''

''Collateral damage.''

''It can't only be that.''

Giving her a sly grin, he lifted his head to gaze at where the sky would be. ''I'm to succeed Duron as the Father. When he passes, my brothers and sisters will look to me to lead us. The world tends to judge someone on their name over their actions.''

''Do you ever think that you'll never live up to your father's leadership?''

''Once upon a time, I did,'' Turrock replied. ''But, that's why the Mightross is important to us. It'll show that I can succeed in forging my own path and become a worthy successor to Father.''

Comforted by his words, Nassandra looked up, following Turrock's eyes and smiled. ''I'm going to make my own path and follow it through to the end.''

Something gleaming caught Nassandra's eye. The wind whipped against the trees, causing the branches to sway as a smoky stream of sunlight burst through the gap to light up their surroundings.

''We're near the end!'' Nassandra gasped.

Campers halted with their activities to bask in their first encounter with sunlight for what felt like an eternity. As the Silverbacks trudged further along, more beams of light brightened the path. The inky blackness that coated the forest melted away, making room for a warm orange glow that lifted the camp's spirits higher until they were practically soaring.

''Well, well,'' Turrock grinned. ''This is better than I hoped. If we continue like this, we'll reach Fylian in half a day.''

From out of nowhere, Ailith leapt between them with a beaming smile. ''We've almost made it!''

Nassandra almost fell back at her friend's sudden appearance. The warrior looked like she had been dragged through the mud with dishevelled clothes and scruffy hair littered with twigs and stones. Climbing up the ladder behind her was Levana, looking just as exhausted and worn and panting heavily. The last to appear was Emlyn, who hardly had a scratch on her. The five of them stood together, staring ahead as they neared their destination.

Campers who were unfortunate enough to be near Thwack received a head-splitting blow across their craniums, silencing their cheers. ''Don't get your cloaks in a twist, we're not out of the woods yet!''

Ailith frowned. ''I hate to say it, but they've got a point. And the Silverbacks are going to divert course soon.''

Nassandra nodded. ''Then we'll make the rest of the journey on front. Everyone must grab whatever essentials they can carry. We'll make way once the Silverbacks start to change direction.''

''Yes, ma'am!'' Everyone in the camp saluted and started packing.

Nassandra blushed deeply. She thought she was talking to her small group of companions, she wasn't expecting her voice to carry all the way through the camp.

A comforting hand patted her shoulder, causing her to turn and see Kuval smiling at her. ''Well spoken.''

''I think I've found my voice.'' She said.

The balconies and bridges were swarmed with campers rushing to collect everything that could fit in their hands. Tents were folded dozens of times over until they could be strapped to one's back. Towers of cutlery rocked from side to side as they were passed from one person to the other. Anything of little use was tossed overboard and left to be lost in the shrubs.

The mingling scent of food and spices disappeared as Bonamy stored them into a small bag and hooked it over his shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted something passing through the trees. He looked out and tried to make sense of it. Thankfully, it's movements slowed. He sighed with relief realising it was only a passing Mamethshire. However, he spotted something out of place on the creature.

''Ailith? Come and look at this!'' He called out.

In seconds, Ailith had joined him and stared out to where he was pointing. She opened her mouth to question him until she found what he wanted to show her. Inserted just above the horse's back leg was a dart. Ailith saw a droplet of purple liquid ooze down the creature's muscular leg before it disappeared deeper into the forest.

''I think there might be poachers in the area,'' Bonamy whispered, scanning the area for more movement.

''We don't want them to give us trouble. I'm going to take a look.'' Ailith said, leaping over the edge before Bonamy could protest.

She was almost blinded by the light pouring down on her as she chased after the Mamethshire. Hopping over wild roots and broken branches, she looked everywhere but had lost the horse's track. The birds singing above masked any sound it could have made, and the earthly scent diluted her smell. She could be searching for hours before she would find the trail again. Thinking on her feet, Ailith crouched down and buried her hand in the dirt.

Dulling her senses, she remained motionless and quiet. The Mamethshire's aura was her only hope. Her conscious sank into an abyss of white. In the silent, white void she felt a pulse. It was faint and weakening, but it was all she needed to know where to go next.

After a minute-long sprint, Ailith came to a tree and stopped. The Mamethshire lay on the ground, still breathing. Cautiously, she started to approach the fallen animal until an outstretched hand cupped her mouth from behind and pinned her against the tree. Before Ailith could fight back, she found herself gazing into Emlyn's intense eyes. The swordswoman pressed a finger against her own lips, signalling for Ailith to remain silent.

''I told you it came here!'' A raspy voice cackled from the other side of the Mamethshire.

Ailith and Emlyn peered around the tree trunk, watching three individuals emerge from their hiding spot and approach their prey. Ailith groaned against Emlyn's hand. She never thought she'd see these three again.

''That makes it six I've captured. I win this round!'' Tooth said with a wide grin, displaying a row of jagged, metal teeth. Saliva gushed out of his mouth like a waterfall.

Nail glared at him, retracting her twin blades and folding her arms across her chest. ''This one would have been my catch had you not blindsided me.''

''What are you talking about? How was I to know a gust of wind would distract you?''

''You threw dirt in my eyes!'' She yelled at him, much to his amusement.

Stepping in the middle of their conflict, Bone placed his giant hands on their shoulders and separated them. ''My friends, it is not about winning or losing. It's about being paid.'' He said in a voice too quiet to match his imposing frame.

Tooth patted Bone's armoured chest. ''The big guy's right. Let's get this one back to camp. The boss needs them shipped to Arsalan before nightfall.''

The poachers were still oblivious to Ailith and Emlyn's presence. They watched on with bated breath as Bone picked up the unconscious Mamethshire and carried it away, following his bickering companions and disappearing out of sight.

Once they were gone, Emlyn removed her hand from Ailith's mouth. ''Stay silent. We'll follow them.''

Ailith nodded. If it came to it, she was more than ready for round two with these poachers.

A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. I hope that you're doing well and staying safe. What did you think of this chapter? What do you think is going to happen next? Don't be afraid to comment away and let me know your thoughts. I'll be back next Monday with new chapters. Thank you all for being awesome. Take care.