So, I wrote about a quarter to a half of this chapter, and Wattpad decided to have a seizure and erase it ALL.

So, I'm sorry if this chapter is a bit late, I wanted to post it three days ago, buuuut YEP! THANKS WATTPAD

Vote, comment, and ENJOY my suffering.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RECAP

DAMON RIVERS' POV

          Allowing myself one last glance around the slight clearing as my people gathered up their things, cleaning and erasing the campsite as best they could, I smiled. We were true Survivors.

          Fighters, every one.

         Then I remembered Gad still had to check my shoulder. Nether...

END RECAP

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAMON RIVERS' POV

          It had been over two months since Lydia joined us, and she had grown, both physically and mentally, during that time. As with all the Survivors, she had thrown herself into the training, memorizing everything from battle tactics to hand-to-hand combat to different animal tracks. She had practiced stealth, scouting, horseriding, and night watch guarding. I was very proud of her, and I knew that, secretly, everyone else was as well. She was still inexperienced, but she was passionate, and constantly strived to be better.

          She was a true fighter. I had seen her training with Candra's scimitars and instinctively knew that those were going to be her main weapons. The recurve bow came at a close second. 

          It was getting late in the year, and the leaves of the birches in the surrounding forest were turning brilliant colors, signaling the start of autumn. The winds were colder and smelled of rain, and the days, once clear and warm, were now overcast and quite cold. We had begun preparing for winter as soon as we had gotten here, but our main plan was to shelter at three different towns during the worst of the snows. This strategy would, unfortunately, leave my team weakened and out of contact, but it would ultimately keep up our cover. Lydia would, undoubtedly, be with my group, as she was the least experienced. I snapped out of my thoughts and refocused on the young girl.

          At the moment, Lydia was learning how to bind up wounds, and I watched as I brought up armfuls of fallen sticks for firewood, stacking them next to the campfire. Sitting astride a fallen oak log around the camp's edge, Gad was instructing her on the finer points of stitching and how to recognize what sort of herb would help with which injuries. Lydia looked focused, and a bit of her tongue showed as she wrapped up an 'injury' on Gad's lower back. As she finished, Gad tested it and nodded approvingly. She looked pleased. 

          Over dinner that night, I sat next to her and nudged her with my arm, "You're doing very well with your training, Lydia."

          She gave me a lopsided smile, "I try to make sure either my head or my body is aching when I go to sleep at night...makes me know I worked hard."

          I nodded in approval, "A good goal, though you must be careful not to push yourself too hard." I shoveled the delicious potatoes and steak into my mouth and chewed for a bit, "You know..." I swallowed, "I've seen you train with Candra's scimitars. I think..." 

          She looked at me eagerly, her mouth too full to ask a question. I let her stew for a bit before I finished, "I think that you are due to take a trip to a town and get yourself outfitted with a pair of your own scimitars."

          She nearly choked, grabbed her tankard filled with spring water, and chugged. Gasping, she set the mug on the log next to her and squeaked, "What!?"

          The rest of the group gave her weird looks, then went back to their own conversations. I chuckled and winked with my one eye, "I'd say...start tomorrow and head to the nearest town. It's about three days' ride northeast, and take Candra and two others with you. Candra's the expert on scimitars here."

          She set her plate down and threw arms about my waist. I winced and let out a startled yell as my plate was nearly emptied on the dirt below and as my arm gave a warning throb. She squeezed tighter then released me, her eyes shining, "I've been wanting to - but I didn't know how to ask - oh thank you!"

          I steadied my wooden plate, then laughed and placed a hand on her head, "Well, go get Candra and start preparing for your trip, it'll be a long one." She nodded and bolted off to the other side of the camp, where Candra was sitting, atop the cave, boots hanging over the opening. Lydia looked like an excited pup as she relayed my instructions. Candra gave a few nods, handed the rest of her food to Jasher, slipped down, and followed Lydia inside the cave, then out to the horses. Jasher happily ate the rest of Candra's food.

          I shook my head. I hoped they would find a good price and quality blades.

          Later that night, as I lay in the cave, listening to the distant moans of the undead, I pondered my team's next move. I knew we couldn't stay here forever, or we'd begin settling. It would grow harder to leave this place the longer we stayed. It was wiser to winter in a town, where food was easier to come by, and there were warmer places to sleep. However, this camp was, by far, safer, as towns were usually HIS main targets.

          Mentally, I shrugged, then turned over in my bedroll.

          I would sort this out with the rest of my crew tomorrow.

~~~~~~~~~~The next day~~~~~~~~~~

         I woke in the cold, early hours of dawn to shuffling. Keeping my breathing even, I opened an eye and saw Candra waking Mason, Jax, and Lydia. They were trying to be quiet, but I was an unusually light sleeper. I didn't blame them. 

         After they grabbed their saddles and needed supplies, they exited the cave, Jax only tripping once. He'd had a night watch, and was most likely tired and slightly uncoordinated. 

          I stood, stretched, and followed after them, nodding a 'good morning' to a sleepy Bryce, who was standing guard. Mist crept low to the ground, and gray clouds hovered low overhead, a chilly breeze whipping the birch branches above me into a rustling dance. Orange and brown leaves fluttered down, brushing my face as I headed to the left of the cave, the leaves on the ground crunching beneath my boots. The ground sloped before dropping a little steeply here, and the trees were spread a fair way apart, making it ideal for the horses to shelter and graze. They were moved every so often, to fresher pasture, but at night, they were always brought close in case of an emergency.

          Jax, Candra, Lydia, and Mason had moved downhill to where the horses were picketed and were saddling them, checking girths, inspecting gear, counting food supplies. Jax was studying a map laying over his black horse's saddle. He quickly finished, rolled up the map, and tucked it away in one of his leather saddlebags. 

          As they all mounted up, I gave a low whistle and everyone's heads jerked towards me, calming snorting horses, eager to be on the way. I raised my hand in a farewell gesture.

          As one, they all smiled and raised a fist in the air, then nudged their horses into a canter through the trees. I kept my hand raised until the last horse vanished into the depths of the forest. Turning away, I, unknowingly, uttered a silent prayer of protection over them. Though I knew all of them were more than capable of protecting themselves, I couldn't stop a little twinge of worry from burrowing into my chest.

          Good Notch, I hoped they'd be alright.

~~~~~~~~~~A few hours later~~~~~~~~~~

LYDIA OAKS' POV

          We had started off in the early gray of dawn, stopping only once to rest, water the horses and eat. A bit of rain had begun to fall as night neared, nothing too heavy, but annoying all the same. It would turn the ground to mud beneath our horse's hooves, making a slippery track. As the night darkened, Candra cantered ahead, scouting for a safe sleeping place. The group had decided against lighting torches, as that would only catch the attention of the undead.

          Suddenly, Candra materialized in front of us, her horse snorting nervously. The undead had begun to come out, and the poor beast was nervous, "There's a hill ahead, nothing too dry, but it will at least elevate our position and give us a slight advantage if the undead scent us." She pulled her coak's hood farther over her face, "Curse this rain, it'll turn the ground to mud and slow progress." Shrugging, she wheeled her mare around and started off at a brisk trot, "Come, then, and hurry."

          Urging our tired horses into a trot, we looked about warily, scanning in the waning light of the moon, for holes or stray branches that could have tripped our horses, and, as usual, straining our eyes for any sign of an undead.

          We made it to the hill without mishap and proceeded to unsaddle and rub down the horses, picketing them at the base of the hill, to graze. The undead would usually leave animals alone, and the horses would provide an early alarm system. One side of the hill was a steep bluff, no attacks would come from that direction...unless you counted spiders.

          I wearily laid my saddle down, unrolled my blanket, and curled up, wrapping the cover around me. There was no point in lighting a fire, we'd stand out like a beacon. It was going to be a chilly night. Right before I dropped off, I noticed Candra taking up a point position for night watch. I murmured sleepily, "I got second..." just before I drifted off.

          It felt as if I'd only been sleeping for five minutes when Candra woke me by shaking my shoulder, "C'mon, girl. Rise and shine."

          "I hate smaller groups." I told her as I rose and stretched, easing the kinks from my spine and rubbing a bruise from a rock that dug into my hip. Smaller groups meant longer watch periods. I had three hours before I could drop off into oblivion again. Stumping over to where Candra had been guarding, I went through the motions Jasher had instructed me on to help me stay up for night watch. It was a dangerous time, and if you were to fall asleep, all of your friends could perish. I rolled my shoulders, then began scanning, familiarizing myself with the night sounds and smells, so I would notice anything unusual. When that was done, I began pacing and crouching in a random rhythm, so I would never remain sitting or standing too long.

          The moon softly illuminated the tops of the trees and the gaps between their spreading branches, letting me pick out several undead forms staggering or just standing there, all seeking blood. The weak light also lit up skeletons and spiders as they wandered about, looking for potential threats to their territories. Wrapping my cloak about me, I shivered. It was going to be a long three hours.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          It turned out to be an uneventful three hours, with only one hair-raising experience when a spider decided to have a squabble with a zombie nearby. The sounds those two made...ugh.

          As I turned to wake up whoever had the third watch, I noticed Mason already standing. Moonlight shone down softly, painting his face tired face with weak light. I grinned, "Heh, I was worried...didn't know who had third."

          He yawned, "I figured...you were out like a doused torch..." Stretching his arms above his head, he gave a slight moan as his back cracked, "Well...get s'm sleep...'night."

          Making my way to my bedroll, I placed my head on the leather saddle and snuggled into the softer side of my greenish-brown cover. As I lay, staring at the stars, I thought of how far I'd come. A few months ago, I had been barely able to bring a longbow back to full draw. Now, I was an adept shooter, and on my way to get my very own weapons! A few months ago, I was unsure if I really wanted to fight HIM.

          Now, I figured HE should be unsure about fighting me.

          I smiled before dropping off to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~The next day~~~~~~~~~~

           I winced as my horse stumbled again, jarring my sore backside. Candra had woken me early, in the gray of dawn, eager to be off. As it would take too long to find dry tinder, we had to eat a cold breakfast of dried meat and fruit. After saddling up, we set off. Thankfully, the rain had cleared away, leaving gray, hovering clouds and a cold breeze that whipped the branches of the surrounding birch forest and the tall grass. All too often, a wet-leafed branch would swing back to hit me in the face, putting me in a...less that pleasant mood.

          Up ahead, Jax turned in his saddle and grinned, "Saddle-sore already? 'Tis barely four o'clock!"

          I scowled at him, released the reins with one hand, and rubbed my back, "How much longer?"

          Candra nudged her horse in front of Jax, taking up point position, "We'll reach the town at sundown...I think. 

          During the first half of our journey, Mason and Jax had filled me in with descriptions of our destination. Jax just kept going on about their ale, but Mason gave me some pretty neat visuals. He described the town, called Ravine, to be just that. A town in a ravine. A mining town at first, it had grown into a prospering community, with three inns and three or four taverns along with many small farms. Silversmiths, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, they all made prosperous lives in the growing town. Farms were situated along the edge of the ravine, and mines branched away from the walls, going deep into the ground. It seemed like a neat place, perfect for getting myself some scimitars, as weaponsmiths were bound to be found in large mining towns.

          Just as the sun began to kiss the edge of the horizon, we came upon Ravine. Smoke from many fires rose into the air, some smelling of roasting meats, and others, of smelting ores. A glow came from the ground, the glow of lanterns, torches, and cookfires. 

          We rode our horses along the road bordering the fields of wheat, carrots, and potatoes, reaching the common stables. Since the only way to reach the town was by steep stairways, the horses would have to stay. As Candra argued with the stablemaster over the price, Jax, Mason and I rubbed down the horses and inspected the stalls, noting that they were nicely bedded and sturdy.

          After settling on a price, Candra lead us down a path to the edge of one of the cliffs at the edge of the town. She seemed to step off into thin air before we realized she was going down a set of steep stairs. We followed after her, with Mason nearly slipping on the rough stairs, carved from the sheer walls of rock, diorite, and granite. The wind immediately lessened here, though it was still cold. As I looked out over the town, I was amazed. Roofs of thatch, wood, and stone blended together in a sea of organized chaos, flat roofs, steep roofs...all sorts! Houses were crammed into every block of space, stacking up on top of each other and jutting out of the steep walls of the ravine, some were even built into sharp ledges, each cut window glowing with warm, yellow light. The people ran about three levels of road, one in the center of the ravine, and two on each side. All of them carried torches or lanterns, and many were filthy, covered in coal dust and dirt. They must have been miners. Others even scurried across swaying rope and wood bridges spanning the ravine, connecting roads high above the ground.

          As we reached the central road, which was made of wet, rough stone, Candra beckoned us closer, "There are many here who deem travelers as easy pickings. Watch your pockets and bags."

          We all murmured confirmation, paying closer attention to the people in the shadows and the grimy children running through the streets. From below, the town was even more impressive, stretching higher and higher, the cliffs standing strong against the now-dark sky, the lanterns illumination the different stones and building materials and the many mineshafts that branched away from the center. The smell was stronger here too. Coal dust, unwashed people, roasting meat, ale, and the occasional wet dog, following after a fast-walking master.

           Soon, we had made it to an inn Candra deemed safe. It was a tall, wooden building with lanterns in every window, and a sign hanging over the door with a crude painting of a rearing stallion. Entering, the inside was warm and lit with lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and a dim stairway branched off to the left. As Candra went up to an older-looking lady, Jax, Mason and I just stood there, taking in the warmth and the smells. Six chickens turned on a spit over an open fire near several tables on the other side of the stairs, and they looked near done, the delicious aroma coming from them made my mouth water. 

          Candra, our money-bearer, paid for two rooms, then turned to Jax as we made our way up to our rooms, "Jax, find a weaponsmith we can go to first thing tomorrow and see if they have a supply of scimitars. Mrs. Anna told me the last meal is at seven...don't be late." She handed a key to Mason as we made it to a long hall lined with doors.

          Jax grinned up at her from his spot on the stairs, "Now why would I be?"

          She snorted, then motioned him to a door at the left while she shouldered open one to the right. It wasn't a big room, maybe seven by four blocks, but it was warm. Setting my pack down wearily, I made my way to the bed, which, I noted happily, was clean. Breathing a sigh, I flopped onto it.

          Candra found a chair to dump her stuff on, then made her way over to me, "Scooch." She grinned. I complied and she sat next to me, "Aahhh...that's nice." 

          I rolled over, my body only halfway on the bed, and murmured, "Wake me when dinner's ready."

          "Fine."

          Before I could fall asleep, the door squeaked open and Jax's voice rang, "I'm heading out, meet you back here. If I don't come back, I'm drunk."

          The door slammed as Candra's voice exploded, "You'll do no such thing!"

          Giggling, I heard the door swing open and shut again as Candra pursued Jax. Closing my eyes, I drifted off.

~~~~~~~~~~Later~~~~~~~~~~

          I awoke to Candra shaking my shoulder. Again. Groaning, I muttered, "So soon?"

          I looked on with bleary eyes as Candra shrugged, "Hey, I'll readily eat your portion if you're too tired-"

          "'M up...I'm up..."

          Dinner was delicious, savory potatoes and carrots with meant and bread hot from the fire. As I stuffed my face with the amazing food, I looked about our small table, "Jax...?"

          Candra answered shortly, "The son of a slime still ain't here...he's more childish than Jasher, I swear..." 

         I smiled around my mouthful of bread, "Well, I'll eat his food if you don't mind-"

          The door burst open, and our heads swiveled towards it. A figure staggered in and closed the door quickly, his back to us. His black, curly hair was damp, and he rested against the door for a bit, breathing heavily. His cloak obscured my vision, and I couldn't immediately tell who it was. Two or three other guests also turned to stare, everything from mild concern to total disinterest written on their faces.

         "Jax?" Mason spoke up. He'd risen slightly, a questioning frown creasing his forehead.

          The cloaked figure whirled, eyes wide before a smile masked his wild-eyed look. Jax spoke, panting, "Oh...hahah, hey Mason. Don't worry I'm fine."

          Despite myself, my heart began pounding. Jax's smile didn't reach his eyes, which were shifty and a little too wide. I had also seen something in his face I'd never seen before.

           Fear.

           Something was wrong.

           Jax slid into the spare seat at our small, square table, waving his hand and motioning for another plate to be brought. As he waited for his food, he looked about nervously, eyes flickering from our faces to the guests beyond, never stopping.

           I growled after at least three minutes on this. Candra and Mason were doing nothing, not even pointing out Jax's strange behavior, "Jax, what the Nether is wrong? And don't give me an excuse, I've never seen you this nervous. Now buck up and start talking. What's. Wrong."

          Candra and Mason raised an eyebrow at me, then Mason smirked, "A regular interrogator."

          Jax's smile faltered, widened, then disappeared altogether. Leaning forward, he hissed, "After I found a good weapons' master and placed an order for the scimitars, I went for a few drinks at a tavern. Yes, yes, Candra, I know you don't like me in those places, but I wanted a drink, okay? Anyway, I overheard a muttered, urgent-sounding conversation..." Jax paused and nodded his thanks as his food was placed, steaming, in front of him. Pushing it away, he continued, his tone darkening, as the server left, "HE has been seen walking near the highway to Rusthorn, a village two days' ride northwest."

           We all jerked as if we'd been struck. Candra recovered first and shoved Jax's food in front of him, "Eat, we rise before dawn, pick up the sabers, and leave."

          Rising, I managed a weak grin, "I'm...I'm going to go to bed"

          Candra nodded at me, "Take Mason with you."

          Mason rose hurriedly and started after me, his face flushed. Not caring, I turned and made my way up the stairs and into my shared room. Mason followed behind me, shut the door, and sat on a chair near it. I didn't really care at this point, my mind was far too crazed with scenarios, buzzing with this new information. I took off my boots, undid my cloak, turned down the lantern and crawled onto the bed, hardly realizing what I was doing.

          Settling down against the pillow and pulling the cover up to my chest, I stared at the darkened ceiling, wide awake.

          To my right, Mason shifted and muttered something. I asked, "Hmm?"

          "Nothing..."

          "Night."

          It was a long time until sleep finally claimed me.

~~~~~~~~~~Two days later~~~~~~~~~~

          "Agh, c'mon Candra! You're going to run us into the ground!"

          "Hush, Jax. We need to warn Damon and get to Rusthorn before it's too late."

           We had been riding hard for two days now, stopping for one short break at midnight last night. I had hardly gotten time to try out my new scimitars, which were works of art. Perfectly balanced with handles wrapped in black leather and studded with iron, the slightly-curved swords were exactly what I'd hoped for. Simple, and deadly. I wore them in well-made leather sheaths in an  X across my back, like Candra.

          Jax muttered something. Candra twisted in her saddle to glare at him, "What's that?"

          "We may already be too late!" Jax shouted, his face twisted with anger, though a bit of sorrow shone through as well.

           Candra merely urged her horse to go faster, her tone hardening, "Then at least we'll avenge those who didn't make it...or finally find a way to track that blasted demo-"

          "Candra!"

          Candra reined in her weary mount, the rest of us checking our horses as well as Candra looked about for the voice. Emerging from the bushes to our left, Bryce waved us down, concern on his face. He'd been hunting, his game bag was nearly full, "What's the matter? You just rode in here like the devil himself were on your heels."

           "HE is." Candra stated bluntly.

           Bryce looked confused, but Candra didn't wait for him to process it. She thumped her heels into her horse's sides, asking for one last sprint. Mason, Jax, and I did the same, leaving behind a bewildered Bryce. He had to be at least a half-day from camp, as not many animals stayed near a human campsite.

          I was the last to make it to the camp. Candra had already dismounted and was up on the hill near the cave, talking urgently to Damon, who was stroking his chin, covered by the scarf, thoughtfully.

          Wearily, I swung down from my horse and smiled at Sandy, who was standing nearby, hands on her hips, looking quizzically at Candra. She gave me a puzzled expression. I chuckled tiredly, "I'm sure Damon will announce it later." Stifling a yawn, I stuttered, "Could you, ah...do you mind...we've been riding for three days and-"

          Sandra took the reins and shooed me towards the cave, "Yeah, yeah...I get it. Sleep."

          Nodding my thanks, I climbed up the hill, dirt and leaves tumbling down the  hill in my wake. Giving a tired smile to Damon and Roarn, who were looking tense, I ambled into the cave, which was a bit warmer, thanks to the second, crackling fire at its mouth. I realized I forgot my bedroll on my horse's saddle. Shrugging, I grabbed an extra one, not caring whose it was, curled up, and abruptly fell asleep.

          Damon would take care of it.

          He always did.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

yE

I didn't...proofread it...ok? I'm too tired...just tell me about any typos, ok? Again, sorry this took so long to come out...half of it got deleted and I had to rewrite it...it actually turned out better because of it.

Vote and comment please! Next update is Fallen Honor.

Over n' out,

~ScarOfHerobrine