Dragons Curse chapter One, Unedited

[shinote]

People have been yelling at me for a while now trying to get my to write the next chapter of this damn story, after the prologue managed to so nicely pull them in, well after, what 3 years Jacob, I finally have a chapter one that I'm willing to let the public read. Yes there are more chapter written, only 2 more to be honest, but chapter 4 is being worked on, with very little success. I sent the map of this world to Jacob a while ago, though i dont' know if he got it or what happened but any way here is the first chapter, of hopefully many (ps for those of you who remember I have FINALLY broken down and bought a new copy of book 10 and am currently reading it :cheers: )

Chapter One

Jokab swayed in his saddle. The ride down the river was less then desirable. The ship had been called The River Gale. It deserved its name taking the small army of his lords men and their horses down the river at twice the speed any other boat could have gone, or so the chubby little captain had told them. Lord Paronius brought his three-year-old daughter Helania, Paronius’s pride, with him, which brought a long a small group of care takers for the young lady. It was a large boat, but narrow and Jokab became sea- sick on the second day of there ten day voyage from Telmancia, a small port town just to the south of the Deabil straight, to Arend, a modest city south of the border of Snowsfell. He was seasick the rest of the trip, eating very little and sleeping less. Lord Paronius showed no sympathy for Jokab’s exhaustion and had them saddle there horses and were heading south on the road to Snowsfell’s capital less then an hour after The ship was in port.
Snowsfell’s ruling town is Snowsfell. About six hundred years ago The Duke of Snowsfell rebelled against his king and took over a fair amount of land, and, after the ensuing war managed to keep all he had controlled during the war, but instead of declaring himself king, he refused declaring the title as being corrupt. He instead kept his title of Duke calling the ensuing dukedom Snowsfell. His offspring held up that oath and rule the kingdom with the same noble and just hand. Over the years they have gained the trust of many houses with the aid they have given over the years against the Leeffin.
It was this trust that caused Lord Paronius to go to Snowsfell personally and ask Duke Henry of house Boren to throw his support behind him in the race for the thrown. Six months ago the old King of Pulfen, King Robornis had died quite suddenly in a hunting accident, with no direct heir. The head of the six largest houses started to assert their power and demand the crown. Over the months, in order to avoid a civil war, three of the houses dropped out of the running throwing their support behind one of the other major houses. The remaining three continue to bicker amongst themselves hoping that one of them will give up and support another, making them ruler of the land. With civil war around the corner Lord Paronius decided to seek outside aid in a hunt for the crown and so here they are seven days away from Snowsfell, and it was starting to snow.
Jokab, still swaying in his saddle, was riding next to Paronius. “My lord,” he said leaning over as the snow started to build up on the ground. “Maybe we should find shelter and wait till the storm blows over. Even if we continue we won’t make it to the next village before nightfall.”
Paronius raised his hand to call a halt. He looked down at his daughter, sleeping in his arms. “Very well, send out scouts to look for suitable cover. We will rest tonight and carry on in the morning.”
While Jokab sent his men out Paronius handed Helania to her nursemaid and got off his horse. Then headed off to the woods followed by the two men that had been assigned as personal guard for the day. Jokab doubted that there would be an attack out here but the fifty men with him would be enough to hold off any threat their enemies could conjure up in these foreboding lands and Jokab had felt it was unnecessary this far from there kingdom. Jokab got off his horse and stretched in a vain attempt to ease his stomach. After the rocking ship, the horse managed to be an easy task, though his stomach having never fully recovered from the river failed to allow him to eat since getting off the ship early that morning.
Hearing a noise Jokab turned around to see little Helania running across the small path, her pink dress flowing around her legs. With a little giggle she jumped up into his arms. He smiled. “Lady Helan,” he bowed as he used her nickname. “How may I be of service to you?”
Though only nineteen Jokab had managed to be a trusted member of Lord Paronius’s personal soldiers, being giving the title of captain early in life after saving Helania’s, he became a member of her personal guard. Helan became attached to the young soldier and he was soon put in charge of her personal guard. Helania giggled again has she squirmed out of his arms and started to pick some of the few remaining flowers before heading over to her caregiver and gave Rona a small bouquet of flowers.
Rona was a beautiful woman with slightly tan skin and sandy brown hair that went half way down her back. She smiled down at Helan and winked at Jokab before taking Helan by the hand and guiding her over to supply wagon and getting out a piece of chocolate to give to Helan.
It was starting to get dark when the scouts returned to report that they had found a suitable cave a few miles away. It was large enough to hold the people but the horses and cart were going to have to stay outside. They made a small fire inside the cave and Jokab assigned guard duty posting 3 men to guard the cave entrance and to watch the horses. There were to be relieved after four hours.
Jokab sat staring into the fire with the young would be princess lying next to him. Tossing little leaves and twigs into the fire, his mind off someplace unknown. Lost in his dream he heard the young lord walking up on in as if he were someone else and it took him a moment to respond to what Paronius had said.
“I was just asking how the only son of one of the best known hero’s of Pulfen was feeling.” Which got right down to the core of what was bothering Jokab. He knew that the only reason he had been assigned to come along was because of whom his father was. The great swordsman Galan the Many. So dubbed because of the way he fought in battle, an enemy had said it was like there was fifty of him, so many that no matter which way you turned he was there. After many nights with comments similar to this Jokab was starting to feel like a token. A symbol to be waived around in front of the world as to the worthiness of Paronius to rule.
“My lord.” Jokab started to get up.
“Sit.” His lord commanded as Paronius sat down
“Thank you. I was just lost in thought.”
“Then I will not intrude.”
They sat there staring at the fire, Palonius’s dark attire making him almost disappear into the fire, leaving is blonde head to float above a shapeless mass.
“My lord,” Jokab asked.
“Yes captain.”
“You knew my father, right.” The lord nodded. “What, what was he like?”
“Your father was a great man. He served under my father, before the royal army took him up, much in the capacity you are now. He was a great tactician, and during the war with Terril we would half lost up the Hills of Mealor if it wasn’t for your father’s leadership skills. He was injured there and came back here to serve under me, after my father passed away, and then he married your mom and they had you. He was faithful to her. And loyal to me, When I was a kid he trained me how to use a sword. He was a man worthy of respect and everyone knew that and gave it to him.” The lord’s eyes start to look off into space as he raises he hand to draw the picture, his voice taking on a sad distant tone. “I’ll never forget the night he died. The arrow that had killed him had been meant for me. We were standing in the Garden, after a small party. He was telling me about a bear he had killed in the southern region of the kingdom. He stretched his arms over his head demonstrating how high its head was. His arm jerked forward and when he brought it down there was an arrow in it. He started to call for the guards but his face contorted in pain. Before I could yell for the guards Galan was dead and the killer escaped.” He paused to let the pain of that night subside. Jokab starts to rise before he speaks again. “You are a lot like your father.”
“I have been told I a bear a remarkable resemblance my lord.” He says standing next to the fire
“And in spirit to, I think.” Paronius rises to his feet and takes a few steps forward, allowing the Yellow hawk to shimmer in the firelight. Jokab looked at him in a puzzled manner. Paronius started to walk around the fire. “You treat my daughter the way he treated my youngest brother. I look at you and I see him.” He puts his hand on Jokab’s shoulder. “Do not worry about how he would feel, because he would be proud.” He stood up a little straighter and order Jokab to bed before picking up his daughter and carrying her to her small pallet. Jokab crawled into his pallet, but not before checking to make sure the guards were set

[shinote]

The tracks were getting fresher has Leonianta walked the trail in search of the one. His ears twitched in the wind, he tilted his head to hear the sounds, his noise testing the air, for the one marked by Ornisa, marked as the one. It was late fall, though he only wore a leather Jerkin for physical protection, he refused to wear a hat, he couldn’t deny himself those senses. He reached down and tested his sword his palm rapping around the hilt till his claws clack against the mettle handle, he felt a warning in the air.
Putting his paw on the ground he let his fur taste the wind. He closed his eyes and smelled the breeze. Snow was coming. He turned and headed toward the small cove of pines he knew of. It had a small cave in the ground big enough for him to conceal himself and make a small fire, if he was careful.
As he got to the grove the snow started to fall, he built himself a small fire. He took his armor off and shook his body to flick off the sweet. He used the armor as a makeshift door before making the fire. Setting his other equipment aside he curled up next to the small fire and small nose started to rise up in his chest, a vibrating hum, he was purring.
His father had raised him, making him a slight oddity to his race, and to top it off, he had been raised near a human “civilization.” But his mother had died during childbirth. And all his grand parents had been died in one of the old wars. Though his few peers poked fun of him, he had gained a distinct advantage. His father was one of the Hunters, a small elite force highly trained in stealth, and he had trained his son to hunt like them.
When Leonianta was old enough his dad left him, as all parents must do, to go on his own. It had been a sad farewell, but one that they had both excepted, the bow he carried on his pack was a gift from his father. They had gone hunting, the wind blowing through Leonianta’s newly grown golden brown mane.
A strange noise outside jerked Leonianta out of his trance. He reached for his sword while smelling the air to find the danger. The air was still and he tilted his head listening. The noise came again as a small breeze stirred the air. He sniffed again. A rabbit, he looked at the fire and threw the last off the firewood onto the blaze before rolling over to fall asleep.

The snow didn’t let up until the sun was on its way down. They continued on knowing that they could make it to a small town that had been there destination the night before. Rona was riding next to him chatting away about Helan, who was a riding small pony next to her father, a pony trained to follow other horses so she wouldn’t be able to wonder off. Her older brothers had both learned to ride at an early age on this docile creature that they loving referred to as buttercup
His mind had begun to drift back to his memories of his father, who had died when he was five. He had left Jokab the sword that Jokab now wore, but his mother had taken it saying he was to young to learn that yet, and hadn’t given it back until she was dying, she was really weak. And she handed the sword to him telling him to go with Dorin, a member of the lord’s army. Before he could walk out she put out her quivering hand and put it on his shoulder. “Jokabianis, you be good and do as the lord says. He’ll treat you well.” A tear slowly rolled down her cheek as her hand fell off his shoulder, a small smile showed on her lips “You’ll be good.” She nodded and then laid her head down with her eyes closed. The blanket rising and falling slowly.
Dorin, who had been by the day stood up and set his hand on his shoulder it.
He jerked back to reality, with a jerk, as a hand pushed his shoulder. “Jokab.” There was a small sound of fear in that voice. He turned to see Rona her red hair framing her worried brow.
“Oh I’m sorry,” Jokab hurriedly spoke leaning slightly toward Rona. “I got lost in thought I’m sorry.”
She pointed off to the left in the sky, over toward a small cove of tree’s. “What is that?”
Jokab looked off into that direction and got a worried crease in his brow, He called one of the scouts over. He came over with his large body covered in hard-boiled armor. “Bartow, you and a few of your men go scout that woods. I think I saw a Leenif over there. I want you and your men to check it out. Come and report back to me as soon as you find out.”
“I thought they didn’t make it out this far.” She said a little worry in her voice. He hands nervously picking at her skirt.
‘They do from time to time. Some places have started trading with them. They make good bows, They’ll buy almost anything useful. They usually only come singly or in pairs, if it’s a bigger group it could mean trouble. Don’t worry about it.” He still wore that worried face though, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He grabbed a passing man, “go tell Lord Poranius that there might be some Leenif around.” The soldier nodded before rushing to the noble just slightly ahead of them, who rode back toward Rona and Jokab.
“Have the scouts returned yet?” the noble asked pulling his horse a halt. His lips were pressed together before asking which direction they had gone in. “I doubt they’ll find anything but report to me as soon as they do. I don’t want my daughter in any danger.” He gave Jokab a warning look before picking up the pace to be with his daughter who was riding small pony and had to be kept under tight supervision other
As the line started to move he saw a lone rider heading from the pasture. They way he was pushing his horse made him stop with surprise. Calling for a halt. He pointed the man out to his Lord Paronius, he assigned 10 men to guard the servants the would-be king, and his daughter and told the rest of the men to form up along the side of the rode.
As the man’s horse came close Jokab grabbed the reins and pulled the man to a halt. “What is it?”
The man shook his head. He bowed slightly to Paronius before speaking in a shaky voice “I don’t know sir. Checking out the woods I came across a body, it was Lieutenant Bartow. It looked like someone had stabbed him in the eye and his head was almost cut off. I’d lost track of the others just before that and then I just ran back here, wanted to report this.”
The Lord looked at Jokab. “Captain order your men to stand guard, we are close to the city, the men will come there if they can, but they are probably already dead, I cannot risk my child.” Jokab nodded and did as his lord demanded. He fell into ranks right next to Paronius, with his hand resting on his sword.

He had made a mistake being seen back there. His pray had come upon him to quickly and he didn’t react quickly enough, that girl had a sharp eye, but not sharper then his. He sniffed the air as he stalked through the small woods looking for the other three men’s companion
Leonianta had come across the first one quite by surprise, and had stabbed him in the eye with a thrown dagger at the same time his sword cut through the man’s neck, they only thing keeping his head from falling off completely was his spine. He noticed two more within walking distance and a third off through the woods He quickly hopped up into the tree, making almost no sound to his heightened ears. He pulled out his sword and started to climb through the tree towards one of the men.
The branches shook very little as Leonianta stepped on each one with a light sure food. His bare feet finding good footing on each branch. As he came over the man he jumped on him, and broke his neck. Making sure the man didn’t fall he jumped back into the trees heading for the next one.
He came close to the second soldier and jumped down out of the tree before crouching down on all fours. He raised his tail and prepared to jump before leaping at the man with a small snarl. The man turned just in time to feel Leonianta’s dagger thrust into his chest and then ripping to the side as the Leenif’s moment carries him and the dagger beyond the unlucky scout.
Now he stalked through the forest looking for the last man. He had caught his sent a couple of time but they drifted off before he could get a good gage on where the man was at. The man had left a great trail and it ran back a forth through the trees, either the man was leaving one hell of a false trail, or something had spooked him. He spotted a rabbit up in the distance and through his dagger at it. It was going to have to do, his other prey had eluded him. He stalked back through the woods to a small pile of fallen trees. They knew he was here. He’d have to change the plan.



stupid chapter is too long to post in just one posting...

[shinote]

Jokab was in a large wooded area, with his dad’s sword strapped to his hip over a pair of dark purple, almost black, pants. He was wearing a shirt of high quality, much better then any he had ever warn before. In his hand was a small ring. When he opened his hand and looked at it it showed a large wolf howling up at the moon. Without thought he placed the ring over his finger.
He took a step forward, determined to figure out where he was and why he was there. The weight on his shoulders followed by a small series of clings told him he had on chain mail. He felt the breeze coming from his left and something told him to follow it, as it blew through his hair. He turned his shoulders with grim determination and marched forward, dodging trees the way the wind does.
Off in the distance He could hear the laughter of children, the breeze taking him through the forest. The children’s voices getting louder. Almost masking the sound of the twigs snapping under his feet as he marched forward.
The sound of stone instead of branches and leaves under his feet made him look around in wonder. He was in a small warn down Chapel. Where the dais should have been sat a tall beautiful woman on a ornate chair. All along the arms and legs were visions of animals of every sort. Snakes wound around the arms and legs. There was vast array of animals interacting. Next to a mother rabbit defend her young against an intruding snake stood a bear as high as he could growling in anger. The other side showed picture of a more peaceful nature. There was a deer eating grass, standing over a fish jumping out of the water, while an eagle flew over head. Over the blonde woman’s head a small flock of doves circled her head making a crown out of their feathered wings
Jokab walked up to her as the thoughts of fleeing vanished from his head. All he could think about was pure joy she seemed to radiate. He stopped to stand at her feet, where she indicated for him to kneel. A strange look of puzzlement flashed through his eyes and then vanished as he noticed a long sword in her hand. She brought down on his right shoulder before lifting it over his head to set it on his other shoulder.
“Now rise.”
Jokab did as ordered. The world spun around him and he heard fighting off in the distance. When the world came into view again the first thing he noticed was the rank stench of decay in late summer followed by the battle going on around him. The men were fighting franticly as a hord of Bilnos, a race of draconic humanoid, threatened to overrun them. Jokab drew his fathers sword out and started to hack into the ranks of oncoming Bilnos, and the humans started to hold there own.
The wind was blowing hard through Jokab’s shirt, as he drew His cloak around him. The tracks he had been following had started to become more visible in the snow. They pointed Jokab towards the trees; at least he could find some relief from the wind he thought.
He drew near the woods, noticing the smoke above the trees before the fire. He drew near the fire, drawn by the fire more then the hopes of finding his prey. He stopped and stood at the fire warming his hands before he noticed the maker of the fire. He had his hand on his sword before his mind could even form the word. A Leenif, the cat people of Ornisa, was sitting by the fire, his golden brown fur glowing softly in the firelight, only covered up by the leather shirt and pants the being wore for protection. A large rumbling sound was coming from the Leenif. Jokab sat down on a log across the fire from the lion like being.
Off in the distance he saw a red headed girl about his age She was laughing mischievously was she threw a dagger at Jokab. Soon he thought as the dagger drew closer and hit him in the chest.
Jokab opened his eyes to the sun streaming in the inns window. His hand going instantly to his chest where the dagger had been sticking out moments ago. He was fine other then his rapidly beating heart. He would live.
He looked around to see his Chain mail armor sitting draped over the chair with his boots and pants were sitting on the floor next to the chair, with His padded shirt and over shirt, sitting next to that. He reached over and began to get dressed his mind still thinking about the dream he just had. Nothing in it had made any sense other then the intense sense of bliss he had felt in that woman’s presence.
He finished getting dressed and grabbed his sword from next to the bed, before heading out the door. He strapped his sword on while he walked down the steps. The smell of last night’s ham and eggs was coming from the kitchen. He rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs to see a modest sized room, its white walls gleaming from the fresh scrubbing it had received the night before due to the unexpected noble visit.
He stepped into the room taking in which of his men were sitting at the small number of randomly placed tables. His eyes wondered across them until he came across the scout from the night before. As his eyes locked on he walked over and sat down next to Gorian, who began to rise. “Sir.” He said with a slight bow.
Jokab shook his hand indicated for him to remain seated. As Gorian sat down Jokab grabbed a waitress that was walking by. “I’d like some breakfast. And some hot water.” He let go of her hand as he turned to face Gorian. The pain the young man, who looked no more then sixteen, felt shinning brightly in his gray eyes. “Would you like anything.”
Gorian looked up at the blonde-headed waitress and ordered some eggs before she trounced of, winking at Gorian.
The waitress brought him a mug of steaming water and set it down with a smile. Jokab reached into his pocket and pulled out a small packet of what appeared to be brown leaves. The sailors had given them to him saying they were good for seasickness. The leaves had helped then, if only for brief periods of time, and it was Jokab’s believe that they would be an excellent cure for drinking too much the night before. He took some of the leaves out and scrunched them in his hand before stirring it into the water. “Tell me Gorian how did you become a scout.”
Gorian looked up and reached for his mug of ale. He took a drink before beginning. “I hunted with my dad, sir, I has a terrible shot with a bow, but I could sneak up on an animal sometimes close enough to touch it. When I became of age for an apprenticeship my dad talked to Lieutenant Bartrow about getting me into the army as a scout. It’s been three year’s and Bartrow has taught me almost as much as my father did.” A tear ran down his cheek, as he paused to take a drink
“I’m sorry he was a good man and will be missed, and his family will be taken care of. Lord Paronius always take’s care of his men, and their families if necessary.” Jokab brought the mug up to his mouth and blew on it before taking a sip of the bitter drink.
“He did that for you sir.” It wasn’t really a question as Jokab followed Gorian’s eyes down to his sword, his father’s sword.
“Very much like that Gorian, and please we aren’t on the field you don’t have to call me sir, call me Jokab.” He paused as the waitress brought their food over and set it down in front of them. They both started to eat their food before Jokab started up again. “I’ve heard good things about you Gorian. Your peers respect you, and Bartrow said you were like the son he never had. And it’s with that in mind that I would like you to offer you the opportunity,” Jokab brought his hands together has he leaned forward, the waitress walked by bringing another table their breakfast, “to take charge of the scouts on this mission. It could very well mean that when we return to the castle you will become a lieutenant.”
Gorian’s eyes lit up with hope. “Really he asked?” showing his doubt for the situation. Jokab nodded. “Thank you sir, I mean Jokab, I won’t let you down.” He turned to the waitress to ask for some more eggs, as Jokab finished his. She brought them both eggs and ham before telling them how much they owed. Jokab smiled and handed her a gold coin telling her thank you before happily digging into his second plate of food. After a second Gorian asked for his ham and Jokab gave it to him, glad he had been able to make the man feel better.
Gorian was finishing up his third plate, this time just ham, when Lord Paronius walked up to there table. “Is your breakfast going well.” The lord asked, his somber clothing a sharp contrast to his daughter who followed him down the stairs. She was dressed in a pink dress divided for riding. She ran up to Jokab and climbed up on his lap. Helan jumped off him again at the sight of Rona coming down the stairs dressed almost like a farm wife in a brown wool skirt and a blue sweater that matched her eyes. She smiled at Jokab, who smiled back, as Helan grabbed her nursemaid’s hand and was dragged off to eat breakfast.
“Yes it is my lord,” he said with a sheepish grin as he rose. He felt uncomfortable when the young lady showed affection to him, brought on by his pursuit of Rona, after she stopped grieving her dead husband “I was just put Young Gorian in charge of the scouts for the rest of the trip. Bartrow had considered him to be a great pupil and his peers respect him.”
Paronius looked at Gorian who was finishing up his ale, for a second before replying. “I trust your judgement Jokab. Gather your men, I want to head out before we waste to much of the day, its to short down here as it is.” He turned and walked away, his red cloak flowing behind him as he gracefully maneuvered around the tables heading for the private dinning hall he was to share with his daughter.

[shinote]

Jokab smiled at Gorian. “You heard the man, lieutenant. Get the scouts ready, make sure they have any supplies they may need. Have them each carry two days rations. They might be on their own for a while.” He turned and headed towards the stairs to wake the few remaining men, leaving Gorian to spread the word. His cloak, made of thick green wool, billowed behind him.
********* ************** ************ **********
The sun was still low in the sky when the scouts started to return to report the signs. They were being followed. It started off with a couple of bent twigs just off the side of the road. A paw print the size of a man’s foot was found was on the far side of the river shortly after they had crossed it. The signs started to increase to the possibility that there was more then one of them following them.
As the day wore on the signs continued to point to a larger group of the Forest’s cat people. They could only say for sure that there were three of the Leenif, but it was hard to say. The Leenif are master woodsmen, all of them it is said. They usually live a solitaire existence, depending on themselves to get food and make clothing. There are a small number of towns, reverence points on a map really, were tradesmen, blacksmith and armor smiths, live and make their goods. Few cats take on that life, but the ones that do are considered to be quite talented. Paronius’s axe that he wears at his hip was made by a Leenif blacksmith.
Jokab was considering this as the pale skinned scout was talking. “I’m telling you that there has to be at least 20 out there, my lord.” Though he spoke to Paronius, he was looking straight down at his feet, unable to look up at either his lord or captain. I counted at least that many sets of prints captain, maybe more.”
Paronius and Jokab turned to look at Gorian, the young man was fidgeting with the buckle on his belt. Paronius was wearing a worried frown on his face. “I don’t think there are quite that many of them. I doubt there are more then ten, and probably only close to a handful.” He look his lord in the eye as he said this, his hand completely still by his side.
Jokab felt the eyes of his lord and turned to look at Paronius. His face was dark with fear, but his voice of sturdy. “Do you agree with them Jokab.”
“Well I’d have to check it out myself to be sure, but I doubt there are more then two or three of them. My father fought against them in the last war. He said they had used tactics like this to confuse us into thinking that they had more men then they did. The tactic was a good one, and for a while it started to look like we would loose the war. But I’m doubting that there are more then two or three. Since we saw one yesterday I would suspect that they are trying to make us think that there are a lot more of them then there are.”
“Ok.” He looked at the scout. “I want you to show him the tracks,” he pointed at Jokab before turning his head. “Report back to me immediately.”
“My lord, I think we should slow the pace a touch and have the men on alert, there is a small chance that this isn’t just a small group trying to seem larger then they are. The chance is small but I’d rather not chance it.” His voice faltering slightly with worry.
“Very well.” He turned and gave the order, as the men continued their march.

It took them little more then five minutes to reach the bent old tree that the streambed curved around. The stream had been wider in days past, but now the small streambed could be easily stepped over. The dried up mud sides were covered near the tree in paw prints, each one the about the size of a man’s foot. The impressions weren’t deep but even a farmer looking for his sheep would notice these tracks, and at casual glance it would look like it was a large group of the Leenif.
A closer look revealed that the surrounding grass had been left untouched except for a small path leading the way they had come. “Do you find it odd, that there are so many prints in the mud, obvious to the casual eye, but the grass around it looks as if it hasn’t been touched, except for this path here.”
“I figured they wanted us to know how many were here sir and then just made a point of disappearing when they left this streambed.” Jokab nodded at the man who was looked embarrassed.
Jokab brought his hand down, before looking up into the tree, there was a chance it could be a trap. “How old are you, Derin.” He was older then Jokab, but his eyes beamed with pride when Jokab, his captain, spoke his name.
“This will be my twenty third winter.” Jokab climbed down from his horse and tied it to the tree. The captain’s hands were reaching up for the first branch when the soldier pushed his horse closer to the tree. “What are you doing?” his pale face awash with fear.
“I’m climbing up to get a better view of the area. Maybe there is something out there that you missed.” The branches bent down with each step he took. His armor causing him to weigh more then the branches had meant to hold. The view showed very little more then the ground itself. At first look Jokab could see nothing more before the tree line that surrounded the small field. Jokab looked down at the soldiers dark hair, his noise barely visible pointing in the direction they had come. “How old are those tracks?”
“Sir?”
“The tracks, how old are they.” Jokab started to climb down looking at the sole path that the cat people had used.
“No more then an hour sir.”
Jokab jumped out of the tree, and turned to untie his horse. He looked at the path leading into the woods, calling him to follow it. “Why did they get a head of us?” Jokab’s brow was slightly furrowed.
“Well sir, they could be running ahead of us to lay a trap.”
Jokab shook his head. “These tracks were left here on purpose, they wouldn’t want to advertise that they are here.” Jokab jumped up on his horse and turned it back down the path, heading towards the woods and away from the moving group of men. “Go tell Lord Paronius that I had to go check something out in the woods. I will return tomorrow before the next city.”
The soldier looked at him and nodded, not wanting to follow the path that would mean his death. “Yes sir. I wish you luck.”
Jokab nodded before riding off at a quick pace aimed at the tree’s, letting his feelings take him on a foolish journey.

Leonianta followed the well-armored man who left the scout and headed towards the woods. He had very little difficulty keeping up with the horse, despite being on his feet. Many of his race was able to keep up with a horse, except for at a flat run.
His mind wondered, wondering about the underlying smell the man radiated. There was something different about this man, something that separated him from all other humans. Leonianta couldn’t place it, but the smell reminded him of something, or someone, but it was like it was out of a dream. In his mind he knew this man, despite his memory telling him otherwise.
As the other man ran back to the group Leonianta got up and started to follow the horse as fast as he could, staying as low to the ground as possible. The cover was practically nonexistent here, but neither men would expect him to have been so close, hiding in a small hole just beyond the dying tree.
The horse was upwind, so that the stench of horse and leather and man all mixed into one stench that made the inside of his noise itch. He thought about killing this man, captain the one called him, but the desire to understand his smell made him hold his hand and to keep his distance.
The man continued to ride well in to the darkness before stopping inside the woods to set up a small camp. Keeping the fire small enough to avoid notice he made himself a small meal.
Leonianta climbed a tree and curled upon a limb, his elongated jaw resting on his hands. He sat there watching the human, until the man rolled out his blanket roll and fell asleep, his sword drawn and in his hand. Leonianta soon followed the man into the world of dreams.