[ Continuation from Part 3 — AI extended edition. I did not use much of what the AI suggested, as it was largely summary, and ignored/bypassed details that will be important when conflict arises. So, instead, I concentrated on getting the villagers ready for the journey and will (in the next post) focus on the journey (as suggested by the AI) and have our hidden antagonists show their hairy (possibly fanged) faces. Enjoy. ]

Arianna hoisted a traveling bag over her shoulder and nodded at Rhinna. The older woman had been kind enough to supply traveling clothes and accouterments necessary to make the two-day trek to Freehold. All the other villagers hastened to grab their essentials as the sun was drifting low in the sky.

“How are we going to make it safely to Freehold without the protection of the Aldewater tree?”

Rhinna pointed toward a medallion hanging around her neck. “We each have one of these.” Opening it, inside was a golden seed. “These are seeds of the Aldewater tree. They provide some protection from the night demons.” Despite her saying this, her demeanor did not convey much confidence. The older woman dug into a bag and produced a medallion. She handed it to Arianna. “Take this and wear it. I hope it will do you more for you than it did my sister.”

Arianna took the medallion and hung it around her neck. “If you don’t mind, can you tell me what happened?”

“She wandered off two nights ago when her dog ran into the woods. We found her yesterday.”

“Did the night demons get her?”

Rhinna sniffed back a tear. “I don’t think so, but she was hanging from a tree.”

“Oh, how awful. But how do you know it wasn’t the demons.”

“Because she was hanging from the tree by her medallion. No demon could have come that close to her to have done it. She either killed herself, or someone else did it.”

Arianna ran her fingers over the medallion. “Did Dathon and his followers have medallions?”

“No,” Rhinna replied after a pause. “At least I didn’t see any.” She shouldered her travel bag. “We must get going to reach the Great Falls, the halfway point to Freehold.”

Magnus reappeared. “We’re ready to go, Rhinna.” The older woman nodded and then followed him into the village square. Arianna followed along as well. The huddled mass of villagers stood with bags over their shoulders and, in some cases holding children’s hands. All of whom looked terrified. The adults did not look much better, with long faces and nervous eyes.

“We must make it to Great Falls before dark. Do not wander off, and don’t fall behind. We can’t stop for stragglers. Fill your water skins. Magnus will hand out what weapons we have, so don’t lose them. There are not enough of them to go around, so only one per family. Line up by the tree.”

The villagers did as they were told, shuffling over to where Magnus stood. A pile of bows, arrows, staves, spears and short swords lay behind him. He began handing out a weapon to each group that approached. Slowly the line began to shorten, and Arianna moved to join it.

Rhinna pulled Arianna aside, “Have you ever handled a blade?”

“Only to cook with. I am pretty good with a bow, however. I placed second at regionals in college.”

“I don’t really understand. Does that mean you bow hunted before?”

“Uh, no, it was paper targets at a distance.”

Rhinna frowned. “We’re limiting the bows to experienced hunters.” She turned to Magnus, “Hand me a spear.” The man did so, and she handed it to Arianna.

Despite her best efforts, Arianna couldn’t suppress her disappointment. “I supposed I can handle a stick.”

“Don’t be like that. Spears are very important. All of these are made from Aldewater wood. A few of the arrows are as well.” She produced an arrow from a nearby quiver. “See the red fletching on this?” Arianna nodded. “This is an Aldewater arrow. If you find one of these, grab it. The heads are sharpened Aldewater wood. Useless for hunting but good against demons. But we only have a few, so they are precious.” Replacing the arrow, she pulled her blade. The six-inch blade gleamed in the sunlight. “See this symbol?” she said, pointing at the tree symbol on the pommel.

“Yes. I take it that has something to do with the Aldewater tree?”

“When the blades were forged, they are quenched in Aldewater oil, which makes them dangerous to demons.”

The last of the weapons were handed out. “Gather on the north trail,” Magnus shouted out. The mass of villagers moved through the village toward the northern outskirts. Magnus and Rhinna sorted them out. Experienced hunters, both men and women, stood on the group’s periphery. Caretakers for the children formed in the center.

Rhinna directed Arianna into the center of the column. “You stay here.”

Arianna leaned close to Rhinna.” What are our chances of making Great Falls before dark?”

The older woman noted the sun’s position, hovering just above the treetops. “We’ll be very blessed if we do, but the fact remains, we have no other option than to try.”

Magnus stood at the head of the column as Rhinna joined him. “March,” he called out. Together the crowd of humanity trudged up the trail as rays of sunlight lanced through the surrounding trees. Shadows cast by the trees crept slowly but relentlessly out of the underbrush.

[ Next post continues story here. ]