Flowers will bloom again in spring

After i had laid my Jasmine to rest. There was a moment i thought of going back to the army, but i never did.

They were wrong. They actually were willing to sacrifice their own people in such a gruesome manner. Those fighting in the war, fighting in the army chose it for themselves. Those families, in those border villages they didn't ask for this. They didn't know of this. No warning. Nothing.

I planted one of the saplings i had taken from the jasmine flower at Jasmine's shop on her grave. I took my things which was merely a travelpack, a sword a bow and quiver and some extra knives. The clothes on my back and the horse i had taken from the pillaged village.

Patting its neck i speak soft to it.

"We go ride now. And i have no clue where, i need to clear my thoughts on what to do next."

With a grim feeling in my heart i take the lead of the horse and we go on. I decided that camping out for a few days to get my thoughts straight wouldn't be a bad thing.

Thanks to my ranger training i am very fast and efficient in setting up my camp. I brush the horse and make sure it is calm, eating and drinking.

I decide not to make a fire i have no idea if there are more scout groups around or if that horde is far enough yet.

So today on the menu is just some dried meats and fruits.

My tent is a simple thing but it blends in perfectly with nature here.

Now and then sadness still grips my heart. And i'll be honest self pity. My first love Duncan. Son of Prince Julian Warden of Arden. From one day to the next he and i were done, by the order of Prince Julian.

Now Jasmine ripped from my life by some stupid war, some horde invading. How many more loves will be destroyed by this.

I stare into the distance.

Countless indecided countless deaths. Countless loves ripped to shreds. I might be one person but i am strong. I am smart and i can at least help those in need to defend.

A wry laugh escapes me, as i realize i sound like one of those storybook knights. Defenders of the defenseless.

But it is what is needed now and i feel the call.

I leave the next day, my little camp is broken up before the sun left the horizon and with some hard tack and a waterskin filled i am already on the horse.

No saddle so i made shift a few blankets to a seating making it more comfortable for the both of us.

I had seen which way the horde went and i had seen the plans.

I know where to go to.

The horde would pass a small trading village and they would be able to stock up there. If i am fast enough i could warn the people.

I strained the horse to run for a long while and at a point i did see the horde in the distance. I rode parallel of them. Against the treeline hoping they wouldn't spot me as quickly. I managed to get ahead of them and reach the village a day before them.

There was no army there noone to protect them. If there were they would have been called back just like we were.

They must have seen the smoke in the distance from the other places as people were on edge. Seeing i was still wearing partially the uniform of the local some of the people came to me to ask what was going on. Why the army got called away while they see smoke traveling towards them.

I quickly explain. That the generals decided this was a good controlled way of thenhorde traveling to lure them in a trap further on.

As expected there were a couple of reactions. Anger, panic disbelief and sadness.

I told them they couldn't stay there and they should pack their bags and leave their homes now. They were a day behind me and would not hesitate to attack right away.

The elders of the village were going to discuss matters. They decided that leaving was best they could always rebuild somewhere else.

I helped as best i could making sure someone kept watch and pack the horses and carts in such a way they could remain in motion and keep speed.

In that matter i am happy with my partial ranger trainning. It helped me prepare for situations like this. Though i doubt mom intended me to get in a situation like this.

Either way the people were on their way. But to keep the scouts and the horde distracted i kept fires buring in the fireplaces of some houses and kept moving around as if people kept watch. It took some acrobatics to seem to be more people then i actually was but it helped i got a few old armors from the people in the village to create some more convincing shadows. I have even got one that fits me. They said as gratitude for warning them and giving them a chance to escape.

It was not needed, but it was very welcome.

The next day i saw the first lines of the horde with the naked eye that means they could now see as well that the village was empty. No need to keep pretending and stay here. I saddled my horse with the blanket and went on my way. When on a hill i saw the first of the horde's troop reaching the gate and i shot an arrow with a jasmine flower attached. Just like i shot in one of their carts when i had found Jasmine.

And i went on my way to the next village.

For a while i was able to keep ahead of them and most villages were as easy to move out as the first. I kept up the same tactic. Give them chance to move out and get some distnace and i waited to the very last moment, shoot an arrow with a flower and move away.

I think it was about the 6th village where people got more hesitant to leave. They felt themselves to important to be used as bait and didn't believe me. They said that they were just waiting for instructions.

After a day trying to convince them i gave up and set up camp nearby that i could speed to their help if needed.

I still didn't wish them to be harmed so i kept watch day and night. And it was due to that, that i saw a group moving towards me. At first i thought it were those of the village. But when they got closer i saw there were people of the horde between them.

It seemed they had made a deal. Aparently i was to annoying to them to just let go ahead.

I scrambled to gather my things as fast as i could. A bird of prey flew above me. I had not seen it before. Was it part of the horde. Either way by the time i had ally things gathered i could hear the voices and the quickened pace towards me. I slid my bow of my should and took my first arrows in hand to defend myself.

And it was needed, before i was able to get on my horse i felt an arrow flying just passed my head. I swung my leg over the horse and in the same fluent motion i drew back an arrow on my bow. Looked up aimed in a fraction of a second and released the arrow. Hitting the first in the eye... oof not a pretty aim but it had the desired effect.

While steering the horse with my legs and keeping myself upright i release more arrows. Just like i was trained to.

Thank the Unicorn for the training i have receieved from the Rangers and Prince Julian.

I was able to get away but not without an arrow sticking out from my own arm and some more cuts to the count. But nothing life threatening.

I heard some angry roars and screams behind me. But i knew better than to look back. I kept moving had to find safety. At the moment i thought i had lost them i heard the flapping of wings. That bird of prey was lunging down with its claws outstretched it was going yo attack me.

I was to late with drawing my bow so I snatched one of my knifves from my belt, the boar tusk handle it was a small one which was my luck in this case. There was enough room to manouver the knife between myself and the bird on claw grabbed a strand of my hair and some skin with that i felt blood trickle down the side of my head and neck.

With a scream i cut the other claw with the knife and i cut off one of its toes. It flew away with a pained screetch.

I took no time to stop and check my wounds. I pressed a bit of cloth against the side of my head and kept moving.

Fear actually did start to get a grip on me now.

I tried to keep my breathing steady. If i panic things will only get worse. Get a sheltered place where i can't see the sky. If that bird can't spot me it can't attack.

I move to the denser parts of the woods. And at a point i find a naturally created alcove created by dirt and roots it was high enough to hide under with the horse.

So that was my spot for now. I hadn't planned staying there to long but winter came fast. And the horde was present around this region for a longer time. Alot of villages nearby. Thought they never felt the need to go into the more dense forest.. all the wanted or needed was in the villages surrounding the city they were now besieging.

I just wait my time now. Wait till i can go back home. Licking my wounds.

With the help of some thight small braids i was able to stitch the cuts made by the tallons. That was going to leave a scar. Luckely it is covered up easy enough.

It became spring again. By now i was getting used to living in the little cave. I had dug it out a bit more before the frost would have hardened the earth. A small place for a fire now and then. I had skins drying from animals i had snared and hunted.

It was when i woke up to the sounds of birds which then suddenly stopped, i knew something was going on. With my bow in hand i crouched out of the little cave only to look up along a fine pair of boots. Looking slowly up i saw a familiar set of clothing dressed on a familiar looking man.

"Well haven't you had a rough patch, get your stuff i'm bringing you home, and you need a bath badly."