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After an hour or so of picking their way over the difficult terrain, Bernon finally sighed and broke the silence. "Man, it's past noon already. Anybody else getting hungry? I know we didn't want to stop here in no-man's land, but I might vote on taking a quick breather at least."
"Suppose it wouldn't hurt to stop for ten minutes," Tanrial agreed, stopping on a patch of semi dry and stable land, "What do you say Mike?"
Mike looked around one more time, then nodded. "As long as we're quiet. This area seems a little more secluded anyway." He shrugged off his backpack and crouched down to rummage through it for his food. "So how's everyone doing so far?"
"Yeah good," Tanrial chuckled lightly, taking a seat on a nearby rock, "Not the most walking we've done so far. How about you guys?"
"I'm discovering I got a little out of shape during our stay in the village," Bernon puffed, "But otherwise I'm doing good."
Mike nodded. "Me too." He took out the map and studied it as he ate. "I'm a little concerned with the way the path's getting rougher, though. At some point we might have to climb up on the bank just to avoid going too slow or twisting our ankles."
"If only you had wings, Mike," Tanrial sighed, "It would make this a whole lot easier. And with all out bags we can't even give you a ride or anything just until we get to safe ground or out of these dangerous territories."
"Frankly, I'm glad no one has to carry me, but I admit it would be more convenient. In the meantime, If we do have to leave the river path, I vote we go to the north side since so far we haven't seen any bandits in that direction. Any objections?"
"None from me. If it means avoiding the killer cultist bandits on the other side of the river consider me in," She shuddered, "I am not ending up like that body we saw back there."
"Agreed," Bernon said firmly. "But if we do meet someone we don't want to meet, I volunteer turn into a bear and scare them off."
Mike glanced at him. "What if they don't run away at first? Will you be able to commit to the 'dangerous wild animal' act so they don't call your bluff?"
"Hey, have a little faith in me! Those bandits that had captured you guys thought I was pretty scary. And if this tribe isn't convinced, I can always summon my lightning and show it off a bit, right?"
"I guess so. But remember what happened last time you used your magic in bear form? You got burnt, and we can't afford those types of injuries while we're on the road, it'll only slow us down."
"Yeah well, that was because the bandits were waving torches in my face," Bernon protested. "But I guess it's better to avoid a big fight in the long run."
Mike wrapped up the rest of his food and put it away. "On that note, I'm ready to keep moving when you guys are."
"I'm good to go. The quicker we get out of here the better." Tanrial stood, making sure her own food was secure in her bag and everything was sealed.
Bernon nodded. "Right behind you. How close are we to the edge of bandit country, Mike?"
"According to the map, we still have a few more miles to go at least." Mike started walking once they were all ready, still having to tread carefully over the uneven ground. "I think we can make it before dark if all goes well."
"As long as there are no huge monsters or forest beats, killer bandits or anything of the sort then we'll be fine. What;s the worst that could happen?" Tanrial followed behind, making sure to use what was now basically her walking stick, to keep herself steady on the slippery ground.
(well now I have to have something happen to them xDD)
"Exactly," Bernon said brightly.
As they traveled, the sides of the river bed got lower and farther apart, until they were barely hidden from the forests on either side at all. Luckily, the signs of bandit life to the south had pretty much stopped showing up, and there was still nothing at all to the north except dead trees sitting in a few inches of muddy water. It was very hot and humid here, though, and the swarms of midges and biting flies were getting to be almost intolerable.
"Do you know any bug-repelling magic, Tanrial?" Bernon finally asked, feebly trying to shoo the flying cloud away from his face.
(I meeeeeeeannnn XD)
Tanrial frowned a little, "Not specifically, no. But I can put a bubble around us, like I did to protect Mike and I in the storm. That might help."
"Please," Bernon said desperately. "If it's not too much trouble. I worry these midges are either gonna eat us alive or give us some horrible disease."
“Of course! It’s no problem. Stay close, though, the larger it is the less time I’ll be able to hold it.” Tanrial raised her hands, forming a small sphere like shape in her hands. Then, it was like a gust of wind burst out, creating an almost invisible bubble around the trio, preventing any flies or bugs from entering.
Both Mike and Bernon stepped closer gratefully, breathing sighs of relief. "Ah, it's even a little cooler in here. Thanks, Tanrial. And it looks like we're almost out of this nasty place!"
Sure enough, the terrain up ahead was looking greener and more hilly, as if there were fewer bandits constantly raiding and burning it. What seemed like the final gruesome boundary marker was just up ahead, and both boys sped up at the sight of it.
But then there was an outrageous warbling whistle, followed by a shunk. A crooked arrow landed right in front of them and buried itself in the sand. Its fletching was made of bright blue fake feathers, and there were odd holes cut into the length of the arrow to make it scream as it flew. Mike leaped back, whipping his head around. "Hit the ground!"
The trio ducked, hitting the floor. Luckily Tanrial's bubble of air provided some form of protecting against the three. However it wouldn't last long and the arrows would only be deflected for a few more moments if it hit the bubble.
Strangely, no more arrows followed the first, and no one came rushing out to surround them. After a minute, Mike lifted his head and looked around in confusion. "What the heck?…."
Bernon followed his gaze and quickly pointed to the north. "Look over there, by the trees!"
There was a small group of people standing at the edge of the river bed, just a bit to far away to make out clearly. They carried bows and arrows, spears, and pikes, but simply stood there without giving any sign of aggression. After a minute, the tallest one lifted a spindly arm and waved.
Tanrial frowned, still keeping the air shield around all three of them as she sat up, "Did they just… wave?" She raised a brow, lifting a hand to wave back.
"It looks like they did," Bernon said, sounding equally confused. "Maybe they're not actually bandits?"
"Be careful," Mike cautioned, getting back to his feet. "Looks like they're coming over to talk."
After carefully looking both ways to make sure no one else was around, the group of strangers had started down into the river bed and were cautiously walking closer. There were four of them, all very thin and wearing very ragged, mud-stained clothes. Each one had something blue on their outfit, such as sashes or ribbons or more fake feathers. The one in front wore a faded blue poncho like a cape and carried a thin sword.
The most frightening thing about them, though, was their headgear. All of them wore hoods and masks that completely hid their faces. They had been sewn or painted with hollow eyes or toothy mouths, and decked out with beads and bones. It made them look quite eerie, and there was no way to see their expressions.
They stopped a few feet away, and the one in front spoke. His voice sounded odd through the mask. "Hello."
Tanrial blinked, standing up and dusting herself off before she replied to the other, "Uh hi. Sorry are we.. in your territory? We're sorry if we are."
"Not quite," the man replied. "Nevertheless, we were curious. It's not often we meet travelers with a magical bubble around them. It looks like quite an effective bug-repellent."
"That's why we were using it," Bernon admitted, dusting himself off. "Sorry, but who are you guys?"
"We are from the Lakes," the tall man said. "The northernmost bandit tribe. Fear not, we rarely bite. And who are you?"