It had been two days since Bryon and Eric had left the village. They had not found much to talk about along the way. They only talked when Bryon would ask a question about a certain tree or maybe a bird he had seen. For there were things here that Bryon had never seen.
What a strange and beautiful place this was. Eric had seemed a little strange since they had left Glen Roy. Always looking behind him almost as if he was expecting someone to be following them. Katelynn had told him he could trust Eric so he would. It was just he knew that if Lord Drasken got word of him being here he would come and try to stop him. But Katelynn had assured him that there was no way anyone in the village knew Lord Drasken for she would know.
Eric was also doing some thinking as they rode along. He was wondering what was taking Lord Drasken so long to get there, he had held up their departure for an extra day. Had the man he hired just took the money and had never went to tell Lord Drasken as he had promised.
Or was Bryon who he claimed to be. And Lord Drasken was not as interested in him as Eric had thought. Eric had lain awake last night thinking what if Drasken did not come to take care of his problem for him then what would he do. Would he be able to take care of it himself? If nothing happened before they reached this spot on their way back he would have to deal with it himself.
He must start thinking of a plan. He would have to decide when would be the best time to strike.
The trails to the north had been easy to travel, but they were going into the Highlands now and it was getting harder to ride. If it was not the thick forest it was the rocky hills. The forest had become so thick the higher they climbed and the hills were covered with sharp rocks.
Making it impossible to ride the horses. They were walking more now than they were riding.
It was near midday and Eric said, „I think we should stop here and rest for a day. It seems to be harder to breathe the further up we go and it will be harder traveling. We need to rest well before we continue.”
Bryon agreed he did not think he had ever climbed anything as high as this before. He was breathless as he looked around at the beauty that surrounded them. Eric pointed to a place below in the valley.
“That is Glen Roy,” said Eric. Even though it was mid summer it was still cool during the day in the Highlands, and the nights were cold.
As they unpacked their traveling gear Eric said, “I feel like some fresh meat. I have had enough of traveling food. How about you?”
Bryon had to agree he could use a good hot meal and said, “Yes, I would but I do not know this place I would not be much help but I could stay and get a nice fire going,” he replied.
“Fine,” said Eric. “I shall return with the biggest rabbit you have ever seen.” Bryon began to gather dry wood and some dried moss to start the fire with. It did not take him long to gather enough dry wood to last for the night. Before long he had a good blaze going as he sat there and looked into the fire burning the color of the flames made him think of her. Oh how he ached to feel her in his arms and to look into her beautiful green eyes. He heard someone holler and looked and saw Eric coming towards him and it was the biggest rabbit he had ever seen.
That night as they lay looking into the sky from their bedrolls Bryon asked Eric, “ Do you think someone is following us?”
“What would make you ask that,” Eric replied.
“Because you keep watching behind us like you are expecting someone,” Bryon replied.
“Oh,” said Eric “It is just the people of the Highlands sometimes do not like strangers on their lands. And before there could be trouble I would rather call them out so they will know who we are and we will know who they are and know why we are here.” Eric was very proud of himself for thinking of that answer so fast. For he never thought that he was being that obvious he would be more careful in the future. And he would remember that Bryon was watching him as well.
“I am glad you are thinking for us for I had not thought of anything like that since I had Richard‟s permission to travel through these lands,” Bryon said.
“Yes, but you are in the Highlands now and it is ruled by William. It is better to be safe and know who is behind you than not know they are there at all,” said Eric. He had left out the fact that William was Richard‟s father-in –law.
That night there came a bitter cold wind down upon them from the top of the mountain.
They were both glad that they had listened to Richard and had brought extra clothing and covers.
They lay their horses down to help block the wind that was sweeping down from the mountaintop. Eric was glad that Richard had gathered more than enough wood for the night. It would help keep them from freezing.
When Eric saw the pile of wood he had gathered. Eric had laughed and said, “Well, we will have to make sure we come back this way so we can finish using up the good fire wood you found.”
Then they both started laughing but they were not laughing now. Both of them was only to glad to have the extra wood to keep the fire burning and the little warmth they got from it. With the horses blocking most of the wind they did keep most of the heat around them. It was not easy to sleep that night. But in the very late hours of the night the wind died down and they were able to sleep.
They woke the next morning and there was still a chill in the air. Bryon got the rest of the rabbit and built the fire up again to cook it. After they ate they got their things packed away and continued on their journey.
Around late morning Bryon asked, “Do you think we could stop for awhile?” Eric thought for a moment and said, “Yes, I think that would be a good. We sure did not get as much rest last night as I was hoping. We will go a little ways further there is a stream ahead and we can get fresh water and let the horses drink. We will stay there for the night.” Eric thought for another moment and said, “Would you gather the wood?” They both started laughing and Bryon said, “Sure about the same as I did yesterday.” Eric was really starting to like Bryon. He was starting to doubt if he could go through with his plans. Especially if Lord Drasken did not take care of things for him. Eric had a feeling that they were being watched and he wondered if it was Lord Drasken. A little while later they came to the stream that Eric had spoken of. That night as they sat around the fire and ate the trout that Bryon had caught, they talked some more. Eric still could not shake the feeling they were being watched. But by whom, could it be someone from William‟s village? In the morning before they left he would scout around and see if he saw any signs of anyone else being in the forest. But as he looked around now he saw no signs of a fire in the darkness of the woods. Who or what ever was out there was taking a lot of care not to be seen.