Lost Scout

[Frundette]

"I've been apprenticing with Master Corin for 5 years this winter, sir," Jasper said as he urged his horse to catch up so that he could ride abreast and better hear the conversation. "I'm due to become a journeyman come spring. Master Corin says there's bound to be enough people here by next year that we'll easily need two surgeon's, but I don't know. Seems the worst I've seen here so far is a broken arm last week when Emerson fell off his roof," his tone sounded disappointed that there hadn't been more action. Then, realizing that he might have implied he wished more people had been hurt or injured, his cheeks grew slightly flushed. "Oh! I mean... that's a good thing. It's just.. you know.. I want to go where I'm most needed."

Aelfric smirked, understanding Jasper's desire to be where the action was happening.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Ezra gave an amused nod in return. "I understand. You remind me of my daughter, Danielle. Full of energy... and ambition. That's good, you'll do well. As the settlement grows I'm sure there'll be more work for you. People are bound to injure themselves somehow," he chuckled.

...

Danielle approached the row of houses and reined in her mount, Duke's quick and accurate response to her touch giving her confidence. Most of the houses were closed up already as the residents ate dinner, and by chance she selected the elderly surgeon's house. Hopefully he could tell her which way the trio had gone. After dismounting she approached his door and knocked.

 

[Frundette]

About three miles from the settlement, the road plunged into the Greywoods. As they entered the canopy of leaves, Aelfric looked down at the road, already starting to form ruts from the wagon wheels, but there were so many hoof prints and footprints, that he could not pick out Gytha's trail yet.

But something slightly strange did catch his attention before they'd even lost site of the open fields behind them. "What is that?" Stopping his mount, he swung down to investigate further. It was a track, in the mud next to a shrinking puddle. "I'm no hunter, but does this look odd to you two?"




--


Corin was a few minutes getting to his door. "Yes?" he asked as he opened the door to find the young woman there. "How can I assist you, young lady?"

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Ezra guided Panago alongside Aelfric, but on the opposite side of the odd looking print so that it wasn't disturbed. He dismounted and crouched down beside it to get a better look. "I'm no hunter either, Aelfric." He replied in voice which reflected a combination of curiosity and worry. "But I've never seen anything like that... it looks like... a reptile of some kind? A very large reptile..." He returned to his feet and studied the ground further, looking for the direction in which the tracks led.
...

"Sorry for disturbing you, sir." She apologized with a smile. "I'm looking for my Father, Ezra. Have you seen him recently? He was traveling with another man, named Aelfric."

 

[Frundette]

"Don't worry, you're not bothering me at all. Why, just a few hours ago they were here," Corin answered. "Headed off to find what's become of the scout, Gytha. In fact, I sent my apprentice, Jasper, with them."


---


Aelfric scratched his head. "I'd sure not want to meet a reptile that made that. Seeing Ezra exploring the surrounding ground, he asked "See any more? I'd only spotted this one here in the softer mud, but maybe there's more around."

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

"They headed towards the Greywoods then?" Her voice reflected a small amount of surprise that her father had agreed to go on the trip with Aelfric. He was usually more of a 'stay-at-home' type farmer than one who spent a lot of time traveling. "Thank you so much for your help sir, have a good evening" She backed away from the door and swung her leg up over Duke

...

Ezra grunted in agreement. The packed road had masked much of the trail as the tracks didn't leave an imprint, but he managed to find it again closer to the trees on the other side. "I think they lead into the forest," he replied. "Do you think they're worth following?"

 

[Frundette]

Aelfric looked torn momentarily, but then nodded. "If there's trail enough to follow, then I think it deserves attention." He imagined such a strange print would certainly have caught Gytha's attention. Remaining on foot to better study the ground, Aelfric led his mount off the road, toward the print Ezra had found and looked for more. "Here! And here!" he said, spotting more prints quickly. "I cannot tell though, if this is one creature or perhaps many."

Jasper did his best to hide the fact that he was excited about this new development. This might turn into something of a real adventure! On his belt he wore a knife, more for utility than combat, but he rested his hand on it, copying Aelfric's hand resting on the hilt of his sword, as if it was habit.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Ezra looped Panago's reins around a nearby tree branch and walked over to where Aelfric had spotted more tracks. "I can't imagine the size of the reptile that made these..." He marveled. "It must be at least ten feet tall! I agree, we should follow them, but keep your eyes out for anything out of the ordinary... this is awefuly strange, wouldn't you agree?" The strange tracks sparked curiousity in his heart, but he knew that for the sake of his family he needed to be careful. If something happened to him, nobody would be able to take over the farm.

 

[Frundette]

Jasper looped his mount's reins around a heavy branch and old horse started helping himself to any leaves he could reach. The surgeon's apprentice knelt down next to one of the tracks. "What makes you think it's a reptile? It's something with three toes and no claws that I can tell." But he could offer not better explanation to the origin of the track.

Aelfric looked at his two companions as he pondered what sort of creature they might be dealing with. "Do you have any weapon?" he asked Ezra. "I don't expect that you shall need it, but it is good to be prepared should we meet something unfriendly."

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

"Yes," Ezra pulled an old sword from a bag strapped to Panago. It had been used by his grandfather and then past down from generation to generation until his own father had given it to him. The metal blade was slightly rusty, indicating that it was seldom used, but still strong and sharp. "You might be right, Jasper." He gave the tracks a closer look. "But I don't know of anything... reptile or not, that only has three toes and no claws."