The Four

A New Home

Enrich looked around the camp to see if anyone was paying any particular attention to them, and if all were ready to move out.

He was usually the last to be ready, they thought it was because he was old but the real reason was that he had spent each night on this trip gathering the other three of Four, and it took a lot his energy from him.

Not to mention that he wasn’t able to start his ‘journeys’ until everyone else in the camp was asleep.

Seeing that all were prepared, but none seemed to be paying any particular attention to him or the boy, he flipped the reins over his horse and with a jolt, they were off.

They first laid eyes on the village that was their destination as they crested a large hill hours later. The sun was going down behind the village and seemed to surround the place with a soft glow.

The effect on the villagers was that of a divine being heralding them home. Enrich, however, felt something much different than the rest of them. He knew that the others were seeing nothing less than their own salvation, but he sensed something else, an evil that lay under the surface.

He begged caution from the townspeople, but his words were not headed. No one wanted to listen to the old man nay saying when their heads were all turned in the direction of the sun.

Enrich sighed in resignation and turned his horse’s head to follow the villagers who had already set to with a renewed purpose to their steps.

He dared not focus any of his magic to find the source of the evil that he could sense ahead of them and risk being caught by it. That wouldn’t stop him from delving into the depths when he was sure of his safety though.

So, for now he followed the rest of the village people, even Ankel seemed to be affected by their enthusiasm and was practically dancing off the seat in excitement. “Calm yourself, boy.” Enrich admonished him gently. “We have no idea what kind of reception we will receive below, best not to get too excited.” He saw the boy deflate and felt sorry for his words, but he wanted him to be on his guard and not caught up in the excitement of his fellows.

“What are you thinking, Enrich?” the boy looked at him in question.

Enrich harrumphed, “Just that we are a large party of hungry mouths that they may not want to feed.” He replied in his usually taciturn manner, again turning his attention to the village ahead.

Ankel seemed to think about this and finally he nodded.

“I see what you mean, old man. I will save my hopes until there is something to build it upon.” Enrich was startled at the boy’s wisdom. He shouldn’t be, he had known Ankel since he was born.