The destiny of a prince

Chaptern XI

                                                                                  The fight for survival

                      For six hours, they walked steadily through the desolate forest, stopping to make a small fire, warming themselves, and to eat a little, and then resumed their journey. They wanted until the evening to reach further than they were now from the castle, but also to find a suitable place to spend a safe night. They knew it was a long way, until they reached The Black Rock, where they would have a good bed, at least for one night.

                       Ever since they left Shinestone, they have only had one stop to eat and let the horses rest. They had a quiet road, until they stopped almost a few hundred meters away from a small fence, where there was a roar. Corvin dismounted, and told Faren to hold the horse until he could see what was going on. Slowly going to the door with his right hand tightly grasping the handle of the sword, which was gripped at his waist, he stops behind a thick tree about two people, looking in the direction from which the noise was heard. Then he saw that they were orcs, who were arguing with the goblins. He knew that if he were to be seen, he would not escape alive. Suddenly, a sharp scream was heard from the direction where he had left Faren, thinking something had happened. He ran to her as fast as he could. She stopped only a few steps from where she had left her, seeing that she was surrounded by two powerful and very ugly orcs. Corvin wanted to jump at them, but stopped when one of the orcs started talking.

                   - What is a man looking for here? asked the orc.

                    -A short walk, Faren said, frightened. Let me go or ...

                     - Or what? You know, I've been eating only rotten bread for a few days, I'm tired. Tonight we will have a feast with meat, said the other orc.

                     - It's a good idea, but first let's ask something. Where's your companion, the little piece of meat?

                     - Nobody is with me, I'm alone.

                     -Alone? Don't make me laugh, you have two horses. Where's the boy you came from? Do not try to lie, because we have been following you for some time.

                       When Faren answers, Corvin jumps behind an orc and cuts him on the back with the sword that made him fall to his knees in pain. It wasn't long before the other orc jumped with the weapon that looked like an ax. The Orc crouched on Corvin, causing him to retreat to the back so he wouldn't be hit. In the next second, without thinking, he threw the sword straight at the head of the orc, who fell to the ground still. Within seconds, Corvin saw the orc he had slashed on his back, came to him with his sword, leaned back and looked for something to defend himself, because his sword was stuck in the head of the first orc. He did not go far behind, as he hit the trunk of a tree, and the orc advanced with speed toward him. Just a few steps from him, a sword pierced the attacking orc, leaving Corvin breathless. The orc fell to the ground, seeing Faren holding the sword.

                      -Thanks. I thought I was going to die, said Corvin.

                      - Sorry it took so long. Anyway, we should get up and leave as soon as possible. I don't think it was just the two of them.

                      - In the front porch there are a few orcs and a few goblins.

                      - And what do we do? Faren asked, as he held out his hand to raise it.

                      -Well, I looked closely there, and we honestly can't get past them very soon, and if we stay here, it is possible to come after these two, Corvin said as he got up.

                      -Don't tell me we're going to attack them, Faren said, looking at him a little scared.

                     - How good are you at archery?

                     - I'm the best shooter. Why?

                      -Perfect. You will cover me with arrows, and I will attack them from below. You will have to move quickly, especially with the goblins, Corvin said, giving him the bow and arrows.

                     -And what if they come to me?

                     - It won't come. You will stand in a tree, and I will bring them fixed to your target. You just have to be ready. As they begin to appear, shoot at them, and don't forget.

                   - Yes, I know. Let me put them in my head.

                   -Then it's time to prove it to me, Corvin said with a laugh.

                    Faren looks around for a tree that is as good as possible, giving it as much protection as possible from enemy attacks, but also a good angle to be able to target. After finding such a tree, he prepared for the attack, while Corvin went into the small meadow where the orcs and goblins were. When he got there, he pulled out his bow and aimed one of the goblins, which fell to the ground, being struck in the head. The others quickly seized their weapons, and they began to yell as if they were telling the others that they were being attacked, then rushed toward Corvin. The fastest being the goblins, which rushed as soon as one of them fell to the ground. Corvin drops three more, then grabs the bow in one hand and returns in the direction Faren was.

                        Faren waited with his heart in his teeth for Corvin to appear and begin to fight. The wait was longer, but he had finally seen Corvin running, and there were more goblins behind him than he had told him. Without any delay, he started firing at the goblins and knocking them down. Corvin also throws his bow aside, and pulls out his sword so he can fight the Orcs, who came to him. The goblins saw Faren, and began to head toward her. Trying to climb the tree, they were shot down by Faren one by one. Corvin had defeated one of the two orcs that had come after him, but he was worried about the goblins coming more and more. Without realizing it, he was hit by the orc in his chest, which caused him to fall to the ground and release his sword. Looking at the orc, he saw him lift his sword up and was about to throw it at him, leaning back to try to escape, laying his hand on nothing. He gave his bow, which he raised and drew an arrow directly into the neck of the orc. He fell to his knees in pain, but that didn't stop him, and he raised his sword again. The moment he wanted to attack him, the tip of an arrow came out of the head of the orc that made him fall down without a breath. Behind him was Faren, who was holding on to his left hand from which blood flowed, crashing. Corvin rose quickly and jumped to catch her, shouting her name without her answering.

                      After Faren opened his eyes and noticed a light coming from a fiery fire near her, Corvin noticed and went to her side.

                   - You finally came back. How do you feel

                    -All right. What happened?

                    -You collapsed because of the blood lost, Corvin said, pointing to the wound on his already caring hand.

                    -I'm thirsty, said Faren, trying to get up.

                   - You are lying, I bring you immediately, you must rest for now ... and you must eat something.

                   - How long have I been unconscious?

                   - A few hours. Stay calm, we are safe now. After you fell, I got on your horse and left. We are far from that place, so if the orcs are going to look for the dead, they will not give us.

                   - I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let them get so close to me.

                   - You are quiet. I didn't even realize there were more than they were. I still can't figure out where so many came from.

                   -At least two orcs, Faren said, laughing a little.

                   - Yes, but next time we will have to be more careful.

                   - Or learn to use the sword better than you do now, right?

                    - I have nothing to do, I only used the ax. I do much better with him than with the sword.

                    - Then why don't you use the ax? Oh, stay that story sword, Arkeryn sword, it's not an ax, Faren said with a bit of sarcasm.

                    - Ha ha. I will learn to use the sword regardless of the situation. Now take and eat something, and then go to bed again. We'll have to leave tomorrow morning. I spent too much time here.

                     Corvin handed him a small stew he had prepared from what Blackscar had given him. When he had finished, he stretched back and let himself be swollen, falling asleep at the sound of the wood burning under the flame. Corvin stayed up most of the night to not have any unpleasant surprises, but even he was very tired ... he finally stole his sleep.

                     The night had passed quickly, and Corvin was frightened to hear of Faren's attempt to make a fire, to warm the cave a little, until they would leave. Outside it was getting colder, and the journey was getting longer than expected. Corvin got to his bones and looked at her as he tried to make fire.

                       -You seem to feel better if you want to make the fire, Corvin said. Sorry I fell asleep, let me turn it on.

                       -I feel a little better, but my hand still hurts, said Faren, placing his left hand on his right forearm where the wound was.

                       - After I light the fire, I'll have to look at the wound to see what it is.

                      The fire was easily ignited by Corvin, after which he dealt with Faren's wound, which seemed to have closed a little, bandaging it with a piece of his clean shirt. At an hour since they woke up, they put out the fire, gathered their belongings, and set off, leaving behind the cave and the place where they had fought a few hours before. Corvin and Faren started riding faster and more carefully, so as not to overtake other orcs or worse, over trolls.

                     They stopped a little to orient themselves to where they were and where they would be best for their horses. Corvin thought that it would not be more than a day and they would pass by Val-dul.

                     The thought that he would have to cross that valley made his hair rise in his hands. The more he wanted to find another way around, the more he wanted to get there and see why everyone was afraid of her. They had not stayed long, and they started on their way, leaving the forest and entering the valley full of rocks without any trees, which made their way easier, being able to walk much faster than going through the forest. This valley left them uncovered, and they could be seen much better by the orc's or the Rohan's. The valley was very large and they had a long way to go from it. Beyond this valley was Valda, a terrible place. Corvin and Faren found a small place away from the wind, where they could spend the night and rest until the next day, where they would continue their journey to the kingdom of the elves.

                       They did the guard row, so as not to be surprised by the orcs or who knows what other dangers. Corvin made much more of a guard, letting Faren rest. In the morning it came with a very good heat to travel better.

                       - Why didn't you wake me up early to get some rest? Faren asked.

                       - I couldn't sleep, there was no point in both of us waking up. Now come to the table, we need to get her out of here as soon as possible.

                       -All right. How are the horses? We have to find a little something.

                      - We'll get to The Black Rock soon. He'll stand for another day, and we'll take care of them there, Corvin said, looking at the horses.

                        Ever since they left Shinestone, horses haven't eaten anything except dry grass and that's only if they were lucky enough to find it. After half an hour, they extinguished the fire, gathered their belongings and set off, hoping that they would soon arrive in the village to spend at least one night away from the wind and with a true and warm meal.