Hi! I'm not dead, just...haven't been able to write. Trying to get back in the mood (hence the mood board...okay I'll stop). Anyhoos, enjoy this moodboard. :)
The rain continued for days. The rain did little to improve the morale of the other guards- even Luka seemed downcast. At least he has a reason to be in poor spirits, thought Eli as he strapped on his arm guard and set his quiver at his hip. Luka had been in bed, coughing and often shivering under blankets. He was relieved of guard duty until his foot finished healing. Eli had walked by the healer’s quarters the other day and gazed in. He saw Luka laying on the bed, blond hair matted against the pillow. His brow was knit in pain and sweat beaded on his forehead. When he saw Eli, he had smiled and waved, but Eli could see that the smile didn’t reach his eyes. The pain in his adopted brother’s eyes was plain to him. Luka’s hands gripped the bed coverings tight as his body was wracked with coughing. Eli had to turn away, grimacing. He breathed deeply as he willed his face to relax. He’ll be alright. Maximus is looking after him. Maximus had assisted Luka in medical duties when there were many injuries to be treated…or when someone needed to be restrained while resetting a bone. Eli shuddered.
Outside the Barracks, Eli pulled up his hood as he started on his patrol route. He breathed in the familiar scent of the forest quenched by rain. He was glad to be out from the Barracks. With two men effectively out of commission, the other guards had to pick up the slack. Tempers could run short when guards had to take more frequent shifts. He turned his thoughts to the events that Luka had described - a wire snare in the Silver Forest. None of the other guards, even Cayden, had been able to find the wire. They had found the broken branch in the place Luka described, but could not find his sword, glasses, nor the wire. Which means that whoever set the wire came back to get rid of it. Eli thought grimly. All the guards were on high alert for anything suspicious, further stretching tempers and trying their patience.
The hairs on the back of Eli’s head stood on end. He was being watched. Without moving his head, Eli looked around. Nothing was out of place, but Eli didn’t dare relax. He kept walking, trying to appear as if he didn’t have the feeling of prey being stalked.
Crunch.
Eli caught his breath. Someone was there. He tried to quell the hammering of his heart as he put one foot in front of the other. Don’t panic, Eli. Kingsley wouldn’t panic. She would let him follow.
Crunch.
Eli felt his heart jump. That was closer this time- No, no. Don’t let him know that you are alert to his presence. Let him follow you. Get him to a place where you can turn on him. Keep walking. Eli forced his breathing to slow down. Up ahead, he could see the place he was looking for - a thick tree, largely sheltered from the rain by its branches. Brushing his shoulder against it, he started to follow the trunk of the tree around when he unexpectedly whipped around, arrow on the string, aimed at his unseen foe.
Nothing.
Inwardly, Eli reeled. I know I sensed someone’s presence. I know I heard something. Where are they? He looked around, expecting to catch a glimpse of movement in the surrounding trees. Only the forest met his eyes. He was alone.
Reluctantly, Eli lowered his bow. Am I going crazy?
Snap.
Eli whirled around towards the sound, arrow at the ready. Movement caught his eye and he let his arrow fly. Thunk. The arrow buried itself in a tree as Eli watched the source of the moment disappear - a deer. Eli cursed to himself as he lumbered over to retrieve the arrow. Nothing but a stupid deer. Calm yourself, Eli! You’re getting more and more jumpy each day! You won’t be taken seriously if you keep shooting when there’s no danger. He pulled the arrow out roughly and continued on his route.
Still irritated with himself, he forced his breathing to slow. Not only was I spooked by a deer, but I missed my target! Either that deer is faster than I anticipated or my hands were shaking. Wait. Why would my hands be shaking? He held out his hand, staring at it. Sure enough, it was shaking. Eli frowned. He knew his limits, and he shouldn’t be shaking from such a small scare. Am I more tired from being on duty more? That must be it. I’ll have to aim more carefully next time. Although…it’s just as well I missed. Otherwise I would have to bring the deer back with me. He grimaced as he put the arrow back in it’s quiver. And I would have had to explain to Kingsley that I got spooked by a deer and shot it. That would look great. He halted suddenly. Shouldn’t he be going back now? He roused himself from his thoughts as he looked around. It felt as if a fog was settling over his mind; he couldn’t think straight. The rain continued, and it had gotten much darker. He thought he smelled something vaguely familiar…what was it? He checked his surroundings. Where was he? He was still on track, right? Had the encounter taken that long?
Snap.
Eli’s bow was drawn like lightning. He peered in the direction of the sound. Eli tightened his grip on his bow, trying to control the shaking of his hands. Breathe. Find your target before you shoot. With immense effort, Eli forced his breathing to slow and reminded himself not to over grip the bow. Eli’s eyes narrowed as she stated down the shaft of the arrow. Wait a minute… If he was where he thought he was, there should be a cluster of bushes right where he was aiming. Why did he see only one? It was only when he looked around again did he realize he was surrounded by fog, cutting off all vision around him.
