12 The Forest Of The Forgotten (2/2)

It was a good idea and the rest of the group quickly followed suit. Elise was riding on a muscular horse that was attached to the carriage with Ashley on her lap shrinking into her chest. Despite the apparent sanctuary of the carriage, it was far safer to be on horseback when travelling through the forest. In the event of a beast attack being trapped in the carriage spelt certain death.

It was one of the reasons merchant caravans eventually stopped all trips through the forest to reach Arcadia, the profits were not worth the loss of life and cargo. The group trudged forward in a west in a cautious manner, Floira was the vanguard and scouted ahead, constantly looking for any suspicious sounds or tracks.

The trip seemed incredibly lucky so far as not one single magic beast could be seen, this however put the entire group on edge as a new top predator might have taken over this area as its hunting grounds. The ground began to change into a mushy underfoot that slowed the horses down, strange plants appeared at the edges of the trail that seemed to blink as the horses trudged on. Floira raised her hand and the party immediately halted.

There was something watching them.

Up ahead was a small lake with waters that were murky and brown so one could not see the depths. This would not be a problem except for the orange eyes that peered at them as they approached. The eyes were the size of dinner plates, blood red in colour and had small spines attached to the base.

The rest of the creature could not be seen as it had hidden itself under the water. The rotten smell had gotten worse and worse as the horses approached the monster and poor Servia was now gagging in disgust.

Elise frowned, there was no way around the lake without taking a detour that would delay them for a precious few hours. Usually they would simply charge headfirst at the animal, but she had to consider Ashley's safety. She thought carefully and then gave a series of orders in a sharp tone.

”Mary and Sophie stay in the back and cast spells once you see an opening form”

”Elena watch the flanks for any other monsters that try to join in”

”Floira you and I shall engage directly while the twins protect Ashley in the back”

Years of training meant her orders were immediately carried out, Luxia picked up Ashley and carried her towards the back of the group where Mary and Sophie stood ready with their wands out, preparing for battle. Elena sang a song in a low voice trying to scout any living creatures in the area, sirens could use echolocation with their voices but they were typically used to locate and drown passing ships.

Floira removed her hood and unstrapped the great sword attached to her back, all the traits of a demonic warrior could be seen in her image. Her red horns stood proudly on her head and the great sword was massive almost six feet in length carved with images of bloodshed and carnage.

Elise walked gracefully next to her and withdrew her own sword, 'Frostbite'. It was a delicate slender sword that seemed very tiny compared to the great sword and looked like it would snap in two at the first contact with another weapon. It was modelled after a rapier and the thin design was perfect for Elise who flitted around the battlefield like a phantom, few who had seen the sword in action had lived once she drew her blade.

They steadily approached the small lake and a huge mass of body flung out of the water to greet them. It was an enormous viperion, a large magic beast with the body of a serpent and the head of a crocodile. The serpent tongue flicked in and out of the air from the jaws of a crocodile head, the body coiled menacingly as the creature rushed at the foolish prey that wandered into its home.

No trace of panic could be seen on either Elise nor Floira's faces as they quickly split up left and right, dodging the first lunge by the viperion. Elise's blade quickly engulfed itself in black flames as her marks began to sing with happiness from the feeling of being in a battle.

She slashed forward as a thin layer of flesh was sliced off from the midsection of the creature who stood still momentarily in shock. It had never once received an injury with the protection of its diamond- like scales but yet this little ant dared to make it bleed. While it was distracted, Floira quickly raised her great sword and swung it at the creature's head.

Meanwhile the fight was intensifying no one noticed Ashley who was staring at a floating ball of white light that was beckoning slowly to her.

She began to move towards the light in an almost trance- like state.