The Golem Forest

The Golem Forest

                Bytor did not know when he fell asleep but he awoke with a start.  Caden was still sleeping next to him while Anthony, Ty and Chris were sleeping nearby.  Kindle was gone though.

                He searched high and low until he finally found her at the watering hole with Kiera and the baby now named Nick.  He did not want to disturb them as they cleaned themselves and the baby in the watering hole.  So he turned and walked back to the rest of the camp.

                Upon returning to the camp, the rest of the men started awakening.   Peter was the first to awake and search for his wife and little Nick.

                “She is with Kindle and Nick at the watering hole” He explained to Peter who was relieved to know where his wife and child were.  Peter made a decision that shocked and pleased Bytor at the same time.

                “I think we should stick together from now on.  Safety in numbers, right?”

                Bytor smiled.  He liked Peter and all his convictions which were for the better good.

                Kindle and Kiera carrying Nick arrived back at the camp.  All of the bruises were gone from Kindle now and she looked magnificent.  Kiera loaned Kindle one of her cloaks to hide her identity which Bytor thought was an excellent idea.  Kindle’s fiery hair and Emerald green eyes were a dead giveaway and by now Ryanne and Carum probably already put a bounty on her head.

                As they left camp together they headed east to award the Jasmine Coast.  They rode slower this time since they had little Nick who was swaddled in Kiera’s makeshift carrier.

                To get to the Jasmine Coast, the team had to travel through the Golem Forest and this was a place they did not want to go.

                For the Golem’s were created by a group of Sirens to destroy the Myriad but the Golem’s rebelled against the Sirens.  Many of them died and now the Golem’s are of the opinion ”Kill or be killed.”  This was their belief after the survivors fled into the outlands then made their way into the forest.

                Peter worried about his wife and Nick.  “Is there any other way?” he asked Kindle who informed him there was no other way through a vision.  No harm would come to Kiera or Nick, She would make certain of that.

                As they neared the Golem Forest, Anthony who always seemed to stay nervous asked Bytor “What if they kill one of us?”  Bytor pondered this for a while.  Then answered with his plan “I will draw one of them out at a time, then we will kill them one by one.”

                “No we won’t.”  Kindle said flatly.

                “What?  They will kill all of us, Kindle.”  Bytor said with a little more authority in his voice.

                “No they won’t, Bytor.  They are just as afraid of us as we are of them.  That is why they kill.  All of you will hang back as I will go see their King and ask for safe passage through their forest.”

                Bytor was not in a fighting mood but this one situation was one he did not like.  He decided to go with her and told her so.

                “No!  They will kill you Bytor”

                “You will not go alone, Kindle.  I am going with you and that is that.”

                Kindle knew that fighting with Bytor was of no use.  Once Bytor’s mind was made up, then there was no point in carrying it on.

                So as the rest of their party stayed behind, Kindle and Bytor made their way toward the Golem Forest.  Bytor kept Kindle behind him just in case there was an ambush but none came.

                “They must all be in the compound” Bytor told Kindle.

                “No, they are waiting for us inside the compound” she informed him.

                So they made their way into the compound and were surprised at the vast many of all of the Golem’s standing at attention awaiting their arrival.  They were even more surprised as they walked in ad noticed each Golem kneel at their presence.  No Golem tried to attack them.

                “So this is the prophecy” They heard the King say to them.  His eyes were fixated on Bytor.  “Come closer so I may have a good look at you.”

                Bytor, with Kindle behind him made their way to the Golem King.  Then the King bowed to Bytor and Kindle..

                “What brings you here?” the King asked.

                Kindle found her voice first.

                “We came to ask permission to use pass through your forest so we can make it to the Jasmine Coast”

                “The Jasmine Coast, huh?  Are you to see the Priestess Clea?  The King asked, his eyes still on Bytor who was still shielding Kindle.  “And this young Mage with you must be Kindle, Aliana’s daughter.  Your magic is well known in these parts.  You are a very powerful Mage yet your sister Ryanne has already put a price on your head”

                Bytor was ready to draw his sword toward the King but Kindle stopped him by putting her hand on his arm, reassuring him that the King meant no harm.

                “Don’t worry, young one.  Ryanne is a Siren and we do not take too kindly to them.  Your passage will be a safe one.  I would rather die than to give Ryanne the satisfaction of killing you.”  The King informed them.

                Kindle managed a quiet Thank You to the King then she and Bytor made their way back to the others who waited on top of a hill for them.  When they reached the party, Kiera asked “What happened?”

                “We have safe passage through the Golem Forest but Ryanne and Carum have already put a price on my head” Kindle answered her.

                ”What are we to do, Kindle?”  Kiera asked.

                “Make our way to the Jasmine Coast as quickly as possible.”  Kindle answered.

                As they gathered their party up, they noticed one of the Golem’s coming their way fast.  When he reached them, he told them that the King picked him to go with them.

                “The King believes in the prophecy, so I am here to protect you at all costs” He directed this statement toward Kindle and Bytor who were astonished but thankful.  A Golem was big and strong and will come in handy when there is fighting to be done.

                “What is your name, friend?”  Bytor asked the Golem.

                “I go by the name of Yoduf”

                “Do you have a horse to ride?”  Bytor asked Yoduf.

                Yoduf smiled and told him “no need for one…with this one carrying a baby” pointing at Kiera. “And this one with child” pointing at Kindle.  “it will be slow moving.  We should be on our way if we want to make it to Kronfeld by nightfall”

                “Kronfeld?  Bytor asked Yoduf.

                “Yes.  The ladies can rest and we can leave out for the flats in the morning.  If we keep heading East, we should be at the Jasmine Coast by the weeks end” Yoduf told them

                So the party headed out toward Kronfeld so they could make it by nightfall which was falling fast.  It was a very slow ride since Kiera had little Nick and Kindle was with child.  At this point they had nothing to fear.  With the Golem King’s blessing and Yoduf at their side, they felt safe but kept their guards up.  Anything could happen at any point.

                As they made their way through the Golem Forest, they were not bothered by the Golem’s that were there.  Each Golem they came upon either bowed or kneeled toward Bytor and Kindle.  News had already spread.  The prophecy had begun.

                Kindle noticed how beautiful the forest was.  She was proud that the Golem’s were able to bring the forest back to its wonderful state that it was before the Sirens had burned the place to the ground many annuals ago.

                Then, just as Yoduf predicted they had come out of the forest and on the horizon was Kronfeld.  A small village where they could get some rest for the night.