Chapter 18 - Suspicious Minds

Rose could see smoke rising above the forest in the direction her party was heading. She was ready for a fight, her falchion already in her hand as she moved towards the plume in the distance.

She looked around at her team.

As usual Apex was off to the side, bow in hand. His eyes scanned the area for threats and she was sure he had also spotted the signs of a fire.

His brother Ajax was to her side as always, just as tense as any of them for the fight to come.

Standing behind them was Kaelen. Since the plan was always to ensure he was hiding his magic abilities he was carrying their pack of supplies like any new trainee. But Rose could tell he was ready to start casting his spells if needed.

Judging by the look on his face Kaelen was the most eager of any of them to undertake this mission. He always was the firebrand. Rose had often wondered if his magic was a literal reflection of his personality.

“Smoke has me worried that something is happening. Should we move to observe?”

She was speaking more to herself than any of her crew, but Ajax responded anyway. “I thought we were supposed to meet up with Warlock.”

Rose nodded. “Yeah, I wonder where he is?” Her voice was forlorn.

“Who says I haven’t been here all along my loyal compatriots?”

Rose could have sworn the space next to her had been empty a moment ago. But there stood Warlock. Tall and inscrutable, his dark cloak completely blocking out his face as always.

“Sir?!? When did you…” Words failed her.

“I am always here, ready to help my fellow patriots.”

Rose thought for a moment that his response didn’t really answer her question, but she equally knew the answer to how he had appeared so suddenly was less important than the fact that he was here now.

“We’re ready to move sir!” She stood up straighter as she spoke, like an eager young soldier.

“I know. Let us proceed.” He pointed to the trail in the woods ahead that would lead them to the clearing where they intended to intercept the visitor.

“Right!”

The whole team responded in unison and began to push forward. The forest was dry from a lack of recent rain and their footsteps crunched on the sun-baked underbrush. But Rose knew speed was more important than stealth in their approach.

“Remember the plan?” Warlock asked Rose as they moved.

“I do. Apex will pin down any guard or driver with his bow while Kaelen charges his magic to hit the carriage. If the demon stays inside the carriage, perfect. We’ll take them out along with the entire carriage in the blast. If the demon comes out then Ajax and I will hold them off until Kaelen’s magic is ready. And you’ll provide support wherever it is needed.”

“Good. I am proud of how you’ve all grown.”

She beamed at the praise. Her group and others like it had just been listless and ineffective before the enigmatic, but undeniably charismatic, Warlock has appeared. For the first time since the demons came she felt like they were able to make meaningful progress on fighting back.

The dense trees that surrounded them blotted out the sky, but as they approached their destination they could start to make out the signs of a fire in the sky again.

Rose posed a question to Warlock as she watched the smoke rise. “Is it possible the carriage stopped for the night and made camp not realizing how close the city is?”

“While that would be ideal, I fear this omen is far more ominous. We should move more quickly.”

Rose nodded and instructed her team to pick up the pace.

Soon the trail opened up into the clearing that was their destination.  Apex was in the lead, moving easily through the brush due to his extensive hunting experience. All of a sudden he stopped dead in his tracks. His brother nearly ran into him, too surprised by the pause.

“Report.” Warlock’s gruff voice rang out.

Apex stepped aside to allow the others forward and pointed into the clearing. “It’s burning. Or at least, was burning. The carriage.” It was clear his comprehension of the situation was every bit as choppy as his words were.

“What?!” Rose pushed forward into the clearing.

There she saw the burnt out frame of what used to be a carriage. A few flames still licked at its edges but it was clear something had burned through the vehicle quickly and mercilessly.

She spotted a few other burned areas. No flames remained but there were scorch marks on the ground and some kind of mostly white paste spread over the road in two or three places near the carriage.

And then there was the smell. It was terrible, but somehow familiar in a way she couldn’t place.

The entire party moved closer to the wreckage. Only Warlock stayed back, observing the scene.

“Did…did someone beat us to it? Did they kill the demon already?” Kaelen’s voice was an odd mixture of wonder, elation and disappointment all at once.

“I guess…this is great. Isn’t it?” Ajax’s own questions slipped from his lips. Apex smiled and clapped his brother on the back in joy at their unexpected fortune.

“Fools.”

Warlock’s voice rang out to the group and as one they spun to look at him.

“This is nothing to be happy about. Don’t you see what this is?”

Rose’s team all looked around confused.

“If someone already killed the demon, then where is the body? Hell, where is the horse for this carriage for that matter? Or the driver?”

“Maybe the demon was in the carriage when it burned? That was our plan anyway, wasn’t it?” Rose inquired.

“Perhaps. But that wouldn’t explain the other missing pieces.” Warlock responded.

He continued to survey the area.

“And this smell. Surely you recognize it as the same from the kafsi bombs we used in the town. Someone else has borrowed our methods.” His voice was taut. Angry.

“No.” He seemed to be speaking more to himself than anyone there. “This is something much worse.”

“What is it Warlock? What do you think this is?”

“A trap. We have been set up.”

The words hung in the air.

“Run. Now!”

As he barked the command a small group of demons appeared on the other side of the clearing.