Grand Adventure

With nothing more than a click of his tongue, the wagon started rolling, the rain landing steadily against the oiled canvas above. Anna sat just behind the driver under the shelter provided by the bows and covering. Clara and Clayton sat facing each other, feet pressed against the opposite sideboard to help steady themselves as the wagon rolled along, bumping and swaying.

Anna stared out as the wagon began its journey, leaving Runetown behind for the capital.

The witch hunters led the way, individually mounted, cloaks repelling as much rain as they could. They kept their hoods up and heads bowed slightly forward, shedding rain while hiding their appearances. Anna counted eight ahead of the wagon and just as many behind. Some of the hunters kept checking their wrists, others tried their best to ignore the strange new markings.

The road was narrow, cut into the side of rolling hills covered by brush, young trees, and the occasional still-standing charred snag. Some of the snags swayed slightly in the wind as the weather continued to deteriorate.

Being an old girl, Astra needed multiple breaks, stopping roughly every hour. The witch hunters grew increasingly impatient, shooting dirty looks and complaining to each other. Their younger horses could get them to the capital much faster and get them out of the incessant, cold rain.

“Pick up the pace or you all will be walking,” one of them threatened with a growl as he rode past to speak with some of the others.

“Do not pay them any mind, Astra. You are doing great, my sweet girl.”

As the wagon rested, Anna watched the hunters argue among themselves, deliberately far enough away that their voices were obscured by the heavy drops landing against the oiled canvas. They pointed ahead with large gestures, then at members of the group. After a few minutes of arguing, the group started splitting up, with ten riders going ahead while six remained behind.

“Looks like they no longer see us as enough of a threat,” Clayton said, peering over Anna’s shoulder.

“It’s not like I am going to run,” Anna replied.

“Fair-weather lot,” murmured the old driver. “A little rain and they are racing off for a warm hearth and a hot supper.”

“T-this is more than a little rain,” Anna replied, wincing as a drop got past the edge of the oiled canvas and struck her in the eye.

“Happy to make camp any time.”

“No, we are moving on, now!” said the rider from earlier as he passed by again.

The driver gave a soft sigh and shook his head.

“Walk on, Arashi Astra, my twice-crowned queen.”

As the wagon started rolling, Anna picked up a waterskin, taking a small sip from it. There were only three. Even if it was only a two or three day journey, it was probably wise to be careful with the water.

It seemed like a lot of trouble to haul water in leather bags. “Why did you have me bring boiled water?” she asked Clara.

“Travelers from afar take ill from local water. They fare better if it is boiled first.”

The road bent around the contour of the next hill. Up ahead, water was oozing out of the slope, pooling along the downhill shoulder. The horses ahead sloshed through on the uphill side, leaving behind hoofprints that slowly melted away. The wagon followed, hugging the uphill side as much as possible to avoid the worst of the mud.

Unexpectedly, the front right wheel sank into the muck. A deep grunt escaped Astra as she leaned into the harness, pulling hard. The wheel dug in deeper. The wagon tilted.

“Whoa,” the old driver commanded softly, getting her to stop before things worsened.

“Should I get out and push?” asked Clayton.

Clara shifted to get up and help.

Suddenly, the whole wagon jolted sharply as the road’s downhill shoulder shifted. Clara yelped, thrown off balance against the sideboard.

“Everyone out!” shouted the driver. He leapt down into the muck with a sharp splat.

Closest to the front, Anna scrambled onto the driver’s bench.

The earth shifted again, swinging the rear of the wagon around, directing it downhill toward the deep gully below. Clara and Clayton slid toward the back board as Anna clung to the bench for support.

Astra whinnied loudly. The driver rushed to her side, his hands feeling along the wagon’s pulling shafts, searching for the straps that bound her to the wagon.

Anna pivoted, clinging to the seat while extending a hand to Clayton. He took hold, pushing forward as Anna pulled. As soon as he had a hand on the back of the bench, he scrambled over.

Anna extended her hand to Clara. With her son safe, Clara’s attention shifted elsewhere, her hand grabbing Anna’s bundle. “No time!”

Clara threw it at Anna anyway.

Astra shrieked as the wagon lurched.

The driver fought with the leather straps, unable to loosen them under tension.

The mounted witch hunters turned their horses, racing away from the danger.

Anna caught the bundle, hurling it toward Clayton in one smooth motion.

Clara snatched up two waterskin straps in her left hand, extending her right forearm. Anna took hold, hauling the woman up to the driver’s bench.

Clayton rushed to the driver’s aid, both of them fighting with the straps to release Astra.

Astra grunted and thrashed in the muck, the whites of her eyes showing in fear.

“No use!” shouted Clayton.

“Not leaving my girl!”

The whole road settled.

“RUN!” bellowed Clayton.

He stooped to snag the bundle as he led the charge up the road, Anna and Clara at his heels.

Astra continued to screech in fear, her shrieks pitching higher.

‘A.A.!’

Clayton, Anna, and Clara ran for their lives.

The driver finally loosened a strap.

“Got you!”

Suddenly, the ground gave way, sweeping them both downhill.

The earth took the trio as well.

The shifting mass threw all three to the ground.

Anna hit the sagging road hard, hands outstretched. Her fingers clawed for any purchase as the hard-packed dirt in front of her cracked into large chunks.

“Creator!” Clara screamed.

Anna could feel her body being pulled downhill toward the steep slope and gully below.

Uphill, a large boulder dislodged, rolling slowly at first, then lumbering downhill. It struck a tree and ricocheted across the road with increasing speed.

“Look out!” shouted Clayton.

Anna went wide-eyed as the boulder came right for her.

Hitting a large chunk of the broken road, it bounced off course, going right for Clara.

“Mother!”

The boulder tore past, plowing a sheet of mud and earth over her. Clara disappeared underneath.