Tales of Arlo

Rise With Burning Eyes

I trailed behind the Viscount of Ashfall, his white horse proudly trotting down the dirt path. Countless spruce trees coated the ground in fallen pine needles, with occasional berry bushes sprouting from underneath their brown shroud. 

Daigo's medals jingled lightly to the bouncing steps of his steed and his clothes were finely pressed, not a single crease across his entire attire. His eyes scanned the area restlessly, breaking the Viscount's confident façade. 

 "You seem to be looking for something, Lord Daigo... Is there something out here we should be concerned about?" Oda called out from behind Sivero and I. 

"Just the typical woodland predators," Daigo answered, failing to believe his own words. 

"Surely a decorated soldier like yourself isn't afraid of a bear," I chimed in, hardly trying not to sound facetious. 

"No, no, no. I'm not scared of some silly, little bear," Daigo bitterly laughed, "Father and I have brought home plenty of bears during our hunts."

"That sounds wonderful! What kind of bears, my lord?" Oda asked with a smile across his face. 

"Black bears," Daigo turned around to glare at Oda, who swiftly straightened his face, "What have you ever hunted, Sir Culvandi?"

"Mostly just some frost trolls or the occasional Deathcoil, like the one I skinned for this armor," Oda smirked, "Surely nothing like what you've fought to become an esteemed military official..."

"A good soldier understands the importance of being diligent and humble, Sir Oda," Daigo nearly seethed, "Something you'll learn in time..."

 Surveying the tree line, I watched as squirrels and chipmunks scurried up the spruce trunks. No matter how well I looked around, I could feel the looming presence of something. Closing my eyes, the sensation of watchful eyes grew and emanated from the trees. I looked back at Sivero and Oda, mouthing the word "trees". 

Sivero and Oda began looking wildly at the trees, trying to make sense of what I was sensing so strongly. Daigo wasn't just looking wildly around, he was watching the trees for something. I cracked my reins, making my horse keep pace with Daigo. When I got close to his side, Daigo sped up his horse. 

"Daigo, I know you're hiding something in the trees. Running away won't help you," I stated firmly, speeding my horse up to his side. 

"I'm not hiding anything!" Daigo hissed.

"Look me in the eyes when you lie to me, please" I ordered, "I don't know what your father put you up to, but leading you against me despite your grandfather's will was not his greatest idea... Not with what the future foretells."

Daigo stopped his horse, causing the white steed to rear its legs for a moment. Like its owner, the horse was looking around wildly. 

"Tell me what's in these woods, Daigo. Prove to me to your loyalty," I  demanded with much less patience. 

Before Daigo could answer, multiple large figures dropped from the trees as others walked around the sides of trunks. The furry, bi-pedal beings were tall and brown with flat faces, and pointed ears that stood above their heads. The majority of the creatures were holding handcrafted weapons, from stone knives to sturdy javelins. 

"Alaghi..." Daigo shuttered. 

Without another word, Daigo cracked his reins as hard as he could, attempting to run over the large creature. Instead, the provoked alaghi rammed its javelin in the chest of Daigo's horse, nearly lifting Daigo and his bleeding horse off the ground before slamming them both onto the ground. Even as Daigo's horse scrambled to take its final breathes, Daigo scurried away, terrified, trying to run away without a second thought.