Serenity rose from the water and smiled at Kelton. Her beauty drew him into the water. Ignoring the flood over the tops of his boots he pursued his desire. Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the soft morning sun as it danced across the surface of the pond. He heard his name from her lips, a song that dissolved into his soul. Her welcoming arms reached out to him, and the water froze locking his legs in place.
Kelton shivered as he broke from the dream. The world was white and cold was seeping into his core. It had snowed as he slept. It looked to be fist deep, gently laid. Large flakes were still floating down, growing the accumulation. The branches above had gathered large quantities that threatened to fall if disturbed. His mouth was dry, and his nose closed solid, thick with mucus.
The idea of leaving what little warmth stored in the makeshift blanket was not appealing. Kelton knew there was no staying put. At a minimum, he would have to gather wood and build a more substantial structure. That would only take care of another night or two. Food would become an issue. That and the soldiers might catch up to him if he were to stay put. Movement was his only option if he wanted to survive.
Kelton regretted breaking out from the blanket of needles and branches. They weren't perfect, yet the small warmth they provided disappeared immediately. He rolled out from under the evergreen and brushed off the snow that fell from the branches he was forced to disturb. Sword in hand, he moved back to the road which was covered with a pristine layer of snow. There would be no hiding his tracks. At least he couldn't sense anyone. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad, given his lack of supplies.
Rolic came to mind as Kelton began moving down the road. The man had stalled the Brethren with his arrows, then fled, leaving Kelton to his fate. He must have followed Kelton from the cave. It didn't make any sense. Why would Rolic spend such effort for someone he was sending away? There was no good reason why Kelton couldn't have wintered in the cave. It seemed they were kindred spirits. Unseen in a land where it was a death sentence.
Rolic had been correct about the Brethren's sword skill. Running was the only option that held a promise of survival. It could have been fear that made Rolic run after launching his arrows. The desire to live is a powerful one. Still, two unseen would be more formidable than one. Rolic was an enigma. Not friend, not foe. Something in between and undefinable. For all Kelton knew, Rolic was aiming the arrows at him and missed. It certainly would have been easier to hit the Brethren before they called out for the soldiers. Kelton smiled to himself. Maybe Rolic hated trees since that's all Kelton had ever seen him hit.
Kelton glanced backward and let out a long breath, which floated away in a cloud. It wouldn't take a tracker to follow him. It was snowing weakly, not enough to cover the tracks he was leaving behind. He shifted his sword between hands. He would have to rig something to hid the sword under his cloak if he meant to keep it. He missed his pack.
It was midday before Kelton found water he wouldn't have to melt. A shallow stream flowed across the road, a stripe of missing snow revealing a rocky ford. With no waterskin, he was forced to use his hand and drink it cold. It iced his insides, bringing the cold deeper into his body. His nose started running again, which was a blessing since air now passed through the nostrils. He could feel himself getting ill. His muscles were sluggish, and his head felt thick. Nothing he couldn't function with, not that he had a choice.
The day wore on, taking its toll on Kelton. There was no traffic on the road, and he couldn't feel another soul. He reached a point when a decision had to be made. Trudge on in hopes of finding shelter or stop and construct something for the night. He didn't relish the idea of another night wrapped in needles. The road had to lead somewhere, and the snow had stopped falling. The air was dead still, weakening the cold.
