2 Farmer Knight

Moon and stars, the Stellars in the mighty sky, reflected in the waters of the small river which flowed through the forest. The warm wind smelled like leaves and damp earth. Fabio squinted in the thicket of the shoreline and watched the torrential current, which was apparently swelled because of the heavy rain in the evening. However this seemed to be his last concern.

The trail ceased here.

Suspiciously he watched the forest on the other side of the river. Unfortunately he couldn't see if the trail continued on the other side. Fabio sighed and glanced at the moon, which was half concealed behind a cloud. But Molunah the mightiest under the Erzstellares, refused her patronage.

"And?"

Behind him Fabio heard the breath of a horse and the softly clinging of a chain mail. He leaved his place and straightened his clothes under the cape he wore.

"The goblins were here, Sir."

He drew his short sword and parted the high grass near a rotten tree. In Molunahs silverlight there became footprints visible, which were narrower and smaller than from a human. A inexperienced observer would mistake these as footprints of a gnome, would there be not the the deepening of over grown nails. There was no doubt that this trail is from their enemies in the east.

"This trail is from another goblin than the trail which led us here" Fabio continued

" This foot shows a twisted toe in the middle. That's why I'm certain that there are at least two of these creatures now."

"These are not happy news for the Baron de Vontafei" answered him a deep voice

" After all these woods are all his property. But I hope this is not all which you could read from the trail?"

Fabios Master Sir Ludovico sat high in his mount between the shadow of two trees, only a silhouette in the Moonlight. Fabio put his short sword away and put moody a light strand of hair behind his ear. It was time to trim his hair again, but in the least weeks he hadn't had time for such trivial things. It angered him, that his Master Sir Ludovico was still treating him like a page. and not like a knave which stood before the knighthood. After all he almost finished his seventeenth year of living. In one month he too would be a full-fledged member of the 'Order of the Paladins'. Then he could sit at the same table as his Master.

" No, Sir, naturally is this not all. "

Fabio took a twig and tested the water which filled the footprints.

" The trail is filled with rainwater. This means that the goblins were here bevor the strong rain in the evening, also before eleven hours already. Or else this trail wouldn't be visible anymore." Fabio tested the depth of the footprints.

" The goblin seemed to be hiding behind this tree stump. The ball of the foot has pushed in a bit deeper than the heel. He probably watched the forest on the other side of the river."

"A possibility" muttered his Master. "Since the estate from Vittore de Vontafe and his family isn't so far away from here. The men of the baron surely are not less attentive than we."

Ludovico moved his horse to the side of his knave. His helmet on the saddle, is head was now visible. He had thinning hair and his old face was scarred by time. Over this couldn't even the full beard deceive. Like all Paladins he wore a shiny chain mail completed with a vermilion tunic. This had Fabio, which wasn't visible in the dark, flicked many times. On the fine cloth was the crest of the Order of the Paladins sewed:a white sun symbol with a gilded flame as the frame and surrounded by five stars. In them shone the winged figure of Marsakiels. The weavers portrayed the Erzstellare of wars as a winged warrior with sword and shield. Naturally too in vermilion red. After all the celestial showed himself on some nights as a red wandering star. Even the horse of Sir Ludovico was wrapped in a red decorative scarf. Soon Fabio would too wear the colours of the Order.

" But this is not all, Sir" Fabio lifted himself up and took a sniff.

" Surely you have smelled it already?"

The paladin sat upright. "Yes...." He answered hesitantly. " I was just not sure. It reeks of the shit of Giant bats. It's long ago that we found them this far in the West."

Fabio was a moment very irritated over the fact that is Master hasn't informed him of this sooner. Was his Master testing him?

"But this trail is already hours old." said Fabio

" It seems the rain almost washed it away completely. This can only mean one thing, the goblins which we followed, waited for a Cloud-Rider[1]. And this indicates that it both were scouts. But were are scouts-"

"Are a army of goblins not far." finished the Paladin his sentence. " At the end the celestials had mercy on me. The little cheeky brat, which I took in, transformed into a better tracker, than I ever hoped to dream of. I admit I underestimated your abilities."

"Thanks Sir." It was rare that his Master complimented him.

"Now let us ride to the estate of the de Vontafeis" Ludovico took his reins. His old mount snorted but obeyed him immediately.

" The Baron has to be informed fast over the dangerous event's happening in his forest."

Fabio clicked his tongue. Slowly came Gino, his donkey, between the trees. This grey animal was packed with bags and weapons. Fabio took some strides to Gino and took the reins. Which he commented with a bored ear twitch.

"And how do we want to cross the river Sir?"