First Time Leaving the Village
"Let's keep moving," Yula said.
It wouldn't take long for the tribe members to realize we had found a way to break open the cage. There were also two bodies they would find too, so leaving as fast as possible was the best choice.
We dashed through the forest, looking for any clues or places in the woods that were familiar to us, or rather, familiar to Yula. She was the one who knew the area, not me.
"This is the right path," she said. "If we keep going, then I think we arrive in five minutes!"
The familiar thing she found was a massive thick tree with some markings on it. It certainly looked like a reference point for hunters.
I never thought I would feel so happy upon seeing the simple houses of our village, or the faces of the farmers who were always kind to me.
Our arrival stirred the village. We had been gone for a few hours, and despite the coordinated work of the hunters, they didn't find us. Steward, the village's chief, came rushing toward us when he saw us.
"What happened?" he asked.
I looked around, noticing how every single villager was staring at us. They wanted to know what happened, but sharing the information like that would only create chaos. Yula thought the same.
"Let's talk inside," Yula whispered.
Steward nodded. We walked over to the chief's house and moved to the meeting room he had inside. There, Yula and I explained everything that happened.
After hearing what we had to say, the chief was shaken. He had both hands on his head and was fiercely scratching his hair.
"This is not good."
That was something obvious for him to say, but I didn't say a word. He was the chief, and he had done a lot to help him since the very first time I arrived in the village.
"Zephyr, what do you think?" Steward asked, moving his gaze directly at me.
I was not expecting the question. Between me and Yula, she was the one who lived in the village for many years, and I was just an outsider.
"We have to prepare for the worst," I said, "but if you really want to know my opinion, then I'll say it. I think we need to be the ones attacking them!"
For me, waiting there was not ideal. Strengthening the defenses around the village was a good idea, and increasing the patrols, too. But wait there till the day they decide to attack us? No way!
I saw Yula's talent. She moved like a snake, making no noises. I could see her being of great help to us.
The chief frowned. "Are you sure about this? Their warriors are fiercer, stronger, and we don't know for certain how many of them we need to face."
"And? If they have the numbers' advantage, as well as the overall strength, then staying here and waiting for their attack is just the same. If we strike, trying to damage them over time, then this might be the only chance we have," I said.
The room fell silent. Yula didn't say a word because the chief didn't ask for it. That was the level of respect she had.
After a whole five minutes of thinking, Steward finally had something in mind.
"They aren't going to attack us anytime soon, but I bet they will hasten their plan, considering you two escape. Zephyr, I have an important task for you. Can you do it?"
I had no idea what the task was, but I nodded. The chief looked happy with the response. "Good."
We talked to the rest of the village. Steward believed it was a good thing everyone knew about it, so they wouldn't leave the perimeter, especially the hunters, who liked going far from the village.
I thought everyone would panic because of the attack, but it was the contrary. It was like everyone trusted Steward and believed his plan would work.
After I heard the plan he had in mind, even I was way more calm.
"Zephyr, you'll go to the nearby city with my carriage and you will talk to someone. This person is a mage. It will help us fight against the tribe. Not only that, but there are a few weapons I need you to get as well," Steward explained everything in details, "Yula will go with you."
The city we would be going to be not the one closest to the village, but one farther. It would take us 5 days to go, and 5 days to return. Because our time was running short, Yula and I left during the night, not wasting any time.
Before we departed, Luna came to talk to me. She had been the one who gave me new clothes to fit in, and now she was giving me a dark cloak. It had a hood, giving me the needed stealthiness.
"I heard you have an important task in the city. This might be useful," she said, while giving me the cloak.
It was indeed important. That was the first time I left the village, and the fate of the village was in my hands. I had to complete the task at all costs.
I grabbed the cloak and wore it. "Thank you, Luna."
Yula was already inside the carriage, looking at us through the window. "Are you coming or not?" she asked.
I could see Luna had a look of jealousy. Was she angry that Yula was the one going with me on the mission? The village's fate was at stake, and she was thinking about that?
Anyway, I said goodbyes to Luna and entered the carriage to speak with Yula.
"Are you feeling tired or not?" she asked me once I stepped inside.
"Not right now. Why?"
"So you are the one who goes first. I'll crash. Wake me up in a few hours."
The mission was so discreet that only the two of us would go. So, we had to take turns in controlling the carriage, and I had to go first.