The sunlight cut through the forest like a razor sharp sword pierces one’s torso. The pain in Torsten’s side had improved. It wasn’t as bad as he anticipated, but he’d been injured before and the pain was tolerable. He knew he was lucky to be alive and knew he needed to keep moving. He figured he would be healed in a day or two; hopefully.

Breakfast was decent. Oz caught some rabbit and the three sucked on the juicy bits. Torsten inhaled his portion as he was quite famished. Lord knows he needed the protein in the meat. After sterilizing the campsite as best they could, they ventured further to the south in order to continue their trek into the unknown. Conversation was light, about nothing in particular. They focused more on the sights and sounds of the forest around them. Their hunter’s  ears were tuned in and didn’t want to be surprised.

Torsten took the trail slot in the column as Oz, the largest took center. He allows the lighter Ulf Gunnerson or Wolf to take the point. Wolf was an agile hunter, quick on his feet. He would be able to  evade an attack faster than the others. Torsten removed his bow, notched an arrow and prepared for whatever might present itself upon the trail ahead.

It didn’t take long for a situation to appear. A scream of sorts erupted in their ears. All three men prepared for a battle, not knowing what was coming. It just didn’t sound like the orcs they dealt with the day prior. Oz removed the 5’ 6” two-handed sword from its scabbard and held it at the ready on  his right side. He was prepared to bring pain upon any foe who threatened him. Wolf removed his shield from his back, securing it to his left arm and a small sword in his right. He held the left side of the trail. Between the two and three steps to the rear was Torsten with his bow up and read to draw.

The odd fellow stumbling over the undergrowth in front of them was more bulbous than sinewy. All three men breathed a sigh of relief realizing they would not have to kill this one. The man was in a panic paying more attention to the auburn-haired young woman chasing him. Her hair was cut short, more like a man, than a woman, Oz thought. Torsten found her mildly attractive and Wolf wondered how quickly he could dispatch both to the underworld.

“Stop!” Torsten yelled at the pair, who seemingly halted all movement, freezing in their steps looking up at the trio of northerners who barred their path. “What are you doing here?!”