The following dawn the camp was packed up with a sombre mood. Only the barest of words were spoken.
A puffy-eyed Fandri rubbed his eyes after a sleepless night. He approached Sir Rawlan and attempted to change his mind so they could go to Varl’s rescue. “He’s your squire and a prince to boot. You can’t desert him.”
Without a word, the tight-lipped knight mounted his warhorse and turned northward. The knights and squires formed a convoy behind him and set out upon their long journey home.
A squire handed Fandri the reins to his pony. “Come, halfling. The road waits for no man.”
Fandri shook his head. “I won’t give up on my friend. We should go and at least die trying to save him.”
A hand patted his shoulder, a squire he knew, named Lornan. “I understand this is hard on you because you have not experienced death of a friend before. You will become accustomed to it after a time, here in the West Lands. It is a sad fact of life here that not all return home again.” The squire looked downcast, but resolved to Rawlan’s decision. “The group is beyond sight now, Fandri, we must re-join them. This land is not safe, for the dragons could return at any time.”
The halfling stood his ground. “You’d best be on your way Lornan. I must go and try to rescue my friend.” He mounted the pony and waved to the squire. “Goodbye.”
Lornan shook his head slowly from side to side. “Tis folly, young Fandri. If you go to Flame Mountain, you will not return. Fare thee well.”
With a grim wave, Lornan set off at a canter after the convoy. He did not spare another glance back at the halfling and his fairy as they set off to the south.
“Ah Fandy, they are so quick to give people up for dead. It is sad that they do not believe there is hope.”
The fairy gave a wry smile and flew ahead of him to scout the way. “They underestimate us, Fandri. You have looked death in the eye and have stood your ground. I don’t know how, but I believe we will reach this Flame Mountain and see Varl again.”
They travelled in silence for many hours through farmlands blackened by flames and saw not a soul. At the first three farms Fandri dismounted and they checked for survivors. After that they rode on with down-cast faces, knowing that they were alone.
Artwork: ‘Elf at Flame Mountain’ by Jackson, grade 5