Journey (Part 3)

Sweat was running down my body in rivulets. I took gasping breaths. How long until we rest? Is that the sound of running water? Yes it is! A cold clear mountain stream. I can see it ahead! I collapsed on the bank of the stream. I took off the bandage, the dried blood tearing from my hand. My hand then started bleeding again. I stuck my right hand into the water and sighed with relief as the cool water massaged my aching hand.

"We rest for five minutes." came my guides rough voice from inside his hood. Who is this mysterious man? I wondered for the hundredth time. I brushed my sweaty hair back from my forehead with my uninjured hand.

"No less than ten minutes. Fine?"

"Fine." He snapped. I sighed, keeping my hand in the cold mountain stream as i reclined on on the mossy bank. I slowly fell into a deep sleep. Into a dream from the past.

The Journey (Part 2)

Twenty minutes late. I thought, looking at the position of the moon. I was skittish, so I climbed a tree to keep look out for the strange man. I have taken to calling him The Ranger because he looks like one. A cold north wind penetrated my cloak. Am I crazy? I thought for the hundredth time as I tried to stay warm. The noise of a stick breaking brought me abruptly out of my thoughts. The Ranger stood below my tree looking up at me and holding the stick he had broken. "Be more alert." His deep voice abruptly stated as he walked to the north. He stopped, his back to me and said, "Well, are you coming?" Then he continued walking. I sighed as i slid down the tree. I hissed with pain as a knot of the bark tore the skin off the palm of my right hand. As I followed The Ranger, I tore a strip of cloth from the hem of my tunic to bandage my hand. I hoped we would cross a stream so I could soak my hand.