woods were too dark for him to see much more than rustling leaves.
He looked from one direction to the other. When he turned once more to the cave, a dark silhouette met him with a drawn arrow inches from his forehead.
“If you so much as flinch I won’t hesitate to let this go,” the dark figure said. His voice was rough and harsh.
Silas tried to swallow, but his mouth was a desert. “I believe you,” he said.
“Are you Silas Ainsley?”
Silas nodded.
“Good. Get back in the cave.”
“What?” That was the last place Silas wanted to be.
“Go, now!”
Silas did as he was told and marched toward the cave opening. “I don’t know what this medallion thing is! I don't even want it!”
“Shut up! Get in the cave!”
“What are you here for?”
“Get in the cave!” the man repeated.
The man looked around as if he were expecting more men to pop out and shoot at him. Silas stepped over Theron’s dead body, and looked at the ground where Marcus lay, knowing it could have been his own corpse lying in a pool of blood. What was happening? Who could this person be? Silas thought his protector would be a little more reassuring. Silas was no more confident in his survival with this man than he was with Marcus or Theron. It made him wonder how much power this medallion really had and if there were others after it. Silas led the way down the fire-lit corridor, not knowing where he was supposed to be walking. The stranger eased his pull on the arrow, but left it fixed in place. He looked around as if searching for something in particular. After a moment he pulled back his black hood revealing his shoulder-length hair and rough, salt and pepper beard. A scar ran from his ear down his neck, but was mostly hidden by the thick facial hair. The man was intimidating, but Silas was too fatigued and weak to fear him. He either wanted to be killed as he had been promised, or let go. He was sick of being a prisoner. After several moments of searching every direction for something, Silas couldn’t figure, the man finally met his eyes.
“You're safe with me,” he said.
Silas doubted this, but it was better than another threat.
“I'm here only to find the medallion and get you to safety.”
“Are you the person my grandfather spoke of?”
The man nodded. “I’m guessing, yes.” He took a deep breath and continued. “Your grandfather and I were friends many years ago, before you were born.” The man finally strapped his bow and placed the arrow in his quiver. Silas winced as the man grabbed his wrists and swiftly cut the rope with a dagger he pulled from his belt, freeing him from the bonds.
“You don't seem that old,” said Silas.
“I wasn’t too much older than you when we became friends. He was a guide and good teacher. I am honored to finally be in your presence, Silas.”
Silas didn't know what to say. So many questions flooded his mind at once, yet he didn't feel as though he had the strength to listen to the answers. He just wanted a warm bed and some food, yet he was greatly interested in one detail.
“How did you know to come here?”
“What do you mean?” the man asked.
“My grandfather told me you were coming. I want to know how he knew that.”
The man sighed and looked away for a brief moment as if to think of the best thing to say. “There isn't much time to get into the specifics, Silas, but for now I will just tell you that it has been the plan for a while. It is a plan I've been a part of since your grandfather trained me and before you were born. The Reckoning.” The man must have noticed the expression on Silas' face. What he had said was not good enough.
“The Reckoning?”
“I promise to explain everything to you when there is time,” the man said. “Right now we have to get off this mountain.”
“What's the hurry?” Silas asked, wishing only for respite.
“The barrier has been lifted,” he said. “There is now nothing to stop the Stühocs from coming here and kidnapping you.”
A sudden cold filled Silas' insides.
“What are you talking about?” Silas asked.
“I swear to you that I will explain everything, but for now, we must get the medallion.”
What was it with this medallion? Everyone seemed to know about it’s importance but Silas, and he was sick of it. “I'm not