Free Shadeborn: A Book of Underrealm by Garrett Robinson Page B

think they will leave off?”
    “I doubt it,” she said. “We should guess they will be at least as tireless as we are, and mayhap more so. Then we cannot be surprised, except pleasantly.”
    “What do you mean to do, then?” Gem yawned. “Ride on until we collapse? I do not think that will help our cause. I am blessed with great stamina, but even I tire eventually.”
    “Yes, we are all well aware of your great endurance.” Annis rolled her eyes. “Never have I called you the Prince of Snores under my breath.”
    He narrowed his eyes and glared at her a long moment. “Good.”
    “I am not ready to let us rest,” Loren said. “Not yet. If indeed we mean to lose them, we must ride longer. Eat now, and stretch your legs upon the grass. But then we move on, and quicker than before.”
    Annis and Gem grumbled, but she ignored them and went to fetch her breakfast from Midnight’s saddle. Then, because the mare had run hard all night, she fetched an apple from the bag as well and fed it to her. But Chet grabbed his hatchet and walked off into the woods. Curious, Loren followed.
    She found him a ways off, looking at a young oak’s lower branches. He chose one, firmly gripped it, then began to hack near where it joined the trunk.
    “What are you up to?” she asked.
    “I hope we have left our pursuers behind. But then again they might find us, and next time it may come to a fight. If it does, I would see us armed. Yet we have no blades, nor would I wish to use one if we did, any more than you. I thought I could make us some staves. Indeed, it would be nice to have a walking stick in any case, for when the ground grows rough.”
    Loren smiled. “A wise thought. I am glad to find you so helpful, for I had thought you saw this road as folly.”
    “Oh, I do,” he said quickly. The branch came off the oak at last. Chet measured the height and began to cut away at the other end. “I still think we should abandon our course and ride north, or south, or anywhere other than where we mean to go. Only so long as I am trailing in your footsteps, I might as well try to make that road less perilous. Who knows? If indeed they are still following, mayhap we shall find aid in the village. A score of woodsmen could help us fend them off in short order.”
    Her spirits dampened, and Loren looked away. “Chet, that is a poor idea.”
    “Why?” He shrugged. “They know the Birchwood better than anyone. Do you think they could not drive away a dozen fighters, even these Shades?”
    “I do not wish to argue.” She turned away. “Only let us hope we have lost them.”
    Leaving Chet to his work, Loren returned to the others. The children sat in the grass eating, while the horses had taken their fill of the stream and so grazed along the ground.
    “Where has Chet gone?” said Annis.
    “He is fashioning staves for us. In case more trouble finds us.”
    “I shall keep my blade, if it is all the same to you,” said Gem. “I am still practicing stances I learned from Jordel, but I could take one of these Shades in a fight.”
    “Of that we are all certain.” Xain rolled his eyes. Loren smiled. Though the wizard still looked thin and wasted, it was encouraging to hear him jest.
    They enjoyed the morning sunlight until Loren was ready to fetch Chet and ride on. Halfway to standing he returned, carrying five staves of varying sizes. One he threw to Loren, and she easily caught it. The others he dumped on the ground before Gem, Annis, and Xain, save for his, which he held.
    “Here you are. Some fine walking sticks if we must dismount—or weapons, if we are forced to fight.”
    “I told Loren already, but I prefer my sword.” Gem nudged his staff away with a toe, though Annis had taken hers and was curiously hefting its weight. Xain had scarcely glanced at his.
    “But a sword can rarely prevail against a staff,” said Chet. “A blade is a fine weapon for a battle, yes. But if you are not standing in rank and file, you should