The Chronicles of Onyx: Book 1

Chapter Eighteen

Onyx moved with a sense of purpose, her movements fluid and efficient as they hastily prepared for their departure from the village. Adjusting the straps on the horse's harness, her skilled hands worked swiftly over the supple leather, ensuring a snug and secure fit. Rok, on the other hand, deftly hoisted a bundled assortment of supplies onto the hay wagon, arranging them with a practiced precision before covering them with a thick layer of hay. He now seemed more reasonable.

Oldren, on the other hand, observed the proceedings from a short distance, his arms folded across his broad chest. His rugged features were etched with skepticism, a skeptical eyebrow arched as he cast a critical eye over the wagon. His gruff voice broke the silence, heavy with doubt and reservation.

"Ya sure this is gonna work, lass?" Oldren's question held a touch of caution, his weathered gaze fixed on the hay-covered wagon as if trying to envision the success of their plan.

"Towns folk tend to overlook hay wagons. It'll grant us the advantage of blending in, allowing us to slip past any patrols unnoticed," Rok's voice carried a calm certainty, a tone that spoke of his experience and strategic thinking. He stood by his assessment, his confidence unshaken.

Oldren emitted a skeptical grunt, his arms still crossed in a display of his lingering uncertainty. However, he seemed to relent, moving closer to the wagon and testing it with a cautious prod of his foot. "Fine, fine. But if this whole scheme goes south, I don't know ya."

Their actions were deliberate, each task meticulously executed. They loaded the wagon with care, ensuring every knot was secure and every strap properly fastened. With the supplies in place and the horses harnessed, they took a moment to rest, catching their breath and exchanging glances laden with determination.

The distant shouts of the wounded orc echoed from the stables, his protests punctuating the air. Onyx's gaze turned toward the source of the noise, her expression unyielding.

"Shaddup! Unless you want me to shut you up for good!" Her threat held an unapologetic cruelty, a warning that left no room for negotiation. The Orc suddenly became silent, filling the air with stillness they longed for.

"Aye, who's going to drive?" Oldren asked, skeptical air in his tone, making it clear to Onyx and Rok that he wasn't anticipating driving himself.

But before Onyx could break to Oldren the bad news that he would have to drive, a small sneeze came from behind them. Near the barrels. Followed close behind was a soft russell of noise. Curiosity got the better of Rok and Onyx as they stepped toward the sound to investigate. Oldren stayed back, as usual.

"We know you're here," Rok called out, ready to unsheathe his sword at any given moment.

"No you don't, I'm a figment of your imagination, not real," a young voice answered back, though it sounded more like an echo, coming from inside a barrel.

Onyx's hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of her sword as they heard the voice coming from within the barrel. Her eyes narrowed, her senses on high alert. Rok remained poised, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. The voice didn't sound threatening, but caution had become second nature.

Rok exchanged a quick glance with Onyx before he cautiously approached the barrel. With a swift movement, he tipped it over, revealing a young elven boy, no older than sixteen. It was the stable boy from earlier, with thick auburn hair, and two, long pointed ears protruding from his red mian. His clothes were tattered, and his bright green eyes expressed a mixture of curiosity, fear and mischief.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Oldren's voice carried out from behind, a mixture of amusement and wariness as he looked down at the boy. "Mind explaining why yer hiding in a barrel?"

The boy flashed a mischievous grin, seemingly hiding his fear. "Hiding? Huh, I wasn't hiding. I was... uh... testing the strength of the barrel?" His tone was light, his words dripping with poorly masked fear.

Rok couldn't help but crack a small smile at the boy's attempt. "Strength? In a barrel?"

The boy's grin faded a little as he fought to make up another excuse. "Hey, you never know when a strong barrel comes in good use!"

Onyx's eyebrow arched, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "What's your name, young lad?"

He glanced at Onyx with a suspicious, weariness in his bright eyes, "If I tell you, are you going to tie me up like that Orc?",The elven boy asked, as he gestured to the beam the Orc remained tied to.

Onyx's lips curled into a faint smile, an understanding light in her golden gaze. "No need to worry about that, we're not here to harm you," she assured him in a gentle tone, her hand leaving the hilt of her sword. "We simply want to know what a young stable boy like yourself is doing, hiding in a barrel in the mist of all this chaos."

The boy laughed nervously, with a shy, weary smile painted upon his face. "About that, I am kinda not a stable boy... I... I am not from here"

"Oh you're not?" Onyx stepped back, crossing her arms.

"My name is Jade", he said as he climbed out of the barrel and stood up, cracking his neck. "And I am a thief, wanted by the Queen, just as I assume you are..."

Oldren's eyes narrowed, his skepticism returning as he regarded the young elven thief. "A thief, huh? And what's your business, other than testing barrels?"

Jade's grin turned sheepish, his green eyes flickering between Onyx, Rok, and Oldren. "Well, I might've overheard a little conversation you guys were having back there. Something about escaping the village? And, well, let's just say I'm pretty good at finding my way around tight spots, if you catch my drift."

Rok's eyebrows raised, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You want to join us on our escapade?"

Oldren huffed, unimpressed. "A thief will only bring trouble."

Jade's grin vanished. "Aw come on, I can drive the wagon while you three hide in the hay," his smile returned slightly as he continued on, "And besides, they will never suspect an elven boy dressed like a stable keeper.. So what do you say cus we're running out of time!"