Ralph and the Pixie

Dornal nodded, then instructed his troops to fan out in a wide arc, leaving a few to tend to those who remained, and sending four more to locate a wain.

As the riders left that place, and began making their way east, Pran, Doc, and Ralph rode together, somewhat behind. It didn’t take Dornal’s scouts long to find both Loriman’s and the Goblin’s trail. They began moving at a greater pace, but Dornal suddenly called them to a halt.

‘One moment! Another trail crosses here.’ A scout dismounted, as did Dornal, and they began searching the ground for clues. They exchanged a long look.

‘Evidently, this trail leading towards Narvi is the fresher. But we do not know if it was made later by the same Goblins, or whether there is more than one war party.’

Dornal began walking to and fro across the Goblin’s trail. ‘It is the same war party. See, I would estimate their numbers at some twenty or thirty. They would not divide so small a force. But there are two sets of tracks, comprising three individuals; probably women. They leave in either direction.’

Reaching a decision, they began following the trail towards Narvi, which was fairly fresh, riding as though the night itself was beset with demons.