On the third day, they reached the end of the woods, beyond which lay a vast field of bramble. The going was rough and the companions had to wrap their legs and forearms in leather to prevent the branches from drawing a toll in blood. Ahead stood a wall of hills in the midst of which lay a narrow pass through the mountains. At least, that was what the trade folk had said. The clan traveled along a well-worn path, occasionally paved, that must have been an access road to the farms that once covered this area. The path had grown old, though, and the cobbles were so often dislodged that they were more hindrance than help along the journey. Hilgard nearly twisted an ankle which would have slowed their march and risked exposing them to the storms that were brewing on the horizon.
Garyth turned to survey his charge but could not see Martin. The spindly yeoman had been straggling, burdened by an overstuffed pack, but had plodded on with determination. Twice Lilith had stopped and waited for him to catch up, but both times he upbraided her and told her to keep her pace - that he would be just fine.
"Martin!" called Garyth.
The rest of the group stopped and peered through the high brush, which became impenetrable to sight after about 20 yards. There was no answer.
"Martin!" called Lilith, whose brow began to furrow with worry.
The group waited, listening for a moment. Vance turned and continued walking.
"Vance! Wait! We have to get Martin," said Garyth.
"He'll catch up when we stop to eat," said Vance, without slowing.
Lilith tread back the way they had come in search of Martin while Hilgard and Garyth stood, uncertain and unsettled between their two, receding companions. Garyth broke first, and headed back with Lilith while Hilgard caught up with Vance. As the two groups diverged, the clouds slowly grew closer and the edges of the sky began to darken.
“We'll have to set up camp to shelter from the storm,” said Hilgard. Vance plodded forward, and Hilgard couldn't be sure whether he'd heard.
After a long while, Vance spoke, “I had hoped we'd make it further towards the foothills, and we'd be able to brace ourselves more comfortably where the path starts to wind. Out here, we're exposed and we'll face the full force of the storm, if one comes.”
Vance sighed, “We shouldn't have brought him.”
Now, Hilgard kept silent as they continued to walk. An intermittent and somewhat anemic stream appeared alongside the road. It flowed slowly but persistently forward along their path towards the hills ahead. It crossed their path occasionally, and it disappeared below ground from time to time, only to resurface as the same slow trickle as before. We must be descending at an extremely slight grade, thought Vance. The bracken plain must be covered with micro-tributaries that all unite among the valleys below. Perhaps this one will lead to the mountain pass.
