Time skip --- 2 years later.
The rattling of the convoy wheels could be heard in a distance. A ten carriage caravan ran across the path with each having two horses at the front and four guards at the sides all keeping watch as the convoy made its way through the open path cutting across the lush forest vegetation surrounding them. The forest was quiet and serene with occasionally wing flaps and some growls being heard from a distance.
In last carriage, seated besides another with an abacus in hand, was a boy. His appearance was hidden by the hood he draped over his head. He sat near the carriage's window supporting his head with his arm, occasionally readjusting it every time it slipped. His eyes were closed with his body swaying all over with every bump the carriage had. The other man was busy tallying the silver that chimed in the pouch he had in hand. He gave a satisfied smile as he picked up the another pouch.
Suddenly the boy's eyes opened slowly with their silver hue catching the man's attention.
" Oh , you're awake. " the man said picking up the abacus and moving its beads
.
The boy turned his head to the window to his looking at the passing trees. Then .
" Stop the carriage. " the boy said rising up.
" Wait … why ? " the man said frantic and surprised.
The boy did answer. His arm was already extended towards the carriage door lock. The man, still surprised, signaled for the carriage to stop.
The carriage stopped and the boy hopped. The four guards outside were startled as they alighted their mounts.
" Is there a problem sir ? " one of the asked vigilantly scoping the surroundings. The other three were already reached out to their weapons, taking cautiously looking around.
" No , just something I need to handle. "
He then turned to the man still inside the carriage and said.
" Laptove is straight ahead, go on without me. "
The man looked at the boy for a while. His eyes were still shaky from the small scare he had gotten.
" Fine . " he said signaling for the carriage to continue.
The boy watched as the carriage caught up to the rest of the convoy. Then he turned to the forest expanse to the left of the path.
" Now then , better hurry up before something happens to these two. " he said before dashing into the towering flora.
The gentle slushy sound of a flowing shallow stream coupled with the chirping of birds as they soared from tree to tree soothed the forest atmosphere. The sun shown its golden rays down on the green leaves of the trees illuminating the ground below in a subtle green hue. The smell of the damp moss and the vibrant differently colored flowers all left the two little girls in awe as they got lost in the fragrance of their hidden stream flower meadow.
Besides the stream one of the girls with a red bow holding her hair back crouched as she felt the warm stream water flow through her fingers . A warm smile cropped on her face when another reflection appeared in the clear waters. The reflection had two flowers in its hands, one was red the other velvet with both their petals fading gradually to a white color at the center. The reflection slowly pushed back the hair of the girl and placed the red flower onto the girls hair.
" Thank you, it's so beautiful. " the little girl with the bow said , her face lit up with joy, to the one standing besides her.
She then took the other flower from the other girl and did the same for her.
" Now we're both flower girls, buuut … " the other little girl said with a cheeky smile on her face.
Suddenly she pushed the girl with the bow into the stream.
" even flower girls need water to grow. " she said jumping into the water splashing her friend. Carefree giggles filled the air as the two girls splashed each other and frolicked in the stream waters.
Suddenly the joyous laughter was interrupted by some rustling. The girl in the red bow shifted her attention from the fun to a nearby bush along the stream banks. Consequently she got splashed on the face by the other girl who was still oblivious to the sound.
" Did you hear that ?" the girl in the asked spitting some of the water that had gotten into her mouth.
" Hear what ? " the other girl asked still engrossed in their frolic.
" There was a …. "
Suddenly a sharp shriek sliced through the air interrupting the girl with the bow. From a berry bush at the bank of the stream a brown weasel with red claws and fangs dripping with red scarlet blood emerged from the ground, its eyes now set on its next meal. It growled as it's hidden height , enough to tower the two girls stacked together, emerged.
Then in a burst it let out another shriek only this time was louder and was more chilling for the two girls to even move. Their legs trembled with the other girl falling back into the water. Their eyes were wide open with their pupils shrunk as they stared at the red claw shrieking weasel. Tears swelled in their glossy eyes as the weasel drew nearer stalking its prey.
With a leap the red claw shrieking weasel launched itself at the two with it's mouth open exhibiting its four fangs ready to ready into flesh.
Bang!!
A resounding crash echoed through the air followed a flock of birds to fly away chirping in distress.
The two girls breathed heavily their tears already streaming down their cheeks. They didn't blink as stared at the hooded figure standing in front of them. He was at the other side of the stream a fist extended out. Then gradually their heavy breaths became cries filling the forest air.
" You two okay ? " the hooded figure asked turning around to face them. As though oil to fire the crying only increased and unrestricted.
" Shhhh , shhhh . " the hooded figure said frantic on how to stop their crying.
" it's okay the bad monster is gone now. " he said as started to move towards them.
The figure had not noticed it yet but the stream flow had being cut off exposing the stream's muddy slippery and rocky bed.
Splash.
Was the sound of the figure falling into the stream ,bottom first onto the rocky bed.
" Ow! Ow!, that hurt . " he said rising up rubbing his but.
" Huh ? " he said looking to where the two girls were.
It had fallen silent with the only audible sound coming from the water from the stream flowing back. The two girl's crying had stopped. They were still seated in the water but now we're trying not to laugh. Small smiles brightened up their faces with some residual tears still lingering by their eyes.
" You have weird hair. " the little girl with the bow said with a small smile accompanied with some sniffling.
The figure reached for his head finally realizing that his hood had come off. He smiled then ushered to the two girls.
" Come on let's get you two back home. "
" Oh, where do you to leave ? " he asked scratching the back of his head.
" This way. " one of the little girl eagerly said pointing to a hidden path among bushes.
" Ok lead the way. " he said following the two drenched girls.
Lying near a broken tree was the red claw shrieking weasel. The figure had punched it sending it crashing into a tree and breaking it in half. It shook of the dizzy feeling and searched for him. It was not about to let him have the last laugh. It growled with it's red blood shot eyes glued to the figure with dark hair which faded into a silver color at the tips.
With a thrust it pushed forward it's pace accelerating towards the three.
Then out of the blue, metal rods violently erupted from it's body gushing blood all over the green scenery. Within a matter of seconds it fell to the ground with sharp metallic rods protruding out of its body like tree roots into the soil.
The redness in the weasel eyes retreated into a pale white as the last of its life faded.