Surviving As A Cannon Fodder

Chapter 124

As they stood confused, Chief Gallahan climbed on top of a carriage and announced,

"We're here folks! We are at the Eldom river... though I'm not sure where it is hiding at the moment" He grumbled stroking his beard.

Murmurs and confusion filled the small group of people searching for the lost river.

Eugene and Ann peered at the map for the forest.

"Hmm..."

As per their map, they were standing on the shores of the river.

"Did the lake move? Or did the fairies mess with the forest?" Ann joked to ease the tension.

By seeing that they lost an entire river, the situation was worse than they had anticipated. They would be in serious waters if they do not find the river.

The river was a travel marker used by travelers who crossed through Eldom. Without reaching the river, there would be no source to restock the water supply until they reach Parthellam.

"That is a possibility" Eugene nodded, accepting her theory.

"Hey, I was only joking. Are you serious?"

"Fairies do not like humans invading their territories. They are said to confuse travelers by creating passages using illusion magic" Kalan added for his share.

"The river we are searching for must be within a few meters in the vicinity"

"You know a lot about fairies... Hmm fascinating" Ann raised her eyebrows in awe.

"It was a part of my education"

"Education huh?" Ann hummed before turning back to Eugene,

"So should we go river hunting?" 

While the group was discussing the forest, Ann heard something between the trees that caught her attention.

"Wait a second... What was that?"

It was a familiar sound. Almost as if a voice was calling out her name.

*chirp*

"What? What was what?" Eugene asked, following her line of sight. He couldn't find anything unusual in the trees.

*chirp*

"That! Did you hear that Eugene?"

"All I hear is wind and bugs and everyone else talking"

*chirp* *chirp*

As the voice was growing distant, Ann felt an urge to chase after it.

"Eugene and I will search in that direction. The rest of you can search this area!"

Ann said in a hurry, running towards the trees while pulling Eugene's arm. 

The two disappeared into the forest leaving behind a blank Kalan to take care of both the horses. He stared at the trees and withdrew his extended hand when he heard Ezra call out to him.

Meanwhile,

"Don't pull me!" 

Eugene complained running behind Ann as she chased after an unknown voice. To be precise, he was being dragged through bushes while being slapped left and right by branches.

They have been running for twenty minutes with no sense of direction. And now were stranded in one of the largest forests in Orion.

When finally Ann came to a stop, she looked around in all directions.

"Where did it go?" She bit her lips, her eyes wavering restlessly.

"We... we came too far. How will we find our way back?" Eugene panted, catching his breath.

"We can just return the way we came" 

"We're lost" Eugene threw his hands in the air.

"We are not lost. Just misplaced"

"We're lost!"

"Stop that. Don't jinx us" Ann mumbled.

Taking a small break, Eugene leaned on a tree and glanced at Ann. She was busy searching for something in the bushes.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked removing the leaves on his hair.

"Anything for you baby. Ask away" Ann said, on all fours looking under the stones.

"Why are you being nice to him?"

"To who?"

"To the person you let ride on your horse"

"His horse was sick" Ann shrugged.

"Is that all?" Eugene raised his eyebrows.

"Well excuse me for feeling sorry for someone" Ann stood up feeling offended by his reaction. For once in her life, she was nice to someone. Yet instead of being praised, she was getting scrutinized for it.

"I don't want to gossip. But remember when he told us that he was married. Turns out his wife left him"

"What?"

"Yeah... Exactly my reaction"

"Are feeling a sense of companionship with him since you are both in the same situation"

"No!" Ann looked at Eugene with a twisted face.

"Kalan wants to get back with his wife. Whereas I will set my ex on fire when I see him. There's a difference" 

Ann added massaging her throbbing head,

"Me being nice to him is like feeling pity for a lonely puppy shaking in the rain. Nothing more. Nothing less"

"Really?"

"Yes! Why are you even asking about this!"

"Just looking out..."

"Looking out for what?"

Before Ann could question him more.

*chirp* *chirp*

A little bird flapped its wings and flew across her eyes as if enticing her to follow it. It circled before her face and heated into the trees once again.

'Isn't that?'

It was a hummingbird with beautiful iridescent wings. 

But hummingbirds are not native to Eldom. And for one to survive this deep within the forest it could not have been a normal bird.

"There it is!" Ann took off chasing after the bird.

She was able to recognize it but was unable to remember where.

"I don't see anything. At least tell me what we are chasing after!" Eugene shouted chasing Ann in close proximity.

"THAT!" Ann yelled and pointed at the little bird tilting its head on the top of a branch. 

"Oww! Oww! Don't shout in my ears!"

When looked up, there was no bird or what so ever present. It was like Ann was chasing after a ghost.

*chirp*

As soon as they got close, the bird flew away as if waiting for her to catch up.

"Stop flying away birdie!" Ann accelerated her speed.

She noticed the trees thinning along the path. In a trice, the bird flew into the distance. It disappeared under the blinding sun and a cliff emerged, alerting Ann to slow down.

"Whoa!" 

Ann managed to stop on her feet right at the edge of the cliff. 

"Where's the bird?"

Eugene emerged holding his fast-beating heart. 

"Forget the bird" Ann waved at him to come forward.

"Look what we found"

Under the cliff was the Eldom river stretching over the horizon. The sky was turning red and the sun was about to set.

But the bird was nowhere to be seen.