[CHAPTER TWELVE]

Sloane slammed into the ground and gasped for air. She rolled over, coughing, and struggled to get back onto her feet. She fell back to her knees. Her opponent watched, circling her as he waited. 

"You are making good progress my friend," Tolman encouraged, "don't rush."

"It feels," Sloane sighed in frustration, "it isn't quite like seeing, but I know where you are, I know where the kids are over the hill, I know where your wife is in the house. I can even sense where the livestock are. But it's vague and I can't keep a lock on you."

"Would you like a break?" Tolman asked, squatting down and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Maybe just a change of tactic." She replied, climbing to her feet. "I'm familiar enough with the terrain. Maybe going for a walk?"

"What about a ride?" Tolman pulled her to her feet, "I'm sure Regal would enjoy an outing."

"You're going to the village?" Neither of them had heard Tove approach, "I need to bring some things to market. If you wait a minute I'd like to join you."

"Sure," Sloane smiled broadly, "Regal is cart-trained, we can take whatever you need."

"I'll harness Regal," Tolman volunteered, "maybe you should uh," he touched the mud smeared on her face.

"I'll go wash." She laughed and headed inside.

It only took a few minutes to get washed up, changed, and back outside. Regal waited patiently while Tolman and Tove loaded up the cart with cheese, eggs, and wool yarn for the market. Tove sat on the cart, Sloane took the lead rope and walked alongside. Sloane had her quiver and bow stored in her backpack.

The thing she loved the most about this walk was the smell. The moist earth, the dew on the grass, the scents of the trees. Today the bird's song was more muted, the wind in the grass carried a new scent, something foul and metallic. Sloane tried to locate the scent, but it vanished when the wind shifted. Something about the scent worried her, but it vanished when the wind shifted. And beyond the scent, she couldn't sense anything else amiss. It nagged at her, but she didn't smell it again.

Other than the strange scent nothing out of the ordinary happened during the trip to town. It was a long walk, but an invigorating one. It brought back the memory of running with the dogs. It was a hazy memory now, and it seemed to slip away the more she tried to hang onto it. Since coming here, it was becoming more difficult to recall the world before, and why she decided to come. She pressed her knuckles to her forehead, a sudden headache rising in her temples.

"Are you well, child?" Tove asked.

"I'm fine." Sloane smiled weakly, "It is just a small headache. But did you smell that earlier?"

"Smell what?" Tove asked, concern and confusion filling her voice.

"I'm not sure," Sloane replied, "just an off scent, I only smelled it for a moment."

"Curious," Tove's voice was thoughtful. Sloane heard the sound of Tove's dagger being drawn. "We aren't far from Steinnthorpe. Maybe someone there will know more."

"I hope so." Sloane said softly, "I hope more travelers have arrived by now."

"You have been with us for a while," Tove leaned forward and placed a hand on Sloane's shoulder. "You have been a great help to us. To me, to Tolman, even to my children. And," there was a smile in her voice, "you've been a great help to the child I carry now."

"Wait," Sloane spun excitedly pulling Regal to a halt, "a baby? You're going to have another baby?"

"I am." Tove's voice was bright, happy.

They were still on an emotional high when they arrived at the village. Sloane guided the cart to the market. The market was a bustling hub of activity. It was overwhelming, people shoving past each other, shouting from vendors and customers alike. Someone bumped into her, she turned with the impact and kept her balance.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Wait, Sloane?" the familiar voice said excitedly.

"Wally?" Sloane felt arms encircle her, she was lifted from the ground and spun. Bewildered, she tried to steady herself. "You made it here already. Congratulations!"

"It was your advice that helped me advance so quickly." He patted her shoulders, "Are you alright?" Sloane sensed Wally stoop and knew he was scrutinizing her face. "Is something wrong? Are you injured?"

"You haven't heard what happened then." Sloane's grip on his arm tightened. "Let's find someplace quiet to talk."

"Go ahead child," Tove prodded her out of the way, "I can set up on my own."

Wally tucked her hand into his elbow and guided Sloane, "The Traveler's Guild has rooms. We can talk in my room. Oh, there's a step here."

Sloane stepped up carefully.

"The Traveler's Guild is just through here. Small step at the doorway."

Again she stepped up.

The room fell silent as they stepped through. The pair paused.

"Well, well," a vaguely familiar voice broke the silence. "Looks like you got what you deserved."

Anger flashed in Sloane and Wally stepped forward to respond. Sloane held him back.

"Don't bother," she whispered.

"You were so high and mighty," the voice continued, "but look at you now."

"Bartlett," Wally growled.

"And you," Bartlett turned his attention to Wally, "you abandoned our party. Maybe I should teach you a lesson."

"Try it," Wally growled, "and find out."

"He isn't worth it," Sloane tugged Wally's arm.

"You're right," Wally let out a frustrated sigh, "and we have things to discuss."

Wally patted Sloane's hand and started moving toward the hall. A rough hand grabbed Sloane's shoulder. She responded by sending an intense electric charge into the assailant. She heard and felt the crash of his body into the far wall. Everyone in the room came to their feet.

"It's rude to grab people," Sloane spoke coldly, "I hope you take this lesson to heart."

"Daughter of Thor," a voice whispered, "that is who they were talking about."