Meanwhile, just as things were figuratively and literally heating up with the undead, Arin caught all the runway horses. Catching them got easier with each horse thanks to their herd mentality. Something about being near calm, familiar faces made them feel safe and calm in turn. In fact, the more pressing problem was that he had no idea where Arin and the horses were in relation to the rest of the group. He was half asleep when the ambush occurred and was too focused on regaining control of Rosemary to pay attention to his surroundings. At best, he could find his way back to the spot where she calmed down, but it would be a guessing game from there on unless his traveling companions decided to do something extremely flashy to give away their position.
Arin looked up at the sky to take note of the sun’s position before beginning his less than action-packed mini adventure to find either the group or the road that they were taking. The elf ended up finding the road within a handful of minutes with little to no trouble. It could have been an entirely different road, but he couldn’t imagine there being that many roads leading into and out of Timberholde. At least, he didn’t remember seeing one on his map. If worst comes to worst, he’d just have to go to Rosebriar on his own with the horses and wait for the group there.
He looked down both ends of the road, hoping to find something to tell him which way would lead him to the group. Arin turned his attention to the horses when he found nothing, “
Suggestions?” His question was answered with blank stares. “
I see that all of you do not visit this area very often, do you?” The horses that did not give the same answer as before were distracted by something else. The most skittish of the team jumped at the sound of a bird flying out of a tree.
Keeping a close eye on that particular hose, Arin walked slowly up the road, “
Do you think they are this way?” The horses followed Arin’s lead without resistance. After observing them, he turned directions and started to lead them down the opposite end of the road, “
Or this way? ” He felt at least one of the reins tighten, “
Oh? Not this way?” He pulled harder on the taut rein and the skittish horse resisted even more. It was obvious that it wanted to avoid going that direction, which most likely meant it detected something threatening. “
Well, you know that means we have to go this way, my friend.”
