Rupert came to as he crashed through tree limbs while falling to the ground. Eventually he came to rest at the base of a large tree. Apparently, that beam of light had knocked him back quite a ways, into the small grove of trees he’d seen not too far from the Rod’s campsite. He ached all over. That light blast had really hurt. Probably as much as the lightning bolt.
Fortunately, he’d been in demon form this time, which was a lot sturdier, and he’d braced himself for it. Nonetheless, he felt like he’d been burned. Actually, it felt like an extremely severe case of sunburn. Not pleasant at all. Rupert shook his head to clear it. As he did, he heard what sounded like an advancing patrol of soldiers. He could also see torchlight advancing through the forest. Dodging up into the sky from underneath the heavy canopy of trees would make too much noise and probably get him shot down again. These guys were just too close. Not knowing what else to do, Rupert changed back into human form.
He did so with only moments to spare, as a patrol of soldiers carrying torches arrived at his location. It was a group of about ten young men, all in the standard Rod uniform and light, summertime, cloaks. “What the mighty?” Asked one of the men carrying a sword rather than a torch. “It’s a naked boy!” Rupert decided it was time for a repeat of the lost waif routine he’d used on Exador’s people. He started sobbing. He crouched into a fetal ball on the ground. “You men,” the man who’d spoken before continued, “fan out and keep searching. Ethen and I will talk to this lad.
“Boy, what are you doing here? This is not a safe place. And why are you naked?” The soldier carefully bent down over Rupert. Concerned, but wary. Rupert just sobbed some more. “There, there, we’re friends, we won’t hurt you, but we have to know what you’re doing here.” He lightly patted Rupert on his back. Rupert didn’t have to fake a wince, even his human skin was a bit raw from the light beam. “Sssh, it will be all right now, stop crying. We won’t hurt you.”
“Help,” Rupert whimpered.
“Help? Do you need help? What do you need help with?”
“Protect... protect me... please.” Rupert sobbed and stammered. He knew these guys had to be searching for a downed demon. He’d play on that. Hopefully it would get him out of this.
“We’ll protect you. But you’ve got to let us know what’s the matter, and why you’re here.” Ethen who was holding the torch stepped a little closer as the leader continued to squat near Rupert.
“D.d.d.emon. “ Rupert stuttered.
“Demon. You’ve seen the demon, boy? Where is it? We’re looking for it. Did it come down by here?”
“D.d.d.emon grabbed me. Carried me through the air. Hit by light. I.i.it screamed, then dropped me. Hurt.” Rupert whimpered. The leader looked up at Ethen, then down at Rupert again.
“Did you see where the demon went?” Rupert shook his head negatively and just whimpered. The leader sighed. “Ethen,” he looked at the other soldier. “Take this lad,” he looked down to Rupert again, “what’s your name boy?”
“Snnnfff. Wupert.” Rupert snuffled.
“Err, Rupert” the leader continued to Ethen, “to Sir Talarius. I’m sure he’d like to question the boy. I’ve got to find this demon.” He turned his attention back to Rupert. “Now child, I want you to go with Ethen here. He’ll take you some place safe. No demon will get you, this I promise, on Tiernon’s Rod.” He took off his cloak and draped it over Rupert. Ethen put his hand on Rupert’s arm to help him up.
Ethen led Rupert back to the Rod’s campsite. As they entered the campsite, Rupert noted that the entire perimeter of the camp had sentries stationed every hundred feet or so. These fellows certainly didn’t take chances. Apparently they took security a little more seriously than Exador’s people.
The two wound their way through tents and past several campfires; Rupert estimated there must be several hundred men here. Eventually they came to the well-lit region from which the individual had shot Rupert down. Off to his left, Rupert saw a large hill, it was where the light was centered. It appeared that excavation was in progress.
It really wasn’t clear to Rupert, exactly what the soldiers were doing. It looked like they’d dug away one side of the hill, giving the hill a vertical incline on one side. On the flat wall they had dug on the hill, they appeared to be constructing something that looked like a large doorway in the side of the mountain. A very large doorway, more like a gate to a castle. It was certainly going to be big enough for mounted soldiers to ride through.
