A friend . . .

     This something was large and held her tightly.  Mal-Nai could not escape.  She could barely breathe.  She could not kick, scream, move her arms, and somehow her eyes would not open.  She was trapped!
     Mal-Nai suddenly heard the hydragety yelling loudly or had they just reached the crescendo of the chorus?  The young one appeared at the entrance to the shelter and spoke with Yeinar.  “Mal-Nai is truly in danger.  We tried shaking the trees to warn you to stay by the river.  She has no weapons or supplies with her.  We do not know where she has been taken or by whom.  We only know that there is one who rules this land and anyone who enters is no longer seen again.
     “How is it you could not warn me before we entered the forest,” yelled Yeinar “or could you not try a direct approach, like talking to me?”
     Again, the young one reminded himself and the one standing before him.  “We do not get involved.  We only warn of danger.  We did try to get you to go in another direction.  When that did not work, we did yell loudly to get your attention.  We would advise you to follow the path along the outward edge of the forest.  You will find a trail near the river’s bank.  Follow it in the shadow of the trees.  Gruashe will know where the path leads from there.”
     Yeinar smiled, “I am grateful for your help.  It is nice to know you can get involved when you want to.”  He gathered the squad around him to inform them of the new travel plans.  Gruashe disagreed, stating the forest was the most direct route.  He continued to argue as Yeinar led them along the instructed path.
     He knew it was dangerous as the sun continued to rise above them.  The squad stayed in the shadows as much as possible.  The wind began to fight against them, as it seemed the season had almost changed instantaneously.  The squad was finding it more and more difficult to move forward.
     “Do you think we will ever be able to find Mal-Nai in this,” Cleinags questioned Yeinar, “We have barely traveled a mile in the last three hours.  We must find provisions and shelter soon.  Everyone is exhausted.”
     “I agree,” replied Yeinar.  “I have been searching for the past hour and I have not found anything.  I cannot ask Magsbraenty to fly in this to search.”  As they rounded the corner, both spotted the entrance to a cave and a large pack of hosrosubs (ha-sroe-subs) blocked the path.  “What is this?”
     “I have never seen them this far south before,” whispered Cleinags as he backed away to warn the others.  Yeinar wondered the same thing to himself as he hid near a nushaggle bush.
     “Well, at least we now have something to eat and drink while we decide what to do about this pack of hosrosubs,” Yeinar said to Cleinags who had rejoined him.  “I have never seen a pack this large.  It seems like they are waiting for someone or something.”
     “Perhaps, they work for Rock Monster and they have been looking for us.  What will it take to get that guy away from us,” questioned Cleinags.  “Mal-Nai has not done anything, but be nice to us.  What could she have possibly done to be the most hated person in the kingdom?  Everywhere we turn, someone is trying to hurt her.  Who is she?”
     With tears in Yeinar’s eyes, he turned his face into the bush and suddenly remembered who he was and what she meant when she said, “my friend.”
     “Lubby, don’t let him get away!  He is cheating,” giggled Wee-One.  “Throw some leaves at Rarney (roar-knee)!  Just because he is older, he thinks he can boss me around.  Rarney, I thought you were my friend?”  Wee-One teased him.
     “My friend,” Yeinar rolled it over in his mind.  “Imagine, she used to giggle and laugh I had forgotten about that,” Yeinar pondered to himself.  “How could she lose that? What happened?  What happened to us all?  Did Rock Monster do all of this?  Are the hosrosubs really after her?”
     Yeinar decided to approach the pack alone.  He first sent Cleinags to help the squad hide in the base of the tree that had just appeared.  He found it curious, but took it as a sign that he should indeed approach the pack.
     Yeinar took a tip from Wee-One, “Cover yourself in the juice from the nushaggle bush.  It will make you invisible.”  He knew it was child’s play, but he decided it was worth a try.  He soaked himself in the pink and green liquid and walked toward the hosrosubs . . .