Arleana's bow (Part 2)

"Say, that is an extraordinary device," Chase said, "What, may I ask, is it made of?"

"Crystal," Christof explained, "It is the single, most perfectly round crystal I have ever excavated, or any one I would think."

"How does it light up?" Chase continued.

"Taldir bewitched it. Long ago, when I first found it, I showed him it and told him. He bewitched it to be as useful as it was pleasing to the eye."

As they discussed it further the sun began to set.

"We must stop soon, there isn't much daylight left." Christof advised the two.

They all conceded to this. Like she did every night, Arleana took out her two sheets and sat on the ground beside them. The thicker one, which she usually slept on, was switched now that they were in the mountains. A cold breeze swept them and she wrapped the blanket around her. She thought a fire might warm them up, but in the mountains, there's nothing to make a fire out of, or at least not in this part of the mountain. Her bow and quiver lay next to her for more comfort, but she felt oddly unprotected. Christof sat against the rocky wall. He blinked tiredly trying to keep awake. Arleana, with her blanket wrapped around herself, sat beside him.

"I can't sleep, why don't you get some rest? I'll take first watch." She said to him. He gratefully accepted it with a sleepy smile.

Strong hands shook Arleana awake. She opened her eyes and found herself looking into Chase's face. She sat up suddenly and looked around swiftly. Nothing seemed to have gone amiss.

"Do you have any idea how hopeless we are against an entire flock of these foul creatures?" Chase was saying to her.

Oh, I see, Arleana thought to herself, surprise! "So you're planning we sneak up there while it's still dark, and catch 'em while they're asleep? Clever."

Arleana swung the quiver and bow over her shoulder and neatly folded the sheets she had slept in. The sun was still not out, and for now the moon would have to suffice.

"Stay close to the mountain wall," Christof said as soon as they were ready to get started, "Try not to make too much noise. If the harpies awaken before we can get there, not only might we be out-muscled, but we'll loose our chance to get Remee back. Arleana, have your bow ready in any case, Chase, keep your sword sheathed."

The two nodded. They began to go forward, sides pressed against the mountain wall. They winced every time one stumbled on a rock or coughed, or made any sort of sound. How good could a harpy's hearing be any way? They were, in fact, part human. And why of all the lands in Crewar had the harpies settled in the inhabited lands? Why not in the lands which had not been mapped?

They knew they were going in the right direction when they noticed the abhorrent smell growing. The further they traveled, closer they got to the dreadful harpies who held Arleana's closest friend captive. The smell soon grew so strong and revolting, that they were all walking with their hands clamped tightly over their noses. The winds began to grow stronger, whipping at Arleana's hair.

They rounded another sharp bend and came to a sudden halt. There before them sat several gigantic nests. The horrid harpies were crouched like birds; their wings covered their ugly faces. Silently as they could, they approached the nearest nest. Behind them the sun, thankfully, still had not risen. Everyone knows- when the sun rises, so arise the harpies.

As Arleana leaned over as to look into the nest, a single harpy, which had been perched on the edge, opened her sleepy eyes. Arleana stared back hoping the thing would close her eyes and go back to sleep, but she did not. As it began to suck in air, Arleana, quick as lightning, drew an arrow. The arrow streaked across the short distance and landed deep in the harpy's chest. Before she could fall of her perch, the harpy was frozen. Christof, Chase, and Arleana all breathed a sigh of relief. Looking once more at her frozen foe, Arleana once again looked into the nest. Scanning it quickly with her keen green eyes, she decided that Remee was not there and continued slowly to the next nest. This time she needed to climb over to look in. In the very corner, almost hidden from her view, was Remee wrapped in her cloak. A harpy sat on either side of her and her left arm was tied to a stake. They silently agreed that Arleana, the lightest of them, should be the one to rescue Remee.