A Quest of Heroes (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring)

the
Legion running up behind them, joining them. They were large and broad, with
wavy sandy hair that fell past their eyes, and big smiles. They looked to be a
couple of years older than Thor—and they were identical twins.
    “I
am Conval,” one of them called out to Thor.
    “And
I Conven.”
    “We
are brothers,” Conval said.
    “Twins!”
Conven added.
    “Hope
you don’t mind if we join you,” Conval said to Thor.
    Thor
had seen them around, in the Legion, but had never met them before. He was
happy to meet new members, especially members who were friendly to him.
    “Happy
to have you,” Thor called out.
    “The
more hands the better,” Reece echoed.
    “I
hear the boars in this wood are huge,” Conval remarked.
    “And
deadly,” Conven answered.
    Thor
looked at the long spears the twins carried, three times longer than his, and wondered.
He noticed them looking at his short spear
    “That
spear won’t be long enough,” Conval said
    “These
boars have big tusks. You need something longer,” Conven said.
    “Take
mine,” Elden said, running to Thor and offering his spear.
    “I
can’t take yours,” Thor said. “What would you use?”
    Elden
shrugged. “I’ll be okay.”
    Thor
was touched at his generosity, and marveled at how different their friendship
was now.
    “Take
one of mine,” ordered a voice.
    Thor
looked up and saw Erec ride up beside him, gesturing to the saddle, which held
two long spears.
    Thor
reached out and grabbed a long spear from the saddle, so grateful to have it.
It was heavier, and more awkward to run with—but he did feel more protected,
and it sounded like he would need it.
    They
ran and ran, until the air burned in Thor’s lungs and he did not know if he
could go any farther. He was alert, looking about him for any sign of an
animal. He felt protected with these other men around him, and invincible with
a long spear. But he was still very much on edge. He had never hunted a boar
before, and had no idea what to expect.
    As
his lungs burned, the forest broke open into a clearing and thankfully, Erec
and Kendrick pulled their horses to a stop. Thor assumed that granted them all
permission to stop, too. They all stood there, the eight of them in the forest
clearing, the boys on foot gasping for air, and Erec and Kendrick dismounting
from their horses. The horses panted, but otherwise it was quiet, the only
sound the wind in the trees. The noise of the hundreds of other men racing
through the forest was now gone, and Thor realized they must be very far from
the others.
    He
stood there, panting, looking around the clearing.
    “I
haven’t seen any markings of animals,” Thor said to Reece. “Have you?”
    Reece
shook his head.
    “The
boar is a crafty animal,” Erec said, stepping forward. “He won’t always show
himself. Sometimes he’ll be the one watching you. He might wait until you’re
caught off guard, and then he’ll charge. Always keep your guard up.”
    “Look
out!” O’Connor yelled.
    Thor
spun and suddenly a large animal burst out it into the clearing with a huge
commotion; Thor flinched, thinking they were being attacked by a boar. O’Connor
screamed, and Reece turned and hurled a spear at it. It missed, and the animal
flew up into the air. It was then that Thor realized it was just a turkey,
disappearing back into the wood.
    They
all laughed, the tension broken. O’Connor reddened, and Reece laid a reassuring
hand on his shoulder.
    “Don’t
worry, friend,” he said.
    O’Connor
looked away, embarrassed.
    “There
are no boar here,” Elden said. “We chose a bad path. The only thing down this
path are fowl. We will come back empty-handed.”
    “Maybe
that’s not a bad thing,” said Conval. “I hear a boar fight can be
life-and-death.”
    Kendrick
stood there, calmly surveying the wood; Erec did the same. Thor could see on
the faces of these two men that something was out there. He could tell from
their experience and wisdom they were on guard.
    “Well,
the trail seems to end here,” Reece said. “So if we go on, the wood will be
unmarked. We won’t find our way back.”
    “But
if we go back, our hunt is over,” O’Connor said.
    “What
would happen if we should return empty-handed?” Thor asked. “Without a boar?”
    “We
would be the laughingstock of the others,” Elden said.
    “No
we wouldn’t,” Reece said. “Not everyone finds a boar. In fact, it’s more rare
to find one than not.”
    As
the group of them stood there