Creative Writing: Close In The Woods

The woodlands lay in complete darkness ahead of them, no insects buzzed or night birds called out to break the silence. Sorrow led the way, a grey ghost in the shadowy recesses among the trees. He scouted ahead, eyes and ears alert for danger. The others followed as best they could, staying close in the pitch black of the woods. Once the wolf-dog alerted them to a party of Goblyns in the trees ahead of them and they had to double back. Jerth and Jakth led the children silently through the maze of trees and dense shrubbery. Skirting the area where the Goblyns were, they found another path and continued cautiously on their way. Soon the trees started to thin out a little, marking the edge of the woodland. George told them that they should follow
‘I will go first,’ said Jerth leading them on to the vague pathway that led upwards alongside the stream. ‘My eyesight is better that yours in the dark. Hold on to my coat tail and watch your step.’
The others followed suit. Holding on to cloaks and belts they wound their way up the hillside. Jakth followed behind, with Sorrow walking between the children and the stream, steering them away for the edge if they stepped too close. Once he let out a low growl, yellow eyes looking off into the distance. They crouched down, trying to conceal themselves as best they could, eyes sweeping their surroundings for danger.
Suddenly one of the bat creatures dropped from the clouds, its screeched loudly into the night, as its rider steered it into a low swooping glide out over the forest. But it was heading away from them and soon passed from sight out across the valley. Down below, where their house had once been, the dark keep of Ravens Bane still belched its evil sorcery out into the countryside, and in the swirling mists that surrounded it, fires could be seen
A heavy canvas had been fixed between the rocks and camouflaged with moss and bracken, from above it would have been almost invisible. One of the Elven lamps cast a muted light over the area.
‘We had to move our position,’ Rosewing explained. ‘Ravengaard’s creatures began flying overhead not long after you left. It became too dangerous to remain out in the open.’
They seated themselves on the ground, gathering around the lamp. Introductions were made and Rosewing had water and a little food brought over.
‘So what are you doing back here? I thought you safe with Ceridwen by now,’ Rosewing asked worriedly.
Danielle explained all that had happened since they had left, and of the plans that had been put in motion to stop Ravengaard.
‘We have to be in position above Ravens Bane before first light.’ Danielle told her.
‘That only gives us a short time to act,’ Rosewing said. She stood and went over to the Dwarves, explaining what they were going to do. Moments later they were ready to go.
‘We will accompany you to the place you need to be,’ said the Elven Princess. ’We will guard against any attack that might