The man was much closer now and Kaiell took a handful of steps until he reached the road. The cloaked man glanced at Kaiell as he continued running, and a couple heartbeats later he stopped suddenly to look back at him. After half a second, the expression on the man’s partly hooded face changed…only slightly. His dark-grey looking eyes widened and seemed to give a brighter color, though only faintly. But it was all only for a very small moment before his face returned to an expressionless one. And he started once again down the road, only faster this time. “Wait!” Kaiell called out after a moment. That face, Kaiell reflected. Before I wasn't sure, but it was enough to follow him to find out. Now… now I’m almost positive. Unless my eyes deceive me. Unless this is some cold, dark trick…It has to be my brother. It has to be Jon. Kaiell started to follow and was at first gaining on him, but it didn't last for long. The chase ended up far off the road and they were now on more uneven terrain. There were large rocks in his way and the trees were closer together. Just when Kaiell thought he was catching up, the man disappeared from his sights, and when he managed to find him again, he was even farther away. The somewhat large crossbow slung over Kaiell’s back sure didn't help, but he couldn't just abandon it, unless he really had to.
Kaiell was running fast, but not quite his fastest. No…I can’t lose him, Kaiell thought with a second wind coming upon him. He picked up his speed, but the other did also. For the next ten minutes the chase continued. Indeed, their speed was equal. Now…this was a contest of endurance. And Kaiell had plenty of that. But was it enough? Another five minutes went by and at last the chase was ended.
Orcs. About ten of them from what he could tell. Kaiell had spotted them, but they hadn't spotted him, luckily. Neither had they noticed Jon, (if that’s who he truly was) who was now far away, still running. Kaiell had stopped to hide instead because he didn't want to risk it. The orcs were coming closer now, and he obviously couldn't face all ten of them at once. He just had to hope that they would turn a different direction or wouldn't spot him. Otherwise, he’d have to make a run for it. Of all times to run into a party of orcs, this was the worst.
Finally, the orcs were far enough away now for him to continue on. The only thing he could do now was follow his tracks again and so he did just that. A half an hour past and he reached another small road. It was night now and for a long minute he just stood there, deciding on what he was going to do. Then he remembered the camp of rangers at the end of the Greenway. Perhaps they’ve seen Jon…and even if they haven’t, they can still help me, Kaiell mused as he started on his way down the road northward.
