As he left his friends to distract the hunters, Garinor felt a surge of pride within. He truly had strong, brave friends. He didn’t know why they were putting themselves in danger to save him, but he honored their bravery and set off at once.
Garinor knew these woods well, and so it wasn’t hard to continue to set up barricades, misleading paths, and minor pitfalls for the hunters if they continued to follow him. He worked quickly, and kept his pace going strong.
Then a cry of pain echoed through the air and Garinor froze. It had sounded like Besfa. Moments later, other shouts called out and Garinor realized his friends were engaged in a scuffle with the hunters. He wanted desperately to turn and help them, but he also knew if he did so, their pains would be for nothing.
He pushed onward.
The going was easier now that he was wearing Tomli’s shoes. Sticks and pebbles didn’t cut into him anymore and he was able to focus on escaping. Running forth, he came to a long series of trees grown closely together. They slalomed back and forth and would be a good way to avoid being hit by arrows. There was also a hiding place there, but he didn’t want to use it if he didn’t have to. If his friends escaped the hunters and came this way, he wanted them to have it.
Garinor lowered his head and pushed onward again. He had several options open to him now. If he headed directly north, he would eventually find his way to the castle. He could hide himself in any number of places here in the woods and wait out the current leg of the pursuit, hoping they would assume he had moved on. Or he could keep heading east to the nearby hill and find refuge beyond it.
Garinor should turn north toward the castle.
Garinor should find a hiding place in the woods.
Garinor should head toward the hill.