Elsewhere

the fleet, but the last of the ships were gone, driven away by the strong morning wind.

?

              Tar Ira Lacombe was still nearly fifteen miles from the city of Manse when he came across the first Massi patrol. There were nearly twenty horsemen and they were all riding swiftly in his direction by the time he spotted them in the distance. It unnerved him a little that they were apparently aware of his presence before he was aware of theirs, but then they were soldiers on patrol, searching for any sign of the enemy they all knew was coming.

              Lacombe turned Sunwind and rode directly toward the approaching riders. They were on him quickly, some riding in close while the rest flanked out and surrounded him at a relatively safe distance. To the Tar, they all looked to be hard, well-trained men, which served as a healthy reminder for caution.

              “Your name please,” a young soldier barked loudly pulling his horse to a stop only a half dozen feet from Lacombe.

              “Ira Banks,” the Executioner lied. “I have papers of recommendation from Paulo Carnetti,” he added and reached into his breast pocket to remove them. Immediately a dozen lances were lowered and aimed directly at his chest. Lacombe stopped moving, his hand frozen in place.

              The soldier before him smiled and then nodded. “Slowly,” he said simply.

              Lacombe did as he was told, for though he was confident he could take any two of the soldiers before him, he knew he would die quickly against all twenty and their long, deadly weapons. He slowly pulled the papers from his pocket, eased forward and handed them to the soldier who was in charge of the patrol. Lacombe studied the man as he read and quickly decided that if the Massi had many such men on patrol the High King would be very hard pressed to surprise them.

              “Why alone?” the young soldier asked when he finished reading the recommendation. “Paulo usually sends out small parties of new men together.”

              Lacombe shrugged. “Impatient to kill Temple Knights I guess,” he answered and several men around him smiled in response. The young soldier just grunted, and his demeanor once again impressed the Executioner.

              ‘Yes, the High King may be in for a nasty surprise,’ he thought but kept his face carefully neutral as the soldier took to inspecting his mount. From his expression it was clear that the animal did not impress him.

              “Horseman?”

              Lacombe shrugged. “I ride well enough but I fight better on the ground.”

              The soldier nodded and ran his eyes once more over Sunwind, still evaluating. Finally he handed the papers back to Lacombe.

              “My name’s Gaston. Captain Jeffery Gaston. Ride straight along this road and do not deviate. You will pass through several more check points, just show your papers and tell them you’ve talked to me. When you arrive in Manse check in with a Lee Brandt.”

              Lacombe nodded and was about to speak his thanks but Captain Gaston had already wheeled his mount and signaled his men to move away and continue on their patrol.

              Lacombe was pleased and concerned at the same time. It would be well if the Temple Knights were severely weakened, but a well-trained, disciplined army would also present some challenges during his eventual escape following the death of the traitor. In the end he just sighed and spurred Sunwind into a fast trot, suddenly anxious to arrive in Manse and get a lay of the land. He just hoped the young Tarina would not recognize him before he was ready to make his move.

?

              They appeared outside the main walls of the city amidst the dirt and squalor of the Parma poor, much to na Gall’s dismay. To Travel from Massi to Cassinni was not an easy task even from the very tip of the finger. The distance to cover was great, almost as far as the trip from Koshka to Light, and so her accuracy suffered. na Gall followed the men through the bridge and would have collapsed in the mud if not for Bock, who stepped forward to support her.

              “Eh now!” a loud voice shouted to their left and in a flash Lonogan’s right kali was out and though he was still hampered by the weakened Traveler, he spun about to see who was challenging them. na Gall glanced weakly around and noticed that all five of her bodyguards were now armed and ready to protect her. She smiled inwardly. Gwaynn’s training was beginning to show dramatic results.

              The mud rat that yelled quickly realized the danger and disappeared down an alley without uttering another sound.

              “I need food and rest,” na Gall said just above a whisper.

              “Your home is near?” Lonogan asked, glancing about, his expression slightly alarmed. They were currently in an area which appeared to be best avoided by any but a well trained army.

              na Gall laughed lightly. “No, I’ve missed my mark. Let’s head northeast.”

              Bock nodded. “Let’s move quickly. I’m not a fan of the smell.”

              They made their way rapidly through the muddy streets, keeping a watchful eye on the many locals who curiously peered in their direction. But they needn’t have worried. Though they’d arrived in a very unsavory quarter of Parma, the Massi soldier’s demeanor as well as their weapons signaled to any bent on robbery that it might be best to avoid the group and look elsewhere. Despite na Gall’s weakness they moved along quickly and within a quarter of an hour they were beyond the worst of the ragged poor. They came upon the main road that led from the lower wharves to the heart of the city, and na Gall, who continued to lean heavily on Lonogan as they walked, pointed to the north. They weaved their way through a warehouse district and into the center of Parma where Lonogan managed to hire a carriage. Twenty minutes later they came to a large, solid looking house that was surrounded by a high brick wall and protected by a thick iron gate. The latch was locked but a man appeared on the porch before Bock could become too impatient.

              “Elbert,” na Gall said quietly then sagged against Lonogan, who effortlessly hoisted her into his arms and watched as the old man slowly approached the gate.

              “Hurry man!” he yelled and the old man paused. “Get a move on Elbert,” Bock added, “Jess needs rest and food.”

              At the sound of his name, the man moved forward once more and stopped just out of reach on the far side of the gate. He eyed Lonogan and the rest of the men, soldiers obviously, but then his gaze moved to na Gall.

              “Jessie? Little Jessie,” he said suddenly concerned and quickly moved forward and opened the way.

              “Come, come,” he said and noticed the worry on Lonogan’s face.

              Bock carried the Traveler up the wide stairway in front of the house and onto the large open-air porch before angling her body and entering the house. There, a tall woman with a narrow but handsome face, watched his progress nervously.

              “Set up a perimeter,” Lonogan ordered his men and then turned to face the woman who stood waiting. “She needs food,” he told the woman, but she just smiled and nodded.

              “Bring her in here and place her on the settee,” she instructed. Bock did as he was told and placed na Gall gently down. Despite her height, Lonogan was surprised to find that the Traveler seemed very light, and it was hardly an effort to carry her. He even felt a twinge of regret as he pulled away from the warmth of her body.

              na Gall, who was awake and still alert, smiled widely up at him.

              “Mama,” she said softly. “This is Lonogan Bock…General Bock of the Massi.”

              Bock straightened up, surprised and half turned to the older woman. He bowed slightly. “Ma’am.”

              “Miranda. I’m…” she began but stopped as a servant brought in a large drink filled with a thin pale liquid.