Return to Canifis

“There is Paterdomus,” the cleric said, pointing to the east. In the distance, framed on both sides by the valley walls, a land of trees and bare low hills drenched in evening sunlight extended all the way to a great black cathedral on the river’s western bank, its single tower taller than any Theodore had seen. Beyond that lay a realm in shadow, without feature, as if an artist had first painted the horizon and then smudged it to obscure any sense of detail.

“Paterdomus. I can feel its power,” Arisha said in awe. “This is what protects the Salve. This is Saradomin’s great work for our age.”

“And long may it continue,” Drezel said. “But now we must hasten, if we are to arrive before midnight, for a soft bed awaits each of you.”

He led the column forward, their eagerness to end their journey renewed now that their destination was in sight.

They rode down into the woodland, east along the King’s Road, and for an hour the tower of Paterdomus disappeared behind the trees and the low bare hills. In the darkness under the boughs, it was hard to see very far ahead.

Suddenly Theodore went cold.

If Kara means to run with Gar’rth, then surely this is the place. It’s dark to us, which would not bother them, and there is barely an escort now, since the horses fell ill.

He hastened forward on his mare and drew alongside Arisha.

“Kara promised not to run until Paterdomus,” he said. “That was what you said.”

The priestess nodded in the twilight.

“Are you certain they do not mean to do so now? It would be easy for them-with the escort halved.”

Arisha smiled wickedly.

What is so funny?

“Did you notice those blue plants that grew in the bailey in the King’s palace, Theodore-the ones with five petals?”

“No,” he replied. “What has that got to do with anything?” He felt his face flush in anger.

“I told you I would do what my conscience dictated. Those plants were lupins. I took many of their seeds before we left. Here, can you see them?”

She held her hand close to his face. Theodore could just make out a light coloured collection of round seeds.

By Saradomin! What has she done?

“What are you saying, Arisha?”

“They can be fatal to horses, but I only gave their mounts a small handful, coated in honey, before dawn. My people understand animals and plants Theodore, and we know what makes them ill. Not all the escorts’ steeds have been affected, and those that have been will recover very soon.”

“You… but why?”

Theodore felt his head spin.

“If they wish to go, then I have given them better odds,” she said. “I have done my duty by them.”

“Do they know?”

“Kara might. She knows something of plants herself, but I haven’t told them.”

Theodore looked down the column to where Gar’rth and Kara rode. They were barely visible in the darkness.

“You know how impatient she is,” he gritted. “You may have condemned them both!”

His hand fell to his sword as he galloped up the pathway to Kara’s side.

“What is it?” Albertus asked, suddenly alarmed.

I cannot accuse them of planning to run-not yet. Not in front of everyone else.

“Gar’rth, can you smell anyone?” he asked. “I thought I saw someone in the darkness off the road,” he lied. “We must be sure we all remain together.”

He stared hard into Kara’s face.

“We cannot have people wandering from the path,” he added.

He saw Kara frown slightly.

“Theodore is right,” Gar’rth said, much to the knight’s surprise. “There is someone nearby. But in front, not behind.”

“Unless there is more than one,” Despaard said as he drew his sword quietly.

“They might be pilgrims hiding from us,” Drezel commented loudly.

“Drezel? Is that your voice I hear?” A man called from farther down the road, to the east.

“It is I,” the monk called back. “Is that you, Martin?”

A monk appeared on the road, leading a mule behind him. Despite the gloom, Theodore saw Drezel smile as the man’s face drew close enough to be seen.

“Martin, what are you doing upon the King’s Road at this hour? It is not always safe.”

“I have come alone,” Martin said. “We received word of your arrival by pigeon from Varrock this morning, and with it news for your friends. Where is Kara-Meir and the Knight Theodore? For it concerns Ebenezer.”

“Here!” Kara shouted. “Tell me what word of him?”

“He has woken, but only briefly. However, his nurses are hopeful now. The message says he woke for the first time for an hour before slipping back into sleep, and that when he spoke he did so lucidly. It seems his mind is still his own, thanks be to Saradomin.”

“Now there’s a small mercy,” Castimir whispered with relief. At their side Doric gave a joyful cheer.

“Then come!” Drezel commanded. “This blessed news is an augur of good fortune for the dark road ahead. We cannot be more than an hour from Paterdomus now.”

The column surged ahead, and Theodore made sure he rode at Kara’s side, separating her from Gar’rth.

Let them think what they may, he decided. This is to ensure their own safety, to prevent them from acting stupidly.

It is not a symptom of my jealousy.

20

Kara remained silent for the short distance that remained, and refused to talk to Theodore.

His jealousy is obvious, she fumed. I put aside my conflict with Lady Anne, it is his turn to do so now. We have far more important things before us.

The ride was even quicker than Drezel had promised, and as the dusk deepened into night and the air grew cold against her skin, they crested the final hillock on the King’s Road to face the enormity of Paterdomus.

The temple of Saradomin rose above them into the darkness, its upper reaches impossible to see. A black edifice of towering strength that had long provided the first line of defense against the horrors that lay across the river.

Kara shared a glance with Gar’rth, and she felt Theodore’s gaze upon her.

But Gar’rth shook his head near imperceptibly, and Kara loosened the grip on her reins.

“Can you prepare the blood mark tonight?” Despaard asked Reldo as they approached the great wooden doors.

“I can, my lord,” the archivist replied. “Though I would be grateful of something to eat first.”

“You shall have it my friends,” Martin said from the head of the column as he dismounted from his mule. “The monks have been working since they received news of your journey. There is fresh bread, cheese, soups, roasted poultry and even wine.” The young man approached the door and banged the heavy knocker several times.

“We must try to make contact with Morytania tonight,” Despaard said grimly. “We cannot waste a moment.”

Reldo nodded.

“We must test the blood mark, before the embassy proceeds,” he said as several monks appeared in response to Martin’s summons.