that priest to the grave where he belongs?”
Darius fell to one knee and bowed his head.
“For what I have done, I’ve only begun to atone for. If Cyric wishes to continue what the prophet started, then I’ll deliver him the same fate. You have no reason to fear my blade, Daniel. Karak is my god no longer.”
“That’ll do. I’ve set up a second room for you, which should be far more accommodating than this. My guard will show you the way. Sleep well. We have much to discuss come morning if we’re to retake the tower.”
14
They left the farm, the Williams refusing to accept any coin Jerico offered them.
“You’ve helped enough,” Cobb said. “You worked the fields, and told my boys stories of lands they’ll never, ever see. I just hope you think on what I told you. No reason for you to get yourself killed for any man other than yourself.”
“My life’s not worth much,” Jerico said in return. “Not much need to be protective of it now. Safe days, farmer.”
“You too, paladin.”
They traveled northwest, following the road. Cobb had assured him it would lead to the Castle of Caves, so long as he took every northern fork. On his back, Jerico carried an impressive collection of provisions, and Sandra had a bag of traveling bread as well. That first night, they ate until both felt ready to burst, then lay down on their bedrolls. They camped in the open, in a field not far from the road.
“You don’t have to do this,” Sandra said as they stared up at the stars. “You don’t owe Beth, nor my brother. We all owe you, if anything.”
“Trying to convince me to turn tail, Sandra?”
“Trying to convince you to live. Surely you have something better to do with your life. Someone better to spend it with.”
Jerico looked away, not wanting her to see the confusion and doubt on his face.
“It’s what I must do,” he whispered.
“Why?”
“Because if I run now, if I try to save myself instead of helping those who need it, then what was the point of me surviving when all others have fallen?”
He felt her hand brush against his arm. His entire body stiffened.
“I can think of several reasons.”
Jerico rolled over to face her, and he took her hands in his.
“You won’t change my mind, Sandra. The closer you get to me, the more likely you’ll be hurt. I have no home, no place I will ever be safe. I…I don’t think…”
“Stop thinking,” she whispered as she slipped into his bedroll. “For tonight, at least.”
She stopped his next sentence with a kiss, and despite his greater strength, she held his arms down with little difficulty.
“I just don’t want you hurt,” he said as she removed her clothes.
“Shut up, Jerico.”
“I know, but…”
“Shut up, Jerico.”
His clothes were next, and he helped her even as he protested.
“I’m just worried that…”
She kissed him, then held her hand over his mouth.
“Gods you’re impossible,” she said, then laughed despite herself. After her wounding, her many days of sickness, he could not resist the warmth of her body against his. She felt so vibrant, so alive. Her hair hung low across her face, lit by the moonlight as she hovered above him. Seeing her smile, her happiness, he gave in at last.
C ome the next day, they traveled with a much brighter spring in their step. For once Jerico did not dwell on the fight that awaited him, and Sandra was in her best health since leaving her brother’s camp. It seemed even the weather matched their brightness. They passed several couples, and a large family of twelve, heading toward the nearby villages to ply their trade. One couple sought a suitor for their daughter; another hoped his skills as a smith might be rewarded for a few weeks before moving on to the next town. Jerico wished them well, and prayed with those who were glad to see a man of Ashhur.
“Weather is fine,” Jerico said on their fourth day. “Makes it almost possible to forget that every paladin and priest of Karak is trying to kill me.”
“They’re who knows where, and we’re here,” Sandra said. “Try not to worry.”
“Easier said than done. It’s my head they want on a pike, not yours.”
“I’d join you on a pike, anyway. You think I’d let them take you without a fight?”
Jerico laughed.
“Indeed. And would you stop them?”
“I’m Kaide Goldflint’s sister. Damn right I would.”
The paladin looked her up and down while they walked.
“With what?”
She smirked at him.
“I keep a dagger on me at all times, Jerico. Well, perhaps not at all times.”
He blushed, and she mocked him for it. From behind, they heard a distant shouting of orders. Jerico glanced back, saw a wagon train about a quarter of a mile behind.
“Caravan heading toward the castle?” he wondered.
“Sebastian would never let them through the siege lines,” said Sandra. “Perhaps supplies for Sebastian’s own men, instead?”
Jerico stopped so he could see better. The dirt path was mostly flat, with but the slightest of bumps from the gently rolling hills they traveled across. He saw groups of armed men, but their banners were of no mercenary troop he recognized.
“Reinforcements for Sebastian’s army?” Sandra asked. “Jerico, I think we should get off the road.”
Jerico nodded, starting to think she was right. But the banners, they almost looked like…
Lions.
“Oh no,” Jerico muttered. “This is bad.”
He looked about, seeing nothing but fields of grass in all directions.
“Very bad.”
“What?” Sandra asked.
“They’re pledged to Karak, which means they’ll likely have priests or paladins with them.”
All around were the flat fields of tall grass. They could hide within them, but if Jerico could see the caravan, then the caravan could see him. What would they think of the couple who suddenly rushed off the road to hide? And what if they recognized his armor, realized he was a paladin of Ashhur? If only there was a hill, a group of trees, that they could vanish behind to hide the direction in which they fled.
“Not good, not good, not good,” Jerico muttered as his mind raced.
“Have you no ideas?” Sandra asked as she took his hand.
“None.”
“Then we’ll do mine. Walk into the field, slowly, as if nothing were the matter.”
“What plan is this?” Jerico asked. Sandra led the way, pulling him along. Behind them, the wagons rolled closer.
“Why else would a man and woman wander off a path for a moment alone?”
Fifty yards out from the road, she turned so his back was to the road, and she could peer over his shoulder.
“Almost,” she said, then grabbed his face in her hands and kissed. Jerico was too stunned to kiss back. When
