Utilizing this skill to the utmost, he worked his way closer and was soon able to discern the dark shadow of the watcher. The man had his attention fixed on the Kelon home.
Slowing even further, Bart crept closer. In his right hand was clutched a single dart, doctored with one of his lesser poisons. It wouldn’t kill the man, but it would render him useless for the better part of a day.
Bart unwittingly let his concentration shift from moving silently to watching the watcher, which resulted in a twig snapping beneath his foot. The man’s head immediately turned in his direction. Bart froze.
He could feel the eyes of the man pass over him as he searched for the source of the sound. After a few moments of searching, his attention gravitated back to the Kelon home. Bart gave it another few seconds before moving closer. He had to get a clearer shot as the branches of several trees were currently obstructing the dart’s path. Step by step, he worked his way around to a better position. Then, when he reached a point where he had a clear shot, he took it.
A moment later, the dart struck the man, eliciting a startled cry.
Bart rushed forward and reached the man’s side quickly. Already, the poison had begun to take affect and the man’s legs gave way. Crashing to the forest floor, he laid there unmoving.
The forest remained quiet. Scanning the trees further on around the Kelon home, he didn’t find any movement indicating other watchers. Perhaps two were all there had been. After retrieving his dart and redoctoring it with poison, he slowly emerged from the forest and came to a stop two feet from the trees. Still no movement. Nodding to himself, he began crossing quickly toward where Riyan and Chad waited. Before he could reach them, they saw his approach and came out from the trees.
“I think there were only two,” Bart said. “But keep your eyes open just in case.”
Riyan nodded. Then he and Chad rushed to the door, beyond which their families awaited. Chad beat him to it and was the first to enter. Flinging the door open wide, the first person he saw was Eryl with a big smile on his face. The wound on his head had been bandaged.
“Chad!” his mother cried out as tears began to fall. Rushing to her boy, she clasped him in a hug so tightly, she threatened to break his back. His father and brother were there a moment later.
Riyan was clasped in his mother’s embrace, her tears of gladness wetting the collar of his shirt. “I’m alright mother,” he assured her. Coming up behind his mother was the trader, Raestin.
“She always knew you’d come back,” he said. To Paul, Raestin nodded toward the door and said, “See what’s going on.”
“Yes sir,” replied Paul. Taking his guards with him, they headed for the door.
“Bart’s out there,” Riyan told them before they left. “He and four others.”
“I’ll go with them,” Eryl said. “Make sure no one kills the wrong person.” Leaving his family, he rushed out the door.
“Where have you been?” asked his mother when the embrace finally came to an end.
“Yes,” Chad’s father said. “We’ve been hearing all kinds of rumors about you and the King’s Horde.” Looking from Chad, to Riyan, then back to Chad, he asked, “Is it true?”
Chad looked to his friend and grinned. “Riyan?” he said, nodding to Riyan’s pack.
With everyone looking on, Riyan placed his pack on the table and removed the circular key. “Yes,” he said as he pulled it out. “We believe so.” Holding it up for all to see, he basked in the glow of their awe.
“Where is it?” Raestin asked.
Riyan turned to him and replied, “I’m sure you’ll understand if we’d like to keep that particular secret, secret?”
Raestin nodded. “I can,” he replied.
“Suffice it to say, it’s not close,” Riyan told them.
His mother, still hovering next to him like a protective hen, said, “All manner of people have come looking for it, and you.”
“I know,” he said, then looked to the key. “I’m sorry for all the troubles that have come to Quillim because of this.” Returning it to his pack, he slung the pack once again across his back.
“There’s talk that you could be in trouble with Duke Alric because you failed to declare those coins you boys discovered,” said Chad’s mom. Indicating Riyan’s pack wherein the key lay, she added, “And now that?”
“One thing at a time,” Chad assured his mom. “First we have to get to the Horde.”
“And,” Riyan said as he turned to his mom, “rescue Freya.”
“That poor girl,” Kaitlyn said. “Ever since her betrothal she hasn’t known a moment’s peace.”
“We heard that she’s at the Magistrate’s manor,” Riyan said.
“So we believe,” Chad’s father affirmed.
Just then, Bart entered the room. “Riyan, we can’t stay here long,” he said. “One of the soldiers from town appeared.”
“Oh no!” exclaimed Elle, Chad’s mother.
“Don’t worry,” Bart said, “he won’t be raising any alarm.”
“You mean?” asked Chad’s father.
Silently, Bart nodded. Turning back to Riyan he said, “It won’t be long before more begin showing up. I’ll take Chyfe and the twins and watch the lane leading into town.”
“Very well,” replied Riyan. “We’ll meet you there.”
“Okay,” replied Bart. “Don’t take too long.”
“We won’t,” Riyan assured him. As Bart ducked back outside, he turned to his mother. “Mother, you and Chad’s family have to get out of here. Now.” He could see in his mother’s eyes the dread of being parted from him yet again. To Raestin he said, “Can you get her out of here?”
“But what about you?” his mother asked.
“I can’t leave Freya,” he said. “Holding her as he’s done, in my mind he’s lost all claim to her.”
“There are always soldiers at the manor,” cautioned Chad’s father. “You’ll never get in.”
As Riyan was about to reply, Kevik entered through the door with staff in hand. He saw Riyan next to a woman to whom he bore a striking resemblance. “Your mother I presume?” he asked.
Riyan nodded. “Mother, this is Kevik,” he introduced him. “He’s a magic user of great power, and has been an ally through many adventures.”
“A pleasure madam,” Kevik said, giving her a slight bow. “Riyan has spoken often of you.” Then he was introduced to Chad’s family.
Once the introductions were completed, Riyan turned to Chad’s father. “The south ford is passable,” he stated. “We just went through it. Lead them there and wait for us.” To his mother he added, “We’re going to rescue Freya and then will meet you at the river.”
“But Riyan…” she began to object then stopped.
Riyan took his mother by the hand. “I know,” he said. “But this is something I have to do.” Then to Raestin, “Can you and your guards see them safely to the ford?”
Raestin nodded and smiled. “I’d give my life for your mother,” he said with complete conviction. He turned his eyes to Kaitlyn and there was no denying the emotion behind them.
“Alright then,” he said. “We’ll get Freya and meet you there.”
“Kevik…” he started to say then saw that he had the far away look he always gets when speaking through the ring. Motioning for the others to remain quiet, they waited half a minute before he came back to them.
“Bart says another five men are on the way,” he explained. “They’re up the road and look to be headed here. He wants to know if you can get away in time or should they take them out.”
Eryl came in through the door and said, “The horses are saddled.”
Riyan nodded. Then to Kevik, “Tell him we’re leaving now.”
Nodding, the far away look returned as he relayed the message. “He said it’s too late, we’ll never make it,” Kevik explained when he came back to himself. “Bart’s taking care of it.”
“Understood,” replied Riyan. Then to the others in the room, he said, “We have to leave. Make your way to the ford and wait for us.” Turning to Raestin, he added, “If trouble develops, get my mother away.”
“I will,” he agreed. “You just be careful.”
Riyan grinned. “This isn’t by far the worst we’ve seen since first setting off on this journey,” he replied.
His mother wrapped him in another hug. “You’ve grown so much since I last saw you,” she said. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Your father would have been so very proud of you.”
