“See that you don’t,” Bart said. “Dinner won’t be served for another couple hours. That gives you time to get yourself under control.” When Chyfe glared at Bart, Bart added, “If you don’t think you’ll be able to keep your anger in check, I suggest you have your meal in your room.” With that he left and closed the door behind him.
A few minutes went by while Riyan allowed Chyfe to work things out. Finally, Chyfe said in a voice devoid of rage, “I can’t believe our soldiers would do such a thing.”
“Out here along the border,” Riyan said, “who knows what kind of men you’ll find?” He knew Chyfe had always been idealistic about the Guild and the honor of his craft. It’s hard when the bubble pops and you find out the world was not as you always thought it to be.
“Remember what the couple told us while in Catha?” Riyan asked.
Chyfe nodded. “How could I ever forget?” While they were in Catha, a couple had suggested that the soldiery here along the border wasn’t entirely the pure knights of honor that Chyfe had always believed them to be. Rather, they tended to never be around when you needed them. And according to the couple, Raiders moved at will without opposition along the border.
“You know,” Riyan told him, “we aren’t exactly perfect either.” Chyfe looked questioningly at him as he continued. “Here we are, posing as agents for a wine merchant, which is a falsehood.”
“That’s different,” Chyfe said. “What we’re doing isn’t hurting anyone. If what we’re hearing is true, then Byrdlon soldiers are violating a trust given to them to protect people. Not only that, but they are seeking people out to hurt them.” The anger began to creep back into his demeanor. This time though, it wasn’t directed at the villagers, but rather at the soldiers. “It demands retribution.”
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now,” Riyan said. They sat talking in Riyan’s room until dinner was about to be served, then went downstairs to eat.
The common room was partially filled with villagers, and a few travelers. Aside from their group, there were no others that stood out as being from Byrdlon. Stares were plentiful as everyone cast glances their way. Riyan was beginning to grow uncomfortable under such scrutiny.
“Haven’t they ever seen anyone from Byrdlon before?” Chad asked quietly.
“They would have had to,” Seth replied. “Seeing as how the road passing through here leads directly to Kendruck, a major trading city and all.”
Riyan saw one couple looking their way and gave them a genial smile and a nod. The couple immediately turned back to their meal without any sort of recognition.
“Maybe it would be better if the rest of you kept to your rooms tonight,” suggested Soth. “Seth and I could remain here and see if we can learn anything.”
Bart glanced around the room and nodded. Never before had he felt tension in the common room of an inn like he felt now. “That might be a good idea,” he agreed.
Chyfe leaned closer to Seth and said, “See if you can find out more about the incident where our soldiers supposedly attacked a peaceful merchant.”
Seth glanced to Chyfe and could see the intensity of his desire to know. Nodding, he said, “I’ll see what I can discover.”
Once they finished their meal, everyone but the twins adjourned upstairs. Riyan suggested they wait in his room until the twins rejoined them. Kevik excused himself saying that he’d like to go to his room and work on spells.
“Don’t get carried away like you did last time,” warned Bart.
Kevik grinned. “Don’t worry,” he replied. “I’m not doing that again for awhile.” He then entered his room which was situated across the hall and shut the door.
While they waited for the twins to join them, discussion ranged from a variety of topics. The one topic they avoided was that of the soldiers attacking the merchant. None wanted to upset Chyfe again by bringing it up.
Several hours later, there was a knock on the door. A second later the door opened and Seth entered the room followed by his brother.
Chyfe quickly got to his feet. “Did you find out anything?” he asked.
Seth nodded. “You could say that,” he replied. From his expression, whatever news he had wasn’t going to be well received.
“I’ll get Kevik,” Riyan said. “Don’t say anything until we return.”
“Okay,” agreed Seth.
Riyan quickly left the room and returned two minutes later with a sleepy eyed Kevik. Apparently, he had fallen asleep.
“Now,” Chyfe said, “what did you learn?”
“Once you left the common room,” Seth said, “the mood quickly changed.”
“One of the locals, a farmer by the name of Verin, came over to our table,” Soth added. “He was curious about us and as we talked, more of the locals came and joined the discussion.”
“When we felt the time was right,” Seth said and turned his gaze to Chyfe, “we asked about the incident with the merchant.”
“It seems it isn’t an isolated incident,” Soth explained. “Several of the villagers had similar stories to tell of being robbed, sisters and daughters ravaged, and even murder at the hands of Byrdlon soldiery.”
As they talked, Chyfe’s face grew redder and redder in anger. Riyan laid a hand on his shoulder but he just knocked it off.
Seth could see the effect his words were having on Chyfe. “From what we gathered,” he stated, “all incidents can be attributed to one company of soldiers.”
“Who are they?” Chyfe asked.
“Their leader is a red headed individual with a scar across the bridge of his nose,” Soth explained. “He and his company are usually found in the disputed area between here and Marl Crest. At least that’s where the locals said the attacks took place.”
“Why didn’t we see them then?” asked Chad.
“Could be they had returned to the Keep or were elsewhere,” suggested Kevik. “That would also explain the reaction we saw in that one town where the smoke ceased coming from the fireplace. They must have seen us coming and thought we were them.”
“That would make sense,” agreed Bart.
“Did you find out his name?” asked Chyfe.
Seth nodded. “Captain Lyrun.” He saw Chyfe silently mouth the name as if he was committing it to memory.
“He hasn’t been seen since the coming of fall,” Soth explained.
Chyfe had a determined look on his face and Riyan knew that should he and this Captain Lyrun every cross paths, one of them wouldn’t survive the encounter.
“Did you find out anything about the road to the south?” asked Bart.
“A little,” replied Seth. “We’ll find small villages along the way and it’s only a day’s ride to Hylith from here. Also, according to those we spoke with, we shouldn’t have difficulty from the locals, or even their soldiers for that matter. Trade is greatly valued by the Orack Tribe, and since we are playing the part of agents for a merchant, we should be welcomed.”
“Should be,” said Bart, the tone of his voice indicated he wasn’t at all sure such would be the case. “We still need to be alert and avoid trouble at all costs.”
“Very good,” Riyan said to the twins. “If we get an early start, hopefully we can be to Hylith by dusk.”
“And then the fun begins,” Seth said with a grin.
Chapter Twelve
An early start saw them leaving Sterrith before the sun peeked over the horizon. The road heading south out of Sterrith was heavily forested. Limbs bereft of leaves created a patchwork over their heads. During their first hour of travel Kevik had to provide light with his staff until the sun had risen enough to be able to makes its way through the interlocking limbs above.
