Chyfe was quiet during the early hours of the day. He couldn’t get thoughts of Captain Lyrun, and what the locals attributed to him, out of his mind. All attempts at conversation were met with short, single worded answers if he answered at all.
“After we get to Hylith,” Riyan was saying, “we should make inquiries into wine makers and distributors in the area.”
“Why?” asked Soth from where he and his brother continued to ride in the fore just in case they were to meet anyone. “We already know that the crest belongs to The River Man.”
“As long as we are posing as agents for a wine merchant intent on procuring contracts for wine,” Riyan explained, “we had best play the part.”
Beside him, Bart nodded agreement. “At least until we are ready to put that guise behind us.”
The forest was dark and foreboding, even after the sun had risen. By the time sunlight had worked its way through the canopy of branches, most of its strength was gone. The faint light made for eerie shadows deep within the woods.
Two hours out of Sterrith they encountered a four wagon caravan on its way north. Seth gave the wagon master in the fore a nod and friendly wave which was returned to him and his brother. Cold stares were all the others received. Riyan gave a friendly how-do-you-do that was all but ignored.
Once the wagons had disappeared behind them, Riyan said, “These people aren’t very friendly.”
“No,” agreed Chyfe. His reply startled Riyan for he had been quiet for some time. “Maybe they have a right to be.”
That declaration was even more unexpected. Riyan glanced over to Chyfe and could see he had come to grips with what had been troubling him. “Maybe,” agreed Riyan.
Not too long after that, the trees began to thin. A large expanse of blue water could be seen through the forest ahead which turned out to be a sizeable lake. “Hylith is on its southern shore,” Soth announced. “One of the locals last night said that after we reached the lake, it would only be half a day more until we reached the city.”
“It’s beautiful,” commented Riyan.
Indeed, as they drew closer and the trees thinned out even more, they could see that the lake extended far to the west and south. Sunlight reflected in a dazzling display off the shallow waves coursing across its surface.
As the road left the forest and began following the lake’s eastern shoreline, they emerged back into the light of day. Above, the sky was blue and the air fresh, a comforting detail after traveling through the closeness of the forest. The clouds that were evident yesterday forming to the south had apparently passed on leaving only scattered remains.
The road took them along the shore of the lake and to a small village nestled against its waters. The village looked for all the world like any other fishing village one would find back home.
That wasn’t the last village they would encounter on their way south along the coast road. It seemed as if small villages had sprung up about every four or five miles. Whenever they passed through one, the locals would pause in whatever they were doing and watch their passing. Fear wasn’t on their faces, rather curiosity.
“Makes you wonder if any of Byrdlon’s citizens ever come this way,” observed Kevik and not for the first time. He drew even more attention since the staff he held marked him as a magic user.
Through village after village they passed until finally several hours later, a large city appeared on the horizon. “That must be Hylith,” stated Seth. The city sprawled along the shores of the lake for a mile at least. Two large merchantmen were anchored at the city’s docks, along with many other ships, the greater portion being fishing vessels.
The area surrounding Hylith was primarily farmland with the occasional orchard thrown in here and there. Just outside the large fortified wall which surrounded the city stood dozens of buildings, most were situated alongside the road; businesses, taverns, inns, and others whose services catered to the traveler.
As they drew closer, Riyan’s eyes were drawn to the fortified wall. Along its towering length, guard towers sprouted at fifty foot intervals. From there, the defenders could rain down a devastating fire of arrows and rocks onto the defenders. Atop each of the towers, just as they had found at Kendruck, were siege equipment. Riyan compared the walls of the two cities, and decided Kendruck was definitely the more heavily fortified.
Tall spires and towers within the city climbed to dizzying heights as they rose above the wall. One group rose in close proximity to each other and could only be rising from the main castle or keep.
A river flowed southwest from the lake south through the southern portion of the city. Two bridges positioned outside the walls linked its two sides. One bridge which stood closest to the wall was made of stone and looked to be wide enough for three wagons to cross side by side. The other was further downstream, constructed of wood, and much narrower. It allowed but two wagons to cross simultaneously.
“I like this city,” announced Bart with a grin.
“You like every city,” replied Riyan with a grin matching Bart’s.
“True,” he admitted.
Two bored guards stood watch at the gates. They held position on either side of the road and gazed absentmindedly at the people passing through. It wasn’t until Seth and Soth were almost upon them before they took notice of their party. Seeing the pale skin of those riding behind the twins, one guard stepped forward and held up his hand for them to stop.
“Welcome to Hylith,” the guard said. After Seth nodded in reply, the guard asked, “What business brings you to our fair city?”
“We are seeking summer contracts for our master who is a trader in wines,” Seth replied. “We heard there were excellent vintages to be had here in Hylith.”
The guard gazed back at the others behind Seth. His gaze lingered overlong on Kevik and his staff before returning to the twins.
“We’ve heard of the troubles along the border between our two nations,” Seth said as an explanation for the rest. “We didn’t wish to be caught in a position where we were at the mercy of the more unscrupulous sort.”
The guard nodded as he gazed at them one last time. Then he stepped aside and waved them through. “A good day to you,” he said.
Seth got them moving and they were soon beyond the gate and into Hylith.
Hylith was like every other city they’d ever been in. The architecture wasn’t all that different from what one would find back in Byrdlon. Even the people, except for their darker skin, could have been taken from the streets of Gilbeth or even Wardean.
Bart moved up alongside the twins. “Let’s find an inn,” he said, “then you and I can do a little exploring before dark.”
Seth nodded. They soon came to a three story building bearing a sign of a fish leaping from a body of water, which they were to find out was called The Leaping Cod. He and his brother went inside to see about rooms.
Riyan and the rest dismounted while they were waiting for the return of the twins. He was quick to notice the stares directed at him and the others from the townsfolk. It didn’t seem as if the stares were hostile in nature, but Riyan was a bit self conscious under such scrutiny.
Bart came up beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder. “They’re just curious,” he said. “It’s unlikely anyone from Byrdlon makes it here very often.”
“Considering what’s been going on,” replied Riyan, “I’d tend to agree.”
One man, a guardsman by the leather armor and sword he bore, stood across the street. He’d been watching them ever since they stopped at the inn. His watchfulness bothered Riyan more than any of the others.
The twins were only inside a few minutes before returning with news they had acquired rooms. On the way around back to stable their horses and mules, Seth said, “They actually had the nerve to suggest you guys stay in your rooms.”
“Why?” asked Riyan.
“Said that it would prevent trouble,” replied Soth.
“What kind of trouble?” asked Bart.
“They didn’t say,” Seth told him. “But we got the distinct impression they didn’t care too much about having those from Byrdlon staying here.”
Chyfe got his back up at that. “What do they think we are? Thieves and murderers?” He glanced at Bart who
