cry.
A split second was all he needed to realize he was no longer invisible. The hood of the Cloak was still in position covering his head and the front was closed as it should be. Dancing back from the attack of the guard, he didn’t have time to worry about how the guard could see him.
“Give it up,” the guard said as he came forward.
“I don’t think so,” Bart said. And with that, he leaped to the nearest crenel and then launched himself from the wall. Arcing outward as far as he could to avoid hitting the ground below, he dove for the river.
Arrows flew by him, but so intent was he on the fast approaching water, that he failed to notice them. Then he struck the icy coldness of the water and his lungs froze from the shock of the frigid water. As soon as he hit the water, he altered his direction to more of a horizontal movement so as to avoid hitting the riverbed. Once his downward momentum came to a stop, he kicked for the surface. Gasping for air, he worked to get his lungs working as he swam for the far shore.
From atop the wall, shouts were heard and arrows fell like rain. As they peppered the water around him, he felt one embed itself into his pack. Swimming furiously, he reached the shore and quickly left the water. Zigzagging from the river bank, he raced across the hundred feet of open ground to the cover of the outlying buildings.
A group of curious citizens witnessed his flight from the river. Those directly in his path fled as Bart came toward them with the naked blade of his knife gleaming in the moonlight. The arrows ceased their pursuit just before he gained the nearest building. Pausing for a moment, he turned his gaze back toward the top of the wall.
Packed with guards, the wall was ablaze from dozens of torches. Just before he turned to flee, he saw the unmistakable figure of Lord Kueryn appear. One of the archers pointed to where he stood in the shadows and the lord’s gaze turned upon him. Hidden as he was in the shadows, it was unlikely the man could actually see him, more likely searching his last known location.
Turning his back to the wall, Bart fled.
Chapter Nineteen
Holed up in a farmhouse out in the middle of the countryside, Riyan gazed through the window to the darkness outside. “Can they track us here?” he asked.
Chyfe shrugged. “Depends,” he said. Standing next to Riyan, he too stared out into the night. When Riyan turned toward him questioningly, he added, “If they have a tracker, definitely. Either way, once the sun returns our trail will be easier to follow.”
Soth emerged from the bedroom where they held the family who had been living there. When they saw the darkened farmhouse, they thought it to be deserted. It was only after entering and disturbing the occupants did they learn otherwise. Now, five people sat in the bedroom with their hands and feet tied. The father sported a bloody slash he received from Seth when he tried to defend his home. His wife and three children were quiet, if distressed, despite numerous assurances they would be left unharmed.
“Any sign of them?” he asked.
Chyfe shook his head no. “Not yet,” he replied.
At the table where he was helping himself to some of the farmer’s bread and other foodstuffs, Chad said, “Let’s hope it stays that way.” Kevik who was sitting next to him nodded in agreement.
Before dusk, they had left the road and rode for a mile before taking a short break to rest their horses. Ten minutes later, riders appeared on the horizon. Recognizing the uniforms of the guards from Hylith, they fled. It wasn’t until nightfall before they were able to give them the slip and finally came to this farmhouse. Seth was out in the stable with the horses which were still saddled in the event a quick escape should be warranted.
Where are you guys?
Startled by the unexpected contact, Kevik asked, Bart?
Who else would it be? Bart replied.
Kevik could hear the sarcasm in his voice. We’re some miles southeast of Hylith, he replied. Not sure where. Did you make it out of the castle?
Yes, said Bart. Need to keep this short. I think they have a way of tracking the use of magic. He then sent him a mental picture of the magic user holding the purplish ball that emitted micro bursts of lightning.
Kevik immediately recognized the spell as one that did exactly what Bart thought. I understand, was his response. How are you going to find us?
Good question, came the reply. Any ideas?
Let me talk with the others, Kevik told him.
Alright, agreed Bart then the connection was broken.
When Kevik came back to himself, he saw the others were gathered around staring at him intently. “He’s alright,” he explained. “But not sure how to find us.”
“Did he make it out of Hylith?” asked Riyan hopefully.
Kevik nodded.
“Where is he?” questioned Chad.
Kevik shrugged. “I don’t know,” he replied. “We didn’t get that far.” He then explained how they needed to keep the usage of the rings to a minimum, that the magic user may be searching for such things.
“Great,” groaned Chad. “Now what are we to do?” He glanced around at the faces of the others and could see they were just as much at a loss as he was.
“Wait a minute,” Chyfe said as he turned his eyes on the room where the family was being held. “Maybe they could help?”
“Why would they?” asked Soth.
“To prevent us from harming them,” stated Chyfe, matter-of-factly.
“We’re not going to be harming anyone!” Riyan argued.
“I didn’t say we would,” countered Chyfe. “Just make them believe that it could be a possibility if they didn’t help us.”
Riyan shook his head. “No,” he said. “I’ll not be party to anything like that.” Reaching into his pocket he pulled out one of his few remaining gold coins. Handing it to Soth, he said, “See if this will work. All we need is some landmark, anything that could be used as a rendezvous point.”
Soth took the coin. “I’ll see what I can do.” Getting up from the table, he was soon passing through the doorway into the bedroom.
“I think the other way would have been better,” argued Chyfe.
Riyan just glared at him.
A few minutes later, Soth emerged from the bedroom. “Well?” asked Chyfe.
“There’s not much around here but farmland and the river,” he explained as he took his seat at the table. “At the moment we’re a little north of a town called Tryn. Tryn as it happens is the last town before the river enters the Wrath of Hennon.” He then paused a moment before asking, “Sound familiar?”
“Didn’t that couple back in Hylith mention it?” asked Riyan.
Soth nodded. “That’s right,” he replied. “And according to the farmer, if you stand on the bridge spanning the river at Tryn, you can see the mouth of the canyon in the distance.”
“Sounds like a good place to meet,” said Chad. “Have him meet us at the bridge. When he arrives, he can contact Kevik for more precise directions.”
“I agree,” said Riyan.
“But what about the guards chasing us?” asked Soth.
“What about them?” Chyfe asked dismissively. “By morning they’ll be miles away from here.”
Soth wasn’t so blase about dismissing them so easily.
“Go ahead,” Riyan told Kevik. “Tell Bart.”
Kevik nodded then a faraway look came to his face as he worked the ring’s magic. A minute later, his eyes refocused. “He’ll meet us there,” he told the others.
“Good,” said Riyan.
