he said.
“You too sir,” he replied. Disengaging himself from Alicia’s embrace, he was a little red faced due to the embarrassment of being caught.
“Chad’s leaving in the morning,” Alicia said to her father. The tone of her voice indicated she wasn’t too thrilled by the news.
Chad nodded. “That’s right sir,” he said. “I was able to come by tonight to tell Alicia goodbye, and to tell you what my employer thought about the wine.”
Her father’s eyes lit up as he brought them into the front room and took his seat by the fire. Erin was standing off to the side watching Chad and Alicia as little sisters do. “And?” he asked.
“Well sir, he thought that if alcohol didn’t have too great a presence, other magic users may find it acceptable,” he replied.
He spent over an hour visiting with Alicia and her family, most of it being spent on the couch with Alicia sitting next to him. When it came time for him to go, Alicia broke into tears as she accompanied him to the stable.
She handed him a lavender scarf bearing an embroidered rose. “Don’t forget me.” she said.
He tucked the scarf into one of the breast pockets of his jacket. “You needn’t worry about that,” he replied. “There’s no way I could forget you.” Then with her on his arm, he led his horse from the stable.
Her parents were standing at the back door with Erin between them. Despite the onlookers, he wrapped Alicia in a warm embrace and kissed her goodbye. From the doorway he heard her sister say “Oooooh…” before her mother shushed her. When the embrace ended, Alicia’s eyes were moist with unshed tears. “Hey, I’ll be back,” he assured her.
She nodded as the first tear began to fall.
He gave her another quick kiss then climbed into the saddle. “I’ll see you when I return.”
“Goodbye,” Alicia said as he started to ride away. He could see the tears beginning to form in her eyes. From the doorway her parents waved goodbye to him. He returned their salutation then quickly rode away.
His eyes were a bit misty as he made his way through the cold, darkened streets of Gilbeth. Thoughts of her filled his mind on his way back to the estate. Several times he brought his hand to the pocket which contained Alicia’s scarf and held it there. She was different than any of the other girls he’d known. There was something about her that drew him. He couldn’t consciously bring himself to admit it as yet, but Chad was beginning to realize that he may be in love.
Chapter Three
Morning dawned another crystal blue day. The sun breaking over the horizon did little to dispel the chill in the air. Their breath continued to fog as they made ready for travel. Along with their horses, they also had acquired two pack mules to carry additional supplies such as feed for their mounts. With snow covering the ground, there wasn’t likely to be much in the way of foraging opportunities along the way.
Kevik mixed together another three flasks of his far seeing mixture which were in one of the packs on the mules along with a bowl in which to pour it. He had his staff in hand, and was fully dressed beneath his robe in order to stay warm.
“Beautiful day,” Chad said. The others noticed a bounce in his step, and that he was more ‘up’ than usual. Bringing his horse from the stable, he had a grin on his face. None could help but notice Alicia’s favor poking out from the glove on his right hand. The small portion of the lavender scarf sticking out was a stark contrast to the browns he was wearing.
“Have a good time last night?” Riyan asked with a smirk.
Chad turned toward him and grinned. “All we did was sit and talk,” he explained.
“Talk?” asked Seth with a chuckle.
“Yes,” affirmed Chad. “Talk.”
Bart emerged from the house after making sure it was secure. He nodded to Kevik who proceeded to activate the wards guarding the estate.
Kevik had wanted to put additional wards in place, especially after the relative ease with which Durik had been able to gain entry, but hadn’t been able to yet. What was in place should be able to deter the common thief should one come calling while they’re gone. By the time he had completed setting the wards, the others had already mounted.
Last night under the cover of darkness, they had gone to the forested area at the rear of the estate and recovered the three key segments from beneath the fallen log. They now were wrapped tightly in cloth to prevent them from banging against one another in the pack Riyan had across his back.
Riyan wondered what would happen when they recovered the fourth segment and formed the circle with the other three. Would they fuse into one large circular key? Or would they remain four individual segments? He fervently hoped that he would soon be in a position to find out.
Yesterday while they were in town buying supplies, they made discreet inquires as to where Kendruck was. They learned that it was situated just north of the border on the eastern slopes of the Tinderlock Mountains. After leaving Gilbeth, they would need to follow the road south through Kemmet, and then on past Skerin until they came to the road running along the northern hills of the Tinderlock Mountains. From there, they would turn east to follow the road as it moved through the foothills until it curved southward. After that it was a straight shot to Kendruck.
They also learned that Kendruck was a very large city. In fact it was the main trading center where merchants from both Byrdlon and The Moran Tribes came to trade their goods. Almost every trading house from both countries had agents of one kind or another within the city.
Bart and Riyan sat in the lead of their group, Kevik and Chad would ride next, then the twins. Chyfe brought up the rear leading the pack mules. As soon as Kevik was mounted they started heading down the lane to the road.
With conditions of the road being what they were, they were only able to make Kemmet before nightfall arrived. There, they stayed at the inn Bart had originally stayed that first time he sought Durik. At the time, he hadn’t any idea of the ruthlessness the man possessed.
Twice since their return from Catha, Bart had returned to Kemmet to poke around Durik’s estate. The first time he found it just as he had the previous visit. Empty of people, yet Durik’s belongings still filled the various rooms. He had stayed a full day searching the manor house from top to bottom for further information Durik may have gathered about the King’s Horde. Despite his meticulous efforts, he finally had to admit there was nothing to find. Either that or Durik was smarter than he was about such things. Bart felt that likelihood improbable.
His second visit had found the house stripped of Durik’s possessions. Every room was bare and empty. Of the map on the wall depicting where caches of the King’s coins had been found, and the implements of torture in the basement, there was no sign.
The inn was all but empty and they had their choice of rooms. After meeting in the common room for an evening meal, everyone but Bart and Riyan retired to their rooms shortly afterward. Seeing as how Kemmet had been Durik’s base of operations, there was always the possibility of running into one of Durik’s men who may recognize them. Riyan had advised keeping out of sight as much as possible while they were there.
When the others went to their rooms, Riyan accompanied Bart out to Durik’s estate to take a look around. Though the place had been stripped of Durik’s things, Bart wanted to know if anyone else had taken up residence there. And if so, who?
As they rode through the dark, snow shrouded streets of Kemmet, Riyan asked, “You think that whoever has possession of Durik’s place may be connected somehow?”
Bart shrugged. “Maybe,” he said.
“It could still be empty you know,” stated Riyan.
“If it is, then we’ll turn around and come back,” Bart replied.
They soon left the outskirts of Kemmet behind as they continued toward Durik’s estate. A half moon shone overhead giving the world a shadowy presence. Not long before they reached the lane that led to Durik’s estate,
