If she could get away, she could get help, and maybe find out where all the hunters went.
She didn’t want to worry her hosts, who had been kind to her, so she didn’t tell them what she was thinking. Instead, “I’m going to go out at dusk.” She raised her hand to forestall their objections. “I’ll be careful. I want to see if they all come back, or if the one that’s still here is out. If it’s only the one, this time I’m getting that mask off him. Then we’ll see what we’re dealing with.”
♦ ♦ ♦
The streets were empty in the dim light of dusk. No hunters were evident and the door to the manor stayed firmly shut. As the light began fading to true night, a few residents began to emerge, although none approached her. She saw furtive glances her way and caught whispered comments. It seemed that the story of her encounter with the red hunter had made the rounds.
All well and good. At least she wouldn’t have to worry too much about being bothered by them. And she could still keep her eyes open for the man who thought to lock her in the manor. That was a score that she would settle.
She took a walk to the gates, peering through into the darkness. She couldn’t see the bodies, but every now and then the grass rustled as something ran through it.
She would go. Tomorrow when it was light. If anyone could make it out of here, she could. She’d get back to the Mar-trollid camp, and hope they were still there. If not, she would track them to wherever they went. How hard could it be with their heavy wagons? And if they couldn’t help the town of Dunfield, she’d find out where else she could go.
If all else failed, she’d try to find a way back to the Greenweald. Something other than the gate that was supposedly here somewhere, and get help there. She’d return at the head of the Whispering Pines army and drive the evil from Dunfield, turning it back over to the likes of Greta and Friedrich once more.
“Dark out there.” The voice came from behind her. It was deep and calm. Yet it held a certain tenseness to it.
She turned. It was hard to see the man in the gloom. He stood several yards away, down the street, surrounded by a small pack of children. At first, she thought maybe he was another predator of the town, come to try his luck.
But he was too tall. He was taller than her. And she knew that voice.
She stepped forward, her heart hammering in her chest. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out as she ran forward. He met her halfway, and then she couldn’t say anything at all. Her breath was being squeezed out of her, and nothing ever felt so good.
Chapter 45
Solomon walked the streets, finding no sign of the man who took his sword and other possessions. Everywhere, he saw the same thing that he noticed when he first entered Dunfield. Sullen looks, rudeness, an unwillingness to engage. Yet, if he looked closer, there were signs of what he would consider normalcy.
Over there, a young man walking with his family, hand to his belt where a stout piece of wood was stowed. On the surface he appeared ready to fight, eager for it even. But deeper, he kept his hand on his wife’s back, guiding her gently, and his eyes moved from side to side. He wasn’t seeking trouble, he was merely ready for it if it found them and would do what he needed to protect those he loved. The young man’s eyes met his and Solomon smiled, but the eyes passed on with no acknowledgement.
There, an older man and woman stayed together, facing forward, moving quickly to whatever destination called to them. And as he watched, the old woman bent to hand something to a small girl who sat on the street. The girl looked up at her, grabbed whatever it was that was offered, sprang to her feet and ran off without a word. The old woman sighed, the old man patted her shoulder and they continued.
Even here, in the midst of whatever happened to Dunfield, whatever it was that brought out the horribleness in so many, there were still those that clung to decency and kindness. And it was that which made Solomon more determined than ever to rid this place of the evil infesting it.
“Hey!” a thin voice called from behind him.
Solomon turned and one of Christoph’s pack came running.
“We found it!” The boy was out of breath, his cheeks flushed with excitement.
“Really? That’s great. Can you show me where?”
The boy nodded, his face split in a grin as he reached out to grab Solomon’s hand before stopping, his face changing to a picture of shock and fear. Solomon gently closed his fingers over the boy’s.
“It’s okay,” he said. “Lead on.”
His smile was reflected again from the boy who tugged at him as he took off down the road in a trot, forcing Solomon to either jog to keep up, or to let go of his hand. Solomon jogged.
Moments later they rounded a corner and there was Christoph and the rest, leaning against a wall, watching a building across the street. Christoph’s eyes flickered to the boy’s hand holding on to Solomon, but he said nothing about it. Instead, he lifted his chin to indicate the doorway they were watching.
“In there. Markus saw him through the window,
