"I have looked out for Athgar ever since the death of his father, and I shall continue to do so now. In any event, I can't have you two rushing off without everything you need. You've got a child to look forward to."
Athgar moved to the bag, hefting it to test its weight. "What have you got in here?"
"A week's worth of dried meat, along with some extra furs. The weather will turn soon, and we can't have you two freezing to death."
"Athgar can keep us warm," said Natalia.
"I'm sure he can," said Skora, "but the wild is hardly the place for such things."
Natalia blushed at the implication. "No, I mean he can use his Fire Magic to keep us warm. It worked well when we crossed the mountains."
"Oh yes, I keep forgetting he's a mage now."
"Not just a mage," said Natalia, "a master of flame."
"Titles mean little to me."
"As is only proper," said Athgar. "Now, let me fetch my bow and quiver, and we shall be on our way."
"Don't forget to drink lots of water," said Skora. "You don't want the baby to suffer."
"She's worse than you," said Natalia.
"As I should be," the old woman added. "Someone has to look out for her."
Athgar laughed. "How do you know it's not a boy?"
The old woman smiled. "I have my ways. Now get going before you lose the sun."
Natalia lifted a waterskin, slinging it over her shoulder while Athgar hung a quiver on the left-hand side of his belt. His trusty axe was tucked into his right, his bow, unstrung, forming a handy walking stick. He grasped the sack of supplies and slung it over his shoulder, taking a moment to adjust its weight, then smiled at Natalia. "Ready?"
"Let us be off," she said. "Goodbye, Skora. Keep an eye on things while we are away."
"I shall," the woman replied. "And you two take care. I want to see you back here, safe and sound."
"As do we," said Athgar. "We didn't trek across half the Continent to die in the woods."
It took them some time to clear the village, for the local inhabitants kept stopping them to wish them luck. It was nearly noon by the time the village disappeared from their view.
"Raleth tells me the first part of the trip is the toughest," Athgar advised her, "on account of the forest. Once we clear it, though, it's relatively flat country till the city comes into sight."
"And then?" asked Natalia.
"The city sits in the foothills of the mountains. Apparently, it can get quite rocky. We'll be going in the front gates, so we won't have to trouble ourselves with that."
Natalia looked down at her dress. "It's a good thing we still have our clothes from Corassus. We'll be able to pass for locals much easier."
"Agreed. I'd hate to think what they'd do if we wore the plain garb of the Therengians."
"There's still the matter of your eyes," warned Natalia. "You'll have to avoid looking directly at people."
"I can manage that."
"How long did Raleth say the trip was?"
"Three days. Two and a half if we're lucky."
"Well then," said Natalia, "we should put the time to good use."
"Doing what, precisely?"
"I thought you might help me improve my Orcish."
Off to the west, the sun was getting low in the sky, stretching the shadows of the trees into the distance. The Fire Mage had halted, and now he and his skrolling wife were spreading furs in anticipation of sleep.
Cenric waved his men forward. There were six of them, including the king's champion—more than enough to handle the likes of these two outsiders.
"We shall wait until they are asleep, then advance," he said. "Ardhelm, you take two and work your way over to the other side of their camp, but don't get too close."
"And once we're in position?"
"We'll wait until nightfall. At least one of them will sleep, maybe even both. That's when we'll make our move."
Ardhelm grinned. "Glory to King Eadred."
"Glory indeed," replied Cenric. "There'll be plenty of it to go around once we're done."
"Do you think they'll have anything of value?"
"I hadn't considered it, but now you mention it, Athgar's woman wears a ring that stands out. We shall award it to the person who slays her!"
They all grinned, for such a piece was considered quite the prize.
"Now, you must get a move on," said Cenric. "You'll need to get into place while you can still make out a way through the trees."
Ardhelm chose his two men and then scurried off.
Cenric risked a glance. Darkness had fallen, but the tiny clearing was well lit by Athgar's fire. The man had taken the time to gather sticks, using them to start a fire. Cenric thought this strange: he was a Fire Mage after all. What use did he have for such methods?
He waited, watching as his target tended the fire. Athgar yawned, and Cenric's pulse started to quicken. The time to strike was nigh! He rose to a crouch, his men following suit. Cenric's blade came free from the scabbard as he crept forward.
On the other side of the clearing, Ardhelm advanced, axe in one hand, shield in the other. He knew it was scant protection against the magic of the skrolling, but it gave him something to cling to in order to calm his shaking hands.
Closer he drew until he could see the gentle rise and fall of the woman's chest as she slept. He raised the axe for a killing blow.
The first arrow tore into Ardhelm's neck with such force, the bulk of it stuck out from the other side. Ardhelm had scarcely felt the blow when another struck, this one hitting his back and punching clean through his chest. The last thing he saw was the Human woman rolling out of the way as he fell.
Natalia threw out her hands, channelling a small part of her power. Ice shards flew across the camp, striking a man who had raised
