The battle planning with the dwarves had gone about as Bronwyn had expected it to go. The dwarves mulled it over late into the night, argued over every detail of the plans, and settled a couple of decisions through the application of force-though Ebenezer, with a show of impressive diplomacy, persuaded the combatants to decide the matter through arm wrestling.
But settled it was, and when morning came, Bronwyn rode swiftly northward to do her part. For the first time in days-for the first time, truly, in her entire life.-she felt as if her destiny was entirely hers to command. What lay ahead would not be easy, but it was worth doing. She felt, if not quite confident, at least buoyantly hopeful.
The terrain became increasingly rocky as she went north into the foothills surrounding Thornhold. She urged her fine, borrowed steed-a glossy bay mare with a long, tireless stride-to the top of the hill and pulled up to allow the horse a brief rest, and herself opportunity to survey the path ahead for dangers.
Her gaze swept over the desolate area. There was nothing to see beyond the rolling foothills, scrubby pines, and jagged piles of rock. The sun was warm, and several hawks wheeled and soared on the spring breeze. One of them dropped to the ground, claws outstretched. Bronwyn heard the small, sharp squeak of its prey and instinctively looked away.
Her gaze skimmed over a small, white form on the path behind her, then jolted back. It was a horse, and upon it was a very familiar figure.
Bronwyn dug both hands into her hair and clenched her jaws to keep from screaming with frustration. Not Algorind, not again, and surely not now! The paladin could ruin everything.
She kicked the mare into a run and took off for the north. Leaning low over the horse's glossy neck, she raced down the hill and around the path that led to the High Road. There she might have some small hope of outpacing the paladin's steed. The paths that wound through the hills were uneven and treacherous, and every frantic pace was a gamble that the horse would not stumble on the scattered stone.
The mare shied suddenly and violently to the right. Bronwyn clenched the horse's sides with her knees and clung to the chestnut mane in a desperate attempt to hold her seat, but she could not. She fell painfully, rolling several times across the rocky ground. As she hauled herself up, her eyes fell on the source of the horse's fright. Several snakes, newly awakened from their winter's slumber, were sunning themselves on the flat rocks ahead. Had the horse not stopped she might have run right through them-with deadly consequences.
Bronwyn regarded her torn sleeve and the deep, painful abrasion that ran from wrist to elbow. 'I owe you thanks,' she said softly as she walked toward the skittish mare, 'but you'll excuse me if I wait a while before expressing them.'
Behind her she heard the thundering approach of the paladin's great white horse. She was almost to her horse, was just reaching for the reins, when the mare turned and bolted. Bronwyn dropped and rolled as the paladin thundered by.
He dismounted in a quick, fluid leap and strode toward her, his hand on the hilt of his sword. 'I have no desire to fight a woman. If you will yield peacefully, I will bring you safely back to stand judgment.'
Bronwyn pulled her knife and fell into a crouch. As she did, a plan began to formulate in her mind. 'Why would you content yourself with performing only half your duty?'
'Half my duty?' The paladin drew his sword and circled in. 'What trickery is this?'
'None. You want the child. That, you have made plain. I'm on my way to Thornhold to fetch her back.'
'No longer,' Algorind said. He lunged in, with a quick hard stroke designed to knock the knife from her hand.
The force of the blow flung Bronwyn's arm out wide, but she kept her grip. 'We could both get what we want, if we work together. I could get Cara. After that, we will take her to Waterdeep. Together.'
Algorind was clearly skeptical. 'Why would you do this?'
'Would you want to see a child turned over to the Zhents? And what of the coming battle? She has seen enough fighting, thanks mostly to you and yours.'
'It is a paladin's duty to fight for good,' he said.
'And I'm offering you a chance to do just that,' she said impatiently. 'Do you think it will be easy to get Cara out of Thornhold? You'll get your chance to fight.'
She circled closer and noted that Algorind did not retreat. He seemed to be giving her words careful consideration.
'How would you get the child?'
'I am Dag Zoreth's sister. He has been looking for me, just as you and your fellow paladins have been. Apparently, I have some value because of who my ancestors were.' She gave an impatient shrug, to indicate she had little knowledge of or interest in this notion.
'So you would surrender to him.'
'In a manner of speaking. They will let me into the fortress, and I doubt they would worry overmuch about my companion.'
The paladin's face clouded. 'Speaking of such, where is that horse-stealing dwarf?'
She shrugged off the question. 'They would view you as a far more likely companion. In fact,' she added wickedly, 'Master Laharin was giving thought to what young paladin might be chosen to help me continue Samular's line. Perform well in today's task, and perhaps I'll recommend you for the job.'
The young man looked flustered, as Bronwyn hoped he might. 'You believe the Zhentarim would allow a paladin into their stronghold?'
'Why not? You're good with that sword, but you're still one man. The question is, are you good enough to help me fight our way out of the fortress once we have Cara?'
Algorind gave her question sober consideration. 'I will speak truly. It seems to me that your plan holds grave risks and small chance for success. Nevertheless, I will do as you suggest.'
She glared at him and brandished her knife. 'If you're looking to die nobly, do it on your own time.'
'That was not my meaning,' he said earnestly. 'Your bold plan holds danger, but I can think of none better. It is true that I am sworn to follow my duty, even if it leads to death.'
Bronwyn remembered Hronulf' s last battle at Thornhold. The same serene courage shone in this young paladin's eyes. Suddenly she found herself hard pressed to hate this man.
'But I am not convinced that death will result from this venture,' continued Algorind. 'Defeat is never certain while life remains. It may be that Tyr will bless this quest and grant success.' A sudden, bleak look entered his eyes. 'And if success is not to be, still I am content.'
His expression alerted Bronwyn. She remembered the fear she had experienced as a child, and again during her brief reunion with her father, that she would never quite manage to meet the mark set for her. That old ghost haunted Algorind's eyes. For a moment, a very brief moment, she felt sympathy for the young paladin and the harsh life he had chosen.
'Got yourself into a bit of trouble, did you?'
'As to that, you know my failings better than any. I allowed a dwarf to trick me and steal my horse, a child to evade my pursuit-'
'And let's not forget the incident with the gemjump,' Bronwyn interrupted, 'though I'm sure you'd like to do so.'
A pained expression crossed the young man's face. 'I admit my failings and gladly pay the price.'
The calm, steady acceptance in his voice told all. Bronwyn straightened and tucked away her knife. If Algorind failed to rescue Cara, he would probably face disgrace, and possibly even banishment. Had she needed assurance that he possessed enough reason to face the task ahead, this would have outstripped her expectations.
Bronwyn looked around for her horse. The mare had calmed and was cropping at some grass. She turned back to Algorind.
'All right, then. Let's go. But remember, when we get to the fortress, let me do the talking.'
Algorind had little desire for speech. He rode alongside Bronwyn, his thoughts churning with confusion. Had he done wrong, throwing his lot in with this woman? She had already proven treacherous, and her choice of companions did not commend her judgment. Yet she had agreed to travel with him, to work together.
He had to be clear on one thing. 'Understand this,' he said. 'I intend to fulfill the paladin's quest given me.
