Mage of Silence

Chapter 5-1

Chapter 5

As they raced down the highway leading southwest from the town, Castien was glad of the cloudy skies he had bemoaned about just hours earlier. They hid the moon’s light which made them less visible to those who might be on their trail.

Daeron led the way. Castien rode behind him and his two companions brought up the rear. The lad was with Castien as they had only four horses and it was too late in the evening to purchase another. Castien had offered to steal one but Daeron didn’t want any more trouble than they might already have.

Daeron had questioned the lad a bit more as they saddled up; he wanted to get more of a description of the two men the lad had overheard talking. All the lad could remember of significance was the ring one of them wore which he described in detail.

Daeron confided to Castien that the signet it bore belonged to a powerful lord. “If he knows of my return, that bodes ill for our plans, I just hope his men were so interested in me, they paid scant attention to you.”

Castien signed to him that he had been sitting with his back to the fire and thus his face had been in shadow. Daeron nodded. “Let us pray that was enough.”

Now they sped away from the town, the only sounds those of the horses’ hooves on the paved roadway. Castien glanced back often and saw no one behind them, but that gave him small comfort as he knew it was possible they could await them somewhere up ahead.

Daeron apparently felt the same as he pulled to a stop and pointed to a trail that led off into the forest on one side of the road. After a quick consultation with his men it was decided they would take it, at least for a while, even though it would take them away from their destination.

As they rode down the trail the lad, who until now had been silent, turned his head to look at Castien and ask, “Where are we going?” When Castien shrugged, he frowned. “Surely you have some idea.” Castien shook his head. “You are a quiet one, aren’t you?” the lad said next. “I don’t think you’ve said a word since we’ve met. Cat got your tongue?” Then he put his hand to his mouth, apparently appalled at what he’d said, and began to apologize profusely. “I am sorry, you are mute, aren’t you? No wonder you don’t speak. I should have realized. Forgive me.”

Castien smiled, signed that he was forgiven and mouthed, “What is your name?”

“Theirn.” He then turned away to watch the trail ahead of them and shivered a little.

Castien feared he was cold despite his thin cloak as the night air was damp and misty underneath the hovering branches of the trees, so he pulled his own cloak around to engulf them both. Theirn hesitated a moment and then allowed it. He clutched it closed so Castien’s hands would still be free to hold the reins.

Thus they rode, the five of them, for an hour or more. Then Daeron held up his hand as he slowed his horse to a walk. “I think it’s safe to head west again. I want to get to the Keep as soon as we possibly can; we have to let the others know there may be trouble.”

“May be?” one of his men growled. “If the Lord finds where we are, trouble is guaranteed.”

Daeron smiled slightly. “Agreed. I know we are all tired but with luck we shall arrive before the sun reaches its zenith. Take a few moments to rest your horses and let them feed and drink, and yourselves as well then we’ll continue on. Stay alert; keep your eyes and ears open.”

They did as he said and shared what food they had with each other. They had left the inn in such a hurry they’d not had time to get fresh provisions but between them there was enough to take the edge off of their hunger. Once they had finished they mounted up and took off at a slow pace through the forest. There was no trail but the clouds had begun to clear and the full moon was showing through to give enough light that they could walk the horses safely.

It was hours later when Daeron again called them to a halt. They had come to a road that led north from the ocean into the mountains. He dismounted and motioned Castien to join him.

“We need to go west but in doing so we have to cross the road. I would prefer not to run into any of the Lord’s men who may be searching for us.”

Castien nodded and moved quickly in that direction. He proceeded silently through the trees until he came to the crossroad. There were a few travelers on foot and horseback. He watched and listened from the shadows of the forest’s edge, with special attention paid to those who were on foot as he could hear any comments they might make to each other. He thought if they had come across the Lord’s men nearby, they might talk about them. He was correct. A man and his family led a donkey pulling a full cart of hay as they complained to each other about how they had been treated. It seemed when the soldiers had searched the cart they had tossed much of the hay to the ground to make certain no one was hiding in it. Castien looked in the direction they had come from. The road curved which hid anyone who was on it from view. It meant he couldn’t see how close he was to the soldiers. Conversely, they wouldn’t see him or his companions when they crossed the highway. He hurried back to mime to Daeron and the others what he had found out. Moments later they arrived at the crossroad and stopped.

Daeron sent one of his men across first. He told him if any hue and cry ensued he was to take the highway north and ride like the devil was after him to draw the soldiers into following. The man started across slowly and everyone held their breath. When he made it safely to the far side the others quickly followed, raced down the path into the trees, and did not stop until they knew they had made it without being seen or followed.

From there, Daeron told Castien, it was only a few more miles to the Keep.