Once they had all entered the gloom of the front room Farsighter turned to face them all.
“We need to be away from here quickly.”
Cal and Dorrin nodded their agreement, but Tamala, Luda and Collett looked ready to protest. Before they could voice their own opinion Dorrin spoke up.
“Farsighter’s right. We can’t wait around here for the Shalers to find us.” He looked at Collett. “I don’t know you personally, but I know you by reputation Commander Collett. If you are here without the King, then the King must be dead.” Cal was stunned by the simple way that Dorrin reported the fact, as if it was of no consequence.
Collett dropped his gaze to the ground. “I failed. If I had advised more caution.”
Before he could carry on the self-recriminations Farsighter spoke. “You would be dead as well. The trap was laid to take into account the fact that you might have waited outside the town until morning. You and your men had no chance.”
“How do you know that?” Luda looked as if he held more than a passing interest in the answer to that question as well.
“They used magic to hide their positions. Your men outside of the town were probably attacked before they even realised that the enemy was there. There is nothing that you could have done.”
“Magic?” It was Tamala that raised the question but Dorrin was the one to answer.
“We stumbled across one of the groups held outside the town boundary. One moment we were alone, the next we were taking arrow fire. They used a spell of clouding by the looks of it, although we didn’t wait long enough for a decent study of the powers employed.”
Both Luda and Collett grunted in wry amusement at that, despite their current predicament. Standing in the middle of enemy arrows in order to try and see what they were doing would not have been the cleverest thing for Farsighter and Dorrin to have done, and the offhand way that Dorrin stated the fact was enough to raise at least a smile during the adversity they were suffering.
“There’s been overly too much magic being employed by the wrong people today. Where do you suggest we head Master Farsighter.” If she meant it as a rhetorical question Tamala was to be disappointed.
“North. We have to try and catch up with Myriana.”
Collett’s eyes widened. “The Princess isn’t with you?”
“We need to talk, and this isn’t the best place to be doing it. There’s a farmstead about half a day’s travel northeast of Holdur. If it hasn’t been destroyed we should be able to get horses, then we need to be moving as fast as we can.” Cal looked questioningly at Farsighter at the mention of horses; after all, he had spent several of the previous few days being told that he needed to practice travelling large distances without being mounted.
Farsighter shook his head at the unspoken question. “Come. We have no time to lose.”
Flight
The journey may only have been half a day by Farsighter’s reckoning, but Dorrin was still recovering from his previous experiences, and Tamala was not used to much more than walking from one end of the town to the other. Collett fared better, but not by much. Although he was in much better physical shape than her Ladyship, he was wearing riding boots, which were not very well suited for the fast pace that Farsighter had set. Luda surprised Cal by the fact that he found the going, if not easy, then at least comfortably manageable.
Sunset had in one respect assisted them, but on the other hand it now provided cover for any pursuing Shalers to use as they approached the party that was progressing at an ever-decreasing pace. Farsighter had already given up on the prospect of reaching the farmstead before midnight, but was loathe to call a halt for the night.
Eventually it became patently obvious that Tamala could travel no further. Collett was limping, but had made no complaint so far. Farsighter spotted a low rise through the dark night air that appeared to be only a few hundred yards in front. Fortunately the bad weather that Farsighter and Cal had trudged through the other night had well and truly cleared away and the sky was filled with twinkling starlight.
There was no moon up yet, but the starlight alone was enough for them to be able to see where they were stepping, and allowed them to see what the land ahead was like.
Signalling for Cal to come forward Farsighter waited for him to move alongside him before he whispered. “We’ll set up camp on the leeward side of the rise ahead. Scout around and make sure that we’re alone.”
Cal nodded before disappearing into the night.
Despite the stars that provided some light to see by, there were still plenty of spots hidden in shadow. Cal kept low as he moved as swiftly as he dared through the undergrowth, scanning constantly left and right as he went. His hunting knife was drawn as he had left his bow with Dorrin. In the dark it was unlikely that he would have an opportunity to use it, besides which, if he spotted anyone following them it would be better if they could just avoid the pursuit without letting them know that they were there.
It was difficult not to get jumpy at the shapes that the shadows cast as he passed some of the taller bushes and trees. Something caught his eyes as he passed by the edge of a small brook that quietly burbled its way obliviously toward the river that passed the devastated town they had only recently left.
Just on the edge of the short bank leading down to the water he noted that the ground was slightly depressed. Closer inspection proved that the depression was a footprint, but the markings made it that of a human, possibly a soldier. It was at least a day and a half old and although Cal noted the place where the print appeared, he quickly discarded the possibility that it presented a possible threat.
As he moved around the northern flank of the ridgeline where Farsighter and the others were setting up camp he found evidence of others that had travelled this area, but nothing that represented a danger.
He took another hour and a half to complete his sweep of the area but found no further sign of people, or more importantly, no sign at all of Shalers.
He had just started to return to where the others would have already set up camp when something made him pause. Crouching silently he listened intently, but could hear no noise other than the usual sounds of the night.
He remained motionless for several minutes, but nothing else disturbed him. For an instant he felt certain that someone had been watching him, but the feeling had left as fleetingly as it had come. Mentally shrugging to himself he moved on from the place he had stopped at.
Only a few seconds after he left the small clearing a robed figure entered from the direction that Cal had come from. He stood for a short time observing the bushes where the youngster had disappeared before he seemed to make up his mind about something and turned back the way he had come.
Absently, as if he was talking to someone stood immediately beside him, he muttered quietly under his breath. “He is good isn’t he? Not many would have heard one of us approach, let alone recognise it for what it was. And you say that he has yet to receive training.” He paused as if listening to an answer. “Oh, I am so looking forward to meeting him properly.”
Cal had hoped to catch Farsighter off his guard when he returned to the camp but he was out of luck. To make things worse it was Tamala that was stood by a short fir tree waiting for him.
“There’s old spoor to the east, but nothing recent.”
“Good.” Tamala turned on her heel and led the way to the small hollow that Farsighter had found in the side of the hill and pointed out where they had placed his pack. Cal was a bit put out by the abrupt manner that Tamala used on him, but said nothing.
He saw Farsighter returning with a collection of berries and plants under one arm. “Cold camp?”
“At least we’re not far enough north yet that we have to worry about a lack of plants that we can use for food.” Cal grimaced. He had been shown at an early age which of the plants in the forest were edible, but had always preferred a good portion of meat to go with them. “Did you find anything?”
“A few tracks bu
t they were all at least two days old.”
It was the way Cal finished the sentence that peeked Farsighter’s curiosity. “But?”
“I don’t know.” Cal was still uncertain of what he had experienced in the small clearing. “I thought I heard something, almost as if it was distant. You know, just on the edge of hearing.
It certainly wasn’t close, but I still felt as if someone was watching me. Funny. Even though I thought I was being watched, I felt that I was in no danger.” He raised his eyes to meet those of the former Ranger come woodsman. “What do you make of that?”
Farsighter sat quietly for a moment. When he finally spoke it was not the answer that Cal was expecting.
“I think that it is time for some clearing of the air. Tamala.” The red haired magic user looked up from where she had sat. “Can you cast a clouding spell, like the Shalers used at Holdur?”
Tamala thought about it for a moment before answering. “How big?”
“Just this hollow.”
For a moment Cal thought that she had gone back to considering the question, but then he saw a small bead of sweat break out on her forehead. Within moments the surrounding darkness took on an opaque quality to it, and Cal was astounded to see Tamala visibly age before him. It was not by many years, and if he had been standing any distance away he would most definitely not have noticed anything, but being this close to her the process was as obvious as the nose on her face.
“It’s done.” Apart from the almost misty quality that the air had taken on around them, there appeared to have been no change whatsoever. Tamala noted the disbelieving stares she was getting and motioned for Cal to stand. “Walk over to that fir where I met you coming back.”
Without questioning the order Cal stood and did as he was told. He was still ten yards short of the tree when he turned and realised that the party had disappeared.
“From the look on your face I’d say that the spell worked.” Tamala’s tinkling voice was joined by the laughter of the other four. Slightly red faced, Cal returned to the small camp they had set.
“What about our voices? If you can be heard then there’s not much point in the hiding in the first place.”
Tamala looked offended. “That requires a separate spell. If you’d waited a moment, there would have been no need for stupid questions.”
This time Cal noticed no change in Tamala’s facial looks. Noting his quizzical look, the young magic user explained.
“The power required for the first spell was quite considerable. That’s why you saw the physical change that it wrought. For the second spell I was just adding a bit to the main so less of my life energy was required.” Cal nodded as if that explained everything, though in truth he was still confused with all this magic that the others seemed to take for granted.
“If we’ve finished the lesson children.” Farsighter looked less than amused by the two of them. “I think that we have more pressing issues than how many years Tamala here can add to her age in the space of one evening, don’t you?”
Luda grinned at the rebuke, although Dorrin looked thoughtful.
“I agree.” Collett had remained silent through the previous exchange, but now he wanted answers. “Why is it that I’ve been led to believe that Dorrin here was taking Her Highness to the Sanctum, yet here you are with these others and no sign of the Princess.” He gestured to encompass the rest of the party.
Dorrin appeared ready to retort to the statement, but Farsighter spoke first. “Several things need to be cleared up. The first of which is that you should stop referring to Her Majesty as the Princess.” Collett looked as if he had just been slapped in the face.
“Dorrin is here with us because the Royal party was ambushed. Her Majesty has been taken and with all that has happened in the last few hours I would say that there is little coincidence in the fact.”
“Taken.” Collett was outraged. “How was she taken, the troops that were sent with her would have been the best that her father could provide.”
Dorrin mouthed just one word. “Mythraan.”
Cal heard a sharp intake of breath from Tamala, but only silence from the royal Commander. For a moment the word hung on the air as if it had hypnotised the group, before Collett spoke again.
“If the Mythraan are pushing southward again, then there is more at stake than just the life of our Lady. How many did you see?”
“Just the one, but for the magic that was employed around the Keep it would appear obvious that there are more.”
Collett considered this for a moment. “Dorrin, if the Mythraan are involved then I apologise for my outburst earlier. Just staying alive long enough to raise the alarm speaks volumes for your ability and your loyalty. Forgive me for having doubted.” The officer offered his hand, which Dorrin took without a moment’s hesitation.
“I would question the mark of loyalty that you hand me, if I had been able I would have chased straight after the party that attacked us, but as it was there were too many for any attempt to succeed.
If it had not been for our young friend here and his tutor, I would have failed to raise the alarm at all.”
Collett glanced toward Cal and Farsighter. “The face is familiar, though I can’t quite place it. As for the youngster, I am certain that I can say that I’ve no idea who you are at all.”
Farsighter started to chuckle. “That’s what you get for spending all battle mounted on a horse, though we’ve had this conversation once already after Dorrin regained consciousness in Gellda.”
Dorrin joined in the merriment for a moment before speaking. “I think that given the company we’re safe enough in using your true name now Master Farsighter.” Farsighter nodded his assent. “Luda, Tamala, Avrim. May I introduce Commander Magron Farsighter, or as you’re more likely to know him, Sielan’s Old Wolf.”
Luda and Collett sucked their breathe in at the proclamation, though Tamala just smiled, evidence that at least some of her scrying had given her a useful edge over the others. Surprisingly, it was Cal that spoke next.
“That’s the second time that I’ve heard you refer to Farsighter as Commander. I had thought that he just led some section of the Rangers, but now that I’ve met Commander Collett here, it might be nice if someone would let me know exactly what position ‘Old Wolf’ occupied.”
The whole group laughed at the request. Farsighter adopted an expression of sympathy as he finally owned up to the youngster. “That you who probably know me better than any of the others should be the one that has to ask that question is a travesty, but these things happen.
Until I moved to Fallon’s Glen I was the senior officer of the Rangers. Orders passed from His Majesty, to me, to the troop commanders. I was second only to His Majesty with no obligation to any Royal Guard officer, no matter what their rank.
Though those days have long past now young Cal.” He inclined his head to Collett. “Now I’m just a mere woodsman, Collett is the senior officer present.”
Luda cleared his throat as if about to interrupt but Dorrin spoke first. “Farsighter is correct.” He looked at Luda. “We mourn your father’s death, but until Her Majesty confirms your position as Lord Holdur you are duty bound to accept Commander Collett as your senior.
Even then, in military matters outside of Holdur, Collett would still probably be your senior, though he would have to be polite with his orders.”
Collett finally added his mind to the conversation. “Whilst I’m sure that you are correct Dorrin, just look at the people you are implying I command.
Luda is acknowledged as one of the finest warriors in the Kingdom. Tamala could probably turn me into something unpleasant if I upset her.” Fortunately, because of the only dim starlight they were seeing each other by, Collett didn’t see exactly how evil Tamala’s answering smile was.
“You yourself are known to be a fair leader of men without counting your own abilities with the powers. And Farsighter is known to have been the most devious and cunning leader of the Range
rs for the best part of the last five hundred years.” He paused for a moment and Cal could feel all eyes turn toward him.
“As for our young friend here, if the legendary Old Wolf feels that he is worthy of sponsorship, then I pray that I never meet him in combat once he’s completed his training.”
Cal was shocked at the praise that the commander of the Royal Guard felt able to put upon him. He was equally shocked to hear both Dorrin and Luda add their agreement.
“He has talent for the sword; I’ve seen that from just a few days teaching him on the road. And being a country lad I’d wager that he’s already at least fair with a knife, but you have to see him with that damned bow of his.” Dorrin could not contain his awe as he recounted the performance from the night Cal and Farsighter found him.
“I saw the lad do similar in the Keep.” Luda sounded thankful as he spoke. “Saved me from doing a damned stupid thing whilst he was at it. A debt that I fully intend to repay at some time mind.”
Cal was saved from total embarrassment because they could not see him blushing in the gloom. “I was just reacting to what was going on. I don’t know that I’m the amazing warrior that you’re making me out to be.”
Collett laughed. “Modesty to. Cal, men will follow you to the ends of the earth if your natural reactions in any given situation tend to be the right ones, and I would say that your instincts appear to give you that ability.
If you ever decide that you don’t want to be a Ranger, I’m sure that I’ll be able to obtain a commission for you in the Royal Guard, but only if Master Farsighter agrees to release you.”
The last was added quickly as he noted the turn of Farsighter’s head toward him. He was relieved to hear the older man chuckle. “If that’s what Cal desired, I wouldn’t stop him, but somehow I don’t think so.
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