by Ben Cassidy
Chapter 17
The sun had hardly risen before the four travelers were once again on the road, heading east into the brooding forest. All through the morning the skies above were gray with the threat of rain. It finally came about an hour before noon in a slight but steady downfall.
At first Kendril had been reluctant to ride in the back of the wagon, determined to ride Simon instead. He had been all set to do so when Jade had pleaded with him not to, until he reluctantly returned to the back of the cart. Jade rode in the front once more, but decided to give Simon a break from pulling the wagon, and tied the spare horse on instead.
As usual Joseph continued to ride both ahead and behind them, scouting for any sign of trouble. He often disappeared for several minutes at a time, only to reappear and ride beside the wagon as if he had never left at all. Maklavir and Jade managed to strike up a lively conversation for most of the morning, but Kendril stayed mostly silent. Jade guessed that he was still in more pain than he was willing to admit.
They stopped around noon, once more in a campsite just off the main road that Joseph located. There was no time to start a fire, so they broke out what little food they had for lunch and ate it cold. The rain continued to fall, but the heavy stack of branches and leaves above their heads gave them some protection, although cold water occasionally dripped down onto the back of an exposed neck.
After lunch Joseph mounted his horse, and rode back down the road with the promise that he would be back in ten minutes. Maklavir promptly tipped his cap back over his eyes and found the driest piece of ground he could, stretching out with his hands folded behind his head.
Kendril walked a little way into the wood, pulling out one of the short swords that Maklavir had kindly returned to him. He tested it in his right hand, swinging it back and forth. Then, ever so carefully, he shifted the weapon to his left. He swept the sword out slowly, stifling a groan as pain shot up his side. Taking a breath, he started again, trying to swing it a little faster. His face grimaced from the effort.
“Trying to bust your stitches?”
The Ghostwalker turned his head to see Jade standing behind him. “I’m trying to get my reflexes back.”
The young woman found a stump and brushed some leaves off it, then sat down. “Your side will never heal if you don’t let it, you know.”
Kendril looked forward again and gave the sword another gentle swing. “It’s feeling a lot better. Whatever Joseph put on it really seems to have helped.”
Jade cupped her hands in front of her face. “You got shot in the side with a crossbow, Kendril. It’s a miracle you’re still alive.”
He sheathed the blade and turned towards her. “If that bounty hunter shows up again, I have to be ready.”
“We haven’t seen hide nor hair of him or his men.” Jade shuddered as a cold drop of water hit her hand. “I think they may have given up on us.”
Kendril grunted. “They don’t strike me as the kind of men to give up that easily.”
“No,” said Jade, “I guess not.” She looked down at her hands for a moment. “Kendril?”
He drew the sword again and gave it a practice swipe. “Hmm?”
“Who’s Celeste?”
The Ghostwalker froze in mid-swing. He snapped his head in Jade’s direction.
Jade pressed her face into her hands, feeling her heart pound. “You called me that yesterday, when you were barely conscious. Who is she?”
Kendril looked away again, giving his sword another precise swing. “Nobody. Forget about it.”
The rain increased in tempo, and the pattering of the drops on the branches overhead grew louder. Jade knew she should let the matter drop, but curiosity drove her one step further.
“Someone you know?”
Kendril paused for a moment, his back to her and his sword poised in his left hand. Then he took a step forward.
His blade whirled around in a dizzying circle, switching from his left hand to his right, then back to his left. A split second later it slashed through two low-hanging branches, one after the other. Both fell to the ground, completely severed from the tree.
Kendril took a step back, breathing heavily and biting his lip in pain. He re-sheathed the sword as quickly as he had drawn it.
Jade leapt to her feet in alarm and was about to say something when the Ghostwalker turned around. The expression on his face startled her into silence.
“Someone I knew,” he said tersely. “A long time ago. Now let it drop.” He brushed by her, heading back to the campsite.
Overhead, a cold breeze blew through the branches, sending a sudden hail of cold drops to the ground beneath.
“This weather is absolutely miserable.” Maklavir gave his cape a shake from where he rode on Veritas. Water flew in all directions. “I wouldn’t be surprised if I catch pneumonia.”
“We can only hope, Maklavir.” Kendril leaned his hooded head back against the wet wood of the wagon. “Any sign of Joseph?”
Jade pulled her hat down lower over her eyes. Rain spattered on the brim. “No,” she said over her shoulder. “He’s up ahead somewhere. It’s getting hard to see.”
The Ghostwalker glanced up at the sky above the road. “We should stop for the night soon. The sun’s almost down.”
“Absolutely miserable,” Maklavir repeated. He sneezed. “Did you hear that? I’m coming down with something already.”
Kendril gritted his teeth as he pulled himself up to where he could see over the front of the cart. “Be sure to keep us all posted on the latest developments,” he said.
Maklavir sneezed again. “I can’t believe how heartless you are. It will be no laughing matter if we all come down sick.”
Kendril looked ahead into the gathering dusk. “How long has Joseph been gone?”
Jade glanced over at him in surprise. “I don’t know. A while. Why?”
The cart splashed through a large puddle on the road. “He hasn’t been away this long before.” Kendril looked back down the road behind them.
“Perhaps he’s found another campsite,” suggested Maklavir. “Or—”
A sharp twang filled the air, and an instant later an arrow thumped into the wooden seat right beside Jade.
Simon brayed loudly.
Kendril threw back his cloak and reached for his pistol.
Suddenly, as if appearing out of mid-air, several figures materialized from the surrounding woods. There were at least a half dozen of them, dressed in green and brown with dark handkerchiefs covering their faces and hoods over their heads. Each held a stout bow, aimed at the travelers before them.
Maklavir fumbled with his sword and shakily drew it from his sheath.
Kendril stood painfully in the back of the cart, his hand on the handle of his undrawn pistol.
One of the figures strode into the road in front of the cart, his bow aimed right at Jade. “I told you that trapper was lying. There were more of them.”
One of the other hooded men nodded, and motioned to one of the ambushers behind him.
A second later Joseph was pulled out of the bushes, then thrown down into the mud in front of the cart. His hands were tied behind his back, and his mouth was gagged.
Jade jumped off the wagon and ran over to him. She pulled off the gag, and the scout gave a gasp.
“I’m sorry…” he managed, trying to rise to his feet. “There were too many of them, I couldn’t--”
“Shut up,” snarled one of the men. He aimed his arrow straight at Jade’s chest. “Get back.”
In a flash the pistol was in Kendril’s hand, pointed at the man’s head. “Try it and you die.”
The men around the cart tensed, their bows shifting toward the Ghostwalker.
“You’re outnumbered. Put the gun away,” said a calm voice. It was one of the hooded figures standing off to the side, a red handkerchief and green hood covering his face. His muffled voice sounded young.
Without taking his eyes off the man he was targe
ting, Kendril suddenly whipped a second pistol out from under his cloak, and aimed it at the man with the red handkerchief.
“I’ve been outnumbered before,” the Ghostwalker growled.
For a suspenseful moment there was only the sound of the gently falling rain, skittering onto the leaves overhead.
Maklavir finally cleared his throat, then slowly put away his sword. “Yes, well, might I ask what your intentions are, gentlemen?”
The figure with the red handkerchief glanced over at the diplomat. “We mean to take any valuables you may have, and hold you for ransom. If you cooperate you will live.” He gave Kendril a pointed look. “Or we could just kill all of you now.”
“I see…” said Maklavir.
Joseph staggered to his feet with the help of Jade. “We have nothing you would want,” he said to the robbers.
“Really?” said the man near Jade. He glanced down at her, and then over at Maklavir. “Perhaps the girl and that one over there have some wealthy friends?”
“Please,” said Jade, turning to the bandit with the red handkerchief, “we’re being chased by a bounty hunter. If he—”
“A bounty hunter?” said the bandit. “Well, well. Then you are worth something.” He looked up at Kendril. “Put down your guns and I promise you won’t be harmed.”
The Ghostwalker didn’t move.
“Kendril,” said Maklavir, slowly raising his hands, “don’t be a fool. You’ll get us all killed.”
“Better than being held for ransom,” Kendril said.
“Kendril, please…” said Jade, looking up at the young man in the cart. “It isn’t worth it.”
“It’s money we want, not blood,” said the man in the red handkerchief again. “None of you will be harmed as long as you don’t resist. You have my word.”
Kendril snorted. “The word of a highwayman? That’s very reassuring.”
“If I had wanted to kill you,” the robber continued, “I would have done it already. Now I’ll tell you for the last time. Put your guns down.”
For a tense moment Kendril didn’t respond, his pistols still at the ready. He looked over at Jade, and caught the pleading look in her eyes. Then, with a look of disgust, he flipped back his pistols, and laid them on the seat in front of him. As he went to stand upright again he wobbled, reaching out for the side of the cart to steady himself.
Instantly two of the bandits leapt into the wagon behind him. They grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back.
Kendril gasped in pain.
“He’s wounded,” Jade said hurriedly. “Please, be careful.”
The young bandit looked up at his men and nodded. “Tie their arms tightly,” he said. “Urban, search their belongings. See what you can find.”
The bandit who had been near Jade motioned to two of the others, and they moved in towards the wagon and the horses. Maklavir was unceremoniously pulled from his horse, and his arms were tied behind his back. The four travelers were lined up in front of the cart, standing miserably in the falling rain.
The second bandit removed the red handkerchief covering his face and lowered his hood as well. Long red hair came cascading down onto the thief’s shoulders.
Jade gasped.
The bandit was a woman.
“Search them for weapons,” she said. Her glance shifted over to Kendril. “Especially him.”
Jade felt her arms grabbed, then bound behind her back. She looked over at the female bandit again, still stunned.
Urban came up, lowering his hood. “There’s not a whole lot, Kara. Some of the weapons may be worth something, though—”
“What about ransom?” said Kara.
Urban reached over and grabbed Maklavir, pulling him forward. “He’s dressed fancy. I’ll bet he’s worth something to someone.”
Kara gave the diplomat’s clothes a dubious glance. “I doubt it.”
Maklavir bristled. “Now see here—”
She grabbed the end of his cape. “Look at this. It’s been mended at least a half dozen times. Hardly the clothes of a nobleman.”
“That is hardly fair,” Maklavir blurted out. “You have no idea how difficult it is to keep a cape like that in good condition out here in this wilderness.”
Kendril gave the diplomat a glare. “Maklavir—”
Kara let the cape drop. “This one’s no more than a common rogue.”
“A rogue?!” Maklavir’s face turned red. “I’ll have you know, my good woman, that I happen to be an esteemed diplomat and barrister.”
The woman turned back around. “Really?”
Maklavir missed Kendril’s warning glance. “Really. Why, I am just recently of the service of King Luxium of Valmingaard, not to mention—”
“All right,” Kara said with a nod. “You’ve sold me. You’re coming with us.”
Maklavir’s face faltered. “I’m—I’m coming…excuse me?”
Kara walked over to Kendril, and looked the Ghostwalker in the eyes. “And what about you? Any rich friends, or should we just kill you now and leave your body to rot here in the forest?”
Kendril gave a mocking smile. “You’re threatening to kill me now? And I thought you gave us your word of honor.”
She smiled in return. “Yes, but what’s the word of a highwayman worth, after all?” She looked him up and down from head to foot.
“He’s a Ghostwalker from the look of him,” growled Urban from behind her. “You won’t get any money from him. Best to just kill him and leave him here.”
“Well, well.” Kara pulled out a long knife and stuck the edge of it under Kendril’s chin. “A Ghostwalker. I’ve never met one before. Is it true that you’ve sold your soul to Regnuthu?”
He straightened as the sharp point pricked into his skin. “Sure. And I dance with demons in the moonlight, too.”
Kara smiled, but said nothing. She re-sheathed her knife. She turned to Jade, examining her carefully. A moment later, the thief smiled.
“There may be some profit here after all,” she said with an odd smile.
She turned to Urban, who was standing behind her.
“Blindfold them,” she said, putting her knife away. “Take the animals and the cart as well.”
“Even the Ghostwalker and the trapper there?” Urban shook his head. “We don’t need them. Why not just—”
“Because I told you to, Urban,” Kara said, turning away from the prisoners. “Now get those blindfolds ready, and let’s get moving.” She turned, missing the seditious glare that Urban threw her.
With a snort he turned to the other men. “You heard her. Get those blindfolds on.”
One by one, black hoods were thrown over the prisoners’ heads, and their world became dark.
For what seemed like hours Jade was pushed, prodded, and steered into blind nothingness, her feet tripping and stumbling over hidden roots and branches. Around her she could hear the gentle falling of rain, and the constant singing of birds above, but other than that she was completely turned around. Occasionally she heard the low murmur of voices in front and behind her, but she could never quite make out what they were saying. She tried to ignore the sharp sting of fear in her heart, but her mind reeled at the sudden turn of events.
Try as she might, she couldn’t see any way out of this one.
Just as Jade thought she could go no further, she was pulled to a sudden stop. For a second she stood, her breath loud inside the darkness of the hood. The next instant the hood was torn from off her head, and she could finally see again.
It was night. Even still, a nearby fire nearly blinded her at first, and she had to blink several times to adjust her vision. She was standing in a large clearing somewhere in the forest, with the star-filled sky clearly visible above. A long wooden table stood by the fire, and several bandits were seated around it on makeshift benches, eating and drinking. As Jade pivoted her head, she saw that several huts bordered the clearing. One larger building to the east looked like a stable of some so
rt. Some dogs were tied up to a large tree in the middle of the clearing. They barked and yipped excitedly, straining at their leashes. Several armed men were walking in and out of the huts, with several wandering chickens scurrying to get out of their way.
Jade turned her attention back to the table in front of her. Maklavir stood alongside her, looking around as well. To his immediate right were Kendril and Joseph.
“Are you all right, Jade?” Maklavir whispered.
She nodded, her arms still tied behind her back. “Yes. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps—”
“Quiet,” came Kara’s stern voice. She moved around to the other side of the table.
Another thief came up to the table, taking off his gloves and slapping them down onto the wood. His hair and beard were the same fiery red as Kara’s, and his clothes were the simple brown and green tunic and cloak that all the other bandits wore. He gave all four prisoners a sly look.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” he said with a dark smile. “You must be hungry. Henrigan, get them something to eat.”
One of the nearby bandits reached over to the fire, and began to rip off some of the roasted meat that hung over the flames.
Jade saw Kara lean over, and whisper something into the red-haired man’s ear. He gave Jade a thoughtful look for a moment, then nodded towards Kara. The female thief rose silently, and disappeared in the direction of one of the huts.
“What do you want from us?” Kendril’s voice was unusually quiet. “You already have all our possessions.”
The red-haired man smiled. He grabbed a roll and bit into it himself. “I’m afraid that is not sufficient. You will all be required to inform your next of kin, or any friends you may have, of your predicament. When they have paid the proper amount you will be released.” He motioned to a nearby bandit, who brought several pieces of parchment, along with a feather quill in a pot of ink. “We only have one pen, I’m afraid, but you can take turns.”
Jade gave him a quizzical look. “I’m sorry? Take turns--?”
“Writing your ransom notes,” the man replied. He pointed with his roll to the parchments. “If you need more ink, just let us know. In the meantime, please enjoy your meal.”
Maklavir gave Jade a quick glance. “I see. I’m afraid there might be a problem with that, Mr.--?”
The bandit swallowed his bite. “Torin. And what would that be?”
The diplomat glanced over at one of the nearby bandits. “I’m afraid my companion has no memory of who she is, or where she comes from. I am not sure to whom we would write.”
Torin’s eyes flashed dangerously, though the smile remained on his face. “Yes, so I’ve heard. Fortunately, I think I might have a very simple solution for that.”
Maklavir straightened. “What do you mean?”
“He means me.”
A sudden voice came from their right, causing all four of the captives to turn their heads.
A man stepped into the firelight, taking a bite out of an apple in his hand.
Jade felt her insides freeze.
It was Montrose.
****