“I wouldn't say his name in a public place like this,” said the third man. “You don't want people to talk.”
A pause followed, and Kaina could almost feel all three men staring at them. She knew they had at the very least turned their gazes in her direction, because she noticed Tristan turning back to his meal and trying to look as unassuming as possible.
“Well,” Nilas said, “anyone willing to breathe a single word about what they thought they heard would be quite foolish, wouldn't they?”
Kaina and Tristan remained silent, and that seemed to satisfy them. She could hear the men shift in their seats, and she presumed this menat they turned away from them.
“At any rate,” Nilas said, “we need to get to Eldercliff as soon as we're done here. For all we know, the girl could be there by now.”
Kaina's heart sank and every instinct in her body told her to get out of there as soon as possible. She looked up at Tristan, who tensed up as well, and she soon noticed that the driver of the coach had finished his meal and was now leaving his table.
Once the driver stepped outside, Kaina had an idea. She cleared her throat to catch Tristan's attention, and once she had it, she said, “Well, Devon, I don't know about you, but I'm positively stuffed. What say we hit the road so we can make it to Sunhaven on time?”
Tristan initially responded with a puzzled look but he soon realized what Kaina was doing and said, “You're right, Abigail. We still have a long journey ahead of us.”
The two left their dishes on the table, and a server soon came to collect them as they made haste to the door. Tristan reached it first and held it open so Kaina could pass through as well, and just before she could heave a sigh of relief, she froze when she heard Nilas say, “You two, hold it.”
Tristan shifted, his gaze to the men, but Kaina didn't budge. She soon heard footsteps coming up from behind her, and her entire body pulsated with the rhythm of her heart.
“Is there a problem?” Tristan asked.
The footsteps stopped, and Kaina held her breath as Nilas said, “We're looking for a young woman who stole a valuable item from our master, and we're willing to pay top coin for any information leading to her capture, no questions asked.”
Kaina's legs grew numb, and she considered making a run for it for a moment. Fortunately, Tristan quickly said, “If it's all the same to you, we'd rather not get involved.”
Kaina attempted to walk away, but Nilas cleared his throat and said, “Let me rephrase that. If you see the girl and fail to contact us, our master will not take kindly to it.”
Kaina could feel his eyes piercing her skin over Tristan's shoulder as Nilas then added, “Do I make myself clear?”
Slowly, Kaina nodded in response. Though she desired nothing more than to turn around and knock the daylights out of him, she didn't wish to start a fight in a public place and risk hurting an innocent bystander.
“Good,” Nilas said. “See you soon.”
Kaina heard his footsteps recede into the inn, and as soon as Tristan shut the door, she marched off down the road.
Once Kaina and Tristan were a safe distance away, the latter caught up to the former and said, “That was close...too close.”
Kaina shook her head. “He knew it was me. He was toying with me back there.”
“Who was he?” Tristan asked.
Kaina explained how Nilas and the other Disciples attacked her and attempted to take the book. She also told him about her encounter with Azemar just before the attack.
“It doesn't surprise me that Azemar is involved,” Tristan said. “He's no doubt acting on Torald's orders. As for the Disciples...I've only heard of them by name. If they're allied with Torald, I doubt they're up to any good.”
“We know they're after the book...and me,” Kaina said. “We need to get out of this village and fast.”
“Yes but we're more likely to be attacked out on the road, since there are no witnesses out there. We could always fight off three men, but there's no telling if they might have reinforcements waiting outside of the village,” Tristan said.
“What can we do, then?” Kaina asked. “We can't stay in the village and we can't leave, either. We're in trouble no matter what we do.”
Tristan turned around and scanned the village until his eyes fell upon the stables. Kaina followed his gaze and saw that the stable consisted of four stalls, three of which were occupied by horses that were being tended to by a young man.
“I have an idea,” Tristan said, “follow me.”
Kaina trailed behind as Tristan marched toward the stable hand, who had just fed the third horse with oats. The young man, probably nineteen or twenty with a rosy complexion, pale brown hair, and a severe overbite, stared as he noticed them approach, almost as if he expected to be robbed.
“Can...can I help you?” he asked meekly.
“I'd like to purchase a couple of horses for myself and my companion here,” Tristan said. “How much would you take for those there?”
The stable hand glanced at the horses, shook his head, and answered, “I'm sorry, Sir, but those aren't for me to sell. If you would like to purchase them, you'll have to speak to their owners.”
“Where can I find them?”
The stable hand pointed to the inn and said, “Over at the inn, but I wouldn't mess with them if I were you. With the cold look in their eyes, I don't think they're up to any good.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” Tristan said, “and thank you.”
Tristan walked away and gestured for Kaina to follow. Once she caught up, she caught him by the arm and said, “What was that about?”
Tristan stopped, looked around, and said, “I was confirming that those horses belong to your friends. Now that we know, we simply have to wait.”
“Wait for what?”
Tristan shifted his gaze back to the stable, then he nodded in the direction of the stable hand. The young man stepped into a small shack next to the stable, and the moment the door closed, Tristan casually made his way back to the stable.
One by one, Tristan unlatched the stall doors and threw them open. The horses didn't move, but that changed as soon as Tristan came back around and delivered a swift slap to each horse's hind end. The horses whinnied in protest and took off running down the path leading away from the village back towards the Black Forest.
Kaina stared in horror as the horses trampled a vegetable cart but thankfully the villagers caught in the path of the stampede managed to move out of the way in time to avoid being flattened. Just as the horses passed by the inn, Nilas and the others stepped outside. Upon realizing that their means of transport were getting away, Nilas and the two other Disciples shouted obscenities and charged after them.
While Kaina admitted that the sight of Nilas tripping over his own feet in a fevered attempt to regain control of his steed was indeed a humorous sight, she couldn't help but shoot a seething glare at Tristan as he trotted to her side and grabbed her by the arm.
“Let's get out of her while they're distracted,” Tristan said as he tugged her in the direction of the coach.
Kaina went along, but as they ran she said, “That was incredibly reckless, Tristan. Someone could have been hurt!”
“But they weren't, were they?”
“That's not the point-”
Before Kaina could finish her last sentence, they reached the coach and saw that the driver was already in his seat waiting for them. Tristan hopped up into the coach, pulling Kaina long with him, and said, “If you're ready, we'd like to leave not.”
The driver turned around and said, “All right, that'll be ten coins then.”
Tristan kept an eye out for the Disciples while Kaina hastily counted out ten coins. She dropped them all into the driver's waiting hand and as soon as he placed them into a compartment under his seat, he whipped the reins of the horse and they were off.
After making his way around the buildings on a separate part of the path, the coach was soon well on its way to
Eldercliff. Kaina turned to take one last look at the village, which grew smaller and smaller on the horizon, and she heaved a sigh of relief when she saw no sign of Nilas or any other Disciples chasing after them.
Chapter 23
“When are we going to stop?” Gabriel moaned, his horse trailing closely behind Devon and Hugo. “This saddle is giving me blisters!”
“We aren't stopping until we make it to Eldercliff and find Kaina,” Hugo barked.
Devon rode alongside Hugo and said, “In Gabriel's defense, we won't be able to handle Kaina on an empty stomach.”
Hugo huffed, staring into the horizon. He could see Eldercliff from their position, and as his eyes trailed further down, he could see a small village near the bottom of the hill.
The smell of potato soup came from where Hugo could only assume was the village inn, and as soon as Gabriel detected it, he moaned, “That smells better than what our cooks make! We have to stop.”
Hugo didn't want to admit how famished he was, and he wanted even less to give in to his cousin's demands, but it soon occurred to him that they were low on supplies. He also realized that his father, not to mention his grandfather, had expected them home by now, so he figured it would be a wise decision to get a message to Haventhorn Manor about their situation.
Hugo sighed. “Very well, we can stop for the night. At the crack of dawn, we ride for Eldercliff.”
“Finally!” Gabriel gasped.
As Hugo led the way to the edge of the tiny village, common folk were already pointing out his armor, an instant reminder of his status. He rode straight for the stables, where a stable hand sputtered some nonsense to the stable master. When the latter saw Hugo approach, he dismissed the young stable hand and knelt down in reverence.
“My Lord, Crimson Knight,” the stable master said, “how may I serve you this evening?”
Hugo stepped down from the horse and said, “Good evening, stable master. I would like you to care for my horse as well as those of my comrades for the night.”
Devon and Gabriel dismounted from their horses soon after and the stable master nodded furiously and said, “Absolutely, My Lord. I'll be sure to keep them safe for you.”
Hugo handed a generous amount of coin to the stable master, then he, Devon, and Gabriel led their horses to the stalls, where the young man from before waited to take charge of them. Gabriel was the last to hand his off, and as he did so, he glared at the stable hand and said, “Be sure to give my saddle a nice shine.”
Hugo led the way across the road to the inn, but before he could even reach the door, Gabriel groaned, “This is where we are staying?”
Hugo took in a sharp breath, whipped his head around, and said, “We either stay here or we ride straight to Eldercliff.”
Gabriel scowled, but remained silent.
“That's what I thought,” Hugo remarked as he turned around and opened the inn door.
Once inside, Hugo approached the counter and paid for the best room available. After he received the key to the room, Gabriel snatched it up.
Before Hugo could even protest, Gabriel said, “I'm getting some sleep before I change my mind about this lowly, country inn. Tell the servers I am not to be disturbed.”
Hugo noticed several patrons, as well as the barkeep, scowling at Gabriel for his rude remarks as he made his way to the stairs that led up to the rooms. He knew fully well that no one would dare say a word to object to men of their status, but nevertheless he had no desire to deal with such petty concerns at the moment.
Devon soon followed Gabriel's trail and Hugo said, “Will you be heading off to bed as well?”
“I'll try,” Devon replied, “but I have a sneaking suspicion that I won't be able to sleep with Gabriel's snoring. What about you?”
Hugo headed straight for the door and said, “I'm going to stock up on supplies before the shops close so that we can leave first thing in the morning. I'll be along as soon as I'm done.”
Devon shrugged and headed up the stairs just as Hugo exited the inn.
Hugo set his sights on the general store, where a thin, scraggly man stood outside hanging a wooden sign on the door. As he approached, the clinking of his armor must have alerted the shopkeeper, for he quickly turned around to see who was approaching.
The worn shopkeeper nearly jumped out of his shoes as he lay eyes on Hugo, but he hastily corrected his demeanor, bowed, and said, “Oh, Lord Crimson Knight! How may I serve you?”
“I require supplies, citizen,” Hugo replied. “I will be leaving for Eldercliff first thing tomorrow morning, and I want to be sure that I have everything I need.”
The shopkeeper let out a laugh and said, “Ah, you and me both. I was just hanging up a sign to show that I will be closed tomorrow, as I too will be leaving for Eldercliff.”
The shopkeeper stepped aside to reveal his sign, which read in crudely painting letters, “Closed until further notice.”
Hugo raised his eyebrow and said, “Does this mean you won't sell me supplies?”
The color drained from the shopkeeper's face and he sputtered out, “Oh, n-no my Lord. I wouldn't dream of denying a Crimson Knight the service he requests. Come inside and I will get you all set up for your journey.”
The shopkeeper opened the door and bid Hugo inside. He entered, and the shopkeeper soon followed close behind. The scrawny man made haste to the counter, where he reached his post seconds before Hugo made it to his end. He had no doubt that this merchant smelled the coin on him, and that was the cause of his eagerness.
“Now then,” the shopkeeper said, “What can I get for you today, Sir...?”
“Hugo. Sir Hugo Haventhorn.”
“Ah, well, what can I get for you, Sir Hugo?”
“I need packed food, fresh water, and camping supplies, just in case,” Hugo answered.
“Of course, let me gather everything you need,” the shopkeeper said.
After completing his task, the shopkeeper counted up Hugo's pile of coins. A smile spread across his wrinkled face as he did so, and Hugo soon had no doubt that this was more coin than he was accustomed to dealing with.
“If I may suggest something, Sir Hugo,” the shopkeeper said as he tallied up the last of the coins, “I'm certain that a man of your status has a lovely lady back home, and as it happens, I just bought a lovely necklace from a wealthy dealer earlier today. Care to take a look at it?”
Hugo huffed. He should have known that the shopkeeper would anticipate his wealth and attempt to make more money off of him. However, even knowing this, Hugo still found himself interested in the necklace.
“My Thea has no shortage of jewels,” Hugo said, “but I supposed a lady of her status could never own too many.”
The shopkeeper offered a sly smile and replied, “That she can't. I can assure you that this necklace is the finest piece of jewelry I have ever laid my eyes upon.”
Hugo had serious doubts that a shopkeeper in such a small village could even make that in a year, but he didn't acknowledge this. “Very well then. Let's see it.”
The shopkeeper nodded and retrieved a small chest from beneath the counter. He produced a key out from his pocket and unlocked the chest. Then, as soon as he produced a gold necklace from the box, Hugo froze.
“You'll find that this necklace is made of pure gold and is encrusted with an expertly cut ruby and framed with multiple diamonds. I can honestly say that your dear lady would be thrilled to receive such a priceless gift.”
Hugo stared at the pendant, his blood boiling and his eyes flashing. “Let me see the back of the pendant.”
The shopkeeper paused in confusion, but upon detecting the seriousness in Hugo's tone, he quickly obeyed. Just as Hugo suspected, the back of the pendant bore an etching of the Haventhorn family crest.
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow and said, “Well...that's new. I certainly didn't notice this little item when I bought the necklace, but I assume that this must be the signature of the creator.” He cleared his throat
and added, “This would of course add more value to it, I presume...”
Hugo, who could barely contain his rage, then said in an eerily calm voice, “Who sold you this necklace?”
The shopkeeper frowned. “I'm sorry, but the Trading Act of Ilesia forbids me from divulging my customers' informa—AAAAAGHH!”
The shopkeeper screeched in terror as the no longer cool and composed Hugo Haventhorn reached both arms clear across the counter and pulled him off his feet by his collar. Hugo's skin flushed as red as his cape. His heart raced as he stared at the shopkeeper in the eyes and repeated, “Who. Sold. You. The necklace?”
The shopkeeper whimpered and stammered something incomprehensible, but Hugo didn't stop.
“Answer me!” Hugo shrieked.
“It...It was a young woman,” the shopkeeper sobbed, “and a young man who came in with her.”
“What did she look like?” Hugo pressed.
“Erm...fair, quite pretty actually...blue eyes, flaxen hair, she never mentioned her name though,” the shopkeeper explained.
“What about this 'young man' she was with?” Hugo asked. “What did he look like?”
“He was a bit taller than you, and he had dark hair,” the shopkeeper explained. “I remember him in particular, because though they both walked in here dirty and marred, the young man didn't even have a shirt on!”
Hugo pulled the shopkeeper closer. “Where did they go after they left here?”
“I...I don't—wait, I think...yes. I remember. One of them mentioned Eldercliff. I think they were headed there,” the shopkeeper replied.
Hugo snatched the necklace and released his hold on the shopkeeper so suddenly that the frail little man fell backwards into the shelves hung up on the wall. Hugo then gathered up the bag packed with his fresh supplies and headed for the door.
Before he reached it, however, he heard the shopkeeper's worn voice say, “Wait...”
Hugo turned sharply to see the man pulling himself to his feet. “You haven't paid for it the necklace...”
Kaina's Dawn (Kaina Saga Book 1) Page 17