by Garry Spoor
“Flying by dragon may not be the best mode of travel, but it is quick.”
“So, what did happen?” Tullner asked as he sat down on one of the barrels. He winced as he tried to straighten out his leg. “We didn’t get much information; all we know is the Rojan never got through.”
“Alex and I arrived just as they were coming through the pass,” she started to explain. “Alex managed to stop the main force with one of his illusions. I’m afraid I didn’t get to see it, but if you listen to his explanation, it was the greatest piece of illusionary magic outside the Tower. Somehow, he managed to pull it off, and it must have been believable, to stop a whole army in its tracks. After I turned the vanguard force around, Umingoth sealed the pass by bringing down half the mountainside.”
“How did you turn the vanguard around?” Tullner asked.
“It’s not important. Let’s just say it’s something I’m not likely to try again. I don’t remember much after that. Alex did tell me that Umingoth stayed with me while Alex went looking for help. He met up with the King’s men and led them to where I was. Then Umingoth made himself scarce. He’s probably back in the wastelands by now.”
“I would never have trusted that dragon.”
“You didn’t have to,” Kile replied. “Besides, he did what he said he would do. What more could we ask?”
“And what deal did you make with him?”
“That is between him and me.”
“I’ve heard stories about people who make deals with dragons and they rarely end well.”
“Well, this one did… for now,” she said, sitting down on a barrel across from him. “Besides, it’s not something I have to worry about right now. There are more important things going on.”
“Like the meeting in the great hall.” Tullner replied. “So, what are you doing out here? I figured you would be hobnobbing with the rest of the officers”
“I keep telling you, I am not an officer.”
“You are the commanding officer of Perha Squad.”
“Not anymore. The mission’s over, Tullner, in more ways than one. Perha Squad is all yours. I am just a lowly Hunter, at least for now.”
“What? They’ve already assigned you another mission?”
“No, not exactly. I’m going to the Mystic Tower.”
“Why would you want to go there of all places?”
“I have some things I need to work out.”
“And what would they be?” Tullner asked.
Kile shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve got a lot of things going on in my head right now, and the mystics have agreed to help me sort through them.”
“You don’t need the mystics.” Tullner replied. “Look, the fighting along the border has quieted down, they’re even allowing some of us to go home for the winter. Come back to the farm with me. You can rest there and get your thoughts together.”
“I… don’t think that’s a very good idea.”
“Why not?”
“It just isn’t,” she said, getting to her feet. “Look, you saw what happened to me out there. You saw what I become. Right now I think the best thing for everyone, is for me to stay as far away from… people, as I can.”
“In spite of popular opinion, mystics are people too.”
“Yes, but they’re better equipped to handle things, should something happen.”
“And what’s going to happen?”
Kile turned away from him. “Let’s hope you never find out,” she replied. “Have you heard anything from the others?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Yeah, they arrived in Forthbar the day before we set out. No worse for taking the long route. Carter and Daniel said they had to check in with your Guild master. Brown and Anurr were confined to barracks for desertion.” Tullner said, and then held up his hand before Kile could protest. “Not to worry. Colonel Barshed said, under the circumstances, no charges will be brought against them, as they were just following the orders of their commanding officer.”
“Well, that’s good. I’d hate for anyone to get into trouble because of me. Has there been any news of Marcus?”
“None at all.” Tullner replied. “Carter and Daniel brought his horse back to the Guild stables, but I wasn’t able to hook up with them before we headed up here, so I don’t know what the situation is there.”
“He’ll be fine. Marcus was always one to take care of himself.”
“Yeah, well, if I ever see him…”
Kile laughed. “If you ever see him, you probably won’t remember it.”
“Yeah, I knew there was a reason I never trusted you Hunters,” he grinned. “Look, I got to get back to the meeting. I’m supposed to be assisting Colonel Barshed. I’m not even sure if he knows I ducked out. It’s only supposed to be a brief intermission.”
“I’d be surprised if he didn’t,” Kile replied.
“Yeah, he’s pretty sharp for an old man.” Tullner said as he struggled to get to his feet. Kile helped him up. “You’re going to be around a little longer, aren’t you? I’d like to pick up where we left off on that invitation.”
“Maybe.”
Kile watched Tullner as he limped his way across the bailey, back to the keep. They had worked, fought and lived side by side for the last few months. He was a good man on his way to becoming a good soldier, the last thing he needed in his life was her problems.
“Grim, get ready, we’re going,” she said, turning to the pony.
-So you are sneaking out.-
“I am not sneaking out, I’m just leaving before anyone knows I’ve left.”
-Which is the definition of sneaking out.-
“Look, I’ve caused enough trouble here. I just need to get my pack. Just meet me at the front doors in ten minutes.”
Kile ran across the baily and chose the front doors, since Tullner had taken the service entrance. With the speed at which he was moving, she didn’t want to run into the young man again, not without a good explanation, and that’s one thing she didn’t have. Reaching the second floor, she made her way down the hall and back to her room. She grabbed her pack, which had been tossed in the corner, and shoved in whatever clothing she had left. Retrieving her Lann, from the side table, she made a quick inspection of the room. There really wasn’t much for her to pack since she didn’t own anything. A single change of clothing and her weapons were pretty much it. All she had to do now was reach the main gate before anyone spotted her. Pulling open the door, she ran into Roland, knocking him against the wall. She stumbled backwards and fell on the floor.
“Well, I was hoping to run into you, just not so hard,” Roland said, reaching down to help her up. “So, you’re leaving?”
“It’s not what you think. I had hoped…”
“To slip away without saying goodbye.”
“That’s not entirely true.”
“But it’s not entirely false, either.” Roland replied, stepping into the room.
“How did you know?”
“What, that you were leaving. I had the hall boys keeping an eye on you. I had a feeling you would try something like this after our last talk. I gave you too much to think about... didn’t I?”
“It’s not that… okay, it is kind of that. I just didn’t want to bother you. You have enough to worry about with the Rojan and the trade deals and all. I just didn’t want to add to your burden.”
“I never thought of you as a burden.”
“Then you’re one of the few,” she replied. “It’s just Elmac informed me, that Morgan has everything set up, and they’re waiting for me at the Tower.”
“I see,” Roland said, pacing the floor. “So, that’s it then?”
Kile took a deep breath. “I don’t know.” she replied “I just… I just need… time.”
“I understand.”
“I’m sorry.”
Roland turned and looked at her. “Just answer me one thing,” he said. “Is this goodbye for good?”
“I just have to take one d
ay at a time,” she replied. Slipping his ring off her finger, she held it out to him. “I had planned on leaving this in your room.”
“No, you keep it,” he said as he gently closed her fingers around it. “Just… think about what I said.”
Kile made her way back down the stairs and onto the baily where Vesper and Grim waited for her. She tied her pack to the mountain pony’s harness before climbing on. Grim, as always, knew where to go, which was fine, since she had enough on her mind at the moment. As they passed under the gates of Windfoil, she turned one last time to look upon the old castle. There, in the window of her bedroom, stood the shadow of a man watching her leave. Was it Roland, or was it Tullner? Knowing her luck, it was probably the pale lunatic with the yellow teeth. Whoever it was, she may never see them again.
###
Coming Soon:
Hunter’s Ending
@VellerKile
(THIS MANUSCRIPT WAS COPY-EDITED BY UNICORN 4 WRITERS AND COMPLETED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2015)
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