Daniel noticed a great deal of twittering among the crowd which he took to mean that they had all heard of the escape but hadn't really believed it until the Baron made it true.
"We all know that Barton is a slippery codger but this time he may have surpassed himself. Also, I would like to introduce our new friend, Daniel. He hails from a distant land and was not only part of the escape from the castle but personally felled half of the assassins who today breached our sanctuary. I owe this impressive young man my life and would ask that you spread the word that his needs are our needs. Aiding him will be considered as a personal favor to me. Now let us eat." With that the Baron pulled back his chair and began to sit, setting off a cacophony of scraping, grinding and dragging sounds as the rest of those in the room followed suit.
The doors to the kitchen burst open, this time not with assassins, but with kitchen help bringing trays of meat and bread and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Wine goblets were filled and the food was served onto the plates before each of the men and women in the hall. Daniel hadn't realized how hungry he was until the smell of the food hit him. He had a small instrument next to his plate shaped more like a trident than a fork and while the rest of the people in the hall apparently carried their own knives he had none. Looking around the room he saw that many of the people were simply picking up the food with their fingers and being more concerned with his empty stomach than protocol, he grabbed a piece of what looked like roast beef and bit into it.
Barton asked Basil, “I take it there are some new players in the area?” The tilt of his head toward the battle area in front of the table they were now eating at made it clear he referred to the assassins as politely as possible.
Basil’s response was lost to Daniel as the bite hit his tongue. He was pretty sure it was not beef at all and his next guess was venison. He was too hungry to ask or even care what it might be, but the size of the slices ruled out anything smaller than a medium-size dog or a standard size New Jersey sewer rat.
He was so focused on his hunger, he heard only snippets of what was being said.
“Another turf war. Probably Jardine but we will find out who is behind it from the survivors.” Basil replied.
The bread was hard on the outside, and brown and hot when Daniel tore through the crust.
“Must think he is ready to be a threat, but he is young… ” Barton said.
The carrots were small, raw, and sweet as the wine. He had never had food that tasted this good.
Though he was chatting with Barton, Basil’s eyes were never off Daniel for long. As host he had the good manners to allow Daniel to have cleaned most of his plate before the first casual question. "So, Daniel, is the food to your liking?" the Baron asked with a smile.
Daniel quickly reached for his goblet and used the wine to help facilitate swallowing the mouth full of potatoes he had just loaded. "Excellent, Baron thank you. In fact I can't remember a meal I've enjoyed more."
"The cooks and I are both pleased you find it so," the Baron replied with genuine humor. "After we have outfitted you a bit better, and replaced the stained clothes you wear, what plans have you from here?”
Daniel understood the table arrangements now. Placing Barton between them had made it possible for the Baron to question Daniel directly while making it difficult for Barton to give Daniel any clues on how best to answer. This time Daniel continued to chew food to buy some time while he decided how to respond. Working on the premise that simpler is always better he stuck to the basic truth. "Since I don't know my way around here very well, I intend to follow Barton as long as he's willing to lead."
Throughout the conversation, Barton had continued eating, trying his best to appear only casually interested. In reality he was listening to every word and trying to gauge the Baron's reactions and intent. He knew that at any moment the Baron could snap his fingers and several men the size of Henry would make changes in Barton's plans. The Baron may have felt like he owed his life to Daniel but that didn't mean he wasn't a good businessman and had failed to recognize that Daniel was a valuable property.
"So, Barton, where is it you intend to lead," the Baron said still smiling casually.
Barton had been prepared for this question; still, he chewed slowly as if he was actually thinking about his reply. "Sometime shortly after dawn when the guards do a cell check things in the castle are going to get very busy." Barton paused here for a second as the people in the room coughed or laughed recognizing that the Baron's men would be scouring the city and the surrounding countryside. "So we best put as much distance between here and us as can be done. Our best chance is to make it to the woods and get ourselves lost in there as fast and deep as we can. There are too many directions for the Baron to send a large group of men until he can pick up a trail. And the Baron's men are not all that happy about going into the woods without a sizable contingent of soldiers. Of course, Basil, your offer to aid us is much appreciated in our escape."
"And after the woods?" the Baron asked. His air was still one of casual curiosity but his eyes were a bit too intent for Barton to feel comfortable.
Daniel could only see the back and side of Barton's face as he replied to the Baron. He learned more about the gravity of the situation by watching the people at the other tables. There had been no real conversation among the tables as they listened to the exchange between Basil and Barton. It was obvious their chewing had now slowed down, so as not to prevent them from hearing the next answer.
"If we make it a ways into the woods, perhaps we'll have enough time to put some plans together from there. I figure we have several days of hard travel before we’re safe. The Baron Above won't take kindly to anyone escaping and he'll lift every rock, leaf, and cellar door to find us."
The Baron Below had no difficulty catching the point Barton was making. Unless there was a clear trail out of town, the Baron Above would tear the city apart trying to recapture the fugitives. His decision apparently made, he leaned over and gave Henry quiet instructions. Henry pushed his chair back, rose from the table and left the room. As the Baron rose, signaling an end to the meal, he motioned for Barton and Daniel to follow.
He led them toward his audience chamber saying nothing in route. The chamber was more like a throne room with a raised dais, and a large ornate wooden chair with gold leaf and red cushioning. Curtains were hung as if there were windows in the belowground chamber. The heavy red velvet with gold trim panels hung from the top of the sixteen foot ceiling to the floor. Daniel appreciated the illusion, as the curtains were heavy enough to block out the sunlight if a window had indeed been there. If he hadn't known better it would have been easy to believe that he was in any audience chamber in any castle or mansion surrounded by city or rolling landscape, not dozens of feet below ground.
Instead of moving to his throne, Basil stopped before the dais and turned to face Barton and Daniel. As Barton slowed, Daniel heard the door to the room close behind him and turning quickly he managed to just catch a glimpse of the door as the latch fell into place. He didn't like the feel of this but didn't see what choices he really had.
"Barton, I'm not even going to ask how you escaped because I know you wouldn't tell me, and as you pointed out at dinner, I don't really have time to help you come forth with that information. Also, as you saw, I'm going to have to spend some time dealing with Jardine and his cutthroats after the little episode we had earlier. The attempt on my life was either stupid, brash or he has expanded his power base more than I know. So, as much as I would like to entertain you two and get to know Daniel a little better, I'm going to pay the debt I owe. When next we see each other, I hope to have the time we need to finish our discussion."
EIGHT
Half an hour later Daniel, Barton and Henry were traveling the underground labyrinth near the outskirts of the city. Henry had entered the room on cue as Barton had finished speaking and brought a change of clothes for Daniel taking the bloodied blouse and jerkin away.
He also left two travel packs, belt knives, and an assortment of weaponry from which they could choose.
Daniel selected a medium length, almost straight sword similar in weight to a saber. It was as close as he could find to a katana. The handle was just long enough to fit both his hands and the balance was something he could adjust to quickly. He followed Barton's example and selected a longbow and quiver of arrows. The backpack was filled with cheese, sausage, jerky and a second set of clothes. With the water skin he felt like he was carrying another person when he was fully loaded. Barton seem to take it all in stride and Daniel wasn't about to let on that he found the load heavy.
It was hard to tell the exact time but it seemed that they had been following Henry about forty minutes when he led them up a short flight of stairs and pushed open a large door. The night air was cooler as they emerged from the labyrinth. The buildings around them were smaller and farther apart, leaving Daniel with a view of the night sky. He guessed that he still had one maybe two hours before dawn and wasn't sure just how far and fast he could go loaded up like a pack mule. After two short blocks down the main street, Henry led them through an alleyway and into a stable. By lamplight Daniel could see two horses saddled and waiting with their reins being held by a boy while two men stood farther back in the shadows.
"Henry," a deep voice in the shadows inquired, really more a statement than a question.
"And who else might it be," he replied.
When they stepped forward from the shadows, it was easier for Daniel to see the two men were dressed in plain clothes and had no visible weapons. Henry moved directly to the horses checking saddles, cinches, and the general condition of the animals. "Is everyone else ready?" Henry asked.
"As the Baron ordered, we have five pairs of men who are already making tracks in different directions. We just doubled up with our regular couriers figuring they wouldn't mind a little company anyway." The man with the deep voice said with a laugh.
Henry turned to Barton. "Old man can you find your way from here?"
Barton scoffed. "You just try and keep up with us if you'd like Henry, and we'll see who the old man is."
If Henry smiled there wasn't enough light for Daniel to see and the passive face was in place when Henry turned to him. "I'll hope to see you again when things calm down around here, Daniel. I don't know exactly what's going on but I've never seen the Baron behave quite like this. I look forward to us having the time to talk about a few things. Till then farewell." Henry offered his hand and Daniel took it. The handshake was warm, firm and friendly.
To Daniel's relief, the two stable men took the travel packs and loaded them onto the horses. Five minutes later Barton and Daniel were mounted and moving away from the city. Daniel was both tired and sleepy. He hadn't been on a horse in two years and between the odd clothing, the sword, the knife and the darkness he was getting uncomfortable in a lot of ways. He was more than a little concerned he would fall off the horse and stab himself. Deciding to get some answers, he urged his horse to move alongside Barton's. That way he could at least die informed, if not happy.
This light breeze is blowing from the left, he thought, which I think is the South. It was cool, but not unpleasantly so, and the now moonless night only added to his sense of helplessness. He began to check his inventory and situation in his mind. The only good things, he thought, ticking them off on mental fingers, I have clothes, a full stomach and I no longer smell like the moat. On the negative side, my jaw still hurts, my wrists are raw, and everybody looks at me like I am their next meal. And, he added to his list, the horse is in dire need of new springs and shock absorbers.
Outside the city it seemed to be mostly farmland with an occasional copse of trees.
In low tones, Daniel asked, “which way are we headed? Without the moon I am all turned around.”
“Southwest. I intend to get us lost in the woods,” Barton replied barely above a whisper. “Here in this farmland we are most easily seen. This should be our greatest danger and need for haste.”
"So Barton, you want to explain to me what all just happened back there?"
"Now is not the best time," Barton replied softly after a moment, "voices carry out here in these fields."
"Look, we can hold our voices down and they won't be any louder than the noise from these horses and gear. I need to know what all the attention is about, what it is you're planning, and I particularly want to know what it is that everybody seems to know and won’t tell me." Daniel was trying to keep his voice low but he knew that came out louder than he had intended, partially because of his frustration and partially because of the pain from the slamming of the saddle against his backside.
They rode along quietly for a few dozen yards before Barton spoke and that was only after Daniel heard a heavy exhalation from his traveling companion. "Yes, there is much you need to know and much to discuss but I will ask you this one favor. If you will trust me once more, I give you my word that once we reach the cover of the woods and make camp I will try to explain everything I can. Tonight you cut a hole in the castle wall, and as sure as it is dark outside, you drilled a hole in the Baron's pride.
“Come sun up there will be no secrets. Baron Kleinhurst will stop at nothing to capture us, and the only thing that will keep Basil from coming after us is that his hands will be full with the Baron and Jardine. We are past lucky that all this has worked in our favor so far. So again, wait till we make camp and I will give you all the answers I have."
Daniel thought about it for a moment and then let his horse ease back to following Barton. He wished he could just log off, but since he hadn't figured out how to escape yet, he decided his best course was to try and remember the least painful way to ride.
Apparently Daniel had gotten more comfortable in the saddle because some time during the remainder of the night he dozed off. He had one of those dreams where you’re falling and then you wake bolt upright with a shock, reacting to the dream of impact. Daniel was reacting to the impact, alright, he was on the hard ground, heart racing from the adrenaline pumping through his veins and trying desperately to sort out his surroundings. At first he thought he'd awakened from his coma.
Then a silhouette of a man on a horse towering over him appeared against the night sky.
“Are you all right?” Barton asked with a hint of a smile in his voice.
"I must've dozed off," he said sheepishly.
"Well I suppose that's better than falling off your horse while you're awake," Barton replied flatly. "Can you see your horse and do you think you could walk to her without falling down again?"
Other than a few bruises, it didn't feel like Daniel hurt anything so he rose to his feet and walked over to the horse that had apparently decided a little grazing was in order.
Remounted, Daniel asked, "How far have we traveled?"
"I would say we rode about an hour before I stopped hearing the sound of your butt hitting the saddle. About a half hour after that was the sound of your butt hitting the ground. We are almost out of the forest and false dawn is upon us. With little moon, our progress is slow and the Baron's men will close the gap between us quickly with daylight. If you think you can stay ahorse after your nap, the daylight will allow us to make some ground as well."
Daniel always thought of a forest in the daylight as a welcome attraction. The canopies of the tall trees break the sunlight and absorb the day’s heat. The dapples of light allowed to penetrate to the forest floor were cool and friendly, making it easy to follow the paths made by whatever game lived in the area.
At night, he thought, the trees block out the sky making any form of navigation nearly impossible. If Daniel had had to follow Barton by sight he would have been lost in the first twenty minutes, fortunately the horse had no trouble following the one in front of it. Reduced to nothing more than cargo, Daniel leaned forward with one forearm on the enormous saddle horn and the other hand held in front of him to protect his face from branch
es.
With the rising sun, the ominous foreboding that comes from plodding blindly through the dark was replaced with the sight of the beautiful forest all around him, and the sense that he was being watched.
It looked to be virgin forest to Daniel, the kind he saw in the Boy Scouts or on a family vacation, but bigger and thicker. The giant trees seemed like a rain forest documentary without all the rain. The branches were reaching in every direction trying to capture every ray of sunlight and some of those limbs were as big as the trees he was used to. Looking at the trail they followed he could see moss on the tree trunks and rocks. Along the trail they passed low ferns that crowded out most of the plants around them. Daniel speculated that they were too efficient at getting water, sun or both for there to be niche in the ecosystem below them. Some kind of ivy wound around the trees and crossed the forest floor in runners. It looks a little like the same ivy growing on the buildings at the university, he thought. This is probably poison though because there is always a catch in a pristine scene like this on the Discovery Channel. For a place with so little sunlight there are a lot of different species, he thought. The horses picked their way carefully over the roots and fallen branches. The canopy must've been seventy feet over his head but it was hard to tell exactly because some of the branches started lower down the tree and extended up twenty or thirty feet like hands reaching for the sky.
Elves- the Book of Daniel Page 8
