Leena laid a hand on the wound and cast a healing spell. She felt confident performing a task she was trained for. Instantly she felt the heartbeat strengthen. The boy stirred. Darius rolled him over and cradled his head.
"Who did this to you?"
"Bearded man, black cloak." The boy croaked quietly then dropped into sleep. Leena found a horse blanket and covered the wounded lad.
"He must sleep until morning to heal completely. I think we should take him inside where it’s warm." She looked at Darius.
He did not answer, but stood and cleaned the blade by stabbing a firm bale of hay several times. He slid the dagger into the empty scabbard on the left side of his sword belt.
"I think you’re right. We do need to take him inside. He was meant to be found with my dagger in him. Then you and I would be arrested."
"Why me?"
"Because you are my sister, remember. We’d never have the chance to tell our side of the story. This boy is from the village. Everyone here knows him. We are a couple of strangers, horse thieves forced to commit murder when he discovered us."
He stopped, pondering.
"I wondered all evening why the armorer risked our seeing him with the bearded man. It made no sense. They could have met in his shop and we’d be none the wiser. We were meant to see them and be panicked into leaving before daybreak. I’ll wager soon someone will be along to find the body and raise the alarm. If he’s found here alive, they will just kill him again. We have to get him to a place of safety. He’s the only one who can identify his attacker. Without him, even if we manage to escape, we will be branded murderers."
Darius lifted the boy in his arms.
"Check to make sure no one is about."
Leena extinguished her illumination spell and peered around the open door. All was quiet. Quickly they moved back to the common room.
"Now what?" she asked as she secured the door. "Do we just leave him by the hearth and run?"
"No, I have an idea the alarm will be raised soon. You said he has to sleep until morning. Whoever finds him will try to wake him. We need to find somewhere he will not be disturbed. Check outside while I put him somewhere safe."
Darius moved quickly up the stairs. Leena cracked the door and peeked outside. She heard the crunch of footsteps on the ice of the road. Someone was heading toward the stable.
Hurry, please hurry. She willed Darius to return.
A man-shaped moon shadow rippled and grew across the ice. A figure appeared. The armorer was walking toward the stable.
A creak behind made her jump. She spun. Darius was returning.
"He is safely snuggled in your bed. I doubt anyone will check there before morning. Have you seen anything?" he whispered.
"The armorer, he’s headed to the stable."
"The innkeeper's rooms are in back. We’d have to go through them to get out the back door. We’ll have to chance leaving through the front." He opened the door far enough to see the stable.
"He’s inside. Let’s go."
Taking her hand, Darius quickly drew her outside and pulled the door shut. They were hidden in the shadow of the covered porch. He pulled her along the building. At the corner, they climbed the rail and dropped to fresh snow beyond.
"This is no good," Darius said. "We’ll leave tracks a blind man could follow. We have to use the road."
Holding hands, they crunched through the snow covered yard to the road. Still running, they turned north.
"Help! Thieves! Murderers!"
The shout was accompanied by the ringing of a fire bell. Leena glanced back to see the armorer frantically yanking a rope next to the trough in the livery yard.
Like ripples from a pebble thrown in still water, lights appeared in windows, flowing from the stable outward.
CHAPTER 18
Staying in shadows, they ran. Leena glanced back to see a crowd gathering near the stable. Men and women in long white nightshirts, most with hastily thrown on jackets, capes or shawls, raced sleepily from their houses.
At the edge of the village were fewer houses and shadows were hard to find. Soon they were in the countryside. On either side, log fences bordered the road with wide white fields beyond. Leena felt exposed on the open road.
In the distance, forest bordered the ice covered hardness of the road. If they could make it there before being seen, they might find a place to hide.
Her legs ached. A stitch grew painfully in her side. Her breath came in heaves. She had to rest, but the trees seemed no closer.
She stumbled. Darius lightly tugged her hand to keep her upright. They continued running. Black spots danced in her vision. She could not go on. She had to rest. She pulled her hand free and bent, hands on knees, gulping deep gasps of air.
As her vision started to clear, she glanced back. Town lights were nearly lost in the distance. The road behind was clear. She looked ahead. The trees were less than a quarter mile away. She could make it.
She tried to run, but her legs felt as if they were made of water. She slowed to a walk. Darius waited patiently. He breathed heavily, but seemed to suffer no other effects from the run.
"Let’s walk for a while," Darius said. "I think we’re safe enough for now. Soon it will be light. I would rather not get to the trees before we can see a bit better."
"Why do you suppose they’re not chasing us?"
"I’ve been thinking about that. Did you notice the armorer did not light a lamp when he entered the stable?"
"Yes."
"I’m guessing he hid behind the door watching to ensure no one noticed him walking to the stable. Then, when he was certain it was safe, he ran out and sounded the alarm." Darius laughed. "Can you imagine the look on his face when they found no body?"
Both chuckled at the image.
"So at the moment they have a mystery, no horses and no stable boy. They will probably stand around trying to figure out what happened and eventually decide it’s the magistrate's problem. No one is going to get too upset about a bunch of travelers' horses gone missing. They may worry the boy has been kidnapped. However, the armorer will probably direct them to our rooms to prove we are also missing and probably the culprits."
"And there they will find the boy who will tell them about the bearded man." She finished for him.
"Exactly. However, we have a more serious problem. Somewhere out here are mounted bandits. We cannot outrun those."
As if on cue, they heard the chuff of a horse sneeze in the distance. Darius put a finger to his lips to silence her. Moving his mouth close to her ear he whispered, "You might want to cast that protection spell now. You wouldn’t know how to cast it on two, would you?"
She shook her head no.
"Oh well, we will get by them some other way. They will probably try to take us with bows rather than risk harm in close combat. That means they will concentrate on the road."
He looked around. The trees grew close along the roadside.
"Come on." He tugged her hand and, crouching, they ran under the drooping branches of a pine tree. Their footsteps were deadened by a thick bed of needles beneath.
Dawn was peeking over the horizon. Little light penetrated their shelter. In the misty glow, Leena could barely see that they could stand near the tree trunk.
"We can wait here and hope they’ll go away when it’s light," Darius whispered, "we can make our way around them in the woods or we can find a way to overcome them. However, we have no idea how many there are."
In the dim light, Leena saw Darius looking in the direction where bandits probably waited. Seeing his profile, she felt a strange thrill in her chest. Lightly she shook her head. Surely it was nothing more than the excitement of fear.
"We should at least try to see what kind of ambush they’ve set up," her whisper matched his. "I fear they will attack the first travelers that come along thinking they are us. We can’t let them kill innocent people."
He looked at her with respect.
"All right, you wait
here and I’ll scout around." With that, he left. The branches settled quietly behind him. He blended so naturally that, though she knew where he was, she could no longer see him.
After her confrontation with the rogues that captured Arvin, she suspected she could easily subdue this group. However, that would alert Darius to the fact she had the Garlan branch. He seemed wise in the ways of magic. He would know immobilizing a group was beyond the skill of a hedge witch.
The wait seemed an eternity.
The branches parted and Darius’ silhouette flashed through the opening.
"Two large oak trees form a bridge over the road about a hundred yards ahead. I count ten men with bows in the trees. In a grove beyond, the bearded man is tending the horses." She saw his earnest expression now the sun was up.
"I suppose you could immobilize him and we could take the horses and run?" She heard frustration in his voice.
It might be the best plan for them. However, as she pointed out earlier, it would increase the danger for the next travelers along the road. She could not leave knowing her flight would endanger others.
"I think I have a better idea," she said. "Show me where the bearded man is."
He appraised her silently for a long moment then said, "Okay. Come on."
He trusted her. She thrilled at the thought.
Following the footprints he made earlier, they moved quickly to where they could see the bearded man. Leena cast an immobilizing spell.
"He will keep for about an hour. That should be more than enough time," she said. "Immobilized, he will hold the reins so we don’t have to worry about the horses escaping. Now where are those trees?"
Darius pointed. Through the pines, Leena saw the majesty of the two trees. From this side, she easily saw the men hiding in the leafless, winter branches. The mighty oak sentinels looked like a pair of old friends reaching out to embrace. She hated to harm the trees, but knew she could restore them when this was over.
Using her hedge witch wand, she ignited the base of both trees. The bandits were caught. They could try leaping, but the lowest man was more than twenty feet above the travel-hardened ice on the road surface.
"Tell them to throw down their weapons and surrender," she said. "I don’t think my voice will intimidate them very much."
Without hesitation Darius called, "You men, in the trees, you are surrounded. Throw down your weapons and we’ll extinguish the fires. If you jump, you will be shot before you hit the ground."
Quiet conversation murmured in the branches. After a slight hesitation, bows, quivers and swords rained from the trees.
"Knives too." Darius called.
A smaller rain clinked on the hard ice.
"When I’m armed, extinguish the fires."
Darius kept his eyes on the trees as he walked to the road and selected a stout bow and quiver. He notched an arrow as he stepped back where he could cover the group and called.
"Come down one at a time. Walk twenty paces toward town and stop in the middle of the road. My men have you covered. Anyone who moves toward the weapons or tries to run will be shot instantly." His tone was that of one used to being obeyed.
Leena cast an extinguish spell followed immediately by healing spells to the trees. The fire lasted less than two minutes so only the bark's surface was charred. She could do nothing about the fire blackening, but it would fade with time.
As commanded, the men descended singly. They were a filthy, disheveled group. Cruel eyes darted around trying to locate the men threatening them.
"Leena, can you bring up our friend with the horses. I suggest you find a way to tie him before you remove the immobilizing spell."
She turned and ran to where the bearded man stood frozen. She noticed her saddle was secured to a horse that was not hers. She pulled a length of baling twine from her saddlebag. Quickly she searched the rogue, removed a dagger, then trussed his hands behind him leaving a length she could use as a leash. Holding the twine securely, she mounted and secured the reins of the remaining horses. She used her wand to remove the immobilizing spell.
The bearded man shook his head as though just waking. She saw realization dawn in his eyes as he looked around. From here he could see Darius, but could not see his bandit gang. A crafty look rose in his eyes.
"Listen Miss, if you let me go I can give you the man that planned this. It’s him you want, not me. I ain’t done nothing. Besides, if you take me to town I’ll just tell them it was yer boyfriend that murdered the stable boy. Look, you give me one horse and keep the others. What could be fairer than that? You can go your way happy and safe and I can go back to my business."
Brown and rotted teeth flashed in a grin meant to be disarming. She had to admit he was a quick thinker, if not terribly smart.
"I think we’ll take our chances. I feel certain you will give up the armorer to save your hide quick enough." She was amused to see the look of surprise on his dirty face.
"Now," she said, replacing her wand beneath her tunic and drawing her sword, "if you would kindly proceed up the road, we’ll join the rest of your group for a walk to town."
She heard a commotion, but dared not take her eyes from her prisoner.
"Move." She motioned the sword tip close to his chest. She felt the hate in his eyes as he turned and plodded away.
Darius stood, bow drawn, staring hard-eyed at the sulking crowd in front of him. The bandits were closer than the twenty paces he directed. One man sprawled on the gray ice. An arrow protruded through his throat.
"They decided to rush me," he said without turning his eyes from the group. "You four, pick up your friend and all of you move about five yards farther back."
Four bandits lifted their slain comrade and the group reluctantly shuffled back. Darius turned, selected a horse and mounted.
CHAPTER 19
The return trip took much longer than their flight the night before. Several times, the bedraggled group slowed their pace as though contemplating rebellion. When this happened, Leena leaned forward and placed the tip of her sword against the back of the bearded villain’s neck. He seemed only too happy to urge them to more speed. Still, it was late afternoon by the time they reached the first houses.
Word of their arrival spread quickly. By the time they saw the cheerful lights of the inn, a crowd of boisterous onlookers lined the road.
"Hey, Rimlick," this seemed the name of the bearded man, although Leena was unsure whether it was a given name or a nickname, "heard you boasted you’d never be caught. Now it seems a slip of a girl has done the job."
Laughter welled from the crowd.
A handful of icy dirt splattered against the cheek of one of the rogues. More clots flew. Now the group seemed relieved to increase their pace as though searching for a haven from the icy onslaught.
At the inn yard, a man stepped forward wearing the heavy chain and medallion of a magistrate around his thick neck. With a glower, he looked at the prisoners, the horses and finally, his face changing to dignified respect, at Leena.
"We found the boy, Miss, and we thank you for what you did. He’s fine. In fact, here he is now."
Everyone turned to see the stable boy coming forward. He held out his hand to accept the reins of the horses.
"Thank you Ma’am. The Mister’s instructed me to give you and the gentleman’s horses extra oats this evening, his treat. Also, I’m to tell you your room and board are free for tonight. The town appreciates what you done for us."
A spontaneous cheer rose from the crowd. Leena and Darius dismounted and added their reins to the bunch in the boy’s hands. An aisle parted as he turned to lead the animals to the stable. Leena saw a blood-rimmed hole in the leather vest he wore. So did the rest of the crowd. A quiet hush fell at the sight, then angry murmurs began to rise. The Magistrate noticed the change in mood.
"Now, if you’re done with this lot," he nodded toward the prisoners, "I’ll have some men escort them to the jail."
The rogues also detected the
shifting mood and anxiously accompanied the armed deputies. Leena watched them go. Before he disappeared into the crowd, Rimlick turned and glared at her. He seemed about to speak, but a prod from a deputy’s sword moved him out of sight.
"Now I guess the roads’ll be clear for a time," the Magistrate said. "We thank you for your help."
"You’re more than welcome," Leena felt uncomfortable with so much attention focused on her, "but there is one other thing. When you question Rimlick, you’ll find him only too willing to tell you the crime was the armorer’s plan. You might want to send someone down to the armorer's shop to speak to him."
"But he’s a respected member of this community," the Magistrate looked alarmed. "Surely you’re not suggesting..."
The Magistrate stopped in midsentence and looked around. Dark expressions were beginning to cloud the faces of several onlookers. Surely the Magistrate was not questioning the honesty of these heroes.
"Fine," the Magistrate rumbled, "I’ll send someone to talk to him. I’m sure any misunderstanding will be cleared up in no time."
Quietly, he spoke to a deputy standing next to him. The armed man trotted off toward the armorer’s shop.
"Now if you’ll accompany me," the Magistrate said loudly, "I’ll be glad to buy you both a pint."
A cheer rose from the crowd. The Magistrate placed a chubby arm around her shoulder on one side and Darius’ shoulder on the other as he urged them toward the door of the common room. Like the bow wave of a passing ship, the crowd flowed behind them up the stairs.
As they were seated at a table in the middle of the room, Evelyn appeared through the crowd.
"Twas my younger brother you saved last night, Miss. I’ve no words to tell you how grateful I am. If there’s anything I can do for you?"
"Food would be appreciated. We haven’t eaten since last night. Oh, and a mug of cider if you have it."
"Oh yes, Miss, and your brother here?" Evelyn turned to look at Darius, "What would you like to drink, Sir?"
The special glow in her eyes made Leena curiously uncomfortable.
"He’s not..." she began then realized there was no easy way to tell these people she and Darius were not related. Evelyn and the crowd were looking at her, waiting for her to finish her sentence.
"He’s not a light eater, like me," she finished lamely.
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