A panicked Whoa! erupted behind Pug, and he turned to see Tomas pulling frantically at the reins of a spirited bay, his head tossing high. Like Pugs own sleek, light war-horse, he was a far cry from the old draft animal they had ridden to the site of the shipwreck. Dont pull so hard, Pug shouted. Youll saw at his mouth and make him mad. Pull back gently and release a couple of times.
Tomas did, and the horse quieted down, moving alongside Pugs own. Tomas sat as if the saddle had nails sticking through it. His face was a study in concentration as he tried to guess what the horse would do next.
If you hadnt been walking post yesterday, you could have gone riding, getting in some practice. Now Ill have to teach you as we go.
Tomas looked thankful for the promise of aid. Pug smiled. By the time we reach Bordon, youll be riding like the Kings Lancers.
And walking like a ruptured spinster. Tomas shifted in the saddle. Already I feel like Ive been sitting on a stone block for hours. After just a little way from the saddling post.
Pug jumped down from his horse and looked over Tomass saddle, making Tomas move his leg so he could examine under the saddle flap, then asked, Who saddled this horse for you?
Rulf. Why?
I thought so. Hes paying you back for threatening him about that sword, or because were friends. He doesnt dare threaten me anymore, now that Im a Squire, but he thinks nothing of knotting your stirrup leathers. A couple of hours riding like this, and youd be standing at meals for a month, if you didnt get pitched on your head and killed. Here, get down and Ill show you.
Tomas dismounted, halfway between a leap and a fall. Pug showed him the knots. They would have rubbed the inside of your thighs raw by the end of the day. And theyre not long enough. Pug took out the knots and adjusted the leathers to the proper length. Its going to feel very strange for a while, but youve got to keep your heels down. Ill remind you until youre sick of hearing it, but itll keep you out of trouble when you do it without thought. And dont try to grip with your knees; thats wrong, and itll make your legs so sore, youll hardly be able to walk by tomorrow. He went on with a few basic instructions and inspected the cinch, which was loose. He tried tightening it, and the horse sucked air. Pug struck the gelding a blow in the side, and the animal exhaled sharply. Pug quickly pulled the cinch strap and said, Sometime today, you most likely would have found yourself listing to one side, a most discomforting position.
That Rulf! Tomas turned toward the stable. Ill thrash him within an inch of death!
Pug grabbed his friends arm. Wait. We dont have time for brawling.
Tomas stood with fists clenched, then relaxed with a relieved sigh. Im in no condition for fighting, anyway. He turned to see Pug inspecting the horse.
Pug shook his head, then winced. Me too. He finished inspecting the saddle and bridle, and the horse shied. Pug gentled the horse. Rulfs also given you a temperamental mount. This fellow would have probably thrown you before noon, and be halfway back to the stable before you hit the ground. With sore legs and shortened stirrup leathers, you never would have stood a chance. Ill trade with you. Tomas looked relieved and struggled into the saddle of the other horse. Pug readjusted the stirrups for both riders. We can swap our travel rolls when we take our noon meal. Pug then soothed the high-strung war-horse and climbed nimbly into the saddle. Feeling surer hands at the reins, and a firm leg on either side, the gelding quieted.
Ho! Martin, shouted Tomas as the Dukes Huntmaster walked into view. Are you traveling with us?
A wry grin split the face of the hunter, who was wearing his heavy green cloak over his foresters leathers. For a short while, Tomas. Im to lead some trackers around the boundaries of Crydee. Ill be heading due eastward when we come to the south branch of the river. Two of my trackers were on their way an hour ago, breaking trail for the Duke.
What do you think of this Tsurani business, Martin? Pug asked.
The still-youthful Huntmasters face clouded. If elves are given to worry, there is something to worry over. He turned toward the front of the assembling line. Excuse me, I must instruct my men. He left the boys sitting alone.
Pug asked Tomas, Hows your head this morning?
Tomas made a face. About two sizes smaller than when I awoke. His face brightened a bit. Still, the excitement seems to have stopped the banging inside. I feel almost good.
Pug gazed at the keep. Memories of his encounter last night kept tugging at his mind, and suddenly he regretted the need to travel with the Duke.
Tomas noticed his friends pensive mood and said, Why so glum? Arent you excited about going?
Its nothing. Just thinking.
Tomas studied Pug for a moment. I think I understand. With a deep sigh, he sat back in the saddle, and his horse stamped and nickered. I, for one, am glad to be leaving. I think Neala has tumbled to that little matter we spoke of yesterday.
Pug laughed. That will teach you to be mindful of who you escort into pantries.
Tomas smiled sheepishly.
The doors to the keep opened, and the Duke and Arutha came out, accompanied by Kulgan, Tully, Lyam, and Roland. Carline followed, with Lady Marna behind. The Duke and his companions made their way to the head of the column, but Carline hurried down to where Pug and Tomas sat. As she passed, guardsmen saluted her, but she paid them no heed. She reached Pugs side, and when he bowed politely, she said, Oh, get off that stupid horse.
Pug climbed down, and Carline threw her arms around his neck, holding him closely for a moment. Take care and stay well, she said. Dont let anything happen to you. She pulled away, then kissed him briefly. And come home. Holding back tears, she hurried to the head of the line, where her father and brother waited to say good-bye.
Tomas let out a theatrical whoop and laughed, while Pug remounted; the soldiers nearby attempted to restrain their own amusement. It seems the Princess has made plans for you, mlord, Tomas gibed. He ducked as Pug stirred to give him a backhanded cuff. The motion caused his horse to start forward, and suddenly Tomas was fighting to bring his horse back into line. The horse seemed determined to go in any direction except the one Tomas wished; now it was Pugs turn to laugh. He finally moved his own horse alongside Tomass and herded the fractious mare back into line. She flattened her ears and turned to nip at Pugs horse, and the short boy said, We both have accounts to settle with Rulf; he gave us two horses that dont like each other, too. Well trade your mount off with one of the soldiers.
With relief Tomas half dismounted, half fell to the ground, and Pug directed the exchange with a soldier down the line. The exchange was made, and as Tomas returned to his place, Roland came down to where they stood and offered them both his hand. You two watch yourselves, now. Theres plenty of trouble waiting out there without your looking for it.
They acknowledged they would, and Roland said to Pug, Ill keep an eye on things for you.
Pug noticed his wry smile, glanced back to where Carline stood with her father, and said, No doubt, then added, Roland, whatever happens, good luck to you, too.
Roland said, Thank you. Ill take that as its meant. To Tomas he said, And things are certainly going to be dull without you around.
Tomas said, Given whats going on, dull would be welcome.
Roland said, As long as its not too dull, right? Take good care! Youre a bothersome pair, but Id hate to lose you.
Tomas laughed as Roland walked off with a friendly wave. Watching the Squire go up to the Dukes party, and seeing Carline standing next to her father, Pug turned to Tomas. That decides it. I am glad to be going. I need a rest.
Sergeant Gardan came riding back with orders to move the column, and they set off. The Duke and Arutha rode in the van, with Kulgan and Gardan behind. Martin Longbow and his trackers set off at a run beside the Dukes horse. Twenty pair of mounted guards followed, with Tomas and Pug nestled between them and the baggage train at the rear with its five pair of guards. Slowly at first, then with increasing speed, they moved through the gates of the castle and down the south road.
They had been riding for three days, the last two through dense woodlands. Martin Longbow and his men had turned east that morning as they crossed the southern branch of the river Crydee, called river Boundary. It marked the border between Crydee and the Barony of Carse, one of Lord Borrics vassal provinces.
The sudden snows of early winter had come and draped the autumn landscape in white. Many of the denizens of the forest had been caught unaware by the sudden winter, rabbits whose coats were still more brown than white, and ducks and geese who scampered across half-frozen ponds, resting as they migrated south. The snow fell in flurries of heavy wet flakes, melting slightly during the day, to refreeze at night, making a thin crust of ice. As the horses and mules hooves cracked through the ice, the crunching of leaves underneath could be heard in the still winter air.
In the afternoon Kulgan observed a flight of firedrakes circling in the distance, barely visible through the trees. The colorful beasts, red, gold, green, and blue in color, raced over the treetops and dipped out of sight, then reappeared as they spiraled upward, with cries and small bursts of flame. Kulgan reined in as the train passed and waited for Pug and Tomas to overtake him. When they were alongside, he pointed out the display, saying, It has the appearance of a mating flight. See, the more aggressively the males act, the more responsive the females. Oh, I wish we had time to study this more closely.
Pug followed the creatures with his eyes as they rode through a clearing, then, somewhat startled, said, Kulgan, isnt that Fantus there, hovering near the edge?
Kulgans eyes widened. By the gods! I think it is.
Pug asked, Shall I call him?
The magician chuckled. Given the attention hes receiving from those females, I think it would do little good. They lost sight of the congregation of drakes as they rode after the Dukes train. Kulgan said, Unlike most creatures, drakes mate at first snow. The females will lay eggs in nests, then sleep the winter, warming them with their bodies. In the spring the young hatch and are cared for by their mothers. Fantus will most likely spend the next few days . . . ahem, fathering a clutch of young. Then hell be back at the keep, annoying Megar and the kitchen staff for the rest of the winter.
Tomas and Pug laughed. Tomass father made a great show of considering the playful drake a plague from the gods visited upon his well-ordered kitchen, but on several occasions both boys had spied Megar lavishing some of the choicest dinner scraps upon the beast. In the fifteen months since Pug had become Kulgans apprentice, Fantus had become a winged, scaled house pet to most of the Dukes staff, though a few, like the Princess, found Fantuss dragonlike appearance disquieting.
They continued to move east by south, as quickly as the terrain would permit. The Duke was concerned about reaching the South Pass before the snows made it impassable, cutting them off from the east until spring. Kulgans weather sense had allowed they had a fair chance of making it before any big storms struck. Soon they came to the edge of the deepest part of the great southern forests, the Green Heart.
Deep within the glades, at prearranged locations, two troops of guards from the keep at Carse were waiting for them with fresh horses. Duke Borric had sent pigeons south with instructions for Baron Bellamy, who sent a reply the same way that horses would be waiting. The remounts and guards would be hurrying to the meeting places from the Jonril garrison, maintained by Bellamy and Tolburt of Tulan near the edge of the great forests. By changing mounts, the Duke would save three, perhaps four days of travel to Bordon. Longbows trackers had left clear blazes for the Duke to follow, and they were due to reach the first meeting place later that day.
Pug turned to Tomas. The taller boy was sitting his horse somewhat better, though he still flapped his arms like a chicken trying to fly when they were forced to a fast trot. Gardan came riding back down the line, to where the boys rode before the baggage guards. Be wary, he shouted. From here to the Grey Towers is the darkest part of the Green Heart. Even the elves pass through here quickly and in numbers. The sergeant of the Dukes Guard turned his horse and galloped back to the head of the line.
They traveled the balance of the day, every eye searching the forest for signs of trouble. Tomas and Pug made light conversation, with Tomas remarking on the chance of a good fight. Both boys banter sounded hollow to the soldiers around them, who sat silent and vigilant. They reached the place of meeting just before sundown. It was a clearing of considerable size, with several tree stumps grown over with ground cover that peeked through the snow, showing that the trees had been harvested long ago.
The fresh horses stood in a picket, each tied to a long line, while six guards stood careful watch around them. When the Dukes party had ridden up, they had weapons ready. They lowered their weapons when they saw the familiar banner of Crydee. These were men of Carse, who wore the scarlet tabard of Baron Bellamy quartered by a gold cross, a golden griffin rampant over their hearts. The shield of each man bore the same device.
The sergeant of the six guards saluted. Well met, my lord.
Borric acknowledged the salute. The horses? he asked simply.
They are fit, lord, and restless from waiting. As are the men.
Borric dismounted; another soldier of Carse took his horses reins.
Trouble?
None, my lord, but this place is suited for other than honest men. All last night we stood watches by twos and felt the crawl of eyes upon us. The sergeant was a scarred veteran, who had fought goblins and bandits in his day. He was not the type to give in to flights of imagination, and the Duke acknowledged this. Double the watch this night. You will escort the horses back to your garrison tomorrow. I would rather have them rested a day, but this is a poor place.
Prince Arutha came forward. I have also felt eyes upon us for the last few hours, Father.
Borric turned to the sergeant. It may be that we have been shadowed by a band of brigands, seeking to judge our mission. I will send two men back with you, for fifty men or forty-eight is of little difference, but eight is a far better number than six. If the sergeant felt any relief at this, he did not show it, simply saying, I thank my lord.
Borric dismissed the man and with Arutha walked toward the center of the camp, where a large fire was burning. The soldiers were erecting rude shelters against the night wind, as they had each night of the journey. Borric saw two mules with the horses and noted that bales of hay had been brought along. Arutha followed his gaze. Bellamy is a prudent man; he serves Your Grace well.