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.
Kulgan, Gardan, and the boys approached the two nobles, who stood warming themselves before the fire. Darkness was descending quickly; even at noon there was little light in the snow-shrouded forest. Borric looked around and shivered from more than the cold. This is an ill-omened place. We will do well to be away as soon as possible.
They ate a quick meal and turned in. Pug and Tomas lay close, starting at every strange sound until fatigue lulled them to sleep.
The Dukes company passed deep into the forest, through glades so thick that often the trackers had had to change their course, doubling back to find another way for the horses, marking the trail as they went. Much of this forest was dark and twisted, with choking underbrush that impeded travel.
Pug said to Tomas, I doubt the sun ever shines here. He spoke in soft tones. Tomas slowly nodded, his eyes watching the trees. Since leaving the men from Carse three days ago, they had felt more tension each passing day. The noises of the forest had lessened as they moved deeper into the trees, until they now rode in silence. It was as if the animals and birds themselves shunned this part of the forest. Pug knew it was only because there were few animals that hadnt migrated south or gone into hibernation, but that knowledge didnt lessen his and Tomass dread.
Tomas slowed down. I feel something terrible is about to happen.
Pug said, Youve been saying that for two days now. After a minute he added, I hope we dont have to fight. I dont know how to use this sword, in spite of what youve tried to show me.
Here, said Tomas, holding something out. Pug took it and found a small pouch inside of which was a collection of small, smooth rocks and a sling. I thought you might feel better with a sling. I brought one, too.
They rode for another hour, then stopped to rest the horses and eat a cold meal. It was midmorning, and Gardan inspected each horse, ensuring it was fit. No soldier was given a chance to overlook the slightest possible injury or illness. Should a horse falter, its rider would have to double up with another, and those two would have to return as best they could, for the Duke could not wait for such a delay. This far from any safe haven, it was something no one wished to think about or discuss aloud.
They were due to meet the second detachment of horses at midafternoon. The breakneck pace of the first four days had given way to a careful walk, for to rush through the trees would be dangerous. At the rate they were progressing, they would be on time. Still, the Duke was chafing at the slow pace.
On and on they rode, at times having to stop while guards drew swords and cut at the brush before them, their sword blows echoing through the stillness of the forest as they followed the narrow path left by the trackers.
Pug was lost in thoughts of Carline when, later, a shout erupted from the front of the column, out of sight of the boys. Suddenly the horsemen near Pug and Tomas were charging forward, oblivious to the thicket around them, dodging low-hanging branches by instinct.
Pug and Tomas spurred their horses after the others, and soon their senses recorded a blur of brown and white, as snow-spotted trees seemed to fly past. They stayed low, close to the necks of their mounts, avoiding most tree branches, while they struggled to stay aboard. Pug looked over his shoulder and saw Tomas falling behind. Branches and twigs caught at Pugs cloak as he crashed through the forest into a clearing. The sounds of battle assaulted his ears, and the boy saw fighting in progress. The remount horses were trying to pull up their stakes, while fighting exploded around them. Pug could only vaguely make out the form of combatants, dark shrouded shapes slashing upward with swords at the horsemen.
A figure broke away and came running toward him, avoiding the blow of a guard a few yards ahead of Pug. The strange warrior grinned wickedly at Pug, seeing only the boy before him. Raising his sword for a blow, the fighter screamed and clawed at his face as blood ran between his fingers. Tomas had reined in behind Pug and with a yell let fly with another stone. I thought youd get yourself into trouble, he shouted. He spurred his horse forward and rode over the fallen figure. Pug sat rooted for a moment, then spurred his own horse. Pulling out his sling, he let fly at a couple of targets, but couldnt be sure if the stones struck.
Suddenly Pug was in a place of calm in the fighting. On all sides he could see figures in dark grey cloaks and leather armor pouring out from the forest. They looked like elves, save their hair was darker, and they shouted in a language unpleasant to Pugs ears. Arrows flew from the trees, emptying saddles of Crydee horsemen.
Lying about were bodies of both attackers and soldiers. Pug saw the lifeless bodies of a dozen men of Carse, as well as Longbows two lead trackers, tied to stakes in lifelike poses around the campfire. Scarlet bloodstains spotted the white snow beside them. The ruse had worked, for the Duke had ridden straight into the clearing, and now the trap was sprung.
Lord Borrics voice rang out over the fray. To me! To me! We are surrounded.
Pug looked about for Tomas as he frantically kicked his mount toward the Duke and his gathering men. Arrows filled the air, and the screams of the dying echoed in the glade. Borric shouted, This way! and the survivors followed him. They crashed into the forest, riding over attacking bowmen. Shouts followed them while they galloped away from the ambush, keeping low over the necks of their mounts, avoiding arrows and low-hanging branches.
Pug frantically pulled his horse aside, avoiding a large tree. He looked about, but could not see Tomas. Fixing his gaze upon the back of another horseman, Pug determined to concentrate on one thing only, not losing sight of the mans back. Strange loud cries could be heard from behind, and other voices answered from one side. Pugs mouth was dry and his hands sweating in the heavy gloves he wore.
They sped through the forest, shouts and cries echoing around them. Pug lost track of the distance covered, but he thought it surely a mile or more. Still the voices shouted in the forest, calling to others the course of the Dukes flight.
Suddenly Pug was crashing through the thick underbrush, forcing his lathered, panting horse up a small but steep rise. All around him was a gloom of grey and greens, broken only by patches of white. Atop the rise the Duke waited, his sword drawn, as others pulled up around him. Arutha sat by his father, his face covered with perspiration in spite of the cold. Panting horses and exhausted guards gathered around. Pug was relieved to see Tomas beside Kulgan and Gardan.
When the last rider approached, Lord Borric said, How many?
Gardan surveyed the survivors and said, Weve lost eighteen men, have six wounded, and all the mules and baggage were taken.
Borric nodded. Rest the horses a moment. Theyll come.
Arutha said, Are we to stand, Father?
Borric shook his head. There are too many of them. At least a hundred struck the clearing. He spat. We rode into that ambush like a rabbit into a snare. He glanced about. Weve lost nearly half our company.
Pug asked a soldier sitting beside him, Who were they?
The soldier looked at Pug. The Brotherhood of the Dark Path, Squire, may Ka-hooli visit every one of the bastards with piles, he answered, invoking the vengeance god. The soldier indicated a circle around them with his hand. Small bands of them travel through the Green Heart, though they mostly live in the mountains east of here, and way up in the Northlands. That was more than Id have bargained was around, curse the luck.
Voices shouted from behind, and the Duke said, They come. Ride!
The survivors wheeled and rode off, again racing through the trees ahead of their pursuers. Time became suspended for Pug as he negotiated the dangerous course through the dense forest. Twice men nearby screamed, whether from striking branches or from arrows Pug didnt know.
Again they came to a clearing, and the Duke signaled a halt. Gardan said, Your grace, the horses cant endure much more of this.
Borric struck his saddle horn in frustration, his face dark with anger. Damn them! And where are we?
Pug looked about. He had no idea of where they stood in relationship to the original site of attack, and from the looks on the faces around him, no one else did either.
Arutha said, We must strike eastward, Father, and make for the mountains.
Borric nodded. But which way lies east? The tall trees and overcast sky with its defused sunlight conspired to deny them any point of reference.
Kulgan said, One moment, your grace, and closed his eyes. Again shouts of pursuit echoed through the trees, as Kulgan opened his eyes and pointed. That way. There lies the east. Without question or comment, the Duke spurred his horse in the indicated direction, motioning for the others to follow. Pug felt a strong urge to be near someone familiar and tried to rejoin Tomas, but couldnt make his way through the press of riders. He swallowed hard and admitted to himself he was badly scared. The grim faces of the nearby soldiers told him he was not alone in that feeling.
More time passed as they raced through the dark corridors of the Green Heart. Every advance along the escape route was accompanied by the echoing cries of Dark Brothers as they alerted others of the fugitives route. Occasionally Pug would spy a shape loping along in the distance, quickly lost in the darkness of the trees as it ran a parallel course. The accompanying runners did not seek to hinder them, but always they were near.
Once more the Duke ordered a halt. Turning to Gardan, he said, Skirmishers! Find out how close they follow. We must have rest. Gardan indicated three men, who quickly leapt from their horses and ran back along the route of their retreat. A single clash of steel and a strangled cry heralded their encounter with the closest Dark Brother tracker.
Damn them! said the Duke. Theyre herding us in a circle, seeking to bring us back into their main strength. Already were moving more north than east.
Pug took the opportunity to move next to Tomas. The horses were panting and shivering as perspiration steamed off them in the cold. Tomas managed a feeble smile, but said nothing.
Men moved quickly among the horses, checking for injury. In a few minutes the skirmishers returned at a run. Panting, one said, Lord, they are close behind, fifty, sixty at least.
How long?
The man stood with perspiration pouring down his face as he answered, Five minutes, my lord. With grim humor he said, The two we killed will make them pause, but no more time than that.
Borric said to the company, We rest a moment, then we ride.
Arutha said, A moment or an hour, what does it matter? The horses are done. We should stand before more Brothers come to the call.
Borric shook his head. I must get through to Erland. He must know of the coming of the Tsurani.
An arrow, quickly followed by a second, flew from the nearby trees, and another rider fell. Borric shouted, Ride!
They cantered the exhausted horses deeper into the woods, then slowed to a walk, while they kept watch for the coming attack. The Duke used hand signals to deploy the line of soldiers so they might swing to either flank and charge on command. Horses blew foam as their nostrils distended, and Pug knew they were close to dropping.
Why dont they attack? whispered Tomas.
I dont know, answered Pug. They just harry us from the sides and behind.
The Duke raised his hand and the column halted. No sounds of pursuit could be heard. He turned and spoke in a low tone. They may have lost us. Pass the word to inspect your mounts An arrow sped past his head, missing him by inches. Forward! he shouted, and they began a ragged trot along the path they had been following.
Gardan shouted, My lord, it seems they wish us to keep moving.
In a harsh whisper Borric swore, then asked, Kulgan, which way lies east?
The magician closed his eyes again, and Pug knew he was tiring himself with this particular spell. Not difficult if one was standing calmly, it had to be fatiguing him under these conditions. Kulgans eyes opened and he pointed to the right. The column was heading northward.
Arutha said, Again they slowly turn us, Father, back into their main strength.
Raising his voice, Borric said, Only fools or children would keep to this route. On my command, wheel to the right and charge. He waited as every man readied weapons and made silent prayers to their gods that the horses could withstand one more gallop. Then the Duke shouted, Now! As a body, the column wheeled to the right, and riders spurred their flagging mounts. Arrows came pouring from the trees, and men and horses screamed.
Pug ducked under a branch, desperately holding on to the reins while he fumbled with sword and shield. He felt the shield slipping and, as he struggled with it, sensed his horse slowing. He couldnt exercise the needed control over the animal and manage the weapons at the same time.
Pug reined in, risking a momentary stop to put his equipment right. A noise made him look to the right. Standing less than five yards away was a bowman of the Brotherhood of the Dark Path. Pug stayed rooted for a moment, as did the bowman. Pug was struck by his resemblance to the Elf Prince, Calin. There was little to distinguish the two races, nearly the same in height and build, save hair and eyes. The creatures bowstring had snapped, and he stood with dark eyes fixed upon Pug while calmly setting about restringing his bow.
Pugs astonishment at finding the Dark Brother standing so close to him momentarily caused him to forget the reason he had halted. He sat numbly watching the bowman repairing his weapon, entranced by the dark elfs coolly efficient manner.
Then he was pulling an arrow from his quiver in a fluid motion and fitting the shaft to the bowstring. Sudden alarm made Pug act. His staggering horse answered his frantic kicks and was off again. He didnt see the bowmans arrow, but heard and felt it speed past his ear, then he was back to a gallop, the bowman lost behind as Pug overtook the Dukes company.
Noise from ahead made Pug urge his horse on, though the poor animal was giving every indication it was moving as fast as possible. Pug wove through the forest, the gloom making it difficult to negotiate.
Abruptly he was behind a rider wearing the Dukes colors and then passing the man as Pugs horse proved fresher for carrying a lighter rider. The terrain became more hilly, and Pug wondered if they were entering the foothills of the Grey Towers.