They left the inn and hurried on the road toward the town of Eggly. Locklear glanced upward, considered the rapidly rising ridge above the trees on the western side of the trail and considered the wisdom of hiking up to that elevation and over the mountains down into a nest of killers over which presided a murderous moredhel sorcerer. Finally he was left with the only answer which he could come up with: there wasnt a better idea presenting itself.
Resigning himself to a long walk and cold nights, he followed Gorath, with Owyn at his side.
CHAPTER FOUR
Passage
THE WIND HOWLED THROUGH THE PASS.
Locklear spoke through chattering teeth. The things I do for king and country.
Gorath said, Ignore the cold. As long as you can feel your fingers and toes, it is only discomfort, nothing more.
Easy for you to say, said Owyn shivering almost uncontrollably. Youre used to it, living up in the Northlands.
Youre never used to it, human. You just learn to accept things over which you have no control. He looked meaningfully at the two young men, then pointed. We can expect to see a sentry any time now.
What should we do? asked Locklear, the cold and his hunger robbing him of his wits.
Wait over there, said Gorath, while I scout.
Locklear and Owyn went to the relative shelter provided by the lee side of a huge boulder and waited. Time dragged on and Owyn and Locklear sat close together to preserve warmth.
Suddenly Gorath returned. There are four guards near the barn, he said. Within, I do not know, but even alone Nago is dangerous.
Locklear stood and stomped his feet to restore warmth, flexing fingers and moving in place, getting ready to engage an enemy. What do we do? he asked again, content to let Gorath lead in this circumstance.
Gorath said, Owyn, I have no idea of what you are capable, but Nago is a spell-caster of much ability. He can wither a foe with his arts, turning him to lifeless ash, or drive one away screaming in terror. He and his brother are among the most dangerous allies of Delekhan, and serve him even more vigorously since the coming of the Six.
Who are the Six? asked Owyn.
Locklear waved away the question. So, how do we deal with Nago?
Gorath pointed to Owyn. You must distract him, boy. Locklear and I will dispatch the other four, and anyone else who might be within the barn, but the magician must be your concern. Cause him to falter, to hesitate, to attempt to leave; anything, but you must keep him there for me to deal with and you must keep him from bringing his arts to bear. Can you do that?
Owyn was obviously frightened, but he said, I will try.
No one can ask for more, said Gorath. To Locklear he said, We have surprise, but we must kill the first two quickly. If we are overpowered, or even if we are delayed overmuch in reaching Nago, this will all come to a bad end. If Owyn cant occupy the magician until we reach him, he will end our journey before we can warn your prince.
Locklear said, Then why are we doing this? Before Gorath could answer, Locklear held up his hand. I know, the noose is tightening and if we dont do it now, we will never reach Krondor.
Gorath nodded. Lets go.
They hurried down the road until they could see the roof of a barn across a small field that sat hard against the ridge. Locklear stooped over, so as to be less visible as they moved down the trail. Where are the guards? he asked Gorath.
I dont know. They were outside but a moment ago.
Perhaps theyve gone inside the barn, suggested Owyn.
Gorath pointed to a notch in the side of the trail, where rain had eroded the soil between two large boulders. He moved between the rocks and slid down the bank to the edge of the field, with Locklear behind and Owyn bringing up the rear.
We must hurry, said Gorath. The Mothers and Fathers have smiled on us and the guards are inside. We dont know how long this might last. He set a punishing pace, not wishing to be discovered in the open. Locklear forced himself to push on despite his stiff, aching joints. His wounds had healed, though he still felt weaker than he should. He didnt welcome another fight, but should this Nago be the force behind all the attacks, he welcomed an opportunity to put an end to them, and pay back some of the pain he had been forced to endure.
Gorath reached the barn and huddled in its shadow, glancing in all directions. There was no sign they had been detected. He held up his hand for silence.
They listened. Inside, muffled voices could be heard, though Locklear could make nothing of them, for they were in a tongue he didnt understand. Goraths hearing was far more acute, for he said, They are discussing the fact we have not been seen since Hawks Hollow. They fear we may have slipped past them on the road through Tannerus.
What do we do now? whispered Owyn.
As before, we kill them, said Gorath. Act boldly. He moved to the barn door and withdrew his sword. He pulled forward his hood, throwing his features into darkness, then put his sword under his cloak and turned to Owyn and Locklear. Be ready, but wait a moment before entering.
Then Gorath pushed open the door and in the late-afternoon gloom must have seemed a black shape against a darkening sky. From within a voice sounded a note of inquiry. Gorath stepped forward with a stride that communicated purpose, answering in the moredhel tongue. He must have confused them for a moment, for one asked another question before a different voice shouted, Gorath!
Locklear didnt hesitate when he heard that, but virtually jumped through the open door. Owyn was a step behind.
The barn was empty save for five moredhel. A table had been placed in the centre of a large barn aisle, with a bench behind it, where the moredhel magician Nago was rising in shock at the appearance of his intended prey.
A moredhel guard was falling from Goraths first blow as he rounded on another, lashing out with his blade and forcing the swordsman backward, clutching his bleeding sword arm. Locklear dashed forward and caught the wounded dark elf from behind, killing him with a blow to the back of his neck as he sought to disengage himself from Goraths attack, leaving both swordsmen facing a ready opponent.
Owyn saw the moredhel magic-user who was still motionless in astonishment at the appearance of the prey he had been seeking for weeks. But as Owyn moved through the doorway, he felt power beginning to manifest as Nago started an incantation. Knowing there was nothing much he could do, Owyn unleashed the only spell he could throw on short notice, the blinding spell he had practised so much on the journey.
The dark elf blinked in surprise and faltered, breaking his spell. Owyn hesitated then raised his staff and started his charge, doing his best to imitate a warcry. A thin warbling sound escaped his lips as he ran between Gorath and Locklear as they struggled with their opponents.
As he closed upon the moredhel magician, Owyn slipped and fell forward, which saved his life, for the enraged Nago unleashed a bolt of shimmering purple-and-grey energy which sped through the spot where Owyn had been a moment earlier. Rather than strike the lad full on, it brushed over his back, and where it touched Owyn felt agony, a shocking pain. His head swam from it, and he felt dizzy. The muscles in his lower back and legs refused to obey him. He struggled, but they felt encased in metal bonds.
As he closed upon the moredhel magician, Owyn slipped and fell forward, which saved his life, for the enraged Nago unleashed a bolt of shimmering purple-and-grey energy which sped through the spot where Owyn had been a moment earlier. Rather than strike the lad full on, it brushed over his back, and where it touched Owyn felt agony, a shocking pain. His head swam from it, and he felt dizzy. The muscles in his lower back and legs refused to obey him. He struggled, but they felt encased in metal bonds.
Rolling over, Owyn saw the magician begin another spell, and without any other option, Owyn threw his staff at the moredhel. As he expected, the magician ducked aside, and his spell-casting was interrupted. Nago shut his eyes, as if in pain, and Owyn knew the enemy spell-caster was struggling to restart his spell. While only a novice at magic, Owyn understood enough of it to know that an interrupted spell could prove painful and that it might take Nago a few moments to refocus his thoughts and regain the ability to inflict harm upon his opponent.
Owyn tried to focus his own thoughts, as if he might throw another spell to distract Nago a moment longer, but his own thinking was chaotic, his mind racing with conflicting images. Phrases and concepts previously unknown to him intruded into his concentration and he couldnt force himself to come up with any useful conjuration. He fumbled in his belt for a dagger and thought to throw that at Nago.
Nago opened his eyes and looked past Owyn, to where the struggle was ending. Owyn rolled over and saw Gorath running his opponent through, while Locklear seemed to be getting the best of his own. Owyn looked over his shoulder at Nago and saw the magician was hesitating, then starting to turn to flee.
Hes trying to escape! Owyn shouted, but his voice was weak and he didnt know if he had warned his companions.
Gorath heard and was past Owyn in three huge strides. The moredhel magician turned and threw something at Gorath, and sparking energies coursed around the dark elf chieftain. Gorath groaned in pain and faltered.
Owyn threw his dagger, a weak underhand cast, but one which caused the butt of the weapon to strike Nago in the temple. As if released from a prison, Gorath rose up and with a single blow struck Nago in the neck, nearly severing his head from his body.
Locklear hurried over and helped Owyn to his feet. We could have used a prisoner, he observed.
Gorath said, These guards know nothing worth learning. And Nago could not be left alive. While you were trying to question him, he would have been sending word to his confederates that we are here. The dark elf looked down at Owyn who still lay on the floor. You did well, boy. Are you all right?
My legs dont work, he answered. I think I will get them to work in a while.
I hope so, said Locklear. Id hate to leave you here.
Id hate to be left, said Owyn.
Gorath looked around. He moved to a large cache of provisions and dug out some bread and a waterskin. He took a drink, handed it to Locklear and tore the loaf into three portions, handing one each to the other two.
Locklear helped Owyn sit up at a table and looked at a map unrolled there. What have we here? he asked himself as he studied the map.
It was a map of the area south of Hawks Hollow, with guard locations marked and fresh ink indicating sightings. It was clear that they had avoided detection from Hawks Hollow to Yellow Mule. Locklear said, Owyn, could Nago have got word out to others that we are here?
Owyn felt his legs with his hands as if trying to determine what was wrong with them and said, Its doubtful. I kept him busy and he was trying to kill us. I can imagine he could do two things at once, but three is unlikely. If hes got a routine for checking in with his agents, theyll soon know something is wrong because of his not contacting them.
Then we must be on our way, said Gorath. How far to Krondor?
If we were taking a stroll down the Kings Highway without fear, another two days. By horse, less than a day from here. Through the woods, maybe three.
Gorath asked Owyn, How long before you can move?
I dont know Then suddenly Owyns legs moved. I guess I can move now, he said, rising slowly. Interesting, he said.
Whats interesting? asked Locklear.
That spell. Its designed to bind an opponent, but only for a short while.
Why is that interesting?
Its some sort of combat magic. They dont teach that at Stardock.
Can you do the same thing? asked Gorath. It could prove useful.
Really? asked Locklear dryly.
I dont know, said Owyn. When the spell struck me, something happened, a recognition of some sort. I will think on it, and maybe I can figure out how he did it.
Well, figure out how while were moving, assuming youre ready to go, said Locklear around a mouthful of bread. They quickly rummaged through the cache of supplies and found several dark grey-blue fur-lined cloaks. These will serve us well, said Locklear, still warm from the fight, but knowing all too well how cold the nights were along the coast this time of the year. Locklear gathered up the maps and several messages, all claiming forces were in place for key attacks at various locations throughout the west. He placed those in a pouch and slung it over his shoulder.
They left the barn and circled around the darkened farmhouse. The owner was either sleeping or dead, betrayed by his guests, but either way they did not wish to spend time finding out. They had three dangerous days before them and knew there were perils enough along the route to Krondor without stopping to look for them.
Twice they had avoided assassins or bandits; they didnt know which. Once they had lain in the mud in a gully next to a woodland path while a band of armed Quegans had hurried past. Now they stood behind the last line of trees before open farmland. Beyond they could see the City of Krondor.
Impressive, said Gorath in a neutral tone.
Ive seen Armengar, said Locklear. I am surprised to hear you call this impressive.
Its not the size of the place, said Gorath. Its the hive of humans within. For a moment he looked off into the distance. You shortlived creatures have no sense of history or your place in this world, he said. You breed like He glanced over to see Locklears dark expression and said, No matter. There are just a great deal of you at any one time in any one place, it seems, and this is more of you in such a small place. He shook his head. For my people, such gatherings are alien.
Yet you rallied at Sar-Sargoth, observed Locklear.
Yes we did, said Gorath. To the sorrow of many of us.
Owyn said, Do we just walk across this field to the road?
Locklear said, No. Look over there. He pointed to a place where a small farm road intersected the Kings Highway. A half-dozen men stood idly by as if waiting for something. Not exactly a place to hoist a few and talk of the days labours, is it?
No, said Owyn. Where do we go then?
Follow me, said Locklear as he moved along the tree line, farther east. They reached a long gully, a naturally occurring watercourse that would be flooded when the thaw came to the mountains to the north and east, but which currently hosted only a small stream. This runs to a place by the eastern gate, in the foulbourgh.