The Four Swords

Chapter 88: Investigate

"She's gone! Like the archer from the parade," I called back to Holden and John. Her last words echoed in my ears. Carrion mounted his horse again and we regrouped with the others.

"She told us to be careful who we find in the woods. Do you think there are other scouts?" I asked the two men more experienced in the art of war.

"Possibly. But one thing is for sure. Someone knows we know the Norad's are here. It seems foolish to have tipped their hand, but I guess they are assuming six people on four mounts really aren't much of a threat to an entire army," my uncle offered.

"True. It might move up their timeline though. Six people are more than enough to spread the word of a threat to the kingdom. If that scout is honest with her superiors, then things might be moved up just so that the Norad's can keep the element of surprise," Holden explained.

It made sense. If they attacked before we could get there, it did not matter that we knew they were coming.

"I agree! I doubt that they will wait for us to sound the alarm. We need to get moving!" My uncle said forcefully.

The determination in his voice unsettled me. The threat was real and he knew it. We needed to protect the kingdom.

"Then let's get going!" I said and turned my horse to the road. If we were swift, we should reach the capitol around daybreak.

I pushed my horse into a canter, seeing if the others could match the pace. I knew I could not push the beasts for long at such a breakneck gait, but the place unnerved me and I wanted to be far from it.

Every creature that I noticed creeping through its nighttime routine seemed to stare at us. Every nocturnal being I could fathom seemed to find its way into our path and unnerved me anew. I wished for solitude, but was met with pairs of eyes staring me down in the moonlight.

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Finally I had to slow my horse to give her rest. She was an obedient beast and worked hard to get me this far at the speed I asked for, but I could tell the pace was starting to wear on her. I could only imagine the horses with two riders.

As I slowed, something caught my eye. I almost wrote it off as the passing glance of another nighttime animal. Upon further examination, it was something in the distance. A small fire kindled. Yet again, we were not alone.

We were not that far from the castle and dawn had not begun threatening to peak over the horizon. I spotted someone throwing another log on the flame.

I dared not whistle. What if the other camp heard me? I stopped my horse, attempting to point out my discovery in a less audible way. My companions reigned in their horses next to me to see what I gestured toward.

"Should I go investigate?" I asked for my uncle's opinion. I did not want to put our lives in unnecessary danger, but knowing where the enemy camped might be helpful.

"No," my uncle spoke at the same time as Lord Holden.

"Yes," the younger warrior offered.

"We need to get Princess Alina to safety," my uncle reasoned.

"But if we can figure out if their battle plans have changed, we might be able to better help protect the entire monarchy," Holden countered.

My uncle considered his words momentarily. I could easily see either man's side. It made me thankful that my days of being in charge of the clan were still far in the future.

"Jack, go. But be quick. Leave your horse with us and meet us at the edge of the forest on this road," my uncle advised.

I nodded and dismounted. I was not an expert by any means at camouflage, but thankfully the last two weeks were full of practice at moving stealthily.

I skirted the edge of the camp. I could see several makeshift tents throughout the underbrush of the forest. This army camp was much larger than I expected. My blood ran cold.

I found a tree that would make a good vantage point. My uncle said be quick, so I would only give myself a few minutes to glean information.

From my tree I could spy two men who were still awake. They were clad in leather armor with hints of green and black. Around them sleeping bags with lumpy figures could be seen.

"You probably shouldn't have started that fire. What if the smoke draws attention?" One Norad questioned.

"So what? I practiced transporting fire on that farm near home. I can hide it if needed," the other responded with contempt in his voice.

That explained what happened on that petitioner's farm. Poor Bartlet. At least he could get some answers now.

"Didn't you only transport fire when you went with it?" The first retorted mirthlessly.

"Yeah. But at least I'd be rid of you," the second responded. As he did so he stirred the embers at the base of the fire, sending sparks in the direction of his companion.

"Maybe you can have your wish soon enough. We only have to endure each other's company until the Autarch takes the city. I heard she is going in as soon as the city gates open." The first offered dryly.

"Good! And good riddance to your company!" the second one sneered before silence fell between them.

I heard enough. I made my exit before the men could bring the argument to blows. Their tones both seemed on the verge of violence.

Using my newly acquired training, I soon made my way back to my companions. As I approached I saw Cali give a sigh of relief. Her tenderness warmed my heart yet again. I love her.

"The Autarch plans to move as the city gates open," I relayed to the group. The city opened at sunrise and the sky was already beginning to brighten. We all knew that our time was growing short.

We needed to find the passageway soon!