Chapter Nineteen

The streets were echoing, and we strove to keep our footsteps light. We ran beside each other, and our pace was beginning to quicken as we came ever nearer to the center of the city. Shafts of light darted in and out of our path. Sleek was the road beneath us, and it glimmered in the light. It would take three more hours till we came to the city’s Square, and neither of us had rested since the black dawn.
We took a turn to our left, down a dark alleyway, where the walls were as close as our shoulders’ breadth. We slowed our pace to a walk, soon halting in the Darkness. Sitting, we both had our backs to the walls, and we could hardly see each other as there was no light. We took a light meal, though there was not much in our satchels, and drank water from our flasks. Again we hurried on, not daring to rest long. There was no time to spend.

*****

The guard close to me nodded:

“Take her to Lord Dorwar.” The other guard stepped forward. I grew chill. “I shall set watch on Celgarian; Dorwar will be well pleased.”

“No.” I whispered. The guard laughed, and it was a hollow laugh. He was looking down at Celgarian. I watched as a look of greed and triumph passed on his face. I screamed:

“No!” Even as the other guard reached for me, springing forward I threw him to the ground. “This is my keep and you have invaded it. No right do you have here.” He laughed again as I spoke. I was unshaken, and I was desperate.

*****

There was a swirl of silver cloaks and a fell sword was raised. The torches blazed out, and fog-like smoke filled the air. One lantern alone remained alight. It flickered and shone on the face of the Marher. Four other arrows whistled and swept over me. Yet the Marher remained untouched and full of malice.
Swords rang.
My mind was fading quickly, yet last I heard a sound. Loud it called out, the tolling of many bells. Harsh and heavy was the sound, as though they might break. One after the other they tolled. Soon more rang, from each end of the City. Yet the Marher was unmoved, and I heard him cry:

“You will dare not hinder me. I am the Marher, servant of Lord Dorwar of Darkness!”