Chapter Sixteen

A voice which was threatening and unnaturally passive spoke; we recognized it as a Marher’s.

“The Bellbreaker has come down from Farenfenther. A companion is with him.” I shut my eyes. He had been watching us.

“Prepare to meet him crossing the river.”

The horse then clattered off, sounding distant and muted, like the fading of a dream. I looked at my companion. He was tensing. The Darkness lay heavy upon us. We were about to be caught, even if we were as swift as birds. All the guards on the river knew we were going to try and cross. My face was grim and my eyes were stern as my mind struggled. We could delay our crossing until the guards thought no more off us, but we would have to flee every shadow and every light. There would be no resting place for us. It would be reckless and probably mad to try to cross the river now, with the guards on alert and the Marher stalking us. Slowly my companion knelt down beside me without letting his eyes off from the gate.

“Do you think we can reach the other side of Hethwenthor before the guards there know of us?”

I looked down for a moment. “Nay, but it will be no greater risk, except for crossing the City.”

*****

I was disturbed by that thought, but he had also answered my question: my blood was not the same blood which ran in Lord Dowar’s veins. Freedom and fire suddenly I felt spring up within me. I was not bound by fear or Dowar. I had been given a task, and it was to be the keeper of Celgarian, not just a guard. I knew then that Tuigrem would never come back to this place. I felt pride; not of arrogance, but that I was more than flesh and blood. I clutched my captor and hurled him off from me. Quickly I stood and took my blade in in hand, letting my cloak fall from my shoulders in the rush. I held my weapon with both my hands. I was breathing quickly, waiting for one of the guards to spring.

“This is my Keep, and I cannot let anyone, even myself, touch Celgarian.” I spoke, knowing that I had no chance of escape, but only wanting to stand unwavering. My original captor then spoke, ignoring that I had completely freed myself from him:

“Your Keep? What, has Tuigrem died?” He said it in a mocking way.

“I do not know.” I answered him sternly, keeping my eyes steadily upon the two guards.

*****

I was going unconscious and my eyes were quickly darkening. The Marher asked me again, his voice menacing like a nightmare. I answered him this time:

“I will not speak.” I could feel the heavy breath of the horse over me, as the Marher moved nearer. The horse swept its muzzle over my head, quickly jerking away once it felt the cold steel of my helm. The Marher sharply pulled back on the reins, and the horse nipped the air.

“You may not speak,” the Marher began, steadying his horse, his voice growing low and creeping, “But you will not deliver any message to anyone.” I saw the glint of his sword being drawn. I could hear the sound of the steel against the sides of the sheath.