“I’d say so,” Mansel agreed. “You get information. I’m getting ale.”
They tied their horses to a post outside the inn and went inside. A tired looking woman stood up.
“Can I help you, gentlemen?” she asked.
“Ale,” Mansel said.
“And maybe a little news?”
“There’s not much news,” the woman said, stepping into the kitchen and returning with two large mugs of ale. “The king didn’t even stop on his mad dash to Osla. Just paused long enough to resupply and gather the reserve troops.”
“It’s awful quiet here in the city,” Zollin prompted.
“That’s because King Zorlan’s got every able-bodied man in the supply train. There’re tailors and blacksmiths-even leather workers. All of ’em forced into service. The gods only know what for.”
“We saw some farms and small settlements burnt out,” Mansel said, wiping the foam from the head of his ale off his lips with the back of his hand.
“That would be the dogs from Osla,” the woman said. “They have no respect for anything other than killing and raping every innocent in the Five Kingdoms.”
“Why doesn’t King Zorlan stop them?”
“He isn’t interested in what’s behind him. He only cares about getting to Osla. From what I’ve heard, he thinks that King Oveer betrayed him, and King Belphan as well. We’ve heard rumors about the witch in Lodenhime, but I think that’s just poppycock, myself. I think Oveer waited until King Belphan was well on his way to Yelsia, and then moved his forces south. It’s no accident that King Belphan was killed. I imagine Falxis was next on his list, once he had control of Osla’s treasury.”
“That makes sense,” Zollin said, although he knew the rumors about the witch in Lodenhime were true. “We thank you for the news,” he said as he laid a silver coin on the table.
“And for the ale,” Mansel agreed.
They stood up to leave.
“This is too much coin,” the woman said. “At least stay and have some supper.”
“We’re in a hurry,” Zollin said. “But if you have some food we can take with us, we’ll pay.”
“You’ve already paid enough,” the woman said.
“Oh, I’d say that ale was worth that silver mark,” Mansel said good-naturedly.
“You’re too kind, both of you. But let me get you some fresh bread and smoked cheese. It’s my specialty.”
She hurried away and returned a moment later with a canvas sack filled with bread and cheese.
“I’m sorry there’s not more. The army took most of what we have.”
“This is more than enough. Thank you,” Zollin said.
They rode through town and only saw one other person, a small child who looked half-starved. Zollin gave the boy a loaf of the bread the woman at the inn had given them. Then they rode out and met up with Eustice, who was waiting near a stream not far from the city. They stopped long enough to switch mounts and refill their canteens.
“I’m glad we got some ale back there,” Mansel said. “I’m getting tired of drinking water all the time.”
“Me too. We should have gotten something for Eustice,” Zollin said.
The mute servant waved his hand as if to say it was okay, but Zollin still felt bad for the man. They rode hard, late into the night. Then made camp and slept for a few hours. Zollin and Mansel took turns standing watch, even though they didn’t bother with a fire. They ate the last of the smoked fish and enjoyed the cheese they had gotten at the inn. It was soft and had a rich flavor that went well with the salty fish.
The next day they pushed on at dawn, riding hard all day, but still not catching sight of the army ahead of them. They passed several small villages, most of which were either completely wiped out or almost. There was no wine or ale to be had, and most had barely enough food left to see the inhabitants through winter. Zollin had a feeling that bad times were in store for the people in Falxis. If Zollin didn’t stop Offendorl and the kings of the south, then bloodshed and hard times could devastate all five kingdoms. The way Zollin saw it, only Baskla had managed to avoid the bloodshed and senseless loss brought on by Offendorl’s invasion of Yelsia.
The trail left by the armies led south and Mansel was becoming visibly nervous the further they went.
“What’s bothering you?” Zollin finally asked.
“I thought we’d have caught up with the army by now. I was hoping to get around it before they got to the coast.”
“You’re worried about the woman you met there?” Zollin asked.
“Nycoll,” Mansel said, nodding. “She’s all alone. If the army hurts her, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“It wouldn’t be your fault, Mansel,” Zollin said, knowing the words didn’t make a difference even as he said them. “Even if you were there, you couldn’t hold off the entire army.” Mansel just looked at Zollin. He knew his friend meant well, and Mansel had no right to argue. He had killed Kelvich to keep the old man from asking too many questions when Mansel was under the witch’s spell. Still, if he lost Nycoll, he didn’t think he could take the loss. He pushed on, increasing their pace south. Zollin and Eustice struggled to keep up. Zollin understood his friend’s motivation and did all he could to help. They rode late into the second night, and then rode through the third night. Eustice slept in the saddle as they rode on the fourth day out from Luxing City, even with the sun beating down on them and Mansel continuing his punishing pace.
When they finally caught sight of the army, it was merely a dust cloud in the distance, but it was enough to spur Mansel into an even more frantic pace. Zollin knew that even swapping mounts they couldn’t keep up the grueling pace for much longer, but he didn’t resist. He knew that if Brianna had been at the mercy of a marching army he wouldn’t stop either. When night fell they were close enough that they could make out the marching troops. Zollin was surprised that they army didn’t stop or make camp.
“What do you make of that?” Zollin asked Mansel.
“What?”
“The fact that they aren’t stopping for the night. Don’t most armies make camp at nightfall?”
“How should I know?” Mansel said in a surly tone.
“Maybe we should slow our pace a bit,” Zollin said. “We could be running straight into a
trap.”
“I’d welcome a fight at this point,” Mansel said. “If you want to stop, go ahead. I’ll be waiting with Nycoll for you to catch up.”
“I’m not stopping,” Zollin said. “You rode with me to rescue Brianna. I’m not suggesting that we don’t ride as hard as possible. I just want you to have your feelers out for danger.”
“You’re the wizard; you do that.”
Zollin frowned, but he understood his friend’s dilemma. So they rode hard and finally caught up with a contingent of soldiers near midnight. It was a large group and they were making camp for the night. Most of them were laughing and talking. Zollin and Mansel left Eustice with the spare horses and rode forward together. They stopped for a moment just outside the light from the large fire. There were a dozen soldiers, all fully armed.
Finally Mansel rode forward into the light, causing the soldiers to rise to their feet and draw weapons.
“Who are you?” Mansel demanded.
“King’s soldiers,” said a tall man with thick, wavy hair. “And you?”
“We’re just travelers,” Zollin said, riding up beside his friend. “Actually, I’m a magician. I’ll do a few tricks if you’ll share your supper?”
“And who’s he?” the soldier wanted to know, pointing at Mansel, who was glaring at each of the soldiers in turn.
“Oh, he’s just riding guard with me. It’s not very safe to travel alone these days,” Zollin explained, trying to keep his tone light.
“I don’t like him,” said one of the other soldiers.
“Just ignore him,” Zollin said. “He has a surly nature. No idea how to have fun, that one.”
Zollin threw his hand up and sent a flaming ball of light shooting sparks in every direction. It sailed through the air and then disappeared like a firework.
“What do you say, fellas? You in the mood for some fun?” Zollin said, trying to imitate the traveling performers he’d seen as a child.