Brief indeed was the halt for provender, yet did it seem to bring joy to those in colored body cloths. Low laughter and eager smiles were theirs upon the resumption of the journey, as though a great burden had been lifted from them. I, myself, felt no lightening of a burden, for the gray-clad males rode close to one another in their set, two by two as they had not done previously, all alert, all well bunched. My shafts fairly hummed in their quiver, eager to fly, yet no sensible target presented itself. Mida! The fury and frustration which gripped me then was unspeakable, well nigh to the point of sending me forward with sword hilt in fist, to lay all about at what targets I might reach. The need for the glory of battle gripped me fiercely; had I not had a Mida-given task before me, had my Midanna not been awaiting my return, were there not captives to be freed- So many things bound me that I frothed with near madness in the chains of them. To ride free and armed is at times no more than an enslavement. A warrior without freedom is a pitiful thing, one destined for no more than the final darkness.
The hind of the fey moved by beneath the steadily plodding hooves of the males’ kand, ponderous and slow, bringing me a growing desire for the arrival of darkness. This darkness was I determined to do more than simply await the new light, this darkness would I see my Midanna freed! When all of the males had taken their pleasure and slept, then would I slay the guard males and cut the leather from Ilvin and the Summa, trusting to Mida that I could rouse them. I knew they would follow me to freedom even were they taken by pain and exhaustion, for they were Midanna. Were I to wait any longer they would be too weak from hunger so I had to ignore the likelihood of a hunter-light sleeper among the males. Perhaps, with Mida’s aid, I could silence any who awoke before he might give the alarm.
Less than two hind of light remained to the fey when the forest began somewhat to thin. Rubbled hills appeared to the west of the males’ line of travel, a reddish-black blot upon the warm greens and browns all about, a sight clearly expected by the males. Those in colored body cloths were greatly gladdened by the sight; they left their places in the set and rode together to Nobain, who, upon noticing them, halted the set with one hand upraised.
“This, I believe, is our point of parting, Nobain,” said one of the males in colored body cloth, his words difficult to make out at the distance I was forced to keep. “As you and yours mean to turn off at the caves, my brothers and I must continue on to our city alone. We await only the return of our wenches. ”
“Ah, yes, the return of your wenches,” said Nobain, smiling broadly at those who sat their kand before him. “Four wenches, now, that would be. Ramsarn no longer requires a wench, and Gengan has taken himself off to nobler company. Am I correct?”
“Four!” echoed the male in sudden upset, exchanging glances with those three who rode with him. I, too, was dismayed, for it seemed that all of my expectations had been dashed. The males would not camp that darkness as I had anticipated, and Ilvin and the Summa would be parted! It would not be difficult to follow and free the Summa, yet would the Summa ride with me to free Ilvin? And even should they do so, what would await us at the caves of the gray-clad males? More than likely further males of Nobain’s ilk, all eager for the use of Ilvin and the town female, all prepared to guard them well. My fist closed tightly about the reins I held, the silent voice of my mind roundly cursing all males and their doings.
“Four is correct,” said another of the males astand before Nobain. “The others would have been warmly welcomed in our city and quickly taken as wives by two of those who have no women of their own, yet are they properly yours to dispose of. Should you choose to sell them in the city when you are done with them, their price will be yours. We have no wish to detain you longer; therefore-our wenches?”
The pleading note to be heard within the voice of the male set Nobain to chuckling as he gestured forward those four who held the spoken-of captives. The gray-clad males urged their kand to stand beside and among the now smiling males of colored body cloths, riding close so that the two Sigurri and two Summa might be given over with the least amount of difficulty and awkwardness. Eagerly did the four males reach their arms out toward the captives they had been promised-only to meet the ending of their lives. Those in gray who held captives also held daggers beyond the sight of the four, and used them with dispatch, the sharpened edges in sides and backs bringing eternal silence to the four males. The Sigurri females screamed in terror, as did the town female, yet the males in gray were well pleased with their deed.
“How distressing,” said Nobain with a laugh, his eyes upon the last of the four to fall to the ground beside his kan. “Our generous offer has been refused, for these men no longer desire females. It seems we shall be forced to retain possession of all six of the wenches.”
Once having rid themselves of the unwanted, the gray-clad males then turned their set toward the caves which awaited them, leading off the kand of those who no longer had use for mounts. The fallen remained for the children of the wild. Again did I follow at a distance, soon finding it necessary to widen that distance. The trees had thinned enough so that even the males I followed would have seen me had I remained nearer, a thing I could not now allow.
It was now clear that Ilvin and the Summa were not to be simply used by their captors. When the males had taken all the pleasure they wished, the lives of their captives would be taken as well, leaving no opportunity for escape. Were I to find myself unable to free them their lives would be ended in great dishonor, all possibility of death in battle denied them, their entrance to Mida’s Realm forever barred through the shame given them. Such agony could not be allowed if it were possible to avert, and to this end had I pledged myself.
Without undue haste did the males continue on toward the caves, unconcerned by the deserted-seeming caves which were their goal. For nearly a hin did I follow, increasing the distance between us, and then did I rein in my kan and resolutely dismount. Well did I know that I must be nearer the set; and I had to dismount and continue on afoot, fleetly and silently from tree to tree beyond the sight of the males, closing with them as they reached their destination. I tied my kan to a tree, well within reach of what grass there was, hesitated, then left bow and shafts behind me. I knew I would regret having left the weapon, yet did I also anticipate the need to move invisibly within the caves ahead; were it necessary to conceal myself the bow would be a hindrance.
The pace I took to reach the males was much of a trot, sending me forward swiftly yet silently, a pace used much by warriors on the hunt for quarry which must be run down. The light of the fey had gone to red before me, and I closed my eyes to slits against the last of its efforts. Much more easily would the males have seen me than I them, therefore did I proceed with caution, most especially once I had nearly reached them. Then did I circle right and edge ahead, allowing them to come to me, a thing easily possible at the slow pace they kept to. I stood hidden among the growing shadows of a wide tree, awaiting their approach to the caves which were no more than three gando-strides ahead, then quickly drew back even farther. A male appeared about the leg of stone which stretched before the caves, his eyes upon the approaching set, and lazily did he walk out a bit to meet them.