After hearing what Riyan had in mind, Bart’s first inclination was to ask, “Are you crazy?”
“I know,” Riyan replied. “But if it’s as she says, then an innocent man is being sent to torture and death. We’re the ones who made it happen. He never would have been caught if Kevik hadn’t hit him with his goo spell.”
Bart paced the floor before the chair wherein Riyan sat. “She could be wrong about him,” he argued. “Love can blind you to all unpleasant truths about the object of your affection.”
Riyan let him pace a few more seconds before saying, “But the facts seem to support her story.” Bart ceased in his pacing and turned to look at Riyan. “Listen,” Riyan continued, “if he had come to raid Marl Crest, why would he come alone? Stands to reason a raid would succeed with more Raiders.”
“It’s none of our business,” Bart countered. “What difference is to us if another Raider is killed or not? These people seem to believe in his guilt.”
“A presumed guilt,” objected Riyan. “Hate and fear can blind a person every bit as much as love can.” A moment of silence fell between them before Riyan said, “I mean to help him.”
Bart was all set to continue the argument but stopped when he saw the determination in Riyan’s eyes. “How?” he asked.
“I was hoping together we could figure something out before dawn,” Riyan said.
Bart sighed. “I suppose telling you that it’s foolish and will likely result in someone getting killed isn’t about to sway you is it?” he asked.
Riyan shook his head and gave Bart a grin. “You know it won’t.”
“Let’s get the others in here and we’ll figure something out,” Bart said. He then turned toward the door on his way to wake the others. As he opened the door to pass into the hall, Riyan said, “Thanks.” Bart just nodded then left the room.
One by one the others began arriving until Bart returned with Chyfe who was the last. Once they were in the room and the door closed, Bart nodded to Riyan who filled them in on what he proposed to do.
Seth and Chyfe were all for the rescue of the Raider while the others were less than enthusiastic at the prospect. But those who were against it were finally won over by the others and they got down to planning the rescue. By the time dawn was only an hour away, they were ready.
Riyan cast a quick glance out the window to the stable illuminated in the torchlight and then scanned the courtyard. None of the sentries were stationed between the stable and the inn. Instead, they were positioned to keep an eye on threats coming from outside of Marl Crest. “It’s clear,” he said.
“Alright,” nodded Bart. “Let’s get this over with.” He blew out the candle and then crossed the room to the door. Opening it quietly, he peered out and found the dark hallway deserted. With a nod back to the others, he passed through the door and headed for the stairs. One by one, the others left the room and followed. Everyone that was but Chad, who went the other direction at the stairwell. Taking the steps quickly, he made his way to the roof. There he opened the door and stepped through.
The three archers stationed as lookouts turned as one to see him pass through. Chad nodded to them. “Anything?” he asked.
“Not yet,” one archer said.
The archer stationed on the courtyard side of the roof added, “I don’t think they’re going to do anything.”
“Let’s hope not,” Chad said. Stretching, he began walking casually toward the archer stationed overlooking the courtyard. “Too early to pull guard duty,” he said with a grin.
The archer returned the grin. “At least you got some sleep,” he said. “We’ve been up here all night.”
As Chad came closer to the edge of the roof, he saw two shadows move across the courtyard below. The archer, who had turned his head to speak to him as he approached, began turning to look back toward the courtyard.
“Say,” Chad quickly said, drawing the archer’s attention back to him, “don’t Raiders usually come in greater numbers?” Chad positioned himself in such a way that the archer’s attention was turned even further from the courtyard. Riyan and the others didn’t need long to get into position, all he had to do was keep the archer distracted for another minute or so.
“It does seem odd that he came by himself,” the archer said.
“He could have been a spy,” another archer said from his position.
“True,” agreed Chad. “I suppose they’ll learn all they need to know once they get him to Yerith Keep.”
The archer laughed. “That they will,” he said.
Chad glanced once again over the wall to the courtyard and saw the shadows were no longer in motion. They must be in position. “Well, my friends and I are heading out shortly after dawn,” he announced. “I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“It is,” the archer replied. “Can’t tell you how much we appreciated the help you and your friends gave us earlier.”
“Think nothing of it,” said Chad. “We were glad we could help.” He then turned back to the stairwell and was soon through the door and heading back down the stairs. Now, if what the others were doing goes off without a hitch, they may be able to pull this off. Back on the second floor, he headed to his room to wait for it to begin.
Bart entered the stable. Wrapped in the Cloak of Concealment, he moved unseen toward the guard sitting in a chair propped against the door where the Raider was being kept. His head was tilted forward onto his chest and looked to be asleep.
He knew the room in which the Raider was being kept held another door that led outside. Beyond which were another three guards and two archers. They expected any rescue attempt would come from that avenue. After all, the way Bart had come had led through a well lit courtyard where any Raider rescue party would assuredly be seen and dealt with.
He paused and glanced back to the doorway where two other shadows waited. Bart pulled back the Cloak’s hood and reappeared. He motioned for Seth and Soth to come forward. He gestured to the dozing guard and whispered, “You two take him out and I’ll see to the door.”
Seth nodded as he and his brother entered the stable. As they made their way along the rows of stalls, Seth’s horse recognized him and snorted in greeting. The snort was just loud enough to disturb the guard. His head came up and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. Then he gasped as he saw the two figures moving toward him.
“Get him!” whispered Seth when he noticed the guard had awakened. Leaping forward, he and his brother crossed the remaining distance and reached the guard just as he was about to shout the alarm. A strong blow to the stomach paralyzed the man’s diaphragm and stilled the cry before any sound was uttered. Another strike to the side of the man’s head dropped him to the floor.
“Nice going,” Bart said as he moved forward to the door. “Bind and gag him,” he told the brothers. As they dragged the guard and his chair away from in front of the door, Bart moved forward with his picks. To his surprise, the door wasn’t even locked.
He waited until Seth and Soth had the guard secured before opening the door. On the other side, he saw the Raider lying face down on the cot. His hands were tied as were his feet. As the door opened even further, the Raider turned his head toward Bart.
On the other side of the door leading to the courtyard, Bart could hear the muffled voices of the guards stationed there as they talked to one another. Putting his finger to his lips, he indicated for the Raider to remain quiet. The Raider didn’t make any response until Seth and Soth appeared in the doorway. When he saw the dark skin of the twins revealed by the light coming through a window, he nodded. Seth nodded back at the Raider, then he and his brother returned to the stable where they began getting their horses saddled along with a third.
Coming to the Raider’s side, Bart knelt down next to him. “We’re going to get you out of here,” he explained. Then he removed his knife and was about to cut the bonds binding the Raider’s hands. Pausing, he again met the Raider’s gaze and asked, “If I cut your bonds, can I trust you not to do anything stupid?”
“Yes,” replied the Raider.
Bart used the knife and in no time, the Raider was free.
Soth appeared in the doorway. “We’re ready,” he said to Bart.
“Come on,” Bart told the Raider. “We don’t have a whole lot of time.”
“Who are you?” the Raider asked. He seemed somewhat hesitant in trusting his fate to unknown strangers.
“A friend of someone who fears for you,” Bart replied. Then he nodded in the direction of the inn.
The Raider looked confused for a moment then understanding came. “Shaelyn,” he said.
“Who?” asked Bart. “Do you mean the serving girl at the inn?”
The Raider nodded. “Didn’t you know her name?” he asked.
“Can’t say as I’ve ever heard it spoken, no,” he replied.
“Then why help me?” the Raider asked.
“Long story and we don’t have the time,” Bart explained. He glanced to the Raider again and was glad when the man got up from the cot and followed.
He and the Raider went back into the stable where Seth and Soth were already mounted. The reins of a third saddled horse were held in Seth’s hand. Bart indicated for the Raider to mount.
Coming to the horse, the Raider easily swung into the saddle. He then glanced from Seth to Soth. “You’re not of the Orack Tribe,” he said.
“No,” replied Seth.
“Actually, were not from any Tribe,” clarified Soth. “We’re from Byrdlon.” That brought a surprised look to the Raider’s face. But whatever questions he may have had, he kept them to himself.
Bart went to the stable door and glanced out at the quiet courtyard. Off to the east, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the coming of dawn. Turning back to the three on horseback, he said, “Give me a chance to reach Kevik. Then ride for all you’re worth.”
“We understand,” said Seth.
The Raider looked confused, but for the moment would trust his would be rescuers. Then he gasped in shock as Bart pulled the hood of the Cloak back over his head and disappeared.
“We need to wait for a few minutes for him to get into position,” Seth told the Raider.
“My name is Haran Eckbar,” he told them.
“I’m Seth,” Seth told him, “and this is my brother Soth.”
“Twins,” Haran stated.
“So we’ve been told,” Soth replied with a grin.
They waited for a minute. Then when they figured Bart should have reached Kevik, Seth asked his brother. “You ready?”
Soth nodded. Then with a grin asked, “Are you?”
Seth matched his grin then nodded in turn. “Let’s go.” Kicking his horse in the sides, he bolted from the stable. Behind him, Soth and the Raider followed close.
They didn’t get far before one of the archers stationed on the rooftops noticed their flight. “The Raider is escaping!”
The three of them laid low along their horses’ necks and pushed them for even greater speed. Before they were able to reach the gate leading from the courtyard, the twang of a bow could be heard.
“Here they come,” Bart said to Kevik just as the initial cry went up.
Kevik held his staff in hand, and as the riders raced past, cast his wind spell. A split second later, the archer atop the inn fired his arrow. It flew true until it hit the cross draft that Kevik’s spell had created. At that point it was blown off trajectory.
The three riders left the inn’s courtyard and raced out of town. Those who had been set to watch for a Raider rescue party were caught unawares and reacted too late. Before any sort of response could be initiated, the riders were gone.
As people began racing about, Bart said, “Get back to the inn.”
Kevik nodded.
Chad stood at the window and watched the riders race from the courtyard. The courtyard began to fill with people, two of which were Riyan and Chyfe. Swords in hand, they joined with others who had gathered to repel an attack force which never materialized.
Picking up the rope that was lying on the table nearby, he moved from the window and opened the door. The hallway was dark and quiet. Crossing to the doorway opposite his quickly, he entered the room Seth and his brother shared. Shutting and locking the door behind him, he went to the window and waited.
He didn’t have long to wait before two shadows appeared crossing the street. Recognizing their silhouettes, he lowered the rope down as they came closer.
“He’s gone,” the old soldier told the onlookers as he exited the stable. Riyan and Chyfe stood with the others who had come when the alarm had sounded. “They tied up Rall, and took the prisoner.”
Just then Rall emerged from the stable and came to the old soldier. Rubbing the side of his head, he said, “They came out of nowhere!”
Another man who walked with Rall saw Riyan standing with the onlookers. “They stole three of your horses,” he told him.
“What?” exclaimed Riyan in dramatic surprise. Rushing to the stable, he and Chyfe saw the empty stalls.
“Damn horse thieves!” Chyfe cursed, playing the part to the hilt.
As the two of them exited the stable, the old soldier was staring at them peculiarly. Riyan noticed the look and came to a quick stop.
“You have two men with you who looked like Tribesmen don’t you?” the old soldier asked.
“Well, yes we do,” Riyan replied, “But they come from up north near Gilbeth.” He paused a moment as he took in the growing negative stance the locals were taking toward him and Chyfe.
“Where are they?” a local asked. The man and others glanced around to see if they could be located.
“Yes,” the old soldier said as he stared at Riyan. “Where are they?”
“I…I don’t know,” replied Riyan. “Surely you can’t think they had anything to do with this?”
“Two men appear out of nowhere,” the old soldier stated. “None of the men posted to watch for the approach of Raiders saw them. Perhaps they were already here?”
From behind the old soldier, Bart appeared for which Riyan was grateful. Bart was much better at this sort of thing than he was. “What is it exactly that you are accusing us of?” Bart demanded. “After all, we were the ones who affected his capture if you’ll remember.”
“Then where are they?” asked the old soldier.
“Back in the inn,” Bart explained, “watching our equipment.”
“We’ll just see about that,” he said. Motioning to the two archers who were in the crowd he indicated Riyan, Bart and Chyfe. “Don’t let them get away.”
“Yes sir,” one of the archers replied.
“Instead of wasting time with this nonsense,” Bart said then pointed in the direction the three riders had fled, “maybe you should be getting after them.”
“Too late now,” he replied. “Besides, it would be foolish to leave the protection of Marl Crest. Who knows how many Raiders lie in wait out there in the darkness?” Turning toward the inn, the old soldier and a good portion of the onlookers began heading quickly for the rear door.
Kevik, who had by this time returned to the inn, stood at the window overlooking the courtyard. When he saw the group of locals heading their way, he left the window and raced across the hall.
“Hurry up,” he said to Chad, “they’re on their way.”
Chad nodded. Beside him stood Seth who had just finished making his way up the rope and through the window. The rope tightened in his hand as Soth began his ascent. From below, they heard the door open and the footsteps of many people crossing the common room toward the stairway leading to the second floor.
Soth moved up the rope with great agility. When he was but a few feet from the window ledge, they heard the footsteps reach the landing on their floor. “Time’s running out,” Seth said as he leaned out to see how his brother was doing.
Soth pulled himself up to just below the window ledge and then said, “Give me a hand.” His brother reached down, took his hand, and pulled him quickly through the window.
As soon as Soth’s weight was off the rope, Chad quickly pulled it into the room and stuffed it beneath one of the beds. No sooner had the rope been stashed and they took their seats than the old soldier appeared in the doorway.
“Yes?” Kevik asked as the old soldier came to a stop just within the room.
Not saying a word, the old soldier took in the fact that Seth and Soth were in the inn just as Riyan had said. From behind him one of the locals said to others further down the hallway, “They’re here.”
“Were we supposed to be somewhere else?” asked Chad.
Turning about, the old soldier left the room and proceeded down the hall to the stairs. The local who had come with him followed, after each had looked into the room to see for themselves that the twins were there.
After the last one had left, the four companions broke into smiles. Seth got up and hurried to close the door. “That was close,” he said to the others.
“Too close,” agreed Kevik.
Then from out in the hallway, more steps could be heard approaching their room. Worry that the locals had returned quickly disappeared when the door opened and Bart, Chyfe, and Riyan entered the room. Everyone remained quiet until the door had been shut.
“We did it!” exclaimed Riyan in a hushed voice.
“So it would seem,” agreed Bart. “I suggest we take the rest of our horses and get out of here now.” Turning to Seth, he asked, “How did it go?”
“Haran said we’d find the horses in an abandoned farm three miles south of town,” he replied.
“Haran?” asked Kevik.
“That was the Raider’s name,” he explained. “The horses will be stashed inside a farmhouse with a broken chimney.”
“Alright then,” Bart said. “Get your stuff and let’s get out of here.” Outside, the eastern sky was brightening with the coming of dawn. A short time later, each had their packs and was headed down the stairs. At the bottom, they found the girl happily getting the common room back in order.
Riyan paused a moment as he watched her pick up one of the pallets from off the floor. She was humming a merry tune. Though she didn’t leave with Haran, she was pleased by the fact that he wasn’t being sent off to Yerith Keep for questioning. Hope was still alive that she and her man could be together. It just wouldn’t be this day.
She turned and started to carry the pallet to the door leading in the back of the inn then came to a stop when she saw him standing there. A smile was on her face as she met his gaze.
Chad grabbed Riyan by the arm. “Come on,” he said. Riyan nodded to her and then allowed Chad to lead him to the doorway. Before they passed through the doorway, the girl’s merry tune had resumed.
Outside, the mood of the locals was upbeat. Though the captured Raider had escaped, Marl Crest had survived the encounter. Too often in the past, the aftermath of a Raider attack had been a cause for grief and rebuilding.
“Sorry about the loss of your horses,” one man said as they crossed the courtyard to the stable. He was a farmer by the looks of him, despite the bow and quiver of arrows slung across his back.
“We’ll manage,” Bart said.
“Might get them back if we have the fortune to run into the thieving swine,” Chyfe said. “That and a little of their hide for our trouble.”
“Good luck,” the farmer said.
Chyfe nodded and then they were in the stable. Two other locals were there and they too offered their condolences on the ‘loss’ of their horses.
With three horses gone, they were forced to ride double. Chad rode behind Riyan, Chyfe and Bart rode another, as did the twins. Kevik was more than happy to not have to share his horse with anyone.
Once they were mounted, they left the stable. The old soldier was off to the side talking with several of the other locals. When they emerged, the talking ceased and the group watched them silently as they made their way from the inn’s courtyard.
Riyan was quite glad when they returned to the road and left the stares of the locals behind. Most he was sure didn’t believe they had a hand in the escape. But some like the old soldier, had their doubts.
They rode south out of Marl Crest for three miles before finding the farmhouse with the broken chimney where Haran had said he would stash their horses. Bart had been reluctant about this part of the plan, he hadn’t wanted to trust the Raider with their horses.
When they originally came up with this plan, he had argued against leaving the horses with someone they didn’t know. But Chyfe had insisted that it was the only way for them to avoid suspicion. So, they had left it to Seth and Soth’s judgment. If they felt they could trust him, so be it. And they had.
“They’ll be there,” Seth assured them. “He seemed an honorable sort.”
Bart just glared at him as they turned off the road toward the farmhouse. He fully expected for the horses not to be there.
As they moved toward the farmhouse, the unmistakable sound of a horse’s snort was heard coming from within. When they entered through the front door, they found the farmhouse was just a shell of its former self. The back wall was gone as was most of the roof. Tied to a fallen support beam were their three horses.
“I told you he would leave them,” Seth said as he dismounted.
“So they are,” replied Bart.
“Thought he would be here,” commented Soth as he dismounted to claim one of the horses.
“This was where he must have stashed his horse last night before coming to Marl Crest,” stated Chyfe.
“You think so?” asked Chad.
Chyfe nodded and pointed over to the other side of the farmhouse where a pile of semi fresh horse dung lay. It was in a place where their three horses could not have left it.
The rest who were riding double dismounted and reclaimed their horses. Once they were all in the saddle again, they left the farmhouse and resumed their trek south to Hylith.