“Glad you’re back man,” Chyfe said as he came and patted him on the shoulder. Before he could say another word, the sound of more approaching men was heard. It was coming from further down the street from which the first group of guardsmen had emerged.
“This way,” Bart said. Leading them down an adjacent side street, he hurriedly led them away. “Better find some horses and get out of here.”
“Alright,” agreed Riyan. “Lead on.”
The twins still supported Chad between them. He remained unresponsive.
“What happened to him?” Bart asked.
“It happened during one of the blasts,” explained Riyan. “Not sure how bad it is.”
Pausing at the corner of an intersection, Bart gave Chad a once over. “At least he’s still alive,” he said. Riyan nodded worriedly in agreement.
Bart glanced down the converging streets and saw that other than milling groups of citizens, the coast was clear. Then he saw an inn some distance down the street to their right. “Stay here,” he told them. “I’ll check it out.”
“Alright,” replied Riyan. “But hurry.”
Nodding in agreement, Bart moved out. A minute later, he returned with news there were enough horses in the inn’s stable for each of them.
“Good,” said Chyfe. “Let’s move.”
No sooner had they entered the street and were heading for the inn, than two score soldiers emerged onto the street double timing it toward them. Still two blocks away, Bart immediately moved to the nearest door and kicked it in.
Once the door was open, Chyfe rushed through with the others following quickly. As soon as the twins passed through with Chad between them, Bart followed and shut the door. Moving to the window he peered out at the approaching soldiers. A few seconds later, the soldiers rushed past and turned down the street toward the site of the explosion.
“Where did they come from?” Seth asked. Coming to stand at the window next to Chyfe he looked out. A moment later, another group of soldiers appeared coming from another street and were soon on their way to the scene of the blast.
“The streets are crawling with them,” observed Riyan. More soldiers were seen converging on the blast area.
“Yeah,” agreed Bart. Then he took a good look at where they were.
It appeared to be a clothier’s shop. Tables and shelves held various articles of clothes, as well as bolts of cloth and other materials. Bart pulled Riyan close and said, “See to Chad. I’m going to find the roof access and have a look around.”
“Be careful,” Riyan said.
“I will,” assured Bart. Then he moved further into the shop in search of the way up.
From where Kevik was using the healing gem to heal Chad came a groan. Riyan hurried over to find Chad’s eyes opened and more focused. “How’s he doing?” he asked Kevik.
“He’s coming around,” Kevik replied.
Riyan knelt next to his lifelong friend. Chad’s eyes met his as another groan escaped him. “Bad?” asked Riyan. Worry for his friend was very evident upon his face.
“Yeah,” croaked Chad. He started to reach up to inspect the damaged area when Kevik blocked his hand.
“Leave it alone while the gem heals you,” he said.
Lowering his arm, Chad mumbled, “Just like my mother.”
Riyan grinned. He knew how protective Chad’s mother could be at times. “At least he won’t insist you put on more clothes when you go outside,” Riyan said with a grin.
Chad chuckled then gasped when the effort produced a sharp jab of pain.
“Take it easy,” Kevik scolded him. “I may not be a healer, but even I can see this is bad.” His own pain continued to diminish as the gem’s magic simultaneously worked to heal both him and Chad.
Seth stood near the window as he continued to keep an eye on the goings on outside. Aside from the occasional appearance of soldiers rushing toward the devastated area, the streets were relatively clear.
His brother came to stand next to him. “Think we’ll get out of this?” asked Soth.
Seth turned to his brother with worry in his eyes. “Hope so,” he replied. Just then another squad of twenty soldiers rushed past, this time moving away from the devastated area. The twins ducked to either side of the window to avoid being seen until the soldiers had moved on. “Wonder where they’re going?”
“Searching for us most likely,” guessed Chyfe. He joined the brothers by the window as he too looked out.
A few minutes later, Bart returned from the adjacent room where he had found the roof access. “The whole town is crawling with soldiers and guards,” he announced.
“There weren’t that many here when we arrived,” argued Soth.
“Could have been called in to help with hunting for us,” suggested Chyfe.
“I find that very likely,” agreed Soth.
“Unfortunately the streets between us and the edge of town are being patrolled,” Bart told them. “Soldiers are stationed at many of the intersections.” He glanced toward Riyan and added, “It’s unlikely we’ll be able to make it out without detection.”
“What are we to do then?” Riyan asked.
“Wait until dark to make our break,” he replied.
Riyan nodded. “At least that would give Chad a chance to get his strength back,” he said.
“Alright,” agreed Seth. “But if we’re going to wait until dark, we’ll need to find a better place in which to hole up than here. It’s only a matter of time before someone comes in.”
To Riyan, Bart asked, “How is Chad?”
“Chad’s doing better thank you very much,” Chad replied before Riyan could answer.
Bart grinned and chuckled. “Glad to hear it.” Glancing to Kevik he asked, “And you?”
“Better,” he replied. “The gem seems to be healing both of us at the same time.
“Great,” he stated. Leaving Kevik to continue healing Chad, he moved over to the window. Looking out, he tried to locate a nearby building that would better suit their needs until nightfall.
“They all pretty much look the same,” Seth said after a moment.
“I know,” mumbled Bart.
“Maybe you could use that Cloak of yours and find a place,” suggested Riyan.
Bart turned back to his friend and shook his head. “Can’t.” Then he explained what happened, the damage done to the Cloak, and his hopes that it could be repaired. When he was done, he looked questioningly to Kevik.
Kevik shrugged. “I haven’t a clue,” he admitted. “My master spoke little about magical artifacts and never about repairing them. I could make inquiries at the Tower when we return.”
“I was afraid of that,” responded Bart.
“Don’t get rid of it,” Kevik advised.
“I’m not planning to,” Bart assured him.
“So are we moving to a different locale or what?” asked Seth.
Before Bart could respond, Chyfe said, “What about the roof?” When Bart turned to him he added, “No one may go up there.”
“True,” agreed Bart.
“But,” countered Soth as he pointed out the window to an adjacent three story structure, “this building is hardly the tallest. Wouldn’t we be rather exposed to anyone looking out from there?”
Bart glanced outside to the building. “Possibly,” he admitted. “We better not take the chance.” A moment passed as he and the others considered their options. Then his eyes fell upon the goods stacked upon the tables and shelves; cloaks, shirts, and other various types of clothing. “I may have an idea.”