Krystal stroked the mare, murmuring, “Hush, girl, we can’t be heard.” She fished in her pack for an apple, snatched off a farmer’s tree the day before, and offered it to the horse. Any further sounds were drowned as she wolfed down the fruit.
“Are you ready to go, Kzahar?” Emmaris asked. He’d volunteered to buy supplies and search for news this time.
Kzahar checked his clothing, freshly washed in the nearby stream that morning, then the sword on his hip, then itched at the beard on his face. He was unrecognizable as the warrior who had entered Issavan’s contest; he would be safe. “Yes,” he affirmed.
Adrian held up a hand, not taking his eyes off the road. “Hold up. Someone’s coming, I can see them now.”
They waited in tense silence for him to announce their passing. Then Krystal heard a call, faint through the trees. “Bond!” she heard. Krystal sprinted through the trees to where Adrian stood, staring toward the road. A lone woman rode by on a roan horse, calling his name. Her fists clenched. Who was this woman, that knew his name? Without thinking, she loosened her swords in their scabbards and dashed toward the road.
“Krystal!” shouted Arwing after her, but she was gone.
Adrian swore. “Everybody ready your weapons. We’ll have to do something about this.”
Lil stared. “What are you saying?” she asked him.
“Just be ready,” he said flatly.
As she reached the edge of the trees, Krystal slowed to a casual walk, letting her breath resume its normal pace. She strolled calmly out of the trees, and as her boots collided with the stones of the road, the woman turned questioningly.
03-Nov-2007 22:45:22
I wub her
