Angus left the assembly of men and rode off to meet the others. NAME LATER watched as the elder knight departed, he was somewhat worried that his superiors knew more than what Demorus wanted to be known.
“Sire, I ask that you allow me to accompany Angus. As you have said yourself, these woods are not safe. I would be honored to serve you by ensuring the safety of the message you await from the others.”
With an agreeing nod, Mylor granted NAME LATER’s request. As he turned his mount and rode off to catch Angus he overheard the king. “He is a determined young man, is he not?”
Overhearing the King’s words and answering to himself, NAME LATER muttered, “Determined indeed, determined to see this land governed by it’s rightful ruler and not by a dwindling feeble old man.”
*****
As Gonath continued home he turned his thoughts back to the old woman he encountered in town. Try as he might, Gonath could not form the woman’s hideous face in his mind. The woman was distinctly repulsive, however that is all Gonath could recall. He was amazed that the old wretch knew so much about him.
“Some sort of trick?”, he asked himself
Gonath thought of the magician he once watched many years ago. He was astonished to see the man pull objects from thin air only to make them disappear to where they first came.
“Could this woman know her own form of ruse to cheat me of my horse? Was this woman able to conjure as a soothsayer?”, asked Gonath again.
The thought of the haggard woman having skills of a sorcerer made Gonath both laugh and twinge with uneasiness.
Gonath had no fear of fighting that of a physical state. The sharpened sword edge and the wild look in his opponents' eyes were things he could defend against. The mysterious world of the unseen is what intimidated Gonath. He was unsure how to avert an attack from an invisible foe.
Now feeling uneasy and more apprehensive about carrying the coin that was sought by a growing number of people, Gonath thought best to find Starik at the encampment prior to going home.
Gonath was uncertain of the exact location of the compound and was concerned he may not easily find it. His fear of not locating the campground quickly dissolved as he was startled by a figure approaching from the darkness. Moonlight shown from behind the body revealing only the frame of a man that continued to move in Gonath’s direction with a clear purpose. The unknown man turned slightly causing the steel of his sword to reflect what little light was present. Keeping in mind that at night the forest became hazardous, more so due to the arrival of the tournament. Gonath’s first thought was of danger. Unarmed, his heart began to race and the palms of his hands grew cold and dank. Gonath reached to wipe damp from his hands, he felt a warmth coming from his trouser pocket. His attention from the figure turned towards the warmth. He reached down into the pocket to retrieve the object emitting the heat that intensified. Gonath removed his hand, holding the coin he found earlier in the day. The coin flared, making Gonath drop it to the ground to avoid scorching himself. He bent to recover the gold piece and upon standing he found himself starting in the face with the man that approached.
“Sire, I ask that you allow me to accompany Angus. As you have said yourself, these woods are not safe. I would be honored to serve you by ensuring the safety of the message you await from the others.”
With an agreeing nod, Mylor granted NAME LATER’s request. As he turned his mount and rode off to catch Angus he overheard the king. “He is a determined young man, is he not?”
Overhearing the King’s words and answering to himself, NAME LATER muttered, “Determined indeed, determined to see this land governed by it’s rightful ruler and not by a dwindling feeble old man.”
*****
As Gonath continued home he turned his thoughts back to the old woman he encountered in town. Try as he might, Gonath could not form the woman’s hideous face in his mind. The woman was distinctly repulsive, however that is all Gonath could recall. He was amazed that the old wretch knew so much about him.
“Some sort of trick?”, he asked himself
Gonath thought of the magician he once watched many years ago. He was astonished to see the man pull objects from thin air only to make them disappear to where they first came.
“Could this woman know her own form of ruse to cheat me of my horse? Was this woman able to conjure as a soothsayer?”, asked Gonath again.
The thought of the haggard woman having skills of a sorcerer made Gonath both laugh and twinge with uneasiness.
Gonath had no fear of fighting that of a physical state. The sharpened sword edge and the wild look in his opponents' eyes were things he could defend against. The mysterious world of the unseen is what intimidated Gonath. He was unsure how to avert an attack from an invisible foe.
Now feeling uneasy and more apprehensive about carrying the coin that was sought by a growing number of people, Gonath thought best to find Starik at the encampment prior to going home.
Gonath was uncertain of the exact location of the compound and was concerned he may not easily find it. His fear of not locating the campground quickly dissolved as he was startled by a figure approaching from the darkness. Moonlight shown from behind the body revealing only the frame of a man that continued to move in Gonath’s direction with a clear purpose. The unknown man turned slightly causing the steel of his sword to reflect what little light was present. Keeping in mind that at night the forest became hazardous, more so due to the arrival of the tournament. Gonath’s first thought was of danger. Unarmed, his heart began to race and the palms of his hands grew cold and dank. Gonath reached to wipe damp from his hands, he felt a warmth coming from his trouser pocket. His attention from the figure turned towards the warmth. He reached down into the pocket to retrieve the object emitting the heat that intensified. Gonath removed his hand, holding the coin he found earlier in the day. The coin flared, making Gonath drop it to the ground to avoid scorching himself. He bent to recover the gold piece and upon standing he found himself starting in the face with the man that approached.