Garinor dressed swiftly and pressed his hands along his shirt to make it look as stately as possible. He walked tall and strong as he went ahead with the page.
He was brought into a foyer where the king stood with seven other guards. “You have awoken,” greeted the king. “A warm rest, I presume?”
“It was great, thank you,” he lied graciously.
“Have you made your decision? Would you pursue the scepter with my guards here or will you wait for another day?”
It warmed Garinor inside that he would be able to accept the quest. “I will journey for the scepter.”
A wide smile creased the king’s features and he clapped his hand on Garinor’s shoulder. “Good. You will eat with your escort and then set yourselves on the road.” He waved Garinor toward the guards, who took him away to get something to eat.
The table was laden with various pastries, juices, and breakfast meats. He wasn’t shy about sampling the food, but he couldn’t help feeling a little detached from the others. The five men and two women talked amongst themselves, occasionally sliding glances at the boy as if they did not approve of his presence.
“We tarry long enough,” said the taller of the two women. She rose from the table and the group washed their hands and faces in a nearby basin. Then they set off.
Eight horses were saddled and ready for them when they reached the outside of the castle. The day was bright and warm and Garinor was looking forward to the trip. With an armed escort, he would reach his destination in no time.
One of the men gave him some instruction on guiding the horse and kept close by to help Garinor as he trotted along. They didn’t travel very fast, and the guards all seemed to have something else on their minds. The tall woman was clearly in charge and the others gave her a noticeable berth.
After about an hour, they called a halt and dismounted from the horses. Garinor was doing well on his mount considering he had such little experience. Of course, most of that was because the horse was keeping up with its fellow horses more than because of any guidance on Garinor’s part.
A sweet bread snack was doled out as they lingered out in the sunlight and they took turns drinking from a small brook nearby. When Garinor went to the water, he noticed that one of the other guards stayed close to him. He realized it was the same man who was helping him with the horse.
“Listen, boy,” the man said in a whisper as he came closer. “You’re not as safe as you think you are.”
Garinor swallowed and looked up at the man.
“There are some in the group who are in the prince’s employ and will strike you dead if given the chance.” He knelt beside Garinor. “By all means, you must survive. I, Nomwel, swear on my life to protect you. Stay close to me and you will reach your destiny.” With that, he rose and walked back to the others.
Garinor took a few more sips of water, then paced back to the group, looking from one guard to another, wondering who the conspirators were. He couldn’t tell from their appearances, but Nomwel looked intently at Garinor and then turned his eyes to the shorter woman and two of the men, alerting Garinor clearly. The boy took an involuntary step away from them and was grateful when the leader called for them to continue.
As before, Nomwel rode close to Garinor but was careful to make no other gestures toward the boy. They didn’t speak or make eye contact. Garinor kept his thoughts on his goal and a wary eye on the three guards Nomwel had singled out.
“Riders,” called the leader, drawing her horse to a stop.
Sure enough, two men on horseback approached from the north, though it didn’t look as if they meant to intercept them. Still, the guards drew their swords and turned their horses to meet them.
“Stop and announce yourselves,” called the leader.
The two young men pulled their horses to a stop and greeted the woman with a graceful nod of their heads. “Tammet and Warian, my lady, out for a bit of sun.” The man’s eyes gazed over the group and widened at the sight of Garinor. The glance was not missed by the woman.
“Your eyes deceive you, traveler. Begone from the king’s guard before you regret crossing our path this day.”
“A woman of your beauty shouldn’t speak such cross words,” said Tammet. “It’s simply curious you should be training one so young without proper padding.”
The two of them geared up for a heated exchange and Nomwel took a moment to lean over to Garinor. “Get ready, boy. This is going to turn ugly in a moment.”
The woman’s tone was cold. “How we wish to carry an escort is of no concern of yours. I warn you one last time, traveler. Move on.”
When the two men did not seem willing to back off at once, one of the other guards in the group pushed forward. Garinor noted that it was one of the three Nomwel had pointed out to him as working for the prince. His sword gleamed threateningly at Warian. “Move it,” he ordered.
Ignoring the threat to his friend, Tammet dared ask, “Where are you taking the boy?” He seemed to be purposely stalling and his eyes kept turning back toward Garinor.
“Enough of your insolence!” called the leader. “To arms!”
The two travelers pulled out their own swords and a short skirmish ensued. Garinor’s horse was pulled off to the side by one of the others and he was separated from Nomwel. There was such a chaos of dust and calls and swords flying that Garinor couldn’t follow the action. All he realized was that the shorter woman had taken him aside and that Nomwel was working his way to separate himself to follow them.
“I have to get you out of here, at speed,” the woman said. “Before he gets to us.”
“But—”
“There’s no time, boy. He works for the prince.”
“He said that about you.”
“No doubt he did, but he lied to you.” She started to reach for something around her neck when Nomwel pounded toward them.
“Away, wretch!” he called, swinging his sword at the woman, but she parried it expertly. “Come, boy, let’s away.”
Garinor didn’t know what to do.