Garinor decided he needed to remain hidden and he couldn’t simply enter the camp outright. He turned the horse off the path and moved further to the east, planning to skirt around the troop and keep to himself. The sun was setting and the sky was darkening, but there weren’t many places for him to hide.
Garinor kept to the few trees scattered about the area. The horse sensed his need for caution and it didn’t try to break into a sprint during the stealthy walk. Garinor was grateful for having purchased a horse that was so well-trained.
When he thought he had gone far enough, Garinor turned north and continued along the way. He wasn’t sure where he should go or for how long, but he wanted to get out of range of the army that was settled in for the night. As long as he escaped detection, he would be fine.
Along they went for a while and he started to relax. He didn’t realize how tense he was until he forced his muscles to ease up. He had been clutching the horse hard with his knees and it was that pressure that had alerted the horse to his nerves. He stroked the shaggy mane and smiled at his silent companion. “We’re doing well.”
“But not well enough, young master,” whispered a voice nearby. “Be still.”
Garinor snapped to attention and inadvertently tugged on the horse’s reins, stopping it at once. “Who’s there?”
A young man came out from the underbrush, well concealed in the coming darkness with a set of leaves on his head. He held a sword in hand, poised for action. “You come close to our camp and you should be wary of your words.” His voice held a melody when he spoke and it made Garinor smile. “Now, what is your business here?”
“I am traveling to the north.”
“I see that,” he retorted. “But what is your business? You pace this path with as much stealth as a horse can muster. Why do you tread so lightly?”
He opted for honesty. “I was coming up the road earlier and I saw an army there. I didn’t want them to find me. Though it looks like I wasn’t careful enough.”
The man squinted his eyes. “An army, you say? It seems that Chief was right and the prince pursues us yet. Come, will you? Report this news yourself.”
Garinor decided to follow him further north into a small camp where a low fire blazed into the early night. He was taken to meet Chief, a bearded man who stared at Garinor with such intensity that the boy felt entirely uncomfortable. He relayed his news and the expression that crossed the man’s face was dire.
“I appreciate this warning, though there is little that we can do about it now.” He looked at the sentry who had taken Garinor into camp. “Song, watch him tonight and prepare for the morrow.” Then to Garinor he added, “I would like for you to remain here tonight. You can part in the morning, but one less wanderer in the night will set my mind at ease.”
He wasn’t sure what he should do, but he realized that his other option was to fend for himself out in the open and possibly stumble upon another pack of hunters who were looking for him. “Thank you, I’ll stay.”
“Good.” He left and Song slapped Garinor heartily on the back.
“Thanks for that one, friend! Now I’m off duty for tonight.” He laughed then led Garinor over to a pot of boiling stew. “And now I can eat this warm instead of cold.” He handed Garinor a bowl and they ate.
After dinner, Song placed their bowls into a large, water-filled barrel and then took up a place near the campfire. He spread his hands out wide and into the still night air he crooned a wonderful melody that was nothing short of enchanting. Garinor pictured the tale in his mind of an orphan boy who gave up his freedom in order to protect an honest king from treachery, earning him fame and honor for the end of his days. It was a bittersweet tale, and Song’s wondrous voice took Garinor’s breath away.
A small tent was made available for them and though Garinor offered to sleep out under the stars, Song assured him that his place was inside the tent. “You’re a stranger to us and it’ll easier to watch you if you’re here.”
“I see. But aren’t you worried that I might try to harm you during the night?”
“Yes,” he said honestly. “But there isn’t much I can do about it except send you on your way or tie you up from head to toe.” Then he winked playfully. “But I don’t have that much rope.”
Garinor laughed but then became serious. “If you are nervous, you could bind my hands and feet.”
“You’re not a prisoner, Garinor, and besides, if I do that then I’ll be all relaxed, knowing you can’t harm me. Then what would I do when I find out you’re a master at escaping knots and you enwrap my throat with the very bonds meant to offer my safety? That would be such a tragic way to go, I must say. No, no, I won’t hear of it.”
Garinor shook his head and laughed again. “If I ever did try to attack you, you could just break into song.”
The man’s face fell. “I’m that bad, huh?”
“No! Not at all! You’re amazing. You’d put me into a spell with the first few notes and I’d be completely helpless.”
Song threw a pillow at him. “Oh, shut up!”
Garinor threw the pillow back. “I’m being serious. But anyway, I’m exhausted.”
Song eyed him critically. “Methinks you’re looking to avoid defending yourself.”
Garinor raised his eyebrow. “Methinks you’re not hailed enough for your talent and you seek more showers of praise, O Golden Voice.”
He tossed a blanket next and followed with, “That settles it. You’re a rotten liar and you need to sleep.”
Garinor lay down and pulled the blanket around him, grinning. “Song?”
“Yes?”
“You really are talented.”
Garinor wasn’t surprised when Song’s pillow whomped him in the head. “That’s enough out of you, scoundrel. Besides if this keeps up the others will think you’re misbehaving, and they might come in to subdue you.”
With a yawn, Garinor responded. “That’s fine. They’ll all say I’m right anyway.”
Song laughed and then they settled down for sleep. A short while later, Song spoke in a whisper. “Garinor?”
He hadn’t fallen asleep yet. “Yes?”
“Do you really think I’m that good?”