Both Lord Duncan and Casper stood before the tent as the bright, early morning sun rose. This caused their armor to gleam, dazzling any whose gaze fell upon them. Slowly, each turned dark soulless eyes to the East and to their true masters.
As far as the serfs and soldiers that rode at their sides were concerned, the two brothers served the ailing king.
The truth was, these two served no mortal man. Their allegiance lay firmly with the Evil Ones, as their markings proclaimed.
As the two gazed off toward the East, a horseman carrying the banner with the Lanes’ family crest upon it, approached. The sole rider rode with haste, suggesting he had news of import. Yet, still the brothers paid him no heed.
With a whicker from his steed, the rider drew to a halt before them and waited. All who served the duo knew better than to open their mouths until addressed, so the rider sat rigid in the saddle, eyes fixed firmly forward.
Five more minutes passed before the brothers finally drew their gaze from the East and turned it on the man in front of them.
“Report,” Sir Duncan said with a disinterested yawn.
“My Lords, we tracked the pack to the edge of The Jagged Forest, but no matter what we did to our hounds, they would not enter that dark place.”
“Yes-yes,” Sir Casper said with a wave of the hand. “But where did the pack exit the forest, and did they have what they hunted with them?”
The man’s eyes turned to Lord Casper, and the nobleman saw fear in them.
“Speak, damn it!” Sir Casper hissed, his impatience suddenly growing.
“I’m sorry, My Lord, but the pack never left the forest. If they had of, our hounds would’ve picked up their scent.”
“It appears, brother,” Sir Duncan said as his gaze turned in the direction of the forest. “We have found the individual we are looking for. For only one person would be able to defeat our pack.”
“How can you be sure our pack is dead, brother?”
Duncan looked up at the bright sky, then at his sibling. “You know their kind cannot suffer the sun. Even under the canopy of the densest forest, the sun would still cause them pain. No, if any of the pack survived their encounter with the one we hunt, they would have returned. They are dead.”
Casper nodded. “Then our prey lies within the forest. Let us go in and drive him out.”
“No, brother. That place is filled with Elvish magic, and I will have no part of it.”
Casper stroked his chin. “Then we burn it to the ground!”
Duncan shook his head. “The Jagged Forest is mainly made up of Ironwoods, and those trees do not quickly alight. And again, Elvish magic resides there, so I doubt our torches and oil would find a footing.”
“Then what, brother?”
“I think we should use the Hawk Gazers. Their birds can hang high on the winds and spot the smallest creatures from miles away. Rest assured, they will find our quarry.”
Casper nodded. “Those eyeless old men unsettle me. But nevertheless, a fine decision, brother. In the meantime, might we not partake of some breakfast?”
The two turned and strolled into their pavilion. “I don’t know about you, brother,” Duncan said as he crossed his hands behind his back. “But I have a hunger for bacon and eggs, followed by a young wench from yonder town.”
Casper smiled as he glanced over his shoulder at Garisa. “You know there’s something on that menu I can’t bide, and it’s not the eggs or bacon.”
Duncan chuckled. “Then maybe we just stick to the food and allow our other pangs of hunger to sharpen our wits.”
“As always, brother, you speak wise words.”