Chapter Nineteen
Ynob led the pack among the trees. He told them they needed a change of clothes and maybe some transportation if they were going to the castle. He told Snow to stay in her rabbit form and try not to speak when other humans were around.
“Where the heck are we going?” Hambone complained. He was not happy being on the human side of the wall. The wizard had done his best to disguise Hambone, but the dwarc felt all wrong.
“Ask the wizard?” Snow yelled back.
“Just a little farther.” Ynob exclaimed, pointing ahead.
Grace was the one who was at the greatest disadvantage. The only disguise she could have pulled off would be a light. They didn’t have a lamp, so she hid in one of Hambone’s pockets. She grumbled softly to herself.
It seemed like they had left the wall quite some time ago, but all trudged on for Kara’s sake. The land on this side of the river looked no different than in the Territories. Hambone hadn’t seen any other humans yet, but they had passed an animal he had never seen before. Ynob called it a cow and said that humans would get milk and beef from the animal.
“What’s milk?” Hambone had many questions.
“It’s a white liquid that comes from the cow’s udder.” The wizard pointed to a sack that hung below the cow.
“What’s beef?”
“Beef is meat.”
“And where on the cow does that come from?” Hambone was very curious. Maybe he would get some meat from the cow and milk to go with it.
The wizard quickly hurried them on without answering his question. Now that they were farther on, Hambone dreamed of eating meat and drinking milk. Or at least eating something.
“There’s a house nearby. Stay here while I check it out.” They gathered around a small pine tree, as the wizard approached the house. He disappeared from sight.
“I hope there’s food here,” Hambone said as his stomach growled.
Snow nodded. She was busy looking around when all of a sudden she froze, looked in another direction, and bolted from under the tree. They heard barking, and soon a small dog started to chase after Snow. It gained ground on her, as she tried to double back.
“Go…away…” Schunk. She transformed mid-stride and skidded across the grass on her face. The dog stopped in its tracks, startled by the new development. Grace came out of Hambone’s pocket to have a look.
The dog barked at Grace, who twittered back at the dog. This dialogue went on back and forth a few times.
“Grace, do you understand that dog?” Hambone asked. Snow picked herself off the grass, massaging her stained face.
“That dog will understand me in a minute.” Snow walked determinedly at the dog, until Grace intercepted her. Grace sprite-spoke.
“I don’t care if he was only playing.” Snow complained.
More twittering from Grace.
“His master was taken from him? Oh, boo hoo.” Snow turned away from the dog to address Hambone. “Is the wizard back?”
Ynob parted the shrubs. “Yes I am, and I thought I told you to stay in your were form?”
“I did it to escape this little terror.” Snow pointed behind her at the dog.
The wizard gave her a patronizing look.
“Well, you try being a rabbit and being chased by a mutt.”
“Come on. No one’s home. We can stay for a bit. And yes Hambone, there is food.”
Hambone quickly followed the wizard and Grace flew after him. The dog at first started to follow the sprite and then sat next to Snow.
“Don’t try to make friends with me now, buddy.” She made a move toward the dog and it backed away. She then followed the others with the pup trailing her.
It was a blacksmith’s home, or at least that’s what it looked like. A huge forge sat toward the opening. A sword rested next to it. The inside of the house was in shambles as if someone had ransacked it.
Hambone quickly sought out food, while Ynob inspected everything. Grace flew down by the dog, and Snow sneered. Grace twittered with the dog.
“I’m going out back to search around. Stay here.” Ynob said.
“Yes, master.” Snow mocked him, but the wizard was already gone.
Hambone busied himself by gobbling down food found in the pantry. He wasn’t stopping to take a breath in between bites. Snow watched him disgusted. “You want some?” The dwarc held out an ear of corn. Snow turned away.
The lonely sword drew her attention. It looked like fine craftsmanship as far as she could tell. Maybe it was a sword for royalty or a noble. She knew there were classes of humans in this land. The Territories had little of the class ranking and more of a race ranking.
Grace flew up to Snow and twittered loudly. “What? The dog knows something?” The sprite became excited again and chirped on. Hambone listened in as the sprite-speak became louder.
“Kara’s dog?” Hambone interrupted, bits of corn falling from his mouth. Grace continued her story. Snow listened intently. After the sprite finished, she looked at both of them. There was still an excited jitter in her flying.
“We should tell Ynob about this right away.” Snow said and turned toward the door, but suddenly the wizard appeared right there. His face looked white and scared. “What’s the matter?”
“There is something terrible in this land…and it knows I’m here.”
***
Four hours after Katrena secured her in a church pew, Kara was able to break the binding spell. With some coaxing from Rose, she began with flexing just her fingers and toes and then slowly moving her legs. Rose suggested using the muscles could thwart the effects of the spell. Kara tested her movements during the last hour so she wouldn’t overexert and call attention to herself by falling flat on her face. Finally, Kara felt able to leave her pew, even leave the church. She assumed her illusion charm dissolved as well, but so far none of the pilgrims or religious folk acted any differently toward her. Slowly and calmly, she exited her pew and then made her way out of the church.
A few of the soldiers remained at their posts, but they were regular lookouts and not members of the Witch Guard. One sentry stood near the back door. Kara wished she could go around him, but that was the way Katrena had brought her in.
Go slow. Act normal. Act like you belong.
Rose’s coaching helped greatly. It made Kara calm. She approached the guard, and his eyes turned to her. But then, they quickly looked elsewhere. Kara took that moment and exited, her heart beating rapidly. Maybe her disguise still worked.
Outside the church, there was minor hustle and bustle with carts going along the castle road and people traveling every which way. The chaos before her was overwhelming, but Rose again reminded her to act normal. Kara blended right in.
Parked on the side of the church was Katrena’s cart. Kara had remembered that part. Peasants couldn’t leave their transportation out in plain sight without someone stealing it.
Turning the corner, she stuttered to a halt, slightly gasping. A silver and violet Witch Guard soldier stood looking over at Katrena’s cart. He saw Kara before she could scramble away.
“Old woman, this cart, is it yours?” His eyes were penetrating, as if they could see right through her.
“Uh, uh…” Kara couldn’t get her mouth to work.
“You should not leave it unattended. We live in dangerous times. Let me help you up.” The guard extended his hand. Cautiously, she extended her own, not sure if this was a trap.
The guard was gentle, helping her up into the driver’s seat. She smiled a weakly and then nodded. But now a different panic set in. She had never driven a cart before. Of course, she had been with her father as he controlled their horses, but she never did pay much attention.
She shook the reins weakly against the horses’ flanks. Nothing happened. She tried once more with the same effect.
“Let me. Ya!” The Witch Guard slapped the rear of the nearest horse and yelled. It suddenly let out a whinny and jolted forward. Its partner followed suit. As the cart moved away, Kara turned to look at the guard to wave a thank you. When she caught his gaze, he held a confused look. Quickly, she ducked back out of sight. Had her disguise worn off?
***
Black smoke clogged the air of the dungeon, making it impossible to see. Kirt and Jesset crept through the maze hunched over, not wanting to crawl if they had to make a run for it.
“I think…cough…the exit is…cough…” But Jesset couldn’t finish. His lungs expelled puffs of soot.
The rat named Vern was Jesset’s guide.
Yeah, I can smell the market. Just tough it out a little bit longer. Vern waddled ahead.
Jesset grabbed his brother’s hand and squeezed. Soon they would be out of here.
“Halt!”
Behind them came a coughing command. Both prisoners quickened their steps. Light penetrated the smoke farther down the corridor. Hope filled Jesset.
“Prisoners escap—” The rest of the cry was muffled by a cough.
The day sky blinded them both as they erupted out of the smoke-spewing doorway. Kirt fell to his knees, knocking Jesset to the ground. Coughs wracked each of them, but it was good to breathe fresh air.
If only they had a moment to rest. But a guard also emerged from the same doorway, disoriented, but ready to inform everyone about the escaping prisoners.
Kirt was up first, pulling Jesset to his feet. They ran into the crowd of onlookers, trying to quickly blend in.
More cries from the dungeon guard alerted other soldiers. Two followed the fleeing brothers into the crowd.
The main road approached. Wagons and horses rumbled past, forcing Jesset and Kirt to pause. They looked back and saw their pursuers gaining. One had his crossbow in hand, while the other had drawn a sword.
“Pick a wagon and jump in!” Jesset yelled to Kirt.
An old woman driving a cart erratically passed by. Jesset snagged the tailgate. He gave a small run and hopped, pulling himself up into the bed. Kirt ran a few steps behind.
“Take my hand!”
Kirt’s fingers clawed at Jesset’s upper arm not finding purchase.
“Halt!”
Suddenly, the wagon shot forward with new speed. The old woman whipped the horses again as if in a panic.
Jesset grabbed Kirt’s arm with both hands, pulling him only slightly into the cart. He glanced back at the soldiers. The one with the crossbow was aiming straight for them.
“Quickly!”
The cart hit a rock and jounced the two men. Kirt landed on top of Jesset.
They had escaped.
Jesset started to laugh, but then saw the look of pain on Kirt’s face. He craned his neck and saw a crossbow bolt protruding from Kirt’s shoulder. Blood was slowly staining his tunic.