provisions equally and douse the fire,” he instructed. Without waiting for a reply, he led the horse further away from the road until both it and the wagon were completely hidden by the darkness.
The other three set about doing his bidding. He returned just as the fire was finally extinguished.
“We should go east toward the Traxis border,” he said. “I have friends there.”
“No,” Jonas argued. “We need to make it to the mountains. Regardless of what you think, the dwarves will honor their oath.”
Markus shook his head. “You’re a fool, old man. I’ve been in Lumnia for twenty-five years, and I’m telling you – whatever oath you think they made…”
He paused. Even in the dim light of the moon he could see Jonas’ resolve. “Fine. I’ll get you as far as Tulani. But from there you’re on your own.”
Ethan reached out and touched his friend’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
Markus brushed his hand away. “Let’s just get moving.”
He led them southwest for a time. The moonlight gave very little assistance in navigating the rugged terrain; the thin forest was riddled with small rocks and roots that sent both Jonas and Ethan stumbling to their knees on several occasions. Kat, however, stayed at the rear and seemed to have no trouble at all in avoiding the obstacles.
After half an hour of progress, Markus stopped and listened intently. For a few minutes they could hear only the rustle of the wind through the leaves and the chirping of insects. Then, in the far distance, the sound of rapid hoof beats echoed through the forest.
“If they don’t smell the campfire we should be fine,” he said.
They waited anxiously until the hoof beats faded before moving on.
“How far is it to Tulani?” asked Ethan.
“Two weeks on foot,” Markus replied. “Unfortunately, we don’t have anywhere near enough provisions to last that long, so we’ll need to go into Masi to resupply. As for now, we’ll stop in a few miles to rest a while.”
Jonas offered no objection to this when Ethan glanced back at him. There were still several hours to go before dawn, and he desperately wanted to talk to Markus some more. So far though, each time he tried, he’d come up against a brick wall.
“Can’t you get it through your thick head?” Markus snapped at him after the third attempt. “I’m really not the man you knew before. And if you keep pestering me like this, I swear I’ll leave the lot of you alone in the bloody forest.”
Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but quickly saw the truth of these words in Markus’ eyes, and instead settled for a sharp nod of acceptance.
The rest of the time was spent in silence. When they did eventually halt, Markus made a point of bedding down several yards away from the others.
“What can I do?” Ethan asked Jonas. “All I want is to make things right between us.”
Jonas looked away, his eyes suddenly distant. “Some things can never be made right. Best you remember that.”
His words only made Ethan even more guilt ridden. Lying on his blanket and staring up at the unfamiliar night sky, he felt truly small and alone.
The part of him that was still a young boy wanted to weep, but the proud soldier he had become kept his tears at bay long enough for sleep to take him.
Chapter Nine
THE RUMBLE OF thunder shook Ethan awake. Though the sun was breaking over the horizon, the sky to the west was gray and promising a miserably wet day.
“We should find shelter,” said Jonas as he hurried to gather up his belongings.
Markus laughed. “Shelter? There’s no shelter where we’re going. No soft beds either.”
Jonas scowled and eyed the approaching storm. “Why does that not surprise me?”
Kat was the only one who seemed to be in high spirits. She sniffed in Markus’ direction and pinched her nose. “Maybe the rain will wash some of the Hareesh stink off you.”
“Better the stench of a Hareesh den than a rundown whore house,” he shot back. He turned to Ethan. “Why are you taking this girl along with you anyway?”
Kat’s chin jutted out. “He’s not taking me. I’m choosing to go.”
“She’ll just slow us down,” Markus continued, ignoring her remark.
“Well, at least I won’t turn them in to the Empire,” she retorted.
Markus’ face turned red. He took a menacing pace toward the girl.
“Leave off,” ordered Jonas. “Both of you.”
Markus growled, but after simmering for a few seconds, strode rapidly away.
Moving close, Ethan leaned down to whisper in Kat’s ear.