The Broken Key (02) - Hunter of the Horde (28 page)

Chad emerged from the hallway and thanked the runner before crossing over to where Kevik awaited him. The smile on his face slowly died when he saw the expression on Kevik’s face. “Something wrong?” he asked.

Kevik glanced around to those conversing at the tables nearby. Taking hold of Chad’s tunic, he drew him closer to the wall. In a voice barely above a whisper he said, “They took Bart.”

“What?” exclaimed Chad a little too loudly. Glancing around he saw that several heads had turned in their direction. “Who took him?” he asked in a much quieter voice.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “There were at least five armed men.” He then gave a brief explanation of how he had been practicing his spell and had seen what happened. “I think they were taking him south.” When Chad didn’t react he added, “Kemmet is to the south.”

“Durik?” he breathed.

Kevik nodded. “I believe so.” He laid a hand on Chad’s arm. “I can’t rescue him alone.”

Chad immediately understood what he was implying, that he needed his and Riyan’s help. “Riyan is up in the Archives,” he explained. “Wait here.”

“Don’t take too long,” Kevik warned him. Visions of Bart being questioned on the table beneath Durik’s estate kept crossing his mind.

“I will,” Chad assured him. Turning around, he hurried from the room and practically raced to the stairs leading to the third floor. Hitting them at a run, he took them two at a time. At the third floor landing he left the stairwell and ran down to the Archive’s door.

It was open and when he came to it saw Riyan bent over at the table transcribing.

“Riyan!” he cried out.

Glancing over his shoulder toward the doorway, Riyan saw his friend rush into the room.

“Durik took Bart!” Chad blurted out.

Riyan’s eyes widened at the news, then put a finger to his lips and nodded to the back of the Archives. Just then, a snore came from the back announcing Stryntner’s presence.

Chad nodded understanding. “Kevik’s downstairs,” he replied. Then explained that he had come seeking their help in rescuing Bart.

It took Riyan all but a second to realize the ramifications of what he must do. He couldn’t leave Bart to the tender mercies of Durik. After wiping off his quill and capping the inkwell, he stood up. “Let’s go.” He only took a step before Chad grabbed his arm.

“If we leave the Guild, it could mean being removed from the Guild permanently,” warned Chad.

“I think we both understand that,” replied Riyan.

Together they went down to their barrack first to gather their winter clothes. If they were going to be riding at night, they’ll need them. Hurrying down the stairs they quickly reached their barrack and began changing their boots to the warmer, wintry boots they wore outside. Then grabbing their jackets and cloaks, they headed for the door.

As luck would have it, they ran into Seth and Soth on the other side. They came to a quick stop. “What are you two doing?” Seth asked. He and Soth took a look at the way they were dressed and the fact that they were carrying their jackets and cloaks.

In a quiet voice Soth asked, “You’re leaving the Guild?” Riyan nodded. “Yes.”

“You’ll be kicked out,” stated Seth.

“We know,” replied Riyan.

“A friend of ours is in danger,” Chad explained to the twins.

At that Seth’s eyes lit up. “You’re going to rescue him?” When Riyan nodded he asked, “Where?”

“Kemmet,” answered Chad.

“Sorry, but we don’t have time to talk,” Riyan explained.

Seth and Soth glanced to one another, then Seth nodded. Turning back to Riyan he said, “We’re coming too.”

Somewhat taken aback by the offer, Riyan said, “We can’t let you jeopardize your standing in the Guild.”

“Our father would understand,” Seth replied.

“Besides, it’ll be good practice for us,” Soth said with a grin.

“What would be good practice?” a voice asked from behind Riyan.

Riyan about jumped a foot off the ground when Chyfe appeared and voiced that question.

Seth gestured to Riyan and Chad. “A friend of theirs is in mortal danger and we’re going to rescue him,” he explained.

“And you didn’t invite me?” he asked, feigning indignation.

Riyan could see this was getting out of hand. If he didn’t nip it in the bud he would have every Recruit coming along. “Look,” he said to his three friends, “Chad and I can handle this by ourselves. We don’t want you three to get into trouble on our account.” Seth got a stubborn look on his face that said he wasn’t about to be swayed.

“Maybe we could sneak out?” asked Soth. The others turned toward him. “Kemmet isn’t all that far on horseback. We could be out and back before anyone was the wiser.” Riyan was about to protest when Chad asked, “How?”

“Most nights the courtyard is empty,” he explained. “We could hop over the wall and be back before morning drills.”

Chad felt foolish for not thinking of that. After all, wasn’t that the exact plan he had suggested as a way for Bart to enter the Guild?

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Chyfe said.

Chad turned and could see the opposition building in Riyan’s eyes. “We could use the help,” he said.

Riyan glanced to his friends and could see they were set to accompany them. “You understand the risks?” he asked.

They nodded and Seth said, “Glory and honor.”

“Or death and disgrace,” he countered.

Chyfe gave him a grin. “So what are we waiting for?” Riyan sighed and then turned to Chad. “Leave your stuff on your bed, then go tell Kevik to meet us out back by the courtyard’s gate. If you’re seen out there with that in hand, someone’s going to ask questions.”

“Right,” he said. Returning within the barrack, he dumped his jacket and cloak on his bed.

As Chad was hurrying to the foyer, Riyan said to the others. “Get your stuff.”

“Yes!” exclaimed Seth and Soth in unison.

By the time the others were suitably attired, Chad had returned and told them Kevik had brought three horses and would wait for them out back of the courtyard. Riyan took point as they worked their way through the Guild by back passages toward the courtyard.

The route Riyan took would find them entering the courtyard as close to the gate as was possible.

Along the way, they had to duck down side hallways, and once into a storeroom, to avoid detection by other Recruits and Guild members. When they finally made it to the courtyard, they discovered that it was indeed empty. Riyan paused there at the entrance for a few seconds as he worked out a plan.

The gate itself was ten feet high. He took note of a stack of old boxes sitting against the wall ten feet further down from the gate. They were high enough to allow them to reach the top of the wall. After pointing out the boxes to the others, he turned to the twins and said, “You two first, then Chyfe and Chad. I’ll follow once you’re all over the wall.” The twins made ready and after another look to make sure the courtyard remained empty, they raced for the boxes. Riyan held his breath, hoping no one would take this moment to enter the courtyard. He let out the pent up breath when Seth and Soth reached the boxes and began climbing. Seth reached the uppermost box first, and with a helping boost from Soth, made it to the top of the wall. In a moment, Soth was up there beside him. Then they both disappeared as they dropped to the ground on the other side.

“Okay, now you two,” he said to Chyfe and Chad.

“Piece of cake,” Chyfe said with a grin. Then after a quick glance to be sure the courtyard remained empty, he and Chad sprinted towards the boxes. First Chad, then Chyfe reached the top of the wall. After Chad had dropped to the other side, Chyfe remained on top of the wall to assist Riyan. He turned his attention to Riyan and motioned for him to come.

A split second before Riyan left the hallway and entered the courtyard, two men appeared from out of one of the side entrances on the other side of the courtyard. Riyan glanced up to where Chyfe was lying atop the wall, sure that one glance by either of the two men in Chyfe’s direction would quickly end this venture. Instead, they went to the rack of wooden swords and each removed one. Then they squared off and commenced fencing.

The men weren’t exactly close to where Riyan and Chyfe were. With their attention fixated on the fencing, Riyan hoped they wouldn’t notice him moving to the wall. He glanced to Chyfe and could barely see the worried look his friend had. Riyan took a settling breath then stepped out from the hallway and into the courtyard.

He kept against the wall as he moved toward the stack of boxes. All the while, he kept his attention fixed on the dueling pair at the other end of the courtyard.

“Hurry up man,” Chyfe’s whispered voice came from his position atop the wall.

Riyan glanced up at him and nodded. Quickening his pace, he reached the boxes and began climbing up. He continuously cast glances at the dueling pair and thus far, it looked as if they hadn’t taken notice of him. Once he stood upon the top box, he reached up and Chyfe took his hand. Then with his friend’s help, he made it to the top of the wall.

He looked over to the other side and saw the others standing there with Kevik by the three horses. First Chyfe slid over and landed with the others, then with a last glance to the pair still dueling, Riyan followed.

“Let’s get mounted,” he said.

After a quick round of introduction with Kevik, they mounted their horses. They were forced to ride double as there were six of them and but three horses. Riyan had Seth with him, Chad and Soth rode together, which left Chyfe with Kevik.

“How much of a lead do they have on us?” Riyan asked.

“A little less than an hour,” replied Kevik.

“Then let’s not waste any more time,” he said. Kicking his horse in the sides, he started to head down the street passing along the wall of the courtyard when a shadow disengaged from the darkness and moved to block his way.

“Now, where do you all think you’re going?” The shadow moved into the light and they saw that it was Swordmaster Tad. He had his hands on his hips and a rather unpleasant expression on his face.

“Swordmaster Tad?” said Chad in surprise. The others came to an abrupt halt and remained quiet.

“Would any of you wish to tell me why Recruits are out of the Guild?” he asked.

The others looked to Riyan who moved ahead of the others a short ways. “A friend of mine and Chad’s is in trouble,” he explained. “He was taken by men who have it out for him and is at this very moment on his way to torture and death.” He looked Tad in the eye with as much courage as he could muster. “We aren’t going to allow it.” Swordmaster Tad stared at them and could see the others behind Riyan nodding agreement. “You felt saving your friend was worth the possibility of being removed from the Guild?” he asked.

“Yes,” replied Riyan. “What sort of man would I be if I let my hopes and dreams stand in the way of saving a friend’s life?”

Tad’s gaze met each of theirs for a brief moment before moving on to the next. He could see the determination in Riyan and Chad’s, the others held more trepidation than anything else. “Wait a moment,” he said then turned and disappeared into the shadows from which he had come. A moment later he reappeared on horseback. “If my Recruits are leaving the Guild without authorization, then I best go along to make sure they don’t get into mischief.”

Riyan couldn’t believe what he just heard. Then he saw Tad flash him a grin.

“When you stand before the Drillmaster over this matter,” he said, “suggest that he explain Code fifty seven to you.”

“Fifty seven?” asked Seth.

Tad turned his head to Seth and nodded. Returning his attention to Riyan he asked,

“So, where are we off to?”

They kept a brisk pace as they raced down the road to Kemmet. Along the way Riyan filled Tad in on the overall situation. He made sure to leave out the parts dealing with the King’s Horde, as well as who and what Durik was. The cover story was that Bart’s enemies had captured him and were taking him to their hideout for torture and death. For the most part, that was true.

Throughout the ride Kevik would attempt to contact Bart via the ring. When they had been on the road an hour and a half he got through.

Kevik?

Bart? Thank heavens.

Durik has me. He’s taking me to his estate in Kemmet.

We know. We’re on the road behind you. At most half an hour. They had kept a fast
pace and were sure to have closed the gap to some extent.

Kevik received images in his mind from Bart. Darkness broken by glimpses of the underside of a horse and the occasional hoof. He must still be tied across the horse’s back.

Did you say we?

Chad and Riyan are with me, and they brought friends.

That’s good to know. Durik has five men with him.

I think we have the numbers on our side.
He waited for a response from Bart but none was forthcoming.
Bart?
Still nothing.
Bart, talk to me!
When again there was no response, he came to the conclusion that Bart must have slipped back into unconsciousness. At least he hoped that was the reason.

Kevik moved to catch up with Riyan and rode next to him. “Bart said Durik has five other men with him,” he announced.

“How do you know that?” Tad asked. He was riding on the other side of Riyan.

Riyan turned to his instructor and said, “He’s a magic user.”

“Oh,” Tad replied.

“Are they there yet?” Riyan asked.

“No,” Kevik told him. “I think he lost consciousness again before he could say more.

At least he knows we’re on our way.”

An hour later, the outlying buildings of the small town of Kemmet appeared out of the darkness ahead. “It’s on the south side of town,” Riyan announced to the others. They rode through the quiet streets of Kemmet. This time of night there weren’t many people out. One building had light coming from the windows. The raucous laughter coming from there led them to believe it was a tavern.

Upon reaching the southern outskirts of Kemmet, Seth asked, “How much further is it from here?”