A Kingdom Beyond the Horizon

May Fate Look Fairly Upon Us All

The shouting at once receding as the group drew further away, Oweyn explained his plan.
"Of course we must avoid Cenred's fortress along the border, so we need to cover ground as quickly as possible in order to reach the Plains of Othanden by nightfall."

"That's-" Vanora tried to exclaim.

"Bayard's land, yes. I expect you've already decided against it, but then you didn't have me." Oweyn grinned and Forridel just rolled her eyes at his self-assured stance in everything. Fortunately only Favian, who was riding somewhat ahead and taking frequent glances back, noticed, and Forridel knew he agreed with her silent judgment anyway.

"We will travel to Mercia, as I said. I've arranged for some friends to meet us at the border with supplies, so we need only last until then. Once we make it there, all our needs in the way of disguises and identities will be fulfilled as well. You'll be free to continue to Caerleon at your leisure," he directed to Vanora and Favian, the latter of whom sent him a mildly perplexed quirk of the brow, which Oweyn ignored.

"What kind of disguise do you mean? They'll be looking for a small gathering of villagers to arrive; it's not as though changing our wardrobe is going to provide much coverage."

"Quite true, though you misunderstand me. We won't be villagers once we set foot in Mercia: we'll be nobles." Oweyn tugged on the reins and their steed slowed at a dip in the ground.

"What?"

Even Forridel was unable to understand her old friend's reasoning.

"How? They'll know immediately. I cannot pretend to be one of them."

"Not all of us," he assured. "Some can be servants, or friends, perhaps distant relatives. All we need say is that we have come from someplace neither Bayard nor Uther has immediate contact with: perhaps Rheged or even Bernicia, and they will have no grounds upon which to denounce our claims. And I assure you, our identities will be perfectly safe."

"I know nothing of Bernicia," Forridel pointed out, "and very little of Rheged. Will it really be so simple to deceive those who do?"

shhhkchHHCHCHCH...

Favian stilled his horse and the others did the same, listening closely to the loud crunching sound from nearby. Two figures burst into their path, both women, one of whom was glaring at the other, sweeping her long, nearly white hair from her face. "Stealth. Heard of it?" Her sharp accent pierced the air.

The other woman shrugged, calling out, "Oweyn, they're coming. Now."

Indeed, shouts had begun anew somewhere in the direction from which the two had come. Both Favian and Forridel dismounted to make room for the newcomers, but the old man shook his head and joined them, helping Danaë and her mother down as well.

"We'll have to leave the horses behind. There are too many of us for them to do any good."

The first woman nodded. "We can take cover over there until they pass us by." And she led the way to the area she had indicated, Vanora and Danaë the first to comply, whereas Forridel hung back. She whispered softly to the horses; they scattered in response. Oweyn hitched his bag up his shoulder and grabbed Forridel's arm.
"Come along now."
They hurried into the trees after the woman, slowing when the knight's voices drew close. She led them down the bank and beneath its overhang, where they crept along before she gestured for a complete stop.