The Sword Maiden

Simran and Celestial

We took care of the messenger, who's name, I found out was Simran.  We cleaned off the blood that marred him, and started bandaging some of his wounds. 

The best medicine for him would have been rest, but we didn't have time for that.  The stable was a barrier between us and the people of Baradom, but we had a feeling that wasn't going to last long.  As the people grew more sober, they began to realize there was only four of us against them.  And they resented having their prey stolen.  

I wondered if telling them they were attacking a King's messenger would stop them.  But I realized they never really obeyed the King's laws in the first place, after all, they did harbor bandits.  

Redwar told us to start packing up to leave.  "We can't go far, but we do have to go.  I'm sorry, Simran, we don't have a choice."  

Simran grinned a grin of patient tolerance.  "I understand completely." 

I put the King's summons, which I had read over at least three times, in one of my pockets and stood.  Turning, I startled as I spotted someone leaning against the stable wall.

It was Daxton, with his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed to slits, watching us.  

Annoyed, I glared at him.  "We're leaving," I snapped out at him.  "So you'd better get ready to go."  

"I know, Sword Maiden."  His eyes flicked, challenging me.  

I raised my chin, irritated that he had overheard, but held my temper.  

"Daxton," said Redwar.  He did not look up from wrapping a cut on Simran's leg.  "We're going to Klada.  I'm assuming you don't want to go with us that far.  You're free to leave us, or to stay with us, as you so desire."  

Daxton didn't reply.

For my part, I wasn't sure I wanted him traveling with us and hoped he'd leave soon.  Honestly, he was just a brooding cloud now that he'd helped us rescue Derrek.  I wasn't ungrateful to him for that, but neither did I trust him.  

We were packed and ready within minutes.  Redwar asked Simran if he had a horse.  He said he did, and had tied him outside the village of Baradom.  The horse was a fine creature, and he'd been afraid it'd be stolen in Baradom.

Derrek was to ride with me.  Redwar would lead Simran on Ladine, and Daxton would ride with Valeria.  

There was rumbling in the town outside.  An itching to run was forming between my shoulders, nagging on me and whispering we needed to go, now.  

We helped mount Simran on Ladine, who stood patiently and quietly.  Clinging to her long mane, he slumped against her neck.  

With a hop I mounted Axe, and then led him over to the newly mended saddle stand.  Derrek used it to slide on behind me.

I looked uneasily to the outside of the stable.  A crowd was forming again.  And they were not going to be so easy to evade as before.  

"Let's go."  Redwar led Ladine forward.  She seemed to move carefully, as if she knew she had fragile cargo on her back.  Even so, Simran's face was fixed in a grimace of pain.    I let Valeria head out next, and so Axe brought up the rear of our procession. 

Once outside the stable Redwar turned to the left.  He was picking the shortest path to the forest.  

I knew we really couldn't move faster than a walk, because of Simran's injuries.  But at the same time, that mob behind us was coming closer. 

We continued along the side of the stable, then turned again to head straight for the forest.  The crowd was following us, and they were gaining ground.  

I couldn't look back very well, because Derrek was behind me, but he was giving whispered detailed reports.  "They're nearly to the stable now.  They've got weapons, clubs and knives."  His voice held an edge.

Redwar looked back.  He pursed his lips and shook his head.  "Simran.  I'm sorry, but they're gaining on us."  

"Then come and mount, Redwar.  Do not endanger yourselves for my sake," urged Simran.  

"We have no choice," said Redwar.  He stopped Ladine and threw the reins over her head.  Then he vaulted up behind Simran.  

"They're at the stable now!"  Derrek's voice was high-pitched in my ear, and if it hadn't been for the fact we were in a dangerous situation, I would have told him tone it down.  

Redwar clucked to Ladine and kicked, telling her we had to go right now!  The faithful mare didn't doubt her master and sprung into a canter as quickly as she could.  

I leaned forward and did the same to Axe.  He leapt forward so fast that I was glad I'd pinched some of his mane.  Especially with Derrek sloshing around back there.  We really needed to teach him how to ride.  

For all that, however, I was still happy he was back there.  

Within seconds we had distanced ourselves from the mob.  I heard angry shouts and names were being hurled at us, but it didn't matter.  We'd left them far behind. 

But at what cost to Simran?  I couldn't see his face, but I was sure he was in a lot of pain right now. 

We reached the forest, at which point we switched to walk so we weren't running into trees and branches that could knock us flat off our horses.  However, this was still our element, and Redwar deftly led us through it.  We melted into the forest and left the angry mob far behind.

The itching between my shoulders was now gone, and I had relaxed.  We were safe, and on our way to Klada. 

Up ahead, in the trees, there was a flash of white.   I sat up and tilted my head, trying to get a better glimpse of it.  What was that?  Redwar seemed to be leading us straight for it.  

The white slowly began to take shape before my eyes.  It was an animal of some sort.  Wait a second, was that a... horse?  

Suddenly I remembered the tale of how the messengers of the King rode white horses, and only they were allowed to have them.  I hadn't been sure if that was true or not, but it looked now like it was.  

The horse was tied on a long rope and grazing when we came up to it.  Simran looked up and smiled.  "Celestial!"  He called out.  

The horse, who was already watching us, raised his head higher.  He let out a low nicker and walked as far as his rope would let him toward us.

Redwar halted and dismounted.  "We'll camp her and let Simran rest.  This is a good place, and far enough away from Baradom."  

The horse called Celestial started pawing as Redwar helped Simran off of Ladine.  Celestial's coat was quite but tinged with gold.  He had one blue eye and one brown one, he was much taller than any of our horses and had long thin legs capable of covering distance.  He was probably the finest horse I'd ever seen.