Between the Veil and Crown

Arvek 12

Since the slip up of that night, Arvek was particularly careful in what he said, even when it seemed as though Kendra wasn't around, or couldn't in possible way hear him. While nothing in Kendra's behavior had changed, he was not going to put himself in a position where he dropped even more important information.

Such a decision led to him being silent more often than not, giving Kendra only one worded answers to any of her questions. Bored by his lack of conversation, Kendra and Cor filled in the silences with all kinds of chatter and, to Arvek's chagrin, singing. She was successful in teaching Cor one and a half songs. Songs Arvek knew Cor would be inclined to practice even after they were finally rid of her.

When the city of Chester finally came into view, Arvek almost physically felt a burden lifted from his shoulders.

Kendra went unnaturally quiet as they approached Chester. She pulled her mask farther up her nose, just under her eyes, and her hood down farther as they passed through the gate under the watchful eyes of the guards.

Chester stood out from all the other towns they had been to. Instead of downtrodden, falling apart buildings, the town was filled with well maintained businesses and houses. The streets were made of cobblestone, instead half cobblestone half mud, and were bustling with much happier people. Instead of suspicious looks, the new arrivals were greeted with friendly waves. While Arvek and Cor made to nod graciously as they had been taught, Kendra brushed off their cheerful greetings, and did not even look at them.

A part of him wanted to bid Kendra farewell then and there. Out of decency, he felt it better to take her as far as she was planning to go.

Their half of the deal was that they would provide protection after all. Besides, a glance at Cor told him that his brother would not accept just leaving her by herself.

They weren't given much time to ask about Kendra's destination, however. Arvek heard hooves coming up beside them and a gruff voice call out, "Halt!"

Arvek stopped his horse and turned in the saddle to see who had called out. Three guards rode up to them, looking stern.

"All three of you!" the guard in the lead said.

Arvek looked to the front to see that Kendra was still going. One of the guards veered around Cor and Arvek and went to cut her off. Kendra jerked up her head, as though she had been surprised. Though her face was still covered and barely anything but her eyes and wisps of some her hair could be seen, the guard's expression plainly said that he recognized her.

"Oho!" he said happily. He reached out to grip her horse's bridle.

She jerked back on the reins, wildly looking around for an opening to get out. Taking advantage of her distraction, the guard who had instructed her to halt came up behind her.

"Stop!" he called out. "By the law of this city, you are commanded to stop!"

She paid him no heed. She made to turn her horse out of the situation, but the guard who had first approached her came closer and successfully snatched the horse's bridle. Her horse pranced nervously, flicking its tail and laying its ears flat. Kendra took one last wild look around her.

In one fluid motion, Kendra launched herself off the horse, landing catlike on all fours several feet away. A split second later, she had bounced herself back on her feet and took off. The lead guard made to chase her on horseback, her horse conveniently shifted its haunches at that moment and blocked him. The guard holding it pulled on its bridle in order to give the lead guard room to get out, but Kendra already had a lead that allowed her to disappear down the streets and into the crowd.