Black Ryder

The Village

Cayman awoke bright and early, and felt refreshed after a quick bath and a change of fresh clothes and scarf.

She set the scarf around her neck as she walked out, down the hall and stepped out of the building.

The elves were all up and bustling about already and she sighed happily as she took in the familiar sights and sounds.

She was sad not to have seen a certain someone on her visit here, but she figured he must have moved on somewhere else.

She hadn't asked of him, for she didn't want to be disappointed in the answer.

She heard footsteps approaching from behind and turned to see the chief.

"So, you will be leaving?" He asked as he came to stand next to her.

She sighed as she faced the village once more. "I must. If I want to reach the tower in less time, then we must head out now. It's a three day journey from here," she said sadly.

The chief nodded. "Well then, you're horses have been groomed and fed, you're bags have been refilled with food and water, and in your bag I've put the whistle in it. If you ever need help, you know what to do."

She grinned at that. "I will, thank you, Uncle." She turned and lent down hugging him tightly.

The chief held her close, and whispered,"you come back alive you hear me?"

She nodded as tears filled her eyes and they released each other, and she blinked the tears away.

"I will see you again, until then," she said as the horses were brought to her.

She wrapped the scarf around her head and pulled the hood up, looking to the chief once more and nodding, before mounting her horse and taking the leads of the others, and walking towards the dungeons as the elves waved and wished her luck.

Once she reached the dungeons, she motioned to the elf on guard, who saluted her with caring eyes, to open the hatch.

To their surprise they all launched out in battle position, causing Cayman to choke on a laugh.

What the... She thought.

Tyler and Keirnan woke up early and came up with a plan of immediate attack as soon as the gates were open.

They awoke the other two alerting them to this change of plans and planned.

Around nine am, they heard noises out side and prepared to launch, the gate was opened and they launched out in battle position.

But to their surprise, it was only black Ryder, in clean clothes and the horses groomed by his side.

"Are you kidding me!?" Tyler exclaimed. "We were left to rot in those cells why you were helped to a lovely bath, getting all cleaned up when you don't even need it! You have a hood for heavens sake man! I have needs, I have hair that needs attention, I have-"

"What happened, what is going on?" Keirnan demanded.

Laken stood aghast at the sight of Ryder sitting calmly on his horse, holding out the reigns to them.

"Tell us what is happening," he demanded.

"We're free to go. We have safe passage through the village. Our saddle bags have been restocked, and the horses have been rested. Mount up, we have a witch to hunt," he said strongly.

The others stared for a moment before Samson took the lead and mounted his horse, the others stumbling to follow.

They were almost through the city when a man came running after them, causing them to tense up.