|[ THE FAERI'S KEEPER ]|

Chapter 31: Seer

Cedric had been too cautious to leave the safe haven of the Seer's Stone until many hours after Soldin had left.  The other king was probably halfway back to Thalandor already, but he did not doubt Soldin's dark intentions. There could be a trap, of he could be waiting until Cedric stepped outside the ring of protected hallowed ground and into danger. His head was pounding with a dull ache and his throat was dry. He took a sip of water, but the burn remained, taunting him. He sighed and put his water skin back in his bag.

"Sir, we should start leaving soon," Merrick said urgently, but respectfully, "If war is truly about to start, should we not be making our way back to Trinstone and start preparing? We cannot leave the kingdom unprepared."

"Yes," Cedric said slowly, "I am just worried that now Trinstone and Thalandor are in open war we will walk into a trap on our way back."

"Well my king, you have your men by your side. Your Faeri Knights." A guard piped up, "Men who are willing to die for you. You have nothing to fear."

"And you have us." Lance said dutifully, drawing himself up to his full height. His grip on his spear tightened until his knuckles were as pale as his clothes.

"I do not question your loyalty," Cedric said with a small smile, "I know what you are prepared to lose. I would just rather you not have to go through with it."

"You are a kind king, Cedric, but it is our job." Said a smooth voice, "We have trained for this for many years. I am sorry to hassle you, my king, but we must leave." Cedric turned to the guard and watched him with careful eyes. He was a few years older than Cedric, with curling black hair falling out from underneath his helm. His brown eyes were intelligent.

"You are a brave one," Cedric said impressed, "What is your name, knight?"

"Malodin." The man said smoothly, "At your service."

"And I at yours."

"You will never serve me, my king. It would not be proper." Malodin said, looking almost shocked, "You are my king, and I am your servant."

"But that is the job of a king," Cedric laughed, "To serve his people?" Malodin watched him carefully, considering him for a moment. A grin spread on his face.

"You know, Sire?" Malodin said with a chuckle, "I think you will make a fine king."

***

"Ho, the king returns!" a voice cried with obvious delight as Cedric walked out of the thick underbrush and into the lighter, more spacious trees. It had been far easier to return than it had been to leave – the path was already cleared for them. They only had to retrace their steps. The horses stood where they had been a day ago, grazing quietly on the grass while the two guards left to tend to them were sitting against a tree, playing a game of cards. Obviously everything had been quiet. The two guards quickly packed up their game and stood to attention. Cedric waved away their formality and turned the older of the two.

"Anything happen whilst we were gone?" he asked.

"We've been bored out of our bleeding minds!" one guard cried, "If we had to have waited any longer, I'd have made my call to Navê."

"Not anything dangerous, sir," the other man said quickly, cutting across his partner, "But a woman came searching for you."

"A woman?" Cedric asked, his heart beating quickly. Could it really be...? Merrick and Lance glanced around, as if they suspected she was still there, about to burst out of the trees.

"Yes, an elderly woman." – Cedric's heart sank – "She said she needed to tell you something, to warn you." he shrugged, "She seemed a bit odd, to be honest, my king. A bit mad."