The Catalyst

Chapter 14

Several times as they plodded along the White Mounts pass, Noah gazed up to find a big black bird circling over them high up in the sky. Except it was too big to be any species of bird he knew, considering the impressive width of its wings, visible from the ground even at that altitude. Noah didn't show the others. The pass was narrow, the wind strong, and daylight was fading. Shaking it off, Noah focused on the path ahead. He could always mention it later.

The pass eventually led to a smooth, wider path down a hillside. They could hear the trickle of a river in the distance. Noah's heart leapt at the sound. They were approaching the Dedrifel Bridge. Little stone houses started to clutter the low hillsides, their slate roofs peaking from the trees with smoke curling up from chimneys.

The bridge was a pretty thing made of pale, smooth stone, wide enough for four horses, with the railings worked and carved in lace-like patterns as it arched over the Fel River.

On the other side they guided their mounts along a paved road that brought them to the town center, where houses gave way to little shops, noisy taverns and open markets, with displays of firewood, stacks of wool, and a butcher standing behind his stand, shouting the excellence of his freshly hunted deer and giving passersby free cooked samples to taste. Noah's stomach growled.

Great, now he was sore and hungry. His abs still ached from this morning. The truth was Kitera packed a mean punch.

All in all it was a charming village, with cobblestone alleys meeting the main road, gardens and trees abounding. People went about their business in their wool coats and hats, sometimes sending Kitera and Noah a pointed look.

"Frankly, I believe they're jealous," Jaden told them after one such stare. "You two and your stunning dark hair."

"Well aren't you just the sweetest," Noah replied.

A wave of anticipation swept through him as they rode on, away from the town center. They were actually here. After all the detours and distractions. With Kili's help, he definitely would find this catalyst, wait 'til everyone was nice and asleep, and steal it away.

~ You seem awfully confident. ~

Have a little faith, spider girl.

Now packed dirt rather than cobblestones, the narrow path they followed wound through the woods, tall pine trees swaying in a biting cold wind, many stars already shining in a dark blue sky.

Noah held his breath as the manor appeared beyond the forest. Much wider than it was tall, it seemed made entirely of pale granite, with several porches and balconies bearing delicate stonework railings, and soft golden light shining through some of the windows. The path narrowed further as it now led them across gardens of hedgerows and flowerbeds, just before the set of stairs that led to the doors.

"What now?" Noah said in a low voice.

Jaden answered in the same hushed tone, "I suppose I shall go first."

"All right, we'll stay here with the horses. Why are we whispering?" Kitera asked.

A small smile tugged at Jaden's lips. "I don't know. Noah started it."

Jumping off the saddle, Jaden handed Silver's reins to Kitera. Noah watched as he loped up the stairs, hesitated for a second, then rapped the bronze knocker against the grand double doors. Jaden had filled in over the past four days, lithely muscular now rather than skinny.

A small, white-haired man opened and stood in the doorway, his uniform impeccable, shoes shining like they'd just been polished. He held a little oil lantern, his facial expression shifting from guarded to astonished in the span of time Jaden spoke.