The Keepers of Eternity

XII

It wasn't particularly a challenge to leave the Varner's lands. Really, all they had to do was sneak out over the back hedge and cross a small park to reach the main road. From there, they would carefully trek down into the city. Navigation of the city itself would be the challenging part. Lenore knew that they would have to lie their way out of every encounter, just to keep people from asking after them. It helped that the Swordfellows left their uniforms on, at least then the everyday passerby might just think them to be special messengers, and not runaways.

Lenore waded through the tall grasses next to Evadrian. She swatted the air, trying to keep the bugs from flying into her face. Evadrian ignored the pests, walking with an air of determination that she had so rarely seen before. Honestly, it was him she had to thank for arranging this search for her sister—he hadn't even argued.

Of course, she knew why he had been so reluctant to help her. Lenore didn't care that he was fond of her in a romantic sort of way. If Evadrian wanted to help out, then fine...that was nice of him, and she would thank him. But she promised herself that she would not take things further. Enough trouble had already come out of meddling with that sort of stuff, plus, she simply didn't have time. Her main focus was finding Abreigelle, and nothing else.

Behind her lurked Sid and Monfreid, each walking silently. She was glad they had come along too. Most importantly, they wanted to come along for the sake of her sister—their friend. Sweet, naive Abreigelle, who had always been so outgoing and so fearless. Wherever she was now, Lenore hoped her sister was still strong and unafraid, for it gave her hope...it gave everyone around her hope.

The park ended, and they had to climb over a small fence to reach the main road. It wasn't busy this time of day, only a few carriages rumbled down the dirt pathway, probably making their way to the other estates further out in the country. Those folk wouldn't even look out their window to bother them.

Evadrian helped her over the wooden slats, and Lenore muttered a quick 'thank you'. Sid and Monfreid followed, each straining under the weight of their packs.

Once everyone was over, they started down the road towards the rising smokestacks and pointed rooftops of the inner city.

"What did you say to her yesterday?" she asked, trying to break the gloomy silence between them.

Evadrian didn't turn his head, he just gazed downward as if in remorse. "We just wanted to let her know that she was not alone. I felt that I owed her some time to talk...she needed the company. So, we picked flowers and brought her a bouquet."

Lenore idly kicked a stone on the path. Abreigelle loved flowers...especially roses "Thank you for that." She started again, "Thank you for everything. You didn't have to come along."

"Yes I did," He said immediately. "My job is to protect, and it doesn't just extend to Beshna or her family. If my friends are in danger, I would do anything to guard them." His wispy hair fluttered in the mid-day breeze. "I'd die for my friends."

A chill rippled through her.

"That's the price you know," Evadrian continued, "If we're caught out here as deserters, they'll hang us. We won't even get a trial."

Their lives were at risk. Lenore glanced back towards Sid and Monfreid, who walked a few paces back, unaware of her conversation. Those two were younger than her, and she felt it cruel to let them come along, knowing that they might suffer. "We'll return, Evadrian," She assured him, "They won't know that we've gone."

"They will. If we're lucky they'll whip us."

Lenore cringed. If we're lucky... "Maybe it's better if we don't ret..." She stopped herself. That was a stupid thing to say. She had to return for the sake of her mother, and the Swordfellows for the work. Humans without work lived in the gutter, and no Neurean ever felt pity enough to give them spare change. Essentially, they had to return, or starve to death.