Shadows of Wychering

Chapter Six - The Town Master

Ameline, back in the inn, sat with the town master. A man named Arthur Godspell, a tall man with gray at his temples, a hard lined face and a square jaw. He wore the clothes of a farmer but spoke as one educated in the city.

"That is quite a story, but with what I have heard from Adren and Melly, well, I cannot deny it happened."

"Please, Master Godspell, I need a horse and at least some water if you can spare?" asked Ameline.

"You cannot possibly consider riding tonight."

"I must. I must get word to the King's Guard and to the Order of Coelum."

"There is a pigeon post in Cordonva and that is a half a day's ride from here when there is light to see by," Arthur Godspell shook his head. "In the darkness? Even longer."

"Then that is what I must do, will you spare the horse, sir?" She handed him what silver she had.

He folded his hand over hers, "Keep your money, I will loan you a horse. It is dangerous to ride the roads at dark, I cannot advise it."

"Time will not allow me to wait here till day. My Jame—friends are captured. Some of the King's very own guards, they will surely send troops."

Arthur Godspell rubbed his whiskers, "Do as you will lass, but be careful. I shall rouse Galt, the stable master, and make sure he has a horse ready."

Ameline wiped a tear away, "Thank you, sir."

"You are welcome. Give Galt a minute, and we will have the horse here." He rose, paid the innkeeper and walked out.

Ameline sat at the table Jame, herself, and Adren sat together at. Alone with her thoughts, her lack of action again played in her mind. The terror gripped her so tight, it came on unexpected. She had dreamed of battles and facing down enemies, but failed in the face of a real foe. If not for Jame, Morgan and the Guards, she too would be with them.

A bowl of stew was placed before her by the barmaid.

Ameline picked at the stew, eating what she could but had no stomach for it. Here she sat warm with food while her friends suffered. Beyond all she would make this right. Make up for her inaction.

But how? First get them some help.

A quarter of an hour later, the barmaid came back with a young man, his light hair mussed up, tired eyes, and his face bearing a frown.

"The one you are looking for, Galt," said the barmaid.

Ameline rose, anxious to be horseback and riding.

Galt put up both hands and stopped her. "Now wait a minute, lass. You should know, Pellar is a good horse, he is, but spirited. So I want you to be careful, if he gets spooked, and he can, you pat him real gentle like, and talk to him. He will calm right down."

Ameline took Galt's hands into hers.

"I will be careful. Thank you, Galt."

"You are welcome. Bring him back please?" Galt's face reddened.

"I will Galt, I promise."

Galt walked her out to Pellar.

"I put a water skin in the saddle bag, should do you to Cordonva."

"Thank you," Ameline said as she mounted Pellar.

"The northwest road leads to Cordonva, lass," Galt called out as she turned the horse around and gave him a gentle spurring.

She acknowledged his words with a wave and was off. The gatekeeper gave her a nod as she rode past and out of the opened gate. It seemed Arthur Godspell had arranged everything.