Keri and Aeronwyn had circled to where they first met their pursuers. They had no idea that a few hours earlier, Bron had led a team of Sessailaine down this same slope. When Aeronwyn saw the tracks made by Bron and his men, she mistakenly thought this was a fresh group of guards from the prison.
"They must have sent re-enforcements. Damn, Keri, I am afraid that I have made this worse. Now we have the threat of more guards behind us and more in front of us. I am not certain what is the best course to take." Aeronwyn looked up the mountain. She couldn't see anyone but that didn't mean no one was there.
"We know what is in front of us. Maybe it is better to face the known rather than the unknown?" Keri asked.
"I think so too. Last time we were lucky. It was dark, they were surprised and didn't expect us to be able to hurt them with fire. I doubt we shall be so lucky again." Aeronwyn considered their options. None of the choices looked good. "Let's move cautiously towards the stream. If they fell for the false trail, they may have moved on. If not, they may be searching. We can't just go stumbling about blind. We need to know where they are before they know where we are."
They waited for first light to come so they could move out. With Aeronwyn in the lead, the pair cautiously moved down towards the stream. When it was in sight, Aeronwyn lay on her belly and snuck up behind a tree to see if she could spy any one there. Keri couched down and waited. Aeronwyn slowly pulled back to where Keri was. Whispering, she said, "I can see some of them at the place we crossed. They must have realized we didn't go that way and doubled back. Looks like nine men. We can't go that way."
At a crouch, Aeronwyn and Keri crept back. Just as they were about to stand and move away, a solitary guard appeared on the slope before them. Seeing them, he yelled "Sergeant. They are here! Come on! Here!"
"Damn!" Aeronwyn exclaimed. No need for stealth now. Standing, she and Keri set off at a run. The forest gave way to the ash and burned trees from a few nights before. Aeronwyn looked back and could see their pursuers just coming out of the trees behind them. She looked around but the cover they might have had was destroyed. "Keri. We have no choice." she said.
Turning, Aeronwyn threw a ball of fire towards the pursuing troops. Anticipating her actions, the troops darted out of the way then continued to close on the two women. A couple of the men that had bows began aiming towards them. "Down, Keri. Now!" Keri dropped as an arrow shot through where her head had been seconds before." Aeronwyn fired another blast of fire in front of the archers. Seeing it coming, they jumped out of the way and drew their bows back for another shot. Meanwhile, the other guards kept coming. Accepting the inevitable, Aeronwyn drew her sword and prepared to make a stand. Bravely, Keri stood as well and drew her sword. She was holding it wrong but Aeronwyn didn't have time to correct her before the first of the men was on her.
Aeronwyn, trained by Bron and practiced from her months as a caravan guard, was skilled. She easily won the first battle but now there were two swords on her. She could have handled two in normal circumstances but soon there would be three, then four. Aeronwyn's sword was a blaze of speed as she defender herself valiantly.
An attacker was now on Keri as well. Seeing the way she held her sword and the uncertainty in her defense, he sneered. "That face needs some surgery. I will carve it up and feed it to my dogs." He stepped forward with confidence, certain of his victory. Keri, holding the sword with both hands, was terrified. Her attacker hesitated. Keri didn't understand why then she noticed the flames climbing up the sword from her hands. It was blue-white flame that enveloped the sword but didn't melt it. Seeing that the sword wasn't melting, her attacked sneered. "Illusions and tricks!"
As he stepped in, his sword met Keri's and to both of their surprise her sword cut threw his like a hot knife through butter. In shock, they both looked down and saw Keri's sword had somehow embedded itself in his midsection almost to the hilt. Keri gasped and released the sword. Her attacker fell to his knees, the look of surprise remaining on his face even as he died.
Then the rest of the troop was within a few feet. Keri knew it was over. Aeronwyn was being forced back and she soon would have to yield or die. One of the men approached Keri, his sword lifted for a killing blow. He swung it down on her as Keri closed her eyes.
A ringing noise above her head made Keri open her eyes. Somehow, as if by magic, a sword had appeared over her head and stopped the killing blow. Within seconds, the guard were engaged by a group of wildly dressed men unlike any Keri had seen before. One of the threw himself at the men attacking Aeronwyn and swiftly dispatched one before the other had time to react. Keri didn't know who these new fighters were but clearly they were on Aeronwyn's side.
Within a few minutes the remaining guards had been killed or disabled. The man who had defended Aeronwyn turned to her and with a whoop of joy grabbed her in a bear hug, which she returned with an equal enthusiasm. The rest of the men were grinning at the display from the old soldier.
Stepping back slightly, Aeronwyn looked up at the weathered old soldier's face and smiled. "Bron, you are the most beautiful sight I have seen in months!" Keri could see the amusement mixed with embarrassment on the man's face.
"Milady, forgive my impetuousness. I am just so happy to see you alive and well!"
Aeronwyn touched his cheek gently. "Bron, you are more than my protector. You are my dear friend and there is nothing to forgive. Now I have to ask how in all the names of all the Gods are you even here?" She looked around. "Barik! That means Thugard can't be too far away. Well met! Well met indeed!"
Keri could see Barik was pleased that Aeronwyn had singled him out and began to wonder who she really was. That man she had called Bron had titled her Milady. Uncertain, she didn't know what to do or say, so she said nothing. Aeronwyn noticed her discomfort and motioned to her.
"Bron, Barik. This is the Lady Keri, Priestess of Althene, the Goddess of Mercy and Healing. She is also my newest mage apprentice and the one who rescued my from my captivity." Keri looked at Aeronwyn in shock when she introduced her as Lady. Aeronwyn smiled. "Comes with the territory, Keri. No one of this time knows Althene but a chosen of the Gods is still noble by any definition."
Neither Bron nor Barik gave any sign that the noticed how disfigured her face was. They simply bowed respectfully. "A great pleasure, Milady and even more knowing you are the one who has been aiding Aeronwyn." Barik smiled as he spoke.
Bron looked curiously at Aeronwyn. "I almost didn't recognize you at first. Is there some magic in that hair coloring? It is most...unusual."
"You mean you aren't used to seeing me with locks of gold and red?" Aeronwyn laughed. "I had forgotten in all the excitement. Yes, magic is involved but I can't say what. Something the Old Gods did and apparently not for me. I am just the messenger." Bron nodded. Keri could see he was used to the odd dealings with magic that Aeronwyn brought.
"Meanwhile, let us get back to Thugard. He has a ship and Cadeyrn, Jerrill and Moiril are with him." At their names, Aeronwyn perked up.
"We found a great plaza, with a statue. I assume you know it?" Aeronwyn nodded. "Thugard has a ship at the dock there and we have secured the place for now. I would not want to wait any longer than needed."
"I doubt the Nereus would fit in that harbour. What ship?" Aeronwyn asked.
"A trader. We had hoped to be subtle but I think that hope is gone. Can you climb?" Bron looked at Keri as he asked, pointing at the mountainside. Keri nodded.
"We shall have to talk about that sword thing later Keri. Don't let me forget. Meanwhile, our transportation awaits." Aeronwyn was almost jovial. Keri hadn't realized how worried she had been until she now saw how relieved she was. They turned to the mountainside and began the climb back to the temple entrance.
