Legends Lost: Amborese

Chapter IV -- Castille and a Stranger

Amborese and Philip hid behind some trees watching the mass of people flooding the gates that led into Castille. Many of them came from afar and carried all of their possessions. They plodded through the mud, eyes downcast, slumped underneath the weight of their treasures. A gloomy mood hovered over them. The refuges' depression affected even Amborese and Philip. Stealthily, they hurried from the trees and wormed their way into the crowd. The two blended in with the mass of people moving slowly down the road to Castille, their cloaks pulled close in the rain. Their hoods were pulled down low to conceal their faces from prying eyes. "Remember, we want to go unnoticed," Amborese whispered to Philip as they joined those migrating to city. They kept their faces down, expressions grim, mimicking those around them.

Amborese and Philip allowed themselves to be nudged and pushed as they passed through tall wooden gates. Guards patrolled the gates and the surrounding wall. Their stony features told everyone that they cared nothing for the despondent people entering the city. Philip and Amborese worked their way to the side of the crowd.

"Everyday it's the same," murmured a nearby man to another. "They come in droves hoping that the guards can protect them. But they do not realize that the guards no longer serve the people. They serve themselves and any strange folk who pay them well."

"What do they need protection from?" asked the other man.

"There is talk of strange creatures roaming outside the city walls. They need neither sleep, nor food. These creatures are an army of ghosts destroying everything in their path, and woe to those who do not bend to their will. One can only wonder how long it will be before they come crashing through those gates."

Their voices faded as Amborese and Philip pushed further into the city. The city had winding streets that crisscrossed in every direction. People lined the road making temporary homes out of frayed canvas. They listened to the pleading of children who wanted to go home. Amborese's heart ached at the forlorn faces of the parents. Despair filled the faces around them. Many hushed their children not knowing what to say, always wondering if they would survive the night.

"It's growing dark," whispered Amborese.

"The days have been shorter since we crossed the mountains," answered Philip. "But for them the sun never rises," he said indicating the people who were camped on the road and the multitude that still poured into the city. Fear consumed them. Even some of the guards within the city fiddled with agitation. They nervously patrolled the streets waiting for whatever it was that drove the people from the outlying farms and villages to finish them all.

Amborese and Philip found the Stone Tavern on the far end of the road that led them into Castille. They kept the hoods of their cloaks up as they went in. Ignoring the greeting of the innkeeper they hurried to a table isolated in a dark corner. The barmaid asked for their orders and Amborese told her to bring them two ales. Phillip and Amborese were silent as they watched the commotion inside the tavern. Drunken men laughed, sang, and were happily drunk until they passed out; in stark contrast to those outside. Philip and Amborese scanned the mass of people each thinking the same thing: Kylanisha and Sposa were not there.

"Where are they," whispered Philip. Amborese stared at their ales in response. "I cannot bear the thought of staying here for the night. I do not trust this place, especially with that-," Philip cut himself off. Amborese glared at him with a warning in her eyes to not speak of the necklace here. She pulled her cloak tighter to keep the glow of the necklace from attracting unwanted attention.

"Kylanisha said she would meet us here. We will wait a little while longer," she said.

"I do not trust this place."