Darkest night

Chapter Three

The sun started to drift towards the horizon, shades of red and yellow dusting the ground below, the edge of the forest teamed with peasants entering and exiting Glendore. Barrek neared the wall hoping to catch word of what they were looking for. Praying that it would not be him. All he wanted to do was to go home. He desired to be with his wife and kiss his son. His little boy who was a mere babe when he left. Barrek's head dropped at the thought of his son not remembering him. The lad had been young, no memories would they share. Barrek gripped his sword hilt, determination, and hope crossed his face. He would make it home. He had to. The rough stones of the wall bit into his fingers as he skirted along the base, he needed to get as close as he could. Four guard stood lazing about the gate, looking through people's things and intimidating the women. Barrek watched as one man accused a woman of smuggling coins in, she stood there staring at him, her eye's bright with anger, the guard then grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the line, he was leading her to the little building that stood near the gate for the guards to sleep in when not on duty. Barrek face flushed bright red, he tightened his grip on the tree in front of himself, holding himself back, he could not do anything for that poor woman. Not alone. Breathing slowly he turned away, nothing he could do would help that woman, he would only make things worse. A scream rang out from the little building. Before Barrek knew what happened he was running from tree to tree. Closer he came, the higher his anger rose. His knuckles white as he held his sword hilt. The blood pumped rapidly through his veins, all he could see was hinted red, anger drove him forward.

The small building was two floors, and made of a rough wood, the angled roof looked like a possible entry point with a high window under the peak with only a paper screen. Barrek smiled as the adrenaline of the game raced through him. He saw a tall oak right beside the building. He knew that he would have surprise on his side, all he needed to do was climb the tree. Barrek looked about, no one had come to the woman's rescue. Only him. He was up in the tree in a moment, higher and higher he climbed. The years of roaming the forest with his father in his childhood gave him climbing skills that were considerably better than others. Once high enough Barrek jumped lightly onto the roof. Leaning over he slyly slipped his body down. Hanging by his fingertips he used the toe of his boot to break the thin paper that covered the window. In a flash he was inside the room. It was dark, the only light coming from the slit in the paper behind him. A gentle hum sounded in the room, Barrek froze. Listening closely he tried to determine what it was. Soft snoring. A man lay asleep, he had fallen off his bed and lay tangled in the bedclothes on the floor. Barrek tip toed passed him. Below him he could hear voices echoing from the floor below him.

"Now, now, there is no reason to be angry my dear." The guard said smugly. "If you want to prove that you are not smuggling coins in, all you have to do is take that pretty dress off and show me you are hiding nothing."

"Take my dress off, you tried to rip it off!" The woman shouted back.

"I was only trying to be of assistance."

"If you want to be of assistance than I ask that you would lead me back to the gate and through it!"

"I can not do that until you can prove that you are not smuggling coins. A man was robbed today by a woman matching your description. You jangled as you passed. I cannot do anything about the law, only uphold it."

Barrek leaned into the doorway, he could see the back of the guard, a tall man with sandy blond hair that needed a trim, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his coat to its limits. The woman was hidden by his large frame but he caught sight of a raven black head. Pressing himself to the wall Barrek contemplated where he would go from here.

"If you would like me to disrobe go and find a woman, I will not lower myself to be a common lady of the night by removing my clothing for a man I am not wed to!" The woman said as she turned to the door.