The Shattered Path

Chapter 28 - The Snare

Aerham stared at the white bundle of cloth for half of a day. His stomach growled constantly and he was hungrier than he had ever thought possible. The young woman had given him the meat and bread, but he had refused to eat it. Four times, he unrolled it and started to eat it. Each time, he fought the hunger pangs and rolled the food once more. The smell of the spices in the meat only made him hungrier.

Aerham decided to take a small bite. Surely, Ravyneira had provided this meal to him as a reward for his devotion. Before he realized it, his mouth was so full of meat and bread, he feared he might choke. In moments, the food was gone.

His belly was full. It had been so long since he had felt that. Had he failed? Had he violated his punishment? No. Ravyneira had provided another sign. Her Light was guiding him. She was taking care of him. Watching him. Preparing him.

Ravyneira had surely sent Aerham a messenger for a reason. He rubbed the silver headband under his shirt and squinted at the sun, high in the sky. The Blessed Lady had plans for him. One day he would ride onto the field of battle in shining plate armor and fight for the Goddess of Light. It was the only image he could summon to his fatigued mind. The death of his father and Deivean seemed so far in the past now, like a story of someone else's life now lost. His new life was one of suffering. He was being tested by the Blessed Lady and that was all. He would maintain his honor and Her glory would shine down upon him. He knew it because he could feel it. In his mind, he saw a distant day where he sat upon a horse and commanded Ravyn's Might to charge against the beastman hordes. Yet, even in his fantasy, that glorious victory was ruined at the end by a return trip to a burned estate and no family.

Fantasizing about the frontier reminded him of Aryl. He had not seen him in a long time, not since before the training march and his arrest. Aryl had to have heard of his situation by now. The Brotherhood had likely kept him away, since they were determined to sell their version of events. Aryl would never believe any of Uth Garenthil's truth. Aryl had likely seen through the man all along. And he would have seen through the senator, as well. He had an eye for that kind of thing.

Randeil, the most unlikable scout at the fortress, had said Aryl and several other scouts had gone to Arnich on the morning that the training march had begun. Aerham had been so preoccupied with his new duties and the ordeal involving the young girl and Uth Garenthil that he had not thought to look for Aryl while in Arnich. With the free alcohol that had flowed, Aryl should have found him. Regardless, he had half-expected to see Aryl blended into one of the crowds that the parade had passed through, but the man had an innate ability to avoid work and conflict. He was probably sitting in a tavern in Arnich drinking ale and flirting. Those scouts had things far too easy. He knew Aryl would find him after his exile. Perhaps, they could put his new scouting abilities to use and make their way to Merthia together. Either way, Ravyneira would guide him to safety. The headband meant as much.

The soldier driving Aerham's cage wagon was named Padien. Aerham did not know him. He wore a red tunic with a golden sun emblem upon the chest. He wasn't a man who liked to think for himself and clearly believed the Brotherhood's version of events. He rarely spoke to Aerham, and if he did, he called him a traitor. Unfortunately, this was the man responsible for providing his beef broth.

It was well beyond midday when Uth Garenthil emerged from The Sleeping Dragon. Aerham had heard the soldiers complaining so he knew the liar

had instructed the six soldiers to clean his precious plate armor and store it on the supply wagon. He wore a fine red shirt with gold trim and a white vest. His puffy red pants were not suitable for the warm weather. A crimson cape hung from his shoulders and the hilt of his sword emerged at his waist. He strutted to his horse and climbed into the prepared saddle, riding over to look down at Padien. A dark bruise stained the Brother's temple where that first stone had struck him on the previous day.