Alred floats across the river. His rock lands and he sit down. Flopping down to the ground. He looks to the side to see the horses still have rings of earth around their legs.
Holding their legs and placing a rock under its stomach. Only the first one had an issue. The others seemed to figure out what was going on.
"How long until we reach Newhill Bay?" Agis ask? He's already mounted his horse.
"Couple days, but we need to rest for the night." He pushes himself up. "I used to much mana and need to rest. Let's cook some meat and sleep. We can take off once the sun raises."
"I will ride ahead. I do not want to waste time here." Agis turns his horse, heading to the woods.
"That is not a good idea. Have you traveled through the Wild-lands before?"
Agis turns and looks right at Alred.
"This is the farthest I have ever been from home. I was told my father was alive. I don't have time to sit here."
"The world out there doesn't care about that. I want to make sure you get to him. Yeah, I have my own mission but I want to help you as well. I won't stop you, you must walk your own path." Alred lays back. Agis horse stops, he slides off and walks back to the group.
"Laena," Jep calls her name. "Do you mind going to hunt for some meat? You have the best chance of getting something."
"No worries, make sure you guard Master while he sleeps." You can leave it to me.
She picks her bow up and runs into the wood. The sun is starting to set. Predators will start moving in the night, she knows she needs to hurry.
Jep sits by the fire watching Alred sleep. Agis sits between them. Neither Jep or Agis look at each other. The silence can be cut with a knife.
"Why," Jep looks at Agis. Agis looks at the fire. "Did you decide to follow him?" He looks at Alred. Who now has started to sore.
"I'm not sure how to explain. At one point, it was a life or death choice. I choose life. But there is something about him." Jep looks at his master. "Everything about the man, screams, he will do what he can to win. Even if it will cost him his life."
They fell back into silence. Watching the fire as they toss more logs on to it. Laena outs out of the darkness, holding a pair jacks. She already skinned them and drove a stick through them. Jep hurries and puts two y-shape sticks in the good and they put the jacks over the fire.
"One of you two cook. Wake me in a couple hours, I'll stand watch." Laena lays down near Alred and is asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The huge spider named Queen comes to a stop before a large gate. The guards had already called for back up. Four squads and knight stood in for the of the gate. The door to the carriage on top squeaks as James climbs out.
He jumps down to the ground and walks to the knight. He holds the scroll out. "We are seeking work. We are mercenaries."
The knight takes the scroll and checks the seal. He hurries back into the castle before he returns after a few moments.
"Come, I will show you a place for you to rest. I do ask that you keep your spider in check. As the people here are not use to such a thing."
"Will," James pats Queens leg. "Queen here won't bite unless we say so." They start to walk in the gate. "Oh, but if someone provokes him, I'm not sure we can stop him."
"I understand, I will place two guards at the stables to make sure no one goes in there." The knight continues to walk inside.
First they come to a stable. Once they walk in they can see that all of the horses have been removed. The spider had the whole place to itself. Victor gets out of the carriage at this point. They follow the knight into the manor.
They can each tell this lord was richer then the last one they saw. The walls are taller and in better shape. Even the soldiers who are bound in chains seem in better shape then the last ones. They walk up to a man in a full set of armor, only his helmet is removed. His darker skin and black hair making the two men pause.
"My name is Luther McHale, Captain Knight of the Southwick Kingdom. My General is busy at the moment. What can I do for you gentlemen?" Luther says with a quick glance.
Luther doesn't stand, and barely gives the two a glance. James feels a fire burning within. A man of this stature dares to disrespect his Master? James goes to step forward, anger on the tip of his tongue. A firm hand grips his arm. He looks back to see his Master smiling.
"We seek work, we are both mages from across the Great Sea. A captain from the last manor sent us here of a letter."
"I know, I read the letter. At the moment, I have no need for a random group of mercenaries. If you wish to join the kingdom, I can send you with a letter to the capital. Master Alistar is always looking for more mages. However," Luther lays down his quill and looks at the two men. "The only work I have is for grunts."
"I think we will rest here for a bit and then decide on what we need to do."
"Sounds fair, you did help us a bit. Max, show these men to a place for some food and a hot bath. You have two days gentlemen." Luther wasted no time, picking his quill back up and going back to work.
Max walks up to the table, a young kid, maybe sixteen or seventeen. His eyes still filled with hope, yet he hasn't seen a battle.
"Please follow me." Max gives them a half bow. They walk through the manors court and Max leads them to a mess hall. Men and women eating their meals. Only a few bother to look at the new comers. Most have their face stuck to their food. There sitting in the corner a couple of young mages watch the two sit down.