As time wore on, Silver found that his role as Guardian extended to helping with odd jobs and dealing with the occasional set of criminal riffraff. The townsfolk in turn eyed him with a general respect bordering on awe, and took care of him and Haven however they could.
Rynnlee became a safe and more prosperous place. Citizens from other villages, upon hearing news of somewhere immune to the Baron's tyranny, moved into the ring of protection in hopes of reaping the benefits.
Conall, known for being Silver's closest confidant, grew in reputation and prestige. His single horse turned into a small herd and soon a second stable was erected behind the inn to hold the overflow. In four short years, the name of Silver became so well-known across Birle, that children included him in their ghost stories and songs and every boy wanted to be him in games of pretend. Silver for his part was oblivious to the accolades. He did what he thought was needed, but kept to himself otherwise.
Only Haven could pierce the through the persona that was Silver. With her, Silver was just Sean. Only she was allowed to say his name and only she could see his face. As she grew into a beautiful, witty and healthy six-year-old, Silver shielded her from the questionable dealings he had with the outside world.
Haven spent most of her time with Silver or Katherine, and rarely has a child been more spoiled. Thankfully Haven's good nature kept her from the pride and impish behavior that would befall many in her situation. Instead, the girl loved freely and served those she loved zealously. 'Just like her mother,' Silver thought on more than one occasion. 'She is lovely inside and out.'
However, one fateful day, the world the siblings had both come to enjoy crashed down around them. The legend of the Mighty Silver caught the attention of a lieutenant on the other side of Birle.
Borit had never stopped looking for Sean. He listened to every piece of gossip and read every scrap of reports that he came across in hopes of discovering the man he so hated. Borit was insane, but he hid it so well that only the few that crossed him knew the extent of his madness. When Borit heard the story of the man with a black cloak and silver eyes, he knew that it had to be Sean. Further reports of a little girl with him only supported his suspicions.
But Borit took his time to make an attack. He sent spies to observe the Guardian and get a look at the man's face to be postive, however no amount of trickery could bring the thing about. Finally the soldier was done waiting. In his gut, he knew he had the right figure. He would be doing the world a great service by ridding the world of this criminal. The lieutenant considered himself a hero.
So by bringing every ounce of charm and influence he had to bear, Borit had obtained a detachment of men in order to take Silver into custody, and if necessary, use deadly force.
As Borit rode into town, he noticed the townsfolk looked healthier and better off than most of the areas he patrolled. And worse yet, they did not shrink in fear when he passed by on horseback. They looked him in the eye, and an open question lay in their furrowed brows.
The soldier did not expect hospitality, but as he was about to be ridding them of a scourge, he at least wanted respect. He rode toward the inn and dismounted. Despite his mercurial disposition, Borit was a handsome man. He smoothed his hand through his hair and looked shamelessly on a few of the young ladies that had gathered. The lieutenant smiled graciously as the town assembled and waited for him to address them.
"Good citizens of Birle. I have come to lend you aid. Where is the leader of your town?" Borit's words were welcoming, but the regiment of twenty men loomed behind him. The sharp-nosed man looked expectantly for the answer to his query.
Conall released Katherine's hand and strode forward with Gilbert on his heels. The boy was now twelve and shadowed his father nearly everywhere he went. Conall cleared his throat. "What business do you have here, Lieutenant?"
Borit was put off by the lack of greeting, but his face never broke its serene expression. "Good question, Mayor. I, Lieutenant Borit, am here to arrest a ruthless criminal. I would like you to point me in the right direction. Where can I find Silver?"
Conall squinted and stroked his chin. "Silver, you say? Hmmm. Can you describe him?"
Borit cursed the man silently. Everyone knew the name Silver. This man was either a fool or a liar. Borit answered him in a honeyed tone in hopes of gaining favor with the crowd. "He wears a black cloak, has silver eyes and goes around marauding and committing heinous crimes."
Conall nodded slowly, "We've plenty of people with black cloaks, but the silver eyes is something, uh, quite rare."
Borit's eyes narrowed, but his genial smile remained. It gave him a menacing look, but Conall did not seem to notice. "Where is he?" Borit asked at last.
"Oh, I have no idea." Conall said with a straight face. It was true; Silver had gone out hunting that morning, and there was no way to know his exact location. Silver had taught him a thing or two about truthful but vague responses, and he was happy to use those skills now.
Borit on the other hand was livid. If he had not been in uniform, he would have struck the man down with one slice of his saber. But this man was well respected in the town, and Borit knew to bide his time. "Good Mayor, are you able to help me or not?" he asked through clenched teeth. He took a step forward and rested his hand gently on the hilt of his sword, a threat clear in his rigid form.
Conall's innocent expression remained unchanged. He shook his head sadly. "Uh, I am afraid I am not able to be of service to you at this time."
Borit's gaze bore into the man then he flicked it toward the boy behind him. "Nice son you've got there. Big and strong. I would hate for something to happen to him." Before Conall could react, Borit seized Gilbert and held a sword to his throat. The mask of cordiality was gone, and Borit looked more like a crazed wolf than a trained soldier. "Tell me where Silver is."
Conall hesitated. He was pretty sure that any answer he gave would end his son's life. Before he could open his mouth, another voice rang out.
"I'm here." As if from thin air, Silver glided into the crowd and in front of Borit. The lieutenant held the sword tighter to Gilbert's neck, warning the Guardian not to get too close.
"Brother!" a small voice called out from behind Katherine's skirts.
Borit shot a glance at the small girl. "Your brother will be fine if Silver cooperates," he hissed. Wait. The girl hadn't called out when he'd grabbed Gilbert. Borit's mouth twisted into a wicked grin. "Except this isn't your brother," he nodded to the boy in his arms. "Silver is. Grab her!"
Two soldiers surged forward and wrenched the six-year-old from Katherine's grasp. Haven screamed. Silver reacted quickly. A knife appeared in his hand and he beat the first guard over the head with the blunt end. The second guard, seeing the knife, blocked the overhand stroke with his arm. But it had been a feint and a crushing blow came from the other side as Silver punched him across the jaw. Crumpling to the ground like his companion, the soldier let out a low grunt as his consciousness left him. Silver scooped up Haven and held her inside his cloak. "Don't you dare touch my sister." The air was thick with tension.
Only Borit seemed relaxed, his handsome mask firmly back in place. He recognized the Silver's fluid movements from the night that the village burned. He nodded slightly and stared at the bundle beneath Silver's cloak.
"So this is that brat you are so fond of? Well that makes things easier. I have orders to arrest you, Silver, but you chose to assault two of my men." The lieutenant released Gilbert and shoved him toward Conall. Relieved beyond measure, Conall whispered something in the boy's ear and Gilbert quickly scurried off. Borit ignored them; all of his attention was on the Guardian. "You are a traitor to the crown," he continued. "I should love to see you hanged like the criminal you are, but you are just too dangerous. I know who you really are."
A flash of silver came from beneath the Guardian's hood. "Then you know I am not the dangerous one. If anyone here should be hanged, it's you." Silver's voice was quiet but it somehow echoed through the trees and in every ear present. The remaining guards stood straight, but shot each other curious glances. This man did not sound like the murderous bandit that they had come to apprehend. He had not killed the two guards that he fought, and he was currently protecting a child. Something was amiss.
Borit could sense the shift in the mood of his soldiers. He was losing control, and a blind rage overtook him. For a moment he stood completely still as if turned to stone. When he spoke, his words were calm, but chilling. "Kill him, the girl too."