"Those little leather thongs make excellent wrist bindings," the colonel said with admiration of Silver's handmade restraint. "I wonder why we don't have something similar?"
"They are easily made but there is a little secret that makes the process tricky if you don't know how to do it," Silver explained as he motioned to one of the prisoner's arms. "With the wrong loop there, the whole thing will fall apart and you will have quite a mess."
Colonel Jay inspected Sir Kent's restrained hands and nodded thoughtfully. The knight, seeing his rear being studied, tried to thrust his back into the soldier's face. His plan backfired as Jay stepped aside and let the arrogant man fall on to his rump.
"Yes, very effective indeed," the colonel chuckled. "I appreciate you allowing us to use your tools until we can replace them with the metal shackles back at the fort."
Jay pressed the toe of his boot against the sprawled out knight. "And you say this is the ring leader who has been illegally collecting taxes in Birle?"
"That's right. We have had a couple of run-ins, but I have never had the man-power to fully deal with him." Silver cracked his knuckles, sending a chill down the colonel's spine despite his placid expression.
Jay was muscular, but the uncertain figure of the Guardian made him uneasy. While Silver had proved a few times about his willingness to work with the soldiers of the fort, his mysterious presence did not really inspire trust. Still, the general of the fort was unwilling to cross the cloaked figure, and Jay was no different.
Jay unconsciously gulped. "I appreciate you entrusting the criminal to our care." He turned his attention to the other man he had rescued. "Thank you also for your part in helping Birle."
Ethyn winced and rubbed his neck. "I will be honest and admit I was an unwilling participant. This was all that man's idea." He had thrown enough doubt at the Guardian's plan that it seemed only fitting to take none of the credit.
"He's right. This knight ended up in the fray quite unintentionally and without his armor. Nonetheless, I thank him for his help." Silver tipped his head humbly.
"A knight?" Jay looked at the man in a new light. Not everyone could acquire such a title. "Then I am even more glad for your help, sir," The colonel said, placing his fist on his chest.
Silver chuckled silently to himself. 'Whether knight or Guardian, titles matter far more than they should. I doubt they would respect me so much if I were called a fool or a charlatan.'
"We should be thanking you as well," Silver said. "We would've been in quite a tight spot if you had not showed up."
"Gilbert saw the signal and altered us. That is quite a neat trick, being able to use an arrow as a signal. Is that something taught to you by the almighty Fates?" Jay wondered, only half-joking.
"Actually I read it in a book. It turns out that it works." Silver shrugged.
"You didn't know if it would work?!" Ethyn's vein nearly popped from his forehead.
"Calm down, young man," Silver patted him on the shoulder. "I was pretty sure it would work. At least more sure than not. And it did!"
The green-eyed man narrowed his gaze. He hoped the Guardian was exaggerating, but he wasn't so sure. Silver pretended not to notice.
"Where is this 'Gilbert' you mentioned? Is he with you? I want to thank him also for not ignoring my beacon." Just like the Guardian was placing distance between himself and Ethyn in front of the soldiers and prisoners, Silver was also trying not to insinuate how close he was with Conall's son.
"Ho! Gilbert, my boy, come here!" Jay called across his men. A clean shaven man with hazel eyes stepped forward to greet them. The thin boy had put a lot of strength into his arms in the military, but his frame would never be bulky. There was a calm serenity in his eyes that made him both trustworthy and at the same time a formidable opponent.
Now that Gilbert had realized his dream of becoming a soldier, nothing much seemed to get under his skin. He knew his purpose and the stalwart young man exuded the confidence of a life fulfilled.
"Yes, Colonel," Gilbert saluted his superior. He did not spare a glance to the Guardian as he stared loyally at his commanding officer.
'Good boy,' Silver thought with a smile. 'Conall would be so proud.' Silver was proud too. While he wasn't Gilbert's father, he did feel something akin to his uncle. Seeing Gilbert in his full glory did his heart good. 'Perhaps I ought to thank the prisoners for this gift. I would not have gotten to see Gilbert in his element otherwise."
"These men have something to say to you." Jay held out his arm to indicate the Guardian and the knight whose name he just now realized he did not know.
"Thank you for heeding our signal," Silver bowed deeply, his cape billowing from the action. "I owe you my life."
Gilbert's face barely changed. At most it allowed a ghost of a smile. "All part of my duty, Guardian. I believe you save far more people than I ever could."
Jay grinned, clearly delighted by the young man's humility. "The lad undersells himself. I have rarely seen a man so dedicated."
"Thank you, Colonel," Gilbert saluted again.
"One moment," Jay walked away to speak with one of his subordinates about whether it would be easier to tie the prisoners together with a lead rope, leaving Gilbert, Ethyn and Silver alone for a brief moment.
"You look well," Silver said quietly.
"And you are very lucky I was the one on sentry duty," Gilbert responded seriously. "I know we discussed that signal last time I was home, but I had very nearly forgotten. What would you have done if we hadn't arrived?"
"I would have disappeared into the trees and distracted them while Ethyn, Daisy and Courage escaped. Or ridden right up to the gate of the fort and announced the arrival of the prisoners myself." The Guardian actually had a half dozen contingencies.
Silver had learned a long time ago that what can go wrong usually will. He was alright with the others thinking that he just made it up as he went along though. It wasn't entirely false, yet somehow he always seemed to pull through.
"Your father was going to contact you to see if you knew a code breaker. We have some communications that we are unable to decipher." The Guardian spoke quickly so as not to arouse suspicion.
"I know one, but asking him will not be easy. We aren't close and a sudden friendship would arouse suspicion. My apologies." Gilbert looked around to see if anyone was watching, but no one was paying them any attention.
"It was worth a try. We do not want to bring you any problems." The Guardian sighed. It would have been much faster to talk to someone in Birle than wait for Sage, assuming she had any answers. Alas, he would have to look elsewhere.
"I do have one piece of news. We receive orders to tighten up the border, yet I overheard the General complain about the many holes in the defense plan. It looks like these men have been exploiting one of those holes. It may be a coincidence..." Gilbert's voice trailed off as Jay returned.
"Now then, I think everyone is secure and ready to go. I do not suppose you want to come and give the general the report yourself?" The colonel already could see the cloaked man's head shaking.
"I have matters to which I must attend, but I cannot speak for the knight here."
Ethyn, who had been listening quietly like a good former squire, realized now that he was being addressed. "Oh, no, I shall not be able to go with you just now. I must head back home. I am simply happy I could be of assistance."
The men all shook forearms and parted ways. Silver and Ethyn watched as the soldiers and their captives ambled back toward the garrison.
"Well, as you said, we should be heading home," Silver yawned. "I am looking forward to a hot meal after such a long day."
Ethyn's stomach suddenly rumbled. "Sounds excellent. What will we be having?" he asked with a lopsided smile.
"I was thinking rabbit stew," Silver's eyes flashed with mischief.
The knight grimaced and held his hand to his jaw. He imagined how sore it would be. "No thanks, I think I will cook."
Silver rubbed his hands together greedily. "Even better!"