Hearing the men speak of the king's courts, Nimer turned around, more curious what it had to do with the current situation. He had not heard anything at all concerning the current human kingdom.
"Do you speak of the king of the Delvar Kingdom? What in hell's blazes did we do to deserve such an honor?" Nimer asked suspiciously.
"The king's heard all about you and your plans," one of the cultists said, waving his lantern toward the three.
"It was announced to the king that you three are gonna overthrow the Delvar kingdom. The king has ordered us to arrest you for treason," the other added, jabbing the air with his halberd.
The three stood there dumbfounded. They glanced at one another, soaking in the news. They scratched their heads and chins in question, and shortly after shrugged as if they read each other's minds. None of them knew what these men were talking about.
"I'm confused as to who said we wanted to overthrow the king and his power. I don't remember saying such a thing," Jex said finally.
"Agreed," Ray said and placed her hands on her hips and frowning. "I'd like to speak with the king about this "treason". There's clearly been a misunderstanding somewhere," she demanded while waving her hand to express her displeasure. She pointed back and forth between the two men. "Who are you anyway to give us orders like that? You're obviously cultists, not king's guards."
The two cultists lowered their weapons slightly, confusion strung on their faces. "We are king's guards," one of them answered.
"We heard it from Zinlar. He told the king everything about you and what you're doing," said the other.
"Pity you've fallen for a snake's tongue," Nimer piped up. "He seems to have possessed you judging by the color of your eyes. I couldn't imagine that you chose this path for yourselves. I never expected the current king to be so naive as to fall for such low potential. Zinlar is a man of treason. I wouldn't trust him if I were you."
The men suddenly became aggressive, raising their weapons as if threatened by Nimer's words. "Don't speak of the king that way," the cultist with the halberd commanded.
"What will you do? Arrest me for speaking out?" Nimer challenged them. "I don't see why the words of one lone man matter in this regard, especially a weakened mind like your own. This is a matter of corruption and both of you are blind."
"You're the snake here," the man with the lantern said, tightening his jaw visibly in frustration as he uttered his words. "You three are under arrest! Come with us at once or suffer the consequences!"
Nimer just stared at them, unamused. "I don't listen to empty threats."
Both of the king's men grinned, ear to ear. "So be it!" they cried in response.
Sparks of dark energy accumulated around his hand and he thrusted it forward, the tendrils weaving in every direction. They surrounded the three instantly in half rings of magic. Nimer reacted quickly, throwing a hand toward the ground. The earth below the deep snow rumbled suffering several jagged cracks upon its surface. Pillers of hard rock and soil jutted up forming barriers around the three to shield them from the oncoming attack. The horse Jex rode reared and whinnied violently at the sudden burst of magic and Jex struggled to stay on its back while hauling on the reins.
Sweat began to peel from Nimer's pores and his arm dropped limply to his side. He coughed violently like fluid was building in his chest and filling his lungs. He quickly helped hoist Ray back up onto the horse and scrambled up onto its back as well. The weight strained the horse's ability to move agilely, but they'd have to make it work for the time being. Nimer felt bad enough already having put the animal through so much.
With a slap of his hand against the creature's flat rump, the steed took off down the hill. The two men struggled to keep up and soon were left behind as the three on horseback reached the bottom of the hill and bee lined down the road way back toward town. They traveled a long way down the road before the sound of labored breathing from the horse concerned Nimer.
Nimer called out to Jex. "Stop the horse! He's too worn out to run much farther! We'll have to continue on foot but with haste!"
Jex pulled on the reins bringing the creature to a stop and all three dismounted quickly. Jex and Ray got their footing easily. Jex still held the reins with intentions of leading the horse with them. When Nimer placed his feet on the ground, the world started swimming in his vision. He placed a hand over his eyes, closing them in hopes that it would stop, but shortly after, he began to feel light headed.
Ray noticed his reaction to the pain immediately. "Are you alright? Did you use too much magic?"
"Just a bit of dizziness. Nothing to be concerned over," he answered. "I've still got strength to carry on. We need to keep moving. There's no time to delay."
His words did not ease her worries, but she chose to leave it be for the time being. The three hurried on their way with quick, deliberate steps till soon the gates of Locgres came into view. They hurried past the guards posted out front and entered the city, merging with the busy crowd that walked the streets attempting to get lost in the blend of people.
The sounds of horse hooves and many busy feet drowned out their own footsteps and they watched the people around them wearily. No one seemed to bat an eye at them but they did not let their guard down. There was no telling which guards had already heard of their presence.
"There could be enemies anywhere in this city. If word has made it to the town's guard about our warrant for arrest, we may be in trouble if we're spotted. Stay together and stay hidden," Nimer told his companions in a low, quiet voice and motioned for Jex and Ray to pull up their hoods.
The two followed his command, pulling the fabric of their cloaks up over their heads and covering their hair. The shadows cast on their faces made them harder to recognize and they knew it would work in their favor.
The three of them pulled into an alleyway that cut behind several massive buildings in the center of town. They weaved their way through the back roads trying to draw little attention to themselves. A few shady souls eyed them as they walked, craning their necks and abusing their gambling games and a few piles of coins to watch the three walk by. Jex, Ray, and Nimer soon found refuge behind a large stack of hard, wooden crates where they took a moment to catch their breath.
Nimer leaned on one of the boxes draping a hand across his stomach. He hunched over a little, hanging his head. His face appeared paler than before. Both Jex and Ray turned and looked at him with concern.
Ray placed the back of her chilly hand against his forehead. She felt a burning warmth and a light coat of sweat that settled above his brow beneath her touch. "You're burning up," she commented with concern. "We should get you to a doctor if we can. Are you getting sick?"
Nimer swatted her hand away like he was shooing away a fly. He shook his head. "Not right now. I'll live. The most important thing is that we make it through this alive."
Jex swung his hand, giving the guide a hardy pat in the back before resting his hand on Nimer's shoulder. "You're not going to make it alive in your condition if you don't give in and rest soon. We can't make it to Zaniah without you," he insisted.
"I'm fine," Nimer muttered. "Let's just watch our backs for now. If we're caught, we're done for."
All three of them watched the entrances of the alleyways keeping their eyes peeled for signs of the two cultists. Masses of people passed by, not noticing the three of them. Chances were, that'd work in their favor.
Jex pondered their situation. "The most concerning thing is Zinlar has already made it to the king and has him giving orders. Does that mean the king has been corrupted by their magic?"
An expression of worry crossed Ray's face in response to the question. "He must have had to be corrupted," she answered.
At the sound of heavy coughing, both Jex and Ray turned to Nimer to find him leaning against the wall of the building, supporting himself with one hand and the other hand over his mouth. With each hard cough, blood seeped between his fingers and dripped to the ground.
"Nimer!" Both Ray and Jex cried.
The edges of the guide's vision started to gray and soon gravity took him as he started falling face first toward the ground. Jex was able to catch Nimer before he collapsed to the ground. Nimer hung limp, passed out in the farm boy's arms. Jex shook the guide gently, and the man's head rolled about his shoulders and his eyes remained closed.
"We need to get him help and fast," Ray insisted.
"I don't think we have a choice. We can't lose him now," Jex answered. "Help me get him up on the horse. Let's get him to the inn and call in a doctor."
Both Jex and Ray lifted their guide up onto his horse's back, letting him lay against his neck. Staying on high alert, they made their way through the streets back to the Dwarven Chicken.