The Rogue Knight (26 page)

“And we're going right to his door?” Cole said. “Great.”

What were they going to do when they got to Trillian? Couldn't they survive one crisis before racing to another? Cole felt a distressingly familiar tension as he considered the road ahead.

“I want to walk,” Brady complained after a short time.

“We're in a hurry,” Joe said.

“I can hurry!” Brady fussed. “I'm not a baby!”

Joe set him down. “If you walk slowly, I'll pick you up again,” he warned.

Brady scampered ahead until he was right behind Oster. The floor of the corridor sloped downward. Damaged masonry and dried mud along portions of the floor hinted that the passage wasn't used very often. Something scuttled in a shadowy corner.

“We made it,” Oster said. They had reached a huge door of corroded iron set in a rusty frame. Oster threw back three bolts. “No telling for certain who is on the other side. Ready?”

They all became legionnaires.

“That'll do,” Oster said, leaning and straining to pull the large door. Minimus lent a hand, and the door groaned open.

From the doorway Cole saw only darkness. Skye extended a hand, and a dim globe of light drifted into the room, revealing a dirt floor and a bunch of old plows and farming tools.

“Where are we?” Skye asked.

“Smokehouse basement,” Oster said. “This door is hidden by a seeming, as is the trapdoor up in the smokehouse.”

They filed into the room. It reeked of dust, soot, and old metal. Oster went up a creaky flight of steps, unfastened a bolt, and opened the trapdoor. “All clear,” he said.

They went up into the smokehouse. The place was deserted. Cole could taste smoked meat in the air. Oster peeked out the front door. “Nobody in sight,” he said. “They aren't here to sack the town. They want the Rogue Knight, and he's keeping them busy up at the castle.”

Sultan collapsed. Suddenly, half of them were no longer legionnaires, including him. He lay motionless, facedown.

Crouching beside the fallen illusionist, Joe examined the wound under his shoulder. The shaft protruded from near the top of the armpit. “He's lost a lot of blood,” Joe said. “His shirt is soaked. The seeming masked how bad this is.” Using a knife, he cut away the material around the quarrel. Jace edged in as close as he could, looking over Joe's shoulder. Twitch kept his distance. “It must have hit a blood vessel. Hopefully, not the main artery, but he's in bad shape.”

“He needs Band-Aids,” Brady advised.

“Come here,” Cole said, leading Brady away from Sultan.

“I hate it here,” Brady whispered. “People always die.”

“We'll try to help him,” Cole said, watching worriedly.

Joe leaned close and probed near the wound. Sultan flinched and growled in pain. Propping himself up one arm, Sultan looked around the room with wide eyes. “What happened?”

“You passed out,” Joe said. “You've lost a lot of blood.”

“You had better go,” Sultan said. “There's no time for this.”

“You'll die if we leave you,” Joe said, taking some bandages from a pouch he wore. He packed the bandages around the wound. “I don't want to try to pull the quarrel out yet. I'd break off the shaft, but it's too short and thick to snap easily. Cruel little dart. Try not to jostle it.” He tied the bandages in place with twine. “Let's hope the pressure slows the bleeding.”

“Thank you,” Sultan said.

Joe helped Sultan up. “Come on. We're going to get you to those horses.”

“Can you make yourself a legionnaire?” Skye asked Dalton.

“Yes,” Dalton replied, creating the seeming after a moment's effort. “I can probably do somebody else too.”

“Okay, you and Cole,” Skye said. “I can cover the others.”

“That's nine people!” Dalton exclaimed.

“Eight,” Skye said. “I'll hold Brady and make him part of my soldier.” She picked him up. Everybody became legionnaires again.

“You got me?” Cole asked Dalton.

“Looking good, Cole,” Skye said. “Shall we?”

“Don't hurry too much,” Oster advised. “We want to look like a patrol investigating. It's okay that Sultan was injured. We could have been involved in fighting already. The uniforms should convince most to ignore us, except perhaps a legionnaire commander. I didn't see anyone in the immediate area. Follow me.”

They exited the smokehouse and made their way past some other buildings, toward a complex of stables adjoining some large corrals. Blackmont Castle stood behind them on higher ground. The sounds of fighting were muted by the distance.

Cole resisted the urge to increase his pace. He made a point of looking around at the surrounding structures, as if searching for someone. The illusionary legionnaires looked different from before. With the seemings up and nobody speaking, he found it hard to be sure who everybody else was, except for the legionnaire helping his wounded comrade.

The stables drew gradually nearer. The area seemed deserted. Cole figured most people had opted to hide out until the fighting was done.

Once inside the nearest stable, they found two long rows of stalls filled with horses. Skye dropped the legionnaire seemings. Oster trotted to a storage closet and began taking out saddles. “Everyone who knows how, lend a hand,” he said.

Cole had learned to care for mules back when he left the slave caravan. He figured saddling a horse couldn't be too different, and he was right.

Everyone helped prep horses besides Dalton and Brady, who sat with Sultan. The wounded illusionist rested on the floor with one shoulder against the wall, head bowed. Cole didn't like the look on his face. He seemed out of it.

Once the horses were ready, everyone mounted up. Skye put Brady in front of her, arms around him protectively. Joe helped Sultan climb onto a horse. The illusionist slouched and had to brace himself with his free hand, but he held the reins and stayed in the saddle. Minimus had selected the smallest horse he could find.

Oster mounted a horse as well. “After you're away, my orders are to return to the Rogue Knight,” he said. “His chances of survival aren't great, but while he stands, I'll stand with him. Ride swiftly.”

“I'm not sure Sultan can do this,” Joe said. “And I'm worried about Brady. We don't want to drag him into our trouble.”

“I was going to send Sultan away with Brady,” Skye said. “That won't work now.”

“Someone should take them both,” Joe replied. “Are you up for it?”

“Mira will need my guidance with the torivor,” Skye said. “And it seems you have some medical know-how.”

“A little,” Joe said. “Okay. Where should I go?”

Skye thought for a moment. “Ride due north to the village of Rygel's Forge. Then go northwest to Sutner's Ferry. Stay at the Golden Goose. They're sympathizers. We'll try to find you there. Stay vigilant. Once the Enforcers discover Brady is gone, they'll come looking.”

Joe rode over to Skye and took Brady from her. The boy didn't look pleased but kept his mouth shut.

“I've never ridden a horse before,” Dalton said nervously.

“Stay with us,” Skye told him. “Hold the reins a little looser. Grip with your legs. Don't fall off.”

All but Oster became legionnaires.

“I can do my seeming,” Dalton said.

“Worry about staying on your horse,” Skye replied.

“Don't gallop away,” Oster said. “You'll draw less attention if you take your time. I'll watch from here until you're clear.”

Leaving Oster behind, they rode out of the stable and trotted away from the castle. Cole followed Skye and kept an eye on Dalton, who looked terrified even as a legionnaire. Joe and Sultan veered away from them.

Looking ahead, Cole saw the road Skye was aiming toward. When he glanced back at Joe, Sultan was on the ground. Joe had dismounted and was trying to help him get up. The big man was unconscious and too heavy for Joe to lift.

“Skye?” Cole asked.

“I see them,” she said.

Sultan staggered woozily to his feet, and Joe helped drape him over his saddle, feet on one side, head on the other. Joe mounted up and led Sultan's horse by the reins. Slung over the saddle, Sultan didn't look very lively. Cole hoped Joe would be able to get him medical attention soon. How good were the doctors in Elloweer? The technology seemed pretty primitive.

They reached the road without difficulty. Soon Joe, Brady, and Sultan had ridden out of view.

Cole ended up trotting beside Mira. She looked worried.

“You all right?” Cole asked.

“Do you think the Rogue Knight has any chance of escaping?” she asked. “There were so many legionnaires and guards. I know he's a good fighter, but he can't singlehandedly take on the whole kingdom.”

“If anyone has a chance, he does,” Cole said. “He doesn't have to win the battle. He just has to fight his way free.”

“Except for taking me, he didn't treat me badly,” Mira said. “I hope he makes it.”

As Cole trotted up the road, he kept glancing back at Blackmont Castle. He couldn't tell whether the fighting had ended or if he and the others had simply moved too far away to hear it. Cole kept expecting to see a group of horsemen coming after them. Maybe guardsmen. Maybe legionnaires. Some of the Dreadknight's men perhaps.

But time went on, and nobody came.

C
HAPTER

 26 

THE RED ROAD

N
ot far into the ride, when Mira mentioned that she was thirsty, they realized that they had brought no provisions. Skye had grabbed blankets with the saddles, but they lacked anything to eat or drink. Minimus volunteered to go find food and water, and rode away alone.

As the day progressed, the road they traveled dwindled to a trail. They passed nobody coming from the opposite direction, and nobody approached from behind. By the time the sun went down, the faint trail was becoming hard to follow.

Minimus caught up to them while they were making camp off to one side of the trail near a stand of trees. The sight of the little knight filled Cole with relief. He hadn't eaten since a quick snack before dawn, prior to the duel. After a long day on horseback, Cole's mouth was dry and his gurgling stomach felt like it had begun to digest itself.

The Halfknight led a second horse burdened with supplies including biscuits, sausages, cheese, nuts, and containers of water. Skye, Cole, Mira, Jace, Twitch, Dalton, and Minimus sat in a circle to share the food.

“Should we build a fire?” Jace asked.

“I don't know,” Skye replied. “Brady was tended by Enforcers. They'll send out search parties. We don't want to draw attention.”

“The night is not cold,” Minimus said. “The food doesn't require heating. No flames would be safer.”

“Where did you find all this?” Cole asked. “We weren't expecting a feast!”

“I had to ride most of the way back to Blackmont Castle,” Minimus said. “Nobody lives out this way.”

“It's true,” Skye said. “Hopefully, this will be the last place they'd expect us to go. Everyone knows to stay away from the torivor.”

“He has servants, though?” Cole asked.

“The Red Guard,” Skye said. “They're the ones who must have taken Honor. If a member of the Red Guard is ever caught by legionnaires or the city guards, the penalty is death. No crime required. Members of the Unseen treat them the same way. They are servants of an ancient evil. You don't come across them often. The chances increase as you get close to the Lost Palace.”

“I've heard of Trillian,” Dalton said. “People talk about him like he's the scariest creature ever. But I've never heard who he actually is.”

Skye shook her head. “That's because we don't really know. People who go to the Lost Palace rarely return. If they do, they've joined the Red Guard and become Trillian's devoted servants.”

“Haven't you interrogated members of the Red Guard?” Jace asked.

“I've only ever seen one,” Skye said. “It was back when I was new to the Unseen. I didn't get to talk with him, but I understand that he refused to answer any questions, even under torture. Frankly, I think most people prefer to leave the torivor alone. We don't need to understand him as long as he stays put. Nobody wants to stir up that hornet's nest. He's the monster our parents scared us with to make us behave.”

“Go to bed or the torivor will get you,” Cole joked.

“Exactly,” Skye said. “Trillian has symbolized fear for generations of Ellowine children. Since he can't leave the Lost Palace, the people of Elloweer keep away and try to ignore him.”

“And that's where we have to go,” Twitch said.

“It's where I have to go,” Mira corrected. “Nobody else has to follow me. I have to try to help my sister.”

Cole knew Mira's current expression. It reminded him of when she had insisted they go after Carnag. He knew she would proceed alone if necessary.

But was that smart? Of course Mira wanted to help her sister, but what good would it do Honor if Mira got captured too? If people were scared to even go near where the torivor lived, it had to be bad news. Oster had acted like it would be suicide.

Cole frowned. If the mission was ridiculously dangerous, shouldn't he skip it? If he got captured or killed, who would help Jenna? Cole glanced at Dalton, who appeared thoughtful.

Cole wondered how he would react if the torivor had taken his sister, or his parents, or Jenna. He reluctantly supposed he would do everything he could to help them, dangerous or not.

“I won't leave you,” Minimus assured Mira. “I'm under orders.”

“I may be useless,” Jace said. “But I'm loyal.”

“Useless?” Mira exclaimed. “What about when you attacked the Rogue Knight? That was one of the bravest things anyone has ever done for me!”

“Yeah.” Jace chuckled darkly. “I really made him pay. He'll never tangle with me again. Attacking him was the loyal part. Failing was where the uselessness came in.”

“Losing to the Rogue Knight carries no shame,” Minimus said. “I doubt whether any warrior in the five kingdoms could best him.”

“I didn't just lose,” Jace said. “He didn't even consider me worth fighting.”

“Be glad,” Minimus said. “Your attempt was valiant, but the fight was not fair. He was a seasoned warrior, fully armored. You were a lad with a short sword. You have a brave heart. That can be more important than size or strength.”

“Easy for you to say,” Jace replied. “You're really strong.”

“None of us start out strong,” Minimus said. “And none of us have the exact same strengths.”

“Cole, thank you, too,” Mira said. “I couldn't believe it when you came flying after us. How did you make the Jumping Sword work?”

“I don't know,” Cole said, grateful to be recognized along with Jace but also embarrassed. “I was really desperate, and it just happened. I haven't been able to make it happen again.”

“You found Dalton,” Mira said. “I know you two have other friends out there still. You don't have to feel stuck with me.”

Cole glanced at his best friend. Did he want to expose Dalton to this new threat?

“Cole found me by sticking with you,” Dalton said. “We'll try to help.”

Cole wondered if Dalton had been able to tell he was wavering. His friend was right—if they were staying with Mira, that meant standing by her through the good and the bad.

“We're not leaving you,” Cole said.

“We've made it this far together,” Twitch added.

“That doesn't mean we'll keep surviving,” Mira cautioned.

“Don't get me wrong,” Twitch said. “I'm not above running away if it comes to it.”

“I'm with you too, Mira,” Skye said. “Hopefully, we'll never have to enter the Lost Palace. Maybe we can deal with the torivor through his Red Guard. Honor could be our only hope to stop Morgassa. Let's hope Trillian will listen to reason.”

“Morgassa?” Mira said.

“You need to fill us in,” Twitch said.

Skye explained what they had learned about Morgassa and her horde. Mira and Twitch listened with wide eyes.

“How long before she reaches the capital?” Mira asked when Skye was through.

“The Rogue Knight estimates she's nine or ten days away from Merriston,” Minimus said. “She doesn't hold to a straight path. She weaves around to hit any nearby towns.”

“Is the Rogue Knight keeping track of Morgassa?” Skye asked.

“He's aware of the threat,” Minimus said. “He knows she is using figments to change people. Last week he sent a couple of his knights to investigate.”

“And they came back?” Skye asked.

“He's never lost a knight,” Minimus said. “We're not easy to bring down. Any of his men could defeat the greatest champions of Elloweer.”

“How did he find such talent?” Skye asked.

“He's a unique man,” Minimus said. “Unique men follow him.”

“How much do you know about him?” Skye pressed.

“More than I can tell,” Minimus said.

“What can you tell?” Cole asked.

“The Rogue Knight is the truest person I know,” Minimus said. “I'm proud to serve him.”

“How old are you?” Jace wondered.

Minimus laughed. “Why? Because you're all taller than me? Don't worry, it's a common question. Some people assume I'm a child. I'm more than twice as old as any of you besides Skye. I have never been endowed with great stature. But I embrace my humble proportions. Hence my name, Minimus, and my title, the Halfknight.”

“You named yourself?” Dalton asked.

“Nobody knew I would be so tiny at birth,” Minimus said. “That name would have been quite a coincidence. My parents were both of normal size. They had me and then a brother. He was a dwarf as well.”

“Is he a knight too?” Jace asked.

Minimus chuckled. “In his own way. Like I noted before, we all have different strengths. But my size has advantages. My opponents tend to underestimate me.”

“Are you going to eat?” Cole asked. “We're all chowing down on the food you brought.”

“I had enough on my way here,” Minimus said. “I'm content. Part of my vow to the Rogue Knight stresses that I keep my armor on while in public. My true identity must remain secret. None of us go by our given names.”

“Do you think you could give me some lessons with a sword?” Jace asked. “Maybe I could become less useless.”

“So long as we journey together, it would be my pleasure,” Minimus replied. He stood. “And I will keep watch during the night.”

“You can't watch all night,” Twitch said. “When will you rest?”

“I've always been able to cheat sleep at need,” Minimus said. “I'll let you know if it starts dulling my edge. Tonight, sleep well. I'll rouse you if danger approaches.”

“I'll lay a seeming over us that will last through the night,” Skye said. “To any onlooker, we'll appear to be bushes and small trees.”

“You can make that hold while you sleep?” Dalton asked.

“I use some of the same principles involved with a long-term seeming,” she explained. “It will only be good until around sunrise unless I strengthen it.”

“Rest sounds good,” Twitch said, yawning. “That was a long ride.”

“It'll be a longer one tomorrow,” Skye said.

“If nobody ever visits the Lost Palace,” Cole said, “how do you know where we're going?”

“Nobody goes there, but everyone knows the way,” Skye said. “We just have to find the Red Road.”

“The what now?” Cole asked.

Sky gave a half smile. “You'll see.”

The next morning, the sun seemed to rise from all directions, but it never crested the horizon. Instead, the warm twilight persisted throughout the day.

They reached the Red Road two hours into their ride. The trail had almost dwindled to nothing, then all of a sudden they arrived at the start of a broad, smooth road made of seamless red pavement. Maroon curbs ran down the sides. No cracks marred the surface. It looked like it could have been built the day before.

They stopped the horses just shy of the road. It continued as far as Cole could see.

“You see why I wasn't worried about missing it?” Skye asked.

“You knew our trail became the road?” Cole asked.