Gabrey awoke the next day, sprawled in the mud. Horn was dozing while sitting up. They were at the river’s edge. Three big mounds in the mud bulged a way off their camp. They were slowly sinking into the river. The horses were nowhere to be seen. Gabrey tried to sit up, failing the first time, before finally rising with a squelch of mud. Horn was resting on their packs, using them like cushions. He shook him awake. Horn woke up with a start. “What happened after I passed out?” Horn rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, then replied, “I finished off the man whose horse you had taken, and shooed the horses away, into the woods. The scent of blood was enough to scare them away. I buried the three men as best as I could and dragged your heavy arse-respectfully, m’ord-here. I kept watch for a few hours, but it seems I fell asleep. We are dreadfully lucky to not have been found travellers or worse, the wolves.”
Gabrey listened to it all intently. “I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble. It is surprising that you haven’t betrayed me yet. You have no ties to the Tail Knights, and you owe me no debt.” Horn replied, smiling a little, “The truth is, me lord, back in the good old days of our King Yaenar, I used to work at the castle as a cook. When Curabfes invaded, many of the older servants and workers were made to leave the castle. This link may seem weak, but I still honour myself in being loyal to the old king. The thought of leaving you never crossed my mind.”
Gabrey laughed, for the first time in four years. He laughed of joy. “I am glad to hear that! Well then, my good man, let us set forth for Baek!” Gabrey tried to stand up, got dizzy, and fell. “Not so fast, me lord. You are not healed from the dungeon yet.” Gabrey tried again, slowly and deliberately, and succeeded. They each hoisted a pack and set out on the walk to Baek.
Leave a Reply