The Ruby Knight

Talen asked. ‘I have to go and talk with Stragen.’
    ‘I’d probably better not,’ Sparhawk said. ‘Wargun might have had time to get a messenger to Emsat by now, and I’m fairly easy to describe.’
    ‘I’ll go with him,’ Kurik volunteered. ‘We’re going to need supplies anyway.’
    ‘All right. Let’s go back into the woods a ways and set up for the night first, though.’
    They made camp in a small glade in the forest, and Kurik and Talen rode out about mid-afternoon.
    Sephrenia was wan, and her face was drawn-looking as she sat by the fire cradling Sir Gared’s sword.
    ‘This is not going to be easy for you, I’m afraid,’ Sparhawk said regretfully. ‘We’re going to have to ride fast if we want to reach Ghwerig’s cave before he seals it up. Is there any way you could give me Gared’s sword?’
    She shook her head. ‘No, dear one. You weren’t present in the throne-room. Only one of us who was there when we cast the spell can keep Gared’s sword.’
    ‘I was afraid that might be the case. I suppose I’d better see about some supper.’
    It was nearing midnight when Kurik and Talen returned.
    ‘Any problems?’ Sparhawk asked.
    ‘Nothing worth mentioning.’ Talen shrugged. ‘Platime’s name opens all kinds of doors. Stragen told us that the countryside north of Emsat is infested with robbers, though. He’s going to provide us with an armed escort and spare horses – the horses were my father’s idea.’
    ‘We can move faster if we change horses every hour or so,’ Kurik explained. ‘Stragen’s also going to send supplies along with the men who’ll be riding with us.’
    ‘You see how nice it is to have friends, Sparhawk?’ Talen asked impudently.
    Sparhawk ignored that. ‘Are Stragen’s men going to come here?’ he asked.
    ‘No,’ Talen replied. ‘We’ll meet them a mile or so up the road that runs north out of Emsat before sunrise.’ He looked around. ‘What’s for supper? I’m starving.’

Chapter 24

    They rode out at first light, circled through the forest lying to the north of Emsat and stopped not far from the north road. ‘I hope this Stragen keeps his word,’ Kurik muttered to Talen. ‘I’ve never been in Thalesia before, and I don’t like the notion of riding into hostile country without knowing what’s going on.’
    ‘We can trust Stragen, father,’ Talen replied confidently. ‘Thalesian thieves have this peculiar sense of honour. It’s the Cammorians you have to watch out for. They’d cheat themselves if they could figure out a way to make a profit out of it.’
    ‘Sir Knight,’ a soft voice said from back in the trees.
    Sparhawk immediately went for his sword.
    ‘There’s no need of that, My Lord,’ the voice said. ‘Stragen sent us. There are robbers out there in the foothills, and he told us to get you safely past them.’
    ‘Come out of the shadows then, neighbour,’ Sparhawk said.
    ‘Neighbour!’ The man laughed. ‘I like that. You have a very wide neighbourhood, neighbour.’
    ‘Most of the world lately,’ Sparhawk admitted.
    ‘Welcome to Thalesia then, neighbour.’ The man who rode out of the shadows had pale, flaxen hair. He was clean-shaven and roughly dressed, and he carried a brutal-looking pike and had an axe slung to his saddle. ‘Stragen says you want to go north. We’re to accompany you as far as Heid.’
    ‘Will that work out?’ Sparhawk asked Flute.
    ‘Perfectly,’ she replied. ‘We’ll be leaving the road a mile or so beyond there.’
    ‘You take orders from a child?’ the flaxen-haired man asked.
    ‘She knows the way to the place where we’re going.’ Sparhawk shrugged. ‘Never argue with your guide.’
    ‘That’s probably true, Sir Sparhawk. My name is Tel – if it makes any difference. I’ve got a dozen men and spare horses – along with the supplies your man Kurik requested.’ He rubbed one hand over his face. ‘This baffles me, Sir Knight,’ he admitted. ‘I’ve never seen Stragen so eager to accommodate a stranger.’
    ‘Have you ever heard of Platime?’ Talen asked him.
    Tel looked at the boy sharply. ‘The chief down in Cimmura?’ he asked.
    ‘That’s the one,’ Talen said. ‘Stragen owes Platime some favours, and I work for Platime.’
    ‘Oh, that explains it, I suppose,’ Tel admitted. ‘The day’s wearing on, Sir Knight,’ he said to Sparhawk. ‘Why don’t we go to Heid?’
    ‘Why don’t we?’ Sparhawk agreed.
    Tel’s men were all dressed in