Oh?
How well known is the spell you used to encase Ehlana?
Its almost never practised because its so very dangerous, she replied. A few Styrics might know of it, but I doubt that any would dare to perform it. Why do you ask?
I think Im right on the edge of an idea. If no one but you is really willing to use the spell, then its rather unlikely that anybody else would know about the time limitation.
Thats true. They wouldnt.
Then nobody could tell Annias about it.
Obviously.
So Annias doesnt know that we only have a certain amount of time left. For all he knows, the crystal could keep Ehlana alive indefinitely.
Im not certain that gives us any particular advantage, Sparhawk.
Im not either, but its something to keep in mind. We might be able to use it someday.
The eastern sky was growing gradually lighter as they rode, and the fog was swirling and thinning. It was about a half-hour before sunrise when Berit came galloping up from the rear. He was wearing his mail-shirt and plain blue cloak, and his war-axe was in a sling at the side of his saddle. The young novice, Sparhawk decided almost idly, was going to need some instruction in swordsmanship soon, before he grew too attached to that axe.
Sir Sparhawk, he said, reining in, theres a column of church soldiers coming up behind us. His hard-run horse was steaming in the chill fog.
How many? Sparhawk asked him.
Fifty or so, and theyre galloping hard. There was a break in the fog, and I saw them coming.
How far back?
A mile or so. Theyre in that valley we just came through.
Sparhawk considered it. I think a little change of plans might be in order, he said. He looked around and saw a dark blur back in the swirling fog off to the left. Tynian, he said, I think thats a grove of trees over there. Why dont you take the others and ride across this field and get into the grove before the soldiers catch up? Ill be right along. He shook Farans reins. I want to talk with Sir Olven, he told the big roan.
Faran flicked his ears irritably, then moved alongside the column at a gallop.
Well be leaving you here, Olven, Sparhawk told the scarfaced knight. Theres a half-hundred church soldiers coming up from the rear. I want to be out of sight before they come by.
Good idea, Olven approved. Olven was not one to waste words.
Why dont you give them a bit of a run? Sparhawk suggested. They wont be able to tell that were not still in the column until they catch up with you.
Olven grinned crookedly. Even so far as Demos? he asked.
That would be helpful. Cut across country before you reach Lenda and pick up the road again south of town. Im sure Annias has spies in Lenda too.
Good luck, Sparhawk, Olven said.
Thanks, Sparhawk said, shaking the scarfaced knights hand, we might need it. He backed Faran off the road, and the column thundered past him at a gallop.
Lets see how fast you can get to that grove of trees over there, Sparhawk said to his bad-tempered mount.
Faran snorted derisively, then leapt forward at a dead run.
Kalten waited at the edge of the trees, his grey cloak blending into the shadows and fog. The others are back in the woods a ways, he reported. Whys Olven galloping like that?
I asked him to, Sparhawk replied, swinging down from his saddle. The soldiers wont know that weve left the column if Olven stays a mile or two ahead of them.
Youre smarter than you look, Sparhawk, Kalten said, also dismounting. Ill get the horses back out of sight. The steam coming off them might be visible. He squinted at Faran. Tell this ugly brute of yours not to bite me.
You heard him, Faran, Sparhawk told his war-horse.
Faran laid his ears back.
As Kalten led their horses back among the trees, Sparhawk sank down onto his stomach behind a low bush. The grove of trees lay no more than fifty yards from the road, and as the fog began to dissipate with the onset of morning, he could clearly see that the whole stretch of road they had just left was empty. Then a single red-tunicked soldier galloped along, coming from the south. The man rode stiffly, and his face seemed strangely wooden.
A scout? Kalten whispered, crawling up beside Sparhawk.
More than likely, Sparhawk whispered back.
Why are we whispering? Kalten asked. He cant hear us over the noise of his horses hooves.
You started it.
Force of habit, I guess. I always whisper when Im skulking.
The scout reined in his mount at the top of the hill, then wheeled and rode back along the road at a dead run. His face was still blank.
Hes going to wear out that horse if he keeps doing that, Kalten said.
Its his horse.
Thats true, and hes the one who gets to walk when the horse plays out on him.
Walking is good for church soldiers. It teaches them humility.
About five minutes later, the church soldiers galloped by, their red tunics dark in the dawn light. Accompanying the leader of the column was a tall, emaciated figure in a black robe and hood. It may have been a trick of the misty morning light, but a faint greenish glow seemed to emanate from under the hood, and the figures back appeared to be grossly deformed.
Theyre definitely trying to keep an eye on that column, Kalten said.
I hope they enjoy Demos, Sparhawk replied. Olvens going to stay ahead of them every step of the way. I need to talk with Sephrenia. Lets go back to the others. Well sit tight for an hour or so, until were sure the soldiers are out of the area, and then move on.
Good idea. Im about ready for some breakfast anyway.
They led their horses back through the damp woods to a small basin surrounding a trickling spring that emerged from a fern-covered bank.
Did they go by? Tynian asked.
At a gallop, Kalten grinned, and they didnt look around very much. Does anybody have anything to eat? Im starving.
Ive got a slab of cold bacon, Kurik offered.
Cold?
Fire makes smoke, Kalten. Do you really want these woods full of soldiers?
Kalten sighed.
Sparhawk looked at Sephrenia. Theres somebody or something riding with those soldiers, he said. It gave me a very uneasy feeling, and I think it was the same thing I caught a glimpse of last night.
Can you describe it?
Its quite tall and very very thin. Its back seems to be deformed, and its wearing a black hooded robe, so I couldnt see any details. He frowned. Those church soldiers in the column seemed as if they were half-asleep. They usually pay closer attention to what theyre doing.
This thing you saw, she said seriously. Was there anything else unusual about it?
I cant say for sure, but it seemed to have a sort of greenish light coming from its face. I noticed the same thing last night.
Her face grew bleak. I think wed better leave immediately, Sparhawk.
The soldiers dont know were here, he objected.
They will before long. Youve just described a Seeker. In Zemoch theyre used to hunt down runaway slaves. The lump on its back is caused by its wings.