Part 10 (2/2)
”I hate to admit it, but we had all but given up at one point. Finding where you had left the main trail was easy, but we soon lost the light. It's slow going with torches, and I had decided to head back when we ran into him.” Sergeant Kallis nodded his head in the direction of the bandit they had tied to the horse. ”Or, more correctly, he ran into us. He came riding out of the dark screaming like a banshee, nearly running us over. Private Monroe had enough of his wits about him to chase the man down. We tried to get information from him, but he only babbled on about a lacarath attack at his camp. Since we couldn't get anything useful out of him we gagged him to stem the babbling. We took a gamble that he was one of the bandits the digger had spoken of and followed his tracks to here.”
The man who had been crouching over the dead bandit joined the rest of them. ”I don't know about a lacarath, sir, but some large creature did a number on these guys. I've never seen anything like it.”
One of the other riders puffed out his chest. ”No doubt our approach scared it off, right, Sergeant?”
Melody shook her head. ”We caught a glimpse of it at the edge of the light. I doubt it left because it was frightened.”
The man on the ground mounted his horse. ”I'd have to agree with the acolyte, Sir. Judging by the claw marks on the bandit, such a creature would have little trouble dealing with us.”
Sgt. Kallis scanned the canyon. ”While I'll admit I would like to see a lacarath, I don't care to meet it at night or without something between it and me. Let's all make haste back to camp. Maxwell, you ride with me.” Sgt. Kallis turned to the overconfident guard. ”Monroe, you take the acolyte.”
Max's brow furrowed. ”Her name's Melody.”
Sgt. Kallis ignored Max's comment, instead extending his hand to help Max onto the back of his horse. Monroe helped Melody onto his and without further delay they headed out of the canyon. Max looked back over his shoulder as they left.
”What about the dead bandits?”
The Sergeant didn't turn. ”They deserve nothing from us, and that's what we're giving them.”
Max had not expected such a callous answer from Sgt. Kallis. Even if the men were criminals, leaving their bodies exposed seemed wrong. He was too tired to argue the point; however. It was enough of a struggle to stay awake during the three hour ride to camp. Max dozed off several times before the greeting of the remaining guard in camp startled him.
”Sgt. Kallis, I see you found them.”
”Yes. What of Lt. Biros or the digger, did they return?”
”No. Neither has returned.”
”Did anyone else arrive at the camp?”
”No, no one else.”
”Very well, dismissed!”
Sgt. Kallis helped Max swing off the horse before dismounting himself, the other guards following suit. ”Lt. Biros instructed me to escort you to the next camp should he not return here. If he is not there, then we are to bring you on to Moenia. Get some rest. We leave first thing in the morning.”
Max shook his head. ”I'd like to wait a day. I still have friends at the previous camp. They will arrive tomorrow night.”
”No good, I have my instructions. You will have to wait for them in Moenia.”
Max swayed, light-headed from exhaustion. I think I'll wait till morning to convince Sgt. Kallis. I can't think straight now. Max hung his head. ”Fine.”
Sgt. Kallis nodded. ”Good. Now, I will have someone bring you blankets. Stay next to the fire. You will want the extra warmth to help you recover.”
Sgt. Kallis and the guards left for the guardhouse. Max walked with Melody to the fire where they sat next to one another. Melody sighed, close to tears.
”I hope Zeth and Bastiaan are safe.”
Max felt a pang of guilt. Here I am worried about leaving before Eve gets here. At least I know she's safe with Mr. Penna. Even without Mr. Penna, she could take care of herself. The diggers, on the other hand, are old and most likely aren't up to fighting.
Max ignored his doubts and tried to cheer up Melody.
”I'm sure come daylight Zeth will find his way back. After all, aren't diggers great at tracking and discovering their surroundings? As far as Bastiaan goes, Tyco should be on his trail. If anything happens, Tyco should be there in short order to help.”
”I'm not sure it's Tyco's intent to help any of us. For that matter, why did you two rush out of camp without Eve and Mr. Penna?”
Max shrugged his shoulders. ”Tyco woke me this morning saying we had to get to Moenia as soon as possible, that you guys were up to something that could be harmful to me.”
Melody snorted. ”That's hardly the case.”
”I didn't think so, but why did you leave in such a hurry?”
”Fair enough question. Last night we fell into discussing some recent information we had come across. Late in the evening we decided we needed to get this information back to my order as soon as possible, despite any risks.”
”What information was so important?”
”Honestly, we're not really sure what the information means, so I don't want to share it yet.”
Max's brow furrowed. ”So, Tyco was right, you are up to something.”
Melody's eyes widened in shock. ”Of course not! Well, yes, but it's certainly nothing to harm you. We would never do such a thing.”
Max relaxed. ”I didn't think you would, but that's why Tyco was so intent on catching you guys.”
Melody settled back down. ”Sorry, Max, it has been a rough day.”
”That's okay, I understand. I was there for part of it.”
”Yes, you were.” A warm smile filled Melody's face. ”Thank you, Maxwell Laskaris.”
Max blushed and turned away.
”Here are some blankets.”
Max and Melody both jumped. Neither had noticed the guard carrying blankets arrive. The guard dropped the blankets next to Max then went back to wherever he had come from. They spread the blankets out near the fire, settling in for what remained of the night. The warmth of the fire soon putting them to sleep.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
”Evangeline, wake up.”
Eve let out an aggravated moan. ”Mmmm, go away.”
”Evangeline, my dear, wake up,” came the voice again, this time louder.
Eve felt something poke her lightly in the stomach. Startled, she sat bolt upright, swatting blindly in front of her. The poking stopped. She put her hands down and opened her eyes to the bright sunlight. Mr. Penna stood in front of her smiling and holding a two foot pole.
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