The Knight's Squire

Chapter 6

The party of four – Rohea, Maes, Gilmr and Pyar – traveled quickly towards Wolle. Maes got progressively better, and each day's journey on the road was longer than the last. Rohea was in a hurry to return to the knights' cottage to coordinate the freeing of King Wespil from the clutches of the mages. He was not totally convinced that a single dark mage had usurped control of the kingdom. He still believed the Mage Council was directly involved. Nevertheless, he kept his thoughts to himself, lest Pyar was a spy who would betray him. From the conversations Rohea had had with Pyar along the journey, she seemed like an honest young mage who truly believed Rohea had been set up, by Cyler. However, it could very well be the case that Pyar had been led to believe it, and could be persuaded otherwise in the future.

As the party rode closer to Wolle, they slowed their pace and were more wary. While Pyar was not a well-known mage, Rohea would be recognized on sight by the city guards. They did not want to risk a confrontation with loyal soldiers of the kingdom. As such, Rohea took a fork in the road when they were two days away from the capital, and led them West of Wolle, around a thick forest. Maes had expected such a move, since she had been to the cottage before, but the other two had not.

"Why did we take the fork?" Gilmr asked.

"We cannot just march blindly into Wolle," Rohea said. "We would surely be captured or killed."

"What are we going to do then?" Pyar asked.

"Pyar," Rohea said. "You know I am innocent, right?"

Pyar nodded.

"Then, go to Wolle and clear my name. Maes will accompany you." Rohea did not want to let Pyar know of the knights' cottage, for it was a secret among the knights and their trusted allies.

"Yes, I can do that," Pyar replied. "It will be difficult to convince them of Master Cyler's actions, but I hope they will believe me."

"Gilmr and I will wait for news from Maes, and we will enter the capital once it's safe to do so. Maes will know where to find us."

Maes looked at Rohea and nodded.

Pyar and Maes then rode back towards the fork in the road, and headed towards Wolle.

"Where are we going then?" Gilmr asked.

"There is a place near here that will be a safe haven for us," Rohea replied. "For your safety, I am going to blindfold you as we enter the forest."

Gilmr nodded, and let Rohea tie a blindfold across his eyes. Rohea then led the two horses into the forest, and directed Gilmr through the twists and turns in the forest path. For added security, he deliberately took circled back a few times before arriving at the cottage.

"We are here," Rohea declared as he removed Gilmr's blindfold.

"Ah," Gilmr said. "A secret hideout."

"I will not say more about this place," Rohea said. "But there will be others here who will aid us in our endeavor."

"Once Pyar clears your name, isn't it a simple task of heading to the capital and apprehending Cyler?"

"I doubt it will be that easy," Rohea said with a sigh. "It will be the word of one young mage against the will of the Mage Council."

"Why did you send Pyar and Maes to Wolle then, if you think the chances are low?"

"It is worth a try," Rohea replied.

They approached the cottage door, and Rohea knocked thrice. He waited for a response, but failed to hear any after a minute. Rohea pushed the door open with a creak and stepped inside. He gasped. There were multiple bodies strewn across the large room. Rohea recognized one of them, and ran to his side.