The evening shadows stretched their long fingers across the road. A breeze carried a spindrift of dust to the edge then dropped it in the moss. Nature eased itself into the resting period. The winds diminished and the heat relented. Within seconds the rush of hooves against the dirt shattered the simmering silence of the empty road. Iron shoes flicked up chunks of earth, and stirrups bounced against the horses’ sides.
Keiron pushed his bay hard, slapping it and kicking it with vigour and vim. It gave everything it had, yet he kept asking for more. The Midway Keep lay ahead.
About fifteen horse lengths behind, Tam and Reese struggled to keep up. In spite of their exhaustion, the horses continued at the neck-breaking pace.
With no control over her speed or destination, Isla clung tightly to the dwarf’s waist. The rapid pace terrified her, made her feel as if she’d fall off at any moment. After what seemed like hours, she felt Tam sit back and ease up on the horse. She glanced at the gnome who rode abreast. He looked tired, as exhausted as the horses.
The animals slowed to a walk. Isla relaxed her grip. Her arms ached from the strain of holding on. She shook them to relieve the muscles then rested them on her lap. Because of the size of the dwarf in front of her, she couldn’t see their destination, only from whence she had come.
To her surprise, they passed a tall stone building with a window on each side of the doorway. Metal bars secured the glass like on a jail. A jail? A keep? A dwelling? It didn’t matter. There’d be people here. They’d help her. She’d tell them these men had kidnapped her and they’d take her home. Her heart leapt with glee. Stay calm, she told herself. Be wise.
Tam halted the horse and looked around at her. “Get off.”
She obeyed. Since Keiron had given her to him yesterday, he’d lost the little spark of kindness he had. He only spoke to tell her what to do and when to do it. She slid from the saddle and collapsed to the ground. Her legs ached, weak from days in the saddle. As she struggled to get up, Tam thrust his hand in her face. He pulled her to her feet. She gripped the stirrup to steady herself as she watched him tie the horse at the hitching bar.
“Isla.” Keiron came close to her face. His breath burnt her nose. “I’m going to say this once, so hear me well.” He put his arm around her shoulder and pasted on a fake smile. “The folks at this keep don’t give a fly’s arse who yew are. They’d sooner beat the sense out of yew as me, but I warn yew, keep yer mouth shut. If yew start shooting it off, I’ll find the ones yew love and kill ‘em. I’ll start with the woman yer das lusts for.” He winked at her. “There’s many a man would like to have a piece of her.” He laughed and walked away, but his breath lingered.
Isla tried not to breathe it in. She hated the man like she’d never hated another. Frozen in place, she felt a shiver in her stomach. The cool evening wind whirled around her feet, and she wished for it to swallow her.
“Take him with you. I’ll see about the rooms.” Keiron walked towards the building beside the keep.
She watched him go, hoping one of the men relaxing against the structure to jump out and attack him with a dagger. But they didn’t. They watched him pass as if just another traveller. When he disappeared inside, she looked around for Tam. He stood next to his horse, watching her. He waved her towards the building, and she followed him inside. The gnome had already entered.
“Stay near,” said Tam in a low voice. He made his way around the supply store looking over things on display.
Isla had visited the castle keep many times, but this place smelt different. An equal amount of old and new equipment stuffed the space. Some of the things reeked. A long display unit down the centre of the building divided the keep into two aisles. On either side, shelves, racks and tables held the items offered for sale. From the ceiling hung larger objects like crossbows, armour, shields, nets, lanterns and long bows.
Tam walked down the right side of the display unit. Isla stayed close behind him. He fingered many items, but didn’t pick up anything. When he stopped to inspect a dagger, she passed and continued on. Reese shopped on the opposite side of the keep, out of view. She slid her hand into her trouser pocket where the next page of her book to be left behind for her das waited. Where could she put it? It could easily get lost in the keep’s clutter.
She looked back at Tam; he moved closer, stopping at the pouches on display. He glanced at her, looked her up and down, and then returned his attention to the items before him. She stepped away, looking for the ideal spot to hide the paper.
Isla had reached the end of the room. The centre display unit ended, leaving a path to the opposite side. Natural light poured in from two tall windows. Sundry items—lanterns, candles, flint and firesteel kits, tinderboxes, hand mirrors and folding knives—filled the tables near the openings. On the sill sat a miniature statue of a dragon beside a small dish and pestle akin to what Alaura used to mix herbs. Three books similar in size leant against the glass frame.
Glancing back at Tam, Isla saw him testing the strength of a pouch. As she watched, she slipped her hand from her pocket and reached towards the window sill. Seeing her chance, she tucked the page betwixt two of the books. She left enough of it exposed to catch the attention of anyone looking for such a page.
She shivered when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“What are you looking at?” Tam peered out the window.
“Nothing.” She shoved her hands into her pockets. “I thought I saw something fly by.” He glanced down at her. She knew he didn’t believe her. She blamed her inability to lie on her das. He wanted her to be honest at all times.
“Nothing, eh?” Tam looked over the table in front of them. “Don’t get any ideas of escaping through these windows. They’re barred on the outside.”
Isla could see the bars. She also saw the folded page sticking out between the books like a red flag waving and saying, Look at me! She had to move away before Tam saw it. Slipping from his grip, she stepped towards the next display.