The farther they walked, the more Davin worried. Had he lead his two friends into a trap? Kreeth must have released the twisted creatures only recently, otherwise Jolan Kine would have encountered them, wouldn’t he? An urge to just collect one of the carcasses and return with the copse grew in intensity the closer they got to their goal. The sorcerer may very well have left those wolves running free in case someone (someone like three meddlesome boys) came snooping around. If he had, surely this meant he knew nothing of their growing abilities. Otherwise, more than three of his abominations would have attacked them. Or, had it been a test? Now that three of his wolves lay dead in the woods behind him, Kreeth would have to know someone had come around.
Davin’s doubts grew into certainties that he was about to get Niam and Maerillus killed. He noticed that although the eastern sky was slowly brightening, the forest somehow seemed to grow darker, more oppressive. He felt as if there were someone lingering just beyond the range of his senses whispering to him to give up.
Davin had to stop.
“What is it,” Maerillus demanded. His mood had also taken a darker turn. “You see something, don’t you?” His voice was abrupt, almost accusing.
Davin shook his head. “It’s this place, Maer. There’s something in the air, or the trees that’s trying to get to me.”
“It’s a little of both . . . but neither,” Niam said. He looked around, lost in thought, as if he was trying to find the right words to explain what he sensed. Beads of sweat dotted his brow and his eyes were dark and puffy. “I guess I’m feeling it, too.”
“I know. I can tell.”
“But how could Kreeth affect an area this large, Niam?” Davin asked. Kreeth’s power both impressed and revolted him.
“I’m no sorcerer!” Niam spat angrily. It took a moment to regain his composure. “Sorry. I can feel . . . things. Have you ever felt harp strings vibrate? It’s kind of like that, but I think I feel the vibration and the will behind the musician’s choice to pick the strings he uses. It’s like part of him is here in the air around us.”
“I had no idea,” Davin muttered.
Niam looked nauseous. “I feel him everywhere.”
“Good way to keep people away,” Davin grumbled. As he grew silent he heard a noise a short distance away. Maerillus reached for an arrow, but Davin grabbed him and put a finger over his lips. “It’s Kreeth’s servants. They’re on their way to town,” he said quietly.
Maerillus visibly relaxed as the voices of two men making lewd jokes about a tavern girl’s chastity became audible over the racket of the old cart they drove. The rhythmic hoof fall of two horses plodded by as the men’s conversation slowly began to recede after a short wait.
When only the squeak of the wheels could be heard in the distance, Davin spoke in his normal voice. “The road must be closer than I thought.”
“That means we’re almost there,” Niam said.
In moments, the forest gave way to a large expanse of lawn. Davin stood just inside the tree line looking at Kreeth’s manor. Maerillus walked up beside him and groaned, “I really want to go back, now.”
Niam whined, “But he killed my brother and sister. I’m going, even if I have to go alone. Even if it kills me to do it.”