Free Emergence (Book 2) by K.L. Schwengel Page A

the distinct, unpleasant feeling they were being watched. He lowered his voice for Garek's ears alone. "We're not safe here."
    "How far yet to Galys Auld?"
    "With luck we'll see the Greensward's borders by dusk, but we'll need to set a better pace than we have been."
    "Do you know what hunts us?"
    Bolin shook his head. "Not exactly."
    Garek kept his attention in the direction Bolin didn't. "Duff," he said, without looking at the men, "You're lightest, take Dafyd on my horse. If the beast can carry me all this way he's big enough to take the two of you without issue. We need to move, and move quick, lads. Keep your eyes and ears open, and your swords ready. Berk, that crossbow of yours loaded?"
    "It will be, Commander."
    "Keep it that way. Just don't shoot yourself in the foot."
    "Aye."
    "Don't shoot anyone else in the foot either."
    Garek swung off his horse and held it while Duff mounted and they passed Dafyd up to him. When the Commander got on Dafyd's horse, Bolin swore the creature groaned.
    "Stay sharp, lads." Garek gave Bolin a look and a quick hand signal that meant he'd take up the rear guard. "You even think you see anything, sound off."
    Bolin turned Sandeen and pushed him immediately into a steady canter. He silently promised the stallion a few days rest and an extra serving of grain for pushing him so hard. It wouldn't be an easy pace for the injur ed man either, but they were Imperial soldiers and not a one of them would complain.
    When the sun reached its zenith, Bolin raised his hand to signal a halt alon g the banks of a shallow river.
    "We'll give the horses time to drink and graze a bit before we move on," Bolin said, wagering the poor beast suffering with Garek's bulk like ly needed more than the others.
    Bolin's sense of unease hadn't diminished. If he had thought he could get Ciara out of Galys Auld without notice, he'd been a fool. It could cos t his head to say it, but the Emperor proved a bigger fool for not listening to him. Nearly two hundred leagues lay between Galys Auld and Nisair. Not a one of them would be any safer than the next.
    "You stew like a building storm," Garek said, stepping up next to him , and letting the chestnut horse lower its head to drink. "It's a fine day, enjoy the ride."
    "I'll enjoy it more once we reach the Greensward."
    "They've plenty of guards on the border?"
    "They've no need."
    "Ah." Garek chewed on that for a time. "You know, I've never had much faith in magic. I prefer cold steel and my own instincts to all that spooky stuff. They've gotten me this far and, Goddess willing, they'll get me a bit further. But something tells me, whatever's got the wind up your back has very little to do with flesh and steel."
    Bolin gave his friend a sidelong look. "Why, exactly, did the Emperor tell you an escort was needed?"
    "We're to aid you in escorting a girl back to Nisair. More than that--" Garek shrugged. "The Emperor keeps his own counsel."
    Bolin snorted. "If we get to Galys Auld without further incidence, I'll tell you all you don't want to know."
    "Ah, something to look forward to then."
     
    ***
     
    The sun had begun its slow descent by the time they reached the rise along the northern border of the Greensward. Bolin swiveled in the saddle to glance behind him and felt Sandeen's muscles twitch a heartbeat before the stallion reared.
    "Skyward!" The sound of a crossbow firing followed Garek's warning. "Form ranks."
    "No." Bolin spun Sandeen, searching the sky. Whatever the threat, he didn't care to face it with one man already wounded, one dead, and the rest exhausted. "The border lies at the tree line. Go."
    Another bolt whistled past his head and something screeched. Bolin caught a glimpse of white feathers and sharp talons as thick around as a tree. The creature plunged toward the earth, huge wings straining to keep it in flight. Berk rode up next to Bolin, crossbow sighted as he stood in the stirrups and loosed another bolt into the bird.
    "It's down," Garek said,