Free Black Kerthon's Doom by Jim Greenfield Page B

lunch. Macelan's feet bled from running barefoot over gravel and he could not move without help by the time they finished that night.
     
    Macelan found the pace grueling. Much of the first days were filled with survival training and tracking drills. Serada found tracking to his liking and began to enjoy it.
    "It's amazing how much I've learned," he said.
    "Not really, considering what you had to start with," said Macelan.
    "I see signs in the grass that I never knew existed," said Serada, taking no notice of Macelan's comments. "It's hard to imagine how much there is in the world that I don't know. I could spend my lifetime learning about everything I see and still not know enough."
    "So why try?"
    "Don't you see what I mean? Don't you feel the excitement?"
    "I feel sore and tried. Tracking does nothing for me other than confuse me. The survival training wasn't too bad. I lived through it. This is not the life for me."
    "And what is the life for you?" asked Mira who had just joined them.
    "Perhaps a large villa on the coast," said Macelan.
    "How do you propose to purchase that villa?"
    "Dreams," said Serada. "He lives on his dreams."
    "Well, we shall try to work those dreams out of you. You must only think about the job at hand."
    Macelan shook his head, grabbed his gear, and followed Serada out into the forest for more training.
     
    A week passed without a change in their routine then Gareth came and talked to Mira. She nodded but spoke very little as the rebel leader questioned her about her charges. Gareth turned toward them.
    "Serada will go with Mira to the southern outposts. Macelan, you will come with me. I am missing a messenger and am quite concerned. We will leave within the hour. Prepare to be gone several days."
    "Where do we go?"
    "Do not question Gareth!" admonished Mira. "Just obey."
    "In due time," said Gareth, softly. "You will find out our destination when we arrive. Be ready." He turned and walked to his tent, pulled back the flap and disappeared.
    "Well, what about that?" said Macelan. "Going on a mysterious mission the first month. Better than fishing, eh?"
    "Can't you shut up?" said Serada.
    "You must get ready too," Mira said to Serada. "We should leave before noon."
    They all returned to Mira's tent and filled their packs with food, clothing and Macelan sat at the opening as Serada, and Mira waved in parting. He did not have long to wait before Gareth and another man came to him.
    "This is Brice. He will scout for us. Your friend goes south and we go southeast. Come, we must use the daylight, it is not wise to travel at night near the tower."
    "Do you mean Kerthon's tower? I have never seen it."
    Brice was tall and broad shouldered. The life of a rebel had thinned him and given him a rangy appearance but he still projected physical strength.
    "We are passing it," said Brice. "It is not wise to spend time near it, much less enter the ruins. I have not heard of anyone who was not adversely affected by the strange sounds and sinister presence among the stones. We shall not pass it at night. Let us go."
    "Are the legends of Kerthon, true?" asked Macelan.
    "Some," said Gareth. "I do not know which ones so don't bother asking. We are passing the tower because it lies on the most direct path to where my messenger should have been or is following now on her way here."
    "I think we are distantly related."
    "Are we?" asked Gareth, shaking his head.
    "My grandmother's name was Meradith."
    "Sincerely?" Gareth seemed pleased. "I remember her. She was my mother's cousin. I haven't thought about Meradith for such a long time. She's dead?"
    "Yes. Nearly twelve years."
    "Those were good times," Gareth murmured. He walked silently, smiling. "Well kinsman, we'd better walk faster or Brice will be there and back before we get started."
     
    Brice led them at a blistering pace and Macelan soon was winded. Gareth walked behind him and did not let him slow. They did not stop until lunch and then not for long. Macelan's