A/N: Thanks for all reviews. They're greatly appreciated^^

VI

Plenty of "That Was Close"s

"Morning, miss. Anything I can do for you?"

Calypso smiled at the young man. "Do you know where I can buy a horse or a pony to a low price?"

The young man looked thoughtful for a while. Then he shook his head. "Around here we need our animals. Especially in a time like this. But if you really need it..." He trailed off for a moment, and then came over to her and pointed down the road. "If you continue the same way, you should by nightfall reach a farm. There they've got plenty of animals. Maybe you'd be able to buy a pony from the farmer there."

"Thank you," Calypso replied and smiled gratefully.

"No problem." The young man nodded, and then returned to whatever he'd been doing before.

Calypso sighed and took the bag at the other shoulder. Then she continued through the village.

She'd been travelling for nearly a week now. Inns had been her friends along the road, and if she did the dishes in the evening, she'd be able to pay a lower price for a bed and food. To tell the truth, she was getting a little tired of the road. And travelling alone. God should know she'd be happy when she finally came to this place... Berk.

As she'd travelled, she'd moved further and further north. One day she'd been lucky enough to get a ride with a company who were going the same way, and had that way moved twice as fast. Of course this didn't help much on the weather.

The other day she'd overheard two men talking about the weather, saying it was colder than usually, but hopefully it would pass in a week or so. Calypso hoped they were right. She hadn't needed to sleep outside yet, but she was pretty sure it was something she didn't want to experience, and especially if the weather became even colder.

She trudged on, but the environments didn't seem change much. Except from the village at her back becoming smaller and smaller, until it was out of sight.

As the young man had predicted, she reached a farm just about nightfall. She followed a side road until she could stop outside the main house. The farm didn't consist of much, just the house and the barn, together with a lawn.

She walked up to the door and knocked. For a while nothing happened, but then she heard steps and the door was opened. A little girl stared up at her with huge, innocent eyes. A moment later an older man appeared.

"Lucy," he scolded lightly. "You mother told you to go to bed."

The girl glanced at him, and then rushed back the way he came. The man stopped by the door.

"Good evening," he greeted.

"Good evening," Calypso replied politely. "In the last village I came through, I asked if there were anywhere I could buy a pony. A man told me I should stop by here."

"I'm sorry," the man replied, and really did look like he felt sorry. "I only have two ponies, and I need both of them."

Calypso forced a smile as she stepped away from the door. "It was worth a shot. Do you know if it's far to the next inn?"

"The closest village is just an hour walk north of here. There you'll find The Barking Dog. You'll for sure find a place to sleep there."

"Thanks a lot," Calypso replied. She began walking when the man called after her.

"Are you headed north?"

Calypso nodded.

"Then watch out," the man warned. "They say there are wild animals and beasts in the forests further north. Be careful with bears and wolves if you go as far as the highlands."

Calypso nodded once more. "I will. Thank you." Then she quickly made her way back to the main road.

By the time she reached the village, darkness had settled. It was a cold night, but because of clouds no moon was visible. The inn wasn't hard to find. Light fell out through the windows, and there were some people still sitting in the room as she entered.

She went over to the counter. A moment later a tiny man came rushing out from a door. He hauled himself up a tall chair behind the counter, and grinned at Calypso. She noticed he was missing some teeth.

"Um... hi," she said, slightly taken aback by his looks. "Do you have-"

"A room? Why, of course!" He turned in his chair and shouted out through the door, "Anny! Bring me key to room 13, honey!"

A key came flying through the air and the man grabbed it. Then he handed it to Calypso. "There you go," he said. "One night? Hm?"

"Yes," Calypso replied.

He nodded and scribbled something at a paper. "Everything? No food? No drinks?"

"No, that's everything." Quickly Calypso paid, and then headed to the stairs leading up to next floor where the rooms were.

As she was about to unlock the door, a hand was placed at her shoulder. She spun around... and stared into the darkness of a hood. Somewhere in there she could see eyes staring at her. She swallowed and pulled away from the hooded person. He – it was clearly a male – wore a long cloak which covered all of him, except from his boots, and the hood hid his face.

He didn't say anything, but moved his gaze from her to the stairs. Voices, together with steps, approached. The hooded person didn't waist another minute, only grabbed her arm and led her further down the corridor. He opened a door and pushed her inside. Quickly he followed and locked the door behind them.

"Who are you? What do you want with me?" Calypso asked. He didn't answer, only went over to the window and shut it. Finally he spoke.

"I won't hurt you. But the soldiers will if they find you."

Calypso stared at the man. "Briskir?" she asked.

He nodded, but didn't remove the hood. Instead he went over to the bed where he knelt down and tapped some sort of code at the floor. The raven hopped out and onto his arm. He rose and sat at the bed. Calypso stared at him in shock and awe.

"What are you doing here?" she finally asked.

Briskir glanced towards the door, and at her. "Better be quiet," he replied. "We'll talk tomorrow. Right now you should be quiet." Then he returned to petting the raven.

Calypso stared at him for some seconds more, but then found the only armchair standing in the room and sat there, putting the bag at the floor and unstrapping the quiver and bow. She curled up, and before she knew it she'd fallen asleep.

She awoke when someone shook her shoulder. She groaned and shielded her eyes from the light which filled the room. Then, remembering what had happened the day before, she jolted upright. Briskir was standing in front of her, with the raven, Kevin, at his shoulder.

"The soldiers... yesterday..." Calypso leant back and rubbed her eyes, suppressing a yawn.

"They didn't find you," Briskir assured. "However, they searched room 13. When they found you were gone, they continued searching the rooms. They came here too, but a knife against the throat isn't something they appreciate."

Calypso let her hands fall to her lap and shook her head slowly in silent awe. "God, Briskir. How did you even..." She trailed off and sighed. "It doesn't matter. I have to get going."

She knew she should've been terrified by the thought of having Abelardus after her again, but she wasn't. Instead it felt as if she'd taken some kind of a decision. If what Abelardus wanted was a hunt, she'd gladly give him just that.

She picked up her things, ate some of the dried fish she still kept in the bag, offered Briskir some of it, and then the two of them left quietly. The room downstairs was empty. They left their keys at the counter, before exiting. It had to be pretty early, as the air was quite cold.

"I'll meet you at the edge of the village," Briskir informed her. "Just go."

Calypso glanced curiously at him. Why was he going north? She was about to ask when he sent her a glance which clearly said, "Not now." Calypso nodded and set off. The houses she passed were dark and quiet, except from a bakery she passed, where lights were on in the kitchen. She made sure no one spotted her, and hurried past the rest of the houses until she stood by the corner of the last, dark and quiet house.

When she glanced back, she noticed lights had been lit inside the inn. She really hoped Abelardus was still asleep. He was much nicer that way.

"Come on." Her heart leapt into her throat and she spun around. Briskir was standing there with Kevin at his shoulder, holding a horse by the reins. Calypso stared at first the horse, and then Briskir.

"What... when... how?"

"I'll tell you everything later," Briskir promised. "Let's just get going."

Before Calypso could even nod, he'd got onto the horse and extended a hand to her. She accepted it as she climbed up in front of him.

"Are you sure it won't be too much for her?" Calypso asked nervously, patting the horse's neck.

"She's been carrying much more weight in her life than the two of us," Briskir replied. "She'll get us out of here now, so you'd better hold on. Come on, girl!" The last was clearly directed to the horse, as she set off in a light gallop.

Calypso glanced back towards the village, and was pretty sure she could see someone exiting the inn.

They were in the highlands. Scotland. They were following a road close to the coast line, but as they walked most of the time, it took them much longer than if they'd had horses. The horse they did have, Silver, carried most of their things. At least she had Calypso's bag at her back, together with Briskir's saddle bag and blankets.

They'd been travelling for so many days Calypso had lost track of time. Most of the time they camped outside. In the night they would take turns on keeping watch, and in the morning they would ride Silver for a few hours.

Now they were walking. They were on their way down a steep hillside, where the road wounded it's way down to the bottom. A village was laying there at the road, before it disappeared into a forest which – at least as Calypso could see – reached as far as the eye could see. The village was the first village they'd seen for two days.

"You never told me why you so suddenly broke up and left London," Calypso suddenly said. They hadn't been talking for a while, so she broke the silence quite suddenly.

"I didn't?" Briskir asked, absentmindedly. He eyed the forest laying in front of them. "Have you seen Kevin? He's been gone for quite a while now."

"He'll be back soon," Calypso replied. "But don't try to change theme. Why did you leave London?"

Briskir didn't say anything. He was quiet for so long, Calypso began wondering if he'd forgotten she'd asked him something.

Finally he answered. "I figured I wouldn't be safe there – not that I ever was safe in London, but still. It has always been my home." He fell quiet for some moments. "In the inn where I found you the day you left, the men watched us. I'm not sure, but I think they told that pie-man – what was his name again?"

"Abelardus."

"That's it – I think those men told him I was helping you. The next days I often stumbled upon him and his company. I knew that soon they would find where I lived, and then sneak up on me in the night. So I bought Silver, some new, warmer clothing together with some equipment, and left. At first-"

"You bought Silver and equipment?" Calypso frowned at him.

"Yes, now listen if you want to know the rest. As I was about to say-"

"How did you get enough money to buy Silver and equipment? You lived in an attic with nothing but blankets and barely enough food to survive!"

"Do you think I stole it?" Briskir snapped back.

"I didn't say that!" Calypso defended herself.

"But you implied it." Briskir glared daggers at her. "Even though I lived like a rat, it doesn't mean I don't have any limits!"

"Well, sorry for assuming the worst, then!" Calypso replied harshly.

This left them in a long, uncomfortable silence where both of them kept their eyes on their feet, occasionally glancing at the other.

"As I said," Briskir said quietly when they were nearly at the bottom of the hill. "At first I had no idea of where to go. I travelled at normal pace, but after a few days I knew I had the pie-man at my heels. I stopped travelling in daylight, and hid wherever possible until darkness once again settled.

"In another few days I came to the village where I stumbled upon you. That was when I decided that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to follow you. Maybe even join you and help you – of course, if you allow it."

Calypso glanced surprised at him. His hood hid his face, but by the way he held onto Silver's reins, she was sure he was nervous to hear the answer. Her surprised expression turned to a smile, and then to worry.

"But... That means Abelardus will chase you too."

"He's already chasing me," Briskir reminded her.

"Yes, but..." She stared towards the village for some moments, trying to formulate her thoughts in a way which wouldn't offend Briskir. "Look, I don't want you to get hurt," she finally said.

"Do you doubt my abilities as a fighter?"

"No," she replied quickly. "I don't. I firmly believe you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, but if you should happen to die of some reason – and I said if – I would be responsible for it. It would be my fault, because I let you follow me." She glanced at him and hoped he would understand.

She wasn't trying to get away from him. All she was trying to, was making him understand why she didn't want him to risk it willingly.

"If I die," Briskir said, "there'll be no one left to blame you. My father wouldn't care at all. He never did."

Calypso glanced curiously at him. He'd never said anything about his past, but this made her wonder. Was that a clue to why he had such a strong hate against rich people? What about his mother?

The rest of the distance to the village they went in silence. When they reached it, they decided on having some food. Calypso still had enough money left to pay a meal for both of them, and food for Silver. Soon enough they were seated by the counter at an inn, eating their meat. There weren't many people in the room. In fact just the two of them and two men discussing some work which yet had to be done.

The host leant against the counter. "So, what do you think?" he asked. "Does it taste well?"

"Very good," Calypso replied politely. "Thank you very much."

The host smiled satisfied. A moment later a young girl appeared, carrying a set of cups. The host took them, and then sent the girl back to the kitchen where she'd come from. The host settled by the counter, drying the cups.

"Yer not from here. What're ye doing this far north?" he asked, as if randomly.

Calypso and Briskir quickly exchanged glances.

"We're going to visit some relatives," Calypso then replied.

"I see," the host replied. "Do they live far north?"

"We should be there in a few days," Briskir answered, hanging on to Calypso's game.

The host nodded once more and continued drying the cups. Suddenly the door opened. Calypso quickly peered over to the door. Her eyes widened and she quickly glanced down at the food again.

"It's them," she breathed.

"I know," Briskir replied quietly.

"We should get going."

"If we leave now, they'll notice us. Let's wait until they've seated, and then get going."

Calypso nodded in agreement, and then returned to her food. As she ate, she listened to the men talking in Latin, complaining about the weather.

"I don't see why they're going so far north!"

"If they continue like this, we'll all be frozen to death before we even get the chance to think of returning to Constantinople."

Calypso couldn't help but smile to herself. At least they'd managed to piss the soldiers off. That was a positive thing.

The men stamped by the door, shaking snow of their clothes.

"You there," a known voice called in broken English. Calypso was at first deadly sure Abelardus was talking to her, but then she realized it was the host he was talking to. "Get my men and horses something to eat, and something warm to drink. We'll need beds for the night."

Calypso took a chance and peered over at her hunter. He did not look happy at all. In fact he seemed at the edge of exploding.

"He certainly does not look happy," Briskir commented from the darkness of his hood.

"We've forced him this far to the north, away from civilization, in the winter. Of course he's not happy," Calypso replied.

They fell quiet as the soldiers moved over to a table and sat down there, rubbing their hands together to get some warmth.

Still bowed over her food, Calypso heard someone walking up to the counter beside Briskir. Money were thrown to the host who grumbled something, and then disappeared out to the kitchen. Whoever had paid was about to return, but halted to a stop.

Calypso held her breath.

A hand grabbed her by the neck, as if she was a cat, and yanked her off the seat. She yelped and found herself a moment later staring at Abelardus. His hard expression morphed to one of shock, and then into an awful grin.

"Well, well, well," he said satisfied, changing from broken English to fluent Latin. "It seems I finally got you."

"Get your hands off me," Calypso snapped, trying hit him. He held her at a safe distance.

"Boys, it seems we're finally going south again!"

The rest of the soldiers seemed happy about that.

Calypso sent Briskir a desperate glance. Please? she thought. It'd be nice with some help! Briskir got off his seat and approached them. Then he threw his hood back and sent Abelardus a devilish grin.

"Remember me?" he asked.

Before Abelardus could even consider what to say, Briskir had leapt forth with an unsheathed hunting knife. He dived under Abelardus' guard, got up at his back and held the knife against his throat.

"It'd be wise of you to let her go."

"Watch out!" Calypso exclaimed. Briskir pulled away as one of Abelardus' companions came up behind him to tackle him.

Once again taking up the fight, Calypso tore at Abelardus' arm, trying to get free. In the corner of her eye she noticed Briskir keeping the other men away from her and Abelardus. She hit him in the arm, but he didn't even wince. A sudden idea hit her. She reached behind to grab one of her arrows. Of course this didn't go unnoticed by. Abelardus took a firm hold of her arm and twisted it at her back. She gritted her teeth, not only in frustration, but also because of the sudden pain which shot through her arm and shoulder.

"You'd better be nice, otherwise-"

Before he could finish his threat, the door to the kitchen flew up. For once Calypso was relieved to see the curious host. Abelardus immediately let her go. She pulled away from him, rubbing her arm. A moment later Briskir shove her out of the inn.

They found Silver in the stable, together with some other horses – most of them probably belonged to Abelardus and his company.

Soon enough Calypso found herself at the horseback with Briskir's arms securely wrapped around her waist as she steered Silver. That was barely. They'd have to get far before the night came, otherwise they would be dead.

Next chapter up 1. June...

A/N: Please leave a review! I'd really like to know what you think of the story so far!

Oh, you might want to know I'll be up to my throat in exams from the end of May to the middle of June. I hope I'll be able to update anyway!