Well-I'm back. finally. I think I might be getting better at this, I'll let you know.


Chapter 12- The Enemy

The road out of the city seemed endless to Sarra, who had to make a conscious effort to hide her growing impatience under her now-ivory skin. With her coal-black hair pinned, dressed in breeches and a plain white shirt, she looked enough like Thayet to fool even the King.

The homes on either side of the road were tidy and well kept. Servants in various house colours were dashing in and out of many of the larger homes, and many people were in the streets even this early in the morning. Riding a normal looking horse and accompanied by only a single guard, Sarra was not recognized as anything more then 'another noble' on her morning ride-provided only that the people did not look for more then a moment on her face. So busy was she trying to spot some of her favourite merchants on the street that she forgot to think about the long, winding road at all, and it was a shock to her when they rode out of the city gates at last. Here, too, there was an abundance of people-but they were not well enough off to live inside the city walls. Still, they seemed to be doing fairly well, compared to some of the tales she had heard about Corus in the past. At least no one was starving, or living in the streets themselves.

At last they came to the real outskirts of the city, where the homes were farmsteads set far back from the road, with workers labouring in the fields to either side. Sarra looked warily about her, resting a hand lightly on her longbow. It was a gift from her grandfather-Weiryn, God of the Hunt, although she hadn't even told Marishk the truth about that side of the family. It was uncomfortable enough to be treated with awe for having a talent for shape shifting- no way was she going to tell her friend she was a demi-goddess in her own right!

On they rode, past the open fields and into a wood, Sarra and her silent, hooded guard. It occurred to her suddenly that she had not seen his face-what if this were a trap, and he an enemy somehow escorting her to her death as a rebel captive?

Stop it, Sarra! Scolded that little voice she knew so well. You've been friends with Marishk the spy-mage for too long, to start thinking like him too! Her inner self, or whoever that nagging voice belonged to, was right. I'll be seeing plots in my morning porridge soon, she thought with a wry grin. That was when the twig snapped, off to her right and a little bit ahead.

She halted Sahana as the guard reigned in his own mount, looking towards the same spot. Apparently the hood doesn't affect his hearing any, thought Sarra, glancing at him as she turned to get her quiver off her packs. Gods, I hope he can shoot well.

A single man faded out of the brush to stand by the side of the road in front of them, a little ways away. He held up his hands in a gesture of peace, but Sarra kept her arrow nocked on the string. She wasn't that stupid, to fall for tricks like that! There was a slow movement on her right-her guard had brought his arrow sight to bear on the man's chest, and was waiting only for him to move.

The stranger seemed to realize his peril. He came no closer, but called, instead, in a low voice. "Queen Thayet of Tortall, Princess of the K'mir, daughter of Kalasin?"

"Yes," she answered, although the word felt odd on her lips, and felt like the lie it was. Her quiet word seemed to ring in the stillness of the wood.

He smiled then, at her, and his lined old face was transformed. Even from here, she thought she could see kindness in his eyes. "I am Commander Kyorian, of the K'mir Plela," he rumbled. "And who is your guardsman, so strong to hold his position for so long?" For, indeed, the guard still held his large bow at full draw- an immense feat with such a high-powered weapon.

"Guardsman Calais," the man said brusquely, nodding once at the Commander. "And I prefer not to go unprepared against the unknown."

"Here then," said the Commander-Kyorian, was it?-and pulled a parchment scroll out of his sleeve. He tossed it towards them, with good strength; Sarra managed to catch it in the tips of her fingers, split the seal, and unrolled it hastily.

'Krashaeh, Princess," Sarra read slowly, enjoying as always the feel of the K'mir words on her lips. It was a beautiful language. "Welcome. Commander Kyorian has come for you, to lead you to our forces, as was agreed on two days ago at the consent of yourself and his Royal Majesty King Jonathan of Tortall. Please allow the Commander to lead you-I have sent a group of twenty scouts to escort you and your guide as well. With all due respect, we would like your Majesty here as soon as possible. Yours in good faith, General "

Her vigilant guard finally let his grip slack on his bow stave. The Commander did not move as Sarra handed the missive over to her companion, looking curiously at his face as he turned away again. All she could see was the hood!

Calais finished reading, looked carefully at the seal on the note and at the signature. He then drew a second parchment out of his cloak and compared the two; Sarra was certain that this was the communication of two days prior. Finally the hooded head rose to look in the direction of the Commander again.

"Lead on," was all he said, but it was in a slightly friendlier tone of voice then before. The Commander smiled slightly before raising his hand and whistling softly. A good-sized group of men and women appeared at the sides of the road, dressed in peasant clothing, carrying good quality but well used weapons. All of them lined up behind the Commander; as one, then bowed, low, to Sarra. Before she had the chance to wonder what to do, they had straightened, nodded to her guard, saluted their leader, and disappeared back into the woods. They are good, Sarra thought enviously. Stealth was not her best point.

Commander Kyorian shortened the distance between them in a few short strides, beaming up at Sarra like she was the Goddess herself, come to save the K'mir cause. Perhaps, in a way, she was. She could not help but smile back at him as he fell into step with their mounts, heading for Sarain.


I fixed Chapter 11 up a little and got this one up all in one day! I know thats terrible, but I try to keep my spirits up. I won't update tomorrow, because I have Archery, but perhaps Wednesday!!

Thanks for putting up with me :)

Sarra