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-Chapter Thirteen:

"Why did we have to bring them along?" Rurik asked Relcunalyn disgustedly, motioning towards Bruce and Eben. The two soldiers were out of shape and were slowing the group down as they jogged toward Lord Swill's tower.

"Because we'll need them later on." The elf captain replied, steadily jogging.

Rurik, who was also beginning to gasp for breath, was persistent still. "How can they help us?"

"They can help us get through the high security of the tower. Lord Swill has sentries station all around land...and in order to get close to the tower we'll need them."

Rurik, now unable to keep up with the elf's pace, slowly dropped back, looking darkly at the two soldiers.

But soon they stopped, for now, over the top of the trees, could be seen the pointed turret of Lord Swill's tower. It was getting dark, and the flickering light of candles, could be seen though the tower's windows.

Cleon, exhausted, flopped down on the ground. As was his habit, he pulled on Hrimfaxi's tail to get her attention.

"How many times have I told you not to do that!" Hrimfaxi said, after the boy had tugged on her braid of black hair.

"I'm tired...and hungry." He said, looking up at her through half-closed lids.

"Well find yourself some food," the centaur replied, flicking her tail so that it was out of his reach. She wandered off, muttering darkly. "My own servant asking me to fetch something for him...Hah!"

Cleon picked himself up, the pangs of hunger overcoming his tiredness. He crawled over to where Eldon and Relcunalyn were gathered, talking in the dark, not even allowing a fire in case it gave away their position. The bags were piled up near them, and Cleon stumbled over to these and began opening his own, pulling out some hard tack and an apple. Munching happily away at these he didn't even realize he was eavesdropping.

"So why were you so interested in Cleon's life story?" Eldon was asking Relcunalyn.

"Because I've figured out why Lord Swill has been searching for him. It's connected to the reason I was given over to the orcs."

"I think I know too."

CRUNCH, MUNCH, CRUNCH. Cleon couldn't hear the rest over the sound of his own chewing...breaking all the rules of proper eating Hrimfaxi had taught him. But he couldn't help it. He was hungry and the apple tasted good. He swallowed.

"Big coincidence, huh?"

"Something only the bards sing about...never imagined it could really happen...but here we are."

"Should we tell the others?"

"Not Hrimfaxi...she can't keep a secret."

"Felosial?"

"No...she doesn't want to know anything that she can't tell her best friend."

"Rurik?"

"No...we don't even need a reason."

Cleon didn't hear the rest because he was slowly falling asleep, using one of the packs for a pillow. He slept deeply through the night, deaf to the calls of the woodland creatures, and immune to the chilly wind that blew.

But because of the lumpy pack Cleon woke up with a stiff neck and his legs were sore from yesterday's running and chilled from the cold night. He pushed himself up, and in the early morning light tried to locate Hrimfaxi.

He found the centaur curled up on the base of a tree, her legs folded under her and head dropping in sleep. Beads of dew covered her furry chestnut sides, and she had even forgotten to re-braid her mane...stray curls of black frizzed in a cloud around her neck.

Her tail still had leaves stuck in it. He grabbed the end and tugged lightly.

Hrimfaxi's head bobbed a little, but she didn't wake up.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Eldon said in passing. He shoved the two guards –snoring against a tree- awake. "Hrim can be real mean. Let me show you how to wake her."

Eldon located a large branch. Motioning Cleon behind him he whacked Hrimfaxi in the back with the branch. Immediately the centaur's light snores were interrupted and she leaped to her feet, eyes still blurry with sleep.

"What? Who?" She asked, disoriented. Then she spotted Eldon with the branch still in his hand. The halfling took off before Hrim could react.

"You." Was how she greeted Cleon. She ignored the boy while she washed her face and set out breakfast. She acknowledged him only long enough to throw the boy a piece of buttered bread to eat.

"Are we all set?" Relcunalyn bellowed.

"Quiet down," said Eldon harshly. "We're all here and there's no need to yell."

"Can you tell us exactly what we are doing, captain sir?" Bruce asked.

"Yes. Our plan right now is for you to take us into the tower area."

"But how?" Eben asked. "There is no way the guards will let you in."

"But they will if you pretend that we are with you."

"But...but that would be going against our orders!" Both soldiers said.

"And with whom does your loyalty lie?" Relcunalyn asked. "With Lord Swill...who demoted you to privates? Or me...your captain?"

The two soldiers shuffled their feet, uncertain, not willing to look their captain in the eye. Relcunalyn's scarred but handsome face hardened. He remained silent. Finally Hrimfaxi, impatient, spoke up.

"Here...look at it this way. Who do you fear more? Lord Swill...who is in his tower. Or me and the dwarf here...who are right next to you?" Rurik made a point of grinning evilly.

Bruce and Eben saluted. "And after that, will we take you to my Lord's chamber?"

"No. We'll use the servant's passage from the kitchen to give 'Lord' Swill a surprise."

"Can we go now?" Hrimfaxi asked.

Relcunalyn drew his sword –a bit too dramatically- and marched off, the others following him.

"Here, Cleon. Wait a moment," Felosial said. Cleon halted and the elf wizard approached him. "I'm just going to do a little spell on you. Okay? It won't hurt."

Cleon didn't even ask why.

The elf wizard placed her hands on the runty boy's shoulders and after a few moments' concentration, under her hands was a young boy with black hair, brown eyes, and dark skin.

When Hrimfaxi say Cleon she whistled. "Good work, Felosial. I wouldn't have been able to tell it was him if it hadn't been for that sulky look he has in his eyes."

"I can't run anymore," Cleon complained. Hrimfaxi only snorted. "My legs are too sore."

"Fine, kid." Hrimfaxi said irritably. "Hop on my back. But the only reason I'm giving you this ride is because I don't want you to slow us down on our way to revenge...not because I like you."

Grudgingly the centaur bent down and allowed the boy to settled himself behind her back, clutching her mane happily. Then the centaur took off...heading with the others towards the tower.

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