Chapter 12

The murky figure moved swiftly and vigilantly past each tree in the dark forest. No one saw it, or suspected its presence. It knew how to move through anything without being seen or heard. Its slim shape passed through the forest quickly, but continued slowly when it approached an encampment of tents. All were dark and lifeless. The tent it sought was dark as well. But before it disappeared into its flap, the shadow saw a light. It was near, but small and not moving; it was not important. Inside the tent the draped silhouette scanned around the room, looking for something. It opened the chests and checked the bags, but the item it sought was not to be found.

Suddenly the flap opened and a man stood in the doorway of the tent, holding a candle. The figure swung around, allowing the man to see its face in full light. The man gasped in confusion and took a step back.

"What are you..." started Sir Loban.

The figure never let the old man reveal its name. In a flash it had its sword out, and swiftly ran the blade through the old veteran. He shouted and dropped to the ground, groaning, the candle snuffed out in the dirt.

The shadow fled, not wanting to be there when the murder was found out. But already tent flaps were being hurled open. The men shouted at the retreating shape, but it did not stop. One of the men ran after it and got a good look at the murderer. He came back his eyes full of wonder and fear.

"Your Majesty, sir," he stammered, "It was a woman."

Prince Gespian raised his eyebrows in confusion, and then walked solemnly over to the old man. Sir Loban was gasping his last breaths. He tried to tell them who it was, but failed, and died in his King's arms.

"Great," growled Dasian. He was standing with his hands on his table looking at the letter his messenger had just given him. "Sir Loban has been murdered by one of Felipe's cruddy women spies," he said to Willy, who was sitting on a stool polishing his boots.

"Sir Loban is dead?" cried the dwarf. "That is horrible. He was our main secretary and advisor!" He shook his head sadly and added in a softer, mournful tone, "And friend."

"Aye, I know that. I'm not sure how we'll manage without him." Dasian passed his hand over his eyes wearily and sighed. Then he straightened and decided, "Tnsaiu will take his place. He is just as wise, if not wiser. He will stay with me for two weeks then go to Gespian. Still, this is a tragic loss. Did Tnsaiu tell you when Anaella would return?"

Willy grinned and shook his head. "Nay, but why do you want to know, Captain?" he asked teasingly.

Dasian bristled. "I'm Captain of this army and must keep track of my spies and messengers. Why else would I ask?"

Willy shrugged, but he grinned to himself knowingly.

Henry entered the tent and nodded his head to Dasian. "The fairy is back, sir."

"Good. Have Rowena pack some food for me. I'll be leaving for the main base."

"Funny, she should appear right after the death of Sir Loban," mused Henry.

Dasian gave him a stern look. "She is not the murderer and you know it. How long ago did she arrive?"

"Just half an hour ago, sir. She's been resting from a long ride. She's in shambles, too, sir. Her clothes are muddy and her hair is cut short. But she still seems reasonably fresh."

"Tell her she is to accompany me to the base as well."

"Yes, sir," said Henry, and exited.

"Henry is very skeptical of Anaella. He does not think her trustworthy." Willy frowned slightly then asked, "Will I go with you?"

"Of course, I'd have it no other way. Where I go you go."

Willy nodded just as Anaella entered the tent.

"Dasian, I don't think you should go to the main base," she said immediately.

The Captain raised an eyebrow. "Why? Is there something I need to know?"

Anaella stared at him, worry and confusion riveted her eyes. "Nay, of course not," she said quickly.

It sounded doubtful, but Dasian was occupied with other things, and didn't seem to care. He had laid out the map of Reginatel on his table and was showing Willy and Anaella which route they would be taking.

"Through here five miles past the spot Jengo's camp use to be. It's the longer way, but safer."

"What do you mean?" wondered Anaella,"

"I'm a wanted man, and going so close to the castle will not be safe. Besides, if we go this way, we can stop by the little villages and get supplies. The shorter route leads only through forests and cities. I have several important messages to send to the mountains and bases round about that can't be risked."

As soon as the plans were made, horses were saddled, and bags packed, Dasian, Willy, and Anaella left camp. The trip would take several days, and they would stop by friendly small towns for the night. They did not ride hard, but let their horses walk leisurely down a small road in the forest.

It was a quiet ride, except for when Willy's pony began to buck, or when he started whistling, or when he demanded a stop to pick a wild fruit. Willy gorged himself often, but his ribs always stuck out and he never got any fatter, no matter how much he ate. Sometimes he started to talk to either of his companions, but he eventually drifted out of the conversation and in the end it was Dasian who was doing all the talking, instructing Anaella and Willy in many of the things he had learned when a boy.

"One of the most important things my father taught me was that it's best to simply keep our mouth shut no matter the danger, and usually everything works out fine. Of course for a spy that is very essential since it is they that knows so much and have so much to hide. One slip of the tongue and all is lost. This is why Willy is not a spy."

"Did you really let Willy go through enemy ranks with his flapping tongue?" Anaella asked in surprise. She had gotten to know Willy as well as the rest of the men and knew how much he liked to talk, and often let slip some details of things he shouldn't know.

Willy guffawed and reddened at the same time.

Dasian was somewhat embarrassed and growled, "Aye, I did when there was a shortage of spies."

"Traitors more like it," said Willy his eyes flashing dangerously, which surprised Anaella, for she had never seen the dwarf particularly annoyed or angry.

"Aye," agreed Dasian his eyes also hardening as he remembered his previous scouts. "They were more traitors than spies and I hung every one of them. They were miserable men and I knew they were ashamed for their act after I had degraded them before the whole army."

"Were they really so bad?" wondered Anaella, who knew nothing of the prior spies.

"Yes," said Dasian, his eyes focusing on the road in a cold sorrow.

Anaella said no more, knowing that when Dasian answered shortly it meant he did not wish to be questioned or prodded into giving out more than he already said. A silence fell over the small group and only the steady clop of the horse's hooves intervened. Anaella realized then why it had taken Dasian so long to learn to trust her and willingly let her actually become a spy. He had already been hurt by friends who had betrayed him, and he did not want to take any chances. This knowledge made her all the more fervent in making sure she did not betray him or anyone else.

At night they stopped at a road tavern where the keeper insisted they stay for free. He felt very honored to be hosting, Dasian son of Riley, Captain of the whole rebel army. But later, while the keeper wasn't looking, Dasian slipped a few gold coins to his ten-year-old son. Willy told Anaella that Dasian couldn't bear to have the commoners treating him more than an equal.

"His mother is a commoner, you see," he explained, "So he is too, and respects these humble folks just as much as he does the Prince himself."