Ben's NaNoWriMo Log

Chapter 7 added Sep 23, 2005
The sun shone brightly on the snowy ground the next morning, forcing the two travelers to keep their hoods pulled down low over their eyes. They kept a steady pace throughout the morning. As the sun reached its apex, they stopped briefly to share a quick lunch. "So how much further is it to the border?" asked Sarah. Syphar glanced at Sarah, then down at the half eaten biscuit in his hand. "It may be a while yet." Sarah raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "Ahandria is that way," he said, pointing back up the way they had come. "What?" shouted Sarah. "What in blazes are we doing going this way then?" "There's only two ways out of Skytooth, and the other road leads to Ironhold," said Syphar sheepishly. "I didn't want to discourage you by saying anything last night." Sarah looked despairingly back up the mountain. She turned back to the wizard and sighed. "Well, where are we going, then?" "I've only studied this area a few times; I was never allowed to leave Skytooth when I was there in the past. We should come down in a town called Silverwell. From there we should be able to head east and go back over the mountains through Elizar's Gap." "Wonderful," grumbled Sarah. "All right, let's get going then." Sarah picked up the pace as they continued their descent, and soon Syphar found himself following her instead of the other way around. The going got easier as they descended the mountain. The snow was reduced to patches on the sides of the road, where the sun was blocked by the mountains themselves for much of the day. As evening descended once more, they could see a wall up ahead. It stretched from one mountain to the other, with a closed gate in its center. "Can you do that trick again?" asked Sarah. Syphar shook his head. "It won't do us any good, unless you can get that gate open. We'll just have to try to talk our way through." They approached the gate, trying to act as though they were supposed to be there. As they got closer they could see men with crossbows walking back and forth across the top of the wall. One of the guards stepped out and held up his hand. "Stop and identify yourselves." Syphar drew back his hood, and Sarah followed suit. The cold air was a shock after so long within the warm embrace of her enchanted cloak. "I'm Master Lagorse from Stormwatch," said Syphar. He gestured toward Sarah. "This is my apprentice." "Can I see your papers, please?" "Ah, I'm afraid we don't have any, this was a last minute trip and I didn't have time to file any. You know how it is." "Hrm." Apparently, the guard did not know how it was. "I don't have the authority to let you by without paperwork. You'll have to get permission from Master Eldridge." "Certainly," said Syphar. Sarah doubted he felt as confident as he sounded. There was nothing they could do but allow themselves to be led through the gate. Half a dozen men fell into step around them, hands resting on their sword hilts. From what they could see, the buildings of Silverwell seemed to be built almost entirely of stone; not surprising, considering how the town was nestled between the slopes of the Red Peaks. They were conducted quickly past a few curious townsfolk. The streets seemed strangely empty considering the apparent size of the town. They finally came to a grim fortress whose gray facade bore the marks of centuries of wind and weather, if not battle. The interior was less austere, but it was still sparsely appointed. Word of their coming seemed to have preceded them. A guard opened one of a set of double doors as they approached, revealing a small audience chamber beyond. The leader of their entourage stepped inside the room. "Master Lagorse and his apprentice, Master Eldridge." Master Eldridge stood in the middle of the chamber, hands clasped behind his back. He was not an exceptionally tall man, but the fur-trimmed gown he wore over his doublet and jerkin accentuated his broad shoulders and chest. His lined face and steel gray hair bespoke advancing age, but there was no sign of weakness in his stance. The man nodded to the guard and waved his hand. "Thank you, Captain. Return to your post." The guard bowed and withdrew along with the rest of his men, closing the door behind him. Eldridge shifted his weight onto one foot, placing his hands on his hips. "Master Lagorse," he said, narrowing his green eyes, "you look... younger than the last time I saw you." Sarah's heart sank. Whether Eldridge was bluffing or not, she could tell he had caught Syphar off guard. Before the wizard could formulate a response, Eldridge crossed his arms over his chest. "You may be a wizard, but you're no Master. You haven't got enough attitude." He nodded toward Sarah. "And she doesn't look at you like an apprentice." Sarah could feel her cheeks warming as she stepped forward. "Please, my lord, he's only trying to help me!" A look of distaste crossed Eldridge's face. "I'm no lord, missy. Just a man like any other." He looked both of them over. "I'd wager you're on the run from someone. Jealous husband, maybe?" Sarah hesitated for a moment, but she knew they were caught no matter what she said. She could only hope that she could win Eldridge's sympathy. "No, m-- Master Eldridge," she said. "I only wish it were so simple. Has word reached you yet of the king's death?" Eldridge raised an eyebrow. "Yes," he said slowly, "though it's not yet common knowledge. How do you know of this?" "I was there. I saw it happen. Count Arden and Monsignor Ignatius conspired to kill him and blame it on heretics. They've been hunting me ever since." Eldridge stared at her a moment longer, then nodded. "Much as it pains me to hear it, I believe you. The situation seemed too convenient for that snake Arden." Sarah let out a sigh of relief. "Will you help us, then?" "There's little I can do," he said. "I meant it when I said I'm not a lord; I'm just a retired fencing master who was given an extravagant gift." He spread his arms to indicate their surroundings. "When the silver mines ran out, this place was all but abandoned. It was given to me as a sort of retirement home. I don't even really have any power here outside the fencing school. I have the respect of the townsfolk and my students, but I haven't got anywhere near the clout to oppose someone like Arden." He shook his head. "Even when I was interested in politics, I was more a man of action than words." He smiled. "What little I can do for you, however, I shall."
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