“Can you make yourself a legionnaire?” Skye asked Dalton.
“Yes,” Dalton replied, creating the seeming after a moment’s effort. “I can probably do somebody else too.”
“Okay, you and Cole,” Skye said. “I can cover the others.”
“That’s nine people!” Dalton exclaimed.
“Eight,” Skye said. “I’ll hold Brady and make him part of my soldier.” She picked him up. Everybody became legionnaires again.
“You got me?” Cole asked Dalton.
“Looking good, Cole,” Skye said. “Shall we?”
“Don’t hurry too much,” Oster advised. “We want to look like a patrol investigating. It’s okay that Sultan was injured. We could have been involved in fighting already. The uniforms should convince most to ignore us, except perhaps a legionnaire commander. I didn’t see anyone in the immediate area. Follow me.”
They exited the smokehouse and made their way past some other buildings, toward a complex of stables adjoining some large corrals. Blackmont Castle stood behind them on higher ground. The sounds of fighting were muted by the distance.
Cole resisted the urge to increase his pace. He made a point of looking around at the surrounding structures, as if searching for someone. The illusionary legionnaires looked different from before. With the seemings up and nobody speaking, he found it hard to be sure who everybody else was, except for the legionnaire helping his wounded comrade.
The stables drew gradually nearer. The area seemed deserted. Cole figured most people had opted to hide out until the fighting was done.
Once inside the nearest stable, they found two long rows of stalls filled with horses. Skye dropped the legionnaire seemings. Oster trotted to a storage closet and began taking out saddles. “Everyone who knows how, lend a hand,” he said.
Cole had learned to care for mules back when he left the slave caravan. He figured saddling a horse couldn’t be too different, and he was right.
Everyone helped prep horses besides Dalton and Brady, who sat with Sultan. The wounded illusionist rested on the floor with one shoulder against the wall, head bowed. Cole didn’t like the look on his face. He seemed out of it.
Once the horses were ready, everyone mounted up. Skye put Brady in front of her, arms around him protectively. Joe helped Sultan climb onto a horse. The illusionist slouched and had to brace himself with his free hand, but he held the reins and stayed in the saddle. Minimus had selected the smallest horse he could find.
Oster mounted a horse as well. “After you’re away, my orders are to return to the Rogue Knight,” he said. “His chances of survival aren’t great, but while he stands, I’ll stand with him. Ride swiftly.”
“I’m not sure Sultan can do this,” Joe said. “And I’m worried about Brady. We don’t want to drag him into our trouble.”
“I was going to send Sultan away with Brady,” Skye said. “That won’t work now.”
“Someone should take them both,” Joe replied. “Are you up for it?”
“Mira will need my guidance with the torivor,” Skye said. “And it seems you have some medical know-how.”
“A little,” Joe said. “Okay. Where should I go?”
Skye thought for a moment. “Ride due north to the village of Rygel’s Forge. Then go northwest to Sutner’s Ferry. Stay at the Golden Goose. They’re sympathizers. We’ll try to find you there. Stay vigilant. Once the Enforcers discover Brady is gone, they’ll come looking.”
Joe rode over to Skye and took Brady from her. The boy didn’t look pleased but kept his mouth shut.
“I’ve never ridden a horse before,” Dalton said nervously.
“Stay with us,” Skye told him. “Hold the reins a little looser. Grip with your legs. Don’t fall off.”
All but Oster became legionnaires.
“I can do my seeming,” Dalton said.
“Worry about staying on your horse,” Skye replied.
“Don’t gallop away,” Oster said. “You’ll draw less attention if you take your time. I’ll watch from here until you’re clear.”
Leaving Oster behind, they rode out of the stable and trotted away from the castle. Cole followed Skye and kept an eye on Dalton, who looked terrified even as a legionnaire. Joe and Sultan veered away from them.
Looking ahead, Cole saw the road Skye was aiming toward. When he glanced back at Joe, Sultan was on the ground. Joe had dismounted and was trying to help him get up. The big man was unconscious and too heavy for Joe to lift.
“Skye?” Cole asked.
“I see them,” she said.
Sultan staggered woozily to his feet, and Joe helped drape him over his saddle, feet on one side, head on the other. Joe mounted up and led Sultan’s horse by the reins. Slung over the saddle, Sultan didn’t look very lively. Cole hoped Joe would be able to get him medical attention soon. How good were the doctors in Elloweer? The technology seemed pretty primitive.
They reached the road without difficulty. Soon Joe, Brady, and Sultan had ridden out of view.
Cole ended up trotting beside Mira. She looked worried.
“You all right?” Cole asked.
“Do you think the Rogue Knight has any chance of escaping?” she asked. “There were so many legionnaires and guards. I know he’s a good fighter, but he can’t singlehandedly take on the whole kingdom.”
“If anyone has a chance, he does,” Cole said. “He doesn’t have to win the battle. He just has to fight his way free.”
“Except for taking me, he didn’t treat me badly,” Mira said. “I hope he makes it.”
As Cole trotted up the road, he kept glancing back at Blackmont Castle. He couldn’t tell whether the fighting had ended or if he and the others had simply moved too far away to hear it. Cole kept expecting to see a group of horsemen coming after them. Maybe guardsmen. Maybe legionnaires. Some of the Dreadknight’s men perhaps.
But time went on, and nobody came.
Chapter 26
THE RED ROAD
Not far into the ride, when Mira mentioned that she was thirsty, they realized that they had brought no provisions. Skye had grabbed blankets with the saddles, but they lacked anything to eat or drink. Minimus volunteered to go find food and water, and rode away alone.
As the day progressed, the road they traveled dwindled to a trail. They passed nobody coming from the opposite direction, and nobody approached from behind. By the time the sun went down, the faint trail was becoming hard to follow.