It was an accusation without heat, as though his heart had been wounded yet imagined it deserved to be so. Judd grasped Xenon’s reins and led them east. The palisade was on the wrong side of the tree line for his purposes but utilised a natural rock formation as part of its structure to shield those who camped within from monsters and other invaders. In fact, the whole area was rock which made it even less likely of monster attack as they could not burrow through it.

  In the palisade was a corral for the horses with some shelter and a single, decent sized round hut with a thick thatched roof and clay sealed sides. Judd made sure the horses were fed and watered before ducking his head and entering the hut, knowing that there were four pairs of eyes staring at him.

  “I’m going to rescue Suvau,” he announced, answering the first and foremost question in all of their minds, “and not just him. I’m setting all those Maul slaves free.”

  Aalis nursed the babe she carried, having it suck milk from her fingers that she had made sure to purchase and store in advance. Now that Judd knew about it and they were in a safe place, she could hold him comfortably. Giordi sat cross legged and leaned forward, questions in his eyes and a slightly slack jawed look to his face. Verne sat back against the side of the hut, arms folded, long legs stretched out in front of him with his ankles crossed. Caste refused to look at Judd at all, staring at his own hands and had been similarly subdued all day.

  “You’re going to rescue the Mauls from Fort Mavour?” Giordi asked when the silence had stretched out to painful proportions. Judd nodded. “From Sir Donimede?” Judd nodded again.

  Verne lifted his gaze a little. “Is this because of what Suvau did in the Arena?” Judd sat down opposite them with his back to the doorway. “Because he attacked you?”

  “He didn’t attack me.”

  “Looked like it to me.” Giordi snorted.

  “That’s what he intended,” Judd shook his head, “I don’t have all the answers for you. I don’t know Suvau’s side of the story. All I know is when he knocked me down to hit me…he was pulling his punches.”

  Giordi raised an eyebrow. Verne rolled his eyes. “It means he wasn’t hitting him with his full strength.”

  “Oh. And that meant something to you?”

  “It did when he spoke to me while barely hitting me.” Judd nodded. “Suvau thinks he knows of a way to get his people out into the wall and needs my help.”

  “The wall? Why not through the city?” Giordi closed his eyes and shook his head. “Never mind. That was a stupid question.”

  “He thinks he knows a way?” Aalis asked.

  Judd cringed. “Look, it was a very brief conversation…more like an angry, word per punch, communication. Tomorrow night, eastern wall, open door. Save my people.”

  Everyone was silent…everyone but Caste that is.

  “That’s what you had me research the blueprints of Fort Mavour on?” He exclaimed, the words bursting out of his mouth in fury. “That’s the sum total of your plan?!”

  “He risked his life to tell me it!” Judd returned. “I had to take him seriously. Then Donimede offered to have him killed so I had to leave him there, probably for the best so he could do his part from his side.”

  “Wait, wait,” Verne sat up, “tomorrow night? That’s tonight. Eastern wall…that’s how you know he’s going to bring his people through the wall. Open door?”

  “Don’t you remember what Fereak said about the doors of the wall? They’re bolted and barred. Besides,” Judd licked his lips, “I think the Mauls will be in poor condition. Even if Suvau was able to get them out of the wall, if a monster attacked, they’d have even less chance there than in the Arena.” He sighed and nodded. “So I’m going to get them out of there.”

  “We’ll help.”

  “No.”

  Verne and Giordi gaped at Judd. “No?”

  Judd shook his head. “I can’t let you.”

  “And why not?” Verne said with a challenge in his voice.

  “Go on, Judd,” Caste snapped tightly, “tell them why you won’t risk their lives…just yours and mine?”

  “Wait…whose and why?”

  “I needed to know where the doors in the wall are,” Judd explained, “in order to approach the wall without being seen, I’ll have to ride in the dark which means I need to have a good idea where the closest door to the fort is before setting out. I asked Caste to copy some of the blueprints of Fort Mavour which include the wall fortifications and doors.”

  “And in doing so, you have included me in this…treasonous activity.”

  “Treasonous?”

  “Yes!” Caste stood up, his red hair wild and his green eyes darting all over the place. “You…you’re going to be stealing…from a knight!”

  “Caste,” Judd faced him, “those people are being whipped by Terras and killed by monsters! You can’t turn a blind eye to it.”

  “I’m not blind. I’m respectful.”

  “Respectful.” Caste nodded furiously at him. “Of a man like Donimede?”

  “He’s a holder of a knighthood, bestowed by King Rocheveron!” Caste roared, their small hut filled with anger and fear. “He might be the most arrogant, despicable, foul mouthed man in all of Terra…but he’s a knight! He’s his own authority, entrusted with by the King! And when he catches you…”

  “He won’t.” Judd vowed.

  “When he catches you,” Caste reiterated in a hard tone, “he will be able to act as judge, jury and executioner. You will be killed…and all those associated with you.”

  Judd gazed at Caste sadly. “Are you worried about my neck or your own?”

  “I told you,” Caste pointed at him, “that my being assigned to you on this ridiculous knighthood would be the end of me. But I began to hope that maybe, just maybe, I would survive your foolishness and return to Astaril and my beloved order…now, when all you have to do is receive your knighthood, you drag me into this folly!”

  “If I am caught,” Judd allowed, “I will claim full responsibility.”

  “And how long do you think it’ll take someone like Alast or Rodel to whisper in Donimede’s ear that you couldn’t have done this without intellectual help?” Caste demanded, going to his pack and pulling the parchment out with his tracings on it. He waved it at Judd. “Do you really think they’ll believe you when it was impossible without knowledge that could only be found in the Mavour library? Knowledge traced onto this parchment in my handwriting?”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Judd closed his eyes and sighed. “Caste…if I could have done this without you, I would have. But I can’t…and I can’t leave those souls in that fort to make sport for people who feasted and danced and celebrated hours after an innocent man was murdered for the sake of their entertainment.”

  “And your knighthood.”

  “Caste!” Aalis gasped.

  “That was unfair, cleric.” Verne added.

  Caste’s jaw was hard yet it quivered slightly. He looked away from Judd. There was an awkward silence filled only with the yawning of the baby in Aalis’ arms and the gurgle he gave as he settled into his nap.

  “I know what my knighthood cost,” Judd said softly, “that’s why I can’t ever let it happen again. Suvau…he’s our friend, Yolana’s husband and Emeri’s father. He needs us…and I won’t abandon him.” Judd held out his hand. “The map, please.”

  Caste looked at his hand, unwilling to meet his eyes. “And if I refuse?”

  Judd kept his hand outstretched. “Suvau is a strong man but even he won’t last long in that place. Please, Caste…let me help him and his people. I won’t force you or steal it from you…but I am asking you to imagine if you could live with this knowledge?”

  Verne, Giordi and Aalis held their breaths as Caste wrestled internally. He looked like a statue, not blinking, barely breathing…the only movement being his fingers tightening on the scroll trapped in his fingers. Finally, violently, he thrust it at Judd who caught it.

  “Take it,” he said venomously, “but know that I am done.”

  “I won’t involve you any further in this.” Judd vowed.

  “No, you don’t understand,” Caste leaned towards him, bristling with fury, “I am done. Never ask me for anything, ever again. I will not comply and I will not assist. I will only do that which is within the realm of my role as the cleric on your knighthood quest. Apart from that…do not speak to me.” He pushed the heavy leather flap away from the door and stormed outside.

  Judd’s shoulders bowed and he scrunched the scroll in his hands tightly.

  “Caste will cool down,” Giordi insisted gently, “he always does.”

  “No, he’s right,” Judd whispered brokenly, “I have pushed him so much further than he ever deserved. This was my quest and everyone else joined of their own volition. He was only ever obligated to me, assigned against his will. And in the end, I betrayed his trust.”

  Giordi stood and put his hand on Judd’s shoulder. “Then we need to ensure this endeavour is successful.”

  Judd nodded and knelt, spreading the map out on the ground and peered at it in the light of the hut. It would not take long for the shadows to lengthen and the sun to set. Days were terribly short this far south however, Judd wanted to try to scout out the land from a distance before he attempted to navigate it in the dark. Not that a long night was a bad thing. This far south, he knew he ought to be more concerned with moving further north as soon as possible but a long night meant an earlier start on his rescue, more time to get the Mauls out of Mavour territory and, with the soldiers concentrating patrols close to the wall, there was less chance of them being discovered…if Judd could figure out where Suvau would most likely be waiting for him.

  Thankfully the early morning patrols with Captain Chael had helped him become familiar with the general landscape and with the copied blueprints in front of him, Judd could trace a shallow gully, filled with stones built as a firebreak between fields, that lined up vaguely with the first door. It was too close for comfort to Mavour and what with extra soldiers because the structural integrity of the Arena was in question, there would be more soldiers than ever…but Judd couldn’t take the risk that Suvau would come to the same conclusion and go to the second door.

  As he poured over the details, Aalis changed the bumfodder of the baby swiftly, wrapping him up warmly then scooping him into her arms.

  He wanted to ask her about the baby.

  He wanted to ask her about a lot of things.

  But Judd’s heart couldn’t take it at the moment.

  There was a great deal at stake and to be distracted by another, gut wrenching rejection, would only serve to dishearten him. So he kept his eyes down and his mind on the task at hand. Eventually Caste came inside, unable to stand the cold any longer but he made a point of sitting with his back to Judd and refused to engage anyone in conversation. Giordi and Verne collected firewood but Judd had to warn them that it was not to be lit until dark and only so long as the hut was closed up, the smoke escaping through the hole in the roof.

  “Fire can be seen at a great distance at night.” He explained, rolling the map up, chewing on some dried meat to keep his stomach from making too much noise. “Make sure to keep the leather flap tightly closed and I’m sorry, but we can’t risk a lookout spotting the smoke while it’s light. You’ll have to wait until dark to light the fire.”

  “We’ll take all necessary precautions.” Giordi promised.

  “And if I’m not back by dawn, I want you to pack up and head for the northern nomad camp,” he held his hand up before Giordi could protest, “that’s not up for discussion.”

  Giordi nodded obediently. “Fair call.”

  “Right,” Judd drew the flap aside and looked at the sky, “the sun is going down. There’s less than an hour before only the memory of light remains. Should be enough time to reach the gully I need to ride down.”

  “You are taking Xenon?” Aalis asked, speaking to him for the first time in hours.

  “I’m worried about the state of the Mauls.” Judd picked up his cloak and swung it around his shoulders, flicking it over the sheath of his sword. “If needed, some of them can ride him.” He tugged on his gloves, wrapped a scarf around his neck and put his hood up, looking at Giordi. “How did we go gathering warm clothing for the Mauls to wear?”

  “Verne’s on it. He’s outside.”

  “Right, I’ll be off.”

  “You make it sound like you’re just popping out for an ale.” Giordi remarked then pulled a bottle of liquor out of his pack. “Here, take this.” He held it out. “A small sip here and there will help chase the chill away in your bones.”

  “Thanks.” Judd pocketed it. “Look after each other. See you soon, Caste.” The cleric refused to acknowledge his farewell. Judd sighed and ducked his head as he pulled the leather flap aside, making sure it rested securely in place. Verne was by the horses, bundling every cloak, spare shirt, trouser, socks and gloves into a swag they’d emptied. “That’s great, Verne. Thanks.”

  “Judd,” Verne said as Judd hoisted the swag onto Xenon’s back, “I’m going with you.”

  “No, you’re not.” Judd answered without pause.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do.”

  “I’m not. I’m telling you what not to do.” Judd grouched.

  “I am going with you, end of story.”

  “Verne…” Judd turned to him, the memory of the night before returning to him as Verne’s blue eyes blazed into his own. “You…you…just…you can’t…”

  “What?” Verne demanded and Judd’s eyes flickered away. His shoulders bowed and he shook his head. “Because I’m a…a…uh…”

  Judd opened one eye and peered at her, seeing her ingrained protective habit slam into place, strangling her words.

  “Well…” He winced.

  “Well…you know…I think…”

  Judd sighed and tilted his head back. “Yeah…I know.”

  “There you are then.”

  “There I am where?”

  “Refusing to let me help.”

  “Oh come on, Verne!” Judd shook his clenched hands. “You just…you can’t go and it’s got nothing to do with…that…thing.”

  “There has to be a reason and that can only be it! After all, you never baulked at my aid before.” Verne folded her arms. “Unless you’ve suddenly decided that I’m made of glass just because I have breasts?”

  “Thanks for that mental image!” Judd closed his eyes and laughed. “Verne…you are beyond a doubt the bravest and most competent person in the battlefield that I’ve travelled with. I don’t think there’s anything you’re frightened of.”

  “So?”

  “So…” Judd pushed his hands through his hair. “So…Caste was right to be cautious. I mean…if I’m caught, I can deflect blame from him by saying he copied the plans to the wall because I lied about needing them for my knighthood quest.” He put his hand on Verne’s shoulder. “I can protect him. I can’t protect you, someone who volunteered…and that I would never be believed to have been able to force.” He dropped his hand and turned to Xenon, checking his saddle. “You’d wind up in the stocks with me or worse, in prison.”

  “I’d be popular.” Verne joked and Judd looked at her, pained. “Right…poor taste.” Verne cleared her throat. “Judd, Suvau is my friend and that place is worse than Maul…because its humans enslaving, torturing and murdering other humans. At least monsters don’t differentiate. We all bleed red.” Judd pressed his forehead against his saddle. “Is that a yes?” Judd grunted. “I’m taking that as a yes.”

  “I’d have a hard time stopping you…and I’m running out of daylight.”

  “Well then,” Verne untied Quell, already saddled and ready to go, “shall we?”

  Judd chuckled and nodded. “We shall.”

  They mounted their horses and left the palisade, Giordi opening the gate for them and closing it behind. Judd looked over his shoulder then back at Verne.

  “He already knew you were coming with me, didn’t he?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  Judd frowned. “Does he know?”

  “Know what?” Verne made an ‘O’ with her mouth and nodded. “Oh…that…no, he doesn’t…and I don’t want him to know.”

  Judd nodded, realising that, had he not seen the gown and recognised Verne at the feast, he would still be ignorant which seemed to be Verne’s preference.

  Verne glanced at Judd. “You know this will all be for naught if Suvau can’t get the Mauls into the wall.”

  “I know,” Judd admitted, following the line of the rocks, keeping as much of a barrier between himself and the wall as they backtracked almost as far as they had come, “but Suvau took a big risk to communicate so little in a very dangerous moment. If there is any chance at all, he won’t let that slip away.”