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The road to fenwell lay north easterly, twenty eight rugged miles from the chapel of heronborn to the master of the lodge and his manse.

Behind the chapel of heronborn in the gloom of the night stood a wagon, in the darkening sky two moons are on the rise, accompanied by the haunting sound of an owl which in turn was joined by the intermittent squeaks of bats as they fluttered like shadows through the night air in their hungry aerial search for insects.


At the front of the wagon a shadowy figure sat hunched, watching as their small bodies, momentarily caught as black as black could be against the silvery hue of the disks, which in turn gave him the impression of watery pools, somehow magically suspended in the eastern sky.

Such was his trance like state it would not have surprised him at all if their tiny wings had caused them to ripple, until his attention was drawn by the impatient snorting of the two horses hitched to the wagon.

The guardsman edminson, a very melancholic edminson at this particular moment in time, who had earlier discussed his plans for the coming journey with his close friend dovan, or rather what they would do afterwards.


These plans being the cause for his sadness, for he meant not to return, himself electing to take the dangerous route south and beyond the dorin mountains... the one route “they” won’t dare to follow... he had told dovan. 


Dovan was in full agreement as to why they would not follow, he remembered his words from earlier in the day... nor will I… he protested. I’ll take my chances further north if that’s alright by you, thank you very much... He had blustered.

He sighed to himself... forty years of age and here I am on the verge of a new beginning, end maybes, what a mess, but what choice do I have... he mused cradling his head in his hands, all the while the lord rengars son, willum, lay snugly in the back ready for conveyance to the manse at fenwell.

Forty going on thirty most folks would say. Edminson had always looked younger, which he found very helpful when it came to the ladies, a shaved head and steely grey blue eyes and of average build he was considered to be a very good swordsman, though he had never been tested in a conflict nor had he ever drawn his sword in anger or defence, he was nonetheless held in high regard for the skills he displayed in training and in the training of others, he was also very handy in a scrap, as many a soldier or citizen will vouch.


Although he did not like being in the service of rengars, he had no say in the matter, he hated it, but on the other hand his life outside of his duties was ideal, as mentioned he had his way with the ladies, his social life and his hunting, along with his beautiful house and grounds, gave him all that he had ever wanted, that in itself far outweighed the tedious and resented work and being at his lords beck and call.


Be careful!


Edminson almost jumped out of his skin and only just held back from firing off a few expletives on realising that it was none other than the lord rengars himself! Who, as it seemed, to appear from out of nowhere, stood looking up at him while leaning with his elbow atop the mud covered wheel.


...don’t you go racing down that road... he pushed his wavy brown hair back from his eyes before pointing up the track... don’t be in so much of a hurry, the most important part of this journey is that he arrives…


Then feeling the damp mud seeping through the sleeve of his coat, he raised his arm and gently tried to rub it clean before turning with a scowl... safely! He almost snarled.

Then as if correcting himself, he forced a smile and lowering the tone of his voice whist stroking his chin slyly, he continued... so there is no set time, within reason… He wagged a finger and then sounding strangely alert... finless has been informed or should be very soon, long before you arrive, of his impending arrival and will reward you when you get there.

He rapped the side of the wagon with his knuckles and smiled broadly... as will I when you report back, these are strange days my friend and secrecy is the word. 


Lord rengars then tapped the side of his nose... that is why I have chosen you, I know your heart is true edminson, stick to the road and stop for no one and nothing.


Edminson watched as the lord walked off and climbed into his coach, immediately speeding off towards heronborn castle followed by three more crammed with his less than happy “guests”.

I sure would not like to be in their place this night... he spoke under his breath.

No invitation then!

Edminson turned to find his friend dovan clambering up to join him.

Invitation? Haw I didn’t hear any invitations this day, those poor buggers weren’t invited dovan, uh, uh they were ordered and I don’t envy them either.

You sure about this then... asked dovan, looking puzzled.

Why? You’re not having second thoughts are you?

No! Of course not, just checking is all.

Good, good because we have no choice in this matter.

Dovan nervously cleared his throat and spat over the side... as far as I can see we can take him to fenwell and come back home or do as we planned, that makes two choices if I'm not mistaken.

Wrong my friend, if we take him to fenwell then that will be our last port of call... edminson turned to look his friend in the face... EVER!

Yeah!

YEAH! I joke you not dovan, I joke you not!

What, erm I mean, do you really believe that? Dovan was not entirely convinced.

Oh yes, yes I do, even more so now. Listen... edminson edged closer to dovan... just before you turned up I had the misfortune of becoming our dear lord rengars friend... he looked at dovan who could only shrug his shoulders, giving him another dumb look.

 …that’s what he called me, his friend, he don’t call no one his friend, he has no friends and wants no friends, all he cares about is lord rengars and he only wants providers, nothing else, no one gets close to him, huh that priest vinto will soon find that out.

He named you as a friend... dovan’s face lit up like a surprised child.

He did indeed, when this man, this lord of ours makes his mind up he does so in an instant, my mistake dovan was to question him.

What you asked him something?

Yes, in the chapel, I asked him, if the people think that he... he gestured with a twitch of his thumb to the rear of the wagon... has been burnt then how do we explain his reappearance.

So! Tis a normal question to ask is it not? 

So! ...edminsons eyes grew wide... first of all dovan, you do not question him, you do what your told, if you question then he suspects that you are second guessing him, you can think for yourself, your suspicious, and who would not be, eh! Sure he knows that everyone in that chapel was suspicious but they said nothing which showed that they would not dare breathe a word, mind you they have tonight to get through yet, and it would not surprise me if there were one or two who don’t step out from that castle ever again, who knows if any will.

Oh come now edminson, they are the closest people to him, they are land owners with many riches, some are even related.

Yes that is correct, but you did not see the witch... edminson blew on his fingertips... It was none other than that kaleesha woman!

Now that is strange, things are stirring up and no doubt about it, the lord rengars and his son willum are way in it, up to their necks and she knew he... edminson again jabbed a thumb to the back of the cart... was not dead and if he was, then he was returning. Then this other fellow turns up all dressed in black, as far as I could see he just came walking out from the shadows.

A witch man!

Eh, a witch man? Eh! Why, what… catching his breath edminson continued... you mean a wizard don’t you? He closed his eyes and shook his head.

Same thing isn’t it? Witch wizard whatever, they’re the same, sort of, in a way.

Man, woman, one is a... edminsons patience were now wearing thin, causing him to pause for a moment, taking a deep breath he exhaled... never mind, the place ended up in a right old mess, don’t know how it happened or who was the cause, magic I suppose. Anyway, getting back to my “friend” I saw the look in his eyes when I foolishly questioned him, and then tonight he comes over to me saying “take your time and you will be rewarded when you get there”... oh! Also when I get back.

What about me... dovan almost shouted excitedly.

Oh yes, ha-ha you too... edminson looked at dovan and then back to the road that beckoned, wide eyed, before doing a double take with what can only be described as incredulity, before raising his eyes to the heavens muttering… unbelievable, unbelievable.

Dovan though continued, unabated… wonder what or how much we could, I mean would've got?

Are you completely mad or just not listening!

Dovan shrugged his shoulders... curious is all... he replied half smiling.

We don’t get rewards for doing a job we are paid for doing dovan, we are, were... he corrected himself... to be killed.

For doing our jobs? Dovan puzzled.

Looking to the skies in despair edminson released the break and urged the two horses forward and off they trundled.

Secrecy, he spoke of secrecy, all friendly like, tapping the side of his nose, hmm, know what that means don’t you... He gently nudged dovan and smiled... well to me anyway, erm, on second thoughts don’t answer that. let me explain.

It means my dear friend that I am not to be trusted, I have many friends and not only in the guards, but all walks of life who I might tell, convey my suspicions if you like and that my friend is as good as an excuse as any, for rengars that is, to murder me, that... he raised and held a clenched fist between himself and dovan to emphasise... is my reward, death is what awaits me, us!... He corrected himself... in fenwell.

His son gets delivered and we simply fail to return, who knows there might be more to it than that, could we be the ones that shoulder the blame for “trying” to kill him in the first place? Only for the gallant young heir to take his revenge on the road to fenwell thus paving the way for his miraculous return after an elaborate plan to uncover us proves successful? His death after all has been a sham to trap those who would seek the downfall of the rengars seat?

Dovan jumped up and looked over the back.

Relax, relax it will not be him that would carry out the deed... edminson smirked, "as if"... that would be the job of finless and his men.

But why me, what have I done.

You’re my closest friend and you are the only one I have had the chance to talk to since... he suddenly realised, “how convenient”... so you are guilty by association, why else would he have selected you to accompany me, don’t you get it?

A stunned dovan sat back and let the cart rock him as he gathered his thoughts...