"Does it have anything to do with you knowing Anwill?" I asked bluntly. "It does, but that, as well as a few other things, will have to be a story for another time," he replied tousling my hair so the front of it covered my eyes. "Can't even get answers out of my own, damned brother. Sheesh," I said disappointedly.
Just as Bernar was opening his mouth to speak, a figure appeared in the doorway behind us. "Bernar, Thoma," the figure called out. "Yes, Master Garett?" I asked, immediately recognizing his grouchy voice. "Lights out," he gestured for us to move inside. "Right away, Master Garett," I replied with a wave.
I looked at my brother, hoping he would reveal the answer to the questions I'd asked, but he simply shook his head. "We'll discuss this some other time. Otherwise, that geezer will have us for a midnight snack," he chuckled as we walked back to the fortress. My mind was racing, scrambling to find an answer to my questions.
I'll be sure to take him up on this conversation again when this is all over, I thought.
Each of us went our own way to our quarters, and I lay belly up on my bed, staring at the thatched roof above me. I glanced at the scratched names on the wall beside my bed, listening to my roommates' soft snoring.
It must be nice to not have racing thoughts during the late hours of the night, I thought with an envious sigh.
I rolled over on my side and pulled the blanket up to my neck to help stave off the cold air the stone walls held. I closed my eyes, placing myself back in the open field. I cast a few spells, each different from the other, and slowly but surely, my world went dark as I stepped into the dreamworld.
Unfortunately, I awoke a little after dawn with a startle.
Shiiiit, he's going to kill me if I'm late! I thought, staring out of my window, then rushing to get what little clothes I could on before bolting out of the room. I arrived with only a few minutes to spare.
At least, I thought I had.
Phew, that was a close one! I thought as I knocked on the door. It opened slowly, only for me to come face to face with none other than the Master himself. "Ah, there you are. Glad you could make it," he said calmly.
Yep, he's going to kill me, I thought, accepting my fate.
"Good morning, Master. I apologize for my tardiness," I said with a bow. The Master noted my composure with a quick glance. I wasn't entirely out of breath, but sprinting like I did first thing in the morning was anything but enjoyable. "It's alright. We were about to start. Now that we're all here, let us begin," he said to the others, closing the door behind me. Anwill, Garett, Bernar, and I all sat in the chairs provided for us.
"Gentlemen, we are at an impasse," the Master began as he watched all of us give him our undivided attention. "The attack on us here at Codrean has led me to believe that there may be yet another coming soon, and with most of our men and women wounded, and not fully battle-ready, we have no other option but to seek out reinforcements in case of future engagements," he said plaintively as the rest of us exchanged wordless glances.
"As the situation currently stands, we are too far from Caegwen and Harut to request reinforcements, for they would have to travel over the Rhydian Pass just to get here, all the while having their issues to attend to. Our only remaining option is to travel North to Hjalfar and request help from King Mads," the Master said, a tone of uncertainty lingered in his voice.
"The way there is anything but easy, and it may take us a few days to get there, but that is the least of our worries. The information in the fortress is of the highest importance, and it has never been left entirely alone," he sighed, making the rest of us nod in agreement.
"Two hundred of us in total have always given us the advantage of being able to leave a few behind. However, given the risk of them being overrun and slaughtered by more of those creatures, this call is tougher than any we have faced before," the Master said with a frown.
Just then, a raven flew through the open window with a small pouch attached. The Master removed the contents from the pouch, reading them swiftly.
His face grew pale.
The others watched him stride back and forth behind his desk. We waited patiently for him to say something, but after what felt like an eternity, nothing was said. "What is it, Master? What happened?" Bernar asked. The Master, reeling from the news, slumped in his chair.
"There has been an attack on Coltend Castle. It seems as though after the death of King Truls, the Church has decided to take it for themselves. There were some survivors, though exactly who's fallen during that attack is unknown," he said gravely. "The queen is dead?" Bernar asked. "I'm afraid so, but there is no confirmation in the letter," the Master replied with a sunken head.
I hope you're alive, Meliss, I thought fearfully, suddenly recalling her name from our first meeting.
Everyone looked at each other, wondering what our next move should be. However, for a few moments, no one spoke, leaving the air heavy and grim.
"The game has changed, and the decisions are as follows: We either entirely abandon the fortress and take everyone with us northeast to Hjalfar to seek reinforcements and help take back the castle, or we risk leaving a few behind, the traitor possibly being among them," he said.
"What of the information?" I asked. "We'll just have to take the most essential items with us. We'll have to seal away the rest, but how well that will hold up is a risk we'll just have to take," he replied gravely.
We all looked at each other, hoping one of us would answer the problematic situation presented. "I have summoned you all here to aid me in this decision," the Master began again after a short pause. "We shall hold a vote, myself not included, for it would be an uneven number. All in favor of leaving the fortress with a few, hopefully trustworthy, Synners left behind, raise your hand," he said.
Nobody did.
"Well, that was simple," Anwill said rather lightly. "Very well, then. I will take the most valuable books here, locked up in a chest and placed on a wagon directly behind me," the Master said. "What about the wounded? They will still need a few days to recover fully," Garett pointed out. "They will ride in the center of our convoy on all other available carriages. We must avoid combat as much as possible," the Master answered.
"The traitor will probably try to send a raven," Anwill cautioned. "As disturbing as that thought may be, at least there will be enough people around to see who it is. Are we all in agreement on this?" the Master asked.
Each looked at the other, ensuring we were on the same page. "We are, Master," Garett replied with a nod. "Then gather our supplies. We will ride to Hjalfar at first light tomorrow," the Master said.
I felt my stomach turn in a direction I didn't even know was possible.