Chapter 29 – Maps

“You left Neve in charge?!”

His liege hadn’t even told him that. That was worrying. Hector Hallen had always been a bold and audacious lordling. But it was only recently that Aldous was realizing just how conniving he was. How dark that blood in him ran.

“Oh, come now! You love my cousin. Careful there!” Leaning forward, Hallen pulled back on the reins of his servant’s horse. The man’s distress had distracted him so thoroughly that he nearly led his mount off-trail. “Nearly lost my most valued and trustworthy servant. Keep your eyes forward and mind sharp!”

From behind, the rhythmic pattering of a dozen more mounts, all ridden by house soldiers followed in escort. Bend after bend was marked with fresh sets of hooves as they traveled. Right now, the going was easy. The start of the Spines. By tomorrow, they’d begin the real ascent.

Hector looked back, nodding at the Lieutenant that rode on in their lead, eyes hard. “Keep an eye on this one, would you? I fear he might wander from the beaten trail.”

“Of course, sir. I’ll be vigilant,” called Elson Bredford. Several muted orders were given to his troops. The lord turned away, just missing the golden shine emanating from under the collar of the man’s tunic.

Shaking his head, Aldous took several breaths. “This is just all very sudden. Last night, you up and decided to go to the same tower that slayed a quarter of the garrison. Today, we’re already underway with an escort hardly befitting your station. I struggle to comprehend how this trek could possibly go well.”

“A trek that you requested to join, so it can’t be all that bad!”

“Well of course my liege. What servant wouldn’t?” he replied, voice just a little too eager.

Hector looked over, giving him a sly grin.

“And you think Solari paladins will take kindly to seeing you’ve not only pulled the wool over their eyes, but set off for the very place you hid? They won’t just end up catching us between the pass and these… these… wicked creatures?” spluttered Aldous.

Lord Hallen snorted. “You see my future in a Solari inquisition do you, old Aldous?”

“What I see, my lord, is an army of paladins to your rear and a mess they won’t be happy about. One that they will surely lay at your feet. Had you stayed and offered courtesy, maybe this could have been avoided. But now…”

“Aldous. I know you’ve never been much of a rider. Not like me, at least. But you know, these paths up here always made for the best trails.”

“That’s very good my lord, but I hardly see the relevance.”

“Do you know why these mountains are called The Spines?”

“Again, I fail to see the connection.” Sighing, the servant gave in. “I would assume it’s due to how they stick up from the ground like such.”

Hector held up one gloved hand. “You would assume wrong. Each season, the snows shift in such a way that the very paths we traverse in this pass alter. Like a spine, they roll and shift, bend and hold. Without the proper maps our trekkers update each season, you’d spend weeks up here just finding the right way through.”

“Then it seems rather unfortunate you left Neve with last season’s -” Aldous cut off, realization dawning in his eyes.

“My lord! You didn’t!”

“Oh yes. I did. Funny thing, this season was a particularly shifty one. But! Not to worry. I have this spring’s copies with us. The only one, mind you.”

The look on his servant’s face was of pure horror. “But.. But.. My lord, this. This is too far. How could you have done this? You’ve damned yourself! The paladins are going to be furious when Neve gives them last year’s maps!”

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“They’ll hardly know until they’re knee deep into The Spines. What’s done is done. Besides, my friend. As my trusty servant, I’m sure we can figure something out. Together.”

My god. He’s a monster. The Solari are going to arrive, find the place in Neve’s hands, and learn the lord’s run off with a guard contingent and…

Aldous closed his eyes, feeling faint.

And me.

***

“Aspirant Caen. Token.”

The ranking camp guard stuck out one hand, his white and golden gauntlet bristling in the evening light.

Instead of any true signet, Caen pressed two silver coins into the apostle’s palm.

He didn’t even look down. Just closed his fist, and nodded. “Camp closes at sundown. If you are not back, the bishopric will make no exceptions. No entry will be allowed.”

“Understood. My business will be prompt.”

Leaning forward, Caen brushed his lips against metal. “By the five.”

“By the five.”

He shuffled off, moving as quickly as possible without drawing attention. He’d wanted to leave sooner, but events had prevented him from doing so.