Father Michael nodded. “And I must remain here and attempt to uncover the origins of this creature who calls himself Bosque Mar. Without knowledge we cannot send him whence he came.”
“Take Sawyer with you.” Lora gently pushed the woodcutter toward Kael. “He can’t be found here. Hide him in a town along the way if you must, but make sure he’s beyond Eira’s reach.”
“Of course,” Kael said.
Lukasz’s command came in a hushed tone. “Those who choose to leave, ready your horses. We’ll take our leave of the stable and leave two at a time by the way of the shepherd’s door at the rear of the keep. Father Michael, Thomas, and Lora will keep watch, alerting us if any of our pairs garner unwanted attention.”
Wordlessly the circle broke up, leaving in a rush, others stumbling away as if in a drunken stupor.
“Go to Caber now,” Barrow said quietly. “There’s little time.”
Ember nodded, but Barrow was already walking away, leaving her to find her own way to her horse. After gathering her tack and empty packs to tie onto the saddle, Ember went to Caber’s stall. Though the saddlebags were empty, Ember hoped that she might find the means to fill them along their journey. She kept her mind blank, focused only on readying Caber. Too much had happened in a small space of hours. Events that threatened to break her heart and shatter her mind. She couldn’t think about Sorcha. Or Alistair. Any crack in her emotional wall and she would collapse into a rubble of grief. There was no time to let that happen.
Caber greeted her with a hearty snort. His attitude contrasted to her brittle spirit. A midnight ride presented the stallion with a much welcome adventure as opposed to the frightening flight that it posed to Ember. She saddled and bridled Caber quickly, despite his attempts to frolic in the confines of the stall. The horse’s eagerness to be out of the stables helped to lighten Ember’s mood; at least she’d have one companion in good spirits.
“Ember.” Barrow stood on the other side of the stall door. In the darkness Toshach was a massive shadow behind the knight. Caber whinnied a greeting to the other stallion.
“Hush.” Ember clicked her tongue at Caber as she stepped out of the stall. “Don’t you know we’re embarking on a clandestine journey?”
Caber snorted, shaking his mane.
She turned back to Barrow. “Are you leaving?”
“Soon,” he told her. “But not without you. We should lead the horses to the back gate.”
“We’re riding together?”
Barrow quietly said, “Unless you’d prefer another’s company.”
“No,” she whispered. “Of course not.”
Ember reached her hand toward him. He took her fingers and lifted them to his lips. The gentle touch sent a quivering through her limbs. Feeling her throat close, Ember pulled free of his light grasp. She couldn’t let emotions wash over her, even those she would welcome. It was too dangerous.
Barrow led Toshach forward, giving Ember room to bring Caber out of his stall. She brought the stallion alongside the other horse, and they walked together from the stables. Through the quiet night the two knights and their mounts passed the training field and the rear side of the barracks and the manor.
Lora was waiting by the shepherd’s door.
“Lukasz and Kael are away,” she whispered, opening the door for them. “Fitch and Mercer will follow you soon. Godspeed.”
Ember took Caber through first and then Barrow went with Toshach. Lora closed the door, leaving them between the outer wall of Tearmunn and the cold wind that swept through the glen. They stood quietly, neither moving to mount the horses.
When Ember sighed into the night wind, Barrow reached out and touched her face. The warmth of his hand on her cheek drew out her fear.
“What will happen to us?”
He dropped Toshach’s reins and pulled her close. “I don’t know. None of us do.”
“Would you think poorly of me if I confessed that I’ve never been so frightened as I am now?” she whispered.
“Would you think ill of me for offering the same confession?”
A sound, part laugh, part sob, welled from her chest.
Barrow kissed Ember’s forehead, then leaned down and brought his mouth to hers. She grasped his shirt, pressing her body into his, letting his warmth briefly drive away the wind’s frigid breath.
When they parted, he said, “The road ahead is unknown to all. I cannot offer you wisdom or guidance. Only the promise that I will never leave you.”
Ember pulled his face to hers, kissing him again before she said, “Your strength gives me courage.”
He smiled gently. “No, Ember, that is all your strength and none of mine.” She balked, but he kissed her, murmuring against her lips, “And that is why I love you.”
Still wearing a smile, but one that now hinted of mischief, Barrow left her speechless as he swung into the saddle.
“We must away, Lady Morrow.”
Though her limbs had been rendered unsteady by his words, Ember lifted the reins over Caber’s head and climbed into the saddle.
They set off at a dead run, and their horses were soon lathered from the pace. Two riders flying over the earth as if trying to escape the very night.
Ember turned to look over her shoulder, watching as Tearmunn shrank with distance. Looking away with a twinge of regret, she urged Caber forward and set her mind to the east, to a world unknown and a future unwritten.