laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Purbeck's town walls greeted the trio two days later. A quiet farming community which had become the scene of a battle against the Jann not two years ago. Howard took in the stories he was told and overheard as he enjoyed the duke's company on several occasions. A favor his grandfather offered a few nights before his mind and heart were set on this quest. Horse drawn plows tilled the land as if nothing had happened here and he was amazed how quickly things sometimes returned to normal after a war. Though, the nightmares continued for those who fought it which was something that he and the two knights that rode with him battled often.

Dogs barked as children played, taking note of the trio who quietly rode towards the marketplace. Howard dismounted as his eyes caught sight of a farmer selling vegetables from the back of a wagon. Smiling, the grey haired man nodded to them as they walked up.

"Can I interest you in some carrots or wild onions," the gravely voice greeted.

"Yes. How much for six of each," Adam inquired as he untied his coin pouch.

"Two bronze, sir." Worn hands collected the sale and handed them to his cousin as Howard felt eyes on them from the crowd and scanned the many faces to find the source. Soon, he rounded his horse's head and patted it to find a younger man in traveling clothes whose new swordbelt denoted someone recently knighted, standing near the herald's podium.

"Do you know him," Ryan asked from his right and Howard shook his head in reply.

"No, but I have a feeling he knows us." He stepped to the onlooker who turned and sighed heavily, then walked towards them while Adam stored the newly acquired purchase. "Hail and well met," he greeted warily.

"Greetings," the brown haired man returned as his brown eyes scanned the approaching trio, then back to Howard. "You be Sir Howard of Zariva?"

"I am. Who are you?"

"Sir Ulthan of Thomson. I was told to find you here," he informed and crossed his arms. "I arrived two days ago and have been waiting for your arrival since."

"Why," Ryan inquired judgingly.

Ulthan's thin moustache told of youth as well, but his eyes spoke volumes that contradicted his appearance. "Arhus showed me the avenue to a great quest that he's sending you on and told me that I needed to join you to help the Chosen assume their goal for him."

Howard glanced at the crowd around them and knew how easily spies could endanger this mission. "Perhaps we should talk in private. Are you staying at the inn?"

"I am."

"Then lead on, Sir," Adam directed with skepticism in his brown eyes. Howard glanced to his cousin as the knight led them towards the larger, two story building and knew exactly what he was thinking. If this was a trick, this supposed knight would have to die, and before those he was working for realized what had happened.

Once their horses were led to the stables, the trio followed their newest applicant into the dim light of the tavern's main room. The hearth was ablaze and cooking a stew which two ladies in dresses each toiled over while they chose a nearby table and sat down. Hazel green eyes glanced up to the overweight host who approached with a pitcher and wooden plate of bread then set it on the table between them.

"How may I serve you, sirs," the innkeeper asked politely.

"Rooms, fodder for our horses and a meal," Howard replied.

"Right away," he happily grinned then turned and left them alone as Howard returned his attention to Ulthan.

"How long have you been a knight," he asked.

"Two years now," their younger companion stated, hands clasped before him on the greyed wood. "I fought alongside the defenders of Thomson until we were joined by the duke's army from Carbost." His eyes fell to the bread as the trio each ripped off a piece and ate. "Just glad those brown devils are gone from our land finally." Brown eyes glanced up to him. "Yourself?"

"Seven. Why should I trust that you've come here for the reason you stated? You realize how easily the Promised have infiltrated into all manner of title and privilege. It's not easy to trust anyone these days."

Ulthan leaned forward. "I am not one of them," the words seethed with hatred as the knight spoke. "Nor will I ever join a cause as damned as theirs. Look into my eyes and see if they lie to you. Arhus strike me dead right here if I had any plans to betray you."

Howard indeed studied the young man's fervent desire to fulfill his vow. But, vow to whom? Time would indeed tell.

"You realize we have to be cautious," Adam interjected. "Faithful to their cause, it's said, have even become priests of our churches. Who knows how high they've gone."

"One of them even became the Archbishop of Davos," Ryan added to the dismay of the young man of Thomson. "We were there when he was executed for his treachery against Arhus and the crown."

"I can't believe that," Ulthan replied in shock. "How could he allow such a thing to happen?"

"Arhus may be the Father of Justice, but he doesn't treat us like mindless followers. He trusts that we can see the truth though all the lies with the wisdom he's taught us. We're at fault, not him," Howard stated regretfully. "If the bishops of the larger cities couldn't see that one of their own really wasn't, then how is that Arhus's fault?"

Ulthan nodded. "You're right. It's just hard to imagine, that's all."

"This is what they're fighting for," Howard continued. "And why I've vowed my life to their cause. But, this is something that we have to keep to ourselves to ensure that we don't lead the enemy to them. Keep our mission quiet," he stressed as the portly innkeeper returned with steaming bowls of stew. A smell that made his mouth water in anticipation.

"I will," the younger knight promised. "Sorry."

Howard grinned, ignoring the continuation of their purpose until they were away from prying ears and eyes. Now all he wanted to do was fill an empty stomach.