Paula Acton

(Sorry for the delay internet was knocked out by the weather)

He waited until he was sure they had a good advantage over him before hoisting the bundle containing his possessions onto his back.  He stood in the road considering his options, while he would much rather avoid taking risks he was curious.  The Liege Lord rarely travelled this far north, yet he could think of no other reason for the party which had just overtaken him.  At least by keeping his distance he could observe their actions and attempt to discover their intentions, he feared whatever they were it did not bode well for his own quest.

The Seer had not foreseen this complication or if she had she had chosen not to share it with him, the Seer could be selective in what she deemed it necessary to divulge. Even the details of his quest for the boy had been revealed in the barest terms. The Seer had revealed where he would find the boy and how he would recognise him, the legend for told what the Elders believed would come to pass but that could only happen if he could get to the boy and persuade him to return with him to fulfil his destiny. There was more he was sure of it but for now he must concentrate on the task at hand.

Keeping a steady pace he followed the road taken by the horsemen listening intently for any sound that they had halted ahead of him. After a short while the tell tale signs of habitation appeared on the horizon. The wisps of grey against the blue sky. He waited watching, the thin wisps dissipated on the breeze, he inhaled deeply searching for the acrid smell of death but it was absent. Obviously whatever the armed men had found at the cluster of dwellings had not displeased them, deeming it safe to continue his journey he picked up his pace.

The sun was just setting as he entered the village and immediately he located the troops. The sounds of drunken laughter left him in no doubt that should he enter the inn he would find the majority of them in their taking advantage of the local brew. To be ensconced in such close quarters with them would be dangerous though, if he wanted to learn more he must be cautious and patient. He looked about him for somewhere to disguise his presence, the very place caught his eye.

He had just climbed the ladder to the hay loft of the stables and pulled it up after himself when fate played a kindly hand towards him. Two young warriors entered, their youth and lowly status rewarded by guard duty tending to the horses which were packed into the building below where he lay hidden in the straw. They must have been off grabbing refreshments when he had entered or maybe they had only just committed some transgression for which this was their punishment.

It was obvious from their tone they were less than impressed by their lodgings but he could not make out what was being said above the whinnying of the horses packed in so tightly. He needed to hear what was being said there was only one way, he was loathe to do it in these circumstances for fear his inert body would be found laying prone and defenceless but he had no other choice. He must enter the trance state and leave his body. He lay back in the straw and allowed his mind to cloud, slowly clearing all thoughts from his mind save one,float. Gradually he felt the pull as his flesh sought to keep the soul trapped in the body then felt himself break free. Down he drifted moving closer to the two young guards, horses started as he passed by, they sensed a presence though nothing could be seem. He moved careful not wanting to spook the beast, to make this worthwhile he must be able to find out what was being discussed. Finally he was in earshot, floating in the ether he waited for them to speak.

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The Inaugural Sunday Story – The Dragons Mark