CHAPTER 29: The Path Eastward - Part 2

  The uniform of an Isofean soldier peeked from the bundle of cloth beside him. He acquired it from Sherry. He covered his jacket with the uniform and blended in as a guard among the inhabitants.

  It was not difficult. No one would question a soldier without good reason, and he gave them none – he knew how to behave and did not wear a cloak as it would be akin to wearing a sign saying 'I am Suspicious.'

  The greater challenge was entering the royal encampment. He had to wait until the waxing crescent moon and stars replaced the retiring sun and the soldiers began their supper shifts.

  In such an open space there were no hiding places or secret paths. The enemy's own assumption would be the way in. After observing the soldiers' movements in and out of the camp, he followed a group entering the camp. The gate guards saw him but assumed he was part of the group and remained unalerted.

  Once inside, things became easier. The soldiers were preoccupied with their tasks, and security was focused on important tents, not the entire perimeter.

  The tents of the nobles were empty as their occupants were attending the feast in the royal tent. Each displayed the coat of arms of its owner, allowing him to locate Marfas’ before any suspicion arose.

  ***

  By the time the eastern sky reddened, Marfas returned to his tent. He removed his formal robe, hung his ornamental sword on the main pole, and dismissed his page.

  Ryse waited for Marfas to finish all that before startling him from a corner of the tent piled with crates.

  “My lord.” His words made Marfas turn as quickly as someone hearing the sound of a rattlesnake behind them. The wrinkled hand reached for the ornamental sword.

  “Don't worry about calling the guards,” Ryse said. “Isfan might join the fun.”

  Marfas relaxed his grip. He sat on a folding chair, grabbing a bottle of strong liquor from the table. He sighed before drinking straight from the bottle, aware Ryse could silence him before he uttered another word.

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  “What are Master Ryse's intentions with me?”

  “Same story. I want to go east.”

  Marfas drank again. “Are you not aware of your present circumstances?”

  “If you refuse, I'll just head over to Ferfal.”

  Marfas almost spat his drink from laughing. “Prince Ferfal? How do you plan to handle the situation with him? He would capture and execute you on sight.”

  “Everyone knows I'm Fiara's prisoner. Ferfal won't off me just like that, it'd only stir up rumors about him letting me go before to undermine Fiara.”

  “That is merely a conjecture.”

  “I'll chance it. Anyway, I'm more useful to Ferfal alive. By clearing my name, he can corner Isfan and Fiara. Even if all fails, I still have a backup.”

  Marfas raised an eyebrow. “A backup?”

  “Does the word twins ring a bell?”

  Marfas' eyes widened. “You have the twins! You could offer them as substitutes in your stead! I had heard that Thief Master Phantom was reputed to be an honorable thief. It seems that information was deceptive.”

  Ryse remained silent.

  “But I believe you are lying,” Marfas continued. “If you indeed have them captive, why not approach Prince Ferfal right now?”

  “Because you're still the quickest way for me.”

  “What assurance do I have that, after I render you help, you will not betray me to Prince Isfan?”

  “Impossible, Isfan wants to get rid of me as a witness.”

  “What assurance–”

  “We're all placing bets. I've put my coin. What about you?”

  Marfas rubbed the wrinkles on his forehead. Moths buzzed against the lantern in the middle of the tent.

  “At my age, I never expected to fall victim to extortion from a child. When do you want to go east?”

  “Now.”

  “And the means?”

  “You decide.”

  “In that case, I can provide you with a travel pass.”

  Ryse frowned, wanted more concrete assurance, but held back. He did not want to pressure Marfas too much.

  The silence was a sign of agreement for Marfas. He put down his bottle, picked up a pen, and began writing on a piece of parchment. After finishing, he pressed his seal ring into orange wax.

  “Accept this pass, or take your chance with Prince Ferfal.”

  Ryse scrutinized the parchment. It contained a general physical description of him as the bearer, and an order for everyone to clear the way for him. Everything looked proper and he could not delay any longer.

  “Fine. Just don't forget, I've got the twins.”

  ***

  As the procession continued west, Ryse approached the eastern border gate. A flag bearing insignia of a peony pierced by two arrows fluttered above. He worried the pass might not work, but he could not catch up to his mentor without taking risks.

  He extended the pass under the suspicious gaze of the gate guards. Two guards tried to intimidate him by circling while resting their hands on their sword hilts. His face drawings were displayed on the wall. Not too similar. Unless they scrutinized him specifically, they would never realize even if they looked at it all day.

  Then, the first guard saluted him. She returned the parchment while shouting for the gates to be opened.

  “Please, Sir. May your journey be smooth.”

  “I feel the same way,” Ryse replied.

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