Thrain - Part 24: The Priestess Escapes

When they fail to find the knife, it lets the Priestess escape. Will she ruin Thrain's plans?

Need a recap? Chapter summaries — I’m releasing one part every day for the next 5 days!

---

The line halted, and Thrain trotted Serbus back as Haverth ordered several men to begin a thorough search of the prisoner. He stopped a ways from her. Adalyn’s gaze remained locked to his for most of the task, angry and judging.

While they turned every bag over and even took her from the horse and checked beneath the saddle, they could find no dagger. It was eventually decided that the bump had simply dislodged it, and if they were to have traced backwards along the route, they would find it on the ground.

Turning Serbus, he returned to the front and called for the group to move once more. He rather doubted it had fallen, but having watched the scrutiny himself, there wasn’t much more to do. He did have them shorten the lead. At least, she would not be getting up to such antics a second time.

Their course would now bear left, as if to follow the advice Higdir had falsely given them. Within the hour, they would pass near enough to the tower to be seen, but too far to prevent them from sending riders to Syvalastra, and Yerickton. Then, when the report reached them of a small band burning its way through Haelstra composed only of one hundred men and a red Runecaster, they would respond tactically: send triple the force out to stop them, armed with their own Trigrynt.

An all but assured victory, without risking both pieces in the field of battle.

A sharp cry cut short his musings. Out from the men rode Adalyn, free of her bonds and pushing her mount for all it was worth in the direction of the tower they sought to trick.

Serbus knew before he had to be told; into the plains he leapt snorting in joy: this was a chase he was well ready for. The speed her horse showed now was greater even than it had been the first time, but the Aennuin-breed steed lessened the ground between them rapidly. He would not be bested at the sprint and the charge.

Settling into the gait, Thrain withdrew the Trigrynt. Some twenty yards away, she was nearly close enough for a cast. Even removed, the Snouf would still be in her system, he would need very little to stop her. It was not half-measures that had gotten him here, though, and he would not let half measures permit her escape. He channeled the Weave into Runes.

Serbus threw him from the saddle.

Flying forwards, he landed and rolled awkwardly, badly bruising his shoulder on a rock and spraining his knee. Glancing back, he saw his horse’s eyes white in fear. He would have to dwell on the fact they could sense magic some other time.

Looking back at the troops, Leon smartly took off at once, and Ichvatis followed. Already he knew they would not catch her before she reached the tower. Then, their message would be far different. The bastard of Jard comes to Haelstra with the Trigrynt, and with him brings an orange Rune.

He stood, and Infused his own body briefly with Weave, soothing the aches the tumble had given him.

“Serbus…”

Neighing, the black horse pranced back.

“Serbus!” He held out his hand, though it had no oat. “I must catch her.”

Slowly, but relenting, Serbus trotted forward. When he reached his hand, the horse batted it away with his muzzle. However, he stood, waiting.

Thrain looked at his eyes now; they matched his coat, but the ears were flat back, the muscles coiled and all his teeth showed. Warrily, he stepped beside him and began to mount. Though his horse seemed angry enough to kill him, he permitted it.

Serbus launched forward without waiting a second for Thrain to gain his bearing, nearly throwing him from the saddle again. His hooves smote the ground and his speed was fury and swiftness; faster than he could recall him ever having gone. It would not be enough.

Thrain channeled once more.

The horse kept on, unerring straight towards the fleeing Priestess.

Touching his flank, the Bastard of Jard pushed Weave into Serbus for the second time. Now, however, he felt no resistance like he had before. As the energy filled his steed’s form, the horse flew again like a bird over the grass. They ripped past Leon like a sword narrowly by a man’s face, and still on to further pace.

Out of the land ahead rose a straight tower, round in construction and girded about with well-fashioned stone walls. The Priestess barreled towards it with all haste, but as Serbus grew faster, her mount grew tired. He could see her glance behind, realizing her fate.

In the collision with Leon, she must have managed to dislodge the Snouf, and in searching they failed to replace it, for her Weave suddenly returned; he saw Runes flash about her head, and fill her body with violet. An uncomfortable sensation filled him. She should infuse her horse as well, she may well reach the tower before he could. Then he would have to kill everyone in it as well.

---

And, if you choose to support me, you get access to my commentary below, which includes:

• When I started writing this

• Edits (if any)

• Thought process

• Writing process

• Future thoughts

If that sounds cool, you can get that now for 50% off.