CHAPTER 5 At first it appeared to Hawk that the thieves were really after the horses. They had successfully led him away from the camp for this purpose and only captured the boys because they had not come with him. But upon closer inspection he could see that the boys professionally bound and gagged, then the horses were taken. This worried Hawk a great deal for only a ransomer or southern slaver would take the time to capture the person they robbed. Hawk was ill equipped to track the thieves during the night and physically unprepared to do so. He debated with the idea of waiting for Roshay Kempter and Bojax Freed before undertaking the search, but discarded it quickly, knowing that if slavery was involved time was of the essence. He also doubted that Roshay would do much good other than try to release his sons by force. He felt Bojax Freed would make a good ally if it came to a fight, but again could not wait for them to arrive. He decided to start the search at first daylight. ********** Pahl woke up confused, in pain, and in darkness. He didn't know where he was and struggled with the ropes binding his hands and feet. Recognizing he could not release himself, he tried to cry out only to find he could not with so much cloth stuffed into his mouth. He shook his head, wincing in pain from a blow he had received. He shifted his weight, trying to get reasonably comfortable on the hard floor where he was lying. The rocking motion and bumping told him he was probably in the back of some sort of wagon, riding on a rough road. Stuffed into a large canvas bag, he felt claustrophobic and thinking he was suffocating began thrashing around in the back. Receiving a hard kick to the shoulder Pahl heard a gruff voice say, "Quit moving around boy, or I might just slit your throat and be done with it." Fighting the phobia Pahl stopped moving and lay still. He thought about Hawk and Derek and wondered if they were alive. Unbeknownst to Pahl, Derek lay beside him, only a few feet to the rear. He was bound, gagged and inside a canvas bag, as was Pahl, but he was still unconscious. The wagon they were both riding in traveled quickly over the dirt road, a split off the main highway heading more south. The men who had captured the horses and the boys had remained quiet and purposeful, fully aware that the boy's companion would take up an immediate search when he found them gone. Now they relaxed, knowing that they had a great lead on the other if he was even able to follow their trail. "I told you it would work, Targ," said the man next to the driver of the wagon. He brought out a black pipe and stuffed tobacco into the end. With flint and steel he lit the pipe and inhaled deeply. "I knew the man in black would be easily tricked." "I think we should have taken him too, Sersh," said another man riding to the right of the wagon. "He would fetch a larger price on the market." "You weren't there when we met him," answered Sersh, taking the pipe from his mouth. "There was something about him that I didn't like." Realizing who had taken him captive startled Pahl. He couldn't hear their entire conversation, but the smell of the pipe and the mentioning of a man in black were enough. He shuddered at the thought of these men following them all the way from Crossroads Inn. What could they possibly want with Derek and him? He could understand the stealing of the horses, but what good would kidnapping do them, besides a quick hanging if they were caught. Pahl decided that whatever it was it wouldn't be enjoyable. He must try to escape when possible. He was sure it would not be difficult to get away once he someone released from the bag and untied him. He was young, agile, and full of confidence. As the hours passed, Pahl's optimism waned. He wasn't certain of the time, but knew that it must be nearing morning. He had tried to go back to sleep, but the uncomfortable banging around of the wagon made rest nearly impossible. At first it was difficult to breathe through his nose for such an extended period, but with practice, he was able to squelch the suffocating feeling that threatened to overwhelm him and he began to breathe more calmly. When the wagon finally came to a halt, light penetrated small cracks in the canvas that held Pahl. Pahl heard voices among a cacophony of noises from a seemingly large camp. He gave up trying to identify what he heard and where he was and simply wished someone would release him from the stuffy bag. Ruff hands grabbed hold of him and he was carried for some distance and tossed in a heap on hard ground. He heard the sound of something being tossed beside him and he struggled into a sitting position. The smell of cooked ham wafted thick in the air, penetrating the canvas surrounding Pahl. His mouth watered against the dryness of the cloth and he was finally able to push the cloth with his jaws to loosen the constriction and allow him breathe more easily. Suddenly the bag that held him opened and strong hands roughly pulled him out. He found himself inside a purple tent staring angrily at the two men he had met earlier on the highway. One of the men loosed the ropes on his wrists and ankles while the other untied and removed the gag in his mouth. Pahl held still not saying anything. The man who had earlier smoked a pipe placed a metal shackle on his right ankle. The shackle was attached to a chain that hooked a stake buried in the hard dirt. Pahl rubbed his swollen ankles, then massaged his wrists. He looked back at the two men and watched them open the canvas bag lying next to him. Derek fell out of the bag, still unconscious. He had a cut on his left temple and his arms were bruised. The men took no care in removing his bonds and they shackled his right leg in the same manner as Pahl's. "Keep quiet," ordered the man who had shackled Pahl's leg. "No one can here you here anyway, and unless you enjoy the mouth gags you'll not disturb the rest of the camp. Someone will be in here shortly to feed you and dress your friends wounds. Don't give them any trouble or you will be sorry." The man's dark tone was in mark contrast to his smooth conversation from the previous day. Pahl began to understand Hawk's caution of these men and his contempt for Sojourns. He was almost certain they were in a Sojourn camp. The loud, boisterous voices outside and the colors of the tent were two known traits of Sojourns. Pahl looked at his brother, hoping that he had not suffered any permanent damage. He crawled to where Derek lay and found that the chain gave him ample room to do this. First he checked the head wound and then the bruises on his arms. He imagined the wounds were caused by him waking up during the capture. After checking Derek over and seeing he couldn't wake him, Pahl began testing the quality of the shackle hooked to his ankle. The manacle was old, but made of cast iron and would need a chisel and hammer to remove without the key. He then tried pulling the stake out of the ground, but found that it was driven deeply and would also require some kind of levering tool to displace. With that he laid down and waited for the next visitor. "Wake boy, wake." Pahl opened his eyes groggily to find a young girl pushing on his shoulder. He did not remember falling asleep and starting to stand. When he realized where he was he sat back down. The girl had backed away and placed a plate of oatmeal in front of Pahl. She had tan skin and dark, almost black hair that she had tied into a long barrette. She had many bright ribbons of various colors woven through the barrette. She wore bright red pants a violet shirt, and deep red knee high boots. The contrast in colors amazed Pahl and he smiled at the girl. "Do you find me attractive," she said in a mock sultry voice. Pahl tried to keep from laughing. The girl was pretty in her own right, but she had misread what he was thinking. He had smiled because the odd situation he was in and the clothes the girl wore made a humoristic picture. "You make fun of me do you? Well, I am not the one chained like a dog. We will see who laughs later farm boy." She stared at him with evident contempt, arms folded across her chest and head tilted back. "No, I am not making fun of you, " Pahl tried. "I have never seen clothes like yours." "And..." "And they are bright and cheerful," Pahl continued lamely. "Yes, they are," She said smugly. "And that is why I wear them. Now, I bring you food and bandage for your friend. Eat the food. It gets cold. I will see to your friend." She knelt down where Derek lay and pulled out a white cloth from a small satchel. "Actually, he is my brother," said Pahl and immediately wondered if he should have divulged that information. "Your brother?" She asked skeptically. "He looks not like your brother." She first poured some water on his head wound cleaning it, then started wrapping the wound making a head band. "Well, we aren't actually blood brothers," Pahl clarified. "Yes, I understand. It is a lot like my peoples. We are considered a family unit, though not all are relatives." "You are a Sojourn then?" Pahl asked. He began eating the warm meal and felt much better. "It is enough talk for now," She said. "I will return later to check on your brother. Perhaps I will talk to you then. The Patriarch may wish to speak to you then, as well." She turned and left the tent. Pahl finished his breakfast, thinking about the peculiar girl. He noted her accent. It was rich, warm, and full of life, and he took a liking to this, despite his current predicament. He wondered for a moment who the Patriarch might be, deciding he was probably some sort of leader in the camp. For the next hour Pahl waited for the girl to return all the while testing the limits of his confinement and checking on his brother. He found that he could not reach the edges of the tent, but he could move five feet in any direction. The tent he was in was empty except for the constraints and it was difficult to tell what time it was, however, from what he could see it appeared to be almost noon. Pahl was lying back staring at the ceiling when he heard his brother moan. He looked over to see him sitting up feeling the bandage around his head. "What is going on, Pahl?" Derek asked drowsily. "Why is everything purple?" "We have been taken by a group of Sojourns," Pahl said. "Two of which are the same men we met this yesterday morning by Crossroads Inn." As an afterthought he added, "The tent is purple that's why there is a purple glow in here." Pahl crawled to where Derek was sitting and looked closely at his bandage. "Are you feeling all right, you were out for a long time." Derek nodded affirmatively. "I feel a little dizzy though." "Maybe you should lie down for a while then. Use my coat for a pillow." Pahl had removed his coat earlier for that purpose and handed to Derek. "Thanks." "Actually, I'm surprised they didn't steal this too, even though it is old." Derek lay back slowly. "It's probably not bright and colorful enough for them." Pahl stifled a laugh. "You seem to find humor at every occasion, Derek "Every chance I get," Derek agreed. He put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. "So what of Hawk?" Pahl looked about absently. "I'm not sure. When we were taken, I was asleep and they had me bound and bagged before I saw anything." "Do you think they killed him?" Pahl turned his attention to Derek. "Maybe, I doubt it though. I mean, they were rough on us but could have easily killed us if they wanted too, so why kill Hawk?" "I don't know, maybe they have ties with those warriors." The tent flap opening interrupted the rest of their conversation. The girl that had brought Pahl breakfast walked into the tent and closed the flap. She moved over in front of Pahl. "I return as promised," she said, winking at Pahl. This brought a questioning look from Derek and Pahl's face flushed. Pahl stood up and Derek tried to, but nausea over took him and he remained in a sitting position. "Where are the two men who captured us?" Asked Pahl. "Isn't it dangerous for you to be alone in here with us?" The last was said with a hint of sarcasm. "I am the caretaker for sla...guests once they are in our camp," she said. "They tend to relax more around me." She gave Pahl a sensuous look that made him blush even more. "As for danger..." Almost quicker than the eye could follow a deadly knife appeared in her hand, and just as quickly was returned to a concealed place. "I am quite capable of handling myself," she said with a wicked grin. Both boys looked at each other astonished. Derek composed himself first. "Do you always treat guests with shackles?" "You may sit," she said to Pahl. Pahl sat down, crossing his legs and the girl did likewise several feet in front of him, then directed her attention to Derek. "You are lucky that you are alive. Sersh is not one to take prisoners when someone treads on our land." Derek rolled his eyes. Either this girl was ignorant or had a grossly warped sense of reality, "We were camped peacefully next to Gahlen highway in the Kingdom of Nordenland. We are Nordenlanders." "You were on our property," she repeated hotly. "How can you..." "Look," Pahl interrupted quickly, "we're sorry that we accidentally camped in your territory. My name is Pahl and this is my brother Derek. Thank you for the food and bandages. I am sure Derek is hungry. Could you bring him something?" "I am called Ti Anniomi," The girl replied to Pahl. "You may call me Tia." She gave Derek a dark look, then smiled back at Pahl, "I will bring something for your brother." She got up and turned to leave. "Tia," Pahl said stopping her. "What will happen to us?" "That is for the Patriarch to decide," she replied and Pahl noticed a hint of resignation in her voice. Turning, she opened the tent flap and left. Pahl and Derek both tried to look through the flap as she left, but could not distinguish anything. Derek looked disgusted. "That girl is crazy, Pahl. We have got to get out of here." He began pulling at the shackle on his ankle. "It won't come off, and I already tried the stake. We are stuck here Derek. Maybe we can convince Tia to release us." Derek shook his head dismally. "I seriously doubt that. She is a cunning little thief, Pahl. She is playing games with us." "How do you know?" Asked Pahl defensively. Derek stared at Pahl exasperated. "Do you really believe she thought we had tread on their land. Please." "No, not really, but what else could she say?" "Come on, Pahl, she is pretty and I can understand the attraction, but the first chance we get, we're outta here." "I know," Pahl agreed. "I just kinda feel sorry for her, is all." Reaching over and patting him on the shoulder, Derek remarked, "I know, but there will be plenty of time to feel sorry when we're free." A short time later Tia returned and offered the food to Derek who thanked her despairingly. She smiled at Pahl and talked to him briefly about inconsequential things and then left. Derek devoured the food and then he and Pahl began working on his ankle shackle with no success. The rest of the day went uneventful until the evening when the glow of torches reflected off the tents and Pahl and Derek could hear music, laughter and dancing. At one point Tia opened the flap of the tent and offered the boys a meager dinner and some cheap wine. Pahl asked what the celebration was for and Tia said that the camp celebrated every night for a week to usher in the fall. She asked Pahl in detail about Aubon and Silver Lake. Pahl was glad to answer her inquisitive questions that reminded him of his little sister Tania and made him forget his current situation. Although Tia was warm to Pahl, Derek could not help but to think she was solely trying to gain information from them, for what purpose he could only guess. He sat back and listened, keeping his distance. Tia soon left to rejoin her family and the young men lay down to sleep. The next morning Tia brought the brothers some breakfast and sat down to eat with them. She asked Pahl if he had slept well and he answered, "As well as someone chained to a stake can sleep." "I am sorry," Tia said and sounded as if she meant it. "I wish that it could be different. I do find your accent cute, Pahl." "Then why not release us," said Derek. "I am sorry Pahl, but I cannot," she said rather sadly. "I am Sojourn, it is tradition to follow the Patriarch and I may not leave, nor durst I disobey lest I jeopardize my standing in the family." "But.." Derek started. "We understand," said Pahl. "I too wish that we had met differently." They finished their meal in silence and Tia took the plates. She gave a new bandage to Derek and left. The rest of the morning the boys talked about how they might escape, but neither could think of a substantial plan. In the afternoon they tried learn what caused the commotion in the camp. Outside, the Sojourn camp was a mass of activity. The camp consisted of twenty to thirty tents varying in size, shape and color. Several men and boys worked at taking down and wrapping a number of tents. They would fold them into large squares and place them on mule drawn wagons. The stakes, ropes, and poles lay stacked and placed in wood crates. In the center of the camp surrounded by rocks was a large circular fire pit. A number of women basted a boar as it roasted on a metal rod and wafts of smoke from sizzling juices spewed forth from the pit. Other women set out eating utensils and plates for the upcoming dinner. Moving about the camp barking orders to underlings was the Patriarch. A large dark skinned man nearing forty years, he commanded and others immediately carried out his directions. He dressed more flamboyantly than most, with his hair tied back in a pony tail and his head covered by a purple, large brimmed hat that sported two red feathers. Scars on his face that made him ugly, despite the bright clothing, and two fingers missing from his left hand added to the picture that this was a dangerous man. His dark eyes scanned the workings of his camp in the manner of a commander, resting on an approaching rider. A young man came into the camp on horseback and dismounted next to the Patriarch. He wore forest brown and green garb and a brown cap. He took off his cap and bowed low. "Father," he said in the formal address given to a Sojourn Patriarch, "a man dressed in black is coming up the path. He will be here in a few minutes." The Patriarch turned and shouted, "Sersh! Targ!" He then turned back to the young man. "Retrieve a crossbow from the weapons tent and position yourself in the covered wagon by the path. Do not shoot unless I remove my hat." "Yes, sir!" Two men came out of a brown tent to the Patriarch's left and walked over to him. They dipped their heads and Sersh asked, "Father, what order?" "The new slaves' guardian, the man in black, has arrived sooner than expected. I want you with me when I confront him." He stared at Sersh meaningfully, "Perhaps it would have been better if you had finished him earlier." Sersh stared back undaunted. "Perhaps." Following the Patriarch, Sersh and Targ walked to the north end of the camp where the trail ended. There, they waited for the man in black to arrive, amazed that he could so quickly find their camp. Deciding to enter the Sojourn camp boldly, Hawk walked unconcealed down the path. If the boys were here he would try to bargain with the leader thereby alleviating the need for conflict. If there were problems at least he could gauge their strengths and weaknesses before an actual confrontation. It had taken Hawk a day and a half to find the location of the young men he had vowed to protect. It was not easy for him to track the wagon and the horses, but he was an experience outdoors man and it would take more than common thieves to lose him. Going into Southland, however, was not easy, and involved many risks. Luckily the outpost at this particular border was unmanned. This did not alarm Hawk since most smaller border trail posts were deserted during fall and winter, but the absence of border patrols caused some discomfort. He saw the three men standing in front of a covered wagon and a bluish orange tent at the end of the path. As he approached he recognized the two men standing a foot behind the tall, lavishly dressed man he assumed was the leader. "Welcome," said the leader without any hint of greeting in his voice. "How can the Sojourns be of service?" Hawk knew he was entering a dangerous game and weighed his question carefully. "Well, it is a long story, but," and referring to the two men behind the leader he said, "you remember the young men I traveled with not two days ago? Well, it seems they have stolen my horses and provisions and left me. I have tracked them in this direction and wondered if you have seen them. I have an accounting to render." "That is most unfortunate, traveler," said the Patriarch in mock sorrow. "We keep mostly to ourselves here, except of course to trade, but I assure you, we have not seen them. I am the Patriarch of these Sojourns and my brothers have said they recognized you from Gahlen Highway, though, from two days prior." Hawk studied the Patriarch, stretching out with his arts. He knew almost instantly that the man was lying. "Yes, I do remember them." Shifting tactics slightly he asked, "Perhaps I could share dinner at your table? It has been a long trek, and I have little in the way of provisions." One of the men whispered something to the Patriarch that Hawk couldn't hear. The Patriarch nodded and said, "We understand the hardships of the road and welcome you to our table, but I must insist that your stay be brief. We are celebrating Fall Festival and it is a matter of custom that outsiders not participate. If you would follow me, please." The Patriarch turned and walked toward the camp. Hawk followed a few steps behind him and the two other men trailed. As they passed the covered wagon on the left Hawk's senses flared. Without turning his head, he glanced into the wagon and could see a shadowed figure perched behind several boxes. Insight told him the hidden person had trained a projectile weapon on him. He kept his pace, all the while maintaining an acute sensitivity toward any aggressive action. Reaching the center of the camp, Hawk seated himself at a foldable table and a serving girl gave him a plate of food. The Patriarch sat across from him making indifferent conversation with the serving girl all the while keeping a careful eye on Hawk. Hawk casually looked around the camp, noting the half finished breakdown of the tents and structures and the many chains and locking units on one particular wagon. He commented on this to the Patriarch. "Yes, we are breaking camp here after the Festival tonight to head deeper south for trading," said the Patriarch, annoyed by the question. "We purchase metal articles in the North and trade them where they are not as plentiful. It isn't profitable, but we manage." Several Sojourns were not eating, but were trying to appear casual standing in front of four purple tents to the east. These tents stood out, because of their sealed tent flaps, unique to the rest of the structures. Hawk suspected the Sojourns of some immoral activity, but remained silent, finishing his meal. The Patriarch escorted him to the camp perimeter and Hawk thanked him for the dinner bidding him farewell. The Patriarch wished Hawk luck in his search for the young thieves. Shortly after the man in black left the camp the Patriarch signaled two forest garbed men to track him until he was well away from them. He admonished the trackers not to be seen and to report back if their guest changed course. He then ordered Sersh and Targ to accompany him into the tent housing the two young men. Pahl and Derek sat up quickly when the three Sojourns entered. They had been resting after Tia had brought their dinner. No one but Tia had contacted them since their captivity and the three men startled them. "You will tell me your destination prior to being here." The Patriarch spoke without the mirth normally accompanying his speech. He directed the command to Derek presumably because he was the larger of the two. Derek saw no reason to lie to the man. "We were destined for Gahlen City. You already have our horses and material goods, why can we not leave?" The Patriarch gave him a stare more deadly than he had seen in his life. "I will ask the questions, slave, and you will answer them!" The use of the term slave was not lost on either him or Pahl. They both shrunk back in fear of this ugly man, which brought an evil grin to the Patriarch's two companions. "Why Gahlen?" He sneered. "What was your purpose there?" "To...to meet with my grandmother," Derek lied, his voice stammering in fear. "Your grandmother?" The Patriarch questioned, rubbing the left side of his face with his impaired hand. "And who is the man in black, your grandfather?" Sersh and Targ laughed openly at the comment. "No, no, just a friend." "What is his name, and where is he from?" Derek cleared his throat. "His name is Hakan. And he lives in Rorshauk. He visits me and my family now and again." Pahl took a short glimpse at Derek and then looked back at the Sojourns. "You had better be telling me the truth boy," the Patriarch warned in icy tones. "Your worthless hide won't bring that much to the Jempek slave master." The last threat made Pahl's skin crawl. Jempek slavers were renowned for their ruthless treatment of all people, but mostly their slaves. He had heard stories of slaves tortured and killed for mere sport. "We will be leaving this place within the next few hours. From now on you will stay with Targ and do as he says." The man named Targ moved forward and unshackled the boys from the ground chain, but replaced the metal ankle cuff with a leather one that connected a light chain to both ankles. These manacles were clipped closed with a metal lock, but permitted the wearer to walk with only minor difficulty. Sersh and the Patriarch left the tent, while Targ instructed the boys how to take it down for travel. The hours passed and by dusk the camp stood ready for departure. All the tents, crates, barrels, and equipment were packed on several large wagons with some covered and some left open. Guards placed Pahl and Derek in the middle of the departing caravan with twelve other men and women who wore the same bonds. The captives were not permitted to talk to each other and Derek and Pahl were separated. With a call from the Patriarch, the wagon train moved out, heading south-east along the small trail. When darkness prevailed, the Sojourns hung lanterns on the wagons lighting the path. Derek walked in mute silence next to a young girl with long blond hair. Although she dressed poorly and her hair was dirty, she still looked pretty and Derek thought her to be sixteen or seventeen years old--close to his own age. He smiled at her once, but she seemed occupied with other thoughts. He almost said something, then decided against bringing the wrath of their guard on them. Watching her for a while, he soon lost interest, concentrating more on putting one foot in front of the other. Pahl wondered what had happened to Tia. He had not seen her since she brought them dinner. His thoughts turned to his family. He could not believe that he was about to be sold into slavery in the Southland. Knowing that they would soon be part of the Jempek slave circuit brought a fear Pahl had never known. He fought back the tears that threatened to overwhelm him in despair, convincing himself that he and Derek would find a way to escape. The hours dragged on and the slaves soon tired of the quick pace set by the horse driven wagons. The young, blonde captive had fallen twice in exhaustion only to be assisted by Derek, who encouraged her with his light attitude. Derek knew that if they continued at this speed the girl wouldn't last. He whispered to her that they would be stopping soon, hoping that this was true. Almost in answer to Derek's comment the wagon train halted. The captives were brought water, but to Pahl's chagrin, not by Tia. An old, gray-haired woman carried around a bucket and ladle, giving each person one drink. "Are we stopping for good?" Asked Derek of the old woman. "Quite there!" Barked a Sojourn guard, who was sitting on the wagon following them. Derek curtailed a derogative reply and drank his portion of stale water. The night was beginning to chill and Derek wished the water was the hot tea Maggie Kempter, his adoptive mother, used to brew. He looked over at the girl and could tell she was faring poorly. She had her arms wrapped about her knees and was shaking from the cold. Derek mused at how nice it would be to sip Maggie's tea with the girl in the comfort of his old home. Derek rose and shambled toward the guard, who reached for the hilt of his sword. Derek stopped several yards away. "The girl is cold, she needs a coat or something." "I told you to keep your mouth shut!" The guard said angrily. "And get back into place, unless you want a lashing." He had let go of his sword and hefted a menacing three strapped whip in testimony to his threat. Derek could barely understand his speech, being much more accented and slurred than Tia's, but the gesture defined the words he lost. He moved back in place, disgusted by the guard's attitude, but unable to do anything about it. "I'm sorry," he whispered to the girl. She looked up and gave him a weak smile. A shout from the front of the company and an answering movement of wagons told the captives their break was over. They would not, in fact, be settling here. Slowly, and with remorse, each captive rose and began the arduous task of following the quick moving assemblage. To their surprise, however, the company only traveled another hour before a call went up to unload and make camp. The Sojourns erected few tents for most slept outside on this night due to the short length of the stop. Several guards placed the captives in one tent and locked them together. After the long march they fell quickly to sleep. The next three days were filled with the drudgery of marching on a lightly forested road. The only good thing being the clouds that blocked the heat of the sun at midday. Unfortunately, this also destroyed any sense of direction and added to the chill when evening came. The group stopped twice each day to feed the captives and rest. Once they stopped so the Patriarch could speak with a someone leading a caravan in the opposite direction. Derek couldn't hear what the Sojourns discussed and didn't much care. He was exhausted and knew the girl sitting next to him was beyond exhaustion. She simply sat with her head hanging down, chin resting against her chest. As the caravan moved passed, the prisoners were greeted with baleful stares from the passersby. As night approached on the third day the Sojourns made camp in a grassland clearing, several hundred feet from the road. Derek and Pahl noticed a number of lights from camps miles in the distance. They had left the wooded area almost an hour before and were on the outset of a grand plain that stretched as far as they could see. Pahl thought he could see a group of lights that might mark a small town, but before he could gaze longer a guard moved him and Derek into the same tent they occupied when they were first captured. When they were left alone Pahl said, "Derek, I am much too tired to even try to escape, but I think we are almost at our destination." Derek turned to his brother with a curious look. "How do you know that?" Pahl said, "I saw what looked to be lights from a small town ahead. We will be there before noon tomorrow. Derek, I think we may not see each other after that." There was a note of hysteria in Pahl's voice at the last. Derek straightened and tried to look unperturbed. Hiding his own fear he said, "Pahl, whatever happens, I won't let us be separated. Obviously slaves are common in the South, because none of the caravans we past gave us a second glance, but there must be some order to things. We will have our chance." "But we don't even know where we are, even if we got out of here, where would we go? And if we are sold to the Jempek?" Pahl looked on the verge of crying. He buried his head in his hands. Derek tried to comfort him. "Perhaps if we can convince Tia, she could help us." Pahl just shook his head affirmatively, not looking up. Derek knew that they probably would not see Tia again. She had not been around for close to four days, but he had to give Pahl some hope, while his was drastically waning. He lay down, so tired now he could hardly think. Soon both boys were asleep. Tia, standing at the tent flap with two dinner plates in her hand, turned and went to a brown and dull green tent. Derek felt a ruff hand cover his mouth and he came awake struggling against an unknown assailant. "Shhh," came a familiar voice as he fought back a shout. "Hawk," Derek mumbled under the pressure of the hand. "Shhh, don't make a sound." As Derek nodded understanding, Hawk released his grip and moved quietly over to Pahl, waking him in the same fashion. Both boys could barely make out their once thought lost companion's features. He was wearing his customary black attire, but this time his face was completely covered with black charcoal, making him nothing more than a shadow in the night. Pahl face split into a wide grin as he watched Hawk work on the shackle at his ankle. Hawk was using some sort of brown powder and a wood key. After a few minutes the lock audibly clicked and Hawk removed the metal with care. Pahl immediately rubbed the ankle, bruised by days of scraping from the unmerciful metal. As Hawk crawled toward Derek he heard faint footsteps outside the tent. Quickly he rose and moved with the stealth of a cat. Shifting to one side of the tent flap, a long knife appeared, held ready in his hand. The boys feigned sleep as the tent flap barely opened and a slim figure crawled through. The figure was dressed in dark brown and carried a large leather pack with one hand and a woven satchel with the other. Instantly Hawk had an arm around the person's waist in a vice grip, placing the blade of the long knife against the intruder's throat. He pulled the person to their feet and whispered, "Make one sound and you will be dead before you hit the ground. Tia dropped the pack and nodded in acquiescence. Recognition registered in Pahl's eyes and he came to his feet. In a voice barely above a whisper he said, "Tia, what are you doing here?" Tia rolled her eyes as if her presence was obvious and Pahl was an imbecile. "She's here to release us Pahl," Derek whispered in sudden understanding. Hawk released his grip and lowered the knife, but maintained a careful eye on the agile young girl. Reaching down, Tia picked up the leather pack and moved to where Derek was still locked. She laid the satchel down, pulled two small metal articles out of a pouch in the pack and began picking the shackle lock. In less than a minute she had the lock picked. Hawk watched her with open admiration of her skill. After removing the shackle and returning the two metal picks, Tia opened the satchel and handed Pahl and Derek new stockings and boots and shirts that she had hidden there. The boys quickly changed while Hawk and Tia waited by the front entrance eyeing each other suspiciously. When they were ready Hawk moved to the back of the tent and showed the others where he had cut an exit. He put one finger in front of his lips and then mouthed the words `wait here.' Before he could leave Tia grabbed his shoulder and whispered, "There is someone else who must come with us." When Hawk shook his head negatively she continued, "You have no choice. I am the only one who can secure horses and without them we will be ridden down and caught an hour after sunrise." Hawk looked at the boys who shrugged in the darkness. He seemed to weigh her words then answered, "All right, but if you are not back in five minutes we are leaving with or without horses." As an afterthought he looked her sternly in the eyes, "And if you betray us..." He let the thought go unfinished. "Do not worry about me, dark one," she replied and slipped out the cut in the tent. Five minutes past and still Tia had not returned. Hawk stole a look out the front tent flap and saw that the center fire was now just embers. He knew they only had about two hours until sunrise. He motioned the boys to the back of the tent and led them out. In the distance he could see the hunched figure of Tia waving to them from behind a large willow tree. He could also barely make out the forms of horses. The night was cloudy, which gave the escapees more cover as they quietly moved across the dangerous open grass land outside the Sojourns camp. Hawk was sure any minute they would be rained upon by a guard's arrows, but his fears were for naught. When they reached Tia she handed each a leather rein, giving Hawk the lead of a large black stallion. "I believe the stallion to be yours?" She said and Hawk nodded. He was surprised that she was able to get five horses on her own and the look he gave her showed it. "I am quite resourceful when the need arises," She said immodestly. The person Tia brought with her was already seated atop a brown mare. From the blond hair that flowed out of a gray cowl Hawk ascertained it was a girl. He couldn't see her face, but her hands appeared young looking, almost fragile. "We should walk the horses until we are away from the camp," Hawk said. Tia agreed, but said that her companion needed to ride. Immediately the group set off at a brisk walk through dry high grass and sparse bushes until they were better than a half mile from the camp. At this point they all mounted and turned north onto a small dirt road. "The quickest and safest ride north is to first go west," said Tia when they reached the road. "There are three separate branches off of this road once we reach Kerom point That's only ten miles from here." Turning west the group began a slow gallop. For the next hour the riders made their way along the winding road at a quick pace, then, so they wouldn't tire the horses, they slowed to a walk. Hawk fell back twice to watch for pursuers while Tia led the group. Satisfied they weren't being tracked he relaxed for the long journey. Tia rode in front with her companion, Derek and Pahl directly behind them and Hawk trailed. The clouds had cleared and a close to full moon gave the riders ample light to travel without the need for torches. In the new moonlight Derek could make some facial features of the mystery person riding next to Tia. He rode diagonally behind the girl and was surprised to realize she was the same slave captive who walked next to him when they were with the Sojourns. Derek found the girl attractive in the extreme. He could not help but to wish that he had been the one to release her, carrying his boyish fantasies into a revelry of heroism and knighthood. Pahl noticing his brother's strange mannerisms commented, "What's the matter with you?" Embarrassed, Derek looked away and quickly said, "Nothing." Pahl found this behavior amusing and smiled for the first time in days. Derek mistook this and gave him a black look, which only made Pahl break into open laughter. Tia turned in her saddle. "Quiet you two, this isn't a joy ride." Pahl's laughter ceased, but he continue to grin. The group rode on in silence. The wind picked up slightly and everyone pulled their cloaks or coats closer. They were coming upon a bend in the trail when Hawk called for a halt. He rode up to the front and turned around facing the other four. "I sense something around this turn," he said concerned. He dismounted and signaled the others to do likewise. When they were off their horses he handed Pahl his reins. "Lead the horses off of the trail and back into the brush. I am going to find what trouble lies ahead." "Kerom Point is just around this bend I think," offered Tia, "I will go with you." Before Hawk could voice objection, she continued, "Do not worry, I am proficient in this type of work." Hawk simply turned to the boys. "Keep back in the foliage until I return." They nodded and led the horses and Tia's companion into the trees. Hawk and Tia headed up the trail at a jog. When they reached the bend, Hawk led into the trees and they both walked until they were in position to see the Point. As they made their way closer to the edge of the trail they could hear muffled sounds above the sounds of the wind in the trees. Hawk quickly realized that these were voices coming from the Point. Something gnawed at the back of Hawk's mind that kept him from coming completely out onto the road. Tia had explained and Hawk could partially see that Kerom Point was positioned at the top of a small rise. It was named such because a large natural stone outcropping connected the three break off trails. Translated from the archaic Nordenland speech, Kerom meant, connection. The only thing Hawk could see from his vantage point was the upper half of the large stone and a reflection that appeared to be a campfire light below. Tia gave Hawk a questioningly look and he raised his hand in a signal to wait. Once more he looked at the top of the stone point. Then he saw what had bothered him. Near the top of the stone, barely noticeable lay a figure hidden behind shadows. Hawk only saw it when it shifted slightly. He knew at once it was a look out man and had they ventured onto the road he would have spotted them. Hawk made a motion with his hand above his brow resting on his forehead as if looking for something and then pointed to the rock. Tia understood and they both faded back into the brush. When they were far enough away Hawk said, "There's a lookout on the rock and probably a group below. I'm not sure what they are waiting for, but their spotter is keeping well hidden. If we skirt the point it will take hours to get back on the trail without being seen or heard. Any suggestions?" Tia looked troubled. "Usually one of our scouts plays director at this junction. I thought my position in the Sojourns would alleviate any trouble here. Either there is something worth taking coming up one of the split off roads that I was never informed about or our scout is dead. Either way, we cannot be seen. Unless..." She pondered for a moment. "Unless what?" Hawk pressed. "I shall tell you on the way back," she said turning and heading back toward the horses. Hawk shook his head in resignation, then started after her.