Editor's Note: If you have not yet read the previous chapters to this story, please go to the Fantasy Archive and read those, first. Thank you, TDS.

“Er…” Barker mumbled as his face turned red.

Humphrey and Bruce came up to them, leading the horses. “We have lost most of the night,” Humphrey said, but he sounded tired, not angry, “and need to be away.”

“Aye,” Barker agreed and climbed quickly to his feet. “On to Haster and the ferry, then?” he asked.

“’Tis our best choice,” Humphrey said, and climbed into his saddle as the others did likewise. “We must get us across the river as soon as may be.”

Each lost in their own private thoughts they moved along the riverbank toward the village of Haster, where hopefully they could ride a ferry across the Welling River and be momentarily safe from those who sought them harm.