Chapter Four
The moon shone down in the cloudless sky, illuminating the landscape in a muted white glow. Long shadows fell over the road from the trees. The croaks of frogs and chirps of crickets sounded through the darkness.
Raven’s clothing was almost completely dry. The small bonfire before her was nearly extinguished. She watched the dying embers for a moment before scanning the surrounding area. Three knights stretched out across from her, sleeping. The one in the center emitted a rumbling snore, rivaling the frogs.
Her father sat beside her, running an oiled cloth over his sword. She had always tried to be the daughter he wanted her to be. She had always sought to make him proud. At the thought of her failure, her gaze dashed away from him and over to Landyn. He rested on the opposite side of her father, his arms crossed over his chest, his knees bent as if ready to spring into action. His eyes were closed, as if he were asleep. Why was her father so confident in his ability? Where had he met Landyn? Why did her father trust him and confide in him?
She bowed her head. She shouldn’t be here. She should be with Sage and Willow at Sybil’s farm. Not on the road with a bunch of Templar Knights and crickets.
The gurgling snore sounded through the night air.
Raven sat up straight. The noise from the crickets and frogs had ceased. Her gaze swung to the shadowed trees. She eased herself to her feet and reached for her weapon. “Father,” she warned.
He looked at her and stood immediately, sliding his sword from its sheath. “On your feet!” he commanded.
Landyn jumped up instantly, pulling his weapon free of its sheath.
They stood still, expecting, listening. Tense.
Raven glared into the shadows beneath the trees. The attack would come from that way. They could not hide anywhere else. Someone was out there.
Everything froze. Her father was like a statue, unmoving and waiting. Landyn took a step up to his side, his sword reflected in the moonlight.
Time stretched. No one attacked. No one came for them. The knights eased their stances, relaxing.
Raven knew someone was out there. The crickets remained silent. The air was quiet.
Her father finally inhaled a deep breath. “It must be an animal,” he announced.
Raven knew it was no animal that had silenced nature.
“Raven,” her father commanded. “Go and scout behind us.”
She looked at him in surprise. “Behindus?”
“Yes,” he replied. “To make sure no one is there. Landyn, go with her.”
Landyn glanced at him in astonishment, but finally nodded, sheathing his sword.
Raven was reluctant to put her weapon away. She took two steps toward her horse, her gaze fixed on the shadows among the trees. Why send her to scout behind them? On their ride toward the squad, she and Landyn had not encountered anyone. She sheathed her weapon and quickly mounted Thunder.
When Landyn was atop his steed, they galloped down the road.
As they passed the wagons, Raven gazed curiously at the crates, wondering what was in them.
Landyn resisted the urge to look over his shoulder toward the caravan as he rode after Raven down the road. Why was John sending his daughter away? Was someone in the forest? And if there was, why hadn’t he sent another knight to guard his daughter? Landyn’s skills would have been better used fighting.
As they rounded the bend in the road, Raven drew up short, scanning the area. “Why would Father send us backward?”
“He’s trying to protect you,” Landyn said firmly.
“From what?” she demanded. “Perhaps if I understood what was happening, who we were scouting for, I would be more helpful.”
“You weren’t supposed to be here.”
Her stare pinned him like a red-hot poker. “But I am.”
Landyn nodded. She was right. There was no use arguing the point.
