Gwili was nearly asleep beneath the furs he called a blanket when he heard the sound of hooves barrelling down the pass at a break-neck speed.
What the hell is it now? What deranged merchant would travel in the night, let alone at a speed like this? He thought, groaning as he abandoned the warmth of the furs.
He grabbed his bow and short-sword that were stationed next to his bed, and strapped them quickly to his body, making his way out of the small, dug-out cove he used for shelter against the elements. He felt the rushing horses before he'd heard them, as vibrations travel faster through the ground than sound does through the air. This, in turn, gave him just enough time to see them.
What the…? he thought, as even his elven eyes struggled to see what was before him.
A group of horsemen clad in dark, cloth sashes that wrapped around their bodies like bandages rode through the Rhydian Pass beneath a full moon's gaze. There was little detail that could be made out as they rode, since their attire was specifically designed to throw off someone's eye should they end up spotting them.
"Wyrran," Gwili whispered over to his approaching second in command. "What the hell are they?" Wyrran asked in a similar whisper, still trying to keep his eyes on the blurred figures that passed by. "I'm not sure, but they're not like any monster I've ever seen," Gwili replied, his tone uncertain as his eyes tried to focus. "Do you think it's more of those… things?" Wyrran asked, recalling the creature that had passed through a few days prior.
"Unless those creepy-looking fucks learned to ride horses, I don't think its more of them. Look, see the way their clothes make them blend in with their surroundings as they move?" Gwili noted, making subtle use of a pointed finger to try and trace their movements. "I can hardly see them, and I'm even pumping mana into my eyes," Wyrran squinted, following the figures as best he could.
Gwili nodded in the silver light. "What doesn't make sense to me, though, is why these things are headed toward Coltend, unless…" he said, pensively, recalling the letter they had found. He got up from his position and raced over to where he kept the letter, stuffing it into a leather pouch.
"I'm going to investigate. Once again, you're in charge, Wyrran," he said, lightly tapping his friend on the shoulder as he got up. "At this point, I might as well be running the damned group myself," Wyrran scoffed, but nodded his acknowledgement.
Within a few moments, Gwili was mounted on one of the few horses they had. For the most part, these were used as supply carriers, not intended for travel, as many of the bandits didn't feel the need to travel.
This horse could never keep up with those riders, but if I can just follow their trail, Gwili thought, as he did a quick check on the saddle, tightening the girth and adjusting the stirrup lengths a little before mounting.
He set out after them, following what little trail he could see in the silver light. While not at break-neck speed, he managed to keep a decent pace, making his way down the pass and into the rebuilt town at the base of it.
The tracks have become a little more muddled, but at least no one has been through here as recently as they have, he thought as he observed the paths more carefully.
Through the towns that followed, and over the course of the next two days, he followed the tracks to the best of his ability. "Because of course they'd be going to the fucking palace," he said aloud as he concluded the last leg of his journey, the tracks becoming far too muddled to be made out anymore.
But how can I turn this in my favor? He thought, scratching the back of his head as he stopped a good distance from the gate.
I mean, it's not like they know I'm an outcast, right? There's no way they could. But, how do I present this? I have no proof nor confirmation that they're here for malicious reasons, nor who or what their target might even be if they were. Aaaaagh, it's just too risky. I don't want blood on my hands for not having said anything, but I also don't want to get caught being somewhere I shouldn't, he considered, rubbing his chin pensively.
"You there," a voice called out, having noticed him. I've been had, Gwili thought. "Yes? What is it I can help you with, guardsman?" he answered in as unassuming a tone as he could muster. "You can help me by stating your business," the burly guardsman answered. "O-of course," Gwili raised his hands placatingly.
Shit. What the fuck do I do now?Honesty is the best policy, right? He thought, unsure of his own question.
"I was just coming from Caegwen by way of the Rhydian Pass when I spotted a strange group of riders headed this way. Curious, I followed them for little over two days, and their tracks have led me here," Gwili answered, his tone unwavering and words far more unnerving as he spoke them aloud.
"So, you just decided to follow a group of people from the Rhydian Pass on a whim?" the guardsman asked. Gwili chuckled nervously. "I understand that it sounds bad, but I am a man of honor and integrity," he said.
Well, when it suits me, anyway, he thought.
"But would a man, or elf, by the looks of things, really have a reason to follow a random group of riders without a cause? No, of course not, what a ridiculous notion," he said, crossing his arms in front of his chest to form an X, shaking his head. "Why did you follow them, then? Out of the goodness of your heart?" the guardsman asked, unamused by the elf's antics.
"Because they moved like nothing I've ever seen," Gwili sighed. "What do you mean? I thought you said these were normal riders," the guardsman asked, now more guarded than before. "I called them random, but I don't think they really are. I get the feeling they're here for someone, and that someone needs to be warned," Gwili said, his tone growing a bit darker and more forceful with the last few words.
The guardsman shuddered with the way the elf had spoken, and nodded his head. "F-fine, but at least give me a name so I can have someone introduce you," the guardsman said. "Gwili Gwynn of Caegwen," the elf replied, the words tasting slightly bitter in his mouth. "Very well, Gwili Gwynn, I will have someone escort you to the palace. But know this: If you're found to be lying, you will pay for it with your life," the guardsman warned.
"I'm glad it's not the first time someone's threatened my life, otherwise, I might've taken offense to that," Gwili retorted with a wry smile, following the guardsman toward the large, Eastern gate. After having his name taken down in the entry log, Gwili was escorted to the front of the palace with haste.
I just wish we didn't have to move as quickly as we did. It's been ages since I've been inside a real city. Maybe I'll get the chance to do some exploring if all goes well, he thought.
The assigned escort led him through the city and all the way to the palace, passing through a few areas that were still being rebuilt after the assault. Once the elf and his escort had reached the palace, they were greeted by a host of guardsmen, with one towering head and shoulders above the rest, with straw blonde hair and full-plate armor.
"Hallo there," the giant man gestured, nodding to the escort to bring the paperwork he was holding. "Your name is Gwili Gwynn, correct?" he said, reading the name aloud for all those nearby to hear. "It is, ser knight," Gwili said, bowing his head awkwardly, sensing something odd about this group of guards. "It has been a long time since I've been in any sort of… civilization, however, I come with a message for whoever is in charge of the guards in this place," the elf said, looking around briefly. "That would be me," Thorsen said in his thick accent.
Oh. So it was the giant I sensed, Gwili thought.