Hammers in the Wind by Christian Warren Freed

this far down from the mountains,” Mahn countered. His natural mistrust of the Pell dripped with every word.
    “Just get close enough to see who it is and report back. Nothing fancy. I’m actually going to need you two before this ends,” Aurec cautioned.
    “Fair enough. We will pass on the heroics for now,” Mahn smiled.
    The scouts left without another word and saddled their mounts, taking time to strip everything that might give them away at night. Neither was particularly enthused about their task, but they were scouts and had no room for complaints. Still, they’d been riding point for almost a month and bordered on exhaustion. Loyal sons of Rogscroft, Mahn and Raste wearily climbed back into the saddle. They slipped into the growing darkness and were lost to the evening.
    “They are two of my best,” Aurec told Maleela after he noticed the odd look she gave him. “If your father’s men are on us, they will find out.”
    “What happens when they do? How much farther until we are safe?” she asked.
    He lacked the nerve to tell her the truth. Never. We will never be safe again, my love. Badron would hound them into the grave.
    “It will take us a week to cross the mountains, providing that the weather holds. Another week and we’ll be at Rogscroft. My father is going to give you a warm welcome. What better way to welcome winter than with the coming of a princess?”
    His smile was warm and genuine, but not enough to shake the cold feeling in her bones. Something terrible was creeping upon them and she felt helpless to prevent it. Maleela hoped nothing ill befell them before gaining the security of the city-kingdom.
    Then a thought dawned on her. She gave Aurec a sly look and asked, “He doesn’t know, does he?”
    Aurec betrayed no emotion. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
    He watched her for a few moments before looking in the direction of his scouts. The world had suddenly grown more complicated.
    *****
    Raste stifled a yawn. The moon was slowing, cresting the lip of the western mountains. It was already cold with temperatures dropping close to freezing. The young scout considered how good being in a goose down bed with a warm woman or two would feel then admonished himself for drifting off. That kind of thinking would get both of them killed. They’d been through the drill more times than either cared to remember. Alertness was the key to their continued success, and survival, although Raste liked to credit a little bit of good luck as well.
    Mahn led them into a small copse of white birch. The site of their last encampment was only a few hundred meters away. If Aurec’s suspicions were accurate, this was the perfect place to await their mystery stalker. Mahn wrapped his travelling cloak a little tighter around him and settled down for the wait. Experience taught him that it wouldn’t be long. No one in their right mind wanted to be out in this weather.
    He glanced over at his younger partner. Raste was almost too young to be a good scout, but the lad did have natural ability. He was good, but not quite good enough. More so, Raste was experienced. He’d been pulled from the ranks of infantry after a handful of battles to salt him. Three years ago command had assigned them together. They’d formed a tenuous bond barely days before running into a Goblin patrol. Both did their share of killing during the escape. The lesson would prove invaluable should Raste decide to pursue a career in the military. Mahn had every expectation that the lad would grow to be a fine soldier with a little time and training.
    A sudden movement broke his thoughts. Mahn smiled. Their quarry moved into view with impunity. Moonlight struck the ground in mottled beams. The scouts watched unbelievably as the man rummaged through rocks and trees for signs of the princess. He was sloppy and careless, making enough noise to be heard a mile away. Mahn cursed the man for his incompetence but made no move. He could