Kelton woke when Gossamer jostled his shoulders. Gossamer was moving quickly, a signal that Kelton should move as well. There was no light leaking from around the door frame, morning had yet to come. Kelton shoved his blanket aside and stood.

"Pants," Gossamer said, pulling Kelton's drying pants from in front of the fire and tossing them.

"Yes, pants," Marnice agreed. Kelton missed the pants while attempting to cover his exposed parts. Marnice stepped behind the cloth divider letting him dress with less embarrassment.

"It's not morning," Kelton stated, though he packed with the same urgency he saw in Gossamer.

"My sister snuck off in the night," Marnice said, returning to the front room. "Sidal went after her, but were not be sure how long ago."

"We have to move," Gossamer added.

"Why would she leave?"

"She is blessed." Marnice sounded disgusted. "She hears the Brethren's words more than most. Thinks they are the words of the Goddess herself. Now, she has courage growing in her belly."

"But, she's a mother," Kelton argued. "She'll not say anything." Marnice moved forward and grabbed Kelton's shirt. He could see the anger in her eyes.

"Mothers are folks and folks can be stupid. You trusted me, and now you are running. It is best not to trust anyone." Marnice tapped Kelton's skull with her finger. "You be wary, or you'll be dead. I don't want that on my head."

"Listen to her," Gossamer said. He closed his pack and lifted it. "Next time we think before we act and speak." He headed out the door. Marnice let the anger leach from her face. A smile replaced the seriousness.

"Zachary and I owe you much." Marnice took Kelton's hand and slipped a woven bracelet onto his wrist. It was composed of a series of complicated knots. "This is my present, and it is less than you earned. It is a marker, and those that know it will not be shy to help." She kissed his cheeks as Jocelyn had. The kiss merged with the memory and sat well in his mind.

Kelton picked up his pack and turned to follow Gossamer. He turned back with a smile and moved to the bundles of cloth on the floor. Kneeling, he leaned down and lightly kissed Zachary's forehead. The boy slept through it all, which was best. A smile from him would have stalled Kelton more.

"Now Kelton!" Gossamer called from the door. Kelton ran out to join him.

They followed the trail they came in on for a short way. As soon as the farmhouse was well out of sight, they cut into the forest. The going became difficult quickly, returning them to long days of climbing over tree falls and struggling for safe footing. The night made it worse.

"At least we had a warm meal," Kelton said.

"Aye, we did have that."

"As good as Jocelyn's cooking."

"A close second. More than enough to make the mouth water."

"Do you think Marnice and Zachary will be safe?" Kelton asked.

"I think that woman is more than she let on," Gossamer replied. "Her sister is a bit confused, but Marnice knows what is what."

"I don't want them hurt."

"You made that clear when you attacked those bandits. It is a decision we will talk about, endlessly if I must." Gossamer climbed over a long-dead fallen tree that was too large to go around easily.

"Did we not get a meal?" Kelton argued.

"Food will be the least of our problems if a blades find our bellies."

"Mayhap, Dedra does us a favor. We are seen moving out of the Hold Lord's territory. Is that not what we wanted?"

"At greater risk than necessary," Gossamer said. He grabbed hold of a sapling to steady himself down a steep incline. Kelton followed, seeing no better alternative.

"How long do you think we will live?" Kelton asked once they were on level ground again.

"It depends upon the risks we take. It's that knowledge I've been trying to impart." They followed a tiny dry stream bed for a short way, making it easier to walk.

"Forever?" Gossamer laughed at Kelton's question.

"No one lives forever."

"How long then?" Gossamer stopped and turned to Kelton. His face was grim, and Kelton stood stoic waiting for an honest answer.

"A few moons, mayhap more if our luck holds," Gossamer said. He shrugged his shoulders to the inevitable.

"And how long will Marnice and Zachary live now that those bandits are dead?" Kelton's question surprised and pleased Gossamer.

"Many many winters, if their luck holds," Gossamer's replied as his smile grew.

"Not such a big risk then."

"No, I suppose it's not. You have a good about you this land doesn't deserve." Gossamer laid his hand on Kelton's shoulder. "We go out like heroes then."

"It's your fault. I've heard too many of your stories." Kelton moved ahead down the stream bed, and Gossamer followed with a chuckle.

The morning light made the obstacles easier to spot, though did nothing to alter the terrain. They tired quickly and by midday found themselves on their backsides letting the sweat evaporate.

"We'll need to hunt before long." Gossamer tossed Kelton a chunk of hard bread. "Marnice gave me this, but it won't last long."

"She gave me this," Kelton said, holding up his wrist and exposing the knotted bracelet. "Says there are folks who know its meaning and they'll help." Gossamer leaned forward and ran his fingers along the knots.

"Never seen the like. Looks like it took time and skill to make." Gossamer shrugged. "Couldn't hurt, though I know of no one who'll be of any help. The Brethren don't tolerate sigils beyond their own, or the King's."

"Mayhap, it's a family thing."

"Mayhap." Gossamer nodded. "She was willing to give her brother a child. They are tighter than most in this land. What say we nap a bit, then move on?" Kelton agreed. They scooted about and found a modicum of comfort using their packs as pillows. Having lost a good part of the previous night's sleep, they were out quickly.

Kelton woke from an odd dream, an uncomfortable one whose images faded quickly as reality took hold. He felt a group of people moving slowly toward their position. Seven. It surprised him that the number was so apparent even though they were bunched close. He crawled over to Gossamer and shook him lightly with a finger across his lips.

"Seven, a good way back and coming this way," Kelton whispered. He pointed in the direction they had come. Gossamer nodded, and they rose together, quietly donning their packs. Gossamer gestured to the west, a right angle to their previous path. Kelton signaled his agreement and followed Gossamer's lead. They moved with a purpose, carefully avoiding noise or leaving visible signs of their passage.

"Did they turn to follow?" Gossamer whispered after they had put some distance behind them.

"Not yet. Still heading toward where we slept."

"Good." Gossamer let out a deep breath. "Trackers, not Brethren." He looked up at the sky through the heavy growth. "Still a while before the sun drops. No more breaks until it's dark."

Whoever was following was not at home in the forest. Or perhaps, they were poor trackers. The distance grew between the chasers and their quarry as the day wore on. To further throw off the pursuers, Gossamer traveled a short distance down a well-worn trail to disguise signs of their travel. The sun had not yet set when Kelton could no longer feel the trackers.

"Dedra must have spoken of us," Kelton said. "I hope Zachary and Marnice are okay."

"Marnice will do what's necessary to protect her child," Gossamer returned. They had slowed their pace now that the imminent danger had receded. "I suspect she will lie about us and feed into the story of the red demon."

"Should I growl the next time?" Kelton joked.

"Or vomit on them." Kelton tried not to laugh but gave up when Gossamer failed to hide his own smile.

"It's all that blood, you know," Kelton explained.

"Human blood," Gossamer added. "You've seen plenty of rabbit and deer being skinned. That doesn't seem to bother you."

"Aye, I don't like seeing folks mangled like that, no matter what they've done." Kelton stopped walking for a moment and considered his thoughts. "It's best if I don't get used to it - like I am with rabbit and deer."

"All this talk of meat has my mouth watering. Think we can spend some time foraging?"

"We lost them a while back. I've felt nothing for a long time."

"Spears it is then," Gossamer said as he laid down his pack. They found sturdy branches as straight as possible and smoothed out the surface with their hand blades. Attaching the knives to the ends of the poles with leather, they constructed their spears. They quietly branched out from their packs in search of food, be it growing or running.