been asleep for a longer time than it seemed. Dusk was upon them, and they were plodding along a dusty road between two orchards. The sky was pink, and the trees cast long shadows across their path as motes of dust lingered in the orange-tinged air. A few bats were winging their way into the sky from out of the trees in search of their night’s prey, as were big brown owls. A sharp wind rose suddenly, causing Slade’s dark blue cloak to flap against Raettonus’ face. He winced and slunk down.
“I don’t see any evidence of bandits here, Sir Rhodes,” Slade said, looking around.
“The area is farther on, I believe,” Rhodes said, urging his gray warhorse into a trot. “Maybe half a mile…”
“You said that two miles ago,” Slade said, falling in behind him. “We’re running out of light, Rhodes.”
Rhodes shrugged. “Maybe we ought to take a rest,” he said. “I could use a walk for a bit, and I’m sure your boy’s getting sore, riding bareback like that.”
“All right,” said Slade. “That sounds like a good idea.”
They traveled a little farther along the trail before turning off into the orchard and dismounting. Rhodes readjusted his sword belt as he stretched his legs. Raettonus took the reins of the horses and went to tie them to a tree. Steorra whickered softly and nipped at his hair. “Be good,” Raettonus told the horse, patting his jaw. As if in answer, the horse snorted in his face, spattering him with snot. He furrowed his brow and wiped his face on the sleeve of his tunic and then patted Steorra’s nose lovingly. “Well, I know who’s not getting any sugar cubes when we get back home.” Rhodes’ horse whinnied, and Raettonus patted his nose as well.
Slade leaned against a tree, watching Raettonus with those sad eyes of his as Rhodes walked slowly around behind him, tapping his fingers against the hilt of his sword. “I hadn’t noticed before,” Slade said. “But that’s a different horse than you used to ride. Did something happen to old Stoneblock?”
“No, Stoneblock is just fine,” Rhodes said, walking back and forth slowly. He stopped his tapping and instead tightened his fingers around the sword hilt. “This is Silvershield.”
“He’s a fine looking horse,” Slade remarked. “Where did you get him?”
Rhodes paused behind Slade and slid his sword up ever so slightly so the blade peeked out of its scabbard. “Oh, you know,” he said nonchalantly. “It was just a gift from some vassal lord of my father.”
“A gift?” said Slade, his eyes still on Raettonus and the horses. “That’s very nice. Is he broken for war yet?”
There was the sound of metal sliding against leather as Rhodes quickly drew his sword. Slade straightened hastily and pushed himself away from the tree just as the sword swished down at him. The blade tore through his cloak and tunic and bit into his arm, leaving a bloody gash in his shoulder, but Slade managed to dodge any real damage. His left hand darted down to his own sword, and he swiftly unsheathed it, dancing away as Rhodes took another swing. “Rhodes,” said Slade calmly. “I’m sure you don’t want to do this.”
The other man gave no answer, but came again with his sword. Slade parried the blade with his own and pressed forward, knocking his old friend off balance. The sound of steel on steel bounced off the trees and set Rhodes’ horse to screaming which, in turn, startled Steorra. Raettonus watched in fear as the men fought, frozen as he tried to figure out what was happening. Recovering himself, the child pulled a knife from his boot and went rushing to aid his master. “Raettonus, stay back!” Slade called to him, catching another one of Rhodes’ swipes with his blade. Raettonus froze mid-step, clenching his little knife in his trembling hand.
Rhodes pushed Slade violently back. With a yelp, Slade fell backwards as he caught his foot in the roots of one of the trees. Rhodes lifted his sword to strike. As the blade came down, Slade lifted his hand. A stream of water shot from Slade’s palm, striking the other man squarely in the face. Rhodes sputtered and gasped for air and dropped his sword. Slade took the opportunity to get back to his feet. He strode quickly forward and jabbed with his sword.
Raettonus winced as Slade’s sword entered Rhodes’ thigh and came out the other side, dripping with blood. Rhodes cried out, his already red face turning a