Read The High King: A Tale of Alus for Free Online Page B

a matter of time before the demons would come to your home as well. The rest of Casmus could suffer along with us. I can not bring about such a fate upon you or your neighbors, besides I think that I have an idea of where to run. First, though, I would ask for the continued use of the mounts that you have loaned us, Stephen."
"Of course, it is the least that I can provide."
"It is far from little, I assure you." He turned to the shepherds. "Timoth, Heron, you men can decide for yourselves if you want a new master. Otherwise, with the remains of our livestock, you could start a farm for yourselves. You may consider gathering all the remaining herdsmen into a group to do so. Working together, you could still make a living from these lands."
"Yes, master... uh, Simon," Timoth replied. "We will talk with the others, but we will miss you greatly. You are sure that you must leave like this?"
"If any are too afraid to stay here, they can join my household as well. I will find a place for them where they will be safe," Stephen volunteered. "I also have flocks and herds to tend and could use more competent men.
If King Merrick doesn't object, we could merge our livestock together even."
"That is another way as well," Simon nodded. "Meanwhile, Gerid and I will need to head east. I'll see if any of the merchants that we've dealt with can smuggle us out of the country."
"Master Simon," Janus piped in, "if it's all right with you, I would like to try and go with you. I would like to stay at Gerid's side as his right hand. We've practiced together and have been through much as lifelong friends. Please allow me to help you."
"If you're certain, yes, you can come along. Remember though. This isn't a pleasure trip and I have no idea what lays before us. We’ve been branded traitors and any who follow us will be considered the same if we’re caught."
"Yes, I know. I wish to continue serving your family none the less, sir."
"Fine, Stephen, I hate leaving everything in your hands, but if you and the others would see to putting out the fires while we try and escape...?"
"Of course, but what will you do for money? I'm sure that you'll need something. I have a little stashed away that I could probably part with for you back at the inn."
"Don't worry, I've already thought of that. Master Cleren lives near here. He can open the bank for me. He also sympathizes with your cause, I know, and has always been a loyal friend to my family over the years. We'll draw as much gold as we possibly can and be off."
He looked at his brother and said, "Come, Gerid. It's time that we left."
The younger man looked to him sadly shaking his head. "This is all my fault."
"Don't blame yourself for fighting injustice. You followed the rules of combat set by Merrick himself. When it happened I should have backed you fully, but I never could have believed the full extent of Merrick's evil. Enough of this, we have much to do this night and a long journey. We had better make use of the darkness while we have it to put as much distance between ourselves and here as possible."
The three men mounted and rode in search of the banker. As they rode east and away from their destroyed home, tears came to Simon's eyes. As his vision blurred, the thoughts of the burned home and the death of his sister became strong and overpowering. "Serra," he lamented quietly under the sound of the hooves striking beneath him.
Chapter 6- A Seaside City
    The ocean side city of Alistaire was bustling with life. The two brothers and their friend made their way to the offices of one of the Aramathea's clients. Looking at the tall wooden buildings around them and the crowd of merchants and shoppers along the main boulevard, Simon could almost forget the horrors of two nights before.
    The sounds of bells came from distant harbor buoys as they danced in the water and were heard even over the noise of the crowds wandering around the trio. Merchants shouted loudly that their wares were the best to be bought