8. Colt

Colt wasn't sure what time it was when he woke, as there were no windows in the underground room, but he guessed he hadn't been sleeping long. After lying on the hard ground in the cold and then being woken up in the early hours by Clove that morning, Colt had been exhausted. He rubbed his hand down his face, then looked over to see Owen curled up against him.

In his sleep, Owen muttered something inaudible, and Colt raised an eyebrow, too comfortable to wake him or leave his side, so instead, he laid back down and pressed his head against Owen's, savoring his touch.

When a knock sounded on the door, Colt groaned. "Just a minute," he said, then he shook Owen awake. "Hey, we should get up."

Owen's eyes blinked open tiredly, and he looked over before sitting up.

Colt got to his feet and opened the door to find Gilda and Brom holding two trays of food. He let them in, and they set everything out on the table in the dimly lit room. Owen joined them, and they sat down to a meal of potatoes, greens, and meatloaf with onions and peppers.

This had been the best meal Colt had since Berry Farms, and he ate with such aggression that he groaned at every bite.

"Goodness, you act as though you're starved," Gilda said, sipping hot tea from her cup.

"That's because I have been," Colt muttered between bites before chewing again.

"You mean Brom's cooking hasn't been filling enough?" She raised an eyebrow.

Colt looked from Brom, who waited for his answer, to her and cleared his throat. "It's road food. It's different."

"No need to make excuses," Brom said. "I know my cooking's not all that great, but I got a few good spices in Ivormor, so expect a fine cuisine soon."

"Ha! I'll believe it when I taste it." Gilda shook her head and took a bite of potato.

"What kind of spices?" Owen asked.

"Oh, you know, the usual pepper, salts…" Brom cleared his throat and took a sip from his cup, then mumbled, "Cayenne pepper…"

Colt cocked his head and squinted at him. "Cayenne? That shit's expensive. You didn't buy any spices."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. My hands are clean."

"So, you bought this expensive black cherry tea too, did you?" Owen raised his brows as he pulled up the tea bag out of Brom's cup.

"Shh." Brom put a finger to his lips. "It was a gift."

They all laughed, but their moment of sharing good food and humor was over when a knock sounded on the door.

Brom got up from the table and opened it to find Thomas. He let the man in the room, and their cheerful supper quickly turned sour just from the grave look on the man's face.

"You can't stay here tonight," Thomas told them. "You were right, those Wielders are close by. A friend of mine informed me they're not far from here."

Colt's chest tightened, and he suddenly had no desire to finish his food.

"I suppose it's time to go then," Brom said and stood to start packing the leftovers into his pots.

"I met with one of my contacts," Thomas blurted out. His eyes darted to each of them nervously. "If you leave now, you can meet him half a mile down the road. He knew Amias too."

"He did?" Owen's eyes widened.

"Yes, and he's willing to guide you out of the area and away from the Wielders for good."

Colt narrowed his eyes. "Just like that? What about payment?"

Thomas shook his head vigorously. "The Silent Road doesn't pay people to be guides. We simply help those who need it. In return, it's customary to leave something of value at each place you come to."

"Oh, well, we weren't told that," Gilda said, crossing her arms.

"It's an unspoken rule. If you have nothing to give, sometimes others will let it slide, but don't expect them to help you out again next time."

"We have things we can give." Brom waved his hand out. "Do we give it to you?"

"There's a shelf out in the hall. You'll put one valuable each there in exchange for my help."

This was disheartening news, as Colt thought the Silent Road was dedicated to helping those who needed it, but it seemed the people who helped aid others along its path expected something in return. All of this was starting to sound like one big swindle. There were similar networks in Luthien. When Colt was a boy living on the city streets, the underground markets usually dealt with the trading of illegal items. He couldn't help but wonder if this was somehow being used as the same.

"The road will pass through towns and villages the Legion or regional guards don't visit much," Thomas went on. "There are some areas that are caves or mines, as well. Dangerous, but necessary. The path you'll be traveling along is going to take you all to a village just north of Port Holland called Merrowcrest. Mark it on your maps."

"And you have someone who will lead us tonight?" Owen asked.

"That's right." Thomas nodded. "Fortunately, there is always a guide somewhere nearby, and I'm lucky I have someone up this way. You in?"

"Seems we don't have much of a choice." Gilda looked at Owen. "What do you think?"

Owen hesitated, but the answer was clearly written on his face. "Yes, we're in."

After they gathered their bags, Thomas led them out into the narrow hall, where they found a shelf against the back wall. Each of them took out a valuable and set it on the shelf: Gilda placed a jeweled comb there, while Owen put down three half coppers. Colt didn't want to, but he had nothing other than coin, and put another two half coppers alongside Owen's. Brom was the last to hand something over, and he hesitated as he held out a pocket knife.

"No need to get rid of that, Brom," Owen said. "Perhaps one of the pots?"

Brom made a face. "We use all three of them for food and water."

"Surely you have something else?" Gilda asked.

"Well, I do have this." Brom dug through his bag. When he fished out a small jar of spice, Gilda snatched it from him and placed it on the shelf.

"Let's go," she muttered.

Sighing, Brom turned away, and as they made their way to the stairs of the cellar, Colt nudged Owen and whispered, "That's another tally for me."

Owen narrowed his eyes, but he looked amused at Colt's willingness to continue their game of seeing who won more arguments, Brom or Gilda. So far, Gilda was the clear winner.

After Thomas restocked their water and gave them a bit of food, they left the inn amid the cold night. The innkeeper huffed as he walked outside with them, leading them through the dark, and Colt felt a growing sense of unease. Then a low dark figure was running towards them over the grassy rise, and Colt tensed, but when he saw Clove appear in the lantern light, he sighed with relief.

"Hey, girl," Owen said, bending down to pet her as she licked him. "Where have you been? You really are a lone wolf, aren't you?"

Thomas looked at the wolf and jumped when she got too close. He eyed Owen being so affectionate towards her and shook his head before continuing on.

When Colt peered back at Gilda and Brom, they shrugged and kept walking. Colt kept his eyes on the animal as she ran ahead of them to someone standing in the distance.

When that someone bent down to pet Clove, Colt stiffened.

"Rem," Thomas started, panting from the walk, "here they are." He held up the lantern, and a tall man with dark hair and eyes smiled at them. He wore all black from head to toe, sporting a thick overcoat with a hood. There was something in this man's clean-shaven face that Colt already didn't like.

"You're the man from the bar," Owen blurted, then he cut his eyes to Colt.

Rem nodded, standing straight. "My name is Rem, and I recall your name is Owen."

Colt narrowed his eyes, remembering the man at the brothel now. "You were in Ivormor when we were." He was the same man Colt had spotted talking to Owen. He recalled Owen telling him that Rem had offered to buy him a drink.

"Small world, isn't it?"

Colt's jaw clenched.

"She's your wolf?" Owen nodded down at Clove.

The man patted Clove's head and smiled. "Yes, but she isn't a full-blooded wolf. I've had her for three years now. Her name is Gypsy. She was the runt of her litter, and so far she has proved the strongest."

"She's been tracking us for a while," Colt started, his brow lowered as his eyes squared in on this man. "Do all your dogs do that?"

Rem's eyes drifted to Colt. "Gypsy is very good at seeking out fugitives such as yourselves."

"How so?" Brom asked, stepping forward.

A smile flashed across Rem's face, one that Colt didn't like. "That would be spilling the secrets of how the Silent Road works, and I cannot risk such a thing. You are all very lucky I was already up this way." Rem took something from his pocket and gave it to Clove—or rather Gypsy, though Colt preferred the name Owen had suggested for her. "When Gypsy hadn't been back for days, I figured she had found someone, so I lingered for a while."

The wind picked up, skirting the leaves around them, and Thomas rubbed his arm.

Clearing his throat, Colt stepped forward. "And where's our first stop?"

Rem snapped his chin up, his expression like stone as he stared at him. "We'll travel to a village called Glades. There's an underground hideout there where we'll be able to lay low, but we must enter from the sewers."

They all groaned, and Rem and Thomas blinked at them in stunned silence.

"We've had our fair share of sewers already, leaving Milarc," Gilda said. "We're not very fond of them."

"Ah, well, rest assured, this sewer won't take long to travel through. Once in Glades, we'll rest and restock provisions there. We'll make a few stops to keep you all hidden on our journey from there. Our next stop after Glades will be Coopersburgh in Calwick, and then we'll make our way to a small fishing village called Merrowcrest, about ten miles north of Port Holland. If all goes as planned, you'll be able to sail to Arcmere."

"Arcmere?" Owen's brow furrowed, and Colt caught the look of disappointment in his eyes. He knew Owen didn't want to sail across the sea.

"Don't we get to call the shots at some point?" Colt asked.

Rem gave a tight smile. "Of course. I only set up your destination. This plan has been in the works for a few months now, as Amias wrote to Thomas of his idea to sail across the sea."

So then Amias really did plan to go there. He had all this plotted, and poor Owen had no choice but to be fine with it.

"What do you say, Owen?" Brom broke in. "We can get to Merrowcrest and decide what to do then?"

They all looked at Owen, and even Rem stood poised, waiting patiently for his answer while Clove sat beside him.

Nodding, Owen said, "That seems the best option for now." He glanced at Rem. "And if you know Amias, then we must be on the right path."

Rem bowed his head respectfully, then said, "I have horses stabled not far from here. It'll make the journey quicker."

Colt hadn't ridden a horse in years, but the idea seemed appealing if it meant they could travel faster. He wasn't sure about Rem, or even Thomas, but it seemed both men were willing to help.

"Once we leave the stables, we'll head straight to Glades. Mind you, we will take back pathways. There may be times that we will have to split up if we cross into areas where regional guards are present."

"Then you'd best get on," Thomas said. "I'll cover your tracks. I bid you all good luck and safe travels." The innkeeper smiled at them before turning on his heel and hurrying away.

"Let's go," Rem said, lighting a lantern to lead the way, and they all followed after him at a quick pace. Clove bounded alongside Rem up ahead, and every once in a while, the animal stopped and looked back at Owen before continuing on.

They all glanced at each other, making silent faces as they walked behind this new stranger. When Colt looked over at Brom, Brom gestured his head towards Rem, quietly urging him to talk to the man, but Colt's face soured, and he shook his head.

Fuck no, I'm not starting a conversation with this man.

Rem turned around suddenly, which made them all slow down. "So, Owen, who are your companions?" Rem looked at each of them as he fell into step beside them.

"Oh, this is Colt, Gilda, and Brom." Owen gestured to each of them.

Rem nodded slowly. "Quite a large party. Thomas mentioned only you and Amias coming along, but three more is merrier, I say. Amias was a good man. Thomas told me of his unfortunate capture."

"How… do you know Amias?" Owen asked.

"We worked together at one time in Luthien, when he lived here. His sudden departure from Avathon was surprising. While he remained with the Legion in Milarc, I took my leave."

"You were part of the Legion?" Brom asked, coming forward. "How do we know you're not Legion now?"

Rem chuckled. "You need not worry. I haven't worked for the Legion in nearly twenty years. I left it for its unorthodox practices."

"And you're gonna help us steer clear of Legion soldiers and Wielders?" Colt asked.

Despite Colt's attempt to stand over this man, they both stood at the same height, and Rem seemed undeterred by any of them.

"If you find me untrusting, then you are free to leave." Rem glanced at Owen before he looked at them all again. "But I assure you, once we ride, you'll be able to gain ground ahead of the Wielders. This is how the Silent Road works to get people out of trouble."

"You're very kind to help us out," Gilda said, "but what do you gain from it all? Is someone paying you?"

Rem's lips turned up, his smile deepening as he said, "Riches mean nothing to me. Human life is much more valuable. My hope is to carry out the wishes of our one true god who reigns over us all." He placed his palms together, then nodded and hurried ahead of them.

Brom leaned in and said, "I really didn't take him for the religious type."

"I don't like him," Gilda said, low enough so the man couldn't hear.

"What's there to like? He's a complete—" Colt started, but stopped when he caught Owen's distasteful expression.

"You don't have to like him," Owen whispered. "But he knew Amias and he's helping us get away from the Wielders. We'll be alert at all times, but I think we need to move forward with him. At least for now. I can't read his energy, so we'll all just have to keep alert."

"What do you mean?" Colt asked. "You didn't mention that before."

"Well I am now. I can't sense Rem's energy. It makes it hard for me to find him and to know if he's loyal or not." He looked at Gilda questioningly.

Drawing back, Gilda shook her head. "I really can't sense those things, Owen. I can only sense someone's presence."

"But you were able to sense the entities that followed us on the road in Milarc."

"Those were different. It was as if those spirits were projecting themselves onto me. I can't sense energies like you. I don't feel or taste things. I only know if someone is familiar, or a presence I've just latched onto."

"Oh." Owen looked away, seemingly confused.

"Really, you baffle me more every day, Owen," Brom said, chuckling. "Tasting energy?"

Colt smiled crookedly as he looked ahead, amazed himself at the things he'd learned about Owen. He would go along with Rem for now, but if something went astray, Colt would take the man's horses and flee. Where, he wasn't sure yet, but they would discuss it soon.

When they reached the stables, there was also an inn beside it, but Rem seemed bent on them riding with no stopping to sleep. If it meant they had a chance to get well ahead of the Wielders, Colt would do it.

The man had only three horses, as he had only been expecting Amias and Owen before. Colt clenched his fists as he looked the animals over. His regret for leaving Amias behind suddenly turned sour, as it was clear the man hadn't planned on Colt coming along with them past Pitchvale. But then his heart softened again as he realized how well Amias knew him.

"These are sturdy breeds, but they won't be able to hold you for long without rest," Rem said. "There are five of us, which means you'll have to double up on the horses for now."

"Yeah, we know how to count," Colt said.

Rem gave him the side-eye before turning sharply to the stable hand, who saddled two of the brown horses with double saddles while Rem prepared his own black horse.

"You and me, then?" Brom asked Gilda.

She shrugged. "I suppose so, you brute. Unless you and Colt want to double up together."

Colt and Brom exchanged a smirk.

"The smaller people should sit behind one of you two larger men," Rem said, then his eyes drifted to Owen. "Or you could ride behind me, lad."

Something flared in Colt's chest, but before he could say anything, Owen stepped in front of Colt and said, "Colt and I will ride together." When Rem turned his back, Colt made a rude gesture with his middle finger, but Owen grabbed his arm and yanked it back down, scowling at him.

I don't like this prick.

He caught Owen's cautious eyes and gestured for the horse as the stable hand finished with the saddle. They hooked their bags onto the saddle holds, and then Colt placed his foot into the stirrup and grunted as he plopped on top. Then Owen climbed up behind him.

Beside them, Brom and Gilda were ready to go, and for once, she looked relieved to be riding rather than walking, even if it meant she had to sit close to Brom. Still, her eyes shifted often to Rem.

None of us seem very trusting of him. What is it about this guy that—

"Are we ready?" Rem asked, sitting on his high horse, back straight against the night sky. When they all nodded, he led the way forward. When Rem clicked his tongue, Clove joined them as they made their way along the beaten back path.

They rode well into the night, and it took Colt a while to feel adjusted to the saddle. When Owen's arms wound around Colt's waist, he intertwined their fingers, finding comfort in his touch, and this alone drove him to keep going forward all night.