before whatever fire Jack would allow them.
The weather had become colder and more bitter. It snowed most days now, and for five
days they had struggled through snowdrifts, their legs aching with the effort. Sometimes Timozel
would lift Faraday on top of the mule, but the poor beast laboured so hard through the snow that
Faraday soon leapt down again. All four wore blankets under their cloaks, and on those
occasions when Jack thought it too dangerous to have a fire, they huddled together in the lee of a hill, or behind an outcrop of boulders, shivering in misery. Faraday kept her wooden bowl close
by her, but she had little opportunity to study it and none whatsoever to use it. When Timozel
asked where she had got it from, Faraday shrugged and inferred that Goodwife Renkin had given
it to her. Over the past fortnight the sense of empowerment she‘d felt when Raum bonded her to
the Mother had gradually faded, although if she concentrated she thought she could still feel it
somewhere deep within her. She hoped that when she tried she would be able to find her way
back to the Sacred Grove through the Mother. The memory of that enchanted and powerful place
remained with her, and she held it as a talisman against the cold and fatigue of the journey north.
When she lay down to sleep she recalled the warmth and joy she had felt there, and it always
comforted her enough to lull her into immediate sleep.
Timozel was becoming more dark and moody as the days went by. He shaved only
rarely, and a light brown beard covered his cheeks. His eyes had sunk deep into their sockets,
and sometimes looked so sorely troubled that Faraday would ask what was wrong, if she could
help. Timozel would smile at her, and her presence would lighten his eyes for a while, but the
moment she moved away the dark mood crept over him again. In the week after leaving
Fernbrake Lake Yr had shared his blankets two or three times, but Timozel seemed too wrapped
in his own thoughts to spare energy for Yr, and after a while she spent most of their rest time
huddled against Faraday‘s back sharing her warmth with the girl.
Jervois Landing was a small trading town on the great elbow of the River Nordra known
as Tailem Bend. From Jervois Landing the Nordra arched southwards. It was the spot where
those of Borneheld‘s troops who had not travelled the quicker route to Gorkenfort by sea
disembarked from the river boat transports and massed to begin the long overland march
northwards. Previously a sleepy town, with the preparations for war Jervois Landing had
expanded into a bustling little metropolis, the pitched tents of soldiers expanding the stone town
six-fold. The wharves were constantly crowded with river boats disembarking men, horses and
supplies, and the streets of the town were packed with soldiers spending the last of their leisure
time in whatever amusing manner presented itself. The locals were making a fortune.
Faraday and her three companions stood late one afternoon on the far bank of the Nordra,
surveying the scene.
―I can smell a clean bed, linen sheets and a bath from here,‖ Faraday muttered.
Timozel turned and smiled at her. ―And you shall have them, my Lady. Tonight we shall
sleep in comfort, and in the morning I shall arrange transport for us with some of the troops
travelling northwards to Gorkenfort. You will soon be reunited with Duke Borneheld.‖
Guilt and self-loathing seared through Timozel every time he remembered how he had
pledged his service to Gorgrael. His only hold on reason was to remind himself that so long as he
was bound to Faraday then Gorgrael could not touch him. His devotion to the girl deepened and
Timozel spent every waking moment ensuring that she was well cared for and her wishes were
attended to as soon as possible. He knew that sometimes Jack and Yr regarded him strangely, but
he ignored the Sentinels as much as he could. Faraday was his only protection against Gorgrael.
If he was to survive to become the heroic commander of Artor‘s vision, then it would be
Faraday‘s doing.
―How will we manage?‖ Faraday asked, worried. ―We have no money, and nothing left
to sell.‖ Timozel‘s eyes drifted towards Jack‘s pigs, but Jack glared at him. ―What if we can‘t
arrange for horses and an escort?‖ Faraday continued. ―I don‘t think I can continue to walk
north!‖
Timozel took her hand. ―Faraday,‖ he said gently. ―You are betrothed to Borneheld,
Duke of Ichtar. This may be the southernmost point of his territory, but every innkeeper and unit
commander within five leagues of this place is going to trip over himself in his eagerness to
please you. You will shortly be their Duchess—do you think they are going to ignore you?
They‘ll believe a single smile from you will ensure the success of their personal careers or
businesses for the next ten years.‖
Faraday laughed. ―Yes, I suppose so. But, Timozel, how will they know that I am
betrothed to Borneheld?‖
Timozel held her left hand. ―Faraday, look at this ring. Every soldier, every inhabitant of
Ichtar, will recognise it. It will buy you instant respect. And,‖ his voice tightened, ―if it doesn‘t
then I will personally make sure that you receive it the very next moment.‖
―The youth is quite the man,‖ Yr quipped. ―Less talk and more action would please me
right this minute.‖
―Yr,‖ Faraday murmured. ―Timozel will do his best for all of us. Be quiet now.‖
―There is a ferry a little further up the river on Tailem Bend itself,‖ Timozel pointed out,
ignoring Yr. ―If we hurry we can cross before dark.‖
Jack frowned. ―Wait. There is something I must say. Yr, you know that we are missing
one of our number.‖ Yr nodded. There should be five Sentinels, but only four walked abroad.
Where was the fifth? Jack turned to Faraday and Timozel, standing huddled together against the
wind. ―Faraday, Timozel. I am going to leave you here.‖ Jack smiled a little at Faraday‘s cry of
protest. ―Faraday, Timozel and Yr can look after you well enough from this point, and there is no
place for a pig herder in Gorkenfort. Timozel will be your Champion, Yr your maid. She can
show you everything you will need to know as well as I can.‖ Faraday knew he was referring
obliquely to what had happened at Fernbrake Lake. Jack turned to Yr. ―Yr, I must look for the
fifth. The Prophecy will be lost if I cannot find her. I will be lost if I cannot find her. We have come far enough together—and you know we will meet again.‖
Yr blinked back tears, but nodded. She stepped forward and they hugged fiercely. ―Travel
well and safely, beloved one,‖ she whispered. ―I will watch Faraday and guide her steps.‖
―Remember,‖ Jack whispered for Yr‘s ears alone. ―What happens at Gorkenfort is
critical. Make sure that Axis, Faraday and yourself survive. I care not whether Timozel walks out of there alive or lies buried forever beneath the mud of the battlefield.‖
Yr nodded, then let Jack go, standing back, wiping her tears away with the back of her
hand. Jack stepped over to Faraday and she hugged him almost as fiercely as Yr had. ―Goodbye,
sweet one,‖ Jack said, his voice choking a little. ―Remember to be true, and remember that we
will be true for you, as well. Go with our blessing to comfort you.‖ He paused, as if considering
whether to say any more or not, but decided against it, pulling back and kissing Faraday gently
on her cheek. He smiled into her eyes, his own friendly and affectionate. ―Find peace, Faraday.‖
Faraday sniffed, trying to hold back tears. ―Will I see you again, Jack?‖
―Yes, lovely lady, we will all meet again.‖ Jack kissed her gently once more, then let her
go and stepped over to Timozel. He held out his hand, and after a moment‘s hesitation Timozel
gripped it. Snowflakes whirled in the air between them. ―You only have Faraday‘s best interests
at heart, Timozel. I know that, and I know you will do your best for her. Be true, Timozel.‖
Timozel felt a pang of shame pierce his heart. Did the man somehow know of his pact
with Gorgrael? He gritted his teeth; how could he? ―I live for her, Sentinel. I will let no harm
come her way.‖
Jack nodded. It would have to do. ―Then go in peace, boy. Gorkenfort will be a
dangerous place. Protect her with all you have.‖
―You can be sure that I will,‖ Timozel said tightly and dropped Jack‘s hand.
―Then,‖ Jack said lightly to the women. ―I will collect my pigs and be off. May the sun
shine over all of us again one day.‖
Faraday nodded, unable to speak, but Yr raised her hand in salute. ―May we all find