“At first, they were nae a bother to anyone,” Barker said. “T’was not until after news of the king’s defeat began to spread that they started to act as if they be enforcing the law. Their own brand of the law, I might add.”

“And none know to whom they owe allegiance?”

Barker shook his head. “Nae to me own knowledge.”

Humphrey grunted in displeasure, then finished his ale in several long swallows. “I be off to bed, then,” he said after setting down his mug. He stood and extended his hand to the Innkeeper. “My thanks again for yer most generous hospitality, Master Barker.”

Barker rose and clasped Humphrey’s forearm. “Anything I might do to assist ye, Sir, I will most gladly do.” He released the knight’s arm and picked up the empty mugs. “I shall see ye all on the morrow.”

“I look forward to it,” Humphrey said, and then slowly climbed the stairs as a sudden weariness overtook him. When he reached the landing and turned toward his room, he found Bruce asleep on the floor in front of Isabelle’s closed door. He smiled at the young man and went quietly into his own room, but left the door open, that he might hear any untoward noise from the hallway.

True to his word, the next morning they discovered Barker had set out a small feast for their break fast meal. Spread out across a large table was steaming bacon, fresh bread, eggs and apples, with warm spiced cider and ale to wash everything down. Barker’s wife served up the meal and hovered around Isabelle like a pleased mother hen. The Innkeeper wished them well on their journey and explained he must take his wagon to the town marketplace to pick up needed supplies, so would not be there to actually see them off. Many thanks and exchanges of well wishes were made before the trio finally moved on once again, just as dawn was breaking.

They followed the road out of town, but as soon as they came across a trail leading toward the northwest, they turned their mounts in that direction. Humphrey still wanted to stay off the main roads as much as possible, especially with unfriendly soldiers wandering the land.

The sun was well up later in the day—no sign of rain, thankfully—but it was still rather cool under cover of the many trees which lined the trail. Humphrey told Bruce to drop back for a while to cover their rear, while he and Isabelle rode on ahead.

It had not been over long when Bruce returned and came up alongside Humphrey. “Sir, a rider approaches and he is moving in haste,” he said with a nod to the trail behind them.

Humphrey reined in Bastion and he too could hear another horse on the trail. “Into the brush,” he told them. “Bruce, you take the left; Isabelle with me,” he said and they all melted away into the thick growth of the forest. Once concealed, Humphrey turned Bastion around so they again faced the trail. A few moments later he saw a rider upon a white steed moving quickly toward them. The dark knight held a hand up to indicate Isabelle should stay where she was, then he kicked Bastion lightly in the flanks and moved out of hiding to block the path.

When the rider saw Humphrey, he reined in his horse and came to a stop near the knight. “Sir Humphrey,” he said.

“Master Barker,” the knight responded, his voice edged with concern. “Some thing must be gravely amiss for you to ride so hard to catch us up.”

“Indeed, Sir,” Barker said. “The soldiers from last night returned to the Inn shortly after we all departed. This time the sergeant brought with him ten armed men and was seeking ye, personally.”

Humphrey saw that Barker was now wearing a sword at his left hip, while a bearded battle axe hung from his saddle. “How did you come to discover this news?” he asked.

“The stable lad tracked me down in the market place and told me what had transpired. When it be discovered that ye was gone, the sergeant and his soldiers went off in search of ye.”