Three knights and a squire rode east. Their horses trotted at a good clip, for such was their mission.
Sir Kirigi was antsy. After getting Sir Talon to accompany him, he had planned to find our where Sir Theobald’s family manor was by conferring with Lord Squire Rabbit, the Minister of Rolls. Unfortunately, the H.M.S. Hedgehog was not in port, and he had to find the Steward, Squire Terrin, and find out there. Sir James of Bloodstone had overheard them, and had insisted on coming along, and bringing his squire, Dagger. Now, all four, after a half-day delay, were on the road to collect Sir Theobald.
"Sir Kirigi, slow down." Cautioned Sir Talon, "You’ll wear out your horse before we're halfway there."
Sir Kirigi stopped his horse. "I know, you’re right. But we’ve got to get there before the Nikeans do."
"I don’t understand. The Nikeans are hunting him and you want to get there first? Why?" Asked Sir James.
"Let’s just say I’ve got a bad feeling about them, and what they might do if they catch Sir Theobald first."
Sir James was dumbfounded. "Why? He’s a murderer."
Sir Kirigi looked back at Sir James. "He told me he was set up, and I believe him."
"And are you sure he wasn’t lying to you? Or that he simply can’t remember killing the woman?"
Sir Kirigi sighed. "No, I’m not. But still, he deserves better than being hunted down like a dog."
Squire Dagger squinted, looking into the distance. "Uh, gentlemen, I think we are almost there." He pointed, and the knights followed his arm, seeing a squat, two-story manor some five miles away.
"At last." Said Sir Kirigi.
As they neared the manor, they could tell something was wrong. The signs of battle were scattered about. Finally, when they were a quarter mile away, they saw the remains of a siege and a dead horse on the grounds.
"Dear Goddess, no!" Shouted Sir Kirigi, and he galloped forth, the other three close behind. As he got to the doors, he dismounted and pounded on them. "Sir Theobald!" He shouted, and pounded more.
"There’s no body here. Someone got here before us." Stated Sir Talon.
Hesitantly, Sir Kirigi approached the horse. "Look around, you three. I’m going to try something." He then sat down next to the horse.
Sir Kirigi placed his palms over the dead horse’s head, trying to pick up the last memories of the horse before it died. Sir Talon, Sir James, and Squire Dagger continued to investigate.
Sir Kirigi’s face drained of color. "No, no!" He shouted. He broke contact and got to his feet.
"What, what is it?" Sir Talon asked.
"The Nikeans. They’ve already got him." He then got his horse. "C’mon, we’ve got to get back to the capital." Without waiting for them, he galloped off.
Dame Lyonene’s pen moved swiftly as she wrote her message. Some four feet away, a man in the severe clerical garb of the Adrian church stood waiting patiently.
She finished, and blew on the ink of the letter to dry it. She then folded the letter, and raised her head and looked at the priest.
"You... You are called the Nameless Priest?"
"Yes, your highness." He said.
"Well...Nameless priest, I require you to deliver this letter as quickly as you can to the Imperial court. An innocent man’s life is at stake, not to mention all of Adria."
The Nameless Priest took the parchment and secreted it in his clothing. "At once, your highness." He made a short bow, turned on his heel, and left.
Dame Lyonene hoped she was doing he right thing. Not only speed, but also secrecy was required here. She had no idea what the Nikeans looked like, and if the conspirators had any suspicions about her, she too would be hunted down.
She leaned briefly against the doorway and prayed for success.
As the Nameless Priest rode, he took note of the surroundings. As he passed into the northern reaches of Aquitaine, he decided to stop at a stable and switch to a fresh horse for the rest of the journey.
When he reached Ontario, he took note of the Nikeans who were there, and they noticed him.
The Nikeans were anxious and suspicious about a priest travelling in haste. The group decided to detain and question him. The Nameless Priest had other ideas. When they approached, he spurred his horse faster.
The Nikeans gave pursuit.