Iyaca asked, “Old Ones, Lieutenant Donovan? Have you known Old Ones?”
Donovan said, “Yes, a few. Keep your eyes and ears open, young Iyaca. I feel like we are being watched.”
Longbeard drew alongside the wagon just then and said, “Me, too. It’s unnerving. I’ll be glad to get to Dry Creek.”
Rhiann caught up to Longbeard and said, “We are. Kobolds are on both sides of the road. Not many, and they scamper off into the woods after we pass.”
Donovan urged the big phi gamms and said, “How’d you know Rhiann? Kobolds are stealthy, quiet, and blend in. Is it a Magick thing? Are you using a spell?”
Rhiann replied, “No, it’s the sword. She tells me if an enemy is within thirty feet. I could get used to it.”
Longbeard said gruffly, “I still think it’d be best for me to carry the weapon. Good thing halvsies are so good natured. You can have a free hand to grip the weapon’s hilt. Come to think of it, Mayard Klarje really was not in the mines. Does our agreement to keep the weapon secret still hold?”
Rhiann said, “The sword relayed Mayard’s wishes, so I’d say ‘yes’.”
Donovan Eleven-names cleared his throat and tipped his head toward Iyaca, who sat next to him on the wagon and well within earshot. Rhiann saw the less than subtle effort and said, “Iyaca knows Exeter is more than a simple long blade. He is now my apprentice and must learn to stand in my stead when needed.”
Longbeard Nineteen-names muttered, “Strange days! Shapechangers on our side! Shapechangers against us! We depend on children to fight for us. Bedlam! Fits dealing with Mayard Klarje, though. The Shapechanger handled his ale well and told Mayard’s stories as though he had lived them. Truth be known… I rather miss the blighter.”
Rhiann said, “p-Mayard had shared many adventures with Uncle Mayard. I also miss his company.”
Donovan asked, “Does Magick tell you anything about your Uncle, Rhiann?”
Rhiann honestly answered, “No.”
The phi gamms trudged along and set the pace moving steadily toward Dry Creek. Around midday the two-wagon caravan neared the hillock that p-Mayard had considered a perfect spot for an ambush. The road cut between two rocky outcroppings that sat like small buttes placed in the woods. Longbeard halted the column.
benjamintowe 