1.9

The ale was bitter and room temperatured. Smoke was hanging heavy throughout the tavern and at most of the tables men sat sunken deep in their own thoughts and inspected the bottom of their mugs. From time to time someone would cough terribly or shout an order to one of the two elderly waitresses attending them. At the far end of the room Clark saw two slim long shadows of men moving unnoticed among the bar patrons, sometimes sliding through some drunk causing him to dom something or say something. This was mostly ignored by the rest but every now and then a short shuffle or fight broke out because of it. Every time this happened the shadows stood still inspecting what that was happening as if studying.

- Those are the enemy, Cassandra said. We don't know how to stop them yet but me and Lars have travelled the lands for a long time and there are more of those creatures here than anywhere else we have seen. And there have arrived many more in the last few days. We assume that it has to do with the girl and the eagle so we must follow it. The girl obviously is important to many people.
- Those are some large mountains, I saw that when riding in. How sh..
- Shh, quiet. One is coming here
One of the shadows moved in close to them and moved around as if searching for something.
- So as I was saying I think that was a splendid show the guards did there by the parapet, don't you think my dear?, Lars said
- So it was, too bad they did not develop some wings, haha. Cassandra laughed a clearly faked and overstressed laugh
- It was truly a sight to see, Clark continued and laughed shortly too.
The shadow moved behind Cassandra and slipped into her.
- You don't love me Lars, I have had a lover, she blurted out.
Lars looked confused and then upset but he didn't say anything. Cassandra swept over the table with her arm and sent a mug of ale flying.
- Now calm down Cassandra, Lars insisted looking stern but making sure not to be aggressive.
Clark saw the shadow slip out of Cassandra and move over to another shadow. In the corner of his eye he saw two more shadows join the others, all standing in a group as if discussing.
- I do think we should get a move on, Cassandra said quietly.
- I agree, Lars replied.
They stood up calmly, left a few coins on the table and started to walk towards the door. Halfway there they met a waitress carrying three plates.
- But your food?
- We're not hungry now, Cassandra replied. We left enough money to cover us. Good bye.
Outside they quickened their paces and moved over to the stable
- No horse right?
- No horse now, Said Clark.
Lars went over to the stable keeper and quietly discussed for a minute after which he said.
- We can take any three horses we like.

Riding westwards at a blistering speed Clark felt good. It was as if he had found what he really wanted to do. He was free and felt stronger now than when he had just been a musician. He was more now, obviously he could do much more. He had never been on a horse until just a few days ago. The sun was starting to set but they urged the horses on in an ever increasingly desolate landscape. The farmland was slowly withdrawing and being replaced by a rocky terrain with broken dried patches of sand as if the sun had been too intense. The mountains was growing larger infront of them and as the sun set behind them they seemed to burn like ember.