It didn't seem like a village, but it wasn't a town, either. Tad hopped off the stallion and led him towards the town square. Warrior was obviously used to this, for he quietly obliged and followed the young teenager. He snorted a warning. Looking around, Tad didn't see anything that could put him in danger until he saw Zack. Zack was a soldier, the same age as Tad, he was striding high on a brown mare, dark, black hair blowing in the breeze. His armor glinted in the sun and he was holding something. Tad sidled away with Warrior in tow as the soldier approached the town square. Zack dismounted and climbed atop an empty cart.
"Attention all villagers," he shouted to get their attention. "Our great King Cornelius had declared war on the Dark. Be brave and sign up."
A few people stopped and listened, but he only drew a small crowd. A few men, looked to be about middle aged, walked up and signed their names on the recruitment paper. Zack seemed to have whispered something to them, for they walked all along the square talking to men. Only a few looked towards Zack, and it was with expressions of caution. Looking around, Tad saw that the recruiting soldier was surrounded by a few women and girls, all whispering about his good looks, dark hair and hazel eyes. Zack seemed to enjoy the attention of girls, but it wasn't what he wanted.
"ATTENTION ALL MEN OF AGE! HELP YOUR KINGDOM BY FIGHTING WITH THE ROYAL ARMY AGAINST THE DARK! THE KINGDOM NEEDS YOUR HELP! BE PROUD AND SIGN UP!" He yelled at the top of his lungs to get the attention of the other men.
This time, a large crowd formed. Men between the ages of eighteen and forty were streaming through the people, making their way to the upturned cart on which Zack was standing. Seeming pleased at the turn out, Zack eagerly handed the pen to the nearest recruitment.
"That soldier looks familiar," Warrior said.
"Ssssshhhh," Tad hissed.
The horse shook his head as an answer, jingling the harness. Tad quickly swiveled his head toward Zack. Luckily, the soldier was too busy to even notice a single girl, let alone hear a few jingling.
"Let's get out of here," Tad said and mounted the stallion.
The two made their way towards the city gate, but before they went through, Tad looked back to see Zack staring at him with a blank space. Sighing with relief Tad turned away and out the city gates they went. They travelled in silence for a few minutes.
"Where are we going?" Warrior asked between strides.
"The capital," Tad answered distractedly.
"I thought you were exiled."
"Who's going to stop me?"
"Good point."
They travelled in silence for a while, Warrior at a galloping pace, away from the setting sun.
"May I ask why we are going there?"
"Well somebody has to save this kingdom from destroying itself."
"So why are we going so fast?"
"We have to get there before Zack does."
"I'll ask my friends to slow him down," Warrior decided and gave a little neigh.
Tad ignored the scurrying of feet and the flapping of wings as they whizzed past the trees. Gripping the reins tightly, Tad seated himself securely on the racing horse, making sure that he wouldn't fall off. Zack used to be his friend. A boy he grew up with in the capital, after he left his village. He missed that boy...
The setting sun, now at the horizon and sinking quickly, pushed its last rays through the forest toward Tad's back. It would be the last of the warmth from the glowing circle. Relishing in the last bit of heat, Tad urged Warrior to go faster, they just had to get there. Warrior can do it, it was only ten miles or so. They had done this before, galloping throught the night without sleep. Tad only hoped that he wasnt too late.
