Chapter Three: Improvise

Orwen decides to improvise and allay any suspicions the men might have at his unusual situation.

"What am I doing riding this ghastly beast?" he grimaced at the gaurd, "I must say it pains me to confess that I have lost a bet."

A roar of approving laughter from the guards standing near. The guard who had questioned him continued to look on, unappeased.

"My brother Jansen beat me in cards and required as my due--since my Uncle will NOT let me carry my allowance about with me--"

More guffaws from the men at Orwen's imitation of a spoilt nobleman.

"And since I lost the game Jansen required me to ride to Holman on the ugliest farm hag I could find and fetch him a new hat."

Orwen smiled pitifully at the men, who enjoyed another hearty laugh at his expense. He was about to urge the horse forward, but the suspicious gaurd took the bridle in hand and questioned him in a thundering voice.

"And why, Master Orwen, did you wait to fulfill your end of the bet until this most unusually early morning hour?"

Orwen hesitated, looking from the suspicious guard's scowling face to the other men's. They too looked cautiously at him and some gripped their weapons as if to be ready to threaten him if needed. Orwen took a deep breath.

"Because, my good man," he pasted a fake grin on his face, "What Jansen doesn't know is that I lost the game on purpose so that I could give my Uncle a better excuse for riding to Holman and visitngg a certain little lady..." Orwen left the sentence hanging suggestively.

The gaurds chuckled and nodded their approval. And with a smirk of understanding, the suspicious guard gave the farm horse a slap on the rump and let Orwen pass. Making certain to take the road toward Holman, Orwen let the horse open up to a trot, and rode away with a pounding heart and shaking knees. Once he had passed out of sight within the trees he pulled the horse to a stop, dismounted, and let it wander off the road while he decided what his true destination ought to be.

Chapter Five: Monastery

Orwen decides to seek the familiar safety of the monastery where his brother is studying, and use the opportunity to warn Jansen of the danger.

Chapter Five: Allway

Orwen decides to ride as far from his Uncle's sphere of influence as he can, and hopes to write his brother and warn him of the danger as soon as he is able.