Deeds of Their Past - 26. Chapter Twenty-six

Brohm led them past countless rows of barracks containing an untold number of sleeping troops. Spying around a corner, he waited for a patrol to move out of range. Once clear, he held Nathan close, and aided him across the road to the cover of shadow.

“How do we get out of here?” Nathan whispered.

“We’re almost there. That big wall ahead is the edge of the compound.”

They reached another holding point and waited for another patrol to move on.

“Go.”

Brohm nearly dragged him as they rushed to the darkened space between a building and the garrison stone wall. Sidestepping into the narrow path, they came upon a hole in the wall, just wide enough to squeeze through.

“Me and the fellows would sneak outta here when things got boring. It takes us to the town,” Brohm whispered as he led them through. “I was glad to see nobody patched it up after all these years.”

Emerging from the hole, they found themselves in a disused alleyway.

“Help me with these straps,” Brohm said, pulling off his helmet.

“How’d you manage to get this gear?” Nathan asked while assisting to shed his armour.

“When I got in, I snuck into the armoury first. I reckoned it would be a good disguise until I found you.”

As soon as he was free, Brohm pulled him close again, mashing his face into his chest. Nathan cringed in pain, yet revelled to be in the arms of the big man once again.

“I can’t believe I found you,” Brohm said.

Nathan pulled back to examine him. “I can’t believe you’re alive! I saw so much blood.”

“Yuh. When I woke up, I had a big headache and felt woozy, but was able to stop the bleeding and bandage it up,” he said, turning his head to show a healing wound. “You were gone, and I didn’t know what to do. But then I remembered that daemon said it was taking you to Brockford, so I gathered everything and rode west.”

“What about that cut on your face?” Nathan asked.

Brohm lifted a hand to touch it, and his demeanour darkened. “It wasn’t an easy ride to get here. Every road I took, I found men wanting to collect on the bounty.”

The big man pulled him close again. “I had to cut every single one of them down.”

“I would’ve done the same thing for you,” Nathan whispered.

“I’m just glad I made it in time. I was worried sick to find you dead.”

“I don’t want to test our luck any further. We should get going, back to Morgana.”

Brohm shook his head. “The town gates are shut tight so we can’t leave until morning. I rented a room at Gryffen Inn where we can hide out. I know the owner. We can trust him.”

“Is it close?”

“Yuh. Let’s go.”

The roads were empty, proving a simple task to reach the inn unseen. Inside, the few patrons that remained were slumped in their chairs, either unconscious or on their way there. Brohm led him up the stairs, opening the door to their room. A lamp within was already lit.

“Go in. I’ll be back in a second,” Brohm said.

Nathan shut the door and sat on the bed, finally allowing himself a moment to reflect on the past few days. He’d escaped certain fate all thanks to Brohm, who’d risked his own life to rescue him. He couldn’t fathom what he’d done to deserve such a loyal friend.

After removing his boots, a looking glass hanging on the wall caught his eye, and he stood to survey the damage. He winced at the face that stared back, covered with cuts and deep bruises. Removing his tattered shirt revealed more of the same, along with blood-stained bandages across his chest.

A light knock at the door gave him a jump. “It’s me,” Brohm’s muffled voice called through.

Nathan opened the door to find him balancing a plate of food in one hand, and a large bowl of steaming water in the other. Upon seeing Nathan’s wrecked body, he nearly dropped both.

“Oh gods . . . what'd they do to you?”

“Here, pass me that,” Nathan said, taking the bowl from his grasp.

Brohm placed the plate on a nearby table and quickly turned to examine him more closely. “Sit on the bed near the light.”

A cloth and bar of soap sat in the bowl. Brohm worked up a lather, and with the gentlest touch, carefully wiped Nathan’s face. It felt good to have the grime lifted from his skin.

“I reckon we should clean those wounds.”

Nathan hesitantly untied the bandages and pulled them away. The two angry gashes hadn’t festered, yet were still very sensitive.

Brohm’s anger simmered under the surface. “Who did this to you?”

“A sadistic gaoler. I forget his name.”

“It wasn’t . . . Ayers, was it?”

“Yeah, that's it. You know him?”

“I know of him. Heard stories, y’know?”

“Well, whatever you heard is true. Actually, it was his apprentice who did this, under the tutelage of Ayers.”

Brohm, having heard enough, shook his head. “Lie down.”

He cleaned the wounds with delicate precision. It stung, but was a far cry from the pain he’d endured just days earlier. Once satisfied, Brohm diligently continued to clean the rest of his chest, belly, arms and back.

“Are you hungry?”

Nathan pulled himself up to sit on the bed and eyed the plate on the table nearby, then nodded. Brohm handed it over and watched him eat with a worried frown.

“So where’s our stuff?” Nathan asked between mouthfuls.

“I hid it all outside town in a nearby forest. I had to leave one of the horses in Morringstone, though. She would’ve slowed me down to bring her the whole way.”

Nathan nodded his understanding. “You have the necklace though, right?”

“No, it’s with our stuff.”

Nathan nearly choked. “What if someone finds your stash?”

“I couldn’t risk losing it if I was caught in town. I reckoned it was safer in the forest.”

Nathan considered his words, and then nodded in agreement. Finishing his meal, he stood up to drop his plate on the table. “Any idea what time it is?”

“I reckon we have a few hours before the sun comes up. We should get some sleep.”

Brohm lay down on the bed, and Nathan joined him, snuggling against the big man as he spooned him.

“I can’t tell you how much I missed you,” Nathan said quietly.

The big man nuzzled the back of his neck. “I missed you too, l’il buddy. And after all we've been through, I won't lose you again.”

* * *

By the time Nathan had drifted off, it felt as though mere moments had passed before Brohm nudged him awake. The hint of dawn light managed its way through the flimsy curtains.

“You get dressed,” Brohm said, opening the door to leave. “I’ll get a second horse and come back for you. But I reckon we keep apart until we get out of town, yuh?”

Nathan lifted himself up, grogginess subsiding. “Okay. I’ll meet you outside.”

Brohm nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

Holding up his nose, Nathan pulled on his soiled shirt, wishing for something else to wear. While buttoning up, he peeked through the window. The road below was already bustling, but he hoped it would provide the anonymity they needed.

Stepping quietly, he descended into the empty common room. Behind the counter stood the barkeep, who gave him a cursory glance before returning to his work. Once outside, Nathan saw their horse tied to a hitching post. He stood beside it to wait, hiding himself beneath the darkened overhang.

Passersby filled the streets. A few on foot, others on horses, some pulling carts. Nobody seemed particularly alert this early in the morning, but regardless, he wished he had a cloak to hide his face.

Amid the throng, Brohm’s large frame came into view, riding his newly purchased mount. Catching Nathan’s eye, he cocked his head, signalling him to follow. Nathan untied the horse and mounted up, easing his way into the crowd. The big man casually looked back from time to time, making sure he was following at a reasonable distance.

Upon reaching the stonewall gateway, Nathan saw what he feared. Troopers were scrutinizing those leaving town, and above on the parapet, the silhouette of archers stood ready. It was likely they’d already found him missing, as well as the dead guard.

Brohm glanced back at him, unsure if they should proceed, but Nathan knew it was now or never, and offered a slow nod, signalling him to continue. The big man’s expression told he wasn’t keen on the idea, but followed Nathan’s instruction nonetheless.

Brohm managed to pass through the stone-lined tunnel without a second glance from the troops. Nathan let out a sigh of relief, unaware he’d been holding his breath. Once on the other side, Brohm turned to look back again, brow furrowed in worry.

Nathan held a passive face as he entered the wide tunnel, ignoring the sturdy gaze of the troopers lining the wall. The urge to kick the flanks of his horse and charge away was overpowering.

“Oi! Hey you,” a voice called out from behind.

Nathan pretended not to notice, and continued to stare straight ahead beyond the tunnel to freedom.

“Hey! You there! Stop!”

Brohm slowed to look back when he heard the calls. Eyes locked, Nathan mouthed the word go, yet the big man’s expression showed he wouldn’t be leaving without him.

“Damn you, Brohm,” he whispered to himself.

“Stop him!” the voice ordered.

Nathan tightened his grip on the reins, watching the troopers step toward him. They were just in reach, yet a split-second before Nathan planned to charge his horse through the tunnel, the men walked past him.

“Hey!” another voice yelled out in anger. “What’s the big idea?”

Nathan blinked in shock, listening as they detained the rider behind him. His horse casually carried him past the threshold, and a welcome breeze cooled his sweaty face. Brohm looked just as stunned before continuing down the road.

They kept their distance between them until the town was out of sight. Both remained speechless. Brohm simply offered his crooked smile, Nathan returned his own, and they continued east along the road, side by side in silence.