"What's your hurry, lad?" the hunter asked, in a low, unnervingly calm voice. "I think it's time we got to know each other." He yanked the bridle sharply, causing Star to stomp and toss her mane. "I am Adrian Tearlach, and you are ... inconsequential."
"Let her go!" William growled, holding tightly to the reins. He was barely aware of the stinging in his palm or the blood that was falling from the cut.
The blade flashed again as the hunter swung, slicing the rein from William's grasp. Before he could react, the sword flashed again, coming to rest on the fabric of William's tunic at the center of his chest.
"You've cost me a lot of precious time, boy. Time better spent on more ... lucrative quarry than you!"
William forced himself not to react in haste to his situation. "Time? Is that all you're interested in? Time? What could that possibly cost--"
"Silence!" The blade flicked upward, coming to rest at William's throat.
William closed his mouth.
"That's better. Frightened? I swear I can hear your heart racing like a ... a rabbit caught in a snare." The hunter chuckled, mirthlessly. "Well fear not, my little rabbit, you shall keep your pelt for now, so long as you do as I say."
"And what would that be?" William asked, trying to sound unconcerned.
"Lead me. I grow weary of the maze of this forest."
"Lead you? Where?"
"To her, fool! You know where your accomplice has sequestered my bride and you will lead me to them!"
"I have no idea what you mean," William replied, quietly. "I have no accomplice. Who are you referring to, sir?"
The blade dipped suddenly, slashing open the front of William's tunic, barely avoiding his flesh, before coming to rest again against the divot beneath his throat.
"Do not dare insult me, boy! I saw you in the square. I saw you call to the dog who carried the ungrateful wench away! I followed you out of Aberdoir and into these damned woods. You're following his trail--that much is clear--and you will now lead me."
"I don't know where they went."
"I don't believe you."
"It's true, I've lost my way just as you have."
"Then you truly are an inconsequential rabbit." Adrian drew closer, his ferret-like grin growing wider.
William felt the cold touch of the blade under his chin. He held his breath and braced himself for a strike, when he sensed a slight hesitation in Adrian's threat.
What is he waiting for?
"No, you may keep your flesh, my young friend. There must be something of value to your hide for Lord Thomas to be interested in your well-being ... what would that be? Could you possibly be the younger brother he's spoken of? Yes, the resemblance is plausible."
William knew perfectly well why Thomas would be interested in his welfare--a codicil in his father's will that would prevent him from inheriting the whole of the Fylbrigge fortune should William not live to twenty-one. William considered identifying himself, then thought better of it. He knew Adrian was displeased with his brother at the moment, and did not relish the prospect of being used for ransom.
He looked Adrian in the eye and replied calmly, "You are mistaken, sir. I've never met him."
"Do not think me a fool, boy!" Adrian growled, pressing the blade closer to the flesh. "You may be valuable to me after all. If you are the brother I've heard tell of, then you are indeed more use to me in your flesh."
As the two stared at each other in silence, William's mind raced, searching for a way out of the predicament he was in. Think, Fylbrigge! What did Sean teach me about disarming? Use my weapon ... I don't have a weapon! The staring continued, Adrian leering, as though he were savoring the fear William knew he was showing. Moments lingered as they held their frozen tableau, the forest growing silent with the dying of the breeze.
It was then he heard the soft nickering of a horse to the not-too-distant north, beyond the thicket. Hawk! Sean! William looked quickly toward the source of the sound, inadvertently betraying his thought. Adrian sneered and turned his head slightly to the sound, his grin shining like the teeth of a demon in the moonlight. He lowered his blade and released the bridle. But before William had a chance to take a breath of relief, Adrian whirled and brought the hilt of the sword crashing against the side of his head.
He fell from Star, dazed. While he lay on the ground, watching the shadowed rider gallop away, the forest began to fade into black silence. He had no sense of time passing as he lay there, but it seemed only a heartbeat had passed when Star nudged him with her muzzle and he opened his eyes. It was then he heard the frantic whinny of furious horses, and the sound of a woman's scream coming from the direction that Adrian had just gone.
)
