Page 15 of An Enchanted Knight

Before he could reach out to her, the pull claimed him.

He leaped through the now familiar dark tunnel.

Chapter Nine

Tristan looked across the clearing at Gavin Campbell. The Scot’s nod barely perceptible, letting him know the target had moved into place. Tristan tested the line in his hand and waited for Campbell’s hand signal.

At the gesture, he yanked on the snare, smiling in grim satisfaction at the large hog they’d caught. The pig’s squeals echoed into the forest, so they hurried knowing it would be a matter of minutes before Meliot’s scouts were upon them. In one swift motion, Gavin stilled the pig, slicing its throat open, silencing the animal.

Tristan released the snare, allowing the animal to land with a thud. Once the pig was tied, they slid a thin log through its feet and lifted it. Each with an end of the log on his shoulder the men raced back to the keep.

Putting their life in danger for a meal was very reckless, but were it not for taking risks, they’d all be bored to death.

Besides, hunting helped keep their skills honed and movements sharp.

The unmistakable whistle of an approaching arrow caused them to run in a zigzag pattern.

Padraig’s shield spell surrounded them, so they weren’t too concerned, but why press their luck? Using his extra strength, Tristan grabbed the pig from Gavin, giving the Scot freedom of movement to draw his sword. They raced toward the keep, rounding a gigantic tree only to have their path blocked by three horsemen.

With a war cry, the horsemen attacked.

Tristan dropped the pig, pulled his sword, and rushed forward towards the first rider that reached him. The horseman’s sword clashed with his, the horse’s side knocking Tristan down.

He rolled and leaped away just as another swing of his opponent’s sword descended. He blocked it with ease and dared a glance to Gavin. The Scot held his own, against the other horseman. The one remaining horseman stayed back, surveying the scene.

It was as if the horseman’s body was made of air because when Tristan’s sword slashed across his mid-section, slicing the creature in two, there was no scream nor blood.

An instant later, the horseman vanished, and Gavin’s opponent vanished as well. Both of them held their swords in front of them, turning to face off against the solitary man, who remained atop his horse.

Silently, his black gaze followed their movements, then he held his hands up as a sign that he was not a threat. Nonetheless, they did not relax their stance. The man dismounted and stood before them still not speaking. Then he removed his helmet.

There was no mistaking who stood before them. Meliot’s soulless eyes flashed over them, and they braced for a bolt of whatever energy he was about to fire at them.

Instead, the wizard pursed his lips giving them a lazy look.

He looked to the carcass and shook his head. “Why do you hunt? You have no need for nourishment. A gift from me.”

When they did not reply, he shrugged. “No gratitude required. Time for another challenge gentlemen,” he told them stepping away from his horse.

The wizard stood, a tall, gray-haired man with strong sharp features. His nose was long, his cheeks prominent. He wore a beard, but it was always trimmed so one could note the slender jawline. Other than his hair, not much changed in his appearance over the years, his face remained unlined, and his posture erect. He looked every bit the seventeenth-century wizard, except for his way of dress. Meliot did not wear robes, but a tunic and hose like them.

With his hands behind his back, the man paced.

Tristan and Gavin remained on alert even though Meliot did not need a sword to fling them into another place or situation.

“What is it this time, Wizard?” Tristan asked, keeping his sights on the wizard’s hands.

Gavin didn’t give him time to speak. “Must be an exceptional challenge that you would deliver the missive in person.”

Meliot’s lips curved, addressing Gavin with a wave of his hand. “Not necessarily.”

He lifted his hands; Tristan and Gavin braced and then charged forward. Meliot and his horse vanished, only the sound of his voice remaining.

“Enjoy,” a voice called out, as they were flung into darkness.

They landed in a clearing in the forest. Before they could gather their bearings, Padraig, Liam and Niall, appeared at the same time.

A horse for each of them stood nearby.