Page 38 of The Darkest Knight

The horses moved at a brisk pace, several wolves running alongside. The huge silver and brown wolves kept up with the horses with ease.

Niall often wondered about sentinels. Although they could shift to human form, they seemed to prefer wolf form to fight. Shifters, like Argo, on the other hand were more at home in human form. He studied the warrior’s large frame and didn’t doubt the shifter would bring terror to anyone he confronted.

He glanced to Liam who scowled, his gaze forward.

“Is there something we should worry about?” he asked the stoic Brit.

Liam’s frosty blue eyes settled on him. “I do not have a clear vision, just chaos. I am trying my best to conjure a stronger picture but am finding it difficult.”

Niall’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s not reassuring.”

“It is not.” Liam shook his head. “Hopefully I will get some insight before we arrive. Right now, it’s not clear enough for me to foretell.”

“I pray it is so,” Niall replied, noticing Liam’s troubled look remained. “Is there something else Liam?”

“Whatever you’re planning. It will not come to be. You will not live at the keep.”

Damn the man’s gift.

“I’ve got enough to worry about without you planning to kill yourself.” Liam hissed.

“What are you two talking about?” Padriag asked from behind him. “Who’s going to kill himself?”

“No one,” both answered at the same time.

Padriag grunted. “Then why did you say it, Liam?”

Liam gave Niall a warning look. “I am telling Niall that he needs to follow Argo’s orders. You do as well. I know his women are in there, but he doesn’t allow his heart to overrule his brains.”

Unsure what Liam meant, Niall remained silent. Whatever they discovered in the castle would affect him. Especially if Tamara was injured or worse.

“Argo better have a good plan,” Padriag replied.

Soon they would arrive at the castle. So far they’d not come across any sentinels. It didn’t mean Meliot wasn’t aware of their arrival. The wizard had eyes and ears everywhere. To think they would take him by surprise was not smart. Sooner rather than later, they would encounter the first of what could be many obstacles.

The woods became thicker and darker. Padriag cast a spell that illuminated the way. Argo turned and glared at him. “Dim the illumination, we can see in the dark.”

“We are not shifters and can’t,” Padriag informed him.

“Your horses can,” Argo replied. “Besides, there are three moons, once we arrive at a clearing, the night is bright.”

“Dim them,” Niall told the rebellious knight. “I can see well enough.”

The lights went out. Niall blinked. He couldn’t see a thing and hoped that, indeed, his horse could.

A break in the woods gave way to a clearing. As Argo predicted, they were able to see well. Meliot’s lands seemed to be in perpetual dusk, no moons, no suns, just a hazy light of a stormy looking sky. Niall looked up for a moment at the display.

Argo pulled his horse around and waited for the guard to line up before him. “My strongest warrior and I will shift and take these.” He held what looked like ropes with hooks on the ends. “Niall and Padriag will scale the wall and enter on the second level.” He turned to Liam. “You will lead the wolves through the front gates to create a distraction.”

Liam nodded, and the sentinels bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

Argo raised his hand to get his attention. “When you hear my whistle, retreat. Now go to your appointed places.”

“How are we to leave with the women?” Niall asked.

Argo met his gaze for a moment. “My first and I will assist. You must rappel back to the ground with the women.”

“Right.” Padriag looked as puzzled as Niall felt. “Easy peasy, grab the women, somehow make it to the wall, and then rappel down. I am sure it will work. Not a problem.” What Padriag said echoed his thoughts, and yet, he would take the chance, do what he must to save Tamara.