Waiting for Spring - Part I

Chapter Twenty-Three

A moment later the two men put the gate into the water without making much of a noise. The conversation between the couple in the snow and the guards were still on-going, but it was hard to hear anything through the storm.

Without giving it more thought April turned just as she heard a splashing sound. Theron had jumped into the cold water. It was an unpleasant feeling to watch him submerge in between the floating ice. He seemed paralysed for half a heartbeat, then he took a deep breath and started to wade through the rather shallow water. Halfway through the about fifteen feet long tunnel he turned around waved at the rest. April was unsure what to do. She felt like a statue again. Something deep inside her told her not to jump into the water. It's just water, just a little cold, just a little cold. Her mantra did little good.

Suddenly one of Sara's men jumped into the water with a loud splash. His gigantic bulky armour made the otherwise still water roar and splash up the edge of the cobble.

"Come here, lady," he said and reached out both his hands towards April. Before she could say anything another man helped her down into the giant arms. He started to wade down the narrow passageway and from time to time icy water splashed up and bit April's back.

Theron climbed up the side of the brook and water dripped from his leathers and onto the bare cobblestone underneath his feet. April could not help but feel sorry for him. When her escort closed in on the cobblestone edge he raised her upwards and with a strong grip April was pulled to solid ground again.

"Thank you." She smiled with a blush. "It was very kind of you."

"Oh. A young pretty woman like you should not have to get soaked," the bulky soldier said with a harsh voice and grinned best he could.

"Thank you for your help. Give my regards to Sara," Theron finally said before emptying his left boot from water.

"Yes, ser, and good hunting to the both of you." The man disappeared in under the wall again and April gave him a wave goodbye. While continuing drying his other boot, Theron gave April a short explanation on how they should walk to get to the castle. April mostly nodded back, barely listening at all. She started to wonder why she was there again.

The city felt deserted as the party of two walked down the main street of the Merchant Quarter. Occasionally they emerged in large open areas where empty or closed wagons were standing ever so still. Probably these were the places all the salesmen went in the early morning. A grey tomcat ran across the snow-covered rooftops far above their head and some snow fell down on the cobble.

April had a hard time understanding how any human being could find their way here. To her it all just seemed like a gigantic labyrinth. It most likely wasn't any different than the woods though. Back home she never had any trouble finding her way, probably because she knew ever landmark around the village.

As the couple emerged on a much larger, also snow covered, road the houses seemed to become fancier. They were higher and the design looked more pleasant to the eye. Some windows emitted a dim light but it was impossible to distinguish anything on the other side. The smell was more enjoyable here as well. At least it did not reek of piss and dead animals. April realised that she just wasn't used to it, as Theron never seemed to bother but always looked at her with a surprised look every time she put a hand over her nose.

Before the pair reached the small bridge that lead to the castle grounds Theron stopped at the remnants of a burnt down house. It was a quite high building and it looked like the wreck could fall to the ground any time. Theron did not hesitate to climb up though. After a short while he was balancing on a charred beam that was resting between what used to be a wall and the remaining second level floor. He gazed at his surroundings only to look a bit puzzled. Finally he jumped down.