Ossa stared at Burchard until Burchard had to look away from his burning eyes. “You mortals have your prophecy and we have ours,” Ossa finally responded.
Burchard glanced at Jade, wondering if the druids knew anything about the prophecy Ossa was using as guidance. Jade gave him a slight shake of her head. Burchard opened his mouth when Fang came flying through the air, jaws snapping. At the last moment, she had to twist to avoid colliding with Burchard because Ossa had disappeared. Fang stood up and shook herself, sending dirt and leaves into the air.
Jade met Burchard’s gaze. “I need to warn Damos. If Ossa appeared this close to Alderth Castle, they must be planning an attack soon. You must warn whoever is still in the castle. Prepare as best you can. The timing is not ideal, not with the General and all the knights going after the rebels. Even if we got a message to them and he decided to send help, the odds are low they’d make it in time.”
Burchard shrugged dismissively. “I doubt General Wolfensberger would believe any message we sent to him unless the message was accompanied by Ossa’s head. Then he might believe us.”
“You know that is not going to happen,” Jade chided him.
“I know, I know. Let’s go warn everyone, and hopefully we’ll get lucky,” Burchard responded.
Jade nodded, then gave him a quick kiss. “I will see you soon.” With a wave of her hand, the fire went out.
Burchard whistled for Fang and then sprinted for the castle. How long will it take for Ossa to attack? Or for Jade to bring help? Burchard felt his speed waning and willed himself to press on. I should tell Sir Peter first. He stumbled and almost fell on his face as he realized that Sir Peter wasn’t there, nor was Sir Daniel. Sir Foxbright was the only knight in the whole castle.
Fang nuzzled him, as though she could read his thoughts. “I will find Sir Foxbright,” he said to her.
They were almost to the gate. He could see Ruschmann’s silhouette in the darkness. His friend had agreed to make sure the gate would stay open till he returned from his meeting with Jade. The castle staff had a rotating schedule for who would open and shut the gate each morning and evening, but otherwise the gate and wall remained unmanned. General Wolfensberger had not considered it important enough to leave even a few sentries, declaring the squires or pages could take that task if needed. What had surprised Burchard the most was that no one had protested the decision to leave Alderth Castle utterly defenseless.
“What’s wrong?” called Ruschmann as he stepped out to meet Burchard.
“Ossa,” gasped Burchard. He bent over, placing his hands on his thighs, taking slow, deep breaths.
“What do you mean?” Ruschmann asked, voice an octave higher than usual.
“He appeared when Jade and I were talking,” Burchard said. He could feel the blush creeping up his cheeks and was grateful Ruschmann wouldn’t see it in the darkness.
“He said that I’m right where he wants me. I need to go tell Sir Foxbright,” Burchard said and brushed past Ruschmann.
Ruschmann grabbed his sleeve, stopping him. “Help me get the gate shut first.”
Burchard nodded, and they went into the guard house. Together they turned the wheel to lower the metal gate. It thudded into the stone, and he sighed. He knew the gate would not protect them for long, but at least it was something. Ossa wouldn’t be able to just waltz right into Alderth Castle.
“Are we going to wake everyone up if we go talk to Sir Foxbright?” Ruschmann asked.
Burchard shook his head. “No, he’s in the barracks where there’s an officers’ quarters at the back with its own entrance. As long as we aren’t too noisy, we shouldn’t disturb the pages.”
Burchard’s body was tiring rapidly. After a long day of drills, multiple runs, and then his sprint for the castle, he was ready to sleep. Instead, he had to warn Sir Foxbright, and then he wasn’t sure what. They walked to the barracks, Ruschmann seemingly content to go at whatever speed Burchard chose.
They went around to the back side and up the three steps. There was no light spilling under the door. Burchard raised his fist and knocked twice, then waited. He was about to knock again when the door opened. Sir Foxbright peered at them for a moment. “Come in.” The knight turned away from the door, then moved farther into the room and lit a lamp. Ruschmann shut the door behind them to keep as much of the cold air out as possible.
Burchard spoke. “I’m sorry to disturb you, sir. But I was talking to my friend Jade.” Sir Foxbright gave him a confused look. “She’s one of the druids,” Burchard clarified. Sir Foxbright nodded and motioned for him to continue. “When I was talking to her, Ossa appeared and said that he was looking for me and I was right where he wanted me.”
Sir Foxbright’s eyebrows narrowed in concentration. “Did he say anything else?”
“He did say that they have their own prophecy, which is different from the druid prophecy,” Burchard replied.
Sir Foxbright’s jaw clenched. “You never mentioned anything about a druid prophecy.”
Burchard shrugged. “I didn’t think it mattered.”
The knight stood up and paced. “After our meeting with Sir Waldorf and Sir Emberwood, you didn’t think a prophecy would matter?”
Burchard shrugged again. “No, I think it’s all nonsense. Which I told you and Jade.” He watched as various emotions flickered across Sir Foxbright’s face.
In a surprisingly calm voice, Sir Foxbright responded. “Do you recall any of the druid prophecy?”
Burchard licked his lips, trying to remember what Jade had said. “She said something about ‘the man with the wolf will return, and Ossa and Umbra will walk the world.’ Possibly also mentioned Mors returning, but I honestly don’t remember.” He covered his mouth to stifle a yawn.
“You are the only person I know of who has a wolf companion,” Sir Foxbright said matter-of-factly.
Burchard rolled his eyes and another yawn escaped before he could stop it. “I’m not sure why everyone seems to think the prophecy is about me. I’m just a squire. I’m not important.”
Sir Foxbright rubbed his temples. “You look like you’re about to fall over from exhaustion. The two of you should go get some rest.” He glanced down. “Fang too.”
“Are you sure? What if the druids come?” Burchard asked.
Sir Foxbright clicked his tongue. “First off, you are no good to me if you are too tired to stand, let alone fight. Second, other people in this castle can help. I will talk to the head of the castle staff about starting a watch immediately. Third, I have been the head of the Trinity School for nine years and a knight for another ten even before that. I do know how to properly handle interactions with fighting forces from other lands. I will not do anything that would cause the druids to decide to not aid us if Ossa attacks. However, you’re also assuming that Jade can gather the druids quickly. It could take days, not just a few hours.”
Burchard bowed his head. Sir Foxbright was right on all accounts. “Promise you’ll get us if Ossa shows up?”
Sir Foxbright gave him a sharp smile. “Absolutely. Until then, get some rest while you can.”
Ruschmann opened the door and quietly went down the steps. Burchard was about to follow him when out of the corner of his eye he saw Fang shove her nose into Sir Foxbright’s hand, as though they were acquainted.
“Come on, Fang. Let’s go to bed,” Burchard murmured softly. The wolf brushed by him, then leapt down the stairs and out of sight.
