Towards the Sea
The Servants of the Shadow drifted along through the night.
In two hours it would be dawn, and with dawn color would return to the
world. The Servants avoided the light whenever possible, but the Navigator
knew that today they would have to endure the sun. Soon, of course, darkness
would perpetually cover the Earth, but for now he must be patient.
The band of Eleven marched on, through the sleepy streets of Darben.
Each servant, wrapped in the shroud of a gray cloak, rode upon a gray horse.
Except the Navigator. His privilege was to sit astride a black gelding.
Upon the rear-most horse sat two riders. One was a tall man with broad
shoulders. The pauldrons of his tarnished armor made him appear even larger.
In front of the Servant sat a young girl.
The Navigator smiled. Or, rather, it was his version of a smile; only
the smallest twitch at the corners of his mouth. The girl had certainly not
come willingly. Often, she would struggle to free herself from the roped that
held her bound. Now, however, she sat slumped against the Caretaker, half
asleep. Within three hours time, the girl would be safely aboard a ship,
sailing towards the Shadow Prince, and there would be no fear of her escape
then.
The Navigator turned away from the Servants. As he did so, he thought
he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He glanced back, but all he
could see was a shadowy alley. Empty.
He turned back and set his gaze towards the sea.
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