A Parting of Ways
(excerpt from 'Farewell into Darkness' - fifth volume of the 'Silver Wolf' series)
Kip drifted over to where Barcos was busy strapping his huge battle-axe to his back. At the man's feet lay an open saddlebag, empty except for a tinderbox. Beside the warrior stood celestrial, fidgeting restlessly in annoyance at having to wear a saddle and bridle. Kip absently petted the horse's nose as she approached, then gently touched Barcos's tanned arm to gain his attention. Lifting his hand, she placed a small pouch into it.
"It's not much, but it should see you to Somer...provided you stay away from taverns," she said with a wry smile.
Barcos looked down at the pouch, then back at Kip. "You're right. It's not much." he grumbled, feeling the weight of the bag of coins, "How's a man s'pose to survive on these few pennies?"
"With this!" Kip dramatically produced two wineskins and held them out in front of her, "I won't have you dying of thirst before you get to Tintegal Castle!"
"Then why give me only two skins?" the warrior grumbled.
"If you don't want them..." Kip shrugged airily, dropping her hands to return the wine to her the pouches on her belt.
Barcos reached over and quickly snatched them back. "Didn't say I didn't want 'em!" Shoving the wineskins and the money pouch into his bag, he picked it up and proceeded to strap it to Celestrial's saddle. The stallion threw him a look of disdain and bared his teeth in protest of the indignity of it all. Pointedly ignoring his mount's temper tantrum, Barcos turned back to Kip and wrapped his large arms around her in a tight embrace.
She returned the gesture. "Be careful," she warned unnecessarily, "I want to be able to see your ugly mug again in a few days."
Barcos allowed himself a slight smile, "Same goes for you."
Stepping back, Kip released her arms and watched as the warrior swung himself onto Celestrial's broad back.
The horse nickered softly, his nose nuzzling Kip's shoulder as he also offered his farewell's to the Lordess. Lovingly stroking his soft fur, she whispered quietly to the beast.
"Look after him, Celestrial. See him a safe joourney."
The others watched the affectionate parting in silence. At a signal from Barcos, the riders wheeled their mounts and trotted down the hillside towards the road.
" Take good care of that horse of mine!" Kip yelled after them as she watched them depart.
*Kip's note - Little did any of us realize at the time that it would be ten years before I would return to Tintegal and be reunited in the company of my friends - except for Marcus. I was captured before I reached Casca and Tor at Rothdell. For the next six years, I was to suffer cruel confinement and torment.