Chloe blinked at the light. They were a fair distance from the castle, but it could be seen from their position. She slipped out, placing Abby on the ground and proceded to help everyone out.
Tashbaan, she repeated to herself as she looked over the castle. She knew that it had been overtaken. After everyone was out, they continued walking. It was late before they stopped.
It had been nearly two days now, since they had come from the tunnels and now they were walking towards the border of Archenland. Everyone was tired, and stumbling was a common incident. Eringuard and Chloe, lead them, taking a few of the able bodied men to bring up the rear. It was silent as they walked, not a conversation, whispered or not, was heard this night. They entered a clearing, and Chloe felt Abby tugging on her hand. She looked down to see her pointing to something. Coming from another side of the clearing was several hundred animals. Several hunters prepared for a large meal, but Eringuard stopped them with a shout. "They are talking animals! DO NOT SHOOT!"
Chloe wasn't suprised that they were talking animals; for, in such a variety of species, even some who would have casually eaten one another as dinner, it was not common.
Centaurs, horses, lions, badgers, rabbits, foxes, dogs, rodents, they were all members of this strange herd. Chloe stepped forward, followed closly by Eringuard who place a protective hand on her shoulder.
"Greetings," a centaur stepped forward. "And hails to the women who saved us from the Evil Witch Crystal!"
Chloe was shocked that they knew, and more that they even cared. "Peace," said the centaur noting the concern of the people of Archenland. "We mean no harm. We have come to help you on your journey. You have been on foot for nearly two days and deserve rest. 40 talking horses are amongst our numbers and have volunteered to carry you."
Some of the Archenlanders still seemed skeptical but they wisely kept their mouths shut.
"Greetings of Peace," Chloe returnedm bowing. "We are thankful that you have come."
The centaur bowed. "Where are the Kings and Queens?"
Chloe bit her lip before responding. "I do not know, I fear that I took control over the evacuation of Cair Paravel, and I have no idea what has occured since we left that night."
The reaction of the critters was not an unexpected one. After they calmed, the centaur continued. "Where are you headed? To the south? Archenland has already fallen to Mizar."
"This we know," Eringuard said. "We are heading furthur south to Tashbaan."
The centuar seemed unsure of this action, but stated it not. "We will help."
"No!" said a small voice. Everyone looked around, and it took them all a moment to realize the speaker. Little Abby had spoken.
Chloe couldn't see how it was possible, but she kneeled beside her anyway. "What do you mean?"
"The desert," she said quietly. Her voice was soft and sweet, but the way she pronounced each word, made Chloe recognize that she had come from a good family. "It's too large to cross on foot, and even if we crossed it on the horses, we'd never be able to carry enough water for us all."
"How do you know this?" Eringuard asked curiously.
"She is the daughter of Lord Nire," a young boy, dressed in shabby clothes emerged from the crowd explained. "Laurel Elizian Kiale."
"Croban!" Abby, or Laurel, exclaimed running forward into the young man's embrace. "I thought you had left with Father!"
He should his head, "I returned under orders." Laurel nodded, tears flowing as she seemingly understood what had happened. "She is correct," he stated, turning back to Chloe, Eringuard and the centaur. "It's too great a distance."
Chloe didn't doubt their words. "Then what are we to do?"
Croban stopped and thought for a moment. "Just inside Archenland there is a hideaway in the mountains. It was meant as a place for the Kings to hide in case they needed to flee, but it was built almost as large as the palace itself. It should be able to hold us all, and it was well hidden."
"How far?"
"Possibly another two day walk, only a day on horse, to the base of the mountain, and a half a day climb."
Silence followed for a moment. "So it is settled then," Chloe said. "Let us depart immediatly."
They left, Laurel and Croban explaining as they walked along beside Chloe and Eringuard leading those behind.