The night fell quickly, and was thick and moonless. The final preparations for the journey were almost complete. As Rodrick helped Victor saddle his horse he said: “So far you have been the hunter, but I wonder how you will fare as the hunted. Consider learning from our unruly friends; cling to the shadows and move like a wraith. Remember, your capture will mark the end of everything.”
They had gone over their route on the map. “Normally the wise thing to do would be to take the northbound road up to the coast, and then turn east, but while you remain in Sudostris it's probably best for you to avoid roads altogether, at least until you have passed Dale. Instead you will cross the river here and then go northeast across the open desert – it should take about twelve days, but the pass is less fierce than that of Draco’s Peak.”
They passed through the streets of Haswhald under the guise of casual strangers. Rodrick and Caesar agreed to accompany them as far as the bridge, and they lead the horses, well hidden under their hoods. Police were patrolling all the main roads. They came to the bridge and found that a military checkpoint had been set up.
“And I thought they weren’t even trying,” Rodrick muttered. “Get on your horses and be ready to ride fast. Caesar and I will draw them away.”
“But there are so many,” said Sam.
Rodrick only laughed. “Trust me, dear Sam, this is child’s play.”
He and Caesar strode out to the checkpoint but left their faces concealed by their hoods. There were seven guards, and three of them had crossbows. They stirred when they saw the two shadowy figures, and each drew their own weapon. “Who goes there?” one shouted.
“You army types are as dim-witted as you are ugly!” Rodrick replied, carefully baiting them.
Two swordsmen grumbled and left their posts. Rodrick and Caesar did not move, but when one swordsman tried to strike Rodrick he disappeared in a puff of smoke! Suddenly one of the bowmen on the bridge transformed and there was Rodrick, miraculously having moved so far. The bowman next to him tried to shoot but Rodrick disarmed and punched him in the nose. He was on the third bowman in the blink of an eye and after a few swift strokes had tossed him over the rail and into the water.
Caesar had performed the same trick, mimicking the second swordsman on the bridge, and swiftly knocking out the other. The checkpoint was clear. Victor led the charge of the horses and they crossed with ease, to follow the road until they had sunk again into the night. Then they turned left and passed into the wild.
Rodrick and Caesar were left with the two remaining guards, who were flabbergasted, to say the least. With their task now complete, they two Slayers saluted the guards, and once again disappeared in a flash.
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