Ju looked up and saw that Foster was smiling. There was still a bit of the kindly mercenary he had once known left there. “What if you can't get through?” he asked, scared to be alone.
“Well, I have been hunting gold all of my life, lad. Maybe it is time I hunted honour as well. My sword has been ever sharp in service, and a guard's duty has not dulled my blade. Quiet yourself now, young Ju, for we are nearly there.”
The two fugitives crept forward silently now, listening for any sign that they were not alone. The tension pressed around them as much as the darkness threatened to, and both were only held back by the light of the torch. They reached a dead end and Foster looked back, maintaining a silent vigil. Eventually he decided that nobody was following them, and turned to Ju. “This i
