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The blizzard had eased off and all was peaceful once more in the Vale. Gently rolling snow banks ranged from horizon to horizon. Birds of prey could be seen floating on high, searching futilely in the mid morning light.
A figure approached, at first a dot in the far distance, so small yet the only mark of any significance to be seen. Soon it came nearer, clothed all in great black robes and leading three weary horses. It stopped and surveyed the landscape with some sense of satisfaction emanating from its hooded form.
“Well, how are we this fine morning?” Tyrenus asked a snow drift directly in front of him.
“Tyrenus?!” Ye gods man! I thought you would never return,” replied the snow drift, coughing violently.
“Are you all right old man?”
“I have a name,” Lucius replied indignantly, “now would you please get me out of here and away from this fat farmer.”
“Fat am I?” yelled Marvin, “At least I didn’t spend the night snoring in your ear!”
“I do not snore…!” There ensued a muffled argument, culminating in a violent coughing fit.
Once they had both been removed from their icy prison, Marvin stared in wonder at the tall cloaked figure. He claimed to have been to Bridgewater and back during the night. It was an astonishing claim, but how else could the food and the winter clothes he supplied them with be explained?
During the flight of the night before it had quickly become apparent to Marvin that they would die of exposure. He himself was barely dressed for such weather, Tyrenus was little better, and wounded, and Lucius looked a corpse frozen to his saddle. Once Tyrenus was certain they were out of sight of Lucius’ cottage, he had dug a hole into the snow and bundled Lucius and Marvin into it. Marvin had been sure Tyrenus was burying them, leaving them for dead. At the time talk of great white bears from the North that dug holes in the snow to survive seemed like a fever dream, and Marvin had regretted that he had left things with his wife in such a state.
However, soon enough the atmosphere within the snow capsule became warm, and feeling gradually returned to Marvin’s body. Unfortunately Lucius then regained consciousness also. He seemed to be fighting a high fever; at times he would rant and squirm, at other more lucid periods he just appeared grumpy. Marvin decided to inform Tyrenus of this in a private moment.
"He does not look well," Tyrenus mused when Marvin spoke to him. They both regarded the old man sitting by the makeshift fire (Tyrenus had "acquired" fire wood in Bridgewater). He was shivering under his winter clothes, coughing between bites of bread.
"And just what are you two gawking at?" he asked, turning and glaring.
"We were just saying that it’s about time we broke camp. If we ride out now we can be in Bridgewater by mid-afternoon," Tyrenus replied pleasantly.
"I think we have other matters to attend to first," said Lucius firmly, suppressing another coughing fit.
"Such as...?"
"It hardly seems likely that my old enemies you spoke of chose this moment to finally do away with me. No. What seems much more likely, I think, is that they came because of you, Tyrenus. And as for you," he looked Marvin up and down, "well, I am not a great believer in coincidence. So, state your case Tyrenus. And make it quick."
Tyrenus nodded, and gestured for Marvin to sit around the fire with them. He hesitated, was this something he really wanted to know? But in the end his curiosity won out and he sat.
"Great schemes and events are being played out around us as we sit here and talk Lucius. Armies are on the march. The Covenanters are stirring, for all we know the war has been and gone. Every dawning day in the Kings Court at Asheron reveals yet another body; it has not stirred so since... since the days of The Katipo."
Lucius winced, "Get to the point."
"It is even said," Tyrenus continued cautiously, "that the chest has been found again."
"What chest? What are you talking about?" Marvin broke in, "And where is Asheron? Who are the-"
Lucius held up a hand for complete silence. His eyes were locked to Tyrenus. "The chest...?"
Tyrenus nodded.
"Tell me what you know."
"Very well. About three months ago my people began to hear rumours that it had been found once again. Within two weeks of fevered searching we knew who had it."
"Who?" Lucius asked between coughs.
"Parthis, the elderly Duke of Anderson. We believe he had been in possession of it for almost six months before we found out."
"It was beginning to weigh on him," said Lucius.
"As is its nature," Tyrenus affirmed. "We then sought him out and offered him a deal. At the time of my departure, we were awaiting his response. If it was positive Zacharius would go to meet him, to finalise our deal and to take the chest from him."
"You would make a deal over such a thing," Lucius said shaking his head. "What was the arrangement?" he asked, shivering.
Tyrenus frowned, “Lucius, we should leave for Bridgewater, you do not appear at all well. I will explain everything to you in due time,” he said, forestalling the old mans objections.
Lucius began to shiver even more, “Yes, perhaps you are right, if you could just help me onto my horse.”
Marvin gave Tyrenus a worried look as they mounted up.
“Bridgewater is directly North-West of us; if we ride hard we can still make it by mid afternoon. We’ll find a warm inn and get you to bed,” Tyrenus said to Lucius.
Lucius started to shiver violently again, “Tyrenus, you better have a bloody good reason for doing this to me!” Their eyes locked once more; they both knew the chest was reason enough.