“We can make it,” Nash decided after some silent deliberation. They galloped along for some time and were pushing the outer limits of his ability by the time they lost sight of the castle, he was feeling tired. Nash let go of the time-stream, and they rejoined it.
“We can cover a lot of distance if I use my ability sparingly,” Nash informed Saria. “I need to be careful not to overextend, or it may not be available when we need it.” That was not the complete truth; if he overextended, he fell into a catatonic state and would be useless.
It wasn’t long before he could hear the beat of hooves approaching from behind them. Nash moved close to Saria and extended his hand to her, “We need an advantage,” he said. She smiled, took his hand, and the world went silent except for the noises they and their horses created as they moved.
By the time Nash began to feel tired again, they were easily an hour ahead of their pursuers, so he released his grip on time, and they rejoined the flow.
“So, in all that time we were moving, they remained still?” Saria asked to make sure she understood.
“That is correct,” Nash confirmed with a yawn. “I need to rest for a little while, though,” he said, closing his eyes. “My horse should follow yours.” It was a talent he learned years ago. He could ride for hours this way if the horse knew where to go, but it wasn’t true sleep. He always had to keep conscious enough to listen to his surroundings for trouble.
He wasn’t sure how long he had rested when Saria said, “Someone is ahead, Nash.”
Again, he reached out to her, and they slipped out of the time-stream long enough to pass by the cart that had appeared in the distance. Nash thought that it was best if no one saw them passing. That way, when their pursuers asked the travelers, they might think Nash and Saria had taken a different path. It was a long shot since this was the shortest way to Preatha.
It was dark by the time they reached the marker on the side of the road that indicated they had reached the Kingdom of Praetha.
“That’s it?” Saria asked.
“Yep! That’s it,” Nash laughed. “Not much of a statement, is it?”
“That has to change,” Saria said in an aristocratic tone.
“As you say, Princess,” Nash said with a smile. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you, Nash,” She said. She had not forgotten that Nash was her sister’s killer, but she had grown to like the man at a basic level. “How old are you, Nash?”
Surprised, Nash said, “You’re just full of questions.”
“I’m bored,” she said and stared at him while she waited for an answer.
“I’ll be twenty-five in a few weeks,” he responded.
“Why do you look so old if you are only twenty-five?” she asked.
“It’s a curse of my ability,” he explained. “Even though I stop time around me, I continue to age. The longer I use it, the quicker I age. I suspect it has to do with the stress of using the ability for long periods of time. Anyway, just six more hours of riding, and you’re home. Until then, anything can happen. Keep your wits about you,” Nash warned. He reached out to her, “I’m ready to put some more distance between us and our hunters. Saria took his hand with a smile, and they rode for another hour as time stood still.
They were able to maintain this approach to travel until the gates of the castle loomed up in front of them. Nash slowed the horses down. “You’re not home free yet, but you should be able to make the rest of the journey without me,” Nash said.
Saria looked confused. “I thought you would return with me,” she said.
Nash laughed at the idea, “I tend to think your father, the King, would have me immediately executed, once he learned I was Princess Adriana’s killer,” he said seriously. “I am sorry about your sister, by the way.”
“I heard what you said to her,” Saria said. A tear was forming in her eye, and she wiped it away. “I can petition for your life,” she offered. “The fact that you saved and returned me must be of some value.”
Nash was sure it was, but could he bet his life on it?