Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #19 October 2015 | Page 42

Tales for the Ferryman
Pete Sutton
Part Nine
I wonder if I’ve meandered too much. I sneak a
glance at the Ferryman and wonder if he, or she—I’m
still not sure—is paying attention. The tales of the Four
and One are many, and time is short.
***

The man in red sighed. The boy sat forward,
attentive.

“Padraig searched the Holding but no-one
knew where Andarta was… ”
***

Andarta ran, all pretence of secrecy abandoned, straight down the middle of the path. She
didn’t turn to look, her ears informed her that there
were several men chasing. She gulped a deep breath
and mentally relaxed her limbs, whilst adding a burst
of speed. She’d trained hard every day of her life for
many years and running had always been a part of that
training. She hoped that the warriors behind her were
slower. She ran directly for the Holding.

Head down, legs and arms pumping, all senses
focused on speed she was unprepared when someone
stepped out of the woods from the side of the path.
The collision knocked them both off their feet.

Andarta rolled gracefully and sprang up whilst
drawing her sword. She was not overjoyed to see that
Padraig was sprawled upon the ground, all limbs
askew, moving weakly. She muttered a curse and saw
that the men who were following were almost upon
them. She ho Yݙ\