3:30 p.m. | The road toward Hertfordshire:
The two riders galloped steadily northward. Marcus kept glancing left and right, taking in the rolling hills and endless green plains that stretched away on either side of the Great North Road.
Morven suddenly decided to push faster. He flicked the reins sharply and nudged his horse's flanks with his heels. The animal surged forward, but a gust of wind snatched his silk top hat clean off his head. In one fluid motion Morven caught it with his left hand while guiding the horse with only his right. He settled the hat firmly back in place, then eased the pace again before the wind could try a second time.
Marcus, riding just behind, couldned laugh quietly at the little display of reflexes.
Morven spoke without turning.
"You see this road? It leads straight to the town of Hertfordshire. If all goes well, we'll reach it by nightfall."
Marcus urged his horse alongside for a moment.
"May I ask what kind of place Hertfordshire is?"
Morven kept his eyes forward.
"Mostly agricultural. Nobles sometimes go there to escape the city and breathe for a few days. Plenty of villages around it. We'll enter the town itself, change horses at the northern gate, and ride on. You already know the plan."
Marcus sighed and let his horse drop back half a length.
"Yes… I know."
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Minutes later | The road to Hertfordshire:
Morven suddenly pulled hard on the reins. Marcus followed suit. Both horses skidded to a halt.
Ahead of them, a large merchant caravan was approaching from the opposite direction—slow, noisy, and taking up the entire width of the road.
Morven exhaled.
"Marcus, wouldn't it be wiser to leave the road for now and ride through the fields instead?"
Marcus's face lit up with a gentle smile.
"Absolutely. And I'll finally be able to touch the tall grass!"
Morven smirked, nudged his horse off the packed dirt, and guided it into the open meadow. Marcus followed eagerly. Once clear of the road, Morven kicked harder and loosened the reins. The two horses leapt forward, thundering across the sea of green.
Morven's sword cane was securely fastened beneath his left leg—within instant reach, yet safe from falling or damage.
A quiet, almost boyish smile played on his lips as the wind whipped past and the landscape opened wide before him.
Marcus, trailing just behind, leaned dangerously far to the side every few strides, trying to brush the waving blades of grass with his fingertips.
Morven called back over the rush of air.
"Even at this speed we'll arrive a little later than planned. The horses will need a short rest soon."
Marcus, still half-hanging off his saddle, shouted back loudly enough to be heard.
"Agreed!!!"
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One hour later | Somewhere between London and Hertfordshire:
Morven sat beneath the spreading branches of an old oak, sword cane resting across his knees. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed in the cool country air.
Suddenly an excited shout shattered the peace.
"Master! I caught a sparrow with my bare hands!!"
Marcus came running from the field, cradling something carefully in his cupped palms.
Morven opened one eye, glanced at his pocket watch, and muttered,
"4:50… We'll set off again at 5:30."
Marcus finally reached him and proudly opened his hands a little. A tiny, trembling sparrow blinked up at them.
Morven studied the bird for a second, then gave a small, indulgent smile.
"Let it go. You're only tormenting the poor thing."
Marcus looked disappointed, but after a moment he opened his hands fully. The sparrow shot into the sky like a bullet.
"I worked so hard to catch it…"
"And you released it just as reluctantly," Morven replied softly. "That means you actually cared. I'm not scolding you. Relax."
Marcus blinked, then laughed in surprise.
"Is the country air really changing your mood this much? Maybe we should buy a house outside London!"
In an instant the sword cane was out of its sheath just far enough for the naked steel to rest lightly beneath Marcus's chin.
"Did you say something?"
Marcus threw both hands up.
"No, no! Sorry, sorry!"
Morven lowered the blade, slid it home again, and rested the cane on the ground.
"Truth be told… I don't have a good feeling about this journey. I feel something could happen at any moment."
Marcus sat down beside him, expression suddenly serious.
"I thought I was the only one who felt uneasy…"
Morven turned and looked him straight in the eye.
"You feel uneasy because you're afraid.
I feel uneasy because I've calculated possibilities."
Marcus exhaled and shrugged.
"I never understand half of what you say anyway. For now, I just want this peace to last a little longer."
Morven allowed the faintest of smiles.
"So do I."