Soul of the Fire

"Besides, with emotions over this running so strong, no one would listen to me. An angry mob would drag you away and…"

Fitch thought he might faint. He was breathing so fast he was near to passing out. "You mean we're to be put to death?"

Dalton Campbell looked up from his thoughts. "What? No." He pushed at the leather pouch again. "I told you, this is a lot of money. Take it. Get away. Don't you understand? You must get away or you will be put to death before the sun sets again."

"But where will we go?" Morley asked.

Dalton Campbell waved a hand toward the window.

"Away. Far away. Far enough away that they well never find you."

"But if it could be cleared up, somehow, so that people knew we was only doing what had to be done-"

"And raping Beata? You didn't have to rape Beata."

"What?" Fitch said with a long breath. "I would never-I swear, I would never do that. Please, Master Campbell, I wouldn't."

"It doesn't matter what you would never do. As far as the people after you are concerned, you did it. They're not going to stop so that I can reason with them. They won't listen. They think the same people who raped and killed Claudine raped Beata, too. They won't believe you, not when a man can identify you as the ones who killed Claudine Winthrop. Whether you raped Beata or not doesn't matter. The man who saw you is an Ander."

"The people after us?" Morley wiped a trembling hand over his pallid face. "You mean to say there's people already after us?"

Dalton Campbell nodded. "If you stay here you will be put to death for both crimes. Your only chance is to get away-and fast.

"Because you've both been such dependable men for me, and served so well in the cause of Anderith culture, I wanted to warn you so you could have a chance to escape, at least. I'm giving you my life savings to help you escape."

"Your savings?" Fitch shook his head. "No, sir, Master Campbell, we'll not take your savings. You have a wife and-"

"I insist. If necessary, I will order it. The only way I'll be able to sleep at night is knowing I could at least help you in this small way. I do whatever I can to take care of my men. This is the least I can do for you two brave men."

He pointed at the leather pouch. "Take it. Split it between you. Use it to get far away. Start a new life."

"A new life?"

"That's right," Master Campbell said. "You could even buy yourselves swords."

Morley blinked in astonishment. "Swords?"

"Of course. There is enough there to buy you each a dozen swords. If you went to a new land, you wouldn't be thought of as Hakens, as you are here. In many places you would be free men and you could buy yourselves swords. Get yourselves a new life. New work, new everything. With money like that, you could meet nice women and court them properly."

"But we've never even been out of Fairfield," Morley said, near tears.

Dalton Campbell put his hands on his desk and leaned toward them. "If you stay here, you will be put to death. Guards have your names, and are no doubt searching for you as we speak. They are probably right on your heels. I pray to the Creator they didn't see you coming up here. If you want to live, take the money and run. Find yourselves a new life."

Fitch snatched a quick look over his shoulder. He didn't see anyone or hear anyone, but they could be on them at any moment. He didn't know what to do, but he did know they had to do as Dalton Campbell said and get away.

Fitch swept the leather pouch off the desk. "Master Campbell, you are the best man I've ever known. I wish I could have worked for you for the rest of my life. Thank you for telling us they're after us and giving us a start."

Dalton Campbell reached out with a hand. Fitch had never clasped hands with an Ander before, but it felt good. It made him feel like a man. Dalton Campbell gripped Morley's hand, too.

"Good fortune to you both. I would suggest you get some horses. Buy them-don't steal them, or that will give them your trail. I know it will be difficult, but try to act normal or you will make people suspicious.

"Take care with the money, don't waste it on prostitutes and rum or it will be gone before you know it. If that happens, you will be caught and you won't live long enough to die from the diseases the whores give you.

"If you use your heads with the money, spend it frugally, it will keep you in good stead for a few years, give you time to establish new lives wherever you find you like it."

Fitch reached out and shook hands again. "Thank you for all the advice, Master Campbell. We'll do as you say. We'll buy horses and then get away.

"Don't you worry about us. Both Morley and I have lived on the streets before. We know how not to get caught by Anders wishing us harm."

Dalton Campbell smiled. "I suppose you do. May the Creator watch over you, then."