CHAPTER 4

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Halt scanned the surroundings again and again, taking every precaution. He left nothing to chance after all they had no idea if the innkeeper was lying and the basilisk was a lot closer than they thought.

Halts mind wondered sadly back to his past, the Inn outside Dun Kity loud and boisterous unlike the one in Celtica. He sadly remembered the times he and his younger sister would spend the night in the inn to get away from the castle and the soldiers would always search the town to find them.

Before Halt knew it his watch was done and he went to go wake Crowley. Crowley was always a light sleeper and heard someone stepping into the tent. He jumped out of bed ready for a fight, after realizing it was just Halt he calmed down and started getting ready for his watch.

Halt never fell asleep that night. The idea of having another dream about his homewas an unpleasent thought. He had thought they had stopped a while back but now every time he closed his eyes he saw it. Truth to be told Halt was scared, s scared about what they would do when they met the basilisk as This was his first major mission. What scared him most of all his his old life. Halt, the infamous Halt was scared.

That morning they had a quick cup of coffee and started to pack up there camp. Halt was in no mood to talk, even to Crowley. The brisk autumn gales also set a damper on their spirits. Crowley could almost feel the frustration radiating from Halt. It was mid morning by the time they got everything packed up. They set out on the road leading through the long windy prairie.

The day was a very lifeless one. Halt almost wished they would encounter something during the long ride. Anything would be welcome to break the awkward silence that had settled over the two friends. Halt's face was as grim as ever not letting Crowley in on a thing he was feeling.

Around the next bend in the road a certain familiarity overtook Halt. In the distance Halt could see a dark castle protruding from the plains. Trampled grass all around the road as if a large group had come through recently. Even the rolling hills reminded Halt of something.

Suddenly it dawned on Halt, this must be Carnish castle. Halt's dad would send Ferris and Halt over to stay here during times of war or crisis. Halt's mind wandered for a second. "I wonder if they are looking for me." He thought almost hopefully. It was getting late so Halt decided they would camp here for the night and ride into the castle the next day.

"It still needs honey," Halt grumbled. The two friends were sitting down enjoying their cup of coffee.

"Sorry, I forgot the honey," Crowley said grinning at his friends discomfort. Halt decided it was time Crowley knew the truth about his past, or at least some of it. What would be the worst is if they rode into Carnish and Crowley had to find out from the Lord of Carnish.

"Crowley, I need to tell you something," Halt began. "It's about my past." Crowley was suddenly interested. He stopped with his coffee and waited intently for Halt to continue.

"As you have probably figured out I am from Hibernia, The Kingdom of Clonmel," Halt's disgusted tone surprised Crowley. Halt knew Crowley already knew this stuff but it felt like the only place to begin. Halt took a breath to continue, than stopped he didn't want Crowley to know about his position of royalty.

"You don't have to tell me," Crowley took the chance to jump in. "It isn't my right to know anyway." He didn't want to make his friend uncomfortable by pressing on. He also didn't want to do anything to ruin their relationship.

"It's okay," Halt replied gruffly "I need you to know because it could affect our current situation." Halt shifted in place to make himself more comfortable. "When I lived in Clonmel I was very high up in society." He omitted the part about royalty. "I was set to inherit my father's land if not for my younger brother. My brother wasn't guarantied anything and he thought he had been cheated out of his birth right."

A howl of wind cut through Halt's story making it impossible for Crowley to hear. Halt glanced around to make sure nobody was eavesdropping then continued, "He tried to kill me." Crowley's eyes widened at the idea. "He tried to kill me not once but many times. The last time was when we were boating. He hit me on the back of the head causing me to fall out of the boat. I turned around and he was holding out the paddle as if to help me back in; than it slapped down right in front of me."

Halt paused to see how his friend was taking the story, "I swam for my life to the shore. In that moment I knew I would never be able to stay here. It was only a matter of time before my brother got the best of me. I ran away from my whole life. I abandoned my last name and came to Araluen in hopes for a new life."

With the conclusion of his story Halt looked up and waited for his friend's bombardment of questions. They never came instead Crowley just had one, "Halt, what does any of this have to do with right now?"

Halt had forgotten to explain that crucial detail. "My father and lord Brale of Carnish were good friends and he is bound to notice me when we get there. He probably already sent search parties out for the Basilisk and I know most of the officers by name. If we come across any of them it could mean disaster. We can't go anywhere near Carnish castle, even if the basilisk is sitting outside the gate.