In Norrath, there was a saying; A patient man will have everything come to him. The saying didn't account for death.
Cassian had been staring at the door since he got back, waiting for the guards to charge in and drag him outside the bounds of Eveldor. He had one of Garrett's knives in hand. He didn't know how many Aziel would send, but he would still fight. Not to the death though—the Archon's head had to roll before that— but just enough that he could escape.
Garrett had gone hunting the moment they returned. Lucky. Explaining why he decided to spend his evening sitting in a corner, white knuckling a hunting blade was a conversation Cassian didn't feel like having.
The sky was orange now, almost red. The noise outside was finally dying down. People were already going back home. It was quiet. Good
Now he'd hear the clink of armor when the guards finally decided to show up. They were taking their time, was there an issue? Or maybe they were waiting for reinforcements. Increasing their numbers.
Depending on what the Archon told the emissary, to them, he was basically a ghost. They probably didn't know how many men it took to put him down.
All they needed to do was ask and he would have gladly told them: one.
He didn't want to admit it, especially to himself, but a single trained guard was probably all it would take to stop him.
"Is there any way my mark can help me?" he asked Materdea, eyes still glued to the door.
"Don't even think about it. You barely know the basics. You have a better chance with your kitchen knife"
"Hunting knife"
"What difference does it make to men with swords and steel armor?"
Even now, she was still no help.
The door burst open, Cassian moved before he could even register the sound, blade rising, ready to strike down whatever it was that walked through the door.
But the wide silhouette blocking the doorway was unmistakable.
Garrett
"Cassian, boy. You need to leave. Now" He walked in, locking the door behind him.
"What?"
"Listen to me, I can't explain it, but for some reason the chief has ordered men to restrain you. They're on their way now."
Garrett saw these men, knew their motive, and still decided to warn him? What a Coincidence.
"How do I know I can trust you?" Cassian snapped back, his stance low blade raised
" How do I know if you're not leading them here"
"Theres no time for this boy. You have to go. And please, put the knife away" Garrett pushed the steel palm with he heavy hand as he rushed past him towards the back window.
It didn't help that he was being pushy, but Cassian wanted to believe him, besides, what other choice did he have?
"Fine, I'll go."
"Good, now just—"
There was a knock on the door. Hard, aggressive. This time, it had to be them, or an angry neighbour.
"Hide." Garrett whispered as he turned around walking to the door.
Cassian darted into the room, slipping behind the narrow wooden door just as the front door creaked open.
"Can I help you?" Garrett's voice boomed across the room painted with irritation.
"Knocking on my door so aggressively, you'd best have a good reason."
"We have orders from the chief to restrain the boy"
Garrett scoffed "On what grounds?"
A heavy impatient sigh echoed through the hall. The sound of a man with no time to spare.
"The Chief sent an emissary, North, the day your guest arrived." the guard said. "He returned this evening with a direct order from the Archon to apprehend him."
The man paused, his feet shifting on the floorboard.
"I don't know what that boy did, but I can tell you for certain, he is no regular traveller. Now where is he."
Cassian shuffled closer behind the door
At least he confirmed the Archon was involved now.
They stopped talking after that.
Garrett hadn't responded. Had he decided against helping him? It would make sense. Helping him now, after all that he knew would be treason.
Ground for arrest, and even execution. The only thing he could do now was hand him over to the guards and go back to living his quiet life
Heavy footsteps followed, echoed by the creaking floorboard, Three men? Six? Cassian couldn't tell. They got closer, He gripped the hunting knife tighter. The footsteps walked past his hiding spot, heading deeper into the house followed by the heavy thud of a latch dropping in place.
Was it a trap? A ploy to have him let his guard down? He wouldn't fall for it.
The door opened, slowly—they were here— and Cassian waited for them to walk in; he would attack the first one that walked in.
"Cassian"
The voice was low, familiar. It was the second time today Cassian had almost buried a knife in Garrett's chest. Cassian leaned out from behind the door and found the hunter standing there, alone.
"Come on, we don't have much time. You really need to leave."
"Where are they? Where are the men that came in"
"Don't worry about that. Just move boy."
Garrett turned, and hurried towards the front door. As Cassian walked past the kitchen, he heard muffled banging against it's oak door. Was it an ambush? Were they waiting for him in the kitchen
"They're in the kitchen," Garrett said without turning around, "stop looking around and just trust me."
"Why are you helping me?"
"I don't know what it's like outside, but I can't keep these guards in there forever."
He opened the door and popped his head out scanning the area.
"You have to make it past the village gates before anyone realizes what happened. I stashed supplies near the old temple. Things you'll need. Head there first, grab the pack, then keep moving west. There's another settlement a few days out."
"I said, why are you helping me?" Cassian demanded stepping in his line of sight. He had to know.
Garrett stopped. He looked at Cassian a long heavy sigh escaping his chest.
"When I first met you, you were covered in mud and smelling like piss. You told me then that you were a traveler. I didn't believe you for a single second. But I brought you back to the village, not because I trusted you, but because I saw in your eyes something I was familiar with. The soul of a survivor."
The hunter softened, his broad face lined with weary fondness.
"I didn't think the chief would tell me to take you home, I didn't think you'd grow on me, but these past few days….I've come to appreciate our little chats more than I like to admit."
Garrett shook his head placing his hand on Cassian's shoulder
"Besides, you're still a kid. In what world is it okay to just hand you over to this Archon guy. I don't know what you did back there, but I believe what I see. And all I see is a good kid."
Cassian didn't understand him, it still didn't make sense to him why he was doing this, but he knew there was no time for questions
"Will you be alright? Helping a criminal? I can't imagine the chief will be too pleased"
"Who says I helped you? The story you'll hear—if you live to ask— is that you knocked me out cold and locked those idiots in the kitchen before making your grand escape"
Cassian smirked. He was going to miss this old hunter
"I'll be sure to visit sometimes Garrett."
"Please," Garrett grunted, opening the door wider into the night. "Don't."