216 Back to Provda

The three boys left very early the next morning armed with a sealed letter from Erom Stuttin, a map of the way and enough food to see them back to the capital. Before they left, the knight had called them all together and solemnly appointed Kelley as the leader of this little expedition and encouraged them all to make sure they listened to him. “A mission that will be destroyed is one that has too many masters.” He had said. “Another mission that will be destroyed is one that has a wrong master. But a mission that has too many masters will be destroyed faster. We need to put an end to this debacle that is plaguing our nation as a whole and we have to do it fast. I will not be with you but remember that the people of Aerithor are counting on you.” All three of them promised him equally solemnly that they would not fail him. And so they loped along easily on their horses eager to make up as much distance as they and their horses could. “According to the map,” Kelley said presently.