CERDIK

   Intent on helping the Sylvers, Cerdik, with Rolland’s approval, takes his men, Longfoot and a couple of Sylver men-at-arms to the Silverrun at midnight. They wait until two in the morning, when the moon is behind the west mountains, and cross the river at its narrowest point. They enter the Whispering Wood and try to find tracks of the bandits. After two hours and a half, they manage to locate the brigands’ camp. Cerdik reckons there are about 15 criminals, although only 11 are present, mostly asleep. With a quick surprise attack, Cerdik and his soldiers kill the bandits.
   While his men-at-arms are finishing the last brigand, the Umber bastard is attacked by a hulking man that emerges from the wood. The attacker is taller than Cerdik and wears a bear skin, making him remember Annara’s words. After a brief but brutal fight, Cerdik, with Cub’s help, dispatches the gigantic man. Turning his attention to the camp, he finds one of the boxes used by Rolland’s house to transport their silver. Cerdik leaves his soldiers to guard the camp and dashes through the forest with the box, planning to reach Silvercrossing before the trial starts.