This is the seventh in a series of stories about Roan, a teenager in the Middle Ages. It contains sex between teenagers, between men and teenagers and incest.
Comments welcomed: Eagleman_50@Hotmail.com
Three years passed and the band of raw recruits that Bruce started with had been trained and molded into one of the most awesome private armies in England. Other young men had also joined themselves to the knights, underwent the grueling training process and became real soldiers. With this martial band Bruce had been able to extend William's domain until it became the greatest in the realm. Only the king's domains were greater, but William's, because they were more ably administered, were wealthier. Henry, his benefactor had died, and the new king, Edward, saw William as a rival; consequently, there had been much talk of a war between William and the king. But William was working hard to prevent any open conflict from erupting. He was more concerned with maintaining order in a realm that had become beset with thieves, brigands and murderers. Together, with his cousin, the Earl of Claxton, he was trying to exterminate those that were unruly.
Roan came riding over the hill and stopped to look down into the valley. He had been riding all morning on an errand for William. He could see the tiny figure of a man coming toward him and decided to wait until he could tell if it was friend or foe. He was often chosen to carry out special assignments for William because of his maturity, his grace, his ability, and his handsomeness. People tended to naturally trust him and to seek to get into his good graces. As he watched the approaching rider he wondered if this was the knight he was to meet. William had told him his name was Thomas and he would take him to Claxton Hall on the east of England, near the coast. This mission was special and he wanted to make sure he completed it successfully. The knight was near enough for him to see the red scarf which was a token between them. He alighted and waited for the knight to ride up and do the same. He noted that he was about twenty and five, handsome and tall. He was wearing a knight's garb and he rode as if born in the saddle. He smiled as he approached Roan and then alighted to shake his hand.
"I'm Thomas, Thomas of Staunton, son of Cadfael." Roan gripped his hand and felt his strong handshake.
"I'm Roan, Knight of the Rod, my pleasure, sir." He bowed slightly and waited.
"We have a long journey before us, at least another day. There are several monasteries that will offer us hospitality at night. It is too dangerous to be along the roads in the dark in these parts. If you are ready we can leave now."
"I am ready, let's go." Roan noted the businesslike manner of the knight and smiled as he climbed on his horse and started off behind him.
They talked as they rode along and got to know each other much better. Roan kept looking at Thomas' handsome face and wondering whether he was a candidate for the Rod. He was lost in that thought when Thomas turned off main road and began following a trail that led into a wood. They rode through the wood until they came to a clearing and there Roan saw the Monastery of Elsworth. In those days monasteries served as inns or hotels, having special sections reserved for travellers who were passing. Thomas turned in at this monastery and was received by the abbot who gave them two small rooms and a simple meal. The small rooms were sparsely furnished with a bed and a chest. There was a door that led into the room and another door that connected them. After dinner they bade goodnight to their host and went to their respective rooms. Roan lay across the bed, thinking about the assignment he had and wondering when he would return to Farnham and Caxton. Caxton, at seventeen, had grown into a formidable warrior, an intense lover, and a special friend. Leaving him behind had been very difficult and Roan was anxious to get back to him.
Then his mind wandered to Thomas and he thought of trying the little door that led to his room. As he considered this the little door opened and Thomas walked in, clothed in a long smock that reached to his knees, but nothing else.
"Thought you might like company, Roan. I'm not sleepy yet, are you?"
"No, as a matter of fact I was thinking about going to you."
Thomas grinned and walked across the room, sitting on the bed next to Roan. He looked up at Roan and stared at him.
"You are handsome, Roan, I'm sure many lord and ladies have sought your favors." Roan reached over and gently ran his hand across Thomas' face.
"Lords yes, but ladies are not my interest." Thomas had let his hand rest on Roan's leg as he turned toward him.
"Me, either, Roan." At that Thomas put his arm around Roan's neck, pulled him down on the bed, lay over him and began kissing him passionately. Without any warning Thomas stuck his tongue into his mouth and tied it to Roan's. Both tongues began twirling in the cavernous mouth like two tightly joined snakes. Roan stretched out on the bed, allowing Thomas to lay on him with their pelvis' grinding against each other. He let his hand pull Thomas' smock up revealing his naked buttocks. He felt the shapely buns and began grasping fistfuls of flesh as he pulled him into him. He felt Thomas' long dick pushing against his and raised his body to get more of him. Thomas broke the kiss, raised up and pulled his smock off. Now he was naked in Roan's arms. He lay back down on Roan and resumed the grinding movement. Roan's hands were busy on Thomas hot ass, pulling his cheeks and kneading his flesh.
"Let me get undressed!" Roan eased Thomas off and removed his clothes. Thomas waited and then gently pushed him back onto the bed, getting back into their previous position. This time their dicks were pressing against each other as their bodies flowed together in a sensuous grind. Thomas kept pumping into Roan as he kissed him all over his upper body - head, cheeks, neck, shoulders.
"Fuck me, Roan, fuck me!"
Thomas rolled over onto his stomach and presented his melon shaped buns to Roan. He spread his long muscular legs as Roan got between them and put one hand on each asscheek. Roan spread the cheeks apart and looked into the hairy crevice. Thomas, who was blonde, had long strands of yellow hair growing out of his asscrack almost covering the little hole. His muscled back flowed down into a narrow waist with jutting buttocks. Roan spit into his hand, lubricated his cock and put it into the deep valley. By now Roan's cock had grown to a little more than nine inches and was thick, so he took his time getting it into the tight little hole that beckoned him so earnestly. Thomas pushed up to receive the long tool and embedded himself on the fleshly rod. Roan took his time, he wanted to savor the delights of this handsome knight's tight ass for as long as he could. He was a master at prolonging the act of love and he used all of his techniques on Thomas. He plowed into him senuously, grinding his way down the tunnel that held him so tightly. Each stroke brought forth a moan from Thomas signalling that Roan was touching the right places within. Roan raised up on his arms and looked down between their bodies as his long dick moved in and out in regular rhythm. He watched Thomas' ass rise and fall in time with his grinding pelvis. Time seemed to stand still as the two knights enjoyed each other's body. Roan lay back down on Thomas' back and nibbled his earlobes as he continued to fuck him deep and hard. He liked the continual moans emanating from Thomas because they told him he was giving him great pleasure. Finally Roan felt himself reaching a climax. By now his pace was furious as he slammed in and out in a frenzy. Thomas' prostate had been assaulted so much by the big dick he was now at a point of esctasy.
"Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Thommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Yessssssssssssss! Roannnnnnnnnnnnnn!"
Both knights came together, spewing forth their juices in tandem, moaning and crying with the intensity of their orgasms. Then, they fell asleep in each other's arms, anticipating many other nights of such pure pleasure.
In the morning they were given a simple meal and set out for the coast. The sun was bright in the sky but there was a strong wind and a cool breeze that caused them to pull their cloaks tightly around them as they rode swiftly toward their destination. Roan could tell they were nearing the coast because of the number of seagulls he saw and the smell of foam that the wind was blowing across the countryside. They rode all day, stopping once to eat from the provisions the abbot had given them. As the evening approached Roan noted that Thomas seemed to be uncertain about what to do.
"I think we should continue on, we need to reach Claxton by dark."
"Is it far?" Roan felt a twinge of uneasiness, but did not know what caused it. He reached for his sword and gripped it tightly, glad for its comfort.
"No, about an hour's ride." The sun was lowering in the sky and dark clouds were blowing in from the sea. As the two rode along the road they noted the dark shadows that began to appear. Suddenly Thomas stopped, looked back and motioned for Roan to follow him into the woods. The two knights guided their horses into the dark woods behind some trees and waited. Soon four horsemen came riding along looking intently into the woods as though they were searching for something.
"I saw 'em. I knows their about somewhere." The voice was rough and Roan noted the face was even rougher.
"They must be up farther. Let's go." A different voice, not as harsh.
Roan and Thomas watched as the riders spurred their horses on and disappeared around a bend. They listened until the galloping sound died out and nothing could be heard but the wind in the trees.
"They were looking for us, Roan. They're probably DeQuisbeery's men, they'll be back."
"What'll we do, Thomas? We can't stay here, I think it's going to rain."
"Don't know yet." Roan looked at Thomas and then turned away. He didn't plan to wait in the woods until morning.
Thomas guided his horse out of the woods and back to the road. Roan followed as they resumed their journey, not talking, just listening.
They rode for about a mile when all of a sudden, three men came charging out of the wood at them. Both men grabbed their swords and began swinging. These three were common peasants, not trained warriors, they knew little about fighting on horseback or wielding a sword. Roan charged at one with his sword outstretched, pierced him and watched him fall, dying before he hit the ground. He turned to attend to another and saw Thomas spear one and then turn his horse to face another just as the stranger thrust his dagger into him. Roan saw the knife blade come out of Thomas' back and watched as he slumped on his horse. Roan, in fierce anger, ran at the horseman, speared him and then turned to face the fourth man who had tarried behind the others.
"Please, oh God, please, in the name of the saints, please!" The young man slid off the horse and fell on his knees. "Please, for Mary's sake, don't kill me, I'm just followin', don't, please." He began to cry, great sobs wracking his body as he knelt before Roan. It was then that Roan noticed his hands were tied behind his back.
Roan looked at Thomas, who had managed to pull the sword blade out, but was lying inert. He jumped down and went to him, picking him up in his arms, looking in his face. Roan had seen enough of battle and dying men to know that Thomas was dying. He held him as he coughed, shook in his arms and then drew in one last breath and expired. Roan lay him down gently on the ground and went to the young man who was still crying and kneeling on the ground.
"No, not me, please, sir, for the love of God!" Something in the voice touched Roan and he felt a surge of pity rise up in him. Roan noted he was about sixteen, tall, fair complexioned, with a mop of disorderly brown hair and a rather handsome face. But he was dirty and unkempt and he smelled. Roan pushed him away in disgust and then a tear roll down his face as he thought about Thomas. Without saying a word he cut the twine that bound the youth and lifted him.
"Help me take care of him." Together they hoisted Thomas onto his horse, pushed the other men off the road, grabbed their horses and mounted.
"Take me to Claxton Hall." Roan looked at the youth and scowled.
"Yes, sir. It will be late before we get there."
"If you do anything wrong, I'll do you like these men did to Thomas, you understand?"
"Yes, sir. I'll do nothing wrong, sir."
"What's your name?
"Peter, sir, Peter of Arnswood."
"Why were you tied, Peter?"
"They took me from my father's house two days ago. They were holding me for ransom.
"Your father has money?"
"They think he does. He is the Squire of Arnswood and lives in a big house, but we are not rich."
"These men, who are they?"
"Rogues, sir, they work for DeQuisbeery."
"The outlaw?"
"Yes, sir." Roan was impressed with the manners of the young man.
"You have not washed since they took you?"
"No, sir, I haven't. Excuse my condition, sir, I am not always like this."
"Are you in training to be a knight, Peter?" Roan thought not, but wanted to ask.
"No, sir, my father says I'm a scholar. He is planning to send me to a monastery. I should have gone, but my mother keeps putting it off."
"Listen, Peter, when we get to Claxton Castle you will have a bath first."
"Thank you, sir." Peter smiled at Roan and turned away blushing.
Roan followed Peter. They rode for about hour as it got darker and darker. Just as Roan was about to ask about the distance, they came around a bend and he saw a huge house on a hill, dimly lighted against the dark sky.
"That's Claxton, sir. We'll be there shortly. Please, sir, protect me, I don't want to die, sir, please. I'm a Christian, sir."
"No one will bother you, Peter, you're safe with me.
They reached the castle without any mishaps. It was not as large as Farnham, but it was much heavier fortified. Like Farnham, it had a moat, which could only be crossed by a drawbridge. The castle itself was surrounded by a thick wall which formed its outer shell. Within the first wall there was another one which was also high and thick. The courtyard was within this inner shell, Just as they road into the courtyard, the rains came. Thomas' body was placed in a stall in the stable and the horses were sheltered from the storm. A servant led them into the Great Hall where they were greeted by Earl.
"I'm John, Earl of Claxton, cousin of William. You are Roan, the handsome. I was expecting you, sit and tell me of your journey."
Roan told him of the encounter with the three men and the death of Thomas. He also told him about Peter.
"Thomas was a good knight, he served me well, he will be avenged. Arnswood has been beset by these robbers and had suffered much from them. I'm glad you rescued his son, he will be overjoyed. We must get him back to him."
John said little else as Roan ate. He noted that John was a thickly built man, with a pleasant, but not handsome face. His hair, which was tinged with white, was black and short. He was not tall, but his thick build gave the impression of strength. He seldom smiled and when he did, he showed a row of crooked teeth. As he ate Roan looked around at the richness of the furnishings. John of Claxton was a wealthy man and Roan was impressed. He smiled when he recalled the title he had given him, 'the handsome.'
Peter sat next to Roan, eating quietly, not saying anything. He ate ravenously and kept looking at Roan smiling.
"Sir, I would like a bath, could that be arranged?"
"Yes, it can. The servants will bring a tub to your room. You will share a room with Peter?" The Earl smiled at Roan as he looked from him to Peter.
"Yes, I will." Roan decided to not to say anything else. Peter looked at him and grinned broadly.
The servant, an aged man who walked slowly, led Roan and Peter to an upstairs bedroom. The room was, like the rest of the house, ornately furnished. The bed was canopied and the furnishings were rich and dark. Roan could see the channel from the windows, which were being lashed by the rain. The servant pulled back the covers, grinned at the two of them and left, leaving the candle to brighten the room. He was hardly gone five minutes before three servants came in carrying a large wooden tub, half filled with water. They placed it in the middle of the room and left without saying a word. Just as they left others came bearing large pitchers of hot water, which they poured into the tub. When it was full, they also smiled and left the room, closing the door behind them.
"Get undressed, Peter." Roan looked at him and grinned. He started removing his clothes as well. He watched Peter closely as he undressed. He was tall for fifteen, almost six feet in height, but thin. His body was not muscled from hard work, but it had a natural wiry development to it. His brown hair ran down his chest and onto his stomach and then grew in a bushy patch around his cock. He was smiling as he looked at Roan, and Roan was aware that he was a nice looking kid. He walked to him and ran his hand through his hair.
"Let's bathe together, Peter, how about that?"
"Thank you, sir, I wanted to do that."
"You did, huh, why?
"To be with you, sir, you're handsome. I've been with others but none like you."
"With those men you were riding with?"
"No, sir, not with them. I've been with my..."
"Wait, don't tell me. Come here!" Roan opened his arms and took Peter into them. Peter put his head on Roan's shoulders and began to cry softly. Roan held him tightly and let him cry. Peter's body pressed against his and he felt very protective of this young man who had come into his life in such a violent way. He remembered how Father Stephen had comforted him after the violent deaths of John and Father Walter and he wanted to do the same for this young man. After Peter stopped crying Roan began kissing him gently on the cheek. Roan's hands had found his smooth, shapely ass and was caressing him. He wanted this young man. He wondered why he wasn't feeling grief over Thomas, but then realized he hardly knew him.
He led Peter to the tub and helped him in. Roan climbed in next to him and pulled him down to a sitting position. The tub was large enough for both of them to sit, although their legs were intertwined. Roan took a cloth and began to wash Peter. He ran the cloth across his chest, down to his stomach and to his pubes. Peter leaned back and sighed as Roan's hands touched his cock. Roan lifted it and began to wash the shaft, which was hardening. He reached further down between his legs toward his most private spot and began washing his hole. Peter had lifted his legs to give Roan access and he trembled when Roan's hands ran across his tiny hole. Roan's wet finger began probing and then eased into the hole, pushing up and up.
"Oh, Roan, I like when you do that, it feels so good." Peter moaned as he leaned forward and began kissing Roan on the face. Roan realized this kid was hot and passionate and he smiled, thinking about the sleepless night that lay ahead.
"Stand up and turn around." Peter eased up and turned around, his ass facing Roan. Roan took the cloth and began washing his back, moving the cloth down his back gently. He dropped the cloth in the water, reached up and grabbed his asscheeks and spread them. Leaning forward, Roan pushed his tongue into the teenager's crevice and started tonguing him. His tongue reached into the tiny hole and washed it thoroughly, moving up and down in a lapping motion. Peter began pushing his ass back against Roan, wanting him to get deeper, overwhelmed with the sensations that were coursing through his young body.
"Roan, Roan, yes, oh, yes!" Peter was moaning softly as Roan continued to lave his hot ass. Roan reached down into the water, found the soap, slicked up his cock and then stood behind Peter. He leaned forward, slipping his cock into the hairy valley that separated the two luscious mounds and pushed in slowly. His lubricated cock slipped past the sphincter muscle and into the narrow tunnel. Peter pushed back to receive the love offering of hard flesh and impaled himself on it. Roan put his arms around Peter and hugged him tightly as they stood joined by his large cock. He sucked Peter's earlobe and ran his hand up and down his stomach.
"Tight, Peter, real tight. You all right?"
"Oh yes, yes! I want this, Roan. Fuck me!" Roan grinned as he pulled back and pushed back in. He began slowly, building to a powerful thrusting motion that pushed his big dick into the tight tunnel in a regular pattern. Peter was bent over the tub, his ass filled with the hard rod, moaning in response to the pounding he was receiving. The long prong kept them joined; sometimes just barely as it pulled all the way back to the portal and then slammed back again. Pubes against asscheeks, dick into tight tunnel, over and over again. Roan's wet hands had found Peter's hard cock, felt its length, and then began stroking it. The water in the tub was splashing as Roan slammed into Peter with a fierce passion that would not be denied.
"Roan, ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I'm cummingggggggggggggg!" Peter's hard cock began spewing forth in spurt after spurt. Roan felt it throb in his hand as each spurt splattered forth, spraying cum across the room.
"Yeahhhhhhhhhhh, Peeeeeeeeeeeeeter! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" Roan's cock exploded in Peter's tight ass as his body shook with the intensity of his climax.
Roan eased out of Peter, helped him out of the tub and then began drying him off. He lovingly applied a soft cloth to every area of his body, stopping to kiss him on his back, his chest, his neck, and his head. Peter leaned against Roan and let himself be pampered by this handsome knight who had just given him a profound sexual experience. Roan reached down, put his arm around Peter's legs and lifted him. Peter instinctively put his arm around Roan's neck and found himself being cradled in his arms. Roan held him as if he were a baby and looked at him. With his free hand he tousled Peter's hair and grinned at him.
"You like this, Peter?"
"Oh yes, I'm glad you found me, Roan." Peter smiled mischieviously at Roan as his hand reached under him searching for Roan's cock. He found it, sticking straight out as like a huge pole ready for more action. "More, Roan?"
"You want more, Peter?" Roan knew he wasn't finished with this young satyr.
"More, Roan!"
Roan walked to the bed and let Peter down gently. He looked down at him and smiled, laying down next to him. Peter rolled over on top of Roan and began grinding his cock against Roan's. Roan pushed up to meet his thrusts and soon they had a rhythm going. Suddenly Peter rolled off, went to the tub to get the soap and returned. He stood over Roan and worked the soap all around his cock, lubing it. Then he crawled back on Roan, raised up to a sitting position, lifted himself and reached for Roan's nine inch rod. He positioned himself over the long prong and began lowering his body onto it. Roan felt his dick push against the hole and then he felt Peter's ass engulf his cock. He watched in fascination as his long cock disappeared into the tiny hole. He lifted his hips to meet the hungry anus and felt the heat of Peter's body as his dick was encased in his smooth tunnel. Finally Peter sat on Roan's pubes having engorged his entire cock. He looked down at Roan and smiled in contentment. Roan pushed up and he moaned. Then Roan reached up and cupped Peter's asscheeks, lifting them so he could plow into the sweet hole. Roan began lifting Peter off his dick and then pulling him back on. Peter worked with him, riding the cock that flowed through him in a regular pattern. Then Peter raised up, held himself in place and let Roan do the work by pushing up and pulling out in a sensuous hip movement. This position gave Roan incredible control and he plowed without letup. Stroke after stroke pushed into the willing ass as Peter held himself to receive all that he had to give. Peter had thrown his head back and was moaning loudly as the incessant cock pushed against his prostate. He was also jerking himself in a steady pace with the humping dick that filled his slimy tunnel.
Again, the two came together, their teenaged cocks spewing forth streams of white jism.
Peter rolled off Roan and looked at him lovingly.
"Roan, oh God, so good!" He grinned and then gave Roan a soft kiss.
"You enjoy being fucked, don't you, Peter."
"I love it, Roan, I love it. Nobody has ever done it like you."
"You're only fifteen, how many have you had?" Roan was amazed at the intensity of this teenager.
"Three. My cousin, a priest and a stableboy." Peter smiled and then kissed Roan again. "Each time was short and hurried. I've never spent anytime with anyone, like with you."
"Oh, you will, Peter, you're very desirable."
"More, Roan?" Peter ran his hand down Roan's chest to his dick, grasped it and stroked it's semi-hardness.
"More? Haven't you had enough?"
"More, Roan?" He laughed as he continued to stroke the now hard dick.
"You're only fifteen, but you have the passion of a man. How will you live in a monastery, Peter?
"Don't know, Roan. More!" He laughed out loud and kissed Roan again.
Roan gave him more. He lay Peter on his back, let him put his legs over his shoulder and pushed into him again. This time he fucked him hard with powerful thrusts of his big dick. The rain hitting the window, the slamming of their teenaged bodies as they pushed and pulled against each other, the low moans coming from Peter, all these sounds echoed in the dark room as Roan humped Peter for the third time. Both teenagers found incredible joy in this encounter - for Roan it was the joy of coming together with a youth who enjoyed the pleasure of being fucked by a big dick; for Peter it was the pleasure of being screwed by a handsome man who took him to levels of release he had never known before.
The sunlight filtered into the room bringing a cascade of light that woke Roan with a start. He looked over at Peter and smiled as he thought of the night they had spent together. He knew Peter must be sore from the pounding he had recieved and he was reluctant to awaken him. He eased out of bed, tiptoed around the tub and found the cloth. He used water from the tub to wash himself off. He opened the window, marvelling at the bright sunlit landscape after the torrential rain of the night before. The autumn breeze blew into the room chasing out the aroma of sex that had permeated everything. The cool breeze woke Peter with a start. He sat up, saw Roan and grinned.
"Hello, Roan. More?"
"No more! You're insatiable."
Peter broke out in a loud laugh. He rolled over and moaned.
"Can't take anymore, just teasing you. I'm sore, too much."
"Sorry, Peter, just lay there and rest, I'll get us some food."
Roan found food which he took to Peter and then he hurried to speak to the Earl. Together, they made plans for the joint expedition with William's band against the outlaw band under DeQuisbeery. The Earl explained to Roan that his message to William asking for help had been intercepted by a spy in his household. That man had been killed by the Earl's own hand, but outlaws had been alerted. This is why he and Thomas had been ambushed. He was now going to send Roan back with the plan for the attack, but he wanted Roan to memorize the plans so there would be nothing to fall into the hands of the robbers. He advised Roan to stay for at least three days to rest, memorize the plan and the best method of getting back to Farnham, and enjoy the pleasures of the castle, especially Peter. Roan agreed, amused by the Earl's mention of Peter and their pleasure together.
For the next three days Roan learned of the castle. He talked long with the Earl who was a charming host and an elegant conversationalist. He spent much time in the Earl's library, looking at his books and reading as much as he could. Father Stephen had spent time teaching him to read and he liked to gain as much information as he could. During many of these hours spent in the library Peter was left alone. He used his time to get acquainted with other young men in the castle environ. Among those he met was Devron, the stockily built kitchen boy. He was, like Peter, fifteen, horny and available. He and Peter played around aimlessly in the halls of the castle until Devron pulled him into a dark corner, hugged him tightly, and kissed him, easing his tongue into his mouth. Peter pushed himself against the youth and felt his hard dick pushing against his. Then Devron took Peter to a small room behind the kitchen and let Peter fuck him. For Peter it was a new experience, fucking another. He realized how enjoyable it was and why Roan had wanted him over and over again. That night he asked Roan if they could change places and he got to sample Roan's shapely ass. His seven inch cock plowed into Roan as he lay beneath him, moaning in esctasy. He filled him with his love juice and then slept in his arms, knowing that they would separate in the morning.
Roan left early in the morning, sneaking out of the room, leaving Peter asleep in the canopied bed. He had developed a fondness for the youth and didn't want a sad departure, so he thought it better to leave him undisturbed. The Earl saw him off, making sure he was amply provisioned for the journey back to Farnham. The sun had just come up as Roan rode across the drawbridge and onto the road that led away from Claxton Castle.
He had ridden about two hours when he heard horses behind him. He quickly pulled off the road into the woods and waited. Two horsemen rode by and disappeared into the horizon. Obviously, they were not looking for Roan. Roan spurred his horse and resumed his journey. He had not gone far before he was distracted by a riderless horse coming down the road. Roan stopped to watch it and then heard a noise above him in a huge tree. He looked up in time to see a net falling on him and two men jumping down with it. The two men pulled the net causing him to fall off his horse. The net was tightened around him as he struggled to free himself. Then something or someone hit him over the head and everything turned black.