A few days later, Jeth announced that he was leaving. 

Gavin asked him, "where will you go?"

Jeth replied, "to find the Knights of Freedom. I must. It is the only thing. Look what Darkomal and Maldrodn did just in Derlos. And they're murdering and stealing all over Telsant. And even before the war, they abused the farmers, placing such high taxes upon them that they could barely pay. This must stop now. And I intend to have a part in it. "

Gavin asked, "do you even know where the Knights are?"

Jeth said, "I'll find them."

Then Gavin made a decision. "I am coming with you," he said.

Jeth asked, "are you sure?" 

Without hesitation, Gavin replied, "yes. There is nothing for me here." "And besides," he added with a smile, "someone has to keep an eye on you."

So they gathered up all the supplies they thought they would need for the journey. Jeth gave Mouser to Talon to look after. Then they both mounted Chauncey and set off. Arlo ran alongside. They had heard rumors that the Knights were to the north of them, so they headed in that direction. 

A few hours later, they saw another traveler approaching from the opposite direction. He was an old man on a black horse. The man had a long white beard and piercing blue eyes. He had a sword belted to his waist. He held the reins with only his left hand. In his right, he held a long wooden staff. His horse was fine boned and looked spirited and fast. It tossed its head and champed at its bit. The man said, "you're going the wrong way."

Jeth looked at him. He said, "how do you know? You don't even know where we're going."

The man said, "you're looking for the Knights. You're going the wrong way. I can take you to them."

Jeth wondered whether he should trust this man. It could be a trap. In the end, he decided that they would have to trust the man, because he really had no idea where the Knights were. He said, "I thought the Knights were north of Derlos." 

The man said, "oh, no. You mustn't believe the rumors. You're going the wrong way."

Jeth decided to go with the man. The man introduced himself as Aldros and said his horse was named Ravenwing. They traveled for a week. During that week, they learned that Aldros was surprisingly agile and quick for his age and that he was wise and perceptive too.  He seemed to have boundless energy. In the evenings, he gave Jeth and Gavin fighting lessons. He had found a few sturdy pieces of wood to use as swords. Gavin was powerful, but slow. Jeth wasn't as strong, but he was fast. But Aldros beat them both every time.

Meanwhile, at Malgard Fortress, Darkomal's stronghold, Darkomal was angry at his most loyal follower. He shouted at Maldrodn, "You've failed! I ought to relieve you of your command! You are pathetic! I gave you one task. One task! Find the rebels and destroy them! Did you do that? No!"

Maldrodn answered in a whiny and whimpering tone, "I'm sorry master. I apologize most sincerely. I won't let it happen again. You know I live only to serve you."

Aldros, Jeth, and Gavin arrived outside the camp of the Knights at dusk one day. Aldros told the boys quietly, "we have arrived. However, we will stay out here for tonight. It would not do to surprise the Knights after dark. Our intentions might be mistaken. We shall reveal our presence in the morning." So they ate some beef jerky and dried fruit, unrolled their bedrolls, and slept.