“Aeron.” She galloped into his arms, their tears mingling in their kiss. “You’re alive.” She brushed his long, unkempt hair from his face and cupped his cheeks in her hands, her eyes searching his face as if trying to remember every detail. “I thought—thought maybe—” She bit her lip and shook her head, tears flowing thickly down her face.
Aeron buried his face in her shoulder, breathing in her flowery, herbal scent. “I know. I know. I missed you so much.”
She could only kiss his neck and cheeks in response.
From the shadows, a large Centaur, one of Artigal’s personal guards, stepped into the clearing and knelt before his leader. The other four did the same. “Da rañ ñidauz yarazai zi fezh.”
Aeron nodded his head and placed his fist across his chest. “Thank you.”
“You knew. That’s why the outer guards and scouts didn’t raise an alarm.” Trojan’s eyes were shining as he gazed up into the still faces of the guardians Centaurs.
The leader allowed Trojan a small smile and his eyes softened. “Yes, child. We knew. The Igentis wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Wow.”
The large warrior turned once more to Aeron and bowed his head respectfully. “My lord, I suggest that we move back to the safety of the camp. Artigal wants to see you.”
His arm wrapped around his mate, Aeron nodded gravely. “Of course. I have word to give him.”
Frawnden, for the first time, noticed that Aeron was hurt.
“By the Emperor! Your back!” She gasped as she spotted multiple two-foot-long semi-infected gashes running from the shoulders of his horse body all the way to his hindquarters.
“It’s nothing,” he murmured, but he was obviously in pain.
It only took her a quick glance to assess the rest of his physical condition, and she didn’t like what she saw.
He was mildly malnourished and many more injuries lined his gray body, a good number of them infected.
She grunted and shook her head. “What else would I expect? It’s so like you to forget to take care of yourself while you’re so busy fighting.” Though her voice was stern and chastening, a twinkle in her eyes betrayed her amusement.
“Why would I want to take care of myself if I could have you do it, love?” His eyes burned passionately into hers.
A blush raged across her cheeks. Oh, how she had missed him!
“Trojan, why don’t you go on ahead to fix your father a place in our tent?”
Trojan needed no second plea, and with one more sparkling glance at his father, he galloped into the woods. Grudgingly, because Aeron was telling them of his journey, and yet with a light step, Trojan rushed to obey.
“I have been following your tracks for months now, but gods was it hard to find them.”
She nodded. “Artigal recruited some of the spell casters to cover our tracks.”
He grunted, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “I wouldn’t expect any less.” His gaze drifted off into the trees, and his demeanor darkened.
“I can guess that the very day I reached Trans-Falls was the day of, or the day after, you left. I just barely missed you, but it took me three years to correct that simple mistake.”
Frawnden shook her head mournfully, the years seeming to melt away before her.
“I knew Artigal wouldn’t travel on the road that went straight to New-Fars because it has frequent human traffic. I also didn’t think he would take the southern route because it’s so much longer and difficult to travel. So, I took the path going farther north.”
His mate groaned. “And we took the southern.”
This explained so much.
“I traveled for months taking every back road I could, hoping I could catch a glimpse of your tracks. I found nothing. I knew that I had been traveling faster than even this small group of Centaurs and should have caught up to you by then.”
“I had the choice of either following the road until it met up at New-Fars and being nearly a year ahead of you, or I could’ve backtracked and been nearly two years behind. Of course, had I picked the latter option, I might never have known where would have gone after New-Fars. So, instead, I chose to travel between all the roads and maybe catch up with you before you reached the city. Even so, I should have reached you about one and a half years ago, but there was one other problem.”
Though Aeron’s overall attitude was light and joyful, it suddenly darkened, and his strong-featured face became grave.
“What?” Frawnden nervously grasped her mate’s hand in her own.
“I’m afraid it is something I must discuss with Artigal first, and then he will tell you.”
She frowned, but knew that it was always wisest to consult Artigal before anyone else.
“But, until then, I’m absolutely starving and aching. So, where’s this alleged camp of yours that has so perfectly hid itself all these years?”
“Just right past those trees, sir.” The leader of the five Centaurs pointed, and Aeron followed his gesture. His heart burst with joy. He had been alone for so long, he had forgotten what it was like to be with his own people. Tears glistened in his eyes, and the ache of his travels slipped away.
As they entered the camp, everyone fell silent. Not a sound was heard.
Everyone was in complete shock. Was it really him? Did the tribe of Trans-Falls really have their leader back?
Nearly all at once, all the Centaurs dropped to one knee and held their right fist over their heart.
Then, as Aeron walked through them, they leapt up and cheered, giving their leader a hero’s welcome.
The Centaurs that Aeron was closest to came up to him in joyous throngs. Many embraced him, but all were careful not to touch his wounds.
As they pushed their way through the crowd, the five escorting Centaur guards broke away silently.
Aeron and Frawnden spotted Artigal standing by his large tent in the middle of the camp with Trojan by his side.
Taking a deep breath, his eyes shining contently and proudly, Aeron knelt before the highest Centaur leader and waited for him to place his hand on the commander’s shoulder.
“Well done, Aeron, and welcome back.”
At these words, the entire camp once more erupted in celebration.
Trojan hugged his father, squeezing him as hard as he could, his little eyes shining gleefully. Aeron hugged him back, tears glistening in his eyes before Trojan stepped back to stand beside Artigal. For a moment, Aeron’s eyes darkened. “Where’s Stephania?”
Frawnden and Trojan both filled the chief in on all that had happened.
A scowl wrinkled his face. He wanted nothing more than to rush to his daughter’s side and see if she was well, but he had other duties as Chief, duties that painfully came first. “Thank you for telling me. I will come back with you as soon as possible.”
His small family nodded and turned away, leaving the leaders to their duties.
The Trans-Falls chief and Igentis chatted like old friends as if not a day had gone by.
Artigal led him into his tent, filling him in on all the events, especially concerning his family, that had transpired.
Trojan sighed as his father disappeared into the large tent, his eyes shining brighter than the stars on a clear spring night. “I can’t believe it! He’s home. Father’s finally home.”
Frawnden wiped away tears from her eyes. All she could whisper was, “I know, I know.”
§
“Stephania! Stephania, wake up!” Trojan shook his sister, and she groaned before rolling over onto her other side.
“Stephania, get up! Father’s here.”
The little girl sat straight up, her eyes wide open in surprised disbelief.
“Father?” She rubbed her shining red eyes and tried to wake up. The anesthesia that Jargon had given her was still making her a bit groggy.
“Yes! He came back! He found us, and he’s talking to Artigal right now.” Trojan began to tug on Stephania’s arm.
“Ow! Watch it!�
�� She winced against the pain and wrenched her arm from him, her little, chubby face twisting into a scowl.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Trojan meekly looked at his hooves. “I forgot about your wounds. Please forgive me.”
Stephania nodded her head almost pridefully. “Thank you. I do.”
Standing up, she grimaced and tottered over to where their mother kept food.
Grabbing herself a piece of bread, she split it with Trojan and listened as he, in very good detail, told her of all the things that had passed by while she had slept.
“When will I see him?” She was upset he wasn’t here now. Why did everyone else get to see him but her?
“A little later, I think.” Trojan snorted and crossed his arms. He too was a bit annoyed. “He’s talking to Artigal about something very important.”
Stephania grunted and tore a piece of bread off the loaf, chewing it violently. How could those matters be more important than seeing my father? She frowned, looking down at her food. They aren’t. She jumped to her feet, teetering from the sudden dizziness. “I’m going to see him.” Before Trojan could stop her, she ran out of the tent.
§
“A two-thousand count Eta army!” Artigal shook his head in pure disbelief.
Aeron nodded gravely. “On top of that, the leaders I overheard deliberating said that they didn’t even know how many more rouge Etas were attracted to Stephania’s magic trace.”
Artigal shook his head. “We would not be able to hold up to such an army. Though, I am glad that Thaddeus will not be present.”
“I am too, sir.” This, however, did nothing to raise their spirits.
“Where is Thaddeus? Why haven’t we seen more of him in the last few years, especially with Stephania being away from the Trans-Falls forest? Surely he hasn’t given up, has he?”
Artigal’s hand subconsciously rose to his chest. “I think—” A heavy sigh left his lips. The memory of the Great Lord’s mark flashing out in the darkness and of Thaddeus’ screams of pain replayed in his mind. He, like Jargon, suspected Thaddeus had been wounded, much like himself, and was recovering. “I don’t think Thaddeus will be able to come after Stephania for a little while. Something happened—” He shook his head, not quite knowing how to explain the millions of thoughts running through his mind. “I think Stephania might have channeled—”
“Father!”
Aeron felt a small body slam into his legs. Jumping in surprise and then grinning with joy, he swept the little girl off her feet.
“Daughter!” Tears collected in his eyes as he beheld the young girl, memorizing every detail of her face. She had grown up so much in two years. Her hair was longer, and she was definitely heavier.
“I missed you, little dragon.” He held her close to him, her soft hair tickling the scratchy stubble on his face.
“I missed you too.” She clung to his neck tightly, and he had to loosen her hold.
“Stephania!” Trojan burst into the tent, his face beet red. “Forgive me, Igentis. I was unable to catch up to her.” His embarrassed eyes stayed fixed on the ground.
Aeron heard his son mutter something about how he hadn’t expected that something with only two legs could be so fast and agile.
“Stephania, best you go back with your brother, okay? I will be with you all shortly.” Aeron pulled her away, his stern, smiling eyes gazing warmly into hers.
She nodded, and he placed her down.
Tottering over to Trojan, she quickly hopped onto his back. With Trojan still muttering his apologies, they ducked out of the door.
Aeron sighed. The air seemed sad after the children had left. He had missed his family, but he hadn’t realized just how much until now.
“And what were you saying?” Aeron turned back to the Igentis just in time to see the leader wash the tender smile off his face, tucking his emotions once more behind his mask. Aeron shook his head and sighed. He liked to think he knew Artigal better than most, but in reality, he knew hardly anything, especially with the way the Igentis preferred to hide away his true feelings.
Artigal shifted his weight and cleared his throat, his eyes distant. “Nothing, I suppose. It isn’t pressing.”
Aeron frowned. He desperately wanted to know about what had happened between Thaddeus, Stephania, and Artigal, besides just Artigal being wounded, but he had the feeling that the Igentis was keeping this, and many other things, secret for a reason.
Artigal’s voice was quiet and distant, as if his thoughts were on some distant shore. “I’m afraid that it is too late to call for reinforcements, but nonetheless, I will send a message right now. There is always the chance they can help in some way.”
Aeron stood up from the comfortable mat he had been resting on and placed his hand on the white Centaur’s shoulder.
“There is no need for that, sir.” He stood a little straighter, his eyes glinting slyly.
Artigal looked at him quizzically and raised an eyebrow. His undivided attention was upon Trans-Fall’s leader.
“If you remember, you know from the letter I sent ahead of me by falcon that I had taken a soldier, Landen, with me.”
Artigal nodded. “Yes, I was beginning to wonder where he had gone as you were telling me of your journeys.”
He nodded. “When we reached Trans-Falls and there was no one present, I instructed Landen to return to my army and that I would continue alone. He protested so relentlessly that we started arguing and got into a fight, and he lashed me across the hip with his knife.” He pointed to a silver scar etched into his dapple-grey hair, and a boyish grin spread across his face.
Artigal chuckled and shook his head. Typical.
“Seeing as he wasn’t going to leave me alone, I agreed to let him come along. However, I ordered that if I needed him to, he would leave immediately for the other Trans-Falls Centaurs.”
Aeron shook his head. “Too soon that day came. Only a few months into our journey, after we had split ways for a few days to cover more ground, I happened to stumble upon this Eta army. After meeting up a few days later, I ordered him to leave and take a message to Trans-Falls’ neighboring tribe. In the long run, he did more than that. Now we have both a section of my army, which is a part that is no longer needed at Sankyz, and a section of our neighbor’s army that will meet us by New-Fars.”
When Aeron paused, Artigal gazed at him expectantly, drinking all the information and instantly analyzing it.
“From what I have heard through messengers, they are going to make themselves a blockade between the Etas and New-Fars, but we have to get there before they do or else we will be caught between nearly 4,000 Centaurs and an army of Etas that is nearly doubling by the day.”
Silence enveloped the tent as his words hung in the air.
Artigal’s thoughtful, soft-spoken words broke the ill silence as he changed the subject.
“I know Frawnden will take plenty good care of you regarding your injuries, but I want you to tell her that I don’t want her sedating you. I will be holding a small festival to celebrate your return and for another important occasion, and I want you to be wide awake. I trust that you will be there?”
Aeron bowed. “Of course, Artigal. What is one more day in the land of fatigue?” His jesting put a slight smile on the leader’s lips, though neither of them was feeling quite cheery.
After a slight pause, he let his eyes linger on the map that Artigal had been studying. One last question remained. “Artigal?”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you pick this route?” He pointed to the dotted red line that Artigal had traced over the unused road he had chosen.
The road from Trans-Falls swung sharply to the south, rounding the west side of a large collection of mountains before skimming the coast of the Salcon Miw, or Salcon Bay, before curving back northward, meaning they would be entering New-Fars from its direct western side.
It was the longest possible route that Artigal could have taken, besides venturing dangerously into the Cavos
desert. Even so, it was a route that shouldn’t take two years to travel, yet that was how much time Artigal had taken.
A deep sigh escaped Artigal’s lips, and his eyes darkened. “I wanted to train her as much as possible. There is so much that our Kind can offer such a child, and I hoped that one day she could do more for our Tribes than just be the fulfillment of a Duvarharian prophecy.”
Aeron narrowed his eyes. He sensed that this wasn’t Artigal’s only reason for traveling so slowly.
“A year or slightly more would have been sufficient with how intelligent the child is. Why have you chosen to take longer?” He knew he was treading on fragile grounds with the Igentis, but he felt that it was his right to know.
Something that could have been akin to tears glistened in Artigal’s eyes. “I fear that the humans will not want to take her in. I fear that she will not be welcome. I fear that she will not be safe because she knows who she is. I am to respect her parents’ wish, which they gave their lives for, that she be with Dalton. I fear it was wrong of me to give her a family here when I knew she could never stay.”
“And you care?”
Artigal didn’t respond. He opened his mouth, his eyes a strange, confusing color, but merely turned away, crossing his arms. The discussion was clearly closed.
Respectful of his leader and mentor, though curious and a little frustrated, Aeron bowed his head before turning to leave.
Before he reached the tent’s door, Artigal’s deep voice caught him.
“Aeron, we are still nearly five to six months away from New-Fars. How much time do we have before the blockade is to be in full force and we are trapped?”
Aeron took a deep breath and whispered very quietly, “Two months.”
Chapter 10
The joyous celebration to commemorate the return of Trans-Falls’ high chief had been going on nearly four hours now. To everyone’s delight and relief, the storm had held off and the skies didn’t show any signs of letting down rain anytime soon.
Standing by the large bonfire they had made, Artigal gathered his people before him, Trojan’s sword in hand.
“My people!”
Child of the Dragon Prophecy Page 13