The Last Falcon: Book 1 of the Cael Stone

by Colleen Ruttan

CHAPTER 19

  The men ordered the girls to lie face down on either side of the wagon, between the bales of hay and outside walls, and stretch their arms out over their heads. Then they bound their wrists once more, securing them to corner posts under the seat so they couldn't even think of jumping out of the wagon, and stepped back to let Cole and his son — who Erynn learned was named Jaynus — cover them with heavy blankets and arrange the sacks of grain at their feet.

  Smothered in a darkness reeking of hay, horse, and mildew, and blocked from even talking to Adena by a thick wall between them, Erynn found the only comfort was a few wide cracks in the floorboards. She inched over, until her nose was right on top of one, and pressed her forehead down, drinking in the fresh air.

  The men talked briefly, away from the wagon where she couldn't hear, and then Cole and Jaynus climbed back up to their seat and the wagon lurched forward, turned in a circle, and headed out of the clearing the way it came. For a long while the path was rough, each bump slamming Erynn down on the floorboards and jarring her bones, tiny splinters pricking her face and arms, but eventually it grew smoother and the wagon picked up speed. Soon other horses passed by, and wagons, and she realized they were on a road.

  It was hot and musty under the blankets and the hay made her nose tickle, but Erynn tried to stay focused on the sliver of dirt passing by below. She wondered where Cole was taking them, and whether they might have a chance to escape when he moved them from the wagon, but she figured he'd probably take them out one at a time so there was likely not much chance of that. She also thought about Sheldon, wishing Quinn and his men knew where he was, or were more fired up about finding him. She had a feeling he did have that falcon and that it was the only chance they had to warn Gareth in time. And even though she tried hard not to, she also thought about Briggs and whether he was right when he said they didn't stand a chance of getting out of Alyria themselves. And whether it might be better to let Cole lock them up and keep them fed and warm and hope that Quinn could get them to Brye when it was safe. The only thing that worried her was would it ever be safe?

  Above her head, the seat creaked, as if someone had turned to check the cargo in the back of the wagon. This had happened every few minutes since they left the clearing and she assumed it was Jaynus. But this time she heard him gasp.

  "Look! Father!" he cried. "It's the dragon!"

  Under the blankets, Erynn tensed. Krystalix? After the long ride with Quinn and then the long night tied up in the woods, she had pretty much given up hope that he might come to her rescue.

  The seat creaked again — a little louder.

  "Where?" Cole asked.

  "Back there, above the trees. Or he was a second ago."

  Cole muttered something and the seat creaked again. He slapped the reins, shouting at the horses. The wagon picked up speed, and for what seemed like forever to Erynn, neither he nor his son said another word.

  "What do you think it means?" Jaynus asked finally.

  "That Marik might be a lot closer to finding that clearing than Quinn thought," Cole said, tension in his voice. "And that it's good we got out of there when we did."

  Erynn lay still, waiting for dragon's scream, or some other sign he meant to help her. Would he attack Cole and his son? She didn't want to see either of them hurt, but she didn't exactly want to be locked up either — despite her fear that Briggs might be right. She hated being stuck under the stuffy blankets and not knowing what was going on and was tempted to wrestle them back so Krystalix could see her, but a wagon had passed by only a short time ago and she knew she couldn't chance someone else seeing her. A girl tied up in the back of a wagon was sure to be remembered — and reported.

  Minutes passed but she heard nothing more, only the occasional creak of the seat. Whatever Krystalix was doing out beyond the trees, it didn't appear to be coming to her rescue. Erynn closed her eyes and pressed her head against the boards, and it wasn't long after she heard another sound — distant at first but quickly growing stronger. The sound of a half-dozen or more horses thundering down the road behind them.

  The wagon slowed and moved left to the side of the road. Tufts of grass and weed appeared amongst the dirt through the crack below. The horses caught up to them in no time, but did not pass. Instead, they maintained an even pace behind the wagon and then at least two or three rode up alongside.

  "You there!" came a man's voice. "Stop the wagon!"

  The voice wasn't one she recognized, but Erynn was still struck cold with fear. She could tell by his tone and the sound of the horses, the clinking of bits and spurs, that they were soldiers from the castle. And she could think of only one reason why they might want to stop the wagon.

  Cole called to the horses, easing them back, and soon the wagon came to a stop.

  Erynn was too scared to breathe, terrified the slightest movement might be noticed. Or that the blankets and sacks of grain by her feet had shifted during the journey and exposed her to view. The horses next to the wagon were so close she could hear them munching on their bits right above her, and practically feel the exhale of their breaths through the blankets. The rest of the soldiers remained behind them.

  "Morning," Cole said, a slight trace of tension in his voice. "What can I do for you fine men?"

  "Where are you coming from?" the man who had requested they stop asked. He sounded young, perhaps only a few years older than Erynn herself.

  "Caraden. Just went to visit my brother and pick up some grain and a few supplies."

  "We're looking for two girls. Around sixteen. Possibly in the company of some men."

  "Perhaps not willingly," said another man, sounding older, near the side of the wagon.

  "Yes," said the first. "Perhaps not willingly. Have you seen anyone like that?"

  "Saw plenty of girls that age in town," Cole said, obviously trying to sound confused. "But I don't recall seeing any on the road, although truthfully I really haven't paid much attention."

  "Did these girls do something wrong?" Jaynus asked.

  "You could say that," the man said, with what sounded like slight amusement. "They're wanted for the murder of King Wryden."

  It was like someone had stabbed her in the chest with an ice cold blade. Erynn let out a gasp, before she could catch herself. The king was dead? But how could that be?

  One of the horses next to the wagon snickered and shook his head, as if he had heard her down there under the blankets.

  "I – I hadn't heard he died," Cole said. "When did this happen?"

  "He was found a few hours ago. The girls were both servants in the castle. One of them his scribe. Someone he trusted."

  Erynn bit her lip hard, fighting back tears and a sudden urge to sit up and tell whoever this man was that he was lying. That she would never hurt the king. And that she couldn't have! She wasn't even there! Holden was just desperate to find her and was obviously using this as an excuse to do it. He was going to turn everyone in Alyria against her so no one would help her escape. So anyone who saw her would report her on sight. She didn't even want to think about what some of those people — especially those who had loved the king — might do if they found her. If Briggs wasn't right about their chances before, he definitely was now.

  "That's horrible," Cole said. "Well, I sure hope you catch them."

  "We will," the young man said, sounding quite confident. "After all, there isn't anywhere they can go. The bridges are watched and Holden's declared that anyone found helping them will be put to death. It's only a matter of time really."

  Cole was silent a moment. "You – You think they're in the area?"

  "They were last seen west of Caraden, but we believe it's possible they've been picked up. We're just out spreading the word. Obviously the more people who know we're after them, the faster we'll find them."

  "If I see anything, I'll report it immediately," Cole said. "And I'll be sure to tell anyone else I see, too."

  "What are you looking at, kid?" came that second
older voice by the side of the wagon.

  "Krystalix," Jaynus said. "He's there again. Just over those trees."

  Saddle leather creaked all around and for several seconds it was quiet.

  Erynn listened, hoping the dragon would attack this time. Hoping he would tear to shreds every last one of these men who worked for Holden. Holden had killed his father, she was absolutely sure of it. He had killed him for helping her escape.

  "It's just the Galians," the first man said, as if he'd seen the dragon a million times before. "They're waiting for word from Marik. Krystalix must be pestering them again."

  "Glad we're not assigned to them," a man behind the wagon said. "He's already killed four of their men."

  "We will be if we don't get to Chapley before dark," said the second man.

  The leader of the group reminded Cole to report any sightings of the girls right away, and then they departed, galloping off down the road.

  One of Cole's horses snorted and stomped a hoof, but the two men seated up on the bench remained still.

  "Does this mean Holden is now King?" Jaynus asked finally. "Because Gareth isn't here?"

  "I don't know," Cole said, his voice quiet. "But I do know things have changed in Alyria. And not for the better."

  He slapped the reins and the wagon lurched forward, slowly moving back onto the road.