The Last Falcon: Book 1 of the Cael Stone

by Colleen Ruttan

CHAPTER 21

  They headed out across the back pasture of Cole's farm, running for the trees until they were nearly out of breath, and avoiding open fields to prevent being seen. Cole's wife had packed them some biscuits and apples, and even a few fresh carrots and tiny tomatoes from the garden, but they ate little, too focused on getting out of the area in case Marik was able to track the wagon — and not sure how long the food would have to last. Erynn still had the sack of gold coins in her pack, but the money was almost useless to them now. As long as they were wanted for the murder of the king, they couldn't risk going into one of the towns to buy food or horses, let alone approach any cottages they might pass along the way.

  It was late in the day when they came to the main road south from Caraden, the sun already starting to dip down in the sky. The road was fairly busy, people passing by in wagons and on horseback, and they followed it for a while — keeping safely out of sight — until they found a place where the trees came close on either side. As they sat down in the bush for a rest, and to wait for the road to clear, a man rode by on a bay mare, and then a short while later a wagon appeared, headed north and driven by a man with two teen boys and a box full of hay.

  Erynn glanced up at the wisps of cloud overhead, just as she had several other times over the course of the day, even though she had seen no sign of Krystalix.

  "Wondering where your friend is?" Adena asked.

  Erynn felt strange hearing her call him that. "One thing's for sure. If he's still following the Galians, then at least we know they're not in the area."

  "If he's still following them," Adena said. "I still don't understand why he didn't come when Quinn caught us. If he is trying to help you."

  Erynn didn't understand that herself, but didn't see any point in debating it further. They were free and that was all that mattered. She returned her attention to the road, where another wagon was disappearing down a hill to the south. The rest of the road was clear.

  "Ready?" Adena asked, pulling herself up into a crouch.

  Erynn nodded, but before she could gather up her pack and dart out to the road, she heard horses.

  "Wait!" she said, grabbing Adena's arm and quickly pulling her back down.

  Seconds later, five soldiers rode around the bend to the north, from the direction of Caraden, and thundered down the road toward them.

  Erynn recognized the dark-haired man riding out in the front of the group. She had seen him around the stables, and talking to Marik, but didn't know his name. Most of the others she had also seen around the stables. She cringed as they rode by, ducking down into the bush as much as she could to avoid being seen.

  "They're searching for us," Adena whispered when they were gone. "I saw them scanning the roadside."

  Erynn had seen that, too. "Go. Now. In case they come back."

  Moving together, they darted out to the road and then across to the other side, scrambling down a short bank and into the trees. From there they headed inland, ignoring the aches in their legs and feet, and continuing on until it was dark and they could go no more. Then they rested near the edge of a creek for the night.

  Erynn woke early the next morning and reached into her pack for one of the apples. She had just finished munching on it when Adena pulled out the king's map.

  "Can we look at this?" her friend asked. "I didn't mention it yesterday because we were in a rush, and I knew you were still upset about the king, but I'd like to get a better idea of where we are. And where we're headed if we can."

  For a moment Erynn hesitated, the sight of the map tearing at her heart as she thought once again of the king, but then she reached out and took it from Adena's hand. "It's not as detailed as you think. Valentia is a big place."

  She slipped the ribbon off, wiped her slightly sticky fingers on her cloak, and spread the map out on the grass in front of them — hearing Adena's breath catch at the sight of it. Erynn immediately thought the map seemed different somehow, no longer the same one she used to stare at from across the king's desk in the study. But in a way she suddenly felt glad they had it — glad they did and not Holden. She could picture him at his father's desk, sitting in his chair and reading the old letters from Gareth in the top drawer. Trying on his crown. And it made her angry. So angry that she wished once again that she could do something to stop him. To make sure Gareth came home.

  And then she realized what it was about the map that seemed different to her this time. Up until a few days ago she had always looked upon Brye as the place she was born. Her first home. Now, staring at the map, she knew that story was a lie and that she had no idea where she was born. Any one of the eleven kingdoms could be her first home — even Alyria, she supposed. Paddon may have lived in Highcastle his whole life, but that didn't mean she had started out there.

  "Is this the road we were on yesterday?" Adena asked, pointing to the road that ran south from Caraden before forking into the two smaller roads leading out of Alyria. "The same one we crossed last night?"

  "Yes, and we're probably getting pretty close to Thornhill, which is right where that road forks. We'll need to be careful."

  "Do you think we should follow the road down to South Crossing? Or just head for the river from here?" Adena didn't look very excited at the thought of her second choice, although she did seem resigned to the fact that crossing the Delorin at some point other than a bridge was likely their only chance now. The bridges were sure to be watched.

  "Probably best to make for the river," Erynn said. She pointed to a town about halfway between North Falls and South Crossing. Right on the edge of the river. "Renford's a big place. We might be able to find a boat near there."

  Adena didn't look so sure. "I thought the Delorin was easier to cross the farther south you went?"

  "It is. But they might not suspect us to go there. And we might never find a boat near South Crossing with everyone watching for us."

  Adena was quiet, and Erynn could tell she was worried, so she figured it was probably good to change the subject. She pointed to a large cluster of trees near the west coast of Alyria. "Blackwood's over here, on the eastern edge of this forest."

  "Definitely nowhere near where we're going," Adena said, gazing at it briefly before her eyes drifted back across Alyria. "Maybe Quinn will change his mind about finding Sheldon when he learns about the king. Especially if he thinks Holden is responsible."

  "I doubt it. He might even think it's more risky. Now that Holden can do whatever he wants and doesn't have to worry about his father interfering."

  "Well, maybe we can find a falcon when we get to Brye. At least they're not illegal there."

  But Erynn had already thought about that. "I don't think we'll have time."

  Adena looked up, frowning. "Why not?"

  "Because I think it's going to take us longer to get across the river than you think. It's a long walk to South Crossing, Adena. If we do have to go all that way. Over three hundred miles from Caraden. And even if we do get across, you can be sure Holden will send word to King Agar about us, if he hasn't already. The Bryans will be looking for us, too. Going into towns and asking about falconers there will be just as dangerous as buying food or horses here. It would be easier — and probably faster — if we knew where Sheldon was. You heard Cole. Caelin's falcons know Gareth. They're trained to find him."

  "But there isn't anything we can do about that now. Blackwood's too far away and we need to get out of Alyria before Marik catches up to us."

  Erynn gazed back down at the map and sighed. "I know. I just wish it wasn't."

  "Besides, we don't even know if Sheldon does have that falcon," Adena said, seeming a little concerned that Erynn was still dwelling on this. "Even if we could find him." She paused. "You told Quinn what they're planning. Now it's up to him to warn Gareth. He is supposed to be working for him, remember?"

  "Supposed to be," Erynn said. She tried to shift her attention back to the Delorin River — and how they were going to get across — but found her
eyes kept returning to Blackwood. She did wish it wasn't so far. She'd go there herself and find Sheldon. Marik's spies or not.

  "What's this?" Adena asked, pointing to a symbol near the center of Alyria — a circle with the letter "M" inside.

  "It supposedly marks the site of an old temple. One built to honor Maegan."

  "A temple?" Adena frowned. "I've never heard of that."

  "There are three of them," Erynn said, pointing briefly at the other two symbols in Brye and Cardel and remembering how the king had always seemed so reluctant to answer her questions about them. At least now she knew why.

  "Have you ever seen one?"

  "I didn't even know they existed until I saw the map. My father never mentioned them."

  "Never?" Adena looked a little surprised.

  Erynn shook her head.

  "Do you think he knew about them? About the one here?"

  "I can't see how he didn't. He traveled all over Alyria."

  Adena thought about this for a few moments. "Maybe he was worried you'd want to go there. And that if you did maybe you'd somehow figure out the truth."

  Erynn didn't see how she could, but didn't really feel like talking about that now. "Maybe."

  "Would you like to see one? I mean, if we had time? The one in Brye is not that far from Highcastle and we are going in that direction."

  "It's pretty close to the Bryan Forest. I thought you didn't want to go near there?"

  Adena appeared to have forgotten about that. "It's not inside the forest."

  Erynn shrugged. "I guess."

  "You don't sound very excited. I would have thought you'd be interested in finding out more about the Daughters of Maegan. Now that you know you are one."

  "We wouldn't exactly be in this mess if I wasn't."

  Adena smiled. "Yes, you'd still be in the kitchen, peeling potatoes and listening to Mirella, and I'd be out in the stables, knee deep in manure."

  "Well, at least that wouldn't get us killed, Adena." Erynn reached into her pack and broke a chunk off one of her biscuits. She knew she shouldn't — that she needed to make the food last — but the apple hadn't filled her up much and she was still hungry. "I just want to find the Order and my real parents. Figure out some way to get Marik and Lord Caden off my trail."

  Adena watched her as she quickly downed the biscuit, and then she pulled the map closer, shifting her attention east this time. A furrow appeared in her brow. "The Ethlon castle is in Ortelion, right?"

  "Gareth's letters never said your father was there, Adena. Just that he left."

  "But Jared heard those men talking, didn't he? They said my father was living at the castle and that's where he was planning to go, right?"

  As Erynn swallowed down the dry biscuit, she thought back to that last night in Cold Lake. How she had sat on the small cot in their room at the inn and watched her father argue with Jared, trying to convince him that Ethlon was too dangerous. Eventually he gave up and went downstairs and Jared started packing his things. She had just sat there, watching him. Not wanting him to leave but not knowing how to tell him. He was only three years older than she was, but it had always seemed like so much more. "That's what he said."

  "I wish I knew what else Gareth might have written about in those letters. The ones Briggs mentioned. If he'd said anything about Jared."

  Erynn pulled herself up and brushed the biscuit crumbs from her hands and the dirt and grass from her cloak. "We should go."

  Adena nodded, but she continued to stare at the map — and Ortelion — for several more seconds, as if trying to commit it to memory. Then she carefully rolled the map back up, slipped the ribbon on, and handed it to Erynn. "I suppose you should carry it."

  Erynn didn't say a word. Just took the map and slipped it in her pack. Then, when Adena was ready, they left their resting place and resumed their journey south, following the creek and snacking on berries they found along the way. Neither of them said much. Erynn was still thinking about Brye and whether it might be possible to find a falconer in time, and she had a feeling Adena was still thinking about Ethlon. Then, later that afternoon, she saw cows grazing in a field about a mile away and started to wonder if maybe they were drifting too far east. And not long after she caught a whiff of smoke and stopped.

  "I think we should cross the creek," she said. "Maybe head west for a while."

  "You don't think we should follow it?" Adena asked. "It's pretty warm out and we don't have any way to carry water."

  "I think we're going too far east. Too close to Thornhill. I can smell smoke."

  Adena sniffed at the air. "I don't smell it."

  Erynn wasn't surprised. "Well, I do. There must be a cottage up ahead somewhere."

  Adena turned back to the creek, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the sun. "It looks tricky here. Too deep. Let's try going a little farther. See if we can find a better spot."

  Erynn wanted to cross the creek now, growing even more worried about that smoke and that it meant there were people nearby who might see them, but the water did seem to have grown both deeper and faster and there weren't enough rocks to cross. So when Adena started walking again, continuing in the same direction along the path, she simply followed along behind.

  Soon the terrain along the edge of the creek grew rocky and steep, as if they were traveling along the top of a ridge, and eventually they reached the end of the path. About twenty yards east, the ridge dropped sharply to the trees, and up ahead the creek continued on for a while before disappearing swiftly out of sight over the edge of what appeared to be a short falls.

  Adena glanced around, not seeming particularly pleased with their situation and perhaps wishing they had crossed earlier. Then she pointed to a gap in the rocks along the edge of the ridge. "Maybe there's a way down over there."

  Erynn followed her over to the gap. The drop was only about thirty feet, and it certainly looked possible they could climb down, but the face of the ridge was steep and it wasn't going to be easy. Still, they didn't seem to have any other choice but to go down, so when Adena dropped to her knees and started down the hill, Erynn waited until she was out of the way before climbing down after her.

  "How long do you think it would take to get to Ortelion from Highcastle?" Adena asked as they descended. "Weeks do you think? By horse, I mean?"

  Erynn swatted at a fly that had buzzed too close to her face. She was trying to stay focused on where she was going and on what she was doing, a little annoyed at herself for not insisting on crossing the creek earlier — even if they did get wet — and the last thing she needed was to be thinking about Ethlon. "It's dangerous there, Adena. Way more than Brye. Or here." She thought she might have heard a horse snort nearby, but brushed it off as creek water rushing down over the rocks. A second later she slipped on a patch of loose dirt on one of the rocks, but managed to catch herself. She wiped the sweat and grime on her hand against her cloak and continued her descent.

  "I know," Adena said, reaching the bottom and pausing to wait for Erynn. "It just doesn't seem as far from Highcastle as it does from here. Once we get there anyway."

  Erynn reached the bottom and wiped her hands again. "I think we should just concentrate on getting across the river." She walked past Adena around the edge of the ridge, heading back toward creek and hoping there would be a place calm enough to cross.

  But when she finally came around the bend and saw the falls, she froze.

  Five horses stood saddled and waiting near the pool at the bottom, their riders not far away. One was crouched by the pool, having a drink of water. Three more were standing nearby. The fifth, a dark-haired man, was sitting on a rock a few feet from where she stood, chewing on what appeared to be a strip of dried meat.

  They were soldiers — the same five soldiers they had seen galloping down the road from Caraden the day before. And they had walked right into them.

  The men near the creek turned in surprise, obviously not hearing the girls over the rush of the falls, a
nd the one with the dark-hair smiled.

  "How about that," he said. "If it ain't the two girls we've been looking for."