The Last Falcon: Book 1 of the Cael Stone

by Colleen Ruttan

CHAPTER 22

  The second Erynn stepped out of Cole's barn she had worried they might get caught before they reached Brye. But she hadn't expected it to happen so fast. So distracted by the steep climb down the rocks and Adena's talk about Ethlon, she didn't pay any attention to where she was going and didn't even think that those five soldiers they had seen on the road the day before might still be in the area. Or that they might seek rest and water at the very same creek she and Adena had been following all morning.

  "Don't let them catch you, Erynn."

  Erynn heard her father's voice and started to run, turning and darting into the trees at the base of the ridge. But the soldiers were after her in seconds and before long she was caught and dragged rather roughly back to the falls. Adena gave them more of a chase — and a struggle — but the soldiers were too strong and before long she was standing there next to her and not looking at all pleased.

  Erynn hung her head. Her journey was over. She had failed.

  She expected the soldiers to take them north to the castle, but while one of the men headed north to advise Marik of their capture, the others bound them at the wrist and marched them east into Thornhill, only a few miles away. The dark-haired soldier made a comment about Krystalix and how he didn't want the dragon interfering with his collection of the reward Holden was offering for catching his father's killers, but as far as Erynn could tell, he had no idea who she really was or why the dragon was even acting so strangely in the first place.

  The walk into town seemed to take forever, and Erynn again saw no sign of Krystalix, even though she continued to watch for him and to hope he might come help them this time. When they finally arrived, the soldiers didn't know where to take them, but eventually they settled on a blacksmith's shop on the far side of town and forced the girls on down the road. People everywhere stopped to stare as they passed by, confusion on their faces, followed by anger and hate as they realized who the girls were. Several even followed the group down the road, taunting.

  "Killers!" one woman yelled.

  "String them up!" came another cry.

  Erynn trembled and kept her eyes on the road. She had done nothing wrong, but still these people wanted her dead. She didn't even want to think about what might have happened if the townspeople had found them first.

  Three men streaked in sweat and soot were hard at work in the blacksmith's shop when the soldiers pushed the girls through the open doors and demanded they drop what they were doing and assist them in shackling their captives to the back wall. One of the workers retrieved two pairs of irons from a pile of junk in the corner and assisted in locking them up — close enough to the forge to feel the heat, but too far away to reach any of the tools and weapons strewn along the rough stone ledge next to it. The girls were then forced to sit amidst their chains on the dirt floor, waiting, while the soldiers stood guard and the men in the shop returned to their work.

  Erynn felt miserable. Captured twice in as many days, they had now gone from ropes to chains and this time escape seemed impossible. Other than the open double doors at the front of the shop, which the soldiers had closed halfway to prevent anyone in the growing crowd outside from trying to get in, there was only one other way out — a large wooden door along the back wall. And it was barricaded by a heavy beam.

  Marik arrived just as the sun was setting, entering the shop with Quinn. Two of the shop workers were still present and he immediately ordered them to leave.

  "Erynn," Marik said, walking across the shop toward them. "How good it is to see you again. I've sent word to Lord Caden that you've been found. I'm sure he won't be long behind me." He appeared rather pleased, but Quinn seemed tense, his hand not straying far from the hilt of his sword.

  Erynn stood, chains rattling, but tried hard to keep her eyes on Marik and not look at the mercenary.

  "You're not taking us back to the castle?" Adena asked, rising to stand next to her.

  "The Galians will take Erynn from here. You I'll be taking to the castle, where I look forward to seeing justice served."

  "Justice?" Adena said with a laugh. "You know we didn't kill the king. We weren't even there."

  "We can discuss our dear departed king later," Marik replied. "First we have other business to attend to."

  Erynn swallowed. She knew exactly what business he was talking about: the dogs.

  The dark-haired soldier stepped forward, still present with his three other men in the shop. "We found some letter tubes in their packs. And a sack of gold and what looks like a map." He pointed to a table on the far side of the shop, where one of the men had set their packs and pulled out the items inside.

  "Must have stolen them from the king," said another one of the soldiers, glaring at the girls.

  Marik motioned for the four of them to leave. Then he walked over to the table and picked up the sack of coins. "I assume His Grace gave you the gold at the same time he warned you about the Galians and gave you the key to the tunnel?"

  "He gave me the gold," Erynn said. "But he told me to leave by the gate. I found the key in his cabinet."

  "So that's why you were in the study. You weren't looking for parchment." He put the coins down and turned to the map, spreading it out on the table. "I was just about to head into the tunnel when I heard you two were seen running across the field. Saved me from what I'm sure would have been a rather long and unpleasant walk." He studied the map a few moments longer. "I've seen this in the king's study. Did His Grace give this to you, too?"

  Erynn hesitated, not sure if there was much point in lying about it now.

  Marik looked up. "I didn't take you for a thief, Miss Taylor."

  "I took it," Adena said. "I didn't tell her until after we left."

  Marik smiled. "Keegan's daughter. Now that makes more sense." He studied the map a moment longer, and then he walked back toward them and held out his hand. "I assume you still have the key? Neither of you will be needing it anymore."

  Erynn motioned for Adena to give him the key. The last thing she wanted was Marik searching her and finding the one the king gave her.

  Adena pulled it out from under her dress and slipped it over her head, handing it to him rather reluctantly. He slipped it in a pocket and walked back to the table, turning his attention to the letter tubes.

  Erynn couldn't tell which one he had grabbed first, but watched his face, waiting for a reaction. A second later she saw a smirk.

  "That Gareth," he said. "Always the gentleman." He set the letter down and reached for another. This time his brow raised, and he walked back over to Erynn and held the letter up so she could see it. "Is this true? Lord Caden killed your father?"

  Erynn didn't even blink. "And stole the king's horses."

  Marik seemed surprised — and even slightly amused — but he continued to hold her gaze. "I'll have to have a word with him about that. I'm sure those horses cost us a fine sum."

  Erynn didn't respond. The last thing she cared about was what the king paid for those horses.

  "Must have been a shock to see him at the castle. And to find out he'd come for you."

  Erynn knew he was waiting for a response, but still didn't say a word.

  "You'd like to see him dead, wouldn't you? I know I would if he killed my father the way he killed yours. And I'd do it myself, too."

  "Then maybe you should let me go so I can," Erynn replied.

  Marik smiled. "Part of me really wishes I could, Erynn, but I'm afraid I do have my orders." He gazed back down at the letter. "Was that extra note the king's idea? Or yours?"

  "Mine."

  He chuckled. "So that's why you wouldn't give Faris the letter. And why you were looking for Sheldon Birch in the market. Faris told me you'd figured out what was going on in the falconry. You were trying to find another way to send this, weren't you? Maybe hoping that if Gareth came back he'd see to it that Lord Caden was arrested and hung for your father's death?"

  Erynn felt tears come to her eyes, but blinked them back. Har
d. She cleared her throat. "So?"

  "So falconry's illegal, Erynn. You do know it's a crime punishable by death?"

  Erynn didn't see any point in denying it. "It was the only thing I could think of."

  "I admire your resolve, but you would have been disappointed. Gareth's not coming back. And if I find Birch, I promise you he won't be messing with falcons ever again."

  Across the room, Erynn sensed a change in Quinn — a shift of his feet, a straightening of his back, even a tightening of his jaw — but she kept her eyes on Marik. Had Holden told the him about the banquet in Sarda?

  Finally Marik turned and wandered back to the table.

  This time Erynn's eyes went to Quinn. The mercenary nodded his head once, and so briefly that if anyone else had still been in the shop they might have missed it, but she caught the message: make Marik believe you.

  Marik tossed the letter on the table and grabbed the last tube, seeming impatient as he shook out the folded parchment inside. "Task accomplished. Did not find book. Returning to castle. S." He looked up. "What is this?"

  "You'll have to ask Lord Caden," Erynn replied. "He tried sending it the day he killed my father."

  "Tried?"

  "Krystalix ate his falcon."

  Marik held her gaze a moment longer. Then he slipped the letter in his pocket and walked across the shop to the forge. A long poker-like piece of iron lay partly buried in the hot charcoal, abandoned by the men working in the shop when he arrived. He grabbed a nearby pair of tongs and slid the poker deeper into the heat.

  Across the room, Quinn shifted his feet again, his hand moving even closer to the hilt of his sword.

  "So you stole the key and escaped through the tunnel to the lake," Marik said. "And then Krystalix returned and torched another one of our stables, keeping us busy while you two ran across the field." He pulled the poker out, the tip red hot. "Have I got that right?"

  Erynn swallowed. "Yes."

  Marik returned the poker to the forge. "Then what happened?"

  "We ran."

  Anger flashed briefly in Marik's eyes. "Yes, I know that, Erynn. What I want to know is what happened after you ran."

  Erynn hesitated. She could feel the tension coming from Quinn without even looking at him. "We – We ran into some men and they caught us. They seemed to think that maybe they could ransom us."

  "What men?" Marik asked, not raising his eyes from the forge. "Who were they?"

  "I've never seen them before."

  "Well, what did they look like? You're a smart girl, Erynn. And very observant. Were they short? Fat? Ugly? What were they wearing?"

  "They put sacks over our heads," Adena said. "We didn't really get a good look."

  Marik pulled the poker back out — the tip glowing even hotter. "And these men killed my dogs?"

  "We didn't see that," Erynn said, unable to take her eyes off the poker. "But that sounded like what they were doing."

  "And where are these men now?"

  "I – I don't know. We escaped a couple days ago."

  "They were talking about Farglen," Adena added. "About some business they had there."

  A very slight look of understanding passed over the Army Commander's face. He turned his head, toward Quinn, but kept his eyes on the poker. "Think they're the same men you were tracking?"

  Quinn cleared his throat. "We last heard they were in that area."

  Marik's eyes shifted to the girls, watching them, before finally returning to the forge. He slid the poker back into the heat. "I saw Brock in the village on the morning of the banquet. He had Dillon with him. I was going to have a word, but was otherwise engaged."

  The mere hint of a smile appeared on Quinn's face and he seemed to relax a little. "Wouldn't put it past either of those fools to try something like that."

  "You didn't hear anything about either of them being in town?"

  "Haven't spent much time in town lately."

  Erynn didn't know who they were talking about, but Marik did seem to be buying their story and right now that was all that mattered. She vaguely recalled the two men she had seen in the market — the ones with the dark cloaks and swords that had appeared so out of place. Was that who they were referring to?

  "I told Brock I'd kill him if I caught him thieving again," Marik said. "I'm disappointed he didn't listen."

  Quinn shrugged. "You know his type. They never listen."

  Marik smiled. "You used to be his type, my friend."

  "And some days I still don't listen."

  Marik released the poker and set the tongs back down on the ledge. "As soon as our Galian friends are gone, I want you to find Brock and bring him to me. Dillon, too."

  "It would be my pleasure."

  Marik walked back toward Erynn. "Now. About the king."

  The relief Erynn had felt at successfully escaping the matter of the dogs faded quickly at the mention of the king. "Did you kill him, or was it Holden?"

  "Why Erynn, accusations like that can get you in a lot of trouble," Marik replied. "I wasn't even there. I was out looking for you. I must say though, that it was very wise of you to put your little plan in motion before you left. Very wise, indeed."

  Erynn frowned. "What plan? What are you talking about?"

  "You know exactly what I'm talking about. We all saw you with those herbs in the market."

  "What herbs?" Erynn said. And then it hit her — hard — and a warm and prickly sensation coursed through her as she remembered the herbalist's mother and the small package with the nutty smell she'd placed in the palm of her hand.

  Marik was watching her, a slight grin on his face.

  "I – I bought him tea," she stammered. "I've bought it for him several times. It helps him sleep!"

  "Oh, it helped him sleep all right. He just never woke up."

  Erynn stepped forward, pulling at the chains. "You're lying! I didn't take those herbs! I told her I didn't want them!"

  "We have witnesses that say you did, including that old woman and her son. We even found bits of it in your cot and scattered by the king's bed."

  Erynn couldn't believe this was happening. If she could have reached out and grabbed the red-hot poker from the fire she would have done it, burns and all, and run him right through. "If I wanted to kill someone, it would be Lord Caden!"

  Just then what sounded like a dozen horses pulled up in front of the shop.

  Quinn leaned forward to peek out the doors. "His Lordship."

  Marik smiled. "What perfect timing."

  Seconds later Lord Caden limped through the gap in the doors. He paused to glance at Erynn and Adena, and the shackles, before nodding at one of his men outside to close the doors behind him.

  Erynn glared at Marik, still so angry she was shaking, but he just turned and walked calmly back toward the Galian.

  "You don't think this would be easier at the inn?" Lord Caden asked. "And a little more pleasant?"

  "They're shackled," Marik replied. "The rear door's barricaded, and I have two dozen men setting up camp out front. I'm sure it will be fine."

  Lord Caden didn't look convinced. "I'll add some of my men to yours then, just to be sure."

  Marik shrugged. "Suit yourself."

  Lord Caden moved past him toward the back of the shop. "A pleasure to see you again, Erynn. I've already sent word to Queen Naedra that you've been found. I know she's looking forward to meeting you finally."

  Erynn knew she should be terrified, but the news about the herbs still had her seething. Seething so much she almost didn't care what happened. "I don't understand why she sent you here. Why she's so afraid of me."

  Lord Caden smiled. "That's a question you'll have to ask her. I'm simply here to make sure you're delivered safely."

  "Has she found my mother? I heard she's been hunting her, too."

  "Tara has been elusive, but I'm sure we'll find her soon. After all, it should be much easier now that we have you."

  Tara. Erynn felt her anger fade at th
e mention of her mother's name. She repeated it over and over in her mind, but the name wasn't one she recalled hearing before. Was this the woman on the dapple-grey horse she had seen as a child? She knew one thing for sure: she didn't like the idea of being used as bait.

  Lord Caden turned to Adena. "And what are we going to do with you?"

  "You could let me go," Adena replied. "I did save your horse."

  "Yes, you did. But I think we'll hang on to you just the same. In case your father gets out of line."

  "Holden wants her," Marik said. "He needs to hang someone for his father's death. Besides, I doubt either of her parents would care what you did with her."

  "You don't know anything about my parents," Adena snapped.

  Marik smiled. "I know enough."

  Lord Caden started back toward Marik. "Very well. We'll leave as soon as I hear from Naedra. Hopefully in a few days."

  "I thought you were in a hurry?"

  "I am. But I have lost a few more men than I expected."

  "Sending for more won't help," Quinn said.

  Lord Caden and Marik both turned to the mercenary, as if they had forgotten he was even there.

  "What makes you think I'm doing that?" Lord Caden asked.

  Quinn gestured towards Erynn. "I know Krystalix is trying to protect her. That's why he's been after you ever since you arrived. Why he attacked the castle. He won't let you leave Alyria with her, no matter how many men you have."

  Erynn wished that were true, but right now she wasn't so sure. If Krystalix was trying to protect her, where was he? She hadn't seen him since they left the castle and surely he could have saved her at the creek?

  "Krystalix won't be a problem," Lord Caden said. "He's old, and I don't think he's as invincible as everyone thinks. I do have some experience with dragons."

  "Yes, we can see that," Marik said, with a nod at the other man's scars. "And Erynn was just telling us about your previous encounter with him in Galia. I wasn't aware the three of you had met before."

  The slightest look of unease passed across Lord Caden's face, but then it was gone. "That was such a long time ago, Erynn. I'd already forgotten."

  Erynn stepped forward, clenching her fists and pulling at the chains. Wishing again that she could grab that poker. "I haven't."

  Marik pulled the letter she had found in Galia from his pocket and handed it to Lord Caden. "She had this in her pack, still in the tube."

  Lord Caden scanned the letter, but didn't seem overly shocked. "My falconer tried to send it when Krystalix attacked. I guess that old dragon didn't get as much of that bird as I thought. Which only goes to prove my point."

  "What's this book you were looking for?" Marik asked.

  The Galian didn't appear particularly pleased at being questioned. He folded the letter and slipped it in his pocket. "Just something Naedra's been interested in for a while. Nothing that would be of any concern to Alyria."

  "Was that why you killed my father?" Erynn asked. "Because you were angry you didn't find it? That you failed?"

  "I killed your father because I wanted his horses," Lord Caden replied. "No more than that." He glanced at Marik. "Horses that Holden will be more than compensated for by this alliance, I assure you."

  Marik gave a single nod. "I'm sure he will."

  Erynn could tell there was something going on between Marik and Lord Caden. Some sort of friction. But she didn't care. "You could have just taken the horses." She almost didn't get the words out, her voice breaking at the end.

  Lord Caden sighed, seeming annoyed they were still on the same subject. "I could have, Erynn. But I didn't."

  Erynn glared at him, hating this man more than ever and wishing more than ever that there was some way she could get out of this. That she had another chance to make him pay. She wanted him dead.

  Marik smiled. "I think you better watch your back going home, my friend. She looks like she could run you through right now."

  Lord Caden laughed. "She's in shackles. And no more of a threat than her father."