“I am, but we lost Billan and Niamh today, they sacrificed their lives so we could escape.” Autumn nuzzled the grey mare, before his wise brown eyes fixed on Samantha. “I am still unconvinced that it was a necessary price to pay. I should never have put my herd in such danger. In all his long years, the Dark Being has never known the way into Wentra.”
“Sundance.” Samantha said quietly. “Sundance was with him.”
A wave of panic flooded from Alina.
“Relax, dear one.” Autumn’s thoughts came across warm and comforting. “We will discover what this means, and save your nephew.”
Samantha said her farewells and went back to the camp with Tobias, glad she could hide her doubts. Something in Sundance had been bubbling up during their stay in Caelum, and her last memory of him was his violent actions in the Valley. Had he gone with the dark herd willingly?
*****
Dawn had barely broken when Samantha was awoken by someone rummaging around in her tent. She hardly recalled last night, her head had hit the pillow and she had gone into a deep, exhausted sleep. As she struggled to open her eyes, her body screamed that it needed a good few hours more.
“Jillis?” She mumbled.
“Samantha, I didn’t mean to wake you.” The younger girl said quietly, without looking her way. She was dressed in a grey-green tunic and brown breeches, and sturdy boots, looking ready to leave.
“Where y’going?”
“We noticed smoke to the north. Rian is sending a scouting party to Treefort, to see if Miss Jemma’s vision came true.” Jillis explained, sitting on the end of Samantha’s bed and deftly plaiting her long black hair into something manageable.
“You don’t have to go, do you?” Samantha asked.
“I can provide them help, as an archer. Besides, I could do with getting away from the Valley.” Jillis looked towards Samantha, “Lugal... told me about his proposal.”
Samantha sat bolt upright, “Jillis, I’m so sorry, I should have said something, but I was so mad with Tobias at the time. It definitely wasn’t my idea, I still don’t know what to think about it. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It’s true that I liked him, but I agree with Lugal – he needs to think of the future of Enchena. I cannot blame him for choosing you.” Jillis said with a sigh. The girl went to say more, but thought better of it, and pushed herself off the bed.
Samantha felt a pang of guilt as she watched Jillis leave the tent.
*****
Alina left the Valley as soon as it was light to seek the dark herd and find the truth about Sundance. Sneaking away from Autumn’s side had been a hard decision, but she didn’t want to risk him trying to stop her, nor did she want to put him in any further danger. Instead, she took an old friend.
Siabhor was the logical choice, he could track better than any unicorn, and Alina had seen that even the Dark Being feared him. But if she was honest, Alina had missed him when they were in Caelum, and it was satisfying to have an excuse to spend time with him.
They still made a very odd and unnatural pair, but Alina no longer shivered whenever the mallus was near.
They made their way to Wentra, the fire had died down, the area a mess of black and grey. Siabhor picked up the tracks of the dark herd, which they followed across the charred ground. They travelled until the sun was high in the sky, and at midday they came to an area that bore signs of use by unicorns. The grass was trimmed low, and the ground rutted from numerous hooves.
Alina moved forward with more caution, her silver coat forever gleaming in the forest, she found no natural camouflage. She raised her head to the breeze, and noticed the familiar scent of her nephew mixed with that of unknown unicorns. Alina tried to hear Sundance’s thoughts, but couldn’t even sense a whisper. The unicorn glanced at the Siabhor, who jumped nimbly up into the nearest tree, giving the predator the best vantage point.
With a nervous twitch of her ears, Alina walked on, alert for any sound or movement.
The peace was suddenly broken by a stallion’s cry, which rang out through the trees. A unicorn moved towards her, his coat as black as night, his once fine form covered in the scars of his vicious life. His thoughts dripped like oil, poisonous and lingering.
“I remember you: sister of Nmirr,” The Dark Being eyed the beautiful mare, “Have you realised that your Autumn is a coward? Do you seek someone stronger and more worthy of you?”
Alina’s ears flattened to her skull and her teeth bared at his comments. Her gaze moved nervously, noting the movement in the trees and hoping it was only Siabhor. “I seek my nephew, nothing more.”
The black stallion walked closer, his very presence a threat. “What if he does not want to be found? Perhaps we should ask him.” He threw back his head and called, confident that every member of his herd was paying attention to their master.
A lithe golden unicorn came obediently forward, the palomino a stark contrast against the forest and shadowy herd-members.
“Sundance-” A whinny left Alina, and her eyes moved over her nephew, looking for any sign of damage.
The palomino came and stood at the Dark Being’s flank, refusing to move any closer.
“Sundance, I’m so glad I found you. You can come home now.”
“I am home.” He replied shortly, his once-lively thoughts rolling out with a new monotone.
“You see, Torment has rather had enough with being the human’s slave. He no longer follows the staid rules that are set for the benefit of others.” The Dark Being shared, his eyes fixed on Alina.
“Torment?” The mare snorted at the name. “You will always be Sundance, son of Nmirr-”
“Don’t mention my father.” Torment thoughts screamed, as he jumped forward, his horned head lowered.
Alina skirted aside, and only just missed getting gored. She noticed that more unicorns had appeared behind her, blocking her exit, every one of them ready to attack at their master’s command. Alina felt torn, her desire to flee this danger was overwhelming her, but she couldn’t leave her nephew.
“Leave now, Aunt. Run back to your humans-”
Torment’s bitter words were cut off by a sign from the Dark Being. “Oh, she’s not leaving this time, not when she comes so willingly to the dark herd.”
Alina shuddered as she felt the broad shoulder of an unknown unicorn pressing against her flank, pushing her deeper into the herd’s territory. The mare lashed out with her back legs and caught them hard enough to make them squeal with pain.
There was a press of bodies, and confusion.
A moment later, Siabhor had tackled a bay unicorn to the ground. The enemy struggled beneath the mallus’ teeth and claws, and gave one last dying scream.
The rest of the herd backed away, unable to overcome their fear of the predator.
“Home. Now.” Siabhor hissed, detangling himself from the dead unicorn’s limbs.
Alina gave her nephew a lingering look, before reluctantly turning and running, Siabhor close on her heels.
The Dark Being lowered his head to his fallen herd member, snorting at the swift death of the bay unicorn. He turned away, his furious gaze fixing on Torment. “If you want to stay in this herd, and if you want any chance with Odile; the price is Alina. Bring her to me. And if you manage to kill her tame dog, I will even give you my blessing.”
Torment stared down the path his aunt had taken, then looked to where Odile hovered in the shadows. The young stallion slowly nodded his horned head.
Nineteen
The Valley was in a sombre mood. The day after they had returned from the capital, the funeral rites were held for Russit, and many in the camp helped build his pyre. He looked so tiny, dwarfed by the wooden lattice.
Jemma’s eyes were red from crying, but she was beyond caring that people saw her tears. She had been wanting to speak to Siarla all day, and finally found a moment when she was not surrounded by friends.
“Siarla,” Jemma said nervously, “I wanted to say how sorry I am about
R-Russit. I wish there was something more that I could have done.”
When Siarla looked at her, Jemma could see the doubt – was there something that she should have done differently? The moment of weakness passed, and Siarla pulled up the mask of calm that she had been living behind since Russit’s kidnapping. “I don’t blame you, Jemma.” She stated wearily.
Jemma stared at the ground. “I’ll move out. I can... ask them to relocate me. It just feels wrong that I’m allowed to sleep with the family, when he can’t.”
Siarla took Jemma’s hands in hers. “No, stay. My daughters have been through so much, now they’ve lost their brother and Saxton... hasn’t spoken a word since he returned. They can’t lose anyone else; I don’t want to try to explain why you’ve left them.”
Jemma burst out crying again, she opened her mouth to speak, but before she could Siarla had pulled her into a fierce hug.
Later that evening, when the sun started to set, the pyre was lit. The Gardyn gathered and stood respectfully, there were many more than Jemma had remembered. The families from Treefort only made up a small portion; as another force of Gardyn had made their way to the Valley.
More noticeably, Autumn’s herd spread across the remaining open space, over fifty unicorns making a striking scene.
As the fire died down, everyone drifted quietly away.
Jemma followed the Marsh family to their tent, and as she lay down she felt a familiar lightening sensation. For once, she welcomed the vision openly, eager to escape the pain of grief that threatened to overwhelm her.
Jemma was stalking through the forest, her movements slow and precise. It was getting dark, and there was the smell of burning wood on the breeze. There was a handful of other Gardyn, following her lead.
She carried a bow and arrow, a full quiver on her back. She tensed as she heard a rustling ahead, and raised her bow to aim at the newcomer.
When the young man rushed towards her, she sighed and lowered her bow, recognising the Gardyn.
“Lady Jillis, I can confirm that Treefort is on fire.” The man reported, “Just like the Oracle predicted.”
She nodded, “It is a relief to know that everybody is safe in the Valley. Was there any sign of Hrafn’s men?”
The scout shook his head. “The blaze looks like it has been going for a while, it makes sense that they headed back to the city when they found Treefort empty.”
“Still, it wouldn’t harm to make a sweep of the area.” She reasoned, “I don’t imagine Hrafn would leave the place without a patrol. With any luck, they might betray some useful information.”
“Or we could just, y’know, kill them.” An older chap spoke up, making the group chuckle.
Giving a rueful shake of her head, she turned on the guy with a bright smile, “Thank you for volunteering to take point, Conor.”
The group smirked at the interaction, but quickly became professional again, moving in sync through the darkening forest.
The closer they got to Treefort, the stronger the smell of burning, and a strange orange light flooded the surrounding forest. It was horrible to see, the great walls crackling with the fierce flame. It was a miracle it didn’t spread any further.
There was the snap of a branch behind them, the noise half-hidden by the fire.
“Archer!” One of the Gardyn shouted, firing an arrow into the leaves.
Alerted by the shout, she spun round. In a practised move, she aimed and let her arrow fly, just as she felt a deep pain in her thigh. She gasped as she looked down, hardly understanding why an arrow shaft stuck out of her leg.
She was vaguely aware that her own arrow had hit the hidden assailant square in the chest, and he had fallen from his perch in the tree. As she went to give orders to the Gardyn, she felt her balance shift, her vision beginning to swim, and she collapsed unceremoniously on the grass.
After Jemma awoke and alerted the Gardyn, a large party swiftly assembled to rescue their Lady Jillis and her men from whatever had befallen them. By dawn they had all returned, hurrying Jillis to the healer’s tent. People milled outside, waiting for news.
Tobias and Samantha stood up quickly as the healer came out to meet them.
“Lady Jillis still lives,” he began quietly, “She drifts in and out of consciousness. The injury puzzles me, she is not badly hurt and one as strong as Lady Jillis would not react to such an affliction. I have done what I can, if she makes it to morning, she will be on the road to a full recovery.”
Tobias gave the healer permission to retire, then he and Samantha went inside.
It was not much later that Prince Lugal entered the tent, a worried expression clouding his face. “How is she?” He asked quietly.
“Still sleeping.” Tobias replied, “We have no idea what is wrong. Where is your brother?”
“He could not resist meeting the unicorns. I would have accompanied him, but... Captain Philip is with him, all is well.” Lugal knelt beside Jillis and hesitantly took her limp hand, his touch was gentle and caring, and betrayed his feelings. “Is there anything that can be done?”
“The arrowhead was tipped with poison.”
Everyone turned to see Jemma hovering in the doorway, she looked very pale, her eyes red from tears that threatened to fall again.
“After the vision last night, it was difficult to separate from Jillis. Mixed with grieving over R-Russit, it hid what I should have realised sooner. It is a slow-working poison, designed to draw out the death of the victim. It has no cure.”
Moments of silence passed, as they took in this news.
“Is Hrafn trying to delay us?” Lugal asked, “Poisoning the most-loved Gardyn, they make us stay in the forest trying to save her?”
“I don’t think Hraf-” Samantha broke off, a thought occurring to her. “Hrafn could save her.”
Tobias gave her a sceptical look, “I really don’t think we can persuade him-”
“I meant specifically his power to restore life.” Samantha snapped, “If I got close enough to kill him, I can claim his powers as my own. As long as Jillis is alive, I will be able to cure her with no risk to her soul.”
“Samantha...”
“The prophecy that brought me here said that my powers would combine with Hrafn’s. It doesn’t actually state who gets to keep them.”
“Samantha, you’re talking about killing a king.” Lugal cautioned.
“He has to die, and I have to be the one that does it.” Samantha argued.
“And Hrafn will already know all this.” Tobias said, holding Samantha’s arm, as though scared she’d go on her suicide mission immediately. “The King will be waiting for you. Whether you go alone, or with an army at your back; Billamaur told you that the King’s troops have all been recalled to protect the capital.”
“Samantha, I agree with Tobias.” Jemma said in a small voice, “I have a bad feeling about you rushing in.”
“I didn’t ask your opinion, Miss Jemma.” Samantha snapped, “More reinforcements came yesterday, we can’t assume that the Gardyn army will get any bigger than it currently is. Now is the time to act, along with anyone that will follow me.”
Lugal and Tobias shared a look, neither approved of rushing to battle, but both loved Jillis in their own way, and knew they would follow Samantha.
“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Jemma squealed, her fists clenched against her ears, her whole face scrunched with pain.
“What?!” All three people turned to her, surprised by the show.
“Not you, them!” Jemma said with a jerk of her head. She blinked away tears and relaxed. “Wow, that was a new experience, one that I do not want to repeat.”
“Jemma, what are you talking about?” Samantha asked wearily.
“Hm, oh the dr-” She broke off, looking to Lugal and Tobias, not sure how much they knew. “Leukos and Caminus started speaking in my head – they are really loud.”
“And what did they have to say?”
“They don’t want you to fight Hraf
n now, they say you will be outnumbered. They say...” She broke off, nervously trying to put the dragons’ warning into the right words, “that in the bigger picture, Jillis is just one life to sacrifice.”
Samantha tensed and turned away, marching out of the tent.
Samantha wasted no time at all, and after a rather rousing speech to the Gardyn, she had her army. It came as no surprise that the rebels were ready to fight Hrafn and claim their freedom and revenge; but it was endearing how many wanted to save their beloved Lady Jillis.
Jemma grit her teeth, as she heard them make plans to leave that very evening. She’d hated speaking against Samantha, hated that she had to voice that they were going to have to choose between losing the war, or losing Jillis.
Now that she had given her advice, she didn’t know what part she was supposed to play. Everyone was readying for war, and Jemma was no fighter. She drifted back to the Marsh family tent, only to find Siarla alone and crying over Russit’s old jumper. It was the first time that Jemma had witnessed the woman’s strong emotional wall crack, and she wasn’t sure what to do.
“Siarla, are you alright? Would you like me to make some tea?” Jemma asked.
Siarla wiped her eyes, and set her son’s clothing down, her fingers caressing the material. “I’m fine, I’ll be fine. I just... heard that they are off to war, and I fear for Saxton.”
Jemma automatically started to fuss, getting the mugs and tea leaves ready. “Saxton will be fine, he’s been training for this.”
Siarla shook her head, “He’s not himself, he hasn’t spoken a word since Russit... He can’t fight if he’s in a daze.”
Jemma fidgeted with the empty kettle, a thought occurring. “I need to go heat some water, I will be back shortly.”
Before Siarla could reply, Jemma hurried out. She ran over towards a group of familiar soldiers, who pointed her in the right direction.
She found the person she was looking for, cosying up to one of the girls from Treefort. Angrud was gently brushing aside a lock of the girl’s dark brown hair, as they quietly spoke.
The Oracle Page 17