“Is it what I said, Sebastian? Is Gabirel turning traitor?”
Sebastian shook his head, “No,” he said,. “Not that. The council believes that sorcery is at play. There have been rumors and stories of groups of farmers going crazy and killing their neighbors for no reason. Even one of our patrols attacked a village and massacred them. The only explanation that makes sense is that Sterling Lex is causing everything.”
“How could he be doing that?”
“I don’t know, Cenric. But that is what the council believes. Both Valeria and Darden think so too. They think he has gained control of the Soulstone from the Krenon.”
“What about Master Breandan? What does he think?”
Sebastian didn’t want to talk about Breandan’s viewpoint with Cenric. The wizard had strongly supported complying with the King’s order to the letter. Much too close to capitulation for Sebastian’s taste. He moved the conversation to the other point of discussion. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks. The decision is made. But, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about. I had a true dream last night.”
“A true dream! How do you know?"
“It doesn’t matter how I know, I just know it was true. Anyway, it came out toward the end of council. Cenric, you know Krystelle was sent to Hallvard, don’t you?” The boy nodded. “The dwarves are enraged that Gabriel has not turned over the Dragonstone. They’ve taken her prisoner. That was what my dream showed me and Valeria says it was a true dream.”
“Did the council believe you? What are they going to do? Are they going to go get her out?”
“They believed me. They don’t believe anything can be done. Damianus was insistent that the focus be on the King and Sterling Lex. Cenric, I’m just sick about the whole thing. I can’t bear the thought of her locked up in a dwarven dungeon.”
“What are you going to do?”
In that moment, Sebastian decided. “I’m going to go get her out. I don’t know how, but I am.”
#
Even with Gabirel’s military discipline it took most of the next day to prepare the army to move. The king’s herald departed with the sun, along with a missive to the King that Gabirel would attend him at Cinaeth on the appointed day. He could not miss the preparations going on around him and would no doubt have his own report to King Ercanbald detailing Gabirel’s preparations. Close on his heals came the scouting parties ranging ahead of the main force to guard against ambush.
Halfway to noon the First Calvary rode out, leading the order of march, with squads of spearmen and archers close on their heels. Next came the High Council and the cadre of wizards, with the Swordsmen as escort and an additional squadron of spearmen close on their heels, followed by the supply train. Just behind that, Sebastian rode along with his squad and the other squires. They operated as a reserve force and to help protect the supplies during the march. This would be their trial by fire. At the end of the caravan, the Second Cavalry operated as a rear-guard.
In order of march, strict discipline was not expected, and the recruits were free to ride as they would. Martino and Sebastian rode along at a ground eating pace, discussing the events of the past two days. “I’d not thought when I joined Gabirel we’d be riding to war so soon. What do you think Sebastian?”
Distracted, Sebastian had not been listening to his friend, “What do I think of what?”
Martino leaned over to punch him on the shoulder, “Riding to war! The grand adventure. Isn’t this why we joined Gabirel?”
Sebastian looked at his friend, “The grand adventure hasn’t ever turned out how I thought.”
“Oh, come now. You can’t tell me you’re not excited to be out of the Dazhberg and riding out to battle! I would have thought you at least would be ready to defeat Sterling Lex once and for all.”
“What makes you so sure we’re going to win?”
Martino laughed at him, “You are a foul mood today, aren’t you?”
Before Sebastian could respond Loanan choose that moment to ride past, head wrapped in a bandage. Bumping his horse into Sebastian, he sneered at the boy to his two companions. “Look at this one, a lump of hay in his saddle. I’ve not forgotten what you did yesterday and whatever Jarmo Dale decides, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Sebastian gripped his reigns tight, struggling to contain his sudden anger. The horse frisked beneath him, picking up on his mood. Martino came to his rescue, positioning himself between Loanan and his friend. “I’d be more worried about myself, were I you Loanan. I hear they will use your little bout yesterday as a case study. You’ll get to give lectures every year on how you got pummeled by a farmer in your first Challenge. Imagine what your dear father will say.”
Loanan’s face flushed beet red at Martino’s jab and he laid a hand on his sword. For a moment, Sebastian wondered if he would call Martino out. The moment passed as a ripple of surprise flowed over the cohort with the sudden arrival of two riders from further up in the march.
Sebastian turned in his saddle to see Damianus and Valeria riding towards them. They pulled up short and eyed the five young men. Damianus scowled at the scene, reading the mood. “Loanan, you and your friends there ride on. We have somewhat to say to Sebastian. Martino, you go on as well. Sebastian, ride with us a moment. You can return to your friends in a while.”
Loanan scowled one last time at Sebastian and jerked his horse around, followed by his two friends. There will be trouble there, thought Sebastian. Or at least there would if he intended to stay. Martino gave his friend a worried look and rode off, careful to keep the bulk of the cohort between himself and Loanan.
Sebastian pulled his horse alongside Valeria and the High Councilor, waiting for them to begin. He worried that they divined his intentions. “I am glad to see you still with us,” Damianus began. “I had a thought you might go off after Krystelle on your own.” Sebastian shrugged. “That would be unwise after this morning's news.”
“What news is that, Councilor?”
“You have not heard the rumors?” said Valeria. He shook his head. “Breandan departed during the night without a word and took Cenric with him.”
Sebastian was confused. Why would Breandan leave and why would Cenric go with him? Damianus continued before he could ask the question. “I fear he has gone on with the King’s Herald. He’s gone over to Sterling Lex. They both have.” Sebastian nodded, it made sense after everything Breandan and Cenric had said to him.
As if reading his mind, Valeria honed in on that thought. “Did either of them say anything to you about Sterling Lex?” That unleashed the floodgates and Sebastian poured out everything the two had told him about Sterling Lex and the suggestion it was Gabirel who was in the wrong. “Listen Sebastian,” said Valeria when he finished. “Sterling Lex is a liar and he has no true claim to the power of the Arch-mage. He has stolen that power and is using it against its intended purpose. Never doubt that. Doubt will eat at your heart like a plague and destroy you. You’ve been in the presence of his associates and you’ve felt the evil in your heart. You’ve seen what that corrupting influence did to your friend Cenric. Trust yourself and you will do well in all that comes.”
Damianus nodded, “Heed Valeria’s words, I’ve found her counsel to work out well. One thing more before we leave you though. I know your heart would take you north on some foolhardy quest to rescue Krystelle. Were I you, I would feel much the same. That is not your battle lad. We will free Krystelle in due course, but for now we have a bigger battle to fight. Do you understand?”
Sebastian nodded and the two rode off, satisfied. The thing Sebastian had not said was that he knew in his heart that freeing Krystelle was part of that larger battle. Perhaps the most important part. He knew it in his core and he knew he was the one that had to do it. Urging the horse to a trot he hurried to rejoin his cohort and resume planning his escape.
#
The sun was two hands above the horizon when Lord Commander Teoma called a halt for the day. They had reache
d an expansive green valley with a good sized stream running along the western edge. The valley allowed for plenty grass for the horses and a chance to restock their water supply. With a force this large, a shortened daily travel time ensured that the cavalry horses remained fresh for the looming showdown at Cinaeth. This was not a forced march.
While the soldiers cared for their gear, the cooks and stewards busied themselves preparing for the evening meal. Cook-fires built up and stockpots set to heat, while they prepared stocks of roots and game for cooking. As always, soldiers on watch ate first. Taking up fresh horses from the remounts, they rode out within the hour to relieve the scouts who would ride back to the camp to give their report.
Sebastian set to rubbing down his horse alongside Martino, still pondering how he would break away and slip past the guards. Each day that passed took him further and further from the north country where the dwarves held Krystelle. He had it in his mind to leave that night even though he had not figured out how to find Hallvard. One obstacle at a time. Martino had picked up his mood after the altercation earlier in the day and had respected his need for silence, but Sebastian knew his friend had questions for him. The news that Breandan had fled in the night swept through the army, with it the rumor that Cenric had gone with him.
Sebastian avoided the topic as their squad dug out a latrine on the far side of the encampment, well away from the cooks and the water supply. Compared to the back-breaking labor reconstructing the walls at the Dazhberg, this was a welcome change and they made quick work of it.
Returning to their campsite, Sebastian settled against his tack with a bowl of stew one of the cook’s assistants ladled out to him. One big slop of stew and a tear of bread. He was grateful for it and used his bread to soak down every bit of the broth. He would not be able to stock up on provisions before he rode out that night.
Martino gave him a sly glance, “What are you planning Sebastian? You’re up to something.” Flustered, Sebastian sputtered a response before Martino cut him off, “Don’t lie. You’re no good at it.”
Sebastian struggled with what to tell his friend. “It’s better if you don’t know. That way you won’t have to lie to Jarmo Dale when he comes asking.”
“You are planning something then?” Sebastian nodded. “And it’s something you won’t be here to answer for.”
“I beg of you, just leave it.”
Martino set his empty bowl aside and leaned toward his friend. “I will, on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“Promise me you aren’t going after Cenric. I get he was your friend and all…”
Sebastian held up a hand to stop him. “I’m not going after Cenric. I hardly recognize him anymore.”
“Good,” he looked like he was ready to say more and thought better of it. Settling back into silence, they peered into their small campfire, each lost with his own thoughts. Around them, the camp slipped into a quiet stillness. Soldiers had a knack of taking rest when they could and falling to sleep was easy after a long day in the saddle. Even Martino dropped off and the only sounds were the occasional snort and stamping of restless horses and a symphony of snoring.
Midway through the first watch, Sebastian made his move. He wanted to be far from the army before dawn broke and the squad missed his presence. Hoisting his saddle he slipped into the night, leaving the horse he had ridden that day behind and making his way to the remounts. He wanted to start out with a fresh horse.
He was halfway to the herd when he felt a tickle on the back of his neck. Someone was following him. They had not called out a challenge and that worried Sebastian. Either they did not want to be seen for their own reasons or they were not friendly. Glancing around, he kept up his pace, passing between the tents set up for the cooks. Sliding around a corner he ducked into the shadows, hoping that his pursuer would miss him there.
Sweat beaded on his forehead even in the cold night air as he waited, listening to the crunch of the approaching footsteps. Possibilities raced through his mind. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, a restless soul taking a midnight stroll through the camp to calm themselves. That was the best case. But what if it were something more? What if Jarmo Dale had seen him leave? No, Dale would not have let him get this far without challenging him. He tensed as the footsteps came even with the tent sheltering him.
They stopped.
On the verge of panic now, Sebastian considered making a break for it but that would awaken everyone in the surrounding tents. He decided to wait it out and hope they did not find him. Holding his breath, he willed himself to stillness.
“Sebastian!” hissed a voice in a low whisper. “Where are you?”
Closing his eyes in relief, Sebastian released his breath and crawled out from the shadows. “Martino! What are you doing here?”
His friend looked at him in accusation, “You said you would not go after Cenric. You promised me.”
Sebastian shook his head, “And I hold to that promise.”
“Then where are you going in the dead of night? I did not take you for a deserter.”
Sebastian looked around to be sure no one else was near and stepped closer to his friend, “North,” he said in a quiet voice, “to the dwarves. I’m going to free Krystelle Mora.”
Martino folded his arms, “Alone? You could not even get out of camp without being discovered.” He paused, considering his friend. Shaking his head he rubbed his temples, “I know how stubborn you are, so I suppose there’s nothing for it but to go with you.”
“Absolutely not!” Sebastian almost forgot to keep his voice low.
“Look, you don’t have a choice here. Either I go with you or I start raising the alarm and you don’t go anywhere. You pick. Besides, I know how to find the entrance to Hallvard. You’ll never find it without me.”
He could see in Martino’s eyes that he would do just as he had threatened. Reluctantly, he nodded his agreement. “What about your gear?”
“Give me your word you won’t leave this spot and I’ll return presently. Your word.”
Sebastian saw no way out if he wanted to help Krystelle. “My word.”
Martino gave him one last meaningful glare and slipped into the darkness. Waiting there in the shadows, Sebastian chafed at the delay. Three times he almost stood up and continued on his way. Each time the memory of the look in Martino's eyes stopped him. If Martino returned to find Sebastian gone, Jarmo Dale would be on his heels in minutes and he’d spend the rest of this march under careful guard.
On the verge of leaving for the fourth time, Sebastian could not take it any longer. What if Martino were turning him in anyway? He stood, hoisting his gear when Martino came around the corner. “Not leaving without me, are you?”
Sebastian smiled weakly, “Wouldn’t dream of it. Now can we go?” Martino grinned in his victory.
“Oh, this is too rich,” Martino and Sebastian froze at the sound of the voice coming from around the tent corner. The owner of that voice followed it around and stood in front of them, hands on hips. It was Loanan. Head still bandaged, he wore his nightclothes and his hair was tied back to keep it out of his face. He was the second to last person they wanted to see just then, with Jarmo Dale taking the lead position.
“This has nothing to do with you,” snapped Martino.
Loanan rubbed his hands together with glee, “I knew the two of you were no good and now here you are, deserting. I wonder what Dale will do when he finds out.”
“Assuming you’re around to tell him,” said Martino, his voice dark.
Sebastian grabbed Martino’s arm, shaking his head, “Not that way.”
Gloating, Loanan made a small bow. “No, not that way Martino! Sebastian there knows when the game is up, coward that he is.”
Ignoring Loanan, Martino turned to his friend, “Then what?”
Sebastian held up a hand and closed his eyes, going deep within himself. He had not used his magic deliberately since Cale Uriasz. Truth be told he was still wary of what
he had done and might do, so he had locked it away, pretending it did not exist. He heard Loanan talking, taunting him, and put it to the side, refusing to listen. In his mind’s eye he formed a vision of Loanan standing there beside the tent. Shaping the vision to his will the mental image of Loanan dropped to the ground and Sebastian pressed against reality with his will, commanding it to bend to his wishes.
Thud!
Opening his eyes, Sebastian found Loanan on the ground unconscious, and Martino staring at him. Squirming, he looked at his friend. “Don’t ask. Not now at least. For now, let’s just get moving”
#
Martino and Sebastian rode through the night, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the army. At Martino’s suggestion, they started out heading east. Among it’s other advantages, that would put them into the hills of Cuillen, and out of sight, before the sun peaked over the horizon. Martino was sure there would be a road leading north towards Hallvard running through those hills.
Starting off east might throw off any pursuit. Sebastian did not think Jarmo Dale would bother sending someone to fetch two squires, but Valeria might not be pleased to find him gone. Either way, they didn’t relish the thought of being discovered. Neither of them wanted to mention it, but they were now deserters. The punishment for desertion was severe enough and, worse, an argument could be made that they were not just deserters, but deserters during campaign.
Deep inside, the thought that they might view his departure as a betrayal tore at his heart. Gabirel had given him a home when all he ever knew was torn from him. He had a new purpose greater and grander than tilling fields and harvesting crops. He’d recovered three of the legendary Eligus and thwarted Sterling Lex’s plans. He had done what the wizards and Gabirel could not through the magic he found inside himself. Now he would use that magic to do something for himself and save Krystelle. He had not worked out how, but he figured that had never stopped him before.
Eligium- The Complete Series Page 35