The World of Samar Box Set 3

by M. L. Hamilton

  She crossed the room to lean over Jarrett. He slept soundly, his chest rising rhythmically under the blankets. She brushed the hair back from his face, glad to see him sleep so soundly, obviously free from pain. Then she moved to the door and pushed it open.

  In the light cast by the few remaining embers of the fire, she could make out the prone figures of Kendrick and the Lawry runner, Earon, lying beside the fireplace. Muzik had fallen asleep in his chair as he stood watch. Down the hallway, she could hear the constant rise and fall of Gaff and Sonyan’s breathing.

  Everything was quiet and still, except for the constant rush of the wind down the chimney and the occasional thuds as snow fell from the heavy branches of the trees extending over the cottage, yet even still, Tyla was uneasy. Something had awaken her. She’d been dreaming and as she stood in the living room, she realized she’d been having a nightmare about Tarnow. Perhaps it was the nightmare that had brought her awake so suddenly and made her so apprehensive.

  She glanced around again at the three sleeping figures and then turned back to the hallway, but she heard Kian growl. She twisted back around and moved to his side. Kneeling down, she stroked his fur. “What is it?”

  He lifted his muzzle to lick her face, then pricked his ears and the hair on his neck rose. Tyla closed her eyes, allowing her power to slip out and into the night beyond the door.

  “What’s going on?”

  She started and looked up to see Earon standing in the shadows. She rose and faced the runner. “It seems you told the truth – Sarkisian Front Guard are coming this way.”

  His brow lifted and he half smiled. “And how do you know this? The dog tell you?”

  “It doesn’t matter, does it? If I were you, I’d be concerned. If you’re found here with us, especially as a Lawry runner, you’ll see the same end as the rest of us.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve no intention of dying for a business venture.”

  “Let’s get something straight, you and I, Earon,” she said. “This may be a business venture for you, but we’re not playing games here. Rarick of Sarkisian is not a man used to being fooled, nor is he a man to show mercy to anyone or anything. We haven’t much time to prevent this situation from becoming fatal for all involved, including you, so it seems that I will be taking control, even of your future, for the moment. If you have any objections to this, say so now because I won’t give you a second chance.”

  Earon eyed her openly, his gaze moving up and down her body. His lip lifted in its crooked smile. “Well, well, how can I refuse such a woman?”

  Tyla frowned. She’d never taken her role as Queen of Adishian very seriously, but she felt no little offense at his insolence. She brushed past him without saying another word and woke both Kendrick and Muzik, explaining what was happening. The Lawry runner moved into the living room, leaning his tall bulk against the doorjamb and Tyla could feel his eyes on her as she moved around the room.

  Both Kendrick and Muzik were on their feet in a matter of moments. Muzik hurried to wake his parents and Tyla went to wake Jarrett. When they were all in the living room at last, shaking away the remaining sleep, Tyla faced them, Kian pressed against her side. She rested a hand on him to keep him from growling and warning those that prowled outside the door.

  “From what I could discern, there are as many as ten soldiers outside, Guardsmen all. They’re at the house next door right now, working their way down the street,” she said, shifting her eyes to a frightened Gaff and Sonyan. “We need to hide in a place that we can’t be found and we need to take away all signs that we’ve ever been here. We haven’t more than a few minutes, so we can’t waste any time.”

  Sonyan looked between her son and the Queen. “If you’re found, what will they do?” she asked, tears welling in her eyes.

  Tyla went to her and took her hands. “They won’t find us, not if we hurry. Sonyan, you’ve been very good to us. We can’t let it all be wasted now, can we?”

  Sonyan shook her head and fought back her tears. “The cold storage,” she said suddenly and her eyes shot up to her husband’s. “The cold storage will be big enough to hold you until they leave, and I can’t imagine they’ll bother looking inside there.”

  Gaff stirred then and the fear drained from his face. “Of course, a perfect plan,” he said, embracing his wife. “It’ll be cold, but with their Guardsmen parkas, it shouldn’t be unbearable and it shouldn’t be for long. Even the dog can hide in there.”

  Tyla squeezed Sonyan’s hands, then released them and turned to her companions. “Quick now. Gather all our belongings and we’ll meet by the back door. We don’t have much time. No candles or lanterns, and when they knock at the door, both you and Gaff will have to look as if you’ve been asleep. Gaff, when we’re ready, you’ll go into the yard first to see that it’s clear and if so, lock us in the cold storage and return at once to your bed.”

  “And if it isn’t?” he said.

  Tyla’s face became grave. “It doesn’t matter then. We’ll have to act on instinct.”

  Without further words, they went about their tasks as silently as they might. Soon everything had been gathered and deposited by the back door. Every sign that they had ever been in the Andrada’s cottage was wiped clean. Each one of them expected to hear a knock at the door any minute, but none came and they reassembled, lifting their packs onto their shoulders.

  Gaff went out first, peering cautiously into the dark night. He went in his night clothes, his only protection against the blustering storm being his thick leather boots.

  The rest of the company stood huddled in silence by the back door and the seconds stretched on into minutes. Kendrick shifted restlessly and Kian whined. Tyla placed her hand on the dog’s head to still him, and then Gaff was at the door, silently motioning them out. They slid into the shadows behind the elder Andrada, their packs over their shoulder. Jarrett halted in the door and reached back for Tyla, pulling her ahead of him. As he did so, his hand fell across the back of her knapsack and the small package of medicinals Greypen had made for her dropped under the kitchen table without a sound.

  Then they were out in the night with the wind and snow whipping about them. Their luck held and they made it without incident to the cold storage, whose door stood gaping open in the darkness. Gaff pushed them through and then shut the door and threw the bolt. They couldn’t even hear his footsteps for the mournful howling of the wind as he disappeared back into the house.

  The cold storage was a tight, small room, barely able to fit the four men, woman and dog. The men were forced to stand with their heads bowed, so low was the ceiling, and they were pressed tightly together, the huge bulk of Muzik Andrada dominating most of the space.

  The air in the cold storage was thick with the smell of sweet, sticky blood and raw flesh mingled with a stale smell of cold. Tyla glanced around the room, her eyes passing across the slabs of raw meat, hanging upside down so the few remaining drops of blood might run out onto the slatted boards. She felt momentarily sick and closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the wood of the outer wall. Yet the smells still assailed her, combined now with the sweaty, pungent scent of fear, given off by those huddled nearby. She pulled her parka closer about her, more for comfort than out of cold and tried to block out the tiny room and its unpleasant contents.

  Jarrett’s hand slipped beneath the confines of her heavy parka and found hers. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, surprised at how much she’d come to depend upon him in a short time. Strangely enough, she’d never been closer to anyone else before, and still there was so much to be learned about him, so much that he didn’t even know about himself.

  * * *

  Gaff returned to the house and brushed off the flakes of snow that clung to his clothing and hair. He pushed Sonyan with him back toward their room and removed his boots, hiding them deep in the closet, under blankets and clothing. He didn’t return to bed, though. He told Sonyan to wait in the room and went to stan
d in the hallway, his ears straining to catch any sound.

  He thought he must have waited for hours and had begun allowing himself to hope that they’d passed him by, but just when his hope had almost grown to the point of conviction, a loud pounding came at the door. A spasm of fear went through Gaff and he clutched the wall to steady himself. Sonyan appeared at the door of the room and Gaff ushered her back, shutting the door behind him. He took a deep breath as the knock sounded again, this time much more insistent.

  He hurried to the door and tried his best to seem sleepy. His hand reached for the knob and he leaned into the door.

  “Who’s there?” he said.

  There was a moment of silence, then a murmur as many voices seemed to discuss the issue. Finally a voice sounded, loud and firm. “Sarkisian Front Guard. We’ve come on an important mission from the present King of Adishian, Lord Rarick of Sarkisian. Open up!”

  Gaff slid back the bolt and cracked the door open. A shadow moved forward, the door was thrust fully open, and an arm extended with a lantern. Gaff blinked his eyes in the blinding light and backed up. Six men pressed their way into the little cottage, all bearing the blood red emblem of the Guardsmen panther.

  The commander, bearing three gold ropes across his shoulder, moved before Gaff. Gaff’s eyes passed over all of the soldiers and then back to the commander. “Have we done something wrong?” he asked, fear evident in his voice.

  The commander’s eyes narrowed on him. “We’re on a mission from Lord Rarick. We’re searching for four fugitives who have broken from the Adishian prison. They’re dangerous and must be found.” He cocked his head at the old man. “You don’t have any objections if we search the house?”

  Gaff’s eyes strayed to Sonyan, who stood staring into the room from the hallway entrance. He looked back at the commander. “No,” he said, “We have no objections.”

  The commander’s stony face was grave. He continued staring at Gaff, but made a quick signal with his hands. The five soldiers dispersed and went to check each room of the house. The commander folded his arms over his chest, the red panther peeking through them. “Perhaps you’ve seen the prisoners or have some information on them?”

  Gaff swallowed against his fear. “I’m just a cobbler. My wife and I know very little of what goes on at the castle. Although, we are aware that Lord Rarick has taken control of Adishian after Lord Tarnow’s death.”

  “These fugitives are important and even a cobbler would’ve heard of them. One’s a Nazarien, the other a Terrian. The third is a captain of the Blue Battalion, and the fourth is Tyla Eldralin.”

  Gaff knew he was expected to show some sort of reaction. “Tyla Eldralin’s our Queen. How can she be a fugitive?”

  The commander eyed him. “Was,” he said. “She made an attempt against Lord Rarick’s life.” He paused and his expression grew harder. “Know this, cobbler, Lord Rarick of Sarkisian has taken control of Adishian in its time of turmoil after the death of its King and the betrayal of its Queen. At this time, he and his advisors are reviewing the ledgers of the Protectorate and making a list of the city’s citizens. If you know anything about the whereabouts of either the Queen or the three men who accompany her, it’d be best you tell me now, because if I find out that you withheld anything from me, the consequences will be most unfortunate.”

  Gaff again looked over at his wife and he could see her tremble as she hid in the shadows of the hallway. He swallowed hard again. “We know nothing, Commander, but if we did, we’d never withhold it from you.”

  The five soldiers returned to their commander’s side and informed him that they’d found nothing in their search of the cottage. The commander listened, arms folded over his chest, then he exhaled. “Our luck doesn’t seem to be getting any better,” he said, then to Gaff’s surprise, he stepped further into the living room, away from the front door.

  Gaff and the five soldiers followed him into the hallway and waited while he took one final look through the two small bedrooms. He moved into the kitchen next. Gaff crowded close, his heart pounding in his ears. The commander’s eyes made the circuit of the kitchen and then he turned to go, but as he turned, the lantern he carried struck the table and he looked down. His eyes fell on the barely visible corner of Tyla’s medicinal bag. He bent and lifted the worn burlap in his hands.

  Sonyan couldn’t suppress the gasp of surprise that escaped her lips. The commander’s head jerked up and he eyed her suspiciously. In that moment, Gaff knew all was lost.

  Sonyan stepped forward, taking the package from the commander’s hands. “So that’s where it’s gotten to. I’ve been looking all over for days. Silly, it was right under my nose all the time.” She forced a smile. “I use these to help my husband. His joints are so stiff in the mornings these days, especially as the weather’s been so bad lately.”

  The commander seemed suspicious. “You grow these yourself?” he asked, lifting his brow.

  Sonyan laughed. “Oh, no, I buy them in the market. I wouldn’t begin to know how to grow them.” She paused and her face took on a look of deep regret. “I’d understood that they were grown at the castle, under the Queen’s tending hand, but I suppose that’s no longer true.”

  Sonyan was not a woman used to lying, but as she spoke these last words, her aged face took on such a look of sincere anguish that the commander’s suspicion wavered. Gaff stared at her. He had never loved his wife quite so much as now. He forced back his smile of pride and lifted his eyes to the commander. The commander hesitated a moment more, looking down on Sonyan, then with an abrupt signal, he left the cottage trailed by the five soldiers.

  Gaff waited another hour until he was quite sure the soldiers had gone and there was no chance of their return, then he went to the cold storage and freed the five companions. They hurried back into the house and packed away their Guardsmen uniforms, while Sonyan fixed them up a package of food to last them a few days.

  Earon still insisted that he must accompany them to protect his investment and he refused to let them buy the horses out right. He wouldn’t even tell them where the horses were being held. The men were uneasy about trusting the runner and didn’t like the idea of going to an unknown location. They wondered if he hadn’t been bluffing about the horses’ existence all along. Only Tyla was unconcerned.

  It was just three hours before dawn when they were ready to go and stood in the front entryway saying their goodbyes. Sonyan hugged both Jarrett and Kendrick, and admonished Jarrett to keep warm. Then, to Tyla’s dismay, she knelt before her and pressed her hands to her lips. Tyla pulled her to her feet and gave her a warm hug, then did the same to Gaff before he could kneel. Finally it was time for Muzik to say farewell to his parents, possibly for the last time. There was no lack of tears exchanged on all sides and as Tyla watched, she felt her own heart constrict. She’d never known what it was like to have parents and she longed to experience even the pain Muzik was feeling at leaving them.

  Then they were out in the night and storm again, slipping from the warmth and comfort of the cottage into the shadows and fading from view. Before they rounded the corner of the Andradas’ street, Tyla looked back once more and said a silent prayer to the memory of her grandfather for him to protect the Andrada elders in their absence.

  * * *

  Earon led them on a winding, confusing trek through the back alleyways of Adishian. They met no other people as they went, except for a few Lawries who lay on the back stoops of the houses, curled into tight, unseeing balls from the cold. Tyla was uneasy and her eyes and mind searched the darkest corners of the alleyways for any sign of Sarkisian soldiers. She knew taking Kian with her was a particular risk, for the dog was a beacon to those that might be following them, but she couldn’t leave him behind, he was such a part of her, the only remaining tie she had to Adishian, except Muzik.

  Earon left the alleyways of the residential district and turned into the industrial avenues of Adishian. Again he took to the less travelled and less known side s
treets, avoiding the main thoroughfares and store fronts that were usually patrolled by soldiers at this time of night. Tyla looked around her, realizing that she had never been to this part of the city in all her years at Castle Kazan.

  The backs of foundries and smiths were dirty, soot covered places, where the refuse of broken, twisted metal lay in heaps. Harnesses, bits, horseshoes, weapons and various other objects that she couldn’t recognize blocked their path and they were forced to either step over them or walk around. Sometimes the snow covered the refuse so completely that they didn’t know anything was there until they were right on top of it. Their pace slowed perceptibly as they were forced to go forward with more caution. Once Jarrett lost his footing as he stepped on a broken piece of fireplace grating and went down. Kendrick hauled him to his feet again.

  As the minutes dragged on, Tyla began to wonder if Earon weren’t in fact leading them around and around in circles. She began to stare at the backs of the buildings a little more closely, looking for any similarities between the ones they’d just passed.

  But finally Earon halted at a particularly dirty foundry and sidled up to the back door. He knocked with a staccato rhythm five times and waited. After a few long moments a peephole was slid open in the door and two dark brown eyes peered out.

  “Who knocks at this hour of night?” came a gruff voice.

  “A friend of the falcon,” Earon said, casting a quick smile in Tyla’s direction, “and an enemy of the leopard.”

  The four companions exchanged a quick glance, then turned back to the door, awaiting a response. All was quiet for a while.

  “Speak your business.”

  Earon shifted and brought his mouth closer to the door. “I seek admittance to retrieve certain possessions of mine that were bought with the blood of Sarkisian Guardsmen.”