“She’s never tied Kian before. What could she be thinking?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. She also wouldn’t leave Jarrett for this long.”
Kendrick turned to the Stravad Leader. “Why would Jarrett still be sedated? Shouldn’t the drugs have worn off by now?”
“Yes. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Maybe it does. Jarrett and Tyla can communicate psychically with one another.”
“Are you saying he might know where she is?”
“If anyone would,” answered Kendrick, realizing this only compounded his guilt. He should have realized nothing would keep them apart.
* * *
Tyla searched through the horse’s saddlebag, piling everything on the ground at her feet. No map. Not even a sketch on a piece of paper. Why in the world would a patrol leave without a map? Perhaps because they knew where they were going, while she did not.
She exhaled in frustration and picked up an oddly wrapped package. She tore open an edge and sniffed at the contents. Stravad hard-tack. She bit off a corner and chewed. The mare nosed against her foot and she stroked her forehead.
The road out of Temeron was wide and well maintained. She was also the only person on it, had been since morning. She knew that wouldn’t last. The Stravad patrol from last night would be headed back this way, returning home. At some point she’d have to leave the road and take her chances in the wooded foothills. All without a map.
She took another bite, then wrapped up the tack and replaced it in the saddlebag with the rest of the equipment: a fire starter, a mess kit, and a small first aid packet. On the other side she found a spare uniform and a blanket. No money.
Rising and dusting off the seat of her trousers, she slung the bag back on the mare, then reached for her own pack. Opening it, she dug into the bottom and located the silk bag. Drawing it out, she emptied the contents into her palm. It held a string of emerald pycantra Farad had given her the first night in Temeron, and a pair of emerald earrings. She wondered if she could trade them for provisions and a map in the first town she came upon. She hated to part with them, but she didn’t know what else to do.
Loneliness filled her as she considered the gems. Lifting her hand, she curled it around the emerald at her throat. She missed her grandfather and Thalandar, Muzik and Kian. She even missed Kendrick. But most of all, she longed for Jarrett. She wanted to contact him, touch his consciousness and make sure he was all right, but she didn’t dare. There was still not enough distance between them and she couldn’t risk him riding out with his injuries.
Tightening her grip on the emerald, she knew he would never understand. This journey was something she had to do. She’d come to Temeron for him and Kendrick, but she was returning for herself. For her people. She would never be free of Rarick until she faced him, until she conquered her fear and freed Adishian from his control.
Her father had run until his back was pressed to the wall. Rarick had hunted him and preyed on him. Innocents had died because of him. Tyla was just as guilty. She didn’t know what the Eldralin legacy was, except it had to end where Rarick was concerned. Someone had to stop him. Until she faced him, she would never be free to build a life with Jarrett. And now with the emerald, the balance was finally restored. There was no way Rarick could block her.
* * *
Kendrick felt like he was going to vomit as he edged to the door of Jarrett’s room. The Terrian lay in bed, his lower abdomen heavily bandaged, his skin pale. Kendrick still couldn’t believe he’d stabbed him. It had all been a mistake. He’d wanted to prove to Jarrett that he was as good a swordsman, nothing more. Stabbing Jarrett proved the opposite. He shuddered as he remembered the feel of steel parting flesh.
Farad crossed around the bed and touched Jarrett’s wrist. As he did so, a woman pushed past Muzik and Kendrick and hurried into the room.
“Stravad Leader?”
“Why is this man still sedated?” Farad demanded in Lodenian. Much of the language was coming back to Kendrick the longer he stayed in Temeron.
She moved to Jarrett’s side and also felt his pulse. “We sedate accident victims to control the pain and to give their bodies time to overcome the trauma. I can assure you he’s perfectly safe.”
“Bring him out of it. Now,” ordered Farad.
The healer looked around in confusion. Kendrick felt for her.
“I said bring him out.”
Reaching for a syringe on the tray by the bed, she pressed the needle into the shunt in Jarrett’s arm and injected him with the drug. For a few moments, nothing happened, then Jarrett started to stir.
“Water,” he whispered and she gave him a few sips. He blinked his eyes, but they were out of focus.
“Jarrett, can you hear me?” asked Farad.
Jarrett tried to focus on him. “Farad?”
“Good,” said the Stravad Leader. “Do you know where you are?”
“No.” He licked his lips. “Can I have more water?”
The healer complied.
“Jarrett, you were hurt. Do you remember that?”
He nodded. “Where’s Tyla?”
Farad exchanged a look with Kendrick. “We were hoping you’d tell us. Kendrick says you can communicate with her psychically. Is this true?”
Jarrett shifted in agitation. “What?”
“Can you contact Tyla for us?”
“Where is she?”
“We don’t know. We’re trying to find her.”
“Find her? What are you talking about?” His eyes were beginning to focus. “Why can’t you find her?”
“We were hoping you could find her for us.”
Jarrett’s gaze locked on Farad’s face. Kendrick knew that distant look. He was seeking Tyla. His eyes narrowed, then he tried to get up. The healer and Farad both grabbed for him, but his face contorted in pain and he collapsed on the bed.
“You’ll hurt yourself,” said Farad, pressing against his shoulders.
“I can’t contact her,” he said, his voice tinged with panic. “She’s blocking me. Where is she?”
“Jarrett, calm down.”
“Why can’t I contact her?” He tried to rise again, but fell back with an exhalation of pain.
Kendrick looked down. Guilt crowded his throat, made swallowing impossible.
“Sedate him again!” cried Farad, struggling to hold him in bed.
Muzik started into the room to help as the healer scrambled for a second syringe. Muzik leaned over the bed, clamping Jarrett’s arm down as the healer found the shunt. Kendrick realized he was sweating and he wiped his damp palms against his trouser legs.
Finally, Jarrett’s body went limp again.
Farad and Muzik straightened. The healer gave Farad a furious look before she began inspecting the wound. “Bring him out,” she mocked, cutting away the bandages. “Bring him out.”
“I’m sorry,” said Farad in obvious frustration. “I’m sorry.”
CHAPTER 27
Tyla woke to a filter of sunlight snaking down through the trees. She sat up and pushed the blanket away. The horse was grazing and the fire had burned down to ashes. Her thoughts immediately went to Jarrett, but she was careful to keep them contained. She didn’t want him to contact her. He was her weakness. If he needed her, she would return.
She had to believe he was safe in the care of the Temerian healers. She couldn’t believe that Farad would allow him to risk his own health to come after her. Still, that brought up a bit of a problem.
By now, someone would know she was gone. It wouldn’t take much for them to figure out how she’d escaped the capital. She didn’t have much lead time on them. Rising to her feet, she stretched away the ache of sore muscles. Temeron had made her soft again, but a day in the saddle and a night on the ground reminded her how much she hated the trail.
She hunkered over the pack and pulled out her travel cakes. She ate the dry meal and washed it down with water, then combed out her hair and braided it again
. Using a little of the water, she washed her face and hands. It woke her and made her feel alert, but it also reminded her of how lonely she felt.
She couldn’t stop herself from worrying over Jarrett, or missing the others. Right now she would likely be sitting down to breakfast with her grandfather, trying to ferret out the Lodenian as he told her another story about her mother.
Curling her hand around the emerald, she forced thoughts of them away. Repacking her meager supplies, she again located the silk bag and opened it, studying the jewelry. She wasn’t sure how far away the next town might be, but she hoped she came to it before she ran out of food or got lost. And she hoped they’d accept her trinkets for the things she needed.
As she saddled the horse, she thought about Kalas. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about her brother for quite some time, but she wondered where he was and whether he thought about her. If she completed this mission and faced Rarick, would he challenge her himself? This thought brought her such distress that she forced it away. She had to stop letting things distract her.
In order to find peace, she had to stop Rarick. The emerald was the equalizer. It was the thing that would allow her to succeed. Even if she had to go through Kalas, she had no choice. She’d made her decision the day her grandfather gave her the talisman.
As she climbed in the saddle, her thoughts shifted to the past. She hadn’t thought of Gallia in years, but suddenly a memory was pressing at her consciousness, demanding attention. Gallia had never showed either of Talar’s children much interest, but once in a while, she would call them to her chambers. Usually it was during one of Rarick’s infrequent absences, but Inara always led them with trepidation.
She didn’t trust the Queen of Sarkisian and as a result, Tyla felt uncertain around her. During this visit, Rarick’s chamberlain, Marlas, pushed open the door and Tyla peered around Inara’s skirt into a vast, dark chamber.
“Come,” came a voice, echoing off the distant walls.
Inara shuffled through and Tyla followed, her hands wound in Inara’s skirt. Kalas pushed past them. He had long ago gone to live in the barracks and he was determined to show he wasn’t intimidated. Tyla had been delighted when he’d shown up in the tower, but he’d acted distant and annoyed by her.
“Why is it so dark in here?” he demanded.
“Light the lamp, Marlas, so I can look on my impatient son.”
Tyla strained her eyes in the darkness, trying to see the chamberlain as he moved about the room. She heard the click of the pycantra starter, then saw a flare of light, which immediately softened into a glow.
The Queen lay on a divan before a bank of curtained windows. Her dressing gown was of fine silk and her hair lay in a blanket across the back of the divan, but her eyes were sunken and dark circles ringed them. She made Tyla’s heart pick up rhythm.
“Is that anyway to talk to your mother?” she asked, narrowing her gaze on her son. “Genuflect and show respect, boy.”
Kalas made a stiff bow, but he didn’t move any closer to the divan. Tyla recognized the stubborn set to his shoulders. “I’m supposed to be training with the men. What do you want?”
“Watch your tongue,” she snapped. “You are still young enough to feel the sting of a switch.”
Marlas gave him a slow smile.
Kalas dropped his eyes and fidgeted.
“Come here, girl,” demanded the Queen, shifting her attention. “I want to see you.”
Tyla tightened her hold on Inara’s skirt. She hated it when the Queen wanted to see her. Inara reached behind and pulled her out, disentangling her hands from the fabric. “Go child,” she whispered.
Tyla allowed herself to be pushed into the room. She could feel the hum of thoughts from everyone gathered and she tried to block it. She became confused between spoken words and thoughts when she was afraid. And she was afraid of Gallia.
Kalas took pity on her and held out his hand. She hurried for it and grasped it, pressing it to her chest. “Easy, Tiger,” he muttered, then shifted his attention to the Queen. “Why did you call for us?”
Gallia didn’t immediately answer. She was staring at Tyla with such intensity. Tyla watched her from the corner of her eyes, her grip tightening on Kalas. “Come closer,” she finally said. “I can barely see you.”
Kalas moved closer, drawing Tyla with him.
“You’ve grown taller,” she remarked, studying Kalas. “Harder.” Her attention shifted to Tyla. “How old are you now, girl?”
Tyla couldn’t find her voice.
Kalas nudged her. “Answer her.”
Tyla drew a breath and lifted her head. She could feel the lantern light fall on her features. “Ten,” she said. The annoying hum of thoughts was becoming harder to ignore. She needed to block it.
“Ten,” repeated Gallia, shaking her head. “Not even a woman yet. Unfortunately, you have your mother’s green eyes, but the rest of you is him. Pure Talar.”
Tyla eased away from Kalas, eager for information about her father. “Tell me about him,” she dared to ask.
Gallia leaned back on the cushions. Then she held out her hand. “Come here, child, and I will tell you.”
Tyla moved forward to do as the Queen asked, but Kalas clamped a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back. “The King would not be pleased by this,” he warned. “In fact, that name has been banned in Sarkisian.”
Gallia glared at Kalas. “He’s poisoned you, has he? Have you become his puppet?”
“I am his heir,” answered Kalas. “I obey his command. You’d do well to do the same.”
Gallia gave a bark of bitter laughter. “Don’t school me, boy. I know exactly what Rarick of Sarkisian is.”
“Our liege lord,” said Kalas. “I’ll not be guilty of treason.”
Tyla was distracted by Marlas. The chamberlain was watching the exchange with an odd smile. She didn’t doubt that he would report to Rarick the moment the King returned.
“Treason?” repeated the Queen. “Treason. He’s lucky I don’t slit his throat in the night.”
Kalas’ fingers tightened, then he turned, dragging Tyla after him. “Enough of this,” he said and led them to the door.
Inara trailed behind them.
Once outside, he pulled the door closed and hunkered down before Tyla. “Do not trust that witch,” he said, curling his fingers around Tyla’s chin.
“I just wanted to hear about our father.”
Kalas’ face twisted. “Our father’s Rarick of Sarkisian. Don’t forget it.”
“But Kalas…”
“No, Tyla,” he said, moving his hands to her shoulders. “Nothing else. Rarick is our father, our only father. Please don’t forget this. It’s the only way you’ll be safe. Promise me. Promise me you understand. You’ve got to believe this or I can’t keep you safe. You’ve got to trust me. Say it, please. Say you understand.”
Tyla hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I understand,” she said, but inside she couldn’t understand anything, except Kalas was afraid.
* * *
Inze filled all of the cups with tea, then moved away from the dining room table, waiting on Farad’s command. Farad dismissed him, then focused on the men gathered around the table. Kendrick shifted uncomfortably. Across the table sat Tasamer Haldane. No Nazarien warrior could discount the power in the man, no matter how old he was. At his side was Thalandar, one of the most revered Stravad Leaders of all time.
Kendrick felt like a betrayer, a failure. He had violated his oath, he had profaned his religion, and these men were witness to his shame. He wanted to hide, but the last shred of his pride demanded he participate in this council.
The door opened, admitting Allistar and Muzik. On their heels strode Kian.
Farad looked up expectantly. “Report, Commander,” he ordered.
“The dog picked up her trail. She didn’t go out the front gates as was speculated. She went through the stream behind your house. From there she could get beyond the wa
ll without anyone noticing. We found tracks in the forest.”
Tash deflated.
“Tracks?” remarked Farad.
“One of the horses from yesterday’s patrol was reported missing. We assume she took it.”
“Why wasn’t I told of that?”
Allistar shifted weight. “They reported the missing horse to their direct commander. It wasn’t considered important enough to trouble you.”
“Really?” Farad looked annoyed. Kendrick glanced at him, then away. Among the Nazarien, no item was too small for the Nazar’s attention. Once such a realization would have made him long for Chernow, but Chernow was lost to him now.
“Obviously, we need to change that,” Farad said. “Please sit and join our council.”
They moved to the table, Muzik taking a seat beside Kendrick so he could translate.
“Where would she go?” Farad asked.
Kendrick exchanged a look with Muzik. “We think Adishian.”
“Adishian? Why?”
“She didn’t want to leave. In fact, she only made the decision to save our lives. She always felt that she was betraying her people when they needed her guidance most.”
“Even with Rarick’s threat?”
“Even then. Rarick has devastated Adishian. When we were there, the people were a step away from starvation. They’d lost their King and any hope they had for the future. She was very aware of that.”
“Perhaps Loden has given Rarick free rein for too long,” said Thalandar. “Perhaps we never should have left him in power.”
“Talar asked us not to go to war with him,” answered Tash. “It was his last wish.”
“What are you saying, Haldane? That we shouldn’t go after her?” questioned Farad.
Tash met his look. “No, I’m stating a fact. Talar asked us not to go to war.” He exhaled heavily. “Talar was wrong.”
The World of Samar Box Set 3 Page 44