Finebar didn’t respond.
“She would have been headed west, alone.”
“She trying to get away from you?”
The wounded man sighed. “No, she’s going home to Adishian.”
“Then why didn’t she wait?”
The wounded man exchanged a look with the Stravad. “She thinks she’s doing the right thing. She thinks she’s saving me by going alone, but she needs our help.”
Finebar chuckled. “The woman I saw doesn’t need any help. She’s quite capable of taking care of herself.”
The wounded man studied Finebar’s face. “She used her powers?”
“Knocked the town drunk on his ass without laying a hand on him.”
He gave a weary smile. “Then you have seen her. Was she all right?” The longing in his voice was unmistakable.
“She was fine. I got her a room and supplies. She left the next day. She was obviously in a hurry.”
The wounded man seemed to sag in his companion’s hold.
“Thank you,” said the Stravad. “Please see that the doctor comes to the inn.”
They started to walk away. Finebar watched them, not sure he should trust them, but something in the wounded man’s expression touched the loneliness Finebar had been feeling.
“Wait.”
They turned.
“I sold her a second horse.”
The expectant look on the man’s face faded. He closed his eyes.
Finebar reached into his pocket and pulled out the Lodegem earrings. He held them out to the wounded man, who accepted them with a puzzled look. “These are hers. I couldn’t bear to part with them.”
He studied the gems in his hand. “The Stravad Leader gave her these,” he said.
Finebar shrugged. “Anyway, you keep them. You can give them back to her when you see her again.”
The wounded man closed his fingers over the gems. “Thank you,” he said.
CHAPTER 28
Dolan found Kalas sitting in the dark, surrounded by Tyla’s gardens. The moon shown down through the branches of the trees, illuminating the Prince. He held a crumpled letter in his hands, but he wasn’t looking at it.
“Here you are. The entire castle’s been looking for you,” Dolan said, taking a seat on the end of the bench.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted a moment to myself.”
“Regents don’t apologize.” Dolan’s eyes were drawn to the letter, but he couldn’t make out any of the words.
“I didn’t mean to worry anyone.” Kalas looked around at the darkened garden. “I like to come out here. It’s like I can feel her presence in every plant.”
“I know. It’s an amazing place.” He shifted on the bench. “Is that a letter from Sarkisian?”
Kalas looked down at the paper. “In a manner of speaking. It’s the letter I got a few weeks ago.”
“Should I have the army prepare for an invasion?”
“No…well, perhaps, but not from this letter. It’s from my mother. She’s dying.”
“I’m sorry.” Dolan didn’t understand parental ties, but he understood loss.
Kalas shrugged. “She wants me to come home, to see her before she dies. Funny thing is she was never a mother to me. She never took any interest in me at all, but suddenly, now she wants to see me.”
“People do strange things when they’re dying.”
Kalas exhaled. “Stranger still is the guilt I feel. I’ve tried to throw this letter away a hundred times, but I keep reading it. I can’t figure out why.”
Dolan fell silent in contemplation. When Kalas had first proposed he become his second, he couldn’t get over his rage at Kalas’ role in Tarnow’s death. However, through the ensuing months, he’d come to find out that the Prince of Sarkisian was more complicated than he’d thought.
“You know,” he began, “it might be nice to know what Rarick is planning for us. In fact, it might be prudent to make a trip to Sarkisian and see what’s going on. We haven’t had any word since he left.”
Kalas narrowed his eyes on him. “What are you saying?”
“It might not be a bad idea to take a squad of soldiers and check out Sarkisian for yourself. The soldiers are getting restless and they could take a few of the new Lawry recruits, give them some field exercises to test them. You could even write to the Baron and ask him to send a squad from Kazden.”
“Are you suggesting we spy on Sarkisian, Dolan?” asked Kalas, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Dolan met his look. “Absolutely.”
“How do I leave Adishian right now?”
“Manx and the council can cover until your return. Everything is stagnant right now, calm. It’s a good time to go.”
Kalas contemplated Dolan’s words. “And with you here, you can keep everything on track.”
Dolan drew a deep breath. He couldn’t believe he was about to utter the following words, but in the last few months, his feelings had changed so drastically. “No,” he said levelly, “my place has been and will always be at the back of the Adishian King. I go with you, Your Majesty.”
Kalas didn’t respond for a moment. He swallowed hard, then looked down, folding his mother’s letter. “Thank you, Dolan,” was all he said.
* * *
Tyla watched the bridge for a long time before she got up the courage to attempt a crossing. She’d thought to ford the stream away from the main road, but it was a little too swift for the horses. According to the map, the next town was a day away. She had enough supplies to avoid it and the one after that, but she had to catch the trail into the Grozik Mountains and that went a little too close to Denortosal for her liking.
When she was certain the bridge was clear, she brought the horses onto the road and hurried across. Their hooves made a hollow ring as they crossed over the open water, then they were on the opposite bank. A river and many days separated her from Jarrett now.
She led the horses off the road and into the trees again. It slowed her down, but she switched horses often, so she could ride longer without a break. She was saddle weary and tired, but she had to keep going.
When night fell, she made camp within view of the road, but ate a cold meal and curled up in her blanket without benefit of a fire. Thankfully, the nights were mild, but moving stiff muscles was always a problem in the morning.
Traveling this way, she made it into the Groziks without encountering any other travelers. Riding the mountain trails, even in the spring, proved more taxing on both the horses and herself. The snow had melted, but the higher she went, the more frequently she encountered lingering drifts and twice she woke to a dusting on her bedroll.
She was forced to light a fire, but as the trail seemed seldom used, she didn’t worry about it much. She was more worried that someone coming behind her might chance upon the glow of the fire during the night.
She didn’t doubt Farad had sent men after her. She just prayed that Jarrett wasn’t one of them. Riding in the mountains would be particularly hard on a man with an open wound. She forced her thoughts away from him once again. It was too tempting to just make contact for a moment. Too tempting not to know if he was all right.
A full sixteen days after she snuck out of Temeron, she came to the summit. She sat on the mare’s back and stared down at the black spire that marked Stronghold in the distance. The wind whipped off the snow caps and tore her hair from her braid, but she didn’t notice.
She felt the emerald pulse at her throat and closed her fingers around it. Stronghold. The source of so many nightmares, so much fear, but now she had the emerald – now she had the very thing that would allow her to end Rarick’s hold on her people.
Staring at the city of her birth, she couldn’t hold back the memories that assailed her. One in particular made her break out in a cold sweat.
* * *
Tyla tried to pry Marlas’ fingers from her arm, but he had her in an iron grip. His long stride made her run to keep up as he led her down the steps of the tower
and into the main part of the castle. Inara had begged her not to fight the chamberlain, but she was so afraid, she felt like a cornered animal.
He brought her to Rarick’s throne room and threw open the door. Hurrying inside, he released her so suddenly she stumbled into the middle of it. The room was a vast and echoing chamber, the curtains drawn to block the windows. Light filtered from the chandelier hanging in the middle of the room, but the edges were in shadow.
Rarick sat on his throne, his long fingered hands curled around the arms. Lex Prestar stood at the foot of the dais and crumpled at his feet was a figure. Only one other person stood in the room and he was chained to a ring in the floor.
Tyla marked everything in the instant before she recognized the crumpled form. “Kalas!” she cried and ran forward, dropping to her knees and gathering him in her arms. He gave a mew of pain, one eye swollen shut, blood leaking from his nose. His arms were curled around his middle.
“It’s all right, Tiger,” he said, but his voice sounded odd coming from split lips.
She lifted her eyes to Rarick. “Why?”
Rarick regarded her coldly. His yellow eyes always seemed to look through her. “Come here, child.”
She lowered her gaze, pressing her face to Kalas’ shoulder. She couldn’t stop the tremor that raced through her. Kalas felt it and reached for her hand.
“If you don’t want him punished anymore, come here,” Rarick commanded.
Tyla closed her eyes tight and brought in her will. As always, she tried to find a way into Rarick’s mind. Even though she was only fourteen, she knew she would kill him if he ever gave her the opportunity. But Rarick’s mind was closed to her and the more she tried, the more her heart pounded in her ears.
“I guess he hasn’t had enough, Lex.”
Kalas made an involuntary sound of fear as Lex loomed over them. Tyla’s head whipped up and her eyes fixed on the Guardsman commander. He could be killed. His mind was open to her.
However, Rarick knew this. He always knew what she was thinking. “Don’t be so bold, child. If you harm my commander, the consequences will be beyond your imagination. If you don’t want Kalas punished further, you’d do well to obey.”
Untangling herself from Kalas, she rose to her feet. Her knees trembled, but she glared at Lex. She wanted to be sure he understood she could snap his life with a thought. He watched her warily as she moved beyond them and approached the dais.
She climbed the stairs until she was level with the King. They regarded each other without speaking for a moment, then Tyla clenched her fists. “Someday I will kill you.”
An emotion moved through Rarick’s face. She couldn’t read his mind, but she recognized it. Fear. However, as soon as it appeared, he controlled it. “Not while your brother’s life is between us.”
Tyla drew a breath for calm and exhaled. “Someday he won’t be. Then your life is mine.”
Rarick’s lip lifted in a snarl. “That doesn’t make me over anxious to keep you around, does it?”
“My life’s worth nothing now. Do as you will?”
“Ah, histrionics. The bane of all fathers who have daughters.”
“I’m not your daughter.”
“No, but I do own you.” He gave a slow smile. “At least until you decide to kill me.”
“Let Kalas go. This has nothing to do with him.”
“It has everything to do with him. You said it yourself. He’s the only thing holding you in check. But let’s not be coy with one another. You know I have great admiration for your ability. In fact, I’m going to let you demonstrate it to me right now.” He motioned to the chained man behind her. “Take a good look at your test subject.”
Tyla glanced over her shoulder at the chained man. He was scraggly and dirty. His clothing was in rags and he had only one shoe on his left foot. He cowered when she looked at him. She could feel his frightened thoughts. He’d heard tales of what she could do. A wave of nausea rolled over her and settled in her belly. Soon this man would have more reason to fear her.
Rarick’s fingers curled around her arm, drawing her to him. She could feel his nails digging into her flesh. “Make him see things,” he whispered.
Tyla closed her eyes. “Please don’t do this.”
“He must be punished, Tyla,” said Rarick, his breath sour on her face. “He stole from our people. Either you punish him, or I’ll have him executed. This way you save his life…and save your brother as well.”
Whether the young man was a thief or not didn’t matter. Rarick wanted to see what she could do. He always wanted to know the scope of her power. She looked at Kalas. He shook his head slightly, but Lex stood over him, menacing. She focused on his split lip and swollen eye. Rarick was right. As long as Kalas was between them, he owned her.
She swung her gaze to the thief. He lowered his head, shivering in terror. It was so easy to access his mind, thrusting out the thoughts of everyone else in the room. It was even easier to plant the image.
He gave a strange, gurgling cry and reared back against the chains. Then he began to claw at his forearms and beat his hands against his body. Tears brimmed in Tyla’s eyes and spilled over, racing down her cheeks. Behind her, Rarick laughed, but both Kalas and Lex looked on with horrified expressions.
Collapsing on the ground, the thief covered his head with his arms and sobbed. Tyla cut off the images, but he remained huddled, his sobs echoing in the chamber. Rarick leaned close, his nails digging into her arm.
“Stop his breath.”
Tyla whirled on him. “No! You said punishment. You never said death.”
Rarick’s yellow eyes searched her face, then he made a motion. Tyla whipped back around in time to see the Guardsman commander level a kick at her brother. Kalas’ body heaved upward and a grunt of pain escaped him. He collapsed over on his side, curling his knees against his chest in a fetal position. Lex reached down for him.
“Stop!” she screamed.
Lex hesitated.
Rarick pulled her back against him. “Let me make this clear. You have the power of your father. Kalas does not. I suffer him to live because of you. Defy me and I will kill him.”
Tyla shivered.
“Stop the thief’s breath.”
Tyla felt the power surge inside of her and she focused it. For a moment, just a moment, she brought it to bear against Rarick, but nothing happened. He continued to exhale into her hair. Before he could realize what she’d done, she turned it on the thief.
He gasped and his back arched. Immediately he began clawing at his throat, his mouth opening wide in panic. Bombarded by his thoughts, Tyla walled them off and strengthened her assault. The thief began to convulse, his heels drumming on the marble floor, his neck arcing unnaturally.
She could feel the frantic pulsation of his heart and heard the surge of blood trying to pump its way into his brain, but nothing could surpass her power. Just when his heart was fading, Rarick’s voice hissed in her ear.
“Release him.”
Tyla choked off her power. With a wrenching cry, the thief sucked in air and his body went limp. Lying on his side, he drew in huge gulps, his hands curled into fists. Tyla couldn’t take her eyes off him. Rarick had taken her a step away from murder. She wrapped her arms around herself, seeking warmth.
Rarick’s hand fell away and she heard the creak of leather as he sank into his throne.
“Take him away,” he said and guards materialized out of the shadows to do his bidding. “Remove the Prince to the infirmary.”
Lex Prestar helped Kalas to his feet. Tyla felt her brother’s eyes on her as he limped from the room, but she couldn’t meet his look. Not now. She could only stare at the ring in the floor.
“I will kill you for this,” she said to the man at her back.
Rarick drew a deep breath and exhaled. “You may try, which is why you can’t stay here. At least for now. However, someday you will be the greatest weapon in my arsenal. Someday you will give me all of Nevaisser
, but until then, you most definitely must go.”
* * *
“Spar with me,” said Jarrett to Allistar where he worked to repair the cinch on his saddle. The other men looked up. It was early evening, but they’d pitched camp to make some needed repairs. The mountain passes were hell on the horses and the drastic change in temperature played havoc with their equipment.
Kendrick fully understood the Lodenian, but Jarrett’s grip on the hilt of his sword was even more obvious. Allistar exchanged a look with the Nazarien. Kendrick shook his head.
“That’s not wise,” said the Stravad, returning to his work. “Your side still weeps and the infection isn’t completely gone.”
“Gone enough. We don’t have much daylight left. Spar with me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m getting soft.”
“You can’t be getting soft in a few weeks. I’m not going to spar with you. It’s a miracle you’ve made it this far.”
Jarrett hunkered down before Allistar. Kendrick marked that even such a simple motion seemed painful. “Listen to me, Allistar. We’re a day from the summit, four days out of Sarkisian. So far we’ve only seen Tyla’s tracks. Obviously we aren’t going to catch up with her, which means one thing. We’re going to have to go into Sarkisian ourselves.”
Allistar lifted his head and regarded the Terrian.
“They don’t just let people walk into that city and they certainly don’t let them walk into Stronghold. How do you think we’re going to get past men who have been training their whole lives to kill?”
Allistar exhaled.
“I can’t get rusty, Allistar. I can’t be weak.”
The Stravad was silent for a moment, then he set the saddle aside. “All right, but only for a little while. If you favor your side, we stop. Agreed?”
Jarrett climbed to his feet. “Agreed.”
Both men drew their swords and dropped into their ready positions. Kendrick reached for his pack and began searching for the healing kit. There was no way Jarrett was going to come out of this without needing some attention.
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