Tree of Ages Box Set

by Sara C. Roethle

  “I apologize,” she said in reply to his silence. “I should not complain. At least I now know who I am, though my people are strangers to me.”

  He placed a hand on her arm and gave it a squeeze. Though he was unused to displaying any sort of affection, he felt she needed it. “Knowing who you are is the most important part.”

  “Yes, you’ve taught me that,” she replied playfully. “And after that, I suppose it’s knowing who your friends are?”

  He chuckled, another rare event. “Yes, you have taught me that.”

  They rode on in companionable silence after that, while their party members occasionally complained about the snow. There were no complaints on Iseult’s mind though, for the snow suddenly seemed a little less cold, or perhaps it was just the effect of the warm presence at his back.

  Of all the things they could have encountered, snow was the last thing Maarav would have guessed. The second to last, were the black shapes he occasionally noticed watching them from the trees. He knew Iseult had noticed them too, judging by the way he gripped the pommel of his sword, and the way his eyes darted about. He also knew it was no coincidence that Tavish and Rae had disappeared the night before.

  He sighed, refocusing his attention on their present predicament. They’d ridden out of the denser snow to find a small path with only a light dusting. Hopefully soon they would ride out of the snow altogether, and things could go back to normal . . . at least, as normal as they could be in a land plagued by the Faie. Perhaps the stealthy black shapes were only observing them, and upon seeing him, would leave them alone.

  He sighed as several black clad figures stepped onto the path ahead of them. Things wouldn’t be going back to normal after all.

  He drew his horse to a halt, recognizing those who stood before them, though they wore black cowls over their heads, with additional fabric covering the lower parts of their faces. One in particular he would know anywhere.

  “I’m surprised to see you this far south, Slàine,” he called out as his companions stopped their horses a few paces behind him.

  “I have a job to do,” called back the woman who’d raised him like he was her own son.

  Iseult trotted his horse up to Maarav’s side, cool rage in his expression. It was clear he thought he’d been betrayed. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded of Maarav.

  Maarav paused to analyze the situation. Finn did not look at him, but instead glanced around from her seat behind Iseult. Several more black clad shapes had closed in around them, and he knew there were likely more still hidden in the snowy trees. He thought he noticed the shapes of Tavish and Rae. It was difficult to tell with the hoods, but a strand of bright red hair stuck out near the eyes of one of the men. He’d had nothing to do with this, but Iseult knew Slàine, and would likely deduce the black clad figures were Maarav’s people. In this, Iseult would never believe him innocent.

  “I honestly do not know,” Maarav replied in vain. He was unsure what job would draw Slàine this far south. Usually she and the others worked only as assassins, but if that was their aim, they would already be dead.

  Slàine glanced at the men and women to either side of her. “Take the girl,” she demanded. “The one riding with the man.”

  Ah, thought Maarav, now it all made sense. This must have something to do with Finn’s bounty. “She must be worth a great deal of coin to catch your interest,” Maarav replied, hoping to halt the assassins’ progress.

  “She is worth more than coin,” Slàine explained. “I have an old debt to settle. A very old debt.”

  “Call them off,” Iseult interrupted, “unless you care to sustain great casualties.”

  Slàine laughed, then gestured for her people to attack. There was a moment of utter stillness, then they swarmed forward as one, focusing on Iseult and Finn. As fluid as water, Iseult jumped down from his horse and met the nearest attacker with his blade, skewering the young man. Another black clad man leapt toward him, and fell just the same.

  Seconds later, the rest of their party joined the fight, surprising Maarav as he stepped back out of the way. Sure, he’d expected Iseult and Kai to fight for Finn, but not the others. An arrow struck a woman who’d taken hold of Finn’s leg, and Maarav followed its path to see Bedelia, still mounted on her horse with her bow raised. Anna and Kai fought back to back with smaller blades, no less deadly than Iseult’s. Even Sativola swung a small ax, warding away those trying to reach Finn. None of the assassins attacked Maarav, likely believing he was on their side. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure which side he was on, though at the moment, the assassins, many of whom he’d grown up with, were interfering with his plans. Across the chaos, he spotted the black clad figure with the tuft of red hair showing. Meeting each other's eyes, they both shrugged and joined the fight.

  Maarav unsheathed his sword and blocked the path of an assassin heading toward Iseult. He didn’t recognize the eyes above the black fabric, but it was clear whomever it was recognized him. The man hesitated, then lifted his blade. Their weapons rang out as they clashed, and Maarav began to fight against his own people with all his might. His loyalties lay with himself, just as they always had, and he wanted to see this adventure through. He slashed the man he fought across the chest, watching him topple to the ground. Slàine leapt in front of him. He met her blade for blade. Her eyes widened in shock for a split second, then she attacked with a ferocious growl. He sensed someone at his back, then his hair stood on end as lightning struck directly behind him. Ealasaid. A man cried out in pain, distracted from sticking a blade in Maarav’s back.

  “Thank you!” he called before dodging another one of Slaine’s attacks. He turned just in time to witness Kai sustaining a wound to his side, though he could not look long enough to tell if it was fatal. He heard Finn scream at the sight, then more assassins swarmed in from the surrounding woods. He moved to parry another of Slàine’s attacks.

  “You do not understand!” she growled, evading his next attack.

  “Then explain yourself!” he panted.

  Even with his and Iseult’s sword skills, and Ealasaid’s lightning, Maarav knew they would soon be overwhelmed. Perhaps he’d chosen the wrong side of the battle after all. At least he’d die with a sword in his hand—an arrow struck another of the assassins charging him—and friends at his side.

  Slàine glanced at the man felled by the arrow, then struck again.

  “Stop!” Finn cried out, still atop Iseult’s dancing steed.

  Maarav wasn’t sure if she was ordering someone specifically, or just shouting in vain at everyone. Either way, her pleas were ignored, and his attention was once again drawn away as Slàine landed a slice across his bicep. He’d never hoped to fight the one who had taught him everything he knew. She seemed able to predict his movements with ease.

  “Stop!” Finn called again. This time, the ground rumbled beneath Maarav’s feet.

  The fighting ceased for a split second. Everyone glanced around for the source of the rumble, but the earth had stilled. Nearly as one, they resumed motion.

  “Just stop fighting,” Slàine hissed, crouching back into a defensive stance.

  “Stop this now!” Finn echoed, her screams competing with the sound of clashing of blades.

  The earth began to rumble again, but this time did not quiet. The ground erupted where they stood, sending many of the assassins flying. Maarav and Slàine both dove aside as the soil beneath them exploded, but they were not fast enough.

  Their bodies were flung aside in different directions. Maarav lost sight of both Finn on her horse and Slàine as he landed with a thud. Massive roots, dripping soil and flinging snow, coiled toward the cloud obscured sun above him. Regaining his senses, he pushed himself away from the quaking earth toward the still tree line, watching the roots in awe as he stumbled to his feet. They struck like vipers, coiling around the suddenly frightened assassins, ensnaring their limbs before hauling them upward. Slàine grunted frantically as she fought against the root
that sought to imprison her, but her blades were no match for the thick appendage. Soon, Slàine and her assassins were all held immobile, their feet dangling off the ground.

  Maarav had a moment to feel relief, then another root darted up, quick as a speeding arrow, and ensnared him like the others. Suddenly dangling in the air from a root around his torso and arms, he craned his neck to see Finn still atop her prancing mount, red-faced and looking close to tears.

  Iseult and the others slowly climbed to their feet on the turned earth, avoiding the vines dangling black forms all around them. Kai clutched at the wound in his side, and would have fallen had Anna not darted in to hold him steady.

  Sativola muttered curses under his breath, glancing between Finn and the silent, dangling assassins. His left leg slowly saturated itself with blood from a gash on his thigh. He also seemed to have an injured hand. His wide-eyes finally settled solely on Finn, seeming to have deduced the roots were her doing, though it was clear he’d never seen such a scene before. Ealasaid wore a similar expression, her gaze lingering on Tavish and Rae, somewhat distinguishable through their hoods, caught up in the roots side by side. Maarav wished he had noted which side they had fought for, though he knew they’d likely turned on him.

  He twisted against the roots to watch as Finn finally broke down and started weeping, though he was unsure why she was upset. She’d just bested an entire swarm of assassins. She should be beaming with pride. The captured awaited her next move with bated breath, likely terrified to even speak, lest she order the vines to crush the life from them.

  Bedelia, who’d managed to keep her mount like Finn, trotted her horse toward the remaining startled horses hiding in the nearby trees. She obviously wanted no part of the dealings soon to come.

  Maarav wished he could join her.

  Iseult, uninjured as far as he could tell, moved to stand beside Finn atop his mount. He stroked his hand across the horse’s neck to calm the nervous beast, then scanned the clusters of assassins until his eyes found Maarav.

  Their gazes locked. “You were part of this,” he stated.

  Maarav struggled against the coarse root, but its spindles had wrapped around him multiple times, suspending him above its base, as thick as a tree trunk. “I know them yes, but I had no part in setting up this ambush,” he replied. “I had no knowledge that Slàine hoped to collect Finn’s bounty.”

  Slàine cast him an evil glare. He knew that glare all too well. She’d tried to explain herself, but he hadn’t listened. Now she was about to take him down with her. “He knew,” she lied. “He’s been secretly communicating with us, planning the perfect time for an ambush.”

  “She’s lying,” Maarav argued, but his heart wasn’t in it. He had already seen the suspicious glances of his party members days before Slàine attacked. Those same suspicious gazes were aimed at him now. All they needed was an excuse. The roots flexed around his midsection, threatening to crush him. They might as well. If Iseult left him with Slàine and the others, he was as good as dead.

  Iseult turned his attention from Maarav to Slàine. “Now that you have been bested, will you call off your hunt, or do we have to kill you?”

  Slàine glared at him. Her cowl had fallen to reveal the grim line of her mouth. Finally, she nodded. “I suppose I have no choice.”

  Iseult took one last look at his brother and those dangling around him, then took his horse’s reins. “Let’s go,” he ordered, then began to lead the horse, and Finn by default, away. Bedelia had gathered the rest of the horses, and now led them toward where Anna and Sativola waited with Kai.

  Looking between Finn and Iseult, Kai’s group, and Maarav, Ealasaid scurried around the roots in her way to catch up and block Iseult’s path. “We can’t just leave him here!” she argued, glancing once more at Maarav. “He’ll freeze to death come nightfall.”

  Iseult silently stepped around her and continued walking, leading Finn atop his horse behind him. Kai, Anna, Sativola, and Bedelia, now each leading their horses, seemed content to do the same, though Kai seemed to be having difficulty walking as he clutched his side, his face as white as the remaining snow.

  “Iseult,” Finn said softly, finally halting his progress. He turned and looked up at her. “Perhaps we should at least let them go.” She glanced back at the assassins.

  “They just attempted to kill us,” he stated blandly.

  “Not Maarav,” she reminded him. “He fought them along with us.”

  Iseult turned his gaze from Finn to peer further back to Maarav. “We cannot risk the possibility that it was just an act, I apologize.”

  Maarav wasn’t sure if Iseult was apologizing to him or Finn, and it didn’t really matter. He could tell by the look in Iseult’s eyes that his fate was sealed.

  “I’m staying then,” Ealasaid cut in. She had taken hold of Maarav’s horse as if deciding he was now hers.

  Finn turned sad eyes down to her. “I think the roots will go away on their own eventually. They’re not likely to freeze.”

  Ealasaid glared at her. “I’m staying.”

  Finn leaned back in the saddle as if Ealasaid’s glare had physically struck her. She looked like she wanted to cry again, and Ealasaid looked teary herself. Yet, both women steeled their expressions and turned away from each other.

  “Do not follow us,” Iseult said to the group in general. “Next time, mercy will not be shown.” He continued leading his horse away as Anna and the others paused to climb atop their mounts. Anna helped both Kai and Sativola into their respective saddles, though Sativola seemed far better off than Kai.

  As they all began to ride away, Ealasaid gave them a final glance, then hurried toward Maarav, trailing his horse behind her.

  “You should go with them,” he urged. He knew the girl had no home, and no family. It would not be right to part her from those who would stand the best chance of protecting her.

  She shook her head stubbornly, tossing her curly blonde hair from side to side. “You are an intolerable man, but I do not believe you betrayed us. You do not deserve to be left here.” She removed the dagger from her belt and stepped toward him.

  “They were right to leave,” he replied. “My company is not worth the risk.”

  The assassins watched on silently, clearly hoping Ealasaid might free them next.

  Ignoring their company, she reached up and began sawing at the roots restraining him. “I do not agree,” she muttered.

  He sighed, then waited for her to finish freeing him, which took what seemed like ages given the size of her blade versus the size of the roots. By the time his feet hit the turned earth below him, his limbs were sore from hanging in the awkward position.

  Wordlessly, Ealasaid climbed atop his horse and waited for him to join her.

  “What about the rest of us?” Slàine finally snapped.

  Maarav smirked. “I know you well, Slàine. Son or no, you would not allow me to live after fighting against you.”

  She glared daggers at him. “Your chances are better now than they will be if you leave me here to freeze. Perhaps if you let me down, I might be inclined to explain things to you.”

  “You heard the girl,” he replied, gesturing in the direction the others had ridden. “The roots will loosen their hold eventually.” He knew better than to take Slàine at her word, as badly as he wanted to know why she’d attacked, she’d stick a dagger in him long before she’d breathe a word.

  “And I will find you,” she growled.

  “Then I hope they do not loosen their hold too soon,” he answered, then climbed up in the saddle behind Ealasaid.

  “Do we follow the others?” Ealasaid whispered as they rode away.

  “Not yet,” he whispered, glancing at the dangling people as they rode past. “Let’s worry about our own hides first.”

  Together they continued off into the melting snow. Maarav knew the next few stops Iseult had planned, so he would have no issue picking up their trail later. For now, he would worry about ge
tting far away from Slàine. Deep down, he knew he should have killed her, but he found he didn’t have it in his heart, as black as it was, to do so.

  Not long after leaving Maarav and Ealasaid behind, Kai was forced to stop and bandage his wound, and Anna pushed the same treatment on Sativola. While Sativola’s wounds were mainly surface injuries, and would likely heal within the next few days, Kai’s were serious. He’d lost a large amount of blood, soaking his shirt, breeches, and even his cloak. He hoped nothing vital had been damaged within him, but feared the worst. He felt . . . wrong, and it wasn’t just the blood loss. He’d lost plenty of blood before.

  Finn had started crying again while Anna bandaged Kai’s wounds, though he didn’t think the tears were for him. Well, perhaps a few, but most seemed to be for Ealasaid.

  “I cannot believe we left her behind,” Finn muttered, still sitting in the saddle behind Iseult.

  Kai noted the edge of her green cloak was speckled with blood, though she was the cleanest out of their small group. It was fortunate Anna and Iseult had chosen to wear all black. The blood on Kai’s and Sativola’s clothing, some theirs, some belonging to their attackers, was readily apparent.

  Kai lifted himself back into his saddle, gritting his teeth against the pain.

  “It was her choice,” Iseult replied.

  Kai suspected Iseult was secretly glad the girl had stayed behind to cut his brother free. While he agreed with the decision to leave Maarav behind, he still felt a little guilty. What if Maarav had been telling the truth? He’d traveled all this way with Iseult, and now he’d been cast off like they shared no blood, nor bond of kinship.

  Secretly Kai worried the same fate might befall him.

  He watched as a freshly bandaged Sativola gingerly pulled himself up into his saddle. He felt eyes on his back, and turned to see Finn staring at him as they began to ride.

  “Are you alright?” she questioned, as if suddenly noticing his poor state.