by D. H. Aire
“Um, fine, I saved your life, but I was not alone,” he admitted. “I seem to remember Greth and Casber being there, too.”
Two warders approached him, one with a wooden staff.
She swallowed, meeting Lawson’s gaze from her perch upon her rather large mount. “Do you remember saying… that you knew what it was like not having a father… that we could consider you our father?”
Frowning, he said, “Yes.”
“Well, we decided to take you up on it.”
“Huh?” Lawson said, his frown deepening.
“Oh, no,” the warder with the wooden staff muttered, “you didn’t.”
“Didn’t what?” the dwarf troll muttered.
“Propose. He did,” Re’ut answered.
“Proposed what?” Lawson asked.
“To be those lost girls Sire,” the other warder muttered.
“Sire? The little things were so upset…”
“My niece, Ani’ya, sends her regards,” Re’ut said, “she looks forward to being your wife in about seven more years… In the meantime, I’m watching over you in her stead.”
Le’ann urged her steed forward, “My fosterling, Vi’ya, has chosen you. I shall watch over you until she is of age.”
Another, much younger Cathartan, several years Yel’ane’s senior, urged her mount forward, “I stand in En’sta’s, my sister’s, place until she is of age. I shall watch over you.”
“I stand in my cousin, Thri’la’s place, until she is of age…”
And so they said until only Yel’ane was left. “I’m, uh, of age, my husband.”
Lawson gaped, “What?”
The warder helped steady him and whispered, “Too late now…”
“But, you can’t just wave your hand and be married,” Lawson muttered.
:That’s what George said… just remember this one is little more than a child.:
“Huh?”
Yel’ane offered her hand, which trembled, “Ride with me, um, Milord?”
#
“Lady, I can go no further,” gasped old mage, his spirit fire nearly spent.
“No, you’ll be all right. We can make it.”
“I’m sorry…” he fell to his knees. “I’ve… I’ve failed you.”
“I couldn’t have escaped the city without your aid.”
“I made a vow to your mother’s family long ago… I would do all I could to protect her. I failed in that.”
“You couldn’t know what Kolter planned.”
“All the more the fool, Hayden has fallen under the shadow, though we’ve all claimed that it was the Empress that threatened us all.”
“We’ll rest here a moment.” She offered him her water flask.
“No, you will need every last drop… it will be wasted on me.”
“Don’t talk like that. You’re going to be fine.”
He glanced at the wizened ancient tree. “Lay me up against that… you’ll need to say this spell…” His words spun out and his fingers twisted. He winced. “You will need to repeat that but in the third form, understand?”
“No,” she whimpered as he lay back.
“My time is nigh,” he said, closing his eyes. “They must not find… my body.”
His breath went still and she cried for a time.
She left him beside the old tree, stroked his cheek and chanted the spell in the third form as he had bid. His body writhed, gnarling until it joined with the wood of the tree, serving to all appearances as but another overly thick root.
Alone now, she fled, desperate to cross the border and reach the safety of her uncle’s Court.
Chapter 24 - Difficulty Letting Go
Raven flew across the city, spiraled toward the Seventh until she circled the ship as its crew threw off the moorings, unfurled and raised its sail, and crossed the harbor toward the river’s southern mouth.
Fri’il looked up and saw her and mentally said to her as the anklet sparkled, I must do this.
"Caw," she called from the sky above. I know.
Watch over Ri’ori… and that fool man we’re married to.
Raven saw the sailors staring, thinking her a bird of ill omen. I didn’t mean to marry him.
Of course not. I didn’t expect to fall in love with him, either.
I have not fallen in love.
Well, we’re sisters now… perhaps that’s all you really wanted.
Raven briefly settled on the prow.
Crewmembers scattered, “Uh, Captain… That’s a rather big bird.”
“It’s a falc, you dolt,” he rasped back.
A crewman grabbed a belaying pin. The falc eyed him.
“She means no harm,” their cowled guest said coming forward. “She just wants to see me off.”
The captain growled, “Damned Cathartan deals… Tell that thing to be off. She’s distracting my men from their duties.”
The bird met her gaze. This is my fate… I’ll be back. I promise.
Raven nodded and winged away.
The captain turned away and began shouting orders.
#
The warders rode double as they followed Thomi, with a mixed escort of veteran Legionnaires and Cathartans. They raced downTier.
Sergeant Grigg glanced over his shoulder as people rushed out of their way. “Milord, we should have ridden down that lane.”
Thomi glanced back, “Uh, we’re going another way.”
“Another way, he says?” he muttered to himself. “Another ruddy-nosed little lordling to train…” He glanced back at the warders, saw one looking his way and knew, just knew it was Aliana and Revit. “Okay, Terhun, loyalty does have its own rewards.”
#
“Lady Belina, you look lost,” the grisled Imperial agent guarding the door said.
The young elvin woman smiled, “Lady Esperanza’s asked to see me.”
“Did she now? Wait here… They don’t tells me nothing.” He knocked on the door, stuck his head in, careful to keep watching her. “Lady Belina’s here at… Oh, fine, it would help to tell me such things…” He held the door open for her, “Milady.”
She edged past him.
“You sent for me, Mistress?”
As soon as the door closed, Esperanza said, “By now you’ve realized that Revit and Aliana have apparently left the palace.”
“They’ve what?”
“Oh, you are a bit slow… We’ll have to work on that.”
“Milady?”
“Hmm, what to do with you, then?”
“Do with me?”
“You’ve married Revit and Aliana… makes you a bit Cathartan, doesn’t it?”
“Married Aliana?”
“Oh, that hadn’t occurred to you. You are a bit slow… you’re going to need some new skills… Elvin ways just won’t do… Hmm, Cathartan… that Mother Shaman seems to be ahead of the game… That’s settled then.”
“What’s settled?”
“Hmm, terribly slow.”
#
:George, the ship is already moving down river.:
“We’ll get another,” he muttered back.
“Je’orj, there may not be another ready to leave port at this hour,” Se’and half-whispered.
:None are close to even making preparations.:
Raven winged past overhead. Could not stop her.
“Of course, not,” George rasped, a map flashing across his thoughts, then mentally tapped Thomi’s mind.
At the next crossing, Thomi led them toward the South Gate. Walsh matching his steed’s pace easily enough.
Se’and sighed, “We’ll make better time at least.”
“We’ve a good chance to make it to the drawbridge before they do.”
Staff, sharing George’s concern for Fri’il, continued to scan ahead, knowing they somehow would not.
#
Yel’ane felt Lawson’s strong arms about her waist as they rode and dreaded the words he now whispered, “Why have you done this?”
�
�Done what?” she muttered as his face bent close to her cheek.
“I thought the girls needed a father figure under the circumstances… but not you or Nessa.”
“Is that what you really thought?”
“You overheard me talking to them… you knew my words were meant for them alone.”
She held the reins a bit tighter. “You taught us… this thing you call math-ema-tics.”
“It distracted all of you and school is important for every human being.” She blinked, knowing he didn’t believe he was what they called a troll. He was human. What she was… was a throwback, who, like him, would be considered, back home, rather ugly. “You took to geometry well enough,” he said instead.
The angles started dancing in her head, followed by the numbers… the damn numbers. “I dreaded the moment we’d be reunited with the House.”
“Why? It’s all you talked about…”
She half-turned her head, “Because you wouldn’t be there to teach me more… math-ema-tics… I want to learn more of these things you call algebra and trig-nam-a-tary.”
“But surely…”
“Basic geometry we know, but not like you do.”
“I would have still taught you that, if you wanted — without your ever… well… concocting this marriage business.”
“How? I would never get a say in such things. If we are to survive, every daughter of the House must do what the House demands… I’d never see you again.” Never see the numbers in the way you do, again.
“So, you decided to marry me? Do you even understand what that means? You’re just a child.”
She swallowed, “I’m woman enough! You and I know full well what could have happened out there… what happened to…” She took a deep breath. “Uh, you like me, don’t you?”
“Yel’ane…”
“I’m not a child and I’m tall for my age!”
“And I’m rather short for mine,” he muttered. “But that doesn’t mean you’re my wife.”
She leaned close and kissed his cheek. “Well, I’m not in any rush to, um, prove you wrong.”
“Good.”
“We’ll have to get used to sharing a bedroll for awhile first.”
“Argh.”
She winced, “And do something about your breath… and getting a real bath.”
He shook his head as they rode through the South Gate, City Guardsmen hastily clearing their path through the not particularly wide edifice. That is when an old man lost control of his oxcart as he sought to enter through the gate. Moments later, the passage was well and truly blocked.
#
Well, that should slow him down.
He does appear rather stubborn, even for a human.
That’s usually to his credit.
Not this time… That young woman has a prophecy to fulfill and he is not about to spoil it.
#
George winced as the Legionnaires pulled at the ox while Le’ann and several sisters pushed on the cart. “This is taking too long.”
“Don’t you dare,” Se’and whispered.
“We need to get to the bridge…”
:Uh, George, the odds of reaching it in time… and concealing your identity is dropping rapidly.:
“Staff,” Se’and rasped, squeezing tight as George reached into the steed’s mind and… off they went, breaking past the edge of the cart as Cathartans and Legionnaires scrambled out of their way.
#
Revit, I owe you a Silver.
Ter, you want to go for double or nothing?
Their steeds bolted, following Je’orj and Se’and’s steed.
Oh, Papa’s pissed, Aliana said.
At least it’s not directed at us, Revit said.
Um, let’s hope it stays that way, she replied.
Je’orj is doing something to their steed, we’re losing them!
Revit said, Staff, come on, we only want to help… What’s he doing?
:The party you are trying to reach is unavailable. Please leave a message after the beep.:
Huh? Aliana rasped.
This is bad… real bad. Terus!
A moment later, I’m working on it. Got it! Terus’s steed raced forward at a speed no horse could ever match.
Aliana stiffened, Download received.
Their steed suddenly shot forward and Revit felt flush, What?
Sorry, Rev, Terus sent, but… well, the steeds think Je’orj’s mount is in season.
And where did you get that idea from?
Uh, would you believe, Raven?
Huh? he muttered even as Aliana nuzzled close. Huh!
I know, Terus shared, I… stop that… didn’t think… uh… erk.
#
Thomi blanched. “Walsh!”
The Walsh grimaced, “Here… go… again.” He strode forward, took hold of the cart and hefted it clear, half dragging the harnessed, startled, ox.
Crunch.
“You broke my wheels!” the old man shouted.
Sergeant Grigg shouted, “Here’s my token! Explain to my captain!” Better you than me, anyway, he thought. “After them, men!”
#
I am beginning to think Je’orj is under a geas.
Realized that, have you?
You knew?
Of course, it’s not like I didn’t have him under a geas for months. But that comp-uter of his is most insidious. It’s driving him and the steed…
I leave the matter to you, then.
Oh, thanks… ever so grateful, kinsman.
Deal with it…
I will, while you aid that ship…
#
The ship groaned as the sails filled with a gust of wind out of nowhere. The captain shouted orders as Fri’il turned to stare.
Along the riverbank, one of the river wardens gaped, then began shouting.
“Captain!”
“I see it, Mr. Daltin! Furl those sails immediately!”
The first sailor to reach the mast cried, “Hey! I can’t move!”
“We’re bespelled!”
The captain ran to the prow, staring at the bridge ahead. “Pray they retract it in time!” He turned to his cloaked passenger, “Dare I say that this is your fault.”
Fri’il swallowed, glanced back at the shore and saw the battle steed with its two black cloaked figures. “If it is, we’ll come to no harm,” she rasped, growing angry. “Je’orj,” she muttered, thinking hard at him, “Je’orj!”
The crystalline anklet she tended to forget ever existed, flared.
#
JE’ORJ!
His concentration was momentarily shattered as he felt as if an anvil had been dropped on his head.
“Fri’il,” he rasped as Se’and struggled to keep him from falling off their mount.
Listen to me you… you damn fool! You have got to let me do this.
“But—”
I’m doing what must be done… You’ve had to often enough those you knew… knew what it would cost you.
“De’ohr had no right to—”
No right? She saved the House at the cost of her brother’s life! She’s sacrificed everything to help us survive. Or do you think she might not have wanted to bear a child of her own one day?
“You can’t go like this… Not alone! Ri’ori needs you.”
But not you, husband?
“I… I need you, too. We all need you.”
Admit it, though. You don’t love me… oh, you do in your way. Don’t let guilt make you do something so rash as to try to keep me from my fate.
“Fri’il…”
I’ve grown to hate that name… I’ve learned what it means in your true tongue. Rather call me Farrel; that name suits me best now. Let me go… I will do my best to return to you once Vyss is truly safe and on the path prophecy demands.
“Fri— I mean Farrel. You can go like this. I’ll come with you.”
No, this is my task, Je’orj. My very bones and blood tell me this is what I must do and do without you.
Though, I knew it causes you and Ri’ori pain, I must pay the price and do as I pledged the day I was married to Vyss when he was so sick that none but my Sire dared gift me to him as wife… You saved his life and I, the sole member of his House, he gave to you by bond that I might watch over you.
George could feel the steed nearing the bridge which was writhing open as the river wardens hastened to create safe passage for the ship barreling down upon them.
You are not alone, Je’orj. You have well armed brides aplenty now to guard your back. Leave me to do what must be done. And, truth be told, I’m now a bit of human mage myself. You’ve taught me well. Goodbye for now, my love. Hold Ri’ori and share my love with her.
“No!” George gasped, his mind seething, urging the steed to greater speed as the ship began scraping the sides of the irising stone.
Chapter 25 - Secrecy
Staff, you must stop this.
The computer lay across George’s back, Se’and pressed close behind it, taking the brunt of its cold reflected fear, rage, and terrible sense of guilt.
You are driving him to madness.
A sense of shock transfixed the machine’s crystalline circuitry. :What?:
You are feeding back his thoughts, making them stronger, why? Let his roiling thoughts cool. Can you not hear her words to him? She loves him. She would not leave except honor and fate demands it.
Se’and’s eyes widened, hearing not only Fri’il’s mental words, but the otherly words confronting Staff.
:I do not understand.:
Yes, you do. You are not machine alone. You are the man as well and, I dare say, he is equally you as well. Your feelings are coloring your sense of purpose… and Je’orj’s sense of what is right and noble.
:Alrex?:
There was a feather touch on Se’and’s cheek that a soothing warmth caressed Staff’s length. Yes… now stop this before Je’orj does more than fool with prophecy.
:George… George… We must let her go. This is as she wills it. Not De’ohr’s whim.:
“Je’orj,” Se’and rasped, “listen to Staff. Let her go. She can and will save my brother’s life… changing my people forever.”
“Fri— Farrel, please don’t go,” he rasped as the steed suddenly slowed as Se’and fought to keep Je’orj mounted.
I love you… I love you all, she sent.