She offered a faint smile. “I have to go, but thank you for your concern.”
He shook his head. “No, you saved me and I owe you. That’s why I’ve got to tell you what I’ve heard. Rumours about someone trying to wake whatever horror lives under the Lonely Tower aren’t the only thing people around here have been talking about. There’s a witch or whatever that moved into the Tower. Our magicker could feel her spell making, so he tried to get sight on her and managed for a few seconds before she blasted him through the spell and killed him.
“Before he died and the spell broke, we could see her. And that woman makes my blood run cold. Red hair and red eyes and a look that could kill you where you stand. She’s dangerous, and more deadly than a knife to the gut. If she’s in the Tower, it’s not safe for anyone.”
Terrwyn felt her skin go cold. Kish obviously didn’t know what red irises meant, but she did. She swallowed hard and projected a confidence she in no way felt. “It’s okay, we’ll be fine.”
He stared at her, frowning, then sighed. “I’m not going to be able to convince you. Guess all I can do is wish you good luck. I hope whatever you’re going to the Tower for is worth this.”
“It is.”
Kish offered her a nod which she returned, then turned around to join Zelek. He watched her. Neither said anything as they mounted and headed out, Terrwyn pausing only long enough to wave at Kish. He lifted a hand in reply.
They didn’t speak until Kish was out of sight. “Zel,” she began.
He held up a hand to stop her. “My shadows told me. We did already know we were likely dealing with some kind of magician, though she’s obviously powerful if she’s able to attack someone through their spell.”
Terrwyn shook her head. “Zel, if what Kish said is true, then she has red eyes.”
“Does that matter?” he asked, frowning.
She closed her eyes for a moment, struggling with the sudden noose of hopelessness that had wrapped itself around her neck. “I’ve read about people with red eyes when I was studying the history and lore of our land. In every case the cause is the same.”
“Cause?”
Terrwyn looked at him, face still cold. “Red eyes are the sign of a contract with a demon.”
Zel stared at her, eyes slowly widening as the reality of it settled in with him. “A demonic contract? You’re certain?”
“Yes. One of the main reasons knighthood was opened to women was due to the slaughter of most of the knights by a man who contracted with a demon. It took nearly a year and intense preparation to defeat him, and many men perished to succeed.”
“How did they succeed? Is there anything we can use? While I’ll certainly try, I don’t think even on my best day with a full arsenal would I be able to beat a demon-powered mage in a fight.”
“They used sheer numbers against him. But it’s okay. Just leave the magician to me,” Terrwyn heard herself say, voice calm while inwardly her mind was a mess. Not that there was any real choice in the matter. Someone had to face the witch, and Zel was far better suited to dealing with Chayn. He knew the man and knew his powers. If he could make short work of him, she thought maybe he could find Aricia and sneak the two of them out. Terrwyn could keep the magician distracted until then. Probably.
But no matter what way she looked at it, she didn’t see herself surviving the encounter. She did have time, time she could use to think of some brilliant strategy that would ensure everyone’s survival. That hope was an acid-edged sweetness on her tongue.
He frowned. “Do you have a plan?”
“Oh yes, I have a plan. I only need to tweak some details. Once I have everything completely figured out, I’ll tell you.” He frowned, but didn’t press her. Terrwyn didn’t think he’d agree to it if she told him her current plan, but once they were closer, once he saw the reality, he would. He respected her enough, was honourable enough, he’d see Aricia home safe or die trying. And if she could come up with something better then he’d never know the difference.
As it was, she didn’t have particularly high hopes for her ambush plan. A trap of some sort might bring the witch down long enough that Terrwyn could finish her off before she began magicking, but only if she could set that up ahead of time. She’d make some spears as backup, though she felt that they would be of no more use against her than bits of straw. Not if the stories of demon-powered magicians were even remotely true.
She could feel a faint prickling to her eyes but ignored it. She was a knight, and her duty to Aricia was clear. If the cost of that was her life, then so be it. She’d consider it a fair trade for Aricia’s safety. If she were insanely lucky, she might just be able to kill or trap the witch with her.
Though, now that she thought about it, there was something from her previous research about demons, another way of dealing with them without having to kill the summoner. Then she remembered the conditions for that and shook the thought away. There was no way she could manage that.
With the reality of her own possible death settling around her, Terrwyn swallowed hard. Being negative wasn’t going to help anything. If these were potentially going to be her last few days, if this was all she had left, then she was going to enjoy them as much as she could. At least, as much as she could while still heading towards Aricia as fast as she could.
* * *
The sun was nearly directly overhead when they found a small stream. They both dismounted, loosening the girths of their saddles and removing the bridles before tying the horses near enough they could reach the water and grass. They settled themselves down with their backs against the large boulder that lay a few short steps from the water.
Terrwyn picked at her bread, eating only small mouthfuls. She had her eyes half-closed, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin, the coolness of the stone behind her keeping the heat from being too much. She thought she could sit like that for hours. She did her best to fix the feeling in her mind while trying not to think too much about this potentially being the last time she’d be able to bask in the sun.
“You all right?”
She opened her eyes, she’d barely registered they’d closed, and looked at Zelek. “Hmmm? What do you mean?”
“Are you not feeling well? You’re barely eating.” A wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows as he nodded at her food.
“Oh,” she said, smiling faintly to try to reassure him. “I’m not very hungry at the moment.”
“That’s not all of it. You’ve been looking pale since we left the thief. Did something happen with him? My shadows didn’t tell me anything, but they don’t always catch everything. Is something wrong?”
His gaze was steady on hers, and Terrwyn found she couldn’t hold his gaze for long. She looked back down at half of her bread that remained among the crumbs spread across her lap. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m only worried about Aricia.”
And that was true enough. The princess was never far from her thoughts. Of course, right now she couldn’t help but think about what was coming, and how she could keep the demon witch busy for as long as possible. Maybe if she used a spear or something and launched a sneak attack, kill the witch before she even knew she was under attack. Ambushing really felt like her only option, what with her defenceless against magic. If there was time, if they could get in without being noticed, she could even lay a tripwire for the witch. Or try to get at the witch while she slept—
Gentle fingers grabbed her chin and forced it up so she had to look at Zel. His gaze flickered between both her eyes, a frown pulling at his lips. “If you’re not feeling well, if you’re worried about anything, please don’t keep it to yourself. We’re partners in this.”
She tried to duck her head, but his grip kept her head in place. Her cheeks were beginning to warm under the intensity of his attention. “It’s nothing, really.”
“Is it about the fa
ct the mage has a demonic contract?”
Terrwyn couldn’t help the way she flinched and inwardly cursed herself. Zel sighed and shook his head. “I thought that it might be that. I know this looks difficult, and when I said I couldn’t take her on myself, I didn’t mean I wouldn’t. I just think we need to come up with an appropriate strategy and work together to take her down.”
She met his gaze then, hoping he didn’t notice the way she’d swallowed to relieve the dryness of her mouth. “It’s nothing like that. And I am working on a strategy. Like I said, I’ve studied a bit about demonic contracts. You need to concentrate on your mission. And... I’m not sure if you’d be able to, but if you or your shadows could help find Aricia, that would be...”
He smiled. “Of course I, and they, can. But I don’t think it’d be a good idea to leave you to face the mage alone. Can you defend yourself against magic?”
Terrwyn shrugged. “Probably.” She didn’t say out loud that her planned defence would be dodging as much as possible. Every second she could keep the witch busy was another second the other two had to escape. While confident in her physical abilities, Terrwyn had no idea if that would be of use against the witch. But she really didn’t have a choice in the matter. If she could at least keep the witch distracted long enough to deal with Chayn, she thought Zel could later sneak in and rescue Aricia, provided he was still alive. After all, Chayn had done the same to kidnap her in the first place.
Though now that she thought of it, she’d read something about prayer and fasting to get a kind of spiritual armour. If that would insulate her from the witch’s attacks, she might have half a chance. Zel’s gaze still on her finally brought her back from her thoughts. “And it’s not like we have a choice. You need to deal with Chayn, and if you’re trying to help me, he could attack us while we’re focused on her. Separating and each focusing on a target is the best option. Whoever finishes first can go find Aricia and get her out, then, if they can, come back and help the other.”
“You don’t think we can lure one of them out first?”
She raised her eyebrows. “With what? Any kind of danger would likely bring both of them, and from what we know, they’re more than capable of finding out what’s happening with the other from a distance. As soon as we attacked, the other one would be on the way, so we’d be stuck in the same situation no matter what. I’d rather plan for it, than be forced into it.”
Lips turned down, he nodded slowly. “That makes sense, though I don’t like it. It appears the aim for us will be to finish up our fights as soon as possible, if we can. I don’t know much about demonic contracts or fighting mages, but if you’re looking to sneak up on her, me and my shadows might be able to help.”
“Thanks,” she said, smiling. “But I’ll be fine. I have a solid first plan, something that builds off the original plan the three of us had when we left the palace, and a backup plan I’m working on.” She was glad to have met Zel, for more than a few reasons. She knew she’d have never made it this far without him, would have likely been eaten or killed by something. And it was nice to have someone beside her, someone to talk to, someone who was willing to support her in any way he could. If Aricia hadn’t been kidnapped maybe...
She shoved those thoughts away. What could have been wouldn’t change what was. Though, she thought, gaze still on Zel’s face as his was on hers. Out here, there were no gossips, no one to tell her she wasn’t focusing on her job, nothing to stop her from doing...whatever it was she wanted, if they were both of a mind.
A mental image appeared and set her cheeks to flaming. Terrwyn turned away, the suddenness of the move pulling her free of Zel’s hold. She might no longer be chaste, but she wasn’t so experienced that certain thoughts didn’t make her want to hide. Doubly so it seemed, whenever she thought about Zel.
A barely audible chuckle preceded cool fingers gently turning her head back around. Zel was grinning at her. “What’s the matter now?”
His expression made her feel like he could somehow see inside her head, that he knew exactly what she’d just pictured, which did nothing to help with the colour in her cheeks. “Nothing. It’s nothing,” she said hurriedly.
“Oh?” He leaned closer, so his face filled her entire field of vision and his breath stirred the little hairs by her ears. “What if I want it to be something?”
That was too much for Terrwyn. She jumped up, looking everywhere but at Zel, the remainder of her lunch falling onto the grass. “I-I... I should go check on the horses,” she said, ignoring the fact they could see them from where they sat as she strode away.
Hiding her face against the side of her mare, Terrwyn wished her cheeks would cool. And that she could stay calmer when Zelek said things that made her think... She shook her head, wishing his eyes weren’t quite so intent when he looked at her. Like a hawk that had been unhooded and had immediately sighted on a rabbit.
It wasn’t as if she’d be opposed to...getting more familiar with him, but it was hard to go along with it. Especially when he got so close, so quickly. She’d need time to prepare herself mentally.
Though, she thought, risking a glance around her horse’s neck at where he sat, eyes half-closed, a smile still on his lips, it would probably be more than worth it.
* * *
Zel watched Terrwyn through slitted eyes, holding back a chuckle with some difficulty. She really should know that even if he hadn’t been able to see her, his shadows would have told him what she was doing. They liked to keep him informed. They also seemed to find her almost as interesting as he did.
She was quite skittish at times, a delicious contradiction to her usual confidence and strength. He’d suspected a certain amount of inexperience before, but with the way she was hiding, he was certain of it. Terrwyn was a virgin.
He’d have to adjust his strategy then, if he wanted to catch her. A straight attempt would send her running like she’d done just now. He’d have to build things up, get closer to her slowly, let her relax a bit, but not too much. Zel still wanted her to be aware of him.
And that awareness along with the way her cheeks frequently flared red told him that Terrwyn was interested. Zel’s smile widened a bit at that thought. It was rare that he got to spend time around women who were intelligent, strong and well-trained. He had only met two since leaving his village, one had a very caring partner, while the other enjoyed her work as an assassin far too much for his taste.
Unlike the women from his village, Terrwyn was obviously uneducated in using her sexuality and femininity as a weapon which he found refreshing. She was as straightforward and as deadly as a sword. Finely crafted, with an air of dangerous grace, there was nothing hiding in the hardened steel of her eyes. He didn’t have to worry about what deeper games she was playing.
If he’d had any doubts on the matter when he’d first met her, the lengthening association with her shadow had dispelled that. While reluctant initially to tell him much about its mistress, Terrwyn’s shadow had relaxed as the knight had and now was happy to tell him some things when he asked. What he’d learned had only reinforced his first impressions of Terrwyn.
So for now he’d take his time and move slowly. He could be very patient when he wanted to be, and for a quarry as rare as Terrwyn, he’d take all the time she needed. This was a hunt well worth it, and the thought of the rewards had him grinning in anticipation.
Chapter Seventeen: Falling
The sun was getting close to the horizon and they were both keeping their eyes open for possible campsites when they came to the river. Blue water that reflected the sky was edged in thick green grass along its shores, the movement of its current quiet though visibly fast. Terrwyn stared at it and frowned as she gently reined her mare in, Zel coming up beside her. She looked down one way, then the other, shading her eyes when she noticed something darker farther up. “What’s that?” she asked, point
ing.
Zel followed her finger, his lips pulled down. He stood up in his stirrups then shook his head. “I can’t see from here, but I can find out soon enough. What do you want to do?” He nodded at the river in front of them. It stretched out as far they could see in either direction and was blocking their way forward.
“We’ll have to cross. Have your shadows said anything about the water being dangerous?”
He shook his head. “Not yet, but they’re checking it out. Given how deep it looks, I’m worried about the horses. And our supplies.”
Terrwyn sighed. “We’ll have to find somewhere we can ford it. It might get shallower up or downstream.”
Zelek opened his mouth then closed it, cocking his head to one side. Then he grinned. “How about we cross over it with a bridge?”
“A bridge?”
He waved his hands in the direction of the thing she’d spotted. “Looks like there’s a wooden bridge that way. If we move quickly, we can cross over and find a decent campsite before dark.”
“Then let’s get moving.” Terrwyn chirped to her horse and set off at a modest trot towards the bridge, Zel just a few beats behind her. As they got closer the structure slowly resolved itself. Three piles were sunk into the water, the remaining two anchored to each shore, the whole thing made of wood. A high railing crisscrossed its way down to the floor of the bridge.
She smiled, thinking how lucky they were to have found it. The expression slowly faded as they got closer and she got a better look. Wood that was practically grey was pulling apart from the other pieces, patches of green slowly revealing themselves to be moss and lichen. It was obvious whoever had built the bridge hadn’t bothered to maintain it. Ever, from the looks of it.
Terrwyn grimaced. So much for an easy ride over. “I’ll go test it,” she said, dismounting. “Hopefully it’s still sturdy enough to hold the horses, but we’ll need to take them over one at a time to be safe.”
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