by D. L. Kramer
Kile was shoved to a spot before the dais while the rest of them were pushed to one side. The guards around them drew their weapons, obviously intending to discourage any suggestion of escape. Paki noticed several other people standing or sitting in the room. Kiril sat just a few feet away from them, and had changed from his armor to a heavy, dark brown robe.
A door at the back of the dais opened and two guards escorted a robed man to the chair at the head of the room. He, like Mo'ani, seemed to have stopped aging at about sixty, though Paki remembered Adie's comment that the Archbishop was over two centuries old. At least, Paki guessed this was the Archbishop; the man seemed to emanate a power from inside. He was followed by a second man, whose dark, sharp features sent chills up Paki's spine.
"You are Kile, Lord of Olorun Hold," the severe man stated. His tone was cold as his eyes narrowed at Kile. "Six years past you murdered Gian, BishopLord of Valin, while his family looked on." The man paused while a guard handed him a stack of unrolled scrolls. "We have here sufficient evidence to charge you guilty of the crime." He picked up the first scroll and handed it to the Archbishop. The Archbishop looked it over, then nodded his head and handed it back to his advisor. "This letter is from Lord Gian's wife, recounting your unprovoked attack and detailing his violent death. The other letters confirm her accounts. Have you anything to say before His Grace passes sentence on you?"
Kile turned to look at Kiril, and Paki saw Kiril move uncomfortably in his seat. Apparently Kile was right about his conscience.
"Just two things," Kile said, turning back to the Archbishop. "His wife wasn't there," he corrected. "And you seem to 'ave left out the part of 'im tryin' to kill me at the same time."
The Archbishop stood up. His eyes moved over everyone in the room, then back to Kile.
"You are guilty, Kile of Olorun," the Archbishop said evenly. His voice was strong, and for the slightest moment, he reminded Paki of Mo'ani. "And by our laws, the life of a Mo'ani must be given in exchange for the life of the BishopLord. You must be made an example of, or others will become the apostate you are. You will die at midnight and your friends will stand trial for treason at first light."
The sentence spoken, three guards moved in to remove Kile from the room. Jayehl pushed his way past Paki and Bear, quietly saying something to Kiril. Kiril's eyes flashed with sudden indecision as he looked at Jayehl, but then he moved quickly.
"Ye're Grace?" Kiril called, walking to the front of the room.
The Archbishop and his advisor both looked at Kiril.
"Yes?" the Archbishop asked.
"I 'ad the opportunity to observe the other prisoners while ye sentenced the murderer," he said. "Lord Olorun's keep is many months travel, and 'is death would serve no warnin' to 'is people, as they know little of 'im." Kiril paused to look back at Jayehl, who nodded his head solemnly. "Among the prisoners is Jayehl, youngest son of Lord Bavol. 'is death in Lord Olorun's place would serve a far stronger warnin' to the people of this land. Lord Olorun could then stand trial in his own land and be executed as the apostate 'e is."
"Are ye crazy?!" Kile demanded of Jayehl, then was silenced when one of the guards backhanded him sharply.
The Archbishop paused, considering what Kiril had just said. His advisor leaned over and spoke quietly with him. Paki looked at Jayehl and saw the resolve and dedication to what he believed in. He also saw the shock and tears in Adie's eyes as she looked at the young man beside her. Gharald nodded solemnly at Jayehl, showing he understood the young man's decision. After several long seconds, the Archbishop nodded his head.
"Lord Bavol's son will be executed in Lord Olorun's place," the Archbishop's advisor announced, then turned to one of the guards. "Make sure his head is delivered to his father." As they moved to take Jayehl, Gharald put himself in front of Adie when she tried to lash out at one of the guards. Kile was led back over to them, and for the briefest of seconds, he and Jayehl passed each other. Paki saw them speak, then Jayehl was gone and they were being marched back to the dungeon.
Adie untied them all again in the silence that followed the guards' leaving.
"He said I was more important than he was," Kile finally said quietly. He sat down on the cold ground and bowed his head.
Paki and Bear exchanged looks. Paki didn't know what to say to Kile, and it was obvious Bear didn't either. Adie motioned to the two boys, then put an arm around both their shoulders as she turned them away from the cell door.
"Some of the church guards will be taking me out of here sometime tonight," she explained. "Several Bishops and guards seem to think it's their 'right' to take advantage of female prisoners. I'll be back as soon as I can get away from them to get the rest of you. Don't let Kile do anything that'll get him into trouble. Remind him he'll need to go talk with Lord and Lady Bavol if you have to. His sense of honor will make him be the one who has to tell them--use that if necessary."
"Shouldn't you tell Lieutenant Gharald too?" Paki asked.
"He knows," Adie assured them. "I'd like to think Kile's outgrown his little tantrums, but I wouldn't bet any stones on it."
"I don't think either of us would be strong enough to stop him if something happened," Bear pointed out.
"Gharald is," Adie said. "Hopefully Kile will stay calm until I get back." She removed her arms and nodded to them, then went and sat beside Kile.
Paki and Bear both went and sat across the cell from Kile and Adie. The floor was damp and cold and a chill draft ran along it. Paki reached out with his mind, feeling for the stallion. He found the huge horse almost immediately and was comforted by the fact that he seemed to be safe.
The stallion's view of their surroundings told him they were in a stable with many other horses. Chase was nearby, as was Adie and Gharald's horses. The stallion didn't know where Nicho was, though. Paki looked over at Kile, wondering if he should ask him, then decided not to. If Kile didn't know where Nicho was, he didn't need that worry right now. Paki guessed he was all right. He knew he'd feel it if something happened to the stallion, so he was positive Kile would feel the same thing with Nicho.
Some time later, two guards showed up and took Adie from the cell. She struggled against them as they led her down the hall, though Paki guessed it was more for show. She still had the two vials she'd hidden in her topknot and whatever she had hidden in the sole of her boot. He almost felt sorry for the guards.
Paki looked over at Kile. He still hadn't moved and hadn't seemed to notice the guards taking Adie away. Standing up, Paki stretched and walked over, then sat beside Kile.
"Are you okay?" he asked after several minutes.
Kile shook his head slowly. "Havin' someone give 'is life for ye're's is a 'eavy weight, Paki."
"What about Lord Bavol?" Paki asked. "Do you think he'll be okay?"
Kile sighed and looked up.
"I think 'e'll tear out a few bishops' 'earts for this one," he said. "I don't want to know what Evaine's goin' to do."
"Is she that bad?" Paki asked. Even though Lord Bavol's sons weren't hers, Paki was sure she considered them as much a part of her family as her husband.
Kile slowly nodded his head. "Is the stallion all right?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Yes," Paki answered. "He's in a stable." He didn't mention that the stallion didn't know where Nicho was.
Kile nodded his head. "Nicho'll make sure the stable door's open for 'em when we're ready to go. "When Adie gets back here, let the stallion know any church guards between us and them are fair game."
Paki nodded his head, relieved to know Nicho was okay. "Where is Nicho?" he asked hesitantly.
"He's with Kiril's group. Kiril thinks he's takin' 'im back north with 'em."
Paki nodded his head again, then paused when a thought occurred to him.
"Won't Kiril know Adie will try to escape?" he asked.
To Paki's surprise, Kile chuckled. "I'm hopin' he tries to get in 'er way," he said, his voice suddenly cold. "He should 'ave known better than to
let Jayehl take my place."
Paki sighed and fell silent. After a while, he stood up again and moved back by Bear. Gharald kept himself near the cell door and seemed to be watching for something. Paki told Bear what Kile had said about the horses, then sat back to wait.
Not long after, they heard distant, rolling drums. After several long seconds, the drums cut off suddenly. Paki looked over at Kile and saw him looking towards the outer doors. It was hard to tell for sure in the dim torch light, but he thought he saw Kile's eyes fill with tears before he bowed his head again. Paki looked over to Gharald and saw that he, too, was bowing his head. Bear just sadly shook his head and Paki sighed, agreeing with his friend. The pain in his chest and heavy feeling in his stomach were new to him, and he swallowed, trying to get either of them to lessen. They all knew there would be no example in the young Mo'ani's death. If anything, it would only turn more people against the Archbishop.
Time passed slowly until Gharald's voice broke the silence.
"Here she comes."
Adie appeared suddenly outside the cell. Her topknot was taken down and her red hair hung in long, wavy strands. In one hand, she held the slender metal object from her boot.
Remembering Kile's instructions, Paki told the stallion they were on their way out and he could trample or kick any church guards who tried to stop him. He also made the suggestion to Adie and Gharald's horses that they do the same. Paki couldn't help but smile when he practically felt the stallion kick open his stall door. A quick grin from Bear told him Chase was doing the same.
"It's about time," Kile said, standing up.
"You didn't have to drug or kill one bishop and eight guards," she muttered. Sliding the piece of metal into the lock, she had the door open in a matter of seconds. "The guard with your flutes is up towards the dungeon gate."
"We'll need to get 'em to get out of 'ere," Kile said. After we get 'em back, you two," Kile looked at Adie and Gharald. "Take the lads and get 'em back to the Stronghold. I'm headin' to Bavol Hold, with any luck I can get there first and let Matthios and Evaine know what's 'appened before the Archbishop's messenger gets there."
"I don't think you should go alone," Gharald stated.
"I'll be fine," Kile assured him. "Now let's get out of 'ere before anyone comes lookin'."
Adie led them out of the cellblock, weaving her way through the dungeon as though she'd made the trip every day of her life. They passed several unconscious or dead guards on their way up toward the gate, and Paki guessed Adie had been the one to put them that way. As they neared the gate, they had to move slower, ducking into alcoves and empty cells whenever guards approached. After what seemed like hours, they reached the gate. Adie pointed out the guard who had taken the flutes, and Kile and Gharald moved forward while Adie ushered Paki and Bear back into the shadows against a wall.
The two men moved silently towards the guard, moving at the last moment to grab him. While Kile grabbed his arms, Gharald stuffed part of the guard's cloak into his mouth to silence him, then punched him, knocking him out. Gharald retrieved the flutes from the guard's pouch, then Kile picked him up and dropped him in one of the nearby cells. Gharald handed the flutes back to Kile and Bear, then they slipped unnoticed into the night. Just outside the castle doors, the stallion, Chase, Nicho and the other two horses stood waiting. Nicho had the remnants of a rope around his neck and both the stallion and Chase were pacing restlessly.
Kile raised an eyebrow at Paki and he shrugged. "I figured Adie and Lieutenant Gharald would like to have their own horses," Paki explained.
"Ye're right," Kile agreed.
Gharald clapped a hand on Paki's shoulder as he walked to his horse.
"We do appreciate it," he said, "I just wish we could have arranged to have their tack come out with them." Taking hold of his horse's mane, he swung up on his back.
"At least ye have halters," Kile said quietly, pulling himself up onto Nicho while Adie jumped onto her horse's back.
Paki tapped the stallion's knee and the huge horse dropped down so he could climb easily up. Using Chase's mane for leverage, Bear jumped onto his back.
Paki knew right off it wouldn't be easy to travel without the bits and bridles, but they didn't have a choice. He knew he could ask Adie and Gharald's horses to cooperate, but a quick look at Kile told him he was already taking care of it.
Moving quickly and quietly, they made their way to the front gates. There were very few guards out in the courtyard and the few they saw were soon sleeping soundly as Kile played gentle notes on his flute. Paki noticed Bear's close attention to every note Kile played.
The guards at the front gate didn't even have time to turn around before they joined their comrades in sleep. Kile slipped from Nicho's back, pushed the gates open, then closed them when they had all passed through. Pulling himself back onto Nicho, he nodded to them.
"Move fast," he instructed. "It won't be long until someone finds out we're gone."
"Are you sure you'll be all right?" Adie asked.
Kile nodded slightly. "Between Nicho and the flute, they wouldn't see me if I were right in front of 'em." He looked at Paki and Bear. "I'll see ye two in a couple of weeks." He nodded to them one last time, then turned and disappeared down the road.
"Let's go," Adie said. Her horse turned in the opposite direction, followed by the others as they made their way to Herridon's east gates.
As they neared the gates, Adie and Gharald began discussing the best way to get past the guards posted there. Their problem was solved when Bear played the same notes Kile had and the guards ahead of them collapsed in a sound sleep.
Adie looked at Bear with a raised eyebrow, then sighed.
"I think you pay just a little too close attention sometimes," she noted.
Bear shrugged. "It's easier than what you two were talking about doing."
"But not nearly as much fun," Gharald added. Moving ahead, he led them from Herridon and onto the road leading back to Mo'ani's Keep.
They hadn't gone far when a familiar, hoarse barking sounded behind them. Chase skidded to a stop and Bear turned around. Tiimu ran up to him, nipping at Chase's legs and barking again. Dropping to the ground, Bear scooped up the kit fox, set him on Chase's back, then jumped up again.
Paki smiled to himself, glad the fox had followed after them. He didn't know how Tiimu had known to come to this gate, but he had. Even Adie and Gharald seemed surprised to see the fox, but neither of them said anything.
They were well outside the city when they heard the warning bells behind them. Their horses leapt forward into another gallop, heading for the distant safety of the mountains. No one in the village would betray their passing, but if they were overtaken on the road, Paki doubted they'd be taken back alive.
The sky was beginning to lighten when they reached the edge of the village. Galloping straight through, they were soon on the road winding up the mountainside, protected now by the Mo'ani hidden in the trees.
Sunrise came and went before they passed through the heavy gates of Mo'ani's Stronghold. The four horses skidded to a stop, exhausted from their long run. Paki noticed how hard the stallion was breathing as he slid from his sweat-soaked back. He stroked the huge horse's neck as the stallion stood, shaking.
"We need to talk with Mo'ani," Adie said to Paki and Bear. "Can you two take care of the horses?"
Paki nodded his head, still not able to shake the feeling that the stallion needed help. He reached out to the horse, feeling for what hurt, and was surprised when the stallion pushed him away.
Adie and Gharald disappeared into the keep as Tavish and two young boys appeared from the stable. Tavish took one look at the exhausted horses and immediately started giving orders.
Paki led the stallion into his stall and saw to rubbing him down himself, even though one of the boys had offered to do it for him. Putting the stallion's warmest blanket over him, Paki stroked his neck again as the boy brought a pail of warm water.
"How is he?" Be
ar asked, appearing outside the stall. Tiimu sat over his shoulder, chewing on the collar of Bear's vest.
"I don't know," Paki admitted. "I think he ran himself out."
"Come on," Bear said. "You're exhausted too, why don't you try to get some sleep. Tavish will keep an eye on him."
Paki picked a tangle from the stallion's mane. Bear was right, he could probably use some sleep himself.
"Maybe just a couple of hours," Paki agreed. He patted the stallion one last time, then followed Bear out of the stable and to the barracks.
Paki sank back on his bunk, closing his eyes. He was unable to sleep and tossed and turned. His dreams were about drums, and the drums slowly turned into the rhythmic pounding of the stallion's galloping hooves. Then, like the drums in the dungeon, they stopped suddenly. Paki would sit up, sweating, his own heart pounding. When the light outside told him it was near noon, he gave up on sleep and went back outside.
Paki checked on the stallion first. The big horse was laying on his side in the stall, his blanket still over him. His breathing was labored and his eyes didn't seem to focus. Tavish had obviously been keeping an eye on him and Paki was glad. He was impressed with how much about horses the Dwellers knew, but he had only met a few of them whose knowledge equaled Tavish's.
He noticed all the wagons and extra horses were gone and guessed others were sent down to the village for supplies. Not having any chores for that day, he soon found himself on the way to the cathedral. He paused by one of the gardens to pick a few flowers, then went inside. The quiet peace made him feel more at ease. Stepping onto the dais, he set the flowers by Jensina's feet, then stepped back and sat in one of the front pews. The three statues on the dais looked down on him as they had last time he was here.
Paki wasn't sure how much time had passed before he stood up again. Walking to the dais again, he stepped up before the statue of Halona. There was no brazier burning before her, but Paki hoped that wouldn't matter. He fingered the items in his pouch, looking for the right one. The pendant definitely wasn't what he wanted. His fingers finally closed around a tied lock of hair. Pulling the lock of the mare's mane from his pouch, he fingered it. It was all he had left of her, that and his memories. Surely his memories would be plenty for him.