by Cas Peace
“Sense what? Tell me before I grow angry. What has happened?”
“It’s Cal and Taran. They’ve disappeared. It happened while we were watching you fight Rykan. They were standing right next to us—well, almost—but Bull and I were so intent on you, we didn’t see a thing. Bull couldn’t even sense them, and there was nothing more we could do. Even the horses were gone. Bull and I came here, and he told Robin about it, and the two of them went looking for Cal and Taran and … and now Bull and Robin have vanished as well!”
Sullyan stared at Rienne in silence for a moment, then said darkly, “Give me the details.”
Gathering herself with an effort, Rienne told Sullyan exactly what had happened on the hill. “After that,” she said, “we gathered our things and began walking toward the Citadel. We didn’t try to hide. It was getting dark and we wanted to be found by the Hierarch’s men as quickly as possible. So we made for the high road and eventually ran into one of the patrols overseeing the dispersal of Rykan’s forces. They were very suspicious at first, but our lack of weapons and horses and Bulldog’s obvious knowledge of you and Robin convinced them. They escorted us into the Citadel where we were eventually summoned before the Hierarch.
“As soon as he heard the news, he sent for Robin. He told us Robin was exhausted after helping you burn out Rykan’s poison, and when we saw him we felt terrible. He looked so drawn and tired. He was very glad to see us, but when Bull told him what had happened to Cal and Taran, he was all for leaving right away. He got quite angry, but the Hierarch made him wait until we had washed and eaten something. I think he was worried that Robin’s exhaustion would affect his reasoning. He made sure Robin ate something too, and then he had Bull tell the story again. Afterward, he and Robin did a search for Cal and Taran, but they came to the same conclusion as Bull, that spellsilver was involved or … worse.”
She took a shaky breath. “After that there was no stopping Robin. The only concession he made to the Hierarch was to take some extra men with him, but he and Bull left that same evening. Bull did come and see you first, but you were still asleep. Robin promised to report to the Lord General, Anjer, is it?” Sullyan nodded, her eyes distant. “But no one had heard anything from them by the middle of the next morning. That’s when Pharikian discovered that he couldn’t contact Bull or Robin either. And now … oh, gods, Brynne, I’m so frightened for them!”
Sullyan was about to murmur soothing words when something Rienne had said made her frown. Cold fear gripped her stomach. “Rienne, you said, ‘by the next morning.’ How long ago did they leave?”
The healer ducked her head. “The evening of the duel. It’s now the third day since you killed Rykan.”
Sullyan gaped at her. “Over two days ago? And they failed to report from the start?” She swore, startling the distressed healer. “Let me concentrate,” she snapped, her pupils dilating as she flung out her senses to try to locate a familiar psyche.
Rienne sat unmoving, staring at her hands in her lap. At Sullyan’s exasperated sigh, she jumped, fresh tears appearing in her eyes. The Major spared her some sympathy. She could see how wretched the healer felt. She had been under strict orders not to do what she had just done, but she had known she couldn’t hide the news from Sullyan. They were too close, too attuned, for secrets, especially such emotive ones. Despite her current condition, Sullyan tried to convey an aura of competence, of comfort and capability, knowing Rienne badly needed them right now.
“Bull was right,” she said, awkwardly pushing herself up in the bed and flinging back the covers. “I cannot contact any of them, and that can only mean one thing.”
Rienne’s eyes went wide. “They’re not … dead, are they?”
Sullyan caught her breath. “Of course not! Did Timar not reassure you? You have not been sitting here all this time thinking they could be dead?”
“Well, I tried not to, but I couldn’t get it out of my mind. No one mentioned the possibility, but I just thought they were being kind.”
Sullyan snorted. “Kind? It was not kind to leave you worrying. Timar should have told you. No, Rienne, they are alive. If they had died there would be blankness, but I can faintly sense each psyche. Spellsilver blocks all contact, but it does not, thankfully, hide the pattern completely. It does mean, though, that I cannot use their patterns to track them. I am puzzled as to why someone would abduct Cal and Taran, but I assume Bulldog and Robin managed to find them. It appears they were careless enough to get caught too, but if they could track them, so can I.” She slid carefully out of the bed and looked pointedly at the healer. “You will have to help me, Rienne. I cannot dress one-handed.”
“What on earth are you doing? You’ve lost a lot of blood and you’ve been badly wounded. You can’t possibly go after them yourself. You’re not nearly fit enough!”
“Of course I can. Who else is there? Has Timar sent someone after them?”
“I don’t know.” Unhappily, Rienne eyed the dressings on Sullyan’s thin body and the strapping on her arm. “I think he mentioned getting the patrols to look out for them. He’s bound to come and check on you soon. Why don’t you wait and ask him?”
“He will have other things on his mind right now.” Sullyan’s fear made her short-tempered. “Now, will you help me or must I call a page?”
Swiftly but reluctantly, the healer brushed and braided Sullyan’s tawny hair. The Major indicated her combat leathers, neatly laid out on a chest along one wall. “What about your arm?” asked Rienne as she brought the clothes over.
“Bind it to my waist. Then I can still get my shirt on and it will be protected when I ride. Who guards my door?”
“It’s one of the Hierarch’s pages, a boy who reminds me a bit of Tad at the Manor. Apparently the leader of your group of pirates gave him the duty so they could all go and join the celebrations.”
Rienne sounded disapproving, and Sullyan surmised she had heard about Vanyr’s actions prior to the duel. She smiled despite her fear for her friends. Vanyr was no threat to her now, so Ky-shan must have arranged for the boy to guard her suite as a joke, knowing it would irritate the Commander.
“His name is Norkis. Would you ask him to come in?”
The lad entered the room at Rienne’s request, hurriedly averting his eyes from Sullyan’s half-dressed state.
“Norkis, I want you to run down to the horse lines and tell the horse master to saddle Drum.”
The lad cocked his head. “I was told to report back if you woke, Lady Brynne. I will go to the horse master, but I really ought to tell his Majesty as well.”
She grinned at him. “Very well. But you don’t have to hurry over the task, do you?”
Norkis scampered off, thoroughly understanding. Rienne finished strapping Sullyan’s arm around her body and then helped the Major into her shirt, leathers, and boots. “I’m still not happy about this, Brynne. You’re nowhere near fit. The Hierarch will be so angry with you. And with me.”
Hearing her unhappiness, Sullyan captured her gaze. “We may be guests in his palace, but we are not his subjects. And I am not about to abandon my friends to whatever has befallen them.” Her expression softened on seeing Rienne’s distress. “Ah, do not worry so. I will not go courting danger. I do know I am not fully fit. I give you my word that if I need help, I will summon it. If it will make you feel better, give me half an hour and then find Timar. Tell him what I am doing, if Norkis has not already done so. Assure him I will keep in contact. And if you need something to take your mind off waiting, then you could offer your services to Deshan. He is over-occupied at the moment, and the two of you could learn much from each other.
“Now, pass me my sword belt.”
Sullyan left the suite, a small pack slung over her shoulder. Stiffly, she strode through the corridors and out into the courtyard, noting with a wry grimace that the weather had turned. It was drizzling, the kind of persistent rain that got into all the warm, dry places under your clothes and soaked you to the skin.
It was not her lucky day.
The barracks were deserted, but just when she thought she had escaped unnoticed, a lithe figure stepped out of a doorway in front of her and turned her way. Recognizing her immediately, Vanyr widened his eyes with surprise. Sullyan swore under her breath, annoyed that she might be delayed, especially by him. She was in no mood to play Vanyr’s games right now.
“Major,” he said in his clipped voice, “I didn’t think we would see you around for a while yet. Where are you going?”
“About my own business, Commander.”
She attempted to pass him by, but he planted himself in front of her. She glowered at him. “I have no time for your games, Commander Vanyr. If you delay me now, you will regret it. I know you bear me no love—although I thought we had made our peace before the duel—but if you bear me any respect at all you will stand aside.”
Strangely, Vanyr seemed hurt by her words. “Respect?” he repeated. He looked puzzled, but there was no trace of hostility in his eyes. He made to step aside, but then changed his mind, his demeanor resolute. “No,” he muttered, “I will say it.”
Sullyan watched him impatiently.
“Major Sullyan, I will admit that I know little of love, but let me tell you that I bear you so much more than respect. Never before in my life or career have I seen such a consummate display of courage, skill, and strategy as you showed against Rykan. He was reputedly the finest swordsman in the realm, and I know of no one else—including myself—who could have stood against him as you did, especially considering what he had done to you. I offer you my heartfelt congratulations on your victory, and my sincerest apologies for acting against you. I allowed prejudice to rule me, and I am not proud of what I did.
“I am sorry to have delayed you. I’ve said what I wanted to say, so I’ll detain you no longer.” Abruptly, he turned away, his face flushing with embarrassment.
Sullyan’s temper melted at his astonishing speech. Lowering her eyes, she sighed and passed a weary hand across her face. When she had regained her composure, her lips bore a faint smile. She called to him softly.
“Commander Vanyr?”
He turned reluctantly. She gazed up at him, seeing wariness in his eyes. “Commander, I beg your pardon for my harshness. Your gracious speech has touched me, and I thank you for the sentiments behind it. I wonder, would it please you if we forgot the history between us and began our acquaintance anew?”
He hesitated only a moment before inclining his head. His lips even formed a small smile, which considerably lightened a face rendered severe by his strange white eyes. “That sounds like a very civilized idea, Major.”
She stepped toward him and, holding out her right hand, said, “Commander Vanyr, I am very pleased to meet you. I am Major Brynne Sullyan, and I am at your service.”
Vanyr took her offered hand, but instead of shaking it as she had expected, he raised it and brushed it with his lips. She flushed.
“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Brynne Sullyan. My name is Torman, and if I can ever be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
He released her hand and studied her, noting the pack on her shoulder. “Were you going to enquire after the captain and your other friends?”
She glanced up sharply. “Do you know who accompanied Robin when he left?”
“It was the big Albian who came with the healer, and two of Ky-shan’s men. I couldn’t spare anyone, and only two of Ky-shan’s were sober. One was Xeer, the man who rescued Count Marik. The other I didn’t know. Ky-shan could tell you, but he’s probably still comatose.”
Sullyan nodded her thanks and began to walk on, but he laid a hand on her arm. “Brynne, you can’t possibly go after them. You’re in no fit state.”
She grimaced. “I cannot contact them. Would you have me sit idly here? What would you do if they were your men?”
He pursed his lips and opened his mouth, but made no reply.
“Yes,” she said, “I thought as much. Not only are two of those who are missing under my command, but all of them are also my friends. I intend to ride out to the hill where they were last seen to see if I can pick up any clues as to who took them, and why. After that, we shall see. But if no one else can be spared to search for them, then yes, I will go myself.” Turning, she walked on.
He kept pace with her. “Then I’m going with you. I’m surprised you can even walk with those wounds, let alone think of riding, and if I allowed anything to happen to you, the Hierarch would have my eyes. I’m already on a warning, so don’t try to refuse me.”
She gave him a sideways look. “I would not dream of it, Torman. I welcome your company. How good are your tracking skills?”
On reaching the horse lines, she found that Norkis had run his errand well. Drum was ready and waiting for her. He whickered when he saw her and stamped a hoof. Vanyr’s horse was also there, kept in readiness whenever he was on duty. He turned to Sullyan, clearly intending to assist her into the saddle, but she mounted Drum before he had time to move, although she felt the pull of her stitches. She held the reins one-handed, and her sword was at her back as usual.
Vanyr regarded her, his expression wry. “You don’t much like being helped, do you?”
She grinned, wheeling Drum away. “Maybe not, but I am not so stubborn as to refuse it when I really need it.”
Touching Drum with her heels, she sent him clattering down the road to the south gate, Vanyr’s mount in close pursuit.
It took them only a short time to reach the crest of the hill where she knew her four friends had camped. They passed two patrols on the way and stopped so both commanders could report to Vanyr, but neither had news. As they crested the brow of the hill, the rain still falling, Sullyan held up a hand for silence. Vanyr watched as she cast out her senses.
Immediately, she picked up an echo of her friends’ psyches in the substrate and could even tell where Cal and Taran had been standing when they were taken. She also found Robin’s pattern from when he had come up here to track them. She and Vanyr walked the horses over to where the four men had taken hold of Cal and Taran, and Vanyr dismounted to examine the ground.
Leaning over Drum’s shoulder, eyes intent on the wet earth, Sullyan said, “Torman, do you ever mark your horses’ shoes?”
“Those of officers, yes,” he replied. “Two nicks on the off-hind.”
“We use two on the near-fore and one on the off-hind,” she said, continuing to quarter the ground.
Vanyr pointed. “I think this might be the Captain’s horse.”
Reining Drum over, Sullyan nodded. “Yes, those are Torka’s tracks. He has one odd shaped hoof. The near-hind, do you see?”
Vanyr nodded and moved farther away to track where Robin had gone. Sullyan used the substrate, and Vanyr verified the direction when he returned.
“So they went southeast, toward the Haligan Forest,” she mused. “Have they gone to meet up with some of Rykan’s men, do you think?”
Vanyr shrugged. “Depends what they were wanted for. Don’t you have any idea?”
“Not at present.”
He remounted, and she eyed him pointedly. “I have to follow them.”
“Yes,” he said, “I thought you might. I’m coming with you.” She tried to protest, but he cut her short. “It won’t do you any good, so don’t waste your breath. I’m due some leave now, and Barrin, my lieutenant, is a very capable man. I’ll let Anjer know what I’m doing, and hopefully this time he’ll approve.”
The tone of his voice made her wonder if there was yet more bad blood between him and the Lord General, but she didn’t pursue it. Activity by the south gate had caught her attention, and grimly she watched the small band of horsemen galloping toward the hill.
“I can guess who sent them,” she muttered.
/> Vanyr narrowed his eyes, unable to make them out at such distance.
“It will be Ky-shan,” she sighed. “Rienne will have told Timar what I am doing, and he will have set my watchdogs on me.” Noting the way Vanyr eyed the approaching pirates, she added, “I cannot refuse them, Torman. We have been through much together these past few weeks. There are debts on both sides.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, his eyes never leaving the riders. “We understand each other well enough. I got what I deserved, and besides, I would probably do the same myself now.”
She regarded him in astonishment and he grinned at her. She rather liked this easier aspect of him and found herself wishing they could have foregone their earlier mistrust and hostility.
“I know,” he said ruefully, the fact that he had picked up her thoughts amazing her yet again. “The fault was mine and I behaved very badly. But that’s behind us now. We’ve started afresh, yes?”
She cocked her head. “Are you sure you are only a Journeyman?”
He flushed with pleasure.
They waited under the sparse tree cover until the pirates arrived. Ky-shan, Ki-en, and Jay’el were there, as were the twin giants and five others of the band. They all looked a little worse for drink. Sullyan shook her head, but she greeted them warmly and raised her brows at the supply packs they carried.
Ky-shan saw the look. “The Hierarch’s orders, Lady. We’ve been packed since yesterday. We wanted to go after the Skipper ourselves, but we were waiting for you. We knew you could track him better than anyone.” He turned, pointing at Vanyr. “What in the Void’s name is he doing here?”
“Torman has kindly offered to help search, and I have accepted his aid. I trust that meets with your approval?”
It did not, but Ky-shan didn’t argue. He simply ignored Vanyr.
“Ky, who else went out with Xeer, Robin, and Bull?”
“As-ket,” he replied.
She sighed with frustration. As-ket was no Artesan. “In that case, we shall just have to rely on our own eyes once the psyche trail runs out. Gentlemen, Torman and I have established they were heading toward Haligan Forest, and as they have a two-day lead on us, may I suggest we ride?”