The Deliverer

by Sharon Hinck

  This time he couldn’t hold back a wry smile, even though his eyes still held a brooding shadow. “Oh, you’ve been trouble. I won’t deny that.”

  There was an undercurrent in his voice that I couldn’t translate. I tried again. “I feel badly that Lukyan made you promise . . . I don’t know how—”

  “How you’ll stand having me underfoot? Because I will be.”

  A strange flare of hope spun through my heart. Did he really want to be—

  “Caralad is the Deliverer.” Conviction and purpose pulled his spine taller. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else to guard him.”

  The hope fizzled, and I pulled my hand away, bracing against the solid wood of the bench. Kieran was committed to Caralad. I was the inconvenience that came along with that promise.

  “What did you want to talk about?” I said flatly. After all, he was the one who had insisted we remain behind. Why was I trying to communicate with a man who was about as forthcoming as the stones beneath our feet?

  He groaned, braced his elbows on his legs, and pressed his forehead against his fists. “Shades of Shamgar . . .” He muttered something I couldn’t hear. “I wanted to know if you’re all right . . . with Lukyan’s request,” he added awkwardly.

  Kieran was always six steps ahead of everyone else, full of strategies, ready with confident statements. His uncertainty was odd . . . and endearing. I had an urge to comfort him, as I would Nolan. I quashed that desire and let him flounder.

  When I remained silent, he straightened and glared at me. “Can we do this? Can you see us . . . together?” He made a helpless gesture.

  What would it be like to see Kieran every day? My imagination wove a happy picture of a cabin beneath a honey-limbed tree in Braide Wood.

  Oh, Linette, foolish girl. Kieran would never fit that life. My eyes stung.

  He grabbed my shoulders, dark eyes piercing deep into my soul, uncovering my secret longings, searching for hints of . . . what? What was he looking for?

  “Fine,” he bit out. “Someone has to show a little courage here. I’ve told myself a million times that this could never work. You’re too gentle, too young. Yet you invade my thoughts like stinging beetles I can’t chase away.”

  My eyes widened. Realization spiraled upward through my chest, sparkling across my heart.

  “You’re a songkeeper, for pity’s sake,” he continued. “And you never give me any sign. How can I even ask?”

  “Ask what? So far, you’ve been giving me a list of everything wrong with me.”

  Another gust of air tossed a strand of hair across my eyes. I reached for it at the same time as Kieran. He won, tucking the hair back, then leaving his hand against my cheek. My breath quickened, moving past lips softened in surprise.

  “Linette?” His voice was rough and throbbed like the tower drums, stirring me with a compelling invitation.

  He complained I’d never given him a sign. Perhaps he wasn’t as perceptive as I’d always believed. I had to at least match his courage. I smiled and dared a small nod.

  Now his eyes widened. Shock, disbelief, and then joy flared. He moved suddenly, like the skilled warrior that he was, claiming my lips.

  I stiffened for a moment, then melted as his arms surrounded me. I met his embrace, clinging with an abandon that finally proclaimed what I’d been afraid to admit, even to myself. Time spun away, and all the sparkling light and stirring air of the garden took up residence in my soul.

  His chest rumbled with a half-sigh, half-moan, and he pulled away, holding me at arms’ length.

  From inside my happy fog, my lids only half open, I watched the play of emotions in the man I’d loved for so long. He frowned, suddenly worried. “Are you sure? You’re not just going along because—”

  I laughed. I couldn’t help it. How could he still be uncertain after the song we’d just sung together with our kiss? Giggles dissolved me.

  His frown deepened, so I kissed him again, quickly, firmly, then said, “I love you, Kieran of Braide Wood.”

  Had I really blurted out those words?

  I must have, because his slow smile lifted every hard angle of his face. “And I love you, you maddening songkeeper—may the One help us both,” he added under his breath.

  Lyric was in chaos, plans needed to be made and leadership reestablished. But we lingered for precious moments. I rested in Kieran’s arms as we talked quietly. He told me about how his feelings had grown and how he’d feared he was wrong for me. I admitted the love I’d fought to suppress while we were in Hazor. Our conversation was as much a confession—and equally as sweet—as the songs I’d sung in the worship tower that morning. Brought into the open, our various fears and doubts lost all power. The new sun glowed down on us as a tender benediction.

  “I wish Lukyan could sing our life-bond song,” Kieran said, slowly drawing us back to reality.

  In spite of a heart full of joy, I found there was still room for a corner of sadness. I’d miss my teacher so much. “I wonder how he knew?”

  “He wasn’t as dense as you’ve been,” Kieran grumbled.

  I pulled away and tried to glare at him, but only managed to giggle. Then I sobered as a new thought struck me. “What will Nolan say?”

  Kieran grinned. “How can you ask? He adores you. He treats you like a mother already. The whole time we’ve been in Lyric, he’s badgered me nonstop to visit Braide Wood and see you.” Now it was his turn to turn sober. “I wanted to, but we were making trips into Hazor near Corros to learn about their plans, and I was working with Tristan to find Jake.”

  He almost managed Jake’s name without scowling. The reminder of his ridiculous jealousy made me smile. “I know. Saving the clans, as usual. What would we do without you?”

  He shook his head. “You used to be in awe of me, you know. Back when I was a Restorer.”

  “Really?” I tilted my head. “No, no memory of that. Maybe a few of my memories are still lost?”

  He chuckled as he stood, offering me his hand. “Come, songkeeper. We’d better catch up with the rest. By now Susan has probably invited enemy armies for dinner, and Tristan has likely reassigned guardians to all the wrong places.”

  I rose, reluctant to leave our sanctuary. “I want to be sure Caralad is all right. Maybe I can convince him to tell us what we’re supposed to do next.”

  “And,” he added, “I want to find a songkeeper to oversee the life-bond. Today.”

  As we walked from the park, I stared shyly at the ground. “Today?”

  “Yes.” Now that his earlier uncertainty had fled, he sounded positively dictatorial.

  And not one tiny parcel of my heart disagreed.

  In a quiet evening ceremony, as the sky faded to a more usual shade of dusk, we stood beneath the windows of the worship tower. Kieran and I knelt at the rail, hand in hand, and Lyric’s eldest songkeeper proclaimed us joined. The reclusive and mysterious man rarely involved himself in normal songkeeper activities, but Markkel apparently knew him from past encounters and had convinced him to come.

  Tristan stood behind Kieran, grumbling that Kendra should be there. Markkel and Susan watched fondly, and Nolan sang along to the life-bond chorus gleefully. Caralad blessed us with his gentle smile, then stepped back to hold Jake’s hand, as if he sensed that Jake needed comforting. My heart was so full that affection spilled out to all the precious people in my life. But as my focus returned to Kieran’s face, the love welling in my soul poured out in a torrent. His steady gaze promised me trust, loyalty, and an adoration deeper than I’d ever known. When we rested our foreheads against each other, our breaths mingling, I silently asked the One to help me bring joy to each of Kieran’s days. When we stood after a last Verse, the light in my husband’s eyes felt like the One’s reassurance that He had heard and answered that request.

  Although we didn’t know what to expect of the sky as
we left the worship tower, darkness fell as it always had. However, the nighttime still held a surprise. My breath caught at the sight of thousands of pinpoints of light adorning the black sky, a new marvel in a day full of wonders. We stared at them a long time, my hand clasped with my husband’s, Nolan and Caralad on either side of us, before we all took refuge in spare councilmember apartments that Markkel had somehow arranged.

  Between the wondrous events of Caralad’s song and the transformed sky, and the amazing revelation of Kieran’s love for me, I fell asleep in his arms with a joyous new melody singing through my dreams.

  “You even smile in your sleep,” Kieran murmured as first light pierced the window of our room. He was propped on an elbow, looking down at me with so much warmth that I immediately felt as if our pallet were stuffed with heat trivets.

  I stretched, then wound my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. “You give me a lot to smile about. Let’s just stay here all day.”

  He burrowed his face in my neck, the dark stubble on his cheeks tickling my skin. I sighed happily, but after a quick nuzzle he pulled away. “I wish we could. Except you’ve called for another feast day worship, and I’ve told the clans it’s safe to come to Lyric. Time to face the music.”

  “So to speak.” In spite of the problems ahead, I laughed.

  The happy glow remained as I wandered into the common room. Susan sat alone on a couch, sipping clavo. “I made a big pot,” she said, gesturing toward the kitchen alcove.

  I ladled some of the simmering liquid into a mug and joined her on the couch, tucking my legs under me.

  “Congratulations again,” she said with genuine warmth. “I wondered how long it would take him to stop getting in his own way.”

  I blushed. “It seems everyone knew what he was feeling except me.”

  “And him,” she said with a chuckle. She touched her mug lightly against mine. “To men who are worth the wait.”

  I drank, savoring the gentle burn as the clavo warmed my throat. Much better than the bitter stuff they made in Hazor. “So what are your plans? Will Jake be staying here?”

  Susan pressed her lips together, and worry painted her eyes as she cast a glance toward the back rooms. “We were sent to save him. Once we did, I thought we’d all go back to our world. It’s complicated. I guess a lot will depend on what happens today.”

  When I’d first met her, her constant drive was to find a way home. Neither of us could have imagined her other visits to our clans, or the challenges they would bring her family. Compassion welled and I set my mug aside and rested a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to think about returning home without him.”

  “Don’t get me wrong,” she added. “I’m glad for the time here. I faced my worst memories, fears that had haunted me. And they’ve lost their power.” A sad smile lifted her lips. “And I’ve gotten to know Jake as a man, not just my little boy. I’m trying to set aside my own picture of the future . . . to be willing to let go.”

  “Each time you’ve come, you’ve helped our clans so much. You’ve chosen to suffer for the sake of our people.”

  “Mark’s people too,” she said softly, staring off into space.

  I realized she was afraid, afraid for their life-bond, their future. I took her hand. “His world is with you. You believe that don’t you?”

  She shrugged one shoulder, fighting back tears. “I don’t know what to believe. I don’t know what Jake will decide, and that’s hard enough. But what if Mark . . . ? I don’t like not knowing.”

  I squeezed her hand. “Lukyan would say that this is the place our faith is tested. In the not knowing.”

  “I’ll miss him,” she said quietly.

  How would we move forward without Lukyan? I’d never needed his wisdom more than now. A quiet sob grabbed my chest, and Susan pulled me into a hug as we let our grief flow.

  Kieran strode into the room, adjusting a buckle on his baldric. When he saw us crying, he stilled, looking like he wanted to back out of the room. “What happened?”

  “Lukyan.” I sniffled.

  His tension released as understanding softened his face. He walked quickly to me and brushed a soft kiss against the top of my head.

  Susan scrubbed tears from her cheeks and breathed a soft laugh.

  Kieran frowned in her direction. “What?”

  “Nothing. I’m happy for you both. It’s just a little disorienting.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck and looked almost sheepish. “Not just for you.”

  I shared my clavo with him. “We were talking about Susan’s family, and how today will affect their decisions.”

  Tristan walked into the room, catching the end of the conversation. “The news we’ve gathered so far tells us that people are scared.”

  “Never a good thing,” Kieran said darkly.

  “But if our uncertainty drives us to seek the One, it might be just what the clans need.” I turned to Susan. “And we can definitely hope that the One will grant you clearer guidance at today’s worship. I wonder how much to explain to people about Caralad.”

  “I think for now, the fewer who know, the better,” Kieran said.

  I padded over to the common room window and pushed aside the curtain. The sky held new wonders yet again. This morning vibrant shades of pink and red streaked the horizon just above the scalloped walls. I caught my breath. “What’s happening?”

  Caralad entered, rubbing his eyes. He joined me by the window, and I picked him up so he could see. Markkel came in shortly after, his hair wet from the shower.

  Susan peered out the window beside me and smiled. “It’s the sunrise.”

  Markkel’s brow furrowed. “Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”

  “What sort of warning?” Tristan asked. Kieran moved closer to me, hand closing over his sword.

  Markkel shook his head. “Never mind. Could mean rain. A storm.”

  “Rain would reassure a lot of people,” I said cheerfully. “It’s time to head to the worship tower.” Foreign proverbs probably held no sway in our world, and I was too full of love and hope to expect the worst.

  Chapter

  36

  Linette

  “He’s not allowed in the worship tower.” A local Lyric songkeeper frowned at me, blocking my way at one of the open archways. His face could have been a carving on Sidian’s wall, hard and cold.

  My arms tightened around Caralad as if I could protect him from this rejection. “Everyone is welcome,” I stammered. Several dozen songkeepers bustled around the tower, tuning instruments, moving large drums, preparing for the new feast day. The activity slowed as they overheard our confrontation. I wanted to be happy the group had grown so much since our call went out yesterday. I recognized songkeepers from Sandor and Blue Knoll and other clans.

  But as their eyes turned toward me, my face heated with embarrassment.

  Only Kieran’s hand on my shoulder steadied me. Markkel, Susan, Jake, and Tristan had gone to the Council tower and planned to join us here later. But Kieran had refused to leave my side, so he and Nolan had come along to help me prepare for the morning worship.

  Royan crossed from the dais to join the discussion. He ignored Kieran, even though they’d served together for so many seasons in Hazor, and couldn’t meet my eyes, either. “We are all in agreement. He disrupted the traditions of worship yesterday. The damaged sky must be a sign of the One’s anger—caused by this child’s actions.”

  If the eldest Lyric songkeeper involved himself more in the leadership of the local songkeepers, he surely wouldn’t agree, but he wasn’t here. And Lukyan wasn’t here to explain, either. The responsibility pulled my shoulders back. “You don’t understand. He’s the—”

  Caralad placed one of his small, plump fingers against my lips. One could argue his song had revealed his i
dentity, but he hadn’t spoken since. He wasn’t ready to clarify or explain who he was.

  Havid approached us. “You can still fill your place as a songkeeper this morning. Just find someone to watch the boy away from here.” At least her tone was gentler than the others. She even smiled. “And the songkeepers discussed something else this morning. They have assigned a new eldest songkeeper for Braide Wood. You.”

  The words would have thrilled me under any other circumstance. I loved the people of my village and would be honored to serve them as Lukyan had taught me. He’d prepared me for the task. But right now I couldn’t think beyond the shock of the songkeepers barring Caralad from worship.

  “If you won’t allow him into the worship tower, then I’m not welcome here either,” I said quietly.

  Havid’s eyebrows drew together. “Don’t make this into a conflict. You understand the importance of our traditions.”

  The whole purpose of our traditions was to prepare us for the Deliverer. Now he had arrived, but no one recognized him. And if he wasn’t ready to explain, what could I say?

  Havid leaned closer. “People are worried about the sky. They blame him. Is he an agent of one of our enemies? Sent by Hazor to destroy the daily rains? Or a Rhusican creating a huge illusion so they can invade?”

  My stomach lurched. This line of thought could lead to more than rejection. Caralad could quickly be in danger. I caught more malevolent and suspicious glares coming our way.

  Kieran’s hand left my shoulder and drew his sword in one effortless motion.

  “No!” I wheeled on him. “This is the worship tower!”

  “You have every right to stay if you want,” he said quietly. The nearby songkeepers backed away.

  “Not this way. Let’s go.” My chin lifted, and I hitched Caralad higher on my hip. I glanced back at the soaring windows overhead, heart aching that I wouldn’t be here for this crucial feast-day gathering. Perhaps Caralad would have shared another song . . . one that would have healed our clans. Would the mist fall? Would the One breathe strength into His people?