The Deliverer

by Sharon Hinck

I led us back out to the plaza, Kieran and Nolan following. Halfway to the Council tower, my legs gave in to trembling at what had just happened.

  Kieran sheathed his sword and lifted Caralad from my arms. “Well, that was fun,” he said dryly.

  “I didn’t know what to do,” I said in a small voice. I sought comfort in Kieran’s face and saw something I’d never expected to find directed at me: respect and admiration.

  “The Deliverer chose a good mother. You have the instincts of a she-bear.”

  Beside him, Nolan snickered. “I told you she was tougher than she looked.”

  “Remember that.” I squared my shoulders and looked at the three men who were now my family. My gaze rested on Caralad. “I’ve studied the promises my entire life, but he’s so different than we all expected. No one recognizes him. He doesn’t explain. He—”

  Kieran tapped my nose. “A certain songkeeper I once knew would have said the One’s timing is not ours.” Then he rolled his eyes. “Did I just quote the Verses? You’re a bad influence.”

  Caralad’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. He sobered as he turned his head to stare at the worship tower. He didn’t have to speak to express the pain of being refused entry.

  “Maybe we should tell the Council who Caralad is,” I said. “Maybe they will have a plan.”

  Kieran barked a short laugh. “You’ve addled my brain, but not enough to believe that.”

  “But what are we going to do?”

  “Don’t you already have your answer?” Nolan piped up. “You’re the new eldest for Braide Wood.”

  “I think Nolan’s right.” Kieran hefted Caralad higher and settled him on his shoulders. “But first let’s go find out how much of a mess the Council is making of things. The others might need our help.”

  A gust of air caressed us, whistling between the buildings, as if the sky breathed like a living creature. Overhead, white mounds of mist, like heaps of caradoc wool, slid across the expanse of vibrant blue. I reached up a hand. If I could touch them, would I feel the presence of the One in a tangible way, as I did when the mist lowered in the worship tower?

  Kieran smiled at me. “It seems we have more new things ahead.” On his shoulders, Caralad also reached up. His face seemed to drink in the sunlight. Then the large piles of mist gathered, took on grey edges, and covered the brightness, before chasing across the sky and leaving shimmering blue once again.

  We could have stood there all day watching the changes overhead, wondering at what we would discover next. But Kieran strode onward to the Council tower. He lowered Caralad back to the ground when we reached the entryway, and I took the boy’s hand.

  The wide rotunda inside was empty and silent. At least no one was storming out in protest. Perhaps the quiet signified the meeting was going well. As we neared the curved hallway, two men stepped from the hall, muttering to each other and shaking their heads.

  Hazorite soldiers.

  My skin turned cold, and I forgot how to breathe. Had Bezreth sent them? Even now she wouldn’t let me go.

  Kieran moved in the space of a heartbeat. He drew his sword with the lethal whisper of steel sliding free from leather. Nolan pulled his bootknife and held his ground.

  I gathered Caralad close and retreated enough to get a wall against my back.

  The two soldiers turned from their conversation toward Kieran. Every line of his face was tight and hard, the scar across his temple throbbing red, sword raised and ready.

  The two Hazorites opened their arms in a shaky gesture of conciliation.

  “Kieran, wait! They aren’t armed,” I managed to squeak.

  “What are you doing here?” Kieran’s voice grated in the large lobby, the muscles of his arms rigid as he held his stance.

  “A tr-treaty,” one of the men answered.

  Kieran still didn’t relent, his eyes narrowed.

  “Zarek sent us to appeal to your Council . . . after what happened to the sky.”

  “You couldn’t have come from Sidian that quickly.” Kieran’s sword caught a glint from the lightwall, each dent and nick a reminder of the many encounters he’d survived.

  “N-no . . . we were in Corros.” The younger man’s eyes were wide, his skin pale.

  Kieran’s jaw flexed. “Stirring up civil war between the clans.”

  More footsteps approached from the curved hallway. I tucked Caralad further behind me.

  Tristan strode into view, took in the scene at a glance, and rolled his eyes. “Stand down, Kieran. The Council is sending them back to Zarek with a message.”

  Kieran lowered his sword slightly.

  I frowned. “The Verses forbid treaties with the surrounding nations.”

  Tristan crooked a grin my direction. “Not exactly a treaty. More of a nonaggression promise. From them.” He turned toward Kieran. “Since you’re here, we could use your help. The Council is about to decide what to do with Cameron.”

  “They’ve made a mess of things each time they’ve dealt with him.” Kieran sheathed his sword and stepped aside. The two Hazorites skittered past.

  Ignoring them, Kieran gestured Tristan back toward the Braide Wood outer office, pausing to clap Nolan on the back and offer an approving nod. I tightened my grip on Caralad’s hand and followed them, happy at the way Nolan’s shoulders straightened at his father’s silent praise. Kieran was a far better parent than he gave himself credit for.

  In the Braide Wood office, I hesitated, studying Caralad’s pure and innocent face. I’d had few occasions to attend a Council meeting, but I knew enough to want to protect the boy from all the contention and selfish agendas that seemed to rule.

  Tristan slid the door open, and my decision was made for me as Caralad skipped forward, tugging at my hand as if eager to watch.

  I swallowed a sigh. He was the Deliverer. He’d eventually need to observe the people he’d come to deliver, even if he’d have to deliver them from themselves.

  We joined the rest of the Braide Wood delegates in the balcony where Kieran quickly made his way to the front. A few of the councilmembers frowned, but several grinned, no doubt anticipating excitement.

  Across the wide tower, I caught sight of Markkel and Susan in the Rendor balcony.

  I edged forward to see the floor of the chamber and the two men presenting to the Council.

  “Jake has admitted he’s no longer a Restorer.” Cameron brushed lint from the front of his tunic, subtly drawing eyes to the bands marking him as chief councilmember. “Maybe he never really was. And if he lied about that, how can you trust his bizarre accusations?”

  Jake stood near him, arms crossed. His fair skin was a bit flushed, but he remained calm. “Are you saying only a Restorer can speak truth? Then we couldn’t trust a friend . . . or a councilmember.”

  Chuckles echoed throughout the chamber.

  “I’m saying no one should trust you.” Cameron faced off, spittle flying as he grew more agitated. “I’ve guided these clans safely through crisis after crisis while you romped through the woods with rebel guardians and then disappeared. And now when I’ve forged peace with our neighbors across the river, you concoct these ridiculous stories.”

  I’d seen the scars on Jake’s arms. Learned from Susan about his captivity in Kahlarea. In front of me, Kieran braced against the balcony railing, anger building through his muscles.

  Jake laughed. He turned away from Cameron and raised his gaze to the balconies surrounding the central floor. “You’ve heard the witnesses; you know the truth. He has no more Rhusican allies within this chamber to sway your minds. All that remains for you to decide is how to protect the clans from him.”

  “Protect the clans?” Cameron sputtered. “I’m the only one who stood between the clans and ruin. This whelp has no place leading the Council.”

  Jake smiled sadly. “On that point we agree.”<
br />
  I gasped. I’d seen firsthand how Kieran struggled when the role of Restorer was removed. Did Jake feel useless now? Forsaken by the One? I scurried up to the balcony’s edge, ready to protest, but Jake was still speaking.

  “I cede the floor to the other chief councilmembers from each clan.” He walked calmly up the ramp to the Rendor balcony.

  Kieran’s hand moved to his sword. “What is he doing?”

  I touched his arm, hoping to temper his protective response. “He’s trusting the representatives of the clans, as he should. Wait and see.”

  Turning away from the action, he met my gaze. I half expected him to mock my naivety, but he released a slow breath. “All right. But if Cameron—”

  “Banishment!” Shouts rose from each of the balconies in turn.

  Unanimous. A harsh and unrelenting judgment that most would find heartbreaking, but would it be enough to protect the clans? Cameron had woven allegiances with surrounding nations.

  Veins stood out on Cameron’s forehead, his complexion blotchy as he faced the rejection of the people he’d bullied and deceived for so many seasons. He lifted a hand, still able to command attention. Silence fell over the room, and he sneered. “My concern has only ever been for our clans, but if my presence causes so much distress, I will bear the sacrifice and leave our lands. I have one humble request. That my banishment be across the River Borders.”

  It was my turn to clench the railing with mounting anger. “Kahlarea? Why would he want to go there? And how dare he dictate terms?”

  Several burly guardians marched down to the chamber floor and grabbed Cameron, tying his hands. Seeing him bound came close to satisfying my longing for justice, but his confident stance made me fear his schemes would continue.

  To my surprise, Kieran grinned and stepped back. “Let’s go. Jake doesn’t need our help anymore.”

  I didn’t understand his shift in mood, but I was only too glad to leave the Council to its work. As we turned to go, Jake called out from the Rendor balcony, “One more thing. I believe the Council must reaffirm that our borders are closed to all Rhusicans.”

  The cheer from every balcony followed us out the door.

  We gathered with our friends some time later in the marble-floored lobby of the Council tower. Susan was hugging Jake. “I didn’t dare hope,” she said, pulling back, then squeezing him again. Next she hugged Markkel, happy tears glistening in her eyes. When she saw us, she laughed. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

  Kieran rolled his eyes at her giddiness. “Corros is no longer rebelling and Hazor is retreating, but we aren’t clear of problems.”

  She refused to be subdued by his reminder. “The Council will deal with the rest later, but they’re dismissing soon so everyone can return to the worship tower. Oh, and Rhus also sent a messenger promising to stay away from our lands.”

  “Why?” Distrust shaded Kieran’s tone.

  Susan beamed. “The sky. They think the clans caused it. They’re terrified. It’s wonderful. Not that they’re terrified . . . that’s not wonderful part . . . but that they aren’t threatening the clans anymore. Best of all, Jake is coming home with us.”

  I quickly focused on Jake, but his smile was steady as he nodded. “The Council doesn’t need a young leader with no special powers.”

  “Oh, Jake,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”

  He met my eyes, his expression open and clear, with only the slightest hint of regret. “It’s okay. I did what I came here for. I thought I’d never want to leave but”—he glanced past me to Kieran, then back to me—“I have no more reason to stay.”

  On a sudden impulse, I reached into the pocket of my songkeeper’s robe and pulled out the fabric emblem of Rendor. “Back in Hazor I made this for you—to remind you of the strength of your clan. Now it can remind you of your time here, and all that the One accomplished through you.”

  Jake smiled, blinking a few times. “Thank you.”

  Markkel patted Jake’s back. “The clans will be safe now.”

  Safe? His words drew me back to all our unsolved problems. I wasn’t ready to celebrate. “Did they really let Cameron choose his banishment? What if he has more schemes?”

  Markkel fought back a grin. “He’s being escorted to the Kahlarean border, just as he requested.”

  I shook my head. “He formed allegiances with them. He’s getting off too easy.”

  Kieran chuckled and hefted Caralad up to his shoulders. “Cameron doesn’t know that the assassins’ enclave is eager to see him. He sold them a Restorer who wasn’t. That’s going to make them cranky.”

  I should have pitied Cameron, about to arrogantly plunge into Kahlarea unaware; but I felt only relief and a sense of satisfaction. He had designed his own demise.

  Susan leaned against Markkel, still smiling. “I’ve never heard the Council so united. They pledged to never again cancel the season-end gathering.”

  From outside, the drums began the invitation. Susan sent a puzzled look my direction. “Wait. Why aren’t you at the worship tower?”

  A pang pierced my chest, but when I watched Caralad, perched on Kieran’s shoulders, my heart had no room for pain. His small feet, clad in soft leather boots that had once been worn by Tara’s grandson, dangled across Kieran’s chest, and I squeezed his toes. I was able to recount the conflict with the songkeepers without even a tremor in my voice.

  Susan’s eyes went wide. “‘He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.’” She sounded like she was reciting from her people’s Verses. Then she brightened. “But you did. Part of me wishes we could stay to see him grow up.”

  Wonder filled me again. What would it be like to watch the Deliverer grow? Would he teach me more new songs? Would the people of Braide Wood get past their suspicions and fear of him? Would he eventually explain the plans of the One?

  I looked at Kieran’s rugged face, his firm jaw and strong shoulders. What a gift that I wouldn’t face those questions alone.

  I shook myself and turned back to Susan. “When do you plan to go home?”

  Markkel sighed. “We’d planned to find you to say good-bye and slip away during the worship.”

  I smiled. “Since I’m not needed in the tower this morning, we can come with you.”

  We walked slowly. My throat thickened with tears as we passed the worship tower, and the blend of voices carried on the air. But we soon made our way down quiet streets to the walls closest to Corros Plains. A few guardians remained on watch but didn’t stop us from using one of the small doors to leave the city.

  The mossy hills held a sheen under the new light. I turned and looked back at Lyric. The sun touched the white walls and made them glow. The rippling shapes created contrasts of light and shadow. Everything in the world looked different today.

  As we walked silently toward a small grove, Markkel, Susan, and Jake fell behind, speaking quietly. Caralad ran ahead, Nolan loping behind him. The boys detoured toward a field where shy caradoc grazed in the distance. “Don’t scare them,” I called.

  Lingering remnants of sorrow at giving up my place in the tower fled. Back in Hazor I’d felt inadequate, and when my memory was lost I’d felt even more useless. Yet today I’d been given Kieran, Nolan, and Caralad to love and care for—a purpose to embrace. And a calling I could only fulfill in His strength.

  Caralad waved at me and bent down, lifting a fluffy white bundle. A caradoc fawn lost from its mother. He carried it closer to the herd, and one of the shy creatures lifted its head and ambled toward him, butting its head against him when he set the baby down on the moss.

  Kieran laughed. “He really is a caralad. I wonder what other surprises we have ahead.”

  I slipped my hand into his. One last uncertainty had been tugging at my heart, especially after watching him draw his sword, ready to fend off the Hazorites. “Will you be happy in Braide
Wood? Raising the boys, being a true part of the clan . . . no more adventures?”

  His laugh was deep and full-throated. “No adventures? Every second with you is an adventure. And now we have Caralad to defend. No guardian ever protected a more vital house.”

  The air stirred, prompting the leaves of the nearby trees to rustle with a joyous abandon. Soft hints of music wafted from Lyric. A strand of my hair blew across my face.

  Kieran caught it and tucked it behind my ear, then took the moment to kiss away my doubts. “I’ll wake every morning thanking the One. Now let’s say good-bye to the others so we can take the boys home.”

  Epilogue

  Susan

  How could I not leave a piece of my soul in this world? I loved the clans. I’d fought for them, bled for them. But each time I was here, my heart pulled like a magnet, drawn irresistibly toward home.

  Ahead of us, Caralad romped in the fields. Kieran and Linette conversed quietly, hand in hand. Jake knelt to retie his boot, and I tousled his hair. “Are you ready to go home?”

  He straightened. “I’m trying to figure out what to say to the kids.”

  I bit my lip to hold back a laugh at his description of Karen, Jon, and Anne, as if he were far older. The truth was after all he’d experienced in Lyric, Rendor, and Kahlarea, he had matured far beyond his years.

  “You can start college now. Although I’m sure it will take some readjustment.” I may not have to let him go to the People of the Verses, but I still faced letting him go into our world. My throat pinched at the thought, but the memory of the One’s unceasing provision settled my soul, reminding it to find joy in His plans for my family.

  Jake cast a look back toward the walls and tower of Lyric. “Maybe we’ll visit again some day.”

  Mark shook his head. “We lost one of the portal stones in Kahlarea. Once we leave here, it will be for good.”

  “I’m sorry.” I leaned my head against his shoulder, wishing I could draw out some of the pain and loss he was feeling. “Especially now. I wish I knew what it will mean for this world now that the Deliverer has come. And how his life will unfold. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be here?”