“Tobias will meet with the Elders today. We need to have a plan in place for when another soldier returns. There is no doubt that this one was sent as a scout. When he doesn’t return as expected…”
“Then the king will send someone else,” Aysha finished. “But it doesn’t matter because we’ll be gone.”
“What I smelled just now in the wind—we can’t leave. No direction is safe for us to go today. We have to wait.”
“For more soldiers? Do you plan to kill them all?”
Darin clenched her teeth to stop from arguing. She wouldn’t fight with Aysha about this now. It was pointless—they wouldn’t agree. She exhaled. “The king will soon launch an attack to reclaim Caratia. Once he succeeds, he’ll come for Tiersten next.”
“Is it likely he’ll succeed?”
“I’ve seen it play out before—untrained farmers will be no match for soldiers. The fight will be bloody.”
“How long, do you think, before the king attacks Caratia?”
“Within the week. If he has enough soldiers, he might move sooner.”
“The only reason the king was driven out of Caratia in the first place was that he had spread his forces too thin,” Aysha said. “The Elders said that soldiers were stationed from the southern point of Eldering to as far north as the dunes and inland to Tiersten.”
“And now he’ll call them all back to Caratia…” Darin pitied the Caratians who’d try to hold the borders of their town.
“How long before the soldiers return to Tiersten?”
“A few weeks maybe…”
Aysha sighed. She poured a cup of tea and handed it to Darin. “It isn’t what you think,” she said. “This won’t make you sleep. It is only to calm the nerves.”
Darin doubted that tea would help, but she took a sip and was surprised at the sweet taste. “Have you had honey all along?”
“The soldiers left a few things in the pantry. The honey was the best find.” She poured a cup of tea for herself and then eyed Darin. “I can’t believe you’re the one wanting us to stay.”
“We don’t have a better choice,” Darin said. She took another sip of the tea and realized the tension in her neck was already easing. Witch or not, Aysha had a way with her tea.
* * *
Marian came that evening. She arrived with another of the Elders who was close friends with Nan and Olaf. This second woman brought fresh rolls and smoked fish, knowing that Nan would be in no condition to cook. Aysha asked them to stay while they ate.
Marian accompanied Darin and Aysha to the dining room while the other Elder stayed in the front room to talk and eat with Nan. When they had finished their meal, Marian began, “The Elders have decided to send scouts to Caratia and Eldering. We need to know the king’s plans. Over a hundred of our men went to help the Caratians fight, but we haven’t heard from them since the king was ousted.”
“You should pull the men back if it isn’t too late,” Aysha said. “Caratia will fall to the king and you’ll only lose the men that you have sent. Worse yet, the king may find out that Tiersten was a part of this and retaliate.”
“It wasn’t my decision to let those men go—they went on their own. Many Tiersteners have family ties in Caratia.” Marian paused. “We’ve been trade partners for generations, but the ties are deeper than that. My own daughter married a Caratian and lives there. Tiersteners and Caratians have always been family-bonded. What tragedy befalls Caratia will soon be felt in Tiersten.”
“And by joining with Caratia, Tiersten has sealed its fate with the king,” Aysha said.
“As I said, it was not the decision of the Elders for those men to go,” Marian argued.
“Then what plans have the Elders proposed? Yes, I agree that we should send scouts. We need more information. But are we only waiting around for the king’s attack?”
“The timing isn’t right for us to win. We couldn’t stop the men who wanted to go to Caratia just as we couldn’t stop the Caratians from choosing their time for overthrowing King Bairndt.”
Darin felt her heart skip a beat. She had heard the name of the Caratian king several times, but Marian didn’t pronounce it the way Tobias and the other Tiersteners had pronounced it. The different intonation changed everything. She had heard of him and his ruthless pursuits in the north from an associate of Alekander’s. If this was indeed the same man, Caratia was doomed.
Marian continued, “The Elders have no plan—nothing that anyone can agree on anyway. Unless some miracle occurs and the king is defeated…”
“I don’t count on miracles,” Aysha returned. “There must be some way that Tiersten could claim its independence from Caratia even if the king is reinstated there. This might be Tiersten’s only chance, even if the timing isn’t the best.”
Darin shook her head, imagining Bairndt riding at the front of a throng of his soldiers and enjoying the bloodbath that would be brought on Tiersten. “The men are untrained and there aren’t enough horses—or weapons for that matter. Everything depends on training and resources. Tiersten has neither of these in its favor.”
Marian eyed Darin. It was the first time she had spoken all evening and Darin could tell that the Elder did not trust her.
“What would you propose? You seem to have some knowledge of war or at least of killing. Your regard, by the way, has grown since you dispensed with the soldier.” Marian’s voice lowered as she added, “But I’m wary of trusting you. I don’t like Northerners of any kind. Even if you’ve proved yourself useful.”
Darin saw Aysha’s expression change as Marian spoke. It was obvious that she was upset. Darin spoke before she could intervene.
“Send your scouts to Eldering and Caratia. Witness what the king has in store for Caratia. The soldiers will massacre the townsfolk who try to fight. Untrained, they’ll be dead within the week. Tiersten will have the same fate if you try to stand up to the king now. Instead, slowly, discreetly, gather weapons and train. Then wait. The king will be stronger with the victory in Caratia. You need to wait for the moment when he’s weak.”
Aysha interrupted, “If the Elders could convince the king that the trading partnership offered by Tiersten is worth something—more than simply than having Heffen as an outpost for his soldiers—then the king wouldn’t see us as an enemy. We must be seen as trade partners.”
Darin noted that Aysha had included herself as a Tierstener. Marian seemed to have noticed this as well.
“At one time, perhaps, we could have been trading partners,” Marian said. “But the Elders fought hard against any partnership and now we have been claimed instead.” She sat quietly for several minutes, once looking over her shoulder at the doorway to the front room. Finally she said, “The Elders will want more information before they make a decision on anything else. Will you remain in Tiersten? Your presence, Aysha, has provided a motivation that our town has not known for some time. I never thought that it would be the case, but…Tiersten needs a new Lady Spur.”
“I’m not a witch.”
“All the better, in my mind, and yet I’m afraid you’ll change. Many have seen it in you. Your grandmother wasn’t always a witch either. She and my mother were close friends—inseparable as young girls. It wasn’t until after her husband died that she showed any powers at all.” Marian cleared her throat. “The townsfolk see you and the lineage you bring back to Tiersten as a sign that not all is lost—that someday we will have our own rule. If you had been killed last night, they would have given up hope.
“They believe that a king is needed. And that it is necessary to have a witch to choose the king and assist him. If we don’t have a king in Heffen of our own choosing, Caratia will choose for us.”
Marian’s eyes were moist with tears, but she continued without any change in her voice. “We’ll send scouts to Eldering and Caratia and await the fallout. My hope is that you’ll stay in Tiersten, Aysha, but you’ll make your own decision. Men will be posted at the gates to Tiersten and on the road leading u
p to Heffen tonight. We weren’t sufficiently prepared last night. If the king does not prevail in Caratia, we’ll send word that we’ve reclaimed Heffen. If, however, King Bairndt prevails…”
“It’s too dangerous for us to stay if Bairndt prevails,” Darin said. “If he does, he’s coming here and Tiersten isn’t ready. Don’t post men at the gates. They’ll only be killed.”
“The town needs a reason to hope. The granddaughter of Lady Spur has given them this. It might not be our time, but if we don’t prepare at all…We only need you to stay in place. We aren’t asking anything more.”
Aysha glanced from Marian to Darin. “We’ll stay—but I can’t promise for how long.”
Marian turned to Darin. “We need a scout to go to Caratia. I’ve sent my son to Eldering already. He has a cousin there and will return in a few days. I’d like you to go to Caratia—you have too much to lose to not return and you won’t be recognized as a Tierstener by any of the soldiers. The gravedigger saved the soldier’s clothing and I’ve seen to the washing. You’ll easily pass as a Caratian soldier.”
“I won’t leave Aysha in this castle alone,” Darin argued.
“She’ll stay in Tobias’s cottage. And I’ll make sure she’s protected.”
Aysha’s eyes darted to Darin’s. “But in a uniform you’ll be walking into the middle of—”
“We need to know what we’re up against,” Darin interrupted. “I’ll go in the morning.”
* * *
Long after Marian had left, Darin lay awake waiting for Aysha to sleep. She’d tossed and turned for hours until the covers were twisted. Darin finally reached for her hand.
Aysha squeezed her fingers tightly. “I don’t want you to go to Caratia alone.”
“I won’t pass as a soldier with you at my side.” She traced Aysha’s bare collarbone and then moved lower to run her fingertips over the curve of her breast. “And you’ll be safe here.”
“I’m safe with you.”
“Not where I’m going.”
When Aysha turned away from her, Darin pressed against her back. She kissed her shoulder and then down the length of her back. Aysha turned again and found her lips. The kiss was tender at first, but then she pressed with desire. Darin thought she’d never tire of Aysha’s kisses.
“I need you,” Aysha murmured softly. She shifted on her back and spread her legs, waiting.
Darin’s mouth was dry with longing. She gazed at the outline of Aysha’s body, the curve of her breast, the rise of her hips. Only a year ago, she would have thought impossible what her body yearned for now.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Darin saddled the soldier’s horse at dawn. Aysha had followed her to the barn. She was wrapped in a cloak Nan had loaned her and sat hunched on a bale of hay with her eyes trained on Darin.
“The Elders could find someone else to go.”
“You’ll be safe with Tobias,” Darin said.
“It’s not me I’m worried about.”
“We went through this last night. I’ll be back before the soldiers return.” She started to mount the mare, but Aysha stood up and caught her hand. When she met Aysha’s eyes, she saw the tears.
“Come back for me.”
“I promise.” As much as she’d longed to leave Tiersten, Darin had to force herself to pull away now. She looked back only long enough to see Aysha’s hand rise.
The soldier’s horse, whom she’d decided to name Onyx, was eager for a run. She took off at a fast trot and broke into a canter whenever Darin loosened the reins. They passed the town’s rock border in a blink, then turned east into the rising sun. Most of the farmers were already hard at work in the fields and paid little notice as they galloped past. She was dressed in the soldier’s uniform and they’d likely grown used to ignoring any who didn’t stop.
A storm had passed through the night before and left the roads muddy, but the mare wasn’t slowed by the muck. Darin finally pulled Onyx back when they came to a river crossing. Either side of the bridge was a soggy mess, and Darin hopped off to lead the mare across. The breeze carried the scent of smoke, and anxiety started to gnaw at her belly when they climbed a hill and the scent grew stronger.
She got her first view of Caratia not long after they’d crossed the bridge. Instead of only smoke, she now caught the unmistakable stench of burning flesh. A thin column of smoke mixed with the fog coming in from the ocean near the southern edge of the walled city. Onyx had caught the scent as well. Her nostrils flared and she tossed her head.
Darin cursed under her breath, spotting a group of six soldiers riding toward her. She urged Onyx past them, but the soldier in the lead raised his hand, hailing her.
“How are we holding up?” she asked.
“We’ve lost two men here. They’re hiding along the brush near the streambed, but we’ve been picking them off like rabbits.” He pointed at the slope she’d ridden down. “Could you see the south tower from up there?”
She nodded. “The fire’s started.”
“Good.” He turned to the others. “We’ve crossed the south line.” Several heads bobbed in unison. The lead soldier turned back to Darin. “Where are you headed?”
“I’ve got a message to deliver to the king.”
“Then you can also tell him we’ve cut a line in from the north. If they’ve crossed on the south, this will be over by dinnertime.” He reined his horse back toward the streambed. When he was nearly out of earshot he hollered, “Keep right at the bank or they’ll pick you off with an arrow.”
Darin watched as the soldier directed his men to two different points along the stream. She moved on quickly so they wouldn’t wonder at her lingering. Four other groups of soldiers let her pass without remark, intent on closing in on what appeared to be the town’s last stronghold.
She made it as far as the bank that the soldier had pointed out for her without being noticed by the other side, but as she rounded the bend, an arrow whistled past her head. Two more followed, both missing their mark. She urged Onyx into a gallop and the horse reared up before charging down the ravine and leaping a narrow stream, nearly unseating Darin. Regaining her balance just as she made it past a group of surprised townsfolk, she pulled the red cloth that Marian had given her out of her saddlebag and held it high above her head. Hopping off Onyx, she called out with the greeting that Marian had given her, “I’ve come from Tiersten with a message.”
A man stepped forward, his bow held sideways with the arrow on the mark. “I’m from Tiersten. And I don’t know you.”
“Marian, one of the Elders, sent me. We were set upon by a soldier and I’ve taken his clothing for the travel.”
“Aye, I know Marian.” The Tierstener nodded. “What news have you?”
“The king’s crossed the border in the south and they’ve narrowed in on the north. The only line that’s holding is along the streambed. Once they circle in, the fight will be lost.”
There was murmur of disagreement through the group. Someone spoke up saying they wouldn’t believe anyone wearing a soldier’s uniform, then the Tierstener said, “You’re certain the king’s crossed the border?”
She nodded. “Surrender. If you stay here, you’ll be dead by dinnertime. Soldiers are being sent here next and they have you tripled in number on this side alone.”
One man broke from the group then and bolted toward town. Two others looked anxiously at each other and called out questions. She shook her head. “I know only what I’ve told you. The Elders have wished you fairly, but today’s fight is already lost.” She mounted Onyx. “Save your blood, friends, for another day.”
Darin couldn’t get as close to the king as she’d hoped, at least, not close to where she thought he was positioned. The road to the southern edge of Caratia was filled with bloodied bodies. Clearly, most of the fighting had taken place in this small band of grassland between the Caratian walls and forest edge. Most of the bodies weren’t in uniform. She counted only a handful of soldiers’ bodies. She mad
e it past several barriers with the messenger guise and wasn’t stopped until she was within sight of the bonfire.
Her breath caught when she recognized the man who held up his hand to stop her. He didn’t recognize her, fortunately. “Hold up, scout. What’s your message?”
“A word for the king from Tiersten.”
“I’ll have it.”
She hesitated. He came forward and quickly grabbed the horse’s reins. “Dismount, soldier.”
She did instantly, wondering if he would recognize her face-to-face. It was a tense moment as she stared directly at him, unspeaking. His hand went for his knife. “I know all of our scouts. I don’t recognize you.”
She took a step back as he raised his knife. Barely above a whisper, she said, “Telv, it’s been a long time. I’m not surprised you don’t recognize me, but look again, friend. I saw you last in Trilout, outside the old castle.” When recognition passed across his face, she added with a faint smile, “We were both wearing fewer clothes.”
His brow furrowed as he stepped closer, hand still on his knife’s handle. “How are you here?” Before she could answer, he held up his hand. Another soldier was approaching. “Ride to the south tower. If anyone asks, you’re delivering a message to the king’s counselor and were instructed to wait there.”
She hopped back on Onyx as the other man reached them. “Word from the west flank. They’re taking them out like rabbits,” Darin said, her voice lowered to a man’s timbre. “They know the king’s crossed the southern line. I’ve sent word to the north.”
The soldier nodded and abruptly headed the opposite direction, to the fire. Telvin grabbed her boot, his large hand nearly encircling her ankle. “There’s an alcove where we’ve stored grain bags on the side of the south tower. Wait there with the horse. I’ll meet you in an hour.”
Darin backtracked up the road amid shouts from passing soldiers. She tried not to stare at the bodies strewn about or the wounded crying for help. When she reached the hilltop, she took a moment to get her bearings. She couldn’t trust scent to guide her here. The sights of the men and the sounds of their pain were little compared to the stench of blood and smoke. Death overwhelmed everything else. Squinting, she eyed the town below her. Caratia was bordered by the sea to the east and a stone wall on the other three sides. Towers marked each corner. She eyed the southernmost tower and resolutely kicked the mare in that direction. Telvin may have changed in the years they’d been apart, and she wondered now if she was a fool to trust him.
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