Darin wrapped one arm around Aysha and fought the current the rest of the way across the river. When they reached the bank, she collapsed. Baylor, pacing the far bank, hollered at them, but his words were lost in the churning river. Once it was clear that Aysha was breathing, Darin raised her hand.
She took her time standing and then helped Aysha up as well. They were both shivering and weak. Slowly they worked their way up the bank to where the horses waited.
Baylor untied his end of the rope and Darin pulled the line to their side. They stared at each other for a long moment. Darin hadn’t thought to say goodbye to him earlier, and she wondered now if she’d ever see him again. The same thoughts seemed to pass his mind as well. He raised his hand but didn’t immediately move to leave. When he finally turned, Darin felt a lump form in her throat. She watched silently as he disappeared beyond the line of trees, his horse plodding behind him.
Everything in their saddlebags was soaked, including their bed mats and the wool blanket. They had to make camp for the night and dry their things. Aysha was still shaken and would hardly talk. Darin coaxed her out of her wet clothing and with effort got a meager flame started. While she gathered as much dry tinder as she could, Aysha took over tending the flame.
Shedding her own wet clothes, Darin huddled close to Aysha. Their wet blanket was draped over their shoulders, and each took turns blowing on the flame until it was strong enough to light a branch. It was some time before they could add logs, but the fire finally spit and sparked with enough heat to warm the edges of the blanket.
Darin wrapped her arms around Aysha. The river had nearly taken Aysha from her. Her mind replayed the scene of Aysha’s head slipping below the water’s surface. “You sleep first. I’ll watch the fire.”
* * *
Darin awoke to Onyx’s nicker. It was dawn and Aysha was already up and getting dressed. The fire had burned out and all that was left now were smoldering charcoaled bits. The horses were chomping on grain. Darin smiled when Aysha came over to her. “You’re up early.”
“I can’t sleep knowing we’re this close to Eldering. I want to be long past that place before the next nightfall.” Aysha held out the soldier’s uniform.
Darin hadn’t worn the black trousers and tunic since they’d left Tiersten and it felt strange to put on the costume again. She’d switched out the knife at her hip for Baylor’s grandfather’s sword, but kept her second knife still strapped to her calf.
“We’ll be in Caratia by tonight—assuming there aren’t any more rivers to cross.”
“I don’t even want to cross a puddle today,” Aysha grumbled.
They saddled the horses and mounted. Darin glanced down at the soldier’s clothing and her stomach tightened. She’d miss Maylek and the ease of not looking over her shoulder, not sniffing the wind. Abruptly, that life was gone.
By midday, they could see smoke curling skyward from the chimneys of Eldering. Keeping to the edge of the forest on a quiet path with few other travelers, they skirted around the edge of the town.
Beyond Eldering, the forest path joined with the main road. Traders with large wagons and soldiers traveling two by two passed in clumps. Darin hoped that no one would pay them any notice. She kept her head down and noticed Aysha did as well. The torches around the gates of Caratia came into view at nightfall.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Darin rode up to the guard at the gate and signaled him with a tip of her head. He glanced between Darin and Aysha suspiciously.
“Where are you in from?”
“Eldering.” Darin realized that soldiers usually rode in pairs and none traveled with a woman. Despite the uniform, she’d need to explain herself. “The king’s counselor bid me here. The matter’s private.”
The guard looked skeptical. “What’s your business with the counselor?”
“As I said, the matter’s private. I can only discuss the information I have with the counselor.” Darin reached into her saddlebag, and the guard’s hand went immediately to the hilt of his sword. She pulled out her coin pouch and flashed a gold coin, then shook the full pouch. “This is for the king. The counselor’s expecting me and he’ll likely want a word with you if I’m held up.”
The guard eyed the coin pouch but still seemed uncertain. A group of soldiers came up behind them. One of them called to the guard by name, asking him about the cause for delay. Darin steadied her hands on the reins. A feed wagon stacked high with sacks of grain pulled up behind the soldiers, and the horses, catching the scent, all started to nicker and stomp. Someone from the group called at the gatekeeper to hurry up. Finally he said, “I’ll call for the counselor’s stableman. He’ll show you directly to his chambers and keep your horses while you’re with him.” He waved Darin and Aysha to the side of the gate and motioned the other soldiers and the trader through it.
A soldier led them through the center of the city to a barn filled with more soldiers and a dozen horses. He pointed out two empty stalls, already bedded with straw and called a boy over to brush down the horses.
“Follow me,” he said, starting for a narrow staircase at the far end of the barn. The stairs wound up to a kitchen on the first landing and a noisy meal hall. The second landing opened up to a large room filled with beds. As they climbed the third staircase, Darin caught a familiar scent.
Telv answered the door at the stableman’s knock. “Thank you for showing them up, Raleigh. That will be all.”
The soldier turned to leave and Telvin shut the door behind him.
“I wasn’t expecting you, Darin. Yet again. Some forecaster I am.” He smiled warmly. “Come in. I was about to send for my dinner. I had a guest cancel tonight—a death in the family—so your timing is perfect.”
Telv led the way down a narrow hall that opened into a large room lit by two candles and a crackling fire. He rang a bell and a boy appeared from a door at the other end of the room. The boy was dressed in a soldier’s black trousers and tunic, but he was not much older than twelve or thirteen. He bowed his head to Telv as if he were addressing royalty, then asked for his master’s bidding. Telv sent him off with a dinner order. When the boy had gone, Telv waved his hand at a sofa by the fire and took his seat across from them in an overstuffed high-backed chair that resembled a throne with red velvet cushions. Darin hesitated to sit on the sofa, knowing how dirty her clothes were from the muddy roads, but Aysha sat down promptly.
“Well,” Telv said, his eyes on Darin, “I must admit you are the first bit of good news I’ve had today. Though you look a bit rough from the road. Do you know that scuffle of yours in Eldering made me quite a bit of trouble?”
“Were those soldiers on your side?”
“No…Which was some of the trouble. But the good news is, you happened to take out one of the king’s most trusted officers. He was held in high regard for his sword skills. Nicely done. I thought you always preferred a knife fight. Any more secrets?”
Darin felt her cheeks burn with a blush at Telvin’s compliment. Even if he claimed to be a poor forecaster, he was a forecaster nonetheless, and Darin knew that none of her emotions were hidden to him.
The boy reappeared with mugs of cider. He set them on the table by Telv and then slipped back through the narrow door to the side of the fire. Telv handed out the mugs. Darin took a sip, feeling the drink course warmly through her. She glanced about the room. Aside from the sofa, chair and the small table, there was little other furniture in the room. The stone fireplace had a large wood mantel and on this was a statue of a horse and rider. This matched the etching on Aysha’s locket. The tapestry above the mantel depicted a rearing horse and a rider clothed in all black save for a red sash. The rider held a sword with the blade aimed at a grotesque sea creature with a monstrous number of tentacles. Both were surrounded by gray swirling waves.
“So, tell me. Why did you kill those two?”
“I only killed the one. The other I left with a flesh wound. But the crowd was more than willing to finish
him off. The soldiers had shot at an innocent young mother. Her child was in her arms. Fortunately, both arrows missed.”
“And you have no idea why they were going to kill this mother you so nobly saved?” Telv always knew when someone was withholding information.
“The woman had a scarf that was given to Aysha. They mistook the young mother for her.”
Telvin turned his gaze on Aysha. “Your contact in Eldering gave you up, did he?”
Aysha held Telvin’s gaze but didn’t answer.
“And the Lady Spur has nothing to add to this tale?”
Aysha’s chin jutted up. “I’m not the Lady Spur. My father’s name is Hapitch. I’m called only Aysha.”
“And yet, some things we inherit against our will. I’m afraid you’ll have to account for the blood that comes from your mother’s side as well as your father’s.” Telv cleared his throat. “But you came to Tiersten of your own bidding before you realized this, I suppose. How is it to be feared because of something in you that you hardly know?”
“I am of the Family Spur, yes, but there’s no reason anyone should fear—”
Telv interrupted with, “Fear is worth more than you realize…Perhaps you haven’t mastered your skills, but others see your grandmother’s features. They already believe you’re a witch.”
“And how does that help anyone?”
“Have you heard of how Bairndt rules in Tiersten? Do you know how many lives have been lost already? He’s starving them out. He’s commissioned all of the land for crops to feed his horses and then taxed every trader who comes into Tiersten. No one can afford the price of wheat, but they can’t grow their own. I won’t bore you with the rest of what he’s done—how the soldiers rule the streets and beat anyone who’s out after dark.” Telvin paused. He stared at Aysha and yet seemed to look right through her. Darin guessed he was seeing something unfold, a future that only he knew. “You could help them. If you wanted to…Tiersten needs to believe they have someone powerful in their midst. A secret weapon on their side.”
“My grandmother may have had the town convinced she was a witch, but even if I believed she had powers, I’m not her.”
“You have a brother, a twin. Does he have your grandmother’s skills?”
“We were raised as farmers. My brother’s skills are planting crops and raising stock—same as mine.”
Telvin raised his eyebrows. “Is there a reason you need to lie to me that I’m not aware of?”
“Since you know so much about me, what is it I’m lying about?” Aysha’s voice was sharp and her fists clenched. Telvin was pushing her.
“Lying or not, I believe you are worth my interest. The issue at present is whether you are worth my time.” Telvin stopped as the servant boy appeared with three dinner platters. Aysha looked over at Darin. Her anger was obvious. Telvin waved his hand at the platters. “Please eat. You’re both hungry.”
The steamed fish was served with greens and rolls layered thick in sweet butter. Darin devoured her roll, aware that Telv was watching her closely. She ate the fish and the seaweed with more delicacy. Telv finished his cider and then sent the boy out to fill a pitcher before he picked at his dinner.
“When did you take up the sword? I remember you had some skill with the staff, but it was always a knife in your hand when you went for a kill…I would love to watch you in a fight again.”
Darin avoided Aysha’s eyes. She knew Telvin wanted a response from Aysha. He was testing her. “Preferences change. I still prefer a knife if I need to be quick.”
“My preferences have changed over the years as well…I prefer not to fight at all.”
Darin heard the innuendo in his tone and realized by the way Aysha shifted away from her that she had noticed it as well.
“So, a bit of bad news—I leave tomorrow for Tiersten at first light. The king is ill and wants me at his side.”
Aysha’s fork clattered on her plate and Telvin briefly glanced at her.
“I see that you knew about the king’s illness?”
“No…I didn’t know…It was only a dream.”
“A dream farmers have? The kind where you see someone’s fate in a dream perhaps? Some might think only a witch would dream that…”
Aysha stiffened. “I didn’t know about the king being ill.”
“Now you’re clearly lying. Darin must have warned you that sensers know when someone’s lying.” Telvin smiled, clearly satisfied that he’d proved his point. “The timing, of course, is terrible. I had a meeting planned tomorrow with your hunting partner. Illyan’s posted in Eldering and is my lead there. But perhaps you can meet with him in my place?”
Darin felt Aysha’s gaze on her and didn’t dare look her direction. She hoped Telvin wouldn’t say more but he seemed eager to make both of them uncomfortable. “What should I tell him?”
“He’s bringing a report on the numbers on our side in Eldering and in the farmlands between Caratia and there. I know he’ll be impressed with the new Lady Spur.” He smiled at Aysha. “And don’t bother lying to Illyan. Seers don’t talk much and they see right through our words—annoying habit of theirs. No one can cheat a seer.”
Aysha opened her mouth to argue, but Telvin continued, “Illyan isn’t one to talk of old times, but I know he remembers you fondly, Darin. He trusts you. Of course, you can’t go off hunting with someone you don’t trust, can you?” He glanced over at Aysha. “And if it comes to pass that you are installed in Heffen, Lady Spur, you would do well to have Illyan as your guard. You’re right to keep hunters close. It’s the only way to keep from getting killed yourself and I know Illyan would be honored by the post and serve you well.”
Darin felt Aysha’s gaze hot on her again. The weeks she’d been in Caratia and away from Aysha had been filled with blood. She and Illyan had hunted a half dozen men all on Telvin’s bidding. In exchange, Telv had handed them Alekander on a plate. But Illyan’s focus had wavered and Alekander had only lost his ear… It was the first target he’d missed.
“Have you heard any news of Alekander?”
“He’s with the king now,” Telvin said. “They’re close, you know. Best of friends. They spend hours talking of ways to make the people of Caratia and Tiersten bleed a little more.”
“The company you keep says something about you,” Aysha said under her breath.
Telvin’s lip curled. “I understand that you don’t like me. But if you know a reason that the three of us shouldn’t trust each other, tell me now. I trust Darin with my life. You’ll need to trust me with yours. Many lives will be lost over these next few months. With any luck, it won’t be our graves they’ll dig.”
Telv stood and set his empty mug on the stand next to his chair. He pointed out two doors at the far end of the room. “My room is on the left. Yours is on the right. Clearly there’s no secret that you share a bed.”
“No reason for secrets among friends,” Darin said.
“The soldiers give me an accounting at the end of every day. They’re waiting on me. But don’t expect me back before you both turn in. I have another meeting tonight with someone who won’t be seeing the sunrise…Breakfast is served promptly at dawn.”
When the door shut behind him, Aysha turned to her and said, “You shared his bed? He’s awful. How could you?”
“In a different time…I was a different person. So was he. But he’s not awful. You’ve put him in a mood.” As Aysha shook her head, Darin continued. “You challenge him. He’s not used to that.”
“Someone needs to challenge that man. I wonder at your judgment of character,” Aysha added.
“You’re jealous.”
“He’s planning to go out to kill someone. Did you hear what he said? That isn’t self defense…” Aysha stammered.
“He won’t be killing anyone, Aysha. He has people he pays for that.” Darin couldn’t admit what she’d done, but Telvin had said enough. She knew it was only a matter of time before Aysha asked about the hunting she’d done with
Illyan. “If you met him under different circumstances, I think you might like him.”
“Like him? Did you hear any of our conversation?”
Darin sighed. “I’m exhausted. Come to bed with me?”
Aysha stood before Darin could reach for her hand. Their room was narrow but the bed had a thick mattress with clean sheets. Aysha stripped quickly and slipped under the blankets.
Darin climbed into bed next to her, but Aysha stiffened when she touched her arm. “You don’t know what Telvin’s been through. I know he seems harsh but—”
“I don’t want to know about Telvin. What awful things he’s done isn’t my concern…But you, Darin, what have you done?”
Darin didn’t answer. Aysha would hate her even more than she hated Telvin if she knew the truth. And she wouldn’t wait for an explanation.
“Sometimes I wonder if I even know who you are,” Aysha continued.
“You know me better than anyone.”
“Do I?”
Darin longed to see Aysha’s face, but the only light in the room came from the one window reflecting a street’s torch glow. Still, she knew the scent—Aysha was scared of her.
“Do I want to know your secrets?”
“Probably not all of them,” Darin admitted.
“What are we doing here? What do we have in common with murderers and warring soldiers and powerful kings?”
“I have a lot in common with Telv. If you don’t like things about him, there are things you don’t like about me as well. Anyway, your Spur family had plenty in common with kings and soldiers—none of whom will shy from murder.”
“My grandmother may very well have kept up a farce of being a witch, but I could never imagine myself in that role.”
“Watch what you say. If I could count the times I’ve said ‘never’ and then later done the very thing…”
A Fugitive's Kiss Page 24