The Challenge: Circle of Conspiracy Trilogy (Artesans Series Book 4)

by Cas Peace

  After half an hour’s hard ride they met up with the scouts, who led Sullyan’s command unerringly toward the trouble. The raiders had spent some time here, and most of the buildings were well alight. Sullyan gave swift orders for her men to surround the village and cut off any route of escape. She held them back from a rushed assault despite the pitiful cries of wounded villagers.

  They closed their circle warily, alert for ambush or attack. The outer houses were either deserted or inhabited only by the dead. The sounds of combat came from farther in, and Sullyan prepared to order a charge. When they neared the center of the village, she saw that the people had gathered there in desperate defense of their lives, opposing the raiders with whatever weapons they had to hand, most of which were useless against swords and crossbows.

  “Remember, men,” she yelled, “we need one or two alive at least. Do the best you can.”

  One of the raiders heard her and turned just as the charge began. He roared at his men, who immediately broke off the attack, falling back before the Albians’ rush. The raiders aimed a determined wedge of fighting men at one portion of Sullyan’s cordon, and, with some loss of life, forced a way through and fled for the woods. The men from the Manor galloped hard in pursuit.

  Sullyan didn’t stay for the villagers. They would have to wait until she had leisure to return. A captive was her objective, and she urged her men to greater speed. Just when she thought she was gaining on her quarry, she felt a familiar prickle in her mind. Someone was breaching the substrate! Torn between the desire to search for the Artesan responsible and the need to block her prey’s escape, she opted for the latter and set her opposing will against the opening of the tunnel.

  It turned out to be a serious mistake.

  When she opened her eyes, it was to a blinding headache and the sight of Captain Dexter looking anxiously down on her. She sat up shakily, wondering what on earth she was doing lying on the ground. Dexter put out a hand and helped her up.

  “Are you all right, Colonel?”

  The question made no sense. Her eyes wouldn’t focus and she swayed on her feet. She heard Dexter call urgently over his shoulder.

  “Wil, bring that liquor here, will you?”

  The Corporal came over, holding out a small leather flask. Dexter took it and removed the cork.

  “Now, Colonel,” he said kindly, “I know you don’t normally drink, but I think you ought to take a sip of this. It’ll help clear your head.”

  He sounded very worried. She stared vacantly, but obediently swallowed when he helped her to a mouthful of the fiery liquid. It made her cough, but had the desired effect. When her eyes decided to function again, she frowned at him.

  “What happened, Captain?”

  His concern deepened. “You don’t remember?”

  She ran a hand across her face, becoming aware of the men clustered around her and the comforting presence of Drum at her shoulder. She gathered her wits slowly, her head pounding.

  “We were pursuing the raiders,” she said, her thoughts clearing. “I felt someone open the substrate and reached out to stop them. What happened next?”

  The Captain snorted. “What happened was that for no apparent reason, you fell off that great black beast!”

  “Fell off?” she repeated faintly. “I have never fallen from a horse in my life.”

  “Well, you have now. I nearly rode over you.”

  She shook her head, trying to order her thoughts. “I take it they all got away?”

  He nodded. “We did try. I left one of the lads with you and went after them, but they had already disappeared. Must have gone through that tunnel you mentioned.” Dexter had no Artesan power, but he had been around Sullyan long enough to understand it.

  She sighed. Despite the pain in her head, she would have to search. Rubbing her back, she said, “Help me mount, will you? I think I must have landed on a tree root.”

  He linked his hands under her foot and boosted her up onto Drum. He was still concerned. She had never needed such help before. He watched her warily to check she was all right.

  “Mount the men, Captain,” she said, her voice sounding more normal. “Lead them back to the village and do what you can for those poor people. I will follow soon.”

  He obeyed, but she saw his whispered order to Wil. The Corporal lagged behind to keep an eye on her.

  She didn’t mind; he had the right. Sitting Drum quietly, she explored her aching head. There was pain when she expended her power, and this worried her. Things were becoming clearer now, although it had happened so fast. When she had reached out to oppose the tunnel’s opening, there was an instant and violent backlash so unexpected that it threw her physically from Drum’s back. She had never experienced its like before.

  Apprehensive as to what she would find, she probed the substrate. Her worst fears were soon realized. The reason her power had backfired so totally was that it had met its twin. The faint psyche imprint embedded in the substrate was hers. She had effectively blocked her own power.

  Something very terrible was happening here, and she didn’t have a clue what it was.

  Hugging herself in fear, she smiled to reassure Wil. Still shaky, she followed him back to the village where they spent what time they could with the panicked inhabitants.

  *****

  On receiving Sullyan’s terse report through the substrate, Blaine issued orders for those already in the field to stay out for a tour of duty. It was impossible for the Manor’s forces to reach stricken villages as quickly as the raiders could move through the Veils, but if they were already in the area they stood a better chance of a swift response.

  Robin’s company were nearly back by the time Blaine’s message reached them. As he had wounded with him, Robin gave the order to continue to the Manor. He intended to collect fresh men and then go back out to finish his tour.

  His mood hadn’t improved, and all his men were wary of speaking to him. Cal rode behind him, scowling unhappily and wondering what on earth could be causing such uncharacteristic bad temper.

  Cal couldn’t recall seeing him in such a state before, and decided to mention it to Bull. Apart from Sullyan, Bull knew Robin best and might be able to help him deal with whatever was troubling him. Yet that would have to wait, as they would be off again once they had delivered their wounded to the infirmary.

  *****

  Robin allowed his men a brief respite while he reported to the General. If his mood was black when he approached the interview, it was ten times worse when he came out. The General didn’t accuse him outright of dereliction of duty, but Robin’s excuse that the raiders had refused to surrender simply didn’t satisfy Blaine. He delivered a stinging admonition and told Robin to buck his ideas up, using the tone he generally reserved for junior officers. The fact that Elias was also present compounded the Major’s humiliation.

  When he left Blaine’s office, Robin’s face was flushed with shame. The General’s dressing down rang in his ears as he stalked through the Manor. It was Taran’s great misfortune to step out of his room right into Robin’s path.

  As if it were some hidden trigger buried deep inside Robin just waiting to ignite his fury, the sight of Taran caused a meltdown. The Major hadn’t intended to confront Taran about the rumors before speaking to Sullyan, but in his present mood the opportunity could not be missed. His rage had been building ever since his talk with Denny, and seeing Taran made him lose all control.

  He lunged abruptly and grabbed Taran by the jacket, forcing him violently back into his room. Slamming the door shut with his foot, he thrust his furious face into Taran’s.

  Utterly shocked, Taran was unable to resist. Robin’s muscular strength was too much for him. Taran stared at him fearfully, beginning to tremble.

  “So, you thought you could get away with it, did you?” snarled Robin, his hands bunched in the leather at Taran’s throat, his breath hot on the Adept’s face. “Thought I wouldn’t realize, wouldn’t notice? Well, you’ve not been
very clever, have you? You were seen, both of you, and now I know all about it.”

  “I don’t—” began Taran, but Robin was squeezing his throat and Taran could hardly get the words out.

  “Oh, no you don’t,” spat Robin. “Don’t you dare try to deny it. I’ve heard all about your treacherous affair! Did you think that because we were friends you could do what you liked?” He shook the Adept roughly. “Well? How many times has it been, Taran? Whenever I was on duty? Whenever I was out of the way?”

  The horror that appeared on Taran’s face told Robin he understood what he was being accused of. Humiliation and shame flooded Taran’s psyche, and tears pricked his eyes. His face turned crimson.

  “I haven’t—” he tried, but Robin was beyond hearing.

  “You’ve been laughing at me!” he yelled, spitting the words in Taran’s face. Taran’s mortified expression only increased Robin’s rage. “The whole place is laughing at me! Everyone knows now. Why couldn’t you keep your dirty little hands to yourself? Why couldn’t you leave her alone? You’ve been itching to try it on with her ever since you came here. You knew how much she meant to me. She was my life! But you’ve destroyed all that. All that agony I went through last year, all that heartache and soul-searching, all that pain and terror. All for nothing… nothing!”

  He shook Taran again and the Adept looked frightened, as if he doubted Robin’s sanity.

  “Robin,” he gasped, alarm in his tone. “It’s not true. We did nothing wrong.”

  “NOTHING WRONG?” screamed Robin, his handsome features savagely twisted. “Yes, you would think that! You told Denny I knew all about it, didn’t you?”

  “No, I… well, yes, but I didn’t mean—”

  It was no use. Robin’s voice fell to a menacing whisper, and the pain in his eyes was horrible to see. “You thought you had the right to do what you wanted. Well, my friend, I’m here to tell you you’re wrong. Very wrong. If you want to keep your health, if you don’t want your brains fried in your head, you’ll pack your bags and get out. I don’t want you here when I return, do you understand? You’ve forfeited your place. You’re not wanted. I don’t care where you go, just make it far away. Do I make myself clear?”

  The Adept shivered. He made no further attempt at speech. Robin was beyond reason. The Major was a Master Artesan; quite capable of frying someone’s brain if he lost control. Taran tried to nod his acceptance, but Robin’s hands remained clamped about his throat.

  “I’m warning you, Taran Elijah,” he continued, his eyes hot and full of pain, “and I don’t want you to mistake me. If I ever come across you again, wherever it may be, I won’t hesitate to kill you for what you’ve done. You’ve ruined my life, and I can see no good reason not to ruin yours. Remember that!”

  He slammed Taran’s body so hard against the wall that the Adept was momentarily stunned. Released from Robin’s grip and shaking uncontrollably, Taran slumped to the floor. Tears ran down his face. Robin stared at him in disgust before stalking out, violently slamming the door.

  *****

  The Major’s pounding footsteps retreated down the corridor like a fading heartbeat. His head spinning and his heart sick, Taran buried his face in his hands. He wept. He stayed where he was, slowly mastering his thumping heart and trembling body until he felt able to stand.

  Climbing shakily to his feet, Taran tried to order his thoughts. How could he have been so stupid? Only now did he realize what Denny had been hinting at on the journey to the Manor. When he thought further back, he understood what had caused the men’s mutterings and furtive glances when they left Port Loxton with the King. He also recalled Jinella steadfastly ignoring him that morning, and suddenly wondered whether she had been the one to see him coming out of Sullyan’s room that night. It made sense of the Baron’s behavior and some of his acid comments that day. Taran shook his head in remorse.

  It was all his fault. If he had gone to Robin immediately and told him what had happened, this would have been averted. He should have taken Rienne’s advice. Taran had been a coward, trusting that his friendship with Robin would prove stronger than the rumors. There was no one to blame but himself that it hadn’t.

  He had no option but to do as Robin said. He was not going to involve Sullyan in this. She had other worries to concern her, and she and Robin would mend their fences far easier if Taran was out of the way.

  With a heavy heart, he began to pack.

  *****

  Rienne spent the morning in the infirmary treating the wounded men from Robin’s company. None were gravely injured, but she was kept so busy that she hardly had a moment to think. Once the men were settled and things had died down, she decided to take her noon break. Humming to herself and wondering if the baby inside her could hear her or recognize her voice, she pushed open the door to the rooms she shared with Cal and Taran.

  She stopped. A pack lay on the floor, stuffed full. Sounds were coming from Taran’s room. He never took this much with him when he went off with Sullyan or one of the companies into the field, so this must be something unusual. She closed the door behind her and the sounds of movement ceased.

  “Taran?”

  The silence continued for a short while longer, and then his door slowly opened. He stood there looking at her. She took in the pallor of his face and the dejected line of his shoulders. Then she saw the second pack lying on his bed. His traveling cloak was beside it. She stared at him and he turned away.

  “Taran? What’s going on?”

  Her first thought, irrational though it was, was that something had happened to Cal. It couldn’t have, though. Taran wouldn’t be skulking in his room if he had bad news for her. Something else had happened, something that had affected him deeply, but she couldn’t imagine what it might be.

  “Tell me what’s going on!”

  Taran’s shoulders sagged even more and he sat abruptly on the bed. “I’m going away, Rienne.”

  His words stunned her. It was the last thing she expected to hear.

  “Going away? Where? Why?”

  He avoided her gaze. “I don’t know yet. Don’t ask me, Rienne. Just let me be. I’m going, and that’s an end to it.”

  Her gray eyes widened and she sat beside him, laying a hand on his arm.

  “Oh, no you don’t. That’s not good enough. Come on, you know you’ll have to tell me. I’m not going to let you leave until you do. I can see you’re upset, so out with it. What’s happened to make you consider giving up everything you’ve ever wanted?”

  Now Taran did look at her, and the weight of unhappiness in his hazel eyes caused her to hiss in shock.

  “Oh, Taran, it must be something dreadful! You’re frightening me. Please tell me what it is.”

  Taking up her hands, whether for his comfort or hers she couldn’t tell, Taran told her everything.

  She sat stunned when he was done, unable to speak, seeing only the pain in his eyes and feeling the trembling of his hands. She could scarcely believe Robin had gone to such lengths. Why would he react like this? It wasn’t like him to let such feeble gossip get under his skin.

  Rage welled abruptly inside her for Denny’s vicious, gossiping tongue. She felt like slapping him senseless.

  “Taran,” she said firmly, giving his hands a shake, “this is all wrong. You can’t leave like this. You have to tell Brynne.”

  He stood up, shaking her off. “No. I won’t involve her in this. It’s my fault and my responsibility. I’m not going to go bearing tales to her, especially with all these raids going on. She has enough on her mind. It’s time I stood on my own feet and made my own decisions. I won’t tell Sullyan and neither will you, if you have any respect for me at all. The best thing I can do is go away and remove part of the problem. Robin made it very clear he doesn’t want me around, and I won’t cause him more pain than I already have. They’ll stand a better chance of reconciling if I’m not here. Once they have, well, then we’ll see.”

  “But running away like thi
s will make everyone think you’re guilty!”

  “Most of them already do, and I am guilty, in a way.” He sighed. “Not of what Robin thinks, I’ll grant you, but near enough. I’m guilty of letting things go too far. It’s my fault he believes what he does. I’ve made up my mind to go, and I’m going now, before Robin finishes his tour of duty.” He turned and put the final items into the pack on his bed.

  Rienne’s eyes filled with tears. “But what about Cal? You can’t leave without saying goodbye! He’s your Apprentice. What will he do without you?”

  Taran smiled sadly and replied in a calmer tone. “Cal has his own place now. He’s gaining respect as a captain and he’s sure to be promoted soon. He has the College behind him, with all the coaching he could need. Far better than anything I could give him. And he has you.”

  Rienne couldn’t hold back the sobs. Taran turned back to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Oh, Rienne! I wish this hadn’t happened, believe me. I don’t want to go, of course I don’t, and I’ll miss you and Cal terribly. But don’t you see it’s the only thing I can do? I’ve brought this on myself and I have to do what I can to put it right. If it’ll make you feel better, tell Cal I’ll stay a couple of days at Milo’s inn—you remember, the one we stayed at when we first came here? I’ll wait until he comes before I go away for good. I wouldn’t want him to think I’d abandoned him. Will that suit you?”

  It suited her not at all, but she saw how determined he was and realized it was the best she would get. She nodded unhappily and watched as he fastened his pack.

  She couldn’t watch him leave, he was distressed enough without seeing her break down before him, so she accompanied him only as far as the infirmary. They embraced in emotional turmoil before finally breaking apart.

  *****

  Taran didn’t look back as he walked to the horse lines. He had sent a runner to Solet earlier asking for his gelding to be saddled. It was the same horse he had brought from Hyecombe, so Taran didn’t have to worry about taking one of the Manor horses. Still, he hadn’t ridden his own beast since coming here, and it would feel very small and unfamiliar compared to Thunder, the Manor stallion he usually rode.