Marzi forced herself to remain silent. She could feel the but coming.
“And yet there is a lurking danger. You have seen it. You know its form. She will not give up, Marzi. She will turn next to the ogres, attempting to take advantage of their fear through manipulation. She is not a bad elf. But her soul has been poisoned and will not heal itself. The other elven leaders will be reluctant to confront her. You know this. The humans will not take a strong stance because they will not view it as their problem. This will put the ogres in a difficult position.”
“What am I supposed to do about it?” Marzi could feel yet another weight being placed on her shoulders.
“I am afraid it will fall to you to stand up to her. But you cannot foil her in direct confrontation. Instead, you must appeal to the ogres yourself. You must be the light that guides them. Your words must offer them a different vision, and your actions must speak to their hearts.”
None of this made any sense at all. But Marzi had long since given up trying to understand these things ahead of time. She held the small comfort that, when understanding was truly needed, it came, at least so far.
“You alone can see the picture that includes all three races. You will know what to do and say. Be not afraid, though. Your heart is pure. After all, you are the peacemaker.”
Chapter 34: Ebon Hills
“Daddy, Daddy!” The young girl flew into her father’s arms, which wrapped around her like a blanket on a cold winter night. She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. Neither of the two said anything at first.
After a moment, Brother Martin set his daughter down and held her out, his hands on her shoulders. “What’s this then? Have you been growing? You’ve gotten tall.”
Jarek watched the reunion, his feelings a complex mix of joy, sadness, and guilt. He and the rebels had been at the heart of the family’s upheaval. And yet Commander West, CeCe, and Corny had kept them safe.
A woman, her eyes swollen and red, emerged from the shadows. “Martin, you are safe.” She took a breath as though she were about to say more, but instead, she embraced her husband and sobbed quietly. Two young boys followed her, their arms hanging at their sides, expressions something between relief and uncertainty.
The Azyrean searched his memory for their names. Yes, Rona is the wife. Aidan and John the sons, and Katy is the little girl. He watched the family as they eased over to the side of an underground space—some kind of basement or storage room by the look of it.
He spotted Commander West lying on a pallet, propped up on an elbow. Her face looked haggard, her eyes heavy. Cornelius knelt beside her watching the unfolding display as well. CeCe glided across to West, kneeling next to Corny. They spoke in hushed voices.
Jarek turned to see Burns staring at the commander, tears welling up in her eyes. She stood there as though frozen in place. He placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “See, I told you. They’re safe.”
She acted as though she hadn’t heard. She remained frozen in place.
◆◆◆
Jarek wasn’t sure how to begin. There was so much he wanted to say and so many questions to ask. Things were just too… complex and… messed up. Finally, he broke the silence. “We were at the camp.”
West nodded. CeCe and Corny, sitting back against the wall, appeared to defer to the commander.
The Azyrean bowed his head. “We buried the others.” He couldn’t bring himself to say “the dead.”
“Thank you.”
“What happened?” A stupid question, to be sure. What had happened was that the camp was attacked and people were killed.
West sighed. “The assassins came in the night and were on us before we knew it. We tried to defend the hold, but….” She left the words unsaid.
Jarek had figured as much. “But how did they find the camp?” Then it hit him. The young boy that he’d seen watching them. That must have been it. Before West could respond to the question, he recounted his observation of the kid. He paused a moment before offering the conclusion. “That must have been it. He must have somehow followed us and reported back, or something like that.”
West shook her head. “No. That wasn’t it. If your account were accurate, he would have followed you back. By the time you reached the camp, the attack was over. The timeline doesn’t work. I don’t doubt that the lad is in the service of the king. But it wasn’t him. We know who it was.”
“Who?”
“Do you recall the young man who told the story of his family being killed—Jorstan Behrend?”
Jarek searched his memories before settling on the image—the scruffy young man who told the story about his brothers and sisters. His father had been taken by the king’s men. It had been a convincing story. “So, what? He was a spy the whole time?”
CeCe intervened. “No, I don’t think so. I would have likely known about it. My guess is that he was turned at some point. Most likely, knowing that Jorstan had disappeared and probably joined the rebels, Wyndred took the brothers and sister. Probably used them as leverage on the kid.”
West continued, “Whatever the reason or method, he disappeared from camp the morning of the attack. We have to assume he was the traitor.” She paused and shook her head. “I’m the one that approved him joining us. It’s my fault.”
Jarek shot back, “No, it’s not your fault. It’s the king’s fault. Like CeCe said, he probably came to you meaning to help. Face it, you’re fighting an enemy that doesn’t play by your rules. No one is special or sacred to him.”
Her response oozed bitterness, “And yet, our people are dead, and I am… was… their leader.”
“You are still the leader. Captain Virgil and his troops are in Crystal Sands, hopefully doing what you sent them there to do. You… we… are here doing what we are supposed to be doing. You once spoke to me of the horrors of war. This is a part of it. And you didn’t start it.”
West broke out in laughter. “Jarek, my friend, when did you turn into such a philosopher?”
The words stunned him. He wasn’t doing anything except talking. He stared at her, having no idea how to respond.
Before he could say anything, though, West continued, “After this is all over, we will deal with Jorstan, the young boy, and all the others that betrayed us.”
CeCe objected, “With all respect, Commander, these people are faced with impossible choices. I betrayed you strictly out of revenge, and yet you gave me a second chance. It seems to me that they are not as guilty as I.”
“You didn’t kill anyone.”
“Only because you were on to me from the beginning. Is it just that you are angry at yourself for not seeing through them? If that’s it, then Jarek is right. This falls at Wyndred’s feet. He’s the one who must answer.”
West turned away stonily and stared at the wall in silence. “I just thank our stars that CeCe and Corny were there with me and the children. CeCe helped defend the youngsters while Corny was able to get us out the back way quickly and undeterred.”
Jarek suddenly thought of Burns, who had been sitting back away from the group. As he turned, he saw the confusion on her face. It was as though she were trying to process some information or idea but couldn’t make the pieces fit. He slid over next to her. “You okay?” He put his hand on hers.
She nodded her head, her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.”
Chapter 35: Ebon Hills
“We can’t stay here forever.” Jarek felt the walls of the underground space closing in on him. At least at the rebel camp, they could walk around outside in safety, well, relative safety, that is. Here, he dared not leave the shelter. The surrounding area was far too open.
The occupants sat in a loose group, most of them chewing on smoked meat. Corny, who had remained quiet thus far, spoke up, “The commander is not well enough to travel right now. It’s probably going to be another week at best.”
West disagreed, “I can travel. I agree with Master Whit. We cannot stay here. Those assassins and ran
gers you killed, their bodies will be discovered, and it won’t take much time until our little hideout is found. No, we must find other arrangements.”
Brother Martin sat beside his wife, holding her hand. “There is only one place we can go—the enclave at Aristan’s monastery. It’s two days’ journey to the north.”
CeCe shook her head. “I’ve been up in that area. There’s nothing there but ruins. We’ll be exposed, not only to the elements but also to the king’s eyes.”
Jarek shuffled in closer to the group. “No, he’s right. There’s a system of underground caverns and passages beneath the ruins.”
CeCe’s response followed a moment of silence. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, my father… well, all the nobles, had underground storage and escape tunnels. There’s no reason to believe the brotherhood wouldn’t be just as careful. Still, the journey will not be without danger. We can travel during the night and seek shelter during the day. But Commander West, despite her protestations to the contrary, is still in a bad way. We should be prepared for at least a three-day journey, possibly four.”
West appeared as though she were about to argue, but instead, nodded and remained silent.
“Good, then. Corny and Burns, could you gather and package the food? Brother Martin, if you would, please prepare your family for the journey.” CeCe turned to Jarek. “Might I have a word with you?”
They moved off to the side and CeCe spoke, her words soft. “Could you tell me more about this lad that was watching you?”
“Well, there’s not much to tell. He looked to be about twelve or so. He’s the son of a farmer, name of Bart something or other. They were the ones that turned us in that first time.”
CeCe narrowed her eyes. “By any chance was the last name Canfield? Bartholomew Canfield?”
“Yes, I think that was it—Canfield. You know him?”
She smirked. “Oh yeah, I know him. He serves Wyndred, but not out of loyalty. He is loyal only to himself. He acts out of self-interest regardless of how it affects others. And that kid is not his son. Canfield is the worst of the worst. He is a predator. He seeks out young orphaned children and lures them into servitude. They work under conditions not fit for an animal. Eventually, he uses them up and they either die or….” She shook her head.
“Do you know the boy?”
“I don’t know. There have been a number of them. But one thing is for sure, the lad’s parents are most likely dead. And I wouldn’t put it past Canfield to have either killed them or, at the very least, arranged for their deaths.”
Jarek felt sick to his stomach. Given half a chance, he would have attacked the child on sight. “What do we do about it?”
“Not much we can do. I confess, I would gladly dispatch Canfield. But our task is to get the group to the brotherhood’s enclave. To do that safely, we must try to avoid any contact at all, and that includes old Bart. But I sense that we are not done with him and the boy.”
Jarek waited for the rest of her explanation, but it never came. She stood. “Why don’t you help Brother Martin and his family.”
As he returned to the group, he couldn’t help wondering at the change in circumstances. CeCe, who had betrayed all of them and nearly caused Jarek’s capture or death, now emerged as the leader, at least until West was fully recovered. And would the commander recover? Would Burns recover?
“Yes, they will.”
Jarek stopped in his tracks, glad to be out of earshot of the others. How do you know?
“I’m a god, remember?”
Oh yeah, right. Then why don’t you fix all of this?
“I am fixing it.”
The Azyrean started to argue, but the god’s voice interrupted.
“And you are helping, of course.”
Of course. Jarek rolled his eyes and made his way across the room to where Brother Martin and his family were packing their belongings. “How can I help?”
Chapter 36: Ebon Hills
Jarek shouldered his own pack and then helped young Katy with hers as the group prepared to leave. Burns busied herself helping to get Commander West ready. The leader had sustained several injuries in the fight at the rebel camp, including a head wound and a nasty gash on her right hip. The Azyrean wondered if she were really up to a three-day walk. Then it occurred to him—maybe they’d get lucky and find the mule and cart they had used on the trip over.
And then as if CeCe had read his mind, she turned to the others and said, “Would you all mind looking for the mule you brought with you? We could let the commander ride in the wagon.”
They dispersed in different directions, and less than five minutes later Brother Martin walked back with the roped mule trailing behind him. “Found him. He was grazing in the upper meadow.” He smiled, then waited for Burns, Jarek, and Ratio to right the cart that had been overturned and hidden in the tall grass when they first arrived.
With the help of so many, it took only a few minutes to get the rig ready to go. They filled the back of it with extra blankets from their packs, trying to make Commander West as comfortable as possible. Brother Martin’s wife Rona took the reins and sat on the bench seat with little Katy next to her.
West gave them a thumbs up and smiled, “Thanks, all; now let’s be on our way.”
Even at a very slow pace West winced with every bump the wagon took. Jarek wondered if she might do better walking but then decided against that notion. Her body would no doubt heal better if she were at rest, rather than hobbling down a stony and rutted road. He could almost feel her pain.
“You doing okay?”
The response was terse. “I’m fine.”
As they marched along, Corny and Ratio, who ranged ahead, each circled back to the group periodically to report in—all clear, keep going.
CeCe was all over the place. She walked with the main group for a while and then retraced their steps to check behind them. After that, she probed forward and then returned. She said little and her face betrayed even less.
Jarek nodded to CeCe in West’s direction without giving voice to his concerns. CeCe apparently caught his meaning and told everyone to hold up as she approached the commander. “Ease down here, Em, against this tree. We’ll break for about fifteen minutes. It might also do you good to stretch some before we continue.”
“I’m fine.” West retorted.
“I know. But we’re going to break for fifteen minutes anyway.”
West, with her jaw clenched and her eyes glaring, looked as though she were spoiling for a fight. Instead, she nodded and kept silent.
As the group huddled in the open field of grass, the light of the waning moon cast an eerie glow. They chewed on dry meat, mostly in silence.
CeCe stood and surveyed the horizon. “We’ve been at it for about two hours, I guess. We’re making pretty good time. There’s a stand of oak trees bordering a small stream, I figure about six more hours at our current pace. That’s our goal for the night.” There could be no mistake. This was not a suggestion or question. CeCe was calling the shots.
Rona, Brother Martin’s wife, sat, holding her daughter in her lap. “I know that stream. And there is a ground plant growing along the bank if I remember correctly. If we crush the root and mix it with water, it can relieve some of the pain.” She stole a glance at West as she spoke.
West spat her stock response, “I’m fine.”
CeCe sighed. “Yes, you’re fine, we get it. And if we can get some of that root, you’ll be finer.” She stretched her arms and yawned. “Let’s get moving again before we fall asleep here.”
◆◆◆
The band reached the stream just as the sky was lightening in the east. As they settled in, Rona took a small knife from her pack. “I’ll gather the roots.”
“Just a minute and I’ll help you.” Martin helped the kids settle in beneath a tree.
“I can do it alone. You tend to the kids.”
CeCe intervened. “He’s right. No one wanders off alone. The
kids will be okay here.”
Jarek sat beside her. Keeping his voice low, he questioned CeCe. “Is the commander going to be okay?”
“It’s another two days to the ruins at this pace. But I think she’s doing better in the wagon than she would on foot.”
Her words didn’t answer his question, but the worried look on her face said volumes. He chose not to pursue it.
West slept hard. Apparently, Rona’s remedy did the trick, allowing the commander to sleep soundly for the first time in several days. Burns, Corny, CeCe, and Jarek took turns standing guard with the Azyrean taking the final shift before nightfall.
As the sun disappeared below the western horizon, he woke each of the others. It was time to move. And then something caught his eye—a quick movement, just at the periphery of his sight. He jerked his head in that direction but saw nothing. But it had not been nothing. Something… or someone had been there. Not wanting to repeat past mistakes, he touched CeCe’s arm. “Hey, I think I just saw something.” He pointed. “Over there, by that bent tree, across the stream.”
“What was it?” Her eyes grew intense as she turned in that direction.
“I don’t know. I just saw it out of the corner of my eye. Just a movement. Maybe it was an animal.”
“Maybe.” She crept over in that direction and crossed the stream. Kneeling down, she examined the ground around the tree. When she returned, she beckoned to Burns and Corny. “Get everyone ready. I’m going to check something.” She turned to Jarek. “You’re with me. Cross the stream down there.” She pointed off to the north. “Head in that direction and keep your eyes open. I’ll circle around to the south.
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