****
Hot, dusty and thirsty, Xio Li finally made it back to the settlement. She cautiously worked her way through the streets, carefully avoiding any contact with Voadicia’s guards. It would not do for her to be captured along with Fiona. Someone had to warn the others. The streets were quiet and too little traffic was about for this time of day. Something was not right. She finally made it to the soldiers’ quarters but Durlach was not there and would not return until later that evening. Leaving urgent word for him to find her immediately, she headed back to Tanith’s.
The door was thrown open as soon as she knocked, Tanith pulled her in and asked a thousand questions.
“That sorceress, Voadicia, has her!” Xio Li cried. “They take her away, I don’t know where.”
“Why?” Tanith exclaimed. “What did she do?”
“They say she killed baby, make sacrifice.” Xio Li’s face betrayed her fear. “She not do, only try to save.”
“We need to find Durlach right away.”
“I try, Durlach not here, not be back until tonight.”
Tanith paced the room, who else could she go to that she trusted? Few faces came to mind. Those she did trust would be wary of confronting Voadicia and she could not be certain of their help.
“Why did Voadicia take Fiona?” Machar anxiously asked.
Tanith stopped, drawing him to her. “She says Fiona did something bad, but we know she didn’t.”
She mentally worked through their options. If she forced the issue, her children as well as Con could be in danger if Voadicia decided to move against them. Her position was precarious as well, but something had to be done or Fiona would be lost.
She was finding it hard to believe that Voadicia would actually hurt Fiona, but her actions left little to the imagination as to her mental stability. Tanith had heard about the earlier round up of citizens and she knew that it was only because of her family’s influence that she was not among them.
She turned her attention to Xio Li. “Go find Cyrnon and bring him back here,” she demanded. “Hurry now! We don’t have much time.”
Xio Li ran out the door, heading towards the stock enclosure where Cyrnan would most likely be. Tanith wrapped the babies up, and hurried to her parents’ home. Nuala opened the door, her face worried.
“I need you to take care of the babies and Machar. Both of you need to go.” nodding to her father. “Pack up enough food for a week, take one of the goats with you to feed the babies, and leave. Head to the river and follow it until you are far enough away so that the patrols won’t find you. Stay there until I or someone you know and trust comes for you. I need you to do this! I need to know you’re safe.” Tanith spoke rapidly, her urgency transmitting itself to her parents.
“What’s happening, why are we doing this?” Her face paling, Nuala wrung her hands.
“Voadicia has taken Fiona and I think she will come for me soon and I do not plan to make it easy for her. Durlach returns this night and we will do what we can to free Fiona.”
“I won’t leave you behind!” Nuala cried. “You must come with us. Durlach is better equipped to handle this than you.”
“No, Mother, I need to stay. He’ll need my help. The other Lords trust our family and they will listen to me. I can’t desert Fiona. She has no one else.”
Baroc lurched to his feet. “It should be me that speaks to the others.” He wavered slightly, his weakness all too evident.
“They will listen to me,” Tanith said softly. “I am your daughter, the sister of Kellach and the wife of Siran. They will know my words speak the truth.”
His head dropped. There was no disputing Tanith’s words, Baroc knew that. Tanith was stronger than he.
“If the children are with you,” she said, “I know you will keep them safe, no matter what.”
Baroc drew himself up and nodded. “With my life.”
“Get ready and when I send word, go out the west end of the settlement and work your way down to the river. We will clear the way for you. Be ready.” She kissed them both, and hugged all the children, fear knotting her stomach.
“I don’t want to go,” Machar cried, hugging her neck tightly. “Please let me stay with you.”
She gently unwrapped his arms, pressing a kiss to his brow. “I need you to go with them. I need you to help take care of Berlach and Con. You have to be very quiet and help them keep the babies quiet. This is very important. Take Conan with you, but tie his mouth so he doesn’t give you away by barking. Do you understand? “
Machar nodded solemnly, tears glistening in his eyes. Tanith kissed the top of his head, wondering if she would hold him again. So like his father, fiery but sturdy and strong. She walked to the door, her heart heavy.
“May the Sun God bless you,” Nuala whispered.
Tanith’s smile was sad. “All of us, I hope.”
Xio Li met Tanith as she came from her parents’ house. Cyrnon and the twins would meet them near the horses’ pasture as soon as it was dark. Voadicia had posted her guards at frequent intervals and especially near the horses. No one would be allowed to leave without her approval. Tanith cursed this bit of information, but somehow that would be circumvented. She packed dried meats and flat bread and gathered water skins, enough for a week. That would be more than enough if she had calculated right. If any longer than that, it would not matter anyway.
When full darkness fell, they made their way to the edge of the settlement, moving in the shadows, stopping often to listen. A figure stepped out of the shadows, causing Tanith to gasp in surprise.
“We have been waiting for you,” Cyrnon whispered.
“Keep to the shadows,” Tanith ordered. To her dismay, one of Voadicia’s men was guarding the horses, crouched near a small fire, his eyes trying to pierce the darkness. He was not a bright one, she thought, or he would have known not to stare across the fire. He would have had it at his back.
“You need to work your way through the herd and find your horses. Once you do that, slowly lead them to the eastern edge of the herd, make it appear that they move on their own. Keep below the line of the horizon and when you are finally by the patrols, ride hard to the eastern settlement. Find Kellach and Siran and bring them back. Do not stop until you find them.”
Cyrnon nodded, his eyes shining in the dark. “Xio Li said Voadicia had taken Fiona. What’s she going to do to her?” His voice shook and she could feel his anxiety.
“I think she will kill Fiona if we don’t stop her. Voadicia waited until Kellach was not here to protect Fiona and now she thinks to finish it. We can’t let her.”
A single silver tear coursed down Cyrnon’s face. “Why would anyone want to hurt Fiona? She has never hurt anyone, she only does good.” Behind him, the twins nodded their agreement.
“Voadicia hates the fact that Kellach chose Fiona above her. That is something she will not accept and destroying Fiona is her goal.” Tanith’s whispered words hung in the air, a dirge of lament.
“Can you sneak by the guard?” Tanith leaned close.
“I think so,” Cyrnon said, “though it would be easier if something distracted him.”
Xio Li had held back but stepped forward in response to Cyrnon’s statement. “I get his attention. He know me. He pay for Xio Li many times before.” Resolve settled on her face. “Fiona help Xio Li and Mei Mei when no one else would. Now can help Fiona.”
Turning to the boys, she said low and fierce, “You be ready, I make him forget to watch.” She turned. “Be back.”
She disappeared in the darkness, returning in short order carrying a flagon of wine. She loosened her tunic, dropping it to her waist, baring her breasts.
The young healer became the seasoned prostitute. Assuming a provocative stance, one hand on her hip and the other swinging the flagon of wine, she strutted through the darkness into the light of the fire. The guard jumped up, trying to identify her. Xio Li knew him to be vulgar and crude, a boorish braggart, nervous at standing watch. “
Man want pleasure girl,” Xio Li crooned, “can make you happy.” She moved nearer.
The guard stiffened, anxiously glancing around. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
“Crazy man, no one here but Xio Li. Xio Li goes where she want. Xio Li want you.” She reached up, running her hands through his hair. Disgust welled up at his bad smell and the feel of his greasy hair, but she forced it down. “Xio Li not take all your coins, only a few. Xio Li best pleasure girl.”
He grinned, his teeth brown decaying stumps. “I’ve been down by the river lots of times looking for you and you weren’t there. I missed you.” He fumbled at her skirt.
Xio Li chuckled, low and husky. “Work in big house as servant. Xio Li not like being servant,” she wet her lips with her tongue, slowly, enticingly. “Not like that work, like to pleasure men. You want pleasure?” She opened the flagon and offered him the wine. “No one around, we alone,” she urged. “We have good time.”
He grabbed the wine and drank a large draught, wine dripping down his chest. Tossing the empty flagon aside, he grabbed Xio Li, his mind only on the expected delights she would provide.
Tanith watched and listened. When she was sure Xio Li had the guard’s full attention, she turned to the boys, “Go! Leave now,” she whispered urgently as she handed them the packets of food and the water skins. “Be careful and return as fast as you can.”
Cyrnon hesitated. “What about you? Voadicia will be looking for you too.”
“Don’t worry about me. Just hurry as fast as you can and bring Kellach back. Fiona’s life depends on that.”
Cyrnan hugged her, and then turned to leave.
“Cyrnan,” she urgently whispered, stopping him, “if I don’t survive, tell Siran my last thoughts were of him.” Tears choked her, so much depended on the boys’ success.
Cyrnan’s eyes flashed his understanding and then they were gone, silently slipping through the herd. Tanith waited, her breath caught in her throat, expecting at any moment for the alarm to be sounded, but nothing happened, Xio Li had done her part well.
Cyrnon worked his way slowly through the herd, searching for Uasail. A few of the horses nickered softly in recognition. His scent was well known to them. A soft nose pushed at his back, Uasail nudged him, expecting the treat that was always there. Cyrnon pulled his head down, scratching behind his ears and blowing into his nostrils, whispering secret words that only Uasail understood.
Turning, he walked quietly through the herd, Uasail following, happy to be with his beloved master. At the edge of the herd, Cyrnon waited. The twins arrived almost immediately, leading their horses, nervously looking behind them. All was quiet, no shouts of alarm. Keeping their pace slow, staying down and allowing the horses to meander along, they worked their way across the open space to the base of the hills.
They stayed to the shadows and below the skyline, stopping at the slightest sound and proceeding only when they were sure it was safe to do so. Hours later, they were finally past the furthest paths of the patrols. Leaping on their horses, they rode hard, toward the eastern settlement, praying that the horses would not falter in the darkness—praying that they would not be too late.
Xio Li collected her coins. He would be suspicious if she did not. She turned to go. “You show Xio Li good time, I not forget you.”
As she expected, he puffed out his chest, preening, sure he was the best she ever had. Pig man, she thought. She walked through the dark, Tanith silently joining her. Together they made their way through the streets, ducking behind cover whenever they encountered strolling guards. Tense and nervous, they worked their way around to the soldiers’ quarters, praying that Durlach would be there.
They had almost reached their destination when a figure stepped out. Tanith froze, her heart racing.
“Where have you been, I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Durlach’s voice came softly.
Tanith’s knees almost collapsed, her relief was so great. “We’ve been looking for you, too. We sent Cyrnon and the twins to find Kellach. Xio Li had to distract the guard to help them get through.”
He led them to his quarters and closed the door, lest anyone know they were there. The soft light of the candles reflected off their faces. Both were pale, and bruises were evident on Xio Li’s face and neck. She had been roughly used.
Durlach reached out, tracing the bruises. “Who did this to you?”
Xio Li jerked away. “Not matter. Only Fiona matter.”
He would not push it, but it would be easy to figure out who it was and punish the offender. He would see to that.
Tanith looked ready to drop and he led her to a chair. “Tell me what has happened, why did you send for Kellach.”
Tanith drew a deep breath and let it out. “Voadicia has taken Fiona and charged her with the murder of a child. Fiona was trying to save the child but Voadicia refuses to listen. I do not know what the others’ supposed crimes are, but you can be sure she will try to make them stick. She has rounded up those who openly oppose her and she thinks to prove her worthiness to rule by eliminating them. She decides who is guilty and what the punishment should be. The Council is divided and none are willing to outright oppose her without Kellach’s backing. I fear for Fiona,” her voice broke.
“Where did they take her?”
“I am not sure, but I think they have taken her to the enclosure near the Chieftain’s dwelling. No one is allowed near it. That is all I know.”
Durlach mulled over the matter. It made no sense. Voadicia certainly did not believe she could ever succeed! Although his contacts suggested that Voadicia was beyond control and behaving as one demented.
“If we not get Fiona out, Voadicia will kill her,” Xio Li sobbed. “Someone need to stop Voadicia.”
Forty-Three
Fiona shivered in the chilly night air, a mist forming as she breathed. The prisoners had been denied any blankets or coverings and the women huddled close, trying to stay warm. She was luckier than some, a few only had on their night clothes. Voadicia’s guards had broken into their homes and forced them out, not even allowing them to dress. Some of the faces she recognized from the marketplace, all were frightened and grouped together for comfort.
A few older men also imprisoned with them sat on the edges of the huddled women, intending to protect them if possible from Voadicia’s guards. Earlier, a pot of thin watery gruel had been tossed into the enclosure, their only sustenance thus far. Though tasteless, Fiona forced hers down, needing to keep up her strength. Her eyes roamed the area, searching for possible avenues of escape.
Few guards were posted, but the walls were impossible to climb, the wood smooth on this side with no visible foot or handholds. She must have dozed off when one of the women nudged her awake.
“Someone is asking for you,” she whispered, “over by the wall.”
Fiona slowly edged over, the women moving just enough for her to get through and covering her movements with their bodies.
“I’m here,” she whispered, hoping it was not another of Voadicia’s games.
“We are doing what we can to free you,” Durlach’s voice came softly. “Do not give up hope. We have sent for Kellach.”
A guard threw open the gate and strode in, carrying a torch, “What goes on here? Who are you talking to?” he roared.
One of the younger women stood up. “I am not feeling well. I…I was just trying to get to the bucket. I will try to be more quiet.”
The guard backhanded her across the face hard, knocking her to the ground. “See that you do. I don’t want to come in here again.”
The young woman cowered, holding her cheek, her eyes flashing in the flickering light. One of the older men moved as if to stand up, but the women held him back. The guard sneered at him, daring him to move, then turned and stomped back out, laughing at his inability to fight back. An older woman crept out of the group and pulled the young woman back, holding her close, crooning to her.
At least Durlach was trying t
o help them, Fiona thought, relieved. If we can just survive until Kellach returns.
Durlach crept back the way he came. He had grown up in the settlement and few places were unknown to him and getting close to the enclosure had been a simple matter. The guards were dozing and relaxed, convinced that no one would be foolish enough to attempt to rescue the prisoners. When he was beyond their hearing, he ran back to the soldiers’ quarters. A group of his most trusted soldiers had gathered, waiting for his return. Too few, he thought, but it would have to be enough.
Durlach paced as he spoke. “They have Fiona as well as some of the families of Kellach’s supporters. They appear to be well right now, but we will have to act soon. I don’t think Voadicia will chance waiting, she would have to know that Kellach returns soon.”
Agreeing, they waited for his instructions. “If we attack before daylight, we may be able to free them, there are only a few guards posted at the moment, but if we wait until full light, more will come.”
He didn’t need to say anything more, they rushed to prepare, eager for a fight. All had suffered in some way at the hands of Voadicia’s guards.
Durlach returned to his quarters, hastily gathered his weapons, preparing for battle. Tanith and Xio Li rushed to him as he came in.
“Did you see her?” Tanith grabbed his arm. “Is she well?”
“I spoke to her. I let her know we had sent for Kellach. I could not tell her more, the guards were suspicious and I did not want to attract their attention any further.”
Tanith grabbed her wrap, and started to leave. “I will go to as many of the High Council as I can and plead for their support. If I can persuade enough of them, Voadicia will be forced to stand down.” She turned to go and Xio Li followed. Tanith whirled, facing Durlach. “Do not fail, my friend, or we are lost.”
It would be light in a few short hours. Durlach and his men crept through the settlement, shadows in the night. A few strolling guards, wearing Voadicia’s colors, were quickly dispatched, their bodies hidden from sight. When they reached the prisoners’ cage, Durlach silently motioned for his men to take cover and wait for his signal.
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