Edric looked surprisingly composed. She hated how attracted to him she felt, admiring the confidence in his posture which had always struck her from the moment they first met. He had a way of looking perfectly collected even in moments when she knew he was filled with uncertainty. His eyes remained straight ahead, never once straying to where she stood, unable to divert her gaze. Oh, how pathetic she must look! And to think it was she who went to him and claimed to feel nothing when here she stood, desperate for just a single glance so that she could see him look in her eyes one last time. But he wouldn’t. He would never touch her again and it was all her fault.
It came as no surprise that Edric moved to stand on Callum’s opposite side, placing more distance between himself and Neomi as Enapo began his report. Thankfully her earlier distress helped to hide the real reason for her discomfort while in the presence of her father. Edric was the perfect image of calm. Her father and brother would never suspect there to be anything between the two of them unless she faltered worse than she already was. How am I going to get through this? Her head was swimming and nothing she did could get it under control.
“We found Ilaka mostly evacuated. The Ythes appear to be receding further west in attempts to distance themselves from the areas which have become prone to attacks by the Avaern. The few of their people we managed to speak with were unwilling to provide information while others reacted violently to our presence. We expected this but I thought it would be easier to convince them to assist now that the Ythes have become aware of the danger they are in as well. They cannot defeat the beast by themselves. They have no choice but to join us eventually or they will all perish.”
“Good riddance to them, then,” Onuric scoffed. “We don’t need their assistance. All we need is the information which has been kept from the journals.”
“It’s possible not all of the Ythes are aware of those details,” Callum pondered, nodding to Onuric respectfully. “If the Avaern has been guarded by the Ythes in Isavo all these years, it is most likely that the people of Isavo were the ones who held that knowledge. The issue then would be trying to locate survivors. From the sounds of things Emakai’s closest followers have been eradicated prior to our discovering their importance.”
“Those who remain are cowards and have gone into hiding. Luring them out won’t be easy,” Enapo nodded. “They are not going to look past the animosity we have shown them over the past year and hunting them would be next to impossible. Their numbers are small and they are skilled in defense.”
“What if the Chief offered some type of truce? If they come forward with the information, he has the power to rescind the charges placed against them. An alliance is not altogether impossible.”
Neomi’s foggy eyes came to rest on Callum as he spoke. She admired the faith he had in their chances of victory. It was unlikely that her father would ever agree to such a trick. He would rather see the Ythes killed for their treachery than accept them into his arms as loyal followers once again. They didn’t deserve forgiveness. It was because of them that this beast was loose. If they had done what was asked of them all those years ago, the Avaern would have been dead, Mevuk would still be alive, and she wouldn’t have been subjected to this torment.
As the men continued their discussion she couldn’t help but feel something nagging at the edges of her mind. There was something they were missing. An important detail being overlooked by everyone. But what? She couldn’t grasp it through the haze of her thoughts. Lifting her hand to her head she tried to steady the chaos, images floating across her vision, none of them making sense. The men were talking about trying to find one of Emakai’s followers. Planning a hunt to search them out of hiding. That was it! They knew where one of his men was. He had been locked up in the Nahedu prison since the night of Mevuk’s death.
“Naphul.” The name fell from her lips, drawing the attention of everyone in the room with the simplicity in which she spoke. He had been the one to provide the name of Emakai as their enemy. What was to say that he didn’t hold some other important details which would lead them to the answers they sought?
“What about him?” Okivra peered at her, quizzical, seeming displeased with the interruption. “He is useless. We have tried everything to garner information and he has given us nothing. I just don’t have the time to deal with him right now.”
“But he was one of Emakai’s men. One of significant rank, if I am not mistaken. We should try to speak with him again. Maybe time has changed his mind in his willingness to help.”
“That may be so, but time has not changed my mind in the orders I gave for you to stay away from that man,” Okivra cut in, “You are the reason he is imprisoned and the reason his leader was discovered and killed. By now he has even more reason to seek vindication against you than he did before. I will consider the possibility of resuming interrogations but you are to maintain distance. Do you understand?”
“Of course, Father,” she replied, unable to conceal the acid in her tone. She was weary of taking orders. If her father refused to continue questioning the prisoner, she had no intention of following his commands to stay away. She had managed to drag the information from Naphul before. How difficult could it be to accomplish it again?
“Onuric, see a group of warriors prepared to head west and seek out the cowards. We do not have time to spend playing any more games.”
A smile curled at the corners of Onuric’s mouth, pleased with his father’s decision. “I will chase them out of hiding. Who will be left in charge of my men while I am gone? I refuse to let Ewei command anyone in my absence.”
“Let the Vor’shai Captain watch over them. It is about time our people started working together.”
Callum’s brow rose at the mention of commanding the Ovatai warriors, his eyes slowly shifting between Onuric and the Chief. “Are you certain the men would listen to me? I would be no good to the cause if your warriors refuse to follow my orders.”
“The men will follow you,” Enapo stated matter-of-factly, giving no hesitation. “After watching you put Ewei in his place while limited to the use of a single arm, your reputation amongst our people has quickly spread. Though they may not speak of respect in your presence, they will follow you without question.”
“Then it is decided,” Okivra nodded. “Onuric will locate the survivors from Isavo while the rest of us continue to protect Nahedu from further attacks. As soon as we have the information necessary, we will begin plotting an offensive strike to bring down the Avaern. Captain,” he set his eyes on Callum sternly, “meet me at camp in an hour. Once my son has readied his men for departure, I will take you before the others and announce you as their new superior. If there are any complaints, I will see them handled swiftly and appropriately.”
Okivra didn’t give Callum a chance to protest, moving out of the room with Onuric and Enapo on his heels. Neomi’s muscles twitched reflexively, knowing she should follow her father while at the same time she couldn’t bring herself to go. They were wasting time by sending Onuric away if there was any chance the details they required could be pulled from Naphul’s lips. He was one of Emakai’s original followers. How could they not take more of an interest in squeezing him? The strain of battle was wearing thin on her father’s patience. It wasn’t like him to pass up a task merely because it would take significant effort to achieve.
Left in the company of Callum and Edric, she hesitated to speak of her feelings to Moinie yet she suspected Callum might be more easily convinced to take on the challenge than her father. He had proven himself a man of strength. He wouldn’t turn the chance away if she could present the facts in an appealing way. “Captain,” she said calmly, avoiding Edric’s eyes as everyone turned to face her. “I must ask that you consider the possibility of speaking with our prisoner. My father may have ordered me to keep my distance, but he said nothing to imply that you could not conduct an investigation.”
“Neomi, you know that source has long dried up. He will not provide any
thing of use,” Moinie frowned.
Refusing to give up Neomi moved in closer to Callum, praying he would be more amenable to her plight. He looked interested. The glow of his eyes was locked on hers, ignoring Moinie’s attempts to deter the request. “Our men failed in their attempts to obtain information but I was able to convince him to provide the name of his leader prior to requesting your presence in Ethrysta. I suspect you may be better suited in the art of interrogation. The ways of your people are different. He may respond more favorably to you and if he is capable of providing the details we need, it will save us the time that would be wasted in seeking the elusive Ythes. I do not believe you would argue a chance at getting home to your wife a few weeks sooner.”
It was an underhanded means of getting what she wanted. In their time together she had learned enough about Callum to know that his wife was his weakness. Though she hated to use his emotions against him, it was the one thing she had over the Vor’shai that she couldn’t utilize against her own people.
At the mention of his wife she watched his reaction, gauging the expression on his face. There was a slight widening to his eyes, their umber glow brightening for a brief moment as her words reached him, considering the proposition carefully. “You say this man was a follower of Emakai?” he asked. “How close to his leader do you believe he was?”
“I have reason to believe he was a member of significant rank amongst the Ythes in Isavo,” she replied. He was caving. Her plan had worked more efficiently than even she thought it would. “He is stubborn, so it will not be easy to get the information from him, but I have reason to believe it is possible. If I was able to draw the name of his leader so easily, I see no reason why you cannot convince him to elaborate on a point in history which he no doubt considers insignificant. From where he has been kept away, it is likely he has not yet become aware of the Avaern’s return.”
The sound of Edric’s voice reached Neomi’s ears, hearing him speak for the first time since their arrival for the meeting. When she first saw him, she had longed to hear him say something. In hearing the sharpness and bitterness of his tone, she found herself wishing that he had remained silent. “If he is too stubborn, we could always have you offer to sleep with him. Since it wouldn’t mean anything to you, we could use that to our advantage.”
Her face fell at the remark. She deserved it. He had every right to be angry with her, but now was not the place to let his frustration be known. Not in front of the others. Not like this. Her body went rigid, frozen in place from the humiliation that filled her, feeling the blood rush to her cheeks, flushing her face with warmth. After everything spoken between her father and Enapo, Edric’s biting comment did nothing to ease her discomfort. Did everyone think her a whore? Did she possess so little respect that her only use to anyone was her body?
Something about hearing it from Edric’s lips stung worse than the thought of Enapo’s offer. Edric knew her. He was aware that there was more to that night in Isavo than simple seduction. But it was her fault that he denied it now. She was the reason he thought her so heartless and uncaring about who she presented her body to. In that moment she yearned to scream at him and tell him the truth, to make him see how much he hurt her with his spiteful words. Instead, she was left with no choice but to turn around and walk away. If she stayed, it would be impossible to conceal the grief which was quickly rushing to the surface, tears burning in the corners of her eyes once again.
Not wanting to risk him seeing her pain she turned around, making her way toward the door. If no one would heed her request, she would have to interrogate Naphul herself, regardless of the dangers. Naphul could tear her to pieces in the shadows of his cell and she couldn’t help but think it would be a better fate than the hell she subjected herself to in Edric’s company. Without a word she left the others to stare after her, hastening her steps in the direction of the prison, anxious to escape Edric’s watchful eyes so she could once again be alone with her pain.
Edric cringed at the realization of what he said, fighting to hold his tongue from digging himself deeper into the hole he had already plunged into. It was all he could do to keep from running after Neomi as she left the room. He had seen the hurt in her eyes. His words had done more damage than he wanted to admit, knowing it was never his intention to hurt her. At his side Callum turned to face him, displeasure written across his stern features.
“You’re an ass, Edric.”
“I… I didn’t intend for it to sound that way.”
“How exactly did you intend for those words to sound?”
Closing his eyes Edric tried to regain control of his thoughts. He had let his anger get the better of him. Her presence was still too much for him to bear. “I did not… it was not my intention to speak them at all. I don’t know what came over me.”
Frantic, he brought his hands up to his head, holding it tightly between his fingers. What was he going to do? He was letting his personal feelings interfere with business, which was exactly what he had spent so much time promising Cadell and Callum he wouldn’t do. And now he was risking their relationship with the Chief by insulting his daughter. Clinging to his emotions would only cause more trouble. But what could he do? He couldn’t take back the words and there was no guarantee Neomi would give him a chance to apologize. Even if she heard him out, she didn’t seem like the most forgiving type.
Moinie was his only hope. Inhaling a deep breath he turned toward her, praying she would still be willing to help him after the slight he had just afflicted upon her friend. “I need to speak with her,” he stated quietly. There was nothing else to be said.
Lifting her chin Moinie pursed her lips in disdain. He could see in her eyes the things she wanted to say. To put him in his place after his outburst. Edric knew he deserved whatever lecture she might have, but now wasn’t the time for her to scold him. He needed to find Neomi before she was able to get much further away. “I’m not sure that would be a wise idea,” Moinie frowned. “Your behavior does not reflect a mentality which is appropriate for conversation. I think it best you see yourself out of the It’aryn home and back to the camp where you belong.”
“Moinie, you don’t understand,” he pleaded, moving to take a step closer before realizing what he was doing. She stepped away from him, instinct bringing her hand to her hip, clasping defensively over the hilt of her sword. Noticing the motion Edric backed away, raising his hand in defeat. “I know what I did was wrong, but please, you must allow me a chance to make this right. It will do no one any good if she and I are at odds. Grant me five minutes in her company. You can remain with us if you choose, just please… where can I find her?”
Jaw set, she gave no sign of bending to his requests. Her gaze was hardened. Angry. And with good reason. Dismissing his approach, Moinie focused her attention on Callum, stepping forward to address him directly. “Captain, I suspect I know where she is headed. If an interrogation of the Ythes prisoner is as important to her as she implies, no command from her father will keep her from what she has set her mind to. I fear she may be headed to the prison.”
“Can you show us the way?” Callum inquired, glancing over Moinie’s shoulder to where Edric remained standing. Shaking his head he gave a sympathetic nod, settling his gaze on Moinie once again. “I understand your reasons for wanting distance maintained between Neomi and Edric, but I have to ask that you allow them to speak. Once Edric has apologized for his reprehensible behavior, I can conduct the interrogation she requested. But our time is limited. You don’t have to accompany us if you don’t want to; however, we need to know where the cells are located so we can intercept her.”
“Very well,” Moinie grumbled, pushing past Callum toward the door. “Follow me. And move quickly. She is not the type to dawdle.”
Edric’s heart nearly skipped a beat at Moinie’s concession. Looking to Callum anxiously he waited for his friend to start moving, not wanting to appear overzealous in reaching Neomi. It would look better if he could continue to
conduct himself with some amount of respect.
With a disapproving sigh Callum hastened his steps after Moinie, moving out into the hall and down the long corridor to the left. Cautious of the icy surface they tread, Edric was forced to slow his pace, occasionally feeling his feet slip on the slick floor, reaching his hand toward the walls for balance.
The It’aryn home was an incredible structure. In all his years he had never witnessed anything like it, fashioned completely out of layers of snow and ice built up over the years. Each corridor they passed through dug deeper into the ground, uncomfortably narrow in some places where the path turned, creating sharp corners and tight spaces which made it impossible to maintain speed. Edric couldn’t help the claustrophobic sensation which washed over him from time to time, barely fighting the urge to run in the other direction to seek the cool, open air of the village. But he had to keep going. If Neomi was down here, it was worth the discomfort.
He was surprised to discover the walls around them gradually shifting from ice to soil, the smell of earth permeating the air. A thrum of energy coursed through his limbs to feel the natural ground, feeding the internal energy within, rejuvenating him in a way he hadn’t experienced since they first entered the harsh arctic lands. If it wasn’t for the almost unbearable pressure over his body, it might have been a pleasurable place after so long away from home. Instead the darkness was overwhelming, broken only by the gentle light illuminating from Moinie’s slender form up ahead.
At the end of the corridor he watched Moinie kneel, shifting something on the floor. A soft click echoed through the packed tunnel, hinges creaking from under Moinie’s hands where she lifted a heavy trapdoor, letting it fall to the side as she motioned for Callum and Edric to come closer. “The prison cells are down here,” she stated calmly, slipping gracefully through the hole, the glow of her skin disappearing below.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice Page 73