He couldn’t respond. It choked him up to face his brother’s optimism when Edric knew there was no light at the end of the tunnel for him. Falling silent once again he kept his eyes locked straight ahead, watching the confident posture of Onuric in front of them, leading them across the icy landscape. He wondered what was going through Onuric’s mind. Did he still think this a wild goose chase? It never ceased to amaze Edric that the Ovatai had agreed to make this journey at all. He couldn’t help feeling there must be something Onuric knew which led him to believe Naphul’s story, although he would never admit to it. Part of Onuric’s so-called charm was his inability to accept what anyone said. He was untrusting. The type of man who preferred to do everything himself… and would eagerly do so if it was possible. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t. He was required to rely on others and it angered him to an extent that made him far less pleasant than the rest of his family.
The sun was beginning to set on the third day of their journey since leaving Nahedu. Edric was anxious for Onuric to give word that it was time to set up camp for the night. He was starting to understand why even the Ovatai chose not to venture so deep into the northern climates. While the Ovatai were better accustomed to deal with the frigid temperatures, it was quickly becoming unbearable for Edric, the thin fabric of his cloak and gloves doing little to provide the warmth necessary for survival. He was grateful that they planned to shift their path westward come morning. Any further north and Edric wasn’t convinced he would live long enough to carry out his plans.
Beside him he noticed Ehren shiver, hugging his arms against his chest to ease the sensation. Edric’s heart went out to him. This was no place for his brother. The cruel climate was too harsh for someone like him. He deserved the happiness and comfort of court back home in Sivaeria. In his heart Edric cursed Cadell’s decision to let him come. Likewise, he understood. It was important for Ehren to learn about the world. He couldn’t live out his days oblivious to the way things were around him. Edric prayed that this would be the only test Ehren had to face during his life.
Onuric’s hand rose, signaling the group to stop, his nose upturned to sniff the air around them, the tips of his ears twitching as if listening for something no one else could hear. He spun around suddenly, taking a few steps back the way they came, inhaling deeply of the bitter cold air. The wind had changed directions. Edric wondered if it brought with it something they should be concerned about. Veswar were said to be native to the northern regions. If they were to find themselves surrounded by those beasts, there would be no escaping their fate.
At the sight of Onuric drawing his sword Edric felt his heart skip, bracing himself for the worst. He saw nothing. There was no sound. What was Onuric sensing? Confused, he spun around to look in the direction Onuric faced, peering into the distance at the emptiness which surrounded them on all sides. Had Onuric lost his mind? Gathering his courage he felt it best to ask than to be caught off guard by whatever threat lay hidden amongst the snow. “Onuric, what it is?”
“Silence,” Onuric hissed, tightening his grip on the sword.
So that was it? He would leave them in the dark without warning of whatever attack he so clearly prepared for? Drawing his own weapon Edric crept to Onuric’s side with cautious steps, not wanting to make too much noise. A fight seemed a welcome event at the moment. The battle would help circulate the blood through his veins which had seemingly frozen within minutes of departing the village.
They stood in silence for a long while before Onuric finally lowered his blade, a deep frown settling over his stern features. The tension in his muscles never eased, remaining on his guard in case of an attack. “We are being followed,” he stated plainly, eyes squinted into the dim light from the setting sun. “Ewei,” he said the name with obvious contempt, “prepare our camp here for the night. I will not continue until we have uncovered our unwanted guest. Prince, you will come with me.”
Edric glanced at him, surprised by the order. Onuric wanted him? It seemed more likely that he would have requested Ewei’s assistance given his often vocalized claims of the Ovatai being more useful than the Vor’shai. Not wanting to risk his ire Edric nodded. He wasn’t about to question Onuric’s decision.
Taking his place beside Onuric they began to scout forward. Edric wasn’t sure what good he was going to be. If their stalker was Ovatai, they could be hidden literally anywhere and Edric would never be able to notice them. They were masters of concealment in the snowy terrain and their physical attributes acted as a natural camouflage to their surroundings. He’d seen how easily Neomi was able to manipulate the snow and ice to hide them from the boeikath. An Ovatai warrior could be lying under the snow at their feet and Edric would never know.
Aware of his faults in the ability to sniff out their target, Edric chose to examine their surroundings in search of something that might be out of place. It was a difficult task for someone who had no knowledge of what would be considered abnormal for the area. He questioned every snow drift and every icy-covered boulder, suspicious of anything that was large enough for a body to be hidden behind. There were so many. The terrain was less even than that of Nahedu, broken by large drifts like dunes, several of which reached to impressive heights, creating a mountainous appearance though Edric knew it was nothing but snow and ice blown and settled over the centuries. Onuric was drawn to the base of one such mountain, lifting his sword toward a drift swirled around the bottom.
They approached it with great care, Onuric directing Edric forward by means of silent hand gestures. Every step they took was precise and thought out. The slightest crunch of their feet in the snow would alert their target to their presence. Stealth was key. They couldn’t give the person a chance to prepare a strike.
When they reached the base Onuric positioned himself in front of the small drift, the tip of his sword pointed directly at the top. Edric brought his blade up, gripped tightly in his hands, ready to attack if Onuric gave the command. In a way it was strange to Edric that Onuric took the care he did. The Ovatai didn’t seem the kind of people to give their enemy any mercy. If Onuric believed someone to be hidden in the drift, Edric expected him to drive the tip of his blade through it without question, uncaring about who the subject was. But something prevented Onuric from doing so. Instead he stayed firm, prepared to take their enemy as a hostage rather than kill them.
Edric felt foolish in the fact that he still found the Ovatai so fascinating after all the time he spent in their company. Their control over the energy was impressive. Almost frightening in many ways. With nothing more than a soft exhale from Onuric the wind around them sent a gust forward, whipping through the air, the drift they monitored dispersing under the strength. To Edric’s amazement he saw the figure of a woman take shape from under the snow. Her back was pressed against the side of the icy mountain, the tip of Onuric’s blade pointed at her throat. Though she looked startled by her sudden revelation, there was no fear in her eyes, staring up at Onuric with a familiar defiance that Edric had witnessed so many times before.
“Neomi!” Onuric said through gritted teeth, the blade of his sword shifting sharply away from the woman and back to his side. “What in the name of Sarhik are you doing here?”
Straightening her posture she brushed the remnants of snow from her clothes, heaving a sigh of irritation at her brother’s question. “You would never have allowed me to come any other way.”
She looked weaker than Edric was used to. Pale and drawn. Speechless, Edric let his eyes look over her figure, immediately aware of the lack of belongings she carried with her. There was no supply pack on her shoulder. Judging by the slight tremble he noticed in her hands, he didn’t believe she had ever had one with her, leaving her with no food or water. Although he was curious to know why she was there, her health was more important than the questions he wanted to ask, stepping in front of Onuric to take her hand before her brother could press her for more details.
“We need to get her some food,” he said
in response to Onuric’s awe-filled gaze at Edric’s forward behavior. It didn’t occur to him until she was already in his arms how it must look to her brother. Now wasn’t the time to worry about it. “Let’s get her back to the others and we can discuss her presence and what to do about it while she eats.”
Neomi stiffened in his grasp, her eyes trailing over to her brother, a flash of what almost looked to be panic brightening their icy blue hue. Pushing Edric’s arms away she averted her gaze to the ground. “I am perfectly fine. My concern was for you both. Onuric,” she eyed him sternly, “why would you bring Ewei with you on this mission? You know he cannot be trusted – with you or with the Prince.”
“The Prince?” Onuric’s brow rose inquisitively. “I was not aware that Ewei had an issue with the Prince.”
“Not aware?” she seemed distracted suddenly, looking between the two men, uncomfortable, her words filled with less confidence than before. “He knows that Edric is the reason his plans were uncovered. This must have crossed your mind at some point when deciding who to bring with you. You were well aware of his feelings toward you, at least.”
“I care little about his feelings toward me. He may desire my death but it does not make me any easier for him to kill, and I have no intention of falling at his hand. Do you truly have such minimal faith in me that you have risked your own life to follow us when you were supposed to remain in Nahedu until your body recuperates from your last failed mission?”
“My reasons for following are my own,” she stated, regaining some of her composure at Onuric’s harsh words. “There is nothing you can do about it now. We are nearly three days from the village and you would not dare send me back alone.”
“I could send the young Prince back with you. He was not supposed to accompany us in the first place.”
“The child?” Neomi scoffed. “What exactly is he going to protect me from? He is not fit to fight by my side if the Ythes choose to attack. Edric would be a more suitable companion if you were going to insist on sending me home.”
Onuric’s eyes trailed over to Edric in disdain. “No,” he shook his head vehemently. “If you think I have not heard the rumors, then you are mistaken. The whole point of our father arranging your marriage with Enapo was to chase away those whispers. Sending you anywhere with that man – alone – will only feed them.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m still here,” Edric announced loudly, sliding his sword into its sheath. He disliked the way the Ovatai tended to discuss him as if he was invisible. Unimportant to the conversation. Where the rumors were concerned, he felt it his business to be involved in what was being said. Many of the whispers originated from Ewei’s lies, no doubt including the wild stories regarding Callum and Moinie.
“I haven’t forgotten. You make yourself stand out by grabbing onto my sister unwontedly. You would do well to keep your hands to yourself from this point forward.”
That was exactly what Edric planned to do. Neomi didn’t seem inclined to accept his touch the way she had while in the prison cell. He tried not to let his anger flare at her dismissal. They were in the company of her brother which placed everything they did under higher scrutiny. Onuric wouldn’t be so open to the idea of their relationship; and with Ewei there, it would only be made worse. Ewei would find every opportunity to bring their fumbles to Onuric’s attention in hopes of proving his stories true.
He couldn’t justify arguing with Onuric. With strained calm he turned toward where they had left the others, uneasy at the thought of having left Ehren alone with Ewei for so long. In truth it had been only a few minutes but when it came to Ewei that was enough time for him to strike. Thankfully, he had no reason to lash out at Ehren. He was the least of a threat to Ewei and injuring him would only bring the wrath of Edric and Onuric upon him. Ewei may be a strong fighter but Edric doubted his ability to take on both him and Onuric at the same time.
When the others came into sight he felt a rush of relief to see Ehren standing there, watchful, staring into the distance for Edric and Onuric’s return. He waved at Edric in greeting, hurrying forward to meet him. “Did you find them?” he asked, stretching his neck to look over Edric’s shoulder. “Was there someone out there?”
“There was,” Edric nodded. He wasn’t sure what to say. A new concern rose in his heart to think of Neomi being in Ewei’s company again. All of his fears stemmed from that man and they kept getting worse as the journey progressed. He was the part of the equation that didn’t add up. Why was he there? No amount of preaching honor would convince Edric that Ewei was trustworthy. There had to be some other reason why he was brought on this mission when it would have been easier to keep him under surveillance while at camp with Callum and the Chief.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he noticed Ehren still staring at him, listening, waiting for him to speak. What was he saying? Had he been talking?
“Who was it, Edric? Was it a Ythes?”
Oh, yes. Their intruder. “No,” he said, distracted. Should he say more when so close to Ewei? He would find out eventually. It would be impossible to keep her arrival a secret once Onuric returned with her. Curious, he glanced over his shoulder, worried about Neomi. Why hadn’t they come back yet? They should have been right behind him. “We must have had a stowaway from the moment we left Nahedu. The Chief ’s daughter is here.”
“Neomi?”
“She is the only daughter Okivra has that I am aware of.”
“We are going to take her back, right?” Ehren looked uncomfortable at the thought of Neomi’s presence. It was curious. Ehren barely knew the woman yet he was wary of having her around. What had he heard about her which made him so apprehensive?
Edric relaxed slightly, his fears distracted by the strange behavior his brother exhibited. His hands fidgeted in front of him, clasping and unclasping, staring up at Edric as if to plead with him not to let Neomi stay. “What is the matter with you?” Edric asked, peering at him quizzically. “Her presence could be beneficial to our cause. I fail to see why you look so unsettled. Has she done something to you that I am not aware of ?”
Ehren’s posture straightened, seeming to notice his odd behavior, bringing his hands to hang straight at his sides. “She hasn’t done anything to me it’s just… I was to the understanding that she and you were not to be around one another. Has this changed?”
“Neomi and I are… complicated,” Edric nodded, unsure of how else to describe them. Their relationship fluctuated so drastically and with so little notice that he couldn’t label them as friends, nor could he say they were enemies. As of the moment, the only thing he knew for sure was that they weren’t what he thought they were in Isavo. “You have no reason to be concerned,” he sighed, patting Ehren on the shoulder in hopes of easing the worry which was so evident on his brother’s face. “Onuric may decide to have her escorted back to Nahedu but it’s unlikely at this point. We are already three days out. It would take another three to see her home and three more to make up the ground we have already covered. That is six days we don’t have.”
From over Ehren’s shoulder Edric could see Ewei coming closer. Instantly Edric fell silent, not wanting him to overhear what was being said. Nothing they spoke of was sensitive in nature, though he disliked the thought of Ewei hearing anything said between them. He would find a way to twist Edric’s words to turn Onuric against him.
“What have you done with Onuric?” he called out, accusatory in his tone, making no attempt to hide his true meaning. Cocking his head to one side Edric looked at him, amused by the question.
“What have I done with him?” Edric asked. “That is a rather loaded question. Do you honestly think I would lay a hand on the Chief ’s son?”
“You had no qualms about laying them on his daughter.”
Edric closed his eyes, inhaling a deep breath to refrain from saying anything heated. Ewei wasn’t worth the effort. “I’m not even going to justify that with a response.”
The smirk
on Ewei’s face did nothing to help Edric’s attempts at maintaining his composure. Ewei considered it a victory that Edric made no move to defend himself against the claim. It was pointless to try. Nothing Edric said would convince him otherwise and he was tired of lying. The truth was best left unspoken and argument was futile without risk of saying something he might regret.
From somewhere behind him Edric heard Onuric’s voice. He was angry. The raised tone with which he spoke indicated his frustration as he lectured Neomi, the words reaching Edric’s ears with perfect clarity. He was disappointed in her. She would be punished for her disobedience when they returned. Neomi said nothing, the conversation run by her brother in his usual overprotective way. Edric couldn’t blame him for being upset. She was placing herself in danger by following them. For almost three days she was out there without anyone knowing. She could have been attacked by the Ythes or any number of wild creatures and no one would have known where she was or that she’d even been in danger. Her lack of food and water was disturbing enough. It indicated that her departure was unexpected. She’d given no thought to packing supplies before the journey. Still, the main question he found himself asking was why. Why did she come after them in such haste?
The possibilities were endless. Unnerving. What if something had happened in Nahedu? The Avaern could have attacked. Oh gods, what if Callum was dead? Stupid. You never should have left him there…
Turning around, he opened his mouth to speak, the words hovering on the tip of his tongue though for some reason he couldn’t get them to come. If Callum had been killed, she would have said something when Onuric asked her why she was there. She wouldn’t keep news of that nature to herself. Not after coming all this way. When questioned she said her reasons were her own. That indicated it to be more personal than the work of a mere messenger though it did nothing to calm his nerves.
As Neomi and Onuric approached, he could feel Neomi’s eyes on him. She was watching him, taking in every detail of his face, aware of the concern written all over it. Quickening her pace she distanced herself from Onuric, his voice growing louder, angrier, shouting for her to come back. He wasn’t done speaking with her. How dare she be so disrespectful. Edric wasn’t hearing any of it. She moved past him, brushing closer than Edric expected, the sound of her whispered voice floating as if on a soft breeze, the words heard by no one other than him. “We will speak later.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice Page 81