She was quite sure he knew she couldn’t call out if she wanted to. It felt like air was being forced into her lungs, expanding them painfully. She couldn’t exhale. Her vision slowly went gray as the guard casually conversed with whoever was outside.
Daemon and Egrin watched her all the while, both clearly amused.
Finally, the door shut, and the carriage lurched back into motion.
The pressure filling her lungs and pinning her body eased, and she slumped against the bench with a long, aching exhale. Her pulse slowing, she took another ragged breath. She would have clutched at her burning throat if her hands weren’t bound.
Distantly, she heard more shouts outside, and realized they were exiting the city gates. The milita men outside now made sense.
When her lungs had recovered, she asked, “We’re leaving the city?”
Daemon smirked. “Clearly. We cannot hand you off to the Akkeri where anyone can see.”
She straightened in her seat, still panting. If they didn’t want anyone to see, they would likely not hand her off until dark. She still had time. For what, she did not know.
She stared at Egrin Dinoba, memorizing his face. He might possess frightening magics, but some day, no matter what, she would make him pay.
Alluin
“Your uncle doesn’t want me back there,” Elmerah argued.
They’d almost reached the hideout after barely escaping the militia men breaking down Rissine’s door. Liam had regained consciousness, but had a deep wound on the back of his scalp. Alluin hadn’t noticed it until the blood dripped down onto his tan shirt, and now feared his friend might have more injuries not as readily apparent as the bleeding.
“Alluin!” Elmerah hissed when he didn’t reply. “He doesn’t want me back there. I’ll find somewhere else to recover.” She stopped walking.
Releasing Liam momentarily, he turned and grabbed her wrist, then dragged her forward. “Trust me, if you tell my uncle what you told me, he’ll let you stay.”
“Or he’ll just think I’m working with Rissine. He’ll want to kill me before I can divulge his secrets.”
Baeorn glanced at them both, then continued onward, helping Liam walk.
Elmerah tugged her wrist free of Alluin’s grasp, then put her hands on her hips with a defiant look in her dark eyes.
Truly, Alluin was a little shocked she didn’t want to see the Arthali restored to their former glory, but he believed her when she said she wanted nothing to do with it. Though it was true Ured didn’t want Elmerah in the hideout, his uncle would soon understand just how valuable she could be to the elves.
He sighed. “I’ll give you more Valeroot wine.”
She crossed her arms and pouted. “I already have a new bottle in my pocket. If I go in there, your uncle will take it away from me.”
He swiped his palm across his face, shaking his head. “Of course you do. We need to get you a coat with shallower pockets.”
“I like my coat just fine.”
He sighed again. “Elmerah, we don’t have much choice right now. Your sister will be out looking for you, and now she may very well be looking for me too. We need a place to rest and come up with a plan. You thanked me before for trusting you. Now I need you to trust me.”
She stared at him for several heartbeats. “Fine,” she grumbled, “but your uncle better play nicely.”
He forced a smile and nodded. His uncle Ured didn’t understand the concept of playing nice, but he’d tell Elmerah whatever she wanted to hear if it would get them off the streets, far out of Rissine’s reach.
They started walking forward again, past the scouts atop the roofs at either end of the long alley. They would have signaled had they been followed. For the time being, they were safe, but if what Rissine had said was true, soon no one would be safe.
He had to stop that from happening.
Reaching the house atop the hideout, Alluin knocked on the door. Moments later, an elf named Mariel opened it. Her coloring and hair were light enough to pass for a Faerune elf, though he knew she was pure Valeroot. She gave them both a nod, then welcomed them in, likely forewarned by Baeorn and Liam, who’d gone in ahead of them.
She shut and locked the door behind them, then remained on guard as they ventured further into the house. They didn’t have a chance to venture underground before his uncle found them, Baeorn at his side.
“Uncle,” Alluin began, hoping to keep Ured’s temper under control until he could explain what happened.
His uncle held up a wizened hand. “Our scouts just returned from the city gates. Saida was removed from the castle and placed in a carriage bearing the emperor’s insignia. The emperor and Daemon Saredoth are both with her.”
“Where are they now?” Elmerah demanded, stepping forward.
Ured glared at her. “They left the city, headed down the Emperor’s Path. If you hope to catch her, you must leave now.”
“Uncle,” Alluin began anew, “we found Rissine. The emperor has promised to lift the exile of the Arthali and grant them lands. He’s planning on going to war. As we suspected, Faerune is likely the first target.”
Ured nodded. “Baeorn told me what happened. He can fill me in on the rest.”
“Stop delaying!” Elmerah snapped. “If she’s already on the road, she may soon be lost to us.”
She was right. He knew she was right, but could he leave his people in such danger, especially when Saida was likely lost to him already?
“We’ll go through the tunnels,” he breathed. He turned to Ured. “Uncle, may I?” He didn’t say his full thoughts out loud, lest he anger his uncle further.
Ured nodded, catching his meaning. “You may bring her there, but if she speaks of it to anyone, both of you are dead.”
That was all the permission he needed. He turned to Elmerah. “The tunnels are the fastest way out of the city. From there, I can procure us mounts.”
He didn’t give Elmerah time to complain about the tunnels, instead grabbing her wrist and pulling her along.
“Be careful if you see the emperor!” his uncle called after them. “I’ve long suspected he hides what he truly is!”
He barely heard his uncle’s words. Everything was on the brink of falling apart. If the emperor set his plan in motion, the elves, both Faerune and Valeroot alike, would be the first to fall.
Elmerah
Elmerah liked the dark, damp tunnels even less on her second venture through, given the sojourn was likely all for naught. She knew there was little chance of saving Saida. Rissine had all but won.
Still, if there was any chance of rescuing the girl who’d gotten trapped in her wicked sister’s web, she would do it. In part, because Saida did not deserve to be sold off to monsters like the Akkeri, but also because she had been waiting a very long time to best her sister. She at least had to try.
She heaved a sigh of relief as they reached the final gate leading out to the cave. They’d spoken little on their journey, more focused on hurrying through the tunnels and unlocking gates with only the light of a sole lantern.
They exited to find the sun nearing the horizon. It would make sense for the exchange to happen under the cover of night. They were running out of time.
“We should run,” she panted as they stepped into the dense woods. “If they have to stop and wait for the Akkeri, perhaps we’ll catch them.”
Alluin shook his head. “We won’t catch them on foot. Come this way.” He turned and walked further into the woods, opposite the direction of the Emperor’s Path.
“Are you dense!” she hissed, kicking aside twigs and pine needles as she hurried after him. “You’re going the wrong way.”
He kept walking. “Remember what I said about trusting me? Please, do so.”
She had the urge to tackle him and beat some sense into him, but deep down she didn’t think he’d risked Saida’s life on a whim. Perhaps he really did have a plan.
Once it was clear she would follow, Alluin started jogging. Th
ough her tired limbs protested, she kept pace with him, carefully watching her footing for snarled roots.
She followed him deeper and deeper into the forest, farther than any sane man would go. Trolls could be found if you went too deep, along with Fossegrims and lesser wyrms. Yes, if you went deep enough into the forests of the West, you weren’t likely to return.
Finally, when she thought her feet would carry her no more, a small settlement came into view.
She halted, her knees nearly buckling as she stared.
The log buildings were small and primitive, easily blending in with the dense trees. There was no sense of organization that she could see. The settlement literally seemed to be built into the forest. On one side, animal pens made of five rows of woven together branches contained the seemingly delicate animals within. They weren’t quite horses, though they were similar, just with more slender bodies and necks, long wooly tan fur, and pairs of short, spiraling horns. She’d heard of the antlioch, but had never seen one up close.
“We don’t have time to gawk,” Alluin stated, tugging her forward, “and if you tell anyone of this place, my uncle will have both our heads.”
He dragged her past a few buildings, and the elves that had emerged to stare at them. They seemed to recognize Alluin, but as soon as he passed, they aimed death stares at her.
Normally she’d gladly return a death stare, but there was something about the small settlement that made her instincts scream danger. They were running out of time anyway.
Alluin dropped her wrist and opened the gate to the nearest animal pen, then walked inside. He gestured to two of the creatures, both of which came at his command.
“They’re very well trained,” he explained hurriedly. “Just climb up and guide them with your legs, putting pressure on the opposite side from where you’d like to turn.”
She stared up at the wooly beast before her. They were taller than horses too, and the horns sharp enough to pierce flesh.
She looked at Alluin hesitantly.
He hurried over, lacing his hands together and lowering them for her to step up. “We’re running out of time,” he urged.
He was right. She stepped into his palms, then swung her leg over the animal’s back, nestling herself into the thick wool. It didn’t startle or prance about like a horse might, and instead waited patiently for direction.
Alluin sprung off the fence and onto the second animal’s back, giving it a little tap on its side with his foot. Elmerah’s antlioch followed Alluin’s out of the gate, then back in the direction they’d come.
“Well,” Elmerah muttered, clutching the soft wool, “if I die today, at least I can say I rode an antlioch.”
She gave her animal a tap and it picked up its pace, nearly toppling her from its back, her hood slipping off her head. Remembering Alluin’s words, she righted herself, then put pressure on the antlioch’s left flank. It turned the moment she commanded it.
With a nod of reassurance to her, Alluin clicked his tongue. His antlioch leapt forward, then sped off through the forest, quickly leaving her behind.
With a short prayer to Arcale, she entwined her hands in the creature’s wool, leaned forward, and gave a more aggressive tap.
The antlioch bolted forward, deftly weaving through the trees. Cool wind that would only grow colder as night fell whipped through her long hair. She caught sight of Alluin’s back through the shadowy trees, but as soon as she caught up with him, he clicked his tongue, urging his mount faster. It was all she could do to keep her head down and arms in, trusting the antlioch wouldn’t run into any trees.
As she grew more comfortable, she lifted her head. The cool wind exhilarated her almost as much as the trees whipping by. Though it was nearly dark, they might just make it in time.
Saida
Saida’s guard dragged her out of the carriage and onto the sand of the small inlet. Not expecting the carriage to be so close to the sand, she lost her footing, tangling her legs in her long ruby gown. The tall guard held her aloft by his grip on her arm, tugging her bound hands painfully behind her back.
Daemon stepped out of the carriage next, offering the guard a glare. “Now, now, don’t damage our little princess. Save that for the Akkeri.”
Still holding Saida aloft, the guard offered Daemon a bow of his head.
The emperor stepped out of the carriage onto the sand, heedless of his fine suede boots. He turned his pale gaze out toward the sea. “There,” he pointed.
Pushing against the guard’s grip to right herself, Saida peered out across the slowly darkening ocean. She wasn’t even sure how the emperor had spotted the small ship so quickly. The wood planks were dark and the un-furled sail black, blending in with the coming night. Her elven eyes picked it out easily now that she’d spotted it, but a human should have had difficulty.
“They’ll send a boat in to fetch you,” Egrin explained as he turned toward her, “I thank you for your contribution to building an even greater Empire.”
She spit on his suede boots.
She expected a backhand, but no violent gesture came. Egrin only laughed. “It really is such a pity. Let us enjoy the evening while we can.” He walked toward the distant surf.
The guard shoved her in the direction the emperor had gone and she stumbled forward. She had to do something. If she was brought to the Akkeri ship, there would be no escape.
As if sensing her thoughts, Damon stepped up beside her.
At least the emperor’s back was to her. If she could knock down her guard, and slip away from Daemon, she might just—
“Do you think your parents know where you are?” Daemon asked suddenly.
She stopped walking. “What does that matter to you?”
He shrugged. “Simply curious what the Faerune elves would do if they knew we not only held you captive, but gave you to the Akkeri. They do not desire war, but would they throw out their ideals to avenge you?”
She blinked at him. She honestly did not know. Her parents loved her, that was true, but since the exile of the Arthali and Akkeri, they’d known peace. They would be reluctant to go against the Empire, even for such a grave offense. In the end though, she believed they would.
“How should I know?” she sighed.
She actually hoped her parents never found out what had happened to her. Faerune was likely an even match for the militia of the Capital, but still, many lives would be lost. She would not wish her kin to risk themselves, especially if she was already dead . . . which she likely would be before night’s end.
Daemon smirked. “I think you do know. I think they would come running for you. They would fight, not knowing what allies Egrin has acquired, and they would die.”
She stifled a shiver. “Yet, you have kept my capture a secret.”
He shrugged and began walking again, causing her guard to shove her forward. “Yes, it is more important to let the people of Galterra believe more Akkeri attacks are imminent.”
He said the last with an air of longing. Did he truly wish to go to war with Faerune?
Her moment of speculation ended abruptly at the sight of a small rowboat cresting the choppy waters halfway between the ship and the coast. Four Akkeri manned the boat, their pallid skin clear to her superior night vision. As she watched them, the last sliver of sunlight winked out of existence.
She shivered, knowing she might not see the sun again in this lifetime.
Egrin turned as they approached, aiming a wicked smile her way. Then suddenly, the smile faltered. Unable to turn around with the guard holding her arm, she craned her neck behind them.
The carriage was right where they’d left it, but the two extra guards were gone.
Daemon grabbed Saida’s arm, tugging her toward him. “Go see where they went,” he ordered the remaining guard.
He nodded, then turned and trotted toward the carriage, his hand on the sword at his belt.
Her heart in her throat, Saida watched as the guard circled the carriage. He made it to
the far side. There was a low grunt, low enough that she wasn’t sure the emperor and Daemon would have heard it over the pounding surf. Moments ticked by, but the guard did not finish his walk around the carriage.
“Keep her here,” the emperor ordered.
Saida’s shoulders slumped. She did not understand what had happened to the guards, but she’d hoped Daemon would go next, to perhaps be eaten by a beast or snatched by a Fossegrim. With Egrin going, he’d surely best whatever awaited him.
Of course, she might be able to at least escape Daemon while Egrin was preoccupied. If she could make it across the Emperor’s Path and into the forest beyond, she might be able to hide until morning.
Egrin reached the carriage, walking around it just as the guard had, only he reached the other side. His brow furrowed, he walked back around the front and opened the door. All three guards were piled up inside the dark interior. Whether unconscious or dead, she could not tell.
She glanced at Daemon, wondering if he could see the guards as well as she, but his gaze remained on the carriage. She turned back just in time to see Egrin narrowly avoiding a rock sailing through the darkness right for his head. With a snarl, he charged toward the lush vegetation likely concealing his attacker.
Sensing her chance, Saida tugged away from Daemon. She’d meant to aim her foot at his face, but she had too much momentum, and fell on her rump in the soft sand.
Daemon moved to grab her, but another rock sailed through the air from the opposite direction of the first, knocking him in the back of the skull.
In a wave of blond hair he fell beside her. Still somehow conscious, he scrambled to his feet, facing the direction from which the rock had come.
A male figure now stood further down the beach, his features obscured by a cowl and the night. Saida knew it was too strong a coincidence, but she almost thought it might be Alluin.
It took Daemon a moment to spot him in the darkness, then he drew his rapier and took on a defensive stance in front of her.
The Witch of Shadowmarsh (The Moonstone Chronicles Book 1) Page 13