by Callie Kanno
He waved a hand. “This is not what I came here to discuss. I want to know why you are following us.”
Idris scowled. “I would think the answer to that obvious.”
Neron raised his eyebrows but didn’t respond. Lenora finally prompted him, “The dagger, Brother.”
“What does the princess of Breen care about gold and jewels?” scoffed Neron. “Go have the royal jewelers make a new one for your friend.”
“It is not that simple,” Lenora told him. “That dagger was special.”
“I assumed as much when we were offered so much for it,” Neron answered unfeelingly.
Idris’s eyes widened. “You have already sold it?”
“Of course,” Neron shrugged. “We never leave a city still carrying the goods we have procured.”
Idris reached out and grabbed Neron’s sleeve. “Who bought it?” he demanded.
Neron shook him off with an expression of irritation. “We do not exchange names, boy.”
“Where did you meet them?” Idris pressed. “What did they look like?”
For a moment it seemed that Neron would refuse to answer his questions, but then Lenora touched her brother’s arm. “Please, Neron. Any information you could give us would be helpful.”
The young man answered reluctantly. “They were strange fellows. They wore matching cloaks, with an insignia embroidered on the cowl.”
The cold hand of dread gripped Idris’s heart. “What insignia?” he asked in a strangled tone.
“A dagger stabbing a snake,” came the dreaded reply.
Idris groaned softly. “The Hunters have the dagger.”
“What should we do?” Lenora asked in an anxious voice.
“I do not know,” Idris admitted. “Perhaps Captain Cowan will have an idea. We need to tell him immediately.”
Lenora’s features took on an uncertain expression. She glanced between Idris and her brother. “Yes…”
“What is wrong?” Idris asked her.
Her face became more decisive. “You go on and tell Captain Cowan what has happened. I will catch up with you later.”
Idris was shaking his head before she had finished talking. “I was told to stay with you.”
“I am not in any danger,” the princess insisted. “I just want to talk with my brother alone.”
“Then I will stand over here while you do so,” Idris said stubbornly, walking a short distance away.
He could feel amusement rolling out from his partisan, which didn’t help with his mood.
Why are you jealous of her brother? Iona asked with an irritating chuckle.
I am not jealous, Idris retorted. I just do not trust him. I would not be surprised if he would be willing to sell his sister for a profit.
I, on the other hand, would find that very surprising, Iona countered. It is clear that he cares deeply about her welfare.
Idris grunted sourly, but decided not to answer. He shifted slightly, listening hard to the quiet conversation between the estranged siblings.
“You could come with us,” Lenora was saying. “We could spend some time together.”
Neron shook his head. “I am never going back to Breen.”
“But I am going to Bunarat for a short visit,” Lenora pointed out. “We would have at least two weeks there.”
“Father would get news that I was with you,” Neron said darkly. “He would send an army to force me home again.”
“We could pretend you are one of my bodyguards,” Lenora suggested weakly. But even Idris knew that wouldn’t work. It was obvious at a glance that they were siblings.
“You could come with me instead,” Neron offered. “We do not have to stay with my companions. We could venture out on our own, just like we talked about when we were young.”
Lenora twisted a lock of her hair over her fingers. Her delicate features were strained with indecision. “Mother and Father really do love you,” she whispered. “They miss you.”
Neron sighed. “I am certain you believe that, but it does not change my decision. If I returned to Breen, I would only become the next in line to uphold the corrupt laws and traditions of the monarchy.”
“You could make changes when you are king,” Lenora insisted.
A sad smile crossed his face. “There are too many people and policies in place to prevent that from ever happening.”
“So, instead you leave me to that fate?” his sister challenged.
Neron took an eager step forward. “No, I am offering you a chance to escape with me.”
“That would undermine the security of the monarchy,” Lenora argued.
Neron waved a careless hand. “There will always be someone willing to take the throne. Even King Nikolas could take over, if no one else was available. Breen will continue on with or without us.”
Lenora slowly shook her head. “I cannot live like that, Neron. I cannot turn my back on our family and our people. They deserve better than that.”
“What about what you deserve?” he countered.
Lenora thought about her words for a moment before answering his question. “I deserve to fight for the changes that Breen needs to see. I deserve to give myself a chance to succeed.”
Idris saw Neron’s eyes fill with respect. A slow smile crept across his face. “When you are queen, little sister, I will come and see that happen.”
“Not before then?” Lenora’s own eyes were filling with tears.
“Not before then,” Neron affirmed.
Idris could hear the stifled sobs of the princess as she leaned into her brother’s arms. He suddenly felt uncomfortable listening to their words of farewell. Idris moved farther off, where he wouldn’t be intruding any longer.
Maybe he is not as bad as I assumed, Idris admitted grudgingly to Iona.
His partisan snorted. You only say that because he is leaving. If he had agreed to join our party, you would still be complaining about him.
I would not, Idris argued.
You cannot keep her to yourself forever, Iona pointed out. In a matter of days we will arrive at the capital, where we will part ways. Do you honestly believe that we will see her again after that?
Idris hated that he wasn’t able to dispute Iona’s words. He glared at the ground, thumping his fists on his thighs. It wasn’t as though he had any real expectations regarding their growing relationship. He understood that she was in direct line for the throne of Breen, while he was little more than a glorified farmer. And even though he had been given a title by King Nikolas, it would mean nothing if he decided to leave Calaris permanently.
Those were the most important facts. Everything else was peripheral to those unchangeable things. It didn’t matter that Lenora saw him for his personal worth, rather than his place in society. It didn’t matter that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. It didn’t matter that she was kind and intelligent and resourceful and determined. It didn’t matter that he was starting to think that he wouldn’t mind sacrificing a few parts of his life in order to be near her…
A few parts? Iona asked sharply. Such as your position as a Royal Guard? Or your right to wield me as a weapon? You think such sacrifices bear no consequence?
Idris could tell that Iona was genuinely angry. He spoke to her in as soothing a tone as he could manage. I would not really give you up, he promised. I know that I have a duty to you and to my king.
How gracious of you, Iona said sarcastically. Thank you, great master, for not REALLY considering tossing me aside for the attention of a pretty girl.
Idris sighed in frustration. He doubted he could make Iona understand. There were some things that were simply impossible for her to experience, so she could never truly appreciate their worth.
Lenora appeared at his side, taking his hand and looking a bit like a lost child. “Let us go,” she whispered.
Idris gave her hand a squeeze, trying to ignore his fluttering heart. “Are you sure you are ready?” he asked gently.
The pr
incess nodded, wiping away her tears. “Yes. There is nothing more to say.”
Chapter Thirty-One: Lonely Road
Captain Cowan had led the group to set up camp in a sheltered gully a safe distance away from the meeting spot. A pit had been dug for a small fire; bedding had been laid out. Yet, no other signs of sleepy restfulness could be found in the camp. Hildar stalked the perimeter like an angry cat, while Aherin paced closer to the fire. Kurag frowned at his hands, rubbing them together with nervous energy. Cowan stood perfectly still, listening carefully to Idris’s report on the meeting with Lenora’s brother.
The captain’s aged face was grim as he considered the new information. “Why would the Hunters want to steal Savion?”
“I would think the answer to that obvious,” Hildar said as she continued her manic circling of the camp. “They want to destroy all items of power, right?”
“Yes, but do they have the means to destroy it?” Cowan pursued. “It is not a simple matter that can be accomplished by regular methods.”
“Perhaps they are trying to gather all the items of power to a single location,” suggested Aherin. “That way they can guard them from being used ever again.”
“Then why did they not try to take my weapon?” Idris pointed out. “Or yours? Or Cowan’s?”
Kurag spoke, his low voice a rumble through the darkness. “The dagger is bait.”
They all turned to look at him. “Bait?” prompted Cowan.
The Forger gestured as he replied. “The Hunters know that we want the dagger, so they are using it to bring us to them.”
“Why?” Aherin asked. “If they know we want the dagger, they must know that our mission fails without it. Is that not enough?”
“If there is a leak in a boat, one must plug the hole before bailing out water,” Kurag explained. “Eliminate the source to prevent further damage. If they can kill all the remaining Forgers, then they know the source of their bane is gone.”
“Either way,” Hildar snapped, “they are forcing a confrontation. So, let us finish this and be done.”
“Maybe we can find a way to get the dagger back through stealth,” suggested Idris.
“Why?” burst Hildar. “What is the point of putting off what is inevitable?”
“No fight is inevitable,” Cowan said softly, but firmly.
Hildar made an impatient noise. “The Hunters will not leave us alone as long as they live. Defeating them has become a necessary part of our mission.”
“We can defeat them without killing them,” Cowan insisted. “As long as we succeed in keeping Kurag safe and reforging Savion, the Hunters will have failed.”
“That is not enough,” Hildar yelled. “They will never leave Kurag in peace, no matter what kind of life he is trying to lead. We took away his sanctuary, and he will never be able to find another one because they will always be following him.”
Idris could see tears forming in her eyes, yet she sounded furious instead of sad. He wasn’t sure which sign to trust. Past experience with his sisters had taught him that assuming the wrong emotion could be disastrous. It would be better to wait until he had a clearer idea of how to react.
Kurag didn’t seem to have the same reservations. He walked over to Hildar and put his arms around her, as if she were a small child. She certainly looked like one when standing next to the part-giant. Hildar leaned her head against him, allowing a sob to escape her lips.
Kurag spoke in a low voice. “You cannot blame yourself for the situation I am in. I could not have hidden in the mountains forever. If anyone is to blame, it is the Order of Tivan. Their willful misunderstanding of Forgers has destroyed many lives. You cannot take responsibility for something like that.”
Hildar nodded, but tears continued to flow down her cheeks. “I know.”
“Well, then,” Kurag said simply, “let us come up with a plan.”
Cowan gave a decisive nod. “Agreed.”
“What can we do?” Lenora asked. “We do not even know where they are hiding.”
Kurag dismissed her concern. “Drawing them out will be simple. After all, their goal is to kill me. If I make my presence known, they will come.”
“What if they do not bring the dagger with them?” Lenora challenged.
“They probably will not,” the Forger acknowledged. “However, Hildar should be able to track her weapon down easily.”
Hildar’s expression firmed. “Yes, I can.”
“So, we will need two groups,” concluded Cowan. “One to distract the majority of the Hunters tracking us, and one to retrieve the dagger.”
“I should go alone,” Hildar stated. “A group would only draw attention.”
“Do not be stupid,” argued Aherin. “Going alone is too dangerous.”
Hildar’s voice grew louder. “They know how many people are in our group. They will be suspicious if only half of us are present.”
“She does have a point,” Kurag said to Cowan.
The captain nodded with a frown. “Yes.”
“Send me alone,” Hildar insisted. “It is our best chance for success.”
“What if you run into trouble?” Idris asked her. “You will have no one to help you.”
Hildar gave him a look which clearly stated she didn’t appreciate his interference. “If I am discovered, then I will have failed my mission. In which case, it will be easier to escape capture if I do not have to worry about anyone but myself.”
All eyes turned to Cowan for a final decision. He rubbed a hand through his grizzled hair, weighing the options in his mind. “Very well,” he said to Hildar. “You will retrieve the dagger on your own.”
“But, sir-” Idris and Aherin both protested.
Cowan raised a hand, cutting them off. “You will use extreme caution,” he warned her. “Your safety is more important than the weapon.”
“Of course, sir,” Hildar readily agreed.
The captain’s expression was as skeptical as Idris felt, but he said no more on that matter. “Our other concern is keeping Princess Lenora safe during this confrontation,” he went on.
“And Kurag,” Lenora added, looking self-conscious.
“I am quite capable of protecting myself,” Kurag said in amusement.
A flash of color washed over Lenora’s face. “I can protect myself as well,” she answered defensively.
“This will be a different situation than anything your training has covered, your highness,” Cowan told her.
“I could stay by her,” Idris offered.
The captain didn’t even consider that option. “No, you will be needed elsewhere.”
“I could create a hiding place for her and the horses,” suggested Kurag. “It would be a sort of curtain of illusion. It would not keep enemies from entering, but as long as she stayed within its boundaries she would be hidden.”
“It would be logical for you to desire to keep me away from unnecessary danger,” Lenora admitted reluctantly. “The Hunters would know that. And if they are keeping a headcount of our group, it could be assumed that Hildar has been tasked with protecting me.”
“It seems to be our best option,” Cowan nodded. “How long would it take to create the hiding place?”
Kurag frowned as he made some quick calculations. “I could be finished by dawn.”
“Very well, get started on that right away,” Cowan ordered.
Kurag left the camp to search for the ideal location. Meanwhile, the captain issued more instructions. “Hildar, I need you to sit and meditate. You need to discover the location of your dagger.”
“I can give you the direction right now,” Hildar replied.
“I know,” Cowan said, “but I need more than a general direction. You need to concentrate, focusing on discovering an exact position.”
“How?” Hildar frowned.
“Deepen your connection with Savion,” he urged. “Reach out to sense his surroundings.”
“What would you like us to do?” Aherin asked eager
ly.
Cowan gave them an appraising glance. “Get some sleep,” he said simply. “You will need it.”
Idris felt his stomach drop. “Sleep?”
Aherin appeared to share his disappointment. “That is it?”
The captain pointed to the bedding that had been laid out. “You will be of more use if you are well rested.”
The two young men exchanged unhappy looks, but they did as they were told. They laid down next to the small fire, while Lenora primly chose bedding opposite to them. Idris knew that he should be tired, but he found that his mind was wide awake.
He reached over to rest a hand on his partisan next to him. What do you think will happen if we cannot retrieve Savion?
I do not know, Iona answered. Hildar may need to simply accept the loss.
Idris frowned at the night sky. There is nothing simple about losing a weapon of power. Hildar’s entire identity is wrapped around being a member of the Royal Guard. If she cannot do that…
Iona made a small noise of amusement. She survived the first fifteen years of her life without being a soldier. I am certain she can adjust.
She hated her life before this, Idris stated.
Then she will have to find something new to give her life meaning, Iona replied solemnly. As do we all when we suffer a loss.
Idris sighed in frustration, but didn’t pursue the conversation. He knew that it really was that simple for the partisan. She didn’t seem to take into consideration the emotional toll that such a loss would have on Hildar. There could be thousands of options for Hildar, but none of them would do any good if she lost the will to try.
Idris tried to sleep, but the best he was able to accomplish was a light doze. His mind was too full to properly relax, and every time he heard Cowan or Hildar speak he would snap awake to listen.
“I did it,” Hildar declared some time near morning. “I know where Savion is being kept.”
“Where?” Cowan’s voice asked urgently.
“Half a league to the north the forest comes to an end and a stretch of grassland begins. The Hunters are camped on a hill beyond the trees, where they will be able to watch for us to emerge.”
“How many Hunters are there?” Cowan inquired.