The horse snorted and neighed nervously. Falyn placed a calming hand on its neck. “It’s all right,” she cajoled. “We’ll be there soon.” But in truth she was beginning to lose faith that she would ever find the turnoff.
The lantern, now lit, sent out an orb of light, bathing the fog in eerie shades of green. Falyn's hands began to tremble. Courage, girl, she told herself. A pair of glowing eyes blinked at her from the shadows. She jumped and thrust out the lantern toward them, but they vanished into the darkness.
Falyn pushed her shaking legs forward, but she soon realized she was hopelessly lost. It seemed as if she had been traveling for hours—had she missed the fork? She glanced behind her, not sure what she should do. Should she retrace her steps, or continue in the direction she was heading?
Suddenly a sound screeched through the trees. Falyn froze, her eyes darting back and forth. She lifted the lantern just as a large, shadowy form rushed past.
“Who—who’s there?” Falyn asked. But she was met by only silence.
“I—I’m looking for the homestead of Haskel of the Aerie clan,” she continued, praying she was addressing a clansman and not something far worse. “Could you tell me how to get there?” She paused and listened, but again there was no response. She continued to study the spot where she was sure she had seen the shadow, but she saw no further movement. Determined her mind was playing tricks, Falyn took a step, but then a dark shape emerged onto the road.
Falyn drew a startled breath. Whatever was standing before her was beyond the reach of the light, but judging by its silhouette, it appeared to at least be human. “Please, sir,” she said. “I need help. I must reach the clan lands.”
The figure did not say a word, but cocked its head as if studying her.
Falyn felt panic stir in her breast, but she dared not let on. “Very well,” she said, forcing composure into her voice. “If you cannot help me, I will be on my way.”
The stranger made a bizarre noise, like a deep primitive rumble in the depths of its throat. Was he toying with her? she wondered. Her annoyance flared. Well, if that was the case, she had no time for games.
Falyn jerked the horse’s reins, intent on heading in the opposite direction, but before she had taken two steps, the man leapt in front of her, quick as a cat.
The stranger’s features were now strikingly clear in the orb of the lantern. Falyn took a startled step back. The stranger was like no creature she had ever seen, nor could have imagined. He was a young man, tall and muscular, with thick black hair spiked around his head. His eyes were dark and outlined in lines of kohl that continued down the sides of his nose, making him look more feral than human. His lips were painted black, and the leathers that clung to his barely clad body were beaded with claws and animal teeth.
The cat-like man looked her up and down, then reached out and fingered her hair. Falyn’s insides clenched as she realized what he probably meant to do with her. But then he flashed her a smile so warm, it was clear he meant her no harm.
A crash sounded through the brush as three more men dressed in similar attire stepped into the light. Falyn’s eyes darted amongst them, realizing their expressions held none of the kindness of that of the first. “Do—do you know where I might find H-Haskel of the Aerie clan?” she managed.
One of the men, an older one, argued with the first, but the words he spoke were not a language Falyn had ever heard. Voices soon escalated as the other two men joined in the fray, and it was not long before Falyn realized she did not need to understand their words, their tones were clear enough: They were arguing over her.
The young man stepped between her and the others, hissing as if daring them to step closer to the girl now quailing at his back. Three pairs of eyes glowered at him in response. One of the men approached him but was met with a shove and a flash of blade.
Falyn retreated slowly. Blade or no, the young man now protecting her was outnumbered and likely to lose.
In a moment of quick thinking, she threw the lantern to the ground, smashing the glass and sending oil into the dirt. The oil flared for a moment, catching the men off guard. As they leapt from the reach of shattered glass and sputtering flames, Falyn flew onto the horse and kicked in her heels. Screams from the men ensued, followed by hands grappling at her skirts. She thrust out a foot, knocking one of them down, then swept past the rest, daring not a glance back. She plunged the horse into the darkness, not knowing whether she was still on the road or lumbering into the forest. But at this point she did not care. All she knew was that she had to get away from the cat-men, and quickly.
She had not gone far when the horse skidded and lurched, nearly throwing her from the saddle. Before her, a huge shape was rising from the shadows. The horse whinnied and struggled to retreat, but its legs were tangled in a snare of briars, and all it could do was twist in a heightened state of frenzy. Falyn yanked the reins and kicked in her heels, but it did no good. The horse was thoroughly trapped.
The horse screamed and reared on its hind legs. Falyn clung desperately to its back, but a sudden wrench sent her sailing through the air. She hit the ground with a thud, ramming her spine and jarring her skull. She would have groaned had there been an ounce of air left in her lungs.
Fighting for breath, Falyn felt herself lifted from the ground. A bristle of coarse fur tickled her cheek as two massive arms held her against a rock-hard chest. She clawed against the brute with all her might, but swirling darkness was sapping her strength.
This is the end, she thought weakly. I am about to die. Oh…Dayn…Dayn…
The last thing she heard before she plunged into oblivion was a deep timbre voice.
“Now whatcha be doin’ out on a night like this, lass?” it said. “Tis naw safe for a girl such as y’self ye know.”
****
The thud of boot steps sounded on Haskel’s porch, sending its inhabitants scrambling toward the door. Alicine swung it open. “Did you find him?” she cried.
Brenainn shouldered his way in, Falyn draped in his arms, and made his way to the nearest bed. “Naw, but I did find this,” he said, laying the unconscious girl onto the mattress. “She was in a real tizzy. Don’ know what she was doin’ out there in the middle o’ the night, but—”
“Was Dayn with her?” Alicine asked anxiously.
Brenainn shook his head. “Saw no sign of ‘em. But never ye worry. There’s plenty o’ men still lookin’ fer ‘em.”
Morna began to wring her hands. “Oh why didn’t we realize he was missing sooner?”
Vania put an arm around her shoulders. “Now, dear, ye know the boys often come in after dark when the huntin’s good. He probably lost track o’ time and decided to camp somewhere. He’ll be fine, ye’ll see, and probably cartin’ plenty o’ game with him when he returns.”
Alicine stepped to the bed and frowned down at Falyn. She knew as well as Vania did that Dayn’s absence was not due to a successful hunt.
“Wake her,” Alicine said. “She’ll know where Dayn is.”
“Do you think she does?” Morna asked.
“Why else would she be here?” Alicine said. “She and Dayn were obviously planning to meet.”
Morna’s lips compressed. “He was strictly forbidden to see her,” she said firmly. “I seriously doubt he would—”
“Oh, Mother. Do open your eyes,” Alicine said. “Of course he would.” Alicine shook Falyn’s shoulder roughly. “Falyn. Wake up, do ye hear?”
Vania rushed over with a damp cloth. “Gentle, now. She might be bad hurt.”
“She’s going to be worse than that when I get through with her,” Alicine said. She shook her again.
Vania brushed Alicine aside and pressed the cloth to Falyn’s brow. The girl moaned and reached a hand to her head, then sat up with a start. “Wha—where—”
“Where’s Dayn,” Alicine demanded.
Falyn’s eyes darted around, resting momentarily on the concerned faces staring down at her from around the bed. “Dayn,�
�� she whispered. “Dayn!” She leapt from the bed, swaying on her feet. Brenainn grabbed her by the shoulders, attempting to steady her. One look at his burly face and she screeched in terror. “You—you—”
“Rescued yer tail is what I did. Now tell us, lass. Do ye know where Dayn is?”
Falyn blinked, seeming to realize she was safe, at least for the time being.
Alicine yanked Falyn from Brenainn’s hold and spun the girl to face her. “Where’s my brother,” she said.
Falyn burst into tears. “He’s in Kiradyn. He was taken by the Vestry.”
“Taken?” voices cried.
The front door suddenly burst open and Haskel stormed in. “I got word ye found an injured girl in the woods,” he said. Then his eyes fell on Falyn. “By the Maker—”
Falyn ran toward him. “Please. You have to help Dayn!”
“Help him? Aye I’ll help him—to a good whippin’,” Haskel growled.
“No—please—you don’t understand,” Falyn said. “My father—he and the Vestry took him—Dayn’s to be executed at high sun!”
Morna screamed, then collapsed onto the bed. She covered her face with her hands and began to sob. Vania and Alicine rushed forward.
Haskel’s face went gray. “Executed?”
“Yes. Please,” Falyn begged. “He’s to be burned at the stake. You have to—”
“I’ll gather the men,” Brenainn said, marching for the door. “I’ll have me Lorcan’s head I will!”
“I’m coming, too!” Alicine said.
“No. Ye’ll stay here with your mother,” Haskel ordered. He headed to a nearby trunk and threw back the lid, then lifted out a dirk wrapped in a sheath of dark leather. After securing it at his waist, he hurried to the door.
Alicine grabbed her coat. “I said I’m coming!” she said, and marched after him.
“You’ll do no such thing,” Vania said.
“I will! And you can’t stop me!”
Haskel wheeled to face her. “Now you listen to me—”
“No, you listen to me. I have something that can prove Dayn’s innocence!” Alicine rushed to the trinket box she kept under her bed and pulled out the amethyst brooch she had hidden there. She dashed back to Haskel and thrust it under his nose. “This is evidence that Tearia exists,” she said. “When the Vestry sees it, they’ll have to believe us.”
Haskel’s eyes widened. Never had a jewel the size of this one been seen in Kirador, and certainly not one with this quality of craftsmanship. Perhaps the ornament would prove Tearia existed, perhaps not, but knowing Lorcan, it might at least serve as a bribe.
“All right,” Haskel said. “But I’ll be the one takin' it to the Vestry, not you.”
He reached for it, but Alicine slipped it down the front of her dress. “Take it from me then, if you dare,” she said.
Haskel stammered for a moment, then hissed, “Fool girl. Very well, if ye insist on goin’…”
“No!” Morna cried. She sprang from the bed.
“Husband, no,” Vania said. “Ye can’t let the child go. If ye don’t make it in time, there’s no tellin’ what she might see. Are ye willin’ to risk that?”
“It’s a risk I’ll have to take. Lorcan might agree to take the jewel as a bribe, but without her tellin’ him and the Vestry all she knows about Tearia, they’ll be back after Dayn in a heartbeat.”
He turned his eyes to Alicine, and for the first time Alicine saw fear there. “Ye understand what your aunt is sayin’, don’t ye?” Haskel said grimly.
Alicine set her jaw. “I do.”
“All right then. Let’s go.”
They headed out the door. A host of clansmen, including Peadar, Brenainn, and at least fifty more, were waiting for them. All were armed with knives and swords and an assortment of fighting gear. Haskel leapt onto his horse and swept Alicine into the saddle behind him. With a war-like cry the posse exploded from the scene, leaving Vania, Morna, and Falyn trembling in the doorway.
Back to ToC
Chapter 38: Demon on the Mountain
Reiv awoke, surprised to discover the rain had stopped and the morning sun was beginning to glow behind the trees. He yawned and blinked his eyes awake, then groaned. Why had he allowed himself to sleep so long? he lamented. Rain or no rain, he should have covered more distance the day before.
He rolled out from beneath the overhang and staggered to his feet. His bones ached from the cold, and his joints were stiff from the bitter ground he’d slept on. Clutching his cloak around his shoulders, he surveyed his surroundings. The landscape was draped in morning shades of green and gold, and the damp, earthy forest smelled pungent and sweet. Reiv pulled the air through his nostrils, then released it with a sigh. He had to admit, it was beautiful on this side of the mountains. If only it wasn’t so blasted cold.
He stepped toward a nearby bush to relieve his bladder, then turned to gaze toward the sky. The sun was low on the eastern horizon, he realized. At least the day was still young. The storm may have cost him time, but there was no sense heading off with frozen fingers and an empty belly.
He ducked beneath the overhang and opened his satchel. From within it he pulled out a snare, some flint, and a pouch of rags. The rags were greased with animal fat, a trick Gair had taught him, and would at least get a small fire started if little dry kindling could be found.
From the nearby tree where she was tethered, Gitta neighed with annoyance. Reiv worked his way to her and released the reins. “Thirsty, girl?” he said as he led her toward a stream that could be heard nearby. Down the slope, not far from where he had slept, Reiv found the rain-swollen creek. It was moving fast, splashing noisily over sand bars and mossy rocks, but did not appear deep. He led Gitta along its shore, looking for a spot where the currents ran gently, until at last he found a place that would suffice.
Reiv let go his hold on the reins. He stripped off his gloves, then squatted beside the horse as she drank. Cupping his hands toward the water, he noticed his own reflection staring back at him. The sight of it caught him off guard. Though he recognized his own violet eyes staring back at him, that was about the only thing he did recognize. His hair was a wild, disorderly mess, and his face was streaked with dirt. He scowled. “Is this how you would go meeting Alicine after all this time?” he muttered. But then he realized: What did it matter? Alicine was no longer his to impress. He had already given himself to Jensa.
He dipped his hands into the stream, obliterating his reflection, and took a drink. After several more sips, he brought one last handful to his face and scrubbed it clean. He ran his fingers through his tangled hair, but without a comb there was little more he could do with it. For a moment he thought to bind it at his back like he used to, but he knew it would be much warmer draped across his shoulders and down his back, and so he left it to hang there.
Reiv straightened up and reached for the horse’s reins, but the sudden snap of a branch stopped him short. Heat coursed through his veins as he quickly scanned the landscape. But he saw no sign of danger. He slanted his eyes toward Gitta and realized her gaze was equally focused. Clearly he was not the only one on alert.
****
Eyan crouched, well-hidden by a thick hedge of forest foliage. His tunic was of a similar green, the perfect camouflage, and the soles of his deer-skin boots were well-suited for stalking. Unfortunately, they’d just snapped a branch so loudly, his presence had been shouted from one end of the mountain range to the other. Eyan gritted his teeth, praying his prey had not bolted on account of it.
He had left home pre-dawn to search for Dayn. No one in the household had realized Dayn was missing until well past midnight, something even Eyan felt guilty for. Since beginning his search, he had visited every location the two of them had ever hunted together, but there was still no sign of him.
As Eyan crouched in the shrubbery, he held his bow and arrow ready. Though he had not left home with the intention of hunting game, there was no sense in letting an opportunity pass. M
oments before, he had spotted what appeared to be a fox near the stream, and though a fox would not make good eating, it would certainly provide a fine pelt.
Eyan crept cautiously toward the flash of red he had spotted on the opposite bank of the stream. As he drew closer, he realized the creature, though still barely visible, was much larger than a fox. He also realized there was more brown to its coat than red. A buck perhaps? Eyan's mouth watered. He had not come across one of those in months. Now that would be a catch!
He notched the arrow and eased through the branches. As the leaves parted before him, he took aim, prepared to fire the instant the animal was clearly in his sights. Nearly there, he whispered to himself. Steady now.
He took a step closer, keeping his eyes trained on the far bank of the stream. With arrow notched, he pushed aside the last branch and prepared to shoot, but in that instant he realized the animal was no buck. It was a horse, and next to it was—
A creature that looked barely human rose to face him, its glowing eyes turned in Eyan’s direction. A beam of sunlight broke through the trees, igniting its hair into fiery tendrils of red.
Eyan took a startled step back. It could be only one thing—demon!
The beast moved toward him, its clawed hand extended. “Wait,” it growled.
But Eyan did not wait. The moment the creature spoke, Eyan felt the arrow leave his bow and sail through the air. It hit its mark and the demon tumbled, and Eyan, horrified, turned and crashed through the woods in the opposite direction.
****
Eyan slammed open the door and tore into the house. “Demon!” he screamed. “There—there’s a demon in the woods!” Vania and Morna leapt up from their places at the table. Beside them Falyn rose, gasping at the sight of the young man who had just exploded into the room.
Eyan gawked in Falyn’s direction. “Wha—what’s she—”
Vania rushed toward him. “What? A demon? Where!”
Eyan swung his attention from Falyn to his mother. He gulped a breath into his rasping lungs. “In—in the woods, near the stream. I shot it.”
Souls of Aredyrah 3 - The Taking of the Dawn Page 35