To Darkness Fled bok-2

by Jill Williamson

  Run, Sparrow! Achan's brow furrowed, eyes focused on Khai.

  "You think you can control my mind?" Khai panted. "I may not have your strength there, but I have skills you do not." He reached out a hand, palm facing the dark sky. "Rabab rebabah rabah yarad. Ruwach aphar mayim esh, machmad parar."

  Green light sparked in Khai's palm. Realization dumfounded Vrell. Khai was a black knight. All the time, on the journey to Mahanaim. What Jax had called his witchcraft.

  Achan's gaze was so intense he looked pained. Go!

  But she had tarried too long. Khai had triplicated himself. He and his apparitions drew their monstrously long swords. His apparitions advanced on Achan.

  Vrell steeled herself, darted forward, and plunged the knife into the real Khai's back. She shrieked, horrified at what she had done.

  The apparitions vanished.

  Khai wheeled around and stabbed. His sword pierced her side. She felt it enter her flesh, gasped, but the pain didn't come until the Khai withdrew the weapon. Her knees buckled.

  "No!" Achan rushed forward and arrived barely in time to catch her.

  Khai fell to his knees, dropped his sword. Achan carried Vrell around the weasely man, past a long, dark tent. A cramp seized her side. She pressed her hand over it, holding her breath. Achan spoke, but she couldn't understand his muffled, slow voice. Her vision blurred, flashed, her senses reeled.

  Arman, help me.

  She smelled horses. Achan lifted her higher, pressing her against Dove's saddle. Her side screamed at her to fall, to rest, but she reached for the saddlehorn, amazed at the animal's girth.

  Her cheek rubbed against the wooden saddle. She pulled. Her body rose like she weighed nothing. Achan hoisting her up, no doubt.

  She wanted to speak, to beg him to ride with her, but her mind and mouth were not in harmony.

  Dove tossed his head. Vrell dragged her right leg over so that she lay in the saddle, slumped against Dove's white mane. She hugged his neck and, without a word, he galloped away.

  37

  Good boy. Certain the animal wouldn't stop until the Mitspah gate, Achan released Dove's mind then sent word to Sir Gavin that Sparrow was coming.

  "After her!"

  Sir Kenton mounted his black destrier and gave chase. More of Esek's men had arrived. Sir Eagan and Shung now battled four New Kingsguards.

  Achan found the mind of Sir Kenton's horse and asked its help. The animal was more than happy to assist Achan, who promised to feed him all the oats he wanted if he would carry his rider the opposite way. Hopefully Achan would have the chance to make good on his promise.

  "What is he doing?" Esek cried out. "She went the other way, you fool!"

  Achan stepped toward Khai. He should perhaps bind him before helping Sir Eagan and Shung. But Khai lay on the ground, chest barely moving. He wouldn't be alive for long.

  "Fine! I will go after her, then." Esek strode toward the horses. "I can see I have no one else who will serve me."

  Achan cut off his path. "You will let her go."

  Esek withdrew Owr. "Stray, we must work all this out. If you agree to simply die, all will be well."

  "Arman has spoken. I cannot refuse him."

  Esek snorted a laugh. "Arman, indeed. He is the reason I don't rule already. Lord Nathak fears his useless prophecies." Esek circled, Owr gleaming like a star in one hand.

  Three of Esek's men approached, swords ready.

  "No!" Esek said. "This time I will kill him and prove to you all he is not invincible."

  Esek jabbed Owr forward. Achan barely jumped back in time to keep from being stabbed. Esek cleaved from high guard, inviting a horizontal parry from Achan's blade. Their swords clashed, jarring Achan's weary arms all the way to his teeth. Esek came on strong with a series of cuts: side guard, back guard, low guard. He'd been practicing since Achan fought him last. Achan could only parry… parry… parry.

  "I have never seen proof that any god exists," Esek said, swinging for Achan's feet, "let alone one who protects strays."

  Achan jumped back and yelled. He took a deep breath and swung his sword at Esek's neck.

  Esek parried Achan's strike and thrust for Achan's heart.

  Achan sidestepped, spun back and nicked Esek's shoulder.

  Esek yelled and stumbled back, then swung for Achan's arm. Achan parried, but Esek dropped under Achan's parry and nicked Achan's side.

  Achan winced and drew back to middle guard. Esek swung from side guard. Achan moved to parry, but Esek faked, pulled Owr back, and stabbed one armed, slipping his grip to reach farther.

  Owr pierced Achan's left thigh. He roared and snapped his sword down from high guard over Esek's extended arm, wincing as his blade severed Esek's limb above the elbow.

  Esek shrieked and stared at the bleeding stump.

  Achan's trembling arm fell limp at his side. He dropped his sword, horrified. His leg throbbed, hot pain gripping every nerve. Esek collapsed in a heap or red wool. Fainted? Dead?

  "No!" Chora rushed forward and removed his cape. He balled it up and held it to Esek's gushing stump.

  Achan fell back onto his rear and clutched the underside of his thigh. Blood oozed from the dark center of the wound and stained his britches. Panting through his teeth, he reached up his chain shirt and tugged his rope belt free. He pulled it under his leg and tied it above his wound.

  A burning sensation rose from Achan's chest.

  TAKE YOUR SWORD AND GO.

  Achan obeyed. He hefted himself onto his good leg, picked up Eagan's Elk, and limped toward the horses.

  YOUR FATHER'S SWORD.

  Achan wheeled around and reached for Owr. He had to kick Esek's gloved hand off the grip. His father's ring caught his eye, wide and gold against the black leather glove. He dropped both weapons and pulled it from Esek's finger.

  Achan jammed the ring on his thumb, picked up the swords, and staggered back, glancing from the severed arm to Esek and Chora, to the circle of onlookers. "Give up this fight. You cannot resist Arman's will. I don't wish to harm anyone, but continue to attack me and you'll suffer the consequences, no matter how…v-vile. Sir Eagan, Shung, we ride."

  Achan stepped over Khai's body and approached the horses. His wounded leg shook beyond his control and he tried to keep his weight on his good leg. He clipped both swords to the saddlebag on Esek's courser. Shung and Sir Eagan helped him mount the horse, who, compared to Dove, seemed small and bony. Achan spurred the horse away, east, toward Light.

  Sir Gavin, has Sparrow arrived?

  They are just opening the outer portcullis for her now.

  She is wounded. We're on our way.

  Shung and Sir Eagan slowed their horses alongside Achan.

  "How is your leg?" Sir Eagan asked.

  "I've had worse." The light faded fast as they left the camp behind them. "No torch?"

  Sir Eagan pushed a hand though his loose hair. "Didn't think to grab one."

  "Should we be concerned?" Achan had cinched his belt so tightly his leg had numbed. He loosened the knot.

  "I doubt anyone will follow. You defeated their leader."

  Achan pulled the belt free and tied it around his waist, leg tingling with feeling now. "Think he's dead?"

  "Depends on whether they have a healer nearby."

  Achan closed his eyes, still shaken from the sight of Esek's bleeding arm. I'm sorry, Arman.

  But was he? Esek had been trying to kill him, had taken Sparrow. It was the fool's own fault for never wearing armor. Still, Achan could have finished him rather than leave him to suffer such a death.

  When he opened his eyes, the torchlight from Esek's camp had faded. Achan's horse tensed; Achan could feel the anxiety running through the animal. He rubbed the horse's neck, patting him down. In the woods on his left, something rustled. Achan's horse stutter-stepped and turned. Achan held the reins tight, hoping to keep the animal on the road.

  The other horses neighed and stomped their feet. One set of hooves trampled away.
/>   "Whoa!" Sir Eagan called out in the distance. The hoof beats slowed on the dirt.

  What is it? Achan's horse rocked back on his haunches and whinnied.

  Likely a wild animal, Sir Eagan said.

  "Easy, boy." Achan patted the horse's neck and urged him on. "It's just some deer."

  The rustling increased. The courser whinnied, trying to turn back. Achan held fast to the saddle horn and fought to keep his balance. His left leg proved useless to steady him. Maybe Esek had trained the animal and it knew it belonged elsewhere. Achan connected with the animal's mind. Fear overwhelmed him. He thought calming thoughts, hoping to somehow evoke Sir Eagan's gift of calming emotions.

  But the horse continued to panic. Achan's heart thudded, unsure of what might spook a horse so.

  The Darkness lifted suddenly to a dim twilight. Evenwall mist coated Achan's face. He had never been so relieved to enter this place. Shung rode just ahead on the right edge of the road, almost in the brush. Achan could see Sir Eagan stopped up ahead, looking back, his horse sideways on the road.

  "You are well?"

  "I'm fi-"

  Something slammed into the side of his horse, knocking Achan into a pine tree. The sharp limbs snapped against his chain coat as he fell through branches to the fern-covered ground, landing on his back. Orange light flashed on the road. A terrible roar stifled the horses' whinnying. Achan scooted back on his elbows and right foot, dragging his sore leg.

  Sir Eagan's panicked voice burst in Achan's mind. Your Highness! Where are you?

  Achan paused under a patch of charcoal sky. He could see the dark shapes of Esek's half-downed, half-bucking horse and a massive animal. I'm okay. I'm in the woods. Another sudden burst of orange flame caused the horse to utter an unnatural scream and illuminated the beast. Achan lost his breath.

  Arman help him. It was a cham bear, and his swords were with the horse.

  Shung cannot connect with its mind.

  Can you, Sir Eagan? Can you calm it? Achan asked.

  A moment of silence passed. Achan squinted at the scene on the road. The cham roared again, ears flat, eyes flashing in its own orange fire. It seemed intimidated by the bucking horse, though Achan could see the large gash in the horse's side. It smelled oddly like roasted venison.

  Sir Eagan finally answered. Someone controls it.

  What? Who?

  I know not, but its mind is shielded. An animal cannot do that.

  Achan's shaking arms gave way, elbows bucking. He picked himself back up and stared at the road. The cham's dark eyes focused his way. Bile snaked its way up his throat. His movement had gained the cham's attention.

  The beast crept toward him, illuminated in a flash of twilight between the trees. It was the size of a bull, shaggy, with matted, brown fur. Its paws looked as big as Achan's head.

  He reached out, felt the shields around the cham's mind, and pushed past them.

  Hello, Yer Majesty. Yer not the only one who can master an animal's mind, Atul said.

  Achan withdrew, concerned Atul might be able to storm him. Atul controls it. Should I run? Climb a tree?

  No! Shung's deep voice resounded. Stay still. Curl into ball. Back facing the beast. We hunt it.

  Achan rolled to his side, wounded leg down, and tucked his head, thankful Shung, the cham hunter, was here. He held his breath, listening, praying the animal would bound past, into the woods, after a deer or fox, some more common meal, though he knew deep down that the cham would obey Atul.

  He gagged at the smell of sweaty fur and dung. Hot breath wafted over his neck as teeth sank around his right shoulder. Multiple throbs pierced through the chain armor as the cham clenched down and dragged Achan's left side over roots and thorny bushes. His whole body burned from within, but he stayed still, hoping compliance would at least keep the cham from charring him with a burst of flame.

  His chain coat snagged. The cham jerked its head. When Achan's body didn't budge, the cham tugged again. Achan's mind got lost in the blinding pain. A man screamed. Or had that been him?

  Sir Gavin's voice came first. Achan, what's happening?

  Be closing your mind, boy! Inko said.

  Who are you?

  You're hurting me. Please close your mind.

  Dear one, a kind woman said, you must shield yourself.

  Your Majesty, you must relax. Sir Eagan sent his calm and the pain faded some. We are right behind it.

  Shield yourself, eh Pacey? Kurtz said.

  The cham let go. A roar vibrated Achan's eardrums. Orange light flashed. Shung screamed. A sword entered flesh. Something thumped. Branches cracked. A man grunted.

  Sir Eagan? What happened? Shung?

  Somewhere behind Achan, Shung groaned.

  The cham bit Achan's shoulder again. Achan's head swam with agony. Darkness closed around his vision.

  Achan! Sir Gavin said. Your guard is down and you're spilling out. You must focus. Tell me what's happening. What's wrong?

  If Achan was dying, he didn't want every bloodvoicer in Er'Rets privy to it. He drew up his shields and fixated on Sir Gavin's voice. A cham. Sir Eagan and Shung are trying to fight it.

  Call on Arman, Sir Gavin said.

  Achan's cheeks flushed at this obvious conclusion. He closed his eyes and recited the words Sir Gavin had taught him, knowing in his heart Arman could help him. But would he?

  Arman hu elohim, Arman hu echad, Arman hu shlosha be-echad. Hatzileni, beshem Caan, ben Arman.

  Achan had to act. For all he knew the cham had roasted Shung. He reached his trembling left hand to his chain armor and slipped the rings free from a root. The next time the cham tugged, Achan's body scraped easily over the forest floor.

  He felt for the sheath that held his dagger. It took more patience than he liked to cajole his trembling fingers to the right place, but he managed to draw it. He clutched it to his chest, squeezing the ivory grip. He'd only get one try. If he missed, the bear would roast him.

  Shung had suggested the way to kill a cham was an arrow to the side, behind the shoulder. The knife wouldn't go deep enough to reach any vital organs. He needed to cut its throat.

  The bear pawed him, its massive claws clicking over the chain. It clamped down on Achan's torso, just under his arm. Its teeth seemed made to pierce chain armor. The pain made Achan so lightheaded he almost blacked out. He squeezed the handle of his knife and mumbled, "Arman hu elohim, Arman hu echad, Arman hu shlosha be-echad," a half dozen times, waiting for his moment, praying he'd have the strength.

  The bear released him. Achan rolled onto his back, onto a furry paw, brought the knife up over his opposite shoulder, and slashed back across the bear's neck, screaming as he did.

  Hot blood spurted over Achan's face and chest. His breath hitched. He clamped his mouth shut. The bear groaned, thrashed in the brush, and loped away. Achan rolled the opposite direction until his body hit a tree trunk. He struggled to maneuver behind it, unable to see the bear. Off in the forest ferns rustled, twigs snapped, and a keening moan gave Achan hope.

  Sir Eagan! Where are you? Shung?

  A cool breeze filtered past the trees and Achan shivered. Saliva and blood matted his shirt to his shoulder and chest. His right arm hung limp. His shoulder and torso throbbed. His thigh still ached. Should he stay put? Esek's horse was likely dead. Should he climb a tree to get out of the bear's reach? What had Shung said about chams climbing trees?

  Sir Gavin's panicked voice burst in Achan's head. Achan! The cham?

  I dunno. I think I killed it.

  A man groaned nearby.

  Shung? Sir Eagan? Achan's voice came slow in his head.

  Little Cham?

  Shung! Are you hurt?

  Shung will live. The cham burned Shung's arm.

  What of Sir Eagan? He doesn't answer.

  "Did I kill it?" Sir Eagan's voice sounded groggy.

  The cham knocked Elk into a tree. Footsteps crunched and Shung's hairy shadow crouched before Achan.

  "I'm fine,"
Achan said. "Check Sir Eagan."

  "No need." Movement swished past Achan's boots. "A little dizzy, but I'll live."

  With Shung and Sir Eagan's help, Achan staggered to his feet and limped to the road. He could see the dark shape of Esek's horse. Dead. Achan's limbs trembled, his body cold and sweaty.

  Sir Eagan and Shung boosted Achan up to Sir Eagan's horse. His right side seized, and he held his breath to keep from crying out. He wanted to lie down. His body throbbed. The smells of saliva and blood sickened him.

  Shung moved to the other side of the horse and tucked Achan's boot into the stirrup. "Where's the beast?"

  Achan jerked his head to the side and his neck muscles cried out. "Back through…trees."

  "Shung will come back tonight with men and light. Make frame to haul back."

  Achan panted. "See if…you can find… m' knife."

  Sir Eagan mounted up behind Achan. "And my sword."

  A thrill seized Achan. "M' swords! On th' dead h'rse."

  "Shung will get them."

  Owr was finally his. "Yeh can have yer sword back now, S'r Eag'n. I've tak'n Owr."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty."

  Moments later the horses took off, galloping at top speed for Mitspah stronghold. Each hoofbeat jarred Achan's wounds so much that he lost consciousness.

  38

  Vrell awoke in her bed in Mitspah under a pile of blankets. A fire crackled in the hearth, warming her right side. She drew her hand along her middle and found she wore one of her boy's tunics. Strips of linen bound her waist.

  A wave of heat passed over her. She'd left her undergarment in Esek's tent! Who had dressed her wounds?

  Voices murmured nearby. She blinked and her room in Mitspah took shape. Men were speaking in Achan's room. The adjoining door stood open.

  "Well, I'll be stormed, I will! What a relief, eh? I'd thought the lad was double-"

  "Enough, Kurtz!" a man said. Sir Caleb. "Gavin, how long have you known?"

  Sir Gavin drew a long breath through his nose. "Since the night we first defeated the black knights."

  "I'm not liking it at all. It's being bad luck to be having a woman in camp."

  "Does Achan know?" Sir Caleb asked.