Time of Shadows (The Saga of the Seven Stars Book 2)

by Dayne Edmondson

Anwyn tipped back her head and let out a series of three howls that reverberated from the arena and pierced the night air. Moments later, the howls were answered by the deep drone of horns in the distance. She reverted back into the form of a black panther before racing toward her foes.

  The sound of the distant horns was drowned out by the clash of steel on steel as Dawyn met Bertram and his mercenaries in battle. He blocked one blow while slashing out with his blade. His first strike stabbed a man in the stomach, blood squirting out. A parry then, followed by another block and riposte. As his opponents began to encircle him, he drew again on the power of his time-slowing ability, causing the strikes to come at an almost leisurely pace. He dodged and struck, dodged and struck. One by one his opponents fell from his strikes, until at last only Bertram was still standing.

  Bertram turned to flee, but was stopped short by Anwyn as she approached, a guttural growl emitting from her throat, bared teeth coated with blood.

  “Not so fast, Bertram,” Dawyn said as he approached the man. “We have some business to attend to.”

  Among the crowd, a group of mercenaries had broken off from the mass and begun moving toward Dawyn and Anwyn’s position. Before they could reach the gates of the arena, however, something in the distance drew their attention, causing them to turn. The men began to drop from attacks by an unknown enemy. A stray object flew into the arena - an arrow.

  Dawyn smiled - the cavalry, or in this case, the rangers, had arrived. On their journey to Stoneridge, he and Anwyn had stopped at several ranger outposts near the border between Valnaria and Tar Ebon and recruited many squads of rangers. The slavers under the command of Ferdinand had long plagued the eastern highlands along the White Mountains, and the rangers were more than happy to assist. They had traveled in small groups, agreeing to meet at a predesignated location outside of Stoneridge. There, the rangers sent forth their scouts to monitor all roads in and out of the city, watching for Dawyn and Anwyn to exit the city. They also sent several scouts into the city to monitor the tavern itself, which Dawyn assumed was how they had known they were in the carriage. Their orders were to follow Dawyn and Anwyn and prepare to strike when they heard three consecutive wolf howls.

  Satisfied that the remaining mercenaries would not be bothering him and Anwyn, Dawyn returned his attention to Bertram. “Why?” It was a simple question, but one with no simple answer.

  “Why what?” Bertram asked.

  “Why did you and Ferdinand capture innocent people to make them slaves?”

  Bertram averted his gaze. “There’s good money in slaves. The Empire pays large sums for useful slaves. Besides, the people we took didn’t have families to go back to.”

  Anwyn reverted to human form and strode to stand in front of the man. She was bare naked after the transformation. “How dare you say that?” she asked. “I had a family. Though I was not near them, I still had a family. I imagine many slaves you took had families. How can you live with yourself?”

  Bertram shrugged. “It was just business. It was nothing personal.”

  Dawyn closed his eyes. He could leave the man for the rangers, let him be dragged before a magistrate and put in prison. That would be the right thing to do. But sometimes what was right in the eyes of the law wasn’t what was morally right. “In that case, this is nothing personal either.” Clasping his sword tight, Dawyn swung his sword two-handed, separating Bertram’s head from his body. Both head and body toppled to the ground, blood mixing with the sand of the arena.

  Dawyn looked at Anwyn. “Let’s go, we’ve done what we came to do.”

  Anwyn nodded and wiped blood from her mouth. “Justice felt good.”

  “Or in your case, tasted good.”

  “Shut up.”

  Together, they left the makeshift arena and surveyed their surroundings. The mercenaries were in disarray. Clusters of fighters were scattered about. Dawyn recognized the dark clothing of the rangers - clothing designed to camouflage them in the woods and cloak their movements in the dark - as they fought the mercenaries. Looking at the bodies, it appeared the rangers had led with several salvos of arrows, to help even the odds, then charged in to capitalize on their moment of surprise.

  They wandered around the camp, Dawyn assisting the rangers where necessary, working to drive the mercenaries out of the camp. Some mercenaries surrendered, other tried to flee, but most fought and died. The battle was over in a short time.

  The rangers assembled in a central location, after burying their dead, where Dawyn shook hands with the leader of the task force of rangers, Justin Neville. “Thank you for your assistance, Justin. It was just in time. Did you lose many rangers?”

  Justin smiled. “It was our pleasure, Dawyn. Anything to help a former ranger. Besides, we decimated the slave bands. We lost several good men, but oftentimes the result justifies the price - they died protecting the realm. We found their leader dead - was that your doing?”

  Dawyn glanced at Anwyn and back at Justin. “Yes, we had something to do with it. I’m glad this ordeal is finally over.” He looked around. “You and your men had better be going. If the Valnarians learn that such a large force of rangers was in their lands, their ambassador would start blustering in Tar Ebon, wasting the king’s time.”

  Justin chuckled. “That is true, my friend, it is likely they would be offended. Rangers,” he raised his voice, “move out!” With one last farewell, the rangers drifted into the woods like a troop of ghosts, fading like smoke in the wind.

  Dawyn sighed. “It’s been a long night. I sure could use a warm bath and a clean bed.”

  “As could I,” Anwyn remarked. “But I don’t think Stoneridge is safe right now.”

  “Not for us, it’s not. Let’s go gather our belongings, rest for the night and head back to Tar Ebon. We can bathe along the way.”

  Chapter 24 - Introductions

  The early morning sunlight reflected off pools of water in the cobblestone streets as Jason and Bridgette walked toward The Dancing Mare. A large storm had moved through the area the night before, bringing with it much needed rain. It was the seventh day of the week, recognized internationally as the second day of rest. Thus the streets were mostly empty, with most people home with their families, or at taverns like The Dancing Mare.

  They stopped outside of the door to the tavern. “Alright,” Jason said to Bridgette, “they’re probably going to freak out. Well, my sister will definitely freak out. Please be on your best behavior. I want to make a good impression.”

  Bridgette glared at Jason. “Be on my best behavior? You act like we’re dating and you’re taking me home to your parents. Let’s just get this over with.” Without waiting for a reply, she pulled open the door and stepped inside. With a sigh, Jason followed.

  Inside, Elizabeth was cleaning tables. The early morning rush had just ended, for there were many vacant tables still in need of cleaning, so she was taking her time. The entrance of Jason and Bridgette caught her eye. She waved at Jason. “Hello there, Jason. Were you out all night?”

  Jason blushed. “Hello there, Elizabeth. Ummm, yes, I was out most of the night. I’ll explain later. Right now, I’m looking for John and Ashley. Have you seen them?”

  Elizabeth looked Bridgette up and down, taking in her dark, suspicious attire, before tipping her head backward and to the right. “They’re in their usual spot. You be careful, young man. I wouldn’t want to see you getting into any trouble while Dawyn is away.”

  “Thank you for your concern,” Jason said. “I’ve got things under control.” He winced as Bridgette snorted, but pressed on toward the hallway and the private dining chamber which Dawyn had secured for their use during their stay in Tar Ebon. The chamber afforded them peace and quiet, away from the prying eyes of those who might notice how inexperienced they were and start asking questions.

  After knocking on the door, Jason entered the dining chamber. Inside, John was eating breakfast, while Ashley paced near the back of the room. The moment Ashley’s eyes
alighted on Jason, she stopped pacing, her eyes growing wide. “Jason! Where have you been? I was worried sick!” She rushed forward to give him a hug.

  Jason returned her embrace. “Sorry, sis, I was sort of detained last night. It’s a long story, a very long story,” he said in response to her quizzical gaze.

  “Who’s your friend, man?” John asked in between taking bites of his eggs. Not surprisingly, John had noticed Bridgette standing in the doorway behind Jason before he had a chance to introduce her. John always had an eye for pretty women.

  Jason moved into the room, disengaging from Ashley. He held his hand out toward Bridgette. “Ummm, guys, this is Bridgette. Bridgette, this is my sister Ashley and my best friend John.”

  Bridgette nodded. “Nice to meet you both. Jason has told me nothing about you.”

  “Well, that’s something we both have in common then. He’s told us nothing about you either,” Ashley replied. She arched her eyebrows at Jason. “Did she have something to do with where you were last night?”

  “Oh man!” John slapped his hand on the table. “Did you score, man? With her? Damn dude, that must have been some…” he cut short at a glare from Ashley, but winked at Jason and shoveled more eggs into his mouth.

  “Well?” Ashley prompted.

  Jason took a seat across from John. “You guys should probably sit down for this.” After Ashley and Bridgette were seated, he began. “Well you see, I was…”

  “We spent the night together,” Bridgette interrupted. “It was a bit painful, but we spent the night together.”

  “Sweet!” John said and held his hand out, prompting Jason for a high five.

  “It wasn’t like that!” Jason protested, his face burning with embarrassment, his hands held firm in his lap. “We spent the night in the same room, but nothing happened!”

  “Then what did happen?” Ashley asked, her voice cold enough to freeze fire.

  “Well, I was walking by an alleyway when…” He told his story for the next hour, with frequent interjections by Bridgette, either arguing about an event or reminding him of something he forgot, as well as several drinks of water. “…and then the king said we were free to go. We came straight here. Bridgette just wants to be reunited with Dawyn.”

  “Let me get this straight,” John said, leaning back in his chair, his plate clean. “You two are linked somehow? How does that work?”

  “It was strange. It’s like it inserted some sort of program into my mind. A ‘module’ the man called it.”

  “This was the guy in your head? Are you sure you weren’t hallucinating?”

  “Yes, I’m positive. Bridgette saw her own version of that human implant relation guy, didn’t you?”

  “I saw a woman, but yes, she identified herself similarly,” Bridgette replied.

  Ashley seemed unconvinced. “So what do these modules do? Can you read each other’s mind?”

  “Not quite. The king described it as being able to broadcast thoughts, feelings and emotions to the link partner. I think it works through some form of sub-vocalization or communication device, where it’s not stream-of-consciousness that is transmitted, but rather any thoughts that are directed toward the module. I’m not sure how the feelings and emotions are transfered - perhaps only when a communication link is open or maybe that’s stream-of-consciousness. We haven’t exactly been experimenting with it much yet. The king and queen are able to communicate across vast distances - even across the world.”

  “Wow, that’s deep, man,” John said. “It sounds pretty cool, too.”

  “I only agreed to this deal,” Bridgette said the last word with distaste, “because I didn’t feel like being imprisoned for the rest of my life, and I want to find my brother. Do you know when he will return?”

  Ashley shook her head. “No, Dawyn didn’t tell us much, other than he would be back when he completed his task.”

  “What was his task?” Bridgette asked.

  “He and Anwyn went in search of the slave master who had been responsible for Anwyn’s imprisonment.”

  “Who’s Anwyn?”

  “His lover,” John said. “She’s a druid.”

  “Oh,” Bridgette said. “I remember her from the tavern. She turned into a panther.”

  “Yeah, she does that a lot,” John said.

  Jason cleared his throat. “Well, how about you two let Bridgette and I eat. I haven’t eaten since last night.”

  John went and ordered food for Jason and Bridgette. They made small-talk while they waited for the food and drink to arrive. They reminisced about their time on Earth, comparing current events, thoughts on various technologies and their experiences during their first two decades on Earth. Bridgette was recalcitrant to divulge much information about herself, and generally answered in one or two word answers, causing Jason to fill in the awkward silence by giving her information about he and his companions in answer to the questions she was asked. Ashley, for her part, was reluctant to speak, content to watch Bridgette with a suspicious eye.

  After the food arrived, Jason and Bridgette ate their fill, stuffing their mouths with eggs, sausage and bacon. Their plates clean, Jason leaned back in his chair. “Wow, that tasted good. I feel like I haven’t eaten in weeks!”

  Bridgette stood up. “I must be going.”

  “Whoa, wait, where are you going?” Jason demanded. “Shouldn’t we discuss this before you go wandering off?”

  Bridgette glared at Jason. “I am not some child that needs my father’s permission. I will go where I please. Nor am I your wife, where I might be obliged to discuss my leaving beforehand.”

  Jason fell silent, stunned. Just when he thought they had a connection, she went and shattered it. Who am I kidding, he thought to himself. She doesn’t care about anyone but herself and Dawyn. Maybe this link was a mistake. I shouldn’t bother caring about her - she obviously cares nothing for me.

  He had not intended for the sentiment to be expressed to anyone but himself, but by the way Bridgette’s eyes widened, he had broadcast his thought to her. Maybe it was, came the reply. I never asked for you to care about me, you know. Goodbye, Jason. Without speaking, she turned and strode from the room, slamming the door.

  “So, was that your link in action?” Ashley asked.

  Jason averted his eyes to the floor. “Yeah. I hadn’t intended for her to hear it, but I guess I have some practicing to do.”

  “You should go after her, man,” John said. “I mean, you two are linked - for life. You better get used to it and get along. Unlike with marriage, divorce isn’t an option.”

  Jason sighed. They were right. He closed his eyes and focused on the part of his mind where he sensed Bridgette. Locating it seemed to become easier with each passing minute. Bridgette, are you there? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Will you meet with me, please?

  For several moments, there was no reply. Then, No. I’m leaving town. We can discuss it when I return.

  Will you at least tell me where you’re going?

  To hunt my former master.

  Jason considered following her. He imagined the link could act similar to a GPS or locater beacon, whereby he could pinpoint her coordinates down to a small area, but knew that his presence wouldn’t be welcome. Besides, he had his training to consider. Every day of training made him stronger. Each day, he felt his mind expanding, his ability to control magic ever increasing and he learned many new abilities on an almost daily basis. Leaving before his training was complete would set him back. No, he would remain until his training was complete, before venturing back into the wider world.

  His eyes snapped open. He alternated his gaze between Ashley and John. “She doesn’t want to meet right now. She says we’ll talk when she gets back.”

  “If she comes back,” Ashley said.

  “She will,” Jason said with certainty. “Don’t ask me why, but I trust her.”

  Chapter 25 - Revenge

  Bridgette surveyed the cave from atop the r
idge. A trickle of smoke drifted from the mouth of the cave, the acrid smell reaching her nose. So, it seems he’s still here. She had traveled for a fortnight to reach the cave, deep within the Black Woods west of Tar Ebon. Given the vastness of the forest, the cave was undetectable unless one knew where to look. She had run across no signs of civilization save a small ranger patrol since crossing the Rovark Bridge in Northumbia, northwest of Tar Ebon and northeast of her current position. The ranger patrol had not detected her.

  She wore her typical assassin attire - black boots, trousers, tunic and cloak, with a hood covering her head and a veil masking all but her eyes. A pair of daggers sat in sheathes on her belt, while a bandoleer of throwing knives clung to each of her thighs. Her current equipment would be more than enough to take on the crippled Lord Garik.

  As she thought of Lord Garik, her thoughts drifted to her brother, Dawyn, who had removed Lord Garik’s hand that fateful night many months earlier. It was that night when Bridgette had realized her brother was alive - and that she even had a brother as her memory returned - but they had been separated once more. She had remained under the command of Lord Garik even after those events, unable to act on her own. She and Lord Garik had weathered the winter in the dank, cold cave, with her leaving only to hunt for food and collect wood for the fire. With the coming of spring, Lord Garik’s machinations for revenge against the kingdom had been renewed with a vengeance and he had commanded her to assassinate the king.

  Something had changed when she went to kill the king. She had met a man that changed her life - though she would not admit it to him. The pure innocence and heart which young Jason possessed baffled Bridgette. She couldn’t understand how someone could be so virtuous and kind. Even after she had threatened to kill him, he only wanted to help her, risking his own freedom to save her from imprisonment by becoming connected to her on a level deeper than most married couples. She was careful not to think in the direction of the module that represented communication with Jason - the last thing she wanted was for him to hear her inner musings about him, as she had with him.