Duty: a novel of Rhynan

by Rachel Rossano

Tomas responded promptly. “Shoulder and head. Brielle?”

  “Right here.” I moved to his other side and he reclaimed my hand while the healer worked at the breastplate’s straps. The metal and leather came away to reveal red-stained chainmail beneath. I visually searched for a break in the links.

  “It must be behind his shoulder.” The healer shoved his kit out of the way. “Can you sit up, my lord?”

  Tomas nodded and then cringed. “If my head allows me.”

  Suddenly intent, the healer prodded the deepening bruise covering half of Tomas’ face. “Dizziness? Double vision? Nausea?”

  “Pain enough to cause all of the above.” Tomas opened his eyes only to close them again with another groan. “No double vision. My stomach has nothing to give up should I vomit, though with this head I desperately hope I don’t.”

  “Clear speech is a good sign.” The healer caught Tomas’ head again. “Open your eyes. Look at me and then we will get you up. I want to look at that shoulder. How long was he out?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “He could be fine. His eye looks only swollen. Only time will tell. Okay, let us get you sitting up. Grab a hand, woman, we are going to have to pull him to sitting.”

  I scrambled to my feet, gripped Tomas’ forearm and hauled. He came up with a grunt of pain. His face paled even more. The healer moved around behind and I knelt before Tomas. Dark eyes a bit glassy from pain scanned my features. With his face tight with pain, I couldn’t guess if he was happy to see me or not.

  “Where is Darnay?”

  “Safe. We left him at the camp. Jarvin is seeing to him and Elise.”

  “We? Who else is with you? Mother?” He groaned and tensed as the healer prodded at his shoulder.

  “Can you move your arm?” the healer asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Then I need this mail off.”

  We hauled the mail shirt over his head. He didn’t make a sound through the whole procedure, but one glance at his ashen face afterwards made me wonder if the decision had been wise. The wound had opened up more. The healer instructed me to apply pressure. So, I was leaning into Tomas’ back when Areyuthian stepped away from a conversation with an officer to confront Tomas.

  “Lord Wisten has fled.”

  Tomas’ shoulders tensed beneath my hands. “Did he take anyone with him?”

  “No.”

  “Then I suggest finding him.” Tomas lowered his head cautiously as though it might fall between his knees to the ground.

  “Already done. I have three of my personal guard searching. That is all I can spare until my order to sound a retreat takes effect.”

  “Retreat?” Tomas stared up at Areyuthian.

  “I am not about to sacrifice more lives to Lord Wisten’s foolish schemes.”

  “Tired of him tugging your strings?”

  Areyuthian’s dark eyes narrowed. “My strings lay in more honorable hands than Wisten’s muddy paws.”

  “You could have fooled me.”

  I jabbed Tomas in the ribs. It wouldn’t do to antagonize Areyuthian. Tomas’ father or not, the baron was still the enemy. All of our lives depended on his sense of honor and value of family ties. One word from him and Tomas, Anise, and I would be dead. The fate of the army beyond and the country would be inconsequential then.

  “Where are the women?” I rejoiced that my voice held steady.

  “Under guard in the lord’s hall.” Areyuthian’s dark gaze turned to me. Studying my face for a few moments as though struggling to remember something just out of his grasp, a frown deepened the corners of the baron’s mouth.

  “Who are you?”

  Just then, the healer gestured for me to move aside so he could begin stitching the gap in Tomas’ shoulder.

  I stood. It felt better to be on my feet when facing an uncertain situation. Still, Areyuthian towered over me, his whole body tightening as he waited for my answer.

  I lifted my chin and met his suspicion with my only viable weapon, truth. “I am Brielle Solarius, daughter of Tyranen Solarius, late Lord of Wisten.”

  “My wife,” Tomas added without lifting his head.

  “And Orwin–Lord Wisten’s cousin.”

  “Fire!” A distant cry of alarm and a blast of a horn sounding the ordered retreat cut through the remaining chaos of battle.

  Still, Areyuthian’s gaze didn’t waver from my face. I dare not drop mine. Instead, I watched as the depths of Orwin’s deception dawned on the baron’s face. The realization became rage.

  He cursed Orwin, the situation, his deity, and a great many other things.

  Once he regained control, he began acting. He summoned his men with a wave of one hand ordered his forces to move out.

  I looked east. Smoke billowed black into the clear blue of the cloudless afternoon sky. The village was on fire. I could easily guess who had set it. Orwin. In childish revenge he sought to destroy what he could not possess. My heart grieved despite my mind’s resignation. Moisture leaked down my cheeks.

  “Urarge!”

  The healer jumped. “My lord?”

  “Get to the battlefield. Pluck the wounded from the mud. I want no man left behind: alive or dead. No reason to return. We shall shake this country’s soil from our feet. Ryhnan is a cursed place. I’ll show King Farian the cost of his grasping foolishness—pointless death.”

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*

  Chapter Twenty

  The healer handed me the linen for a fresh bandage later. “Keep the area clean and he should heal just fine. No using the arm, mind.”

  Tomas nodded, but didn’t otherwise acknowledge the healer’s words.

  “Good luck.” Then he plucked his kit from the ground and mounted his horse. Within a few moments, he was galloping off toward the battlefield.

  “Help me up.”

  Tomas offered me his good arm, which I grabbed and hauled. He gained his feet with a half yell, and clamped his good arm to his ribs.

  “Should I call the healer back?” I checked the bandage on his shoulder beneath the shredded remains of his tunic.

  “Nothing he can do for a cracked rib.”

  A wave of anger at Orwin washed over me. Only he would be dishonorable enough to beat an unarmed, fallen foe. If he hadn’t been out of my reach, I would have shown him exactly what I thought of his low behavior.

  “My lord!” Rathenridge approached with a company of ten mounted soldiers. They careened to a halt in a spray of slush and mud. “The enemy is retreating, should we pursue them?”

  Rathenridge’s eyes widened when he spotted me. He lifted an eyebrow, but otherwise didn’t acknowledge my presence. The soldiers with him were less discreet. One of them even leaned over to speak with the man next to him.

  “No.” Tomas tried to square his shoulders with authority, but only managed to straighten up. “See to putting out the fire and tending the wounded. Areyuthian no longer has a quarrel with us. Also form a search party. Lord Orwin is loose and I wish to have him found before Areyuthian finds him.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Rathenridge nodded to three of the men with him. They immediately broke off and rode back in the direction of the battlefield.

  “Where is my mother?”

  “In the middle of an argument with Landry last I saw her.” Rathenridge signaled the soldiers. They disbursed, forming a perimeter around us. “Do you need your horse?”

  Tomas grimaced. “I doubt that would be wise at the moment. Orwin worked me over pretty well.” He reached for his helmet, but I intercepted his awkward movement by picking it up myself. “How did my mother get down there so quickly?”

  “Grabbed a horse from someone and rode. She tore into our group and demanded Landry take men up to meet you. He took exception to her orders. They were still yelling things at each other when I left.” Rathenridge dismounted.

  Tomas moved forward, placing each step with care. I gave him space. I didn’t want to insult his pride by offering to help.

  “Orwin is the o
ne I would prefer to yell at right now.” Rathenridge commented as he fell into step with me. “For a while there, we all thought he had killed Tomas.”

  “A bit more force and accuracy and he would have.” I was never so thankful for my cousin’s incompetence.

  Tomas stopped and turned to face us. “What are you two talking about?”

  “Your recent scrape with death. What else would we have to discuss? You shouldn’t have trusted Orwin.”

  Tomas’ features tightened even more. His eyes glinted in anger. “I didn’t. It was more a matter of trusting Areyuthian to be honorable. We were close to reaching an agreement. Baron Areyuthian extended his hand. Orwin attacked when I reached for Areyuthian’s hand. He caught me by surprise. I still don’t know how he got the knife beneath the mail, but once he did he twisted it, driving me down. Once I was there, he started beating me. Next thing I know, I am looking up into my wife’s face.” He frowned at me. “How did you get here? I left you in Kyrenton.”

  “Rolendis, with the help of some of her husband’s men-at-arms, was plotting to breakout Jorndar. I discovered their plot by accident the afternoon before they put it in motion. I spoke to Captain Parrian but there wasn’t much more he could do than what he already was doing. Or at least that was what he said. But Jarvin mentioned plans after he spoke with him later.” My stomach twisted in a renewed wave of dread. Now that I was reiterating it all, it sounded as though I panicked and ran when it wasn’t necessary.

  “You brought Darnay and Elise with you, right?”

  I nodded. “They are in the camp with Jarvin.”

  “And mother?”

  “I had to convince her before she would allow me to move Darnay again.”

  Tomas stepped closer. I could feel his gaze on my face but I couldn’t bear to meet it.

  “She only came because if Jorndar escaped none of them would be safe.”

  “Brielle.”

  The sound of his voice so close resonated through me. I wanted to look up into his face, but I feared what I would see. So, I stumbled on with my telling.

  “Rolendis promised me as incentive to some of the conspirators. I panicked.”

  “It doesn’t sound like it.” His hand touched my hair.

  “No, I did. I decided that I wasn’t going to sit around and wait for them to use me that way. After speaking with Parrian, I knew I couldn’t fight them. So, I ran.”

  “So, Kyrenton might be under Jorndar’s control.”

  I nodded in shame. “And his men, the ones we have been wondering about, are lying in wait for King Mendal.”

  Rathenridge tensed beside me. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

  His words so mimicked the ones in my head, I cringed.

  “Hush, Aiden.” A weary note underlined Tomas’ voice. “Go and gather the men. We will ride south as soon as the fire is under control.”

  Rathenridge swung onto his horse.

  “Bring back a horse for me. It looks like I am going to be riding after all.”

  Rathenridge acknowledged the request with a curt nod. Then he set heels to his horse’s flanks and they sprang off at a gallop. We watched him go together.

  “He means well.” Tomas turned and caught my shoulder. Pulling me around to face him, he caught my gaze with his. “Now what have you not told me?” Half-stranger and half-friend, he studied my face, reading my emotions and giving nothing in return.

  “Have you found Loren?”

  “No, and I am not letting you change the subject. What pushed you to recklessly barge through a battlefield to find me? An action I forbid you from ever repeating. One stray arrow, a wild swing, and I could have lost you.” His eyes darkened even more.

  “I feared if I didn’t reach you, you would die. I know it is irrational. But I couldn’t banish the thought after dreaming about it two nights past.”

  His hand lifted to touch my cheek. “Promise me you will send someone else next time. I have lost one wife. I don’t wish to lose another.”

  I nodded my agreement.

  “Thank you.” He kissed me. Quick but powerful, it left me wanting much more. But I had to be satisfied with the mirrored regret in his eyes. The distant sound of approaching horses signaled the end of our time together.

  “I’ll return. When I do, we’ll deal with the issue of Jorndar. We will leave a remnant to organize things here.” He swung up into the saddle of the offered horse with a great groan.

  “After stopping in the camp for supplies, I’ll speak to Darnay. I plan on being gone before you return from the village.”

  The seven horsemen who had been guarding us moved to follow him, but he stopped them. “No, guard Lady Irvaine. I lay her safety at your feet. I hold you each personally responsible for her wellbeing. Understood?”

  “Yes, my lord,” they replied.

  He turned his horse toward the south and the camp. Then as though by a signal I couldn’t see, the whole company moved forward at once, falling into ranks without fanfare of any kind. Before I knew it, I and my personal guard were left alone in a field of mud and slush beneath the afternoon sun.

  My stomach growled. My formerly gray skirt was now brown with mud and heavy as I turned to meet my new companions.

  “Which of you is the man in command?” I asked.

  They exchanged glances. Not one of them more than five summers older than me, they looked impressive sitting tall and high on their elegant horses.

  “Captain Eirianware at your command, my lady.” He bowed slightly.

  “Captain, I need to get to the village immediately and I seem to have misplaced my horse.”

  “You may ride behind me, my lady, if that isn’t too…”

  I waved his objection away. “I hope you don’t mind my dirty boots, Captain.”

  “If you would give me your hand, my lady.”

  Within moments I was astride his horse, clinging to his waist, and riding swiftly toward the ominous cloud hanging over Wisenvale.

  “Where would you like us to stop, my lady?” he asked as we approached the first cottage.

  “The Lord’s hall.”

  We slowed to a walk. I wished we could’ve passed the devastation more quickly. Broken doors, forced in from the outside, and shutters hanging by single hinges spoke clearly about the events of the past week. I tensed for the worst as we entered the village square.

  Only a short time before, Tomas and I had exchanged our vows here. Now broken furniture, bedding, and broken barrels from my father’s wine cellar were piled in obvious preparation for a bonfire.

  “Brielle!” Loren’s voice pulled my attention across the square. There, with the still smoking remains of the lord’s hall looming behind them, was a sea of familiar faces.

  I swung down to the ground before my escort had come to a complete halt. Hurtling an overturned bench and circumventing a broken chair, I raced the distance to her.

  Soot stained and sweat streaked, she began to cry, smiling through her tears. We clung to each other. The crowd of women encircled us in a dancing, laughing throng, giddy in their relief. I hugged Loren and wept, finally releasing all the pent up emotion of the past few days. Tomas lived, Baron Areyuthian retreated, and Loren could still smile. Thank you, Kurios.

  “Did Orwin touch you?” I pulled back to scan her tear-streaked face.

  “No. The baron locked us in the lord’s hall and ordered none of the men to touch us on pain of death. He and Orwin had a dreadful row about it right in front of us. Orwin wouldn’t accept the terms until the baron leveled a crossbow at his head and ordered him to back down.”

  “So you are safe?”

  “Safe and hungry.” Loren smiled wanly. “The baron’s chivalry didn’t extend to feeding us more than starving rations. Not that we weren’t already used to that.”

  “We were well treated, my lady.” One of oldest women, Granny Toren, edged closer. “As I was telling the young ones, they should praise the Kurios. The border raids during the last coup left multiple wo
men pregnant, many of them young things without means of support. This time we were blessed in our oppressor. Compared to them, Baron Areyuthian was a gentleman. They were no more than drunk ruffians then.”

  I bit back my sudden thought that Areyuthian probably participated in those border raids. My husband might count his life from one of them.

  “My lady.” I turned at the male voice. It sounded partially familiar. A stillness fell over the crowd and the women parted to reveal a man kneeling in their midst. He hid his face and offered his hands in the classic position of supplication. “Have mercy.”

  “Rise.”

  Captain Eirianware pressed through the subdued women to join me. He made a comfortingly solid presence at my back. I was grateful for his support when I recognized the man.

  “Brevand.”

  “Aye, my lady.”

  Despite his contrite appearance, anger rose as I remembered exactly what he was asking forgiveness for.

  “I was told you betrayed my village, escorting the enemy into the heart of my home. Is the claim true?”

  He lowered his head, hiding his face again so that I couldn’t see his eyes. I suppressed a frown.

  “Yes.” His tone was clear and even, but it bothered me that he wouldn’t look up.

  “And now you have the gall to request mercy?”

  Loren touched my arm. “He let us out before the fire killed us, Brielle.”

  A murmuring of assent passed through the crowd. I glanced around at their faces. Yarni with her daughter pressing against her side nodded. Durana watched Brevand with good will, a rare event. She usually regarded any man other than her late husband with wariness. Finally, I turned to Loren.

  She pled for leniency. “Despite his part in our capture, he has been kind to us, offering what help he could in the circumstances.”

  I suspected he had played both sides of the fence until it was clear which side would win, but I couldn’t point that out to Loren. Her eyes begged for me to show mercy.

  “His betrayal of Lord Irvaine is a far greater offense than his treachery against us.” I turned back to Brevand to find he had finally lifted his head. He eyed me dispassionately from behind a contrite expression. My stomach turned. I prayed he wouldn’t be able to fool Tomas with the mask. “Lord Irvaine can hear his case when he returns.”