by A. J. Searle
Fiona nodded. “As well as anyone can know him but that’s just it. I knew what he allowed me to know. Never any more than that.” Fiona’s hands were shaking. “It would not be a stretch in his character to be of the dark forces. He has been Captain of the Guards only two years. That’s just enough to infiltrate Merisgale and become a trusted leader when the new King was named.” Her eyes lifted to Ronan.
“And if he is close to Thestian…and Thestian knows of what has transpired between you and I…” She was visibly shaking. “Ronan, he will kill you.”
“But you can’t be sure he’s not just a jealous lover?” Ula asked as Mikel held out his hand for Keegan to return the dagger to him. The horseman dropped it in the changeling’s little hand.
“I can’t be sure he’s not anything,” Fiona answered.
Ronan couldn’t explain the sudden charge of emotion that coursed through him.
“About how far behind you do you think he is?”
“No more than a day. I hurried back this way as fast as I could. I didn’t stop even when I saw a nice pretty for me,” Mikel promised.
Ronan let his hands slide from the changeling’s shoulders.
“We could go back to Jobi,” Fiona suggested. “They would hide us.”
“And endanger themselves,” Ronan added in a soft voice. “Keegan, is there another way to Merisgale than this road?”
“Yes, but you don’t want to travel that way,” Keegan answered.
“Which way is that?”
It was Mikel who answered in a soft whisper. “Johran.”
“Johran.” Keegan echoed. “The route will take us through the Codadeum swamps and then on to the hills of Johran. From there we would cross the moors so we could enter the south entrance of Merisgale.”
“It would cost us another week,” Fiona warned.
“And maybe our lives,” Mikel added. The people of Johran are not a gentle bunch.”
“What does he mean?” Ronan looked at Keegan.
“They are cannibals.”
Ronan made a face. “Aggressive?”
“Very.” Keegan nodded.
“Is there no other way?” Ronan didn’t like the options he was being given.
“Not unless you can summon a dragon to carry us by air.” Keegan shook his head.
Fat chance in that, Ronan thought. There was only a dozen or so left in existence. He looked to Ula but she held up her hands.
“At most I could carry two and only a mile or so.” She told him and Ronan shouted with frustration. He ran a hand over his face. How much more difficult could this get?
The cannibals do not eat any of their own. Ahearn hadn’t spoken to Ronan for days so when the horse’s voice found his thoughts it caused him to start.
“What does that mean?” Ronan looked at Arien’s horse as he spoke.
Join their clan. Ahearn’s dark eyes stared back at him.
“That sounds as if there might be a catch,” Ronan murmured and waited while the others watched him in silence.
Perhaps but it would clear the path to Merisgale, lessen the chance of being snacked upon. Ahearn answered.
Ronan sighed. The horse was right. At least it was something he could place hope on. Slowly, the blacksmith nodded then looked up at the others who waited for him to announce what choice he’d made for them.
“We go to Johran.” He could see the trepidation flicker in their eyes but they all nodded in agreement. “We leave now.”
“You aren’t going to leave me here are you?” Mikel asked as they began readying the horses for riding.
“No. You can ride with me for as far as you would like to go,” Ronan told the changeling and smiled when Mikel breathed out with relief.
Moments later they set out and they didn’t reach the edge of the Codadeum Swamps until right before dark. “It’s too dangerous to cross at night. If we stop now and ride through in the morning we will reach the dry island in the middle by tomorrow night.”
“At first light then.” Ronan nodded, gaze sweeping the area for a dry place to sleep. The trees were different than the ones they had slept among before. They were gnarled and twisted, their roots splaying in every direction across the ground.
“We will have to sleep in the trees,” Keegan said as if he could read Ronan’s thoughts. “The ground is too wet. And it is likely that one or two of us could become stuck.”
“Would you not just pull them out?” Ronan chuckled.
“I would have no chance before the harpies swooped down to sup.” Keegan’s face remained serious when Ronan’s eyes widened. Keegan nodded across the horizon toward the cliffs that overlooked the swamp. Against the stretching shadows, Ronan could make out the faint outlines of several creatures. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. The half beasts were watching them.
“Waiting like vultures to see which one of us gets sucked into the mud first,” Keegan said with a scowl.
“The trees it is then.” Ronan shifted his attention back to the twisted growth. They could make hammocks out of some of the vines and some of the branches were large enough to lie upon. He just prayed no one rolled off into the mud in the middle of the night.
The horses took to the boulders, clambering atop the rocks so they would be safe from the mud. Huddled together, the Dulcets lowered their heads. They were not whispering grass, Ronan decided. They were just whispering.
Ronan found a good place that was big enough for him, climbed up and settled, resting his back against the trunk. The bark was smooth enough but the way the tree bent and turned made it impossible for him to get comfortable. Using his magic, he willed some of the vines to weave along each side of the limb until he was certain he had enough that he not could roll off.
“Maybe you could help the rest of us out too?” Ula called from the ground.
He peered over the vines to find them all standing there watching him. He glanced around and then did the same for them at four other limbs. He would have created the same kind of bedding for Fiona if she hadn’t already settled on a lower limb, close to his, arms and legs becoming snake-like so they could coil around the branches.
“Diato was the man Smellir spoke of?” Ronan asked her as the others started climbing to their raised beds.
“Yes,” Fiona answered.
Ronan dug for no more information. He needed no more. Something screeched in the distance causing him to sit up.
“Harpies,” Keegan called to him. “They probably don’t like the way you’ve fashioned our campsite. No meals for them tonight.”
Ronan eased back against the tree trunk. He doubted he would get much sleep that night. But Ronan did fall asleep, only for a short time, until the sound of horses awoke him. He sat up but a slender hand slipped over his mouth. In the moonlight, he found Fiona’s face. She lifted a finger to her lips then pointed below them. Ronan leaned slightly so he could see over the veil of vines.
Twelve shadowed riders halted at the edge of the swamp. The one that led them stared out at the blanketed horizon. Ronan looked at Fiona and mouthed the name in question. Diato? She nodded. He looked down at the captain as his eyes swept the area.
Ronan looked to the boulders but their horses were not there. His gaze moved to the others, all keeping still and silent. But where were the horses? Were they stuck in the mud? We are safe and from sight. Keegandrapedthe Sledger’s cape over us hours ago. Ahearn’s reply came to him silently so Ronan focused his attention back to the riders, grateful for Keegan’s cleverness and caution.
“Are you certain they came this way?” one of the men asked.
“Yes,” Diato answered and Ronan frowned. “Dulcet hoof prints. The blacksmith is too stupid to cover his tracks.” Ronan started to rise but Fiona’s hand on his arm stopped him. When he looked at her, she shook her head, indicating for him to keep still.
Ronan looked back down to the captain when he spoke again. “No sign of a camp. They must have pushed on through the swamps during the night.” Now w
ho was stupid? Ronan smirked in the darkness.
“That’s dangerous. They may even be dead,” one of the others said and Ronan saw Diato’s smile gleaming in the moonlight.
“What a pity that would be.” He turned to the men. “We head back to dry land. Camp the rest of the night and start out in the morning.” The others instantly turned their horses without question. Diato lingered, looked around again before following.
When they were out of sight, Fiona let out the breath she’d been holding.
“We push on now,” Ronan said and as if summoned the horses appeared on the boulders, the cape dropping from around them. Ahearn grasped the cape in his mouth and led the others to step down carefully. They waited for their riders to climb upon their backs.
Ronan took the cape, folded it and tucked it back in his pack before swinging onto his horse. “Ula, can you give us a bit of light once we get away from the banks? Just enough we can see where we are going?” Ronan whispered and she nodded that she could.
“I’ll go first.” Keegan was already kicking his horse ahead of the others.
“No.” Ronan waited until he stopped and twisted on the horse to look back at him. “Let Arien go ahead. He has the best horse for it. Ahearn will alert us of any dangers.”
Arien looked as if he’d been named the captain of the guards himself. He quickly gave Ahearn a slight kick and the horse started forward into the murky swamp water.
Ronan reached down and lifted Mikel the Hort, who’d become uncharacteristically quiet, behind him. “Ula, you go next so you can give light when we are away from here,” Ronan said, glancing back to be certain the guards were not returning.
“You should go next. You have the sword. It must be kept safe,” Fiona told him and Ronan nodded, falling in line behind Ula. He turned to look back at the two horses left.
“Then I’ll take up the rear.” Keegan fell back and waited for Fiona to follow Ronan. “Keep your eyes and ears open. Fiona, I’d feel much better on our end of the line if that tongue of yours was out sniffing danger.” She winked over her shoulder and flicked her tongue at him. Ronan faced forward.
They traveled slowly, cautiously through the thick waters of the swamp. Ahearn wound them through and Ula lit the way with her blue magic. The darkness dragged on and Ronan felt himself begin to doze atop Sorcha’s back. The soft sloshing of the horses’ legs moving through water only made the urge to sleep stronger. It wasn’t until Fiona’s voice broke the quiet at dawn that he sat straighter, more alert.
“They’ve started moving.”
Ronan tilted his head as a thought struck him. “Are they at the swamps edge yet?”
“No,” she answered after a moment. “They are still on dry land.” Ronan closed his eyes. He called to the vines of the trees, snapped them loose and with his will dragged them through the water.
Ahead, the island rose up from the murky water like a savior but Ronan only concentrated on what he willed the vines to do. He wove them together quickly; creating a net nestled beneath the surface behind them. It might slow Diato and his men enough to give them another’s day’s ride.
Ronan was thankful when his horse climbed up the bank of the island. A few trees stood, offering thin shelter but Ronan didn’t care. He was weary and needed rest desperately. Sleep. I shall keep watch. Ahearn’s offer was all Ronan needed. Swinging from the horse, he moved toward one of the trees and settled at its base.
“Wake me in an hour,” he called back to Keegan.
“You are going to sleep?” Fiona asked as if he’d lost his mind.
“Diato and his men will be detained by a net of vines. I made it strong enough to buy us a few hours. I suggest you all get some rest as well.” He closed his eyes.
Ronan woke with a start. Around him, the others slept but he sat up. Something wasn’t right. The vines! They were undone. Ronan could feel it. He reached out with his will but the vines resisted him, under another spell.
Someone has cast a spell that will rebuke your magic. Ahearn’s wisdom found his thoughts.
“I made sure to hide the magic I put on the vines. I placed them out of view,” Ronan argued in a whisper.
Someone who knew that you had created a net cast the spell. Ronan’s stomach dropped. His eyes darted around to those that still slept. Those he had told were all there.
“No.”
Yes. Ahearn answered. You have been betrayed.
“Get up!” Ronan bellowed and each of those around him awoke. They looked at him with confusion as he met each one of their eyes.
“They are moving closer,” Fiona’s tongue darted out from her lips and then back again. “But how?”
“One of you,” Ronan answered turning to climb onto Sorcha’s back. “One of you has betrayed me.” The truth of it ripped at his chest.
“One of us?” Keegan repeated.
“You are the only ones who knew that I made the net with the vines. The magic that unties the vines works against my will. One of you has betrayed me…has betrayed all of us.” Ronan looked back at them as they looked around at one another.
“But who?” Keegan’s eyes flashed angrily.
“Unfortunately only the person who has done this knows.” Ronan glanced at Arien as he moved to quickly mount Ahearn. The boy said nothing but his eyes looked sad and afraid. Ronan knew how he felt. They’d bonded with each of those traveling with them. Now there was no clue to who they could trust.
“It wasn’t me,” Mikel the Hort announced as he neared Ronan. “I came back to warn of danger. Not to put myself in the middle of it.”
Ronan nodded and leaned down to lift him to sit behind him on Sorcha’s back.
“Come, we need to ride.” Ronan turned his horse, without waiting for the others. Arien immediately set out ahead of Ronan. One by one the others followed.
Ronan thought of each of them. Arien had risked his life to save Ula and had eagerly placed himself in danger by riding ahead to scout for danger. Ula had fed him healing broth and had protected Arien at all costs. Mikel the Hort had risked his own life by bringing news of danger to Ronan. If he was the betrayer he could have allowed Diato to ride upon them while they rested.
That left Fiona and Keegan. Keegan Yore had fought the centaurs. Ronan remembered the blood on his sword blade. Fiona. Ronan glanced back at her. She had ties to Diato, a past with him.
He shook the thoughts from his mind. He focused on one of the trees once they were well away from the island. He pulled it without a sound from the ground and eased it into the water. Then he pushed it back until it was only a few feet ahead of Daito and his men.
He said nothing of what he’d done as his eyes drifted up to the Harpies that still sat atop the cliffs. One of them turned her head and looked down at him. Can you hear me? He pushed his thoughts toward her. She flapped her wings and tossed her hair. Good. Stop those that follow. Make them turn back. Do this and I shall leave you a meal at the edge of the swamp. I give you my word as a wizard and as a King’s guard. He reached back and pulled the blankets of his pack back, revealing the guard’s cloak momentarily. The harpy immediately took flight, screeching a call to the others.
“It was not me. Don’t kill me,” Mikel said after a moment. “I did not betray you.” Obviously the little changeling thought himself a suspect. Ronan did not answer him, hoping the betrayer was also feeling a bit nervous at the moment.
Sorcha slipped a bit in her step but then pulled up again as Ronan considered Fiona as the betrayer. If it was her, she’d done well. The game in the cave had weakened him to her. Of course he would trust a woman he’d had sex with. Sorcha slipped again and mud rose up to her neck. Behind Ronan, Mikel screeched.
“Quiet,” Ronan commanded over his shoulder, giving Sorcha’s reins a flick. She struggled but to no avail. They were stuck.
“Hold on.” Keegan was easing his horse carefully along side. “The swamps are full of these holes. Let me…” He leaned forward to grab Sorcha by the bit.
; “Come on, girl,” he whispered as he kicked his horse forward. Ronan tried to keep still as he could. He waited but Sorcha wasn’t moving. Finally, he swung from her back, ignoring the protests from Ula and Fiona as he did.
The bottom of the swamp was soft and the water rose above his waist. He stepped cautiously, feeling his way through the dark water until he was at Sorcha’s head. Then he bent down, turning his head so that his face was above the surface, and ran his hand along her leg. Mud sucked around her leg up to her knee. Using his fingers, he began to loosen the wet dirt around her leg and foot.
“Give her another pull,” he told Keegan. The horseman clicked his tongue and pulled at her bit. Mikel let out a breath of relief when the horse stepped forward and up from the mud.
But Ronan was slipping the moment she was free. “Dragon’s blood,” he cursed as he tried to free his own foot but the mud sucked at him until he was up to his chin in the swamp water. His head snapped around. Someone was coming. And fast.
But Diato was the least of Ronan’s worries at the moment for the mud sucked again and he took a deep breath before he was pulled completely beneath the surface. Bending down, he tried again to free his foot as he had done Sorcha’s. But Sorcha was bigger and stronger than he was and the mud continued to suck at him. The water moved around him as someone neared. He reached out, grasping blindly in the water for anything so that he might pull himself free. His fingers found nothing. Don’t panic.
He could faintly hear Ula screaming. Something grasped his arm, wrapped around it. Fiona was attempting to snake him loose. But she wasn’t strong enough. Don’t panic. He touched the slick snakeskin of her arm as his chest began to contract. He patted her gently and after a moment she uncoiled from around him. Ula screamed again.
The urge to take a breath was powerful. He reached down again in an attempt to dig the mud from around his foot. But his fingers fumbled. Don’t panic. But he was beginning to fill with fear. He’d let out most of his air and his lungs felt as if they were about to collapse. It was about time to start panicking.
And then two hands grasped him under his arms. They pulled and Ronan felt himself pulling loose. But it was too late, he thought as blackness began to swirl around him through the water. He went limp.