"We ran into Palose in town. He had a group of wizards with him and there was a fight."
Annalicia felt a chill starting to climb her back in spite of the warm air of the city. "And...?"
"Sebastian fought Palose. According to Yara, he was using portals in his fight. When he and Sebastian fell through one of the gates, Ashleen tried to stop them. Her lightning flashed and suddenly all three were gone.
"After a few minutes, Palose returned to gather his wizards and disappeared with them through another portal."
"Where are Sebastian and Ashleen then?" she asked with a sick feeling in her stomach.
His news didn't surprise her after his brief story. "They haven't come back. We waited for awhile; but if Palose sent them somewhere with one of his gates, I don't know how they will come back. None of us have managed to do more than create a shaky window that didn't look right.
"Unless Sebastian or Ashleen figure out the spell; wherever they went, they could be there for a long while."
The lady of Malaiy considered his words and thought about what she knew about Sebastian. "If anyone can figure out a way home, it is likely Sebastian," she stated with more confidence than she truly felt. "We will wait here for a few days. If they don't return soon, someone will have to stay in the city to wait for him. I can't keep the Grimnal here indefinitely, however.
"We will need to bring him to Hala and let the king know what has happened along the way, including that Sebastian might be lost for awhile."
Neither of them wanted to state that depending on where Sebastian and Ashleen had gone, they might not ever come back. From what they had been told by the warlocks in Parik, the gates used the world that the Dark One has been exiled to before the Cataclysm. A silver void, as the men had described it, let them slide from one place in Alus to another. Whether it was a few feet or thousands of miles, the gates could reach anywhere in Alus in an instant.
If Sebastian had traveled to another part of the world, the mage and Ashleen could find their way home somehow. It might take weeks or months depending on where they might land, but they could return. Unfortunately that was the best of scenarios short of him figuring out how to return to them on his own.
Another theory of the portals was that the gates could not only move from different points in Alus, but they might also open into other worlds. The Grimnal had told them of sorcerers who had brought the mar'goyn'lya and che'ther from another world. He had also gone with her grandfather to the world of elves and dwarves where they had fought the Dark One.
No one knew how many worlds there might be and whether they were tied in any way to this one. Magic might breech the barriers between worlds and if something had gone wrong, Sebastian and Ashleen could become stranded in one of those worlds. Then only figuring out the portal spell had a prayer of returning them home.
"We could stay with the local chapter of the wizards' guild to wait. They could lend us help in watching for him also," Liam suggested. "Of course knowing Bas; he will probably just pop back once we are sure that he won't."
She nodded and wished that it was true. Maura and her wizards were still in the city as well as many of her crew. When they returned many were stunned by the news and the fact that they would remain in New Harbor indefinitely. It was yet another delay and a severe blow to everyone's morale when they had believed that they were finally on their way home.
Chapter 29- A Warm Bath
Annalicia watched as the Sea Dragon moved out into the sea heading away from New Harbor. She stood with Liam and the others chosen to continue on to Hala.
"You can't give up on him!" Serrena half cried where she sat with her back to the rail. She wanted to be one of those to wait in New Harbor while the remainder of the team delivered Gerid to Hala. The fire wizard knew that she couldn't stop them from leaving, but she was attached to the mage like an apprentice to her master.
Gerid stood tall and stated for Serrena as well as the others who couldn't pull their attention from the city as it slowly shrank behind them, "If I understand the concept of this portal magic, a wizard needs an anchor or be able to follow the path of an old gate."
He glanced towards Darterian who nodded agreement. Since no one knew more about the magic than her cousin did, no one disputed the Grimnal. The giant continued by repeating the arguments that had given impetus to leaving New Harbor.
"So we left Yara and the others here with money to stay indefinitely. The lord of New Harbor, the wizards' guilds and the mage corps houses have been apprised of the situation as well; so we've covered this town in multiple ways. He can return through the old portal or perhaps to someone he knows well like Yara or one of the others; but if he uses something else familiar we are waiting here needlessly."
Serrena frowned at the giant and argued, "Where else would he be likely to go? It would have to be familiar, right? Do you think that Sebastian will return to the capitol where he spent less than a month?"
"Hush, girl," Maura rebuked the fire wizard like a child throwing a tantrum needlessly. "We don't know what would be something that could draw a wizard to it, and that is if he is stuck somewhere other than Alus. If he is in another country or something, he is smart enough to find his way back to Southwall. Where would the mage wind up except for Hala in the end? His duty would be to check in with Raven Leros or even the king.
"You say that he won't go there. I believe that he will eventually."
Annalicia noted the older wizard's confidence with a bit of surprise. Though Sebastian had managed to get along with the woman in spite of their differences, at least to a degree; Maura had never been his strongest supporter. Perhaps the wizard had been humbled enough on this voyage to see that, whether Sebastian was young or a battle mage with weaker magic, he was a good leader.
"If it is just a place that he is familiar with, I could see him returning to Windmeer or White Hall too," Liam said thinking what places and people he might be drawn back to in Southwall. "His family farm might be another or his sister Katya, who should also be in White Hall by now; but I agree with Maura. Sebastian wouldn't feel like his work was complete unless he checked to see if Gerid had made it back to Hala."
Annalicia had inherited the Southwall wizards and mages with Sebastian's disappearance in a way. Few would side with Maura. Liam could be a leader, but he was still thinking positively that Sebastian was going to return. Her optimism mirrored his, but at the same time, she did worry that he and Ashleen were lost forever.
In theory, Gerid could lead the mission now, except that he was the mission. Since the Sea Dragon was owned by her father, Anna was in essence in charge of it; so by default everyone on the ship was her concern.
"While we can send messages to tell the king that we found him, we can only fulfill the mission by actually delivering him to the capitol. Those of you returning with us still have a duty to perform. The others can handle waiting here. We will finish the job as Sebastian would want us to do," Annalicia stated making even the disappointed eyes of Serrena look at her. "After that is done, I need to return home as well. My people have been gone too long, but we will make sure to stop here on the way back to check on the others."
While she hadn't meant to make it sound like they were preventing her from bringing her ship and people home, the people of Malaiy had been away from their country and families for even longer than those joining them in Hala. A certain amount of selfishness went into wanting to go home under these circumstances, but many of the crew had been caught saying such things also.
Gerid nodded and added the weight of his judgment behind the young woman's, "We can also have wizards in Hala added to trying to help find them. Darius might still be there also. He has researched the Dark One's gates in the past and might have more potential in opening one for us.
"Everyone staying here does nothing. Sitting and waiting won't get him here any sooner. At least in Hala, we can try to find someone else with answers."
The sight of a city with its walls intact surro
unding the castle of Solan almost made Xerese cry.
Two weeks of riding and hiding from the brotherhood's army had begun to take its toll after more than two and a half months since the Zephyr was destroyed in the storm. She had suffered through the days of walking and surviving off the land. Escaping city after city as northern Tseult entered rebellion had brought fear of a different kind into her life every day, but since passing the battle at Daria new terrors had been seen.
The small group had ridden west and passed by the Tseult fort. Emptied of most of its fighting force, the fortress had been hit from the sea. The red flags soared over six large ships where hundreds of soldiers landed before attacking and setting fire to the fort. Smoke rose high into the air so that the riders had seen the black clouds for a day before spotting the remains of the Tseulty stronghold.
Squads of soldiers roamed the land between them and Malaiy's border searching for any troops that might have escaped the attack; but Toman and Nico worked to avoid them in every way humanly possible. Quela was of even more help. The wizard was an expert at scouting an enemy and rode the air currents helping them alter their path enough to make the guard's job easier.
She didn't notice the change in the terrain, but after crossing a small river Toman was pretty sure that they had made it into Malaiy. The black uniforms must have respected the lines on a map, even when human eyes could only guess where that line was in person. Free of pursuit finally, they rode northwest mirroring the coastline following a packed road as quickly as they dared. Their horses sped them along much faster than they could walk, but they weren't machines. The animals required regular rest, food and water. Their riders were equally mortal and Xerese had often ended the day's ride unable to stand on her own after Toman helped her down from the saddle.
Until the feeling returned to her legs, she was forced to rub the flow of blood back into them to reinvigorate her limbs. Even her fingers were often clenched so long that Xerese had to pry them from the reins. Working to straighten her fingers had been her first job when setting up the cold camps.
No campfires had been made in Tseult as they dodged the enemy troops, but even in Malaiy they weren't really necessary. They had no herbs or tea to make a soothing drink nor a kettle. There was no meat to cook, just the remaining travel food drawn from the travelers bags and whatever fruits and berries could be found.
Farms were rare here. So close to the countries' borders, people were too afraid to risk being in the path of an invading army, even if that hadn't happened in centuries. Bandits might be luckier waiting for travelers, but so many used ships that she doubted there was enough to support such a group.
Two days out from Solan, they began to see herds of cattle and fields with sheep. Ranches led to farms where the group finally was able to add to the remains of their travel food.
"Solan, finally," she said quietly.
Their Tseulty companions looked a little dubious.
"Will we really be able to get help here?" Nico questioned as they slowed on the road encountering farmers' carts and pedestrians closer to the city walls.
Toman answered for her. "Xerese has family here. We will not only get help but have a place to stay."
Looking suddenly worried, Oywen asked, "What about us? Won't they wonder about two people from Tseult? There are wizards here also. They might not sense me out here, but closer to the lord's castle..."
"Don't worry, Oywen," Xerese said trying to soothe the woman. "You're with me."
The siblings glanced at each other wondering at her confidence.
Riding through the outer gate was simple. There were guards near the doors, but they didn't search the farmers and other travelers. These were just doormen there in case they might need to close the doors to trap a thief or criminal. Since fleeing criminals were rare, they were more ornamental than truly useful until the doors closed at night.
Stray wild animals were a bigger fear than anything else.
An inner wall separated the Marq's castle from the city he governed. They found a gate guarded closely. People didn't pass through this doorway without proper permission. It was one thing to enter Solan, but another thing entirely to bother the marq or his household.
They walked with their horses from the time that they had entered Solan; so while Toman held her reins, Xerese strode up to the men warding the castle and stated, "I am Lady Xerese de Malef Serkash here to see my cousin. Please send him word that I am here with my companions requesting his hospitality."
The men looked at the girl in the worn peasant's clothing and the man serving as steward of the gate raised a questioning eyebrow as he asked, "The Lady Xerese? Miss, I think that you should just go find an inn and try getting a room there. Even if you have to work for a room, it would be better than harassing Marq Itan in his home."
Trying not to get angry, Xerese replied, "I am his cousin. My ship was caught in a storm and I had to find what I could for clothing.
"Send for my cousin and I will risk his wrath," she finished somewhat sarcastically. After so many difficulties and dangers along the road, finding an insulting man in her way so close to her cousin's presence was threatening to break what little patience remained.
"Miss..." the man started again shaking his head.
Toman's patience was apparently further gone than hers and the man stepped forward letting the reins go. "You will address her as Lady Xerese, peasant. Go tell your lord that his cousin has come to sleep under his roof after a long and trying trip home. Now!" he finished snapping the last word like a whip.
The guards all shifted defensively. The insolent steward paled even with the other men there at his back.
Xerese took a deep breath and tried to sound calm as she repeated, "Tell my cousin that I am here. He knows that I went to Southwall with my cousin by now, I am sure. I can't imagine our delay went unnoticed by the royal family."
Still looking uncertain, the steward backed away nonetheless and disappeared inside the castle. She wasn't surprised to need to wait for quite awhile. Itan's castle was quite large even if it was for a border city.
When her cousin strode through the walkway beyond the gate, Xerese couldn't begin to explain her relief. He was tall with light blonde hair and blue eyes. Itan was what most women envisioned a young lord to look like, or at least what they hoped he would anyway.
"Xerese, is that really you?" the lord cried out seeing the dark haired girl waiting for him.
She nodded, "Yes, cousin, now can you tell your soldiers to stop doing their job so well that I might give you a hug?"
"Men, it is alright. This is the Lady Xerese, even if she looks more like a farmer's daughter in those clothes," he finished with a laugh walking through the guards which moved aside like a curtain opening for the man.
"Philip sent word to keep an eye out for you through Alexander, but I never really expected to see you at my door." He hugged the girl to his chest like a father hugging his daughter to him.
As Itan released her to look at his cousin's face again, he remarked with worried eyes, "The steward said that your ship wrecked. Is Annalicia...?"
Sighing with relief, Xerese replied, "She remained with the Sea Dragon to go on a joint mission involving Southwall and Eirdhen too, I suppose, since Darius was behind it.
"Toman and I returned on the Zephyr which sunk just east of Tseult. We have been doing what we could to get here for months now," she finished sounding exhausted from the ordeal, which Xerese realized was kind of true. The lady was certainly ready for it to be over, even if it would take quite awhile to return to Teyas or even Yalan.
"Are all of these people with you?" the lord noted her entourage curiously.
Gesturing towards her guard, Xerese replied, "This is Toman. My other guard disappeared with the ship."
Pausing as she considered what to say, the girl went with what came to mind in the moment. "Tseult has fallen into turmoil, which I will tell you more about when we aren't standing where anyone can listen to us talkin
g, Itan. That is Quela, my new wizard. Oywen and her brother joined us in leaving northern Tseult, though they haven't completely decided if they will try to get to Tristan or not yet."
The lord nodded a greeting and caught hold of her implied need to tell him more without an audience, Marq Itan waved towards the courtyard beyond the gate. "Well, it sounds like you have quite a story to tell. I'm sure Rianne would love to hear it also, so before you go into it all let's head inside. We will see to setting up rooms for you all shortly."
Their horses were gathered by several men from the lord's stables as they moved towards the castle. Itan walked holding her arm and asked, "Do you need dinner first or a bath? You look like you wear much of the road on you, cousin."
"I think food would be first on my list, but only just," the girl sighed. "I haven't had a hot bath in weeks. The last bath we had was in a barn yesterday. One of your farmers was nice enough to take us in and feed us. I think his wife felt bad for us and had a tub brought out to the barn. They didn't have enough warm water to fill it though."
"The farmer said that he could have worked on that, if you had been willing to wait, my lady," Toman commented from right behind the girl.
Waving him off with her free hand, Xerese nodded. "It had been weeks since I hadn't needed to bathe in whatever stream or creek Toman could find. I saw the tub and soap and just couldn't wait any longer, even if the water was only lukewarm."
Itan chuckled at his cousin and commented, "That does sound like desperation."
Finding herself in a banquet room moments later, Xerese and the others sat while the marq had his servants bring out platters of food and a few bottles of wine and juice. He sat at the head of the table conversing with Xerese and the others. While he seemed most comfortable with his cousin, the man's walls soon came down as he listened to her report on the insurrection happening in Tseult. It came during her story, and the others sitting with them let Xerese carry the conversation.
The Unexpected Heir: A Tale of Alus Page 42