by Sara Bell
Tristam spat on the ground. “Another puzzle to add to our growing list of mysteries."
"Whatever the case, we've reached the end of our journey together.” Gareth's grip on Merrick's reigns tightened. “From here, I go alone."
Tristam's response was a tight nod. “We'll be right here waiting for you to come back.” Tristam looked Gareth dead in the eyes. “Both of you."
Not certain what to say, Gareth mimicked the nod Tristam had given him and then urged Merrick into a fast walk. Without looking back, Gareth headed off to his fate.
How long he rode alone, Gareth wasn't certain, but the sun was well into the western sky when he spotted Nadar's outriders cresting a rise straight ahead. The next he knew, twenty soldiers were coming toward him.
All were heavily armed, but it was the man in the lead who caught his attention. Jeoffry, his father's former commander.
Jeoffry's leathery face was wreathed in apology as he broke away from his men and met Gareth in the middle of the clearing. “Damn sorry about this, Gareth. I tried to talk sense into Nadar, but..."
"You needn't explain Nadar's stubbornness to me. I know it all too well.” Gareth hesitated. “My husband ... is he well?"
Jeoffry sighed. “He's bound and guarded, but otherwise unharmed.” He nudged his mount closer. “Much as I regret this, I must ask you to surrender your sword. I'll spare you the indignity of a full body search, but I know all too well what you can do with a blade."
"You should.” Gareth unstrapped his sheath. “You're the one who taught me to wield it."
Jeoffry's faded eyes darkened. “Making this sorry state of affairs that much harder to take.” He removed the offered sword from Gareth's hands and secured it across the back of his saddle. Sidling his horse to the left, he motioned for Gareth to ride forward. “Go in front of me. Nadar insisted I bind your hands behind you, but I'll not do it. You'll ride in un-tethered, and if Nadar doesn't like it, he can do his own dirty deeds next time."
Gareth knew Jeoffry was giving him a precious advantage by allowing him to remain unbound. He only hoped he'd have a chance to make use of it. With little choice, Gareth rode into the crowd of waiting captors.
* * * *
Alric struggled against his bonds. The coarse rope bit into the flesh at his wrists and ankles as he worked to escape, but his efforts were in vain. The varlet who tied him had done too thorough a job, and the stiff material refused to yield no matter how hard Alric tried.
He ceased his motions as footsteps sounded outside the tent. Though the soldiers on the other side of the thin fabric wall were talking in low whispers, Alric strained his ears, hoping to glean some hint of what they were planning.
He wasn't disappointed. Straight away, he recognized the voice of the soldier who'd bound him.
"Way I hear it, Lachlan's as good as dead."
A voice Alric hadn't heard before said, “Surely King Nadar wouldn't kill his own brother."
"The way those two hate each other? Course he will.” He gave a bark of cruel laughter. “One of the scouts just told me Lachlan is on his way. You mark my words. He'll be dead within the hour."
Alric's heart froze within his chest. He'd die before he let them harm Gareth. With frantic haste, he scrambled for a plan.
He could think of only one way out, and at this point, he was desperate enough to take it. Betting Nadar's men were smart enough to know a dead hostage was of no use to them, Alric closed his eyes, reached deep down, and called forth the demon inside.
It wasn't easy to summon the flame with his hands tied behind him, but Alric worked at it, fixing on the living fire residing in his chest. The sharp sting of smoke told him he'd been successful, as did the shouts of the men outside the tent. Alric opened his eyes to find the structure fully engulfed.
A vicious curse accompanied the opening of the tent flap as a burly guard edged his way inside, but couldn't see past the smoke. “You in there! You all right?"
Alric opened his mouth to speak but got a lungful of black vapor instead. He sputtered out, “Can't ... get ... free."
Another curse, and then the soldier crawled into the burning tent. Feeling his way to the knife at his belt, the fellow freed the dagger and pressed it into Alric's hand. “Save yourself if you can.” Without another word, he backed his way out of the tent.
Blindly Alric sawed at the ropes. It took a long moment, but finally he cut his wrists free before next making quick work of the binding at his ankles. At last unbound, he grasped the knife in his hand but instead of taking the same path as the fleeing soldier, he crawled to the back of the tent. Slipping underneath the burning fabric and getting singed for his efforts, he made his way into the clean air.
As he'd hoped, Nadar's men were busy at the front of the tent, trying to douse the flames with what little water they could find. With their attention thus diverted, Alric was able to slip away undetected.
Allowing himself but a brief moment to catch his breath, he ran toward the base of the camp, certain that was where they'd take Gareth. He only prayed he wasn't too late.
* * * *
Jeoffry and his men led Gareth to a clearing in the center of the camp. As Gareth expected, Nadar was there waiting for him.
As always, Gareth was struck by how much he and Nadar favored one another. Though Nadar was a touch leaner than Gareth, both were tall and well muscled. Nadar's fair hair was near blinding in the dying sunshine, and his deep-set, indigo eyes glistened with uncontained malice.
"My men and I laid wagers as to whether or not you'd come.” Surrounded by a gaggle of his men, he was uncharacteristically brave as he faced his brother down.
"You gave me little choice, brother.” Gareth kept his tone deceptively mild.
Nadar thumbed his slightly crooked nose at Gareth's wording. “Brother or not, I'll see you dead for sabotaging me with the High Council."
Gareth spread his arms wide. “Let my husband go and do your worst."
Nadar's face paled when he registered Gareth's unencumbered hands. “Why isn't he bound as I ordered?” He whirled on Jeoffry. Beneath Nadar's anger, Gareth could see a trace of fear.
Before Jeoffry could answer, a commotion erupted from the far end of the camp. Shouts of “Fire” echoed from the trees just as Gareth caught the first whiff of smoke.
Pandemonium ensued. The brace of soldiers comprising Nadar's personal guard scrambled to answer the alert, giving Gareth the advantage he'd prayed for. Kicking Merrick into a full run, Gareth charged his brother, plucking Nadar from the ground and hoisting him onto Merrick's back in one swift motion.
Nadar fought like a wild animal. He was strong, but he was no match for Gareth. Angling Nadar in front of him on the saddle, Gareth pushed his bulging forearm hard against Nadar's windpipe. Nadar tried to break the hold but all his efforts were for naught.
"Where's Alric?” Gareth increased the pressure on Nadar's throat. “Tell me now or I'll kill you quick."
"I'm here.” A raw voice sounded from the tree line.
Gareth went weak with relief when he caught sight of Alric riding into the clearing on a roan horse he must have stolen from one of the soldiers. Nadar used the distraction to begin his struggles anew and was putting up a fair fight when Alric reached Gareth's side.
Pressing the knife he still held into Gareth's free hand, Alric turned to see the soldiers bearing down on them. With little effort, he conjured a blazing wall of flame around the three of them, creating a barrier the soldiers dared not cross. Some of them fell to their knees in terror while others made the sign of The Creator, begging protection.
The horses spooked, but Gareth and Alric had them under control in little time. Nadar, startled by the blaze, winced as Gareth laid the sharp point of the blade against the prominent vein at the side of his neck.
"One false move and I'll split you wide."
Nadar swallowed. “What...” He licked his dry lips and tried again. “What will you do with me?"
"Right now I'm goin
g to use your worthless hide to bargain our way out of here.” Without turning his head, Gareth asked Alric, “Are you well?"
"Yes."
Gareth wiggled the knife against Nadar's skin. “Tell your men to stay back if they value your life."
"Stay away, all of you.” Nadar's voice was a hoarse croak, but he made himself heard above the crackling of the fire. Gareth raised his voice to top volume and added his own command. “If a single one of you follows us from this camp, I swear your king will suffer for your foolishness not lightly.” Through the wall of dying flame, he eyed the commander. “You know me, Jeoffry. ‘Tis no idle threat."
"Do as he says, all of you.” Jeoffry's order rolled through the clearing.
Reassured Nadar's men would obey, Gareth again spoke to Alric. “The grass here isn't dry enough to keep the fire burning for long. Already, it withers. When the last of the flames ebb, we'll start a hard ride out of this place.” No sooner had he said it than the fire waned. Gareth kneed Merrick out at a fast clip with Alric right behind him.
It was an arduous journey back to the border. Twice Nadar made a bid for freedom, but the knife and Gareth's sheer force of will kept him under control. Alric was silent, keeping a lookout behind them.
When they were halfway to the border, the sound of thundering hooves signaled an approach from the opposite direction. Gareth tensed until he saw the Kray banner cresting the ridge.
"I thought you were going to wait for us on Kray land."
"I waited as long as I could stand it.” Tristam rode straight to them, blanching when he saw the knife against Nadar's neck. “Throw him to the ground and let the soldiers deal with him, Gareth."
"Relax, Tristam. If I haven't killed him yet, I'm probably not going to.” Nevertheless, Gareth handed Nadar to three of Kray's men, perversely pleased to see his brother being trussed and bound like a celebration goose.
Once Nadar was lying across the saddle of a vacant horse, Gareth said, “We'd best make haste. Though there aren't enough of them to best us, who knows when Nadar's men will decide to come after him. I've better things to deal with than the likes of them right now."
All in agreement, the thundering hoard cut a trail for Kray.
* * * *
They made it back to Kray before nightfall. The gates closed behind them with a clang as Gareth leapt from Merrick's back, barking orders as he went.
"Take Nadar to the North tower and guard him with your life. Then call up every available man and prepare for an attack. If I know Vale's commander as well as I think I do, he'll waste no time scrounging up reinforcements."
The soldiers scrambled to do as they were told. Nadar cast one last dark look in Gareth's direction before he was dragged from the horse and carted away like a wheat sack.
Tristam dismounted and came to Gareth's side, speaking low so that only Gareth could hear. “What are you going to do with him?"
"Nadar isn't my main concern right now.” Gareth pointed to Alric, who was climbing from his horse with unsteady bearing.
Gareth came to his aid, rushing to his side and steadying him with his own body while Alric dismounted.
Once safely on his feet, Alric gave Gareth an exhausted but grateful smile. “Thank you. I was beginning to wonder if I shouldn't just fall from the horse and have done with it."
Gareth brushed two careful fingers over Alric's reddened cheek. “You were burned."
Alric shrugged, and Gareth could tell the movement was painful by the slight wince he tried to hide. “'Tis nothing serious."
"Perhaps not, but Balthazar will look you over just the same."
"What about the men injured in Nadar's attack? Does Balthazar not have his hands full tending them?"
Tristam came to stand beside them. “There were no injured men. Leastwise, none that we found. No dead bodies, either."
Alric shook his head. “'Tis not possible. Seven men, counting Wycaster, left for the hills with us. There was a battle. I heard the shouts and the fighting."
Gareth narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean you ‘heard’ the battle? Didn't you see what happened?"
"No. Nadar's men knocked me from my horse and put a black sack over my head. I saw nothing until we reached the camp."
"Pardon my ignorance,” Tristam said, “but why didn't you use the fire to defend yourself? Why let them take you at all?"
"Without being able to see, there was no way to direct the flame. I'd have been just as likely to set myself afire as not."
Gareth felt a spike of relief. He'd been afraid Alric allowed himself to be taken because of that insane sense of guilt he bore. He cleared his throat.
"From what little Wycaster told us, you were ambushed. I'm guessing the men were set on from all sides and had little chance of escaping with their lives."
"Wycaster made it out, then?” Alric released the breath he'd been holding. “I was afraid he'd been slaughtered with the rest."
"Balthazar was tending him last we heard.” Gareth sighed. “Perhaps he can tell us what befell the injured men when he's well enough to speak. Unless Nadar had his soldiers cart away the bodies, I can think of no reasonable excuse why we couldn't find them."
"Nor can I.” Tristam clenched his jaw. “I'll go upstairs and speak with Balthazar about the commander's condition. With any luck, we'll soon be able to talk to Wycaster ourselves."
Gareth stopped him. “First I'd suggest you see your wife and let her know you made it back to the keep in one piece. I imagine she's worked herself into quite a state worrying about you."
Tristam nodded his agreement and left. As soon as he was gone, Gareth turned back to Alric. “Once Balthazar is finished with Wycaster, I want him to examine you.” His voice fell an octave and he took a step closer. “Afterwards, you're to rest. I want you hale and hearty for what's to come."
Alric swallowed. “What do you mean?"
Gareth didn't answer him. Any decent general knew better than to tip his hand before laying siege. Alric didn't know it yet, but he was about to have his defenses breached.
Leaning so close his breath fanned Alric's face, Gareth said, “Later,” and bent to place a chaste kiss upon his lips. With one more admonishment to have Balthazar look at his injuries, he left Alric standing in the bailey.
Gareth still had his brother to deal with, but not even that idiot Nadar could dull his enthusiasm over the evening to come. He'd yet to show Alric how relieved he was to have him home, but before the night was through, Gareth vowed Alric would have no doubts as to how his husband felt about him.
* * * *
As Alric predicted, Balthazar pronounced him fine save for a few minor burns. With the promise to mix a healing salve, Balthazar left to see about a fastly healing Wycaster. As soon as the healer was gone, Alric knew it was time to put his plan into motion.
Slipping into the antechamber, he stuck his head out the door and looked both ways to make sure the area was deserted. Satisfied no one was about, he slid down the corridor on quiet feet, stopping when he came to the balcony. He kept to the shadows as he peered over the railing.
Gareth was sitting in the great hall having an animated conversation with Tristam. From the brief snippets Alric could hear at that distance, he could tell they were arguing over what to do with Nadar. Tristam wanted him tried by the High Council but Gareth was leaning towards a bloodier reckoning.
Alric stepped back into the hallway, his mind made up. Tristam and Gareth might not know how to deal with Nadar, but Alric knew exactly what the man needed. With his course set, he made his way to the north tower.
The guards at the door knelt as he came into view, but Alric urged them to their feet. “I've a wish to speak with the prisoner."
"Yes, Highness.” The lead guard hurried to comply with his command, unchaining the door with haste. A moment later, Alric was standing in the dimly lit cell.
A chained and shackled Nadar glared up at him from his position on the floor. “Come to get your revenge, have you?” A fl
ash of fear blemished his face. “What are you going to do, burn me alive?"
"The thought never occurred to me.” The look on Nadar's face told Alric he didn't believe a word of it, causing Alric to purse his lips. “I see you doubt me."
Nadar snorted. “Any man capable of seeding fire from dry air is not to be trusted. I won't fall in league with demon spawn."
"Oh, but you already have. The minute you agreed to wed your sister to Denmar, you sealed a pack with the ruler of the Under Realms himself."
Nadar regarded him with surly insolence. “Gareth told you of my plans, then."
"Quite the contrary. I had no idea why you'd kidnapped me until I heard your soldiers gossiping as they brought me back to camp. One of them said you were going to punish Gareth for ruining your sister's betrothal to Denmar. Up till that point, I had no idea you'd formed an alliance with the man."
"Thanks to my bastard brother, there will be no alliance. The High Council listened to his petition and denied my right to make the match.” Nadar struggled against his chains with an unsettling rattle. “Gareth dared pull rank as my father's eldest child. He's not even Jarric's legitimate heir."
Alric leaned against the wall. “I still don't understand why you sought to get even by luring Gareth to your camp. Were you so willing to kill your own flesh and blood?"
"I had to do something.” Nadar's voice rose to painful pitch. “With the alliance foiled, what's to stop Gareth from taking over Vale? I won't sit idly by while he steals my birthright."
Alric started. “You believe Gareth is after your kingdom?"
"Of course he is.” Nadar looked at Alric as if he'd lost his wits. “Why else would he thwart Sonya's marriage?"
It was the question Alric had been waiting for. Pushing himself away from the wall, he pulled the lone torch lighting the room from its bracket. He then used it to light the four other torches positioned around the small chamber. In little time at all, the grim cell was brightly lit.
Nadar blinked against the light. “What are you doing?"