Gyl spurred his horse into a gallop and gave mad chase. The men turned to see a King’s man bearing down on them at speed and one peeled off immediately. Gyl pursued the other man, who was closing on his prey. The Under Prime caught up with him quickly and slashed at the back of his legs, cutting through tendon and muscle and bringing the bandit to a screaming halt. It was not the leader.
Gyl did not even slow but pushed his horse faster, until he could reach down and grab the girl. She flailed in panic in his grasp. One moment Gyl had her cleanly up and onto the horse; the next, he found himself on the ground, which he had hit so hard he could see stars.
It took him what felt like a long time to roll himself onto his back, where he lay in pain, sucking in great gasps of air. Had the horse stumbled and thrown him? No! Gyl never lost his seat and certainly not from Bryx. He was the finest horseman in all of the company.
He lay there thinking unclear thoughts, wishing the pain would dissipate.
Where was Bryx? Where was the girl?
‘Er…I found your horse,’ a voice said.
Gyl opened his eyes to slits and turned his head painfully towards the sound. He saw a girl covered in mud. ‘Are you all right?’
‘In better shape than you, I believe,’ she said, sheepishly. ‘I fell into some sort of swamp. Can you move?’
‘I’m not sure. Everything hurts. Did you see what happened?’
Lauryn lied. ‘No. You must have fallen from the horse.’
Gyl pushed himself painfully to his elbows to regard her. ‘The Under Prime does not fall from his horse,’ he said, disgusted at himself.
‘How do you feel?’
‘Not good. May I ask for your help?’
Lauryn looked at the horse, unsure of what to do.
‘The horse won’t go anywhere. He comes at a command. His name is Bryx. And I am Gyl, Under Prime of Tallinor…I’d like to say at your service, madam, but it seems I am far from that.’
Lauryn smiled through the mud which she could feel covered all of her face and hair. The immense fear was falling away and the Colours were falling with it. She felt dreadful about what she had done to this man, who had obviously been giving chase to help her, but how could she have known that in those seconds of terror? Lauryn did not understand what she had struck out with, but it was effective; she knew that much!
‘Where are they?’ she said, letting go of the reins and approaching him.
‘One’s dead in the copse—I have no idea why or how. I felled another with my sword, but not mortally. The third ran in a different direction when he saw me. Light! If I had only kept my seat, I could have had them both under chain by now.’ Gyl shook his head with disgust again. ‘And apparently, there was a lad with them.’
Lauryn said nothing about the boy. ‘Did you see an old woman at all?’
‘Yes, I’m sorry. She is dead. They have much to answer for, these men.’
Lauryn bit back tears. She helped him to stand.
‘Nothing broken, I don’t think,’ he said tentatively, leaning on her and gingerly testing his weight on his legs. ‘Here, Bryx!’
He clicked his tongue at his horse, who obediently walked to his master. ‘Let’s get you back to Hamptyn and work out things from there,’ Gyl said kindly.
‘Oh no,’ Lauryn said, pulling away. ‘I’m not going back.’
‘But what about your grandmother? Where are you going? You surely don’t mean to go on alone?’
‘My grandmother is dead. I am going to continue my journey to Axon and I definitely do mean to go alone,’ she replied defiantly, remembering Sorrel’s urgent warnings.
He looked at her. ‘What is your name?’
‘Lauryn.’
‘And where do you come from, Lauryn?’
The question caught her by surprise. Sorrel had warned her not to say too much, so she blurted out the first place which came to her mind. ‘Mallee Marsh.’
He seemed surprised. ‘Really? That’s where my mother comes from too. Why are you headed for Axon?’
‘Why all these questions?’
‘Lauryn, I am in charge of the security of the Kingdom. I have a right to know your business.’
‘And do you think one young woman travelling alone could threaten the security of a Kingdom?’
This girl made him feel foolish. And she managed to achieve that whilst dripping mud from every inch of herself and staring at him from a mud-encrusted face.
‘No, I don’t.’
‘Then thank you for your concern…Gyl, is it? I am grateful for your help but I wish to continue my journey.’
‘I cannot permit you to continue alone.’
Lauryn felt exasperated by his stubbornness. And he was such a good-looking man. She did not wish to sit close to him on that horse of his, with her back against his chest; though then again…
She was completely confused by all these feelings and spoke sharply to cover it. ‘Can you hold me against my wishes, sir? I have broken no law.’
Gyl knew he was clutching at straws. ‘Axon is a long walk from here, for a woman alone.’
‘It would be no shorter if I was walking with ten others.’
Light! She infuriated him. ‘Are you not scared of the outlaw who is still on the loose?’
Lauryn no longer felt frightened. If anything, she was more terrified by the powers which seemed to be at her command. She needed time to think on what had happened and how she had loosed such magic. Sorrel had insisted she go on alone should anything untoward happen. Well, it had happened and she would go on as instructed…if she could only escape this handsome man’s interest in her. She was finding it hard to even look at him, with that shirt torn open and his broad chest revealed.
‘No, I am not scared because I know you will track him down and keep me safe.’
Gyl smiled inwardly. How could she know him so well? A pity he could not see her face through the mud. He liked her strength.
‘Do you know which way to head for Axon?’
‘Perhaps you could show me,’ she said. She wanted to wipe the mud from her hands on her skirt, but it may betray the nerves she felt at his keen interest.
Gyl knew he was not going to win this argument. He had a duty to his men and it was time he returned to them. He still had to pick up the felled man, sort out the body in the copse and start tracking the final villain in the pack. The Light only knew what had happened to the boy.
‘The longer, easier route is back to the road and then head east.’
‘There is another way, I’m guessing?’ she said.
‘Yes, over these hills. It’s steep and very hard walking. But you will cut two days from your journey. Just head north east and you will see Axon nestling in a shallow dip next to one of the forest’s fingers.’
‘Then that is the way I shall head. It will also take me away from the outlaw, I believe. You will find him, won’t you?’
‘For you, Lauryn, I shall. Do you wish me to wait whilst you clean yourself up?’ Gyl was beginning to think he would like to lay eyes on the girl behind this mask.
Lauryn was horrified. At least she had been able to hide her plump, plain looks behind the mud. And ‘clean up’ meant taking her clothes off. Certainly not!
‘No, please. You have spent enough time with me. I am fine and thank you for the directions.’
‘What about food? There are no farms or villages in that direction.’
Lauryn remembered the apples in her pocket. It was hardly a meal but they would suffice. She was anxious to be on her way. ‘I’ll survive,’ she said and turned.
‘If you ever get to Tal, ask for me,’ he called after her.
She did not look back.
It had sounded like a good idea until she found herself on the moors. What would she not give for the strong back of Bryx and the broad chest of Gyl to lean against now? It was a comforting thought. She would hold that picture of the handsome Under Prime in her mind’s eye. Lauryn was exhausted from climbing; she had not
realised how much the day’s terror had taken out of her. Alone, feeling lost and past being hungry, she wanted to cry, but she battled through it.
Finally, as dusk settled, she found a reasonably sheltered spot to rest, knowing the night’s chill would descend quickly. After gobbling down two of the apples, she pulled her shawl tightly around herself and drifted into a deep sleep.
In her fright and subsequent jumbled thoughts, she had forgotten to link with Gidyon, but in this she was fortunate. As Lauryn slept, Gidyon was unleashing an awesome vengeance on the town of Duntaryn.
She woke uncomfortably just as dawn was breaking across the moors. Bones aching from her cold, hard bed and feeling nauseous from the lack of food, Lauryn cast.
Gidyon answered her immediately. At last!
She was grumpy enough without this sort of comment. Really? Well, the last time I dropped by you asked me to leave.
She had not meant to react so viciously. In fact, Lauryn would have given anything at that moment to feel his long arms around her and hear his voice telling her that everything was going to be all right.
Good morning, Lauryn. I see you’re in your usual charming mood, he replied, though not unkindly.
If only you knew what’s happened since we last spoke, you’d be more gentle.
That won his full attention. What has happened? Are you safe?
It felt comforting to hear such fright in his voice. How special it was to know someone cared.
Yes, I’m fine now. Sorrel isn’t doing so well. She faltered, fought back the tears again. Oh, Gidyon…Sorrel’s dead.
She told him everything from the moment she and Sorrel had encountered the overturned cart. He was silent throughout. It was a shock for him to hear the terrible story.
What about you? What happened yesterday? she asked as an afterthought.
This was not the time to tell her, Gidyon decided. Oh, it was all a misunderstanding. Everything is fine. Figgis and I are setting off now.
Who is Figgis?
Long story, he replied. How long do you think it will take you to get to Axon?
That fellow Gyl said I’d be able to reduce the time by around a couple of days, so I’m guessing it must be roughly a two-day walk from here.
Keep the link open for me, Lauryn. Even if we’re not speaking, at least we can both feel connected and together. Are you breakfasted and ready to leave?
Well, I have this lonely apple just dying to hit my belly.
She heard him chuckle. You’re doing better than us then! We have nothing. Start walking.
It did feel so much better having him inside her head. After a long stretch, the final apple and a few sips of water which she found captured in the large leaves of a plant she remembered Sorrel saying made the best tonic for arthritis, Lauryn felt renewed. She pushed sad thoughts of Sorrel from her mind and resumed the hard trudge.
29
Back to the Heartwood
After a happy reunion with the Quist family, the three travellers spent barely a day in Caradoon. Tor was eager to begin their journey back to the Great Forest. There was no time to waste; he must find his children.
‘And so again, goodbye, Tor,’ Eryn said, squeezing his hand. ‘Cloot is beautiful.’ She smiled and whispered her next words. ‘I envy his time with you.’
Tor looked to where Saxon and Quist were joking about the bump on the head which Saxon had sustained on their first meeting; the Kloek was pretending it still troubled him.
‘Janus is mad for you, Eryn. He worships you.’
‘I know. And I feel the same towards him…in my own strange way. I meant what I said at the wharf. Only Alyssa could satisfy you, Tor.’
Eryn instantly regretted her words, knowing he would punish them—as he did, taking great relish to embarrass her.
‘Well now, that depends on what type of satisfaction you could be referring to.’ He grinned.
‘Hush! Do you forget my husband stands so close?’ But she was laughing at his teasing, loving that they could do this. ‘Be careful with Locky this time, please.’
‘I am sending him straight back, I promise.’
Eryn glanced towards where Locky stood, stroking the muzzle of his horse. He too was eager to be on the road with Tor and Saxon.
‘He won’t like it.’
‘He’s too young, Eryn. Still too eager to die bravely. He needs a few women in his life.’ He kissed her hand. ‘Then he will know that life is worth clinging to.’
The horses, which had been generously provided by Quist, made the travelling much quicker and it was only a day before they came to the southern-most point of Caradoon’s reach.
It was a pleasurable ride, with Cloot flying ahead and Saxon, in fine form, regaling them with stories of Cirq Zorros and his life with the Shield.
The Heartwood calls, Tor, Cloot said gently, as they first glimpsed the finger of the Great Forest.
Tor could see that Locky did not want to leave. His request to stay with them was almost bursting from his lips. Tor jumped in before he could speak.
‘Locky, you have been a great friend to us. Promise me you will take care of your sister. I don’t doubt that next time we meet you will be a captain aboard your own pirate ship and every bit as good as Quist.’
Locky smiled sadly. ‘Except it is not the sea that beckons, Tor. I wish to join the Shield.’
Tor nodded. ‘So I hear. Give it another year, Locky, and perhaps Saxon here can speak for you. He drinks with the Prime.’
Locky’s eyes shone. ‘Is that right, Saxon? You really are close to Prime Herek?’
Saxon enjoyed the reflected glory. ‘On my word. Beef up a bit, Locky, and keep up your study. I’ll talk to Herek for you but not until you’re fifteen summers, boy.’
‘Deal!’ Locky said and spat into his hand.
Saxon did the same and they shook on the promise.
Tor was relieved. He had no intention of dragging Locky into his world again if he could help it. He was safe with his sister, as far north as possible and away from Tal.
Saxon said the needful. ‘Well, Locky. Let’s see you on your horse now and headed home with the other two before we leave for the forest.’
Locky grinned and after giving the two men a brief hard hug, he waved to Cloot. It was a childish gesture and Tor was sad that Locky would never know that Cloot understood it very well and had even responded.
May the Light shine your path home safely, boy, Cloot called but only Tor heard.
They waved until Locky, leading the other two horses, had cantered around a bend in the road and they could no longer see him. Tor turned with Saxon towards the forest.
‘Home, Sax,’ he said, looking towards the sanctuary of the trees.
‘It’s good to be back,’ the Kloek replied.
Shoulder to shoulder, the men walked towards the first line of trees, which whispered their welcome back to the Heartwood.
Standing on the fringe of the forest was Arabella. She wiped away tears of relief to see the two men she loved returning to her. The trio hugged before entering the darkness and serenity of the Great Forest.
The rest of Gidyon’s journey to Axon was uneventful. He carried Figgis the whole way; something the little man found intolerable yet, at the same time, too wonderful for words. On the one hand, he felt humiliated at being so weak—it was painful to see a Paladin having to resort to being carried like a child! On the other hand, he just loved looking up into the face of the young man who not only had saved his life, but was now Figgis’s reason for living. He was bonded to the boy and would protect him with his own life, until death released him.
Figgis had only spent a short while in Torkyn Gynt’s presence but he was often astounded to see how clearly reflected the father was in the son. Gidyon was certainly his father again in looks, and even in the lilt of his voice and the way he carried himself. How they compared in personality was yet to be seen, though Figgis fancied the similarities would be strong. Gidyon had already shown the icy
courage his father was famous for.
‘Figgis, my friend, guess what?’ Gidyon said chirpily.
‘I hope you are going to tell me we are at Axon,’ Figgis replied.
‘We are. There’s the signpost—one mile.’
Gidyon put his friend on the ground so Figgis could take a better look, then cast to Lauryn to let her know they had arrived. He felt pride at being able to do this; since the eruption of his power at Duntaryn, he had found it easy to open his own link to her.
The Rock Dweller looked at their surrounds for a moment or two. Finally he decided. ‘We must head straight into the forest from here.’
Gidyon shook his head. ‘How do you know?’
‘The Heartwood will help us. The whole forest will assist in guiding us to where I hope your father awaits. Let’s go.’
Gidyon picked up his friend again and marched straight towards the trees in the distance. ‘Won’t be long now,’ he thought aloud.
‘Are you nervous, child?’
‘No. Not nervous. Just full of anticipation. I’ve spent all my years wondering about who my parents might have been, why I was alone. This is the biggest thing to happen in my life.’
Figgis sighed inwardly, imagining what lay ahead. ‘Oh, I think we might do better in time,’ he said.
‘Figgis, look!’
In front of them stood an enormous silver wolf. She waited patiently on the fringe of the forest, looking directly at them.
‘I was told to expect a donkey, a priestess or a wolf…it’s the wolf. It’s beautiful,’ he said in a reverential tone.
‘That, my boy, is no ordinary wolf. Her name is Solyana.’ Figgis’s voice was thick with emotion. ‘Please, Gidyon, get me to her.’
Gidyon almost ran to where the wolf stood serenely gazing at them.
Figgis threw his arms around the wolf’s neck and Gidyon was shocked to see him weep into her thick fur. Solyana licked Figgis. It was a tender scene and he felt like an intruder. Suddenly he heard the wolf’s gentle voice in his head. It was beautiful, like her.
Do not mind us, Gidyon. We have not seen each other in a long, long time. I am truly honoured to welcome you back to the Heartwood, child. This is your home always. The Heartwood will always protect and love you.
Revenge Page 36