by AS Hamilton
Just then, the very archer he was thinking about called orders for the regiment to move through the gates. Leyhera's horse started following the horse in front of her without any need of direction. The journey-walker wanted to hold his breath, but for the possibility he might pass out. Instead, he followed Sariah's example and contained himself in a calm façade. He was one step further along his own path, a step he thought he would never take thanks to his incarceration by Nisari and Colnba — an event that had been unseen, even by Toormeena. All he had to do now was see if Andarin of House of Debanikay had survived. If the mage was still alive, there was every chance that his own path would still unfold as predicted.
Lenai had positioned herself towards the middle of the group. She thought, this way, if there was trouble away from the warrior leading and the male elvan who was at the back, she could help. The worst part had been walking to the stables. Lenai had been very aware of her gait, making sure she marched like a soldier would, but feeling quite inept at it. So getting onto the horse had been a significant relief. A few of the women were terrified though, they had never ridden before, but the male elvan had explained that the horses were well-trained and all they had to do was hold on, keep a straight back, and look ahead.
And that was what they were doing now. A sound to Lenai's right made her look in that direction while trying not to move her head. She realised one of the women was starting to breathe faster. It sounded to Lenai like she was working herself into a panic. Lenai cautiously looked about her. They were too far back for the soldiers at the front of the gate to pay them much notice and the Captain of the Gate was concentrating on the warrior. She reached a hand out, managing to brush the woman's arm to get her attention.
'It's okay, Dana,' she whispered. 'Try to level out your breathing. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly.'
Keeping her head forward, Dana rasped, 'He's looking at me.'
Lenai hadn't seen anyone nearby. She leaned back slightly and then she saw a pair of soldiers, just a few meters away. They had stopped so one could tie his boot-laces. The soldier with him was idly watching the group as he waited for his friend. Sure enough, he was looking right at Dana. He was staring at her and as Lenai watched, he started to frown.
Lenai shifted back so Dana's body hid her from view and said, 'You need to calm yourself, Dana. You cannot cry, we are all relying on your courage. And you are brave. I've seen it.'
Dana started to nod.
'Don't nod. Just look ahead. Breathe into your stomach so your chest doesn't rise too much. Keep it slow.'
Lenai was careful to keep her voice low and made sure she did not phrase her instructions as questions, because she knew Dana would start nodding and shaking her head in response.
The soldier looking at Dana was talking to his companion now, but he wasn't taking his eyes off Dana. His friend rose and turned to look at the group.
Dana muffled a whimper. 'They're both looking.'
The group started moving forward. Lenai saw that the warrior had finished showing her orders to the Captain of the Gate and they were heading out of the city now. She could not breathe a sigh of relief just yet, though.
'Keep looking ahead,' she reminded Dana. 'Do not look anywhere else but between your horse's ears.'
A tear was sliding down Dana's cheek and Lenai hoped it was just on the side closest to her.
'Don't wipe your face, just look forward. Remember, the rebel said that there's a mage who will use illusion to hide us. As long as we look forward and stay calm, we will soon be free. I know you can do it. I've seen you get through worse.'
As they passed by the warrior posing as an officer, Lenai was reassured to see that the warrior was chatting with no sign of discomfort. Her questions kept the Captain of the Gate fully engaged.
As they crossed through the gates, Lenai found herself holding her breath.
'Halt.'
The word filled her with terror. The group came to a stop. Dana had tears streaming down her cheeks.
'Please, Dana, control yourself. I know you can.' Lenai whispered.
Lenai looked back, hoping the rows of riders behind her hid her enough from the guards on the gate. The two soldiers that had been looking at Dana were talking to the Captain of the Gate. With their attention diverted for the moment, Lenai leaned over and placed her hand on Dana's arm, causing the woman to look over at her.
Lenai held her gaze. 'For this one moment, you need to be strong, Dana. So sit up straight, look ahead, and concentrate on your breathing, keep it steady. Can you do that for me?'
The woman just stared, her fear reflected in her green eyes.
'I need you to be strong. For me, Dana, please.'
Something seemed to click, and suddenly Dana's expression changed, determination replacing the fear. She gave Lenai a tight nod and straightened up. They both glanced back. The warrior was talking to the Captain of the Gate. By Fate's hand, Lenai hoped she would be able to get them out. She didn't want to go back. Fate's mercy, please don't let them be caught.
'Captain. I'm tellin' ya, there was a woman—'
Sariah laughed. 'I can guarantee you, Corporal, that if a woman was in my company, I'd know it.' Turning to the Captain, she frowned. 'No disrespect, Captain, but I'm on the Thane's time. Do you expect Kennelm's going to be happy if we delay because your soldier saw a boy he liked?'
'It wasn't—'
'Captain, is your Corporal always this difficult?' Sariah asked.
The Captain of the Gate glared at his underling and then looked at the column of soldiers. Just as Sariah was deciding on how to distract him, Brynn sent to her. 'He won an award for bravery two turns ago. Saved the lives of half a dozen men. Kennelm was the one to send them in to the ambush that earned him the award, so he does not like the Thane.' Brynn also sent her an image of the Captain of the Gate receiving the award.
'I mean, I know you're a very capable leader,' Sariah said, 'having saved, what was it, over a dozen soldiers in that ambush in Andorek Forest? Kennelm never should have sent you in there, by the way, he just doesn't understand military strategy.'
Her remark made the Captain of the Gate turn away from 'her men' as he scrutinised her. Sariah was not worried by his examination, Brynn had laid an illusion over her so that she resembled an older version of the Captain's eldest son in order to ensure he liked her without realising why.
'Yes, it was less than that, but all lives of worth.'
'He sees the soldiers like his sons and in need of his greater experience and protection.'
Sariah had not expected the humbleness that came with his honesty, she decided to take a slightly different course.
'I remember you getting that commendation. Made me proud to know we still have men of that calibre in the military. Those soldiers were damn fortunate to have someone of your experience leading them. These soldiers here,' she shook her head, 'they're more children than men, they need leaders like you and me with the experience to keep them alive until they learn it for themselves. I don't mean to rush, Captain, but the Thane's demanding these particular reinforcements and I don't want them to be on the receiving end of his wrath if we're late. He's not a patient man, and, like I said earlier, the only reason I'm leavin' this late in the day is because it's Kennelm doing the asking.'
The Captain of the Gate grunted. 'Yes, I know all about Kennelm's impatience.'
Just as the Captain of Gate looked about to wave them through. The corporal started towards the group, reaching forward as he approached. Sariah turned her horse and moved it between the soldier and the group of women. She leaned down, using Kaydyr's sight to look at the man. It was fortunate the hawk had such sharp vision, because even from his position on a nearby rooftop, she could see the Corporal's face clearly.
'Your insubordination is unacceptable, Corporal,' Sariah growled. 'You're very fortunate I'm not your direct commander because I'd have you digging latrines in the desert just on the off chance I might use them some day. As it is, your
fortune continues, because I have a deep respect for your Captain, and the reputation he has built, I will leave your discipline in his charge. Is that ale I smell on your breath? By the Great Sages! No wonder you're confusing a young man for a woman.'
As she took a breath to continue, the Captain of the Gate stepped in.
'Return to barracks, Corporal. I will deal with you later.' He turned his attention to Sariah. 'I'll see to it he is appropriately disciplined, Major.'
Sariah made a deprecating gesture. 'Look, he's had a few, I understand that. The men need to unwind. But you need to be careful, some of the other officers wouldn't be as forgiving. You have a reputation — a good one, I'd not like to see that tarnished because one of your men drank a few too many ales than is good for him. Let's not make it official. I trust you to take care of this.'
'Of course…'
Sariah stretched out her hand. When the Captain gripped her wrist, she made sure her grip was strong, almost too firm, but not painful. Thankfully they were both wearing gloves, so he would not feel how soft her skin was or note the lack of hair.
'Good fortune,' the Captain wished her.
Sariah gave him a brief smile. 'Thanks. Being under Kennelm for the next few weeks, we're going to need it.'
Drawing her horse back, Sariah waved the column through.
'Whenever you are ready,' she sent to Brynn.
Several moments passed and then Brynn sent, 'Dismount on your right. Move in between the two buildings there. Kaydyr is looking right at the spot I mean.'
Sariah followed his instructions and then watched as the gates closed behind the last of the riders. She stayed long enough to see the illusion Brynn created of the major riding her horse give the Captain a salute as the gates shut. It would have been disaster to have had to rush out there and engage them, but she had been prepared to do it if that was what was needed to help those women get away. Moving further back into the shadows she waited for Kaydyr. The hawk had moved to a position to watch over the gate entrance and the column of departing women, Sarre now in the lead.
Sariah felt her way as she moved still further down the passage. All her attention was on what she could hear and feel. Kaydyr's view shifted as he took off and then she heard him flying in behind her. She straightened up so he could land on her shoulder.
They waited. She could see, now, that she was well out of sight, but was not sure when Brynn would lift the illusion that made her invisible, so she stayed put. She felt a tentative prod at Kaydyr's mental barriers. It felt like another hawk, and yet Kaydyr did not believe it. Because of their connection she was aware of everything he felt and he was also aware of her emotions and thoughts. Much of the time he did not understand the complexity or the contradictions of her thoughts and emotions, but Kaydyr's were direct and forceful, and he did not trust the entity trying to link with him. Tensely, both waited for another attempt, sure that it was an Abbarane mage investigating their presence.
Just as suddenly as the pressure started, it lifted, dissipating altogether.
The moment of relief was short lived as another link was attempted. Sariah let out a sigh as she recognised Brynn.
'You are safe, Sariah. And wise. The first attempt was not me, it was a mage who was drawn by my manipulation of the planes around you to create my illusion of invisibility. He could not identify the kind of entity Kaydyr was, but I masked you as an apprentice mage attempting to learn how to use mind-speak with an animal.'
'They are out,' Sariah told him without preamble. She was aware he probably knew, but she confirmed it, just in case. Who knew what the mage was paying attention to with his manipulation of so many things at once?
'Very precisely done,' Brynn complimented. 'That got awfully close for a few minutes. That Corporal was pretty determined to grab one of those women and pull her off her horse. I could not manipulate his mind, too strong a will to do it without alerting mages, so your focus on the Captain worked very effectively in thwarting the Corporal. I am at the place Sarre recommended.'
'Even without a name?' Sariah was impressed. All Sarre had been able to remember was that the tavern was named after an animal, leaving Brynn just the map to find it.
'Indeed. How long will it take you to reach the corral?' They had agreed to meet at the horse trader's they had stopped at earlier in the day as it was less public than the tavern and Brynn remembered how to get there.
'I will be there in less than a quarter hour,' Sariah replied.
Day 6 – Night
Denas
'Stop fidgeting with that.'
Malithorn gave Liacoren an annoyed look, but dropped the locket about his neck beneath his shirt. They were in his private quarters. Malithorn was pacing slowly back and forth behind one of two lounges that faced each other. Liacoren sat on the opposite lounge looking down into her drink as she swirled the glass carefully. She quite liked orange juice, but not when the pulp settled in the bottom of the glass.
'They are up to something, Mamana.'
Liacoren looked up at Malithorn. When his mother died, she had taken over his care and, in private, he still called her mother, or mamana. He was referring to Colnba and Nisari. Keldon had been very comfortable in his control of the elvan pair, but Malithorn had never achieved quite the same level of confidence. She missed Keldon. They had been everything a husband and wife could be except for lovers. Oh, Keldon had wanted it, but Liacoren had never allowed it. Could not allow it. Not after what she had seen men were capable of doing to women early on in the war. And she was too independent to allow a man to claim any kind of ownership of her as was the culture in Keldon's homelands. She preferred the elvan practice, where partners were considered equal and it was just as likely for a father to care for children or undertake domestic duties. So she had been quite content when Keldon had taken a wife in order to produce an heir. And even more content to take over the care of his child when that wife was assassinated. She saw Malithorn as her own child and Malithorn, having been just three when his mother died, did not remember her at all.
Liacoren considered his statement. 'Of course they are up to something, but you are quite safe. I have thwarted them before and will continue to do so.'
Malithorn stopped pacing to stare at her. Liacoren's calm demeanour and unconcerned tone reassured him.
'Still, Colnba has been acting strange lately. He seems…' he trailed off as he tried to think of how best to describe the mage's attitude. 'He seems almost reckless, which is unlike him.'
Liacoren tilted her head. 'How so?'
'He has been short and impatient. He knows such behaviour is inadvisable with me, but he seems heedless of that fact. It is not like him to abandon that caution, which leads me to believe he is distracted by something that is more important to him than preserving my good humour. At first, I was just irritated. My first instinct was to punish him, but the more I think about it…'
'It is a worrying change in his behaviour. Is that why you think more often about the locket and its contents?'
Malithorn nodded. 'I think so.'
'You need to be careful of that. Your barriers are good, but if you think of it too often, eventually one of them will catch on as to its real significance.'
'Yes, yes. I understand.'
Liacoren decided it was time to change the subject. 'Have you given any thought to which woman you will take for a wife?'
Malithorn rolled his eyes and huffed softly. 'I hardly have time for a wife.'
'You've never had time for a wife, but you need an heir. Even with healers keeping your body at a peak, you cannot completely stop yourself from ageing.'
In the silence that followed, Liacoren resisted huffing herself.
'Your father understood the practicality of the situation. You would do him a disservice if you do not continue your bloodline.'
'I know, mamana.' He made an impatient gesture. 'Can you not just choose one?'
The question surprised Liacoren. 'Do you not care as to her attractivene
ss or personality?'
Shrugging, Malithorn countered with another question. 'Does it really matter? I don't plan to spend any significant time with her.'
'You are not interested in a partnership of any sort?'
This question got an exasperated look. 'I am not elvan. I put no value into all that rubbish about rahns. I rule alone. If I need a confidant, I have you. If I need advice, I have my generals and council, as well as you. The only service a wife can provide is a child. So just make sure she is fertile and healthy.' The Great Lord paused. 'And not too talkative.'
He strode out onto the balcony, closing the door behind him.
Liacoren raised her brows. Well, at least he'd agreed. Up until now he had refused, either by directly saying no or by stalling and saying he needed time to think about it. It was not that Malithorn did not engage in intimacy with women, just that he had no care for a relationship. He did not see it as important. To a degree, it saddened her. She was not elvan, either, but she had been brought up by one and although there were many things she hated about the elvan, such as their arrogance, she thought they had their uses. Many of their beliefs aligned with her own, such as preserving the environment, for that preserved their magic, and the equal relationship that was involved in having a rahn. She would not be here forever either, and she felt strongly that Malithorn needed someone to fulfil her role as adviser and companion when she was gone.
In truth, she wanted Malithorn to take an elvan wife. The Abbarane bloodline had no natural talent and although a talented human wife would resolve this, having an elvan mother would ensure the longevity of any children Malithorn had. Keldon may be gone, but Liacoren wanted to make sure that before she moved on to the next realm that she had secured his bloodline and, thus, ensure Keldon's legacy remained. Convincing Malithorn to take an elvan wife would be a significant challenge though. The human mage smiled to herself. Now that he had not only agreed to take a wife, but to let her choose that wife, there might just be a way to accomplish such a feat.