“Ansel? Did I catch you dreaming off?”
His head jerked at the sound of my voice.
I slid in beside him and put my hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. You must have been a long ways off. What’s bothering you? I mean besides the obvious. We are in the face of war. But, is there something else?”
Ansel managed a slow far-away smile. He pushed a lock of my wet hair aside and kissed my forehead. “It’s time for us to leave.”
I didn’t press him. He would tell me when he’s ready, although I was a bit puzzled as to why he chose not to share.
We walked in silence to the entry cavern where our dragons waited. Eshshah lowered her head so I could kiss her nose. I turned around to find Ansel behind me, still with the worried look. He gathered me in his arms and buried his face in my hair.
“Amáne?”
“What is it, Ansel?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Somehow, I got the feeling there was more he wanted to say.
His eyes surveyed my face, then he kissed my lips before giving me a boost into the saddle.
During our flight to Braonán’s encampment I caught him looking at me more than a few times. It was not the loving look to which I was accustomed, but one filled with anxiety. I began to feel alarmed.
“Eshshah, is he questioning his decision to marry me? I know he loves me, but maybe our union wouldn’t be the best for the kingdom.”
“Amáne, don’t think that way,” Eshshah admonished. “I’m sure the pressure of his duties and the preparations for war are the cause of his anxious mood.”
“You’re probably right. I shouldn’t be so self-centered as to think it has something to do with me. I just wish whatever it is, he would tell me. It hurts me that he’s keeping his worry to himself.”
We landed in a clearing near the camp. After removing my dragon’s saddle, I took my leave of Eshshah. Ansel grabbed his crutch and we proceeded to the command tent to find Braonán. We met him heading our direction.
“My Lord,” Braonán said in his booming voice as he saluted the two of us. “Amáne.” He threw a puzzled look at Ansel. “A walking stick?”
“I had a bit of an accident two days ago. Thanks to Amáne, Eshshah and Sovann, I live another day to fight.”
Braonán’s eyebrows nearly touched. “After all our work, we prefer to have you in one piece when you’ve won the crown.”
He jerked his head toward the camp’s center. “Come, we’ve got a barrel of DragonScale Ale. I’ll put a spigot in it, and you can fill me in over a pint or two.”
We entered the command pavilion. Braonán called for food and drink to be brought. Soon the aroma of the camp stew, along with cheese and bread reminded me how hungry flying made me.
Braonán listened intently to Ansel’s story. I added my perspective at certain points. Ansel didn’t include the fact he’d seen his parents in the Shadows. I omitted it as well. At the end of the narrative, Braonan shook his head slowly. He swung his eyes to me.
“Thank you, Amáne.” There was a note of deep emotion in his voice.
I bit my lip and nodded.
Braonán cleared his throat as he rose from his chair and retrieved the battle map I’d delivered a few days ago. With his thick arm, he shoved our empty bowls to the side and spread the map on the table. Eshshah joined me in open thought transference.
“We’ve been successful with our raids on Galtero’s supply trains.” Braonán said. “His army is receiving far less provisions from the usual routes than they need to sustain their forces. Our ally, King Tynan of Serislan, has sent us a squad of elite soldiers. They’ve infiltrated Castle Teravinea, posing as merchants. They’re supplying lobster, silk and meat to replenish Galtero’s personal stores. Galtero knows he can hold the castle indefinitely should we try a siege. The Gorria Pass is the last major supply route they still hold.” He pointed to that spot on the map. “If we can take it, his army will suffer greatly.
“According to Duer’s information, they are mustering about twenty thousand troops in these hills. They’ll wait for us in ambush. At our closest estimate, our troops number approximately twelve thousand.”
“Do we even stand a chance, Braonán?” asked Ansel.
“Ansel, Lord Ansel, you must not lose hope,” I interrupted, “I’ve read plenty of accounts where the size of the forces were just as unmatched, yet it was the smaller army who saw victory. And an even more decisive advantage,” I added, “we have our dragons.”
Ansel studied the map intently. “We’ll put a feint retreat into effect.”
“My thoughts, exactly, my Lord,” said Braonán.
“It will allow us to choose the site of the battle,” Ansel said. “Rather than the narrow pass in which they expect us to fight, we’ll set up to the west.” He swept his hand over the area. “The road bends here. Even at the high ground they occupy, they cannot see beyond this part of the road.”
“Excellent, Lord Ansel. We’ll deploy an advance unit to engage the enemy briefly, then retreat. This will draw them into our ambush, set up here.”
“Eshshah and I can be on this northeast side,” I interjected. “Lord Ansel and Sovann on the southeast. We can attack Galtero’s rearguard, and then direct our assault where needed.”
Braonán nodded at me. “You have an eye for strategy.” He smiled in approval.
Ansel pursed his lips, but said nothing.
“Our reconnaissance team will set traps here,” Braonán added. “It takes two men to rescue one injured. That could help our odds.”
For the next hour or so, we refined our plans. When our discussion neared its end, Braonán caught me stifling a yawn.
“Amáne, the women’s tent is five down in that direction. I’ve had a cot set up for you, if that’s agreeable.”
“I could sleep on a bed of rocks right now, Braonán. Thank you.”
Both men stood up when I did. Braonán and I exchanged salutes.
“I’ll walk with you, Amáne,” Ansel said. “Braonán, I’ll be back shortly.”
We made our way to the field to say good night to our dragons. Eshshah and Sovann gave Ansel another healing treatment before we headed back into camp.
Ansel and I stopped in front of my tent. He turned to me and pulled me close. His crutch fell. We ignored it.
I reached up and touched his furrowed brow. “I wish I could smooth this crease, Ansel.”
He took my hand and kissed my palm, but gave no hint he would share his concern. His fingers ran through my hair as he brushed his lips against mine. I closed my eyes. No one existed, but Ansel and I.
A sharp voice came from behind me. “Don’t even begin to entertain any thought of sneaking into the women’s tent, soldier. Or, you’ll have — ”
The words cut short as Ansel turned his face toward the voice. I spun around to find a large woman, her hands planted on her hips. Instantly, her eyes went wide and she dropped to a deep curtsy, bowing until her head nearly touched the ground.
“Your Grace. I didn’t see it was you. Please forgive me,” she said.
“Rise, Hildred. It’s good to see you’re protecting those in your charge.” A note of humor rang in Ansel’s voice. It made me glad to hear it.
“My Lady, Rider Amáne.” She lowered herself again as she addressed me.
“Hildred,” I gasped, “there’s no need to —” Ansel squeezed my arm.
“You may as well get used to this,” he whispered.
The woman remained in her bowed position. Ansel nudged me and tipped his head in her direction.
“Oh. I’m sorry. Please rise, Hildred, I ... I ...”
“Hildred, no need to worry yourself,” Ansel broke in. “I have no intention of entering. I’m just escorting my betrothed safely into your care.”
“Of course, Your Grace. Thank you, Your Grace. Rest assured.”
I had hoped to lay a while longer in my cot, when I heard, “Amáne? Are you awake?
”
“Yes, Eshshah. Why even ask, when you know already?”
“You should get up.”
“The sun isn’t even up, the day has barely broken.”
“Sovann says Ansel could use your company.”
I popped up to a sitting position, then moaned as the blood rushed from my head. “Ansel? Is he all right?”
“Yes, but he’s had a fitful night.”
“He’s so stubborn. I wish he would tell me what’s been bothering him.”
“You two can be so contrary. One just as headstrong as the other,” she said.
I pulled a tunic over my nightshirt, and tugged on my tights and my boots. Stopping at the basin, I splashed cold water on my face, ran my fingers through my dishevelled hair and tied it back with a leather thong. I headed out to find Ansel.
He sat on the ground leaning against Sovann’s foreleg. I kissed Eshshah good morning, greeted Sovann and lowered myself beside Ansel. He took my hand and held it tightly in both of his. We sat in silence.
“Ansel,” I finally whispered. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong, my love.”
“Then what has you walking as if you live in a different world? Why do I catch you staring at me so sadly? Did I say or do something that has you doubting me?”
He groaned. “No. I have no doubts about you. Please don’t ever think that. I love you more than a flower loves the sun.”
He drew me close and kissed me.
When he pulled back I gazed into his green eyes. They radiated with love. But, behind that, deeply hidden, I thought I could read fear. My stomach clenched.
Before I could say anything, he leaped to his feet and offered his hand to help me up. “Would you and Eshshah like to join us for a short flight?”
“Do you even need to ask?”
We saddled our dragons and spiralled up out of camp. The valley spread out below us, long shadows played along the ground as the sun rose. The view took my breath away. I looked over at Ansel and cheered to myself when I caught his elation. For a few moments, his anxiety melted in the flight. We flew only for a short time. I think Ansel just needed to fly to clear his head. He and I surveyed the surrounding area to make sure the camp’s position was secure.
The rest of the day passed quickly as I waited for reports to be drawn up for me to carry to Avano and to the Healer. I killed some time sparring with Braonán. It had been a few days since I’d done any serious practice. The exertion did me good. Afterwards, we pored over the map and discussed the Gorria Pass.
The time arrived for Eshshah and me to head back to Dorsal. I gathered my satchels containing the materials I was to deliver. Bidding farewell to Braonán, I headed with Ansel to where Eshshah waited. I decided not to mention his mood again or ask him what bothered him. I had to accept that there were possibly some things he could not, or would not, share with me. It hurt. But what hurt more was that he suffered alone.
Ansel checked the girth on Eshshah’s saddle. Then climbed on Eshshah’s foreleg to test the belts in the seat. He seemed to tug at them a little more fervently than necessary. A curse slipped out of his mouth.
“Ansel!”
“Forgive me, Amáne.” He looked truly embarrassed. “I just wish I had a way to know you’ve arrived safely. I would prefer that Gallen come up with a more transportable communication device.”
He jumped down and took me in his arms. He kissed my forehead, both cheeks and then my lips.
“Be safe,” he said.
“You, too.”
“The Dorsal unit leaves in two days’ time,” said the Healer. Eshshah and I had flown in the day before. We leaned over the map spread out on a table in the Healer’s library. She continued, “Dorjan and Kail will ride with the company. They’ll head up to join Calder and his unit,” she rested her finger on Glinfoil. “Then continue toward the Gorria Pass.”
The Healer traced the route they would take, moving north on the western edge of our kingdom, then veering east toward the City of Teravinea. “It’ll take more than a fortnight before they arrive on the western side of the Gorria Hills.”
“Calder and Dorjan will not accompany their units all the way to the Gorria Hills,” Gallen said. “They’ll break and swing over to Avano’s location, here. Kail will lead the troops the rest of the way.”
The Healer turned to me, “With yours and Eshshah’s permission, Gallen and I will need transport to Avano’s. You’ll need to make two trips. We have to be there within a week.”
“Of course, Healer.”
The entire township of Dorsal came together outside the southwest walls. Mothers gathered to send off their sons and husbands, and a handful of daughters, with emotional farewells. Pride showed in their faces. Their family members would fight under the Drekinn banner of the golden dragon, to return Teravinea to its former glory. Yet a fear showed in their eyes — knowledge that some may not return.
The Lord Mayor proudly led the farewell ceremony for our Dorsal troops. We were sending only about two-hundred men, but they were highly trained by the Healer, Gallen and Dorjan.
“Amáne,” Fiona called. I turned and greeted my friend as she dragged her new husband, Kail through the crowd. Their recent wedding would be the talk of Dorsal for many years to come. They wanted to pledge their troth before Kail went off to battle. It had been quickly planned, but did not lack in the grandeur of any wedding that took months of planning. She certainly had the knack for social events.
Fiona’s arm was locked tightly in Kail’s. Her eyes were red, but she held a resigned smile. She gave me a hug with her free arm, stepped back and said, “I’m charging you with keeping an eye on my husband.”
Kail rolled his eyes.
“Fiona I’ll do my best to make sure he comes safely home to you.” I knew exactly how she felt — and she knew that I did. We took comfort in each other. Of course we both knew his homecoming was not up to me.
Dorjan called to mount up. With last kisses and hugs the soldiers took to their saddles. They rode out of town amidst farewells, tears and cheers. The banner of the royal golden dragon on a field of purple waved at the lead. We followed them up the road and past the harbor, to the edge of our township.
Fiona and I held on to each other until we could see them no more. Her twin sisters Rio and Mila found us in the throng and attached themselves on either side. The four of us walked arm-in-arm back to where Eshshah waited in the nearly-empty festival field.
Eshshah had become a popular member of our township, now that we had been revealed. As usual, the children were the most comfortable with her. She lay contented as they scampered around her. A few climbed her foreleg or played near her tail until their mothers admonished them to leave her alone. She never tired of them. The little ones saluted me as we approached.
Once a dragon rider granted permission to speak to their dragon, it was generally understood, that permission remained.
Without hesitation, the twins approached my magnificent dragon.
“Mighty fiery Eshshah,” Rio and Mila began almost simultaneously, “pride of Dorsal, we love you. With your ancient powers, please put in a good word for us to any dragon egg nearby. We so want to become dragon riders when we come of age. Thank you.” They finished with a crisp salute.
I felt Eshshah’s amusement at their salutation. She nodded appreciatively.
Fiona’s greeting was more traditional.
We kept each other company for a bit longer before we bid farewell.
Before I knew it, the Healer and I were packed and standing in the courtyard as dawn brightened the eastern sky. Eshshah wore the double saddle, her breastplate secured. Gallen gave me a boost up. I locked wrists with the Healer and she swung up behind me.
With a powerful thrust of her hind legs, Eshshah leaped into the air and executed her first downsroke. We spiraled up above the Healer’s expansive property and headed north for Avano’s encampment.
In less than three hours, we arrive
d. I felt Eshshah’s disappointment before she voiced it in thought transference.
“Sovann and Lord Ansel are not here.”
The military camp looked quite different from when I last saw it. Most of the troops had marched out. Practically deserted, only a fraction of the tents were left standing to accommodate the twenty seven dragon riders that would convene here, along with the soldiers that would accompany them.
Avano met us as we landed. He gave us a crisp salute and offered a hand down. I stayed only a short time to help unload the Healer’s gear, then Eshshah and I headed back to Dorsal to get Gallen.
Our second approach, Eshshah conveyed the same disappointed announcement. Ansel and Sovann still hadn’t arrived.
Gallen helped me remove Eshshah’s saddle. I toted the rest of my belongings to my tent before joining the Healer in the main pavilion. For the first time since my insubordination hearing, I faced the other dragon riders. No one showed any ill will, but gave me a warm reception. All knew my punishment had been set aside for a time.
By evening all the riders had arrived at the encampment. All but Ansel. Braonán was the last to see him. He said Ansel had wanted to visit with the troops already entrenched near Gorria. He would more-than-likely show up at our location by the end of the day. Outwardly, he maintained an unperturbed attitude, but I detected an uncomfortable edge.
Once again the maps were spread out. We pored over them as a group. The Healer traced the road to the Gorria Hills. “It’s a two-day march from our position. Our forces will halt about a league before this bend in the road. We will not be visible to Galtero’s men. When all is set, we’ll launch our plan. We can reach the bend in one hour or less. Amáne, you and Lord Ansel will meet us where we make camp each night.”
Nighttime fell and still no sign of Ansel. I paced outside my tent for what seemed like hours. Finally, I decided I needed to turn in. I had to will myself to sleep, with Eshshah’s help.
I found myself running in the corridors beneath Castle Teravinea. The smoke that swirled around me made it difficult to see. My father ran with me, ushering me through the maze-like turns. Pursuers’ bootfalls echoed behind us. We were in search of Ansel, trapped somewhere below the castle. Just when I thought we’d found him, he’d disappear, only to shout for help from another cell.
Amane of Teravinea - The Crown (The Teravinea Series Book 3) Page 21