Chael's Luck (A Knights of Dorathan Novel)

by Chester, Mireille

  “Can you help, Klora? You’ve found her before.” He rearranged the reins in his hand until he was holding Klora’s on top of the others.

  “What are you thinking, Ian?” John mounted his horse.

  “I’m thinking that Klora might be able to point us in the right direction.” He put his foot in Chaela’s stirrup.

  “Are you insane? No one but Chaela’s ever ridden that horse!”

  Ian swung on and mentally swore at himself for not adjusting the stirrups before getting into the saddle. Klora started to dance around nervously. “Klora, you know which way they went. You’re the only one that can find them.” He reached forward and ran his hand along the stallion’s neck. The others watched from their horses’ backs, scared to move.

  Klora’s ears perked in the direction the goblins had gone. Ian gave him his head and marveled at how quickly the horse picked up speed. He looked back under his arm to make sure the others were keeping up.

  “Ease up, Klora. Even your sire can’t keep up.” He pulled back on the reins and Klora shook his head in an attempt to loosen them once again. The black slowed suddenly.

  “What’s he doing?” hollered Mac.

  “I don’t know!” Ian was jerked sideways as Klora turned right sharply. He dug his spur into the horse’s side to stay on and marveled at the fact that his mount didn’t so much as flinch at the contact. Ian heard the rest of the horses turn and follow behind them. Klora kept turning until he was running back in the direction they had come.

  “Maybe this won’t work, Ian!” Hal raised an eyebrow at his brother who shrugged.

  Ian glanced down at his arm as Chaela’s chain started to warm against his skin. “Something that goes over her head.” His heart sped with the realization of what Blarenagin had meant. “It’s the chain! Blarenagin was talking about the chain! We’re heading in the right direction!”

  “How can you be sure she’s with the book?” Mac let his horse catch up to Klora.

  “Where else would she be? I have no idea who this old man is, but I’m willing to bet my life on the fact that he’s got both of them.” He brought his arm up and pressed his lips to the chain around his arm. “Hang on, Chaela.” He swallowed hard. “Chael, you bastard, she’s been through enough. Just let her be alive when I get there.” He gave Klora his head, suddenly positive he had to get to her sooner than later.

  *****

  I awoke to the feel of someone’s fist connecting with my face. The pain in my cheek flared and I struggled to pull out of the darkness I seemed stuck in. Fingers dug into my arm.

  “Easy now. You want her to regain consciousness, not lose it again.” The voice broke through the darkness and I tried to focus on it. My head was pounding, my throat was dry, my entire body ached and all I could think about was that whoever was beating on me was going to die.

  “I’m going to enjoy this,” someone whispered in my ear.

  “Caleb…” My voice broke and I cleared it. I was starting to become aware that my situation was not an optimal one. My hands were tied with ropes to a beam in the ceiling of the cabin. I hung so that I had just enough weight on my legs to keep some of the strain off of my shoulders if I stood straight. Unfortunately, having spent an unknown amount of time unconscious, my shoulders were screaming. I tried to focus on the positive. Well, at least you’ve still got your clothes on, I thought.

  Caleb’s fist connected with my abdomen and my breath left my body in a sickening wheeze. I opened my eyes, trying to focus on the man taking so much obvious pleasure at my pain. I looked at him though the hair that had fallen over my face.

  “Caleb.” I sucked in my breaths, trying to fill my lungs.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “What is it, runt?”

  “What… why…” My head snapped back with the force of his punch. The breeze from the open window helped to cool the pain.

  “Why?” Caleb grunted. “You really need to ask why? Because from the moment you showed up to training you’ve my life a living hell!”

  I frowned and clenched my teeth as his palm connected with my face. I could feel my left eye starting to swell. “I made your life hell?” I spit blood and turned my head to wipe my lips on my arm. “By gods, Caleb! What the hell have I ever done to you? You were the one who made my life hell! From the instant I got off my pony, you started! What a stupid name, Chael. What’s wrong with you, Chael? Your mother was a whore, Chael! You’re a runt, Chael!” My ranting ended as I double over with pain as much as my position would allow.

  “Ah, but you’re not a runt, are you Chael?” He squeezed my face in his hand and looked at me curiously. “It’s so bloody obvious now that your secret is out,” he said quietly. “Do you know, I’ve spent the better part of the year thinking about this day? From the moment you got me banned from the Knighthood, I knew I’d get my revenge.”

  I grunted and tried to shake my face free. “You did that to yourself.”

  His fingers tightened and I couldn’t help the cry of pain that made his smile. “Of course, originally, the plan had been to beat you until you died, but now…” He kept his eyes on mine as his hand ran up my tunic. His grin widened as I started to struggle. I brought one leg up to try and kick him, but found that my feet had been tied together.

  “Oh, come now… I promise I’ll be nice.” He let go of my face and let his other hand trail down my side, so that it came to rest against the small of my back. “I only like it a little rough.” He pulled me toward him so that my feet came off the ground and the only thing keeping the weight off of my shoulders was the fact that I was pressed against him. He kissed me roughly.

  I clenched my teeth. No matter what happens, I told myself, you will not give him the satisfaction of crying. I tried to block out what was happening so I could focus on how I was going to get out of my situation.

  “Caleb, that’s enough.”

  “You said I’d have my time with her.”

  “And you will.” The voice was coming from somewhere out of my field of vision, though it was starting to sound familiar. “Of course, we have a bit more urgent of a matter to take care of first.”

  “You can guarantee me the spell won’t kill her?”

  He was answered with a grunt. “She’s a woman. She doesn’t have Knight’s blood in her.”

  I met Caleb’s eyes. “Caleb, please. Do what you will with me, but don’t do this to the others.”

  He frowned. “And why would I spare them? They didn’t say a word in my defense when I was cast out.”

  “Of course they did! No one knew it had happened until the banquet, but once word got around, there were quite a few men who spoke on your behalf.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “Caleb, please. Why would I lie?”

  “To save yourself.”

  I shook my head. “Keep me, kill me, do what you wish. You’ve my word I won’t fight you.” The thought of all of my friends and comrades being wiped out with one spell made my stomach clench. I thought of Ian dying and a tear slipped down my cheek. Caleb watched it with wonder. His hand moved slowly, as though he was moving under water. His fingers traced the line down my face before coming to rest against my cheek. He brought his lips down to mine and pulled me against him once again. I fought to stay still, to keep from giving in to the urge to struggle.

  His tongue pushed into my mouth and I tried to stay quiet. Caleb grunted and spun, his hands clutching at the arrow in his side. A second arrow flew through the window and into his abdomen. I looked out in time to see Klora slide to a stop. Ian jumped from the saddle and ran into the cabin. I saw him swallow hard at the sight of me. His eyes focused on Caleb who was looking at the blood on his hands.

  “I told you I was going to kill you, you bastard.” He notched a final arrow and watched as it sank into the other man’s chest. Caleb looked at me, his eyes wide, as he slowly lay back with the last of his strength.

  Ian rushed to my side. “By gods, Chaela, I’m so sorry.” He fumbled with
the knots around me wrists.

  “Well, now, wasn’t that impressive.” The owner of the voice clapped in sarcastic approval and Ian stiffened.

  My heart jumped in my throat at the man sauntered into view. Ian stood between us protectively.

  “Gavin.”

  “Ian, my boy, don’t you think it’s time we became a family again?”

  “No. I don’t.”

  Gavin smiled. “I’m not entirely sure you understand what I’m trying to do.”

  “You’re trying to kill off the Knights. What I don’t understand is why.” Ian moved so he could have a go at the knots once again.

  His father shrugged. “Why does anyone ever want to get rid of an entire army? To get to the King, of course.”

  Ian growled in frustration. He pulled his dagger and cut above the knots, catching me as I fell. He pulled me to his chest. “Are you alright?” He brushed the hair out of my face and swallowed hard.

  “Are you listening to me?” Gavin’s voice was filled with anger.

  “I tend to tune out crazy and delusional old men,” commented Ian. “Why, in the name of the gods, would you want to kill the king?”

  Gavin shook his head. “Daft. I thought I’d done a better job of raising you.”

  Ian set me on the ground and stood. “Gavin, we’re not leaving here without the book. Just hand it over. No one else needs to die.”

  “Ian, really, I thought you’d be a bit more excited about my plans. This will take care of the one thing you despise in this world. The Knighthood.”

  “I didn’t agree with all of its laws. That doesn’t mean I want all of them wiped out. They’re good men, most of them.”

  “Think it over, son. We’d make new laws, new rules. We’d start our own army.”

  “By gods, have you lost your mind? I’ve been living in the woods for five years. The last thing I want is to rule over an entire territory. Give me the book, we’ll destroy it, and all can return to normal. Enough men have died because of it.”

  Gavin went to stand by the table. He placed his hand over the book, his fingers tracing the emblem on the cover. I managed to cut through the knots around my wrists with the dagger Ian had left with me. I brought my wrist to my mouth then pressed the heel of my palm to the cut I’d just inflicted. Ian looked from me to his father and the seven goblins that had appeared behind him and I frowned at the confusion on his face.

  “What happens to Chaela if we say the spell?”

  His father looked up, a smile spreading across his face. “Nothing. She’s a woman. Knight’s blood only runs through a man’s veins.”

  My heart dropped and I stared up at the man I’d thought I had come to know.

  “Ian.” His name was a choked whisper.

  “What do you say, son?”

  Ian looked from me to his father. “Give me a moment to think about it, dad. I need to talk to Chaela.” He knelt in front of me helped me get the ropes off of my legs. He stood and pulled me up. I gazed into his amazing eyes, trying to see what he was doing. He led me to the corner of the room farthest from his father. He leaned down and kissed me softly before burying his face in the crook of my neck.

  “Do you trust me?” he whispered. His lips ran down my shoulder. He pulled back, held my face gently in his hands and looked deeply into my eyes before bringing his lips down to mine again. “Chaela,” he muttered. “I need you to trust me. It’s two against eight and you’re already hurt.” He tilted his head, his pretend kiss making its way to my right ear. “He’s my father. This falls on me.”

  I took his face in my hands and returned the kiss. “I do trust you.” My heart was starting to pound. He smiled and gave me a real kiss.

  “I’m leaving with him. The others are on their way.” He pressed me to his chest.

  His father grunted. “If you’d like use of one of the bedrooms…”

  Ian waved back. “Will you let me say goodbye?” His father grumbled something and Ian returned his attention to me. “Get to Gleama. Warn the king.”

  “But…”

  He shook his head and took the chain off his arm, smiling tenderly as he looped it around mine. His lips brushed against my ear. “It warms when you’re heading toward the book.”

  I kissed him deeply. “Be careful.”

  “I do love you, Chaela.”

  I swallowed hard. “And I, you.”

  “Remember, you have until the new moon. He can’t do anything until the new moon. Now, pretend you’re upset that I’m leaving.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “Goodbye, Chaela.”

  Not having to pretend I was upset with this arrangement, I let the tears fall down my cheeks.

  “You can’t do this, Ian!”

  He winked at me and took a long step backward.

  “I’ll never understand you, Chaela! Why would you care? After everything they put you through!” He threw his hands up in desperation. I leaned against the wall and let myself slide down until I was sitting.

  Gavin grinned. “Well, I must admit that I hadn’t foreseen this turn of events. Sir Chael.” He gave me a mock salute. “It seems as though after all this time, your luck remains the same.” He gave Ian a pat on the back and they headed out the door toward the stables.

  I waited until I heard their hoof beats disappear in the distance before forcing myself off of the ground. I looked up at the sound of horses coming toward me. Whisk gave a bark at the sight of Klora who had found himself a patch of grass.

  “By gods, Chaela! Are you alright?” Harry dismounted and looked me over.

  “I’m bruised and battered, Harry. Nothing else.” I grinned and swung onto Klora. “We have to get to Gleama.”

  No one argued as we bolted toward the city.

  “Where’s Ian?” Mac pulled his horse to the side to avoid a boulder.

  “He’s with his father! Sir Gavin is the one behind all of this. It seems he wants to rule and needs to get rid of the Knights to take the king’s throne.”

  “Ian’s going along with this? Bloody hell, I knew he hated the Knighthood, but I never thought he’d resort to this!”

  I glared at Hal. “He’s pretending, Hal. We were outnumbered. He pretended to join his father so I would be able to get to Gleama to warn the king!”

  Thankfully, Sir Gavin’s cabin wasn’t far from the city. John blew his horn to announce our arrival and the gates were opened. Our horses thundered into the city, the streets already clear of pedestrians as shouts preceded our arrival. Nate’s eyes widened at the sight of us approaching and he hollered into the barn for extra hands. Three more lads ran forward and grabbed reins as we dismounted.

  “Down! Settle down!” A stable boy I hadn’t met before yanked on Klora’s reins in an effort to get him to pay attention.

  “Give those here, you idiot!” Nate rolled his eyes and took the reins from him. “You can’t be tense around Klora. You’ll get yourself killed that way.”

  I smiled as he gave my horse a pat on the neck and started to speak softly to him. He gave me a nod.

  “Whisk, stay!” I gave my hound a pat on the head, returned Nate’s nod, and dashed toward the castle along with my friends.

  General Krane was still buckling his belt when he met us in the hallway. “By gods, Chaela, what happened to you?”

  “It was Caleb, sir, and Sir Gavin.” I waved away his frown. “I’m fine. Caleb’s dead, but Sir Gavin has the book. That, and quite a few goblins backing him.”

  “Where’s Ian?”

  “With his father. We were outnumbered and he pretended to join him so I could get here safely.”

  He took a deep breath. “Chaela, do you trust him?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, here’s hoping you’re right and he hasn’t turned against us. Do we have a plan?” We were marching toward the king’s chambers.

  “Gavin mentioned something about taking out the Knights so he could kill the king.” A few other knights had joined our march. Cole, one of the Knights that had t
rained with us, frowned.

  “You know, that does seem like something that might appeal to your Ian. The wiping us out part, anyhow.”

  “He’s not a traitor.” I felt a spark of anger flare. “He’s a good man.”

  “And of course you’d feel this way…” he pushed.

  “If he’d actually joined his father, why would he be sure to give me the chain that will lead us to the book?”

  “Chaela,” continued Cole. “I’m just saying, look at his past history. You’ve only known him a few months. Prior to that he renounced the Knighthood. By gods, he’s been living in the woods for the past five years. For all we know he’s been thieving to make a living and…”

  I spun and Cole’s eyes widened as my fist connected with his face. I clenched my teeth together to keep from crying out as one of my fingers broke.

  General Krane shook his head at the display. “It seems some things simply never change. Get up, Cole.”

  Cole did as he was told, wiping a hand over his top lip where I’d managed to connect.

  “Bloody hell! You nearly broke my nose!”

  I grunted. “You’re lucky you grew an inch or it would be broken. Now, either you’re with us or you’re not. If you’re coming along, I suggest you keep your mouth shut until we get there.”

  He frowned. “You can’t order me around!”

  Mac chuckled. “I think she just did.”

  “She’s not even a Knight!”

  “Until I’m told otherwise, she is,” clarified the General.

  “Which means that, as a Shadow, she outranks you.” Harry grinned.

  Cole glared at him. “You’re all smitten with her, aren’t you?”

  Hal laughed. “Well, of course! Look at her! Not only is she beautiful, she can beat the crap out of you!”

  A few of the older Knights tried to hide their chuckles.