Jaer stared at her a long moment and then turned toward the caporas. “I will stay with you until morning.” His voice was quiet as he walked away.
Without speaking, they cared for the animals. Erynn sensed Jaer’s glances as they prepared a simple meal in the safety of the stable’s quarters, eating in silence.
Later, Erynn stood at the only window of the small one-room structure. Twin moons rose, turning the edges of the dark forest silver. Dappled shadows danced beneath the trees as the breeze grew. Inside, the only light came from the blazing fire Jaer started in the stone hearth. Heat filled the space but did little to thaw the icy dread inside her. Fear of what the morning would bring tightened her chest. Ribs and muscle contained and squeezed her lungs. Her breaths were shallow and quick. Ache turned to a muted pang in her heart.
Jaer walked up and stood behind her. She could feel his warmth and sense his concern. Erynn turned and stared up into his eyes. “Why won’t you talk to me? Or tell me what’s going on?” She kept her tone low, her voice steady.
Jaer shook his head. “There is nothing I can tell you.”
At least he hadn’t lied, saying he didn’t have anything to tell her. There was more than just concern coming from him. His strong emotions spread over her, nestling deep inside, increasing the pressure around her heart. His emotional inconsistencies were giving her a headache. She narrowed her exposure.
“You will be fine. Arranon is with you.” Jaer turned away. “Try and get some sleep. You need the rest,” he said over his shoulder.
Erynn went to one of the four bunks and removed her boots. Climbing under thick covers, she fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.
Chapter 15
ERYNN WOKE BEFORE DAWN. SHE pushed the covers back and sat up, surveying the room. The cabin was cold, dark, and silent. Black shadow shapes crouched in the corners, ready to spring. Outside, night still ruled. A gentle breeze whispered secrets along the eaves. She pulled on boots, slipped into her coat, and crept outside, walking away from the paddocks to stand in a clearing ringed by the dense forest.
She would be facing Birk soon, but this time on her terms. She tried to calm her wild heart, breathing with a measure of control. “What will I do?” she murmured. The wind rose in answer to her question, drawing with it a pale hint of the coming morning. She watched, transfixed as the forest came to life around her.
Fingers of sunlight reached out, grabbed the tops of the trees, and pulled forward.
Searching the forest, she sought answers in swaying limbs and listened for wisdom in the chattering and chirping high above. “How does this work?” She shouted to the sighing wind. Small gray aleuns shot from the trees in alarm and flew in tight circles at the timbre of her voice.
She closed her eyes. Bright blue and purple lights swarmed beneath her lids. The familiar sweet, spicy scent enveloped her.
High-pitched voices sang through her mind. “Ahfarine.” Trust.
Erynn opened her eyes. The forest around her stood out, clear and sharp. She sensed its living essence. “Trust? Tell me who to trust, and I will.”
The sun reclaimed the sky, turning from gray to blue, and light pressed the last of the shadows back, warming the icy night wind.
“It’s time. Do it now. Ahfarine.”
Fear tapped painfully at the inside of her skull behind her eyes and crashed like waves along the shore of her stomach. She stood buffeted by leaves and dust that swirled first from one direction and then another. She let her thoughts fly like the aleun. They flowed on a current of will toward the city of Glaskra, seeking Birk, finding him, letting him know she waited. She sensed his obsessed intent, his excitement. She braced her courage against the malevolence he lived by. This hunt by Birk would end here and now.
The wind increased. Driving gusts rushed the trees. Limbs and boughs cracked and moaned. The evolving storm surged around her. Erynn was aware of Jaer’s approach. He stopped, behind her again. She turned, pulled the hood concealing her face back, and locked onto his sad, dark eyes. “I must do this—by myself. I think you and Leathan knew that all along.”
Jaer nodded and laid his hand on her shoulder with a gentle pressure. “We have done what we can for you. Birk is alone. His troops are gone.” His fingers traced over her bruised cheek. “Face your fears. Use your abilities. Trust Arranon to help. There is so much power here, waiting for you. End the denial of your past and embrace who you are.”
“I think I understand. I’m trying to.” Erynn closed her eyes, slowly opened them, and bit her lip.
“Leathan asked me to give you something when you accepted this truth.” Jaer pulled a sheathed dagger from his coat. The ornately engraved hilt was set with colorful jewels. It appeared to be quite old. “This belonged to your father.” He held the dagger out to her. “Zander would want you to have it.”
Erynn took the dagger, turning the blade over in her hands, examining it from the sharp tip to the adorned hilt. She slipped the weapon back into the leather sheath and tucked the scabbard into an inside pocket of her coat. She doubted the dagger would be more useful than a sidearm. “Thank you.”
Erynn glanced in the direction of the city. She narrowed her awareness, not wanting to sense Jaer’s emotions. “It’s time for you to go. Birk is coming.”
“I…” He closed his eyes and shook his head. His breaths were ragged, forced.
“Go,” Erynn commanded and turned her back to him. The act took every bit of her courage. She wouldn’t ask him to stay and risk his life. She pulled the hood back over her head, shrinking into the folds of the jacket.
***
The sun continued its ascent. The wind bent trees. Limbs snapped and crashed to the ground. Erynn listened to the song whistling around the stable’s eaves. Words joined the high sighing. Not the shrill voices she’d heard before. This was a man’s voice.
“Trust,” he said with sad assertion. “Listen to the knowledge of Arranon,” he implored.
“Trust what? Who? What knowledge? I don’t understand,” Erynn said, wrapping her arms tightly about herself. She stared up at the surging trees and began to sway with their hypnotic rhythm.
“Arranon will assist you. You need only ask,” he instructed.
“Ask what? How can Arranon assist me? I don’t know what to do.” Erynn held her hands in an imploring gesture. She waited and listened, wanting to hear more, but there was nothing. He was gone. The message was little more than cryptic advice.
The road lay before her in flickering light and shadow. Erynn felt Birk’s mad approach, his frenetic rush to get to her.
Erynn nearly doubled over when her stomach rolled and knotted. Her nerves prickled, thrumming across the surface of her skin, and she shivered. Birk’s twisted image, his evil intent toward her, flitted inside her head and made it difficult to come up with a plan. She had no intention of going with him. She would die first. But killing her wasn’t Birk’s goal. His objective was to take her away from Arranon.
From Arranon? Where had that come from? I need Birk off my trail. I need to get back to Korin, to Dad. This is war, and I must fight alongside him.
A tree behind the stable groaned, creaked, and snapped. The giant fell with a resounding crash. She considered how strong and enduring the massive trunk, branches, and needle leaves had been a moment before. The root’s resolute connection with the deep soil was gone. She turned away as dust and bits of twigs and leaves rushed at her. The debris pattered her back and flew past.
She concentrated on the sound the wind made pushing against and through the bending treetops. They gave themselves over to the energy that buffeted them. Erynn closed her eyes. She surrendered to the storm, recognizing the wind’s greater force, bending to the will of a higher power. Her mind cleared. The tingling fear receded. The storm pushed and pulled, tugging at her. She remained solid, fixed, unaffected.
“Rooted to Arranon.” Soft voices carried to her.
Erynn gazed up at the clear blue sky. “But my Dad… my home…�
�
“We are your family—your home.”
Her attention was pulled from the chorus of whispers in the wind.
A transport sped forward, sliding to a stop a few meters from her. Birk climbed out and stepped slowly toward Erynn. A slight smile touched his lips. “Where are your friends?” he asked in a loud mocking tone.
“Where are yours?” she called from the concealment of her hood.
Birk’s smile faded. “I take it you’ve accepted that to resist is pointless.” His eyes narrowed. “You’re ready to come with me now,” he shot back.
With her voice steady, she responded, “No, that’s not my intent.”
“Then this is a trap?” Birk asked with a mirthless chuckle. He moved closer, his gaze slipping from her to survey the forest and back. His pupils dilated inside the odd pale tan of his irises.
“I’m hiding nothing. There’s no one else here. It’s only you, me, and this world you plan to destroy.” She held his gaze as she spoke. Her tone was strong and even. “I won’t go with you.”
“Oh, you’ll come with me. I told Admiral Newell about you—about the accomplishments you’ve attained at your young age.” He rested his hand on his holstered weapon, fingers twitching. His tawny hair danced in the wind. “We did some checking. I was curious at Athru’s interest. There’s something about the two of you…” His smile slipped, and he surveyed the wind-tossed trees. “That storm in the forest last night was a tight cell, and you were the center. The disturbance moved with you. How?” He tipped his head, his expression curious. “When the storm ended, we lost your position.”
What is he talking about? I had nothing to do with the storm. How could I?
His head tipped to the other side. “Then there were the animals—the ones that aided your escape both from the ship and in the woods.” He continued to study her. “You have some kind of connection with the animals of this planet. Even more interesting, you can influence the weather here. And yet you’ve never set foot on Arranon.”
Erynn shook her head. “You’re talking nonsense.”
“Am I? I don’t think so. Admiral Newell is very interested in you. Arranon has troubled him from the beginning of his assault and continues to hinder him. We believe you can help us in our victory over this vile planet.”
Her hands fisted, body tense. “Even if I could do those things, I wouldn’t help you, ever.”
“You’ll help us. They all come around to our way of thinking after a while.”
“I’m not coming with you,” she declared.
Birk stood arm’s length from her, his smile widening. “You make this too easy, Erynn. May I call you Erynn?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm. “I returned to Korin for a short time last night to brief Admiral Newell. While there, I had the privilege of meeting your father.” His pale eyes flashed with evil delight. “Commanding General Damon Yager is dead. I killed him myself.”
Erynn screamed. Air rushed from the depths of her lungs. “No!” A powerful gust of wind slammed into Birk, throwing him back. The concentrated whirlwind swirled and held him separate from the gale around them. Trees snapped or tore loose from the soil and rolled along the ground. Rage flared from the pit of her stomach, a red heat racing through her. Small limbs flew at Birk, slapping him, cutting his outstretched hands and unguarded face.
Erynn’s vision darkened. Her anger grew, and with her fury, the storm increased. She stood, rooted securely to the spot, unaffected by the gale. Her eyes closed against a flood of tears.
The wind howled. Birk yelled furious curses.
A faint, shrill call rose above the tempest, gaining volume, drowning out everything but an impassioned plea. “Cadjoo.” Help.
She needed to focus, to control her emotions.
“Arranon is in danger.” Erynn’s eyes flew open. She inhaled deeply and held the breath. The wind calmed. A gentle breeze rustled leaves and stirred boughs. “Arranon will assist me,” she whispered, releasing the pent-up air. “I will not go with you,” she stated again, her voice calm but firm.
Birk looked around at the sudden cessation of the storm. His mouth worked, but no words came. Cut and bleeding, his clothing torn, he reached to his hip, but the holster was empty, his weapon ripped away by a wind-driven branch.
“You refuse to recognize Arranon’s strength and the will of her people,” Erynn said and smiled. “We are powerful.” The smile evaporated. “You failed to assassinate Cale Athru,” she said through gritted teeth and took a step forward. “You murdered my father—one more crime you will pay for. I promise.” Tears tracked down her dirt-streaked face. “Not returning with me will be your final failure.” Currents of blue turned purple and whirled around her, faster and faster.
Birk’s fear was a palpable substance—a thick, oily heaviness that threatened to wrap her in a suffocating mire. He frowned and stumbled back.
With the wind gone, distant bellows and crashing came from the forest. Erynn glanced in the direction of the disturbance.
Birk took advantage of her distraction and rushed forward.
She jumped to the side, dodging his attack, and reached inside her coat for the dagger.
Birk grabbed, catching the back of her hood in his headlong dash, jerking her with him. His uncontrolled momentum took them both down.
The dagger flew from her hand. Erynn kicked out. The blow connected with Birk’s ribs.
Air rushed from his lungs in a howl of pain and rage. His hold tightened. He pulled her toward him across the ground, seizing her jacket with his other hand.
Erynn pushed at his arms. Her legs scrambled against the ground, seeking an advantage.
He held tight, his grasp firm. “I will take you with me!” he yelled, his spit hitting her face.
The cracking, crash, and shatter of wood from the forest grew.
Birk rolled on top of her. Leaves and twigs were stuck in his dirty hair. Dust swirled. Debris from the windstorm dug into her back. He straddled her, his weight pinning. Placing one hand around her throat, he choked her.
Erynn coughed, grasping his hands, and kicked at empty air.
Birk’s laugh rumbled low and menacing from deep in his chest. His strange pale eyes sparked and burned with anger. His arm drew back, hand fisted.
In Erynn’s peripheral vision, the jeweled dagger shimmered in the sunlight. Blue tendrils wound between her fingers. She released the current. Energy arced through the air. Time slowed to a measured beat. She reached out. Her fingers grasped at the dirt, finding and clasping the hilt. She lifted the dagger and swung the tip down, driving the point into Birk’s thigh. Static popped through the air.
Birk screamed and released his hold, throwing himself off her. He leapt up, holding his leg. Blood poured around his fingers. His eyes glazed over. “You’re dead,” he snarled, limping forward.
She scrambled back, heels digging into the ground.
Leaves shook with a violent fury. Wood cracked and splintered. Large animals with wide pointed antlers burst from the edge of the forest, running toward Birk. Erynn frowned and glared at him. He stood frozen, watching the beasts close in.
Why doesn’t he move?
Erynn jumped to her feet and stumbled backward. There was a clear purpose in the eyes of the asador herd.
The animals charged, running close enough for Erynn to detect their musky scent and feel the wind of their passage. The leaders tossed their heads back and forth. Dust billowed under cloven hooves. Deep bellows echoed against the ring of trees. Their call mounted, the entire herd taking up the cry. With speed and strength, they were on Birk. Antlers pierced his chest and legs. The leaders raised him in the air. Blood bubbled and sprayed from his open mouth. Terror filled Birk’s dilated eyes. His hands made feeble attempts to extricate himself from the jagged, piercing horns with no success. The drive of the running animals carried him into the forest. Birk’s garbled screams of fear and pain faded into silence.
Birk was dead.
Every muscle in Erynn’s body
shook. She sucked in cold air and coughed at the burn produced in her raw lungs. The dagger was wet, sticky in her hand. She looked down at the blood dripping from the point and smearing her fingers. She threw it, and the dagger bounced dully against the ground. Dropping to her knees, she wiped her trembling hand through the dirt. She fought the urge to be sick and tried to laugh, producing only a hoarse rasp. The attempt added to the hurt raking her tender throat. The dagger she doubted useful had saved her life. She closed her eyes and stayed on all fours until the nausea abated and her breathing slowed.
Erynn sat back on her heels, picked up the dagger, and cleaned the blade on leaves. She returned the weapon to the inside pocket. Her focus turned to getting to Cale. She must help stop this invasion—this threat to Arranon. Others like Birk would come, soon. This evil intent on destroying her worlds wouldn’t give in.
She pushed up from the ground, turned from the woods, and walked toward the stable. Her grief over her dad’s murder would have to wait. Sorrow smoldered in her heart, the flame of pain held in check by a more pressing matter. The war facing the people of Arranon and Korin demanded her attention.
The act of confronting Birk unlocked an awareness of her strengths and abilities, of possibilities that awaited her. Erynn stood tall, sensing for the first time her own power. The time to learn about her connection with this world, accept her inheritance, and use this force against her enemies had come.
She would stay on Arranon and fight.
Chapter 16
ERYNN LEANED AGAINST THE DOORFRAME of the stable. The dagger’s hilt pushed into her side, its weight real and consoling. She considered the journey before her, the demands and dangers.
Am I prepared? Can I make a difference? I am the biological daughter of Zander Tourani and Alessa Yager and the adopted daughter of Commanding General Damon Yager. Raised by a strong military standard. I must try.
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