by Jackie Dana
“My what?”
She rolled over onto her stomach, and curled his hair around her finger. “I understand the beard, but why did you cut your hair?”
“Ah.” He smiled, his teeth seemingly whiter than she remembered, in contrast to the dark hair of his beard. “I wasn’t able to wash or shave when I was in the tower. I also apparently thrashed around quite a bit under the influence of the blasted drug, and my hair got quite tangled and knotted. When they cleaned me up, the Sarnoc said I should keep the beard for appearances’ sake, but they decided the easiest solution for my hair was to cut it short. You know, whatever they may say, the adoli may not have killed me, but having it in my system that long isn’t my idea of fun, either.”
“Well, all the same, I like the way you look. You look like a hippie.”
He raised his eyes. “Dare I ask what that is?”
She shook her head. “It would take forever to explain.” Then she sat up and looked around. They were on a hillside above the river, and in the distance, a wide plain swept before them, a deep green carpet under the autumn sun. From here, the river turned sharply to the west, in the direction of the afternoon sun. Turning in the opposite direction, she exclaimed, “Arric, look! I can see the towers from here!”
He sat up. “Aye.” He shielded his eyes, still a bit sensitive to the sunlight, and scanned the horizon. “It is hard to believe we came so far on foot.”
They climbed up the escarpment and followed it in the direction of the Sarnoc city. Suddenly the ridge shifted to the south, forcing them to climb down a steep hillside. As they passed out of a small copse of trees, heading towards the Amberia, she saw something that instantly chilled her blood. Near the river, perhaps a quarter-mile from where they stood, and waiting to greet anyone who attempted to enter Altopon, were several tents and a dozen well-armed soldiers.
Arric fell to his knees. “Blast that brother of mine. He guessed our plans. He has men waiting for us.”
“Oh no,” she replied, the dread suddenly returning. They were so close. “Are you sure that’s who they are? Maybe they are Sarnoc soldiers?”
Watching the activity below, Arric explained, “the Sarnoc do not maintain armed troops. Those are royal men in their blue and gold livery, and they’re clearly expecting us.” He pressed his lips together to fight back a curse, clearly disappointed, and stepped back towards the trees. “We won’t be able to reach the city without being seen.”
She gazed out at the soldiers, the agony of failure swelling inside. They had worked so hard to get here, and seeing that the Vosira’s troops had beaten them to Altopon represented a crushing defeat.
“Ah, do not fear, Minara, it appears my brother is not among them.”
Hope swelled in her chest. “Are you sure? How can you tell?”
“I am. If Bedoric were among them, they’d have a large tent for him, and many more soldiers. Nay, this is just a small party meant to ensure we don’t reach our goal.”
She noted a solitary figure emerge from the largest tent and approach a pair of men. His slight build indicated that he was not a soldier like the rest of them, but his short dark hair and glysar chain shining against the deep blue of his tunic confirmed his identity. “Oh god, Rynar’s there.”
Arric leapt to her side and pulled her back into the trees. “Shh... They might hear you. They are not so far from here.”
“Why did he come alone? Maybe he’ll help us?”
“The Aldrish?” he laughed at the absurdity of her comment. “Regardless of how he feels about you, that man despises me, and after what we did at Jiona, I can’t imagine he will show me mercy. Why else do you think he’s here with so many soldiers?”
She watched as Rynar pointed towards the road, and a soldier mounted his horse and rode off in the direction indicated. Despite what Arric said, the Aldrish was a healer, not a murderer. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Ah, Kate, remember, I am fhaoli now, and as such my life is forfeit to him.”
“But—I hate to say this, but what if he’s here for me, not for you?”
Arric weighed the possibility. “Aye, that could be, though again, if his purpose was benign, why travel with such a large contingent of Senvosra?” He grimly shook his head. “We dare not chance it. I will try to find a riversmith. That way we can at least go to a village for food and shelter, and come up with a plan once we’re rested.”
Her mind was racing, putting together possible scenarios and outcomes. Regardless of what happened, and how she felt about the man now, she had a gut feeling that Rynar would be happy to see her unharmed. He must have received reports about how they had gone over the waterfall, and surely he wondered if either of them had survived. At the same time, she understood that Arric rightfully would argue against any plan that required them to trust Rynar, a sentiment she shared.
Was there a way to benefit from Rynar’s presence, though, without needing to trust his motives? For once, maybe she could use Rynar’s constant fussing over her to her advantage. If she could distract Rynar sufficiently, it might be enough to get her and Arric through those stone, and into the Sarnocs’ protection. She knew Arric would never agree to her plan, so she couldn’t tell him what she intended to do.
Even as Arric turned to hike towards the river, she left the safety of the trees and walked with silent deliberation towards the soldiers. Arric spun around and called out to her in a sharp whisper, but she was already too far to turn back, for at that moment a soldier spotted her and raised a cry. Two more men raced towards her, and the figure in the blue tunic stopped to see what had happened. She continued walking very slowly towards the main tent, and as the figure in blue raised his arm, she began to run.
“Kate!” Rynar shouted joyfully, and rushed out to meet her, wrapping her within his arms. Quickly, he guided her into the shade of his tent. “My dear, I am so glad you’re alive—and safe!” He noted the pallor of her skin, then touched her cheek, tracing around the long scab on her chin. “You have been sorely abused these past few days.”
“You have no idea what I’ve been through.” She sniffled a bit and willed tears to fall. “Oh Rynar, I’m so glad to see you. I can’t believe you and the Vosira came all the way out here.”
“Nay, the Vosira is not here,” he said, confirming what Arric suspected. “He sent me ahead by river.”
“How did you know to come here?”
“Ah, Kate, was it so hard to guess? Where else would Arric go?” He looked around. “Is he not with you?”
“He’s close, but when we saw the soldiers, he wouldn’t come with me.” Lowering her voice, she continued, doing her best to sound conspiratorial. “I don’t know what I was thinking. It was very difficult getting here, and he turned out to not be all that I expected.” It was the truth, although she hoped he would take it differently than she meant it. To reinforce that misunderstanding, she buried her face against his shoulder. “I’m so sorry. You don’t resent me for going, do you?”
“Of course not, my dear Kate.” He was practically cooing as he caressed her hair and held her close. “Tell me, where is the Dosedra now?”
She leaned back, and just then her eyes strayed. Rynar had no furniture, but on a tray on the tent floor were the remains of his midday meal. Without realizing it, she licked her lips.
Rynar noted the gesture. “You’re hungry? Have you not eaten today?”
“No, we haven’t had anything to eat since the festival,” she lied. It would not be a good idea for him to know the Sarnoc had left them supplies.
“Nothing?” he replied, shocked by the news. “All these days?” He guided her to a pile of pillows. “Oh my poor dear. Please, help yourself. There’s still plenty, as I have not had much of an appetite myself since you left.”
Without further hesitation she flopped down on the floor. She grabbed a slab of cheese and began to furiously gnaw at it.
“Be careful,” he warned her with a smile, “after such a fast you must not eat too quickly. Y
ou might start with the fruit, and take it slowly.”
As she ate, he stood behind her, and with his fingers began to comb out tangles in her unwashed hair.
“If I tell you where Arric is, will you promise not to hurt him? We’ve been so hungry. He needs to eat.” Seeing his skepticism, she adopted the appearance of a lost child who had finally found her way home. “He’s not well, you know. The poison never really cleared his system.”
“Truly? Hmm, well, my dear, I shall do what I can,” he nodded in agreement. “Where is he?”
She pointed in the general direction from which she had come. “He’s waiting for me by the river. I think he’s waiting for me to come back.”
“He is?” he said, apparently surprised that she had acknowledged it so easily. “Shall I send men to find him?”
“If you must. I don’t want him harmed, Rynar. He needs help.” She had doubted whether she could seem sincere, but hopefully this clinched it.
“Aye.” He smiled, convinced he had scored a victory. “You have a good heart, my dear.”
His greedy, self-satisfied grin made her anxious. What would Arric think of her? Instantly she regretted not sharing her plan with him, even though it had barely jelled in her own head. He needed to be caught by surprise, so his reaction would reinforce her story and give her just enough room to maneuver around the Aldrish. It was all a gamble, that Rynar’s dislike of Arric would not get the better of him, and that she had enough courage to follow through to the end.
Meanwhile, Rynar brought her clean clothing from his own chest. “I regret that I have nothing better,” he said as he handed her one of his own shirts, one with delicate blue embroidery at the neck and along the shoulders, and a pair of soft woolen trousers. “Feel free to wash up in the basin there,” he added just before he excused himself to speak to the Senvosra.
She washed her hair and face quickly, and was just lacing up the shirt when she heard shouts nearby. Soldiers were dragging Arric from the river’s edge. She fought back tears, not wanting him harmed, but also fearing that any emotional response would betray her true feelings on the matter. Rynar returned and wrapped his arms around her from behind as they watched the soldiers bind the Dosedra’s arms and legs tightly with rope, trussing him like a vicious animal. Then they carried Arric down the hill and threw him to the ground at Rynar and Kate’s feet, just as if the men had killed a stag and were presenting it to them.
Rynar lowered his arms from her shoulders and took a step forward, intentionally kicking dirt in Arric’s face. “Dosedra, by now you should realize that you took a foolish gamble by participating in the Jiona festival. A gamble, I might add, that you have lost. Your brother will be greatly pleased at your capture, particularly as it comes just outside the enemy’s city.”
“The Sarnoc are not your enemy,” Arric said as he spit the dirt from his mouth. “And neither am I.”
“Tell me, fhaoli, did you force yourself on the lady?”
He blinked in surprise. “No, of course not. I would never...”
“Yet you ensured the ceremony was complete?”
Arric hesitated, his eyes wild. “What did she tell you?”
In response, she stepped forward and reached for the Aldrish’s hand. “He tried, Rynar, but I wouldn’t let him anywhere near me. That’s when I realized what kind of person he really was.” She smiled, doing her best to appear disdainful. “I guess I misjudged him.”
“Ah, my dear, that’s good to hear. It may not please the Goddess, but it certainly pleases me.” Rynar bent his head down, affectionately addressing her. “Dearest Kate, you should go back to my tent and have something else to eat, and allow me to deal with this one.” Then he knelt down, a triumphant expression on his face. “You did not truly believe she would betray me?”
Arric looked up at her, his anguished expression honest. “Kate, after everything that happened, why would you do this?”
He really believed she had sold him out, and it felt like she had just swallowed broken glass. “I’m sorry, Arric, but you really made a bad choice at the festival.” She turned to Rynar. “What are you going to do with him? You won’t kill him, will you?”
Rynar raised an eyebrow. “So you still care, a little, for him?” He dusted his hands on his tunic. Sensing her awkwardness, he added, “Don’t worry, my dear. I appreciate your compassion. To set your mind at ease, though, you need not worry. I shall not harm him. Such is not my way.” He gently pushed her hair from her eyes and allowed his touch to linger a moment longer than necessary. “In truth, his fate lies in the hands of Vosira Bedoric. It is possible that his brother shall have him executed, but we shall see. He may even show mercy, particularly since, on your word, he did not harm you.”
She was relieved that she had judged this correctly. As far as she could tell, the Aldrish didn’t want to harm Arric, but he also recognized his duty to the Vosira. Thinking she had chosen him over the Dosedra had to seal the deal. “Are we going back to Loraden, then?”
She stole a glance at Arric, but he would not look at her.
“Nay, we have other plans.” He held his arms up to the torrapon, perhaps a couple of hundred feet away. “Vosira Bedoric plans to hold the Sarnoc accountable for their treachery. He travels even now with more Senvosra. He will take their city.”
Arric had watched their exchange with sourness. He coughed when he heard the words. “A siege, Aldrish? Here? Bedoric would never dare.”
Rynar turned his back to the Dosedra, with a sniff in the air, and waved to the solders to take him. “Throw him into the supply tent for now.” He tapped his finger to his lips. “Give him something to eat, but nothing fancy. I wouldn’t want the Vosira to think we had spoiled him too much.” As they dragged Arric away, Rynar stepped closer to Kate, and hugged her. “You have done the kingdom a great service today, my lady.” He cradled her head in his hands and kissed her forehead. “Come, we have much to discuss.”
Chapter 53
As the evening came upon them, Rynar jumped up repeatedly to check on the progress of the Vosira’s troops, and to inquire if any messengers had arrived.
“I’d think they’d tell you if there was any news,” she reminded him after he leapt up for the third time in the midst of their picnic-style meal together on the tent floor.
“Ah, they should, but these are not men I know.” He tipped his head towards the doorway of the tent. “Are you sure you didn’t hear horses?”
“No, Rynar.” She rubbed at a bruise on her palm. “You know, it almost seems like you’re afraid to be alone with me.”
He snapped his head back towards her, and took a moment to look upon her face, softened by the light of candles burning on iron stands in the corners of the tent and the brazier near the center. “You know that is not true. Surely you know that could never be true.”
“I wasn’t sure.” Kate blushed. “Do you have wine? I’d like to share some with you.”
“Aye.” Crouching down, he reached for the ceramic bottle and filled their goblets. Then he lifted one and offered it to her, while he grasped his with his other hand. Casually leaning on one knee, he regarded her carefully. After he had taken a few sips, he returned his goblet to the tray, and then reached to her chin. “this is a wicked injury. I should take care of it for you, don’t you think?”
She had nearly forgotten the gash along her jawbone. “If you’d like.”
With one hand he cupped her chin, while the other rubbed the back of her neck. Quickly the jagged wound on her face was erased entirely, and she rubbed it in amazement. She turned towards him, her head now cradled against the back of her own hand.
“There, now that’s better.” He leaned back on his hands, cocking his head to one side. “I could not bear to see such an ugly mark on your face, my dear. Are you hurt anywhere else?”
She shook her head, and stared at him. His hair was glowing with the light of the candles behind his head, and when he turned his head, his profile, with his high forehead, th
e long, angular nose, full lips, and strong, well-defined chin, was enough to take her breath away. He was extraordinarily handsome. He had been kind, and devoted, but she knew there was more to him. People told her that the Aldrish was not a cruel or violent man, but she knew many people had their secret demons, and she feared him for his potential. What might he do if he knew what she planned, even now?
“You have been very quiet this evening.” His words made her jump, and the wine sloshed in the goblet, though she was able to prevent a spill. “Are you certain the Dosedra did not hurt you in some way?” he asked gently. “There are more forms of injury than just the physical ones.”
“No, I’m okay.” She drank more wine. Not too much, she warned herself, or she might never complete her mission. And a mission it was, she reminded herself, nothing more. She was only here to help Arric, and to gain entry into Altopon.
He leaned close in order to pour more wine into her goblet, and his breath filled the hollow at the base of her throat. “It is so good to have you here again. I missed you.”
“Thanks.” She smiled as she sipped at her wine.
He put the bottle down, never taking his eyes off her. “When you left me at the Jiona ceremony, I was unsure what to do.” He reached out and touched her arm, lightly tracing abstract patterns with his fingertips. “May I share a secret with you?” Without pausing to hear her assent, he continued, “my dear, when you disappeared into the forest, I worried that you truly wished to be with him...”
Unexpectedly, she pressed a finger against his lips. “Please, let’s not talk about him right now.”
“You must understand my concerns, though? Of all men, he is Dosedra, considered a traitor to Sarducia. To openly align yourself with him would be dangerous enough for you, but to become intimate—”
“He means nothing to me.” It was, without question, the biggest lie of her life.
Her words brought a broad smile to his lips. When it came to showing emotion, he was usually quite restrained, but tonight he seemed freer than she had known him to be. “You are quite a treasure, my dear.”