Elf Sight

by Avril Sabine

  Shadow gasped when she saw how exhausted Thornton was. She slipped off the horse. “You ride,” she said to him.

  “I will not ride while a woman is forced to walk,” Thornton protested.

  “Then I’ll hit you over the head and have you thrown over the horse like a sack of grain. Don’t be stupid. You can barely stand up. I haven’t spent the last few months in a cell,” Shadow said.

  Carson laughed at his brother’s expression. “You’d better do it. It wouldn’t surprise me if she did knock you out. And you don’t look like you can defend yourself.”

  “Don’t you know hitting the heir of the realm is a punishable offence? Look at how many witnesses I have.” Thornton waved towards the men who turned their backs on him. “Fine,” he grumbled and hauled himself into the saddle with Irlan. “Is your sister always like this?”

  “Sometimes. She gets these notions occasionally,” Irlan said. “Can be real stubborn.”

  Carson draped his arm around Shadow’s shoulders. “Are you well enough to walk?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with my legs,” Shadow said.

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  “I’ll live. Hopefully. Oh no!”

  “What?” Carson demanded.

  “The boulders blocking the tunnel.”

  Hearing Shadow’s words, Farnell demanded, “What’s she talking about?”

  Carson sighed and explained it to Farnell.

  “Will we need to find another exit or can we move the boulders?” Farnell asked.

  “I don’t know. But I’m guessing we won’t have the time to move the boulders. We’ll have to get away as quickly as possible. We’ll have soldiers following as soon as those guards are found,” Carson said.

  “Oh great,” Shadow muttered.

  “I knew that’d please you,” Carson teased.

  “Why are you so happy?” Shadow demanded.

  “We’re out of there. You’re safe, the prince is safe and we found the General,” Carson said.

  “Your brother is safe,” Shadow corrected.

  “Ahh. What exactly did Thornton tell you?”

  Shadow had never heard him so hesitant before. “Not much, Captain Relth, I mean Prince Carson of Relthon. I should have known something was odd that you’re named after our country.”

  “Actually, the country’s named after our family.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I did a bit,” Carson said.

  “Second son! Sure,” Shadow muttered.

  “I am.”

  “The second born twin of the King and Queen,” Shadow corrected.

  “Exactly. The second son.”

  “You’re a prince?” Irlan demanded.

  “Not exactly,” Carson said.

  “We’ve got to talk about that,” Thornton said.

  “No,” Carson stated.

  “You’re more suited to all this,” Thornton argued.

  Carson shook his head. “I’m a soldier, not a statesman.”

  “I’m not interested in all the rubbish that goes with it. Or the headaches,” Thornton said.

  “Will someone tell me what’s going on?” Shadow demanded.

  “He wants to abdicate,” Carson said.

  “He what?” Shadow asked.

  “I’m not king material,” Thornton protested.

  “He wants you to be the next king?” Shadow asked incredulously.

  “If you’d waited a bit longer it wouldn’t have been a problem,” Thornton pointed out.

  “You wanted to die?” Carson shouted.

  “No, of course not. But if I had, you’d have been stuck with the job,” Thornton said.

  “We’re not discussing this anymore.” Carson looked away from his brother.

  “Good.” Farnell snapped. “I’m sick of hearing about it. Ever since you were children you’ve fought over who doesn’t want to be king. Most people would kill to have the chance to be king. Hell! Are you both blind? What do you think all this has been about? Someone has been killing to get the throne.”

  “You don’t want to be king?” Irlan said incredulously.

  “I’d much rather have a nice estate, a pretty little wife and a quiet life,” Thornton said. “What do you say, Shadow? Interested?”

  “No,” Carson answered for her.

  Thornton chuckled. “I thought that.”

  “Shut up!” Farnell ordered.

  “Yes, Uncle,” Thornton said.

  “General.” Farnell quickened his pace.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The carnage on the trail brought them to a stop. Farnell, who held the lantern hissed, “Ambush places.”

  “What does that mean?” Shadow whispered as Carson led her and his horse into the bushes.

  “That we don’t make an easy target of ourselves,” Carson said as soon as they were amongst the bushes. “Any magic?”

  Shadow looked around. “No.”

  When Farnell was alone on the trail, he called out. “This is General Farnell Serensten. Any survivors?”

  “General? It’s Perrun.” Perrun lifted his hand so Farnell could find him amongst the bodies.

  “Perrun. How bad is it soldier?” Farnell knelt beside him.

  “Can’t feel my leg, sir. I must have blacked out at some point. Head feels like it’s about to explode. Saw Gwyn fall. And Roper. Don’t know about Clem or Wardell,” Perrun said.

  “General!”

  “Is that you Gwyn?”

  “Yes, sir.” He raised his arm for a second and then dropped it again.

  “Saw you fall,” Perrun said.

  “Was Clem, sir,” Gwyn said. “He turned on me. I ran out to warn you, but he hit me with something. Said money talks louder than loyalty.” Gwyn struggled to sit up. Farnell helped him. Gwyn gingerly touched the back of his head. “Felt like a rock or something. Broke me head open good whatever it was.”

  Farnell stood up. “All out.” The men came out of the forest.

  Carson went first to Gwyn, checked his head wound and helped him to his feet. He knelt at Perrun’s side and stared at his leg. “Probably a good thing you can’t feel your leg, Perrun.”

  “Don’t take it off, sir.” Perrun clutched at Carson’s sleeve.

  “If we can’t get you to a healer in a few days we might have to. You don’t want to lose your life for the sake of a leg,” Carson said.

  “Check for horses,” Farnell ordered the soldiers who could still see. “How’s your hand, girl?”

  “Still hurts,” Shadow said.

  “Girl!” Perrun glanced over to Shadow.

  “Later,” Carson said. “Let’s get you out of this mess first.”

  “Did you find my sword?” Perrun asked.

  “We’ll find it,” Carson promised.

  “Only two horses, General,” one of the soldiers reported.

  “Check for weapons and gear we might find handy. See if you can find Roper or Wardell,” Farnell ordered. “And if any of you find Clem still alive, try not to kill him. I need to have a little talk with him.” His tone said the talk would be anything but pleasant.

  Shadow knelt beside Perrun and looked at his leg. “Is there anything we can use to wrap it up? It’s still bleeding.”

  “Starting to feel it now you’ve moved me,” Perrun said. “Might have been better off staying put.”

  “Chin up, soldier,” Farnell ordered.

  When Shadow was about to snap at Farnell, Carson put his hand on her shoulder.

  “I’ll get something for binding. Wait here,” Carson said.

  “What’s a woman doing traipsing around with soldiers?” Perrun asked.

  “Escaping from other problems,” Shadow said.

  “Looks like you’ve stumbled into worse,” Perrun said.

  “Looks like it.”

  “General. We found Roper and Wardell. They didn’t make it, sir,” one of the soldiers said. “And there’s no sign of Clem.”

  “Lay them to rest
as best you can,” Farnell ordered.

  “Here,” Carson shoved a torn and bloody tunic into her hands.

  “This is the best you can do?” Shadow demanded.

  “The laundress is nowhere to be found,” Carson replied.

  Perrun laughed.

  Shadow glared at him. “It’s your leg I’ve got to wrap this filthy thing about.”

  Perrun laughed again. “That’s clean compared to some of the things I’ve had to use for bandages. Beggars can’t be choosy.”

  As soon as Perrun and Gwyn had been doctored as well as could be expected, they were helped onto a horse each, along with a still blind soldier.

  “We should make better time now,” Farnell said as they set out.

  By mid morning, the soldiers and Irlan could see again. They dismounted and let someone else have a turn riding. Irlan insisted Shadow take his place.

  She eyed him up and down. His cheekbones were more prominent than usual. “Are you sure?”

  Irlan nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good.” She slapped him across the side of his head.

  “What was that for?” Irlan rubbed the spot, glaring at her.

  “Your stupid plan.” She hopped on the horse in front of Thornton.

  “Isn’t this cosy.” Thornton put his arms around Shadow’s waist.

  “Not for long.” Carson pulled his brother off the horse. “Go find another horse to ride on.” He swung up behind Shadow.

  “That wasn’t nice,” Shadow said.

  “He was asking for it,” Carson said. “Besides, you got to hit your brother.”

  “That was different,” Shadow muttered.

  Still on the snowy ground, Thornton laughed. “Your expression was worth every bruise I’ll have.”

  “Men!” Shadow rolled her eyes.

  “Have a sleep. The General will push us hard,” Carson warned.

  “Why?” Shadow tilted her head so she could look back at him.

  “We have to get out of here before we’re trapped by the enemy,” Carson said.

  Carson was correct. The general pushed them hard. They alternated between walking and riding with riding the only rest allowed to any of them.

  By the time they reached the clearing near the pass, the horses were being led, too exhausted to carry anyone other than Perrun. Farnell made his way immediately to the boulders.

  He turned, issuing orders as he did so, “Thornton, Shadow. Stay here. Keep a look out. Gwyn, rub down the horses and see if you can find somewhere to tie them with a bit of grass, maybe under the trees. Carson, take two soldiers and head that way, Irlan, you go with the other three and scout the opposite direction. Look out for another way out of this valley. I prefer not to have to try and lower ourselves and the horses over that.” He pointed towards the area where the guards who had pushed the boulders over had been. “I’m going hunting.”

  “Why do you get the fun job?” Thornton complained.

  “Because I’m the general and you’re the heir to the kingdom. The one others lose their lives for.”

  Thornton glared at Farnell. “You would have to remind me.”

  “You can find a shady spot for Perrun to lie in if you want something to do.” Farnell strode into the forest, a crossbow ready.

  “Anywhere in particular you want to lie?” Thornton asked Perrun as he helped him up off the ground where he’d been left.

  Perrun grinned. “As close to home as I can get.”

  “Home it is.” Thornton supported Perrun as he hobbled to a tree in the appropriate direction.

  Shadow followed. “Thornton. Look. Oh, forget it. You won’t see them. Wait here.”

  Thornton quickly left Perrun under the tree. “Wait up. We’re not to leave the clearing. Orders you know.”

  “Stuff orders. There’s four horses magic hid,” Shadow said.

  “It might be a trap.” Thornton fell in beside her.

  “There were four guards here and this is the direction they were headed when they tried to escape.”

  “Why didn’t you see the horses when you came through here?” Thornton asked.

  “Because there’s a dip in the ground and I didn’t come over this far. Look, can’t you see the hay left on the ground for them under that tree?” Shadow pointed.

  “I can, but I can’t see any horses. How are we meant to ride them if we can’t see them?” Thornton demanded.

  Shadow shrugged. “Your problem. I’ll give two of them to you.” She grinned at him. “Wait here and I’ll untie them from the tree.”

  Thornton watched as Shadow reached up and unwrapped something from one of the branches and then walked towards him, her hand held at the correct angle it would need to be to lead a horse.

  “Here. Hold this,” Shadow pushed the reins into Thornton’s hand.

  “Reins!”

  “Of course. I did tell you.”

  Shadow soon collected all the horses and they took them to where Perrun lay under the tree.

  “How’re we meant to ride them if we can’t see to get on them?” Perrun asked.

  “See.” Thornton grinned at Shadow.

  “Oh, shut up.” Shadow frowned at the horses.

  “What’ve you got?” Gwyn joined them.

  “Horses. Four of them. There’s more hay over where we got them from.” Shadow gestured in the direction.

  “I’ll get it for our horses,” Gwyn said.

  “I’ll help you,” Thornton offered.

  “My lord, the General expects you to wait here,” Gwyn said.

  “Too bad, I’ve already left the area following her.” Thornton gestured towards Shadow.

  Gwyn shook his head. “I can’t stop you, my lord, but…” He finished his sentence with a shrug.

  When the two men left, Shadow continued to stare at the horses thoughtfully.

  “What if you shot them with a crossbow? It worked with the men we killed,” Perrun said.

  Shadow’s frown cleared. “That might work. Well, not shooting them with a crossbow, but making them bleed.” Shadow took her knife from her belt and stood uncertainly near one of the horses. “I don’t want to hurt him.”

  “Find a good vein and prick it with the point of the blade. Won’t take much,” Perrun assured her.

  Shadow nodded. “I hope not.” She closed her eyes briefly. You can do this, she told herself sternly. Come on. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, held it and quickly did as Perrun suggested. Her breath whooshed out as she jumped away from the horse as it reared, whinnying in fright. “I’m sorry.” Shadow soothed the animal.

  “I can see it,” Perrun exclaimed. “It worked. Quickly. Do the others.”

  “Great,” Shadow muttered. “Three more to do.” She got on with the task and all four horses were visible by the time Gwyn and Thornton returned with their arms full of hay. The horses followed along behind the men, wanting the hay they carried to their own horses.

  “Not a bad effort.” Thornton stood with hands on his hips as he looked over the eight horses. “We’ll all be able to ride. Only half of us will have to double.”

  “If we can find a way out of here,” Shadow said.

  “You know, you should be the one doing the scouting. How will they find a way out of here? It’s sure to be magic hid,” Thornton said.

  “I didn’t think of that.” Shadow glanced around. “What if they run into hidden guards? We have to go after them.” Shadow looked first towards where Carson had gone and then in the direction her brother had taken. “I can only go in one direction.”

  “Settle down. There’s nothing you can do about it,” Thornton said.

  “But-”

  “Come on. Let’s see what’s with all those boulders.” Thornton grabbed her by the hand and tugged her forward. “I’m not letting go so you might as well come quietly.”

  “I’ll remember this,” Shadow muttered.

  Thornton grinned. “I hope so. Having a nice hand holding romantic walk in a snow capped pine forest with t
he heir to a country shouldn’t be a forgettable moment.”

  Shadow laughed reluctantly.

  “That’s better. Come on. We might as well use the time rather than sit around wringing our hands and moaning.”

  “I never wring my hands,” Shadow protested.

  “What about moan?”

  “What’s going on?” Carson strode ahead of his men out of the forest.

  “Carson. You’re safe.” Shadow dashed forward and threw her arms around him.

  “Well, if that’s the greeting I’m going to get every time I wander off it might pay to disappear more often.” Carson’s arms tightened around her as he bent his head to kiss her.

  “What if there’d been magic hid guards? We have to go after Irlan. He can’t see them either,” Shadow said.

  “I’m back.” Irlan came out of the forest in time to hear the last couple of sentences. “And what do you think you’re doing? Get away from my sister.”

  “Enough,” Shadow snapped. “How did either of you expect to find a way out of here when you can’t find anything magic hid.”

  “What I want to know is how you all managed to get in here in the first place?”

  They turned to see a man on horseback enter the clearing.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Pa!” Shadow tried to step away from Carson. His arms tightened around her.

  “And who do you think you are? Get your hands off my daughter before I remove them permanently.” Gil wrapped his reins around his saddle horn and pulled his sword from his scabbard.

  “That’s not a very friendly greeting.” Farnell held three hares by their ears. “And where did those extra horses come from?”

  “This keeps getting better and better,” Shadow muttered.

  “I should have known you’d be behind this.” Gil glared at Farnell. “And tell your soldier to unhand my daughter. And you,” Gil pointed at Irlan, “Have a lot to answer for.”

  “Carson, let the girl go,” Farnell ordered.

  “No, sir,” Carson said respectfully yet firmly.

  “That’s an order,” Farnell said.

  “Tell him where to go and I’ll abdicate right this minute,” Thornton said. “All I own will be yours. Only say the word and you’ll outrank him.”