by Jenny McKane
They had duties and responsibilities to their people. To the entire realm.
She had enjoyed talking to him again, prior to last night. It had almost been like old times between them, as if the last few years had fallen away entirely. She had forgotten that he was distant from her now, and she had almost forgotten that he was about to promise himself to another woman.
She knew in her heart that the connection between them was as strong as ever. It had only needed a bit of time and space for it to burst to life again. But what use was it, knowing this? He was still about to promise himself to Minna.
And she was still a queen—who must not get bogged down by this. She saw that it distracted her, and that wasn’t good. She must forget it entirely—at least until this mission was complete. Then, she might have time to analyze it.
They wound their way up the mountain tracks slowly and then started the descent. The mist had not abated. If anything, it had intensified. Avalon could barely see in front of her. She heard Hansa whining further ahead. The wolf didn’t like this mist either. Hansa was used to bounding ahead, and the weather was slowing her down.
At last, they reached level ground. The mist suddenly cleared, and Avalon could see thick woodland ahead of them.
“Is that it?” called Brunn. “Is that where we must go?”
“It is,” Skyresh called back. “Escolen’s spies said that their safe house is in the center of these woods.” He paused. “It will be well hidden. Perhaps we should think of a plan of approach before we head into the woods.”
Brunn nodded. “I think that we should travel together for the moment, and then when we are about a mile away, we should fan out, approaching it from different directions.”
“That would give us a better understanding of how well defended it is,” said Avalon. “And what the weak spots are, where we might gain entry if we need to.”
Niko frowned. “I’m still not sure what our aim is,” said the young man slowly. “Are we just spying on them? Or are we attacking?”
Skyresh pondered this. “Escolen says that there are quite a few high-ranking Jarle gathered there,” he said slowly. “Perhaps we should go on the offensive, Avalon. If we killed them all, it would send a powerful message to Agnor.”
Brunn nodded. “It would,” he agreed. “It would show Agnor that we aren’t to be trifled with, and that any offensive he tries to launch, we are quickly onto it.”
“He would quickly replace them,” said Avalon, frowning. “Move other people into their positions. It wouldn’t delay anything.” She couldn’t help thinking of Everard. He was in the house apparently. She knew that she would have to kill him, if necessary, but she didn’t want to if there was no real need.
“It would be symbolic, Avalon,” said Skyresh slowly. “To have all his top brass killed in one foul swoop. It would strike a blow to Jarle morale, as well.” He stared at her, hard. “You aren’t losing your nerve, are you? We have discussed this.” He didn’t mention Everard, but the vision of him hovered between them.
“I haven’t lost my nerve,” she said sharply. “I am just not sure if we should go on the attack quite so vigorously. Perhaps we could take one of them hostage and gain information about what was discussed and planned? Then we would have a clearer idea of what Agnor’s intentions are. If we just kill them all, we are still ignorant.”
“There is merit in that,” said Brunn slowly. “What do you think, Skyresh?”
Skyresh’s lips thinned. “I want to attack,” he said quickly. “But perhaps we should reconnaissance the house first and then decide. If it is well defended, there might not be any use trying. We are only four, after all.” He stared down at Hansa, who was gazing up at him, panting. “Actually, we are five. Hansa is a fine soldier and fights like a demon.”
“That is what we will do then,” said Avalon, nodding her head. “We will break up, not far from the house, and survey it. Then, we will come back together and decide how we wish to proceed.” She paused, gazing at them all. “Agreed?”
They nodded. Skyresh stared at her for a moment longer then spurred his horse onward.
They followed, winding their way into the woods. Avalon stared at Skyresh, surging ahead. She knew why he wanted to attack. It had to do with Everard Varr.
He had never wanted to let him go, and Avalon realized now that Everard’s mere presence still disturbed Skyresh. He wants to get rid of him, she thought. Once and for all. And the chance to do so has presented itself.
As she rode, staring at him, she contemplated the situation. She had resolved herself to having to battle Everard if necessary, hadn’t she? She thought of Minna, asking her if her feelings about Everard would color what they were going to do. She had scoffed, telling the woman angrily that there was no ambivalence in her mind, or her heart about the man.
Was it true? Could she kill him if he were before her? Or could she watch while someone else did it?
She had known when she let him go that he might die for what he had done. That when the Jarle took him, they might execute him straight away. She had been prepared at the time to take that risk. It seemed worse for Everard to live with the horror of the spell that had been cast over him, one that he could not forget.
She had rolled the dice. One side had been a new life for Everard – the one that he had always wanted and had sacrificed for her. On the other side, there was the chance of death for what he had done. If she had been willing to roll the dice then, why was she now hesitating?
A coldness spread through her at the thought. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath.
She was Queen. That meant making tough decisions and following through with them. She might not like the decisions, but she had to respect them—for the sake of her people and for the sake of the realm.
***
The woods grew thicker. Avalon glanced up. The leaves of the trees formed an almost impenetrable canopy above them. She could barely see sky through it.
Skyresh stopped and turned to them. “I see the top of the house,” he whispered.
Avalon strained her neck, trying to see through the trees. There. She caught a glimpse of a chimney. The house was still about a mile away.
“Brunn, you and Niko approach the house from the back,” Skyresh said, pointing in the direction that he wanted them to go. “Avalon and I will approach from the side. Then, we will reconvene.” He looked around. “We will meet back here…under that ledge.”
“Will we go on foot?” asked Niko, staring at Skyresh. Avalon could see a pulse fluttering in the boy’s neck. He is nervous, thought Avalon. It was the first time that he had been entrusted with such a mission.
“Yes,” she whispered, smiling at him. “Quicker and easier on foot, and they might hear us approaching on horseback.” She paused, gazing at him. “You will do fine, Niko. I trust you.”
“Thank you, my queen,” he whispered, gesturing to her.
“Let’s do it,” said Skyresh.
They dismounted, tethering the horses a distance away. Then the two groups separated, fanning out into the woods.
Avalon and Skyresh crouched down, creeping through the trees. Hansa loped alongside them, knowing that she had to be quiet.
Eventually, they could see the house before them. It was a regular wood house, the same as any farmer might have in the Far North. Avalon swept her gaze over it. She could see a vegetable garden that was obviously well tended. She frowned. She couldn’t see any movement in the house. And there were no horses tethered to the posts at the front indicating that there were people inside.
She turned to Skyresh. “Where are their horses?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered back, frowning. “Maybe they are around the back.”
Avalon narrowed her eyes. “Skyresh, this feels wrong. The house looks deserted.” She turned, staring at him. “Are you sure that this is the right place?”
He nodded slowly. “Escolen told me that we couldn’t miss it,” he whispered slowly. “It
is the only house in these woods.”
“Perhaps the meeting is over then,” whispered Avalon. “Perhaps they have already left.” She tried to ignore the feeling of relief that swept through her at that thought.
“Perhaps.” Skyresh stared at the house. “We will wait and watch to see if there is any movement inside.”
They settled into the shrub, watching the house.
After an hour, they had still seen nothing. Uneasiness swept over Avalon. Her instincts were telling her that something was not quite right. Even if the meeting had disbanded, surely there would be someone here still? She gazed again at the well-tended vegetable patch and the herb garden. Someone lived here; how else were the gardens so well maintained?
“I am going inside,” she whispered to him. “There is no one around obviously, but there might still be information to gather.”
Skyresh frowned, staring at her. “I don’t know if that is a good idea. What if someone comes while you are inside?”
Avalon shrugged. “If someone comes, then you can deal with them,” she said evenly. “I will leave Hansa here, as well. If it is only one person, take them hostage. If it is a few, go on the attack. I will hear you and so will Brunn and Niko. We will all come to your aid.”
Skyresh hesitated. “It makes you vulnerable,” he said slowly. “What if someone is inside?”
“Skyresh,” she said. “I will deal with it. I am a queen and a warrior woman, remember? I know how to look after myself.”
He pinned her with his vivid blue gaze. “I will whistle if someone comes,” he whispered. “Then, at least you will be alerted.”
She nodded, placing a hand on his arm. She tried to ignore the inevitable electricity that coursed between them every time that they touched.
He felt it, too. She could tell by the sudden intake of his breath, and the way that the pupils of his eyes contracted as he gazed at her. Suddenly, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
“For good luck,” he grinned.
Avalon felt warmth flooding through her. She could feel color suddenly leaping into her cheeks. Determined, she turned away from him. She gazed down at Hansa, who was staring up at her with her big yellow eyes.
“Stay here, my friend,” she whispered. “Attack if you need to, but Skyresh will guide you.”
The wolf panted. Avalon nodded then crept towards the house.
She had skirted the vegetable patch and was almost to the veranda when she heard something. She stopped, listening intently.
A low moan.
It was coming from inside the house; she was sure of it.
She glanced back at Skyresh and Hansa, crouching in the scrub. She could see that Skyresh had heard it, too, by the way that he suddenly lurched forward in alarm. Hansa started growling.
The moan grew louder. Avalon hesitated, her hand on the veranda rail. It sounded like someone in pain.
The moan tapered off, and then a man’s voice started to call.
“Help me!” the man screamed, crying over and over.
Avalon froze. She recognized that voice. She had not heard it in a long, long time. Her heart started to thud painfully.
It was Everard. She was sure of it.
“Please,” screamed the voice, sobbing. “If anyone is here, help me!”
She turned her head to look at Skyresh. He was shaking his head at her in warning. He didn’t want her to enter the house.
“Avalon,” screamed the voice.
It was the calling of her name that did it. It was like a primal response. She rushed forward, swinging the door to the house open, and ran inside.
“Avalon, no!” Skyresh leapt forward. “Don’t go in there!”
Her heart was hammering so badly that she could barely think. She swiftly turned her head, searching for him. He wasn’t in this room. There didn’t appear to be anyone in the house at all. She stared around. It was neat and tidy, but she could see a thick layer of dust over everything. It didn’t look like anyone had been here in a long while.
And yet someone was. Everard.
She quickly ran through the rooms, searching desperately. She could hear him screaming still. She tried to follow the sound of the voice, but every time she thought she was close, it seemed to recede.
“Avalon!” The voice was full of pain.
“Where are you?” she cried, her heart lurching in her chest. All reason seemed to have left her. She only knew that she must get to him as quickly as possible.
“Here,” he cried.
She inhaled, trying to swallow her frustration. Where was his voice coming from? She had searched every room in the house!
And then, she paused. There was a small door at the side of the stairwell. A cupboard? With a trembling hand, she turned the doorknob and peered inside.
“Everard?”
It was completely dark, but she could hear heavy breathing. She turned back, searching for something to light her way. There was a lantern, affixed to the inside wall and a fire stone next to it. With shaking hands, she lit it. Light flooded the room.
It was indeed a cupboard. She could see boxes stacked on shelves and a broom leaning against the wall. Her eyes quickly scanned the space.
He was crouched in a corner, trembling.
She rushed to him. “Everard,” she called, her voice wavering. “It’s me. It’s Avalon.”
He raised his head slowly. His dark hair was disheveled and his eyes bloodshot, but they gazed at her with recognition.
“Avalon,” he whispered.
She leaned over him, stroking his hair. Love rushed through her. It was only being here, with him in front of her, that she realized how much. She realized what she had sacrificed in letting him go.
“It’s alright,” she whispered, gazing at him. “I’m here. You will be alright.”
He shook his head vigorously. “I’m sorry,” he entreated, gazing at her. “I had no choice. She compelled me to do it.”
“Do what?” she said. “Are you hurt? You were crying so hard.”
He took a deep breath. “Avalon.” He gazed at her. “I thought that I would never see you again. I had forgotten you entirely. But she…she made me remember.” He swallowed, hard. “I remember everything.”
She gazed at him, despair filling her heart. “I didn’t want you to,” she said slowly. “How is it possible that you remember? And who is the woman that you speak of?”
His eyes grew fearful. “Avalon, she is clever. She cast some kind of a spell over me. It hurt badly.” He took a deep, shuddering breath. “It came back to me in fits and starts. Images. Memories of our time together.”
Avalon’s blood ran cold. “Who is she? And where is she now?”
He started laughing, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “She’s gone, Avalon. She knew you were coming. She told me that you would be here before the day was out.”
Avalon started to tremble. The woman was obviously a sorcerer, but why had she left Everard here for Avalon to find? And why had she reversed the spell she had cast over his mind so that he remembered her again?
There was a sound at the doorway. They both looked around. Avalon gripped her sword. Was it the woman?
Skyresh stood there, gazing down at them. He was pale.
“Avalon,” he said slowly. “We need to get out of here now. Something is wrong. When you entered this house, I tried to follow you, but the door wouldn’t open. I ran around to the back door and then tried the windows. Nothing.” He paused. “I couldn’t even break the glass in the windows.”
Avalon gasped. “But you are here now, Skyresh.”
“Yes,” he whispered. “I was shaking the door knob desperately. And then, it suddenly clicked open, and here I am.” He took a deep breath. “It is the dark magic, Avalon. We need to leave here.”
“Yes,” she said quickly. “You are right. I felt it as soon as I entered this house.” She gazed back at Everard. “You must come with us. She might return very soon.”
Everard started l
aughing again. “You still don’t understand. She is not coming back. She has all of us where she wants us, Avalon.” He stopped laughing abruptly. “We cannot leave.”
Skyresh stepped into the room, pointing his sword at Everard. “What are you saying, Varr?”
There were tears in Everard’s eyes. “She has imprisoned us here. I cannot leave. Believe me, I tried. The doors and windows wouldn’t open. She lured you here so that she could entrap you both, as well.”
Skyresh’s eyes narrowed. “Who is this person you speak of?”
“I know her only as Disella,” he said. “She claims to be Agnor’s daughter from a realm far away.”
Skyresh suddenly lunged at him. Avalon screamed, desperately trying to stop Skyresh from attacking Everard.
“Stop!” she cried.
“Why should I?” hissed Skyresh, punching Everard. “He claims that this woman lured us here, but it was him who was crying out, calling you.” His eyes glittered. “He is a part of it, Avalon! He has always been a part of it! Why shouldn’t I kill him now?”
Everard’s head lolled back. He stared hard at Skyresh.
“I didn’t do it of my own free will,” he gulped, trying to draw breath. “She made me…somehow! I saw you both approaching the house and tried to get outside to warn you, but nothing would open, and then it was as if I was compelled to come in here.” He shuddered. “I started screaming, but it was as if my voice was not my own. I tried to stop, but I couldn’t.”
Skyresh shook him then let him go suddenly. Everard collapsed against the wall, shaking.
“I am going to test the doors,” he said abruptly, turning and leaving the room.
Avalon gazed at Everard. “Can you get to your feet, or do you need help?”
He stood up, shakily. She put his arm around her shoulders, supporting him. They walked out of the cupboard slowly.
Skyresh was trying all the doors and windows to no avail. It seemed that what Everard had claimed was true: they were imprisoned in this house. A spell had been cast over it, preventing them from leaving. Avalon’s heart started to thud as the terrible truth of it hit her. What on earth were they going to do?