Assassin of the Heart: Book Two: The Temple Islands Series

by Richard Parker

  She strained her eyes, glancing up occasionally to see if the moon would reappear, but it did not, and with each passing moment she could feel the Deutzani inching closer and closer. She could no longer see Bock, and forced down the desire to move closer to him. She stopped throwing rocks, feeling it was wasteful, that she might need them. She glanced up again, hoping for the moon, and then suddenly the wind came up, blowing in strong, warm gusts. Samantha instinctively moved her face into the breeze and smelled rain, and then lightning flashed overhead, bringing a great light to the forest. Samantha quickly looked down and waited for the next flash. It came only a moment later but to Samantha it seemed to take much, much longer. She didn’t see anyone in the brief time the cliff was illuminated but on the next flash she could clearly see three soldiers climbing her way. She gasped for they were only about one hundred feet below her position. She grabbed a rock in each hand and waited. It didn’t take long before the flashes of lightning were coming regularly, though the boom of thunder was lost to her. She began throwing rocks as quickly as she could take aim, but did not score her first hit until the men climbed to within fifty feet of the top. She struck a man directly on the right shoulder and saw him kneel and pull his arm close, and then the rains came.

  The rain came down hard and fast and in an instant she could see absolutely nothing and was completely soaked. She huddled down as the full fury of the storm hit, knowing that the soldiers below would have a nearly impossible time climbing in the torrent. The rain and wind intensified for a time though how long Samantha could not say. She could no longer even see her hand in front of her face. She hunched perfectly still, afraid to move at all, fearing she would stumble in the wrong direction and pitch herself off the cliff. It rained and rained, at times very hard only to taper off and then strengthen once again. The wind tore at the trees, tore at her clothing and hair. She hunkered down into a ball, covering her head with her arms and waited.

  She did not know how long the downpour lasted or when it began to slacken, she was just suddenly aware that the storm had passed. She looked around into the darkness and pushed her wet hair from her face, but she still could not see Bock. She carefully forced her way closer to the edge of the cliff and looked down. There was no sign of the Zani and she was beginning to hope that the soldiers were washed off the rock face when she heard a sudden movement from her right.

  It was Bock. He looked as wet and miserable as she felt and she couldn’t help but smile though her heart was pounding at the scare he’d given her. He knelt close and smiled back.

  “Stay alert,” he whispered. “They’re close.” He gripped her shoulder and gave a squeeze then moved off and was once again swallowed up in the darkness. Samantha did as she was told and continued to scan the area just below her, but it was not until the soldiers were within fifteen feet of the top that she spotted them a bit off to her left. She could see only two, though she felt sure more were hiding out in the darkness. Without making a sound she moved closer to them and then began to hurl rocks as fast as she could. The soldiers were not aware of the assault until her third rock hit close to one of them. Samantha was still throwing as they both looked up and begin to climb faster. She threw more rocks and though most missed she knew she hit one of them in the side and the other near his ankle. Neither strike kept the soldiers from climbing, so Samantha moved back and retrieved her bow. The soldiers were just finishing their climb as she pulled back her first arrow. The Deutzani were only about twenty feet way, an easy shot, but the bowstring was wet. Her first shot sailed high and past through the hair of the closest man. He flinched and ducked, then turned and rushed at her. She tried to notch another arrow, but fumbled it. When she realized she would not be able to get off another shot she turned and fled in Bock’s direction. She made it only a few steps before the soldier hit her from behind, his weight carrying her roughly to the ground. She landed hard, tangled up with the soldier. She tried to slip from beneath him and regain her feet but he grabbed at her waist and wrestled his way on top of her. She screamed once and then a large fist struck her right temple and all went dark.

  ǂ

  Jess na Gall arrived nearly an hour later with a retinue of five young students all between the ages of ten and fourteen. Gwaynn wondered at the young people, all girls save one, but said nothing. It did not seem prudent to him to bring them into a war. He was about to say something when the Traveler stepped forward and bowed low.

  “Prince Gwaynn Massi,” the woman said. “I am honored to serve you. I am honored for your protection.”

  Jess na Gall was tall, thin and exceedingly beautiful with large brown eyes and smooth white skin. She straightened and took a small step forward, and Gwaynn saw that she was taller than he was by half a head. He was not certain of her age but he guessed she was maybe ten years his senior. Gwaynn glanced again at the group of young students behind the Traveler.

  “We’re being hunted by the High King and the Executioners,” Jess said following his gaze and guessing at his thoughts. “Zarina Monde thought it prudent for me to bring a few students with me to separate our talent. I agreed. I hope you don’t object?”

  Gwaynn frowned. “We are currently being pursued by nearly three hundred Deutzani soldiers…perhaps not the best place for young students.”

  “Perhaps,” Jess echoed, but said nothing more on the matter.

  “Speaking of the Deutzani,” Afton Sath said stepping forward. Gwaynn had completely forgotten he was present.

  “Master Sath,” Jess said with another bow, which Sath returned.

  “Madam Traveler,” he answered then turned once more to Gwaynn. “We should be on the move, my Prince.”

  Gwaynn nodded. “Prepare the men,” he answered and Jess was immediately struck by his air of command. It was a rare thing in one so young.

  He bowed slightly to Jess and then motioned for David Hahn who hurried forward.

  “See to the Traveler’s party. Find them mounts,” Gwaynn ordered. “I will leave the group under your protection.”

  Hahn nodded and moved off. “Traveler na Gall, if you would be so kind,” Gwaynn added and motioned her to follow. They moved off down the hill a spell until the Prince stopped before another young man.

  “This is my Weapons Master,” Gwaynn explained. “Krys Logan, Traveler Jess na Gall.” Both bowed as Afton Sath returned and Jess wondered why the young Prince had replaced his father’s Weapons Master, who though old, carried a fearsome reputation.

  “Are they ready?” Gwaynn asked and Sath nodded.

  “Have Captain Marcum, Van and Hahn lead the rest to the west. Once they link with the group from Colchester they should be safe enough. Have them use Zebo to keep in touch,” Gwaynn added.

  Sath frowned not liking the idea of splitting their forces further, but he said nothing, resigning himself to the fact that he would have to grow accustomed to Gwaynn’s bold actions. The boy did little else…and thus far it had served him well.

  “And we will be?” Sath asked quietly.

  Gwaynn smiled back. “We will be with the Traveler, hunting those hunting the Hawsers,” he answered to no one’s surprise but na Gall’s.

  ǂ

  Samantha woke to find it early morning. It was raining lightly again and the air was much cooler than the previous day. She shivered, sat up and a wave of dizziness and nausea swept over her. She waited for it to pass but it continued until she’d wretched up the contents of her nearly empty stomach. When she finally gained control of herself she gingerly turned her head and looked about. She was laying next to Carmen, who was unconscious, her face flushed with fever. Rue was on her far side, his tan shirt stained red at the belly. He was awake and holding one hand over the wound in an attempt to control the bleeding. He smiled weakly at her.

  “We held off the first attempt,” Rue told her, winching a little from the pain speaking caused him. “Bock is good with his knives.”

  Samantha tried to move and was hit with another wave of dizziness, but
this time it passed quickly and she was able to move closer to Rue. Without truly wanting to she moved his hand and pulled away his shirt to get a look at his wound. It was in his left side, deep and oozing dark red blood. She grimaced, then ripped a good portion of her skirt off and wrapped it as tightly around his midsection as she could, hoping that it would be enough to slow the bleeding. Rue groaned several times as she moved him about and then he dropped to the forest floor panting loudly as she finished.

  Samantha looked around for the Bock and Olney.

  “Th…they’re further up, toward the river,” Rue gasped, “trying to keep the last of the Deutzani from making the climb.”

  Sam stood, wobbled a little then staggered away from the two wounded Hawsers. She came across Olney straight away. He was pelting rocks down the cliff as she carefully moved up behind him. He did not acknowledge her presence and she could see that his face was a mask of pain and anger. She inched as close as she dared to the edge, afraid she would lose her balance if she got too close.

  “Bock?” she asked, and Olney looked over at her for a brief moment, surprised.

  “By the river,” he answered, nodding in that direction, all the while raining stones down upon the soldiers below. Samantha was not sure of how close they were, but before she could climb to the edge and ask, Bock came running up to them.

  “They crossed the river in the valley below and are already over the top on the far side. They’re moving up river, looking for an easy place to cross,” he told them breathing heavily. Without another word he handed Samantha her bow but no arrows. Apparently he’d run out of them for he had none. “I only hit one, the rest made it to the top. Once they find a way to cross they’ll have us.”

  Samantha, her balance returning, moved carefully to the edge and looked down. There were two soldiers, near the bottom of the cliff. They were not climbing, just keeping Olney occupied.

  “How many?” she asked.

  “Seven, I think,” Bock answered, “plus the two below.”

  Seven, Samantha thought, against one soldier, a young boy and a girl. Her eyes welled with tears. They could not fight them, and they could not run without leaving behind Rue and Carmen. She could read these very thoughts moving through Bock’s mind as he frowned.

  “You two should go,” Olney finally said, heaving another rock down on his tormentors.

  Samantha and Lonogan looked at each other momentarily, both attracted by the idea and both rejecting it at the same time.

  “We’ll stay,” Samantha said staring into Olney’s eyes, which were so full of admiration she almost laughed. Instead she looked down once more into the valley below. “What are we going to do?” She finally asked Bock in desperation when he joined her at the edge of the cliff.

  “Perhaps we could help,” a new voice came from their left. The three of them jerked around swiftly, Bock raising his sword to strike, but he quickly froze as he recognized Gwaynn, Krys and Sath. They were standing ready, relaxed and with them was a tall beauty with shining eyes.

  Bock gave a shout, smiling broadly, as Samantha ran forward. She stopped just short of launching herself into Gwaynn’s arms and instead, for the second time in her life she struck out at him, hitting him hard in the shoulder. He made no move to stop her and she hit him only once. Sath watched the interplay between the two with obvious pleasure and a large amount of envy.

  “I’m getting accustomed to you attacking me when I come to save your life,” Gwaynn said with a slight smile and then he reached out and pulled her into a stiff hug. It was necessarily short and he released her quickly in order to properly greet Olney and Bock.

  “Where is Rue and Carmen?” Sath asked clearly worried, and was told of their wounds.

  “Seven moving up river you say?” Gwaynn asked, his face darkened by the news of the Hawsers. They’ve given so much, so soon. Bock just nodded, exhausted.

  “If you two can keep those fellows below from climbing,” Sath added, looking down at the Deutzani soldiers near the valley floor. “We’ll go see about the others.

  Samantha stifled a feeling of dismay at being separated from the safety of Gwaynn once more, but she glanced at Olney and smiled. As one, they both picked up rocks and began to hurl them at the men below, who kept prudently under an overhang and out of sight.

  Gwaynn and the others began to move toward the river until Jess reached out and took his arm.

  “Four against seven?” she asked, worried that one of the four was a very, very old man despite his reputation, and another was clearly exhausted from lack of sleep.

  Gwaynn gave her a half smile. “We won’t be long. If you run into trouble, Travel a mile or so up the mountain and stay put. We’ll find you.”

  No such trouble came, however. The two below showed no inclination at all to climb. They just moved about occasionally to draw attention away from their fellow soldiers, who would soon be attacking from above.

  Gwaynn and his party returned after only a half an hour, clearly triumphant and uninjured. Jess could immediately tell that whatever happened, it made a great impression on Master Sath, who was gazing at his Prince with something akin to wonder on his face.

  “Come,” Sath said leading the group away from the cliff. He gave no thought to the two Deutzani still below, they could do as they wished. He knew they could not make the climb before his group departed the area in any case.

  Bock and Olney quickly led them over to where Rue and Carmen lay. Carmen was still unconscious, and still feverish. Rue was awake, but in no better shape.

  “Water,” he groaned and Olney fetched another canteen, replacing the empty one by his father’s side. Sath bent and studied the wounds, worried for his friends and then stood and gave a little shake of his head.

  Gwaynn reached out and touch Jess’s arm, then led her a bit away from the others as Olney, Samantha and Krys moved off to the river to fetch more water.

  “We need to get them to Helles,” Gwaynn said. “Can you do that?”

  Jess frowned and shook her head, aware of her limits. “Not after the trips I’ve already made…maybe if I was fresh I could get them there. It’s a great distance.”

  Gwaynn remained thoughtful for a moment, wondering how much he should reveal. He’d carefully watched both Zebo and Jess at work and though what they did was beyond his knowledge, he could feel the energy they emanated; feel the power they needed to move through space and it was not so different from moving through time. And though he knew little about Traveling, he felt confident he could supply some of the energy needed to make the attempt.

  “I need you to try,” Gwaynn insisted, knowing that the Hawsers had little choice. If the Traveler did not succeed he was sure neither would live out the week.

  Jess said nothing for a moment. “I cannot. I haven’t the strength.” She expected that to be the end of it. Travelers were not accustomed to being questioned about their craft, nor for anyone to question their abilities.

  Gwaynn, however, would not be swayed. “Traveler na Gall, I need you to try. My friends need you to try.” He insisted and stared at her with such intensity that she quickly grew uncomfortable.

  “I will try, but it will drain me,” she finally answered, dropping her eyes. “It matters not whether I fail or succeed, we’ll not be Traveling again for several days.” She expected him to reconsider. The hills were still crawling with Deutzani and it would not be wise to remain in any one place for too long.

  But Gwaynn only nodded. “I thank you,” he replied sincerely and they moved back to join the others.

  “Jess will try to get us to Helles,” Gwaynn informed the group and they all looked at her with such hope she wanted to cry out, to scream at them; tell them that she would almost certainly fail. They had little idea what strength it took to Travel, and Helles was far…very far.

  “Please,” Olney implored, glancing from Jess to his parents and back again.

  Jess nodded, straightened her shoulders, closed her eyes and began to weave
a bridge that would take them across all of Massi and half the Inland Sea. Almost at once all those around her faded in the mist, and she was only aware of her body, her mind and her target, Helles Island. In her mind, a part of her moved from the Plateau of Massi and down across the plains, farther and farther she went until she came to the sea. She moved across the sea, traveling effortlessly over the waves, farther and farther she went out over the deep. Without meaning to, she slowed and nearly stopped, tired, but then with great mental effort she spurred herself on, only dimly aware of the crippling pain that was gripping her midsection. She weakened twice more before she saw the island in her mind’s eye. She made landfall a few minutes later but knew immediately that she did not have the strength to forge a bridge between her two selves.

  “Try,” a voice whispered in her mind. Her eyes flew open and she shot a hard, exhausted look at Gwaynn, who smiled at her. He could feel her working; he could feel her power but also her fatigue and he knew if she could create a bridge he could help strengthen it.

  It took a moment for Jess to settle her nerves. The Prince was with her; she could feel his presence. It didn’t seem possible. He was not trained. The distraction though served to make her forget her fatigue, her weakness.

  Gradually she felt her physical self on Massi and the projected one of Helles link together, weakly at first but then with growing strength. The shimmering beginnings of a bridge were forming in front of her as pain shot through her midsection once more. She gasped and nearly lost the connection and then suddenly he was by her side. Her bridge, which was still weak and faltering, suddenly sprang together with such strength her breath was taken away. She staggered and opened her eyes, staring once more at Gwaynn, who held her gaze.