“Yes, but you need rest first. Tomorrow we’ll head out at first light. By late afternoon we should find a trail that leads into the mountains. There are trails cut high up the slopes. They’re very old, probably part of a road which led to the temple and surrounding villages long ago. They were still passable last I travelled them. We should be able to make good time and outpace Trensler. There are even a few spots along the trail that run along the uppermost ridge of the mountains. With a short climb to the top, we might be able to spy upon Trensler’s party.”
Sorsha hated the thought of not knowing exactly how far ahead Trensler really was, and she saw the wisdom in Shadowdancer’s reasoning. Besides, Sorsha’s eyesight wasn’t sharp enough to travel on an overcast night. She sighed and shifted positions, her hooves churning up the dry, sandy dirt underneath her. Frowning, she silently debated how best to position herself to sleep. Last night hadn’t been a problem—she’d just collapsed, exhausted after the candlemarks of learning to use her new legs. At dawn, she’d awoken in a twisted, uncomfortable position. It had taken almost a candlemark to work all the kinks out. Idly, she wished for a nice soft bed—a really big bed, she amended, one with lots of pillows.
Shadowdancer stood and came around the fire. Firelight danced along his body as he moved. After a moment of turning to find the best place to sit, he sank onto the ground behind her, close enough for her to feel the heat of him against her human back and along her Santhyrian body. A muscular arm wrapped her in a tight embrace and urged her to lean back against his chest. For once Sorsha didn’t argue and found the position surprisingly comfortable.
“Sleep,” he whispered into her ear.
“What about you?” Even with the ground sun-baked hard enough to resemble a slab of rock, her eyelids drooped and she ground her teeth against a yawn.
“I’ll take first watch. I’ll wake you midway through.”
“You’re a terrible liar.” She yawned again and snuggled closer, tucking her face against his shoulder. “Swear you’ll wake me for my turn at watch.”
He raised a hand in surrender. “I swear.”
“Good,” she said, words slurring with exhaustion.
“Sleep well, Herd Mistress.”
“Why did they split up here, of all places?” Sorsha frowned down at the soft dirt, which showed with unmistakable proof that four riders had broken away from the main group and headed back into the mountains while the rest of the Acolytes continued on down the length of the valley. She and Shadowdancer had been following the troop for the better part of the day, and not once had the Acolytes broken formation until now. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. What are they after?”
“Us. Magic. Other Santhyrians in the area,” Shadowdancer replied with a shrug as he stood a little way ahead, studying the tracks with an expression as tense as Sorsha felt. “And we can’t follow to find out or the main group might pull ahead of us too far. That might even be their plan.”
“You think they’re setting traps? But how can they even know we’re following them?”
“We know they can sense magic. They might be able to sense us and are laying an ambush. Or it may just be a precaution. They may even simply be seeking a high vantage point.” Shadowdancer exhaled and started trotting in the direction the large group had taken. “Unfortunately, while we don’t have the luxury to investigate what the smaller group seeks, we know the majority of the Acolytes hunt the Falcon Staff. I’ve sent word to Father about the Acolytes’ change in tactics.”
“I don’t like it.” Sorsha followed Shadowdancer, her hooves dragging as she half turned to look behind her. Her hand tightened around her bow until her knuckles whitened. “Ashayna always said allowing enemies to out flank you was a good way to make Death’s acquaintance.”
“Your sister is wise.” Shadowdancer halted to allow her to catch up. “And I like to have enemies ahead and behind no better than you. But we have no choice. We still have a lot of ground to cover and we can’t risk the Wild Path—Trensler’s master controls the Wardlen. That leaves us with only our hooves and our will power.”
“The Oracle made me fast, very fast. Probably for this very reason. Let me follow them for a candlemark. Once I learn what we are up against, I’ll hurry back to your side and you will not have lost any ground against the main group. It’s a sound plan. I’ll stay hidden, and I won’t engage them in a fight. I swear I won’t take foolish risks. But we must know where the others are, or risk getting surrounded.”
“You’ll be exhausted from the pace. Have you forgotten what it took out of you the first time you had to make up ground to chase me down?”
“Then I’ll hole up somewhere safe to rest for a short time and find you when I’m able. I can track your progress with our link.”
Shadowdancer snorted, but the sound lacked all humor. “Why are we even having this conversation? Do you actually think I’m going to allow you, an untrained Herd Mistress and the woman I love, to go off by yourself and intentionally seek out danger.”
“Actually, the old Shadowdancer would certainly not allow me to go off by myself. But the Oracle’s Harbinger should know his duty is to protect everyone and not just to one Herd Mistress, even if she is his beloved.”
Fists clenched, jaw tense, shoulders stiff, Shadowdancer held himself immobile as he locked gazes with her in challenge. She didn’t flinch at his attempt to stare holes in her head.
“You know I’m right.” Sorsha sighed. It sounded sad to her own ears. In truth she didn’t want to be away from Shadowdancer for any length of time. It would only give him time to get closer to the main group of Acolytes.
“Yes.” His harsh reply was laced with bitterness, as if the one word caused him pain.
“I’ll be as quick as I can, and keep in contact using our mental link.” Sorsha stepped up to him and reached out for a hug.
His arms snaked around her shoulders, dragging her closer. He didn’t kiss her or rail at her words. He simply rested his forehead against hers. “Come back to me. Swear it.”
She pressed her lips to his, more promise than passion. “I swear.”
Hunkered down against an outcropping of rock, Sorsha tried to shield her thoughts and bank the magic of her Larnkin. As hiding places went, hers was a good one considering she’d been forced to find it in a hurry when she’d first spotted the dust cloud in the distance. It gave her a clear view of the trail while hiding her from anyone riding below. She was as certain as she could be of her safety, but her earlier nervousness came back in a rush when she heard a sound like distant thunder.
Glancing far down the ravine, where the cloud of dust rose above the track, Sorsha witnessed the first Acolyte emerge from around a tight bend. His mount barely slowed at the turn and was already stretched into that ground eating pace only a Santhyrian could maintain.
Sorsha’s stomach tightened into an uncomfortable knot. She’d found the reason for the Acolytes detour and wished she had remained in ignorance. Tears slid down her cheeks as she watched another Acolyte astride a Santhyrian come around the curve in the trail. This Acolyte held a length of rope and led several other Santhyrians. They’d been tied together with halters made from finely spun, knotted rope. Two other Acolytes rode into view leading more captives.
As the first thundered past her hiding place, Sorsha leaned over for a better look. All her fears were confirmed. Keldar, one of Trensler’s favorite Acolytes, rode his dull-eyed mount with ease. While she didn’t know what had been done to kill the Santhyrian’s personality, she knew danger when she saw it.
The other Acolytes rode underneath her ledge, their mounts equally as lifeless as the first.
With every fiber of her being, Sorsha wanted to leap out of her hiding place and attack using her bow and arrows, but common sense held her back. They were too close; they’d begin feeding before she could kill them all and she didn’t know how fast it took them to drain a victim. And she’d promised Shadowdancer.
Sorsha held her place unti
l the enemy was well out of sight, then she summoned her magic. “Shadowdancer,” Sorsha called out in mindspeech, “the Acolytes found what they sought.”
“I hear you, beloved. Speak.”
“They have Santhyrian mounts.” Sorsha sent him an accompanying image.
Shadowdancer held his silence for several heartbeats. She could still feel him in her mind, his anger and grief overwhelming. He knew the small herd the Acolytes had captured and enslaved. They’d sometimes run with his family herd. The lead mare and stallion were both missing.
At Shadowdancer’s thoughts, a small spark of hope ignited in Sorsha’s heart, quickly squashed by his next words. “They are already dead, probably fed upon. Neither one would let the Acolytes enslave their herd while they still lived.”
A cold chill raced down Sorsha’s back at the memory of the Santhyrians with their dull eyes. They had been denied the icy kindness of a clean death.
“We need a new plan,” Shadowdancer whispered into her mind. “If they continue on their present route, there’s no assurance I’ll get to the temple in time to get the Staff safely away before the evil ones arrive.”
“But what other choice do we have?”
“There is a shorter route, one which will take candlemarks off our journey, but makes it far more perilous. There’s a pass high up in the mountains where rock and snow can shift uneasily, entombing the unwary.”
“Honestly, that sounds more pleasant than what will happen if Trensler ever corners us. I’ll risk the rock and snow. Where should I meet up with you?”
“I see your location in your mind. Backtrack until the path forks. Follow the fork up higher into the mountains.” An image of the place appeared in her mind. “I’ll meet you there.”
“Shadowdancer, be careful. You have enemies behind as well as ahead.”
“Our enemy is fast, but I’m faster.” A hint of pride colored his tone. “I’ll be with you again soon.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ahead, the banner of Shadowdancer’s tail became Sorsha’s guidepost. Far beyond merely winded, she maintained a fast trot only through pride, will power, and spite for Trensler. I’m a Stonemantle. I’ll not allow that hateful old man to win.
But with each stride Shadowdancer was gaining ground. It didn’t help that they were high into the mountains, where the air was thinner, the wind was relentless, and the ancient trail had been reduced by the weather into nothing more than a rocky goat trail. Sorsha slowed to a walk when the path veered around a sharp bend and started to climb another steep slope. With his frequent backward glances, Shadowdancer was bound to notice her flagging pace. Deciding she’d better pull up before he had a chance to scold her for not telling him she needed a rest, she called out to him. “I must stop.”
Shadowdancer halted so suddenly it was almost comical. He swiftly doubled back and approached with what Sorsha was coming to recognize as his ‘mothering’ look.
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” He all but shouted as he walked in a circle around her. He reached back and pulled a blanket from his pack. “While you can run circles around me when you’re fresh, I thought we established you don’t have my stamina. You promised to tell me before you lamed yourself.” He continued to grouse at her as he began rubbing the blanket over her damp coat.
“I just told you.”
He rumbled some unintelligible reply under his breath and continued rubbing her with more vigor. When the majority of the sweat was mopped from her body, he swatted her across the rump. “Keep walking.” Crossing his arms, he bestowed another of his black frowns upon her. “I said walk, not trot. You need to cool yourself down.”
“I know, I know.” She rolled her eyes at him. “Mother.”
He grunted, but kept pace with her, occasionally reaching out to run a hand down a hip or leg, checking for abnormal heat or swelling.
Finally fed up with his cloistering, she swatted his searching hands away. “I’m fine. I just needed to slow down for a while.”
“No, you’re not fine. You’re nearly dead on your feet.”
Sorsha would have continued the debate, but the path widened, opening into an unnatural plateau. It was like something had come and cut away the mountain’s peak, leaving a smooth, completely flat area in its place.
“Bright Light,” she whispered. Then gathering her wits, she turned to Shadowdancer for an explanation.
“Long ago, before the Elementals lived under a unifying monarchy and council, the Phoenix hunted in these mountains and valleys, nesting just a day’s ride from here. The temple was built to serve their needs. Other trails, like the one we are following, all lead to platforms such as this. Here, the other land-bound races came to trade with the Phoenix for the gold and other precious metals the Fire Elementals could melt and call out of the mountains.”
“Mercy.” Sorsha trotted farther across the unnaturally broad flat mountain top, and stopped well away from the edge with its sheer drop. Below, a lush valley stretched between the mountains, a jewel bright ribbon showcasing nature’s bounty. It seemed so out of place compared to the surrounding snow-capped, grey peaks. “By the Gods, it’s beautiful.”
Shadowdancer approached from behind, the ring of his hooves echoing ahead of him as he slid alongside. A gust of wind picked up, and howled through the mountains. It snatched at her hair, twisting it around her head as her tail whipped out behind her. Instinctively she pressed into him, pushing them both away from the steep edge. Shadowdancer chuckled, skirted around her and put himself between her and the empty air.
The smile on his face froze, and a moment later his nostrils flared as a dark expression flashed in his eyes.
“What is it?” But even as she asked, her eyes were following in the same direction.
Far below, on the north bank of what must have been a narrow, deep river, a group of eighteen mounted riders angled out across the grass. The distance was too great to make out any features, but she didn’t need to be close to know who rode down there.
She tried not to think of those poor lifeless-eyed Santhyrians.
Shadowdancer turned his head in her direction, his fierce eyes searching her face. Silence stretched between them. Words weren’t necessary. She knew what was required.
Shadowdancer had been measuring his stride to hers, maintaining an easier pace, one she could manage without killing herself. Locking her eyes on his, she said, “You must go.” Then she nudged him and pointed back down into the valley. “Or they’ll get there first.”
The muscles in his jaw flexed.
She placed a finger to his lips. “It’s the only way. I might be able to catch up to the Acolytes. Maybe. But I won’t be able to get ahead of them. Not until I’ve rested and recovered. And we may not have the time or luxury. We both know that.”
His expression wasn’t any less divided as he started to struggle out of the pack. She brushed his hands away and worked at the buckles. When the straps loosened, he placed his hands over hers. With one hand pressed over his heart, she could feel the strong beat pick up under her fingers.
She needed to say something before he galloped out of her life again. “I don’t regret loving you. I’ll never regret loving you.”
He sighed softly. “You know my heart has always been yours; it was yours from the first moment your silly mare spooked and threw you under my hooves. I will come back for you if I can. Be safe.”
She reached up and bestowed a quick kiss on his cheek. “You, too.”
He nodded. After he dug around in the pack a moment, he came up with one of the water canteens clasped in his hand. She took it from him and looped its strap over his head, adjusting it so it wouldn’t interfere with his bow or quiver. He dropped the pack containing the rest of their supplies at her feet.
Still he hesitated.
“Go.” If he didn’t get to the Falcon Staff before Trensler, she doubted if either of them would survive long enough to need supplies. “I’ll follow your trail when I’m able.”<
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“Until we meet again.” His left hand cupped her cheek, and then dropped away as he stepped sideways. He spun and broke into a fast trot. She watched him navigate the rocky trail with far more agility than she possessed. Her gaze followed his progress until he was out of sight. Then she closed her eyes and listened to the sound of his hooves as they faded into silence.
“Come back to me,” she whispered. Wind snatched up her words and carried them farther along the trail.
His muscles burned with fatigue, sweat dripped down his human torso and flecks of foam lathered his coat, but at least it was marginally cooler under the dense tree canopy. Shadowdancer glanced up and tried to get a glimpse of the mountain slopes rising up out of the valley, but the forests cloaking the valley’s bottom proved too thick. He couldn’t see the one peak he wanted. Not that Sorsha would still have been there even if by some miracle he could see through the trees and across the distance. Sorsha was too stubborn to wait where he’d left her. She would still be following him, albeit at a slower pace. One that he hoped kept her safely behind Trensler and his men.
Worry for Sorsha distracted Shadowdancer and he nearly missed the ancient cobbles poking out between clumps of short spring grass. He’d been following the river for most of the morning, descending the wooded slopes. All the while heading in the direction he knew the temple must lie. When a candlemark had come and gone, he’d started to fear he’d never find the old road.
But he’d found it at last.
With renewed energy he followed the cobbles as they climbed higher up the opposite slope, away from the river and the valley floor. The trees thinned and more of the road showed through the grass. Far ahead, a cliff reared up into the sky. Shadowdancer grimaced at the distance, but relief shivered across his skin. At least he was nearing the correct location. Midway up that cliff face would be an ancient post and lintel archway framing a shadowy opening. From there stairs would lead up and deeper into the cliff, gradually climbing to the top where the ruins of the temple still stood.
Herd Mistress (In Deception's Shadow Book 2) Page 21