by AS Hamilton
The warrior sighed, she was too tired to question him much further about the questionable decisions he had made while in Sal-Cirus. 'Should we rest, then?' Sariah asked. 'I am not sure the horses can make it over all those hills to the Khira without some time to recover.'
Brynn thought it over for a minute before giving voice to his thoughts. 'I see no reason why not. As you said, the horses need a break. We have had little sleep in the last few days, too. With a long journey ahead of us, it would be prudent to take this opportunity for an hour each. Would you like me to take first watch?'
Sariah nodded thankfully and stretched out in the warm sun.
'I hope you do not mind too much,' Brynn told the two horses, 'but for safety's sake, you two need to stay geared up.'
Both horses simply snorted and went back to grazing.
Brynn moved over to crouch beside Sariah. 'I need another few moments before you rest.'
'What is it?'
'I wanted to talk to you about your sight.'
Sariah gestured for him to continue, and Brynn shifted to a seated position.
'I have wanted to offer to heal your sight since we met. I was not sure I could at first, but I had the chance to investigate your planes when I boosted your stamina when we rescued Sentary, and now know I can.'
The warrior frowned. 'That is surprising because Riqu has had many healers look at me to see if they could also restore my sight and none were able. My adoptive mother, Pasika, is a healer of considerable experience and she, too, was stymied.'
Brynn started to say something, then stopped, reconsidering. 'Let me just say that I have had training healers do not normally get.'
'Then I would be grateful, however I am hesitant. How will restoring my sight affect Kaydyr?'
'It is a different issue there, but one I am also capable of dealing with.'
'When would you do this?'
'Ah, that is where I am a little anxious. You see, I want to do it as soon as possible.'
'Is that because of something the seer said?'
'In an indirect way. I have knowledge now that indicates I should not delay for too long. But I do not know how long it will take you to recover. You see, you won't be able to instantly see. After correcting the cause of your blindness, the muscles and nerves will have to get used to being used again. You could have blurry vision for several days.'
Sariah shook her head. 'No, I cannot possibly be disabled for so long. Especially not now. We are hardly in a safe location.'
'I know. I thought about that. On our way to Caradon, we will stop at a secluded and secure resting place. I thought I could do it then, so by the time we reach Caradon you will be mostly recovered. You see, I believe Sentary is going to Caradon, I have yet to confirm it, but the paths suggest that is the decision he will make when Riqu discusses the options for relocation with the refugees. That would mean that when you reunite with him, you will be able to see.'
The warrior nodded slowly as she considered his suggestion. She liked the idea, having her sight restored would please her brother. 'That would be acceptable, yes, I can agree to that.'
Brynn smiled as he rose. 'You best get some rest now.'
'Brynn.'
The young mage paused.
'Thank you.'
'It is the least I can do for you after all you have done for me.'
Chapter 10
Day 7 – Mid-morning
Sal-Cirus
Horses clattered up to the main gates of Sal-Cirus. The sun had risen long ago, however the entrance was shut. A soldier rode forth and shouted up at the tower. The gate appeared deserted and remained silent. The soldier removed his sword and used the pommel to knock on the gates. Thane Greyson of Venshui rode up and impatiently wrenched the sword from the soldier's grip and slammed the pommel into the gate with all the strength he could muster, creating a deep reverberating echo. Two heads appeared above.
'The Thane of Venshui wishes entrance, you louts. Open these gates before I use this sword to open you up and have you strung out in the Khira for bird bait.'
The gates started to open.
The Thane rode in without waiting for the gates to open all the way. Leaning down from his horse, he snatched the first soldier he saw up by his collar, lifting him so that he strained to keep his toes on the ground.
'Your tardiness will be reported to Thane Curtin. Your inattention whilst on duty is an insult to our presence. What is your excuse?' he sneered.
'My most humble apologies, my lord thane. We wish not t' have neglected you. It's just that last eve an entire harem went missin', an' then a smithy were attacked an' left grievously injured this mornin'. Divisions were sent out t' search for th' missing women, an' more patrols were tasked with trackin' down th' smithy's attacker. So our lord, Thane Curtin, ordered th' gates closed this mornin'. He thought there were a chance th' smithy's attacker were connected t' th' missing harem an' wanted t' question him.'
'A chance? The fool! When it comes to the rebels, there is little room for chance,' Greyson hissed as he dropped the soldier unceremoniously to the ground.
The man brushed himself off as he rose, trying not to look put out by his treatment else the Thane's wrath might escalate from brutal to lethal. The soldier looked up as two more horses rode in through the gates. He gestured with his head to his corporal. He did not dare dismiss Thane Greyson, but if he allowed anyone in unchecked, his own thane would punish him.
'I am Dematica, mage to Thane Jeriteen of Denas,' an elvan female explained to the corporal in haughty tones. She handed a document to the corporal and the Captain of the Gate returned his attention to Thane Greyson. At least she wasn't going to be troublesome.
'Is there anythin' I can do t' aid in yore good will, my lord thane?' he asked.
Thane Greyson was ignoring him. 'Mage?' he queried the newcomer. 'You can heal?'
The elvan mage looked over to the Thane and dipped her head in acknowledgement of his rank. 'That I can.'
'And interrogate?'
'Indeed, this too, is one of my skills.'
'Come with me,' Greyson ordered as he turned back to the Captain of the Gate. 'Show me to this smith.'
Day 7 – Mid-morning
Sengel Woods
Paulson prodded the tinder in the fire as it struggled to gain strength. Hollingson was insistent that his morning meal must be hot. Not only that but their leader also liked to 'sip' his balessia afterwards. Hollingson also stipulated that he was not woken until well after sunrise, which delayed their progress by at least two hours each day. Not that Paulson was bothered by the slow pace, it was more Hollingson's haughty demeanour. They spent all day tracking, pulled sentry duty at night, and set up camp, yet they were only allowed journey rations. Anything brought in from a hunt was reserved for Hollingson and Hollingson alone. It rankled.
'We need more wood,' Paulson announced to nobody in particular as he rose.
Hollingson looked up and grunted.
'Guess that means it's alright to go get some,' Grayndler muttered to Paulson as he joined him.
Both men trudged silently until they were out of sight of the camp.
'Do we still have our birds?' Paulson asked, bending to retrieve fallen branches.
'Just. He's already had four! And he was threatening to cook some more last eve. He likes the taste! I told him we might need to send a message to Thane Kennelm and he would certainly be displeased if it was slowed because he consumed the messengers.'
Paulson was quiet for several more moments, lost in some inner debate. He seemed to come to decision, nodding to himself. 'Send the word,' he instructed softly.
'The word?' Grayndler's low whisper ended in a high pitch of disbelief.
'Yes, Aren, the word,' Paulson almost snapped, but managed to keep his tone civil. It wasn't Grayndler's fault they were in this situation. 'We haven't heard from Daniel in an age. He's either dead or captive. It's time to withdraw.'
'What if he's alright but just hasn't gotten to us
yet? He'll be mad if—'
'He would have contacted me, Aren. If he'd said it would so long between contact, it'd be alright, but he didn't, and no one has seen him. So I'm following his orders. Send the birds. When we leave, fall behind and send them.'
Grayndler watched the higher officer move off and scoop up more wood. Paulson was not usually so curt, which meant, in Grayndler's mind, that Paulson really did believe something was amiss. If a man like Paulson believed it, then he was probably right. Paulson had always been a steady and canny leader.
They did not use co-toor for certain communications because rebel mages were able to easily monitor them. Birds could be warded by Abbarane mages, and interference with those wards could be detected, so they used messenger birds whenever sending classified information.
Not one of the captains Nathan had appointed to take over each of Daniel's patrols would think anything of a bird without a message, they flew off or lost their messages on occasion. Without knowing that it happened to all the other units too, they would think nothing of it. But Daniel's men'd know. They'd know what to do.
Day 7 – Mid-morning
Sal-Cirus
Dematica turned to her apprentice, Varell. 'Follow me,' she directed sternly. 'Learn.'
The young elvan lowered herself to the ground and crossed her legs — the pose she used at her level of experience to achieve a trance to get to the planes. Dematica would not need to go to such effort. Her mind might be elsewhere, but she could remain as she was, leaning against the bed in which Gareth lay. She could even choose to remain conscious of the world around her, to leave her eyes open, to focus on Thane Greyson, to make herself a meal, read a book, all while manipulating the planes of Gareth's mind. The reason she did not was because of the thanes. If they saw how easy it was, if they fully understood Dematica's capabilities, they might do any number of dangerous things. They might kill her, and others, out of fear. They might abuse her talent even more than they did now. More torture, more degradation. 'Do not ever,' Dematica had schooled her many a time, 'let them think it is easy. They do not see what talent costs and so they assume it costs nothing.'
'He has lost much blood,' Dematica sent to Varell, bringing her out of her reverie. 'I will not stimulate his body to produce more yet. We must heal some of the damage first. Once we have accomplished this, we will stimulate the replacement of the fluids he has lost.'
'Should the nurse have administered the intravenous device?'
'Yes, she has done rightly. Regardless of my aid, he cannot concoct fluids from the air and he will need the nourishment also. Follow closely, the paths I tread.'
To Greyson the two just sat there, one leaning on the bed, the other sitting on the floor. The bandages about Gareth concealed the work they did. The Thane started drumming his fingers on the doorframe before he heaved an intolerant sigh and sat on the chair at the end of the bed.
After a good three quarters of an hour Dematica slowly blinked and then turned to Greyson. 'I cannot heal him, my lord. He does not respond as normal. It is as if another mage counteracts the healing I try to induce.'
'Does it stop you from searching his memories to discover who attacked him and their purpose in doing so? Particularly in regard to the Great Lord's harem.'
'It will make it more complicated. His body is—'
'Can you or can you not?' the Thane demanded.
'It will be harder and take longer,' Dematica grated.
'Do it then, do not waste my time healing him,' the Thane ordered curtly as he rose and left the room.
Dematica slid an annoyed glance towards Varell. 'Not a man of great compassion, is he? Do not bother healing him, just get the memories, he says. It does not occur to him that while the Smith's body is in such distress, accessing his memories will be more difficult.'
'What if you stimulate his healing indirectly, as we spoke of with the raven's broken wing,' Varell suggested. This method was often used to heal wild animals.
Dematica nodded thoughtfully. 'Indirect healing takes more energy and is more complicated, but it will subvert any other will imposing itself upon the paths of his body.'
Apprentice and mage were taken aback as they resumed their work. The opposing will was gone, allowing Dematica to heal Gareth without hindrance. It would still take some time, the damage was great and Gareth's body would need a lot of support from them.
Dematica smiled. 'He is smart, the one who wounded this man, drawing out his healing and my energy; making me work for the information the Thane seeks. Giving him time to escape.'
'He is gone, now. Does this mean he is out of reach?' the apprentice asked, disappointed.
'He thinks so.'
Day 7 – Mid-day
Outside Sal-Cirus
(near Anuruna Lake)
Sariah swore profusely as she called Kaydyr back to her. A mage! Of course they would get a mage to track them down. But according to her mage, he had taken precautions. Silently, she cursed every single one of the talented meddlers, including the one she was about to wake. Kaydyr circled down to her, once again the benefit of having the hawk cruise the skies was demonstrated.
She had been hoping to let Brynn sleep longer, he was looking worn. And when he came down into the smith's workshop he had looked... What? Troubled, perplexed, discouraged. All these things and more. None of them what she had expected. This was one of the protégé mages, the ones that would assist the Saviour in winning the war. He had just been to speak with the most renown seer in their lands about their future and he came back looking deathly grim.
The warrior had thought a little sleep might help, but even though over the last few days she had given him more than she was getting herself, he was not improving enough. Sariah thought it could be because the young mage — and he was young — was actually walking planes and not resting. He would burn himself out if he kept it up.
Sariah pushed her thoughts back before they distracted her from their current predicament. There was nothing for it, if the patrol heading their way had a mage with them, they would need to fight like with like: Brynn had to be woken.
Sariah returned to their camp swiftly and knelt before Brynn, giving him a gentle shake. 'Brynn! Brynn!'
She shook him harder. His head came up finally and blurred, blue eyes looked at her uncomprehendingly before he winced in pain as if he was plagued by a headache.
'They are coming,' she reported without preamble. 'We must leave.'
Brynn's brow furrowed. 'Who?'
'Soldiers from Sal-Cirus, I would say. They are about an hour off. Mayhap a little more.'
'How?'
Sariah shrugged. 'A mage, of course. That side of it matters little now, we need to move before they catch up and you will need to thwart their mage.'
Sariah was tugging on his arm, urging him to get up, but Brynn held up his hand.
'Hold on, you said they are about an hour away?'
'Yes,' Sariah hissed, as she continued trying to drag him up.
Brynn realised the warrior was just going to get more impatient and allowed her to use his wrist to bring him to his feet.
'Give me a moment,' he pleaded, trying to shake off his drowsiness.
Sariah relented. He did look a little unsteady.
Even groggy, he managed to look graceful as he moved to the creek's edge. As he did, he pulled off the black scarf he had been wearing when he returned from seeing Toormeena and then scooped up some water to drink. He splashed his face as well, and then ran his fingers through his hair, pausing to rub at his forehead as if trying to get rid of an ugly feeling. He shook his hair back, throwing droplets of water in a light spray and turned his face up to the sun.
The droplets shattered in a fine array of crystals, yet this was not what caused warrior and hawk to become very still. That long, tumultuous, wavy flow of hair was coal black, which was what she had expected after Brynn's explanation for dyeing it brown. What was not expected was that unlike her hair, only one other colour mixed with t
he glossy black and it did not 'shimmer' in its depths, as it should. Silver blazed through the black, the sun reflecting off the glittering rivers. The blue eyes were still blurry with sleep, but they were a deep, dark blue... Like the ocean. Just as The Prophecy promised...
Brynn leaned back. 'They could not have breached my barriers, I would have been alerted by that. Their mage must have used the astral plane for her link,' he concluded, ignoring the staring warrior by his side. 'It is a place where the aura of elvan are easily discernible and it is not an obvious form of tracking...' Brynn trailed off as he noted the warrior's unusual stillness, she should be pacing off her frustration by now. Then he saw the shock in her expression.
Catching Kaydyr's gaze, he said, 'It is not what you think. What you are seeing is a purposeful deception. We have no time to go into explanations. Treat me as the elvan you met on the side of that mountain, facing too many foes with not enough friends.'
His statement received no response.
'Sariah,' he placed a little more force into his tone to get the warrior's attention.
Sariah finally blinked and shook off her surprise. 'Sorry. I… never mind.' She started pacing. 'What do you suggest we do?'
'I do not suppose you counted our pursuers...'
Sariah gave him a look that said she found his question slightly insulting.
He shrugged in apology and looked suitably contrite.
'Twenty. One is not more than a child. Two are elvan, a male and a female. Judging from the way they are dressed, she is the mage and he is a healer. He rides a lame, white horse at the rear, while she rides in front on a dark-coloured charger.'
Brynn found himself grinning at this information.
Sariah frowned. 'This does not strike me as a moment to be amused. What is it?'