Rather than ponder more questions for which he had no answers, he rubbed her hands, hoping to awaken her without frightening her any more than they already had. Why was it that petitioners asked the warriors to appear and then panicked when they did? Even after all the times he’d answered their calls, he’d yet to have one stand his ground. At least this woman hadn’t gone screaming back down the trail, forcing Gideon to send one of his men pelting after her.
“Someone wet a cloth in the river and bring it here.”
He would’ve done it but found himself reluctant to leave the woman’s side. It didn’t surprise him that it was Duncan who immediately headed back to the water’s edge. Murdoch’s sense of duty wouldn’t allow him to leave Gideon’s back undefended while he was kneeling and unable to draw his sword. Young Averel was too busy staring at the woman to do anything else. And Kane avoided all contact with outsiders. Whether the woman lived or died was of no importance to the dark warrior.
“Here, Captain.”
Duncan thrust a dripping scrap of cloth into Gideon’s hand and then stepped back. Gideon squeezed the excess water out of the rag before laying it across the woman’s forehead. She moaned softly, and her eyes fluttered as she tried to wake up. He didn’t want to frighten her, so he eased his hand from beneath her head and moved back slightly.
As soon as he did, her eyes popped open and stared directly into his, a wild, fey look in their dark depths. When she struggled to sit up, he reluctantly offered her his hand. She ignored the gesture, instead pushing herself upright after dropping the wet rag back into his palm. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or insulted that she’d avoided his touch.
“Who are you?” she demanded now that she had gathered her wits about her. Then she answered her own question. “The Warriors of the River, the Damned.”
He flinched, hating that description even though it was true. He rose to his feet, towering over her. “Just warriors will do, my lady, or, as the one whose petition was granted by the gods, you may use our given names.”
When Duncan offered her his hand to help her stand, she accepted. It shouldn’t matter, but the slight fed Gideon’s temper. It wasn’t as if she knew any of them well enough to know who was the most trustworthy.
“I regret my unseemly reaction to your sudden appearance. I don’t know what came over me.”
Her smile was a bit uncertain, but she offered it to each of them in turn, even Kane, which spoke to her courage. “If you would be willing to share the gift of your names, I would know them. Mine is Merewen.”
So she knew enough of the old ways to know that there was power in the exchange of names, especially when the gods were involved. He nodded toward Averel, wordlessly ordering him to provide the necessary introductions. It was amazing to realize that the young knight still had the tendency to blush after all these centuries.
“I am Averel, my lady, and this noble warrior next to me is Duncan.” He pointed toward the other side of their ragged line. “That is Murdoch on the right, and Kane on the left.”
Each man responded to the introduction according to his own nature: Duncan smiled and bowed slightly, Murdoch jerked his head in a quick nod, and Kane stood back and ignored everyone.
Merewen acknowledged each introduction before turning in Gideon’s direction. His four friends joined her in staring at him as Averel came to attention and spoke one more time.
“And this, my lady, is Gideon, our captain and Avatar of the Gods.”
The power of her gaze held weight, as if she dared to judge him and perhaps found him lacking.
“That is quite a title, my lord. It must be a heavy burden to carry,” she said, a teasing smile tipping up the corners of her mouth.
He was too old and too tired to put up with audacity from one such as she. He allowed his temper to show in his reply. “The night grows short, Lady Merewen. We have much to do before dawn. Please explain yourself.”
She remained quiet for another few seconds. Was she having trouble accepting what she’d set in motion here tonight? Second-guessing her decision would accomplish nothing. Even if she did have regrets, it was far too late for that. The gods themselves had weighed and judged her petition and found it worthy.
For the next three months until the summer solstice, she had five warriors to fight her battles for her. Did she think they were any happier about the situation? Granted, whatever her difficulties were, he was sure they were dire or else he’d still be sleeping beneath the heavy chill of the river. But did she think the existence that he and his men had been condemned to was any better?
If at long last he managed to balance the scales with the gods, he and his men would finally find peace in the halls of their fathers. If he failed yet again, they would count themselves lucky to end up back in the darkness under the river’s mirrored surface where not even a glimmer of sunshine penetrated. The alternative didn’t bear thinking about. Perhaps he deserved to wander in the eternal black night of the afterworld alone and lost, but the others were guilty only of being his friends.
He stepped forward, deliberately crowding Merewen and taking small pleasure when she immediately retreated. Then her chin snapped up, and her eyes narrowed in anger. He smiled, but the expression had very little to do with being friendly.
“You’re keeping me waiting, Lady Merewen. You’ll do well to remember that I am not a patient man.”
Chapter 2
Merewen flinched as the five men crowded closer. Despite their varied appearance, there was no mistaking them for anything but seasoned warriors, the shimmer of barely controlled violence there for anyone to see. One even bore the mark of a dark mage on his right cheek.
She suspected it wouldn’t take much to provoke their tempers, especially that of Captain Gideon. That would not deter her, not when the lives of her people depended on her ability to convince him to lead his men against her uncle and perhaps against even Duke Keirthan himself.
In truth, all of the citizens of Agathia had suffered under Duke Keirthan’s cruel iron-fisted rule. Her own people bore the second burden of Uncle Fagan’s selfish neglect.
Gideon arched an eyebrow and glanced skyward. Merewen followed his gaze and gasped. The moon was already fading as the world prepared to welcome the sun again. A chill that had nothing to do with the cool of the night washed over her. There was little possibility she would be able to return to the keep before sunrise.
“I must leave now. I’ll return to explain everything when I can.”
Meaning when she could escape the confines of the keep again, which would prove far more difficult to do if her uncle had discovered her absence. She started to retreat when the dark one, Kane, blocked her path. She spun to the right, only to find another warrior in her way.
“Please, there’s no knowing what my uncle will do if I don’t return before sunrise.”
Captain Gideon gave her a considering look. When she realized he was staring at her hands, she clenched them in fists to hide the trembling. She had good reason to fear her uncle’s temper.
“How far a journey is it?” Gideon asked.
“An hour’s walk, perhaps longer.” Especially when the long trek up the mountain had already left her exhausted.
He nodded as if reaching a decision. “I will escort you to within sight of your home. You will explain your need of us on the way.” After looking at the others, he added, “Kane, accompany us.”
But she was already shaking her head. “I appreciate your offer, Captain, but it will be disastrous if we encounter my uncle or his men with only the two of you.”
Kane’s answering laugh was chilling. “For them, not us. It’s been a long time since my sword dined well on the blood of an enemy.”
“Kane, we will not provoke a fight.” The words were spoken softly, but Gideon’s rebuke was clear. Then he added, “Yet. If there is to be a battle, it will be at a time of our choosing.”
Merewen shuddered. What had she unleashed by calling upon such cold killers
? But then, her uncle had left her no choice. If someone didn’t stop Fagan, the legacy of countless generations past would be destroyed and everything, including her, sold off to the highest bidder.
Gideon turned his attention to the other men again. “Expect us shortly after dawn. Duncan, set up camp in the usual place. Kane and I will retrieve our shields from the cave on the way down the mountain.”
“Don’t worry, Captain. I’ll see to it that young Averel here gets right on that.” Duncan smiled as he cuffed the younger warrior. “What about the saddles and tack? Should we leave it all in the cave until we have time to purchase horses?”
“For now.” Gideon nodded. “Finding mounts for all of us will be the first priority or we’ll be fighting afoot.”
For the first time, Merewen knew she had something to offer to the warriors. “My lord, you can leave that to me. I will provide horses for the five of you before we reach the keep.”
Gideon looked skeptical. “We don’t have time to haggle prices if we’re to get you home ere dawn, Lady Merewen. Besides, farmers aren’t likely to have war steeds readily at hand.”
Under the circumstances, she couldn’t blame them for their doubtful looks. Perhaps she should have kept quiet until they reached the valley below. Proving the quality of the horses she had to offer would be more easily shown than explained.
She reluctantly followed Gideon down the rough mountain trail. Very much aware of Kane’s silent menace right behind her, she crowded too close to Gideon in the darkness. When she stumbled into him a second time, he came to an abrupt halt.
What could she do but apologize? “I am sorry, Captain, but I lost sight of you in the shadows.”
His voice made his irritation more than clear. “If you were any closer, Lady Merewen, I’d be carrying you on my back. Is that what you want?” He sounded much put upon.
“Of course not!” At least the night hid her embarrassment.
Kane’s voice came from right over her shoulder, making her jump. “I believe the lady is more afraid of me getting too close than she is of crowding you, Gideon. Mayhap she’s cleverer than she first appears.”
She would not stand for his insults. “I’m not afraid, Lord Kane, but it’s difficult to see in such darkness. Can we please move on?”
Gideon reached for her hand. “Hold the back of my belt. That will allow you to keep better track of me.”
The offer was made grudgingly, but she accepted it anyway. It felt strange to be towed down the mountainside by a man she barely knew, but once they fell into a rhythm, they made far better time. About halfway down the trail, Gideon suddenly veered off into the trees.
“Lady Merewen, wait here while I retrieve our shields. I won’t be gone long. Kane, stand guard.”
Before she could protest, Gideon faded into the trees, leaving her alone with the silent warrior. Kane moved farther down the trail, giving her some much-needed space. She was glad for the opportunity to rest for a few minutes, even if it allowed her far too much time to worry about the fate awaiting her at home.
She had no doubt that if her uncle could figure out a way to manage the herds without her talent, he would have seen her banished or dead long before now. He already used every possible excuse to make her life miserable. Tonight she had openly defied his orders, providing him with the perfect opportunity to punish her. She’d survive. For the sake of her people, she had to. That didn’t mean she didn’t quake at the thought of what she had yet to endure this night.
Gideon made enough noise to alert her to his return. She suspected he did so deliberately to avoid frightening her, but perhaps not. The man had shown little regard for her feelings since he’d first walked out of the river. He held a pair of shields, passing one off to Kane when he rejoined them.
It was a sign of how tired she was that she hadn’t thought beyond reaching the bottom of the trail. “I should have told you to bring bridles with you.”
“I’ve already said…” Gideon stopped speaking midsentence, tilting his head in the direction of the trail below.
The three of them froze as the sound of dogs baying echoed in the night air. Merewen’s heart raced as she recognized the distinctive call of hunting dogs hot on the trail of their prey. They were drawing close.
“My uncle has unleashed the hounds.” She turned to her two companions. “It’s me they want. Go back up the mountain to your men. Once they run me to ground, it should be safe for you and your men. I will return to you as soon as I am able.”
Before she’d gone two steps, Gideon grabbed her arm. “You have a low opinion of us to think that we would abandon a woman to be hunted like a rabbit.”
She fought to free herself from his iron grip. “Captain Gideon, I don’t want them to kill either of you just to get their hands on me. Please let me go.”
He ignored her. “Kane, can you distract them?”
The taller warrior’s smile gleamed bright in the darkness. “My friend and I haven’t hunted together for far too long. We will lead them on a merry chase.”
Gideon gave his man a hard look. “Avoid bloodshed for now.”
Kane met his gaze, his smile chilling. “You would deny us the true joy of the hunt?”
“It is too soon. We need to learn more before we go on a rampage.”
“Fine, but my friend will not be pleased.” Kane set his shield against a tree and stepped back.
Evidently satisfied that his friend would obey, Gideon turned his attention back to her. “Come with me, Lady Merewen.”
Before she could protest, he swung her up in his arms and carried her off the trail. She could barely catch her breath, much less rail at him for his outrageous behavior. Then she realized he was attempting to break her scent trail in hopes of further confusing the dogs. As Gideon loped through the trees, she caught one last glimpse of Kane’s pale eyes watching them before he turned away.
The deep murmur of his rough voice carried through the night, although she couldn’t make sense of the words. Then, the shadows shimmered as an unholy roar shattered the silence of the woods.
“By the gods, what was that?” she managed to gasp out as Gideon finally set her back down.
He ignored the question as he drew his sword and then wrapped his cloak around the two of them, preventing her from seeing any more. His strength surrounded her, shutting out everything except the warmth of Gideon’s body and the mixed scent of wool and warrior.
Odd how much comfort she drew from the combination of sensations.
He leaned in close, sending a shiver through her as he whispered near her ear. “Quiet now. They draw close. If we remain still, Kane will make sure they take no notice of us. Once they’re gone, we’ll continue down the mountain.”
Merewen nodded, shivering as the eerie howl rang out again. She wasn’t sure which was worse—the awful baying of the strange beast or the bark of Kane’s laughter as he joined in.
The woman had a stubborn streak and an unfortunate tendency to argue, but she knew when to hold her tongue. Gideon sensed the fierce pounding of her heart, but she was no coward. Lady Merewen might fear what would happen to her at the hands of her would-be captors, but her determination to protect him and Kane from the same threat had rung true.
When was the last time another had given thought to his welfare? The passing centuries all tended to run together, but he would have remembered something like that. Even Kane, who had never cared for anyone outside their close-knit group of five, had looked at her with a fair measure of respect.
The dogs were almost upon the little surprise that Kane had waiting for them. The poor beasties were about to face something they’d never seen before. He had no doubt the pack would break and run in panic after one look at Kane’s companion. Their human masters wouldn’t fare any better, but then they deserved the nightmares they’d gain from their encounter with Kane.
The dogs’ barking intensified as soon as they reached Lady Merewen’s fresh scent on the trail. That didn’t last long.
He knew the instant they realized that something other than a lone human woman awaited them. The taint in Kane’s blood might confuse their sensitive noses, but his predatory nature was nothing compared to that of his companion.
Voices could now be heard over the din of the dogs. Kane’s battle cry rang out over the mountainside, his native language harsh and raw to the ear. An eerie howl sang counterpoint to his words. Shouts of success turned to cries of confusion and then terror. Men and dogs alike scattered like a covey of quail in a flurry of noise and fear as the hunt disintegrated into chaos.
Merewen gasped, leaning in to close the small gap of distance that separated them. Gideon didn’t blame her for seeking the comfort of his protection. Kane’s full-throated battle scream was enough to leave the bravest of warriors badly shaken. Gideon knew well the terror the pair caused when they fought side by side with blade and claws. Their human quarry was in for a rough night.
The bastards deserved it.
As he waited for the din to die away, Gideon became aware of the nearly forgotten sensation of holding a woman at his side. Merewen’s hair had a fresh scent; lavender, if he remembered correctly. Her body was curved and womanly, although she was hardly built along the lush lines he usually preferred. Not that he could remember when he’d last taken pleasure in a woman’s bed. It was doubtful Lady Merewen would appreciate the direction his thoughts had taken. He felt a moment of regret that he was not free to act on those thoughts.
For the moment, the night air soothed him. Here in the darkness, for a few minutes, he was but a simple man with simple needs. This peace wouldn’t last for long, not with the burden of battles to come never far from his mind. But while he could, he savored the opportunity to feel the night, to breathe pine-scented air, to simply be.
My Lady Mage: A Warriors of the Mist Novel Page 2