Chronicles Of Aronshae (3 Book Omnibus)

by J. K. Barber

  “She travels,” Katya supplied, “moving from one crystal to the other.”

  Sasha spoke up, putting her finger on the map to the far north of Snowhaven. “So we cut off her means of escape. We go to the Ice Queen’s stronghold and destroy her ability to get away.” Branden put his massive hand on Sasha’s shoulder, indicating his approval of her idea.

  “Excellent idea, Sasha,” the smith beamed. “We take a dozen companies and strike at the Empress’ seat of power while it’s left unguarded.”

  “A force that large couldn’t possibly pass undetected,” Jared replied. “Even through the frozen wasteland north of the World’s Edge Mountains a troop that big would be noticed. The Empress would simply pull some of her forces back and we’d end up fighting her in two fortified positions instead of one.”

  “Not if we kept the group small,” Sasha replied. “We could take a small force of maybe fifty to a hundred men. Provided that the scouts were skilled enough,” Sasha glanced at Jared. “We would have a very good chance of passing unseen across such a barren landscape, devoid of town or village.”

  “But, how would you get these men through Snowhaven undetected,” Captain Veldrun inquired. “Surely that leads us back to our original problem of getting into Snowhaven in the first place.”

  “What if we could go around Snowhaven?” Branden put forth. “We would avoid the first problem all together.”

  “But to transport even a smaller number of troops unnoticed would prove difficult.” Sasha’s shoulders dropped, thinking her plan had failed even before it began.

  “I may know someone who could help,” Talas broke in. All eyes looked to the priest as he spoke, wondering what aid the older man could offer. “I know a man from my… earlier days, who commanded a small number of ships, transporting goods between Illyander and the Eastern Kingdoms. For the right amount of coins, I’m sure he could be persuaded to transport a small contingent of people up the coast. We would bypass Snowhaven completely.”

  “This man,” Captain Veldrun began, leaning forward.

  “Smuggler,” Lucian interjected.

  “Privateer,” Veldrun continued, sparing a glare for the Magus. “You think you could find him and he would be willing?”

  “This time of year, he would be in Valshet dropping off spices and silks from the Eastern Kingdoms and enjoying a little break before loading up on grains and other crops from Illyander’s harvest.” Talas got a mischievous glint in his eye. “As far as whether or not he’d be willing, I feel confident in saying that this man would be willing to do just about anything… if the amount of coin is right.” Neither Talas nor Jared could keep the grin off their faces.

  “Good,” Branden said. “We’ll take a small force up the coast, slip across the Frozen March and sneak into the Empress’ castle while she’s occupied in Snowhaven. Meanwhile, General Frey assaults the town from the south, using the secret tunnels to open up the gates. We’ll have cut off the Ice Queen’s escape and she’ll be trapped in Snowhaven.”

  “You make it sound so simple, Daddy,” Sasha said after her father’s summation, though there was a smile on her face.

  “I agree,” the King interjected, the tone of his voice indicating that he had reached a decision. “It’s a solid plan, but I’m afraid your daughters will have to see to the first part of the endeavor on their own, Branden.” The huge smith looked askance at his king. “They will be travelling without you.”

  “What?” Branden exclaimed, dropping his hand from Sasha’s shoulder.

  “You will be travelling north with me, to join General Frey in the assault on Snowhaven.”

  “But, Your Majesty…,” Branden began.

  “Branden!” Captain Veldrun spoke sharply, turning to face the King’s Guard.

  The smith instantly collected himself, standing at attention. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  When the King spoke next, his voice was soft and full of compassion for Branden’s situation. “I understand that you wish to be with your daughters, but in this instance, the kingdom will be better served with you by my side at Snowhaven. Not only to aid in the siege with your battle prowess, but also your knowledge of Snowhaven’s defenses and weaknesses will prove invaluable.” King Morgan walked around the table, reaching up to place his hand on Branden’s broad shoulder. “Your daughters have shown themselves to be more than capable of taking care of themselves. I have every confidence that they will be able to see this mission through to a successful conclusion. I will be sending my best men and the most capable warrior I know,” the King inclined his head towards Mistress Mala who stood a little taller under her liege’s gaze. “After you, Branden, of course,” the King said, trying to lighten the burden he had just placed on the blacksmith’s shoulders with a bit of levity, but everyone around the table could see that his orders weighed heavily on the newly returned King’s Guard.

  The King took his hand from Branden’s shoulder and turned to address Veldrun, his voice once again taking on the tone of command, now that the matter had been settled. “Captain, I want you to liaise with my army and personally select three score of our best soldiers.” Addressing Talas, King Morgan continued. “Brother Talas, draft a letter beseeching your sea captain friend to aid us. Once you have done so, bring it to me. I will affix my seal and use a royal messenger to deliver it. Whatever price you think appropriate to the task, we will offer it.”

  Talas bowed, “At once Your Majesty.”

  “The rest of you, I suggest you get some rest and prepare yourselves. We all have a long journey ahead of us, and though we may be taking different paths, I have every confidence that they will lead us to the same place; victory in Snowhaven.”

  The meeting over and their course set, the small gathering of people began filtering out of the room. Branden stayed behind to discuss matters with his captain while Katya and the Magus remained to speak with the Administrator. As Jared was walking down the hall outside of the king’s meeting room, he felt a hand slip into his. He looked down to see Sasha’s blue eyes looking intently at him.

  Tugging at his hand she said, “Come with me. There’s something I want to show you.”

  Chapter 4

  Sasha walked at a hurried pace, refusing to tell Jared where she was taking him and clearly enjoying every minute of his irritation. They had eaten a quick dinner of roasted chicken, bread and a white cheese before leaving the palace. It was only at Jared’s insistence that Sasha stopped at all for food; she was clearly excited to show him something. Sasha knew her way, but the woodsman was at a loss. He obviously had no idea where he was in the sea of buildings and maze of streets. The shops were closing for the night, and the foot traffic wasn’t near as busy as it was in the afternoon, but Jared was getting a little upset and looking very uncomfortable. He probably would have already turned back to the palace if he knew the way back; they had taken too many turns and alleyways to count and far too many to remember. Realizing she was pushing him to the edge, Sasha slowed her pace and slipped her hand back into Jared’s like she had done before. The gesture was meant to be purely innocent, yet it was intimate and sent warmth through her body. Jared appeared to feel the same way by his reddening face. At least he is not thinking about the city now, she thought and smiled at the woodsman. He smiled back and tightened his grip in her hand, enjoying the comfort she provided in this place so unlike the woods he was used to. Most men would not hold hands in public like this, thinking it might make them look weak and unmanly. Jared isn’t like most men. She thought. He knows who he is and doesn’t care if others find him odd. He was very odd, in fact; Sasha had watched him stop in the middle of the woods, pausing as if hearing something she could not, or like in the catacombs when they turned to see him crouched to the floor as if in a trance. Her friend was hiding something. Is it my place to ask him to speak of it? Will he tell me in time? What can I do to prove he can trust me? Her thoughts continued and almost caused her to miss the last turn before their destination. She ceased her ince
ssant pace before the temple.

  “A Temple of the Great Mother?” Jared guessed, looking over the female carvings on the white marble entry.

  “Indeed,” Sasha said, beaming at the woodsman as he began to put together why they were here. She let go of his hand, moving ahead of the woodsman as they approached the guard at the front door. Jared followed. It was a man this time guarding the gate. He was young and strong looking with bright blue eyes. He regarded the newcomers with practiced ease, his hand lightly on the pommel of his belted mace should there be trouble. His hand relaxed fully, seeing the ivy etching on Sasha’s armor.

  “Welcome to Aeirsga’s Temple of the Great Mother. Please come in and be at peace.” He opened the door and ushered them through, closing it behind them once they had entered.

  Brother Simon sat behind his desk as usual. He nodded to Sasha and looked over Jared. What he thought of the woodsman in his green and brown leathers remained hidden; he showed no outward signs of acceptance or disapproval.

  “Brought a friend this time I see. Very well, sign in like before, Sister.” Brother Simon indicated the book in front of him with a flourish of his hand. The visitors signed and he wrote in the date by their names.

  “What is your business this evening? Do you need me to summon an acolyte to be your guide?” the priest asked.

  “That won’t be necessary. I just wanted to show my friend, Jared, your garden if that is alright. I…”

  “Yes, yes proceed then,” he said, cutting her off and waving them to the door to the inner courtyard. Looking the two young people over and how they walked close together toward the door, he added, “Please remember that this is a place of worship and while certain behaviors are encouraged by the Great Mother they are better done in private.”

  Both Jared and Sasha’s skin flushed bright red. “Oh, we’re not um… we aren’t together,” Sasha managed to stammer, as she shoved Jared through the door in embarrassment to escape Brother Simon’s disapproving stare.

  Once through, all discomfort was immediately lost. Sasha watched Jared’s face change as hers must have upon seeing the inner sanctum of the garden for the first time. His eyes flowed over every detail, at every flower and every great tree. There wasn’t anyone in sight except for them; everyone must have been at dinner or in their rooms. The young woman remained very still, thoroughly enjoying Jared’s reaction. The red dimmed from his face and his shoulders relaxed. He took a very long breath, as if breathing in life itself. He seemed taller, stronger, and handsome… she thought. Her heart was suddenly pounding and her throat felt parched. After several slow and very still moments, Jared turned to Sasha with a look of appreciation and perhaps even adoration in his brown eyes.

  “Thank you,” he whispered, as if speaking at a normal volume would cause their surroundings to disappear. The smile on Sasha’s face filled her body with warmth from head to toe. The woodsman ducked down with excitement as he took off his boots and wiggled his toes deep into the forest loam. He looked very much at ease, at home even. Sasha decided to follow his lead and took off her boots as well. She wiggled her toes in the grass and dirt, copying the woodsman who seemed to have forgotten her entirely. His attention was on the small forest before him, and his body was tight with anticipation like a great cat about to pounce on its prey. The woodsman’s eyes settled on the inner building in the distance and lurched forward at a full sprint towards it. Sasha, loving a race, ran after him. Her battle strong legs allowed her to eventually catch up to Jared as they leapt over the small stream. She even bolted ahead of him, turning it into a true challenge. The woodsman laughed and picked up his pace to match hers. The two young people were out of breath and panting as they reached a tiny meadow before the inner altar building. Slapping the stone wall at the same time, they collapsed to the grass and laid on their backs looking up at the rising moon while letting their breathing return to normal. Sasha marveled at how relaxed Jared was here; his normal stoicism was gone, and he was acting closer to his true age, which was actually only a few years older than her.

  “Sasha…” the woodsman asked, still looking up into the sky.

  “Hmm?” the swordswoman replied drowsily.

  “I… I want to tell you something… about me.” He rolled to his side, facing his friend. Hearing the important tone to his voice, Sasha rolled to her side as well, propping her head up on her hand, to give him her full attention. “Since you have brought me here knowing I would love this place, you know also of my love for the woods. Except for my mentor, Sirus, I have been alone for most of my life; because I am… well I am different from others.” When he fell silent and seemed to be struggling for the right words, Sasha sat up, searching his expression for clues as to what he was trying to say.

  “What are you saying, Jared? You aren’t like most men, I do know that. You aren’t prideful like some of the more annoying people I have met; you have a quiet strength. Talas is similar is his disposition, but his interests in life are very different. A blind person could see the love you have for the woods,” she smiled. Now it was his turn to sit up. He began plucking at the grass nervously, his face discouraged. Sasha took his anxious hands in hers, causing him to glance at her, and looked directly into his eyes. “Jared, you can trust me. I won’t even tell Katya, who I usually tell everything. You have my word. Talk to me.” He let out a long sigh as if deciding on something.

  “I was born with an ability. I can… communicate with animals and borrow their abilities with their permission.” Jared paused to see if Sasha would react negatively to this. When she simply continued to hold his hands in hers with mild confusion on her face, he figured he should explain more. “I don’t know who my parents were. Sirus, my old mentor, raised me from a toddler. Later on, he told me my parents had died, and that I was an orphan. He took me under his wing and taught me all he knew.”

  “I am so sorry to hear about your parents.” Sasha squeezed the woodsman’s hands a little tighter in sympathy. “Can Sirus talk to animals too?” Sasha asked. “Where is your mentor now?”

  “Yes, Sirus shares my talents. He helped me hone my skills and taught me wood lore in general. He and I had a… falling out. I don’t know what he is doing these days. It was six years ago that we parted ways, and I haven’t seen him since. He is probably still his same gruff, hairy self, hiding out in his cabin in the woods.”

  “And so that is how you became a sellsword?” Sasha spoke aloud to herself more than posed her words as a question as she connected the woodsman’s story to the present. She released his hands gently, letting the information settle. He looked to her worriedly, searching her face for some sign that he didn’t disgust her now. All Sirus’ warnings about telling people about his abilities came crashing back, and Jared’s heart was pounding fearfully. Sasha looked back up, unconsciously sensing the alteration in the woodsman’s demeanor. Her face changed from a look of contemplation to one of sympathy.

  “Thank you,” she said as she gently put her hand to his stubbly cheek.

  “For what?” he said, suddenly self-conscious with her so close.

  “For trusting me enough to tell me your secret… it is safe with me I promise you that. I can’t imagine your life, Jared. To live so isolated from humankind, so alone all those years… you don’t have to live like that anymore. You have… people who care about you now,” she said dropping her hand from his cheek. Her head dropped towards her lap again, almost sadly. A tendril of red hair fell over one of her downturned eyes. “You aren’t the only one with a secret now.”

  Feeling strength from her words and concern after her last statement, Jared tenderly hooked her loose hair to the side and smoothed it behind her left ear. He ran a finger lightly over her scar down to her chin. Sasha thrilled at his touch, although a little embarrassed at him feeling her scar. Jared wondered himself as to why he was suddenly so comfortable with her. Whether it was her touching him or that he had just shared his secret, he didn’t know.

  “You mean what hap
pened in the catacombs?” he asked almost in a whisper, his breath warm and heavy so near to her face. He pulled back a little to look into her eyes. “I see you and Talas talking a great deal now. What does he think it means?”

  Sasha withdrew a little, leaning back on her palms with a sigh.

  “Brother Talas says a lot of things. He thinks the Great Mother has chosen Katya and me to be her avatar to defeat the Ice Queen, Aronshae’s current threat. He said that there were only records of one other being chosen long ago. He defeated the threat, and this is the most disturbing part… when his duty was done, he disappeared. No one knows what happened to him.” The swordswoman’s expression turned fearful. Jared leaned forward and put a hand on her knee.

  “What Brother,” the woodsman hesitated on the word, remembering to use the official title at least while they were in a Temple of the Great Mother, “Talas says it is documented and true. I’ve been looking into it a little in the palace library while we’ve been here.” Sasha’s face darkened further in fear and she straightened back up from reclining. Jared suddenly realized he was throwing salt on the wound, not helping. “It doesn’t mean anything for you though, Sasha.” He took her hand in his to comfort her. “Just because that is how things happened hundreds of years ago doesn’t mean it will happen the same way this time, if it is even true that the Great Mother has chosen you.”

  “Not chosen, Jared. Cursed is a better word. Don’t get me wrong I love my sister, but I don’t want to be part of her permanently,” Sasha said, voicing another of her fears.

  “I wouldn’t say cursed, but you bring up a good point about you and your sister. You said the first time this happened She didn’t choose twins. See, things are already different this time. You might not… disappear as you said,” Jared smirked as he said the last bit. The woodsman’s smile was infectious.

  “You are right, of course. I am being silly to worry.” Sasha shook her head as if waking from a bad dream. “I am sorry, Jared. This conversation started out about you, and I’ve mucked it up by turning the topic to myself. That was selfish.” Jared squeezed her hand.