“Can it be you do not know?” Gorin studied him.
Kain struggled in the grip of his captors and Snow stamped his foot. Another elf emerged from the dark to take the horse’s reins and the beast aimed a vicious bite at him. Alique privately applauded the horse’s good sense.
“Your elven heritage is clear for all to see, kingdom man,” Gorin said, walking closer to Kain. “I would give much to know your story.”
Alique’s heart beat so loudly she thought all might hear it. Kain a dark elf? Had she heard correctly? She studied Kain – dark hair and eyes, swarthy skin, lithe, almost graceful body. He could be part elven …
Kain stared at Gorin, appearing shocked beyond speech. The soldiers muttered amongst themselves, perhaps too far away to hear what was causing the fuss.
“General?” Alique spoke in a whisper so the soldiers would not hear. “Have you nothing to say to this accusation?”
*
Kain’s mind had frozen at the accusing words. Traitor. He rejected the label absolutely. He was no traitor and he had no elven heritage. He looked at Alique, to find her studying him, eyes narrowed, wondering if it could be true. His men looked confused but not angry. Could it be they had not heard? He hoped so.
“It’s not true,” he said to Alique. He turned to Gorin. “The elven prince speaks a lie.”
“We will sort out the matter of your parentage later,” Alique said. She turned to Gorin. “What do you intend?”
“Lady, I cannot pass up the opportunity to have this man” – he gestured to Kain – “in the palm of my hand. I do not intend to let him go.”
Gorin turned to his elves. “Bring them all inside, brothers.”
The soldiers were made to dismount and escorted inside by more elves who appeared from the darkness. There was no sign of any of the other men who surrounded the barn. Kain hoped, with no signal to call them, that they kept their distance. His head was buzzing with questions brought on by Gorin’s accusation. He couldn’t be elven, could he?
They were ushered into the warm and dusty barn, past the two stables where the stallions bit and squealed at each other in the close confines. Groups of estate farmers clustered in rooms partitioned by hay bales, each with two elves standing guard. The eyes of the hostages varied from scared in the women and children to resentful in the young men and elders. Some called to Alique as she passed and she murmured words of comfort, though she must have been frantic with worry.
Finally, they came to the last section where more elves and Alique’s family were housed. Alique launched herself toward a woman lying propped up in a corner, obviously in childbirth. Her sister, with her mother beside her, Kain assumed. Three small boys latched onto Alique’s skirt, tears making tracks down their grubby faces. She tried to settle them but they wouldn’t let her go. Kain gently disengaged them and drew them to the side as Alique moved to her sister and mother.
“Mama, Nyon,” Alique said, “I am here now and I will not let them hurt you.” She turned to Kain. “This is General Kain Jazara of the Wildecoast army.”
“Fear not, Lady Zorba,” Kain said. “I will see you out of this mess.”
Gorin laughed, muttered some instructions to Celri and left them.
Alique’s mother didn’t look reassured by his words so Kain turned his attention back to the boys. The oldest was very blonde, much like Alique, but the other two, twins by the look, were darker. All were scared witless. He introduced himself and set to asking them about their lives in the hope he could distract them from what their mother was enduring. He also watched Alique, whom he found more and more intriguing. She had so many facets to her. The last thing he had expected was for her to draw that knife. She looked like she knew how to use it too.
“Mama,” she said, “where do things stand with Nyon. Is she in labor?”
Lady Zorba closed her eyes and clutched at Alique’s hands, nodding. “Nyon’s distress is prolonging things. Her waters broke many hours ago and this is her fourth. It should come quickly, but it is not.”
“Where is father?” Alique asked.
“I don’t know,” Lady Zorba said, her voice breaking. “They took him out soon after we were moved here and I haven’t seen him since.” She didn’t say more but Kain could see the fear in her eyes.
“Never mind,” Alique said, “we must concentrate on getting Nyon through this. The babe is lying correctly?”
Lady Zorba appeared to pull her thoughts back from her husband to her daughter. “Yes, yes, I cannot understand why the child is not here. Please, Alique, it cannot happen again. You must not let it happen again.”
Now that Alique was here, Lady Zorba appeared to collapse in upon herself, allowing the grief and worry to overcome her.
Kain got up and went to Celri. “Please go and find two women to help here.”
“And why would I do that, traitor?”
Kain felt the label like a physical blow but this couldn’t be about him, not now. “Do you wish for this unborn child’s death to be on your hands?”
Celri snarled but stalked off down the corridor and was soon back with two women. One moved straight to Alique’s side and helped Lady Zorba to her feet, amid objections from the older woman.
“I am fine, Raila,” Lady Zorba said. “Nyon needs me.”
“You are exhausted, my lady,” said Raila. “Alique will take over, and will send for you if she needs help.”
Alique looked up and nodded at her mother and Raila. “Go, Mama, all will be well. Jonena will help me.”
Lady Zorba slumped in Raila’s arms and was led away with her three grandchildren. The other woman, Jonena, knelt beside Alique who murmured soothingly to her sister. Alique looked up and smiled at Kain then went back to work. Kain settled back for a long wait, trying not to dwell on his personal revelations but to make some kind of plan for their escape.
From what Gorin had said, they had walked right into a trap. This had been a fishing trip and Kain had landed in the net. But they were wrong about his heritage. He was Thorian, through and through.
As Alique mixed a potion and Jonena massaged Nyon’s shoulders, Kain reviewed what he knew. A fifth of his force was here in this barn, along with around thirty elves and the whole population of the Zorba estate. He didn’t know where the rest of his men were; hopefully somewhere out in the dark waiting to launch a rescue.
Nyon cried out and Alique moved to examine her.
“I can see the head!” She threw Nyon’s skirts back and Kain looked away. “I need you, general!”
“Me? I’ve never delivered a baby.” Kain’s heart fluttered with more panic than he’d ever felt in a fight.
But Alique wouldn’t be denied. “Wash your hands in that pail and prepare to help me should I need it,” she snapped.
When a woman spoke like that, no man would dare refuse. Kain did as he was told and soon knelt at Nyon’s feet, close enough to see the baby’s head amongst her womanly flesh. Nyon cried again and Kain nearly followed her. The head bulged out and then slipped back again as the contraction passed. Kain’s gaze was now riveted to the birth canal and the baby’s head. He swallowed emotion and steeled himself to help.
Alique pulled back her overskirt to reveal her petticoats and ripped a large section away, laying it between Nyon’s legs. “One more big push and the head will be through,” she said. “You have done this before, Nyon, and you can do it one more time. Next contraction must be the most forceful yet. Push until you cannot endure anymore.” She looked up and nodded at Jonena who levered Nyon into a sitting position.
Kain was amazed by Alique’s calm in the face of her sister’s pain, not to mention the drama of the surrounding events. With the next contraction, Nyon screamed. Kain wanted to look away but he could not, as the baby’s head pushed and pushed and then popped into the world. Nyon slumped back against Jonena and Alique wiped a shaking hand across her brow.
“Good girl, Nyon, the head is free. Rest now and you will be ready for the final stage.”
She looked across at Kain and frowned. “Are you well, general?”
Kain shook his head. “No, I mean yes. I never saw anything like it.”
Alique smiled. “It is new life and precious.” She turned back as Nyon groaned. “One more push, Nyon!”
In a gush of fluids, the babe slid free of the birth canal and into her hands. The little face was pale, the skin all wrinkled, and the child was still and quiet.
Alique immediately swung the little mite by its feet and slapped it on the bottom then laid it over her knees and massaged the back, face down. She rolled the child over and that was when Kain realized it was a girl. Alique bent to breathe life into the tiny nose and mouth – two or three quick breaths, followed by another swing by the feet. Fluid trickled from the little blue lips and a loud cry followed. The chest heaved and Alique clutched the tiny mite to her breast, eyes closed, tears leaking from the corners.
She stayed like that for several long breaths as all in the room reveled in the sound of new life. Then Alique opened her eyes and looked at Kain, and he saw the depth of her fear and relief shining in her stunning eyes.
“Good work, my lady,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Alique smiled and lay the babe on Jonena’s shawl, then wrapped her up and handed her to her mother.
Nyon was crying too. “My dear sweet babe.” She looked to Alique. “Did I see a girl, Ali?”
“You did, sister. Finally you have a girl.”
“I cannot thank you enough for being here,” Nyon said. “I will never be able to repay you.”
“That is what families are for.” Alique smiled, her hand on Nyon’s belly. “Once I deliver the afterbirth, I will leave you be. Place the babe on the breast. It will help with the next stage.”
Nyon did as she was told and Kain watched the rosebud mouth latch onto Nyon’s nipple.
“How much you have learned, Ali.” Nyon’s attention was distracted watching her daughter feed.
Kain stood and walked to the corner of the enclosure. Celri had witnessed the whole birth and still gazed at mother and daughter.
The two men locked eyes.
“A touching scene, half-breed. Now the brat is delivered, we can put the rest of our plan into action.” He rubbed his hands together. “Our band will be well rewarded for delivering you to the lord and master.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Kain said.
“You will or these folk will pay the price. The prince wishes to strike a deal.”
“What deal?”
“Your life for your people.” Celri’s eyes turned cunning. “You have a force of forty men surrounding this barn. We hold the upper hand while inside, but once we leave we are vulnerable. The prince suggests that you negotiate for the release of the hostages. Tell your men to stand down and allow us to leave with you and we will ensure the safety of these people.”
“You won’t get far.”
The elf grinned. “The lady here will accompany us. I’m sure that will guarantee us some breathing space.”
Alique’s eyes met Kain’s. He couldn’t risk her life on a mission like this, but did he have a choice?
Kain began to pace back and forth across the small space. Eventually his men would attack and there would be casualties on both sides, perhaps even children. The men he had passed looked angry enough to try to force their way out. If Kain could avoid a fight, then they had achieved what they came out here for: the release of the hostages.
He tried to puzzle out the elven plan. Was he really that valuable to them? Rather they thought he was valuable, but they were mistaken.
Alique joined him. “We must do it, general,” she whispered. “It is the answer to my prayers. I don’t care what they do to me, but I must have my family safe.”
“Lady, I don’t think you understand what we’ll face.”
“I don’t care. Have you taken a moment to imagine what will happen if your force tries to storm this place with all these children here?”
Kain glared at her. “Of course I have, but there must be another way other than to go meekly with them.”
“Go meekly, and we will escape later.”
Kain shook his head. “They’ll expect that. We’ll be guarded closer than the Queen’s jewels.”
Alique’s eyes hardened. “It is still better than all these hostages. Goddess, Kain, there are only two of us!”
Kain nodded. “You’re right, as much as I hate to admit it.”
Alique crossed her arms over her breasts. “Does it gall you so much?”
“Hang on! I didn’t mean that.” Kain grasped her elbows. “This isn’t exactly an ideal outcome. Think about what the gossipmongers will say, that the great Kain Jazara allowed himself to be captured along with the Queen’s lady-in-waiting.”
“Your ego will recover, general.” Alique smirked, and despite the dust and dirt, Kain thought she had never looked so beautiful.
He started at the thought. Alique could not begin to mean more to him than a thorn in his side. They were on different paths, from different worlds. As much as he was coming to respect her, that was where it had to stop.
Kain cleared his throat and turned from her. “Elf, get your prince!”
Chapter 5
Alique was not as brave as she tried to appear. The thought of going with her elven captors struck fear into her heart. As she waited for the elven prince Gorin to appear, she tried to distract herself with her new niece.
“What will you name her, Nyon?” Alique asked, crouching to run her hand over the drying fuzz of the baby’s scalp.
Nyon’s tired eyes met hers. “Something that echoes the difficulty we had this night. Or perhaps after you?” Nyon smiled. “You were truly amazing. All those years of your silly games … I never imagined you could perform such an important role as you did this day.”
Alique didn’t like the backhanded compliment but smiled anyway. “You know I would do anything for you and yours. Rest now. Soon this will all be over and you can return to your husband with your family. Will he not be astonished to see his daughter?”
“He’ll be beside himself with worry is what he’ll be,” Nyon said. “It’s a wonder he’s not here already.”
Prince Gorin strode up to Kain with Celri in tow. Alique joined them.
“Are you ready to negotiate, general?” Gorin said, folding his arms across his chest.
Kain cleared his throat. “Take myself and the lady here wherever you desire, but leave the rest to return to their homes.”
Alique held her breath, hoping her family would be spared.
Gorin’s eyebrows rose. “That was an easy capitulation. I will accept your offer but be warned, my men will be vigilant. There will be no chance of escape.”
Lady Zorba approached from behind. “Please, you cannot take Alique. You must see how we depend on her.” She wrung her hands.
Alique’s heart broke for her mother. “Mama, do not fear. I will come to no harm.”
Prince Gorin laughed. “You should not make promises, my lady.” His gaze was sharp with amusement and something harder. “When we leave here you will be under our control, subject to our law.” He looked at Kain. “Your men had better not follow, general, or I will not be responsible for my actions or those of the brethren.”
Lady Zorba slumped at his words and Alique put her arms around the older woman. “Do not worry, Mama. Here, meet your first granddaughter.” As Alique had hoped, the sight of her first female grandchild had Lady Zorba riveted. Alique helped her mother down beside Nyon and tucked her shawl around the frail shoulders. She tried not to dwell on the aging that had come upon her mother in the last twenty-four hours.
“You will give instructions to the men who came with you,” Gorin was saying to Kain. “Tell them to pass the word that we are leaving with two hostages and are not to be followed. We will take the stallions as well. They will make fine sires for our new breed of mount.”
Celri stepped close to Alique and gripp
ed her arm. “Come lady.”
“Do I not get a moment to say goodbye to my family?” she asked, turning to Nyon and Lady Zorba.
“Do not push your luck,” he said. “Come!”
Alique cast her mother a last look and allowed herself to be led away down the aisle behind Kain and the prince. “Papa!” she said, throwing herself into her father’s arms when she saw him standing just before the outer doors.
Yaral Zorba seemed to have withered too, and the elves holding his arms made it impossible for him to return Alique’s hug.
“Here’s my little flower,” he said. “You are foolish for coming here.”
Alique released him and brushed the tears from her cheeks. “How could I stay in Wildecoast when I knew you and Mama were in trouble?”
“Look where it has got you!”
“I don’t care, Papa.” Was he truly angry with her for coming to the rescue? How could she have done otherwise? “I heard what happened to Dolf and I had to come.”
“How is Nyon?”
“She has birthed a strong daughter, Papa. So you see, I was needed.” Why was it that she always sought approval? Was she not old enough to make her own way in the world without concern for the sanctions of others, even her parents?
Lord Zorba nodded. “And your mother?”
“Tired, Papa, but well.”
Celri pulled Alique away from her father and ushered her outside to her horse. “Mount.”
She did as she was told and sat, drawing deep breaths until her racing heart slowed. Kain spoke quietly to his men before watching them mount and ride away. His eyes sought hers. She couldn’t detect an ounce of fear.
“Mount up, general,” Prince Gorin said. He sat his horse awkwardly as if unused to riding. Alique filed the small observation away for future use.
The four stallions were led by elves on horseback: two blacks and two bay. They were fractious in the cool morning air, the dew slippery under their hooves. The elves leading them soon realized they would have to be kept apart to prevent chaos on the trek. Alique took a last look at her father as he was shoved back inside the barn and the door closed. Is that the last I will see of him? She remonstrated with herself for being gloomy. If she and Kain were not resourceful enough to extricate themselves from this mess … well, it was just not an option to fail. She would see her family again.
The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2 Page 4