Feeling eyes upon her, Alique looked up. Kain stood at the entrance to the clearing, his dark gaze unfathomable. Where did they stand? He cared for her, that much was clear. But in this situation, with everything so tenuous, so in flux, how could she know which way to move?
“I need to speak with you, lady,” Kain said.
He waited for her to rise and join him and then walked with her along the forest path. Alique’s stomach was in knots. What does he want?
“This was a disaster,” he said, scraping his hands through his hair.
“You are tired, Kain,” she said. “It will seem better in the morning.”
“No, it won’t. We lost too many men. Formosa obeyed my instructions only in the most basic sense and now we have lost a quarter of our force.”
“Josef,” she said, guilt washing over her that this was the first time she had thought of her cousin. “He is alive?”
“Yes,” Kain snapped. “Alive and uninjured, which is more than I can say for seventy-three of my men. If he was here with me right now I don’t know if I could restrain myself.”
“What did he do?”
“He used his so-called scouts instead of mine, for one. Atan and Darin have been sidelined for Formosa’s men, who grossly underestimated the extent of the elven forces. Damn him!” Kain smashed his palm against the nearest tree and winced. “There were close to two hundred of those bastards in that force.”
He leaned his forehead against the tree and Alique came to stand beside him. “What else happened?”
“The archers he sent to guard our flanks were grossly inadequate. The man is a joke.” Kain turned back to her. “And that last oversight put you at risk. He exposed his own cousin because he is either too conceited or too incompetent to know better.”
Alique felt the first stirrings of anger. It certainly sounded like Josef. “What will you do?”
“He and I need to have a talk, but it will do little good. Formosa is on special assignment from the King as sub-commander of this force, and I don’t have the authority to change that.”
“Surely if you are unhappy with his command—”
“No, Alique, not even then. The worst thing is that, having used his inferior scouts to find your father over the last weeks … well, I wonder if Darin and Atan had been used if your papa would now be safe back with us.”
Alique turned away. “I’m scared, Kain.” She felt his heat close to her shoulder.
“That is another thing we must discuss. You should return to Wildecoast. It’s not safe for you here.”
“No!” she said, turning to him and peering up into his face. Damn this dark forest! “My father needs me and so does this force.” She grasped his forearm, the muscles tensing under her fingers. “You need me, Kain.”
“Listen, Alique,” Kain said, the strain in his voice palpable. “This is going to get ugly. The elves won’t give up until they’ve won or we decimate them. Either way, it’ll be brutal. I can’t put you at risk. As it is, I’ll have to detail men who should be fighting to watch over your safety.”
“Vorasava is bringing soldiers from Brightcastle,” Alique said. “That will aid us.”
“They won’t arrive until the day after tomorrow at the earliest.”
“Perhaps the elves won’t attack on the morrow,” Alique said. Goddess, I hope they don’t. We are all so tired.
“Go home,” he said. “Please.”
“No,” she said. “Don’t ask again for the answer will be the same. I’m here to help the soldiers and to find my father. And I will keep Josef accountable even if you cannot.”
“Don’t interfere,” Kain growled.
She raised her chin. “I will deal with my family as I see fit and no one will stop me. Not even you, Kain.”
He grunted. “I’ll escort you back to your men.”
The walk was taken in silence, Alique desperate to have Kain’s arms around her, just to take away some of her fear. Of course that was out of the question.
“Get some rest while you can,” Kain said, and then he vanished into the dark.
*
The entire company rode on tenterhooks the next day as they traversed the forest heading north. Kain’s nerves were wound tighter then the skin on a drum but he felt better having Darin and Atan out hunting, along with two junior scouts. They sent messages back to Kain and reported minimal activity within a day’s ride of their position. Kain hoped Gwaethe and her soldiers were far enough to the east to avoid notice. So far they had been, although yesterday he swore they had helped in the skirmish.
Formosa had been sullen when Kain announced he would be using his own scouts. The discussion had become heated when it turned to Josef’s failure to detail enough men to protect their flanks. The lieutenant had learned though. He would not make that mistake again.
Kain stayed away from Alique. Better that than witness more of her bravery, her competence – both characteristics he had never imagined valuing in a female. Women were supposed to be tender and soft, giving comfort and care, not barging their way through battle and saving soldiers at the risk of their own lives. He wished he could send her home, then he might be able to concentrate on winning this fight.
The fate of Yaral Zorba was another cause for concern. So far they had picked up no information on his whereabouts. Anger gnawed at Kain’s gut. The man might have been found and returned by now if Formosa had done his job properly. The thought that the lieutenant had achieved favor with the King while he had suspicion swirling about him made him furious. Well, he would bail the kingdom out of this difficulty and then he’d be free to decide where his future lay.
*
Alique drew the fletching to her ear and the arrow flew at the target, missing the bullseye by a hand span.
“Very well done, my lady,” Sergeant Mazesta said. “You learn quickly.”
“Not quickly enough,” Alique snapped, sending another arrow into the target, this one further away from her goal. She gritted her teeth.
“Perhaps it’s time for a break, my lady,” Mazesta said, smiling at her, a slightly crazed look in his eye.
Alique knew she tested his patience. She tilted her head to one side. “When the elves come at us again I must be ready,” she said. “I will not be ready unless I practice.”
The sergeant frowned. “Forgive me, my lady, but you’re not here to fight.”
Brave man. This time only, I will be kind to him. “I need to be able to defend myself and my knives will be small help in the forest. It is arrows that rule here.”
He opened his mouth to speak but Alique held up her hand. “Whatever you are about to say, do not bother. What I do is my business, and you will not tell the general I was practicing with the bow.”
This made the man frown even more deeply and Alique’s suspicion that his next move would be to bring Kain into the picture was confirmed.
“Whatever you say, my lady. Now it’s time to mount up.”
Indeed, the soldiers ahead of them had doused their lunch fires and were mounting their horses to continue the trek north. Alique gathered her weapons and satchel and hung them about Ebony’s saddle. She mounted and joined the rest of her men and Julli. As she rode, she reflected on all that had passed the day before: the battle and loss of life; her efforts with the injured; her discussion with Kain. Was it true that Josef was incompetent? If so, this mission might be threatened. And what of the recovery of her father? He should have been safe at home already if Kain’s words were truth.
Her weapons practice was just an effort to keep her mind off her current dilemmas. If it made her tired enough to sleep at night, that was a welcome thing. Kain could not object, could he? Yesterday had shown how vulnerable she was, but her skills were not advanced enough to be of use yet.
Alique was shaken out of her brooding when a soldier came trotting back along the line. Her heart missed a beat at the sight of the horse he rode. It was a chestnut mare. Papa’s favorite chestnut brood mare!
&n
bsp; “Halt, man,” Alique cried out, throwing her hand into the air.
The soldier hauled the horse to a stop. “Lady?”
“That horse! Where did you get it?”
The man’s eyes widened. “Why, I took it from an elf yesterday.” He grinned. “He didn’t have any further use for her.”
Alique drew a long steadying breath. “You must turn around right now and ride for General Jazara. Tell him you ride one of Yaral Zorba’s brood mares.”
The soldier’s eyebrows rose. “Are you sure, my lady?”
“Of course I am,” Alique snapped. “I trained her to the saddle myself. Her name is Fire.”
The man nodded. “I’ll tell him. Right after I deliver a message.”
“Get someone else to do it, and ride back to the general, now.” It was an effort for Alique to remain calm but she thought she almost achieved it.
“Right, ah, it’s just that—”
“Now!” Calm was shattered. Alique’s screech echoed along the track, and riders close by turned to see what the fuss was.
“Yes, my lady.” The soldier on Fire rode a little further on and gave instructions to another soldier, then pulled Fire around and galloped back up the track. Alique kicked Ebony out of the circle of soldiers and charged after the chestnut mare.
*
Kain rode toward the head of the column, his eyes everywhere at once, his senses straining to detect danger. The murmur of the trees he had managed to relegate to a compartment all of its own. Most of the time that worked, especially when he was preoccupied as he was today.
He became aware of a commotion behind him and called a halt. The soldier he had sent behind with a message for the supply wagons barreled up to Kain, sawing at his horse’s mouth, the chestnut mare rearing to avoid hitting Snow.
“Have a care, man!” Kain said. “You’ll ruin that horse the way you’re yanking on her!”
“General, this mare belongs to Lord Zorba!”
Kain stared. “You’re not making sense. Start from the beginning.”
Before the soldier could go on, Alique and Ebony slid to a halt beside the chestnut, the members of her guard close behind. Kain drew a long breath and counted to ten before he spoke.
“Lady Alique, you shouldn’t be here.”
She waved her hand at him. “Don’t concern yourself with that, general. This mare belongs to my father. She is his favorite brood mare and I believe he rode her in search of me.” Her face was flushed and her eyes bright. Kain wanted to kiss her on the spot.
“Are you sure?” he asked instead.
“Of course I’m sure. I know this mare and she was Papa’s mount when he left the estate. This soldier took her from an elf in yesterday’s fight.” Alique pushed some stray tendrils of hair from her eyes. “They have him, Kain!”
He frowned and looked at the mare. She certainly could have been from the Zorba stables. “Soldier, take this mare back down the column until you find the lady’s maid, Julli. You will give her this animal and take her mount. Go now.”
The soldier on Fire turned her more sedately this time and rode back down the column. Alique waited until Fire had gone before turning on Kain. “Well? What will you do?”
“There is nothing to be done at this point, my lady. We have the mare back, and we now have evidence that your father has been in contact with Faenwelar’s party. The closer we get to the elven high prince, the closer we are to rescuing your papa.”
“Can’t you mount a search party to find and rescue him? A separate force?” Alique’s eyes pleaded her case more eloquently than words ever could. He hated saying no to her.
“Perhaps when Vorasava gets here we can do as you suggest, but for now we must be cautious. You saw what happened yesterday when we spread ourselves too thin.”
“But, Kain—”
“No, lady.” Kain hardened his heart against the fear and pain in Alique’s gaze. She loved her father and it was difficult for her to think of him amongst the elves, needing help and her unable to do anything for him. “I promise I will do all I can but for now you must return to your allocated position, along with your guard.” He hardened his tone as he made eye contact with Sergeant Mazesta.
The sergeant’s face turned beet red. “Yes, general,” he said, saluting. “Come, my lady, we must do as the general says.”
Alique cast him one last hurt look as she rode past him and back along the line. Kain watched her until he was sure she would go all the way and then signaled for the column to continue its advance.
As he rode he mulled over the latest information. If Gwaethe were here, she might be able to locate Faenwelar and Lord Zorba. Her elves would have the best chance of anyone of spying undetected. The thought of his sister made her image appear in his mind’s eye and he allowed it to crystallize. If only he could talk to her, to know she was safe, and to ask her about Lord Zorba.
Kain.
He jumped and looked around for who had spoken his name. What the—?
You spoke my name, brother.
I did not, Kain thought.
You spoke my name. What is it you would ask?
Kain looked all around him but none of the men close by were paying attention.
Is that truly you, Gwaethe? He thought.
It is I. Now tell me what you wish or get out of my head.
Kain swallowed down the strangeness of the situation and composed his mind. It wouldn’t do for Gwaethe to feel his confusion, if that were even possible.
One of the elves from the attack yesterday was riding Lord Zorba’s mare. He must be with Faenwelar. I can’t spare the men but I wondered if you could send some of your force to locate Faenwelar and Alique’s father? Kain thought.
This might be possible, brother. I will see.
Gwaethe’s face faded and her voice ceased. Kain was left reeling at yet another surprise. He could communicate with his sister over distance just by thinking of her. Was it possible to communicate this way with all the elves? Or was it just family, or just Gwaethe and himself? He looked down at the bracelet. Perhaps that was the link? Kain’s mind scrambled to understand what the future might hold. Would there not be a week go by where normality could be guaranteed? This constant shifting of the ground beneath his feet was wearying to say the least.
*
A stray band of sunlight woke Alique from a dream. She felt beside her, expecting to touch Kain’s hard body, but instead the soft curves of a woman greeted her. Alique flopped back down on her bedroll. She slept next to Julli, not the general. It had all been some cruel trick of her mind.
She groaned as she rolled over and onto her feet. Yesterday had been almost as hard as the first day of battle, and Fire’s discovery had brought up more emotions than Alique wanted to deal with. Having the mare beside her made her feel close to her father but it was also a constant reminder that he was still lost. If only the poor beast could talk. She had been starved by the elves and had cracks at the corners of her lips where the bit had been yanked on. Alique had wanted to ride her but realized that Julli might not handle Ebony.
Her patients were progressing well. The most severely injured had been transferred to a covered wagon, while the others rode at the back of the column and might be fit to fight again soon. So while her professional duties were taking a turn for the better, her emotions were like a storm brewing.
Kain avoided her. He was desperately trying to shut himself away from her and the easiest way to do that was to stay physically remote. That was not difficult in a long column, but Alique was not going to make it easy for him. It was one of the reasons she had followed Fire yesterday. She had just needed to see her general. Her general! There she went again with the silly attachment to a man she could never have. Alique hoped she would have learned more from her infatuation with Nikolas Cosara. She thought she might have grown enough to never attach herself to a man who did not want her.
The trouble was, she cared for Kain in a way she never had for Nikolas. The admiral had be
en a whim, a suitable marriage, a handsome distraction. Kain could never be said to be suitable for her and yet she longed for his company, worried about his troubles, and could see herself being happy with him, if only he could accept himself. He must find a place in this new world despite his mixed heritage.
Alique allowed herself to fantasize, to envision herself walking down the aisle to Kain at their marriage, the King and Queen, her parents and Kain’s family all smiling upon them. She frowned. There was something wrong with that picture. Her mother and father would not be happy with the match. They were hoping for more than Kain could offer. And if they learned he was an elven prince it might be worse, so much worse.
She shook her head. There was too much to do today to be standing daydreaming. All would be well, or she would die attempting to make it so.
Chapter 16
Pain sliced across Kain’s temple and he ducked as a second whoosh of air passed his scalp, eloquently demonstrating how narrowly he had avoided death. Blood trickled from the wound but he couldn’t spare the time to tend to it. The elves came again and again, from the front and from the sides, from between the trunks and from the branches overhead.
He sent out another silent plea for help. Gwaethe! Where are you when I need you?
I come, brother. Hold!
Hurry!
There was only silence in reply but Kain thought he detected a vague disgruntlement as his attention whipped back to the battle. The fight was hottest where he was, or so it appeared. The elves had come at dawn and it was only a sixth sense the night before that had seen Kain double the watch. But the blighters were stealthy, even getting past whatever watch Gwaethe had set. She had possibly been camped too far to the east to be much help in the warning.
I have found him, Gwaethe sent.
Kain was too distracted to reply. If his sister had found Lord Zorba, there was little they could do about it until they had dealt with this latest attack. A memory of Alique tried to take hold but he shoved it away and parried the short sword thrust of an elf who sprang up before him. The enemy died silently and fell under Snow’s hooves. Kain looked left and right but all about was carnage. Men and elves snarled at each other and horses screamed their battle cries. Most of the elves were on foot but this didn’t make them ineffective. The trees gave them the cover they needed, and their tactic of swinging across the Thorian soldiers and landing in the midst of the column created chaos in the ranks. His men fought well and bravely but there were just too many of the enemy. Kain longed for a huge open paddock. It would be a different story then.
The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2 Page 17