The Blood Forest (The Tree of Ages Series Book 3)

by Sara C. Roethle

  Iseult, uninjured as far as he could tell, moved to stand beside Finn atop his mount. He stroked his hand across the horse’s neck to calm the nervous beast, then scanned the clusters of assassins until his eyes found Maarav.

  Their gazes locked. “You were part of this,” he stated.

  Maarav struggled against the coarse root, but its spindles had wrapped around him multiple times, suspending him above its base, as thick as a tree trunk. “I know them yes, but I had no part in setting up this ambush,” he replied. “I had no knowledge that Slàine hoped to collect Finn’s bounty.”

  Slàine cast him an evil glare. He knew that glare all too well. She’d tried to explain herself, but he hadn’t listened. Now she was about to take him down with her. “He knew,” she lied. “He’s been secretly communicating with us, planning the perfect time for an ambush.”

  “She’s lying,” Maarav argued, but his heart wasn’t in it. He had already seen the suspicious glances of his party members days before Slàine attacked. Those same suspicious gazes were aimed at him now. All they needed was an excuse. The roots flexed around his midsection, threatening to crush him. They might as well. If Iseult left him with Slàine and the others, he was as good as dead.

  Iseult turned his attention from Maarav to Slàine. “Now that you have been bested, will you call off your hunt, or do we have to kill you?”

  Slàine glared at him. Her cowl had fallen to reveal the grim line of her mouth. Finally, she nodded. “I suppose I have no choice.”

  Iseult took one last look at his brother and those dangling around him, then took his horse’s reins. “Let’s go,” he ordered, then began to lead the horse, and Finn by default, away. Bedelia had gathered the rest of the horses, and now led them toward where Anna and Sativola waited with Kai.

  Looking between Finn and Iseult, Kai’s group, and Maarav, Ealasaid scurried around the roots in her way to catch up and block Iseult’s path. “We can’t just leave him here!” she argued, glancing once more at Maarav. “He’ll freeze to death come nightfall.”

  Iseult silently stepped around her and continued walking, leading Finn atop his horse behind him. Kai, Anna, Sativola, and Bedelia, now each leading their horses, seemed content to do the same, though Kai seemed to be having difficulty walking as he clutched his side, his face as white as the remaining snow.

  “Iseult,” Finn said softly, finally halting his progress. He turned and looked up at her. “Perhaps we should at least let them go.” She glanced back at the assassins.

  “They just attempted to kill us,” he stated blandly.

  “Not Maarav,” she reminded him. “He fought them along with us.”

  Iseult turned his gaze from Finn to peer further back to Maarav. “We cannot risk the possibility that it was just an act, I apologize.”

  Maarav wasn’t sure if Iseult was apologizing to him or Finn, and it didn’t really matter. He could tell by the look in Iseult’s eyes that his fate was sealed.

  “I’m staying then,” Ealasaid cut in. She had taken hold of Maarav’s horse as if deciding he was now hers.

  Finn turned sad eyes down to her. “I think the roots will go away on their own eventually. They’re not likely to freeze.”

  Ealasaid glared at her. “I’m staying.”

  Finn leaned back in the saddle as if Ealasaid’s glare had physically struck her. She looked like she wanted to cry again, and Ealasaid looked teary herself. Yet, both women steeled their expressions and turned away from each other.

  “Do not follow us,” Iseult said to the group in general. “Next time, mercy will not be shown.” He continued leading his horse away as Anna and the others paused to climb atop their mounts. Anna helped both Kai and Sativola into their respective saddles, though Sativola seemed far better off than Kai.

  As they all began to ride away, Ealasaid gave them a final glance, then hurried toward Maarav, trailing his horse behind her.

  “You should go with them,” he urged. He knew the girl had no home, and no family. It would not be right to part her from those who would stand the best chance of protecting her.

  She shook her head stubbornly, tossing her curly blonde hair from side to side. “You are an intolerable man, but I do not believe you betrayed us. You do not deserve to be left here.” She removed the dagger from her belt and stepped toward him.

  “They were right to leave,” he replied. “My company is not worth the risk.”

  The assassins watched on silently, clearly hoping Ealasaid might free them next.

  Ignoring their company, she reached up and began sawing at the roots restraining him. “I do not agree,” she muttered.

  He sighed, then waited for her to finish freeing him, which took what seemed like ages given the size of her blade versus the size of the roots. By the time his feet hit the turned earth below him, his limbs were sore from hanging in the awkward position.

  Wordlessly, Ealasaid climbed atop his horse and waited for him to join her.

  “What about the rest of us?” Slàine finally snapped.

  Maarav smirked. “I know you well, Slàine. Son or no, you would not allow me to live after fighting against you.”

  She glared daggers at him. “Your chances are better now than they will be if you leave me here to freeze. Perhaps if you let me down, I might be inclined to explain things to you.”

  “You heard the girl,” he replied, gesturing in the direction the others had ridden. “The roots will loosen their hold eventually.” He knew better than to take Slàine at her word, as badly as he wanted to know why she’d attacked, she’d stick a dagger in him long before she’d breathe a word.

  “And I will find you,” she growled.

  “Then I hope they do not loosen their hold too soon,” he answered, then climbed up in the saddle behind Ealasaid.

  “Do we follow the others?” Ealasaid whispered as they rode away.

  “Not yet,” he whispered, glancing at the dangling people as they rode past. “Let’s worry about our own hides first.”

  Together they continued off into the melting snow. Maarav knew the next few stops Iseult had planned, so he would have no issue picking up their trail later. For now, he would worry about getting far away from Slàine. Deep down, he knew he should have killed her, but he found he didn’t have it in his heart, as black as it was, to do so.

  NOT LONG AFTER leaving Maarav and Ealasaid behind, Kai was forced to stop and bandage his wound, and Anna pushed the same treatment on Sativola. While Sativola’s wounds were mainly surface injuries, and would likely heal within the next few days, Kai’s were serious. He’d lost a large amount of blood, soaking his shirt, breeches, and even his cloak. He hoped nothing vital had been damaged within him, but feared the worst. He felt . . . wrong, and it wasn’t just the blood loss. He’d lost plenty of blood before.

  Finn had started crying again while Anna bandaged Kai’s wounds, though he didn’t think the tears were for him. Well, perhaps a few, but most seemed to be for Ealasaid.

  “I cannot believe we left her behind,” Finn muttered, still sitting in the saddle behind Iseult.

  Kai noted the edge of her green cloak was speckled with blood, though she was the cleanest out of their small group. It was fortunate Anna and Iseult had chosen to wear all black. The blood on Kai’s and Sativola’s clothing, some theirs, some belonging to their attackers, was readily apparent.

  Kai lifted himself back into his saddle, gritting his teeth against the pain.

  “It was her choice,” Iseult replied.

  Kai suspected Iseult was secretly glad the girl had stayed behind to cut his brother free. While he agreed with the decision to leave Maarav behind, he still felt a little guilty. What if Maarav had been telling the truth? He’d traveled all this way with Iseult, and now he’d been cast off like they shared no blood, nor bond of kinship.

  Secretly Kai worried the same fate might befall him.

  He watched as a freshly bandaged Sativola gingerly pulled himself up into his saddle. He felt
eyes on his back, and turned to see Finn staring at him as they began to ride.

  “Are you alright?” she questioned, as if suddenly noticing his poor state.

  He nodded, pressing his heels against his horse to urge it onward. “Just a scratch.”

  She stared at him like she didn’t quite believe him. He noticed how her hair formed a tangled nest around her head, and how thin she’d grown from their long travels, yet her concern was for everyone else.

  “If only my powers were meant for healing instead of violence and destruction, perhaps I’d be more useful,” she lamented.

  Iseult patted her arm where it rested around his waist. “You just saved our lives. There would be no one to heal if we were all dead.”

  Kai nearly laughed. He’d never expected such comforting words to grace Iseult’s lips. Although, Iseult’s cold expression did not invite further comment.

  Finn nodded at Iseult’s comment, but continued to watch Kai with a worried expression, bobbing gently from the horse’s relaxed gait.

  “Let’s put more distance between ourselves and those assassins before we worry about anything else,” Kai advised, wanting her attention off him. If he was going to die, then that was his fate. There was no need to worry everyone when there was nothing more to be done.

  She nodded, though she continued looking back over her shoulder at him before gazing further down the path, presumably hoping Ealasaid would come riding up at any moment. Each time she glanced at him, he tried to give a reassuring smile, but suspected it came out as more of a cringe. It was all he could do to remain in his saddle.

  Eventually they rode far enough to reach the end of the snow. Kai’s wound had stopped bleeding beneath the makeshift bandage, but he felt dizzy and ill. Hopefully a good night’s rest would help him recover, though the worried glances of Anna and Finn begged to differ. They watched him like he might topple from his horse any moment. They might not be wrong.

  Hoping to reach civilization by nightfall, the party ate their meals while riding. Kai found himself wishing they’d procured some whiskey from the ruins of Migris. The pain in his wound had faded to a dull throb, but his mind was beginning to tire of dealing with it.

  The sky was black by the time the scent of cookfires reached Kai’s nose. A moment later he exhaled with relief as the gentle glow of illuminated windows came into view.

  “Badenmar,” Iseult said simply, then gave Kai a stern look over his shoulder, the harsh moonlight accentuating his expression.

  Ah yes, it was quite clear that Iseult also remembered what happened the last time they were in Badenmar. For some time afterward, Kai suspected Iseult had plans to kill him, but that suspicion had slowly passed. Though they would never be friends, a peculiar form of trust had grown between them. A trust that might soon be for naught if he keeled over and died.

  Iseult pulled the hood of his cloak up to shadow his face before continuing onward, as did Finn. Kai should really have done the same given An Fiach was looking for him too, but the people of Badenmar would likely grow suspicious if their entire group refused to show their faces. Fortunately, Kai had no overly distinguishable features. He was of average height, with average, chestnut colored hair. Iseult, however, stood out with his height and black hair. It was likely fortunate they’d parted ways with Maarav, because the two of them together tended to draw attention.

  They continued on toward the lights and scented air. Sativola rode between Kai and Anna, looking glum but determined. “One of the two of ye better be buying me a dram,” he grumbled, sitting stiff on his horse to avoid extra pressure on his leg wound.

  “You should be thanking me,” Anna replied. “If I hadn’t hired you in Migris, you might have been there during the attack. The few scrapes you’ve suffered are nothing compared to what those people experienced.”

  Sativola sighed. “I suppose yer right on that. Still, I wish I’d had the time to hire on with a crew in Ainfean. No offense meant, but trouble seems to follow ye all around. Who knows what might happen next?”

  “Quiet,” Iseult ordered as they approached the small town. “I don’t want to hear anyone muttering their true names, where we’ve come from, or where we’re going. More soldiers of An Fiach could already be waiting here.”

  “Plus, you’re likely still wanted for murder,” Kai added.

  Iseult sighed. “I imagine the townsfolk barely remember that, after all that’s happened in the countryside.”

  Sativola leaned toward Kai and whispered, “Murder?” but Kai simply shook his head in reply. Everyone fell silent and moved their horses close together to fit on the narrow road leading into the burgh. On their last visit, the burgh had been in the midst of festivities. Now, the small cluster of farms and homes was near silent, though many torches still burned throughout the square, as if to ward away the night.

  They rode toward the inn where they’d previously stayed in a storeroom. Kai had a feeling there would be plenty of proper rooms available that night. There didn’t seem to be an overabundance of inhabitants in the village.

  Reaching the tall wooden walls of the inn, all but Kai dismounted. There was no stableboy out waiting to take the horses to the stalls mounted on the side of the inn, so instead all reins were handed to Bedelia.

  “We should probably take turns guarding the horses throughout the night,” Anna suggested. “We wouldn’t want them stolen away by village folk hoping to escape to one of the larger cities.”

  “Yes,” was Iseult’s only reply.

  Kai looked down at the ground, which seemed exceedingly far away given how he was currently feeling. He would have liked to avoid falling once he attempted to dismount, but it felt like a likely possibility.

  As if sensing his predicament, Sativola moved to stand beside his horse, and offered his meaty arm. Frowning at the hit his pride was about to take, he allowed Sativola to brace him while he climbed down from the saddle, flexing his wound uncomfortably. The movement brought on a wave of pain, and darkness ate at his vision.

  A second pair of hands took hold of his other arm, keeping him upright, then the world went black.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  A nna glared down at Kai’s sweaty face, his features slack with unconsciousness. If only the fool had expressed how badly his wound was affecting him, they could have better tended him sooner. She could just kill him . . . if he wasn’t already dying.

  Finn sat on the other side of the bed on which he rested, in one of the cozy, warm rooms they’d purchased from the innkeep. Her long hair was a snarled mess, and deep bags marred the skin beneath her dark hazel eyes, occasionally flickering with reflected firelight. Anna imagined her own features showed the same strain as Finn’s. Yet, neither of them looked as bad as Kai.

  “Do you think he’ll be alright?” Finn questioned softly, her eyes intent on the man between them.

  Anna stood and removed the damp cloth from Kai’s forehead, replacing it with another from a nearby washbasin. Once they’d dragged him inside the inn, she’d realized his skin was burning with fever. Not a good sign when accompanied by severe injuries. Rough blankets were pulled only halfway up his body. Anna had raised and lowered them several times, unsure if it was best to keep his body warm, or try to cool him down. Occasionally he mumbled with fever dreams.

  She resumed her seat in the same type of wooden chair Finn rested in. “There’s no saying. If he makes it through morning he may be fine, as long as infection doesn’t set in.”

  Finn looked about ready to cry, and Anna sincerely wished she wouldn’t. She’d never been good around tears, and Kai was the one who needed her care right now, not Finn. She widened her eyes to deny their own sudden watering, then had an idea.

  Thinking of care, she looked up to catch Finn’s gaze. “Are you sure you don’t have any healing magic?” she asked, not even sure if healing magic existed, or if all magic was simply meant for destruction. If the woman could summon massive roots from the ground, surely she could do other things? Her hear
t fluttered with hope.

  Not seeming to sense the way Anna’s heart was attempting to escape her chest, Finn shook her head sadly and lifted her gaze. “I do not believe so.”

  “Pity,” Anna muttered, barely able to force out the words. She debated whether or not to press the topic. Even if Finn thought she had no healing magic, she could at least try.

  She opened her mouth to say more, then a knock sounded on the door. A moment later it opened to reveal Bedelia with a tray of food. Sativola, his wounds freshly tended, trailed in after her.

  Bedelia set the tray down on a table near the fire. There were three steaming bowls of stew and a loaf of fresh baked bread that Anna imagined would remain untouched. Kai wouldn’t be eating, and Finn seemed as disinterested in the food as she, having not spared Bedelia even a glance.

  Anna’s stomach churned uncomfortably. Having your oldest friend in mortal peril was a bit of an appetite killer.

  “Iseult is watching the horses,” Bedelia explained, her eyes on Finn’s back, “but he’d like to speak with you after you’ve eaten.”

  Finn finally turned toward her, her eyes wide and jaw slack with questioning.

  Anna watched the exchange suspiciously, wondering what Iseult might need to say in private. At times she suspected a romance between the two, but neither seemed the type for late-night clandestine meetings. Perhaps he simply wanted to discuss their separation from Maarav and Ealasaid, as Finn had seemed rather hurt by the occurrence.

  After glancing at the food tray, Finn nodded and stood. “I’ll go to him now.”

  Bedelia inclined her head. Wiping her hands on her breeches, she led Finn out of the room, leaving Sativola behind. He took Finn’s vacated seat and stared down at Kai. The door shut behind the departing women, the gentle hush of its closure sounding like a thunder clap, further jolting Anna’s frayed nerves.

  She nervously fiddled with one of the daggers at her hip, wishing she had something or someone to fight. All that was left to do was wait, something Anna had never been good at.