Rylen shook his head. "I know you like your wall," he told her. "But I didn't realize you'd go to that much of an extreme to protect it."
"Valin's never fallen," she said. "And I'll be damned if it's going to on my watch."
"Even if she has to burn the entire thing to the ground except for the keep," Andry added.
"If it gets rid of anyone in a dark robe who can raise the dead, yes," she said, biting back a curse as Andry continued with his stitches.
Eight - "But I know she's devastated"
Mo'ani put his hand on Evaine's shoulder, her head bowed as she held Matthios' hand to her cheek.
"I'm sorry, Evaine," he told her. Matthios had died in his sleep, his age and the cough that had wracked his every breath the last couple of days finally taking its toll. No matter how much time passed or how many people he lost, each one hurt as much as the last. It never got easier, and the pain of losing friends never got any less.
"He fought to the end," she said. She kissed his fingers, then gently laid his hand down on the bed. Evaine stood up, turning when Mo'ani wrapped his arms around her. He looked over at Arlend where he stood quietly by.
Mo'ani could see the loss on his face as well. Even though both Arlend and his brother Tonek were well into their forties, Matthios had been the foundation of Bavol Hold. He had been Lord of Bavol for so long, almost no one alive now even remembered his father before him.
"Taleise is so young," Evaine said, pulling away to look up at Mo'ani. "She won't even remember him." She brushed the blonde hair back from her face, trying to dry her own tears as well. She'd left early to go take her turn at the point where they were keeping the church guards from building up any stores and when she'd returned, she'd found him gone in his sleep. His thin frame had already been growing cold, so she'd known he must have died shortly after she left.
"She'll remember him through us," Arlend told her. He came over and wrapped his arms around her. "You'll be busy as governor," he continued. "Tonek and I will make sure Taleise knows who he was. We can scare her with all kinds of horror stories about what it was like to grow up with him for a father."
Evaine smiled up at him. "He was proud of you both," she told him.
"There you go trying not to speak poorly of the dead," Arlend said. "We all know he never quite forgave us for refusing to take Bavol when he wanted to step down. Is it too late to apologize for forcing you to become governor until Taleise is old enough to be Lady?"
"I'm still coming up with a way to get even," she promised him. Matthios' second wife, Evaine was several years younger than both Arlend and Tonek. The two warriors had become quite fond of her as a member of their family, and she loved them as much as their father and her own daughter.
"The weather's cool enough," Mo'ani said. "We can take him back to Bavol to bury him."
Evaine nodded. "He wanted to be there if possible," she said. "He'd asked to be buried by his first wife." As further evidence of Evaine's gracious nature, she'd also never harbored any resentment about Matthios' first wife, but had accepted her role in his life as a departed family member and Matthios' first love.
"I'll get word sent to Tonek," Arlend said. "He can meet us there."
"Thank you," Evaine told him.
Arlend gave her a last embrace, then slipped from the tent.
"I told him not to come," Evaine said to Mo'ani. "I knew he wasn't strong enough." She walked to sit on the edge of the bed, brushing the thin white hair back along his head.
"When you enter his death into Bavol's records," Mo'ani said. "Note that he died in the Siege of Herridon. He deserves that much over just that he died in his sleep."
Evaine nodded. "He'd have gone out in full armor if he could have," she smiled. She stood up again. "There are others who will want to know," she said. "I should go find them, they'll want to go with to bury him."
"Adie will want to be there, too," Mo'ani said. He took her arm and led her from the tent. He could see Arlend giving orders as he led his horse toward the edge of the camp to head out to find Tonek. "Adie was around with the Corydon armies, so I'll be back in a bit," he told her. He leaned down to kiss her cheek. "We'll meet you back here." He turned to walk to where his horse was tied.
"All right," Evaine nodded. She turned to go the opposite direction to find Bavol's other officers.
Mo'ani moved carefully as he skirted the church guard armies, staying out of sight in the hills. So far the church guards hadn't attacked Herridon itself, but they had been defending themselves against the Mo'ani's attacks. They'd been able to keep their losses low, but they'd still lost a number of patrols and smaller groups of soldiers. They'd been able to disrupt supply lines and the Mo'ani archers had been able to pick off key officers they were able to identify. The Mo'ani here along the south had been using camps they could move quickly around in the hills, managing to evade any detection from the church guards who might come looking for them.
When he reached a narrow farmer's track, Mo'ani turned back north, following it until he was nearly clear of the hills, then turning back east again. It was nearly an hour later when he came across the first Corydon patrol.
"Lord Mo'ani," the soldier saluted him.
"Lieutenant," Mo'ani nodded to him. "I'm looking for Lady Adiella and Lord Corydon."
"They went north, Sir," he reported. "They were scouting a new supply line coming in from one of the Archbishop's old garrisons."
Mo'ani nodded. He knew the garrison he was referring to. It hadn't been manned for close to forty years. He and Lord Bavol had cleared it out back when the Archbishop was in power and it had never been used again until now.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Mo'ani said, turning to head north.
He came up on the road leading to the old garrison over an hour later. A whistle drew his attention and he turned, seeing Adie waving at him from the cover of a hill. He turned his horse to ride over, seeing Dahlos crouched behind the hill once he came around.
Lord Corydon was wearing his armor, his red cloak on his back and pulled to the side as he watched the garrison. Even crouched down he was an imposing man, his demeanor and movements telling anyone he was a skilled warrior as well as someone who would not easily back down.
"Grandfather?" Adie asked, seeing his face as he swung down from his saddle. She carried her quarterstaff, her red hair streaked with grey and still pulled up into a topknot. Her breeches and tunic were a mix of browns and dark grey/greens, helping her blend in with the hills and plants here. Both of her daggers were sheathed at her waist, and her quarterstaff was shorter than a normal one, allowing her to secure it along the side of Nicho's saddle when she was riding.
"Adie," Mo'ani said. "Dahlos," he greeted Lord Corydon. "Matthios passed away this morning," he told them. "Evaine found him when she came back from her post out on the point."
"How is she doing?" Adie asked, frowning.
"She's putting on a brave face," Mo'ani said. "But I know she's devastated."
"We should go," Dahlos said, standing up. "Matthios was a good ally, he deserves our respects." His dark hair was pulled back and tied. "Sevanha would want to be there, but she's taken the other army up to guard the pass."
"We probably won't have time to get word to her," Mo'ani said. Adie and Dahlos walked back to where their horses were tied. Nicho turned his head to look at Mo'ani, and he recognized the glint of wildness still in his eyes. He doubted he'd ever be fully tame again since losing Kile, but he seemed to have accepted Adie as his rider. Mo'ani hoped he understood how much Adie missed Kile as well, and perhaps it was that loss that let him trust her.
They made their way back through the hills, circling around to the Bavol camp. It took them a couple of hours to clear the church guard patrols and make it safely to the hills on the other side.
Evaine was back in the tent when they got there, overseeing the healer preparing and wrapping Matthios' body in linen before letting the Bavol officers carry it out to the wagon to return to Bavol. Adie g
ave her a long embrace, speaking quietly to the younger woman. Mo'ani wasn't sure what she said, but she knew by the smile and fresh tears in Evaine's eyes that it had been something heartfelt.
As the healer finished and they carried Matthios' body out to the waiting wagon, Adie took Evaine's longbow and quiver from her so she could ride with Matthios in the wagon and not have them in her way.
The procession set out shortly after, Mo'ani riding beside the wagon on one side with Adie on the other. Dahlos rode just behind Mo'ani and the rest of Bavol's officers filed out of the camp behind them. Mo'ani knew the going would be slow, giving Arlend plenty of time to find Tonek, then for the two to meet them at Bavol Hold.
They made camp the first night back in a dry ravine, their small fire hidden from easy view. The conversation was quiet that night, a solemn air hanging over the camp.
The second day's progress passed just as slowly. Mo'ani kept to himself most of the time, his own thoughts both familiar and unwelcome. He'd lost so many friends and family over the years, he'd have almost expected it to be easy by now, but it never was.
Matthios had been one of the first members of the nobility to swear his hold to Mo'ani's cause against the Archbishop. A young nobleman new to his title then, Matthios had been searching for something to believe in. He had found both a mentor and eventually friend in Mo'ani, and the two had spent long hours making plans together over the years.
Their camp the second night was between two hills just before they would need to turn off for the road to Bavol. Like the first night, it was spent quietly.
They set out early the third day, Mo'ani and Adie once more riding on either side of the wagon. With any luck, they might be close to crossing paths with Arlend and Tonek.
The arrow came as they cleared the hills, sinking deeply in Evaine's chest. Mo'ani and Adie both turned their horses, the others stopping immediately to find where the archer was.
"On the south hill," Mo'ani said, spotting movement as the archer disappeared from sight.
Adie nodded, spurring Nicho into a gallop as Dahlos and the Bavol Mo'ani did the same. Mo'ani immediately climbed in the back of the wagon, pulling Evaine over to him.
It only took him a second to realize she was gone.
The arrow had been aimed for her heart and had struck true. He fought back tears as he cradled her against him, her body limp in his arms.
"Oh, Evaine," he said, brushing her hair back.
He was still cradling her when Adie returned. Dahlos rode behind her, a church guard tied at the wrists and being led along by a length of rope.
"Evaine?" Adie asked.
Mo'ani only shook his head, trying to swallow his grief.
"Grandfather--" Adie's voice caught and she pulled Nicho in, then dropped from the saddle and climbed into the back of the wagon.
"It was aimed for her heart," Mo'ani finally managed. "It killed her instantly." He turned to look at the church guard. "Was he the only one?" he asked Dahlos.
"There were four of them," Dahlos replied. "But we figured you'd want the one who fired the arrow. It looked like they'd been following us for a while, there were tracks going back through the hills for some ways. They were tracking us from the side ridges, that's why we didn't see them."
Mo'ani gently laid Evaine's body next to Matthios' and climbed down from the wagon. He pulled his sword and walked over to the church guard. He rarely drew his sword anymore, and he welcomed the familiar weight of it in his hand.
"You've just made a very big mistake," he told the church guard. "Murdering a nobleman is treason and grounds for immediate execution."
"She was a commoner," the church guard said. "And this is a war." He tried to meet Mo'ani's gaze and maintain his defiance, but Mo'ani wasn't surprised when he wasn’t able to meet his gaze.
"She was under royal order recognized as the Governor of Bavol Hold," Mo'ani said. "And you're right, this is a war, and good people will die." He frowned. "And after two hundred years, I'm tired of seeing the good people dying and children being orphaned because Zared had his feelings hurt and is a bad loser." He turned with surprising speed, his sword slashing across the man's stomach, then turned again and slashed across his throat. He pushed the guard over as he writhed, strangled gurgling coming from his throat before blood poured from his mouth. "And I think it's time I remind people who Lord Mo'ani of Herridon is."
Mo'ani leaned over and wiped his sword on the guard's cloak.
"We'll bury them together," he said, walking back to his horse. The shock and emotion of Evaine's death were quickly being replaced by anger. Now there was another child, only three summers old, who would grow up without her parents.
They met Arlend and Tonek just outside of Bavol Hold's borders. Both men were shocked and angered to learn of Evaine's sudden death and Mo'ani recognized the dark realization that settled over Arlend. With both his father and Evaine gone, and Taleise far too young to take the hold, the weight of the title would have to fall to him now.
They buried Matthios next to his first wife, and Evaine on his other side. Arlend stood silently by, holding Taleise. Mo'ani knew the little girl barely understood that her parents were gone, and she now refused to leave Arlend or Tonek's sides, clinging to the only family she still knew. He knew they'd have to leave again soon, leaving another crying child alone with her nurses, not understanding the path her life had now taken.
**********
Tion sat under the small tree, watching the temple below. He could feel Rial d'Valin's presence inside, but he'd kept a close eye on him over the years, so he was easy to find. A bit more searching among the mortals found him Inacia d'Basiyr there as well. Valry d'Herridon's presence was the one that concerned him, though. He could feel her growing weaker with each hour. Part of him wanted to go in and just get her, but he knew it wasn't the right time. His goddess needed certain things to happen first, and had sent him here only to aid their escape once they had. Halona had made her plans, and he had an obligation to help her see them through.
He had a piece of flour sack spread over his knee and several different sized pieces of charcoal on the ground beside him. A drawing of the temple was taking shape on the piece of fabric, and he was adding what were obviously flames along the bottom edges. Behind him, Ayita wandered quietly, the Dweller's mare grazing occasionally, but mostly seeming lost at not having Valry with her.
"At least you're patient enough to know to wait, Areli," Halona's thought entered his mind, her presence appearing beside him. He couldn't so much see her as sense her, the difference with him being in mortal form now.
"Thousands of years as the Sealer of Scrolls has taught nothing but patience, Halona," he returned. "I know that fates must play out."
"Which is why you had Korrie steal you Mo'ani d'Herridon's back?"
"I'll make sure he still receives it," Tion assured her. "But I wasn't going to trust it so near to Basiyr. You've entrusted me to protect the scrolls since the beginning, I'm only continuing that duty."
"It would have been safe where it was."
"A chance I wasn't willing to take. Besides, Korrie needs to learn to confront her fears, and Nahtan is a large fear for her."
"And people say I'm heartless and unforgiving."
"You can be." Tion paused to smudge one knuckle along some of the flames. "But fate has little room for compassion."
"And yet you ask for such for Rial d'Valin."
"I have not asked for compassion," Areli said. "He has gone beyond what one could ask to aid Valry d'Herridon. I've only asked that he be given options. I believe he may be of some use to you. The choices I've presented to you will not be to his liking, nor will they be easy paths."
"His fate's end was written when he was born."
"And we've all seen how that's worked out so far." He smiled to himself when he felt Halona sigh. She knew he'd made a convincing argument, and what he'd asked for wasn't unreasonable or impossible. He also knew Halona was doing the things she was out of lov
e for her sister and to aid Nahtan. "Valry d'Herridon has become quite fond of him for some reason, and I honestly believe he would die for her. As she is the future Queen of Herridon, she would keep him loyal to the crown."
"You don't need to weight your argument anymore," Halona admonished him. "Present him his options," she finally said. "But he must choose one. If he refuses, then his scroll must be sealed."
Tion nodded his head, continuing his work on the drawing.
"You'll need to do it as yourself," Halona added. "Tion won't have the same impact you will. And it'll go faster if you have your voice back."
"You know, I'm rather enjoying being mute," Tion said. "There's a certain peace in not speaking."
"I'm sure there are vast numbers of people through history who wished you couldn't have spoken to them."
Tion smiled. "The priests in the temple should be very glad I can't when I go in there once I know it's time."
"You're going in as Tion?" Halona's voice was surprised. It was obvious from her tone that she'd expected him to abandon his disguise as Tion and go into the temple as himself. While it certainly would have been effective, it also would have presented new challenges.
"Yes," he replied. "It amuses me to see them cowering from a mute, ten year old orphan boy. Besides, Rial d'Valin and Valry d'Herridon know Tion, they do not know Areli." He paused, turning slightly at the sound of footsteps behind him. "Fate?"
"Chosen, he has none any longer."
Tion nodded. A chosen priest surrendered their fate in service to their god. Which meant if they now chose to get in his way, he didn't have to worry about abiding by whatever fate Halona had written for them.
"What are you doing here?" a harsh voice asked, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him to his feet. "Or are you just eager to join the sacrifices to our Master?" He turned Tion around, snatching the drawing from his hand. He looked at it, frowning when he saw the burning temple.
Basiyr: Chronicles of Nahtan: Book 6 (The Herridon Chronicles) Page 15