She hung her leather satchel over a jutting board and watched him, perplexed. “What are you doing?”
Fenric glanced up in surprise. “Ishar. Good morning.”
“Good morning,” she replied quickly, then asked her question once more.
Fenric cleared his throat. “I am heading back to give your father the good news.”
Ishar furrowed her brow. “You have only just arrived these past few days and father is on his way.” She gently laid a hand upon his arm. “Why not stay to greet him here? I long for times past, when there were moments such as this for us to speak of things dear to our hearts. I have enjoyed our last few days together.”
Fenric gave the cinch a final extra tug to test for tightness. His smile was relaxed as he turned and faced her. “Those moments are few and far between and all but lost. No. I will go because I desire to wipe all worry from your father’s coming when I inform him I have personally seen to your good health and well-being and found that Varyk has been an excellent host.” Fenric reached over and patted her shoulder. “Just think. He will come with true gladness in his heart knowing all is well.” Her arm slid from his as he turned and gathered a wrapped bundle set at his feet. This he tied to the back of his saddle among his other gear.
Ishar could see the wisdom in his words. It did nothing to ease the heartache of his sudden leave. “No one has insulted you?” She asked with unease.
Fenric’s look was one of reproof. “I am a Haaldyn warrior at heart, even though I am retired. If someone had insulted me, I would not be saddling my horse. Rather, you would hear the clang of steel.”
His words relaxed the tightness in her chest and she smiled at him gently. “I just want to make certain someone has not made your stay uncomfortable by either words or actions.” She moved closer and touched his shoulder. “Not everyone is comfortable with the peace we are attempting. It will take time.”
Fenric gave her a rough clap on the back. “Now girl, there is nothing wrong, I tell you. I simply want to let your father know there are no worries he need have about this meeting, that he must come here with all haste.” He raised his hands in exasperation. “Is there something wrong with my desire to ease a father’s fears? This is something I understand. One day, perhaps, so will you.”
“Contrary to your belief, I do understand.” Ishar shrugged ruefully, “It is just that I am sorry to see you leave so soon after you have arrived.”
Fenric stepped close and ruffled her hair. He was only one of several people that could have gotten away with the gesture. “You will see me shortly. This I promise.” Fenric grabbed the gelding’s reins and led the horse around Ishar, down the aisle and through the open door.
She followed him through the courtyard and toward the inner gate. “What of Varyk?” She asked with curiosity. Surely Fenric would not insult their hosts.
Fenric quickly replied. “I have already said my thanks to him and his lady. They, too, bade me stay but understood and agreed after they saw my determination.”
“Like they had a choice? Once you set your mind to something, Fenric, it is unchangeable.” Ishar chuckled. “Were you going to say goodbye?” She added with a frown.
“Wipe that look from your face. You know I would not go without a leaving word to you.”
They made their way under the inner threshold and toward the main outer gate. Outside the holding, Ishar patted her old friend on the shoulder. “I wish for older days upon occasion, when you were still my weapons master and we were not so easily parted. Still, I wish you a swift ride, old friend, and hope to see you soon.”
Fenric mounted and stared down. There was a momentary flicker of sadness in his eyes. But a moment later it was gone. “The day is late, Ishar. But do not worry, I will ride swiftly. You shall see me soon,” he said tiredly, “Until then.” He gave a short bow and turned his horse. With a swift jab the gelding spurted to the north.
She watched Fenric ride away with a frown. Doubts troubled her heart at his leaving. Why had he left so soon? True, she could understand the relief her father would feel to hear she was fine and the words sent to him were true, but still, to leave so soon? Even though he had denied it, had someone said something to Fenric or had he simply felt uncomfortable being around those he once would have seen as enemies? From all appearances that was not the case. Ishar’s frown deepened as she turned back to the holding. She jerked when she saw Traevyn only a few feet away. He leaned against the outer wall, his thin blade slicing shivers of fruit that he popped into his mouth. She eyed him warily.
Traevyn’s gaze stayed focused on the fruit before him. “Your friend left so soon after his arrival. Was it something we said?” His voice sounded detached.
Ishar felt a flicker of irritation. “My father has been concerned for my welfare. Fenric only wants to relieve that worry.”
“The word of Varyk is not good enough?”
He meant the letter. Ishar’s irritation grew. “Of course my father trusts Varyk. You forget it was he who sent me on this journey to set these very things in motion.”
“Then your father should have felt fine as soon as our message reached him, which begs again for me to wonder why your friend chose to leave so soon.” Traevyn looked up, his expression cool. “Are all the Haaldyn we will meet so restless to be away from our presence?”
Ishar did not know how to answer him. She felt perplexed herself by Fenric’s sudden leave taking. He had appeared to fit in well with the others at Taryn. Traevyn continued to watch her. Ishar sighed. “I do not know. I warned you it would take time for some to feel comfortable with people they once considered enemies. Your own people have proved this true. It will be the same with the Britai and the Lute. The only thing to be done is to let time meld us as a people.”
“You seek time as an answer for everything,” he muttered. Traevyn slung the remnants of the fruit away, turned, and walked back into the holding without another word to her.
Ishar had no answer so she ground her nails into her palm and watched him walk away. She headed back to the horse shelter and Simi. Perhaps the morning ride would clear her head.
*
Eira took her time as she crossed the Etu River. She was dressed as a Lute for the hunt. The skin leggings covered her with worn softness. Her hair hung long down her back, pulled back at the nape with a leather thong to keep it clear for the pull of the bow. She breathed in deep the cool of the midday sun. The clouds lay low on the land. The mare’s legs sloshed out of the water and up the bank. The horse snorted, not pleased at having to cross the high stream. Discovering firm ground, the white mare shook to rid herself of excess water. With the reins in her hands, Eira tugged her mare’s head toward the forest. She would easily make the meeting with Ishar if she hurried. The hollow was a short ride within the woods. Before her, the edge of the Daiwen loomed as a protective dark shadow. She smiled and tilted her head, listening. The woods called to her as a mother would to her children. There were but a few sparse trees and bushes that dotted the rolling mound of green between her and the woodland and a hurried need within her rose to be within the trees’ shelter.
Eira nudged the mare forward with her knees. The mare gave another shake and snort before proceeding slowly up the grassy slope. Eira pulled back on the reins when she saw the mare prick her ears forward and blow out of her nostrils in a nervous manner. She turned the mare to one side and looked ahead into the woods with a speculative glance. Her eyes took in a dark shadow merged among the bushes along the edge. She broke into a smile. “Ishar, I should have known you would be late—”
Thwack! Eira gripped the mare with her knees to keep from sliding over and looked down in stunned surprise. An arrow had embedded itself into her side. The shock of pain took her breath and made her slow. She grabbed at the reins and jerked back on the mare’s head. Thwack! Another arrow hit her high in the shoulder almost throwing her from the horse with its force. Only her grip on the reins kept her in the saddle.
The white ma
re reared. As she came down, Eira slammed both heels into the creature’s side and sawed at reins. The mare, sensing the distress of her mistress, lunged forward and toward the river. Eira let the mare’s neck catch her weight as she tried to breathe through the shock and numbing pain. Grayness hovered around the edges but she fought through the fog and focused to stay in the saddle. She could not fall in. Eira knew she lacked the strength needed to pull her body out of the frothing torrent and onto the opposite bank. Besides, she did not yet know if pursuers followed or not. The only sound that came to her ears above the river’s noise was her own heavy breath and rapid heart.
Eira never slowed the horse’s pace. She prayed her mare was still strong and steady after her run from the holding and her first pass through the rushing water. Eira gave another kick to the white mare’s sides and the animal leaped deep into the turbulent waters. They both sank, liquid rushing over their head for a moment before the mare fought with strong legs to bring them up. Eira kept her legs up and out of the striving legs of the animal churning below the water. It took longer than before to cross the river’s torrent. Sides heaving, the mare crawled up the other bank with jerky surges. Once there, the mare stood, too tired to even shake. Eira herself was now winded. The surge of energy that had so quickly flowed at the start of the attack quickly drained from her.
She bent over and clenched her teeth at the mounting pain, then glanced back behind with desperation. No person followed. No sign of the identity of her attacker. Eira looked forward with despair. Open land lay between her and the holding. A great deal of open land. Dizziness made the green before her blur. She sighed and dropped her head against the mare’s mane. Eira groaned. The gray fog in her mind grew. Her life would now depend upon her own inner strength. No one would think to look for her until much later and by then she would most likely be dead. Eira kept her body draped against the mare’s to conserve her strength. She sluggishly nudged her mare. The animal moved forward with a snort and blow of breath. The creature wanted a rest. There will be no rest for either of us, little one, Eira thought tiredly. She tightened her heels more into the creature’s side. The white mare broke into a canter. Eira held on to the mane with her uninjured right hand and focused on staying mounted as she nudged her horse toward the holding.
10
Ishar took her time crossing the river. The water was at one of its peaks and unforgiving to carelessness. There was nearly no bank to speak of in spots. Once over, Ishar set her mare at a steady pace. Simi was loaded with a large buck tied across her hindquarters but she quickly closed the distance toward the holding. Though she had waited for a time in the hollow she had never seen Eira, but a buck had crossed her path soon after so the wait had not been a lost. She thought of dropping the kill off at the village but as she passed by it appeared all but deserted. Silence reigned except for the noises of the chickens and pigs as they picked the ground. Ishar frowned. There must be something going on within, Ishar mused as she headed up the hill toward the holding. The quiet hush that hugged the air raised the hair at the nape of her neck as she neared, the usual hustle and bustle of everyday gone. Ishar nudged Simi through the outer gate. A soldier near the entrance stepped back as she entered but gave no greeting. Though she thought his action odd, Ishar made no comment. She prodded Simi farther within the outer courtyard as she looked for an explanation for the unsettling calm. Britai soldiers stood scattered about the holding, as did villagers. Many stared with dark expressions. Ishar sense of unease grew. What was wrong? What had happened since she left earlier?
In her alarm and concern for the people Ishar left her guard down. One moment she was on her horse. The next, lying on the ground gasping for air, Kagon’s knee on her chest, his knife pressed to her throat. Rayne stood close, an arrow notched and aimed. Both of their mouths were drawn back in vicious snarls, their eyes mere slits.
They have lost their minds, Ishar thought as she lay there without moving, not that she could have raised herself without Kagon slicing her throat, so tight was the blade to her neck.
“Kagon,” Ber roared far to her right, “Move aside.”
“Kagon. Rayne. Let her stand,” Davaris stated calmly, also out of sight of her vision, “This is not our way.”
“You saw Eira. She may not live the night,” Rayne stated angrily, his arrow not wavering, nor his stance, “Why should I show mercy when she has not?”
Kagon’s hate-filled face consumed most of her vision but Ishar was able to catch Davaris coming to stand beside Rayne. She could not understand. What had happened to Eira and why was it her fault? Her eyes rapidly searched the ground near her for Traevyn’s presence.
“Kagon!” It was Lysandr’s voice. “Let her up. Now!”
Kagon eyes narrowed even more but he rose, gripped her by the front of her overguard and dragged her upright. He turned her around, dragged her close to his body and kept the blade tucked tight against her throat. At least she was able to see fully now, but her ability to breathe had not improved. Ishar judged the environment around her and could find nothing in her favor. She was surrounded by Britai soldiers and the Raanan warriors and Ishar had never felt such pulsing anger pushing at her. A man had brought her horse around and Lysandr stood on the other side of Simi studying something. Her eyes flicked back toward Rayne and the arrow aimed at her chest.
“What is going on?” she demanded.
“Shut up,” Kagon roared. His grip on her throat tightened.
Ishar did not let his words faze her. Her gaze flickered to Davaris. “Davaris, what has happened?”
“As if you do not know,” Rayne sneered. “We should never have trusted a Haaldyn within these walls.” His eyes narrowed. “I should have killed you the first day I returned. Then my lord’s lady would be unharmed.”
“What has happened to Eira?” Ishar demanded. Her eyes pleaded with Gavin and Glyndwr who warily approached. “Someone, tell me,” she demanded.
“Eira was attacked while she was out riding,” Traevyn answered. His soft words carried through the cluster of people. Ishar’s eyes found him as he walked out of the crowd close to Davaris. “She was hit twice with arrows. Once in the side. Another took her in the upper shoulder. She is being seen to now. Varyk is with her,” Traevyn finished, his words cold.
Ishar tried to make sense of the madness before her. Traevyn’s eyes were shuttered, his voice dispassionate as he spoke. It seemed that Traevyn had chosen to conceal his feelings from her. That concealment itself spoke volumes and wounded more. Her lips tightened at his withdrawn expression, at the meaning behind it. “I take it you think I did this?” Disbelief coated her words as she spoke. “How could you, Traevyn? What have I done to make you think I would want to destroy this peace? Have I not done everything to ensure that this peace would come? Harming Eira would destroy that.”
Traevyn’s look wavered. For the first time he appeared torn and indecisive. “Ishar—”
“Forget this. I will not let her do more destruction with her words than her arrows have already,” Rayne stated in a rage. His back hand tightened in readiness to release the arrow.
Traevyn’s sword slipped out with a whisper. He stated softly, “Rayne, put down the bow,” as he stepped close to the younger warrior.
“See,” Kagon roared with a yell, “Her words are already putting us at odds.” His eyes narrowed. “Let us be done with this.”
“No,” Ber answered firmly as he stepped before Ishar and Kagon.
Davaris moved with Traevyn as they both stepped in front of Rayne. “Put down the bow,” Davaris murmured. Traevyn shifted even closer.
Rayne’s gaze locked in on Davaris and Traevyn in anger. “Move out of the way. This needs be done. Let it be done.” He blinked in disbelief as he took in their aggressive stances. “Are we now to seek each other’s blood because of this woman?”
“Rayne. Let down the bow,” Traevyn stated.”
Lysandr made his way around the mare and came forward. He put his hand on Rayne�
�s weapon. “Lower.” Rayne glared but let the tension out of the bow and dropped the arrow’s angle downward. Lysandr walked toward Ishar and Kagon. Ber moved to the side. Lysandr held up an arrow. “This is one of two arrows pulled from Eira. It is a Haaldyn arrow. We already knew that.” He held up another arrow. “This is from your quiver.” Lysandr held up both arrows. “They match. The arrow taken from Eira is not just a Haaldyn arrow. It is yours.” Lysandr ended the last sentence in a near growl. “Explain, Ishar,” he spat angrily.
Ishar studied the two arrows, her mouth open. No words would flow forth. How could they. The explanation needed was unclear even to her. Ishar shook her head, confused. “I do not know.” Her eyes pleaded with the men before her. “I only know I did not harm Eira. I could not,” she ended falteringly.
Many of the Raanan warriors were frowning. Rayne still looked with hatred marked upon his face. The murmur that rippled through the crowd of villagers and the Britai soldiers was closer to a growl of anger.
Lysandr’s words matched their tone as he held up the arrows. “Not good enough. These are your arrows. I want an answer. How did your arrows end up harming our lord’s lady?”
“I tell you, I truly do not know.” Ishar glanced at the men surrounding her. All she saw was doubt and uncertainty. Traevyn had lowered his sword and now stared at the arrows in Lysandr’s hand with incomprehension and bewilderment written across his face. It killed her, the doubt she saw beginning to uncurl upon his expression. Ber stood as if uncertain what action to take. No Raanan warrior could take their eyes from the bloody arrow in Lysandr’s hand. They looked shaken and confused, all except Rayne, whose look had deepened to pure hatred. Ishar was certain Kagon bore a similar look. The pressure on her throat was growing with every moment.
The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1) Page 18