“Isolden is under attack. I’ve just received word a moment ago.”
She shot to her feet. “Attack? Bredych?”
Ewen flipped his hands to face the ceiling in a Dawn Child gesture of defeat. “You know yourself that Crioch’s song is silent.”
“And you know as well as I do that his reach is long. He doesn’t need to be there. He doesn’t even need to use Crioch. It’s the Rugians, isn’t it?” Her heart sped. Bredych had finally made his move. Now they could counter it.
Ewen looked down and then met her gaze. “Yes. The Rugians have attacked in large numbers. I don’t know the details. The note only said ‘Rugian attack. Please aid.’” He waved toward a small curled parchment on his desk.
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” She began pacing. “How soon can we be ready?”
Ewen shook his head, sending the white feather fluttering against his dark hair. The Riege did not look much older than his son. Pulled back from his face into a tight queue, his hair remained dark. He bore a few more lines on his face and his eyes had seen much, but his appearance did not reveal his age. “It’s not as easy as that.”
“Yes it is.” Shock stilled her step. She faced the Dawn Children’s Riege. “They are our friends and allies. The only ones we have as far as I know. We need to go to their defense.”
Ewen’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I know, child. But we need time to raise a large army.”
Ilythra shrugged. “Then we take a small one. Arien and I can send word today to have those ready meet us at the pass. We will be there in a few days’ time.”
Ewen moved to the fire and stared into the flames. “And if it’s a trap, our small army is decimated, and we are that much weaker.”
Anger flickered and grew in her chest. “And if we wait around here until all the conditions are perfect for us, Isolden dies. Women and children. The old. Die!” She stopped and stared at the fire for a moment. A flare of blue rippled in the orange-and-yellow flames. She lowered her tone with effort. “I understand your concern. I truly do. You want to protect the numbers you have. But if you keep waiting, Ewen, more will die and you’ll be left alone. Isolden is your only ally. The only human realm loyal to the Dawn Children. Your seclusion may have kept you safe, but that’s all it’s done. Through the villages between here and Greton, I heard rumors that it was the Dawn Children who attacked Elston and Greton. Your time of hiding is over, but instead of welcome, people are afraid. Is that wisdom?”
Ewen met her angry gaze. For a moment something flickered in the depths of his green eyes but it was gone before she could identify the emotion.
She turned her palms to the ceiling. “Right now, as I speak, people are dying because I failed them.”
Ewen’s eyes softened but didn’t relent. “You did not fail them.”
“Then we failed them!” This time she would not let the Riege placate her as he had in the past. She had left once, determined to bring back Crioch, and she hadn’t. Many people had died and for nothing. Bredych was still out there, commanding the Rugian hordes. She couldn’t forgive herself for that. Nor could she let more die.
Ilythra took a deep breath. “I am not a prisoner here, correct?”
If Ewen was shocked at the change in subject, it didn’t show on his features. “Of course not.”
“Fine. I will go myself. I’ll leave today.” She headed toward the door.
“Ilythra.”
“No, Ewen. In this, we do not agree. There are people in Isolden that I care about. I owe a debt to Queen Marya of Elston who once called Isolden her home. I will not change my mind.” The door slammed behind her.
* * *
The warm earthy scent of hay, horse and manure washed over her as she entered the barn. Melior whinnied. Ilythra kept her jaw clenched. Angry tears burned behind her eyes. How could Ewen be so shortsighted? She closed her eyes briefly but only saw once again the siege engines, dying bodies and carnage that had surrounded Greton when Isolden and Dawn Children forces had attacked the castle. Her stomach soured. She knew these people. She could use Ilydearta to find a way through the attacking Rugians and into the castle and then use it to defend the castle, send the Rugians bleeding and defeated back to Rugia, or Bredych.
“What happened?” Arien approached from the back of the stable. His eyebrows drew together and lines formed on his forehead.
Ilythra took a deep breath. Arien waited. She knew he would. It was not like a Dawn Child to pile on the questions, but she could tell his anxiety was mounting all the same. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to him about our plan. Isolden is under attack by the Rugians.”
Arien’s eyes widened and his chest inflated with a quick intake of breath. “When?”
“Ewen just received the message.”
“He will not have time to gather an effective army.”
“Not you too?” Ilythra whirled on Arien. “Don’t tell me you think we should sit back and do nothing!”
Arien cocked his head to a side. “I did not say that. But don’t act rashly, or Isolden could pay as well as us.” She opened her mouth but her words fell silent as he held up his hand. “We will go on the morrow,” he continued. “Let me send word to those villages along the way for volunteers. Did my father say we would not go to Isolden’s defense?”
Slowly she shook her head. Looking back, she could see she’d reacted more from emotion than wisdom. Ewen would offer aid, but she was afraid that by the time he convinced the council, it would be too late. “He didn’t.”
Arien took a deep breath. “In this, he may not wait for the council. During times of great stress, decisions are his alone.”
“Well, this qualifies.”
Arien placed a hand on her arm. “Patience. Benen is my friend too. I fought side by side with him. I pledged my loyalty to him and he to me. I will not stand by and see him battle alone.”
Relief washed over Ilythra. She smiled and squeezed his hand.
“Besides, you once told me you and Mohan took on the Rugian army. I couldn’t be shown up by a Benai human, could I?”
Ilythra’s smile deepened. “That we did.” She’d met Mohan when the Benai had tried to steal her horse. He’d become her closest friend. Mohan had not only helped her escape from Greton and Bredych’s clutches, he’d followed her into the Har Neider Mountains. Together, they’d rescued a camp of slaves and discovered the Rugians stockpiling weapons of war in a small valley.
“However, I am not as foolish as a Benai. I will send the birds.” He moved toward the door then turned. “I trust I’m not going to have to chase you halfway to Isolden.”
“No. I’m going to my rooms to wash and get ready.”
Arien nodded and disappeared from view. She walked toward Melior. Besides, her horse would need a rest before riding off into battle. She buried her face in the stallion’s long mane and took several deep breaths. It would still take a few days to get to Garmach, the castle of Isolden kings. Perhaps by then she’d have an idea how to turn back hordes of Rugians with a small array of Elderborn and one stone keeper.
Bredych’s words echoed in her head. The obvious move is not always the wise one. A shiver traveled up her spine. Was this the obvious move? Anyone who knew her would understand that she would not sit idly by while her friends were under attack. As much as she hated to admit it, Ewen might be right. There was the possibility the attack on Isolden was just a trap to win Ilydearta. If that was the case, then she was playing into Bredych’s hands, doing exactly what he wanted her to do. Fear churned in her gut. There was a very real possibility she was leading the Dawn Children to their deaths.
Chapter Four
“She is stubborn.” Manu stepped into the room.
Ewen didn’t turn but continued staring at the flames as they consumed the dry wood. He tracked his friend by
the gentle swish of fabric and waited to speak until the elder council member sat on one of the plush chairs behind him. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough. She wasn’t being subtle or quiet.”
Ewen turned. Manu sat on the chair, his emerald robes arranged around his feet and his face impassive. If he hadn’t known his friend so well, he would have missed the distress in the deep blue eyes. “She has a point.”
“Yes, she does,” Manu agreed. “We are at a turning point. No matter our decision, the lives of the Dawn Children will once again be altered forever.”
“Yes, I know this.” Ewen sat heavily in the other chair. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. There was no wisdom in berating himself for something that had already happened, but learning from it was absolutely necessary.
“Never in all of our history have we had to make a decision so dire.”
He opened his eyes. “That is not quite true.”
Manu inclined his head, accepting the correction. “Reclusion wasn’t a mistake, Ewen. It saved our race.”
“And doomed it at the same time.” Ewen stared into the flames.
Manu raised his palms to the ceiling. “You will not try to stop her.”
It wasn’t a question, but he answered it anyway. “No.”
“You will not try to help her?”
Ewen allowed a small smile. “Arien will help her. I expect they have already spoken.”
“I see. You’re using your son to get around the wrath of certain council members.”
“If I do not order it, then they cannot say anything. Arien and Ilythra are not prisoners. They can go to Isolden’s aid and with them any who volunteer.”
“Have you sent word to the volunteers?”
Ewen looked at his friend. He didn’t miss the twinkle in the blue eyes. It was nice to be so well-known. “Yes. I sent a bird before Ilythra came in. Doubtless, Arien will do the same. There will be a strong company of warriors to go with them.”
“Your cautions were not unwise. It could be a trap.”
“It is a trap.” He rose and drew near the fire’s warmth, his heart heavy. “But I will not let Garmach fall without doing something. I trust Ilythra and Ilydearta. I can do no more.”
“You could have told her.” A hint of amusement had entered Manu’s voice.
“And missed the eloquent display of wrath?” Ewen turned to his friend and smiled. “No. This way is best.”
“And now?”
“Now I will call a council and convince them we must go to Isolden’s defense. I only hope Arien and Ilythra buy them enough time.”
* * *
Tapestries lined the walls, illuminated by several torches set in iron stands around the room. Bredych stood from a large chair as she opened her eyes. He wore a dark tunic and form-fitting dark leggings. A cloak hung over one shoulder. His dark eyes gleamed in the flickering light. Ilythra caught her breath. She was dreaming. No, I’m dream casting. She struggled to remember everything Arien had taught her, and the edge of panic teased her mind. She took a deep breath and instead observed the room. There was still a sense of moving too slowly, but not like before.
Bredych sat across from her. His eyes narrowed but he didn’t speak. A fire blazed in an oversized hearth behind him, adding light to the dim room. Had there been a fireplace before? Cold rock lay behind the tapestries. She could smell the slight mineral tang to the air. The ceiling was lost in shadows, but she knew there was rock overhead as well. She fought back an instinctive shudder. Fear turned her stomach. She did not like to be deep underground.
Ilythra turned her attention to the fireplace, aware Bredych watched her much like a mouse must be aware of a cat. She wouldn’t let him know her fear. “A fireplace inside a mountain? How would one do that?” The words came easily, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Bredych laughed. “Trust you to make that kind of statement. Ilythra, I do believe I’ve missed you.” He leaned forward. “You’ve figured it out. I guess I have no right to be proud. But I am. You would have made an able student.” He shook his head.
She focused on him. “Figured out that I am not dreaming? Yes.”
He smiled, and the image of the predator fixed in her mind. “That’s my girl.”
“I am not your girl.”
“My woman then?” A corner of his mouth rose. “You could have been. I believe you turned me down.”
She shrugged, willing away the memory of their joined power, the seduction of his promises of dominance. She would not let him bait her. Arien had warned that even here he could be dangerous.
Bredych sat back in his chair. “So why are you here? Why have you sought me out?”
She blinked. Had she sought him out? He could be lying, but her gut told her he was telling the truth. Arien had only trained her in what to do if Bredych called her. Excitement surged through her blood. She’d done it. She raised her chin but didn’t reply.
“Quite resourceful of you. Did you have help? Never mind. Of course you did. Did you manage to pry information out of Ewen?”
She didn’t answer. The less Bredych knew, the better.
He sighed. “Fine. May I remind you, you sought me out? Sitting there mute will avail you nothing. I’m willing to wager it was not the Riege who taught you. Ewen is so stingy with knowledge. Either you figured it out on your own or some other Elderborn instructed you. Dream casting is quite a lost art.” He rose, walked to a small table and filled a wineglass. As though she wasn’t in the room, he lifted it to the flames and stared at the amber color. “You didn’t come for the stone. You cannot take it. You can’t even use it here, so that is no answer.” He moved to a table and sat. “Once again. Why are you here?”
Why was she there? “In order to get the stone, I must first know where you are.”
He gestured to the room around him. “Guess.” Bredych retrieved a long box from beneath the table. “Do you remember this?” One by one he took glass pieces from the box and set them on the table. Inlaid gold and silver formed a Crist board on the table.
“Crist.” A memory tried to surface.
He smiled. “Erhard taught you in Greton. What you don’t know is that I taught him.” He finished placing the pieces and waved to the board, indicating the first move was hers.
A memory surfaced. She had been there before. “We’ve played Crist several times here.”
A light sparkled deep in Bredych’s gaze. The gleam sent a shiver of fear through her. She thought it about as far from mirth as one could get. “We have. We are. We will.” He indicated the board. “Shall we start again?”
“Why can’t I remember?”
“Because I wished you not to. I enjoyed our chats and if you knew of them, you’d either try to stop them or insist on lecturing me endlessly. Don’t you remember, Ilythra? We used to have fun.”
A shudder traveled her spine. Revulsion, not desire. But she remembered. Bredych could be a fascinating man when he put his mind to it. Ilythra stared at the board, for the moment ignoring the man sitting across from her. Crist was a complicated game of strategy. Each player not only had to plan an attack, but anticipate the opponent’s. Each piece had a specific series of moves and abilities. Some pieces were more powerful than others. But if one played well, even the lowly footman could be dangerous.
“I’m glad we’ve these opportunities to chat. Our time in Greton was cut so short.” Bredych sipped his wine. “I’m not blaming you. You had your reasons. Still, I’m glad you came.”
Disgust filled her, turning to anger. “You manipulated, lied and destroyed lives. You misuse Crioch and you question my motives?”
Bredych pulled Crioch from beneath his tunic. Red light flashed. “Misuse? That’s a bit harsh. And you’ve been biased. I understand. You don’t know the full story, Ilythra.”
<
br /> “I know enough.”
“You know what the Dawn Children have revealed. That is not much, I assure you. You seek to reunite the stones, do you not?”
“Yes.”
“Then, you see, we have a common goal.” Bredych smiled.
“No, we don’t. You seek them for your own gain—”
“And you?” Bredych interrupted. “Doesn’t it benefit you to keep the stone? Don’t you gain? You wear it still.”
Ilythra ground her teeth together and took a deep breath before answering. “I am a stone keeper.”
“As am I.” Bredych leaned closer. “The Dawn Children believe the stones should be kept by Dawn Children. They should not be in the hands of humans. I somewhat doubt they’ve changed their minds over the centuries of seclusion.”
Ilythra stared at the board. He wasn’t wrong. There were many Dawn Children who wished she’d hand over the stone to an elder.
“Thousands of willing Dawn Children, and you possess a stone of power. Why? Come now, Ilythra. Of course, the stone will benefit me. I’m not virtuous, nor do I pretend to be. Be honest. You’ve felt power course through your veins too. You wouldn’t willingly give the sensation away.”
Memories swelled. Power surging through her body like water, quenching the deepest thirst. No, she wouldn’t give the stone away. Not for anything. It belonged to her. She moved a Crist piece onto the board. She had to be on guard. This was Bredych. He twisted words.
“See?” Bredych studied the board. “I think we’ve established a common goal, though our motives might be...unclear. We both desire the stones reunited. It’s the only way to realize their full potential.”
“It’s what Ewen desires as well.”
“Oh yes, our hero, Ewen. He would reunite the stones. You’re correct. Then lock them away for Dawn Children use only. What about humans? Shouldn’t they benefit from the ancient wisdom?”
Unease twisted through Ilythra. He was right. Not Ewen alone—most of the Dawn Children advocated caution when dealing with humans. Most of them supported the continued exile. She couldn’t blame them. Humans had not been kind to the Dawn Children in the past. “What do you care about mankind? You seek power.”
Journey of the Wanderer Page 4