Artesans of Albia

by Cas Peace

  Concealing her fear, she sent a message for Robin to hurry. He and the pirates were not far from camp, but were returning with caution. Afterward, she rested her cheek against Taran’s hair. Cradling his head to her breast, she murmured soothingly as the tide of his emotions ran its course. Vanyr sat in watchful silence. When Taran finally calmed and the tremors eased, she spoke quietly into his ear.

  “My friend, will you hear me now?”

  He was still too raw and closed his eyes and mind against her. With a sigh, she reached into his psyche, forcing him to hear her, willing him to see the truth of what she said. It was a breach of Artesan etiquette—and a lamentable breach of friendship—but it was necessary. As she was vastly stronger than Taran, even in her present exhausted state, he had no choice but to listen.

  “Taran, you may not realize this, but if you think about it you will see that you saved my life the day you killed Jaskin.” He opened his mouth to protest, but she continued. “Had you not met him that day—or fallen into his clutches, if you will—had you not fought him and had the skill at arms to defeat him, Rykan would surely have remained in possession of the Staff. Sonten and Jaskin were not ready to make their move, and so Rykan would have had it at his palace. Marik told you, did he not, that something caused Rykan to fly into a towering rage when he returned from that banquet to Kymer? Now we know the reason for that rage, and I can well believe he was furious enough to put some of his people to death. The purchase or creation of the artifact would have cost Rykan dearly. To think of it in the possession of another Artesan would have been intolerable.”

  She kept her mouth close to his ear, her cheek still resting against his hair. Such close contact must surely help him feel her sincerity. “Now that I understand what it is, I can tell you truly that had he used it against me, as was obviously his plan, I could never have withstood him, even without the spellsilver. You know this is true. Rykan would not have needed to resort to the desperate measures he used against me. He could have taken my life force and my power whether I was willing or not.

  “Thanks to you, he did not have it and was forced to spend time he could ill-afford in trying to compel me, to break me down so completely that I surrendered. And I nearly did, my friend. My only hope, my only strength in that dark, fear-haunted place, was Marik and my memories of you, all my friends. They kept me going and enabled me to endure Rykan’s torture. Terrible though that was, it gave you the opportunity to find me. And then, Taran, when you helped rescue me from the palace, you saved my life a second time. For your skills and care helped bring me out of the deep, dark place I had fled to, and you helped strengthen me for what came after, when I knew I would not survive Rykan’s abuse. Your love and your friendship sustained me.

  “This time, my friend, your bravery and strength in holding out for so long in the face of Sonten’s brutality might well save my life a third time. And this is the most important of all.”

  “What do you mean?” he whispered.

  She smiled. While he couldn’t refute the truth of her words due to the link they were sharing, he didn’t fully understand what she was saying.

  “When I defeated Rykan in the arena, I was able to absorb his life force and his power, and later used them to burn out the poison. But I was puzzled, for some of his strength, the core of it, was missing. His rank was the same as mine”—she ignored Vanyr’s sudden snort—“so I know what his capacity should have been. And without this vital core, I could not completely eradicate the poison. There is still a tiny part left in my soul, and I had to accept I would never be free of it. But thanks to you, the mystery of where that core was stored has been solved. If we can stop Sonten and recover the Staff, it is just possible I can use it to destroy that last drop of Rykan’s poison, the one thing preventing me from returning to Albia.

  “For if I am forced to stay here, I will die. Rykan’s poison will not kill me, Andaryon will. I could live, oh, maybe a year before this alien place begins to affect me badly, but after that, the end would be swift. So you see, my friend, far from causing me trouble, you have already saved my life twice and may yet do so a third time. Now tell me I was wasting my time coaching you and raising your status!”

  She felt Taran stir, but continued before he could speak.

  “I will have no more of your self-pity. You have strength and you have power, and it is your right to wield them. It is hardly your fault that your early training was flawed and incomplete. Such things, as you have seen, can be remedied. You have shown great courage and determination through a difficult life so far, Taran Elijah, and I am very proud to call you my friend.”

  The tremor of his body, which had lessened while she spoke, increased once more as his emotions overflowed. She kissed his cheek. “One thing I do not understand. Sonten’s men were obviously looking for you and Cal when they took you from the hill. Was Sonten present when you fought and killed Jaskin?”

  Taran nodded. “Yes. At least, I think it must have been him. He kept in the background and I never saw him clearly. Not even when he threw the Staff at Jaskin.”

  She sighed, and he flushed with renewed shame.

  “I wish you had told me that before,” she murmured. “Now, it all fits. Sonten was at Marik’s banquet. Obviously, you did not see him. I am not surprised. He kept himself well out of Rykan’s way. He must have seen you there with us. Had you thought to mention this mysterious figure when you told me of Jaskin, we might have been able to raise a memory of his family colors. Even a hint would have helped. Then I would have known to be wary that evening.”

  He hung his head. “I’m so sorry.”

  Sensing his remorse and distress, she kissed him again. “Forget it, Taran. What is done is done, and cannot be undone. Drink some more fellan, and then you should sleep. Robin will return soon. Then we can make arrangements for rescuing Cal and preventing Sonten from finding the Staff.”

  She felt Taran’s jolt of fear on hearing his Apprentice’s name. “I think you need not fear for Cal’s immediate safety,” she soothed. “Sonten needs him whole to travel the Veils, and to direct him to the Staff. That will give Robin plenty of time to intercept them and enlist the aid of General Blaine. Remember, we know exactly where they will go. Never fear, Taran, and have faith. All will turn out right.”

  Once Vanyr had helped her dress Taran’s wound, Sullyan settled the Adept more comfortably and left him to doze by the fire. She also saw to Bull’s burns while the big man was sleeping. Thankfully, he didn’t stir. That done, she asked Vanyr to re-bind her arm. He also made them some food, for which she was very grateful. She was sitting by the fire sipping fellan when Robin and the pirates returned. There was a flurry of activity as the horses were cared for and men allotted watches.

  The noise had woken Taran, and Sullyan made the formal introductions. Robin then gave Sullyan an account of the last two days, and expressed his regret to Ky-shan over the loss of As-ket and Xeer.

  Ky-shan merely shrugged. “They were just doing their job,” he said, but Sullyan could see the pain in his eyes.

  She was about to initiate a discussion on plans for catching Sonten when she noticed Bull was awake. Earlier, following his introduction to Ky-shan and his men, Taran had told her how often over the past few days Bull had suffered from breathlessness. Sullyan, in her turn, told Robin the truth about Bull’s heart seizure. She was exasperated beyond belief to learn that the big man hadn’t mentioned his discomfort to Rienne, who could perhaps have helped him. She was even angrier now that he had disobeyed her orders to stay at the Manor. This, combined with the fear she still felt for him and her exhaustion, meant she was not in the best of moods.

  She let Robin introduce the pirates this time. The banter and exchange of friendly insults between him, Taran, and Bull made it plain to both Vanyr and Ky-shan the tremendous depth of love, friendship, and camaraderie that existed between the Albians. This made her furious outburst all the more shocking.

  Bull hadn’t spoken to her since wa
king, but every now and then he cast glances her way. She kept her expression neutral. Conflicting emotions warred within her, a sure and ready recipe for igniting her volatile temper. Part of her was terrified he would have another seizure, and part was furious with him for endangering both himself and their friends. Bull knew her temper well and was clearly expecting some kind of backlash over his actions. Yet she steadfastly refused to speak and just sat staring coldly at him.

  Finally, he could stand it no longer. When there was a lull in the conversation, he said, “Major, I’m sorry I disobeyed you in coming here. I take full responsibility for what’s happened. And I’m sorry if I frightened you earlier tonight.”

  She felt herself freeze, the heat of her fury crystallizing into a painful lump of solid ice. How dared he sound so contrite? As if a simple ‘sorry’ would wipe out all her fear!

  “Frightened me?” she hissed. “Frightened me? You were bloody dead, man! Why did you not tell Rienne you were having problems? How could you be so stupid? Do you know how hard we had to work to save your miserable life? Do you know how long it took us to get you back?”

  Her vicious tone cut the air, and every head in the camp turned her way. Conversation died in the face of her fury, and even the fire seemed muted. Robin drew back slightly and Taran’s face paled. Vanyr’s mouth dropped open and he muttered, “Bloody hell.”

  Sullyan hadn’t finished. “You deliberately disobeyed my direct orders. You put Taran, Cal, and Rienne in danger to come on some damned fool’s errand. What good did you think it would do? How did you think it would help me? Would it have helped if you were caught by Rykan’s men? Oh, yes! Can you imagine what would have happened then? I’ll bloody tell you. He would have enjoyed playing with you, one by one, until I could stand it no longer. All that suffering would have been in vain. You might as well have left me to die in his palace! But did you think of that? No! You are a bloody fool, Bulldog, I should never have trusted you. Maybe Vanyr and I should not have exhausted ourselves to save you. Maybe we should have left you to breathe your bloody last!”

  She paused for breath. Robin took a worried glance at Bull’s bloodless face and unwisely tried to defend him. “Isn’t that a little harsh, Major? Bull and the others were worried about you. They only came because they cared.”

  She rounded on him, her intense glare making him throw up his hands in defense. “Did I ask for your opinion, Captain? You are just as much at fault for keeping this folly from me. You encouraged it, and do not think I have forgotten. Now, I was not talking to you, so keep silent!”

  Robin shrugged, giving Bull an apologetic glance. He knew when he was beaten.

  The pirates watched this display of spleen with astonishment, and Vanyr’s mouth remained open. Bull lay back, tears shining in his eyes. “The last thing I wanted was to distress you.”

  “Distress me?” she yelled. “How dare you speak of distress?” She flung out her good arm in Vanyr’s direction. “There is someone who knows about distress. Ask him! Go on! Ask the Commander how distressed I was an hour ago. Ask him how panicked I was when you were lying there with no breath and no heartbeat. Ask him how much pain I went through to keep you alive. By all the heavens and hells, Bulldog, do not speak to me of distress!”

  She stared at him through brimming eyes, her fear and her love for him plain on her face.

  Her fury drained abruptly, leaving her shivering. The mental image of him lying there dead was enough to calm her temper and make her realize that the last thing he needed was more stress. Tears spilled down her cheeks and the smile she gave him was made of pure love.

  “Bloody hell, Bulldog,” she sighed, her voice trembling with exhaustion.

  He wiped his eyes and regarded her sidelong. “Am I forgiven, then?”

  She choked back a laugh. “You might at least have the grace to wait until I am through being mad at you!” Her eyes closed briefly. “You are a bloody great useless ox, Hal Bullen. I cannot think why I bother with you. It must be because I love you. But let me warn you, if you ever put me through anything like that again, I will have your balls for breakfast!”

  Vanyr spluttered over his fellan, and Robin slapped him on the back. Sullyan turned to Ky-shan. “Have you any of that hideous rum about you, Ky?”

  The pirate stared, amazed at the complete turn-around of her mood. Then he grinned and produced a small brown bottle. She took it and gulped down a healthy swallow straight from the neck. Coughing, she wiped it and passed the bottle back.

  Bull gaped at her. “But Sully … you don’t drink!”

  “See what you have reduced me to?” she snapped, but her voice was warm.

  Looking contrite, he held out his arm. She crossed to sit beside him, wrapped in his embrace. Ky-shan passed his bottle around the men and the atmosphere slowly returned to normal.

  Chapter Six

  Once the alcohol had mellowed her mood, and the memory of Bull’s brush with death had lost some of its sting, Sullyan told Robin and the pirates what she had learned from Taran concerning Sonten and the Staff. When Robin heard how vital it was for Sullyan to gain possession of the Staff, it took all her powers of command to prevent him from rushing off into the night once more.

  “Strategy and planning, Robin,” she cautioned him. “Remember your training.” He flushed and subsided, and she turned to the pirate leader beside her. “Ky-shan, can you spare some men to go with Robin in the morning?”

  The pirate cocked his head at her. “They’ve already volunteered to go, Lady. All of them. Although, I’m going to leave at least one man here with you.”

  Ki-en spoke up. “I will stay, Ky-shan.”

  Jay’el glanced at him. “I’ll stay too, Father.”

  Ky-shan nodded his approval.

  Vanyr stirred by the fire, drawing their attention. Sullyan was astonished when he said, “I will go with the Captain too, if he’ll have me. I have just spoken with Anjer, and he agrees with me—for once.” He smiled wryly, and she grinned. “He is sending out a patrol at dawn to escort you back to the Citadel, Brynne. You’ll need help with Bull and Taran here.”

  Bull opened his mouth to speak, and even Taran roused from his exhaustion, but Sullyan stared them both down. “Do not even think it. Neither of you can cross the Veils at present, and for once you will both obey orders.” Glaring, she dared them to argue.

  “Yes, ma’am,” they chorused, drawing sympathetic chuckles from Ky-shan’s men.

  She turned back to Vanyr and clasped his arm. “Thank you, Torman.”

  He waved away her thanks, but sat watching her while she wound up the discussion.

  It was very nearly midnight, and as none of them had had much sleep the night before or rest during the day, they began to turn in. Robin and Sullyan drew slightly apart from the others, leaving Taran and Bull together by the fire with Vanyr watching over them. Robin took Sullyan into the circle of his arms and they sat silently, communing with each other. This would be the first time they had been apart since Sullyan had sent Robin back to Albia from Marik’s mansion, and she sensed he liked it even less now than he had then.

  “I am not alone now, Robin,” she murmured. “I will be quite safe. It is for me to fear for you this time. Please hear me, my love. Let Torman and Ky-shan counsel you. Make use of their strength, and take no unnecessary risks. Remember, your primary objective is to rescue Cal. Forget the Staff until after he is safe. If you must, let Sonten take it. He cannot use it himself, and I suspect it will take this other man, Heron, some time to learn its control. We can deal with them later. Keep yourself and your command safe and return to me as soon as you can. Now, I suggest we try to sleep. There is little enough left of the night, and you must leave by dawn.”

  Kissing, they held each other close, Robin mindful of her painful left arm. Then they wrapped themselves in shared blankets near the fire and settled to sleep, safe in the knowledge that Ky-shan’s men were on watch.

  + + + + +

  Sullyan’s instinctive ti
me-sense, developed over years of training, woke her well before dawn. The men of the camp roused efficiently and quietly, so quietly that neither Bull nor Taran, who still needed all the rest they could get, were disturbed. In very short order, the horses were saddled and those who were leaving for Albia stood grouped around Robin. Sullyan stood beside him as he prepared to mount Torka. He had recovered his sword from among the weapons left behind by Sonten’s band, and had buckled a light crossbow to his saddle rings, along with a quiver full of short, deadly bolts. With a final tug at its straps, he turned to hug Sullyan.

  “Go swiftly, Robin,” she said. “Your powers are strong enough now to open a tunnel directly onto the river below the ridge behind the Manor. You remember the technique?” He nodded. “As soon as you can, contact General Blaine and explain the situation. Ask him to spare you a company. Our own, for preference. But Robin,” she cautioned, seeing the hard look on his face, “mind you ask nicely.”

  He feigned a hurt expression. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  She smiled, appreciating his clumsy attempt to lighten the mood. “Sonten should not be too far ahead of you, and, with any luck, he will have a nasty shock when he prepares to cross the Veils. At least, he will if he expects Cal to supply the means.”

  Vanyr, already mounted, frowned. “Why’s that, Major?”

  She turned to him. “Cal is only Apprentice-elite, and newly fledged at that. He has neither the skills nor the strength to open a trans-Veil tunnel. Neither could he fix the destination of a portway. So, unless the two Artesans Sonten has with him are far more skilled, the General will have to take a chance on his point of entry into Albia. I doubt he is familiar with the lesser towns and villages of our land, and Taran only told him the name of his village, not its exact location. Your timely arrival last night prevented that. We, on the other hand, know precisely where he needs to go, so that should give you every chance of arriving before him.