She whispered, “Tyral, its Nidreyka. I wish to speak with you privately.”
“I don’t know…,” Tyral’s thoughts entered Nidreyka’s mind.
“Please. I need to know about Kaitra.”
“Very well,” Tyral conceded. “Do you realize how late it is?”
Nidreyka laughed quietly to herself at obvious attempt at humor and explained, “It’s the only time I can talk to you about this. You know the dilemma I’m in. What can you tell me about this woman that will convince me that she should be allowed to live.”
“You should be asking those questions of me,” Kidreyli interrupted quietly.
“I wanted to get an unbiased perspective.”
“We’ve been friends all our lives. You know that you can come to me with anything.”
“Then tell me what you were thinking when you performed our most sacred ritual with her,” Nidreyka demanded.
“I love her with all my being.”
“I understand that, but in performing this ritual, you have betrayed our culture by sharing all there is to know about us with an outsider. There is little room for me here. Our laws are clear.”
Kidreyli sat down and silently contemplated a path for this discussion.
Nidreyka sat next to her and said, “You know that I still love you.”
“You love me?” she feigned surprise.
Nidreyka slapped her shoulder hard with the back of her hand and confirmed, “You know I do. And you love me.”
Kidreyli just laughed quietly.
“The reason we could never be together is because you do not feel comfortable in our world. But I love our world, and your actions in this matter pose a threat to it. I need something from you that I can grab onto that will help me support you in this. Please, help me.”
Kidreyli looked at her deep blue eyes and said, “I do love you. I always will. So I’m going to tell you something that you must promise to keep to yourself. No one can know of this.”
Tyral interrupted them, “Kidreyli, don’t do this.”
“It’s the only way Tyral.”
Nidreyka took her hand and demanded, “Tell me.”
“Our culture is under direct threat from forces that are gaining strength just north of us in Fadlis. There is a man, his name is Satreka. He is in the early stages of the creation of a military force using Vydarrun as his elite soldiers.”
Nidreyka stared at her blankly and said, “I don’t believe you.”
“It is true,” Tyral confirmed.
“Then we must prepare an all-out assault and destroy this human and all who follow him,” Nidreyka stated with conviction.
Kidreyli continued, “He is hold up in Castle Caerlyk. Its walls cannot be breached by such an effort, and that is why we are planning a more discrete attack. The Clannya believe, and Tyral concurs, that Kaitra’s sorcery will vanquish this evil. We believe that she is crucial to the success of our efforts.”
Tyral stepped in, “He is also using sorcery to diminish our mind links. My abilities have been significantly affected. We fear it could also begin affecting the Valtyr bonding, which could have severe consequences for your people. Your diminished abilities to sense other Valtyr may be the first indication of this.”
Nidreyka summarized, “So, he is planning to use the unique characteristics of our species to destroy us for his own personal gain.”
Kidreyli replied, “Yes.”
“His plan is cunning. I can’t wait to sink my claws into his throat. You are convinced that Kaitra is the key to his undoing?”
“Yes, we are,” Tyral answered.
Nidreyka looked up at the stars in silent contemplation. Kidreyli nervously played with her fingernails while the sounds of the night dominated the air. More than two full minutes passed before Nidreyka took a deep breath and announced, “I will stand in defense of Kaitra. In exchange, Dikaylia and I will be part of your plan to destroy Satreka.”
“Agreed,” Kidreyli was relieved. “It is imperative that no one know of Satreka and his plans. If word gets out, it could cause panic and confusion. Without disclosing what we know, how will you argue your defense of Kaitra to the elders if you’re challenged?”
Nidreyka smiled. “I’m still conjuring a plan for that. I’ll let you know if and when I come up with one. What of your mother?”
“We should leave as soon as Kaitra is able. The quicker we get there and back, the better.”
Nidreyka held open her arms and Kidreyli fell into them, sharing a great hug.
Kidreyli whispered, “Thank you, my friend.”
“I could do no less for my favorite misfit,” Nidreyka spoke softly into her ear. “Now go and take care of Kaitra. We’ll come together again when the light returns.”
Kidreyli held on to her hand as long as possible as she started back toward the hut.
Nidreyka called out in a whisper, “By the way, I like your hair that way. Showing off your ears becomes you.”
Kidreyli answered back in a whisper as she continued walking, “It was Kaitra’s idea.”
Nidreyka laughed quietly to herself and patted Tyral’s neck gently, “Good night, my friend.”
An hour or so had passed. Kaitra still labored under the effects of her injuries. Kidreyli had pulled a stool up next to the bed and frequently wiped the ever increasing sweat from her lover’s face with a cool damp cloth. The sorceress was straddling the realms of the conscious and unconscious, frequently allowing words and incoherent sounds to cross her lips. It looked to Kidreyli that she was being tormented by some unknown entity, and seeing this tore through her heart. She alternated holding both of Kaitra’s hands firmly in hers, in an effort to pass some of her life force to her, and gently caressed her face with her fingers to let her know she was not alone in this. For the rest of the night, Kaitra was caught up in the throes of this battle, and it seemed she was only able to hold her own against the constant and determined onslaught. An hour or so before sunrise, Kidreyli’s body and mind had finally given out. She laid her head on Kaitra’s chest and let her arm fall across her. Sleep came in an instant.
A quarter-hour passed before the warrior crossed into the deepest realm of sleep. Once there, her mind synchronized with Kaitra’s, where she entered the farthest levels of her lover’s subconscious. All the visions that seemed to be tormenting the woman were now in her mind, but strangely enough, she was seeing them from her own perspective. She could see herself looking down at a male baby in a bassinette and she could feel the hilt of her sword in her hands above her head. Nidreyka and Dikaylia were keeping Satreka and Natilya at bay.
“Hold, Valtyr!” Kaitra commanded as she raised her left hand, using her magics to stop Kidreyli from moving the sword from its suspended position. “I will not let you kill this child.”
Kidreyli responded, “Please, Kaitra. His existence portends the end of all we cherish. You must allow me to finish this.”
“No!” she commanded, and with one sweeping motion of her right hand, her magics knocked the swords from their hands and with great force caused Nidreyka and Dikaylia to fly uncontrollably into the back wall, knocking them unconscious. The sorceress walked determinedly toward Kidreyli, using her magics to push the warrior away from the child and firmly against the wall. “How dare you defile this place? The son of our lord Satreka is destined to rule over this land.” Kaitra passed her left hand in front of Kidreyli’s face and said, “Sleep.”
Kidreyli felt herself drift into unconsciousness.
Sometime later, the Valtyr awoke to find herself naked hanging from metal shackles that were chained to the ceiling of a dark, dank room. Her feet were touching the cold stone floor, but just barely. She pulled on the chains in a futile effort to free herself. She looked to the other end of the room, where Dikaylia was in a similar circumstance.
“Where’s Nidreyka?” she called out.
Dikaylia raised her head displaying her tear-stained face, “They killed her. The bastards tortured her to death.”
Kidreyli looked over to see Kaitra standing silently in the doorway. She was dressed in the finest of black dresses with gold trim. “Kaitra, why are you doing this?”
The sorceress remained silent as a man made his way past her and walked up to Kidreyli.
“I see you have awakened from your beauty sleep,” the man remarked. “My name is Klur. I have been given the task of convincing you to join us in our efforts.”
“You understand that will never happen?”
Klur’s diabolical smile came out, “I hope you are right about that. If at any time you wish to reconsider, please call out.” With that, he began with the leather whip, laying a track across Kidreyli’s back up to her right shoulder. He relentlessly continued, diligently carrying out his task, obviously enjoying each moment to excess. Kidreyli held out for an extraordinary amount of time, but the pain finally took her over. Her screams echoed endlessly through the stone halls. He had many tools at his disposal and he alternated when it seemed the one he was using had achieved its maximum effect. He took out a leather strap with embedded sharp pieces of metal.
Dikaylia had seen this used before and screamed out, “Stop, please! Kidreyli, I beg you, agree to what they want. I don’t want to lose you too.”
Satreka came up behind Kaitra and asked, “How is it progressing?”
“Slowly. These Valtyr are resilient.”
“We must meet with Zakrell. He has news.”
Satreka turned to leave and Kaitra touched his elbow, requesting a moment. She walked over near Kidreyli. The Valtyr was covered in her own sweat and blood. Through Kidreyli’s eyes, she could see blood flowing down her arms from the metal shackles, mixing with her sweat and streaking her blond hair red.
Kaitra looked her over and found a small patch of skin on the back of her leg that was not so bloody. She said with a most cynical smile, “Klur.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“You missed a spot,” she said so matter-of-factly.
Satreka could be heard in the background laughing.
Kidreyli awakened abruptly when two fingers gently touched her shoulder.
“How is she?” Nidreyka asked.
Kidreyli wiped her eyes with her fingers and took a few moments to observe and touch Kaitra’s face. She reported, “Her breathing is better. She’s not quite as hot as before.”
“That’s good. It means she’s getting past it. How are you faring?”
“I’ll be all right.”
Nidreyka took note of her friend’s flushed cheeks, “You’ve been crying. What’s wrong?”
Kidreyli couldn’t bring herself to look at her. “It’s nothing. Really.”
She chose to drop it for now and took a good look at the sorceress as Kidreyli gently caressed her face with a cloth. The places on her face where she had taken the fists of the soldier were now very colorful shades of red and purple. Seeing beyond the wounds, she noted, “She’s very beautiful.”
“Yes, she is. And strong too. I just need to show her how to get out of the way of sharp objects.”
Nidreyka laughed, “I’ll go and get you some food.”
As she left, Dubhni entered and stated, “I thought I would look in on her.”
Kidreyli stood to get out of her way. “She looks better.”
The healer took a seat on the stool and felt the girl’s face with her hand. Then she closed her eyes and floated her hands over her. “She is much improved. I would like to change the bandaging on her wound.”
She nodded her approval and stepped back to give her some space.
Nidreyka returned a minute or so later with a handful of bread and a fruit and stood next to her friend who began ravenously devouring it.
“I just realized that we hadn’t eaten in over a day,” she said with her mouth full.
The healer pulled back the wrappings and ever-so gently wiped the blood away with a wet cloth. She pushed Kaitra’s hip up a bit to get to the wound in her back.
Nidreyka cringed, “Oh my. I didn’t realize that it went through her. It’s painful when it goes in, but it’s an entirely different level of pain when it comes out the other side. It must have been excruciating for her.”
Dubhni repacked the dressing and put new bandages over the wounds. “That should be good for a while,” she said. “I will look in on her again later.”
Kidreyli thanked her. That was becoming a habit. She reclaimed her seat on the stool and took a bite from her fruit. She placed her right hand on Kaitra’s belly so she could feel her breathe.
Nidreyka watched for a few moments. She could feel the depth of the anxiety riding the back of her friend, even though it seemed apparent that the girl would soon recover. She moved up against Kidreyli and cradled her head with both hands against her belly. She felt her friend wrap her left arm around her and pull tightly.
She will be well, my love,” Nidreyka spoke softly as she stroked Kidreyli’s hair back over her ears. “Just close your eyes and rest. All will be well.”
Many minutes passed as Nidreyka fed Kidreyli’s spirit with her energy. Kidreyli was ever so grateful that her friend would do this for her. If ever there was a time this was needed, it was now. She relaxed and let her spirit soar within Nidreyka’s realm.
Several minutes later, Kaitra drew in a deep breath and woke. “Kidreyli?” she called out with a scratchy voice. She was groggy and incoherent.
“I’m here,” she answered.
“They shot me,” the sorceress frantically stated.
“Yes, they did. But you will be all right,” Kidreyli tried to comfort her.
“My side, it hurts so much. What did they do to me?”
“They shot you with an arrow, remember? The tip was poisoned.”
“It felt like I died,” Kaitra spoke with her eyes closed.
“No my love. It was the effects of the poison.”
“You saved me again,” Kaitra smiled at her.
“Several people helped.”
“I think I’m going to sleep a little while longer,” Kaitra slurred out the words on her way to unconsciousness.
Kidreyli caressed her face and said softly. “Sleep as long as you need.”
Nidreyka touched Kidreyli on the shoulder and said, “You should join her. Dikaylia and I have some things to discuss. We’ll keep you safe.”
Kidreyli put her hand on top of her friend’s and squeezed. No words were necessary to express her gratitude. She carefully crawled over Kaitra and lay beside her. Nidreyka went off to find her lover. Kidreyli waited until she was a good distance away, then she got up and went over to the opposite side of the hut and lay on the floor on her side. Sleep was never so welcome, but she could not bear to see again the images that danced about in Kaitra’s mind.
Nidreyka spied her lover feeding some carrots and apples to their Katrion. She approached from behind and put her hand on her shoulder, causing her to jump a little.
“Are you all right?” Nidreyka asked.
“You startled me. I don’t think that has ever happened to me since I’ve been with you. I can always sense when you are near.”
“Something or someone is diminishing our mind links. It’s very disconcerting. Listen, I need to apologize to you.”
“For what?”
“I have committed you to a dangerous task without consulting you beforehand.”
“Please explain,” Dikaylia was direct and a little terse.
“What I’m going to tell you must remain solely between us.”
“I understand.”
Nidreyka continued, “Kidreyli and Kaitra are to take on the leaders of the Scecian soldiers we fought yesterday. It is they who are responsible for the difficulties we are experiencing with our mind links. Based on insight obtained from the Clannya, it seems likely that the Scecians are also breeding a Vydarrun child.”
“I didn’t think that was possible.”
“Apparently they have found a way. Our friends have been counseled by the Clannya that thi
s information should be kept secret, in order to protect our people from others who might react harshly to this news. It is believed that Kaitra is a necessary element in achieving success. Therefore, I have agreed to be her defender while they visit Kidreyli’s mother.”
Dikaylia stroked her Katrion’s nose, “That decision puts all of us at great risk.”
“Yes, but I believe the cause is justified. If the Scecians are ultimately successful, it could bring about the demise of our people, and I will not stand for that.”
“Nor will I.”
“In exchange for acting as Kaitra’s defender, Kidreyli has agreed that we will assist in destroying this threat to our people.”
“It is an honorable cause. I trust you unconditionally. If this is what your apology is about, it’s unnecessary. I am proud to ride with you,” Dikaylia concluded.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you are this morning?”
“No, you didn’t,” she answered with a smile.
“Again, I am remiss.” Nidreyka pushed her lover’s hair away from her face, “You are most beautiful, and I love you with all that I am.”
“Prove it,” Dikaylia backed away, turned and ran toward the trees.
Nidreyka laughed to herself over her fortune of having such a passionate anamhra as she watched her cross into the tree line. She ran at full pace to follow her lover.
A few hours later, just past the middle of morning, there was much activity in the village. A large fire had been set and the bodies of the dead soldiers were nearly consumed. Carts were being loaded with belongings, and a sense of urgency seemed to fuel the villagers.
Nidreyka found one of the elders and asked, “Are you leaving?”
“Yes. There is word that more soldiers are coming. We cannot defend ourselves against them, so many of us, especially those of us with families, are going to places farther south.”
The Valtyr looked around the village and spied her companion over by the Katrion. She called out with her thoughts, “Kay, come here.”
Her lover ran over to her and Nidreyka continued, “I just spoke to one of the elders and he told me that more soldiers are coming. We need to get Kaitra and Kidreyli out of this village.”
Into the Fray: Volume 1 of The Sorcerers of Jhanvia Series Page 19