“But what about me? We were supposed to work together. I can’t go home without anything to show for it!”
“What else do you expect from me, Lex? I appreciate that you wanted to help me. I wanted to help you too, but we are running out of options.”
Lex opened his mouth, yet all he could produce was a grumble and a moan.
I put my hands on his shoulders. “If I didn’t go with Cora, I would go home. Either way, you would be going home empty-handed just the same. I can only think of one way to save your reputation, and that is for you to come with us. Help us stop the hunters. If we manage to do even one small act of good, people will forget about Mareleau’s failed Quest. We will be heroes.”
Lex’s eyes went wide. “You’re as crazy as the unicorn girl!”
“Fine, have it your way.” I patted Lex on his back and went to wait by the fire, while he stomped over to the riverbank. I paced as I waited for Cora to return, steeling my resolve to confront her with my proposition. Why was I so terrified of her?
When Cora finally returned to camp, she was nearly unrecognizable. It was the first time I’d been able to see more than just her face beneath her hooded cloak. She strode toward me, spear in hand. At the end of the spear were three freshly-caught fish. Her hair hung in a long braid over one shoulder and her sun-browned skin was exposed below her rolled-up sleeves and above her bodice. She was short and narrow, the complete opposite of Mareleau, yet I couldn’t help but admit she was pretty.
“What are you looking at?” she snapped as she sat by the fire, making me realize I’d been staring. “Never seen a girl in pants before?”
I hadn’t even noticed her pants, but now that she mentioned it, it most certainly was the first time I’d seen such a sight. “Honestly, no, but they look good, really.”
She shook her head and unsheathed her dagger to gut the fish. “He seems to be well enough.” She nodded toward Lex’s sulking form. “Valorre and I will guide you to a road you can follow south. You should be able to find your way home from there, or meet fellow travelers who can guide you.”
“I was meaning to talk to you about that.” I scrambled to her side, sat down, and took one of the fish to gut; my hands shook as I slit the fish’s belly. “The things you told me last night have me concerned. I’d like to accompany you on your travels.”
Cora’s head snapped up. “What?”
I cleared my throat in attempt to steady my voice. “I’m worried about the safety of not only the unicorns, but also my kingdom. My father mentioned some things to me about King Dimetreus before I departed on the Quest. He warned me that Kero may not be safe.” Cora’s face softened as I mentioned this. “I need answers just like you. I need to know if there’s a threat to my kingdom.”
Cora opened her mouth to speak, and after a moment said, “I don’t travel with strangers.”
“You asked last night if I was offering my help.”
“I was joking.”
“But I’m not. I’m serious.” My voice was stronger now. I held her gaze. “You spoke of dark magic. I saw the Beast. I can’t go home and pretend yesterday didn’t happen. Please, let me help you. You don’t have to do this alone.”
Cora closed her eyes, jaw moving back and forth. “Fine,” she said through clenched teeth. “I guess I can handle one companion. Be prepared to do what I say.”
“Don’t get too comfortable.” Lex sat down by the fire. “I’m coming too.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Cora tossed the fish to the ground at her feet and stalked away.
16
Assistance
Cora
“They want to come with me. Both of them!” I told Valorre.
Why is that bad? Help is good.
“I don’t want their help.”
But you need it.
My shoulders slumped; I didn’t want to admit he might be right. “How do I even know they can help me? I had Teryn at my mercy twice. Jarod was about to kill him before I came to Teryn’s rescue. And don’t even get me started on Lex!”
Valorre didn’t seem to think my complaints bore much weight. There is bravery in both. Let them show you.
When I returned to the boys, the fish had been cooked and their bags had been packed. I could sense their desperation to prove their competence. Teryn wordlessly offered me a fish, which I accepted. “You can’t slow me down,” I said between bites. “I move quickly, and I work quietly. Every day could pose danger.”
Teryn nodded and Lex paled, freezing mid-bite.
“I want you to train with each other every day.”
Teryn and Lex exchanged glances. “What do you mean?” Teryn asked. “With swords?”
“Swords, sticks, spears, I don’t care. I need the two of you prepared and at your sharpest. I can’t be distracted by saving your hides.”
“I can fight,” Lex said with a scowl.
“Terrific. Then you can show Teryn a thing or two.”
* * *
Teryn and Lex sparred with two long sticks along the riverbank while I packed my few belongings. I cast a covert glance over my shoulder to discover the boys were in fact somewhat skilled in swordplay. Now if only they can learn to implement their skills in dire circumstances, they might stand a chance.
I finished packing and looked over at the horses, wondering if I should let one of the boys carry some of my burden. I then realized we had three horses in our company, one more than we needed. I approached the horse which had formerly belonged to Helios. She was a lovely chestnut mare with a black saddle. I reached a hand toward her and stroked her soft neck. I could sense she was strong and had a good temperament. Despite the terrible things I’d heard about Helios, I could tell he at least took care of his horse.
“Do either of you know the name of this horse?” I shouted over my shoulder.
“I honestly don’t know,” Teryn said through labored breaths as he blocked a blow from Lex.
“Harry, I think,” Lex said, panting as he sidestepped Teryn’s counterattack.
“Hara,” I corrected.
“How do you know?” Teryn asked.
“It’s engraved on her saddlebag,” I said, but the name had come to mind a moment before I saw it. Looking at the ample storage provided by her saddlebags, it occurred to me that perhaps I should keep Hara for myself. Valorre and I had done much of our travels together on foot, but the boys and I would travel much faster if we were all riding. And even though Valorre seemed to enjoy letting me ride him, I would never consider saddling him.
As if sensing my thoughts, Valorre quietly came up beside me and Hara. I relayed my idea to him.
We shouldn’t leave her behind, he agreed. I could sense the slightest hint of jealously, but I quickly assured him he wasn’t being replaced.
I began to rummage through Helios’ belongings to see what I should keep and what I should discard. Inside Hara’s saddlebags were numerous survival necessities including maps, water skins, dried fruit and meat, rope, and an array of knives. I also came across a few personal items, as well as strange books regarding unicorn hunting. In one book, I found horrific illustrations about dehorning and designs for traps. Another book explained various items to be made from unicorn horns and corpses. I tossed them both on the ground to be burned.
The vile books brought to mind the horns I’d taken from the hunters’ camp. I removed Helios’ quiver from the side of the saddle and fetched my own, hesitating before I reached my hand into my quiver. I wrinkled my nose as I took the two horns from their hiding place, and set them aside before I combined Helios’ stash of arrows with my own. Then, taking up the horns again, I began to wrap them in a spare piece of cloth.
“Where did you get those?” The words made me jump. Teryn was staring over my shoulder as he wiped the sheen of sweat from his forehead.
“I took them from the hunters’ camp before I left. I found them locked in a chest. I couldn’t leave them to be fed to the Beast.” I finished wrapping the horns tight
ly in the cloth and put them at the bottom of one of Hara’s saddlebags.
“Why do you think they feed the horns to the Beast? Do they somehow sustain it?”
I shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure, but I think so. Unicorns are magical creatures and have been said to hold great magic in their horns. I think the horns cut from starved, tortured unicorns contain a different magic that give the Beast its power.”
“Who do you think is giving orders to these hunters? You seemed to have some inclination last night.”
I turned my face away from his. “I told you everything I know.”
Teryn took a small step forward and leaned his head toward me. “I know you know more,” he said gently. “And I just spent the past few weeks being manipulated and deceived by Helios. He kept information from us and put us into danger we weren’t prepared for. I can’t do that again. I need to know what I’m getting into.”
I met his eyes, glaring. “I’m not coercing you into coming with me. I made it very clear that accompanying me would put you in grave danger. If you aren’t prepared for that, you should go home.”
“That’s not what I meant. I know our mission will put us in danger and I’m making the choice to take that risk. All I’m asking is that you respect me as a partner in this. Just give me honesty.”
I ground my teeth and closed my eyes. It made my blood boil to share the things I was content to keep to myself. Then again, his frustration with me was understandable. He’d agreed to help me, and I’d accepted that help. For better or worse, I was now in alliance with him. I let out a deep sigh. “I will tell you as much as I can, but you will have to respect me if I keep certain things to myself. Some of the things I know are too dangerous to share. I will reveal vital information to you so long as you don’t press me for anything more than what I give.”
Teryn narrowed his eyes at me, head cocked to the side. “How am I to believe you really are telling me as much as you can?”
“You have to trust me, as I must trust you. I promise you, if I ever withhold something from you, it will not be done with malice. It will be done to protect myself and the two of you.”
Teryn shrugged and nodded. “I can live with that.”
I forced a smile, hoping we would live through this at all.
* * *
Teryn
“What can you tell me?” I asked, as Cora resumed packing. “What is happening at Ridine?”
“I’m not completely sure, but it’s something dark. I have reason to believe a sorcerer resides there and is the one commanding the hunters and the Beast. How involved King Dimetreus is, I can only speculate.”
“Who is this sorcerer? How do you know about him?”
Cora pursed her lips and shook her head.
So that is all she would say. At least it was something.
“Now it’s my turn,” Cora said. “What else do you know? I know there’s something you haven’t told me.”
I felt the blood leave my face. “What do you mean?”
Cora turned her head to the side, eyes unfocused. “Something about King Dimetreus. Some kind of warning…”
I thought about the warning my father had given me. I was almost positive I hadn’t told Cora about that yet. “Are you reading my mind?”
Cora laughed. “Of course not! You mentioned your father telling you Kero wasn’t safe. I have a feeling there’s more to that than what you said.”
I swallowed the dryness in my throat. “Well, my father warned me that King Dimetreus has yet to sign the Peace Pact of Lela. He’s worried what that could say about King Dimetreus’ intentions.”
Cora nodded. “That is suspicious.”
“I know. We’ve hardly heard from him in years. With this new rumor about him growing his Force, as well as your hunch that he’s working with a sorcerer, a threat seems likely.”
“We won’t know if any of it is true until I get answers. I need to find another group of hunters.”
“Then let’s go,” I said. “Where will we begin?”
“Let’s see if Helios left us any clues.” Cora began digging through one of Hara’s saddlebags. She pulled out a folded piece of parchment. As she unfolded and straightened it, I saw it was a map of Kero. Several circles had been drawn within the forested areas, with a word scribbled next to each. Cora ran her finger over the map until she came to a spot just below the southern half of the forest. A wide circle surrounded the area.
“Jarod,” she said, reading the word next to the circle. “That was the name of the hunters’ leader. The one I killed. Helios knew he was leading this party and he knew what area to find them in. It is where we are now.” Her finger traced upward and to the right until it met another circle. “And here is the next closest group.” She tapped her finger over the name. “Drass. That will be their leader.”
My mouth hung open. Even dead, Helios continued to shock me with the information he had gathered. “Is that where we’re going?” I asked, my heart pounding with a combination of dread and anticipation.
“Absolutely.” By the look on Cora’s face, she was feeling the same way.
I turned to ready Quinne’s saddle for departure.
After a few moments of busy silence, Cora paused. “Do you know anything about the Royal Family of Kero?”
“Yes, don’t you? I thought you would know everything about Kero, from how much you have shared with me.”
“I was raised by the Forest People. We don’t involve ourselves with royal matters. News comes to us sporadically, and I never know what is rumor. Hence my current need for answers.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “The Forest People?”
Cora waved a hand in the air. “I’ll tell you about them another time. It’s…complicated. Is it true the Royal Family have all died?” Her voice shook slightly.
“Yes, aside from King Dimetreus, they are dead. My father was present for King Jeru and Queen Tiliane’s burial. He had been close to them. Years later, word traveled regarding the death of Queen Linette followed by the execution of young Princess Coralaine.”
“Execution?” Cora turned to me with wide eyes. “She was executed? For what crime?”
“Treason and murder. She was said to have been responsible for Queen Linette’s death.” My chest tightened. I hadn’t thought about the grim details of Princess Coralaine’s execution in many years. Now, after all that I’d begun to fear about Kero, this reminder only added weight to those fears.
Cora resumed packing, tightening the straps of Hara’s saddle with a little more force than necessary. “How was she executed?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, wondering how I hadn’t been more disturbed by this event before. “She was publicly beheaded.”
Cora remained silent and still for a few moments as she kept her back to me. Then, after a quick brush of her cheeks, she turned around, face blank. “That’s a shame. She was just a child. Now, finish up. Time to move.”
17
Companions
Cora
We followed the course of the river for a few days, allowing us to keep a wide breadth around the hunters’ decimated camp, as well as staying oriented with the map that guided us. The river led us northeast, and once we appeared to be just south of where we expected to find the new hunters, we began traveling north.
The three of us rarely engaged in conversation during these travels, aside from discussing necessary details, and it suited me well. Most of the time I led the way on Hara, and the boys followed not far behind. They talked frequently with each other, practiced sparring morning and night, and stayed out of my way for the most part. They even assisted in setting traps and hunting small game for meals. I was starting to think having companions could benefit me after all.
On the sixth day of our journey together, as I rode peacefully alone at the head of our retinue, I became aware of a silence behind me. Teryn and Lex’s constant conversation had taken a suspiciously long lull, and I could feel an uncomfortable tension building in t
heir energy. Before long, I heard hooves approaching as Teryn brought Quinne alongside Hara.
I bristled at the uninvited visit, but took a deep breath and summoned my powers of cordiality. “Lover’s quarrel?” I teased. Teryn looked at me, brows furrowed, clearly not getting my joke. “What’s up with him?” I amended, tossing my head back at Lex who rode alone far behind us.
“I’m not sure,” Teryn said with a low whisper. “He’s much surlier than normal, which says a lot. I couldn’t take much more of him today, so I lied and said I had to talk to you about something.”
I forced a smile, not sure what to say. I wanted to find a kind way to dismiss him so I could return to my peace and quiet.
He wants to be friends, Valorre said, appearing in front of us. Since the start of our new journey, Valorre had been alternating between leading the way and meandering off to explore alone.
I never thought I’d be getting advice on social behavior from a unicorn, I told him. But Valorre was right. In the days I’d spent with Teryn and Lex, I’d hardly put any effort into bridging the gap between us as strangers. Teryn was simply making the first move. The least I could do was humor him.
I forced a small smile. “Since you’re already up here having a fake conversation with me, how about we have a real conversation instead?”
Teryn’s face brightened. “What can we talk about?”
“We really don’t know much about each other,” I said. “Why don’t you tell me about your family? About your life in Mena?” Getting him to talk about himself would solve two needs; I could ride quietly and listen as he talked, and I could potentially learn some useful information about the royal affairs in another part of Lela.
Teryn shrugged, mouth turned up at one corner. “There’s not much interesting to say about my life. I mean, aside from this current situation, which you obviously know about.”
Shadows of Lela Page 11