by Nova Rose
Chapter II
A Daughter of Kings
Tesnayr looked across the way at the people gathered on the edge of a precipice. They struggled to reach a rope bridge that stretched across the gorge. Snow fell from above them threatening an avalanche. Preoccupied with their predicament, the group remained unaware of Tesnayr and his men.
“They will never make it to that bridge before that avalanche starts and crushes them,” said Tesnayr.
“Either that, or they will fall to their deaths,” replied Nigilin.
“We need wings,” commented Arnin.
Arnin’s comment reminded Tesnayr of the Horn of Selexia. He pulled it from under his cloak and held it tightly as he watched the group toil through knee deep snow and against the fierce wind. If he sounded the horn help would come, but it could also start the foreboding avalanche and harm those people.
“Arnin, choose five men and follow me across,” ordered Tesnayr. “Nigilin, find a way to stabilize that bridge.”
“What of the others?” asked Nigilin.
“Standby for casualties,” replied Tesnayr.
Within minutes Arnin had five men ready to cross the bridge. They walked cautiously, well aware of how unstable the sagging bridge was. The bridge swung violently in the wind. Sliding in the snow and ice, they hurried to the other side as the rotted wood cracked beneath them.
“Use your ropes to stabilize this thing,” yelled Nigilin. Quickly, men lashed cables around the supports of the bridge hoping that it would hold.
Hurriedly, Tesnayr approached the group that fumbled along the icy trail. A big, burly man confronted him. “We’ve come to help,” he said.
“Let him pass,” said a woman.
The man stepped aside.
Tesnayr surveyed the group. It consisted mostly of women and children, some elderly and a few men attempting to help those who had difficulty walking. Frowning, Tesnayr knew they were mostly refugees. “Help get these children across.”
Arnin nodded and motioned for the other five to follow. Each of them picked up a child and carried them through the snow to the bridge. “We need to hurry,” said Tesnayr to the woman, “That snow won’t hold for long.” He pointed at the cornice of precariously balanced ice above them. Hastily, he heaved an elderly man onto his shoulders as he headed to the bridge.
With the help of Tesnayr’s men, the desperate group of people stumbled slowly through the dense snow. The wind beat against them as the swirling snow made it difficult to see. The narrow path provided little comfort as each had to be careful of their footing. One slip and they all would fall to the unseen bottom of the gorge.
Upon reaching the span, Tesnayr noticed that Nigilin had steadied it as best he could, though it did little to boost his confidence. The rickety structure still hung precariously. “Take the children and cross now,” he told Arnin.
Without delay, the other five soldiers heaved the smallest children on their shoulders and carried them across. Arnin then organized the older kids and ushered them onto the bridge himself. Halfway across, one of the ropes frayed. The bridge lurched.
“Quickly,” yelled Arnin to the children.
Their feet pounded the rotting wood as they rushed to the other side where Nigilin and others pulled them to solid ground.
Realizing that the structure would not hold all of them at once, Tesnayr directed the people accordingly. “We can only cross two or three at a time,” he shouted over the roaring wind.
Crossing in such increments took time for the thirty people to get to the other side. Tesnayr hated the slow progress, but had little choice. He ordered the woman who had spoken earlier and clearly seemed to be in charge to go first. She refused.
“I’ll not cross until after the others have.” She grabbed the nearest person and pushed him toward the bridge.
One by one they moved warily across the bridge to the other side. The structure swayed under their weight creaking each time a group crossed, threatening to collapse.
“Quickly,” Tesnayr urged.
Some refused to budge. Others walked slowly, reining in their fear of plummeting into the abyss. With each passing minute clumps of snow dropped on top of them. The looming avalanche came closer.
After agonizing minutes of waiting, only Tesnayr, the woman, her bodyguard, and three others remained. The three stepped onto the bridge. At the halfway point, a slow roar rumbled.
“Run! Cross! Now!” yelled Tesnayr shoving the woman and her bodyguard onto the rickety bridge. Massive amounts of snow crashed around them. Desperate, the three in the center of the bridge dashed to the other end and reached it just as a rope snapped. Tesnayr paused. When the avalanche hit, it would wipe out the bridge and everyone on it. He noticed the fraying ropes and the bridge lurched as another broke. Gauging his options, he settled on the only one left to him. Tesnayr pulled out his sword. “Hang on,” he shouted.
The woman and her bodyguard stopped, looking back. “Are you crazy?” yelled the woman as she wrapped the rope around her wrists.
Holding on with one hand, Tesnayr sliced the cable. The bridge tore apart. Part of it swung toward the precipice Tesnayr had just left, while the half he clung to crashed against the rocky side his men stood on. The avalanche thundered past missing him by inches.
Clinging tightly to the cord, he hung two hundred yards from the top of the cliff. The woman and her bodyguard were only twenty feet above him. Tesnayr climbed steadily taking extra care as bits of the bridge rushed past him. The ropes holding the bridge together continued to fray causing the thing to pitch uncontrollably.
Tesnayr knew they had only minutes until the entire thing fell into the gorge. Lurch! With no other option, he pulled out the Horn of Selexia and blew on it. A deafening cry echoed through the canyon bouncing off the sides causing more snow and ice to tumble downward. He hoped the dragon would keep her oath.
“Hold on,” yelled the man to the woman.
Tesnayr glanced upward. The woman’s hand slipped. Her bodyguard tried to catch her but she lost her grip and fell. Quickly, Tesnayr reached out and snatched the woman’s hand as she rushed past him. He held on tight and she returned the grip. Straining from the effort, Tesnayr lifted her up so she could clutch on to the remains of the bridge. A rope snapped a foot above them. Tesnayr read the fear in the woman’s eyes. Another rope snapped and the wood that he held onto crumbled.
Tesnayr and the woman plunged through the clouds and swirling snow toward the bottom of the chasm below. Suddenly, his body jerked as something seized him, stopped his descent and whisked him upward. The rippling noise of flapping wings filled his ears. Tesnayr looked up into the scaly belly of a dragon. Gently, the dragon carried him to the top of the cliff and released him from its claw. Another dragon placed the woman next to him.
“I am pleased that you remembered the horn,” said Selexia.
“I am pleased that you kept your promise,” breathed Tesnayr trying to settle his nerves.
Selexia growled softly. “A dragon always keeps its oath.”
The woman caught her breath. She had lost her initial shock. “Thank you,” she said to the dragon and to Tesnayr.
Selexia nodded in approval. “You are a noble woman. A daughter of kings. I am pleased that you have none of your father’s arrogance and possess your mother’s spirit.”
People stared in awe at the two dragons. Fear prevented them from approaching. Satisfied that they were no longer needed, the two beasts spread their wings and took off into the curtain of snow.
Nigilin ran to Tesnayr and embraced him. Never before had he shown such emotion, but he was so glad to see the man that he lost control. Tesnayr gracefully accepted his friend’s show of affection and assured Nigilin that it would take more than a fall to kill him.
The woman’s bodyguard approached her. He wrapped his cloak around her shoulders and led her to the others that huddled nearby.
Tesnayr approached the group of people. “My name is Tesnayr,” he said, “You are we
lcome to come with us. We will provide you with food and shelter. When you have regained your strength, you may continue on with your journey.”
“Tesnayr,” said a man from the group. He spat on Tesnayr.
Nelyn strode up to the man and hit him. The force knocked him back. “This man just saved your life and this is how you thank him?”
“He is the reason the orcs have burned our homes,” retorted the man. “It is because of you they destroy our lands and slaughter our people.” Murmurs of agreement weaved through the crowd.
Arnin stepped forward. “Tesnayr is the one with the courage to fight the orcs. He is doing what you have failed to do.”
The man would not be silenced. “They were satisfied with Sym’Dul, but because of him they moved to Belyndril.”
“Elsid? Is that you? You almost joined us,” said Jarown as he approached the scene. “You once praised Tesnayr. You said that we needed to follow his example.”
Elsid calmed himself. “Things have changed. Our people are enslaved. The fortunate ones are dead. They attacked us because you chased them out of Belarnia and they have been unable to conquer all of Sym’Dul.”
“They attacked you because that is their way. The orcs make no distinctions between us or our borders. As far as they are concerned, anyone who is not an orc doesn’t deserve to live,” said Tesnayr.
“They moved to Belyndril for now, but Sym’Dul will end up just the same,” said another man.
“Blynak warned us of you, Tesnayr,” said a third, “He says that you were sent by the orcs to weaken us and gain our trust.”
“Blynak will say anything to gain power! You know this. He is in league with the orcs, using them to further his own interests,” countered Jarown.
“Perhaps you are afraid to admit your wrongs,” yelled Elsid.
Nelyn silenced the man as she could hold her tongue no longer. “You blame Tesnayr for something that is of your own doing. The orcs attacked you and yet you did nothing. The signs were there. We all saw them. We knew some darkness had entered Belyndril, yet we pretended it wasn’t there. Our lack of action invited the orcs to our land. If you want to know who is at fault look at yourselves.”
“Jarown’s daughter,” sneered Elsid. “I am not surprised. You were always difficult to control. It is little wonder that Nathan perished.”
A loud pop echoed across the crowd as Nelyn punched the man again. Blood poured from his nose.
Jarown started toward Elsid, but Arnin held him back. “She’s right,” he said, “You did nothing to protect yourselves. You did nothing when the orcs came and now you are paying the price. You are satisfied to let Sym’Dul and Belarnia burn. As long as your homes are left in peace you do not care about the rest of the world. But the wars of other lands have a way of reaching us all.”
“Arnin,” said Tesnayr growing weary of the bickering, “Ready the men. We leave in five minutes.”
Arnin saluted and walked off.
Tesnayr turned to Elsid. “If you want to blame me for what’s happened to you, go ahead. But blaming me will not solve your problem.” Tesnayr turned to go.
“Wait,” said the woman. “You cannot leave us here.”
“Who are you?” asked Tesnayr, “You do not speak like one of them.”
“My name is Jenel, daughter of King Slyamal of Sym’Dul.”
Taken aback, Tesnayr stared at her. Of all the people to run into, it had to be the daughter of the one man he truly hated. “King Slyamal’s daughter. I know your father well. You may come with us.”
“And what of these people?”
Tesnayr did not answer.
“I will not go with you,” said Jenel stopping Tesnayr in his tracks. “These may not be my people, but they are people none the less. I will not abandon them. And neither can you.”
“They made their choice.”
Jenel closed the distance between them and spoke so that only he heard her. “The one thing that makes us different from the orcs is our capacity to care for those we do not know, and our ability to help even those who despise us. If you leave them here, you are no different than the orcs.”
“We leave in five minutes,” said Tesnayr as he left.
Jenel turned to the refugees from Belyndril. “We will go with him. You may not like him, or believe in his methods, but he did save our lives. If it was not for Tesnayr we would be dead. No arguments. We cannot stay here.”
Exhausted, the people around her offered no resistance. They gathered themselves and fell in line with Tesnayr’s army following them back to camp where food and shelter awaited them.
Within hours of reaching the encampment a heavy blizzard bore down upon them. The snow pelted the skin of any who dared be in its path. Gales of wind howled past the tents threatening to carry them away. The horrible weather did little to negate the already pervasive bad mood of the people. The soldiers grumbled that the refugees refused to work and earn their keep, while in turn the refugees complained about the soldiers’ gruff manner and high expectations.
Privately, Tesnayr shared many of the same sentiments as his men as the last thing he wanted was the responsibility of caring for civilians. The biggest thorn in his side was Jenel. A stubborn woman, she repeatedly pleaded with him to help the despondent refugees find a place of safety.
Tesnayr wanted her to go back to Sym’Dul once spring arrived, but Jenel refused to be left stranded with the evacuees. Strong willed like her father she reminded Tesnayr of King Slyamal. A memory best left forgotten. He had hoped that he was rid of the man, but Jenel remained a lingering reminder that one day Tesnayr would meet him again.
Infuriating him even more was the man who constantly stood by her side, Rybnik. Wherever Jenel went, so did he. He was her constant companion. Tesnayr felt outnumbered each time he tried to convince her that he could not take her or those people to safety. He did not wish to fight Rybnik and knew that the man would take Jenel’s side. How could he make her understand that there were more important things at stake?
In addition, food ran low. The more people’s stomachs remained empty, the more animosity they felt toward each other. Fights broke out between the two groups repeatedly. Faced with the difficulty of calming people’s emotions and ensuring their survival through the winter, Tesnayr had a difficult choice to make.
“You called?” said Jenel approaching Tesnayr’s command tent.
“Yes,” Tesnayr replied, “Another fight broke out this morning. This is a problem that must stop.”
“Agreed. I have asked them to be patient and appreciative of what we’re given.”
“But?”
“It isn’t enough,” said Jenel. “The people are starving. They are cold. There is barely enough warmth to see them through the rest of winter.”
“They are not the only ones making sacrifices,” said Tesnayr. “Many of my men have gone without food so that your people can eat. But now is the time for them to earn their keep.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have drawn up work schedules,” said Tesnayr, “Some of your people will work with my men to clean out the latrines, gather water, hunt, and do laundry. If you have any metal workers they are to report to the blacksmithing tent. In short, princess, the only ones who will eat around here are the ones who work. Furthermore, anything among their possessions that can be used for kindling will be confiscated and used for our fires.”
Infuriated, Jenel railed into Tesnayr at what he suggested. “That is all they have left. You cannot take it from them. They are weak, exhausted.”
“We are all hungry. I can take their things and I will to ensure the survival of us all.”
“We came to you for help.”
“Which is what I’m trying to do, but now it is time for you to help yourselves. It is time for all of you to start contributing, or you can leave.”
“You can’t—”
“I can and I will. There are too many mouths and not enough food. You will choose the most able bodied
men for hunting and send them here. Here is a list of what needs to be done. You can decide amongst yourselves who does what, or I will choose for you. Within the next hour I want everyone to report for duty. You’re dismissed.”
Fuming, Jenel glared at Tesnayr. Never before had she been treated as a common soldier. “You do not order me around.”
“You may be the Lady of Sym’Dul, princess, but here you are no better than the rest of us. Here, I am in command.”
Jenel snatched the work schedule from Tesnayr’s hands and stormed back to where the evacuees waited.
From a distance, Nelyn observed the proceedings between them. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but their voices caught her attention. She chuckled to herself when Jenel marched away. Spoiled princess.
“Nelyn.”
Startled, Nelyn whipped around coming face to face with Jarown, the one person she didn’t want to talk to. “Now isn’t the time.”
“It is never the right time,” said Jarown, “How long are you going to keep avoiding me?”
“I’m not avoiding you.”
Jarown gave her a piercing glare.
“I do greet you when we meet.”
“You know what I mean. We need to talk about your parents.”
“There is nothing to talk about,” said Nelyn pushing her way past him.
“Nelyn,” Jarown grabbed her arm, “I know there isn’t anything I can do. But I never meant—I am sorry. I’d undo it if I could.”
“You’re right,” hissed Nelyn, “There is nothing you can do. I can never forgive you for what you did. You killed them and then took me in as though nothing had happened.”
“That isn’t the truth and you know it.”
“But you never told me the truth. All my life I thought you were my father, married to my mother. Then I learn that you are the reason they are both dead and only took me in to alleviate your guilt.” Nelyn jerked her arm from Jarown’s grasp.
“I have always thought of you as my daughter,” he said to her back.
“I’ve no doubt that you are sorry,” Nelyn said, “But don’t ask me to forgive you.”