Unable to control the smile which spread across her face, Darame turned her face away from the entrance. No one must see, no one.… Forgive me, Nameless One, for doubting. Surely there is a chance. It was a single line of metal, looped and then twisted and heavily wrapped back up the main line, out of reach of his fingers. If they kept him drugged, of course it would have been enough to hold him.… Intent on her work, she began to unwind the coil of metal, concentrating on Sheel’s steady breathing as accompaniment to her work.
She had forgotten how dark a cave was.… The moons approached full, and rose well in the eastern sky, except for… the smallest, which would shed little light. Tougher than I thought, these wires. Rest easily, child, and I will do what I can —
“Are you tightening those or loosening them?” came a whisper, and Darame jumped enough to bump her knees into Sheel’s head. “Ouch!”
“Shuhh!” The sound was barely audible. “They have ignored my Nightingale attempts, but if you sing out, they will come running,” she whispered. Leaning over for the cup, she refilled it from the horse bag. “Drink this — slowly!”
“Of course. I suspect you have spent a great deal of time telling me to drink things.” Low, even raspy… Genuinely weary, his usual pose non-existent.
As if we had time for games.… “You could simply avoid me. Your problems might decrease,” Darame offered, feeling her throat tighten.
A long pause, as he savored the water in his mouth. Then the gaze flicked in her direction, and it was more alert than she could have hoped. “Would it were that easy.” The barest hint of a smile, the dimples distorted through weight loss.…
Damn you, Sheel Atare. Damn you for remembering, and for knowing before I knew, and probably for not caring anymore! She could control her face, despite the turmoil within, but his next words brought tears to her eyes.
“Fortunately healers mend quickly,” Sheel added, sipping from the offered cup.
So calm, now that his fever was decreasing… Yes, decreasing, he was beginning to sweat.… What is your source of strength? Swallowing her tears, Darame whispered: “Well, thank all the gods for that.”
o0o
Darame’s words so startled him that if Sheel had been holding the cup he would have dropped it. He twisted his head back around to see her face, but she had turned away. In a few moments she looked back at him, her face as wintry as ever; but her dark eyes glittered. “Keep drinking. We have to get out of here somehow.”
“How long have you been here?” he managed to ask. “Are you a prisoner?” Such a shock, to open his eyes and see her here… really here.
“About a day,” she answered, continuing to unwrap wire with one hand. “And no, I am not a prisoner, not yet. But if White catches me at this, it may stretch even my great talent for dissembling. Or if he notices I swiped his communication rings.” A strong gust of wind swept into the cave, drawing shivers from both of them. “The wind is in our favor, but I think we should keep whispering.”
“Why have they left you alone?” He knew why they had left Halsey with him, but this was different. How many con games was Darame running?
“The guaard looked in once, before nightfall.”
“See who is on duty — you need more candles, anyway.” A touch of strength threaded his voice, giving it authority. Obediently — well, a semblance of obedience — Darame rose to fetch candles. She returned with several new ones, her face pulled in a slight frown.
“A young one I have not seen before, not quite as tall as Teague. Sheel, I think he can hear us in here, but — ”
“I know.” Fascinating. Are you the dead man, Varden? Not me; you? “If you can loosen one of these wires — ” He left his comment dangling as he pulled his legs up to his stomach.
“You look terrible,” she snapped suddenly. “They could at least have let you bathe.”
“The odor was worse a few days ago,” Sheel told her, giddily amused by her terse concern. I need food. “I was allowed outdoor elimination privileges when White could no longer stand the smell.”
“That bastard,” she hissed, falling into Caesarean. “I will — “
“Not yet.” His calm, unspecified promise stopped her cold. “You will have to think of another epithet. That one does not translate into Nualan.”
The woman stared at him for several moments, surprise registering in her expression. Finally perceiving that he was trying to tease her, Darame dissolved into silent laughter, burying her face in her poncho to muffle her amusement.
Sheel could not join her; laughing hurt too much. He contented himself with thinking up other slurs against White’s character, heritage, and general person.
Straightening, mopping the tears from her eyes, Darame said softly: “I do not think you should move around much.”
“On the contrary, I had better make sure I can move. As you pointed out, we must leave this place. I had better be able to walk when we do.” He stretched his legs again experimentally.
“I have a horse. He will not be as swift on the return, but better his exhaustion than yours.” She flinched as one wire popped free. “Drink some more water.”
“As you wish, doctor,” he murmured in reply, stretching his fingers as he reached for the cup. All his idle finger- and toe-wiggling had had its benefits; he could grip the container. Slowly draining the water, he set the cup down carefully and then reached to pull up the blanket. “A few nights I would have killed for this. I am not going back with you, Darame.”
Her hands jerked, causing him to hiss involuntarily.
“What do you mean you are not going back with me?” Darame whispered fiercely. “Are you still delirious? They are trying to kill you — as indirectly as possible!” The last was almost a snarl.
“Not quite. I think they were going to blame it on your employer,” Sheel said steadily. She winced at his words, and he knew that somehow she had found Halsey before reaching this cave. “Does he still live?”
“I do not know.” Her words were colorless. “He did at sext, but… I think they gave him tainted water.”
Sheel shivered, and not from the wind. “I am sorry.” A terrible, lingering way to die, but I will not add to your pain… “Even I could do little for rav poisoning, without certain medicines.”
“Why not return with me?”
Interesting — she was not going to argue. At least not yet. “Because you must move quickly, and I cannot.” Sheel slowly sat up, and then reached for her support. Seizing his arm firmly, Darame tugged him back toward the wall of the cave a foot or so behind them. He had to lean at an angle, but it was better than remaining on the floor. “You must get to Avis.” The thought had tortured his delirium, that something had happened to Avis.… Had White actually threatened Avis?
“She was still at the palace when I left. Ayers and his group are watching her,” Darame said promptly, handing Sheel a heavy canteen and starting to unwrap the other wire.
“You must convince her to leave Atare. Did you find my signet when you searched White’s office? I wanted to send her a message.” Sheel frowned, trying to think clearly. I must explain this properly.…
“Old Harald has your signet. At least he was the one who palmed it. I do not think White found those hiding in back. The plan was for them to try and reach your mother. We have heard nothing else. I have not burdened Avis with any of this, since… you wanted to tell her yourself.” Darame sounded uneasy as she spoke.
“Good. But I have no way to prove your words came from me.” Now that his thirst began to fade, he was conscious of incredible aching, as if his body had been trampled. In a sense it has been.… At least the pain from his wrists made the cuts on his back minor in comparison. The last few days… Where did reality end and nightmare begin? He took another long swallow of water.
“Tell me something that only you and Avis would know,” she suggested, flipping a handful of wire over his arm.
“Let Ayers decide on your destination. It will allay his fears.
Remind Avis… Remind Avis of the time on Emerson when Rob was caught in the bedroom of that under-age heiress. We kept that a dead secret… He was terribly embarrassed… at getting caught, I think.” Dear Mendülay he was tired… and he needed food. “Do you have anything I could eat?”
“What have you been eating?” was her response.
“Eh… to be honest, I do not remember what I had last. It has been several days.…”
“The only thing I have that you could eat is a hot spot. Keep working on the wire.” She reached for her bag. Pulling out a silver-colored pouch, she seized the tape dividing the packet and whipped it out. Immediately turbulence began within the container. “Remember to wait a few moments. It is bouillon, and has salt in it. Drink it slowly.” Handing him the squirming envelope, Darame returned to the wire. “Sheel, the palace is practically a fortress, at least in the living area. Why not leave Avis there? Surely five guaard can protect her in such an environment. I doubt anyone would try to hurt her while she is in such an obvious place… at least while you live.”
“No. She must leave Atare. Immediately.” Sheel discovered he could not open the pouch with only one hand, and craned his neck to check her progress with the other wire. “She is in a great deal of danger… or will be, soon.”
“Who would — “
“How far along is the child?”
His change of subject silenced the woman. “Perhaps halfway into the pregnancy.” Darame had a great deal of wire in her hands, and it was slowing her work. “Sheel, you do not think they would hurt the child? Leah is still elder daughter, even if Avis has a healthy baby.”
“Darame, do not try to be gentle with me.” The harshness in his voice made her look up. “If it is a manchild, there is little concern. But a womanchild? Do you not see, my scheming free-trader? They arrange for Avis to ‘die’ of the birth, and Leah is regent for her lifetime!”
The look on the off-worlder’s face was incredulous. “Surely she is not that desperate! Especially with Brant and Dirk willing to devote themselves to her bed.” Darame suddenly stifled a laugh. “Leah may love her power, but I never thought she loved the bloodshed!”
“Darame…” The wire slipped as he spoke, and he fell back against the stone outcrop. Quickly the woman moved closer, lifting the blanket to wrap it around him and opening the hot spot. Sheel lifted one hand, his long fingers curling around her wrist. “Listen. Please listen.” The faint words had her attention; she sat silently, watching him. “Leah is sterile, Darame. Perhaps permanently, I do not know — she will not allow me to examine her. She suspects her condition; I know. We are the only ones who have any understanding beyond gossip. Do you see? I think she honestly believes that I would be forced to keep her as ragäree, should Avis die. In a sense, that is our only edge.… If she knew that I would call in our eldest cousin to replace her, she would want my head as well.” Darame did not move, her dark eyes studying him. “I am not making sense, am I?”
“You mean if Avis has a girl, Leah would assume she was… ‘home-free,’ as the traders say it.” Darame’s voice was very even.
“Yes, that is it. I think all this has started to unhinge her — I would confine her and have her observed. But she does not know that! Her paranoia does not look past her own control. She will solidify her rule.… Beyond that…” Darame brought the hot spot to his lips, and he reveled in the warmth that began to trickle into his stomach.
“Drink it slowly, please.” Darame frowned at him. “Brant and Dirk are too smart to try and rule through a crazy woman.”
“Your Brant plays both sides. That may protect Avis for a time… has protected her. Until they discover I have escaped. For I am going to escape this time. No mistakes. And Dirk may be as crazy as Leah, in his own way.”
“He is not my Brant.” She was offended, visibly stiffening.
“Of course. Bad choice of words,” Sheel said hastily. “You must get to Avis. Please. I know how much you have done for us. Can you do this one last thing? Or everything else will be useless. As long as Avis lives, my house lives. But if she dies, I fear the outkin will explode into a clan war, trying to control the throne… and the mines. If the outclans see it as an excuse to attack — “
“Your cousins, whichever succeed in taking over, would have no time to entrench,” Darame murmured, offering him the canteen. “And since the guaard cannot be trusted — ”
“Please. I do not want to think about the guaard just yet. One crisis at a time.” He felt his eyes narrow. “First I must stay alive; then I will deal with the Rule.” Nodding slightly, he accepted her offer of the canteen.
“I rather think you will.” Her smile seemed to flicker in the candlelight, as she reached to light one of the new wicks. “I will be first in line with a treaty.”
“You will have earned it. If you can figure out what in hell is going on, you can name your price. I withhold only the chain and heir… they are not mine to give.” Closing his eyes, he sagged onto the rock. Done. She can take care of this part. Now how will I get out of here?
“Careful. You do not know what I might ask for.…” Her tone was wry, almost teasing. Sheel opened his eyes swiftly, but her expression was still and enigmatic. “Do not concern yourself; I will go. But what of you?”
Her agreement made his entire body relax. His grip on her wrist loosened, curled down her hand to entwine around her fingers. “I will run once more. And I will pick a direction they do not expect… into the mountains or the Ciedär.”
“But… you can scarcely stand up! Damn it, Sheel, if you die on me — “
He actually started chuckling; a soft, whispery sound, with no diaphragm behind it. “No chance of that. You haunted my delirium, serae, with your black eyes and mocking smile, calling me weak and leaving me behind. I have no intention of letting you harass me again.” His lids slipped closed of their own accord as he added: “I feared you were dead. I could not face that.… I could not think of it.”
Silence greeted his words. He wanted to see her face, to see what effect his statement had had upon her, but he simply could not open his eyes. Rustling sounds indicated she was stuffing things into her pack.
“Do not worry: I destroyed White’s RAM, and I will take a shot at damaging that plane before I leave. I do not think it is watched. I will leave this canteen and blanket for you,” she told him. “And some — “
“Keep everything else. I have nothing to carry it in. There are several villages, small ones, just north of here. Two days walking, I think. If only you are not too late.” His eyes opened, seeking moonlight beyond the burning candles. “Take care of my cherished and pampered sister… please.”
“Overly pampered. You will not protect her so in the future, Sheel, I will not stand for it. Be at ease. If your guess is right, they will not hurt her until the baby is due.” Slinging the pack onto her shoulders, Darame cupped a hand and blew out the candles. Darkness descended like a cloak thrown over their heads. Slowly light welled into the cave entrance — the moons were moving into the western sky. Nearly full…
As Sheel tried to think of something to say, hands reached for him, seized his shoulders in a grip that made him wince. Delicate fingers traveled up to lightly touch his face, and soft hair brushed his cheek as Darame leaned forward to gently kiss his forehead. Be safe, he thought, and opened his mouth to speak the words.
She anticipated him.
“Live,” Darame said simply, and her tone was an order, not a request.
The hands vanished; stones rattled across the rock and sand floor, and the full force of the curling gusts of wind struck Sheel. He was alone.
Only the moons knew how long he sat there until the sound of shouting and gunfire reached his ears. As if a mob had descended upon the camp.… Pressing his back against the wall, Sheel pushed himself to his feet. There was a stalagmite just beyond the water basin, he had stared at it many a day.… Wrapping the blanket around himself and clutching his canteen, conscious of the cold — but I am
never cold — Sheel moved to hide behind the stone pillar.
Mere moments later a bright light burst into the cave, searching frantically for its occupant. Voices grew close, yelling in Nualan, and suddenly several figures crashed into the cave, seizing the figure with the light and dragging it outside.
I will trust you left, serae, Sheel told himself, holding to his spot until the sounds of close activity faded. Shaking his canteen to be sure it was full, Sheel crept toward the cave’s entrance. By the light of the moons… They could also see by the moons.
Slow going, agonizingly slow, and he could not take deep breaths. Wind knifed into him, colder than he had ever imagined. The cave had sheltered him more than he had thought. So this is what it is like to be cold.… He hoped Darame had taken one of White’s blankets —
“Here, here!” someone above him shrieked. “He is here!”
By the worn ruts of The Last Path, was Sheel’s first thought as he contemplated his next move.
A scarecrowlike figure dressed in floppy garments rose up before him, easily half a head taller than he and far more robust. “We have found you, Atare, we have finally found you!” it screeched, descending upon him with glee.
Several retorts rose in Sheel’s throat, but they tangled within, finally resembling nothing so much as a croak. Not even a blade to my name, Sheel thought ruefully, tossing his blanket at the apparition and attempting to sprint for the path. Stumbling, Sheel’s fall was broken by several boulders and one surprisingly strong hand, which seemed to appear from the depths of the thrashing blanket.
A blinding light flashed into his eyes, and the entire scene began to fade away. As his mind dove for protective depths, a trickle of humor followed him down into blackness. Sheel was positive he heard a worried voice say: “He does not look so good, does he?”
Fires of Nuala Page 32