Daughter Of The Wind --Western Wind

by Sandra Elsa

  Captain Farren’s interest quickened. He didn’t like the idea that she was a runaway slave, but he seemed willing to accept her anyway. “I can speak for myself,” he declared. “You have no say over who I accept or don’t accept into my unit, and the word of Sergeant Gunter has always been good.”

  Bella blanched. She didn’t want Trace’s reputation put on the line because of her. She said nothing. It was out of her hands.

  Drawing out every word, Torel said, “Perhaps you’d like to take that up with my father,” to Captain Farren.

  Farren did not respond but the blood rose in his cheeks. Anger sparked in his eyes.

  Torel continued, “I didn’t say I was rejecting her out of hand. To the contrary I'm still very interested.” The cat pounced. His attention skewered Bella and she squirmed. “If I were to accept you into the Guard would you be willing to respond honestly to every question asked of you.”

  Bella did not answer. Beside her, Trace said, “Your pardon, Sir, but we wanted to stay together.” Even he seemed surprised he’d said it.

  Torel looked at him with renewed interest. “Your brother presented your case to Captain Farren, as well as his unit’s need of you. What he couldn’t tell you, because the enemy has people within our fair city, even as we do theirs, is that his unit, himself included, is comprised of scouts and spies.”

  He stopped and Farren took up where he left off. “We have a very dangerous mission collecting information within Telgar’s borders. You would most likely not be sent on any missions across the border, but the Company Commander has been desperate to get a healer sent to his garrison for some time now. He has been requesting a wizard, but you would be accepted if your skills are anywhere near as good as Sergeant Gunter reported.”

  Torel watched them closely, his steady gaze encompassing both her and Trace. Softly he said, “I wonder if Sergeant Gunter knows exactly how skilled you are.”

  Trace straightened, refusing to back down from what he’d started. Returning Torel’s stare, he said, “Yes sir. I know exactly how talented my sister is. I have been on the receiving end of her skill.”

  “I’m going to ask you this only one more time.” Torel pinned Bella in place with a predatory stare. “If I enlist you into the King’s Guard would you answer any questions I have truthfully?”

  Bella stood up to her full diminutive size and returned his stare. “You do not even know that I have the least desire to become a member of the King’s Guard. As Trace said, we wish to remain together. His unit has a need for my skills. That is where I would prefer to go. But to answer your question, yes, I would answer truthfully those questions I'm capable of answering.”

  He started to say something, but she cut him off. “There are some questions to which you will not believe the answer. I'll not be held responsible for convincing you of the truth of my words.”

  Torel relaxed. “That is the answer I was looking for.”

  “It would seem, Captain Farren and I are both still interested. You already know what you would be doing, working for him. Let me tell you a bit of my task.” He indicated chairs sitting beside the desk. Bella and Trace sat stiffly. Once they were seated, he pled his case.

  “As I told you this afternoon, I'm the Captain of the King’s Guard. My unit is charged with the personal safety of the King and his family. The last time we had a major battle with Telgar the heir was lost and presumed dead.”

  Grief etched his face. Bella wondered if he took it as a personal failure or if there might be another reason for that grief. “It has been over two years but his body has never been recovered. Recently we received word, from your brother's unit, that Prince Lorun may in fact still be alive and being held prisoner in Telgar’s dungeon. Coupled with the words of the prisoner from Sergeant Marner’s farm, it seems perhaps there is a very real possibility that this overheard comment is more than just rumors. The best I can make out of the nonsense, not only is Lorun still alive, but Thale is willing to trade him for someone or something. If he is alive, it is the Guard’s job to attempt to rescue him.”

  The emotion in Torel’s blue eyes spoke with far more eloquence than his words. “You proved yourself more than adequately on the practice field this morning. you're quite capable and very deceptive in appearance. You would stand a very good chance at being able to infiltrate Telgar’s Court.”

  He stood above her staring down, but he seemed now to be more pleading and less demanding. “You would need more training. Not in combat skills, but in the art of deception, of being able to blend in no matter where you are. Unless I miss my guess, a former slave knows little in the way of court etiquette.”

  She blushed but admitted the truth of his statement. She found being asked to participate in a mission of this importance, overwhelming. Trace’s unit needed her; there was no doubt in her mind about that. She was already fond of having a brother again; she didn’t want to leave him.

  What Captain Torel offered her, at the very best was dangerous, at the worst deadly. She shouldn’t have any problem deciding this, but for some reason she could not give them an answer.

  Hesitantly she said, “I would very much like to stay with my brother, but I can’t give you an answer at this moment.”

  The two captains stared at each other, challenge in the air. Torel looked back to her and said, “Very well, we can’t force a decision on you now, but if you’re certain you wish to enlist we had best get the paperwork signed, removing any doubt as to who owns you.”

  “Once I enlist, won’t the decision as to what unit I‘m to be in, be taken away from me? Trace said I could include in my enlistment contract what assignment I preferred. At that time he was just referring to whether I wanted to be cavalry, foot, or scout.”

  “We will leave your assignment open on the enlistment, giving you choice of duty station either the scouts or the Guard,” Torel said. “Would that be sufficient? If I could get your brother reassigned to the Guard, would that make your decision any easier?”

  Captain Farren glared, “You can’t do that. He’s mine. I trained him.”

  “Ah, but I checked. Seems when Trace first joined us, he—as so many do—put down the Guard as his first desired duty position. I most certainly could do that, and if necessary, I can and will go over your head. In this matter I’ll get what I want, if she’s willing.”

  “I must discuss this with my brother. I can’t make any choices for him without consulting him.”

  “Very well, you two have one day to make up your minds, but I insist you use this room with its shields to discuss it. In the meantime we will have the enlistment contract drawn up. No matter what your decision, you will be enlisted as a corporal due to the fact that you can read and write. That is one of the King's decrees, in an effort to improve education throughout the country, he has made it worth more. Especially to those growing up with dreams of being a soldier. Because of this law, it makes younger children excited to learn, so they too can earn rank and pay when they enter the military service. Realize this fact though. In the border unit, as a corporal you would most likely be placed in a position of command; at least over a squad. In the Guard as a newly enlisted corporal you will be the lowest ranking person.”

  Watching her closely for a reaction he said, “If you are to accept either of these positions, you will be giving up a lot of the freedom you gained when you ran away from the life of a slave. Likely more if you choose the Guard, because until you leave for your mission, your movements would be severely restricted to minimize the number of people who see you. You’ll be confined to the inner circle until you leave.”

  Bella looked at the three men in the room. Then she angrily stood, knocking her chair over with the sudden motion, to meet Torel’s unruffled gaze. “I did not run away because I wished freedom from responsibility and work. I regretted leaving Hallowisp farm. Mistress Henna was very kind to me. She taught me to read. I left because I feared some of the people I lived around. I left because to stay would ha
ve been to put myself at physical risk, and would have resulted in a broken promise to my father.”

  Captain Torel looked at her with more respect than he had since she had admitted to being a runaway slave. “We will see to it that this merchant will be compensated for his loss, if you give your sworn oath to serve the Crown, body and soul to the best of your abilities. I'll also send a runner to Mistress Henna. If she cared for you so much, she will be concerned about what happened to you.”

  Bella’s cheeks grew hot. As her anger deserted her, embarrassment at her outburst washed over her. She looked at the ground and picked up her chair as she mumbled, “That would be good.”

  Captain Farren went to the door and opened it to call for the desk sergeant who appeared promptly. He gave the orders to have the papers drawn up and then they all sat back to wait.

  Bella looked at him in surprise. “The door was locked.”

  Captain Farren smiled. “The door is keyed to open to certain people.”

  “If I’m no longer needed…” the wizard started to say, but Captain Torel cut him off with a wave of his hand, dismissing him. The blue robed wizard hurried out the door only to be called back by Torel. “Do not go far, I'll have need of your services later.“

  As the wizard nodded and spun back to the door, Bella noticed he was not any older than she.

  “He’s young,” she commented, more to break the silence than for any real interest.

  “That is why he wears a blue robe. He is an initiate into the Wizard Corps yet he outranks nearly everybody in this room,” Captain Torel told her.

  “Who does he not outrank?”

  Captain Farren snorted, “He outranks everybody as far as the military is concerned. I outrank Captain Torel by several years time in grade. That is the only reason this decision is yours to make. When his Royal Highness tires of playing Captain and puts on his princely robes than he will be in command.”

  Torel glared. “If my brother is in fact alive, that need never happen.”

  “You’ve shirked your duty as heir for two years, now you want to send a promising, but very green recruit off on a wild goose chase in the hope that you need never assume the responsibility of the Crown. Most people would gladly exchange places with you, ‘Captain’.”

  This was a bit much for Bella to absorb but she was beginning to see the picture. As implausible as it was, it would seem she was sitting across from a Prince. Trace didn’t seem the least bit surprised. Everybody knew except her.

  Torel watched her and she blushed when she realized she had nearly knifed a prince… but no, he had said Johann had shielded him before he had come up to the room. He had been in her room when she was wearing nothing but a sleeping shift… Oh Gods she had let Angel torture him.

  Everybody in the room could see these thoughts pass through her mind. At least they could figure out some of them, she hoped Captain Farren didn’t know Torel had been in her room.

  Torel took it upon himself to ease her mind, “When I’m dressed like this, I am no different than any other Captain. As Captain Farren has pointed out, even he outranks me.”

  This helped, but still she fidgeted in her seat. Blessedly, the sergeant was quick to return, enlistment papers were a common document, the few changes to the norm that were to be added to hers did not take long to do. Everybody in the room signed the documents, including Trace as a witness, and then the captains departed after Farren told them, “The door will unlock in one hours time.”

  The door closed behind them and Trace turned to her and whooped. “You have no idea what choice positions have been thrown your way do you? Do you know how hard I tried to get accepted into the Guard. I’d love you forever, dear sister if you could do that for me.”

  “But you realize what that would mean for me?”

  Trace sobered, “Yes I do, and I guess it is unfair of me to ask you to risk yourself for my gain. My unit is not exactly risk free but it would be much safer than what Captain Torel wants.”

  “I would be doing some good there too, I could save lives.”

  Trace sat down and stared up to where Bella paced by the door. “If the information that Jasper brought back from his last mission is good. The life you save working for Captain Torel could be far more important than any other person, save the King himself.”

  That caused her to think; and what she thought was that she didn’t want that kind of responsibility. There was no question what Trace wanted. She only needed to make up her own mind. If she altered his life he would welcome it. If she didn’t, he would be no worse and no better off than before. She needed to discuss this with others whose opinions mattered to her. “I must think on it, and I must know Conall and Angel’s thoughts.”

  In dismay she searched the door with second-sight. They were finished but still had forty-five minutes until the door unlocked. She looked for the flare of energy that would be the seal on the door.

  Trace watched her and asked, “Can you open it?”

  “I’m not sure,” she said. “I’m quite sure I can get us out of here. I’m not certain I can do so without blowing up the door—or the wall.”

  She searched the door again and concentrated as Johann had so often instructed her to do. She searched within herself and peeled off a tiny, barely visible, strand of energy. Concentrating on keeping it fine she fed the energy into the lock on the door and twisted it and the knob at the same time. She smiled in victory as the catch released with a click. She trembled with exhaustion as she opened the door.

  Trace looked at her and said, “You can Heal an arrow wound and walk away. Opening a door wears you out?”

  Grimacing she said, “Angel usually feeds me energy to replace what I use. Besides, I could effortlessly smash through the door. Nearly did earlier. Finesse drains me.”

  As soon as they left the room she became aware of Conall’s insistent sending. When she answered, relief flooded through the link.

  Trace put a hand on her arm as she started to leave. “Let me go see who’s out front.”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I panicked earlier because Torel searched me with second-sight. At a minimum, he knows already that I have magic. I suspect Farren does as well. They are both officer’s. It would not surprise me in the least to find they both have at least some magic available to them.”

  Captain Torel was in the front office talking to the blue robed wizard when they walked out. He didn’t seem at all surprised to see them. The wizard glanced at her and then Trace. A strange tingle passed over her as she shielded against his intrusion. She knew she was too slow when his eyes widened in surprise. He silently turned to Torel who nodded and turned to watch them leave.

  They went back to the Golden Knight. Trace went with her to collect Conall’s supper from the kitchen.

  They got their horses, and side by side they rode through the orange glow of the lamp lit streets, to the outskirts of the city and into the moonlit woods.

  Conall dashed out of the forest to meet them. His emotions were jumbled joy and distress. “Where did you go? I thought somehow you had been killed. Suddenly I couldn’t sense you, and you have been with me since you first spoke to me. I almost came into town to look for you.”

  When she slid off Angel, Conall rushed to her side, pushing against her leg, thrusting his head under her hand. As a wolf they were expressions of caring and a desire to be close to someone. Knowing he was human somewhere under that exterior these expressions were somewhat disconcerting.

  Trace laughed. “Friendly tonight isn’t he?”

  “He was worried. The shield in that room even kept him away from me, and while I’m not always consciously aware of him, he’s been in my head non-stop for quite some time.”

  She relayed the essence of what had occurred in the shielded room. At the end of her recitation Conall looked thoughtful. She felt him picking at the details she hadn’t told him, but she let the intrusion slide without comment.

  “Were the decision mi
ne, I would accept the position offered by Captain Torel. If the heir truly is alive, he must be rescued. I know the terrain around the capital of Telgar, I could help you.”

  “What does Angel think?”

  There was no hesitation in the response. “He does not believe the decision is yours to make. He claims the decision was made when the Gods created him for you. He says that you must rescue the Prince.”

  Curious. She wondered idly if he would leave her if she refused.

  “Without a doubt,” Conall answered even though she had not been asking. “He says that if you will not do this, he must find someone who will.”

  “Then I guess that I must. It would grieve me to lose him now.”

  “And he you.”

  She turned to Trace and said, “They agree with you, it would seem that you must now ‘love me forever’ dearest brother.”

  “You must not go back into that room,” Conall ordered. “I cannot stand to have you out of reach. I don’t know what this is… I have never depended on anybody before, but when you’ve been lonely for as long as I have been…” He paused. “I got desperate at the thought of being lonely again.” He thrust his head into the palm of her hand.

  She fondly rubbed behind his ears. “Then I'll make you this promise, only if it’s life or death will I hide behind shields again, when I'm out of your sight. I brought you supper.” She reached into her pack and drew out the bag of scraps. “Knowing you’re human, this seems insufficient fare.”

  “Far better than I have had in hundreds of years.”

  “It’s late and I believe Trace will have me up before dawn again tomorrow so I must get some sleep.”

  With that thought she laid out his supper and mounted Angel. Trace swung into his saddle and together they rode back to the inn.

  Once the horses were stabled they went to the room. Trace grabbed her up and swung her around in a circle. “Thank you,” he said excitedly, “thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me,” she told him, “Angel made the decision.”

  That stopped him.

  “Angel? I thought it would be Conall.”

  “Oh, he thought the same way, but Angel threatened to leave me if I didn’t accept Captain Torel’s assignment.”

  Trace looked curious, then gave it up. “I’m not even going to pretend I understand the company you keep, but thank him for me anyway. You have no idea how badly I wanted to become a King’s Guard. I would welcome the chance to go on this assignment with you.”

  With a peculiar look she told him, “Be careful what you wish for.” She didn’t know why she said it, but it seemed she already knew that this was exactly Torel’s plan.

  Chapter 28