by A J Park
“Oh, Kellji,” Shalyrie exclaimed in sympathy.
Sinnar was using some words in Yalkur that Shalyrie didn’t understand. He sounded furious.
“Sinnar!” Kalleck said in a warning tone.
Sinnar closed his mouth and took a long, slow, deep breath.
“The one who did this is dead. We’ve already done everything we can to stop him,” Kalleck said. His voice was calming.
Sinnar nodded. “You’re right,” he said, and he sounded less angry. “I’m sorry, Kellji.” He looked at her and appeared to realize that she had moved back from him. He shook his head. “I’m sorry I was angry. I didn’t realize what he had done to you until I saw it. Forgive me, please?” He extended his hand to her, and she took it. Then they went back into the firelight.
With his back deliberately to the Almorians, Sinnar took out his flask and a clean cloth, and applied the spring water to the bruises. He didn’t look angry anymore, and his hands were painstakingly gentle as he worked.
“Thank you, Sinnar,” Kellji said. She allowed him to wash and bind the cut on her side as well.
“And now, what do we do with the Almorians?” Kalleck said in Yalkur. He looked at Sinnar. “Because they helped Shalyrie, I’m going to let them choose whether they come with us or go back to Newport.”
Sinnar nodded in agreement.
Kalleck turned to Finn and his friend and spoke in Almorian. “Thank you for defending Lady Shalyrie,” he said. “Everything she told you is true. The attempt on her life was arranged by your people, not ours. Do you know what danger you will be in if you return?”
“Danger?” asked Finn.
“If your governor finds out that you know the truth about what happened, he will kill you, won’t he?”
“What would you have us do?” Finn asked.
“I will give you a choice,” Kalleck said. “You may leave peacefully at first light tomorrow and return to your people, trusting that they won’t find out what happened. Or you may return with us to the Hidden City to remain our… guests until the war is over. You will not be permitted to see our city, but I will see that you are treated well. When the war and the danger are over, I will send you home.”
“Agreed,” Finn said. “I will come to serve Lady Shalyrie.” He looked at his companion.
The other Almorian contemplated his options. “I will go back,” he said. “I believe everything you say. I will not speak to anyone of what has happened here. I will return and rejoin the others and, when I get a chance, I will seek an audience with the king. I’ll make sure Governor Galenor doesn’t hear of any of this.”
“As you wish,” Kalleck said.
Kellji came and sat by Shalyrie. She leaned close and said in Shalyrie’s ear. “You didn’t leave. You could have taken those Almorians and left with them.”
“I couldn’t do it,” Shalyrie said, shaking her head. “I’m staying now, no matter what happens.”
Kellji hugged her. “I hoped you would. What made you change your mind about leaving? You must have told Kalleck how you feel. Was it hard to tell him?”
“Yes!” Shalyrie exclaimed in a whisper. “I realized that I’ve been falling in love with him for a while. He’s so kind and caring and does so much for his people. But I didn’t dare tell him anything. I was so sure he didn’t feel the same. So I didn’t talk to him about it. I just couldn’t. I don’t think I could have told him, even then, except that he asked me to stay. He told me he loved me.”
“And then you told him?” she asked with a distant look in her eyes.
“Yes.” Shalyrie looked intensely at Kellji. “Who is it? Who is the man you’re afraid to tell?”
Kellji lowered her eyes, and Shalyrie could see at the edges of her veil that she blushed.
“I can tell you have a reason for asking me about it.”
Kellji nodded, looking at her hands in her lap. “I’m not as brave as you. I’m afraid to tell him.”
“Why?”
“Same as you. I’m sure he doesn’t feel the same.”
“But I was wrong,” Shalyrie said pointedly.
Kellji sighed. “I hope it will be like that, of course, but I don’t think so. If you knew who I meant, you’d understand.”
“Will you tell me?” Shalyrie asked. All at once she knew, and she couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen it sooner. “Sinnar,” she said. “You mean Sinnar.”
Every time they had returned, Kellji asked if Sinnar was safe. And how had Shalyrie not noticed the way Kellji’s eyes followed him?
“Is it so obvious?” Kellji asked.
“No,” Shalyrie said. “But a friend would notice if she were watching for it.”
“You know how Sinnar is,” Kellji said. “He’s been so angry since his brother was lost. He’s so focused on the fighting. He doesn’t even notice me.”
“You should tell him.”
Shalyrie could see Kellji wrestling with the thought.
“You’re right,” Kellji said. “I have to tell him.”
They all settled themselves as comfortably as they could. Kalleck was beside her, and he put his arm around her.
“We didn’t sleep much last night,” she said. Now she was drowsy, and she had everything she needed. She’d eaten. She had blankets, and Kalleck was beside her. With him there, she wasn’t afraid. She curled up with her head against his shoulder. There was no way to know what the future held for them, but he was here and he loved her.
It was a cold night, even with Kalleck there. They slept in the crisp air and, when she woke for a moment, she saw the white stars above them. Sinnar and the others kept a close watch. There were companies of Almorians not too far away.
At first light, the other Almorian soldier left heading down the hill. The Yalkur departed the other way, taking Finn with them, and moving up the hill toward the rim of the valley. They moved cautiously, adjusting their course several times to avoid Almorian patrols.
At one point, they stopped, left their horses, and crept to the edge of a ridge where they could look down over the great river, which was a thin silver line at the base of the hills. The bridge was somewhere below them, but they could see ribbons of smoke rising in that general direction. Was it an Almorian encampment? If so, there had to be several companies of them.
“We should keep moving,” Sinnar said.
A short while later, Kalleck halted them with a raised hand.
“What?” Shalyrie whispered, looking around nervously, waiting for someone to attack them. After a moment, she saw that he was looking at the ground. Then she saw it too.
Blood.
Kalleck dismounted and drew his sword. Sinnar and Ren did the same. They followed the trail into a patch of trees. Shalyrie waited, watching where they had gone. It seemed to take forever. There was no sound. How long were they supposed to wait there until they decided something was wrong? What if someone was waiting to attack Kalleck?
Finally, she saw them coming back, carrying a man between them. They brought him back to the others and laid him on the ground. Shalyrie realized that his hair was blond, even though he was so dirty it wasn’t obvious. He was Almorian. “What happened to him?” she gasped. “Did you kill him?”
“He’s not dead,” Kalleck said. “Bring water, please. Kellji, would you take a look?”
They brought water and clean cloths, then bathed his face, and washed and cleaned his wounds, the worst of which seemed to be his leg, which was crudely splinted. As they applied cool water to his face, he stirred and opened his eyes. He looked up at Kalleck’s masked face, and spoke in perfect Yalkur. “Please! Where is Guardian Kalleck? I must give him a message…” His eyes closed again.
Kalleck bent over him. “I didn’t recognize him until he spoke. It’s Gareth.” He looked at Shalyrie, who was now dismounting. “Do you know him?”
She
looked closely at the man and shook her head.
“I sent him with your brother.”
CHAPTER 22
Lady Shalyrie Almorin
Shalyrie sat down abruptly on the ground, numb with shock. Oh, no… Olthorin. Did this mean he was dead? Or injured, lost and alone in the hills? Olthorin hadn’t made it to the king.
She tried to breathe slowly, steadily. She had to know what had happened. She went back to the man’s side. Kalleck was helping him drink. Shalyrie leaned close. “Please, Gareth. Can you tell us what happened? Is Lord Olthorin alive?”
Gareth’s voice was low and rough. “We made it past the city. They didn’t find us. We were going to travel down the coast. It was a place they’ve never sent patrols before. I didn’t think they would find us, but they did. I don’t know how. We fought them, but there were too many.”
“What happened to my brother?” Shalyrie asked desperately. “Did they kill him? Did they take him? Where is he?”
Gareth shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said heavily. “In the midst of the fight, I was pushed over a ledge and fell a little way onto the rocks below. That’s how I broke my leg and got this knot on my head.” He put a hand to the tender place. “I think I passed out. When I woke up, everyone was gone. I didn’t see them kill him, but I don’t know what happened. I’m sorry. Even if he escaped somehow, I couldn’t follow him anymore. There was nothing else I could do but come back here. If I went to the Almorians for help, they would kill me when they found out who I am.”
“We will help you,” Kalleck said. “Just rest now.”
They gathered themselves in a stand of trees where they would be out of sight. Kellji did what she could for the injured man, but she didn’t have any of her supplies with her. “We need to get him back to the city,” she said. “It’s surprising that he’s lasted this long.”
Kalleck nodded. “Ren and the others will take Kellji, Gareth and Shalyrie back to the city. Sinnar and I will go on. Our message did not get to the king. We have to try again.”
Everyone erupted into protest, except Ren, who accepted his assignment with a nod, and Finn, who couldn’t understand what Kalleck had said. Sinnar and Kellji thought it was too dangerous. Shalyrie thought so too, but if Kalleck was going, then she was going with him.
Kalleck raised his hand and they all fell silent. He took a long, deep breath and looked at each of them. “We have to do this,” he said. “Listen, and don’t interrupt.” They were all quiet and waited for him to go on.
“I don’t know if there are enough of us to defend the valley,” he said heavily. “You all saw their armies massing near the bridge. There are more of them than we thought, more than we feared. We will do everything we can, but we are outnumbered. Even if we win, it will cost us many lives. They are coming soon. We don’t know how much time we have. Our best hope is to reach the sea-king. We still believe he will help us.”
“He will,” Shalyrie added, in spite of his warning not to interrupt. “If we can get to the harbor, perhaps we can find a ship to take us to the king. Finn, are there any that aren’t Galenor’s?”
“There are trading vessels that come into the harbor from other colonies,” Finn replied. “One of them might take us to the king.”
Kalleck went on. “Getting to the king could be the only thing that saves our people. I have to try. All the time I spent learning about the Almorians, learning their language—it was all for this. I can speak to the king. No one else can go in my place. Sinnar will help me get to Newport and Hannal will command the defense of the valley.”
They were all silent for a moment, considering what he’d said. Everyone still had objections, and Shalyrie wasn’t going to keep silent.
“I’m coming with you,” she said firmly. “How would you even get to the king without me? And our goal is not just to reach the king, but for him to agree to help us. We need to make sure that he will listen to you. I’m coming.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Kalleck said flatly. “I won’t let you do it.”
“It’s dangerous,” she agreed. “But you expect everyone to let you do it.” There were murmurs of agreement from the others.
“There’s no one else who can,” Kalleck said. “I swore to protect my people, to do everything I could for them. I must get to the king and speak for them.”
“But not alone,” Shalyrie protested. “How could you even get past all the Almorians without me? I have to come. I will speak to the king too.”
“I will make sure you get there safely,” Sinnar said. “We can’t afford to fail.”
“Finn can help us too,” Shalyrie said. She turned to him. He had looked up when he heard his name. “You would help me reach the king?”
“Yes, my lady,” he said.
“I can take Finn,” Kalleck said. “He’s Almorian. He can get us to the king.”
“No, Kalleck. He isn’t close to the king like I am. I’m going with you,” Shalyrie said. “We have to do everything we can to succeed at this.”
Finally, Kalleck’s shoulders slumped in defeat. He shook his head. “Shalyrie,” he said. “How can you ask me to accept this? It’s too dangerous.”
“We go because we must,” she said firmly.
Kalleck bowed his head. A heavy silence covered them for a few moments. Finally, he looked up. “We go, then.” Kalleck looked at Ren. “You must take all this information back to Hannal. He must lead the defense. Tell him to hold the valley, and if he can’t, then hold the city. We’ll be back as soon as we can. If I fail, he will lead the people.” Kalleck removed the band of gold from his shoulder. “Give this to Hannal. If I don’t come back, it will be his anyway. I can’t take it with me.”
“As you command, First Guardian,” Ren said.
“Get ready,” Kalleck said. “We’ll need enough supplies to last the journey. We won’t be able to take the horses across the river. There are too many sea-folk on the other side. If we take too long to return, the horses will know their way home.” Everyone stood and quickly began to prepare.
Shalyrie took a saddlebag from her horse and opened it. There was already food enough for maybe two days. Ren brought her more, and she added it to the supply.
“Thank you,” she said. He nodded in acknowledgment.
She felt Kalleck’s hand on her arm. “Please, Shalyrie, change your mind. You don’t have to go.”
She looked up at him. She had to make him understand. “Kalleck, I can’t stay behind. Galenor is still planning to attack with his army. He’s going to attack the valley, and we have to do something. We are all in danger, whether we stay or go.”
“But you know it’s more dangerous to go,” he said. “I love you. How can I knowingly take you into danger? I’ve spent years preparing for this day, learning your language so that I could speak with your people. I will go with Sinnar. You don’t have to come. Please stay here. Please. You can tell me what I need to know to find the king and get him to help us.”
His eyes were full of love and concern. He cared about her, and she could see it. She put her hand up to touch his face through the mask, and he closed his eyes for a moment.
“Kalleck,” she whispered. She couldn’t stand the thought of letting him go, waiting for him to come back—or not come back. Not when she could help him. She felt a sudden strong urge to beg him not to go. Instead they could hide somewhere safe, where no one would ever find them. Away from the war, away from danger and death.
But the others? Kellji, Allemi, Hannal and his family, and so many others. Kalleck wouldn’t abandon them, and neither could she. She couldn’t ask him to do that. “I love you,” she said. “Whatever happens to us, we’ll be together. We have to stop the fighting.”
CHAPTER 23
Kellji of the Hunter Clan
Kellji got up. She had to act quickly. There was no more time, and she might never have anothe
r chance. It was time to talk to Sinnar. He had gone to his horse and began setting aside what he needed for the journey ahead. Her heart began to pound when she saw him. She couldn’t actually just tell him how she felt. Better to keep silent. She began to turn away.
But she’d watched him for years and never said anything—always near, but quietly in the background. It was time to speak. She took a deep breath and went toward him, putting her hand on his arm. “Sinnar?” She looked up at him.
“Kellji?” He turned to face her.
“Will you walk with me for a moment?”
“Yes, what is it?” He followed her into the trees. The voices of the others faded behind them and it was quiet. The leaves were red and gold above them, and the ones already fallen crunched beneath their feet.
“Do you have to go with them?” she asked. It was a foolish question, and she already knew the answer to it. She knew what he was going to say.
“Yes,” Sinnar said. “I can’t let them fail. This may be our only chance.”
“Sinnar. Will you take your mask off for a moment?”
She pulled the ends of her hood down to uncover her face. She hadn’t been sure he would agree, but he did. When she looked up at him, she saw a man she had come to love and admire. He was always there to protect those he loved. Could she be one of the people he cared for?
She knew his enemies would see his eyes, dark and cold, if they had a chance to look at him. And if they saw behind his mask, they would see grim determination, like she saw now. But for a moment, she spied a tenderness in them that she’d never seen there before. Gently, she touched his cheek. “What if they kill you?”
“I know it could happen, and I will go anyway. If I die serving my people, then I will sleep in the earth like my father and my brother. This is more important than one man’s life. I gave my oath to protect our people and to help Kalleck. He needs me.” He looked down at her, his eyes still soft. “Are you afraid for me?”
