They shifted to the north, following Therin through the forest. He seemed to be following some mental map, picking the best route to get them there the fastest. They stopped as darkness crept over the forest, leaving only the soft glow of the surrounding trees. As Kirheen rested her eyes, she could feel the tension building, a nervous energy that was passed from person to person. She barely slept that night and had a sneaking suspicion she wasn’t the only one that had been unable to fall asleep.
They rose with the sun, quietly packed their things, and continued on deeper into the woods. Kirheen had lost track of how far they’d traveled, her mind wandering as they made their way through the forest. It was only when Therin slowed and raised a hand for them to stop that she looked closer at her surroundings. Several long narrow buildings could be seen, the wraith wood structures camouflaged by the towering trees surrounding them.
“Where are we?” Kirheen whispered to Therin. She didn’t recognize the buildings.
“This was where the original village was when Sanctuary was first founded,” Therin explained quietly. “As we outgrew it, a new village was formed further away, and this was left as a place to work and farm.”
“And this is where those deemed unworthy get sent,” Kirheen sighed. Squinting, she could see movement beyond the buildings. Several people bustled about, but they were too far away to make out any details. From the rigidity of their movements, she knew they’d been changed, that their minds were no longer their own.
“Yes. Herzin is breaking them, but it’s Nyson controlling them. He’d been gifted from the start, capable of controlling others with just a thought, but to use it like this is awful. I can’t imagine how stretched thin he must be to control all of these people at once. The amount of power required to do something like this – I can’t believe he’s grown strong enough to be capable of it.”
Kirheen glanced to Therin. “He’s controlling them with his power? From that far away?” She’d hoped he’d been overexaggerating, but as his head turned and his eyes met hers, she knew he was telling the truth.
“Unless there is another with his power, it’s Nyson doing this. Come on, let’s get closer.”
They crept silently through the underbrush, staying out of sight of the workers as they approached. Kirheen could make out their faces, their eyes devoid of emotion, expressions blank as they went about their assigned tasks. Her heart sank as her gaze settled on a familiar face. Isa, once so bright-eyed and cheerful, shambled through the village, carrying a basket full of vegetables with dirt-caked hands. Her dark curls were a tangled mess, her robes ripped and dirty. She stumbled as she walked, the basket slipping from her fingers and crashing against the ground. The vegetables scattered and she watched them with disinterest, bending down to retrieve the basket. With slow deliberation, she picked up what she’d dropped and then continued on, her expression never changing.
Kirheen felt a surge of anger course through her as she watched Isa. Part of her wanted to charge into the village, to rip them free of the terrible bond that tied them to Nyson. Therin had warned her how difficult it would be to see them, to know what had been done to their minds and be unable to help. Even if she could fix their minds, there was a still a chance they’d be broken, that they’d never be the same.
“I can’t believe he has gone this far,” Sarah growled. She watched the workers, her eyes brimming with rage. “This is too much. We have to end this. He can’t be allowed to keep doing this to these people.”
A mumbling wave of agreement swept through the group. Hands gripped tighter around their weapons, postures straightened, jaws rigid as they prepared themselves for the battle to come. Anger was a plague, infecting them all with a burning fury. If they’d had any reason to doubt what they’d set out to do, that doubt had disappeared, replaced by a powerful need to see Nyson stopped.
As they left the village behind, Therin gathered information from her, piecing together a strategy as they hurried towards the heart of Sanctuary. “We can’t be certain what he’s done after you fled. It’s likely he’s taken more people under his control in order to keep the peace. As long as Herzin hasn’t broken them, we can break that link and stop any unnecessary casualties,” Therin explained. He paused, sifting through the information she’d given him. “Do you know how many would willingly back Nyson?”
Kirheen shook her head. “I’m sure there will be a few, but I don’t know all the instructors well enough to know for sure. I think if the truth has gotten out, the others will have turned against Nyson by now, if they are able to.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Therin grunted. “Nyson wants control and there is no telling what he’d do to maintain that.”
She thought of her friends, of Tomias and Fenir, of Trista. It was possible their minds were no longer their own, that they were being manipulated into silence. “If we can keep his power spread thin, wouldn’t it be easy to ambush him?”
“It would, and it’s what I intend to do. The more chaos we create, the more he has to work to keep his hold on those he’s controlling, the weaker he’ll be when we face him. It’ll make him incredibly vulnerable and we can use that to our advantage.”
Kirheen continued to divulge information about Nyson, about the Bonded, and about those that had trained them. Together, the group discussed strategies for the various scenarios and powers they’d be up against. It felt like the long winter months before the battles, when she’d spent late nights preparing with Garild. Only now the battles were real and their lives were on the line. She tried not to think about the cost of their rebellion, of what she might lose, as the Circle of Rest came into view.
CHAPTER 34
The Circle of Rest was just as she remembered it, a ring of wraith wood houses with the symbols of her fellow Bonded emblazoned on the doors. She caught sight of her own symbol and her heart sank. It felt like a lifetime ago that she’d felt safe in Sanctuary, that things had made sense. Now she was a stranger, come to bring an end to the only home she’d ever known.
She was hit with an unexpected sadness, a deep dull ache that blossomed in her chest and spread through her limbs, sapping her of her resolve. After it was said and done, they’d have to move on. She’d likely never see Sanctuary again. She’d spent her youth wishing for an escape, wishing to see beyond the glowing forest that had become her prison, but now the thought of leaving brought a strange feeling of grief. Despite what had happened there, she knew Sanctuary would always hold a piece of her heart, no matter where she ended up in the world.
“He must be expecting us,” Therin whispered. He’d hunkered down next to her and was sweeping his eyes from house to house. “It’s too quiet.”
There was no sign of movement from any of the homes, the only sound coming from a light breeze whispering through the forest, ruffling the leaves above her head. “I don’t like this,” Kirheen said uneasily. “I’d expected to see at least a few of the Bonded here, or even an instructor.”
Therin nodded and turned towards the rest of the group. “We’re going to carry on as planned but be prepared for anything. Split off into your groups and head to your designated positions. If it’s clear, start heading for the Temple of Trials. It’s the most likely place we’ll face resistance. And everyone,” he said, pausing briefly to look each of them in the eyes. “Thank you for this.”
They broke apart into their assigned teams, two per group, and splintered off in varying directions. Kirheen followed Therin and they clung to the woods, staying clear of the main path. They moved quickly but cautiously, ears perked for any unusual sounds. Nerves sent her hand drifting to the dagger at her belt, gifted to her by Therin in case they ran into trouble. She’d never used a weapon before, and had no intention of changing that, but the weight of it against her hip was a comfort all the same.
As they rounded the bend, Kirheen caught sight of a familiar house tucked away in the trees and slowed to a stop. “That is where Trista lives,” she explained, pointing to the
wooden structure. “That’s the healer I told you about. We should see if she’s there. She doesn’t have powers like the others, so she might not have been a target for Nyson.”
All hope of that fled as they peered around to the front of her home. A body was sprawled out at the bottom of the steps, an arrow sticking out of his chest. Dozens of broken glass fragments littered the ground, scorched in places where something fiery had burst to life. They approached the house cautiously, Therin notching an arrow and holding his bow at the ready. Kirheen gripped her dagger tightly, ready to draw it at the first sign of movement.
When they reached the body, Therin nudged it gently with his boot. Kirheen recognized Verin, former instructor of Bell and Tyrin. His eyes were open, stuck in a state of shock, as if he hadn’t been expecting the arrow that had struck him in the chest.
Kirheen shuddered as she forced her legs to move. As she climbed the steps, she could feel Verin’s eyes at her back, accusing her of leaving them to their fate. She could hear no movement from inside the house, but her heart thumped as she pressed her sweat slick hands against the door.
Therin raised his bow and whispered to the count of three. As he finished counting, Kirheen swung open the door and ducked out of instinct as she came face to face with the pointy end of an arrow. Trista stood tall and proud, her elbow pulled back, looking all too eager to let her arrow fly. “Stop right where you are!”
Kirheen scrambled back to her feet, putting herself between Therin and Trista. “Don’t shoot, either of you! Please!”
The sound of her voice caused Trista to tip her bow towards the floor. Her eyes widened as her gaze fell on Kirheen and she gasped, a look of disbelief brushing aside her anger. “Kirheen?” Her emerald eyes welled with tears and her bow clattered to the floor. She flung herself forward and wrapped her arms around Kirheen tightly. “It’s really you, isn’t it?” she cried into her hair. “Please tell me you’re real.”
Kirheen returned her embrace. “I’m back, Trista. I’m back.” She pulled away from the healer, looking her up and down. She had seen a struggle, that much was certain. The right sleeve of her robe had been torn away, her upper armed wrapped in blood stained bandages. There was a burn on her right cheek and her vibrant red hair was threatening to burst out of the confines of her braid. She looked exhausted and overwhelmed but, after what Kirheen had seen outside, she could understand why.
Trista motioned for her to step further into the room, and held the door open long enough for Therin to join them. She peeked her head outside and looked from left to right. Satisfied that they were safe, at least for the time being, she slammed the door shut.
As Kirheen turned away from the door, she caught sight of movement from the other side of the room and nearly jumped. Burk was sitting on Trista’s bed, his bandaged leg propped up on a chair. He grimaced as he shifted, cursing his leg as he tried to get comfortable.
“Burk? Are you okay?” Kirheen asked.
He glanced up at her, wearing an expression that seemed all too unusual for someone as casual and carefree as Burk. She could see the pain he was in by the set of his jaw, the dark circles under his eyes. There was something else though, something deeper, a worry that was making him squirm in his seat, restless but unable to act. “I’m fine. It’s good to see you alive and well, Kirheen,” he said, sounding as if he were anything but happy to see her.
His bond mate, Abby, should have been with him. She wouldn’t have left his side. Kirheen’s heart plummeted like a heavy stone as she asked, “Where is Abby?”
Burk looked away, unable to look her in the eyes. His voice was heavy with grief as he spoke, his lips trembling. “I…I don’t know. She was right behind me when we were attacked. I saw her run off into the trees, but I haven’t seen her since.” He slammed his hand against the wall. “Damn it, she better be okay. I don’t want to think she might… that she…”
Kirheen took a seat next to him on the bed and gripped his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “She’s one of the strongest people I know, Burk. She’s going to be okay.”
“Thank you,” he said, sighing deeply before he reclaimed his hand. “She is strong. I’m sure she made it out.”
“Kirheen,” Trista called from across the room. She was leaning against the front door, her arms crossed. Her bow was propped up next to her, ready and waiting in case trouble arrived. “I think you’ve got some explaining to do.”
We don’t have time for this, Kirheen thought. “Trista, I’d love to tell you everything but we’re running out of time. What is the situation like around here? What happened after I left?”
She frowned. “After you left, things went bad really fast. The Council was called together, and I don’t suspect the meeting went well, because shortly after I had instructors at my door that were acting like puppets on a string. There was no getting through to them. I managed to keep them away with some of the more potent of substances in my collection, but they started getting clever.”
Burk snorted. “That might be an understatement. Verin tried to use me to get to Trista. Abby managed to get away, but Verin got his hands on me and nearly cut my damn leg off. He dragged me here and made me beg Trista to help so she’d come outside.”
“Instead he got an arrow in the chest,” Trista sighed, sounding almost disgusted with herself. “I knew Verin. He was a good man. I wish it hadn’t come to that, but I couldn’t let him hurt Burk.”
“I know,” Kirheen said. “No one is blaming you for doing what you had to do. What about the others?”
“I can’t tell what has happened to them. It seems like some of them have been through the unbinding, but they seem more alert, more aware. I’ve seen a few of the Bonded lurking nearby, and those that have gotten close I’ve managed to drive away with vials of fire clove. I don’t want to hurt any of them. They never asked for this.”
“I didn’t think things would get this bad, not this fast. This has to stop. Nyson has completely gone over the edge.”
“I’m more than aware of that fact,” Trista huffed. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but who are you?” she asked, tipping her head towards Therin. “I’ve never seen you before.”
Therin cleared his throat. “My name’s Therin. I am, uh, Nyson’s brother.”
Trista’s jaw dropped as she looked him over, her green eyes regarding him with suspicion. “His brother? Are you serious?” She glanced to Kirheen. “Is he telling the truth?”
Kirheen nodded. “There is a lot I could explain, but the longer we delay, the more people out there will be hurt. All I can tell you is he is here to help us and we’re going to stop Nyson before he can do any more damage.” Kirheen paused, hesitating to ask the question lingering on the tip of her tongue, fear of the answer keeping it stuck in place. Sucking in a breath, she forced the question past her lips and steeled her heart for whatever followed. “Have you seen Fenir and Tomias?”
Trista flinched at their names. “No. They went to the meeting with the others. Tomias had thought he could talk Nyson down, that he could keep things settled until we figured out a plan. I don’t think he was expecting this. I haven’t seen either of them and I’m…I’m scared of what that might mean.”
“We’re going to get them back,” Kirheen promised.
“I expect no less, I just hope it’s not too late.”
Kirheen smiled sadly. “You know them. They won’t go down without a fight.”
Trista nodded. “I’d like to come with you. I don’t have powers like you, but I can hold my own.”
Kirheen looked to Burk and then back to Trista. She shook her head. “And who would look after the injured? If we find anyone out there, I’ll need someplace safe to send them. Your home is the safest place I can think of. I know you wouldn’t let anything happen here.”
“I – fine. I know this is where I’m needed most. Just promise me you’ll bring them back.”
Kirheen met her gaze. “I will do everything in my power to make sure they are safe. Just b
e careful, both of you. There is no telling what will happen from here on out.”
“Same to you both. I wish I knew more about what is happening out there, but I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough. Now go find our friends.” She opened the door, peered out, and then motioned them outside. They slipped out the door and back onto the main road, keeping an eye out for anyone or anything that might want to cause them harm. The path was clear, and they continued up the road, heading towards the Temple of Union. She could see glimpses of the shattered wraith wood tree towering high above the others.
As they got close to the temple, they veered off the path and into the trees, keeping low as they scouted the entrance. There were two instructors standing guard. One of them was Velga, the instructor of Isa and Ian. She stared blankly down the path, her mouth hanging open as she watched for intruders. It was sickening to see that she’d been unbound after everything she’d been through. Kirheen couldn’t help but feel a stab of guilt as she watched Velga, knowing that she’d lost both of her students because of what Kirheen had done.
There was another instructor standing to the right of the arched doorway, a man named Isaac that she didn’t know well. She hoped he hadn’t also suffered because of her actions, but seeing his empty gaze, she knew it was too late to think otherwise.
She reacted to the sound of a cracking branch far too slowly to dodge the shimmering wave of blue energy crashing towards her. She was confused by what she was seeing, and she quickly strengthened her barriers, hoping to block the blast. Despite her effort, the energy slammed into her with an actual physical force and she flew back into Therin, knocking him off his feet.
“Are you all right?” Therin asked, untangling himself from her and quickly getting to his feet. He hoisted her up by the back of her shirt, keeping her steady while she recovered.
Her skin burned and her muscles ached. It felt as if she’d been pummeled with a stick. “I’m fine,” she huffed. “What was that?” She’d seen energy like that in her mind, a physical representation of an attack, but she’d never seen it actually manifest in reality like it just had.
The Allseer Trilogy Page 29
