Maig's Hand
Page 33
Danielle took a drink from her waterskin, gathering her thoughts and wondering what to do. Cargius’ urgings were now laced with anger and she was too tired to fight him. Besides, this did offer a certain opportunity to lever answers from him, which would leave her free to concentrate more fully on her duties at Amthenium.
“I’ll ride on alone. See what he wants. Then rejoin you at the summit. That way there’ll be no delay”
“No you won’t. If it’s important, he can come to you. Why can’t he wait until we get to Lowburn?” Faith said.
“He doesn’t want to be seen.” Danielle hooked her waterskin back onto her saddle.
“I thought you’d grown a backbone in this matter? Tell him to wear a disguise and meet you at the inn,” Michael’s voice was low so only they could hear.
Danielle ignored the suggestion. “I’ll meet you at the summit.”
With a gentle touch of her knees against her horse’s sides she galloped up the highway. She had barely rounded the next corner when Faith rode up beside her. Sweat and dust clung to her face and clothes. The expression on her face made it clear there was nothing Danielle could say to prevent her from coming along.
“This had better not take long,” Faith warned as they cantered along. “Michael expects to see us at the summit or he’ll send the entire entourage after us.”
“Believe me, I don’t intend to give Cargius opportunity to delay me longer than is necessary.”
Cargius’ presence was emanating from the woods on the left side of the highway. As soon as Danielle found a place where they could enter the thick stand of fir trees that was growing there, she slowed her mount and urged her over a ditch and up a grassy embankment before entering the gloom beneath the trees. An evening breeze rustled through the branches above their heads and the red light of dusk shafted through the foliage turning their world crimson.
“How far?” Faith asked, ducking under a branch.
“He’s in a clearing a short way ahead.” Danielle hesitated then said, “He’s saying that I’m in danger.”
“Right now?”
Faith’s hand immediately shifted to the well-worn handle of her sword and her gaze turned to the woods around them.
“That’s not the impression I get.”
“This place doesn’t feel exactly safe.”
Danielle felt it too; an ominous foreboding. The taint was rising like tendrils of mist from the forest floor, but try as she may, she couldn’t find any hint of an actual threat to her or anyone else for that matter.
The woods began to thin and soon they rode out onto a small meadow, the long grass swayed gently in the slight breeze. Danielle shielded her eyes from the sinking sun and immediately spotted Cargius standing on one of the large rocks that lay strewn across the clearing. He’d stopped communicating with her the moment she had inwardly asked him what it was she was in danger from. Though she sensed that he knew about James and her. Not that she cared.
The Cargius was staring out to the east and did not acknowledge them as they approached and drew to a halt a short distance away.
“You wished to speak with me, Sir?”
“You can’t go to Amthenium. It’s too dangerous. I want you to return to Illandia.”
“Why?”
Cargius turned to face them. He gave Faith a cursory nod of greeting before levelling a stern frown on Danielle. “It seems Fren has plans to try and abduct and kill you there.”
“I suspect she has plans to do the same, regardless of my location.”
“All the more reason we need to stay ahead of them. Keep them guessing. It’s the way it must be until your brother is recaptured and disposed of.”
“Yet you wait until I have ridden a hundred miles from home before bothering to say as much.”
“I thought the exercise might drain some of your strength and keep you from engaging in activities you know you should not.”
Danielle ignored the accusation and began to draw her horse back they way they’d come. “I’m going to Amthenium,” she said over her shoulder.
“And if you come to be with his child during the course of your anointing? What of Arkaelyon’s welfare then, Danielle? What of the future of the world? Is your pleasure more important than that?” Cargius scolded.
She swallowed her indignation and reined her horse back around. “It was a small indiscretion. I assure you it won’t happen again. At least on the condition that are a great deal more forthcoming with me.”
“Make sure it doesn’t. Now please, act wisely and return to Illandia.”
“No. I will not. On that matter I intend to stand firm.”
He sniffed and then stepped down off the rock and approached her, saying, “I know what this Vafusolum proposal means to you, Danielle, and I had hoped that you might be able to make this trip safely for it is a noble endeavour. But that is no longer possible.”
“I beg to differ. Kane is soon to be recaptured, if he has not been already, and I suspect, Fren and her ilk will be more concerned about that than to be bothered with me in the coming days. Besides, I am well protected, and if the excursion to Ra’majum proved anything it is that Druid warriors are no match for Arkaelyon knights. And you’ve said yourself, they won’t be able to bring magic to bear against me any time soon.”
“As that may be, when your brother and Lord Commander bring Lord Kane back to Illandia you need to be there to undertake the ritual with all haste for exactly the reason you point out. Whatever the good you might seek to broker in Amthenium, it is nothing compared to your duties as Druid’s Bane.”
Danielle scoffed at his arrogance before saying adamantly, “I will not be returning to Illandia until I have completed Arkaelyon’s business at the Grand Assembly. It need not be one or the other. So instead of lecturing me, you might serve our cause better by returning to Illandia yourself and seeing to it that my brother is kept secure until my return.”
Cargius shook his head and muttered an oath, before saying, “You are so like your mother. Kind hearted, well intentioned, but more foolish than you realise.”
Danielle laughed at his accusation. “I beg to differ. If you weren’t so evasive, perhaps there might be more trust between us.”
He sniggered at her comment. “Ah, this again. Your priest been whispering in your ear, I see.”
“Exactly my point. You promised to answer any questions I had, yet you seem more concerned about keeping us in the dark which makes me think certain elements of O’Brook’s account of the Children of Light is likely more accurate. Either way you are certainly telling only that which you wish me to know.”
“That is ridiculous …”
“Are you scared of me, Cargius?”
She wanted to provoke him, to wear him down and she seemed to be succeeding for he glared at her for a moment and then walked away and sat down on the rock he’d been standing on. He pulled a small flask from his robe and took a sip. After putting the cap back on and tucking it away in his robe again he looked up at her and said, “I know about your dreams and what you fear. You’re not exactly the first to have them, though I do hope you are the last.”
“Well you did say Eden would be the keeper once this was done, not I. I guess if I’m dead or mad …”
He snorted derisively at that as well and shook his head at her accusation saying gruffly, “Fine then, what do you want to know?”
“Where would you like me to begin? Perhaps with the reason I am able to use the taint when everyone knows it’s the life-blood of Maig. And why are animal’s scared of me, when they should be otherwise?”
It was immediately clear he’d expected these questions and wasn’t looking forward to furnishing her with answers. “Is some of what O’Brook says true?”
Cargius nodded reluctantly. “He was right to say that some of those who walk the road of enlightenment to its end have ended their days in madness.”
“Meaning you were forced to kill them?”
He nodded again.
Faith looked appalled. “How could such an end be the will of the benevolent Mother? Her blood was supposed to be a gift was it not?”
“The decay is not from the Mother’s blood, but from the struggle between human will and the higher good,” Cargius said pointedly.
“What else?” Danielle wanted to hear it all, every horrid detail. At least then she’d know what to expect.
“If you follow this road to its end, you will never bear children of your own. The vast majority of Children of Light are infertile.”
Danielle smiled bitterly at this and looked away at the horizon, blinking back the tears that threatened to blind her. “What else?” She couldn’t even begin to think how she was going to tell James.
Faith was livered. “No. Hold on a moment. How can you say such a thing? Her mother had three of her own after Eden?”
“Samantha de Brie was the exception. She was fated to bear the children of the purple aura.”
“So I won’t have children of my own, I’ll likely go mad and be rewarded with death. Is there more?” Danielle asked. She just wanted this over with.
Cargius considered her sympathetically. “You can expect to be greatly feared when it becomes known what power you possess. It’s the curse of every Child of Light who becomes known to the world she dwells in. People will either fear you and shun you or they will seek to use you.”
“I already know that place,” Danielle said.
“Yes, I expect you do. However, my advice is that once this is done, and Maig’s power over the world is destroyed, you should live as far away from society as possible. Leave the guardianship to Eden. It is how those who have lived the longest survived with any peace.”
“She will do nothing of the sort,” Faith replied angrily. “Why did you keep this from her?”
Danielle reached out and touched Faith’s arm. “It’s all right.”
Cargius got up and walked back over to them. “We feared she would choose the same path as her mother if we revealed too much too quickly.” His attention turned to Dee. “Danielle, you have to understand that because you have the gift of the purple aura you are the best chance we have had in a thousand years to end this war once and for all. We greatly fear losing the opportunity you offer the world and what it will mean if we do.”
“Well, you need not fear my resolve. I know what’s at stake and what I must do.”
His relief was palpable.
“So what about my dreams?”
“What would you like to know?”
“Tell me about the taint,” she said.
“It’s not what you think,” Cargius said. “You are merely discovering the healing power that dwells in the Mother’s blood. It makes it possible for you to remove the corruption of the taint from a person or an animal, and heal a wound. Unfortunately the taint doesn’t just disappear. You must rid yourself of it. Once you are fully anointed, you will be able to will it into the ether with little pain to yourself or harm to the living world.”
Danielle had to admit she was a little relieved to hear this. “And the fact animals are startled by my presence?”
Cargius actually smiled slightly at that. “That’s only because your aura is still developing. As things stand most animals would only sense you as an abnormally bright light. That will change, and quickly I suspect, given your talent with languages and natural empathy for the Mother’s creatures.”
There was one last question nagging at Danielle’s mind. She took a deep breath, grateful that Faith was with her, and opened her eyes and fixed her attention on the druid. “And the flesh eating that O’Brook spoke of? Is there any truth to it?”
Cargius didn’t wilt under her gaze. “None whatsoever. I know what you dread, Danielle, but whatever the difficulties and the cost following this path exacts on those that walk it, you and those before you are not an abomination, or an amalgam, I assure you. The blood of the Mother is real, and cannot be tainted and what you will lose in life, you gain in other ways. And I know you do not believe it now, but you are honoured above all women to be the one who can end this.”
“Honoured? I’m not so sure.”
They all stopped and glanced back towards the woods. Horses were coming their way. Michael had clearly lost patience and decided to come after them before it got too dark.
“One more thing. I need to know about my sister that mother begot by you. Is she alive, where does she live? Everything, quickly”
“It’s best to leave that matter as it is,” Cargius replied.
“No. I want an answer. If I know she is real and alive, it will help me trust you. It’ll help all of us.”
“Danielle, I have to protect her.”
“From what? She is my half sister. I would do her no harm and no one else would need to know about it.”
“She is ignorant of all this and safe because of it. If I tell you, and you seek her out, she will be in mortal danger.”
“Then I will protect her.”
Even in the gloom she saw anger harden on his face. “I am her father, and like so many before her, it is my duty to protect her.”
“So you would put her safety ahead of our alliance and all that it means for the world?” Danielle said defiantly. She was just a little put out with his concern to protect this woman for he certainly had not protected her with as much vigour.
“She is immaterial to your duty.”
“Says you.”
“Have I not revealed enough to make it clear that I speak the truth?”
“I need this, Cargius. I don’t know why, but I do. So please, give me her name, where she can be found, and I will walk this road to its end, whatever that end may be. You have my solemn word.”
He considered her for a moment then reluctantly nodded. “I suspect you already know her. She certainly knows you, even has an attachment to you, though is ignorant of why.”
“A name, sir.”
The horses were getting closer. Even now there was torchlight in the woods behind them.
“Bianca Fairchild,” Cargius said irritable.
The name wasn’t familiar. Danielle looked to Faith who promptly shook her head, as much at a lost as her.
“You know her as Lady Winters,” Cargius added, grudgingly.
Danielle frowned at him, momentarily shocked. But as she considered that, she found it to be strangely obvious.
Faith snorted deridingly. “You must be in jest. The Archbishop’s whore?”
“No, he’s right. I sensed it in her. And we are strikingly similar in look.”
“She will share the same sympathy. Your blood ties you and Bianca together just as it drives your twin brother and you apart. It is something you would feel more than understand. But I warn you, Danielle, you cannot save her.”
“We’ll see about that.” Michael was calling to them. The sounds of horses reached them plainly in the quiet mountain air.
“Danielle, please, she is a distraction you can ill afford. The same as your protector,” he added, his tone hardening.
“You mean husband to be. And no one is beyond redemption. And I will not turn a blind eye to her suffering any more than I will to those who languish in Vafusolum.”
“You cannot be all things to all people—”
“Perhaps, but how do you know unless you try!”
He nodded wearily, relenting. “You must go. But, if I cannot convince you to return to Illandia, then please, be extra vigilant in Amthenium. We have no doubt that the Larniusian will come for you there.”
“I am well protected, you need not fear, and I will summons you if I have need.”
She knew the word summons would needle him.
“Nevertheless, you know what must be done to protect the bloodline of Druid’s blood if it proves otherwise?”
“I do.”
“Then know we will be watching you, and if the fates turn against us and you ar
e unable or unwilling, it will be done for you.”
“I understand.”
“Then the Mother’s protective hand go with you and the five pillars of wisdom guide your steps. I will see you in ten days.”
At that the Druid transformed in a flash of white light and heavy wings beat the air as he disappeared into the gathering darkness.
“What was that about?” Faith asked as she drew her horse around in the direction of the approaching riders.
“Let’s just say I cannot fall into Fren’s hands, at least not alive.”
“They’ll kill you first?”
“Yes. We can’t let them extinguish the bloodline of Druid’s Bane, whatever the cost to me. So if it proves necessary, and Cargius isn’t there, I need you to do it.”
Faith looked appalled.
“Faith, I need this from you? Please.”
“Alright. If it has to be done, I’ll do it.”
Danielle looked sideways at her friend. “I wanted to ask about Eden’s part in all this?”
“There will be time later.” Faith handed her a handkerchief. “A tear streaked face will provoke questions you don’t need right now.”
Danielle thanked her and quickly wiped her face.
“What are you going to do about the Lady Winters?”
Danielle had been thinking about that. “Once we have the Archbishop on the scaffold, I’ll see that she is freed from her servitude to the church and secured in a new more virtuous life.”
“How much are you going to tell her?”
“I’m not sure; at least not yet. I know what I’d like, though. Unfortunately I also know the risks. Besides, would she believe me anyway?”
“Probably not,” Faith replied, turning her horse to follow Danielle back toward the approaching riders. “I certainly would not unless I’d heard all this for myself.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Lea watched the cheering crowd in the torch lit street below her window with a sense of indignation and disgust. It seemed most of the residents and travellers in Pelorus’ central district had abandoned their warm hearths, mugs of ale and evening meals to watch the Arkaelyon and Corenbald entourage make its way down the main thoroughfare to the wharves.