The Raptor of the Highlands

by Peter Wacht

  Extending his senses to locate the reivers had given Thomas a splitting headache and was almost too much for him. Kursool certainly was persistent. He had lost about a third to half of his forces to Thomas and Oso’s latest ambush, yet he kept coming. Of course, if Thomas was in the same position himself, he’d be doing much the same.

  Thomas organized his ragged group. The determination was there. He could see it in the eyes of the Highlanders. They had given everything they had left during the day, and still refused to give up, despite their weakness. Anara had done an excellent job, pushing them to their very limits. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough.

  “We’ll have to fight a rearguard action, then,” said Thomas, unable to think of any other solution. It would mean lives lost, but it could also lead to the freedom of many. “Those who are able to fight will retreat slowly and try to give the women, children and injured time to get to Raven’s Peak.”

  “That won’t be necessary, Thomas,” said a soft voice from behind the rock on which Oso and Anara were sitting.

  Thomas smiled. He had been waiting to hear that voice for quite awhile.

  In a flash Oso was on his feet, sword in hand, having pulled Anara behind him. A tall man and a petite woman stood before him. The man was a head taller than he was, which unnerved him. He was the most intimidating person Oso had ever seen. There was a fire in his eyes that matched the one he had seen in Thomas’ on occasion. How could these two have snuck up on him so quietly? It was unnatural. Oso felt a strong hand on his own, forcing his sword point to the ground. Thomas stood next to him.

  “Oso, don’t worry. These are my grandparents, Rynlin and Rya.”

  Oso stared at the two for a moment, still trying to figure out how they had appeared right behind him without any hint of movement or sound. “But how—”

  Thomas gave his friend a meaningful look. “They taught me everything I know.”

  Oso nodded and slipped his sword back into its sheath. “Sorry about that,” he said sheepishly.

  “Completely understand,” said the tall man, the one Thomas had named Rynlin. “We probably should have announced ourselves.”

  “You’ve been busy, Thomas,” said Rya, stepping around the rock to take a closer look at her grandson. He certainly did look the worse for wear. “Very busy indeed.”

  She knew he was exhausted and in a great deal of pain. But he stood there stoically, ignoring his injuries. She wanted to run over and hug him. But he was too old for that now and had been through too much. Rynlin was right. He had grown up faster than most. She regretted his having to do that, but as she had often told him, you must do what you must do.

  “Busy,” snorted Rynlin. “Looks like he’s gotten himself into trouble again.”

  His grandson grinned at him in pride and Rynlin couldn’t help but return the smile. Thomas looked just like a rogue, reminding Rynlin of himself.

  “These Highlanders were forced to work in the mines,” Thomas started to explain. “Oso and I have been trying to get them to safety, but we can’t seem to get rid of the reivers behind us. We—”

  “We know, Thomas,” said Rya. “We got here as quickly as we could. We saw much of what was going on, even from our great distance.”

  Thomas had taken entirely too many risks, and she meant to have a word with him about that. She saw that Thomas understood her hidden meaning, and his grin disappeared.

  “You and your friend there,” said Rynlin, motioning to Oso, “make quite a pair.”

  “Thomas,” said Rya. “Why don’t you get everyone moving again. Rynlin and I will take care of things for you.”

  “But don’t you need any help?” asked Anara. “Thomas said there were at least a hundred reivers still after us. I’m certain that most of the men here would be happy to—”

  “Child, don’t worry about us,” said Rya. “We’ll be able to handle things quite easily.”

  “But—”

  Oso took hold of Anara’s arm and pulled her toward the rest of the group, many of whom were already rising to their feet having overheard snatches of the conversation.

  “I’ll explain it to you later, Anara. If Rya says she can take care of things, I wouldn’t doubt her.”

  Anara gave Oso a withering look. She didn’t like being manhandled, but she made no effort to remove her arm from his grasp. Yes, Thomas was right. His friend was in for more trouble than he knew. And when he realized what he had gotten himself into, it would probably be too late for him.

  “Thank you,” said Thomas. “If you hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what we would have done.”

  “It sounded like you had everything figured out, Thomas,” said Rynlin. “We just wanted to get in on some of the fun.”

  “Now what are you doing still standing there,” said Rya, placing her hands on her hips. “As I said, Rynlin and I will take care of it. You’re too weak to be of any use to us right now anyway.” She surveyed him with a critical eye and he winced under her inspection.

  “Yes, grandmother,” said Thomas resignedly. There was no arguing when Rya used that tone of voice.

  “Now get going and we’ll catch up to you later.”

  “Yes, grandmother.”

  Oso and Anara had already gotten the Highlanders back on their feet and headed deeper into the Highlands. Anara was once again in the lead, but this time Oso was with her, his hand still on her arm. He wondered how long it would take for his friend to figure out exactly what was going on. Thomas waited until the last of the Highlanders had passed him before following after the group. He certainly didn’t envy what Kursool and his men were walking into. If they thought taking on Oso and him was frightening, just wait until he met his grandparents.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  A Cold Dish

  “So, what shall we do?” asked Rynlin, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

  Rya looked at him with a wicked gleam in her eye. “I think these reivers deserve a few more surprises.”

  Rynlin grinned. “I’ve always liked the way your mind worked, my love.”

  “Really,” she said in mock surprise. “I always thought you married me because of my body.”

  “I did,” replied Rynlin with a straight face. “Then with time I learned to love everything about you.”

  Rya took a playful swipe at her husband. “How did I ever fall for such a scoundrel?”

  The fear of not knowing what had happened to her grandson had left her. He was all right, if a little worse for wear. She couldn’t stop smiling. And best of all, she could exact her revenge upon those who had hurt him. She did not consider revenge to be a useful emotion, but giving in to it once in a while did wonders for the spirit.

  “I don’t know, my love. I really don’t know.” Rynlin offered his arm to his wife. “Why don’t we go a little farther down the trail. When we were looking for a place to land I saw the perfect spot for our surprise.”

  “There they are,” said Rynlin, peering down from a hill that was off to the side of the trail.

  “Yes, I see them,” replied Rya.

  Thomas and Oso had done a very thorough job of whittling down the reivers pursuing them. Less than a hundred black-clad men had appeared at the edge of the forest and made their way out into the open, following after the Highlanders. Yes, Thomas and Oso had done an extremely thorough job. Most of the reivers kept scanning their surroundings as if they were about to be attacked. One of them finally pointed in the direction of the hill, having seen Rynlin and Rya standing there.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Growing Trepidation

  Who were those two? They certainly didn’t resemble the two figures he had expected to see. Kursool used his hand to shield the sun from his eyes. A man and a woman. They couldn’t do much harm to him and his men from where they were standing, he decided. Why were they watching him, though? Despite the distance, the pair made him feel like he was cornered with no chance of escape.

  “Hold your fire,” he yelled to
his men. Several of the reivers had aimed their crossbows at the two; a few even fired. “They’re too far out of range, you fools.”

  The reivers with crossbows realized their futility and lowered their weapons. It had taken Kursool more than an hour to get his men back together after the rockslide, what was left of them anyway. He was down to seventy-three men from the original three hundred he had started the day with, most dead, perhaps twenty running away in fear. He had not bothered going after them.

  What were those two doing up there? Suddenly, the feeling of something being terribly wrong took hold of him again. He looked up the slope to see if any rocks were tumbling in his direction, but all was quiet. Nevertheless, he had ignored his sixth sense once today and paid the price for it. He would not do so again.

  A rumble filled his ears, very much like the sound of thunder. Kursool glanced at the blue sky. There was not a cloud in sight. He had absolutely no idea what was going on. Worst of all, he had the terrible feeling that his luck had just run out.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Display of Power

  “Have you found the leader?” asked Rya, peering down at the soldiers.

  It was comical in a way. They watched the reivers and the reivers watched them. Unfortunately for the reivers, they didn’t yet realize that instead of playing the role of the cat, as was their wont, Rynlin and Rya had assumed that character. Now, the reivers would be the mice.

  “Yes, I’ve got him. Let’s get started.”

  Rynlin and Rya took hold of the Talent, drawing on the great strength of nature. Each pulled in as much as possible, careful not to overstep the bounds of control. Once they had reached their limit, they opened themselves to each other and weaved their Talents together, combining their strength so they could pull in even more of the power of nature. The earth began to rumble beneath their feet, protesting at the energy they held within them, demanding that it be released. And release it they did.

  A lightning bolt streaked down from the clear blue sky, incinerating Kursool and temporarily blinding the men around him. The reivers were too horrified by what they had just seen to move. A lightning bolt had shot down from a cloudless sky, turning their leader into ashes before their eyes. Then another lightning bolt struck the ground, destroying several more reivers, and another bolt followed.

  The lightning bolts struck faster and faster, tearing up the earth in great chunks. Released from the spell they had been under, the reivers fled for the safety of the trees. What had been a simple mission at the beginning of the day had become one of personal survival. Yet, no matter how hard they tried to escape, the lightning bolts inevitably found them, leaving men torn and twisted, once live bodies now simply burned out husks.

  It ended in a matter of minutes. Rynlin and Rya released their holds on the Talent. Quiet reigned in the Highlands once again. The only reminder of what had occurred was the scene that lay before them. The ground below was covered with holes deep enough to hide a man. In many cases they did.

  “I don’t think the reivers will be following after Thomas and the Highlanders any longer,” said Rynlin, stating the obvious.

  “I do believe you’re correct, my love,” said Rya, having quickly lost interest in the battlefield. They did not enjoy killing, and certainly not on such a large scale, but sometimes it was necessary. And admittedly, it had felt good to retaliate against the men who had taken their grandson from them.

  “Why don’t we catch up to Thomas and the others,” suggested Rynlin. “I’d like to know how he got himself into this mess in the first place.”

  “An excellent idea,” agreed Rya. “An excellent idea.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Farewell

  “Are you sure you don’t want to continue with us, Thomas?” asked Oso. “We’re only a few miles away. There are many who will want to thank you for your help.”

  “I’m sorry, Oso. I can’t. It’s time for me to go.”

  Thomas didn’t have the courage to explain his fear of meeting Coban once again. He felt like a coward, yet his heart told him he was doing the right thing. Now was not the time.

  “I still owe you a debt, Thomas.”

  “You know, Oso, a great many people have been telling me that over the last few days. I’m getting tired of hearing it.”

  Oso laughed. “We are Highlanders, Thomas. You know how important something like this is to us.”

  “I know. I know.” Thomas couldn’t help but smile. “Well, then, to lessen the number of people who seem to feel they owe a debt to me, let me give you a task that will remove yours.”

  Oso stood a bit straighter, though it was clearly an effort because of his exhaustion. “Anything, Thomas. Just name it.”

  “I want you to take Anara as your wife.”

  “What—” Oso spluttered helplessly, shocked by the request.

  Thomas laughed heartily. “I’m sorry, Oso. I’m just kidding. I couldn’t help myself.”

  Oso looked greatly relieved. Thomas didn’t doubt that if he had been serious, and Anara willing, Oso would have gone through with it. And Thomas had a feeling that Anara was more than willing. The way that she looked at Oso confirmed it. Whether Oso knew it or not, he had already found a wife. It was just a matter of time before he came to that conclusion as well.

  “Have a safe trip,” said Oso, taking hold of Thomas’ hand.

  “Thank you, my friend. Perhaps when I visit we can go hunting, if I can pry you away from Anara.”

  Oso flushed, scuffing his boot in the dirt from embarrassment. “An excellent idea, Thomas. An excellent idea.”

  Giving Oso a final wave, he walked to the edge of the trees where Rynlin and Rya waited for him.

  “So young man,” said Rynlin, “shall we head home and take a break from your adventures?”

  “That sounds like a good idea, Rynlin.”

  “Are you strong enough to fly?” asked Rya. She was still concerned about his recovery from his wounds. Most had healed quickly, and in a few days only the scars would remain.

  In response, Thomas walked deeper into the woods and took hold of the Talent. A few minutes later he flew high above the Highlands as a raptor, with two large hawks trailing behind him. As the currents of air flew past his feathers, he savored the freedom of flight, the freedom he had lost for too long a time.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  Demand

  “Why can’t I learn the sword, Kael? You know I can do it. I’m already better with a dagger than any of the boys you’re training now.”

  Kael balanced on his toes, knees flexed, watching Kaylie as she circled around him much like a cat before pouncing on an unsuspecting mouse. However, in this situation the cat didn’t realize it was actually stalking a bear.

  It was early evening, the sun lazily dropping toward the horizon. The smells of the kitchen drifted on the wind to the training circle situated in the far western corner of the Rock. It was not much to speak of really. Just a large dirt field surrounded by stone walls on two sides and benches on the other two, much of it now in shadow because of the time of day. But it served its purpose.

  Kael had used it for twenty years to train the soldiers of Fal Carrach, and though some believed he was biased, he felt he could honestly say that there were no better fighters in any of the Kingdoms. Except the Highlands, of course. He was a Highlander first and foremost, so he allowed such prejudices.

  Kael turned to face the Princess of Fal Carrach as she searched for an opening in his defenses. She was persistent, sometimes annoyingly so, when she wanted something. What irritated him even more was that she was right. Kaylie surpassed his other students in the dagger. She was fast, very fast. But he still was the Swordmaster, and the best blade in Fal Carrach, and as such, he had a reputation to uphold. On this day he would. Kaylie was not ready to defeat him. Not yet, anyway. Soon, though, she might very well take him. She was that good, and with her persistence would only get better.

  “Because your father
said no,” he reminded the princess.

  His response had its desired effect. They practiced with wooden daggers, their tips covered in thick leather to prevent any injury. Blue chalk dusted the leather to confirm a successful strike. During the past half-hour, neither had scored a hit. Kael had not really bothered to attack. Instead he had tested his current pupil, looking for weak spots in her technique. So far he had found none. Until now. Kaylie’s temper often got the better of her, and he had just found the right key for unlocking it.

  “That’s not fair! If I can learn to fight with a dagger, I should be able to do the same with a sword. Just because my father thinks girls shouldn’t fight with a blade doesn’t mean he’s right.”

  Kaylie struggled to force out her words between breaths. Her exhaustion only added to her frustration. Kael had worked her hard during the session, which she appreciated. He always told her that she’d have to work harder than any of the boys to prove her true worth, and she had taken his words to heart. Yet there was a price to pay for that. Her long, black hair had become more of a nuisance as the duel progressed, the sweat-streaked strands clinging annoyingly to her forehead and swinging in front of her eyes, forcing her to flick them away with her free hand.

  “Your father said no and that’s the end of it,” he answered harshly.

  His words nudged the door to her anger open even farther. Kael had seen the signs — her indignant expression at being refused something, the angry glint in her eyes. Kaylie was very good with a dagger, but she had not yet learned how to keep her emotions in check. In a duel you had to remain calm and collected. Otherwise you died. It was that simple.

  “But—”

  “No buts, Princess. Your father said no. Now pay attention to what you’re doing.”

  Kael saw his chance. Kaylie’s rising anger made her movements less fluid. She clearly had lost her rhythm and concentration. Lunging forward with lightning speed, Kael caught Kaylie’s dagger hand in his own and gently pressed his own dagger to her throat. The blue chalk on her neck ended the training session.