Last night, once he and Nathaniel were in their room, he had pressed his uncle for more of the information Thea had been getting from other members of the Friends of Philip. There had been little contact with Lily and Graeme’s village, and what news they could get didn’t sound good. Nobody had seen or heard from either Lily or Graeme in weeks, and there was some fear that they had disappeared. Where that left Thomas was anyone’s guess.
They were hopeful that some of their contacts in Estora knew more. It had been difficult to transmit any information at all across the border, so Thea’s knowledge was limited. Her husband, Charles, hadn’t come back yet with any news from his foray into Philotheum yesterday. It made William uneasy, too, that he didn’t know the people Quinn would be meeting on the other side. This was certainly a lot to ask of her.
Although he hadn’t admitted it to her – he wondered if he should – he was rather impressed by the girl’s willingness to just jump into the fray. He really hoped that she wasn’t just doing this out of misplaced guilt. None of this was her fault. The look she gave him now heightened those fears, as she processed what he had just told her.
“Where is Thomas, then, if he never made it?”
“That’s what we’re hoping someone can help us find out. So far, we don’t know much.”
“But what could have happened to him, William?” Her eyes were starting to take on a slightly panicked look. She didn’t usually get like this. He mentally kicked himself for saying anything to her right now, just as she was about to go off into an unknown land with someone she didn’t really know.
He looked directly into her eyes. “Right now, Quinn, we need to assume he’s okay. He may have actually made it, or he may have been intercepted by other Friends of Philip, and he’s somewhere safe. It’s not like he can just call us up on his cell phone and tell us where he is. Communication is going to take time.”
She nodded, calmer already. “You’re right. Today we need to concentrate on getting across the border. With any luck, we’ll know something more by tonight.” She nodded again; he wasn’t sure if this was directed at him. Then she looked back into his eyes. “Be safe. I need you back in one piece tonight.”
He nodded back, patting her on the knee and then walked over to Skittles, who looked as impatient as the other humans in the group who had been doing their best to ignore their little scene. He wondered where, exactly, the conversation had turned from him reassuring her, to her calming him.
~ 20 ~
Panicking
THE TOWN SHE HAD been expecting appeared only about ten minutes after Quinn and Ben left Thea’s farmhouse. They didn’t ride through it, but every so often the trees would thin, or they would climb a hill, and she would see the houses and buildings spread out below them. It was larger than she had anticipated; she had been picturing a tiny village in her mind, much like Cloud Valley. The population of Anwin, though, might have been close to a thousand, with several shops and larger buildings.
The town reminded her of the capital city of Eirentheos, with its stone streets and well-built little houses. William had told her that he had never before been to Anwin, which surprised her. It seemed like a place he and Nathaniel would have traveled to many times to help with a clinic.
Ben stayed on the main thoroughfare as he led her past the town. He rarely spoke to her; she was unsure if he was shy or just naturally quiet. He was nice enough, looking over at her often, and adjusting his pace so they never became separated.
Two times, other travelers passed them going the other direction, and Ben would move a little closer to her, protectively, but the road was mostly empty and quiet. Soon, they sloped downhill, and Quinn could see the river spread out below them, and the road leading to a large wooden bridge.
Actually crossing the border had been the part of this that she was the most worried about. She had asked Nathaniel this morning if there was some kind of paperwork or identification she would need, but he told her no, those things weren’t necessary here the way they were in her world.
As they drew near to the bridge, Ben brought his horse, Scruffin, up beside Dusk as closely as he could. Quinn remembered that they were acting as a couple, and matched her pace to his. A few minutes later, they were on the other side.
“Welcome to Philotheum,” Ben told her a little way up the road from the bridge.
She looked at him. That was all? Sure, they had passed by a few guards along the way. Two in purple on the road in front of the bridge, and three more dressed in green milling about on the Philothean side, but the guards had barely even acknowledged their crossing.
“That was easy,” she said.
He shrugged. “We weren’t expecting to be stopped or anything, at least not with just the two of us. The worry is more about what information the guards might be passing along without saying anything.”
There was a village on this side, too, although it was much smaller. It looked more like a cluster of houses around the border crossing than anything. Very few people were out in the streets, which seemed odd to her.
Ben kept Scruffin right next to Dusk now that they were in Philotheum. He seemed to know exactly where they were going, following a trail that curved toward the southwest, away from the river.
The roads here were even more deserted than they had been in Eirentheos. In the twenty minutes they rode along the road up from the border, they passed only two wagons, and an older man walking up the road alone. But they also passed two different groups of soldiers, dressed in green and gold uniforms, matching blankets draped over the backs of their horses. Although they appeared to be just casually running patrols, Quinn got a distinct impression that things were quite different in Philotheum than in Eirentheos.
Ben didn’t look at the soldiers, but he did match Scruffin’s stride even more closely to Dusk’s, and a few times he cast protective glances toward her.
When they turned off the wide stone road onto a narrower packed dirt one, she expected that they were heading into a sparse, rural area. So she was surprised when, after about ten minutes of riding, the heavy forest began thinning, and she could see signs of a populated area.
Small houses, made of stone and wood were nestled in clusters among the trees, blending in with the beautiful forest so well that they almost appeared as if they’d sprung spontaneously from the earth.
“We are nearing the village of Estora,” Ben said. She jumped, startled; it was the first time he’d spoken since he had told her they were in Philotheum. “Is everything all right?” he asked, frowning.
She raised her eyebrows. “Yeah, everything’s fine. You just surprised me when you spoke.”
Now he looked surprised. “Why?”
“Um, because I think this might be the longest conversation you and I have had during the entire time I’ve known you, and it’s only the second time you’ve spoken to me today.”
“I’m sorry, have I offended you by not speaking enough?”
If Quinn had been driving a car instead of riding an intelligent, perfectly trained horse, she might have crashed, whipping her head around to scrutinize Ben’s expression. He didn’t look – or sound – like he was teasing. He looked … worried. “No, not at all. I just thought … I don’t know, maybe you didn’t really like me or something.”
She was stunned as his expression changed from worried to outright terrified. “I have offended you, then. I’m so sorry.”
“It isn’t a big deal, Ben. You just surprised me, that’s all. Besides, I’m sure it’s just as much my fault, I haven’t been terribly friendly to you, either.” She realized now how true that was. Ben had just kind of been in the background for their whole trip, and she hadn’t paid much attention to him. She had wondered once or twice if he didn’t like her, or if he was just always quiet. She hadn’t been offended. Now, though, he was kind of freaking her out.
“I’ll try and remember to speak more,” he said.
“Uh … okay. So, where are we going, anyway? I thought w
e were headed to Estora.” While they had been having their odd conversation, they had passed what looked like the center of the village. There had been a large cluster of the stone houses, and several larger buildings of the same style. Now the pockets of homes were growing further apart, and the forest was closing around the road.
“We’re not too far. You’ll see.” His voice was low, and his eyes searched the trees as he spoke, giving Quinn the impression that he was worried they’d be overheard. She started to study the trees and houses they passed more closely.
After about five more minutes of riding, Ben turned Scruffin down a much narrower path. It was definitely a path, not another road. She probably wouldn’t have even noticed it on her own. It wasn’t wide enough for them to ride side-by-side; Dusk had to follow single-file.
The trees were large and close together; making the sky seem further away. No houses or other buildings appeared between them.
“About five more minutes,” Ben called back to her, loudly enough that Quinn guessed they were alone here.
“Where are we going?” she asked again.
“Another safe house. It belongs to some friends of my father and Nathaniel, Henry and Ellen. It isn’t actually in Estora, but close enough.”
“Are there a lot of these safe houses?”
Ben nodded. “A fair number. We’re working on establishing more all of the time.” A dark look crossed his eyes. “Things are only getting worse in Philotheum for those who oppose Tolliver – or support Eirentheos.”
Quinn blinked. “We’re? What do you have to do with the safe houses? Exactly how much do you know about what is going on here?” The questions were out before she could really stop to think about what she was doing. Everything he was saying – the way he was behaving – was contrary to how she had perceived him the whole time they’d been on this trip.
She realized she had assumed that Ben was here for the sole purpose of protecting her, Nathaniel, and William, a trusted castle guard who was just that – a guard. Well, you know what happens when you assume, she thought darkly, remembering a phrase her mother sometimes used.
Ben stopped riding and turned around to face her. His expression was confused and slightly cautious. “I thought you knew,” he said.
“Knew what?”
“My father and I are members of Friends of Philip – we’re part of the resistance.” He pulled the neck of his shirt far to the side, revealing a small tattoo over his heart. It was in a strange circular shape, though she couldn’t see the details from here.
“What? Why are castle guards from Eirentheos part of the Philothean resistance? Does Nathaniel know?”
“Of course he does. He’s … I guess I assumed that you and William did as well.”
“And Stephen?”
“Is very much in support of the Friends of Philip. Philotheum and Eirentheos have always been meant to be linked, two parts of a whole, not battling and mistrusting each other. Tolliver and his father are working hard to separate the kingdoms, but King Stephen and the Friends of Philip wish to restore things to how they should be.”
“Are there a lot of people in Eirentheos who are Friends of Philip, too?”
“There are many who are willing to help.”
She narrowed her eyes at his evasion of the question – what was he hiding? “But not full-on members, with the tattoo and everything?”
“There are some who are. All of my family are Friends of Philip.”
“Why? How is it that you are so involved? It seems like you’re avoiding my question.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed downward for a second before he answered. “I don’t know if I’m supposed to tell you this or not. I – I knew you didn’t know everything, but you seem to know less than I expected. Maybe you should wait and ask my father or Nathaniel.”
“How about you just tell me why you are so involved in this right now.” The firm tone in her voice surprised her, but not as much as the fact that he looked up at her and did as she’d asked.
“I was born in Eirentheos, but my father is from here, from Philotheum. He was born in the castle, actually. His father was a castle guard there, as were his grandfather and great-grandfather. He grew up knowing that he, too, would be one of the guards who personally attended the family. He served King Jonathan himself, until the first prince was born. Then he guarded the children.”
Ben paused, looking up at the clear blue sky. “When Jonathan died, everyone was devastated, my father especially so. He was off the day it happened, and he’s always thought…” he trailed off, seeming to search for what he’d been going to say.
“He thought what? How did King Jonathan die?”
“It was a horseback riding accident. He and Queen Sophia loved to take their horses out into the open country and race. That day … somehow his saddle was improperly secured. One strap snapped, another was loose… He hit his head just the wrong way on a rock.”
Quinn had to remind herself to breathe.
“Their four children were very young when it happened. Shortly after the funeral, Sophia realized she was with child again. She was remarried to Hector, an ambassador from Dovelnia before Jonathan’s last son was born.”
“Not Tolliver,” Quinn frowned.
“No. Tolliver was born two cycles later, and that is when things in the castle really changed. Everyone began to realize what Hector’s true intentions in marrying Sophia were by then. Everyone except Sophia; she seemed blind to what her new husband was doing.”
Just then, there was a rustling sound in the trees, and they both froze. “Stay here,” he said, under his breath, and he rode quietly toward the sound. Quinn trembled, sitting there waiting for him to come back. Dusk sensed her rider’s tension and looked around, alert. When she didn’t see any immediate danger, she snuffled in a calming way.
Although it felt like an hour, only a few minutes passed before Ben reappeared on the path. “It was a deer,” he said. “But we’d best be getting to the house.”
They hadn’t traveled much further when a stone wall came into view. Mounted on Dusk, Quinn could see over it, but barely. The wall surrounded an enormous, lush, green yard, beyond which was a rambling house. The wood-and-stone construction was very similar to the houses she had seen along the road, but this home was much larger.
Ben led her around the wall until they came to a large, wrought-iron fence. Just inside the fence was a stone guard stand, occupied by a light-haired man she guessed to be in his thirties.
“Hello, Ryan!” Ben called to the man.
“Ben.” The man nodded, coming out of the stand to unlock and open the gate. “We’ve been expecting you.” He turned to look up at Quinn; his ice-blue eyes brimming with curiosity. “And this is the girl?”
“Yes, Ryan, this is Quinn. Quinn, Ryan is another Friend of Philip. He has worked for L… for Ellen and Henry for many years.”
“Lovely to meet you, Lady Quinn.”
“It’s just Quinn, Ryan. I’m not anyone special.”
He raised his eyebrows at her, and then glanced up at Ben before smiling back at her. “All right, then, Quinn. Let’s get you down and inside. I’m sure you’re tired after your ride.”
She followed Ben down a path to a side entrance of the house. Ryan had told them he would have the horses taken care of. Dusk had whuffled a bit anxiously at the stranger – this place was new to her, too – but she’d gone after a few calming words from Quinn.
There was a little gate at the entrance to a covered vestibule; it moved easily at Ben’s touch. She felt suddenly nervous as he clasped the giant, circular knocker on the wooden door.
It was opened almost immediately. “You’re here!” The dark-haired woman who answered the door looked relieved to see them. “Come in, come in! How was your ride? Was there any trouble on the road?”
They’d walked into what appeared to be a comfortable sitting room. Light streamed in from giant windows on either side of the door, and along another wall. Soft couche
s and armchairs lined the walls. They weren’t alone in the room. Another woman and two men occupied a couple of couches that faced each other over a low table. Quinn had the impression that their arrival had interrupted a serious conversation.
“Everything was fine. We weren’t stopped even once,” Ben answered. “Ellen, this is Quinn. Quinn, this is Ellen Fisher – over there is her husband, Henry.” One of the men stood and walked over to them. “This is their home.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ellen. Thank you for having us here.”
“The pleasure is ours, Quinn,” Henry answered, reaching for her hand.
“Please make yourself comfortable while you are here,” Ellen added. Her eyes were a deep gray, and they shone with sincerity, in a way that seemed somehow familiar. Quinn liked her immediately. “You must be hungry after your trip. Would you like some bread and vegetable stew?”
“That sounds wonderful, thank you.”
Ellen and Henry both smiled. “Come have a seat, both of you,” Henry said. “Ellen will bring out the food.”
They followed Henry over to the couches; Ben waited until Quinn was settled on one end of a couch adjacent to the couple before he seated himself on the other end. Henry returned to the seat he had been occupying before they’d come in.
“Quinn, Ben, this is Andrew Gramble and his wife, Natalie.”
Quinn nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.” The man and his wife were very young; Andrew didn’t appear to be much older than William. They both looked exhausted; Natalie leaned close up against her husband with her feet pulled up under her, a blanket over her lap. There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked like she was having trouble keeping them open. Quinn knew the feeling.
“They’re from Harber Village. They arrived here late last night with some news.”
“What?” she asked anxiously. “Have you heard about Thomas?”
Roots of Insight (Dusk Gate Chronicles -- Book Two) Page 18
