Dissident (Forbidden Things Book 1)
Page 25
“Are you well?”
She nodded. “Just tired. We should lead her back.”
“You can ride with me. Cadmar, can you lead the mare? I have to make sure our weary healer doesn’t fall off.”
Cadmar eyed the healed leg, thoughtful. “I see why the prince pressed so hard for healers.”
Caplin mounted and gave Indigo a hand up behind him. She sagged against him. The healing drained her after a morning spent working with ascard. She would have to remember not to waste energy like that once they entered a more hostile setting.
Siddael and Deryk fell upon them the instant they arrived, drawing a curious crowd.
“What happened?” Siddael gave Indigo a hand down and she let him support most of her weight.
“A little accident.” Caplin dismounted and handed his reins to Deryk. “The mare broke a leg, but Indigo healed it.”
Siddael handed her off to Caplin, who supported her with a gentle hand under her elbow, and walked over to the mare.
“Which leg?”
“Right front,” Caplin answered.
Siddael laid his hands over the mended leg, inspecting her work. After a few minutes, he straightened and walked back to them.
“It’s good. Another healing in the morning and she might be lightly ridden, but Indigo will need a new mount.”
Caplin nodded. “We’ll take a horse from a supply wagon.”
Cadmar stepped forward, his size and his deep voice commanding attention. “The wagons need those animals and we need the wagons. I would offer mine instead. It is a good mount and she has earned it. I can travel as swiftly on foot.”
Caplin hesitated and Indigo thought he might be weighing the diplomacy of accepting the offer against their need for haste. She found the offer gratifying, not only because of who had made it, but because of the respect in his voice.
Caplin nodded. “Your gracious offer is accepted. Thank you, Cadmar.”
Cadmar’s eyes stayed on Indigo. “The offer was for her.”
Awkward. She inclined her head. “Thank you, Cadmar.”
He returned the nod.
“It’s settled then.” Siddael placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her toward camp. “You need food and rest.”
She leaned on him, exaggerating exhaustion because he would expect it after such healing. He couldn’t know how little it drained her. That would draw the attention Serivar wanted to avoid. However, limiting her ability in order to protect the headmaster’s interests could force her to make hard choices when dealing with battle injuries. Could he honestly expect her to hide her strength when it might save someone’s life?
“I hate to build a student’s ego, Indigo, but you saved that animal. The bones are nearly as good as new and you tended surrounding tissue damage. Your work was thorough and attentive. You must be strong to have done that alone. I don’t think you need my guidance as much as Lord Serivar implied, but I will enjoy watching you work.”
The thrill of a master like Siddael recognizing and praising her skill made her giddy. After months of practicing skills she couldn’t share, it felt wonderful to do something she could be openly proud of.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
While Caplin oversaw division of soldiers and supplies, Siddael divided healers among three mid-sized cargo ships to assist with seasickness and calming of horses during the crossing. They had arrived at Port Aaron the prior evening. Loading and preparation stretched into morning because the small dock only accommodated one big cargo ship at a time. The crossing from Port Aaron would take between two and three days depending on conditions.
Indigo stood at the bow of the third ship as they cast off. Already she found the wave motion pleasant, if disconcerting.
Cadmar took a spot at the railing a few feet to her left.
Caplin walked up on her right. “What do you think?”
“It’s still an adventure to me. I’ve traveled little. When we join the army, perhaps fear will outweigh novelty and freedom, but for now I’m content.”
“It doesn’t bother you that we’re going to fight for the Blood Prince?”
She gazed out over the water. What did he want her to say?
“I’m sorry.” He broke into her silence. “I thought I’d better address the subject now. You didn’t seem to mind Prince Yiloch in person, but you had strong opinions about him prior to that. I need to know if that’s going to be a problem.”
“He wasn’t…” she paused, struggling for the right words, “the man I expected.” Did Cadmar understand what they were saying?
“He was in a formal setting working to make a good impression. He may be different at war.”
Cadmar stared ahead, showing no outward interest in their conversation.
She faced Caplin. “You sound wistful. Are you trying to prepare me or yourself?” His shoulders tightened. She’d hit close to the mark. There was no need to push. “I can assure you that I have no expectations of Prince Yiloch. What he’s like in this setting is of little importance. I made my choices. I am not here just to escape a bad situation. I’m here because I want to do this.”
He held her gaze, his expression grave. “I’m glad to hear that. Whatever your reasons for being here, don’t get yourself hurt.”
She pressed her lips together, taking a few seconds to rein in a burst of frustration. “I don’t plan to, but let me worry about that. You have your own job to do.”
He opened his mouth to speak when someone called him. He acknowledged the summons with a quick wave. “You’re right. Please excuse me.”
He strode away and she turned back to gaze at the water. The ship rocked with the waves as they picked up speed and a light spray misted the bow with each swell it struck. She closed her eyes, letting wind dry the dampness, leaving behind the sticky feel of salt on her skin.
“Do you go for him?” Cadmar asked in Lyran.
“You do speak Caithin, don’t you?”
“I hear it. I do not speak it.”
“Is that a personal choice?”
He didn’t answer.
“You mean Prince Yiloch?” She did want to see Yiloch and protect him, as foolish as that notion was. The prince had his own people for that. She also wanted to escape Jayce, but she was looking for something else too. “I go to find myself, Cadmar. To see who I am.”
When she started to feel foolish for her words, he nodded, as though answering some internal question. She kept her eyes on the water, burning to know what he was thinking, but reluctant to ask.
“I wondered…” He hesitated as if still working out what he wanted to say. “When Prince Yiloch risked the alliance for one night with a promised Caithin woman, I wondered at his actions.” Her cheeks burned and she stared hard at the swirling peak of the next swell. “He was quick to defend when Ian mentioned you. Now I think he was more perceptive than the rest of us. For me, it has taken a few days travel, but I see that you are remarkable in many ways. I think it is that which drew him to you.”
She felt stripped bare, as if all the layers of herself she couldn’t seem to get through had been peeled away. It was the first time since the ship set sail that she felt at all nauseous. She gripped the railing and used ascard to settle her stomach, her inward focus so intense that she jumped when he touched her hand, his skin very dark against her light bronze. His hand stayed there and her gaze traveled up his thickly muscled arm, rising to meet his bright eyes.
“My lady, I have much respect for Prince Yiloch. If you seek to find yourself, perhaps you should try looking through his eyes.”
Her heart twisted in her chest. The sensitivity of this intimidating warrior amazed and moved her. She rested her free hand over his. “I can be nothing to him. You must know that.”
He turned his hand, a hand strong enough to set the broken leg of a horse, and squeezed hers with great gentleness. “I know many things, Lady Indigo. That is not among them. Perhaps what you say is true. If so, then maybe he can be something to you.”
With a few simple words, Cadmar destroyed the careful wall she’d constructed around her feelings for Yiloch. She didn’t belong in his world he would never be part of hers, especially if he became emperor. She could play a part in helping him achieve that goal. Along the way, she hoped to find something within herself to negate her need for him and help her survive the life waiting for her in Caithin.
“How do you do that?”
She glanced at Caplin when he leaned against the rail beside her. “Do what?”
“You captured Prince Yiloch’s interest at the feast as if you were the only woman in the room and his captain took to you like an old friend. Today I leave you alone for a few minutes and you turn an imposing warrior with the cozy disposition of a double-bladed axe into an adoring puppy. Have you considered going into politics?”
What he would say if he knew how it all started? “You exaggerate. Besides, Cadmar’s far more sensitive than you give him credit for. A lot of men behave differently around a woman.”
“Indeed, especially an attractive one.” He ignored her look of warning. “But unless they know the woman well, all that usually involves is a lot of flattery and meaningless words. They actually talk to you. Why is that?”
“I don’t know, Caplin. Why do you talk to me?”
The affection in his smile made her wish she hadn’t asked. “I don’t know. You’re different somehow. You accept people for who they are. You’re not so wrapped up in what a woman of breeding is supposed to be that you need to hide who you are behind gossip and fancy clothes. Nor are you so obsessed with being a healer that you can’t enjoy an occasional lapse into the frivolity of being a noble lady. You’re an enchanting, well-balanced woman.”
She turned away, unable to stomach his fond regard in combination with flattery. “I don’t feel so well-balanced.”
“That’s the waves,” he remarked facetiously. Their laughter broke the tension. “Besides,” he winked, “conversation is always better when there’s a nice view.”
“Caplin!”
“You wouldn't show it off if you didn't want it noticed.”
She tried to look angry and failed. "Honestly. I'm not going to wear canvas robes because you vultures can't manage your appetites."
He smiled, but his expression turned serious. “Do be cautious. You’re a lovely woman and you'll soon be surrounded by foreign soldiers.”
“I’m not overly concerned. There are women soldiers in the Lyran army and I left my summer dresses at home. Besides, I don't think it’s the soldiers I need to worry about.”
He gave her a curious look that she pretended not to notice. Sometime while they talked, the sun had gone down, its warm glow fading on the horizon.
Had the sunset been beautiful?
A yawn snuck up on her and she covered her mouth. “I think it may be time to get some rest. Goodnight, Caplin.”
“Sleep well, Indigo.”
*
Morning brought heavy rain and rough waters. She stayed below deck through the early hours offering assistance to those who needed it in the rougher water, herself included. As afternoon approached, she traded with another healer and went above to brave the rain for the sake of fresh air. She found a lonely spot at the bow and peered out in hope of seeing some sign of the distant shore, but heavy downpour obscured everything. Holding the railing, she let the spray from the water hit her. She was already soaked from rain and it helped wash away some of the smells and grime of traveling.
She stayed a while, letting the water wash over her and focusing on the simple act of balancing. Eventually, she reached out with her inner aspect and ran a tendril of energy away from the ship, using ascard in the water to extend her reach. When it came down to it, she wasn’t sure which direction to search, so she pulled back without finding dry land.
By dark, the sea settled and the rain stopped. In dire need of rest and drying off, she went below deck to her sleeping roll in the stuffy, crowded sleeping area.
She woke early from restless slumber, packed her things into her sleeping roll, and took it with her so she wouldn’t have to go back below deck. The washed out light of early dawn revealed a crew busy unloading supplies into rowboats. They sat outside a flat sandy harbor in front of the walled village of Issaoula. The dock could barely accommodate one large vessel at a time for unloading of horses. To speed things along, two of the ships had anchored in the harbor and smaller rowboats were starting to ferry people and supplies to shore while waiting their turn to unload horses.
“Lady Indigo.”
“Good morning, Caplin.”
“Good morning.” He smiled tiredly. “Cadmar and I are going ashore on the next boat. If you’re ready,” he nodded to her bundle, “you can join us.”
She glanced toward shore. The day was clear. Morning light fell upon a rough, volcanic beach north of the port. The black, rocky landscape around that edge of the city reminded her of the prison and of Yiloch.
Yiloch.
Hopeless longing raked through her, sapping pleasure from her memories. No matter how close she got to him, they would remain worlds apart. He was a Lyran prince and she an engaged Caithin healer who, supposedly, had only met him briefly at the feast in Demin.
The city wall extended out on the volcanic rock, a deep red stone rising over black basalt. South of town, rugged high desert stretched out as far as she could see. To the north, she could see a distant outline of hills and far off mountains.
She nodded north. “That’s where we’re going?”
“Yes. Our route will take us North and East from Issaoula toward the mountains and then west toward the capital. Cadmar says the rendezvous is about a day and a half away. He was kind enough to add that it might take three or more days at our speeds.”
She coaxed a reluctant smile to her lips. “I will go ashore. I’ve had enough of ships for now.”
“Come along then.”
Climbing down into the rowboat on a rope ladder draped over the side of the rocking ship required considerable fortitude and her hands shook enough to make the process more difficult than it needed to be. The little boat itself felt tiny next to the merchant ship, but steady enough when she took a seat. Cadmar followed her down and sat alongside her, forcing Caplin to take another bench when he joined them.
She greeted him in Lyran.
“Good morning, Lady Indigo. You look tired.”
Concern in his voice compelled her to look up at him. The hissing snake’s head pommel of his sword hovered ominous over one shoulder, absurdly contrasted by the caring expression. She swallowed a laugh and stared forward.
“I am well. I found the hold somewhat hard to sleep in.”
“I don’t know that you will find sleeping on the ground much better.”
“You don’t think I should be here, do you?” The big man shifted, rocking the boat with his weight. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m a healer. I can manage.”
“You’re right, my lady. I worry more that those who care for you will not be focused on their own safety with you there.”
She resisted the urge to glance back at Caplin, who would be listening to their conversation. Since he wasn’t privy to the extent of her relationship with Yiloch, might he think he was the subject of Cadmar’s concern? Would he be wrong if he did?
“I don’t believe anyone among us would put themselves or anyone else at risk for my sake. My task is to aid, not hinder, and I intend to succeed at that.”
Cadmar nodded as the little boat rolled over small waves into shore, a different sensation when sitting that low in the water. Then a slow smile meandered across his face. “I believe you will succeed, my lady.”
“You’re welcome to call me Indigo.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Yiloch’s army left the manor at over 5000 strong with cavalry, foot soldiers, archers, and ascard users. Supplies sent out ahead of time via land and river to strategic points along their route enabled lighter and faster travel. More allied forces and supply wagons met them at the southern camp where they would wait for additional troops, including the force from Caithin.
En route, they captured eleven imperial scouts, most surrendering quickly and all but one short-lived individual willing to swear allegiance to Yiloch. One of the allied troops absorbed a rogue unit of imperial soldiers on their way to rendezvous. The three imperial adepts they encountered presented too much risk not to kill outright.
At this rendezvous, they arranged two large tents for healers near Yiloch’s private tent and set up similar private quarters for Lord Caplin. Such attention would strengthen their relationship, something that could only be beneficial in days to come.
Standing on a rise with Adran, Hax, Ferin, and Ian, overlooking his army, Yiloch was pleased with what he saw. Once the Caithin force arrived, they would have a day or two to rest and go over plans. The army had to reach Yiroth the same day the Caithin ships attacked. A force this large would never reach the capital undetected, but the seaward attack would provide substantial distraction. The faster they moved in on the heels of that attack, the more advantage it would give them.
A strange sensation startled him, like a caress upon his inner aspect. He started to erect a defensive barrier then recognized her ascard signature and stopped, dissolving the half-formed barrier to welcome her unexpected and intimate touch.
“They’re almost here.”
“How do you know?” Adran asked.
Yiloch glanced at Ian. “Can’t you sense her?”
The young creator’s brow furrowed. “I can sense a large number of adepts and soldiers approaching, but, no, I don’t sense her.”