by Candy Nicks
"She wished only to talk to you. To see who you were.” Sol took a careful step forward, clicking a reassurance to the horses to stand firm. The mare, free of restraint, shuffled backwards in the snow. If she bolted now, they would lose her. “Let her go and I'll promise not to kill you. That's the only deal I'll make."
"You wound me, Sol. Would I hurt my own daughter?"
The man tilted his Tian's face to his. Studied it carefully, all the while caressing her cheek with his thumb. Sol's insides lurched at the over-familiar gesture. He wanted to rip the man limb from limb. Satisfied, Tian's father touched his lips to her hair and let her go. She swayed and tilted forward into Sol's waiting arms.
"Tian?” He kept his voice neutral, unwilling to give her father any advantage. Instead of crushing her in his arms and smothering her with kisses, he made do with the comforting feel of her heart beating, steady and strong against his. “Tian?"
Her father pulled out a pair of gloves from his coat pocket. “Was a lot to take in, but she'll recover. More than recover, in fact. That's a fine wolf I've bred.” He chuckled and squeezed his hands into the gloves.
"Jarek's the name I go by these days. We were never formally introduced.” He extended a hand. Shrugged at Sol's disdainful frown. “Still high and mighty, I see. Come, I've hot coffee, food and a fire in that hut at the end of the track. Bed your horses and join me.” He spread his arms wide. “You wished to talk to me, so let's talk."
Had he not been holding Tian, Sol would have killed Jarek where he stood.
Jarek patted Balan's neck and threw Sol a pitying glance. “You don't have it in you. You didn't kill me all those years ago and you won't do it now. Come, the storm's worsening. Cold makes my bones ache. Visit my hearth and we'll each speak our piece."
"Tell me what you did to her.” Tian slept on, limp and loose in his arms. “Is she in thrall? Tell me, you bastard."
"She's waking up. Ask her yourself."
"Sol?” Tian's voice, barely a thread of sound. She blinked and twisted to watch her father retreating into the storm. “I dropped the gun."
"No. I'll get it, be still. Sit here and rest.” Sol prayed that she had no energy for her wolf. Should it choose a confrontation, more than one person's blood would stain the snow. He touched his hand to her hot cheek. “Your father says he's willing to talk. I just want to kill him, the bastard. Tell me what he did to you? Did he hurt you?"
Resting her elbows on her knees, Tian stared at the wooden floor, “He's opened a channel,” she said bleakly. “Connected my mind to his. Now I'll never be rid of him."
He wanted to roar with rage. Why had the Goddess allowed this to happen?
"I should have stopped you. I'll never forgive myself.” He fell to his knees, needing desperately to hold her. She tilted her face to the ground, refusing to catch his eye. Angled her head away when he reached out to wipe away her tears.
"Only the Goddess could have stopped me. She didn't and now I'm in chains. Why, Sol? After protecting me for all these years, why would she want this for me?"
"I don't know. Let me hold you. I need to hold you."
Stiff and unyielding, she relented enough to allow an arm around her shoulder.
"What does your wolf say?"
"It's furious. My sight is dimming. I'm barely holding it back."
"Keep it in check,” he warned. “Your father tried to kill Finn when he went rogue on them. He'll do the same to you. Don't give him that excuse."
"You don't think I'm trying?” She shook him off and shuffled away. “I need all my energy right now. Do you understand? Call in the horses. They're still out there, in the cold."
Sol sat back on his heels and let her go. An Eagle warrior fought alone. Yes, he understood, although leaving her sitting on the dusty floor felt like a betrayal.
He bedded the horses, moving mechanically through the ritual, his mind a confusion of conflicting thoughts and feelings. To release Tian from the thrall, Jarek would have to die. The man had as good as signed his own death warrant.
Do as you will with me, but spare Tian, he prayed. I'll gladly give my life for her.
The broken door flapped against the weatherboarding, letting in a sharp flurry of snow. It would need jamming closed before they joined Jarek. At the end of the room, on a raised dais, Sol spotted a table. A bit of mindless vandalism might release some of his anger, he thought, striding toward it, mouth set in a grim line.
By the time he'd paced the length of the room and lifted the table to smash it to pieces, some of his rage had evaporated. No need to scare the horses or worse, startle Tian's wolf. With one foot braced on the leg, he wrenched it away and then tore a plank from the table top in case it wasn't long enough to hold the door.
There was a purpose in all this. If he didn't believe that, the Goddess and her capriciousness would have driven him insane long ago.
He wanted this fight. Needed to prove himself. He could only pray that this was finally his call to arms.
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Chapter 13
Let me take him. Now Tian. Let me kill him.
No Wolf.
Tian closed her eyes as another voice cut into the conversation in her head.
Calm, Wolf. My name is Jarek and I'm here in peace. I mean you no harm. Let Tian see. She needs your eyes.
No eyes until she lets me out.
Wolf, please. Father, stop...
"Tian?” Sol's voice to the left of her, his body a blur of dark and light tones. “Here's the door,” he whispered. “Mind the step and keep hold of the gun."
"They're fighting in here,” she said and touched her temple. “My father and the wolf. I can't stand it."
"Yes you can. You're stronger than both of them. Stay near to me, I don't want us separated."
Please Wolf. Don't do this to me now. Don't humiliate me in front of him.
She felt its stubborn withdrawal. In this mood, she could plead with it until the heavens fell and still it wouldn't cooperate. Inside her head, Jarek laughed. He'd been most insistent she know his name. And he was so like her that it both frightened and fascinated her. Years of believing she was the only one and now her aura pulsed with the same beat as another. His scent, everything about him, spoke of family and bonding on a level she'd never felt with her mother. And she'd loved her mother above all else.
"Sit down. Eat, drink. My hearth is yours."
"We can talk just as well standing. You called us here. What do you want?"
Sol's voice held too much challenge. Did he not realise the fine thread they walked?
"We will eat with you,” she said. Since Jarek had offered, they should save their own rations. And better to keep Jarek near than have him lurk in the night getting up to the Goddess only knew what. Until the storm abated, they were trapped here with him.
The figure bent. She heard scraping and caught the scent of charred wood. Red and orange light danced in the hearth.
"Caught myself a rabbit,” Jarek announced. “Do you like rabbit?"
"You know I do.” He knew everything now. And so did she know things she'd rather not. “Sol, shall we eat with him."
"If you wish it."
She lowered herself to the floor, feeling for the rough wood with her hand. Sol took a few moments to follow suit, pulling her hard against his damp coat. The smell of the food made her stomach growl.
"How did you find us?"
"The same way you found me, I should think. The Goddess."
"Are you telling me she wanted this meeting?” Sol placed a warm bowl into one of her hands, a spoon into the other. She heard the clink of metal on metal. The sound of liquid being poured.
"She is ever merciful. Praise-be her name."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
You know what it means, Tian.
"I don't,” she said aloud. The bowl shook in her hand. “I wanted only to meet you. To see for myself what you were. My mother..."
"Told you many things. Mos
t of them lies."
"Don't listen to him.” Sol caught the bowl. Set it down on the floor in front of her. “The Goddess sent me for Tian. We're to be married when we reach Wolf's Valley. There's nothing else to say."
"Except that the Goddess sent me for her too. How old is she? Eighteen summers? You'll find my claim is the greater. If I want my daughter near to me in my old age, I'll have her. Eat, your food is getting cold."
"Touch her and you're dead. I swear it."
The angry words rolled around her, over her. She clutched Sol's sleeve, warning him to keep his temper. Jarek's aura spiked with a surge of energy that threatened to knock the air from her lungs. Sol's spiked back, filling the room with his rage.
Wolf, I must be able to see. This will end in blood.
If they fight, you will have to let me out.
We have no idea how strong he is. Sol said he tried to kill my brother. Stay back.
Better to die with honour, than cower in fear.
Better to live. To reach Wolf's Valley and a life with Sol. I want it, Wolf. Don't you want it, too?
They both did. Gradually, the room came into focus. Jarek, lounged against the wooden hearth, unconcerned, tearing strips from a lump of charred rabbit-meat with his teeth. Sol, stood over her, arms crossed, face set like a spring-storm. Two bowls of the roasted meat sat on the floor between them. Two metal mugs of coffee, Sol's half-empty. Beside them, the blast gun.
"Tell him to stand down.” Jarek tossed down the rabbit bone and nodded at Sol. “According to Rom law, she's mine until her twenty-fifth birthday. I claim that right. She will bead her hair, lower her eyes and take her place by my side. If the Goddess did not wish this touching family reunion, she would not have sent me here."
Jarek's voice, echoed in her head. I hold you with forces you cannot begin to imagine, Tian. You cannot escape me.
"Then you leave me no choice.” Sol's blade arced through the air to point at Jarek. Tian's wolf flashed in and out. “No,” she cried and sprang to her feet between them. “No bloodshed. I am going with Sol to Wolf's Valley. Your law cannot touch me there."
"Get behind me, Tian.” Sol motioned with the sword, looking more determined than ever.
"No.” She took in a shuddering breath, concentrating hard to block Jarek's invasion of her mind. “You magic is weak, Father. A front. So you talk in my head. Is that all you can do? Put down your sword, Sol. He's merely a sad old man. We should pity him."
Sadder than you think, daughter. I'm dying.
She could not hide her surprise. Sol remained in fighting stance, refusing to give an iota of ground.
"What?” Sol said when she faltered. “What did he say to you?"
"I'm dying, that's what I said. Three different medics have told me the same thing. Now do you understand?"
Sol's turn to look surprised. “Even if we did believe you, she can't help you. Tian, we're leaving now. Distance will lose the connection he has to you. He can only read you when you're near to him."
"You'd leave your father to die alone? Unshriven? Uncleansed? Go now and you condemn me to the Pit of Eternal Torment."
"Whatever fate awaits you, it's well deserved. Pick up the gun, Tian and walk slowly to the door. I'll be right behind you."
She did neither. “Explain yourself,” she said to the old man standing at the hearth. Now he'd said the words, she could smell the decay eating him from the inside. See every fine line of pain etched on his face. “He speaks the truth, Sol. I'm sorry for your pain, Father. I could not help my mother and I cannot help you."
"Would you deny the hand of peace to a dying man?"
"Don't touch him, Tian.” Sol grasped her arm, pulling her out of her father's reach. “I know what he wants and you're not doing it."
"The Sacred Fire?” Tian listened to the words in her head. “He wants me to find the Sacred Fire."
"And bless him some magic stones to cleanse his soul. She's not doing it Jarek."
"I haven't lived the cleanest of lives, Tian. Could you live your life, knowing you'd condemned me to Hell? Knowing you had the power to help me and didn't?"
Should she feel pity for this man? When she searched her heart, she found nothing but anger.
"You condemned me first. To a life of isolation in the mountains. My mother to an early death. She died protecting me from you."
"She hid you for shame, lest her family find out what she'd spawned. Did you never realise?"
"You liar! My mother loved me."
"Believe what you will. I would have shown you the world. She denied you the life you were born for."
Grief, heavy and desolate, threatened to overwhelm her. She held on grimly to the image of her mother as protector not jailer. She would not cry in front of him, although the gates holding back her tears were ready to burst open.
This man was of her flesh, blood and bone. She had the means to ease his everlasting torment. And yet...
"Don't let him make you feel guilty, Tian.” Sol sounded calmer. His tone more measured now the enemy had declared its weakness. “The sins are his and the punishment rightly earned."
"I don't know what I feel.” She took another long look at the man standing so hopefully before her. Could she ever rest, knowing she might have saved his eternal soul?
Goddess, guide me. Tell me what to do.
She listened. Her wolf listened. Nothing.
"She sent you to help me, daughter. That's why she led you here. Whatever sins I've committed, I'm still one of her own. She will not abandon me."
"I don't believe it.” The disappointment threatened to crush her. All this, only to end up bound to a man she should hate? “The Crystal showed me Wolf's Valley. A long and happy life with Sol."
"Merely one of the paths untaken.” Jarek stuck a hand into his pocket, causing Sol to stiffen and raise his sword. “My own Crystal, nothing else,” Jarek said. In his hand he held a clear unassuming stone, similar to Carine's. “Let's ask the Crystal what you should do. Let it show you the way."
"Don't touch it. You ... Ahh ... Gods what's happening to me..."
Tian turned in alarm. Sol's face contorted with pain. He gave her a blank, uncomprehending look. The sword fell from his grip to clatter to the floor.
"What's wrong?” She grasped him by the elbows, feeling the strength draining from him. “Sol, speak to me."
"I'm fine.” He staggered to his feet, swayed and fell to his knees. “Bastard,” he muttered. “What's he done to me?"
"Father?” A snarling growl filled the room, her wolf immediately leaping to the edge. Anger gave her the energy to easily push it back. Sol remained on his knees, palms flat on the floor, holding himself up by power of will alone. She dropped to her own knees and cupped his face with her palms. His beloved face, she knew that beyond all doubt now. If he died, she would want to die with him.
After she had killed her father. Part beast part human, she measured the distance between them.
"Don't worry, he's not dying.” Jarek pocketed the Crystal. Rather less at death's door himself now. “Just needed to take him out of the equation for a while. You and I need to talk without his hysterical posturing coming between us."
Human again, Tian cradled Sol's limp body, trying to infuse him with her strength. Refusing to indulge in feelings of regret for having insisting on this meeting with her father. What choice had they been given? They were no more than chess-pieces, moved around at the whim of the Goddess. Whatever they did, she held the power to change their destiny with one sweep of her hand.
"Have you poisoned me, too?” How much of the food had she eaten?
"I'm telling you, it's not poison.” Jarek squatted beside her. Pulled back one of Sol's eyelids. Tian growled and pulled Sol closer to her chest.
"Your first lesson, Daughter. Always wrest the advantage. Find yourself a bargaining chip. It's the only way to do business."
"What did you give him?"
"Burlock. In the coffee. Muscle paralysis is the main effe
ct."
"Is there an antidote?"
"I have the basic formula, yes. And it's not in my wagon, before you go tearing it to pieces. Leave him. I have a bargain to make with you."
"I can hear you just as well from here."
"And I think a dutiful daughter should obey her father. Sol will get his antidote when I get my shiny new soul. It's really very simple."
"How could the Goddess allow this?” Sol's heart beat out its steady rhythm, his chest rose and fell, his breathing regular, but his aura already felt like that of a man in stasis.
"I'll take him myself. To the next township. Find an apothecary or a healer. Or use his mother's Crystal."
"You mean this one?” Jarek twirled Carine's Crystal neatly between his fingers, then threw it up into the air and caught it one-handed. “Daughter, I will always be one step ahead of you. Accept it. The specific antidote would take moons to formulate. I have the formula, here in my head. You can save me and him into the bargain."
Sol's Eagle side would die of shame at the thought he might need saving. Would he wish to live after this indignity? Would he forgive her for saving him?
"You wish me to find you a Sacred Fire?"
"No...” Sol's throat worked, trying to form words. “Burn you ... Don't risk..."
"You took the words right out of my mouth,” Jarek said. “Time is of the essence. For both of us."
"Sol?” Tian bent to listen to his mumbled words. “I'll find the Fire for him. Bless his stupid stones. Your body is shutting down. To avoid permanent damage I must do this quickly."
Sol's weak grip pulled at her sleeve. “No guarantee you'll survive it. Don't do ... Kill him now..."
"I'd do anything for you.” With great care, she pulled up his fur-lined hood and laid Sol's head onto the dusty planks. Swallowed down the alarm when she saw how blue his lips had become. “How do I know you will keep your word?” she said to Jarek.
"You don't. Think on, daughter. This way you get to save us both. Imagine the heavenly points you'll earn."
"If I do this, it will not be for you."
"If?” Jarek raised an eyebrow, lips curving in amusement. “You would contemplate leaving your lover a drooling idiot for the rest of his days? It's his fate if you don't get the antidote into him fast. He'll die eventually, but before that he'll have all the control of a babe in arms. For the sake of your pride, you would condemn him? I think not."
