Heir of Hope (Follower of the Word Book 3)

by Morgan L. Busse

  “Yes.” Caleb ran his hands across his face and up through his hair, pulling on the ends. How were they going to make their way across the Great Desert now? One false step and they would die here.

  And it was his fault.

  Lore looked around, then back at Caleb. “Well, do you remember where we are now?”

  Caleb thought back, picturing the map in his mind. “Yes,” he said after a moment. “We are near a long ravine. After that, we were to head straight west until we reached the ocean, then follow the coast up to Kerre.”

  Lore nodded. “Then all we need to do is find that ravine and continue west.”

  Caleb peered across the desert. Sand as far as the eye could see. “The problem is the ravine will be easy to miss out here.”

  Lore stood and cinched up his pack. “Then we will have to work together.”

  He had never really worked with others before, even during this trip through the Great Desert. He had led, and Nierne and Lore had followed. And he hadn’t even liked that. He worked alone, always worked alone. Until now.

  Caleb worked his jaw, his eyes still on the sandy expanse before him. “All right.” He turned around. “We head west. Look for anything that might be a ravine. That is where the next watering hole will be. If we miss it . . .”

  “Then we keep going west.” Lore hefted up his pack. Nierne looked between the two men and lifted her own pack.

  Caleb knew he could survive if they didn’t find the ravine. Maybe Lore could too. But Nierne?

  He hoisted up his pack and swung it onto his shoulder. He paused. Word, please get us across the desert. If this journey is the one we are to take, then help us.

  It still felt odd to talk to a being he could not see. If he hadn’t met the Word all those months ago, he wasn’t sure if he could even speak to Him now. Or really even believe in Him. But he had seen the Word, and felt His power first hand. If the Word could carry him from the White City all the way back to Temanin and to his own home, then the Word could lead them across the desert.

  The tension across his shoulders loosened. Lore and Nierne were already mounting their horses. He studied Nierne for a moment. How did she believe? And Lore? As far as he knew, they had never met the Word, not in the way he had. And yet they followed Him, sometimes with more faith than he possessed. How? Perhaps he could learn from them more about what it meant to be a Follower.

  “Ready?” Nierne brought her horse around.

  “Yes, I am.” Caleb walked over to his own mare, secured his pack, and heaved himself onto her back. He turned her toward the west, where the sun was heading. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter

  22

  Bright, piercing sunlight tore across Lore’s vision until his head throbbed. His tongue filled his mouth like a piece of cotton cloth, and his body ached from the heat. By now he thought he would have grown accustomed to the desert, but his Avonain blood refused to adapt to the heat and sun.

  Sand. That’s all there was. Mounds and hills of sand. No plants, no bushes, no vegetation, just sand stretched beneath a bright blue sky. Usually he could find beauty in almost anything, but he could not find it here. He loved trees, and greenery, and water. His body literally ached for it now. If only he could dip his fingers into a pool of water and wet his tongue.

  Hours passed until the sun set in front of them. Then he and Caleb made camp while Nierne dug out food from their dwindling stores. She laid out small bits of dried meat and fruit on the blanket. The grain had run out yesterday.

  Lore picked up a piece of dried rabbit and held it between his finger and thumb. He didn’t really want to give thanks for this meager meal. Not that he wasn’t thankful, he was. But his prayers had turned more desperate. The reality that he might not make it to Thyra was slowly setting in. Their water was almost gone, along with their food. And they still didn’t know where they were. He saw the anxious look on Caleb’s face when the man thought no one was watching.

  As much as he wanted to find Rowen, he’d decided days ago he would be the first one to go without food or water. He could never live with himself if he let Nierne, or even Caleb, die because he had to have his portion.

  Lore took the meat and placed it in his mouth and chewed, making the bite last as long as possible. Better enjoy this meal because it might be his last.

  Nierne looked at him, then at Caleb, before eating a date. Caleb kept his head down, his food untouched. After a moment, she reached over and touched Caleb’s hand. He drew back and glared at her.

  “Caleb, it’s going to be all righ—”

  “No, it isn’t. I know the desert, I know what can happen—will happen—out here.”

  Lore went still.

  “You don’t know if that will happen, if we will . . .”

  “Die? Is that what you were going to say?”

  Her face flushed and she looked away.

  “I’ve seen death before, Nierne. I’m no stranger to its presence. And I feel it here, now.”

  Her head spun back around. “You don’t know that. Why would the Word have us come so close to Thyra, just to have us die in the desert?”

  “Then why would He let me lose our map? Why would He let a sandstorm come? I’ve asked for guidance, a lead, something, to let me know we are going the right way.” His nostrils flared. “I’ve heard nothing.”

  “Sometimes the Word doesn’t say anything.”

  “Then how do I trust Him? How do I follow Him?”

  Nierne opened her mouth as if she was going to say something, But Caleb’s last words seemed to hit her. “I don’t know.” She looked down at her hands. “I’ve asked the same question. This whole journey, from Thyra to losing . . . losing Father Reth.” she glanced at Caleb. “Then caught by you. And meeting you again in Azar . . .”

  Something passed between the two of them. Apparently there was a lot of history between them, more than Lore knew. Interesting.

  “But every time I wanted to give up, or thought the Word had forgotten me, He provided a way.” Nierne sighed. “And not in the way I thought it would happen.”

  Lore’s heart grew heavy. Yes, what Nierne said was true. And then sometimes things happened and you had to trust the Word knew what He was doing. Like when Lord Gaynor died.

  Lore looked at Caleb then. He couldn’t help it. It was as if his whole being was drawn in his direction. He waited for the bitterness to rekindle inside his chest, the twisting, fiery feeling to emerge again from his heart. But it never came.

  Caleb continued to talk to Nierne, never seeming to notice his stare. Lore blinked. Instead of an assassin, a murderer, he simply saw a man. A man who was afraid of being lost. A man who had never been out of control before. A man who was taking his first shaky steps in following the Word.

  Just a man.

  “What do you think?” Caleb directed his question at Lore.

  And with that, the bitterness was gone. The hurt was still there, it would always be there. After all, deep wounds left scars, even after they healed. But the wound had healed. He had finally forgiven Caleb. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you are asking,” He had lost track of their conversation.

  “Would the Word really let us die here?”

  Lore let out a long breath. “I don’t know.”

  Caleb crossed his arms and looked away.

  Nierne frowned.

  “The Word orchestrates events that sometimes I don’t understand. Sometimes He does provide a way. And sometimes events happen that only the Word knows why.” Lore shook his head. “So I don’t know. What I do know is that we don’t give up. Not yet.”

  He wasn’t about to tell them his own decision to not take anymore of their provisions. He had led too many men, been a captain too long not to think of the needs of others above his own. He would be the first to go. But they didn’t need to know that, not yet.

 
; His answer didn’t seem to satisfy either Nierne or Caleb.

  He crawled into his bedroll shortly after. There was no fire tonight; there was nothing to burn. Nierne and Caleb whispered nearby, but their voices were low and did not carry.

  Lore stared up at the stars until he drifted off to sleep.

  •••

  The sun was even hotter today. Lore longed for water, his body begged for it, but there was none left, at least not for him. He shoved the empty waterskin out of sight and focused instead on the horizon. Nothing but sand.

  Nierne rode to his right and Caleb rode ahead of them. No one spoke. No one wanted to say what they were all thinking: today was the last day. If they didn’t find water, or food, or something, then it wouldn’t be long before . . .

  Lore left those thoughts behind and kept his eyes on the horizon. If it came, it came. He would face his end without whimpering or pleading. The Word would carry him home. His only regret would be leaving Rowen behind.

  Rowen.

  His heart throbbed inside him. At least he’d told her he loved her. He would have loved her to the end of his days. Or hers. Whichever came first. But he would have loved her fully. Completely.

  Watch over her, Word. Wherever she is, whatever she is facing. Watch over her.

  Midday came. The sun burned through Lore. His tongue filled his mouth and his skin burned. Even his horse seemed listless. How long could his mount keep going? They had given as much water as they could to the horses this morning. But it couldn’t have been enough. Not as much as they all needed now.

  A half hour later, all he wanted to do was drop from his horse and lay in the sand. The feeling grew stronger by the minute.

  Caleb sat straight in his saddle, but Nierne was leaning across her mare.

  Lore tugged on his reins and brought his horse near hers. “Don’t give up.”

  She sat up and looked at him.

  “Don’t give up. I don’t know what will happen today, but don’t give up.”

  She shook her head. “I’m so tired. And . . .”

  “Thirsty.”

  She nodded at Lore and pressed a hand to her cheek.

  “It is not weakness to admit that.” Lore reached over and touched her arm.

  Her face scrunched up, but tears never came. She laughed and choked. “I can’t even cry.” She wiped her face, but there was nothing to wipe.

  Lore patted her arm. “I know.” Word, help me be strong, help all of us to be strong. He looked again to the horizon. Be with us at the en—

  His eyes widened. Something stirred inside of him. Lore pulled up on his reins and froze.

  No, it couldn’t be.

  Wait. There. Ahead of him, and slightly to the right. His heart started beating again, the hot rush of life moving through him.

  He knew that feeling. The ocean inside his veins. Close, too. Why hadn’t he felt it before now?

  “Lore, are you all right?”

  He blinked. Caleb had stopped and was now staring at him. “Yes.” It didn’t matter. His mouth stretched into a huge grin, his dry lips cracking.

  Caleb pulled back, probably thinking Lore had gone insane. Maybe he had. Maybe the feeling was a phantom. Only one way to find out.

  “This way!” Lore gave his horse a small kick. Startled, the horse leapt forward. Lore looked back. Nierne and Caleb were staring after him, their images growing smaller as he rushed across the desert. Then they started riding.

  “Wait, Lore, what’s going on?” Nierne shouted behind him.

  Caleb came up on his left.

  “Water!” He laughed. He couldn’t stop. Relief burst through him like an unplugged spring. They were going to live!

  “Water?” Caleb shouted, his horse neck and neck with Lore’s. “What do you mean water?”

  Lore pointed toward the horizon. “I can feel it. We made it. The ocean is ahead of us.”

  Nierne caught up. “You can feel the ocean?”

  “Yes. And more.” His insides expanded. Not only could he feel the ebb and flow of the ocean, he could feel a storm coming. Lands, he hadn’t felt a storm in months! “There’s a storm coming.” A big one too. And for once, he didn’t fear what the storm would do to him. A storm meant water.

  Oh Word, thank you. Thank you!

  “But I don’t see anything,” Nierne said.

  Lore just laughed. “Follow me.”

  The three of them raced across the sand. He spotted clouds forming to the south. Wonderful, life-giving clouds. Caleb must have too, because he shouted to Nierne and pointed.

  He leaned in toward his horse and patted her neck. “Come on, sweetheart, we’re almost there.” She needed water just as badly as he did. If the storm hadn’t been coming, they would have had to find a way to turn the saltwater to drinking water, not an easy task. And a time- consuming one as well.

  Lore looked back at the storm clouds, now billowing up into the sky. It was going to hit hard and hit fast, but never had he been more grateful for a storm.

  A minute later he spotted a thin line of greenish blue along the horizon. The ocean. He slowed his horse. No need to tire her out. The others, seeing him slow, did the same themselves.

  Lore shuddered as the feeling of the ocean swept over him. Powerful, cool, with a sharp tingle at the end. He opened his eyes and found Nierne staring at him.

  “I’ve never seen that before,” she said, awe in her voice. “Your eyes, they’re a brilliant green now.”

  Lore touched the skin below his eye.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

  “You didn’t. It’s been a while since I felt the ocean and changed.”

  “I can’t imagine what that is like . . .”

  “It’s amazing.” And he meant it. The connection of his people had just saved their lives.

  The ocean expanded in front of them as they approached the coast. To the south, the storm clouds drew closer. Judging from the churning inside his blood, they didn’t have much time before the storm hit. And as much as he would love to just stand in the rain, they should find some kind of protection.

  “Start looking for a rock ledge, or a cave, or some kind of shelter from the storm. We’re going to need it.”

  The wind picked up, first a gentle blow, then stronger and stronger. The temperature in the air dropped from hot to warm. The end of his scarf came loose and began to whip around his face. Lore unwrapped the whole thing with one hand and stuffed the cloth inside his pack.

  Slabs of rock jutted out from the sand. Ahead, there seemed to be a drop-off right before the edge of the ocean. Perfect.

  The sound of the waves mixed in with the wind. The clouds were above them, blocking out the sun. Lore spotted a place where they could maneuver the horses down onto the beach. “This way,” he shouted over the wind.

  Caleb and Nierne followed him down the path. His blood pumped fast as the storm took over his body. Exhilaration filled his veins. His hair whipped up and around his face and the scent of salt filled his nostrils. There, to the right, a slab of rock about ten feet high hung out across the sand. It wasn’t much for three people and three horses, but it would provide some protection. Not that he needed it. He was going to stand in the deluge and let the water wash off every bit of the desert.

  Lore led them to the shelter and jumped down from his horse. The rocks nearby had natural holes and creases to catch the rain. That, along with anything they could put out to catch water would help them replenish their stores.

  It was almost like the Word had planned this storm just when they needed it.

  He looked up and the first drop of rain hit his cheek. He smiled. No, not probably. The Word had provided. Just when they needed it.

  Another drop came down.

  “Unpack anything we can use to catch water,” Lore shoute
d back at the others.

  Caleb was already off his horse and helping Nierne down.

  She looked over at Lore and nodded.

  Lore pulled open his pack and dug out the animal skin bags that had held the grain. He pulled the top as far open as it would go. More drops of rain fell and the sky grumbled above. His fingers ached now from the rushing blood inside him. He placed the bag on one of the rocks and looked back. Caleb and Nierne were doing the same. The horses pawed at the sand and whinnied.

  He went out past the rock ledge and dropped to his knees. He began to dig a hole in the sand. Hopefully it would fill with enough water for the horses. The raindrops came faster and the sky rumbled again.

  Caleb joined him. “I can’t believe this.”

  “Believe what?” Lore dug into the sand.

  “Just when we needed water . . .”

  At the awe in Caleb’s voice, Lore smiled. Baby steps. Caleb was experiencing his first steps in following the Word. As he grew, he would find that the Word didn’t always provide this way, but for now, the man’s young faith was reenergized.

  The clouds split and rain came gushing down. Water pelted across his back and head, soaking his clothes in seconds. Lore looked up and opened his mouth. The water tasted heavenly. He swallowed and caught another mouthful. A shudder passed through his body as the ocean nearby churned in the storm. His limbs ached, but he didn’t care. He stood and raised his hands, laughed, and swallowed another gulp of water. At this moment, he was one with his blood, one with the ocean, one with storm.

  Thank you, Word.

  •••

  The rain hit Caleb and shoved him to the ground. He coughed and pushed back up. Someone was laughing. He glanced across the hole and found Lore standing, his hands raised, his face toward the heavens, rain pounding down around them.

  The hole began to fill. Caleb cupped the water and drank, then cupped it again. He ignored the sand and grit, so great was his thirst. After a couple more handfuls, he sat back and closed his eyes. The rain pushed against his hair and skin, running along the contours of his face, and molding his clothes to his body. It was warm, like a spring.