by B. T. Narro
“Oh, I see the issue now.”
It took some convincing, but she eventually allowed Desil to help her up in the same way he’d done for Leida.
There was no hug at the end, though.
He heard a leaf cracking. Everyone turned their attention toward the noise. There was just enough morning light to see someone in the distance.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Who’s there!” Adriya yelled before Desil could think of a better way to handle this.
The figure already had his back to them, possibly trying to walk away after spying on them. Adriya seemed to startle him as he bolted off without a look back. He was nothing but shadows from this distance. Desil couldn’t even be sure the person was a man and not Beatrix. All he had seen was a cloak.
“Did either of you catch if he or she had long hair?” Desil asked.
“I don’t think they did,” Leida said.
“Then it probably wasn’t Beatrix.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Adriya kicked dirt onto the wooden door to cover it. “There’s nothing we found out that would help their search for Leida’s parents.”
Adriya was right, unfortunately.
“But if we do discover something, we have to be careful,” she continued. “Someone must’ve followed us here and waited hours while we were down there. With that kind of determination, they could follow us anywhere.”
Leida’s gaze was fixed on the ground. Adriya glanced over and let out a sympathetic sigh. “I can try speaking to my mother. She’s the one person who might know something we can use.”
“You only spoke to your father earlier?” Leida asked.
“Yes. But he doesn’t want me involved in this, so I’ll have to make sure to catch my mother without him there.” Adriya gasped. “The morning—he rises and leaves the house early. She sleeps later. There should be enough time to get there.”
“I was hoping to sleep,” Leida said with half a smile. “But this is better.”
“If you find out something,” Desil said, “please come tell me.”
“We will,” Leida assured him.
It was a relief to hear. “When you do, make sure to check for someone following you. And when you speak to Reela—”
“Relax,” Leida interrupted. “Have some trust that we know what we’re doing.”
He was about to give them the excuse that this was dangerous and he was just trying to protect all of them, but Leida was right. He needed to relinquish his need for control if this was going to work. It wouldn’t be easy.
“You’re right,” he conceded.
“We will speak again,” Leida promised.
They took separate routes back to the east, Desil veering north to go around the school. He was practically asleep on his feet by the time he made it back to Kayvol. He wondered if he was coming off as too bossy for Leida and Adriya. They didn’t know him well enough to understand that this was his only opportunity for a different life, but if they bristled at his attitude, it could cost him.
His mother wasn’t downstairs when he entered the tavern. He started up the stairs to inform her he was back home and safe, for now, but stopped when he heard a knock at the door. Half expecting Leida, he was surprised to open it and find Kirnich staring down with unfriendly eyes.
“Do you want to come in?” Desil asked him more calmly than he felt.
“No, we’ll speak out here.”
Where there’s room for him to swing that sword if he wants.
As Kirnich turned and walked away, Desil realized that the shadow he saw in the forest was of a different man, not someone as tall or with shoulders as broad as Kirnich. But if it hadn’t been him or Beatrix, then who was following them?
“I’m disappointed in you, Desil.” Kirnich didn’t glance behind him as he walked but at the rising sun over the western sea. “At first I thought we would be friends, but then you turned down my offer to join my brigade, and now I see you’re going against the king. I know you and Leida Hiller are looking for her father and that you’ve received clues on how to find him.”
Without Beatrix to detect it, Desil supposed he could lie.
No, Kirnich seemed like the type of man who would take great offense. He could probably end Desil right here and receive little to no punishment.
“We are looking for him,” Desil admitted, “but we don’t know any more than you do.”
“Leida didn’t show up to questioning at the Academy, and you left this tavern for hours. Tell me what you learned today.” Kirnich finally turned back to face Desil, stepping close and daring him to lie with a threatening look.
“Just that this started when Basen and Alabell were ambushed by your psychic.”
“Beatrix does not belong to me. She is the daughter of the king and strong enough with psyche to make you wish you were dead.” Kirnich let his threat hang in the air for a moment. “I don’t care that you somehow detained two of the king’s guards. I can drag you to her for questioning.” He paused again, presumably to see whether Desil would challenge him. Desil took a step back and forced himself to look even more afraid than he felt.
Kirnich continued. “You’re keeping something from me. I will take you to her right now unless you tell me what it is.”
Desil wished he’d slept at least a few hours. He would’ve come up with some way out of this by now. Kirnich must’ve taken his silence as a threat, because he told Desil, “If you fight me, you will die. That goes for now or at any point in the future.”
“I’ve already told you all I know. You can take me to her if you’d like, but it would be a waste of your time and hers…and it seems to me that you wouldn’t want to do anything to annoy her.”
Kirnich studied him for a moment. Eventually the big man cracked a smile. “I had a feeling you were keen. I do believe you know nothing, because you’re not stupid enough to try lying. But you’re going to figure out something if you keep on the same course. Be warned that the headmaster and his wife have gone against the king. To support them is treason.”
Desil was tired of them throwing that word around. It was starting to lose its meaning. However, he didn’t let his thoughts show as he tried to keep his eyes wide instead of drooping from exhaustion.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” Kirnich said. “You can return to the castle with me now and I will begin your initiation into the army.”
Desil figured Kirnich must be keen as well to see so much potential in him. Or perhaps Fernan was just desperate to recruit in this time of war.
“I can’t do that,” Desil said sadly. The twist of Kirnich’s mouth made him appear more angry than disappointed. Desil hardly knew the man, but he was fairly certain Kirnich was the type who was always holding back rage. Desil had met a few of them in his mother’s tavern. The one thing he’d learned from dealing with them was that he had to be direct and then suffer the consequences. Ambiguity never worked.
“I don’t want us to be enemies,” Desil continued. “But I can’t stop trying to help the headmaster.”
“Why?”
“Because I believe he can end this war before it begins.”
“How do you know that’s really what he intends to do?”
“Because nothing else is worth him defecting from his allegiance with his king. Nothing else is worth abandoning his daughter.”
“Enemies are what we will become, whether either of us likes it.”
The massive warrior looked Desil up and down as if judging his strengths and weaknesses. He found himself doing the same to Kirnich. Does he have any abilities besides swordsmanship? Do I have enough in me to beat him in a brawl?
“It doesn’t have to be that way,” Desil said. “Just let the headmaster be.”
“I cannot because the king cannot. And more importantly, because his daughter cannot.”
“Because the king wants war. He wants Tenred.” Desil wasn’t sure of this until Kirnich leaned in and lowered his voice.
“That’s a dange
rous rumor to spread. I hope the next time I see you, it won’t be to take you to prison. I have a feeling you would fight. And I know you would lose.”
*****
The sun had risen just over the western wall of the Academy by the time Leida returned. Adriya agreed with Leida that they had just enough time to stop at the campus home they shared and change their clothes before going to see Adriya’s mother. They didn’t want to appear as if they’d been out all night. But as Leida donned her training gown, she realized something. What was the point in trying to fool Reela? Leida walked down the hall and into Adriya’s room as her friend was pulling a clean shirt over her head.
“Your mother will find out what we’ve been doing anyway. We shouldn’t try to hide it.” Instead of her gown, Leida had chosen a comfortable gray tunic that came down to her knees.
“You’re right.”
Adriya eventually picked out a tunic similar to Leida’s. They headed north toward the corner of campus where all the instructors lived. Leida’s mind was so foggy, all she could think about was sleeping. She’d made a point not to look at her bed, but the thought of turning back and collapsing onto it kept making her hesitate.
“I’m just as tired,” Adriya commented. After all the years they’d spent together, it was no longer a surprise when Adriya seemed to read her thoughts. “We’ll find time to sleep before we collapse.”
Leida sighed as her shoulders sagged. “I’m not so sure.”
They were silent the rest of the way. Leida could see by the clock on the pillar in the middle of campus that breakfast hours had just begun. Cleve should be out of the house by now, while Reela would still be asleep.
Instead of knocking on the front door, they went around to the window outside the bedroom. Leida waited while Adriya opened it and climbed through.
Leida could hear her friend whisper, “Mother, it’s me.”
Reela gasped. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, we just need to talk. Leida’s outside, can she come in?”
Reela grumbled something about getting dressed first. A few moments later, Adriya was opening the front door for Leida. Unlike student homes, these faculty houses had small kitchens where instructors could prepare food rather than go to the dining hall, though most chose the dining hall anyway. Reela was sitting at her table and gazing up at Leida with tired eyes.
Unlike her husband, her hair had not yet begun to gray. It was nearly blonde but not quite, lustrous and thick, yet not enough to hide the pointed tips of her ears, which barely peeked through her hair. She was half Elvish, and Adriya had inherited her creamy skin and long lashes. She also had pointed ears, though the tips were subtle enough not to show unless Adriya’s hair was tied back. Her height came from both her parents, and most of her facial features were more chiseled than rounded, like her father’s. Leida had always thought Adriya could go from scary to beautiful with a smile. Her mother, however, was beautiful in a scary way.
Fortunately, Reela seemed too tired to appear intimidating. She blinked heavily as Leida tried to think of how to begin.
“We need your help,” she whispered. “Is there a chance anyone can hear us?”
Reela’s fatigue was gone as she furrowed her brow. “What is this…? Oh, it must be about your parents. Give me a moment.” She lowered her head. “No one is nearby. What is it?”
Feeling barely able to stand, Leida dropped into the chair across from Reela. “We know you were questioned by Beatrix Estlander already.”
“As were you, I’m sure. If you’ve come here to ask me for help finding them, you’re going to leave disappointed.”
“Please,” Leida pleaded. “My father has been trying to contact me but we’ve run out of leads. I have to get to him, even if it’s just to say goodbye.”
“Leida, dear, I have no idea where he is.”
“We know he’s trying to stop the war,” Adriya said as she took a seat between her mother and Leida. “If we knew how, we might be able to find him.”
Reela stood up. “I’ve been trying not to think about this so I don’t hurt Basen and Alabell’s chances. Cleve and I have not discussed it for the same reason...” She seemed to realize something. “The two of you came here at this exact time to catch me while I’m alone.”
“Yes, and you’re our last hope,” Leida said.
“Your father told me that you spoke to him about this,” Reela chided Adriya. “He told you not to get involved.”
“I’m not going to abandon Leida. She needs my help.”
“We know it’s dangerous,” Leida said in hopes of avoiding the same lecture she’d heard at the tavern. “Effie has already told us several times.”
“Effie Elegin?”
“Yes, her son is involved with us.”
Reela muttered something about Effie to herself as she stared off at a wall. After a few moments, she glanced back in obvious confusion. “Leida, did your father manage to meet with Desil before leaving the Academy?”
“No, but they met outside the Academy.”
“So I assume Basen told him why he’d asked to see Desil here on campus. Is that boy doing this because he wants to join the Wind Knights?”
Leida glanced at Adriya, who appeared as perplexed as she was.
“He hasn’t mentioned it,” Leida said.
“It would make sense,” Adriya added. “Because why else would he go through so much to help you?”
“But Effie is not involved?” Reela interjected.
“No,” Leida answered without thinking, “and she doesn’t want us to be, either.” Why had she said that? The words had poured out before she’d had a chance to stop them.
Psyche, she realized. Perhaps this was a bad idea.
“What else do you think I should know?” Reela asked.
This time, Leida stopped herself. But Adriya blurted out something shocking when Reela focused on her.
“Leida will go insane if she never sees her parents again.”
Adriya looked over at Leida in horror, then gritted her teeth in anger as she turned to her mother. “Stop that!”
Insane…that wasn’t sarcasm. Could it be true? Leida did feel as though her world was crumbling. If she never heard from her parents, could she ever be whole again? A couple tears escaped. She was just so weak from exhaustion, she couldn’t help it.
Both Adriya and Reela huddled over Leida and hugged her.
“I’m sorry,” Adriya said.
“And I am as well,” Reela added. “I was just worried about your safety. I still am, but my bastial stars, I think it’s my obligation to help you.” She sighed as she fetched a cloth and brought it to Leida so she could dry her tears. “I’ll tell you what I know, but I’m not sure if it will be of benefit.”
“Thank you,” Leida said as she forced herself to stop crying.
The door opened to the house and Cleve appeared. His forehead glistened with sweat as he huffed for breath. He was a large man, with shoulders nearly wide enough to brush against the doorway as he stood within it.
“Adriya!” he growled. “Where were you yesterday?”
Her friend said nothing. Leida knew she wasn’t afraid of her father, like Leida could be when Cleve was angry. His heart was as big as his stature. This anger must come from concern.
“I spoke with Abith.” Cleve entered and slammed the door behind him. “I know you weren’t there for evaluation. I ran all the way to your house and then here to tell your mother when I didn’t find you. Do you know how worried you made me?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Where were you?”
“Cleve,” Reela said as she rose out of her chair, then gestured at it. “Please sit.”
He shook his head. “I’m standing here until I have an answer.”
“They were looking for Leida’s parents,” Reela replied for them.
“You knew and did nothing?” His anger shifted to his wife.
“I didn’t know until now, but I see there’s nothing we c
an do to stop them.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Leida didn’t know how she felt about Reela having invaded her mind with psyche to come to that conclusion, but she supposed she supported it if it got them out of another conversation about the risks involved.
Cleve bent down over his daughter, his hands on his hips. His anger was gone as he looked at Adriya sadly. “You ignored me.”
She set her face in a mulish expression. “Leida needs me.”
“I’m sorry,” Leida told Cleve. “But I do need help.”
“Adriya isn’t the only one,” Reela told her husband.
“Who else is involved?”
“Effie’s son.”
Cleve’s already narrowed eyes became slits. “Why?”
“We haven’t eaten or slept,” Adriya complained. “We don’t want to sit here longer than we need to. Mother, please just say what you were going to tell us about Leida’s parents.”
“She doesn’t know anything,” Cleve answered for her.
“I do.”
Cleve spun to her. “Everyone already knows Basen is trying to stop the war, but we don’t know how.”
“Do you know what he’s planning?” Leida asked Reela.
“Maybe.” Reela looked at the table in thought. “I haven’t given myself a chance to figure it out.”
Cleve crouched beside his wife. “Could you really know something I don’t?
She sighed and glanced over apologetically. “I couldn’t tell you or it might’ve come out during questioning. Basen tried to speak to me about his plan months ago. He told me parts of it before I stopped him. I didn’t want to get involved.”
Leida expected Cleve to become angry again, but instead he appeared resigned. “That makes sense.”
“I don’t understand,” Adriya said.
Leida didn’t either.
“It’s imperative we keep it that way for my own safety,” Reela said. “So don’t think about it.” She cleared her throat and quickly continued. “The only reason I’m about to tell you this is so you might have a chance to see your parents, Leida, but neither they nor I want you going with them.”
