The meal put together by Kormir and Clayre was delicious. There was a savory soup, thick slices of bread, and a platter of fruit and cheese for dessert. Ayron ate his fill and watched his soldiers relax as they enjoyed the meal as well. Clayre pulled Galdor aside and the two sat together eating and talking for a while. Eventually, Clayre gathered some food and returned to the wagon to feed Rhys some supper and check on how he was faring. Ayron walked over and sat down on the soft grass next to Galdor hoping to find out how he felt about their extended travel plans. Galdor was an incredible archer and swordsman, more talented with the animals than anyone, save Stuart, and an extraordinary healer. There were many time when he was able to save lives that Ayron was sure were lost. He always went about it quietly and with very little fanfare. Ayron felt confident that Galdor would give him good solid advice about Rhys, without any emotion clouding his judgment.
As Ayron conversed with Galdor, he realized that the decision regarding his travel plan was not as cut and dried as he assumed. Galdor explained that both he and Clayre as healers felt that Rhys should not be traveling more than six hours out of every twenty-four, which ironically was about the time that Ayron was proposing that they should rest. The complication was that Rhys was well enough to impede his own recovery if he got too upset. Neither healer was sure which would do the most damage to his condition; the anxiety of moving too slowly or the extended hours of travel. Both healers were of one mind though, that the longer it took to reach Amarni, the more anxiety Rhys would experience. Galdor proposed that they continue to travel the long hours that Ayron proposed so that Rhys would not become too frantic with worry, but at the same time slow their travel speed a bit so that the wagon ride was a little smoother. Riding in a wagon that bumped and jostled him, did not allow Rhys to get into the deep restful sleep that his body needed to heal itself. Ayron thanked Galdor for his assessment and left to speak with Stuart and Tomak about slowing down the speed of their travel and piling all the extra blankets and bed pads under the litter to add an extra layer of protection against the rough road.
A short while later when most of his troops seemed to be resting, Ayron stopped by the wagon to visit Clayre and Rhys.
“Am I bothering you,” he said softly seeing that the two of them were awake and speaking together.
“No,” said Clayre with a sigh. “I’m just trying to convince Rhys that he needs to allow us to take better care of him. He is already chomping at the bit to get moving again.”
“Rhys, I know you are worried about Elwyn. I’m worried about her as well, but I promise you that if she is in any danger, or under attack, Kierra will contact me immediately. If she does, I will come to you right away and tell you the truth of what I know. Since I haven’t heard from her in several hours, I trust that Elwyn’s journey is proceeding as well as can be expected, and that she is no immediate danger.”
Ayron was able to say those words with true conviction, after his conversation with Kierra very early that morning. He also reminded the two of them that there were a half dozen drakenhawks racing toward Elwyn at that very moment that would be acting as guards and protectors as she traveled. He spent some time describing some of the capabilities of drakenhawks and explained how fiercely protective they were. He then went on to tell Rhys about Keroc and how his little drakenhawk was the one who attacked and killed Crawley, the man who attacked him. He could see that Clayre wasn’t terribly excited to hear again how Keroc dove down from the sky and tore the man’s throat out, but Ayron felt Rhys needed to hear it.
“Ok, enough said. I believe that you are doing all you can for our Elwyn, but I would just rest easier if I knew that you were racing to be by her side.”
Rhys looked directly at Ayron and added slowly, as if reluctant to let the words pass through his lips, “You are the one that I would choose to stand by my side if I knew I needed to face a foe in battle, and I would like my little girl to have that same advantage, for I feel, with everything in me, that she will face at least one more attack before she reaches the safety of that little village you sent her to. I do not believe that Stefan will accept defeat easily.”
Ayron attempting to lighten the suddenly tense and heavy atmosphere of the wagon replied, “Thank you for your words of trust. I will leave you as soon as I have fulfilled my promise to Elwyn, and will ride without ceasing until I reach her side. The one thing that I did learn in my brief encounter with my niece is that she has her mother’s fiery nature and somehow has all the talents and abilities of a full-blood elf. Don’t ask me how because it makes no sense, but even Rhianna’s morden Gemma has life-bonded with her. The two morden that she travels with will defend her to their death. She seems to inspire that trait in all she meets. You did a wonderful job training her so that she seems to be able to leverage her extraordinary abilities without even being awareness of their existence. You did well Rhys, and I’m sure that Elwyn will survive this challenge.”
“Thank you Ayron,” said Rhys as a small tear appeared at the corner of his eye. “Sometimes I do forget just how incredible a young woman I have raised. It’s hard for me to think of her able to survive on her own in harsh conditions, because it’s hard for to me to acknowledge she has grown up and may not need me anymore,” Rhys said, the tear now freely falling down the side of his ruddy cheek.
“Rhys, please don’t ever diminish your value in Elwyn’s eyes. While she has recently learned she has other family who would like to get to know her, you raised her and no one will ever be able to take that place in her heart, not even Azavon. The relationship and the love you share are irreplaceable. Elwyn knows that already. Why else would she have made me promise to get you to safety or die trying? You are the person she loves and wants in her life above all others. I don’t believe that will change as long as you live. So hurry up and get well, old man. I need to get you safe so I can go after her,” Ayron said with cheerful vigor.
Rhys still a bit teary eyed just waved his hand in acknowledgement and then turned back to rest. As he closed his eyes, Clayre climbed down from the wagon and followed him back toward the campfire.
“I don’t know how you do it. You always seem to show up at the right time and know exactly what to say to get him to calm down and refocus on getting well. I thank you for that,”
As she reached up to give him a hug she added, “I assume that you have spoken with Galdor on the subject of moving forward? I definitely believe it is the right approach to take. I don’t think that either you or I have the energy to calm Rhys down if we were to stop for long periods of time right now. The man is bound and determined to get to safety so that you can be free to go after Elwyn. So I recommend going along with your travel plan as well. If Tomak can go a bit slower over the rough patches, it will be easier for Rhys to rest. But either way, I think your plan will work best for now.”
“Thanks,” said Ayron giving her one of his slow lazy smiles. “Why don’t you finish your tea, and head back to the wagon to get some rest while you have the chance. I know you haven’t gotten much sleep either, and we will begin breaking camp in a little over an hour.”
He left her searching for Galdor and walked briefly around the camp making sure that the soldiers that weren’t on guard were resting. Satisfied that everyone was seen to, he went over to where he’d left his gear, unrolled his bed pad, and lay down to take a short nap.
Ayron woke to the sound of his name being shouted, the clashing of swords, and the buzzing of arrows in flight. He was very glad he’d been vigilant about posting guards around the perimeter of each place they camped so they were not taken by surprise while they slept. His men seemed to be quickly dispatching the intruders. It appeared to be another squad of men like those that attacked them while their wagon was broken down. As Ayron moved about checking in with his men and aiding in battle when he could, he was amazed at how alert they’d stayed, even in these tough conditions. Kormir’s drakenhawk Krill was scouting the path to the east and saw the assassins approaching their
campsite. He also noticed that they seemed to be splitting into two groups about the same time that the morden teathered on the west side of the camp became restless, indicating to Stuart that something was amiss. As a result, Ayron’s soldiers were ready and waiting for the attack when it came. They were able to quickly dispatch all of the attackers in minutes, without any injury to themselves.
However, having his suspicions that Stephan would continue to pursue them confirmed, Ayron commanded his soldiers to break camp immediately so they could continue their journey east to Urafiki, and the safety of Amarni. After the horses were saddled and they were ready to depart, he stopped by to see how Clayre and Rhys held up during the attack, and to assure them that the enemy had been dispatched to the man. He informed them that there were no assassins left to report back to Stephan from this attempt on their lives. He noticed that Clayre seemed a bit shaken, but was trying hard to maintain a calm exterior. Rhys, on the other hand, seemed relieved that they had come under some attack. Ayron thought that perhaps it comforted Rhys, to some extent, to know that the force of the attacks weren’t all focused on Elwyn. Ayron, satisfied that Rhys and Clayre were doing well, gave the order to his troops to move out.
They rode for several hours with no disturbances. The trail that led toward Urafiki was well traveled and kept in good order so that the wagon was able to keep moving at a steady pace. The evening skies were clear and the glow from the moon and the stars shone like beacons lighting their way. At some point during the evening hours, Ayron felt Kierra enter his mind.
“Ayron, I promised Elwyn that I would check on her uncle and I promised you that I would provide you with an update and I am here to do that,” she said in the same calming voice she probably used with young drakenhawks to help them focus.
“Rhys and Clayre are fine,” Ayron said his mind focusing on the image of the two of them eating dinner together. “I believe that he is getting stronger. We were attacked by another group of assassins sent by King Stefan, but we were able to dispatch them all without incident. So you can tell her that her uncle is alive, he is improving, and we are moving steadily toward Amarni.”
“I know she will be happy to hear that Ayron,” said Kierra. “Elwyn seems well. She’s a bit frightened, but determined to lead her little group to safety. She searched all morning and most of the afternoon yesterday before she finally found Keroc. He is currently unconscious but I am hoping that the antidote that I sent along with the drakenhawk warriors will neutralize the poison in his system. She set his broken wing bone and treated the wound in his skin where the arrow pierced him. He is running a fever so she is also trying to keep him hydrated. He is quite ill, but I am confident he will survive. Please extend my thanks to Clayre. I am very grateful to her for the healer skills she taught Elwyn. I’m fairly certain Keroc would not have survived without them. They did get underway late in the afternoon and are riding straight through to Kren, with just a few short breaks so that the morden can drink and graze. She is planning to eat and sleep in her saddle as she rides north.” Kierra then faded from his awareness just as quickly as she came. He hadn’t even gotten a chance to thank her.
Ayron rode over by the wagon but when he saw that both Rhys and Clayre were sound asleep, he decided to wait to give them the news until morning. The more he learned of Elwyn, the more amazed he became. There were not many humans or elves that could have endured what she was experiencing and survived to tell about it. He really hoped she was getting close to the village. He would be relieved when Owen and his people were in a position to protect her and help her to feel safe again. He knew that his journey north with her would be perilous for a bit, but not to the extent that her current travels were. Besides, it always seemed to be easier to face danger with someone else, than it was to face it alone.
The rest of the evening hours went quickly, with no problems or signs of impending attack. Just as the sun was peeking above the tops of the eastern horizon, Ayron spotted a suitable place to stop. He knew that everyone would be surprised, since his plan indicated that they would be stopping closer to the midday meal, but Ayron was please with the progress they’d made. He ordered his troops to set up camp, tended to his mount, and then went by the wagon to share Kierra’s news with Rhys and Clayre. They were both happy that Elwyn had been able to find Keroc and nurse him until help could get to them. They were also relieved to know that she began traveling again before darkness came the previous day and approved of her plan to travel straight through to Kren. Leaving them to talk between themselves, he headed over to give Kormir some instructions about the meal.
Ayron was always amazed at the delicious meals that Clayre, with a little help from Kormir, could prepare with what he considered minimal ingredients and not much time. The fare for this morning, as per his instructions was a meaty stew served with thick slices of bread and a platter of fresh fruit and cheese for desert. It was clear that everyone was puzzled that they weren’t having their typical breakfast of gruel and biscuits but were too pleased by the change in menu to inquire. Determined not to keep them in suspense any longer, Ayron cleared his throat to get their attention and told them that he had camped in this very spot on his last trip to Urafiki and that they should be in Amarni by that evening. Ayron also told them that he wanted them to take along some travel rations or food they could easily eat as they rode because he was hoping to not make camp again before arriving in Amarni. The news seemed to perk up everyone’s spirits. Clayre, carrying some of the food on a platter, ran off to tell Rhys the good news.
Although Ayron was pleased with the progress they’d made and excited to be at a landmark he recognized, he was still struggling with mixed feelings. He was beginning to get excited about seeing his friend Hodari, chief all the Amarani people and of the settlement at Amarni. He was also excited about reaching a place where Rhys and Clayre would be safe. On the down side, he was still struggling with the prickly feeling that often forewarned him of an impending attack. The land they were traveling through to get to the border of Urafiki was becoming increasingly wooded and overgrown. While the wagon trail was normally clear and in good condition, they would have to be careful not to lower their guard. There would be many excellent opportunities for a shadow squad to strike them before they reached the border. Ayron was determined to cover as much of the trail leading to the border as he could before dusk. Assassins seldom entered into Urafiki because both the Amarani and the morden could sense them coming. He was determined to conserve his strength on this leg of the journey so that he would have the energy to take off on Gerrack as soon as he saw Rhys and Clayre safely settled. He had also decided to ask Galdor, Stuart, and Alea to accompany him to Kren. He wanted to take no more chances that Elwyn’s life would be put at risk. That settled in his mind, he gave the order to his troops to pack up and within minutes they embarked upon the last leg of their journey together.
Chapter 21 – Perilous Pathways
Elwyn knew she would have to urge the morden to maintain as much speed as possible for the first few hours. It was very important for them to try to reach an open area where they would not be as vulnerable to attack before darkness came. It had been mid afternoon when she and the morden left the camp, leaving only a few hours before dusk. As she rode, she kept her eyes peeled for any sight or sound that didn’t belong. She felt lonely and frightened without Keroc’s keen eyes scouting the area ahead of them. Elwyn was amazed at how quickly she’d adapted to having someone else in her head. She rode through the rest of the afternoon without seeing or hearing anyone.
Late in the afternoon, the clouds overhead thickened becoming dark and angry, and a cold drizzle began to fall. She pulled her cloak from her pack, wrapped it around her for warmth and shelter from the rain, and kept on riding. She also ate some jerky, biscuits, and drank some of her water as she rode. She slowed down once just before dusk to allow the morden to graze and drink from a small stream. While they were drinking, she fed Keroc as much water as she could get him to dr
ink. Within a few minutes they were traveling north again. As dusk began to creep in through the forest that surrounding the trail, Elwyn asked the morden to pick up their pace. She’d no desire to be a standing target, and the trees, along with their shadows, still came within a dozen feet of the trail.
As darkness swept in, she realized she would have to depend on the morden’s excellent eyesight to keep them from losing their way. The clouds and continuous drizzle made it very difficult for her to see more than a short distance ahead. Even the trees on both sides of the trail became a dark blur as the morden moved swiftly and the drops of rain and darkness dulled her normally extraordinary vision. As she struggled to help her eyes adjust to the darkness, both Gemma and Raffe shook their heads, snorted, and picked up the pace. Elwyn, recognizing the signal, pulled out her bow and nocked an arrow prepared to protect them all from the danger she now knew must be lurking out there in the evening mist. Suddenly four barely discernable figures came into view ahead of them. She aimed and shot an arrow at the archer in the group. Both morden broke into a gallop and attempted to run over two more of the assassins as they met on the trail. Elwyn was able to get off one more shot at the assassin farthest away from them before Gemma and Raffe both broke into a flat out run, and tore down the road oblivious of any ruts or bumps. As Elwyn turned to look behind her, she was able to see two bodies on the ground. Then the mist closed in and they were lost from view.
After about fifteen minutes, Elwyn slowed Gemma down to a gentle canter and signaled Raffe to do the same. First, she didn’t want Keroc to be tossed around any more than was absolutely necessary, and second, she didn’t want the morden too tired, in case they had to make a run for it a second time. For the next several hours, everything was quiet. That was everything except Elwyn. It felt to her as if every sense in her body was working overtime. She was also incredibly stressed by the sense of danger she was feeling and the responsibility she felt for Keroc, Raffe, and Gemma. She was hyper vigilant as she rode, with every nerve fiber in her body generating a reaction to each sound she heard or each slight movement she saw. Elwyn couldn’t wait to reach Kren, to be with other people, and to experience the feeling of safety once more.
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