Earth Bound

by Avril Sabine

  “Like what?”

  It took him a second to think. “Paint.”

  “Can I see what you’re painting?”

  “No.” He remained silent as they strode through the corridors to the main exit. He stopped just outside, crossing his arms as he watched her.

  “Thank you. I’m sorry I’m such a bother.”

  Talon shrugged.

  “Will I see you tonight?”

  Not if he could help it. “Why?”

  “Garnet invited me to dinner.”

  Talon managed to hold back a smile at the thought of how his father would react when he found out. Now that would be worth leaving his room for. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Lacey nodded, looking from him to the city. “I guess I’ll…” her words trailed off and she finished the sentence with a gesture towards the street.

  Talon nodded.

  Lacey stared at him a moment longer before she turned and hurried off into the street, matching her pace to the crowd as she walked along with it.

  Talon had no trouble keeping her in sight. The problem was the lack of cover during the times she looked around, supposedly trying to find something familiar. Then he realised where she was leading them. Without hesitation she was following the exact path they’d taken to the House of the Lord and Lady, right down to the two shortcuts he preferred to use. His eyes narrowed as he studied her. There was no way she’d been lost in the fortress, there had to be a reason she was in that corridor. The only one he could think of was the room of the officer who received all the paperwork that needed to be filed in the storerooms.

  Did she know about that room? And how did she know? What was he going to tell his father? It was only a suspicion, nothing concrete, but instinct screamed he was right. What was her plan? What did she hope to gain from spying on his father?

  He stayed back as he watched her circle around the House. Why didn’t she go inside? Was she meeting with someone? Trailing behind her, he waited for her to give herself away. Instead, she stared up at stained glass windows, slowly moving around the building until she was at the front again. The only entrance. What in the name of the Lord and Lady was she up to? He rubbed at his shoulder blade, trying to ease the tightness, wishing he could remove the bandage and set his wings free before they became painful.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Brianne

  There was only one entrance. Brianne frowned. Just like at home. One path to the Lord and Lady. And if everything else was the same, then maybe they had history archives too. It was worth a try.

  Taking a hesitant step forward, Brianne forced herself to straighten her shoulders and take the next step with more confidence. She might need to ask something of them, but that didn’t mean she had to go shuffling forth with head bowed and begging.

  Looking around at the inside of the almost familiar building, she saw a penitent, not far from the altar, replacing burnt out candles with fresh ones. Striding forward, she kept her gaze mostly on the penitent, with an occasional glance around to check her surroundings. She was nearly upon the penitent before they looked up, the hood creating dark shadows where a face should be.

  “Welcome to the House of the Lord and Lady, how may I serve you?” A masculine voice came from the hooded figure.

  Her stomach lurched. She was about to lie to a servant of the gods. She really hoped that when she had to face the reckoning at the end of her life they’d accept that it was for a good cause. “Holy One, I suffered a head injury recently while I was on patrol and lost the memories of my entire past.”

  “I am sorry for your suffering. Would you like me to pray for you?”

  “No, well yes. But I also wondered if you could help me with something else. I know nothing. Not only is my history gone, but that of our people. The Lord and Lady are names, the Master of the After World also an unknown deity. I thought if I could read our history and learn it all over again it might help bring back some of my memories.” She hated how she couldn’t see the penitent’s features. How could she tell if her words were having the effect she wanted? Even the hands were covered by gloves. She’d never thought about it before. Summer must be unbearable for them covered up like this. All of them. The Supreme One, Elders and the penitents.

  “I am sorry, I wish I could help. No one can enter the archives without first gaining permission from the Supreme One. He is the only one who has the key, but he is currently away communing with the gods.”

  She barely masked her disappointment. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”

  “When the gods have told him all they wish him to hear.”

  Brianne nodded, the words so very familiar. The Supreme One for her people came and went according to the dictates of the Lord and Lady too. “I’ll come again another day. If you might pray for me in the meantime, Holy One?”

  “I would be honoured.” The head dipped and the hands were momentarily raised in supplication.

  “Thank you.” Brianne turned away, trying to walk softly through the otherwise quiet building. She would have to come up with another plan. Maybe things would be different at the earthly dwelling of the Master of the Infernal World. Stepping outside, she raised her eyes to the sky, checking for the location of the sun. It was strange to look into the sky and see no towers reaching skywards, no winged people travelling from building to building, sometimes hovering as they greeted a friend. The skies here were empty.

  Once she’d figured out the direction the Master’s dwelling should be in, she wound her way through streets. As she drew near to the wall around the city, knowing she must be close, she asked a passerby for directions. She had less luck in the Master’s dwelling. They directed her to the Supreme One, telling her only the House of the Lord and Lady kept the archives.

  Feeling like the day had been wasted, Brianne headed to the fortress only to be stopped at the entrance. “I’m staying here.” Her tone was polite, none of her annoyance leaking through.

  “I’ve had no word of anyone new living at the fortress,” the soldier said.

  He was a different soldier to the first one Brianne had met, but seemed to be equally as difficult. “I’m staying with the General and his family.”

  “No one has informed me. If you have no proof, I can’t let you in.”

  How was she meant to get proof? “Send for one of them. Any of the General’s family could tell you I’m staying here.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t disturb the General unless it’s an emergency.”

  Brianne glared at him, his arrogant tone increasing her annoyance. “Then have someone fetch Garnet.”

  “I can’t have the General’s daughter brought before someone who might be a stranger and a risk to her.”

  A scream of frustration stirred inside her. “Then fetch Talon.”

  The soldier shook his head. “I’m afraid you’ll have to find some other way to prove you’re meant to be here. Now please move on and stop causing trouble.”

  There was no other way she could prove she was meant to be there. It was impossible. Frustration filled her and she stepped away, staring into the city as she tried to figure out what to do. Would Garnet wonder where she was when she didn’t turn up to dinner? A glance over her shoulder showed the soldier still watched her. Was this normal behaviour or had the General ordered them not to let her back in if she returned alone. She needed to get into the fortress. How could she return to her people with nothing to help them? She couldn’t. Taking another couple of steps forward her eyes searched the area. There were no answers.

  No way in and nowhere else to go. Her right hand curled at her side, wishing she had her sword. Then she’d have shown the guard what she thought of his attitude. Him and his fellow guard. No one had been able to beat her in any of her classes. She sighed. None of her training had helped. She rubbed at her shoulder. Not one single bit.

  “Why are you standing here?”

  Brianne turned to see Talon. He’d snuck up on her while she’d been
busy wallowing in self-pity and she hadn’t noticed. She had to be more careful. “They won’t let me in.” She glanced towards the soldiers guarding the main entrance.

  “Why?”

  “Apparently I have no proof I’m staying here and they wouldn’t fetch anyone who could vouch for me.” Talon remained quiet long enough that she began to think he mightn’t be willing to vouch for her.

  Then he nodded and held out his hand. “Come on.”

  She took the hand with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

  “I haven’t gotten you inside yet. Maybe he’s decided neither of us are welcome back.”

  Brianne didn’t need to ask who ‘he’ was. She walked beside Talon, unable to resist giving the soldier a smile as she stepped into the building. It looked like it was only her who wasn’t welcome.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Talon

  Pushing the food around on his plate, Talon made a pretence of eating. The pain had been steadily increasing and he didn’t think the food would stay down if he ate it. He was tempted to rise from the table and leave. It couldn’t make his father any more angrier with him. The meal seemed like it would last forever and everything Lacey had said about what she’d done that afternoon had sounded so plausible. Maybe too plausible. He didn’t know what to think.

  Garnet was telling their mother something and Talon couldn’t focus enough to work out what she was saying. He’d had enough. Rising to his feet, he pushed away from the table.

  “Where are you going?” Barrett demanded.

  “Out.”

  “You haven’t finished eating.” Barrett pointed towards the barely touched plate with his knife.

  He started to reply, but a wave of pain had him clenching his teeth and he turned away from the table.

  “Talon!”

  Ignoring the roar of his father, Talon stumbled away. Then he was in his room, locking the door and uncertain of how he’d made it there. His fingers trembled as he tried to undo the buttons of his shirt. He lost only one this time and threw the shirt in a heap on the ground, the bandages joining it as his wings sprung free. Throwing his head back he opened his mouth as if to scream, but held the sound in. Falling to the ground, his hands and knees drew in the cold of the floor, but it didn’t reduce the heat that raged through him.

  As soon as he was past the worst of the pain he staggered to his feet. Taking his sword from under his bed where he stored it, he pulled it free from the scabbard. He slashed at the canvas he’d started, to replace the one he’d burned. It was an improvement. A knock at the door had him spinning to stare at it, sword still raised, wings cloaking him.

  “Talon?”

  “Go away, Lacey.”

  “Are you well?”

  He groaned, lowering the sword. Why had she followed him? Couldn’t they all leave him alone?

  “Talon?”

  Not bothering to answer, he focused on retracting his wings. Resting his sword against his legs, he pulled on his shirt to hide the ridges on his back, doing up the buttons with shaky hands.

  “Talon?” She knocked lightly on the door.

  Not bothering to put away his sword, he ripped the door open. “What?”

  Lacey stared up at him for several moments before she smiled. “You planning to use that against me?” She nodded towards the sword.

  “I never attack an unarmed person.”

  “I’m not unarmed. I have a dagger in my boot.” The smile remained in place.

  Talon relaxed a little. “That hardly seems fair. I’ll wait until you have a sword.”

  “I’m willing to make do with the dagger. I miss training every day.” Her eyes rounded and her smile was replaced by a gasp as she covered her mouth with her hand.

  “Your memory’s back?”

  She shook her head. “No, but I remembered something.” Her horrified expression was replaced by a grin. “I actually remembered something. Maybe it’s starting to come back.” She frowned. “I can’t think of anything else though.”

  Talon continued to watch her, trying to figure her out. She was either telling the truth or a really good actress. There was one thing he could test. “Tomorrow.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll organise a sword for you to use tomorrow. We can practice in here.” He gestured behind him. “It’s more than big enough.” He was surprised by the look of excitement that entered her eyes.

  “Really?” At his nod, her grin returned. “I can’t wait.” She started to turn away then faced him again. “Are you certain you’re well?”

  Talon ignored the question. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “They argued about you when you left.”

  “They argue about me when I’m there too.”

  Her expression was serious as she stared silently at him. Then her smile returned. “You might want to wear armour. I plan to win, whatever it takes.”

  “I’ll see if I can find some armour in your size. I never lose.”

  She grinned and with a nod, sauntered back to her room, glancing his way before she entered and closed the door behind her.

  Talon continued to stand in the corridor a moment longer before he closed his own door, surprised to find he was actually smiling. She better be as good as she said. It had been far too long since he’d had someone to practice against and he could hardly wait for morning to arrive.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Brianne

  The next morning, Brianne parried an attack, adrenaline coursing through her. “Is that the best you can do? You’re not even trying.” She had woken at daybreak and it had taken all her willpower not to knock on Talon’s door and demand they start immediately.

  Talon smiled lazily, his attack not much more energetic. “I wouldn’t want to wear you out in the first quarter hour.”

  “Are you sure? I’d have thought you’d want to get this over and done with and return to your masterpiece you keep telling me about.” She grinned, wanting this training session to last for hours. This was her, not the spy skulking around corners looking for obscure information.

  “There’s plenty of time. Are you worried you’ll tire easily?”

  “I could have disarmed you a dozen times already, but I was worried I’d damage your ego.”

  Talon laughed. “You’re dreaming. I could deal with you in my sleep.”

  “Keep telling yourself that.” Brianne attacked, thinking that this was the person Garnet had told her about. She’d never seen him so alive. In the name of the Lord and Lady why had he ever quit the army? He was like her, born to be a fighter. A pity he was on the wrong side.

  “I don’t need to tell myself anything. My actions speak for me.”

  She laughed, joy filling the sound as she renewed her efforts. He was good, matching her blow for blow. The sound of metal rang out in the room, early morning light spilling in through the single window. If she’d had wings he wouldn’t have stood a chance, as it was, she didn’t know who’d win. But even without wings, she could almost fly. Leaping to the side, she spun around and came up on the other side of him, attacking. His blade barely came around in time to block. Then he was attacking her.

  There was no time for laughter as she fought back, gliding out of the way, spinning, weaving, even using some of the acrobatic moves she’d learned in preparation for growing wings. He couldn’t touch her. But she couldn’t touch him either. Time trickled away, the daylight shifting across the floor. Then he nearly had her and she ducked and came up on the other side of him. He turned to try and meet her blade, but he was too slow and she caught him across the chest, blood instantly staining his shirt.

  Jumping backwards, she lowered her sword. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d block that attack. Maybe we should have used armour.”

  He made a flicking motion with his free hand. “Barely a scratch. You’re not giving in are you?”

  “If you want to be shredded one scratch at a time I don’t mind.”

  He gestured for her to come at him.r />
  Adrenaline still coursing through her, she willingly obeyed, feeling more alive than she had in ages. Their breathing was heavy, their movements fast. Time was measured in the clang of metal. And then Talon stumbled and Brianne barely managed to pull back in time to avoid cutting him again. She reached for him.

  He pulled away from her. “Keep going.”

  She didn’t let him retreat. Her hand brushed against his cheek. “You’ve got a fever.”

  “I’m fine.” He pushed her hand away.

  “Have you seen a doctor?”

  “Don’t blame me if you’re too exhausted to go on.”

  “I drew blood, you didn’t. Don’t try and tell me I’ve lost.”

  “It was the first to disarm, nothing was said about first blood.”

  “Talon-”

  “Damn it, I can do this. Don’t treat me like I’m sick.”

  She stepped back from the anger in his voice. “We’ll call it a temporary draw. We can continue tomorrow morning.” She took a wary step towards him. “Let me check your scratch.”

  He grabbed her hand before it could reach him. “It’s fine.”

  Sheathing her sword in the scabbard she’d hung at her side she nodded. “You better not use it as an excuse tomorrow.” She met his gaze, seeing pain in his eyes. Before he had a chance to react, she reached out with the hand that was still free and tugged at the neck of his shirt. He let her go, pulling away, but not before she saw the bandage wrapped around his chest. “You’re injured.”

  “It’s nothing.”

  Guilt hit her. “You fought me while you were already injured. Are you crazy? Is that why you quit the army? How bad is it? I didn’t make it worse, did I?”

  “Just go.”

  “Talon-”