“About another mile,” Callum nodded. “The men in the towers have likely spotted us by now. It’s best we keep moving. Hopefully they greet us more warmly than the man we have in our custody.”
Unable to overcome the languor, Edric stumbled forward, the motion catching Callum and Gadiel off guard. Quickly they moved to his side, slowing their pace to remain near, a sharp wave from Callum signaling the soldiers to continue. The extra fabric from the cloak was a welcome relief. Now that it was returned to him, he realized just how important a single layer of material was in a climate like this. It could mean the difference between life and death. Polite or not, he would have to remember not to give it up again.
The closer they came, he felt a strange flutter in his stomach. Nerves? What was there to be nervous about? They were here by the request of the Chief. Still, he sensed an underlying anxiety at the thought of seeing Neomi again. When she left Sivaeria they didn’t part on the best of terms. What if she was angry with him? He wasn’t sure what he’d done wrong but it was obvious he had crossed a boundary that she didn’t approve of. Her reaction to him had been harsh. For someone who was supposed to be a friend to his people, she certainly expressed an apparent dislike toward him. What he couldn’t figure out was why. Her cold demeanor had been evident even before he opened his mouth upon their meeting. Perhaps she had heard something about him from her brother? But what had he done to her brother? Their introduction was so long ago and had seemed cordial.
His head swam with the possibilities. Whatever issue Neomi had with him, he was prepared to do everything in his power to correct it. So why did his stomach churn the way it did? There was nothing to be worried about. All he needed was to be careful of what he spoke… and keep his hands to himself. Touching her was apparently not something she liked. That was a crucial detail to keep in mind.
Callum brought his hand to shield his eyes, peering into the distance. “This is more than a simple checkpoint,” he stated, glancing down to the map in his hands. “If I’m not mistaken, Nahedu shouldn’t be far. This looks like a military camp of some kind. Designed to protect the village against possible raiding parties. Similar strategies were utilized by our people during the battle against the Ven’shal to prevent bloodshed inside the city proper while safeguarding the buildings and citizens within.”
“If that’s the case then there should be more of their warriors inside. One of them should be able to lead us to the Chief from here.” Gadiel squinted, the glare of the sun on the snow making it difficult to see anything. Craning his neck he pointed toward something. An outline of a person, the white silhouette gliding over the snowy ground with confidence and grace.
The details of the person approaching were familiar. Edric had been unable to get them out of his mind since the night this journey was decided upon. Neomi. Her long, snow-white hair whipped about her pale face in the wind, the brilliant icy-blue of her eyes piercing through him with every step. She was there. This was where they were supposed to be. Soon they would have the warmth of their tents and a fire to thaw their bones from the tiring trip.
In his excitement he broke from Callum and Gadiel, raising his hand to wave at Neomi in greeting. Surely she would recognize him.
All at once the wind around them picked up. Snow blew in every direction, blinding Edric with its ferocity, his hand lifting to block his face from the assault. As it started to die down he became keenly aware of the Ovatai archers perched atop the towers and around the perimeters of the camp, slinking closer under the cover of the snow. Callum’s loud shouts could be heard from behind, ordering his men to stand down. Eyes wide in shock, Edric watched as Neomi raised her arm, spinning something in the air over her head with incredible speed. In a flurry of motion she released the object. A searing pain shot through Edric’s legs, his body tumbling backward, plummeting into the snow with a dull thud, a gasp of agony and surprise escaping his lips.
Confused by everything he stared up at the sky, his mind racing over what had just happened. He couldn’t move his legs. They were bound together somehow, an ache deep in the bones indicating injury though the extent was hard to determine from his current position. Pain aside, it felt good to lie there. He would have continued to enjoy the rest if not for the shadow which hovered over his head, staring down at him. “Foolish Prince,” Neomi’s voice rang through his head. “You nearly got yourself killed.”
Killed? He hadn’t done anything. The Ovatai were expecting their arrival. What was so harmful about… With a sigh he sank his weight deeper into the snow, his mistake obvious now despite the fact that it was too late to take it back. Of course. He had waved. One of the first lessons he’d ever learned of their neighbors to the north was the importance of not raising your hand in greeting. To their people it was interpreted as a threat. A sign of aggression. So much for improving my image.
“You must accept our apologies,” Callum stated calmly, the sound of his voice distracting Neomi from her scornful examination of Edric’s fallen form. He was thankful for the diversion. Her eyes burned into his soul in a way he wasn’t comfortable with. As if she could see everything through his skin into the depths of his mind. His secrets. His fears. The things no one was supposed to know about him.
“Apologies? You ask me to forgive you for his stupidity? It is your Prince that almost died, not mine.”
“It has been a long journey, ma’am. Miss…” Callum faltered over the address. “Is it appropriate for me to call you by your name, or is there another title by which you prefer to be called among your people?”
“I have no title; and neither do you here in Ethrysta. You may call me Neomi. What do I call you?”
“Let us discuss that once the Prince is off his back and someplace warm. I fear the cold has affected his senses. He is normally more intelligent than this.” Edric felt a foot nudge his shoulder. “Is it acceptable for my men to arrange a camp outside yours? They are frozen through and in need of rest.”
“I see no reason to object. Do as you must.”
The shadows overhead parted. Twisting his neck Edric tried to get a visual of Callum, the only face he was able to locate being that of Gadiel staring down at him, clearly fighting to suppress a smile. This was humiliating. How could he have been so stupid? And to be knocked to the ground so easily in front of all the men. His opportunity for greatness in coming here was quickly becoming the biggest mistake of his life.
Around his legs the pressure began to ease, the bindings unwrapped to grant freedom of movement once again. He felt a slender hand clasp his, a strong, sturdy tug lifting him easily to his feet with little effort, finding himself face-to-face with Neomi’s exquisite features. She was prettier than he remembered. Perfectly shaped and proportioned as if chiseled out of the Ethrystan ice like a statue of some mythical snow goddess. Their close proximity sent his heart racing, the fluttering in his stomach worsening with every second he was in her presence. What was wrong with him? Why did this woman cause him to act like a bumbling idiot when she was around?
Her head shook slightly as she stepped away, averting her eyes to the ground briefly before lifting them to stare at Gadiel, her tone commanding. Filled with authority. Comfortable in her role as their superior. “You take him. We will examine him for injuries inside. I do not have time to waste while your Captain dawdles with the soldiers.”
“I understand your concern with time given our tardiness, Neomi. Unfortunately I am of little use. Decisions regarding our involvement here are made by the Captain. I am nothing but a pair of ears to listen if he is not present.”
“Then bring someone with you who can escort your Captain once he is finished. I will not come back for him.”
The cold only added to the throbbing in Edric’s legs. It hurt to stand. Weight on the bones sent waves of excruciating pain through the length of them, causing him to wobble slightly. Walking would be a chore. Worse than it had been in the simple discomfort of the cold. Curious about the cause of his injury he let his eye
s search Neomi from head-to-toe, noticing a weapon in her right hand which he knew only through his lessons rather than experience. A bola. Three heavy weighted balls hung from the cord which connected them, the mere sight causing him to grimace at the memory of the impact they had on his body. This woman was full of surprises. He found himself worried about what else she might reveal herself capable of during their time in Ethrysta.
Sharply she turned away from them, her strides long and purposeful, leaving Edric and Gadiel to scramble after her to keep up. With a snap of his fingers Gadiel directed Sahra to follow. From behind Edric could hear her hasty footsteps as she struggled over the snow to reach them.
Inside the camp they were surrounded by Ovatai warriors, men and women alike, their icy eyes wary of the newcomers. Edric felt on display for them. It did nothing to ease his self-consciousness over the injuries he sustained at the hands of the Chief ’s daughter. Had these people seen? What could they possibly think of him after a mistake like that? She’d exploited his error and made an absolute fool out of him; not that he wasn’t capable of doing that all by himself.
Huts constructed of snow and ice had been built throughout the area. They lacked doors for privacy, the structures not intended for long-term dwelling. Simple enough for a war camp. A larger building was situated at the central point, guarded out front by the tall, willowy woman who had accompanied Neomi to Tanispa. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of Edric, making no attempt to mask her disapproval of his presence. Bothered by her disdain he gave a slight nod in greeting, averting his gaze to avoid the contempt she so openly displayed. Could things get any worse? He had only been at their camp for a few minutes and already he was the most hated man in the lands.
Somehow he managed to maintain his composure despite the hostility exuded from everyone. Did Gadiel share his discomfort? The tension was almost palpable in the spacious room of the snowy quarters. His only reprieve came in the escape from the eyes of the warriors outside, finding them alone with Neomi, her hands untying a heavy curtain to let it drape across the opening where they had entered. Sahra positioned herself at the door, watching Gadiel intently for a command of what she should do. They were lost without Callum. This was unlike anything the military dealt with in Tanispa. Every little detail could be detrimental to their situation. No one wanted to risk jeopardizing it in Callum’s absence. He would know what to do. And even if he didn’t, he would give the image of calm the rest of them needed.
“Prince,” Neomi stated, the title sounding more insulting than Edric was accustomed to. Coming from her, he wished for nothing more than to hear her speak his name rather than his position. Her distaste for the word was enough to make him despise the otherwise honorable birthright. “Sit,” she motioned toward a makeshift bed on the ground composed of furs and blankets atop the snow. “I will inspect you for injuries while we wait for your Captain. One of the others can fetch him, if you think they will be able to find their way back.”
“Sahra can go,” Gadiel waved her toward the door anxiously. “If he isn’t ready, tell him we have no time to wait.”
Without argument Sahra disappeared through the curtained door, her absence somehow increasing the tension in the room. Edric was stupefied by the situation. This woman was both intriguing and frightening at the same time. Her people were a mystery. For an ally, they knew so little about one another. He wasn’t sure whether it would be appropriate for him to do as she instructed. She became angered by a mere touch. How could he know she wouldn’t take greater offense to him lying in her bed? Weighing the two options, going anywhere near her bed seemed highly improper, even among the Vor’shai. He rather enjoyed his head being attached to his shoulders.
Through the corner of his eye he glanced between the bed and Gadiel, afraid to let his gaze settle on Neomi. She was waiting. Arms folded across her chest she stared at him, clearly displeased at his hesitance. “Has the cold affected your ears, Prince?”
“Stop calling me that.” The words fell from his lips against his better judgment. He couldn’t take it anymore. All this constant worry about formality and politeness. The Ovatai gave none of it in return. There was no reason for him to stand there and accept her battering.
Her brow rose, confused by his sudden outburst. “Calling you what? Prince? Is that not what you are?”
“I am a prince but you say it with such acid. If you take offense to the title then cease using it. You know my name, or have you forgotten it already?”
“I do not forget names… Edric. Now sit so I can examine your legs. You do my people no good if you are wounded.”
Gadiel was halfway across the room, his hand outstretched to Edric, a horrified expression contorting his face. Edric didn’t need him to say anything to know what he was thinking. The conversation between him and Neomi lacked civility. Given the disrespect shown by the Ovatai and the frustration at his inability to feel half of his body, Edric no longer cared. They came there to help. What kind of person treats their ally with the same disregard as they would their enemy? “I am perfectly comfortable standing here. You’ve done quite enough already, thank you.”
“Your Highness, do as the lady says.”
His shoulders slumped to hear Callum’s voice. Never before had his friend exercised power over him in this fashion. It did nothing to quell the frustration that boiled inside him. He and Callum were equal in rank but in matters of the military, a direction given by Callum stood as firmly as a command issued by the Queen herself. Fists clenched at his sides he did as instructed. What else was there for him to do? Argue with the Captain of the Royal Army while in the company of their ally’s daughter? No. He would confront Callum about the matter later when they were granted some semblance of privacy from these unpleasant people.
The bed was more comfortable than he expected. Warm and inviting. The fur created a barrier between his body and the cold ground, layered to insulate the seeming nest, allowing heat to remain under the blankets when occupied by the owner of this hut. He had no more than settled himself on the bed when Neomi took up a position at his feet, kneeling in the snow to begin unfastening Edric’s boots.
“What are you doing?”
“I am removing your boots so I can look at your wounds,” Neomi stated flatly. “Or would you prefer to remove your pants instead?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Boots or belt. Your decision. Make it quickly.”
Baffled by the bluntness of her words Edric leaned forward to push her hands away from him, fumbling over the laces on his boots. He wasn’t going to let her treat him like a helpless child… and he certainly wasn’t about to take his pants off in front of her. “The weapon you struck me with only touched the lower part of my legs. There is no reason to completely undress myself.”
“I said nothing of fully undressing. If you refuse to remove your boots, the only other way to see your legs would be to pull your trousers down. Between you and I, my preference is to see as little of you as possible.”
Their eyes locked on one another. Challenging. Steadfast. She was trying to intimidate him. It was a test. He couldn’t let her get under his skin. She had enough control over them as it was without also giving her the impression that Vor’shai men were weak-willed. They might have stared one another down for the rest of the afternoon if not for Callum’s intervention. “Neomi... That is what you wish to be called, is it not?”
“It is my name. You never answered me as to what I should call you.” She continued to watch Edric, their contact broken by Callum’s body kneeling between them to help untie the laces of Edric’s boots. The anger he’d felt toward his friend a few moments ago dispersed entirely, replaced by an overwhelming gratitude for the interruption.
“Callum Levadis,” he replied. “My Commander here is Gadiel Taeth and his Lieutenant, Sahra Viarthi. You and Edric appear adequately acquainted already.”
“Levadis? The Captain of the Royal Army bears the familial name of the King and Queen?” Neomi muse
d. Her focus broken, Edric took advantage of the distraction, lying back on the blankets with a breath of relief. Knowing her, she wouldn’t be diverted for long. He wanted to enjoy every moment he had away from her disapproving eye.
“It is the same as the royal family, yes.”
“Then am I correct to assume you are no mere military man? Are you not also the Crown Prince of your people?”
Callum’s expression fell, devoid of emotion, staring blankly down at Edric’s feet. With a firm tug he pulled on the boots, removing them and placing them off to one side. “I suppose so,” he replied quietly. “I did not come here as a prince, however. I came here as a friend to your people. Do try to maintain some respect for the true Vor’shai Prince. None of my people would be here now had it not been for his graciousness the night you arrived in Tanispa. Don’t think I’m not aware of your behavior with the palace guards. Edric may not hold a military rank but he is a skilled fighter and a loyal friend. It would do you well to treat him appropriately.”
Turning his head Edric stared at Callum, surprised to hear himself defended so openly in front of Neomi. It was a bold move for him to demand a particular treatment toward a single man. A show of confidence on Callum’s part. And with good reason. Callum recognized that the Vor’shai had the upper hand in this matter. This war was not theirs. They were in Ethrysta of their own free will and could turn away from the Ovatai at any time, if they chose to do so.
Neomi said nothing in response to Callum’s statement. She seemed to ignore him completely, sliding in closer to Edric, her fingers rolling up the fabric of his pant-legs. “Do you experience pain?” she questioned, directing her attention to Edric. Her icy eyes had lost the hardness he’d seen in them moments ago, replaced with a hint of what looked to be genuine concern.
There was no point in holding onto his anger. Guilt threatened him to think that he’d allowed himself to lose his temper. For a brief moment he had let frustration rule his actions. It wasn’t fair to Callum. This was his task. How could he have let himself get upset with his friend over something so trivial? So many others treated him like a worthless imbecile. It was too easy to believe that his friend would do the same. He should know better by now that Callum would never do something like that.
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Three: Crown of Ice Page 22
