The Gauntlet Thrown

by Cheryl Dyson

  ******

  They went immediately to the city baths, which were not crowded due to the early hour. Jace stopped Shevyn before she entered the women’s side of the bath and pressed a cloth bundle into her hands.

  "We will be across the street at the Emerald Inn, should you linger," he said. She nodded and disappeared into the dark interior.

  After a wickedly hot bath, Toryn and the others entered the main room of the inn. Jace left them briefly to seek out the local church and ask for information. The others ordered a meal and soon dined on bean soup and a large ham shank, along with cups of chilled wine. As predicted, Shevyn had not finished her bath. Jace appeared as they were finishing the last of the soup.

  He sat down and spoke quietly. "I stopped at the Temple of Might. They were unaware that the gauntlet had disappeared and they are sending inquiries to Bodor to determine the whereabouts of the Gauntlet Knights. They know Reed is now king in Ven-Kerrick, although the Concurrence Council has not yet convened to debate the matter. The council meeting is scheduled for later this week, which could work in our favor. I doubt Reed will abandon Ven-Kerrick to chase us this close to a council session. He needs their approval to remain in control." Jace sighed heavily. "This news is not well known, so please keep it to yourselves. The entire royal family died after a long illness, during which time King Koryn made it clear that Reed was to be regent. Reed apparently has documents signed by Koryn’s own hand."

  "Reed could have taken his mind and forced him to sign anything!" Brydon protested.

  Jace shook his head. "Not so. The Kerricks have always had formidable mental skills. Vai blood runs strong in their veins. It has to be a deeper plot. Something more involved."

  "You mentioned that word to Davin—Vai. What does it mean?"

  Jace looked surprised. "How can you know nothing of the Vai when you have your own abilities? You saved me from Reed in Ven-Kerrick."

  "I don’t know where these powers come from, or even what they are. I thought I was unique, until I met Reed."

  Jace rubbed his fingers over his forehead as if wearied. "Someone has been remiss in your history lessons. Many people prefer to ignore the existence of the Vai, but I had expected the Order to be true to the facts, even in far Falara. However, we don’t have the time for that now. As we ride, I will try to make up for your lack of education. Right now we need to find out where the last caravan from Ven-Kerrick is bound. The palace has records of every shipment, but prying such information out of Prince Berikon will be difficult and expensive, if not impossible. Better to try the guards at both gates. Between us, we should have enough coin to loosen some tongues. Brydon, you and Toryn can try the men at the northern gate while Davin and I ask the southern guards. After that we will try the marketplace, if necessary."

  Brydon glanced toward the doorway and said, "Toryn might want to stay here. I think he will have his hands full." He gestured and Toryn turned to see Verana and Alyn standing in the doorway.

  Toryn leaped to his feet, as did Davin and Jace. Alyn was attired in a fringed leather dress of bright sky blue. Toryn stared at her, shocked to realize he had never before seen her in feminine clothing.

  "Hello, Davin," she said as she walked closer. She smiled up at the silver-haired man and grasped his hand. Davin flushed and nodded before he regained his seat. Alyn’s brow furrowed as she looked at him, as if she struggled to remember something. She sighed and then turned to Toryn, whose jaw had clenched slightly while he witnessed the interaction.

  "Toryn." She smiled sweetly and he beamed at her. Then a fist smacked into his stomach, causing his breath to whoosh out painfully. "You slime-spawned Redolian range rat!" she hissed. "What do you mean, running away with my horses? Did you think I would not find you?"

  Toryn coughed, off-balance for an instant. "Did you leave your brains in Akarska?" he asked hoarsely. "You told me yourself that they were unclaimed."

  "It’s still thievery to take any horse from Akarska," she snapped, azure eyes flashing. She was a bit thinner and paler than when they had first met, but other than that she seemed to have returned to normal.

  "Even if it was done to save your bloody life?" Toryn demanded.

  She flushed at that and looked away, apparently with no ready reply. "I thank you all for that," she said, "but I still want my horses back."

  "They are not your horses," Toryn said with a sneer, warming to the old habit of arguing with her.

  Her eyes flashed fire and she entered the fray.