Keenan moved close to the guardians. “Okay. We have to get down the mountain as quickly as possible. We have horses waiting for us at the bottom; all we have to do is get there.”
“How about taking off our bonds?” Trestus asked.
Keenan shook his head, “No. There are patrols on the trails. We will almost surely meet soldiers on the way. It would look too unusual if you were untied.”
Derek nodded, “Okay. Let's go.”
Chapter 25
Heather greedily gulped down the water that the guard, Mel, offered her. The water was lukewarm, and it couldn't have been more than a mouthful or two, but it seemed like the single greatest thing she had ever tasted. Possibly because she hadn't had any water since about lunch time and it was now well past sun-down.
The caravan had continued to travel towards Mynar for the last week, and they were almost out of time. Late tomorrow, or early the next day at the latest, they would reach Mynar, and whomever it was that was offering a reward for her and her fellow guardians. That thought terrified her. The wagon drivers were bad enough, but she dreaded what would happen to them when they were turned over for the reward.
They were in the supply tent. They were always kept in the supply tent at night, tied up to stakes in the ground.
Aaron was still healing from the beating he had suffered when he had tried to escape, and his face was an ugly mottled brown. His attitude had recovered nicely, and although he hadn't tried to escape again, there was still fight in him. Heather had been relieved to see that he was getting back to his old self. He would have healed faster if he had been getting the appropriate amount of water and food.
Mikela was in good health, but Heather could see her spirits sinking day by day. There was a fear in her eyes that was troublesome; she was starting to give in to panic. She also expected something bad to happen when they reached Mynar.
Mel was just finishing replacing the gag in Aaron's mouth, when the flap on the far side of the tent opened, and Jefflem entered. Heather's heart started beating faster and she seemed unable to catch her breath. What the hell was he doing here? Wylon had expressly forbidden him being around the guardians.
Jefflem entered and walked smiling towards the prisoners. Well, he more sauntered than walked. He moved slowly, and stopped just in front of them, and leaned against a couple of crates. “Well, well. Look what we have here.”
Heather's pulse was racing, and she would have scooted away if she hadn't been tied to the floor. She never thought that she would have wished to see Wylon, but she was praying for him to come in now.
“You're early,” Mel grunted. “You wasn't supposed to be here until later.”
Jefflem shrugged, “Does it matter? My uncle rode ahead of the caravan; he won't be back for hours.”
Mel looked around at the guardians, and then he quickly pulled his eyes off of them. He turned back to Jefflem, and shook his fingers, “No marks. You hear me?”
Jefflem half nodded, “Yeah, yeah.”
Mel stepped up, right into Jefflem's face. “Now you listen to me.” His voice was low and dangerous, “If there are any marks on any of them, I will personally hand you over to your uncle.”
Jefflem's eyes narrowed, “Are you threatening me?”
Mel nodded, “Yes. Your uncle has made it quite clear what we are to do you, if you try anything with the prisoners. If there are any marks, then I will make sure he knows that you did it, and I will deny having anything to do with this.”
Jefflem opened his mouth to speak, but seeing the look on Mel's face, he closed it again with a snap.
Seeming satisfied, Mel looked around one more time, then quickly walked toward the tent flap. He lifted up the flap, and then paused and turned back towards the middle of the tent. “I'll just be right outside. Try to keep the noise down.”
Jefflum turned back to face the guardians, a disgusting smile playing across his face. “So, now what should we do the little bit of time that we have?”
Heather glanced at Aaron and Mikela. They were both watching her, concern and fear showing in their eyes. Concern and fear for her. Strangely, a cold calmness settled over her. Whatever happened, she would get through this. She pulled her eyes back to Jefflem, he was watching her and his smile had gotten worse.
“You know, I always knew that we were destined to be together.” He pulled a knife from his belt, and made a show of cleaning his finger nails. “I thought that perhaps you would choose to be with me on your own, but I guess this will have to do.” He straightened up, and began loosening the strings that held his shirt together. There was a muffled noise from outside the front of the tent. Jefflem paused, and half turned. After a moment, he shrugged, and started loosening his shirt again.
He stepped forward and laid his hand on Heather's leg. She tried to kick him, but her bonds were too tight, and he only laughed. He placed his hand on her left breast and squeezed, hard. Heather let out an involuntary groan and tried to pull away.
Jefflem laughed at her attempts to get away, she was after all tied up tight. Aaron and Mikela both were making an attempt to get his attention, but it was a little more than a quiet groan. However, their attempts did seem to bother him. He kicked out with his right foot, and caught a glancing blow off of Aaron's head. “Shut up!” He barked. “You're so covered with bruises that no one will notice any more.” He turned to Mikela, “And you had better be quiet too, or else you can be next, after I'm through with her.”
Jefflem turned back to Heather, “Now where was I?” Taking the knife, he began cutting her shirt. A tear ran down Heather's cheek. “Do you like this? I bet you do. You probably enjoy having your friends watch.” Pulling her shirt open, he began to cut at the top of her trousers.
There was a loud crash, and something crashed down on the back of Jefflem's head and he slumped forward.
Breathing hard, Heather turned her head trying to see what had happened. She started and tried to shrink back from the man who stood before her. How could this be? It simply wasn't possible. The last man she expected stood looking down at her. It was Enton. She was confused; she had thought that he was in Telur. She suddenly became suddenly aware of her shirt standing wide open, and Enton seemed very aware of it too. His eyes widened, and he quickly leaned down and covered her with the pieces of her shirt.
He smiled at her, “I'm sorry, but I didn't follow your orders. I know you ordered me back to Telur, but I just couldn't shake the feeling that you would need my help, sooner or later.”
More tears ran down Heather's cheek, but these tears were tears of joy. She almost would have kissed him at that moment, even with her shirt cut open.
Enton continued, “If you want, I'll go to Telur and submit myself for discipline.”
Heather frantically shook her head. She tried to speak, but of course the gag wouldn't allow it. What was he doing? Cut their bonds, quickly!
“Can you use my help, or should I leave?”
Heather wanted to strangle the man, but she caught sight of the half smile tugging at his mouth and her struggles ceased. He was playing with her! She would definitely kill him, and, oh, would she enjoy it.
Enton reached down and cut the gag off of her mouth, and then he rolled her over and cut her bonds.
Spitting the remains of the gag out of her mouth, Heather began rubbing her ankles and wrists. She almost cried as the feeling of sharp needles began running through her arms and legs. Looking around, she noticed Aaron and Mikela also rubbing their arms and legs, both of them had tears running down their faces. Aaron seemed relieved, but Mikela was just plain blubbering, at least she was doing it quietly.
“Enton, there's a guard outside.”
Enton shook his head, “Not any more.” He moved closer to Heather and leaned down. “We have to go soon; it won't be long until they discover what's happened.” He spoke quietly, for her ears only.
She stared up at him, disbelief and amazement plain on her face.
Enton sighed, “Listen,
I didn't mean anything by what I said just now. I was playing with you, trying to be funny, but it was probably the wrong time completely.” He paused, waiting for her to say something, but she didn't. She just kept staring at him. “And I'm sorry for the way that I acted before. I was in the wrong, and I'm sorry.” He looked like a kid, a kid that had been caught stealing a sweet. “I don't apologize much; it's not really what I do.” He struggled for the words, “I was just so furious that I wasn't in charge. I felt insulted and I was wrong.”
Meek apologies were the last thing she expected from the massive warrior right now, but she would happily take them, although his words tugged at her insides. “Maybe you were right. Perhaps, you should have been in charge. At least then, we wouldn't have fallen into this trap.”
Enton shook his head, “No. This was a good plan. You just fell in with the wrong merchants, that's all.” He leaned back on his heels, “If I had been the leader, I would have been thrilled to have thought of this.” He shook his head again, “And you can't start doubting yourself. You must believe in yourself, or at least pretend to. As our leader, you can't show doubt.”
Heather's head whipped up, “As our leader?” She repeated, questioningly, putting emphasize on the word 'our'.
Enton nodded, and smiled a cautious smile. “If you will let me come back.”
Heather's head was spinning. Of all people, Enton was encouraging her and trying to motivate her. How quickly things had changed. Several weeks ago, Enton was the last person that she would have wanted to see, but now she was almost ready to bear his children.
Enton smile changed, his look took on a more worried expression. “You will let me come back. Won't you? I have apologized, and I would like to make it up to you, although I did just save you.”
Heather eyes narrowed, Enton had been doing pretty good until he mentioned saving them. He was already trying to bully her again. That wasn't going to happen, not again. “I'm sorry, but I already ordered you back to Telur. You will have to face charges for your insubordination.” She shook her head, “I'm sorry.”
Enton's jaw dropped and his eyes bulged. “Charges? What.. What do you mean?”
Heather laughed, she couldn't help it. The look on Enton's face was unforgettable.
“What's so funny?” Aaron asked, he was standing now, but still rubbing his sore legs. He was staring at Heather, a smile on his lips. “It's good to hear you laugh again.”
Heather smiled back, “It's good to laugh.” She glanced around, and let the smile fade from her face. “Enton just apologized for his behavior prior to Tyler's Junction. He has also asked to rejoin us.” Enton looked somewhat embarrassed at her words, but she ignored him and focused on Aaron and Mikela. “I have decided to let him come with us.”
Enton smiled, as did the other two.
“But there are going to be conditions, certain penalties will be imposed for the right to come along.”
Heather's words wiped the smile off of Enton's face. “Penalties? What do you mean?”
A delighted smile played across Heather's face, “You know, penalties, like extra chores.” There was an almost dangerous tone to her voice now, “And I don't want to hear one word of complaint.” Oh, how she was going to enjoy this. She noticed Aaron trying hard not to smile, but Mikela wasn't even bothering try to hide her smile, the tears still wet on her cheeks. “Do you understand?”
Enton looked a little sick, his coloring was definitely off. “I understand.” He paused, “You are going to have some fun with this. Aren't you?”
“Oh, yes.”
Mikela cleared her throat. Heather and Enton were staring at each other, and Mikela was suddenly afraid that a disagreement might start again. “Shouldn't we get moving? I mean, won't the wagon drivers check on us fairly soon?”
Heather got to her feet, a little shaky at first. “You're right. Enton, I need you and Aaron to go get our weapons and things.”
“No.” Enton said, but seeing Heather's eyebrows shoot straight up, he quickly amended his words. “What I meant to say is that I already got your things on my way in, tonight.”
Heather nodded, “Good thinking. Do you have a plan for getting us out of here then?”
Enton nodded, “Yes. I have been watching the camp for some time now, and I have their guard rotations memorized. They haven't changed them in the two weeks that I have been watching.”
“Good. Let's go.”
Derek looked around at the soldiers riding along with them. Besides the guardians, there were fifteen soldiers accompanying them on their escape, sixteen, counting Keenan. They had reached the bottom of the mountain without so much as a sideways look from anyone, and Keenan had made a show of leading the prisoners west along the tree line. They had stopped in a small clearing, almost as soon as they were out of sight of the soldiers, and the promised horses had been waiting for them. That had been two days ago, and they had been traveling west since then.
They were pushing their horses, pushing them almost past the point of exhaustion. Riding along the base of the mountains, until this morning, when they had turned north westward. After leaving the mountains, the land had started out flat with a few scrubby trees, but the trees were starting to get closer and closer together. The scrub trees were turning in to a forest of evergreens, and it was getting a bit hillier.
They crested a small hill and started down the far side. A small brook wound along the base of the hill. Derek pointed to the creek, “Let's stop and water the horses.”
Keenan didn't even look around, “No. We have to keep moving. We don't have the time.”
Derek nudged his horse up next to Keenan's, “If our horses drop dead from exhaustion, then they won't be of any use to us.” He spoke quietly, thinking all the while that he would hate for someone to contradict him in front of his soldiers.
Glancing over, Keenan rubbed his face and sighed. “You're right, of course.” He raised his hand, just prior to them reaching the water, and then wearily slid from his mount.
Derek followed suit, wincing as he did so. He stretched and rubbed his back. “How far back do you think they are?”
Glancing back the way they had come, Keenan shook his head. “Not far. Not far at all.”
Derek followed Keenan's gaze, “I will not go back to that room.” His voice was cool and steady, in direct contrast to how he felt.
Keenan nodded, “I agree. I won't go there either.” He turned toward the soldiers, who were busy watering their horses a short distance away. “Obum, come here.”
One of the young soldiers hurried over. “Yes sir.”
“I think it's time, Obum.”
“Yes sir.” Obum replied, although he looked decidedly glum as he spoke. “I'll let the men know.”
Derek's brow wrinkled in confusion, but he waited until Obum had walked far enough way not to hear before voicing his concerns. “Time for what?”
“Time to split up.”
“Split up. What do you mean?” There was absolutely no way that he was leaving any of his fellow guardians. Not if there was a remote chance of one of them being caught again.
Keenan smiled, not noticing the sudden wariness in Derek. “It's been part of the plan from the beginning.” He motioned to the soldiers that were standing around. “There's a reason that there are twenty of us. You four and myself are going to go one way, and the others will split into three groups. Each group will have five riders.”
Derek nodded, relief flooding through him, Keenan never meant to split the guardians up. “That makes a lot of sense. If we have followers, then they won't know who to follow.”
“Glad you approve,” Keenan said rather dryly. “The best thing, though, is that we're all going in different directions, and the five of us are headed due west.”
“West?” Once again Derek spoke without thinking. He looked around quickly, not wanting to question Keenan's authority in front of his men. He lowered his voice and continued, “But Telur is more North than anything else. Why ar
en't we headed that way?”
The smile on Keenan's face slipped, “Because that is exactly what the men following us would expect us to do. Instead we will head west and eventually turn north.”
“And the five men that you are sending North?” Kara asked in a quiet voice. “Are you sending them to their death?”
Keenan was silent for a moment, “I most certainly hope not.” He nodded over at his soldiers, still watering their horses. “I picked the best men that I had for this mission, and if anyone can survive, it's them.” He paused for a moment, “I also have some surprises planned for our followers. I sent some troops out over the past week, and they will be waiting in ambush three days down the trail. All the men have to do is stay ahead of their pursuers for that long.”
“Thought of everything, haven't you?” Derek asked. He was impressed with the thoroughness of Keenan's plan.
“I tried,” Keenan answered shrugging.
“Okay, so we go west,” Trestus said, chewing on his bottom lip as he spoke, “Then what?”
“Eventually, we'll head north. Perhaps through Dalar, or maybe we'll go through Aramonia. I haven't really decided, but if we're running for our lives then that will help make the decision for us.”
Odum walked back over to the Keenan, “Sir, We're all ready.”
Keenan nodded, “Excuse me.” He said to the guardians and followed Odum back to the other assembled soldiers. They all stared at him, waiting for him to speak. 'They all look so young.' He thought to himself, and then he forced a smile. “Men, we don't have long, so I'll make this quick. This is a dangerous mission that I am sending you on, and your bravery honors you and your fellow Tizens. This mission isn't just to help me escape, but to restore out kingdom. Remember that. We must succeed, for our families. No longer will they have to hide and live in fear. If we succeed, then we can live in the open and not be persecuted.” The soldiers seemed to swell with pride at his words, their chests puffed out and they seemed less scared than before. Keenan held up three fingers, “Three days. All we have to do is stay ahead of them for three days. By now, the ambushes are set up and waiting on us. Make it to them.” He looked around and regarded the sober young faces staring back at him. “For Tizen!” He shouted, and the soldiers shouted “For Tizen!” right back at him.
Ossendar: Book Two of the Resoration Series Page 44
