by Sam Dogra
Ryan nodded at me, then continued towards our target. The boy stared in defiance, his face smeared with singe marks and sweat.
“You can’t run,” Ryan said, stopping a few feet from him. “Not for the next three hours, anyway.”
“This isn’t fair. I haven’t done anything!” the boy protested. His eyes burned. “It’s against the law to shoot minors. I could have you arrested for assault.”
“I wouldn’t throw around empty threats, Will,” Ryan answered.
The boy’s jaw dropped.
“How do you know my name?”
“You’re more popular than you know.” Ryan knelt beside him, his crossbow clearly visible. “You seem to have built a reputation as an arsonist in Ruthwall.”
Will’s anger reignited.
“It wasn’t me!” He tried to move his legs, but the paralyser serum was in full effect. “I didn’t burn the barn, I swear. I never touched the flametar!”
“Really?” Ryan drawled. He tapped Will’s shoes. “So why are you covered in the residue from the wreckage? Not to mention you’re hiding out exactly where there’s a massive store of the stuff.”
“I can explain,” Will said. “It wasn’t my fault, it was…HEY!”
He flinched as Ryan touched his side. Frowning, Ryan lifted the boy’s shirt, revealing a full bottle of flametar tucked into his waistband.
“You’re not making a very good case for yourself, Will,” he said, withdrawing the glass container.
“You’ve got it all wrong!” Will shrieked. “If you’d just listen…”
Ryan stood up. He’d heard enough. However, I wasn’t quite as convinced. Something about the whole set up nagged at me. I limped forward, wincing as my ankle snagged in the rocks.
“Wait a second,” I said. “There might be more to this than we think.”
“Like what?” Ryan asked. “Even if those crates aren’t Will’s, he still stole the flametar. And the tracks we followed belong to him. We’ve got all the proof we need.”
“Half of this bounty is mine, remember?” I said. “And I say we collect more information before we start jumping to conclusions.”
“Eliza, we haven’t got…”
“I won’t let you take him back otherwise.”
Ryan blinked, taken aback by my directness. I managed to keep a level gaze, despite the Binding’s efforts to twist my intentions. Will had something to say, and I wasn’t going to deny him the chance to defend himself.
“Fine.” Ryan stepped away, though his crossbow arm remained tense. I staggered past, dragging my sore ankle, and crouched beside Will. He refused to make eye contact. Watching him sit there, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. His clothes were filthy and torn, his curled hair matted, and judging from his skinny frame he probably hadn’t eaten much lately, either.
“Will…” I began.
“Don’t pretend you care,” Will spat. “Whatever I say, you’re still going to hand me over to the Councillor for your reward.”
I frowned.
“Look,” I said. “You can’t blame us for making assumptions when all the evidence is pointing to you. We could just drag you down and leave it at that. But I’m going to give you a choice.” Will’s hand twitched. “If you speak up now and tell the truth about what happened, I promise to listen. Stay in your little sulk, though, and we’ll leave you here to enjoy the rest of the winter.” I folded my arms. “Better make a smart decision.”
Will sighed. He didn’t look up for several moments. At last he lifted his head.
“Okay.” He shuffled round to face us. “Last week I saw some strange men come here at night. When they went back to the village, they were carrying flametar bottles. I thought they would raze everything to the ground. So I tried to steal the bottles off them.” He gestured to the container Ryan held. “I got one, but they caught me and threw me into the barn. Then I heard glass smashing and they tossed a burning black thing onto the grain sacks. I just managed to get out before the whole place went up in flames.” He clenched his fists. “Of course, all everyone else saw was me running out of the blaze, so they thought I’d started it.”
“What did the men look like?” Ryan asked abruptly. I caught the worry in his tone. He must have been wondering if these strangers had any connection to the group after him.
“I don’t know. They wore dark hoods,” Will shrugged. “One of them had this red mark on the back of his cloak, like a snake biting its own tail. That’s all I could make out.”
If that description meant anything to Ryan, he didn’t show it. Certainly it didn’t mean much to me; I’d never heard of such a symbol. Still, whoever these people were, they were definitely up to no good if they were prepared to silence any witnesses.
“I held onto that bottle because it has the same mark on it,” Will went on. “I thought it might be useful.”
Ryan examined the glass, and his eyes widened. He held it out for me to see. Around the neck of the container coiled a bright red insignia, just as Will had described. That was enough for me. He really was innocent.
I smiled.
“Good answer, Will,” I said. “Looks like you’ve been caught in a major misunderstanding. I think we can do something about that.” Will’s face lit up with hope. “We’ve seen the flametar boxes. We can vouch for your innocence. A few words with the Councillor, along with this bottle, and we can clear this right up.”
“Really?” Will said. “You believe me?”
“I find it hard to believe you could steal one of Azaria’s most expensive resources by yourself,” I answered. “Plus your story seems to add up, and you’ve got the evidence to prove it. No reason why we can’t help set things straight. Right, Ryan?”
Ryan murmured, still staring at the red lines. Eventually he tore his eyes away and nodded.
“Alright. We’ll talk with the Councillor,” he said.
He reached into his coat and pulled out another dart, this one crested with a blue feather. Will cringed and tried to drag himself backwards, but Ryan touched his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, this will only sting for a second,” he said. “It’s the antidote to the paralyser serum. Hold still.” Will glanced to me, seeking reassurance. I just nodded. Ryan straightened his leg, finding the original wound. He pricked the skin beside it, and Will winced. “You should be able to move again in a few minutes.” Ryan replaced the dart into his coat. “But don’t try any tricks. I’ve got plenty more paralyser darts waiting.”
“I won’t,” Will said. He glanced at his right leg, urging it to move. Once he found it responsive again, he rose to his feet. “I’ll wait for you on the other side of the cave.”
He walked into the dark archway. Ryan raised his crossbow, but I grabbed his arm. The Binding buzzed, making my hold tighter than necessary.
“He’ll keep his word,” I said. “We’ve got the bottle, anyway. He can’t clear his name without it.”
“So it seems,” Ryan said. “We’ll see what the Councillor has to say.”
“You don’t sound that enthused,” I said. “Can’t admit I was right to let him speak?”
“This hasn’t got anything to do with us,” Ryan scoffed. “We shouldn’t interfere. It’s none of our business.”
I raised an eyebrow. Well, someone was being defensive all of a sudden. However, when I thought back to how closely he’d studied the bottle, it made sense. This little discovery might be linked to that secret he was so desperate to keep under wraps. Somehow, I’d have to find out the connection…
“So, I take it you need a lift?” Ryan asked.
I blinked. Honestly, I needed to stop daydreaming so much.
“Sorry, what?”
“Your ankle,” Ryan said. “You’re going to need some help walking, seeing as you’ve lost your stick.”
My face flushed. I’d forgotten the worst part of this ordeal was yet to come.
“Eh, so I might have misplaced it,” I said with an apologetic smile. “You’re going to
waive the transport fee, of course?”
Ryan rolled his eyes, though they still gleamed with amusement. He walked in front of me and knelt down. I sucked in a breath. Well, better get it over with. Clamping my teeth together—this was going to be so much fun—I clambered on to his back. The moment we touched, the Binding’s magic vanquished the soreness in my back and legs. I pressed my face against his collar, arms locked tight in what was fast becoming a regular arrangement.
Heart rumbling, I started to count my breaths as we headed back into the cave.
CHAPTER TEN
‘...and so she peered beyond their fate, to the destiny cast in plumes of light.’
—Tale of the Binding
The trip to the Councillor’s House was the longest ten minutes of my life. Though I wasn’t feeling particularly strong urges to keep close to Ryan, I knew the fireworks would start the moment I had to let go. Still, that didn’t mean the Binding had spared me. It made me painfully aware of Ryan’s movements. The way his hair tickled my ear, how his muscles tensed to support me, and of course that infamous—though extremely elusive—scent of his. However, every time I turned away to escape these feelings, the cold would attack me, as I’d forgotten to pull up my scarf.
It was times like this I almost wished the steam cloud had smothered me.
Taking my one hundred and sixty-seventh breath (and counting), I raised my head as we entered the village. People lined the doorways and porches, their attention focused on Will. He kept his head down as he walked alongside us. Ryan noted his posture and stepped up his pace.
“I hope he gets a good thrashing!” called out one of the farmers. Others soon joined his cries, including the woman we’d met at the well, but I tuned them out. Though I knew Will didn’t deserve their jeers, I couldn’t blame them for being sore. The loss of a whole month’s grain would make this winter a tough one. Even after we explained things to the Councillor, I didn’t doubt Will would bear the brunt of the shortages.
Three men waited on the main path ahead. It seemed they were expecting us. Two were broad-shouldered and sported red and blonde hair respectively, while the third was a lanky man with mousy-brown hair and a moustache to match. He wore a badge on his cloak; he must have been the Councillor. He extended his arms in greeting as we approached.
“Welcome, good hunters,” he smiled. “You’ve done us a great service. We’ve been looking for Will James for a time now. Please, leave the boy with us.” He looked like he was about to say more, when he cast his gaze over me. I was sure I looked a real treat. My clothes were torn, my face covered in grit marks, and that was before I got to the cuts and bruises on my arms. Anyone would think I was the bounty.
“My dear,” the Councillor said, “you seem quite worse for wear. Shall I fetch our healer to attend your injuries?”
“Yes, thanks,” I said, somewhat ashamed that someone with my healing knowledge would need looking after. It wasn’t my fault the mountain and I hadn’t seen eye to eye. “But before we hand Will over, we’d like to have some words first. There’s been a mix up.”
The Councillor raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“We’ll talk inside,” Ryan said, readjusting his grip on my arms. I shivered, and firmly assured myself it was because of the cold. “It’s a long story.”
The Councillor looked at us, then at Will, whose stare was fixed on his shoes. He didn’t seem keen to hear us out.
“Please,” Ryan went on. “It’s important you hear everything Will has to say. What he knows could be serious. And we’ve got evidence to prove his innocence.”
The Councillor twisted his lip. For a moment I thought he’d deny us, but then he bowed his head.
“Very well. Come with me.”
We climbed the porch steps, following the farmhands Blondie and Red-Head, and entered a warm hallway. I turned my head aside, letting the wood smoke choke out the Binding’s preferred odour. Oblivious to my relief, Ryan headed into the front room. A set of cushioned chairs were laid out before the fireplace, and the Councillor gestured for us to sit.
I gritted my teeth. Uh oh.
Ryan strode over to the seat nearest the burning logs, then knelt down, waiting for me to get off. I made to unclasp my fingers.
They wouldn’t budge.
Swallowing, I tried to flex my elbows and raise them over Ryan’s head, but that only tightened my hold around his shoulders. Goddess, this was like training to be an escape artist.
Ryan squirmed.
“What’s the problem?” he asked under his breath.
“Sorry, my, er…my arm, I hit it when we fell, it hurts to move,” I whispered back, hoping he’d fall for it. “Besides, you’re comfier than you look.” I was trying to remain upbeat, but inside I was going into meltdown. This would be the worst rebound yet. And in front of all these people…
Ryan shook his head. He gripped my wrists and prized them apart. My hands went lax, and I slumped back into the chair. A faint pounding started in the front of my skull, accompanied by some blurred vision. Just what I’d always wanted.
I raised a hand to wipe my eyes. Only, I couldn’t. Heart galloping, I tried to move my little finger. I barely managed a flicker.
This wasn’t happening!
“Is your friend alright?” Councillor Van eyed me with concern. Well, that was an understatement. The way I dangled out of the chair, I’d make the most pliable contortionist jealous.
“We had a fall on the mountain,” Ryan said. He sounded genuinely worried. “I didn’t realise it was this serious.”
“Do not fear, we will sort her out,” the Councillor said. He turned to Red-Head. “Adrian, fetch Miriam at once.” Adrian nodded and dashed away. The Councillor walked over to Blondie. “Ben, take her to my wife’s chambers so she can be more comfortable. I will send Miriam to you as soon as she arrives.”
I wasn’t in much of a position to argue, so I let Ben tuck his arms around and lift me. The movement caused my head to swim, and I shut my eyes as light spiralled across my vision. What was this, a Binding migraine?
Then, as if those symptoms weren’t enough, a dull ache throbbed in my chest. Ah, I recognised this one. The Binding was upset the person it wanted to perform this task wasn’t doing it. Despite my pain, I managed a wry smile. That’ll teach you to turn me into a flaccid doll, you stupid curse!
Ben brought me to a chamber which totally clashed with the simplistic décor in the hall. Everything was adorned in green silks and silver beading, even the clothes chest and dresser. Way too tacky for my liking, but at least I knew why the rest of the house had such basic furnishing.
He laid me onto the bed, but I remained floppy. I couldn’t even croak out a thank you as he left. I could only stare at the plastered ceiling, and listen to my quiet breaths. It was incredibly eerie.
And incredibly terrifying.
The one good thing was the feather mattress, which soothed my bruised spine. Were I able to move, I’d have wrapped myself in the crisp sheets. I hadn’t imagined how much I’d miss something as simple as a real bed. Forget a life of free-roaming adventure; I’d take the creature comforts of home any day.
Ryan’s hunting knife pinched my hip, as if to chide my thoughts. I wanted to adjust the sheath so it didn’t dig into my skin, but the Binding was having none of it. I could just about blink and breathe; that was it. Worse, though, was the thought the paralysis wouldn’t wear off until Ryan touched me again. It made my stomach churn. The idea I had to depend on someone else just to feel normal…
I lay there for what seemed like an eternity, trapped inside my thoughts. I was going crazy. I couldn’t roll over, or rub my arm, or stretch my leg, or anything. I was chained to the bed by an invisible force. A chain only one person had the means to break.
I was close to screaming when the door finally opened and a short woman entered, carrying a covered basket. It was the lady from the well.
“Ah, I see you had a little mishap in the caves,” she said, p
lacing her item on the stool beside the bed. She drew back her hood, revealing her greasy hair. “Eliza, is it? I’m Miriam.” She paused, awaiting my response. I managed a slight nod. Fortunately that was enough to satisfy her, and she smiled. “Well done on catching Will, by the way, though I see it’s taken its toll on you. Let’s see how you’re doing.”
She took my hands and inspected them, before she felt my pulse. Next she unwrapped me from Ryan’s cloak and my jacket and scarf, checking my bruises. Her methodical approach made my eyes mist. I’d watched Father go through the same routine for many years. However the Binding’s paralysis also seemed to affect my tear ducts, so nothing spilled.
Eventually her calloused fingers came to the iasometer at my elbow, and she gasped.
“A iasometer!” She cast me a wary look. “How did you come into possession of such a thing?”
“F-Father’s,” I rasped; I could barely move my lips.
Miriam nodded, and didn’t question further. She left the device in place, preferring a more homely method of assessment. She pressed the back of her hand to my forehead.
“Dear me, girl, you’re running a fever,” she said.
Had I the ability to do so, I would’ve frowned. I didn’t think I was that feverish, but then again with my recent increase in blushing, I probably wasn’t able to tell the difference anymore. Nonetheless, the Binding had really proven its strength if it could make me so unwell so quickly.
“Your ankle’s not looking so good, either,” Miriam said. “It’s still quite swollen. I assume you’ve turned it recently?”
I managed another nod, the movement making creases in the pillow. Oh, to be reduced to this silent mime act! Even infants could mewl when something was wrong.
“I’ll let you rest it for now,” Miriam said. I could feel pressure as she tugged off my boots, and then unravelled the bandage. “The bruise is fading, but your hike hasn’t helped. You need to let the joint strengthen before you can practice getting your balance back. Otherwise, apart from the fever, you’re not too bad.”
