Thimeon glanced at the three young women who gaped about them with pale terrified faces. Corandra had drawn her sword, but the other two didn’t even have weapons. A fight would not go well. Twelve arrows would be released before they could even engage the line of horsemen in front or the spears behind. And if they somehow broke through? They would be fleeing with soldiers right on their backs.
But surrendering meant almost certain death at the hands of Koranth. And perhaps it also meant the defeat of Gondisle if the sword and the book were lost—if Thimeon failed to find Elynna. The prince and his officers, perhaps thinking the same thing, had their weapons drawn. Thimeon could see in their faces that they were hardening themselves for battle, despite the odds.
“We’ll have to break through” Rhaan said.
Thimeon took a deep breath and drew his own sword.
“Wait,” Dhan said. “If they wanted to kill us, they would have shot already.”
No sooner had the prince said this than another voice spoke out from the ranks of the horsemen ahead. “The prince himself. This is just the catch we were looking for. We have to make sure that the traitor boy gets a good reward.”
Thimeon turned back in the direction they had been going. A seventh rider had appeared, and he now trotted forward to the front of his company. He paused there, flanked on each side by three of his men. He was dressed in the uniform of an officer. And he had a familiar face, though Thimeon couldn’t place it.
“Lieutenant Terrid,” the prince said.
12
LIEUTENANT TERRID
“Prince Dhan,” replied the officer. “Your companion—I believe his name is Lyn—told me I might catch you if I waited here. If the Daegmon didn’t dispose of you first, that is. I’m glad to see that the Daegmon failed and has given me the pleasure of this meeting.”
The officer made a motion with his hand, and the archers on the ledges lowered their bows.
Confused, Thimeon turned to look at the prince. A broad grin has spread over the prince’s face. Then Thimeon remembered why he recognized the soldier named Terrid. He was one of the officers released from the dungeon—one who had stayed behind in Citadel to help the others escape.
Terrid and his men had already sheathed their blades, and he now rode forward to the side of the prince. They clasped hands warmly, and Thimeon’s tension began to subside. He looked at his other companions. The officers were smiling. The women looked confused, but relieved.
“You gave us a scare,” Dhan said. “I thought our plight was grim. Rarely have I been happier to see a familiar face.”
“Forgive me,” Terrid said. “I did not mean to cause fear. We have been searching for you for days. We heard from that spy that you had been nearby. But he also told us that another company from Citadel may be in the mountains also. We did not know who would come first. You may be the mostly high sought person in Gondisle!”
“It is good to be loved,” the prince replied.
“Well the intentions of your other pursuers may be less kind—toward me as well as you. We had to be sure of who was coming.”
“You have done well. I’m glad you don’t give up easily. How long have you been following us?”
“For ten days,” Terrid answered. “You nearly gave us the slip in Kreana. Our source told us you had departed by ship. We almost started a wild goose chase up to the Northland. Fortunately we discovered your ruse. The sign on the road was unmistakable.”
Sign? Thimeon wondered. Terrid must have been referring to whatever Lyn left on the road to notify their pursuers. It was fortunate that Terrid found it, and not another.
Thimeon felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Jhonna leaning in toward him. “Who are they?” she whispered in his ear. “Are they really from Citadel? I thought they were trying to capture us. Is the king on our side now?”
“Not the king, I’m afraid,” Thimeon answered. “Lieutenant Terrid is loyal to the prince. He was thrown in the dungeon for his loyalty. When we rescued the prince, Terrid escaped also, but he stayed behind to divert the searchers.”
“And the other soldiers with him?” Jhonna asked.
“I think we’ll find out.”
The archers were soon scrambling down the ledges, and a few minutes later Terrid and his men had gathered around the prince, who stood with Thimeon and their companions in the trees while their horses nibbled on some winter grass by the side of the road. Kachtin and Banthros had also caught up with the company.
“Tell us your tale,” the prince said to Terrid. “But keep it brief, for our task is urgent.”
Terrid nodded. He kept his eyes on the prince but gestured toward Thimeon. “You remember where we parted, shortly after our friend here freed us from the dungeon.”
Dhan thought a moment. “In the outer guard chamber. We left you there and headed toward the bread and pastry kitchens.”
“Right,” Terrid said. “The guards came in just seconds after you disappeared, weapons drawn. I counted ten, and we heard more on the way. When they saw the body of the dead guard, they turned toward us and I thought it was over. I prepared to pay for my life, and hopefully to buy more time for you. But we were still in our uniforms. And though one of the soldiers recognized Llatru, apparently word of our arrest had been kept secret. Llatru acted quickly. ‘Assassins,’ he yelled at the guards. ‘Quick! They’re after the king.’”
“The ruse worked, but it almost proved a terrible mistake. The quickest way to the royal chambers was through same door you had just taken. Half the guards took off almost on your heels. ‘Wait,’ Llatru yelled, trying to call them back. ‘They may be headed toward the front gate.’ The guards paused and looked at one another. Four of them turned and went the other way, while the rest continued on.”
“But where is Llatru?” the duke asked.
Terrid winced and shook his head. “Before we could make our own escape, others came down to the outer chamber above the dungeon. These were Palace Sentinels, and they were more suspicious.”
Dhan gave a disgusted shake of his head. “What are these Sentinels?” Thimeon asked him.
“The Sentinels have their own officers and report directly to Koranth. It’s one of Koranth’s new measures. He doesn’t trust most of the regular officers—except Golach and a couple like him.”
Terrid nodded. “His Sentinels have been trained to distrust us too. And having been in the dungeon for several days, we didn’t look very authoritative. Llatru repeated his earlier claim. ‘Assassins. They released the prisoners, and now they’re after the king.’”
“‘Come with me,’ the Sentinel said. He held a sword, and there were eight others with him. He looked at Llatru and we both thought the same thing: we stood no chance in a fight. So Llatru went with him, still feigning his story. Then a terrible fear came over me. I don’t know why. I had already resigned myself to die if it would help you escape. On an impulse, I turned and started out the other door. For some reason they didn’t stop me. I had gone about fifty steps down the hall, with fear growing each second, when I looked up and saw Koranth marching right toward me. His face was enraged. Maybe he had already guessed about your escape. I don’t know. Anyway, I lowered my head and kept walking, praying to the All-Maker to protect me. I realized then that the fear I felt was coming from Koranth. I almost collapsed. Miraculously, he walked right past me. Llatru wasn’t so lucky. I heard later that when Koranth found him down in the dungeon in the custody of the Sentinels, he had him executed on the spot.”
The prince shook his head sadly. “He died bravely.”
“More bravely than I,” Terrid admitted. “I should not have left him.”
“You couldn’t have helped him,” Dhan said. “And if you had died, we’d be in much worse shape right now.”
All were silent for a moment. Then Banthros asked, “How did you get out of Citadel?”
“I couldn’t have done it alone,” Terrid admitted. “But several others in the castle remained loyal to Dhan—many of whom had not yet been arrested. Some of them I knew, and I was able to find them and explain the situation. They decided it was time to act, even if it cost them everything. They got me a new uniform, and in the general confusion the whole group of us managed to leave the castle and join one of several search parties heading into the city. Even more fortunately, one of us intercepted the messenger on his way to the king with the report of the spy who was among you. We convinced the messenger to give the message to us, and that we would take care of it. If not, you might have been found that afternoon. Nonetheless it was late at night before we were able to get out of the city, and by then you had already departed. We rode east during the night, and somehow must have gone right past you.”
“So it was you after us all along?” Banthros laughed. “If we had known—”
“Not only us,” Terrid interrupted. “There were other parties as well, under the command of Koranth. It was good you stayed in hiding. The next day we accidentally ran into a larger search party also coming along the road after you. I think they had found your trail, or maybe guessed at it. Among them was a special squad of Sentinels. We told them we had left the evening before and searched the road ahead, but had not seen any sign of you. They said they would continue eastward anyway and look for you along the coast. They ordered us to join them. It wasn’t until you fooled everybody in Kreana that we figured out where you were going. That, I confess, was by luck. The Sentinels confiscated one of the faster trade vessels in the harbor and ordered it to take them north. Fortunately, there wasn’t room in the ship for all of us and our horses. One of the Sentinels, a scoundrel named Waghlith, ordered me to stay behind and to ride north—probably so he would have all the glory of capturing you.”
“It is not the first time the enemy’s schemes have ended up helping us,” Thimeon said softly, as he fingered the book in his pouch. Hearing Terrid’s story reminded him yet again how precarious their situation was. How much was hanging on what seemed little more than a strand of spider silk.
Terrid looked at Thimeon. “Yes. Once more we were split off from the rest of the pursuing band, and were free to follow you. At first we were dismayed, fearing we had lost our chance to help you. We set off with all haste hoping against hope that we would arrive at Harrath before the ship. Then, as I told you already, we saw the sign that Lyn had left for us in the road. The rest of our story you can probably guess. Once we discovered your trail, we had no trouble following. No trouble except the blasted cold. I’m a Westwasher. We have our wild winter storms, but I’m not used to these mountains or to this cold. Still, we came as fast as we could. But by that time we were a day behind you—or so we judged.” He paused a moment, then added, “we removed the traitor’s sign so that nobody else would follow, but there are so many folk after you. We still feared other pursuit. Koranth, apparently, has put a large bounty on the prince, and on a sword that he claims was stolen. So we must assume that everyone we see is a potential enemy.”
“But where do we go now?” Terrid asked. He looked over at the other escapees: Armas, Banthros, Rhaan, Jhaban, Kachtin. “We have food for a few days, but they’ll be looking for you all over Gondisle.”
“There is much more at stake than whether I am found,” Dhan answered. “And we have spent more time that we should have. Let us ride as we speak, and I will tell you some of the story you do not know.”
13
WOODSHAPER
Braga stared at the three strange folk who now stood beside him, asking him to do crazy things. Already these outsiders had rattled his life like thunder shakes the hills in a summer storm. The beautiful small woman from the Plains who walked with tigers. The tall straight one with the sad eyes who heard voices from afar and claimed to smell Daegmon-beasts. And strangest of all, one of the Andani who spoke with him as though with a friend.
His life would have been simpler if he treated them as the rules of his people demanded—if he had driven them off his tribe’s land when they had appeared as strangers some eight days ago without treaty and without speaking the Undeani tongue. He might now be wrapped in Regon’s arms enjoying the pleasures he had dreamt of since first she placed her hand in his and accepted his oath of binding. The month of waiting was completed. They were free to consummate their vows.
But not free any more. Not free because of the Daegmon. And because of these strangers in their land.
It was Regon who had insisted he help them. Speaking softly in his ear, telling him to bend the rules of his tribe to follow what she called a deeper law. Sending him looking for the band of outsiders when rumor of the battle reached the hills and the Daegmon-beasts were seen hunting in the skies. Asking him to do it for love of her. And then choosing to come with him into that same danger because of her love for him.
Could he have lived in peace with her, knowing he had forsaken those in need? That maybe he had forsaken his own people? Could she have lived with him?
But now a boat? It was unheard of. Breanga shaped branches into the heads of animals. He did not shape boats. And even if he did, did they really intend to take a boat out onto the great lake in the middle of winter? And with a flying Daegmon-beast pursuing them?
He laughed aloud at the thought. But he did not argue against it.
The sound of his laughter broke the silence, and the two women stared at him as though he was a brain-sick goat. Maybe he was. He turned away from them and strode to where his people slept in, and he began to rouse them. He would not tell them about the boat. Not yet. They would laugh at him as he had just laughed at the women.
He would have woken Regon last, but he knew she would be angry if he did. So he woke her first, shaking her gently by the shoulders. When she awoke and looked into his eyes and smiled, he almost cried. He wanted to kiss those eyes, her smiling lips, her nose. Instead he turned quickly away.
“Amark and Arreg,” he said in his own tongue, nudging his nephew and his nephew’s half-brother. “Get a fire going quickly. Make it small with no smoke. Regon will want to heat some thi. Let the strangers warm their hands. We will leave as soon as we can.”
“Where?” Amark asked. Braga did not answer. He went on to wake the others: Jama, Krag, Kreeg. He woke Breanga last. It would be a long day for him, he thought.
Soon the sky brightened, and the outsiders began to move also, crawling out of the lean-to in ones and twos. He did not yet remember all of their names. Their names were as odd as their attire. But he saw the young boy, the last to crawl out. Like others in that company, he had lost his brother. Braga had learned that from Elynna as they had traveled the underground way. He felt bad for the boy. Others among Elynna’s company had also lost brothers, but this one was so young. The other Plains woman—not the huntress Tienna, but the one with the even darker and smoother skin and the black hair as curly as a sheep’s—was trying to encourage him. “Come Keet,” she said. “I think they have made something hot to drink. It will warm your insides.”
Braga found one of the few drinking cups his people shared, had Regon fill it with the thi, and gave it to the woman to give to the boy. Then he went to find Elynna. The sooner they started their march to the lake, the better.
As the first hint of red was mixing with the dark gray on the eastern horizon, the tall stern one named Namha returned. The tiger padded along behind him. He spoke to another in a different tongue, and the other translated for Elynna while Braga listened. “The land is clear nearby. No other humans. But smoke rises over a hill to the west, a distance of some forty miles. Namha guesses it is the smoke of two or three fires that burned through the night.” He paused. “Namha is not likely to err about such things.”
“Only a day’s journey away,” Tienna said. “Or less.”
Several others, both Undeani and the strangers, now stood around listening. Braga translated for
his people. Then he turned to Tienna. “In the Plains, where you come from perhaps, this may be but a long day of travel. In this terrain, it will take longer. If they are that far away, we should have a day and a half.”
Cathros, the tall Northlander, spoke. “So you confirm only what we already know. That we are pursued, and that we are running headlong into a trap of our own making? What do we do when we reach the lake? Swim?”
Tienna, though she stood two heads shorter than Cathros, stared right up into his face. “We cross it,” she answered.
Cathros stared blankly back at her.
Here is the moment, Braga thought. When she explains her plan to her companions. How will they react? How will Braga’s own people react?
“She has a plan,” Bandor said. “I think it is a good one. We build a boat.”
“A boat?” Cathros said, incredulously, looking back and forth between Tienna and Bandor.
“A boat,” Tienna replied.
The questions began to fly at Bandor and Tienna at once. Braga struggled to keep up with them, translating for his own people. Of course as soon as the Undeani understood Bandor’s idea, their own questions came at Braga. For a few minutes they sounded like a gaggle of geese squawking and honking from the edge of a pond when humans come too close to their young.
“Listen!” Elynna shouted. The mixed company fell silent and all eyes turned to her. She began to speak, while Braga interpreted for his people. “You all know our plight. One army pursues us from the west. We now know another comes at us from the southeast. There are at least four Daegmons among them. We cannot hide. But neither are we in a position to fight. Our situation may seem desperate, but it is not hopeless. I think Tienna has a good plan for us to escape. And not merely to keep running. I believe Thimeon has been trying to contact us through Cathwain. We are supposed to go to Illengond. If Tienna’s plan works, it will lead us right there.”
Illengond Page 11
