Child Of A Guardian And Of The Free (Book 3)

by Dan O'Sullivan

  Cahndrech smiled. ‘Asdul wants to take me to the old stone fortress in the south of the city. He says it will be easier to defend if someone tries to attack us again. Do you know who it was that attacked?’

  ‘One of the fallen was heavily involved in what happened today, a man called Marlea, but I’m not convinced he was truly behind the attack. I think his main intention was to kill you.’

  ‘Why would one of the fallen want to kill me?’ asked Cahndrech, glancing towards Garran.

  Callian sighed. ‘He won’t be bothering you anymore,’ he said, glancing down at his blood splattered clothing and avoiding the question.

  Cahndrech shivered. ‘So who else was behind the attack?’

  ‘A guard named Penn.’

  ‘Penn! He was Luhxdal’s brother! Do you know where he is?’

  ‘Not yet, but I will.’

  ‘Why did he do it?’

  ‘I think he was attempting to remove you and replace you with your cousin, Princess Pevita. Luhxdal was trying to court her.’

  Cahndrech’s eyes narrowed in understanding. ‘He wanted to make her Empress and then marry her.’ She bit her lip. ‘They would have killed her, wouldn’t they? Father and mother spoke of such things happening many years ago,’ she added without waiting for confirmation of her suspicion. ‘Does Pevita know?’

  ‘She knows nothing. She only thinks she had a rather unwanted suitor.’

  Cahndrech smiled. ‘She’s happy when Evan is here. I’m glad she’s here too. Half the time I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing, but she always helps me. She’s really nice and very clever and I love her dearly.’

  Callian smiled in agreement. ‘Her thoughts are gentle and kind and she cares for you greatly. Empress, I have to go. I must find the Queen and her sisters. I wish you safety and happiness.’

  ‘Thank you. Callian, will you do something for me?’ asked Cahndrech, glancing worriedly towards Asdul.

  ‘Of course,’ Callian murmured. He reached out and placed his hand on Asdul’s chest and the old soldier’s eyes widened in surprise as his body became suddenly warm. Strength and healing flowed through him.

  ‘Ahh…thank you guardian!’ he cried, as the pain and illness dissipated from his body.

  ‘Welcome,’ Callian murmured. ‘We must have you fit to protect your Empress.’

  ‘Will you be back here for the wedding?’ asked Cahndrech.

  ‘What wedding?’

  ‘Oh Callian, you’re supposed to be a guardian, but it doesn’t take any special gift to see what’s coming!’ Cahndrech smiled at Evan and Pevita. Pevita looked triumphant and Evan looked stunned.

  ‘Hmmm...You’re probably right. I’ll see you at the wedding then.

  Chapter 26

  Love

  Rudiger studied his knife. ‘This knife has been made to look Alkiran. Do we have a plan?’

  ‘Give me a look,’ said Eibhear interestedly. ‘Not really. Everywhere we go we meet trouble.’

  Rudiger held the knife out to his brother and pointed to the markings on the hilt. ‘It looks Alkiran, but that pattern there is more likely Tatharlian, or perhaps even Sagrian. Maybe we just need to go past the trouble and see what’s on the other side.’

  ‘So how would anyone in this land have a Tatharlian weapon that looks Alkiran?’ said Eibhear, handing the knife back to Rudiger. ‘And what if there’s more trouble past the trouble we’ve already found? Everyone here seems to be fighting one another. It’s so much like home,’ he added drily.

  They both turned as Raline awoke. She looked at the brothers, and then glanced back towards Rezon, who lay sleeping peacefully on the ground.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ asked Rudiger, sensing the girl’s distress.

  ‘I was wondering... I want to ask you something.’

  ‘Take a chair then,’ Rudiger joked, patting the rocks between himself and Eibhear. ‘What do you want to know?’ His lips twitched as he caught the girl’s thoughts, but he hid his amusement, sensing how confused the girl felt. She sat on the rocks and they waited for her to speak.

  ‘I feel like a burden,’ she blurted out. ‘I know how Dale feels! He feels like he let Eibhear down, but at least he managed to follow him and he helped us escape from that horrible place. But I’ve done nothing! All I do is slow everyone down.’ Eibhear opened his mouth to speak, but Raline continued before he could say anything. ‘And Rezon, why would he want to be with me? I’m just a human, just a farmer’s daughter. I’m not clever! I’m not important! I’m not beautiful! I’m nothing! And he’s...’ Her voice choked as she stared down at the rocks with tears coming to her eyes.

  ‘He’s what?’ Rudiger asked gently, sensing how much this girl missed her mother and how alone she felt, in a strange land with no other women in whom she could confide.

  ‘He’s beautiful! He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,’ she whispered, not looking up.

  ‘To be honest, I’ve never heard him described as beautiful before,’ Rudiger admitted, ‘frightening perhaps.’

  ‘And dangerous,’ Eibhear added. ‘Rebellious... terrifying... intimidating... perilous...’

  ‘You’re all dangerous and frightening!’ Raline exclaimed. ‘But he’s gentle with me. Do you notice he never complains about how slow or weak I am compared to him?’

  ‘He might complain if he knew you called him beautiful,’ said Eibhear with a grin.

  Rudiger frowned at Eibhear when he heard Raline clench her teeth in frustration. He raised his finger in front of Eibhear’s face. ‘You...go...away, little brother,’ he ordered firmly.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Eibhear said to Raline, his face turning serious as he ignored his brother’s command. ‘We aren’t like humans Raline. We hear each other’s thoughts and emotions so often we rarely need to talk of such. Say on.’

  ‘I used to think I was a strong-minded, sensible person, but when I look into his eyes I turn into some kind of soppy goose! I look at him and I quite literally can’t look away. I touch him and I’m trembling like... I know he can sense what I’m thinking - I know you all can - you must think I’m a complete idiot! I’m entirely besotted by him, but I can’t for the life of me work out why he would want to be within miles of me. There must be some other reason. He feels sorry for me? Or trapped in some way? Does he feel that he has to look after me because he saved me from the Nailmarni?’ She turned and gazed towards Rezon once again, and both Eibhear and Rudiger could see the longing in her eyes.

  ‘Raline,’ Eibhear took the girls hand, ‘I want to show you something. Don’t panic, alright?’

  ‘Alright,’ Raline said uncertainly, wondering what Eibhear was going to do. She gave a start as the warriors thoughts came into her mind, and Rudiger placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. A picture of Rezon appeared in her mind and she could sense that he was looking for her. He turned and stared at her and a feeling of intense longing poured from him. She could hear every thought in his mind, every emotion of his heart and the intensity made her gasp. She leaned forward and placed her hand on the rock, trembling as she watched the strange vision. Rezon turned away and through his mind Raline saw one of the Nailmarni. She almost cried out, but stopped as Eibhear’s finger touched her lips in warning. She watched as Rezon turned like lightning and sprang towards the Nailmarni. She could see herself running terrified through the forest ahead of him, and then she drew breath sharply as she felt the fury in Rezon’s heart when he saw the Nailmarni chasing her. Every sensation pouring from the warrior screamed out to save her and even as she watched, he ran the Nailmarni down. Then there was a second and a third, and then he was standing beside where she crouched trembling in terror. He reached down and picked her up, like a parent would grab a child to save it from danger. As he ran, she could feel a sense of ownership filling her own heart, and she could feel the same ownership echoed in his mind. His wonderment, that a human woman could capture his heart. She watched in fascination as he led her through the gap in the rocks to where she
would meet the King of Alkira. Even in her grief she had wondered why he seemed to care so much for her, but now she could feel what he was thinking, and see what he saw. And in his sight, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes upon. She could feel his heart accelerate as he touched her shoulder, and she could sense his longing and his love. She could feel his pleasure at the color of her eyes, the feel of her hair and the soft touch of her skin. She exhaled very slowly as she felt the passion rising in him as he watched her sleeping and she felt that he longed to take more from her. She looked up at Eibhear and this time her tears were of surprise and joy.

  ‘So you see,’ said Eibhear, ‘you are soul mates in truth. How you see him is very similar to how he sees you. And to answer the question in your mind; yes, he’s finding it extremely difficult not to take you. But he would never forgive himself if he did. He made a vow never to take a woman by force, but for you, I think he wants to be... I think he wants to marry you first.’

  ‘But that’s a human custom! I thought the free warriors and the guardians were expected to...well, to do things the other way around.’ Raline blushed deeply. ‘I thought that was your law.’

  ‘Rezon isn’t like anyone I’ve ever known. For him and for his brother Ben, the line between the free and the guardians is blurred. As it is for me and my brother,’ Eibhear admitted. ‘I’ve heard that who we are is more to do with choice, than blood.’

  ‘And what would happen if I was to...well, if I was to die or something? Would there be another?

  ‘I don’t know,’ Eibhear admitted. ‘I just know that no-one could love you more than Rez loves you. What a lucky man.’

  Raline blushed again and looked across in awe at Rezon’s huge sleeping body.

  ‘You know, we’re all a bit jealous of Rez,’ said Rudiger.

  ‘Jealous?’ Raline’s voice was cautious.

  Rudiger sighed. ‘Jealous that he could find such a kind and beautiful woman, and love her far more deeply than any of us ever believed was possible. And to have that same love and desire returned in full...well, that’s more than any of us could ever wish for. And you can’t think we could see and feel this in Rezon’s mind and not be...affected. So yes, we’re all a bit jealous. Don’t worry. It just makes us feel very protective of you. Rezon is like a brother to us all. And,’ he grinned, ‘anyone who tried to cross Rezon in any way would be an idiot - and they’d be dead when he was finished with them.’

  Raline laughed. ‘He’s certainly a force of nature. I find that very appealing too,’ she admitted.

  Eibhear rolled his eyes. ‘We know,’ he said drily. ‘And where you find his size and his strength and his speed attractive, he finds your innocence and your human frailty attractive. Don’t tell him I told you this, but he loves the fact that he’s bigger, stronger, faster and far more dangerous than anyone likely to threaten you. Why don’t you go back to sleep? It will be hours before it’s light.’

  Raline leaned across and hugged Eibhear and then she hugged Rudiger. She lay down beside Rezon and thought about the strange and wonderful things she had seen. She rolled on her side and watched his face as he slept. Very carefully, so as not to wake him, she held his hand. His eyes opened instantly and a smile came to his face, then confusion as he sensed her thoughts. He raised an eyebrow and propped himself up on one elbow.

  Raline froze; worried he might be angry to know Eibhear shared his private thoughts with her. He reached out and ran his hand over her hair and her shoulder, and then he leaned forward and kissed her on her lips. So intense was her feeling of belonging and desire that her breath came out in a tremulous murmur. He stared deeply into her eyes for a moment then glanced towards Eibhear with a half curious frown on his face. Eibhear looked both pleading and apologetic. Rezon stared at him for a few seconds then gave a small nod. He gave a chuckle of surprise when he saw Raline had fallen back to sleep with a peaceful expression on her face, and holding tightly onto his hand.

  Dale and Raline slept long into the next day. By the time they awoke, it was after midday and the warriors had a small fire burning. Skewered on long iron bars and balanced over the fire were two fowls that looked like oversized chickens. They smelt delicious.

  ‘Where did we get the...are those chickens?’ asked Dale, sitting up. He picked up Eibhear’s and Ben’s shirts.

  ‘Eibhear and I went out early this morning,’ said Rudiger. ‘The hills are absolutely swarming with birds. And these birds were not particularly fast. So...breakfast.’

  ‘What about the iron skewers?’ Dale asked curiously.

  ‘There’s a farm in that direction,’ Rudiger pointed south east. ‘These were part of an old gate. Eibhear got a nice ripe melon as well.’ He pointed to a huge green-skinned fruit balanced on the rock at his side.

  ‘Where exactly are we? Dale asked.

  ‘We’re about as far south as the place where you were taken captive,’ said Rudiger, ‘but we’re much further east. Do you want to cut up the melon?’

  ‘It looks ripe,’ said Dale, his mouth watering. He leaned over and knocked his fist against the fruit. ‘My father used to say-’ He stopped, suddenly feeling sad as he remembered his father. He took a deep breath. ‘Father used to say if you stuck a knife into a melon and it started to crack there was a good chance it would be ripe and tasty.’

  A knife flashed through the air and slammed into the melon, burying itself to the hilt. The melon made a cracking sound and a split appeared. Dale gave a yelp and leapt backwards.

  ‘Do you mind!’ he growled, looking across to where Eibhear stood grinning. The warrior strolled forward and retrieved his knife. He wiped his finger across the juice covered blade and tasted the juice.

  ‘Mmm. Your dad was right!’

  ‘Idiot!’ Dale mumbled, still getting over the fright of having a knife barely miss his hand. ‘You missed me by an inch,’ he said indignantly.

  ‘I meant to miss you!’ said Eibhear innocently, raising his hands.

  ‘Here give me your knife and I’ll cut it up properly,’ said Dale. He glanced at Rezon who was laughing as he watched. ‘Why are you so pleased with yourself this morning, Rez?’

  Rezon leaned down and whispered in Dale’s ear. ‘I’m going to ask the most beautiful woman in the entire world to marry me. She’s gone for a little private walk to a place behind a rock, but when she returns...’

  ‘Has she gone by herself?’ Dale didn’t believe for an instant that Rezon would let Raline wander around alone.

  ‘No, Ben’s guarding her. And when she returns, I’ll ask her to marry me,’ Rezon repeated gleefully.

  Dale rolled his eyes. ‘Why are you being so sneaky? Everyone here can either sense your thoughts or hear your loud whispering.’

  Rezon laughed. ‘True! So Dale, will you marry-?’

  Dale gave a snort of ridicule and fell at Rezon’s knees with a deliberately soppy expression. ‘Oh yes, Rez...let us be married...I’ll love you forever-’

  ‘Get away, you ridiculously absurd human!’ said Rezon, snatching his hand away as Dale pretended to kiss it. ‘Ugh, that’s really creepy!’

  ‘Huh!’ Dale crossed his arms and turn away, sniffing loudly. ‘One moment you ask me to marry you and then next you call me creepy! I’ll never-’

  ‘Just shut up for a moment, stupid! I need you to marry me to Raline.’

  Dale smiled up at Rezon. ‘But you haven’t asked her yet. She might say no.’ He stood up. A strange look of fear and vulnerability filled the warrior’s face and he paled dramatically.

  ‘Rez?’ Raline cried out as she appeared from behind some rocks, closely followed by Ben. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Raline, I-’ Rezon sounded like he was about to choke.

  ‘Oh Rez, what happened?’ Raline’s face was now as pale as Rezon’s.

  ‘No, don’t be scared,’ said Rezon, calming significantly as he saw how much fright he was causing her. He lowered himself to his knees and Dale laughed when he saw that Raline’s head was no
w at the same level as Rezon’s. Rezon gave him a quick glare and he fell silent. He reached out and took Raline’s hand. ‘Raline, I have to ask you...you can say no if you want...but I hope you’ll say yes...I love you...Eibhear was right, you’re my soul mate. So please,’ Rezon took a deep breath, ‘will you marry me?’

  Raline stared across at him in shock, completely dumbfounded. Even after what Eibhear and Rudiger had told and shown her, she couldn’t believe that this incredible warrior, this beautiful man, would ask her to marry him. She stood with her mouth slightly open, staring into his irresistibly warm, dark eyes. Rezon swallowed hard and waited, and his face crumbled as time passed. When he felt his heart would disintegrate in his chest, she fell into his arms.

  ‘Yes,’ she murmured. Rezon leapt up and hugged her tightly to his chest, ignoring the pain in his arm.

  ‘Thank you!’ he murmured reverently. He stood holding her for a long time. ‘Well Baron?’ he prompted. ‘You’re the only one here with the authority to declare us married.’

  ‘I’ve never married anyone before,’ Dale mused.

  ‘Technically all you have to do is declare them husband and wife, in view of witnesses,’ said Ben, basking in the palpable joy that was emanating from his brother.

  ‘Oh no! I’ve been to a wedding before and I know how it’s done. You’ll have to listen to the entire ceremony,’ Dale declared, ‘word for word!’

  ‘Um, Rez?’ Raline glanced down at her ragged, torn dress and bare feet. ‘Can I have some time to bathe and maybe wash my dress?’

  Rezon looked into her eyes thoughtfully. ‘I want to make some preparations too,’ he said letting her go and stepping away. ‘Ben, would you guard Raline whilst she bathes?’ Ben looked curiously at his brother, and then he turned and motioned for Raline to follow him.

  ‘Eibhear, Rudi, I need you to help me,’ said Rezon, once Raline was out of earshot. ‘Please.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Rudiger, taking in the serious and worried expression on Rezon’s face.