Still, if she found an opportunity, she would run.
The jolting pace grew more uncomfortable. Though her arms had been bound to the front, the weight of her body numbed them. She felt as if her feet were lead weights. How soon would they reach their destination? Would he release the ropes when they did?
The trees thinned. The late afternoon sun shone on a clearing.
Petan halted the bihorn. He dismounted and pulled Kalia to the ground. She crumpled in a heap. He stood over her. His leer raised her anger. He bent and lifted her over his shoulder. He carried her to the hut she’d caught a glimpse of as she fell. He kicked the door open and dropped her on a cot against a side wall.
Two men lounged before the fireplace. The aroma of cooking meat and of kafa made Kalia’s stomach rumble. Petan sliced the ropes on her hands and feet.
The men jumped to their feet. “Where’s Ilna?” one asked. “I have a need.”
“Dead,” Petan said.
“Then this one’s ours.” A bearded man stepped to the cot and caressed Kalia’s face. “Once you’re done with her, that is.”
Petan pushed the man aside. “She’s not for you. She’s mine until the Master decides if he wants her. Go see to my steed and take your time returning.”
The men grumbled and cursed. Once the door closed behind them, Petan strode to Kalia and stared.
She bit her lip to hide the pain of returning blood to her arms and legs. She wouldn’t scream though this took all she could muster as the prickles turned into ribbons of pain.
He stalked away and lifted a jug. He poured liquid, tossed the contents of the mug back and filled the container again. He sat on the cot beside her and held the cup to her lips. “Drink. Will help.”
Kalia gulped a mouthful of the pungent beverage. A fiery trail burned from her mouth to her gut. She pushed his hand away. “No more.” Whatever she’d drunk made her head and the room spin. Her stomach lurched and she swallowed several times to keep from being sick.
He laughed, lifted the mug and drained the remainder. “Frumenti. You’ll learn to like the rush of energy this brings. Master provides a constant supply. Your mother drinks this when she visits your father. Makes his taking of her donation easier.”
Kalia rubbed her arms. “I’m not my mother.”
“So I know.” He frowned. “Who removed the power from your lines or did Ilna lie about the gifting?”
Kalia turned her head away. She wouldn’t speak of Alric. “Why did she try to harm me?”
“She figured since she couldn’t reach Alric she’d infuse you and you would pass the power to him.” A sneer curved his mouth. “Stupid git. Didn’t know the power doesn’t work that way. Master punished her.”
“How do you know it’s gone?” The longer she kept him talking the more she would recover and find a way to escape.
He grasped her arm. “I don’t feel the power surging through you. Tell me what happened.”
Kalia clamped her lips in a firm line. She wouldn’t answer him. The initial impact of the beverage vanished. Her head cleared. Her arms and legs no longer tingled or hurt. She needed to wait for an opening. Though she studied his lines she couldn’t detect his moves.
With a serpent-like move he grasped the neck of her shirt. He knelt with his knees on either side of her hips. He raised her arms above her head. Dark lines of fire gathered around his mouth. His lips touched the spot on her neck where Alric had marked her. Revulsion filled her.
Petan reared back as though he’d been shocked. He touched the mark with a finger. “How could you? You’re mine. My mark belongs there, not his.”
“Why?”
He released her hands. She waited for a blow.
“You’re heart bound. Impossible. He’s dead.”
“Is he?”
Petan rose. “Then we’ll do this the hard way. When I’m done I’ll give you to my friends. They’ll take you like they did the girl.”
Petan lowered his head. His mouth ground against hers and he forced his tongue over her teeth. She bit. The taste of blood filled her senses. He hollered and pulled away. He aimed his fist at her face but she rolled from the cot. Kalia pulled the knife he’d forgotten to remove. With a quick jab she slammed the blade into his thigh and twisted. She inched away from him. He bellowed and reached for her braid.
Kalia scrambled across the floor. She tried to read his lines.
He pulled the knife free and threw. The point stuck in the floor inches from her.
“Stupid git.”
The door opened. His cohorts burst into the room. “We want our piece of her," one shouted.
“Like it when they fight,” the other drawled.
“She’s mine,” Petan shouted. He moved toward Kalia.
Instead of diving for her, the men tackled Petan. They met in a tangle of fists and feet. Their curses filled the air.
Kalia crawled away. Once she crossed the threshold she rose and ran. The sun was near setting and she welcomed the coming twilight, a prelude to night. The sound of the fight carried to her even after she reached the shelter of the trees. She found a narrow trail and hoped this was the one Petan had used, the one to lead her to the road and Alric.
Her breath came in gasps as she plunged along the path. When her sides heaved and pains cramped her legs, she halted with her back against a tree to rest until her breathing quieted. If Petan followed, she didn’t want to give her location away.
Alric, where are you? Her eyes narrowed to watch the movement of her lines. What had he told her? The time she’d run away he’d used his thoughts and his lines to find her.
She pushed away from the tree and slowly made her way along the path, allowing her sight to adjust to the increasing darkness.
She was free and intended to remain that way. With luck she would reach the road, find Mist and seek Alric. She moved forward, pausing every ten steps to listen for followers. The activity of the day and the anger she’d felt brought exhaustion. She wasn’t sure she could continue. She halted and examined the surrounding trees seeking one she could climb and shelter for the night.
Chapter 15
Alric made his way along the narrow trail. If he hadn’t used his lines of fire to direct him toward Kalia, he would have believed this was a random animal path. He stopped at a spring and drank before moving on. As he studied the moist ground he noticed the notched shoe mark and knew he was heading in the right direction. Insects crawled over a heel of bread carrying bits back to their nest. How long ago had Petan and Kalia stopped here?
Through the dense canopy he caught glimpses of the sky and saw the sun moved toward setting. How many men would he encounter at the end of the journey? Petan plus the two who had run? Could there be more? The men driving the stolen livestock and those driving the cart had stayed at the spring where he and Kalia had stopped. The tracks he recognized had been absent. Would he have to fight an entire band or could he find a way to steal Kalia away?
As he continued, he passed clumps of briars. On one thorn he spotted a scrap of green cloth. The material held traces of Kalia’s scent. A smile formed. Even though he trusted the lines, this was evidence he moved toward her.
Occasionally, a breeze lifted the leaves to show the now graying twilight sky. He thought of Kalia and followed in the direction shown by the lines.
Concern flooded his thoughts. Was Kalia safe? Would their heart bond protect her from Petan’s savage nature?
He stiffened. A cracking noise burst through the soft rustle of the leaves. Someone or something approached. He slipped from the path and hid behind a tree with limbs low enough to climb if necessary. After unsheathing his knife he peered into the darkness and saw movement. As the figure drew closer, he waited.
Once the person passed his hiding place he caught Kalia’s scent. He slipped behind and covered her mouth with his hand. He sensed the flicker of fear and anger. Their lines of fire flared. Alric put his lips against her ear. “You’re safe.”
She slumped
against him. “We must hurry. He’ll come to find me and this is no place for a duel.”
He turned her to face him and pressed his mouth to hers. He deepened the kiss hoping to give and receive strength. “Give me a moment to locate our steeds. I left them in a site away from the place where Ilna died.” He visualized Storm Cloud. Would the trick of the lines work with the steed as well as with Kalia?
“What are you doing?”
Her question broke his concentration. “Finding a direction by thinking of my steed.” He formed the picture again and watched the lines of fire. “This way.”
“Let me try.” Moments later, she laughed. “My lines point in the same direction.”
Since her attempt matched his, Alric clasped her hand. He led her from the trail and into the trees. Their new path took them in random directions with twists and turns around trees. “When we reach the road we should be close to our bihorns. If I don’t spot Storm Cloud at once I’ll whistle. I’ve trained him to come at my call.”
For a moment she leaned against him. “I must learn how to call Mist that way.” She stepped back. “Petan said some things that puzzled me.”
“You can tell me later. We need to move through this tangle, find the steeds and ride away from here as fast and as long as we can. Come dawn we’ll find shelter, sleep through the day and travel at night. Once we reach the Hall, I hope we can convince the Swordmaster to send a force to find Petan and his gang.”
“Do you think he will?”
“If not, he’ll be challenged,” Alric said.
“Will he send them out if Lasara’s searchers haven’t returned?”
“That would give him an excuse. Let’s hope they have.”
Alric moved forward, pausing to check his lines every time they had to travel around an obstacle. He felt confident their trail would remain hidden from any pursuer until morning.
As the trees thinned Alric saw the star-lit sky. The road was near. He whistled and hoped Storm Cloud heard. The welcome sound of a bray brought a laugh of relief. He pulled Kalia toward the sound. Before long the bihorns appeared.
Kalia pulled her hand free and ran to her steed. The animal lipped her hair. Kalia laughed and rubbed the steed between the horns.
Alric strode over and assisted her into the saddle. “I’ve your blanket, a sack with clothes and one with food.” He transferred the blanket and clothes to her steed.
“What about the pack beast?” she asked.
“Freed the animal and left it with the rest of our supplies. The beast will either return to the Hall or some farmer will gain an animal.” He mounted Storm Cloud. “Let’s ride.” He chose to continue east at a steady pace. When they reached the crossroads he chose the south fork.
Kalia caught up to him. “Why this road? Shouldn’t we retrace the route we took to arrive here?”
“The map shows this road will join another turning toward the Hall. This area appears to be sparsely settled. Petan would hear about our passing if we backtracked. Imagine he has spies in the village where we stayed. That allowed him to set his trap.”
“Then we must avoid people.”
“If possible.” He prodded Storm Cloud into a gallop and heard the pounding of hooves behind him.
As the sky lightened Alric searched the road on either side for a place to camp for the day. He spotted a barn in an overgrown field. He turned his steed into the lane where weeds and brush had taken root. The barn held none of the comforts of the one where they’d spent their first night. Three walls and part of a roof remained. The important thing was they couldn’t be seen from the road.
Once they unsaddled their mounts, Alric tackled the pump and finally coaxed a stream of water to flow. Though rusty at first, the liquid cleared. He cut a small fire pit and lit dry wood in the narrow hole. After heating water for kafa he set dried meat and vegetables to cook.
“Aren’t you afraid someone will see the smoke?” she asked.
“As you see, there’s little. The fire will die and we’ll have warm stew when we wake. Be sparing with the kafa so there’s some left for your wake up.”
She poured most of the beverage into her empty flask. “I’ll save this until then.”
Alric handed her trail bread and cheese. “Good thought.”
She laughed. “I’ll need to be alert for the ride. Do you think we’ll return safely? I’m sure he’s searching.”
He sipped from a mug of water. “We will. Tell me what Petan said to trouble you.”
Kalia moved closer. He slid his arm around her shoulders.
“He gave me this vile drink called frumenti.” She shuddered. “He said my mother drinks this when she visits the Swordmaster. Petan said it helps her when he takes her donation.”
Alric frowned. “Must be some kind of drug.”
“The worst thing he said was that his master provided the drink. I fear he means someone like the sorcerers our people fled.”
Alric drew a deep breath. “I hope you’re wrong.”
“If one of them found a way to cross the mists we’ll face disaster.”
“Only if more than one braved the barrier. All the old tales said they worked in groups.”
She pressed against him. “I wonder if the Swordmaster knows of this master or is Petan the only one.”
“I’m not about to ask.” Alric finished his share of the food. “When we return, we should search the Archives for more information.”
“Good idea.” She yawned. “How will we enter the Hall? Do you think using the gate is wise?”
“We’ll leave the bihorns in the pasture and climb the wall.”
“No need to do that. I know of a secret entrance into the tunnel. Then there’s a hidden passage in the stable wall. Since we’re going at night, we can reach our wing in secret.”
He nodded. “Sounds like a plan. Three more nights should see us to the Hall.” He stretched on his blanket and pulled her into his arms. Before long he knew she slept. He wasn’t far behind.
* * *
On the morning after the third night of travel, they camped in a small copse beside a rushing stream. A waterfall tumbled over rocks into a pool before flowing on its way.
Tonight they would ride to the Hall. They should arrive several hours after nightfall.
Alric set a fire in the pit and brewed kafa and cooked the remainder of the mixed grains. Kalia unrolled their blankets beneath a flowering willow tree where a sweet scent filled the air.
Alric dished out the stew and filled Kalia’s mug with kafa. “There’ll be enough powder to steep a pot while we sleep.” He grinned. “As soon as I’ve eaten I’m going to bathe. Join me. Storm Cloud will warn us if there’s danger.”
Kalia scraped her bowl. “You’ve trained him to do more things than most bihorns.”
“Was worth the trouble.”
When he finished eating he entered the bower and gathered clothes and a drying cloth. He undressed and walked to the pool. The grass cushioned his bare feet. At the bank he dove into the water. The chill invigorated him.
A wave engulfed him. “Cold,” Kalia said.
He paddled to her side and ran his tongue over her lips. “I’ll warm you.” And when she accepted his embrace, the part of him shriveled by the cold water recovered.
She pressed against him. “I’m sure you can.” She circled his neck with her arms and set her tongue into an exploration of his mouth.
Alric savored the taste of kafa. He cupped her buttocks and pulled her against his rod. Her nipples beaded against his chest. He drew back to gulp a breath.
“We need to wash,” she said. “We’ve been days with quick sponges. Soap’s on the bank. Race you there.”
He embraced the challenge and reached the soap first. He dipped it into the water and slicked his hands. After giving her the small piece, he washed the smooth skin of her back. He took the soap again and moved to lave her breasts. He liked the way her eyes glowed with passion. When his hands moved over her belly, her gasp mad
e his erection throb. He slid his soapy hand into her treasure spot and heard her sighs change to moans.
His body tensed. Her mouth pressed to his and he swallowed her cries. She ducked into the water and came up behind him.
“My turn.”
As her hands moved over his back, tendrils of heat made Alric feel he stood in a steam bath. She ran her hands over his buttocks and slid one between his thighs to stroke his sac. As she moved around him she slid her soaped hands over his chest and down to caress his erection.
“Enough or all will be too soon ended.” He pulled her close and lifted her so his rod nudged between her legs. She arched back allowing him to enter her. Then she straightened and clasped her arms around his neck. As Alric kissed her lightly, he walked to where the stream cut into the bank. He carried her to their bower.
* * *
Kalia’s breath came in short pants. Though she wanted to move, Alric’s hands held her still. Each step he took sent small arrows of heat through her body. They reached the bower and the sweet perfume of the pale flowers added urgency to the sensual bliss beckoning.
Alric caught her lower lip with his teeth. He leaned against the willow and slowly lowered them to the blankets. As he inched lower the movement of his tongue in her mouth ignited a need to move.
She lay atop him. His hard member filled her channel. Their tongues thrust in harmony and the tendrils of fire flowed from mouth to her core. Her knees pressed against the blanket. She began to move and so did he, his hips thrusting in a steady pattern that carried her higher and higher. Her moans changed to one long cry, echoed by his deeper growl. Urgency filled her and the sound of flesh slapping flesh caused her to clench her inner muscles as she exploded and felt him erupt.
She collapsed against his chest. Her breaths came in shuddering gulps. Once she could speak, she raised her head and stared into his eyes. “We must declare we are bonded forever.”
“Soon.” We need to visit the Archives and learn more about the past. I only hope there’s time.” He rolled to his side and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Sleep now. At dusk we must ride the final leg of our journey.”
Lines of Fire (The Guild House - Defenders Hall) Page 16
