“You don't care about my life, much less my comfort. You only care about yourself.”
“True, but at least I'm honest about it, and honesty is a virtue. One thing you haven't considered is what you've done to me and my men. We've been up for almost twenty-four hours now; we're exhausted and have to rest. That's going to make us late for our appointment. Galrin is a dangerous man to lie to, but in this case it might be more dangerous to tell him the truth. He's going to want to know why we were delayed. If he finds out how close you came to escaping, it might go hard with us yet. He's generous with rewards, but even more generous with punishment. Still, I can't blame you for trying to escape. As I say, I'm honest. I'd cut your throat to get what I want. I'd be a hypocrite if I said you were wrong for trying to cut mine for the same reason. I'm many things, my dear, but I'm not a hypocrite,” he finished with a cruel chuckle.
As Gwendolyn sat with her back against the tree, she began to slowly drift off to sleep. Weariness and despair combined to form a sedative that would allow her to rest even in such rough conditions. The first light of dawn was just coming up over the trees when her silent prayers finally ceased. Her fears and troubles were, for the moment, forgotten in slumber.
Darian slowly opened his eyes just as the first rays of the rising sun brushed gently across the treetops. Tealor and Sarena were already stirring: the husband digging through his saddle bags; the wife attending to the fire. Erana was also awake. She had just slipped down from her arboreal abode and was making her way silently to where Kilren lay just a few feet from the young Telian. She smiled warmly at Darian before putting her right forefinger gently to her lips and turning her eyes to the prostrate body of the still-sleeping rogue.
Erana reached out slowly toward Kilren's shoulder but, just before she touched him, his hand shot up and seized her securely by the wrist. Instinctively, she let out a small cry. Tealor spun around – his blade already half drawn – before he realized what had happened. Sarena, who had been watching the young ranger, merely laughed.
“Just because I look like I'm asleep, doesn't mean that I am,” Kilren said, smiling up at the beautiful young elf he held in his grasp.
“I just wanted to wake you,” she replied. “We need to get back on the trail.”
“She's right!” Darian said, climbing quickly to his feet.
“So,” Kilren said, pulling Erana gently toward him, “I suppose you want a good-morning kiss.”
“In your dreams!” she exclaimed, twisting free and storming away.
“Mind reader!” he yelled after her with a grin.
In moments, the entire party was once again in the saddle and back on the trail. In broad daylight, the tracks were so obvious that even Darian – who was by far the least observant of the group – could easily follow them. The kidnappers had clearly trusted to speed rather than stealth to make their escape. Tealor led the small band, his wife riding close behind. Darian and Kilren rode side by side; Erana once again taking up her seat behind the young knight.
“We should find them soon, my love,” Tealor said as he slowed his horse to a trot.
“I'm glad to hear it, dear one,” his wife replied, “but, what makes you think so?”
“These tracks,” her husband answered, pointing toward the road before them. “From the time they left their first camp, they've rarely broken into a gallop and then only for very short stretches. We've pressed our poor beasts much harder.”
“They'll have plenty of time for rest once our prize has been captured,” Sarena said, reaching down to brush her mount gently on the neck, “as will we.”
“Provided we catch them soon,” Tealor said, shaking his head slowly. “In either case, we're going to have to let the animals rest in a few hours. They can't keep going like this forever. If our quarry spots us, they'll certainly have the advantage in the chase. Our weary animals won't have much hope of running down their fresh ones.”
“Then, we'll have to make sure we're not spotted, my love.”
“Indeed,” Tealor nodded.
Darian and Kilren began to fall a short distance behind the mercenary and his wife as the trail they followed led up a steep hill. Their horses weren't used to long marches with little rest and it was beginning to show in their slow movements and stiff gaits. The trio had ridden in silence since they left camp; each one caught up in their own thoughts. At last, the rogue spoke.
“Look, I'm sorry if I scared you,” Kilren said, turning his gaze toward Erana.
“You did not scare me!” she replied with some heat, refusing even to look in the rogue's direction. “You just surprised me. That's all!”
“Well, I'm a light sleeper,” he chuckled. “You have to be in my line of work.”
At this statement, Darian glared at the young rogue.
“I mean my former line of work,” Kilren said, clearing his throat. “Anyway, when I sense danger, nature takes over and I defend myself without thinking about it. I honestly didn't mean to scare...”
“You didn't scare me!” Erana interrupted.
“Surprise you, then,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “Either way, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry.”
“What about... trying to kiss me?” The fair ranger asked, turning to look Kilren in the face.
“You bending over me as I awoke, blended so seamlessly into my dreams, that I thought I was still asleep,” the rogue replied with a sigh. “You looked so beautiful in the early light of dawn that I couldn't imagine you were real.”
In reply, Erana shook her head and gave Darian's horse a gentle kick, encouraging it to catch up with Sarena's beast. As the party reached the top of the hill, Tealor held his hand up and brought his horse to a stop. He looked silently ahead for a moment.
“Smoke,” he said at last.
“Where?” Darian asked, scanning the sky.
“There,” Tealor replied, pointing to a small wisp rising in the air.
Darian couldn't be sure that what he saw was smoke or that he was, in fact, seeing anything at all.
“I'm not sure I see it,” the young knight admitted.
“You don't need to; I do,” Tealor replied, still scanning the horizon. “They may have left the fire burning as they did at their last camp, but they might still be here.”
“I doubt it,” Kilren said, gazing off into the distance. ”It's too late in the morning.”
“I agree, but we have to be cautious,” Tealor replied, climbing down from his mount. “We can't let them see us.”
Following the large mercenary's example, the rest of the party dismounted. The five companions crept slowly to the top of the hill and stared down into the little wooded valley on the other side.
“They're still there,” the elvish ranger asserted after a moment.
“How can you be sure?” Tealor asked.
“I just heard a horse,” Erana replied.
“Are you certain?” the warrior said, listening carefully in the direction of the wood.
“She's certain,” Kilren nodded. “If she says she hears something, she does.”
“Excellent!” Darian said, turning to march back toward his waiting steed. “Fate has guided us well!”
The young knight leapt up in the saddle, took up his shield, and drew his sword before setting his horse in motion. Immediately, the mercenary reached out and grabbed the reigns of the Telian's steed.
“What are you doing?” Tealor asked, looking up at Darian.
“I'm going to get them...” the knight replied, a puzzled expression on his face.
At this, Sarena laughed merrily.
“We don't just get them, young champion.”
“Why not?” Darian asked, his gaze moving from the husband to the wife. “They're our enemies. We have to demand they surrender and declare our intention to attack if they don't.”
“I agree,” Erana said, fitting an arrow to her bow. “We have to act with honor; even if our foes refuse to do so.”
“I don't claim to be an expert,”
Kilren said, stepping over to his own mount, “but, that seems like a good way to get them to run off again – or just cut the girl's throat if they think they can't escape.”
“You see, my love,” Sarena said, turning her gaze to Kilren, “the fool is not without some wisdom.”
“It makes me glad I didn't kill him yesterday,” Tealor grinned. “In any event, Darian, your jester is right. We can't just charge them and trust to luck.”
“We can trust the Eilian,” the Telian answered.
“Indeed, we can,” the mercenary nodded. “But, we shouldn't tempt them by acting foolishly. We need to ensure that the maiden is safe and that our enemies can't escape before we attack. Even then, we should fall on them without warning. They didn't give the men they slew a chance to defend themselves.”
“But, we're not like them,” Erana said with disdain.
“No, we're not!” Darian agreed. “I have to give them the opportunity to surrender.”
“Look!” Tealor exclaimed. “You're being ridiculous! This isn't a game. There are lives...”
“Love, don't be angry with him,” Sarena interrupted. “He means well and, in truth, I see some merit in his plan.”
“You do?” her husband asked with surprise.
“I do,” She nodded. “He'll make an excellent diversion. Don't worry about him, I'll do my best to see that he comes to no harm.”
“So, you'll keep me safe?” Darian asked, almost laughing as he considered the seemingly delicate Sarena.
“I didn't say that, young knight,” she replied, glancing over at him. “I merely said I would try.”
“I see,” Tealor said after a moment's silence. “Well then, we merely need to do things in the right order. First, we need to find the girl. Then, we need to prevent our enemies' escape. After that, Darian, you may issue your challenge.”
“I'll find the girl,” Kilren offered.
“You?” Erana scoffed.
“I'm hard to see if I don't want to be seen,” Kilren replied. “That seems to be the main qualification for something like this.”
“I should be the one to go,” Erana demanded. “However skilled you may be, I assure you, I'm better at approaching my targets unseen.”
“Unless, of course, your target is asleep,” Kilren replied with a wave of his hand. “Then, you tend to get caught.”
“Look, I told you...” Erana began.
“This is no time to argue, children,” Sarena interrupted. “Fool, are you certain you can do this?”
“I am,” Kilren nodded. “They're not likely to be expecting anyone out here. Sneaking into their camp should be a piece of cake.”
“How do you plan to let us know you've found the girl?” Tealor asked.
“I'll creep out to the edge of the wood and fire an arrow where Darian can see it,” Erana suggested.
“So, you want to be alone with me in the woods, eh?” Kilren asked, smiling at the beautiful ranger.
“I do,” she said, returning his smile. “Maybe I'll be able to keep you from messing this up.”
“That's probably wise,” Sarena said.
“I'm not going to mess this up,” Kilren replied defensively.
“I meant the arrow, fool; pay attention,” Sarena sighed, “Once you see it, Darian, you can throw down your gauntlet.”
“But, I'll need it to protect my hand...” the young knight said hesitantly.
“I think my wife means that you can issue your challenge at that moment,” Tealor said, shaking his head as he climbed onto the back of his massive beast.
“Oh, I see,” Darian nodded.
“I'll ride along behind these hills in order to reach the other side of their camp without being seen,” Tealor said, pointing off into the distance. “Once there, I'll wait until I hear you demanding their surrender. Be sure to be loud about it. Kilren, give me a few minutes to get in place, and then you can move in.”
“So it's Kilren now, not fool?” the rogue asked, smiling.
“I thought it might be the last chance I'd have to call you by your name while you were still alive,” the large warrior answered before kicking his horse into motion.
He and his prodigious mount slowly disappeared from view as he rode down behind the hills.
“We should get moving,” Kilren said as he loosened his sword in its sheath. “It's going to take some time to get in place and find the girl.”
“I couldn't agree more,” the ranger said, slipping her bow over her shoulder. “I'll lead the way.”
“All right,” Kilren replied. “I might as well enjoy the view while we're out risking our lives.”
“You make a good point...” the ranger said thoughtfully. “You lead the way.”
“Figures...”
The ranger and the rogue crept back to the top of the hill and peered down into the little wood. No one was visible, but Kilren was certain their enemies would have a sentry or two on the lookout. He and Erana had to be cautious; they couldn't allow themselves to be seen. Of course, once they reached the woodlands, he could breathe a sigh of relief. Erana would blend seamlessly into the foliage; as for himself, he only needed a shadow here and there and no one could hope to spot him. However, in order to reach the wood, they had to cross a short span of open ground.
“We need to split up until we reach the edge of the wood,” Kilren observed.
“I was about to suggest the same thing,” Erana agreed.
“Beautiful and brilliant; you're just about too good to be true.”
“For you, I am,” Erana replied before slipping her hood over her face and beginning to creep slowly down the hill towards the wood.
Kilren followed her example, moving quickly and silently from one small bush to another. Here, a slight hill behind which he could remain hidden; there, a little depression in the earth where the sun had not yet been able to wipe away the shadows. He passed like a ghost from one spot to another. Erana had disappeared from his view, although he knew roughly where she had to be. If he couldn't see her, then their adversaries had no hope of doing so. As he reached the first outlying trees of the small grove, he caught a glimpse of the young elvish maiden. If anything, she was even more lovely standing among the green leaves and brown boughs.
“If I were in their place, I think I would have camped right in the center of this wood,” he whispered to Erana as soon as she was close enough to hear him.
“I would have done the same,” she nodded. “Lead on.”
The pair passed through the wood as silently as shadows. In a very few minutes, they had reached the heart of the little glade. The smell of smoke and the sound of horses told them that the camp was not far off. A few more steps led them to what they sought. As Kilren scanned the area, he noticed a tree with ropes tied around it. That was sure to be the girl. He held his hand up to Erana, signaling that she should stay where she was and watch him, before sneaking carefully forward for a better view.
All the villains he could see seemed to be asleep. Still, it was the ones he couldn't see that concerned him. Slowly, he got into a position where the heart of the camp was visible. There, tied to the trunk of a tree, sat a young girl with her head slumped down on her chest. Kilren looked back toward Erana where she sat, watching his every move. With a nod he told her that they had found what they were looking for. In an instant, she vanished. Kilren crept silently closer to the girl knowing that, if he were discovered at this moment, he would have to take his stand alone.
He reached the tree where the girl was tied and sat down, leaning his back against it. He took a few breaths to steady his nerves before cautiously crawling around the trunk. To awaken the girl suddenly would most likely get him killed, but he couldn't try to rescue her in her sleep. The young rogue picked a long blade of grass and reached slowly around to tickle the young maiden's face with it. Suddenly, she sneezed. Kilren lay motionless for a moment and listened. She had started speaking quietly; in fact, she was praying.
He decided to risk a whi
sper. “I can't make out what you're asking for but, if it's for help, your prayers have been answered.”
“Remember to keep your head, Darian,” Sarena said, looking down into the wooded valley. “This will be your first real battle, young champion. Many things can happen.”
“I know,” Darian replied. “With the Eilian's help, I can't fail.”
As the two watched silently, an arrow flew from the woods and landed in the very middle of the trail they had been following. That was the sign: Kilren had found the girl. Darian kicked his horse into motion. It was time; his destiny had come.
“Wait a moment,” Sarena said, pulling her horse up beside the young knight's.
She began to sing softly to herself about the upcoming battle and Darian's very life. She swept her hand slowly before him as if she were wrapping him up in a cloak. Finally, she reached out and touched him on the shoulder.
“Issue your challenge,” she said, waving her hand toward the little wooded glen.
Darian kicked his horse again and headed quickly down the hill. He pulled the reigns and stopped his stallion among the outlying trees. Sarena had followed him at a distance and sat watching him, a smile on her soft red lips. The young knight cleared his throat.
“Hail, villains!” he began, grinning at his own forceful opening. “I, Darian – Telian Knight, sworn defender of the weak, protector of the innocent, and destroyer of the wicked – demand your immediate surrender. It is my belief that members of your band have committed murder and, even now, hold a young girl prisoner. Surrender yourselves to me, and I will see that you are well-treated until the time we reach Tagril; where you will be handed over to the judgment of the local authorities. It is your only hope of life. If you will not submit willingly, I have no choice but to force your submission. What say you?”
Kilren could clearly hear every word of the young Telian's challenge. As soon as Darian's voice broke the silence, the sleeping mercenaries began to stir. Their grizzly leader looked toward the sound of the hidden speaker.
The Stars of Areon (The Chronicles of Areon Book 1) Page 7
