“Do you think he can be trusted?” Akkeri asked.
Talon shrugged. “I trust he wants Fylkin dead.”
He hadn’t told her about the elf and the ring, afraid she would think him crazy. The ring proved his sanity; whether it was a magic ring had yet to be seen. He didn’t want to spoil their time together with his crazy story.
He wasn’t sure how many glasses of wine he’d had, but with the initial rush of the encounter wearing off he felt quite drunk. Many times during his story he trailed off midsentence, leaving Akkeri looking at him expectantly. He explained away his behavior by saying he was trying to remember the encounter word for word, but in truth he had lost himself in her beauty. Given the bandage wrapped around his head to cover his ear, she probably attributed his behavior to the beating he had taken. She hadn’t asked him what happened—bandages on Talon were as common as fleas on a dog.
“I don’t know; seems like you’re the one taking all the risk,” said Akkeri. “Being chased into a mine set to explode? And trusting they’ll wait until you’re out? I don’t like it.”
“It’s the best chance we have; if I’m successful, we can get off this gods-forsaken island once and for all,” he said.
“If you’re not successful, then…you will die!”
“Well, then. I guess I better not fail,” he said with a smirk.
Akkeri’s eyes watered and her face flushed with emotion. “You’re not funny!”
“I’m sorry, but what am I supposed to do? High Vaka Moontooth made it pretty clear that I don’t have a choice in the matter. What am I going to do, tell Fylkin there’s a plot to kill him, in hopes that he’ll be appreciative? No. This is a good plan, and now we’ve someone in our corner.”
“And Fylkin will die,” said Akkeri, tucking her knees up under her chin once again.
High Vaka Moontooth’s words came to him again: “He would no sooner bed a Skomm than he would a dog.” Those old maddening images came to his mind once again, and Akkeri must have noticed the change. She smiled and his heart leapt with hope.
“He has not touched me; if I’m anyone’s slave, it’s his spiteful sister.”
Talon couldn’t help it; tears came to his eyes and he began to sob. She took him in her arms and held him against her breast. He felt like a child then, nearly a full-grown man being consoled by a woman who had been kidnapped, a woman who surely needed consoling herself. He tried to get ahold of himself, but the pressure and worry of the last few weeks came crashing through all at once. Akkeri lifted his face and kissed his tears.
“When they came for me, I thought I was dead. And when I was taken to Chiefson Fylkin, I thought he would…But he didn’t. He looks at me with nothing but disdain, something for which I am grateful.”
Talon had gotten control of himself but cursed his shuddering breathing. He took a few slow breaths before he attempted to speak.
“I wanted to go after you every day. Jahsin had to choke me out the first night to prevent me from running to the Timber Wolf village and getting myself killed. I’m sorry, Akkeri, sorry I’m not strong enough to protect you.” He thought of the ring in his pocket then. “But I will be.”
“It’s not your fault. What can be done against those giants? What you did was harder than fighting: you respected my request not to act rashly. That kind of self-control is manlier than the god of strength himself; look what it has gotten you,” she smiled and kissed him. He had meant to say something more just then but soon forgot all about it as he fell into bliss. He trailed kisses to her neck and she shuddered. A desire stronger than anything he had ever known surged through him. His hands traced her curves as hers clung to his back desperately. Her nails pressed against one of his bandages and he hissed.
“I’m sorry,” she gasped.
“It’s all right; a few new lashes is all.”
“Here,” she said and lifted his shirt. He raised his arms so she could take it off. She ran her hands across his bare chest.
“Now I know what not to touch,” she said with a grin.
Talon laughed and was sure he sounded nervous. She too sounded nervous but also exhilarated. They kissed again and her hands carefully explored his body. He had put on some muscle during his time in the mines, and though he was still skinny, he was beginning to look more like a man. His hands became as brave as hers, following the curve of her back slowly down. He let her lead, thinking she would set the limits, but she set none. They kissed as if the world were crashing down around them and their last moments were near. Nothing existed but their bodies and the golden light of the candles. Talon felt as though he contained a volcano within him. She pushed away from him slowly and their lips parted.
“I’m sorry,” he said, worried he had gone too far.
She only grinned. Her neck and face were covered in the sheen of their heat; her hair had been tousled and hung about her glowing face in unruly locks.
“When I was taken from you, and I thought Fylkin meant to have me, I wished…you already had. I have been preserved by the goddess Sjofn herself, and I would give to you that which I can only give once.”
She stood and walked toward the candles burning on the stand. Facing away from him, she pulled her blouse strings loose. She lowered her arms and it fell to the floor. Another tug and her dress joined it. She turned back to him and Talon was awed by her beauty. The candlelight caused her heated body to glow with golden light; in that moment Talon thought her more beautiful than the goddess of love.
On that night no Vaka or Vald existed, no Volnoss and no coming Freista, only each other. They lay under the thick, fur blankets and talked into the small hours of the night about what life would be like in Agora. They spoke of someday having children and even argued playfully over names.
What they had done was forbidden by the Vald. If a child came of it, they would all be killed, but they planned on being far from Volnoss shortly. Somewhere they could show their love freely and without persecution.
Talon never thought that such happiness existed or that anyone would ever love him as she did. With her he was more than a runt Plagueborn; he felt big and strong and, for the first time, proud. If she loved him, then it meant there was something to love about him.
“I’m scared,” said Akkeri. “Not about returning to Timber Wolf Village or even death. Only one thing scares me now.”
She lifted her head to lay her other cheek upon his chest. Her green eyes shimmered with the candlelight as she stared into his eyes. “I’m scared to think we might never have this again.”
“We will,” he assured her. “We’re getting out of here. I promise you that.”
A pretty smile replaced her worried frown.
“And when we get to Agora, I’m going to marry you, Akkeri Brightwing.”
Her face turned bright red, illuminating her many freckles, and she bit her lip with a shy smile.
“That is, if you would have me as your husband.”
“I would have no other,” she said, kissing him.
“I love you, Akkeri.”
“I love you, Talon Windwalker, always and forever.”
Chapter 21
A Tall Tale
Kyrr is in good hands. If ever one deserved the ring, it is he.
—Azzeal, 4996
Talon awoke while the world was still dark. He had no way to tell how far off morning was, but he hoped the sun never came. Akkeri slept beside him, their bodies entangled beneath the warm fur blankets. Her breathing came soft and steady on his chest, and for a long time he lay in the darkness listening to her. He wanted nothing more than to stay there forever. Never had he been as content as he was with her in his arms. Though they were safe for the time being, soon they would have to part once again.
His mind raced, trying to think of a way they might leave at once. The boat was waiting for them in the Timber Wolf harbor. They could slip out of Vaka Kastali under the cover of darkness and sneak down to the harbor and be gone, never to return, but they would be leavi
ng Chief and Jahsin behind, and that was something he just couldn’t do.
Freista was only two weeks away. The beginning of the games marking the Vald celebration started in one week. The seven barbarian tribes would hold competitions of strength and endurance for the entire week, and on the last day one winner would stand victorious from each tribe—and then the real games would begin. The seven victorious Vald would begin their killing spree at sundown, and all but the Vaka would be their prey.
Talon worried about Majhree and the other friends he had made in the Skomm village. He was loath to leave her behind, but when he had mentioned her coming along as well, she had laughed the notion off as nonsense.
“What would an old hunchback like me do in Agora? They gots their own healers there; besides, I would only slow you down. No, my place is here tendin’ the sick,” she said.
Talon had tried to change her mind on a number of occasions, but she was adamant.
Shortly after the sun began to cast an orange glow upon the world, Akkeri began to stir. She moaned and stretched beneath the furs and smiled sleepily at him. Her hair was a mess of tangled curls. To Talon she had never been cuter.
“Is the day here so soon?” she asked with a small pout.
“I am afraid so.”
Someone knocked at the door and Talon leapt to put on his trousers. Hastily tying them at the waist, he shuffled to the door as it opened. Vaka Fyrfang passed another tray to him and nodded at the one on the stand. He peered over Talon’s shoulder at Akkeri in the bed and regarded him with a devilish smirk, which Talon deadpanned.
“High Vaka Moontooth will see you again at midday,” he said and left them. The door locked with a click and Talon let out a breath.
“What’s this?” Akkeri asked and bent over the edge of the bed. Talon saw the ring in her hand as she peered at it curiously.
“That’s…a long story.”
The tray consisted of bread, cheese, fruit, and another pitcher of water. He hadn’t eaten this well since he lived with his amma, and even then, breakfast always consisted of her gruel concoctions. He brought the tray to Akkeri and sat down across from her.
He considered explaining the ring away as nothing of consequence, but she would see through the facade. Skomm villagers were not allowed such treasures, and Akkeri had known him for many months. Never had he possessed the ring before. He couldn’t explain it away as an heirloom. He didn’t have to mention that the ring was possibly magical, or that he had gotten it from a shape-shifting elf, but he was unwilling to lie to her.
“I didn’t want to have to explain it to you last night; I was so glad to see you that it fell from my mind. It’s a long story.”
She gazed into the blue gem as she turned it slowly. “It is beautiful. Where did you get this?” she asked, handing the ring back to him.
Talon took the ring and laughed. “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”
“Try me,” she said, sitting up expectantly. From the tray she took the bread and twisted the loaf in half.
Talon began the tale with his sighting of the white owl and the freeing of the lynx under the bird’s watchful eye. Akkeri listened, enthralled, and when he got to the part where he met Azzeal, Ralliad Elf of Elladrindellia, she nearly choked on her bread.
“An elf?”
“I told you that you would think me crazy,” he shrugged.
“I don’t think you’re crazy, but what is he doing here?”
“He said he’s here to study our animals, and that he had been watching me. I perked his interest.”
“Well, I can see why. You are an interesting fellow,” she said with a smile.
He told her about the test of the two wines and how he had chosen the white one, which would give him the power to bring peace. He explained that the test had been a trick and that he had answered correctly. Akkeri regarded the ring with renewed wonder.
“He gave you what you said you didn’t want?” she asked.
“Yeah, he said because I didn’t want great power, I deserved it.”
“Have you used it?” she asked with apprehension.
“Nearly. Vaka Groegon came riding upon me when I left Azzeal. ’Twas he who did this,” he said, indicating his back. “I tried to get the ring on while he was whipping me; I don’t know why I was so foolish. Azzeal warned me to use it at the right time, but the whip struck my ear and I lost my head. As I tried to put the ring on, a bear erupted from the forest…It attacked Groegon and mauled him to death. I thought that was why I was summoned here last night: to answer for his death.”
“A bear? The one from Azzeal’s cave?” she asked.
“Yes, Beorn he called him.”
“You must be careful,” she warned.
“I agree, though the ring might come in handy during Freista.”
“Don’t be foolish ’cause you have that ring. Lead Fylkin to the mines and get out of there.”
“I will,” said Talon.
They spent the morning talking and planning the coming weeks. They weren’t quite sure how High Vaka Moontooth planned to move Akkeri to the dock or what Jahsin’s place would be in all of this. She mentioned the possibility of putting something in Fylkin’s food or drink that would slow him on the night of Freista, but Talon was hesitant to agree with the idea. If Fylkin suspected her of anything, he might do something to her. Talon didn’t want to take the risk.
Midday arrived and Vaka Fyrfang came for both of them. They were led to High Vaka Moontooth’s room. To their surprise they found Jahsin sitting across from Moontooth with a glass of wine in his hand and a confused look on his face. His eyes screamed to Talon, “What the Feikinstafir is going on?”
“Ah, Talon and the beautiful Akkeri,” said Moontooth with open arms gesturing toward two chairs beside Jahsin. “Please, sit.”
Talon took the chair to the left of Jahsin and Akkeri took the right. Their friend regarded them with a thousand questions.
“I assume you have explained the plan to Akkeri,” said Moontooth. “But your friend here remains in the dark, so I will explain the plan once more and in greater detail. You will each have a part to play; if you play them well, you will be on your way to Agora. Understood?”
They all nodded.
“Good, let us begin,” said Moontooth.
He told Jahsin of the plan to lure Fylkin to the mines and blow him to high heaven. Jahsin’s job would be to help Talon devise a number of traps to slow down the murderous chiefson in his chase.
“How we supposed to slow him down?” Jahsin asked. “He’s, what, nine feet tall?”
“I am sure you will find a way,” said Moontooth.
“Why the mines?” Jahsin pressed. “They’re many miles from Skomm Village. That’s a long way to be chased by a Va…”
“Because that’s the plan!” said Moontooth, slamming his desk. “Do not forget your place, boy! You’re lucky you’ve not been killed for your conspiracy—the three of you.”
Moontooth laid a long gaze upon each of them in turn. His once jovial demeanor was gone and replaced by one of cold calculation.
“I will not have my plot discovered because a one-armed Skomm could not follow orders.” He leaned across the desk and stared Jahsin down. “I’ll kill you myself if you deviate from the plan in the slightest. Understand?”
“Yes, High Vaka Moontooth,” Jahsin mumbled.
Talon noticed his friend’s small slur; he was drunk. He guessed he had already put down a few glasses of Moontooth’s smooth wine. The High Vaka liked to see a man drunk before he did business with him, and Talon understood why. Jahsin’s stubborn side came out when he drank, and he became more reckless. If he could be controlled whilst drunk, then he could be controlled sober.
“Your job,” he said to Akkeri, “will be to make sure this finds Fylkin’s drink on the night of Freista.” He set a small, glass tube filled with a clear liquid on the desk. “This will slow him down.”
“If she can slip that in his drink, she can slip him
poison, can’t she?” said Jahsin.
Shut up, thought Talon.
“If you are aware of a poison to be found on this desolate rock that will kill a Vald, please, let me know,” said Moontooth.
“You said you control just about all trade in Volnoss. Can’t you get a stronger poison from one of the traders?” Jahsin asked and took another drink of wine.
Moontooth nodded patiently. “I could.”
Jahsin grinned stupidly at Talon, quite pleased with himself.
“If the chiefson dies from an exotic poison and his father learns it was obtained by me, what do you think will happen?”
Jahsin’s grin died behind an embarrassed flush. “Oh,” he said with a bowed head. “What about the dragonsbreath bombs? Who will they trace that to?”
“Talon,” Moontooth said with a grin. “I’ve thought about this longer and harder than you, Skomm. Question me one more time and you will be hung.”
“Yes, High Vaka Moontooth.”
“None of you will see me until this is over, and likely not even then. Akkeri will be taken into the Vaka’s custody on the day of Freista; when the two of you have successfully lured Fylkin to the mines, you will find her waiting for you at the dock. Understood?”
They all nodded in turn.
“Any questions?”
The three shared a questioning glance, but none spoke.
“Good, say your good-byes. She is being taken back within the hour.”
They were led to the room Talon and Akkeri had shared the night before. The door closed and Jahsin whirled on them, nearly stumbling.
“Akkeri! I’m glad to see you’re all right,” he said, hugging her.
“Good to see you too, Jahsin,” she said.
“Can you believe this shyte?” he asked them both.
“It’s as good a plan as any,” said Talon.
“As good a plan as any? Our plan woulda worked just fine. And ours didn’t include havin’ a ragin’ lunatic chase you all the way to the mines.” Jahsin lowered his voice when Talon silently shushed him. Jahsin leaned in close. “I say we forget this crazy bastard’s plan and leave now!”
Talon: The Windwalker Archive (Book 1) Page 15
