Saxon shook his head. ‘I saw nothing. One moment we were walking; the next you were on all fours and groaning as if the very breath was being sucked from you. Did Cloot see or feel anything?’
No, I didn’t either, Cloot said. I happened to glance down and saw you lying on the ground.
Tor looked at Saxon and shook his head. ‘No. Same as you. But what about that amazing white light?’
‘Nothing but moonlight was falling on us, Tor. This was obviously a private experience.’
‘Saxon!’ Tor grabbed his friend’s arm in sudden excitement. ‘This whole journey I’ve been expecting to see my children as five or six year olds. The person who called to me, called me father—my son—he is a young man!’
‘You’re imagining it, Tor. All that sudden activity, the terror. What you saw—well, you still haven’t explained it, but it obviously frightened you. The fear distorted things.’
‘No, you don’t understand.’ Tor was back on his feet and pacing circles in the moonlight. ‘It was a man’s voice. My son is grown up.’
‘Listen to yourself. How can that be? The baby…Wait a minute, what do you mean children? There is only your son, surely?’
Oh dear, Cloot said quietly.
Tor looked at Saxon. He suddenly felt guilty that he had not yet told the whole story.
‘Let’s take a break from our walk, Saxon. I have something to tell you.’
They sat at the roadside and shared some bread and cheese they carried. Neither was particularly hungry but the food gave them an excuse to busy their hands and mouths whilst Tor searched for the right words.
Cloot left to hunt, taking the precious spare time to feed on the small creatures which came out at night. He had not thought he would get a chance tonight and clicked his beak in delicious anticipation. He left Tor to the difficult tale.
Tor swallowed. There was no point in waiting any longer.
‘Sax…you remember how when Gidyon was born, we were all weeping when the Heartwood’s creatures were suddenly startled by a sound?’
‘Yes. I remember I told you to wait. I went in search of Goth to head him away from Alyssa and yourself.’
Tor nodded. ‘That’s right. And whilst you were gone, I helped Sorrel to deliver a baby girl…a sister to Gidyon.’
Shock wrought its way across the Kloek’s face. He spat out the bread he was chewing. ‘And Alyssa doesn’t know, does she?’
Tor shook his head sadly. He kept his eyes firmly on Saxon’s.
‘You bastard,’ Saxon said. He stood. It was his turn to pace. ‘You not only told her that the son who still breathes is dead, but she knows nothing of her daughter. You are a heartless man, Gynt.’
Tor allowed him to spend his anger. He had expected as much.
‘Saxon, just be calm and listen. Please. Alyssa was dying at the time. The only way I could save my family was to support the lie. Sorrel disappeared with both children. She insisted that I should not tell Alyssa. It all made sense at the time—she promised me it was the only way to save the lives of the three people I suddenly loved more than anything.’
Saxon grunted. He was not convinced. ‘And?’
‘I went back…a day or so later. I could not live with myself: leaving Alyssa behind like that, half dead; letting my newborn children go off in the care of someone else.’
Tor could feel all the old distress and guilt rising in this throat. He took a breath.
‘Anyway, I went back to the Heartwood. There was no sign of anyone. I don’t just mean of Alyssa or the children, Sax, I mean of anyone having ever lived there. All trace of us had been wiped clean by the forest. Darmud Coril’s influence, I suspect.
‘Then I was captured. I was stunned to see Alyssa in Goth’s hands. She didn’t say a word to me from the moment she clapped eyes on me again. We travelled to Tal with a heavy silence between us, though in truth I was not allowed to even ride near her. In the city, as you know, I was thrown in a dungeon and she was cared for at the Queen’s discretion. She was not permitted to visit. No words passed between us. No link. I was totally cut off from Alyssa. Even at the trial, all I could do was look at her. Then…well, you know the rest.
‘Saxon…are you listening, man? Even if I had wanted to tell her, I have never had the chance. What do you think this is all about? I have called the children back to Tallinor. It is time they knew of their parents; met me, met their mother…They must play their role, if they have one to play.’
Tor held his head. The guilt was heavy in his heart.
Cloot arrived back and began to clean the gore from his beak.
It was Saxon who broke the difficult silence. ‘Good feed, Cloot?’
Delicious! Cloot said and flapped his wings for Saxon’s benefit.
Is all well? he asked Tor.
He knows the whole story now, Tor replied.
It is right that he does. He will help when the time comes, Cloot said matter of factly.
Saxon rounded on Tor. ‘So where the hell have the children been all of this time? You can’t expect me to believe you don’t know?’
‘That’s the truth, Sax. Sorrel took them and she disappeared. I have never seen nor heard of them since that day of their birth in the Heartwood.’
Saxon continued to pace. ‘And you thought they had stayed in the realm?’
Tor stood and dusted the breadcrumbs from his cloak. The food felt sour in his belly now. ‘Initially I did. Later, as the years drew on, I figured Sorrel must have taken them from our Kingdom to another; which is obviously what she did do.’
‘But then how do you explain your son being grown? A young man, you said.’
‘I have absolutely no idea,’ Tor replied, totally confused.
‘Well, then it couldn’t have been Gidyon, Tor,’ Saxon said gently. ‘Otherwise he would be around five or six summers; no more. Time does not pass differently in other Kingdoms.’
Of course, you are both assuming the children remained in this Land, Cloot said, eyeing Tor, no longer interested in his ablutions.
Tor looked at his falcon and Saxon noticed the sharp change in his body language.
‘What did Cloot say?’ he asked.
‘He said we’re just presuming that Sorrel kept them in this Land.’
Saxon snorted. ‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’
Tor looked again at the falcon. What are you saying, Cloot?
Just that there is every possibility she took them beyond our world, to another world, where time perhaps moves differently…It’s just a notion.
Tor clapped his hands. ‘Of course! Cloot is saying that Sorrel could have disappeared to another world altogether, where time maybe moves differently.’
Saxon shook his head. ‘I think we’re reaching here.’
‘It makes all the sense in the world, Saxon. Open your mind! I left Sorrel with a dying woman, two newborn babies and the god of the forest. I have no idea of the extent of Darmud Coril’s powers, but if he became involved, he could have sent them anywhere. It is plausible. Think about it.’
Saxon finally shrugged. ‘Vaguely possible, I suppose.’
‘Come on,’ Tor said, a new vigour in his step. ‘We must hurry now to the Heartwood; no time to waste.’
Once they had travelled a safe enough distance from the burning village and it was only a faint glow on the horizon, Gidyon made everyone rest. He held Figgis in his arms all night and listened to the dwarf’s ragged breathing.
As the sun began to rise Figgis spoke to him. Thank you, he whispered.
It was frightening, Figgis. What have I done?
What you had to do. That village needed to be cleansed. You saved our lives.
I took dozens though.
All ready to meet their gods, I fear, Figgis reassured him. It was an evil place, Gidyon. Please forgive yourself.
I called to my father. I think I opened a link to him in my fear and my anger. I drew on his power, or something released mine…I’m not sure.
I
met your father once.
You did?
Yes, not long ago. We were in a place called Cipres. You look so like him, you could pass for him.
Really? Gidyon felt uplifted to hear this.
We spoke only briefly. Two strangers, passing the time of day. I knew who he was but he did not know me.
I have so much to learn about.
That is why I am here. I shall teach you and I shall watch over you. You will never have to save me again.
So you are going to live? Gidyon said, relieved.
It takes more than a few broken bones to kill a Rock Dweller, my boy. Get me to the Heartwood and all shall be well.
He smiled a wonderful smile that made Gidyon feel safe and loved. He bent and kissed the little man on the forehead. Thank you for being here for me.
Always, Figgis said and drifted back into a painful doze.
Gidyon placed him tenderly on the soft grass where they had slept all night and covered him with his own jerkin. He hoped the rest would help to heal his friend. He would leave him quiet for a little longer.
Yseul was stirring. Gwerys still slept.
‘Yseul,’ Gidyon whispered, taking her hand and kissing it gently.
She opened her strange, sand-coloured eyes. ‘We’re safe, aren’t we?’
He nodded gently. ‘I promise.’
Yseul sat up and put her arms around him. ‘Forgive me for all those terrible things I said to you. I owe you so much, Gidyon. I don’t understand anything of what happened back there but—’
He hushed her words and stroked her hair. ‘I always keep my promises,’ he whispered.
She pulled back. ‘Who are you?’
‘The Gatherer of Souls, apparently.’ He grinned.
‘Don’t mock, it was all I could think of. Oh, I was so frightened.’
‘You were sensational. I drew courage from you, Yseul. You made me look weak by comparison.’
‘Not in the end though,’ she said, fixing him with her odd eyes.
He held her gaze. ‘Would you believe me if I told you I hardly understand it either?’
She searched his face, as she had done once before in the barn. ‘I do believe you. Strange events happen all the time. I trusted you the minute I saw you…I trust you now.’
‘Thank you,’ he said and meant it, because he really did not have an explanation which would stand much scrutiny.
She looked over at Figgis. ‘What about him, your friend?’
‘I shall carry him to where I am going. We will get help there.’
She nodded. ‘Where are you going?’
‘We’re headed for a township called Flat Meadows and then on to Axon.’
‘Oh, that’s by the Great Forest. People are scared of the forest.’
‘Scared?’
‘Well, respectful is probably a better way to put it. It houses ancient mysteries. I believe what I can see with my own strange eyes.’
They both laughed when she deliberately made them go cross-eyed.
‘And you, Yseul, where is home for you?’
‘It’s been so long, I’m not sure where to call home.’
He understood. ‘Then come with me. If you have nowhere to call home, you might as well travel with friends.’
She considered it and then smiled sadly. ‘It is very tempting,’ she said, then she leaned towards Gidyon and kissed him very briefly, very gently. ‘But this little boy here needs to know a real home. He needs a real mother and father who will love him. I think I must take him back to where he belongs.’
Again Gidyon understood, though he felt a flash of disappointment. ‘Where is that?’
‘Brittelbury. It is a week or more from here due east but we can journey slowly.’
Just then, as if by magic, they heard the sound of hooves. Several horses, obviously still spooked from the fire, had stuck together and were wandering in shock.
‘Not on a horse it won’t be,’ Gidyon said, winking. ‘Help me catch them.’
‘Slowly,’ she cautioned. ‘They will be fearful.’
Somehow Gidyon sensed they would not be afraid of him. He did not know how he knew this, but he proved himself true when he gently called to them and was able to keep them calm and still whilst he approached. Of course he could not know that this way with animals was a talent inherited from his mother. A few minutes later, the horses were happily munching grass next to them.
‘What about saddles?’ Gidyon said.
‘I used to ride bareback all the time as a child. I’m sure it will come back to me.’
He left her to squat down next to Figgis and ransack his pockets. He looked pleased when he returned. ‘You have this,’ he said, tipping a heavy pouch of coins into her hand.
Yseul peeped inside and then tipped a few out. ‘No, Gidyon, this is a fortune to someone like me.’
‘Trust me, he would want you to keep it and travel safely with your brother to your home. Is there enough for a saddle for each of you?’
‘You don’t know?’ she asked incredulously. ‘Gidyon, we could live more than well on this for several weeks. We could buy ten saddles and perhaps a few horses to go with them!’
‘Then I am glad. You both deserve it.’ He flipped a single gold coin into the air. ‘This will see us through. Promise me that you will stay at inns and be safe. Eat properly. Take the horses and sell them if you please when you get home. Just be careful.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘There is nothing more. I wish you would come with me, but I understand why you cannot.’
‘I wish I could too,’ she said.
He kissed her. It was the first time he had ever really kissed anyone properly. It was magnificent and he wanted it to go on and on.
‘Are you sure we have to say goodbye?’ he said when they reluctantly moved apart.
‘You know the village where I live. Come and see me.’
He nodded. ‘I will.’
She looked at him intently. ‘No, you won’t, Gidyon. There is no reason why you should. You are here for a greater purpose, I feel.’
Gidyon could not bear the thought that he may never see her again. ‘Wait!’ he said, this time digging into his shirt pocket. He found what he wanted and, for the second time, pulled her palm open and dropped something into it.
‘What is this?’ she said, glancing at the smooth, dull stone in her hand.
‘This, believe it or not, is incredibly precious to me, Yseul. Promise me you will never lose it, never sell it, never give it away. It belongs to me but it will keep you safe until I come to collect it. There is my reason in your hand. One day, I shall come to claim what is mine,’ he said.
She smiled. ‘Then, as plain and curious as it is, I shall consider it as precious as you do; as precious as your friendship is to me.’
It felt strange to be giving away his stone, his only tie to his past, but it seemed more important that Yseul should have something of him. Something that promised they would see each other again.
28
Lauryn’s Journey
Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Lauryn was enjoying Sorrel’s company, even though she was wary of the old girl; there was just something about her which suggested caution. Still, the daily conversation about herbs and plants fascinated her and even in this short time she had begun to recognise the flowers and grasses which Sorrel pointed out to her.
Sorrel was impressed with Lauryn’s recall of which plant could help an ailment; there were even moments when she was stunned by the young woman’s adeptness at suggesting her own combinations of herbs to achieve a different result. She would make a superb healer.
But mostly they talked about her mother. Lauryn never tired of hearing about Alyssa and was especially pleased when Sorrel commented on their strong likeness, especially as her mother was reportedly beautiful. She could hardly believe they did look alike; nevertheless, in the quiet of night she hugged herself when she thought about it. The tale she repeatedly fo
rced Sorrel to tell was the reunion of her parents at Caremboche and their escape to the Heartwood.
‘Where do you think this Goth is now?’ Lauryn asked.
‘Dead, I should hope,’ Sorrel said with disgust.
‘But you don’t know that,’ Lauryn suggested.
‘No. The last I knew of him, he was hunting us all down in the Heartwood. Saxon, whom I’ve told you about, gave chase in order to lead the Chief Inquisitor away from where your mother was struggling to give birth to you, my child.’
Lauryn smiled, trying to build that picture in her mind.
‘Saxon would have found a way to deal with him and, if not the Kloek, then your father. I’m sure of it,’ the old woman added.
‘Of course. I’m forgetting that you don’t know anything that happened after this Darmud Coril you speak of sent you away with us. That’s right, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
Lauryn considered this as they walked. ‘So really, we have no idea what has happened to my parents since that moment. My mother could be dead,’ she suddenly said.
‘No, child. As I said once before, I would have known. We shared a great deal, your mother and I. And your father would not bring you back to a dead mother; I am sure of that too.’
‘But how do we know they are even together? We don’t know anything about their last fifteen years.’
Sorrel nodded. ‘This is true but don’t labour it, child. Time travels differently here than it does where we have come from. It has not been nearly as long as you think here in Tallinor. Let us try to think only good thoughts. This is hard enough without us anticipating the worst possible situation. Your father is alive. He has called you. One step at a time, eh?’
Lauryn could tell Sorrel was tired. It was only the middle of the morning and yet the old woman was struggling to speak and walk at the same time. Funny, she had seemed so much stronger and healthier in their own world. Here she seemed frail. Mind you, they had walked far; much further than Lauryn could ever recall walking before. In her old life—those little parts of it she could still remember—she knew she had been lazy, had embraced any excuse not to exert energy. Yet, in the past few days of solid walking, she had noticed her complexion was clearing, her clothes felt looser and even her humour was better. She needed no mirror to know these things.
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