"Of course not," Rafinnel said. He still looked red and angry.
"Do not think so of me," Deyneth said softly, "We have been friends for a long time, Contras. Do you believe I want to wrest power away from the Parnell family?"
Rafinnel waited a half a heartbeat before answering, "No. I suppose not."
"Then you will show your support if the time ever comes," Deyneth said. She didn't wait for him to answer. "Now, we need to prepare to return home. You're dismissed."
She watched Rafinnel and the others leave and then let out the sigh that had been building for sometime. She reminded herself that sacrifices would have to be made. Arinford needed to make sure they always had a leader that could protect them from the likes of Richard Sullivan.
TWENTY-TWO
Those That Are Married Already
JANICE SAT OUT IN THE RAIN BY herself, her arms wrapped around her legs, drenched and cold. She could have returned to camp, where Sean and Will were, but she had no desire for either of their company.
It was the amulet, of course. She'd known what it was, what it did, but she'd always been able to push it to the back of her mind. Now it weighed heavily on her chest, reminding her of things she'd rather have forgotten.
She loved Sean, loved him completely, and she couldn't help the sense of betrayal she felt at his use of the amulet, and his abuse of her emotions. How much of anything that he'd said had been real? He would have known what she wanted to hear. He would have known the right thing to say, so many times.
Part of her had always known there was something different about him. He'd known things he shouldn't have known. He'd always play it off, pretend she'd mentioned it. Little things, tidbits from her childhood.
Janice wiped away her tears but it did no good. Her face was streaked from the rain. It was ridiculous to feel so hurt, after so long of knowing about it, but she couldn't help it. The amulet reminded her. Of course it did.
She'd always been the unpopular one her entire life. She was always the last one picked, the last one invited, the last one, always the last one. Within the Arinford Guard, it had been the same at first.
She'd fallen into her familiar habits. She wanted to be the top recruit, the best soldier, the best of them all. She imagined being a commander one day, and being in charge of everyone. Eldrin had been there, and he'd made fun of her, as he'd always had.
It was Sean who'd defended her. It was Sean that had picked her to be his friend. Out of everyone, he'd chosen her, despite all her faults and insecurities. He'd picked her as his friend, and she'd fallen in love with him.
She missed those first months. The ones before the amulet. The ones that were real. He'd been her friend, and her comrade without needing to know what she was thinking, or feeling. He was Sean, and she'd been Janice. They were a team.
Now she knew another truth, one she'd learned from the cursed jewelry that now hung around her neck. She'd drawn in the energy, as she'd seen him do so many times, and all the thoughts and emotions that came with it. She knew how Sean felt about her.
He loved her. Another tear ran down her face, and she stared up at the sky. He loved her. Finally, she was loved. And now she could never believe that he loved her because she was Janice, and he was Sean. Those days were over.
More than anything, Janice missed her family. She wanted to sit with her mother and her aunts and listen to them tell her it would be alright, that everything would be better with time, that the hurt would fade, and she'd be alright, more than alright, she'd be great.
She wanted to feel her father's arms around her and hear him whisper that a boy wasn't worth all the tears, and she'd always have him. She wanted to have her brother hug her and ask what was wrong in that childish little voice that used to drive Janice crazy.
Their faces were almost real enough that Janice could see them in front of her. She could almost hear them talking. Suddenly she was so homesick she thought she might die. Never in her life had she so missed Valishna, and her Priest training, and those days when none of this would have mattered. It would have been just another day in her life.
"Janice?"
Janice turned to see Sean approaching her. She came quickly to her feet.
"Go back to camp. Get near the fire," she told him, "It's raining. You're recovering."
"You're soaked," Sean said, "You're the one who needs to worry about being sick." He reached out to place a strand of hair behind her ear, but Janice knocked his hand away and shook her head out him.
"Are you angry with me?" Sean asked. He looked hurt. Janice had no way of explaining that she was angry about something that she'd known for over a year. She didn't know what to say.
"Janice?"
She stared at him, at the features she'd memorized every night and every day they were together. "You should have gotten rid of it right away."
"I know," Sean said and lowered his eyes.
Janice slipped the necklace from around her neck. She held it out to Sean, feeling her heart thump in her ears. "Do it then. Choose me over it, Sean. It's now or never."
Sean took the amulet, staring down at it. He didn't seem like he'd be able to move for a while. Both of them shook in the rain. Janice knew Sean needed to get warm; he might be walking and talking but the yellow fever had taken its toll.
Sean stepped past her, to the small stream she'd been sitting near. The same one she'd approached before and been unable to complete the job she now demanded of him. He stared at the waters, his face scrunched up.
"Sean," she whispered, "Please."
He took a deep breath and then threw the amulet, as far as he could. His face seemed to break in that moment, but the piece of jewelry that had plagued him for so long was gone, washed away somewhere, far out of reach.
Will sat across from Arthimur Stini, feeling his frustration rise, "We'll go through the mountains."
"No," Stini said, "I'm not risking your life there. Or on the shore, not with it still contested."
"We don't know if it's still contested," Will said, "Nobody has been there in months. It could be that we've secured a foothold."
Stini shrugged, "We're not getting close enough to find out. It's not worth the risk on your life. If we don't have the shore, there will be thousands of Lamonte men ready to take off your head. Nope."
Will sighed. "So what? We're just going to hang out in the middle of nowhere in Lamonte forever?"
"Till we find more troops," Stini said, "When the shore has been taken, Arinford men will start returning to the field. We'll find them. Then we'll know it's safe for you to go home."
Stini glanced over at Aeliana, "Right, Lieutenant?"
Aeliana nodded, "Right." She leaned forward, "Listen, Prince William, your life means a lot to Arinford. When you were captured, a dark haze seemed to fall over the men. People lost faith. When you return home, safe, it's going to make a lot of difference in morale. Not to mention, your position as the next king of Arinford must be secured. If something happens to your father during the war, you need to be ready to take over the crown."
"Nothing is going to happen to my father," Will said testily. This was an argument they'd encountered before. Will didn't want to admit that his father was only human and quite susceptible to human weaknesses. If his castle fell, he'd be killed. Both Aeliana and Stini had lectured him on the fact that his sister was not yet an age to rule.
"You don't know that," Aeliana said, as she had many times already. "But your father's death cannot be the end of this war, Prince William. Please see reason on the matter."
Will frowned, "Fine," he conceded. He knew since coming here that he'd made a mistake. He could lay part of the blame on Janice, who'd encouraged his decision, but he knew she would have been fine with running from the troops, as Sean had originally suggested. No, he was the one who'd decided they needed to join with the troops. Then Sean had gotten sick from the yellow fever and Will had been terrified by the prospect of his death.
There were armored men aro
und him day and night. He thought it had been Lieutenant Jehryme's idea, and the Commander had been happy enough to accommodate what she wanted. Will thought he'd heard the two of them had been in a fight, but he didn't know for sure. All he really knew was Stini wouldn't let them leave, and he wouldn't help escort him home. They were trapped there.
"At least allow me to fight alongside your men," Will said, "I'm a soldier. I am part of the Arinford Guard."
"No," Aeliana said, before Stini had a chance, "The things we do... you will be King one day. You cannot participate."
Will glared at her, "If you can do it, so can I. I have the stomach for it. I understand what you're doing and why."
"I don't care if you understand," Stini said, "With all due respect, Prince William, you are under my command as part of the Guard. I am your commanding officer, and I will not allow you to help us slaughter innocent people."
Will had been expecting this. It was the same argument they'd hashed out time and again.
The dreams had been coming though, and each one reminded him that he was waiting his time here with these men. He had something he needed to do. He didn't know what that was, not really, but he knew it started with getting home where he could research the dreams more thoroughly. He thought it might help to find the redhead that appeared pretty frequently. She seemed important.
"Fine," Will said again. He rose to his feet. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll return to my tent."
Stini waved a hand, "You're dismissed," he said, and then turned to Aeliana, "Let's discuss the mission you're heading tonight."
Will sighed and left. When he neared his tent, he saw Janice and Sean near the fire. Will's personal guard stood near his tents, waiting for his return.
Will joined Sean and Janice instead.
"No luck with Stini?" Janice asked.
Will saw they were both drenched. He didn't see the amulet around either of their necks. He frowned, wondering what he'd missed. "No," he said, "but we really didn't expect there to be, did we?"
"No," Sean said, "Did you find out when the next mission is?"
"Of course I did. That's why you sent me, right?" Will said, "He won't let me participate, though. Again. I'm getting really tired of being cooped up here."
"Good," Sean said, 'That's part of the plan."
Will frowned and stepped closer, lowering his voice, "The plan is for me to be tired of staying behind during missions?"
Sean rolled his eyes, "No. The plan to get out of here." He glanced at Janice. "Tonight seems good, right?"
"Better now than later," Janice said cheerfully.
"How?" Will asked.
Sean shook his head, "Not with them so close," he jerked his head at the guards. "Tonight, though. Be ready."
Sean, Will, and Janice sat cross-legged in Will's tents. All three of them had bundled up in thick furs. There was an extra set attached to each pack that Janice had prepared.
Will glanced over at Janice, "Are you sure you don't want to try seducing the men, like you did back in Sullivan's castle?"
"You know," Janice said, "I don't think it's going to work so well on Arinford men that we're not trying to actually kill."
"Well, you could try," Will said. "It'd be a lot easier."
Sean shook his head, "I don't think I want my fiancé seducing other men... or women, for that matter."
Will blinked and looked between them.
"I'm not wearing a ring, if you're looking for one," Janice said with a slight smirk. Then the smirk turned to a full, happy smile which she flashed at Sean.
Sean returned the smile. He knew he ought to be worried about their plan to leave the camp, but he didn't know when he'd last been so happy. He thought with the amulet gone, he'd feel bad, feel terrible even, but it felt like a large weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Indeed, he hadn't felt so well in nearly two years.
"I suppose congratulations are in order," Will said.
"We can worry about congratulations after tonight," Janice said, "Then there'll be plenty for all of us."
"Speaking of tonight," Sean said, "We need to go."
Will looked uneasy. "Are you sure about this, Sean?"
Sean nodded. "We can do this, Will. The dungeons were a lot worse."
"Alright," Will said.
Sean and Janice slipped away. He led them through the camp, nodding at a few people as they went. They were holding hands, and Sean winked at one of the soldiers and jerked his head at Janice.
The soldier nodded back his understanding and gave Sean a thumbs up. Sean continued along.
The idea to propose had come out of nowhere. He hadn't realized he wanted Janice as a wife until he'd already asked. Then it felt like the most natural thing in the world. He thought about this as they walked. He'd have to get her a ring. Some of the women in Arinford preferred silver earrings to note their engagement, but he didn't think Janice had her ears pierced.
Sean shook his head and forced his mind back to the task at hand.
"Are you alright with this?" Sean asked Janice, "I know it's going to be dangerous -- especially for you."
"I'll be fine," Janice said. She leaned up and gave Sean a quick kiss on the cheek. When they reached the outer ring of the camp, they exchanged a long look and then Janice headed forward on her own.
Sean waited about ten minutes and then rushed back into the camp, "There's soldiers!" he shouted. "They're attacking!"
Immediately, everyone in the camp that could fight reacted. They came rushing at Sean.
"Where?" one man demanded.
"In the trees," Sean said. "I saw them! It looks like a small party."
"I don't see anyone," another soldier said, shielding his eyes and peering forward, "Where?"
Just then, an arrow shot out of the trees and landed at his feet.
"Men, formation!" This came from Rose Kalles, and she quickly gestured at the men to spread out. This time, the arrow that flew through the air missed her face by less than an inch. She steeled herself and drew her sword.
Sean ran past her, back towards Will's tent. "There are men attacking!" he yelled at Will's guards. "Kalles is calling all men! It's a large group!"
One of the guards shook his head, "We're not to leave Prince William," he said, "Not for anything."
"Alright," Sean said, "but if they break through, we're going to be finished. Maybe you should take Will away."
The men exchanged worried, hesitant looks. One of them said, "Maybe we should go help..."
Another nodded fervently.
Sean knew none of them wished to take the prince away from his tent. None of them wanted to be responsible solely for his life.
"How big did you say it was?" another asked Sean.
"About our size," Sean said, "Maybe a bit less."
"Oh," the first soldier said, "We can stop that. Easily. But we should join the fighting. You, stay with Prince William."
Sean nodded.
The men quickly took off at a run, drawing their weapons as they went.
Sean ducked inside Will's tent. "Let's go," he said. He grabbed two of the packs, and Will grabbed the third. Will had already buckled on a long sword, and grabbed an extra bow.
Together, they ducked out and ran. They headed for the tree line, quick as they could. Sean thought he saw an Arinford soldier. The man started to run after them, but they'd already reached the forest.
"Come on," Sean said, "Get the bow ready."
Will nodded, threading an arrow into the bow he'd grabbed. Sean did the same with the one he had been carrying. He wasn't good with a bow, he never had been, but he thought he could make it work for what they needed to do.
They made their way around the camp, using the trees for cover. When they reached where Janice was hiding, they spread out and began firing arrows into the Arinford men.
"They're going to realize it's a diversion soon enough," Sean said, "the men around Will left, just like we thought they would."
Just then, an Arinf
ord soldier broke through the trees, brandishing his sword. Sean ducked back into the cover of bushes he'd been positioned in. Janice and Will did the same.
The soldier looked around comically. "There's nobody here," he shouted back towards the main group. "Not unless they're hiding."
"Shit!" Rose cried out, "The men must be circling around back to go after Prince William!"
She quickly rounded up the men to take back to the other side of the camp. Sean, Will, and Janice stayed where they were for several long minutes, waiting for the soldiers to dissipate.
Once they had, the three grabbed their packs, adjusted their armor, and headed off into the night.
TWENTY-THREE
Upon the Talk
CATHERINE SAT NEXT TO OLIVER, A BALL of fire balanced in her hand.
He stared in wonder at her, "How do you do it?" he asked. Catherine shrugged. "No, really," he said, "It's impressive. How is it done?"
She tilted her head at him, "Have you not heard of manipulation, my dear prince?"
"Of course I have," Oliver said, "I've just never seen it. Terifille does not keep priests. We believe in natural healing."
Catherine shrugged, "A waste," she said, "There's nothing wrong with manipulation. It's simply the extension of one's energy, Oliver. It is a simple thing to do. You focus your emotions, you direct them like an arrow."
She glanced at the fire. It shrank in size, which took a considerable amount of her concentration. When she stopped focusing completely on it, it grew again. She held it there with the back part of her mind, and devoted the front to the conversation.
"Perhaps," Oliver agreed, "It sure is neat."
"I can teach you," Catherine said slyly, "Would you like to learn, love?"
"I would," Oliver admitted. "Though my father may not like it. Then... I suppose soon it won't matter what he wants."
His voice dropped a little and she saw some of the light go out of his eyes. He was still not looking forward to the task she'd given him. Catherine tilted her head, trying to figure out the best way to proceed. He'd yet to bring up the subject again till now.
Revolution (Cartharia Book 2) Page 24
