“Come on,” Rafe had said, suddenly gruff, almost angry. “Let’s get you out of here.”
Lexi knew Rafe was worried about Tiberius. She was, too, but she knew that Rafe was suffering under the knowledge that his best friend was fighting and Rafe wasn’t there to help him. Rafe had been through the city enough times to know his way around by that point. He had kicked his horse into a cantor, and Lexi had followed. She rode the horse easily enough. When she had first stolen the horses from Avondale, she had ridden around the city’s massive walls and felt as if she were about to topple off at any moment. But over time she’d become accustomed to riding, and if anything, riding had become as natural to Lexi as walking.
They spoke very little on their trek through the city. Even Dancer remained quiet, hugging onto Lexi’s grimy neck tightly, as if the little glider was afraid of losing her again. When they were close enough to see the broad plain beyond the city, they swapped horses, and Rafe turned back. Lexi wanted to reassure him, but she felt as if she had betrayed Tiberius, so she remained quiet.
By the time Tiberius and Rafe returned from the city, Lexi had retrieved the last two saddles and had food prepared for everyone. They ate in the saddle, all except for Olyva, who seemed barely able to stay on her horse’s back. They made good time, riding north away from the city but staying close to the mountains.
Just before dark they came to a swiftly flowing river and made camp. Lexi had bathed, scrubbing the vile monster’s odorous slime from her hair and clothes while Rafe and Tiberius gathered scrub brush for a fire. The terrain had changed once again, and while the mountains were still rugged, there were small clumps of vegetation, and the plains beyond were covered in brown grass. The sky was still gray but no longer dark like a thundercloud, and Olyva seemed to improve a little as the afternoon progressed.
Then they had built a small fire, eaten their meager rations, and finally bedded down for the night. Unfortunately, Lexi couldn’t sleep. She sat beside Tiberius, who seemed different somehow. He had told them his story while they rode, and Lexi could tell he was downplaying everything. He was humble, and she admired that, but he was a poor liar. Whenever she asked him a direct question, he gave her generic answers. Lexi was certain the fight with the animals Gunderlyn called on was much more vicious that Tiberius described it, but he downplayed the danger.
He and Rafe had fallen asleep quickly; both men were tired from their efforts to escape the old wizard. Lexi was, too, but she was also guilt-stricken. Tiberius had said nothing about the books or even about the tower’s collapse. He didn’t seem angry or resentful, but Lexi guessed that was because he didn’t know she had foiled his plans.
Eventually she dozed off, and when the sun rose she woke up feeling even worse than the night before. Olyva was usually the first of them to wake up, but that morning she didn’t wake up at all. At first Lexi attributed Olyva’s oversleeping to exhaustion, but when Rafe eventually tried to rouse her, they discovered that something was wrong.
“Lay her out, and let’s make sure she didn’t get hurt,” Tiberius suggested.
Olyva wore a pair of Rafe’s old trousers that some of the Hoskali women had sized down for her. She kept the pant legs rolled up to just below her knees, and her feet were bare. She wore a thin, wool shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the lace-up collar left open. There was no sign that she’d been hurt, no cuts or bruises, but the patches of soft, brown stems that had sprung up in various places over her body seemed brittle. When Rafe touched one patch, the tiny stems snapped, even though he was being gentle.
“Maybe she needs water,” Lexi suggested.
Rafe swallowed his pride and poured water over Lexi’s feet.
“I think she’s sick,” he said. “There’s something wrong with her.”
“Maybe it’s the lack of daylight,” Tiberius suggested. “I know you’re worried about her changing, but she was thriving before the sky turned gray.”
“It’s possible,” Rafe said. “Oh God, we have to do something.”
“We need to get her to someplace sunny,” Tiberius said.
“It would take days to get back to the Hoskali,” Rafe said.
“We should take her up,” Lexi suggested. “We need to try and find Hamill Keep, don’t we? And you said at some point we should go up and look on the top of one of the mountains.”
“No,” Tiberius said. “I said the mountains don’t rise above the mist except in a few rare cases, mostly just the mountaintops of the nine cities.”
“So we look for a mountain whose summit is in the mist and climb,” Lexi said.
“She’s right,” Rafe said. “Maybe some of the healers in Hamill Keep can help her.”
They mounted their horses and rode hard. Rafe kept Olyva with him. She sat facing him, resting on his thighs, her head propped on his shoulder. The day stretched on and on, the mountains seemed never ending, and the temperature grew cooler as the day went on.
“Look!” Tiberius said late in the afternoon. He was pointing to a broad mountain in the distance. “That mountain looks promising.”
Promising was not the word Lexi would have used. The mountain was big and its summit disappeared into the mist, but the mountain was rugged. There were stretches where the mountain seemed to rise straight up. Lexi felt frightened just at at the prospect of scaling such a rugged and treacherous looking mountain.
“You think that’s Hamill Keep?” Rafe asked.
“I know a little about the city,” Tiberius said. “It’s not a very fertile place, and they trade mainly for food.”
“Olyva said it was rugged,” Rafe said.
“It doesn’t get much more rugged than that, does it?” Lexi said.
“It’s probably another day’s ride away,” Tiberius said.
“Then we’ll ride through the night,” Rafe said.
“We’ll need torches.”
They collected anything large enough to be used as a torch until the sun set. Darkness fell suddenly, but Tiberius lit the first of their makeshift firebrands, and they kept moving. Lexi was exhausted, and Dancer slept on her shoulder. Tiberius and Lexi led the horses, while Rafe carried Olyva. He was so determined to help her, and Lexi marveled at his strength. He carried her for hours, and it was well after midnight when they finally stopped.
The torches didn’t burn for very long, and they were down to their last one when they came to a small stream. The terrain around them was rough and dry, but the space on either side of the small stream was lush. The ground was covered in grass, and there were even a few small trees. Rafe laid Olyva down carefully and then immediately fell asleep beside her.
“You’ve seemed preoccupied since we left Devonyr,” Tiberius said softly. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Lexi lied. “I’m just a little shook up, I suppose.”
“That’s understandable,” Tiberius said. “You endured a horrible ordeal, and it’s my fault.”
“How is it your fault? You saved me.”
“No,” Tiberius said bitterly. “None of you wanted to stay there, but I pressed the issue because I was hoping we might find more books on magic. It’s my fault we’re in this mess.”
“If not for you, none of us would have survived even one night away from Avondale,” Lexi argued. “You’re being too hard on yourself.”
“I’m not the man I thought I was,” Tiberius said. “I always criticized my father and brothers for their greed. They only seemed to care about themselves and they demolished anyone who got in the way of something they wanted. Yet I’m just the same.”
“No, you’re not. You have a good heart, Ti. You care about people.”
“I put you all in danger because I was so determined to get what I wanted.”
“You were excited by the prospect of getting something you want — we all are in those circumstances.”
“But I can’t be,” Tiberius said. “Not when other people’s lives are at stake.”
“You didn’t know going into those ruin
s would be dangerous.”
“Of course I did, I just didn’t care. I had a bad feeling about that place, just the same as the rest of you. Yet I insisted on going.”
“But in the end we all survived,” Lexi said. “So don’t beat yourself up about it. Just be glad we’re all together.”
“How can you say that?” Tiberius asked. “You had it worse than anyone.”
“And more than anyone I appreciate that we escaped. That old man was wicked, and everything he touched was vile.”
“I still wish I could have gotten some of the books from his library,” Tiberius said.
Lexi turned away, hoping Tiberius wouldn’t see the look of misery on her face. She busied herself hobbling the horses, who were busy munching the grass along the stream bed.
“Maybe I could have learned something that would help Olyva,” Tiberius went on, oblivious to Lexi’s distress. “I feel awful that I can’t do more for her.”
“She’s going to be okay, and there will be other opportunities for you to learn more about magic. You didn’t need anything that came from that horrible place.”
Lexi almost jumped when Tiberius put his hand on her shoulder. He turned her around, and she placed her head on his chest as he held her.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he whispered.
She was so tired, and being held in his arms felt so good that for a long moment she just let herself enjoy his love and affection.
“We better get some rest, too,” Tiberius said.
Lexi nodded, and they spread a blanket on the grass. It was a chilly night, and they huddled together for warmth. It seemed to Lexi as if she had just closed her eyes when the sun rose and the gray mist filled the little valley they were camped in with light.
“Let’s go,” Rafe said with determination.
“I’m staying here with the horses,” Lexi said. “They’ll just slow you down, and they can’t make the climb up.”
“Then we should leave them here and all go up,” Tiberius said.
“Ti,” Lexi argued, hoping he wouldn’t see her true reasons for wanting to stay, “the horses won’t be here if I don’t stay with them — you know that. What if something tries to eat them?”
“Anything large enough to eat a horse is something I don’t want you anywhere near,” Tiberius said.
“Keep a fire going,” Rafe said. “That’ll keep the animals at bay.”
“You think this is a good idea?” Tiberius said.
“I think it’s practical,” Rafe explained. “I don’t like it, but I don’t like any of this. We have to get Olyva up that mountain, and Lexi is right. The horses won’t make it.”
“So, we won’t need horses once we get to Hamill Keep,” Tiberius argued.
“We can’t be sure that’s the Keep,” Rafe said. “If it is, I’ll come back for her myself.”
“It’s the best plan, Tiberius,” Lexi insisted. “Don’t worry about me. I can look out for myself, and besides, Dancer won’t let anything bad happen to me. Will you, girl?”
The wind glider trilled and hopped up and down on Lexi’s shoulder.
“See, I’ll be fine. Go, take care of Olyva.”
“You’re sure?” Tiberius asked.
“Positive,” Lexi replied.
“All right,” Tiberius said with a sigh. “Let’s go.”
Lexi watched them both jump over the stream and begin hiking away. Tiberius with his staff looked so sure of himself. Lexi felt a surge of affection for him, then they disappeared behind a hill, and Lexi was left alone. She hadn’t felt scared when she woke up or even when they were traveling through the night with only a sputtering torch to light their way. But now, even in the daylight, she felt a sense of isolation she’d never experienced before. Growing up on the streets of Avondale, she didn’t have a family to depend on, and she had spent many lonely nights wishing her life were different. But even then she knew there were people all around her, in houses and inns, some walking the streets, others plying their trades.
Now she was truly alone, with no idea where or even if there were any other people for miles and miles. That truth weighed heavily on her thin shoulders, but there was nothing she could do about it.
The true reason she stayed behind was not simply because of the horses. If she was being honest, being near Tiberius after she had gone behind his back to destroy the old wizard’s tower made her feel awful. Lexi had always feared being betrayed and had kept the people around her at arm’s length to avoid the possibility of being hurt. Tiberius was the only person she had ever allowed herself to open up with, and now she had betrayed him. She was tired of trying to pretend everything was okay when in fact she was full of self-loathing. So she had stayed behind, and once she saw to the horses, gathered firewood, and sent Dancer flying high into the air to scout for any signs of danger, she broke down and cried. By midday there was nothing left for her to do but wait and worry.
Chapter 25
Leonosis
The wedding was a subdued affair. The earls had gone back to their quarters, and no one seemed to realize anything had changed. The courtiers and high-ranking city officials thought the timing of the wedding was in bad taste, while the king’s military officers found the entire marriage suspect. But while many questioned the marriage in secret, there was no evidence to point to foul play, so the wedding proceeded without interruption.
Leonosis’ mother, the Countess Wendolyn, and his brother Brutas arrived. Leonosis was forced to watch as Draggah bullied them. Neither expected anything less from Leonosis, especially now that he was marrying into the royal family, but Leonosis for the first time in his life felt sorry for both of them. He had never cared when he mistreated his family (or anyone else for that matter), but to see someone else do it — and in his body no less — made him feel dirty and ashamed.
The day of the wedding dawned bright, and Leonosis was dressed in the graypee armor that was made from the skins of the beasts that Tiberius and Rafe had slain. Leonosis had taken credit for the kills, spreading the lie that he had saved Rafe from the graypees and killed two of the legendary creatures in the process. The earl’s tanner had worked diligently for weeks tanning and shaping the exceptionally hard leather. It fit Leonosis perfectly, and to it he added a long fur-lined cloak, his sword, and a golden torc around his neck.
“You look like a king,” Brutas said.
“Good,” Draggah replied. “That is the point.”
“How did you do it?” Brutas said in a whisper. “The princess wouldn’t give you a second glance in Avondale.”
“Things change.”
“They do indeed,” Brutas said. “Especially when you have a little leverage.”
“Dear brother, are you implying that I have somehow forced myself into this position?”
“I’m just saying what everyone is thinking.”
“That’s absurd,” Draggah said.
“Hey, a little dirt on the princess — or maybe on King Aethel himself — would be enough to get you what you want. It isn’t as if we marry for love,” he smirked. “Not that I wouldn’t mind a little taste of royal—”
Draggah struck out so fast Brutas never saw the blow coming. Leonosis was a healthy young man, but not overly strong. Draggah’s presence increased that strength exponentially, and Brutas was sent sprawling across the room. Leonosis watched, helpless to stop the evil spirit that controlled him from beating his brother senseless.
Anger and then fear crossed Brutas’ face as he scrambled back across the floor. He spit blood and then a tooth before Draggah grabbed him roughly from the floor and slammed him hard into the wall. Leonosis saw Brutas’ head thump against the stone, and even though Leonosis was little more than a spectator, he winced just the same.
“Do not think, dear brother, that you can possess anything that is mine,” Draggah said. “Is that abundantly clear?”
“Y-y-yes,” Brutas said.
“Good, now clean yourself up. I don’t want you
looking like you were brawling in a tavern like a misguided peasant.”
“Su-sure,” Brutas said.
Leonosis watched him go, and Draggah laughed. The demon could feel Leonosis’ distress, and that, more than anything, made the demon happy. The vile creature feasted on pain and thrived on misery.
“You do not approve?” Draggah spoke directly into Leonosis’ mind.
“You know how I feel,” Leonosis said.
“Yes, of course I do.” Draggah laughed. “And I shall enjoy watching you squirm as I make your brother one of my own.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Leonosis said, almost in a panic.
“Ah, but that is where you are wrong, you pathetic lump of filth. Once we take the crown, your brother will be made Earl of Avondale in your place. Then once I have command of all nine cities, there will be no one to stop me from scouring this accursed world until I have what is mine.”
Leonosis had no idea what the demon was referring to, but he knew better than to question Draggah. The foul spirit knew his every thought anyway and rarely ever shared the details of his plans.
A servant knocked at the door.
“Come,” Draggah said, straightening the cloak that hung from his shoulders.
“My lord,” said a manservant. “It is time.”
“Yes, indeed,” Draggah said.
They walked out of the suite of rooms and down to the king’s feasting hall. The tables had been cleared out, and now the entire room was filled with guests. The decorations were lavish, and the smell of food from the nearby kitchens was enticing. Many of the spectators already held cups of ale or goblets of wine. Draggah had insisted Princess Ariel use the castle’s most desirable food and spirits. Trumpets announced Leonosis’ arrival in the hall, and the crowd parted as he strode up to the elevated platform where the royal family dined. That table had also been replaced by a thick red carpet and an archway covered in colorful flowers.
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