I looked at her frightened little face, puzzled by what she meant. She rephrased her question, “What will they make me do?”
That question cut me deeply. I will not let anything happen to this poor child. “Kira, I have friends looking for me.” I whispered. “We will get out of here. You have no need to worry about being a slave. I promise.” I looked into her stricken eyes. This was a promise that I made with all my being. A smile of hope lit her face.
Just then the hatch at the front of the ship opened and a large man made his way down the ladder. He had a whip in one hand. He shouted at us, snapping the whip in the air. “Stand up you fools. Time to see what we have here before we dock.”
There were three young men chained with us, maybe about my age or a little older. Two looked to be related — brothers, perhaps. The rest of us were women and children. The large man strode down the walkway connecting the butt of his whip with those who didn’t rise fast enough. Cries of pain and fear echoed in the hull. Kira had trouble as she tried to stand up. I realized too late that she had an injured ankle. The man came up to her and raised his whip to beat her — as if that would help her get to her feet faster. Instinctively, I moved in front of her. With my chains I stopped his downward motion. If I had been free, I would have followed through and taken him to the ground, possibly sending him to his ancestors. What kind of animal was he to treat this child in such a way?
His face went livid. I knew he was furious that I dared stop his hand from beating Kira. He turned on me with murder in his eyes, thinking, I’m sure, that he would finish me off. I was ready for him, but before he struck, another man shouted at him as he descended the ladder.
“Don’t touch that one!” he boomed. “Hands off of her. She is a special gift for Lord Gerik from Lady Kalonice and her mother. You know he does not accept damaged goods.”
With an evil grin, he looked me up and down. “You’re looking a little tired, Amáne. Perhaps you danced a bit too much at the ball?”
My stomach turned. A chill went up my spine. This man was the same whom I had seen with Kalonice and her mother as I stood with Ansel the night before.
I lifted myself to my full height, which of course was not daunting, but it helped with my confidence to face this monster.
“I will be no one’s slave.” I almost growled as my eyes bore into his, my teeth clenched. He stood before me, fuming at my defiance. His hand raised as if to strike. I didn’t flinch. The man’s face turned purple with rage. He had no choice but to follow his own orders. With a noticeable effort, he lowered his hand, turned and stomped back to ascend the ladder. The whip man followed. I slowly released my breath. A collective sigh of relief resounded as the prisoners sat back down.
I turned my thoughts back to my dragon. “Eshshah, what about Lali? Is she all right?”
“She’ll be fine. The Healer treated her wounds — I heard they beat her quite badly.”
“What trouble I cause to everyone that I care about, Eshshah.”
“Amáne, this is none of your doing.”
Facing Kira, I asked to see her ankle.
“I tried to run from them, and I fell. Then they caught me.” Tears filled her eyes.
I asked Eshshah for her help as I placed my hands on Kira’s injury and hummed low. The heat radiated through my hands and soon I could see by her face that her pain was relieved. The swelling subsided. She looked at me with wonder. I explained to her that I worked with a healer. She and my friend Eshshah had taught me a lot. It was only because of them that I had been able to help her. By myself, I couldn’t have done so.
Darkness finally fell and Eshshah and Gallen took flight. Not knowing which direction the slave ship sailed, they first headed north. But we could feel the distance increase, so they turned and headed south. My spirit lightened the closer they came.
At last Eshshah announced, “I can see your ship, Amáne. It’s reached the harbor and will arrive at the docks shortly.”
The man with the whip returned and shouted, “As soon as we dock you’ll get your sorry hides up to the deck, and be quick about it.” With a wicked smile he cracked his whip. “I’ll be happy to help you should you need it.” The crack echoed like thunder in the hull. “There’ll be a wagon waiting to haul you to your new owners. If you’re not on it when it’s ready to leave, then you’ll be dragged behind it. No exceptions.” He glared at me.
As soon as we docked, we were herded up the ladder. The captives at the front of the line were weighted down by those of us behind. The last of us were hard put to stay on our feet — painfully yanked ahead by the chains. The children could not keep up. They suffered. I ached for them. I kept Kira on her feet and practically carried her up the ladder while trying to help the lady who brought up the rear. The man with the whip followed close behind, cracking it repeatedly as he rushed us out of the belly of the ship, across the deck and over the gang plank to the wagon. I tried to shield Kira from his stinging lashes. I was caught several times by its cutting leather thongs. The whip man made sure the slave trader didn’t catch him each time his whip tore into me.
Pulling the lady behind me, I shoved her onto the wagon. I leaped on last just as the driver shook the reins. It could not hold one more person. We were surrounded on four sides by wooden bars that rose about three hands width above my head — like a cage, but without a top. The man closed the gate behind me and locked it as the wagon began to move. There were two drivers with bows and swords up front, and two armed horsemen behind us as we left the docks and started up a lonely road.
Eshshah kept me abreast of the plan for my rescue. The first part had begun. She dropped Gallen off at a bend in the road up ahead — a perfect place for an ambush. Then she flew out over the ocean outside of the harbor. I followed her in thought transference as she banked and headed back toward the slave ship. Folding her wings, Eshshah made a silent dive at the mouth of the harbor. She swam under water to the vessel. I didn’t think the crew had enough time to complete their final duties in docking their ship. Coming up under it, Eshshah used her nose as a battering ram. The huge timbers of the hull were crushed like twigs, splintering at her impact. It creaked and groaned as it took on water. In no time, the ship upended and was swallowed by the dark waters, taking part of the dock with it as well as whomever had not escaped. Eshshah swam back toward the harbor entry and exploded out of the water.
Keeping the expression off my face, I celebrated her success. That ship will never bear another captive to slavery. She flew to a spot near the ambush site to work with Gallen and myself for our timing on the next part of the plan.
I was thankful that only a small sliver of light leaked from the moon. Both Gallen and I had perfect night vision, but the guards were not so privileged. They wouldn’t be aware of my actions as I pulled out Aperio’s key, which I always carried around my neck. I worked to unlock my irons. It was no easy feat as I had to bend my wrist at an unnatural angle against the metal that cut into me. I guided the key into the lock, and just managed to release my shackles before we arrived at the spot where Gallen hid. Without a sound, I lowered them to the floor of the wagon, and awaited the signal from Gallen and Eshshah.
As we rounded the bend, I heard two successive swishes. Gallen’s arrows quickly and accurately found their marks. The drivers slumped in their seat.
Before the remaining two guards on horseback realized what had happened, I’d already leapt the wall of the cage. In mid-air I caught my glaive that Gallen tossed. My feet barely touched the ground when I ran my blade through the guard closest to me. He dropped from his horse with a heavy thud and a loud exhale as the air left his chest.
The second guard, now alarmed, drew his sword and swung. I ducked just in time. Fighting me from horseback was to his advantage. But my small stature, as well as my gender, helped me a bit — if only to give him a false sense of dominance. I sprung back, out of his range. With a confident air, the guard leaped off of his horse to face me on foot, just as an arrow zipped by
, digging a gash in his cheek. The man placed himself between the horse and Gallen, rendering the next arrows useless. I heard Gallen draw his sword and rush to my assistance.
Avoiding the frightened horse, I charged to face the guard. I thrust my glaive at him. He parried. I blocked his next series of strikes before I was able to jam and trap his sword, bringing us in close together. I could feel his hot vile breath on my face. He tried to use his weight to push me backwards. My silk gown made fighting difficult. Before he got the upper hand, I brought my knee up hard and fast into his crotch. My foot raked his unarmored shins and came down hard on the top of his foot. I leaped to the right as he doubled over in agony. At that moment Gallen arrived and executed the finishing stroke.
“May they rest with their ancestors,” I whispered for all four men.
Gallen closed the gap between us. He took me in his arms and held me tightly in a fatherly embrace. Tears streamed down my face. I couldn’t hide my sobs. My rescue was a success.
I unlocked the back part of the wagon and let my frightened companions out of the cage. Gallen disappeared for a moment as I used Aperio’s key to release the prisoners from their irons. Amid tears and sighs of relief and an endless stream of thank you’s, they were all set free. Gallen returned with several skins of water and a large bag that he opened to reveal bread and fruit. The ravenous group rushed toward the food in a free-for-all. A large woman stepped up and demanded order. She took charge as she methodically distributed the provisions. Kira came up to me and handed me a piece of her bread. With a smile and a nod of appreciation, I tore into it with as much voracity as the rest of the group. Gallen eyed us with pity.
Gallen and I gathered up the weapons from the guards, and handed one of the swords to the woman who had taken charge. She looked to me quite capable of wielding one. The other two swords were given to the two brothers. The bows and daggers we confiscated were distributed to the other male and to the women that looked well enough to use them.
I handed a dagger to Kira and said, “Take this and learn how to use it.”
Suppressing my urge to vomit, we searched the guards’ bodies and removed any coins they had on them. I pulled some jewels off of the sleeves of my gown that were threatening to detach and handed them to the woman with the sword.
“Use these coins and jewels and the horses to trade for safe passage back to your homes. We haven’t come too far from the harbor and I’m sure you can negotiate with a ship to get you all back safely. Please take special care of Kira and see that she is delivered to her mother.”
The woman nodded and promised that I need not worry about her as she would personally escort her to her home. She drew Kira to her side. I knew she meant it.
Leaving the woman’s grasp, Kira ran to me and wrapped her arms around me. “Won’t you be coming with us?”
“No, Kira, I have another direction I must go.”
She squeezed me tighter. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Maybe we can meet again?” Somehow she knew not to ask anything else of me.
“I would like that.” I held her a few more minutes, kissed her forehead, then released her as Gallen and I turned to make our way to Eshshah. I wiped my tears with the back of my sleeve as we left.
Gallen and I wasted no time, sprinting to where Eshshah waited. I held her fangs and pressed my forehead against her nose for several moments. I kissed her and looked into her golden eyes.
“I don’t ever want us to be separated like that again.” I cried.
“Me either, Amáne.” If dragons could cry, that’s what I would have expected to see.
Exhausted, all I could think of was to get this blood, dirt and stink off of me. I mounted the double saddle and locked wrists with Gallen as he swung up behind me. He handed me a helmet and a cloak as I gave the word and Eshshah took to wing.
The flight was fast and silent and the sky was just hinting of dawn when I at last spotted the field at the Arevale Outpost. I could see several horses and riders waiting for us. Eshshah had let the Healer know when we got closer to our destination and it seemed that quite a few had come to meet us. As we approached I saw the Healer, Calder, Avano, Braonàn, Dorjan and — Ansel.
My heart beat fast and loud as I spotted him. I was taken aback as a powerful yearning washed over me — a desperation to feel his comforting embrace. I needed him with an urgency that frightened me. Only he could lessen my terror. But I also needed to stay strong. Hold my ground at least until he approved our quest — if that was even possible.
The Riders Council had, of course, been postponed since it was supposed to have happened yesterday. Gallen said if I were up to it, the riders had agreed to convene this afternoon. This was fine with me. I wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. My hope was to get back to the manor, soak this filth off of me and get some rest before we gathered. I needed my mind to be clear in order to assist the Healer, Gallen, Dorjan and Bern in proposing our plan to procure the dragon egg — the quest for which I had been waiting for such a long time.
Eshshah barely folded her wings when Ansel rushed up to us. Gallen leaped down. I had just lowered myself to Eshshah’s foreleg when Ansel, after a heartfelt greeting to Eshshah, snatched me off and wrapped me in an anguished embrace. He buried his face in my neck. I didn’t fight it, but leaned my forehead against his chest, as I inhaled his scent, and let his warmth flow over me.
“Amáne, I am so sorry,” he whispered.
“Ansel, please, don’t apologize. This wasn’t your fault.” I was too weary. I wanted nothing more than to forget it all and stand there silently in his arms for a few more minutes — no matter that it went against my own rules. The Healer, along with the other riders, stood their distance, giving Ansel the time he needed.
He pulled away to take in my face. Finding the bloody welts from the whip that had bitten into my cheek, he gently put his finger on them and emitted a soft groan.
“I’m fine now, Ansel. Please don’t torture yourself ... truly, I’m fine.”
I started to push away so he wouldn’t have to suffer any more in discovering my additional injuries. Before I could release myself from his hold, he tilted my head back and without hesitation, placed his lips gently on mine. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer. I needed his attentions, his warmth for just a bit longer. Finally, with no small amount effort I managed to pull back, my heart thundered in my chest. I hoped the riders couldn’t hear it.
“Ansel, please, we —” Defiantly, he kissed me once more before he released me.
He stepped back and regarded my appearance.
“Truthfully,” I smiled, “I think my beautiful silk gown has seen happier times.” Finding no humor in my attempt, he gently took my forearms, pulled back my tattered sleeves and studied the gashes on my wrists. He well knew the feeling of being locked in manacles. His torment over my wounds was more than I could bear.
“So ... they’ll probably leave scars, don’t you think?” I offered.
He met my eyes. A corner of his mouth lifted in a faint smile — if only for my benefit. He shook his head and looked at me in wonder.
“Ride back with me,” he entreated.
I couldn’t decide if it was an order or a desperate plea.
“You brought an extra horse for me, didn’t you?”
“Please, Amáne.”
How could I turn him down? I nodded, but wished he wouldn’t have asked. I stepped away and headed toward the other riders.
They saluted me and I returned the gesture. The Healer wrapped her arms around me gently, uncertain of how badly I was hurt. She stepped back and searched my eyes to assess my condition. Satisfied, she released me. I graciously excused myself to take care of Eshshah. Her saddle was still wet from her underwater maneuver in sinking the slave ship. All riders know that their dragon is their first priority.
“I’ll go with you to help with the saddle.” Ansel said.
“Thank you, Ansel,” I said gently, “but I really need a few m
inutes alone with her. I’m sorry.”
A recognition came to his eyes. Yet once more he gave in to my stubborn insistence in declining his attentions.
Eshshah and I flew into the entry cavern of the outpost. I dismounted and rushed to my dragon’s face. Leaning into her, I let my tears flow — just between her and me. They were tears of release, tears of frustration and tears of happiness that we were together.
We made our way to the library where I began to unsaddle her. It was a task that proved to be more difficult than I had anticipated. I should probably have accepted Ansel’s help. The saddle was the heavy double one, made even heavier in its waterlogged state. I loosened the straps and the additional weight caused it to slip in my direction. It barely missed me as it crashed to the ground. How ironic would that have been, I mused, for me to see my end because of a saddle after what I had just been through?
After spending a few more minutes in silence with Eshshah, I proceeded to the bathing room. Wetting a cloth, I held it against my face and tried to steady my breathing. I washed the blood and grime off my hands as I stared at my disheveled reflection in the glass. Not wanting to keep the riders and Ansel waiting any longer, I took a deep breath, left the bathing room and met Eshshah in the entry. I mounted bareback and we flew back to the clearing.
Ansel and I argued whether I would sit behind him or in front, but he acquiesced to my demand to sit behind. After he mounted, Gallen gave me a leg up and I settled behind Ansel. I was so exhausted and sore that, in truth, I would have been much more comfortable on my own horse. But it would have been cruel of me if I chose not to ride with him.
When we arrived at Trivingar Manor, I slipped off the back of the horse and planned to rush inside, but Ansel followed after me.
“Amáne, I need to speak with you.”
“Yes?” My heart sank. I didn’t like the look on his face, and dreaded what he might say. I wasn’t ready to confront him just yet, but I had a good idea what was on his mind.
Amáne of Teravinea - The Prophecy (The Teravinea Series Book 2) Page 12
