Chain of Illusions (Bringer and the Bane)

by Brux, Boone

  The old man blustered what sounded like another denial, but he didn’t actually form the words.

  Quiet conversation flowed between the riders as their course wound downward toward the city gates. For Siban, the feel of the morning was anything but foul. Though later they would journey on to the Frost Lands and no doubt danger, today they traveled toward Rell’s family and his and Rell’s wedding.

  She glanced at him and smiled, as if sensing his mood. Her expression mirrored his. Within the next two days they would be wed, barring any unforeseen interruptions.

  The line exiting the city was sparse, but already travelers from the surrounding villages were pouring into Alba. Beggars had already claimed their spots along the wall. Dirty children squatted, sleepy-eyed and yawning. Normally they swarmed the travelers, begging for coin, but in this early hour the children were just waking up.

  A man in rags sitting with a woven basket gave a weak wave to Malachi when he passed. The monk returned his greeting and then turned his attention forward, toward the mountains. A sense of self-importance rolled from Malachi. Perhaps now that the Bringers had brought him into the fold, the monk finally felt like he had a purpose in life. Siban thought about the man’s life. Each day he’d stood at the city gates, predicting the world’s doom, and each day he had been treated as an old man who had gone insane. Now that the Bringers had given his prophecy credence, Malachi’s behavior had become less erratic.

  Outside the city walls the land opened to an expansive and barren plain. Ruts cut deep into the hard packed earth from the constant flow in and out of the city. People carried baskets strapped to their backs, their wares piled high inside. Brightly painted wagons rumbled past them. Some were completely enclosed like those of the nomadic Splinters. Some were two wheeled and open, being pulled by their owners.

  They traveled across the plains and entered the pass. Narrow walls surrounded them and the group thinned to a single-file line. The air grew cooler than out on the plains but the mountain blocked the wind. Slender waterfalls plummeted from above the rise and splashed onto flat slabs of slate at the base, causing a fine mist to hover within the pass. More wagons and people on foot passed them on their way to Alba. It looked like it would be another busy day at the market.

  At the top of the pass the ground leveled out. A river ran along the trail and when the sun shone high in the sky the party stopped to partake of provisions Nattie had packed for the journey. Siban found a spot near the river for him and Rell. Most of the party joined them, letting the horses drink and graze while they ate.

  “I can see no matter where we stay, we’ll not go hungry.” Rell pulled chicken wrapped in an oil cloth from her pack. “How Nattie stays so thin is a mystery.”

  Siban reached for a chicken leg. “She too busy ordering everybody else around to eat.”

  Rell added several chunks of hard cheese and a half a loaf of round bread to their pile. “It looks as if she’s given each of us a feast.”

  Jade plopped down beside her and flinched. “I’ll never get used to riding. Good old-fashioned walking is what I prefer.” She began rifling through her own pack. “I’m starving.”

  “How long until we get to the inn?” Meran dropped her pack next to Siban and squatted. “Is it much farther?”

  “A few more hours.”

  “Thank the Saints!” A loud groan squeezed from Malachi when he lowered his round body to the ground. “I’ve not ridden Penelope this much in years. Though she does appear to be faring better than I.”

  “I promise you’ll have a comfortable bed when we arrive at Dragon’s Head, Brother.” Rhys knelt by the river and washed his hands before joining them. “It’s the finest inn north of Alba.”

  “I’m a bit nervous.” Jade took a bite of bread and chewed.

  “Me, too.” Despite Rell’s outward calm, Siban could sense her trepidation about meeting their new and numerous family members. “There’s just so many of them.”

  “You’ll love every one of them,” Ravyn said.

  Jade swallowed. “What are they like?”

  A grin spread across Ravyn’s mouth. “They are very exuberant.”

  Rell frowned. “That’s not very reassuring.”

  “Once you’ve met them you’ll wonder why you were ever nervous.” Ravyn pulled a chicken wing apart. “Then you’ll never want to leave the inn. It’s a magical place.”

  Siban looked at Willa’s daughters. “Rhys has only spoken well of your family. I’m sure they’ll welcome you with open arms.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Jade said, and then took another bite of bread.

  From that point on they spoke of lighthearted things, each seeming to only focus on the positive and not weigh down the first part of their journey with foreboding and the what-ifs of what awaited them at the Frost Lands. The small reprieve from doom was welcomed by Siban. He’d rather live in the present and focus on the good things around him.

  After packing up their meal, and a joint effort to reseat Malachi on his donkey, they mounted the horses and continued on their trek. The sound of the sea grew louder, its roar their constant companion until they exited the trees onto rolling plains. The sea stretched out to their right, its undulating water crashing against the shore in a continuous assault of waves.

  Small rocks and boulders lay strewn over the open plains but the trail was clear. On the other side of the grasslands they entered a forest. About a hundred yards in, the taint of Bane prickled against Siban’s skin.

  Rhys pulled the line to a stop, twisted in his saddle, and directed his question at Siban and Rell. “Friend or foe?”

  The familiar sensation signaled Icarus’s presence, but Siban turned to Rell to confirm his guess.

  “I believe its Icarus.” She paused. “But we should make sure.”

  Rhys nodded.

  “Call to him,” Siban said.

  Rell cleared her throat. “Icarus?”

  A second later the heavy down stroke of wings sounded and Icarus landed on the trail in front of them. The horses reared and instantly Siban sent his Tell out to encompass the riders, and soothe the animals. The horses calmed.

  “We wanted to make sure it was you who followed us and not another Bane,” she said.

  “You have not been followed.” His muscular body blocked their path. “I’ve not felt another Bane from the time I left the area Faela.”

  The thought that no demons followed them delighted Siban, yet made him uneasy. For the last month the Bane had seemed to be growing bolder. Why limit their activity now? Since they were moving north, surely their party should be encountering more demons. For the first time having Icarus near gave him comfort.

  “We journey as far as the Dragon’s Head Inn today,” Gregory said. “Be warned, the area around the inn is warded. I wouldn’t want to see you injured by attempting to approach.”

  Icarus tipped his head. “Your concern is touching, brother.”

  Siban couldn’t tell if the demon spoke truthfully or was being facetious. He glanced at Rell. A trace of a smile played around her lips. Siban relaxed slightly, trusting her mood to be an accurate indicator of the situation.

  “I will be near.” Icarus flared his wings. “If you need me.”

  With a graceful leap, he launched himself into the air and disappeared above the canopy of the trees. Siban hoped, for all their sakes, that Icarus had their best interests in mind.

  …

  The rest of their journey was pleasant and uneventful. Near sundown they rounded a bend and were greeted by a myriad of smells and sounds.

  Ravyn turned to Rell. “The inn.”

  The smells from the cooking fire and the evening meal blended with shouts and laughter, bringing with it a comfort she’d not felt for thirteen years. A flutter of excitement skittered through Rell and her palms began to sweat despite the cool, late-afternoon air. In a few minutes she would meet her mother’s new family.

  She glanced at Jade, who sat with a stiff spine in he
r saddle. More than ever, Rell was grateful for her sister. They’d been through so much together and now, when they were about to meet their half brothers and sisters, their connection only felt stronger. No matter what, she and Jade were Bowen and Willa’s daughters. No matter what, they would always stand united.

  More shouts erupted when they rode into the courtyard of the inn. Rell’s eyes widened as a mob of redheaded children ran toward them. Geoffrey sat on the porch, having successfully delivered the message of their arrival.

  “Bless the Saints,” Jade said. “There are so many of them.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Rell pulled her mare to a stop and slowly dismounted.

  Siban moved to stand beside her, his presence giving her strength during what was turning out to be a nerve-racking event. Then Willa was there, exiting the front door of the inn and running toward them. Rell and Jade walked forward, their pace picking up as they closed the distance toward their mother.

  She wrapped them in a ferocious hug and laid kisses against first Rell’s temple and then Jade’s. “I can scarce believe you’re here.” Releasing them, she took a step back and beamed at them. “I’ve been near sick with worry about all of you, but when Geoffrey arrived early this morning and told us the wonderful news, I thought I’d burst with happiness.”

  “We are just as happy to be here.”

  The butterflies in Rell’s stomach eased a bit. Ravyn was right; her new family was more welcoming than she could have imagined.

  A short, round man, with a ring of red hair waddled toward them. “Welcome, welcome.”

  Surely this was not Orvis, the man who had fathered ten children and made her mother fall in love with him? Rell slid a questioning glance to first Jade, then Willa.

  Through tight lips her mother whispered, “Orvis.”

  “That’s Orvis?” Jade asked, echoing Rell’s thoughts.

  “That, my daughters, is Orvis.” Laughter tinkled from Willa. “He is the complete opposite of your father, but bless his heart, the man is everything I need.”

  After embracing Rhys and exchanging greetings, Orvis sidled to where they stood. “Let me see.” He pointed at Jade. “You favor your mother, so you must be Jade, and that makes you Esmeralda.”

  “Correct—sir.” Rell wasn’t sure what she was supposed to call him. He wasn’t their father, and yet Orvis felt too familiar. She floundered for appropriate conversation. “Your inn is lovely.”

  “Please, call me Orvis. After all, we’re family.” He rested his hands on top of his ample belly and smiled. “Come, you must meet the rest of our clan.”

  Willa looped her arms through her elder daughters’, guiding them toward the horde that had gathered around the party and were lobbing one question after another at the group.

  “Line up,” Orvis barked. Instantly the children fell into a vague semblance of a line, each one wearing a large grin. “Starting from the oldest to youngest—this is Willie.”

  A ginger-haired young man gave a quick bow.

  “Elizabeth is my oldest daughter.” Orvis stopped and gave them a sheepish grin. “Besides you two, of course.”

  “Of course,” Jade said with a quick nod.

  Though Orvis was their stepfather, Rell didn’t know how she felt about him calling her his daughter. Somehow it felt disrespectful to her real father. She let the comment go and refocused on his introductions.

  “Mary, Matilda, Maxwell, Genevieve, Jamie, Gareth, Audra, and finally, little Sarah.”

  In succession, each child either bowed or curtsied. At the end of Orvis’s introduction, they all stood staring, as if waiting for her to say something.

  “It is so wonderful to finally meet you,” Jade said, thankfully taking the lead. “Mother, you didn’t tell me how handsome they all were.”

  The line of children giggled and preened at Jade’s pretty words.

  Rell struggled for something clever to say, but nothing brilliant came to her. “I agree, you are all fine-looking young men and women. How lucky we are to have you as brothers and sisters.”

  The words felt awkward to say. It had only been a few weeks since she’d gained her humanity back. Sweet words still didn’t come naturally to her. Hopefully, in time, some of the old Esmeralda would return. Being around this group she would be forced to talk and be kind, whether she wanted to or not.

  “Come inside for refreshments.” Orvis held his arms wide. “The entire inn is at your disposal.”

  Willa guided them forward. “Once he heard about the wedding, Orvis kicked everybody out.”

  “He didn’t have to do that for us.”

  “Yes he did.” Her mother gave her arm a squeeze. “Tomorrow’s wedding ceremony will be a family affair. No uninvited guests welcome.”

  “Tomorrow?” Rell pulled Willa and Jade to a stop. “So soon?”

  “It is my understanding that you’ll be traveling north as soon as possible.” Willa started forward again, tugging Rell with her. “By the Saints, you will have your wedding.”

  “Yes, I guess you’re right.” She didn’t want to hold up the party, but the idea of getting married tomorrow sent her stomach into a riot of nausea inducing tumbles. “Is that enough time?”

  “We’ve been planning the event since I got back. The girls are giddy with excitement and Geoffrey delivered your dress safe and sound. All we needed were the bride and groom, and here you are.”

  “Yes, here we are.” Rell glanced at Siban, who looked as uncomfortable as she was.

  “It will be wonderful. I promise,” Willa said.

  Four of the children gathered the reins of their horses and led them away. Obviously it was a task they’d done quite often. Sampson went willingly, leading more than being led by the oldest boy.

  Inside, the group was swept into the great room and seated at the tables near the hearth. Food and drinks began arriving almost instantly. Siban took a place near Rell at the table, his usual spot at her side had been usurped by the youngest of the girls. She gave him an apologetic smile, but he seemed highly amused by the situation.

  Sarah and Audra sat on either side of Rell, pelting her with questions about her wedding. Though Rell’s answers were short and to the point, the girls seemed not to notice. And if she didn’t explain something in enough detail, the children would simply rephrase their question and ask it again.

  They beamed at her as if she was the most amazing thing they’d seen in their lifetime. After several minutes of their interrogation, Rell began to relax. The two girls were sweet and open. Their immediate acceptance of her melted any remaining doubts she had about her new family.

  Laughter echoed through the room as the other children entertained the rest of the Bringers with their questions and stories. While the children were there, talk revolved around issues that didn’t involve their journey north or the battle brewing between the Bringers and Vile. When only Willie and Mary remained and the other children had toddled off to bed, their discussion turned to more serious matters.

  Gregory told of their journey into the Shadow World, leaving out the part of Icarus being nearby, and when he finished with his tale, nobody spoke for a long time. Even though she had experienced it for herself, hearing their trials again made Rell tired.

  “Well that, Sir Gregory, is quite a story.” Orvis leaned back in his chair. “I, for one, will say an extra prayer of thanks for your safe return.”

  “Hear, hear,” Willa said. “I only wish this brewing trouble would go away.”

  “We will do our best to make that happen,” Rhys said.

  “Hopefully not at the expense of any of your lives.” Willa looked at her daughters. “I’ve only just gotten my family back.”

  Orvis placed his hand on top of hers. “We’ll not lose them so easily.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “They are Bringers and your and Bowen’s daughters. They’re made of strong stuff.”

  “I know what you say is true, but I’m their mother. I can’t help but worry.”

  �
�We’ll be all right.” Jade looked around the group. “There is none finer than these people. If any can vanquish Vile, it is them.”

  “Us,” Luc corrected.

  “Yes,” Rell said. “We will vanquish him. We’ve already done so much in such a short time and all of us have so much to fight for now.”

  A murmur of agreement rippled through the group.

  “We will do what we can here,” Willie said. “You can count on us.”

  “Indeed we will,” Orvis nodded. “Indeed we will.”

  Rell yawned at the same time Ravyn did.

  “It appears our guests grow weary.” Orvis rocked forward and stood. “Come, I’ll show you to your rooms. The entire upstairs has been prepared for you.”

  Rell sent up a prayer of thanks. All she wanted was to undress, wash, and crawl into bed next to Siban. He obviously had the same idea from the way he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled him to her. She went willingly and laid her head against his shoulder.

  “Oh, no you don’t,” Willa said, tugging Rell free from his grasp. “The bride and the groom are not to see each other on their wedding day.”

  “It’s not our wedding day yet.” Siban reached for Rell, but Willa laughed and pulled her away from his reach.

  “If you sleep in the same room, you will wake and see her in the morning.” Willa gripped Rell’s arms and marched her toward a door near the hearth. “You will sleep upstairs, and she will sleep down here, where I can make sure you leave her alone.”

  Siban groaned. “I find that fiercely unfair.”

  The rest of the group laughed. Luc slapped him on the back. “Tough luck, friend. But just think, after tomorrow Willa won’t be able to tell you what you can and can’t do with her daughter.”

  Willa scowled at him. “If you have the faintest notion of asking for Jade’s hand in marriage, Luc, I suggest you watch what you say.”

  He’d just taken a swallow of ale and choked at her comment. Rhys pounded Luc on the back. “You all right?”

  Despite his fit of coughing, Luc managed to hold up a hand in surrender.

  Rell went willingly, enjoying Siban’s anguish over being parted. “I’m sorry.”