Ruin Mist Chronicles Bundle

by Robert Stanek

  Adrina held her breath as Valam gripped her shoulder. Unexpectedly he embraced her, and for a moment Adrina was smothered in his great embrace, then just as suddenly, he ushered her into the gloom after Emel. Her thoughts swam, Adrina didn't move. Valam gave her a push and suddenly she was racing along the ground on her hands and knees.

  Many times she cast nervous sidelong glances to the center of the camp and to the nearest two guards at the perimeter. Any minute she expected someone to shout an alarm and the camp to burst into frenzied activity. As fear and anxiety sought to overwhelm her, Adrina fought to hold them in check.

  She knew she had finally reached the edge of the camp when the trunk of one of the great trees appeared in front of her. The next thing Adrina knew, friendly hands were gripping her waist and pulling her to her feet. She didn't pull away from Emel's embrace. Instead, she hugged him fiercely. His warmth was the only reassuring thing she had known for days and now it was even more reassuring.

  Silently Emel and Adrina waited. The next face Adrina hoped to see was that of the boy, Vilmos. Slowly over the five days of their captivity, Adrina had come to know Vilmos. To her it seemed a strange darkness lurked behind his eyes and also that his thoughts were ever distant and he was distant. She found this oddly alluring, for in him she saw a bit of herself.

  Thinking she saw movement in the gloom, Adrina leaned forward. She knew at once the burly figure she saw wasn't Vilmos. Panic entered her mind and momentarily, the urge to flee. She pushed back against Emel's warmth, her body growing tense.

  Abruptly Emel grabbed Adrina and roughly pulled her back and down. Huddled against the ground they lay together. Adrina saw a figure outlined against the murky pale of the dying lights in the camp. Soon afterward, a second shadowed form joined the first.

  "Erravane?" hissed the first. Adrina held deathly still.

  The other responded with, "Yes." From the voice alone, Adrina couldn't tell if the second figure was a man or a woman, though the first she thought a man. Among Prince William's soldiers, only a dozen of the several hundred were women. Although they were few, it seemed that they held high positions. Valam had suggested that perhaps they served as William's personal bodyguards, though he had been honestly unsure of this estimation since several of them came and went seemingly at their own leisure.

  A long period of silence followed. Adrina couldn't see what transpired, though she knew both figures still stood only a few feet away. With a sudden heave, both were on the ground and for a time they rolled around in the leaves. Afterward, again silence. Adrina knew only that Emel's presence beside her was a powerful comfort.

  Adrina heard muffled laughter and again the whispered voices.

  "Quit, you'll alert the camp," hissed the first.

  "Not likely."

  "What do you mean?" the first sounded at the end of his patience. "Why are you here, Erravane?"

  Behind her Adrina heard Emel's barely audible gasp. He had recognized the first voice at nearly the same time as she.

  "One question at a time my sweet." Adrina was sure now, the second was a woman. Her name was Erravane, and the first was Prince William. "I have found what you sought."

  "And the traitor?"

  "Oh yes, a present for you." Erravane rose to her knees, and then dumped something onto the ground. She cackled madly, and then said, "His head."

  William jumped to his feet. "I trust the other is alive?"

  "The southern encampments have proceeded north as planned. The bulk of your army is spread out through the forest. Your commanders will join you here, tomorrow."

  "What of King Jarom's army?...Wait a minute, what of the—"

  Erravane cut William off, "You are ever impatient. She is well. I believe the deceased—" Erravane kicked the head and it rolled past Adrina. Only Emel's firm and comforting grip around her waist kept Adrina from screaming. "—was tricked. Though I am not sure how. These creatures have strange powers."

  "Then you were right?"

  Erravane cooed. "Yes, my sweet."

  "Where is she?"

  "I was afraid you'd prefer her to me. What of this princess? I've heard tell she is quite striking."

  William said, "She is a child."

  "She is the enemy. Have you so soon forgotten the empty stare in your father's eyes?"

  William said coldly, "I never will." He began to move back to the camp. "No games this time, Erravane, no games… Dawn is only a few hours away. I trust your pets will harry my men no longer?"

  "My dear William, they take only what they need. The disappearance of one or two in the night is of little consequence. Would you rather have them turn on me?"

  For the first time as he turned back to Erravane, Adrina saw Prince William's face clearly outlined in the pale light. "Perhaps it would not be such a—"

  Erravane put a finger to William's lips. "You still need me, William of Sever. Do not say a thing you will later regret." With that, Prince William strode away, and soon afterward, Erravane. Both went in separate directions.

  Emel helped Adrina to her feet. Finally she took a deep releasing breath. Before she had been nearly afraid to breathe and had done so only sporadically. Erravane and William had been so close.

  Adrina heard movement in the leaves behind her. She turned, sighed, knowing at once it was Valam.

  "I circled around," Valam explained. "The boy?"

  Adrina shrugged.

  Emel, who had been staring intently toward the camp, said, "There on the far side, do you see?"

  Adrina and Valam turned and stared. On the opposite side of the camp, reflected in the light of the dying embers of a perimeter fire, was a mostly shadowed boyish face. Undoubtedly, it belonged to Vilmos.

  "Were you listening?" Emel asked. Valam nodded and Emel continued. "The time to make our escape is now or never."

  "No," Adrina hissed angrily. "Vilmos is one of us."

  Valam took Adrina's hand. "We can do little now. We would waste precious time if we tried to circle the camp. There is too much at stake. You heard as well as I, the forest is full of William's men… Perhaps it is for the best. He should fare well and, should his instincts continue to lead him south, he will find safety quickly. On the other hand, we will not be so fortunate. Our duty takes us north. We will have the whole of an army at our heels until we either reach Quashan' or die trying." Valam paused, took a deep breath, then added, "Quickly now…"

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Vilmos watched his companions turn away and disappear into the gloom. Disbelief and dread flooded his thoughts. He had no idea how he had ended up on the opposite side of the camp, but the one thing he was sure of now was that he was on his own.

  Anger quickly replaced disbelief and dread. Valam, Emel and Adrina had deserted him. Vilmos knew dawn was near and that he must act or surely he would be recaptured, but where would he run to? If he made a wide circle around the camp and tried to follow the others, could he find their trail? Did he want to find their trail? After all, they had forsaken him.

  Vilmos caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He didn't wait to find out what it was he saw. He ran away fast as he could. Unsure which direction to flee, he ran aimlessly. His fear drove him on and only his instinct and the flora of the forest controlled his direction.

  As dawn lifted darkness from the forest leaving only shadows, Vilmos stopped running. Tired, hungry and feeling desperately alone, he slumped on a moss-covered stump. He stared up through a break in the canopy where a ray of soft white light radiated down to the forest floor.

  Vilmos moved to the spot bathed by the warm ray and found a sense of security in it. He thought about Prince Valam, Princess Adrina and Guardsman Emel. He heard the prince's words in his ears, "… Use that chance, Vilmos, use it for all it's worth. Go back to Tabborrath Village and leave the affairs of men to men."

  Suddenly Vilmos was homesick. It seemed forever since he had joined Xith and left Tabborrath Village. He lay back, crossed his arms behind his head and closed
tired eyes. For a time he forgot about the dangers. He forgot that he was lost and alone in Vangar Forest. He knew only that images of home played before his closed lids.

  The first shafts of golden light from a new day were just breaking the horizon far to the east. A wet spray blew in off the sea, and Keeper Martin shivered. He had awoken early and only he and the mid-watchmen greeted the new day.

  A troubled dream had disturbed his few hours of precious sleep. Keeper Q'yer's response to his earlier dream message had been grimmer than he ever imagined it could be. Quashan' was under siege; how five hundred defenders held the city was beyond his imagining. More distressful tidings had been in the dream, and this Martin didn't even want to think about.

  The sound of footsteps caused Martin to turn. He eyed Captain Adylton, who looked as frazzled as he felt. "You did not sleep well this night?"

  "I did not sleep," answered the captain as he stared out across the dark waters.

  Martin asked pointedly, "How many days to Quashan' without the Foot?"

  Captain Adylton raised an eyebrow. "Two days of hard riding, and only if we can get enough fresh horses in Alderan City. Otherwise, three at best."

  "How long would it take for the Foot to catch up?"

  "Foot soldiers move like sand caught in those waves," Adylton said, eyeing the frothy surf breaking against the rocks. "Depending on the weather, I'd say seven days."

  "At best?" Keeper Martin probed.

  "Six, maybe five. They'd arrive spent and—" Captain Adylton broke off, apparently he heard the footsteps as Martin did. Both men turned to see who was approaching.

  "Mid-watchman," Keeper Martin said. "He's been hawking me since I stepped out here."

  Captain Adylton regarded the watchman, and then tossed Martin a wink. "My man… My men," he said, waving his hand in a sweeping gesture around the camp.

  "And Trendmore's?"

  "I gave his watchmen liberty. Told them to enjoy the Free Cities."

  Keeper Martin tightened his cloak about him. "Then you've gone ahead. Are you ready?"

  "Nearly so. It should all go smoothly. Better than half of his most loyal men are on liberty and he isn't the wiser… Have you received word from Alderan or has something happened in Quashan'?"

  "You, Captain Adylton, are very perceptive." Martin explained about the dream message and the situation in Quashan'. Adylton grimaced. "So you see," Keeper Martin concluded, "there is precious little time to waste."

  "What of Alderan? You didn't say. Did the ship arrive safely?"

  Keeper Martin fixed eyes filled with distress on the captain. "Alderan is no more."

  "Surely you don't mean," Adylton began. Martin nodded solemnly. "What of Prince Valam?"

  Martin said nothing.

  Martin was sure Captain Adylton was going to collapse. The captain's knees bowed and his face became ashen. Martin grabbed the captain's shoulders to steady him.

  Captain Adylton turned to face the salty spray of the breaking waves. He was silent for a long time. It was clear he was slowly recovering his wits as anger and finally resolve seemed to replace disbelief. "What of the sea?" Captain Adytlon asked. "We could send the foot soldiers by ship down the coast… Or better still, up River Trollbridge. In autumn, the rivers run high. No deep-hulled ships, but still, with the right winds and heavy oars, they could land within a day's march from Quashan'."

  An incomplete smile eased Martin's downtrodden expression. "You, my friend, have never bargained with free traders. It'll take a king's ransom to pay for passage. Still, the plan is not without merit."

  With Emel leading the way and Valam pulling her, Adrina raced faster and faster. At first, she gave her sore and blistered feet little thought. She flitted along, and kept pace just behind Emel.

  Soon Valam was pulling her more than she moved under her own power. Soon afterward, she was limping.

  Seemingly without thought or hesitation, Valam picked Adrina up and with her cast over his shoulder, continued. For a time, all was well.

  Between her brother's gasps as he heavily sucked at the air, Adrina heard shouts from far off. Valam and Emel apparently heard them too and panic urged them to new speeds.

  They raced on. The voices grew near intermittently and then again distant. Dawn was at hand, and gloom began to lift from the forest.

  "Their trackers are worse… than those of… South Province," Emel said between breaths, "but still, what I wouldn't give for Ebony about now… He'd get the three of us… out of this accursed forest… in no time."

  Valam started to laugh or so it appeared, then suddenly he doubled over and dropped Adrina.

  "It is a good time to rest," Emel said, as he slumped to the ground.

  Adrina forced herself to stand on tender feet. "Are they far behind?"

  "We'll know soon enough," Emel said. "Do you think you can continue on your own?"

  "If you two can, I must…" Adrina was about to let her words trail off, then she decided to voice her thoughts. "Do you really think Vilmos escaped too?"

  Valam stood, then turned and stared in the direction they had just come from. "Let us hope so," he said. He ripped long strips of cloth from his shirt and gave these to Adrina to wrap around her feet.

  Adrina's face lit with worry and showed her fears to the contrary. Emel took her hand and said, "I think he did, but now is not the time to dwell on things we cannot change."

  Shortly afterward, the three began running again. Adrina moved as swiftly as she could. Valam and Emel did their best to help her keep up with them. Shouts came from off to their left now and their feet lead them right.

  As they stumbled into a clearing, Adrina tripped over a bound and gagged figure that was lying in the grass at the clearing's edge.

  Run, said a faint voice in their minds. Forget me. I am lost. It is a trap.

  Emel grabbed one of Adrina's hands, Valam the other. They started to race away. A circle of dark shapes with glowing eyes emerged from hiding. A voice asked, "Where are our guests going?"

  Adrina recognized the voice of the speaker. "Erravane?"

  Deftly the speaker stepped forward, grabbed Adrina's chin in her hand and turned her face to the pale light. "You are a pretty one."

  Valam grabbed Erravane's arm and twisted it back as hard as he could, which brought the woman to her knees. Pain was met with sick laughter.

  "Do you mock me?" Valam screamed as he twisted the arm back farther still, fully expecting to hear the snap of breaking bones.

  The arm began to bend and change in Valam's hand, growing thicker and shorter. Valam let go and pulled Adrina back, confusion and perhaps bewilderment showed on his face.

  "If you move again," Erravane said, her voice changed as her body changed, "they will kill you."

  "Close your eyes, Adrina. This is no thing for you to see," Valam shouted. "Of all the beasts of hell…"

  Adrina couldn't close her eyes, she felt compelled to watch the metamorphosis. Erravane's eyes were glowing now, fangs filled her mouth, a mouth that was twisting and contorting, growing wider and longer as Adrina look on in fascinated horror.

  Valam stepped in front of Adrina protectively. "If I had my sword," Valam said, "I would run you through and send you back to the icy pits you ascended from."

  Erravane snapped her head and locked powerful, wolflike jaws around Valam's hand. Screaming in agony, Valam dropped to his knees. Adrina closed her eyes and squeezed them together as tight as she could. She waited for the screaming to stop and when it did, she felt compelled to open her eyes. She was just as surprised as Valam obviously was to find he still had a hand.

  Erravane, clearly no longer human, spoke with an otherworldly voice. "I said, no movement." Erravane licked her front paw.

  Valam spoke again, but took care not to move. "What do you hope to gain from this? Prince William will kill the lot of you as soon as he has no need for you."

  "Ah, but I ensure that he continues to need me until I have all that I want. Now I have you, his preciou
s little bargaining pieces. He will grovel on his knees to get you back."

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  "Well met, Keeper Q'yer. What brings you to the walls?" asked Sergeant Danyel'.

  "A dream," responded the keeper, his voice distant, his eyes searching the horizon.

  Sergeant Danyel' turned about on his heel and looked out at the campfires that dotted the landscape like a swarm of lightning bugs. "At dawn they will come again. They attack alternately from the south, east and west, leaving only the north wall alone. They toy with us and keep us occupied, though I know not why. Perhaps Great Father truly smiles upon us, for if they ever once attacked in full force, we would be swept away." Danyel's voice became soft. "What I would not give for a spy among them."

  Keeper Q'yer seemed to only half listen to Danyel' as he stared; then as he turned away he asked, "What of Chancellor Van'te?"

  "He sleeps awaiting the attack. I beg you not to disturb him if it is your plan. It is the first he's slept in days. We need his direction when the new day comes."

  "I bring good news," said Keeper Q'yer, "I think he would approve."

  Danyel' regarded the keeper's troubled eyes. "You don't look like a man bearing good news."

  "With the good there is always the bad. Will I find the chancellor in his quarters?"

  "No, he has taken up residence elsewhere. I will take you to him if I must."

  "You must, this is important, a dream message from Keeper Martin."

  "Let me untie her. You must untie her," pleaded Adrina, "she is in obvious pain."

  Do not worry unnecessarily, whispered the pleasant feminine voice in Adrina's mind. I will journey to Great Father, but it will not be at the hands of the likes of this.

  "Enough," snapped Erravane. "My patience is at an end. You will now tell me where the boy is."

  The first rays of a new day pierced the thick canopy overhead, casting odd shadows about the forest floor. Erravane turned toward the light.

  Suddenly and swiftly, Valam lunged at Erravane, but just as swiftly, one of Erravane's beasts leapt upon him and knocked him to the ground. Afterward, it stood defiantly upon Valam's chest, staring down at him, a deep rumbling growl escaping its throat. Adrina shuddered and edged closer to Emel.