Elf Sight

by Avril Sabine

  “And if she never came to her senses?”

  Iain looked startled.

  “It’s not the life I’d have willingly chosen. But at least there’s meaning to it. More meaning than keeping some man’s tankard filled.”

  “Then find yourself a young man and get married. Have a heap of kids and wait for the grandkids to come along to spoil,” Iain said.

  “Would you do that?”

  “What?” Iain looked confused by her question.

  “Sit around home waiting for grandkids after you’ve raised your kids.”

  “Well, no, but-” Iain started to say.

  “Then why should I be expected to?”

  “So you’re saying you’re never going to marry. That you’re going to stick with the army,” Iain said.

  “No.” Shadow glanced towards Carson. “Maybe one day I’ll marry, but for now, I want to do something important. When I do have those children and grandchildren I want to be able to tell them tales of what I did when I was younger. Tales that’ll make them sit mesmerised and half disbelieving as they listen.”

  “Well, I reckon you’ll be able to do that. If we ever live long enough for ya to have those kids.”

  “I reckon I will too,” Shadow said thoughtfully.

  “Will what?” Carson joined them.

  “Plans made yet?” Shadow asked.

  Carson draped an arm around Shadow. “None that you’ll like.”

  “I’ll leave ya to it,” Iain said hastily. They barely noticed him leave.

  “What are they?” Shadow demanded.

  “I need you to see Thornton safely back to the castle.”

  “No.” Shadow pushed his arm away.

  “Your father will stay and help us if we send you and Irlan to safety. Someone has to get Thornton back to the castle. Someone who can see magic. Your father won’t do it and leave you here to face the army. So it’ll have to be you.”

  “No.” Shadow shook her head. “You have to come too.”

  “I can’t desert my men. They’re my men, not General Farnell’s. Only a few of them were his. He came along because of the importance of the mission. You can take any two men with you, your choice, and Perrun too. He needs a healer. That leg of his is looking pretty bad. Thornton knows of a healer about half a day from here.”

  “Farnell can take care of your men,” Shadow protested.

  “Please, Shadow. Help me complete this mission.”

  “That’s not fair,” Shadow wailed.

  “Come for a walk.” Carson rose and held out his hand.

  Shadow hesitated then took his hand and let him help her rise. She walked with him to the edge of the camp where they stood in the privacy created by the darkness. Carson wrapped his arms around her and his eyes met hers before he lowered his head. His lips were gentle on hers until Shadow’s own arms wrapped around him and her body moulded to his.

  Minutes passed before Carson reluctantly pulled away slightly. “I need you to do this. Do you know what’ll happen if there’s no heir?”

  Shadow sighed. “You could take him back.”

  “You know better than that.”

  Shadow rested her head against Carson’s chest. His arms tightened. “Promise to be careful?”

  Carson’s hand stroked her short hair. “I promise.”

  “When do we have to leave?”

  “Before daybreak. I don’t want too many people to watch you go. Who do you want to take with you?”

  “Iain and Gwyn. I know them,” Shadow said.

  “I hope we can trust them.”

  “So do I.”

  “You be careful and wait for me.” He reached into his belt pouch and pulled out a folded parchment. “Here. Give this to my parents for me.”

  “Why can’t Thornton take it?”

  “He’ll read it. I trust you not to.”

  “You didn’t always trust me. I had to hear from your brother who you are. All you told me was the prince had been like a brother to you.” Shadow took the parchment.

  “You knew who I was without him telling you all that rot. That isn’t me. I’m a captain. I’ve been part of the army since I was five, remember?”

  “What as? The mascot?”

  Carson grinned momentarily and his lips brushed against her forehead. “No. Learning how to look out for myself in case I was kidnapped. Thornton learned too.”

  “Were either of you ever kidnapped?”

  “You mean besides this time with Thornton?”

  Shadow nodded.

  “There were a few attempts.”

  “Do they still try and kidnap you? Or just Thornton?”

  “Let’s talk about more pleasant things,” Carson said.

  “They do! And you want me to marry you. You’ve got to be kidding me,” Shadow exclaimed.

  “I thought you turned me down.”

  “I did.”

  Carson laughed. “I’ll ask you again when I return to the castle.”

  “I might not be there.”

  “You will.” Carson kissed her again. “I hate that I’ve had to ask this of you. That I’m putting you in danger.”

  “I could stay with you.”

  He shook his head. “I guess either way you’d be in danger. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not. I’ve never felt more alive in my life as I have these past months.”

  Carson slowly smiled. “I knew we’d make a soldier of you eventually.” He pressed his fingers to his chest. “When your heart is racing you know you can’t be anything other than alive.”

  Shadow grinned. “Battle isn’t all that makes my heart race.” She moved his fingers to her heart before her lips met his again.

  Carson held her close, eventually breaking off the kiss. “You’d better get some sleep. I’ll wake you. I’ve got last watch.”

  “Who’ll organise the soldiers going with us?”

  “I’ll take care of that. I’ll leave it till the last minute. I don’t want to risk too many people knowing.” He stared down at her for long moments before he took her hand and led her back to the fire.

  “Where’ve you been?” Gil demanded when he saw them come towards him, holding hands.

  “Goodnight.” Carson looked at Shadow, ignoring Gil. His fingers momentarily tightened on hers before he let go and strode away.

  Shadow watched him leave before she turned to her Pa. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

  Gil looked like he was about to say something and then changed his mind. He nodded.

  Shadow was tempted to let the moment go, but she’d come too far for that. “What?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You were going to say something.” The silence stretched out and Shadow began to think her Pa wasn’t going to answer.

  “I woke up one morning to see your Ma packing her bag. I hadn’t even realised you two had left. She never told me.”

  “Don’t you think it’s something you should have noticed?”

  Gil shrugged. “She told me that since I couldn’t let go of the past she’d be the one doing the letting go. That the tavern wasn’t a home without her children and only a bitter old man. I need you to come back so she will.”

  “I don’t think that’s what she meant. I think she was probably talking about the bitter old man part.”

  “Watch your mouth, girl.”

  “Why don’t you let her go? You hate everything and everyone. Why hold onto her?”

  “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Then tell me. If I’m so clueless why don’t you explain it?” She met her Pa’s glare, refusing to lower her gaze as she had so many times before.

  It was Gil who looked away. “Everyone said it was a miracle I survived. They all believed me dead. It wasn’t a miracle. It was the thought of Gennie. The promises I made her.” He met Shadow’s gaze again. “I never thought she’d leave me. She’s always been there for me. Always.”

  “Maybe she was sick of waiting for yo
u to be there for her too.”

  Gil pointed a finger at her. “You don’t know nothin’. I’ve been there for her. Only one time I wasn’t and it was his fault.” His eyes were drawn to Farnell before they returned to Shadow. “They care nothing about us, only what we can do for them. You’re a fool for being here.”

  “I’m not-”

  Gil interrupted. “But it doesn’t matter. You will come home with me. I won’t lose Gennie over this. They’re not taking any more from me than they already have.”

  Shadow shook her head. “I’m not the only one who knows nothing. Ma believed you’d change. That you’d be the man she kept telling me you were. She probably figured out she was wasting her time.” She turned away from Gil, ignoring his growl and crawled into her bedding, which was not far from the fire. Her Pa’s bedding was on one side of her, on the other side was her brother’s. She leaned on one elbow and gestured towards the bedding. “You can’t keep me from going my own way.”

  “You’re still my girl,” Gil said possessively.

  “I know,” Shadow said heavily. “But I’m also my own person. Just like Ma is.” She rolled over and, laying her head down, stared at the flames until she fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  It seemed like minutes since she’d closed her eyes before Carson leaned over her and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. Shadow opened her eyes and looked up at him. She smiled sleepily. He returned her smile. She reached up and cupped Carson’s cheek with her hand, sliding it around to the back of his neck to pull him closer.

  “Get up,” Gil growled softly from beside them.

  Carson grinned then brushed his lips across hers before he slowly pulled away from her and rose to his feet.

  Shadow sat up and saw her brother drag himself from his bedding. As soon as she rose, Carson draped his cloak around her shoulders.

  “Go eat. I’ll pack your bedding,” Carson said softly.

  When they were ready to leave, Carson, Gil and Farnell walked with them as they moved away from the camp. They had a horse each except for Perrun who was too ill to ride alone. He rode in front of Gwyn.

  Carson hugged Shadow close. “Take care,” he whispered against her ear.

  “You too.” Shadow turned her head so their lips met. Carson’s arms tightened around her.

  “Hurry up,” Irlan complained. “It’s freezing standing around here.”

  Carson’s arms dropped from her and he pulled a battered item from where it was tucked into his belt and handed it to Shadow. She smiled when she saw it was her felt hat. Looking the worse for wear, but no longer bloody. She pulled it on as she turned towards Farnell. “Sir,” a sharp nod accompanying her word. Then she turned to her Pa. She hesitated then threw her arms around him. “Take care of him for me.”

  Gil didn’t pretend ignorance. “You’re wasting your time.”

  Shadow pulled back and looked her Pa in the eye. “But you will, won’t you?”

  “If you stay at the castle till I come for you. I don’t want to have to track you halfway across the country again.”

  “Deal.” Shadow mounted her horse and looked back at Carson. He smiled at her. Shadow smiled weakly before she turned away and urged her horse forward.

  “He’ll be fine,” Thornton said when they were far enough away no one would hear them. He wore clothes that several soldiers had given him since his own had been unsalvageable. Even the clothes of a lowly soldier couldn’t take away the air of authority that seemed to surround him.

  “I hope so.”

  “He’s faced worse odds and made it through. Why do you think he was made a captain so young?” Thornton asked.

  “I don’t know. He never told me.”

  “Don’t look at me like that. You’ll have to ask Carson. I’m not telling tales he might make me regret telling,” Thornton protested.

  They kept their horses at a fast pace most of the time, determined to get Perrun to a healer as soon as possible. Thornton took the lead, as he knew where they were headed. Just before midday, they entered a small town. They tied their horses up at the wooden hitching post in front of the tavern and Thornton and Gwyn carried Perrun to the healer’s.

  As soon as she saw him, she ushered them inside. She laid her hands on Perrun’s leg. “I don’t know if I can save it,” she warned.

  “Do the best you can.” Thornton grabbed a handful of coins out of his belt pouch and placed them on a table. “If the treatment costs are higher than that, send to the castle. His name is Perrun and he’s a soldier in Prince Carson’s personal army. He’ll be extremely grateful if you save the man.”

  “Of course. I’ll do the best I can,” the healer gushed, her eyes drawn to the coins on the table. “Now out. I can’t treat him with you lot hovering.”

  Thornton nodded and made his way to the front door. He opened it and gestured towards Shadow. “My lady.”

  Shadow smiled and started to step through the door. She hurriedly stepped back inside and pushed the door shut. “Six soldiers. Magic hid. One of them’s Clem.”

  “That lying, cheating-” Gwyn started for the door.

  “Forget it.” Thornton put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. “We’ve got to get away from here.” He turned to the healer. “Is there a back door?”

  She nodded and showed them into the narrow alley that ran behind her house.

  They hurried along and paused at the corner. Shadow peered around the building, her gaze scanning the area. Anger and fear swirled through her. “It’s safe. For now.” They ran to the next building and made their way along until they were behind the tavern.

  Thornton opened the door and a woman busy stirring a pot that bubbled over the fire looked up at them.

  “Get out! What do you think you’re doing bursting in here?” The woman came at them, flapping her tea towel.

  “Good woman, we need your assistance.” Coins appeared in Thornton’s hand and instantly disappeared into the woman’s.

  “Well, why didn’t you say?” The woman was suddenly all smiles and a friendly manner. “What do you need?”

  “We’re trying to avoid some men. Might we check to see if they’re in your tavern before we proceed?” Thornton asked.

  “My, aren’t we a fancy one?” the woman asked. “Wouldn’t be able to tell it by your clothes, but you sure do talk a treat.”

  Thornton nodded, his smile still in place.

  “Well, go ahead.” The woman waved towards the door that led into the main room of the tavern.

  Thornton looked at Shadow who moved forward and peeked through the door. Not seeing the men, she opened the door further and had a better look. Crowded tables, stained timber floors, a barman wiping up a spill on the long bar and several barmaids expertly avoiding the patrons. A wave of homesickness hit her, quickly followed by relief she no longer served in a tavern every day.

  “All clear,” Shadow said.

  “Thank you, good woman,” Thornton said before he followed Shadow and the other three men. Thornton turned to Shadow. “Check outside for me?”

  Shadow nodded and made her way to one of the grimy windows. Gennie would never have tolerated that in her tavern. She ran a finger across the glass before she looked at the road that passed in front of the tavern. Their horses were still tied to the hitching post, cobblestones with struggling weeds ran down the main street and in clusters here and there people talked. Everything looked normal other than the glow of magic hid soldiers in several strategic places. Shadow turned to Thornton who came to stand beside her. “They’re waiting. And they’ve got crossbows.”

  Thornton nodded. His attention was drawn to a large shout not far from them. One of the men seated at the table stood and raised a large tankard and downed it in a single gulp. A cheer went up from the rest of the table. Some coins were thrown on the table and the man gathered them up and pocketed them.

  “I think I know what to do. Tell me exactly where the men are.” Once Shadow had described t
heir positions, Thornton said, “Let me know the moment one of them moves. All of you wait here.”

  Shadow watched as Thornton charmed the men at the table, several cheers erupting at the end of his tale.

  “He’s smooth,” Gwyn said from beside her. “Too flighty to be king though.”

  Shadow looked at him. “He doesn’t want to be king.”

  “Neither of them does. But Carson’d make the better king. And I’m not saying that because he’s my captain. He’s got what it takes to be king. He’ll always put his people first.”

  Thornton strode over to them and rubbed his hands together with a grin. “All taken care of. Now it’s time to watch the entertainment. Pick a window. This should be delightful.”

  Shadow turned back to the window and exclaimed, “There’s a man stealing stuff from our saddlebags, even with all those people wandering around.”

  “Relax,” Thornton said. “He’s just making it look like that. He’s checking our gear hasn’t been tampered with.”

  “Oh. That’s a good idea,” Shadow said.

  The man looked around before he tucked his hand inside his tunic and hurried inside the tavern. He made his way to Thornton and his empty hand came out of his tunic once he was inside. “Second horse from the entrance. Loose girth. Whoever rides that one’ll be under it in no time.”

  “Thank you, good man.” Thornton threw some coins towards the man. He caught them in mid air before he returned to his table, which was nearly empty of the men who’d sat there earlier. “Now for the second act.”

  “That’s my horse,” Shadow said.

  Thornton nodded. “Yes. You’ll have to ride with me until we get far enough away to tighten the girth. Keep your eyes open. When they’re all occupied let me know. Tell us run.”

  Shadow nodded and turned back to her window in time to see a brawl break out in the street. Another three men joined the two who had started it and men went bouncing all over the street. Shadow watched as the magic hid men moved out of the way. Soon all of them had been disturbed. “Run.”

  The five of them sprinted for the door. They each headed for their own horse. Once Shadow had the reins of her horse, she allowed Thornton to swing her up behind him. They urged their horses into a gallop and quickly left the town behind. When Shadow said she couldn’t see any soldiers behind them, they stopped long enough for her to tighten her girth and mount her own horse.