Daegan grimaced and grumbled something incoherent even to Kaeleigh, who could usually hear him. Then louder for all to hear he replied with a slight inclination of his head, “My apologies, sire. I was merely caught unaware by your presence. What can your servant do for you?” The last part was said through clenched teeth, as if it cost everything he had not to lash out at the man who was obviously asking for it and enjoying seeing Daegan at this disadvantage.
Kaeleigh couldn’t believe what she heard and whipped her head around to look at Daegan. She wouldn’t believe that Daegan would ever allow someone to talk to him that way. Then Kaeleigh really looked at the man in front of them. There was some kind of knowledge in both their eyes, but she couldn’t understand what kind of danger they were in, if any.
“My lady is uneasy and requiring your presence with no further delay. I am to accompany you for the remainder of your journey.” The young man stared directly into Daegan’s eyes, as if willing him to understand more than what he was saying.
Understanding dawned upon Daegan without any break in their interaction other than the barest widening of his eyes. “I do wish to convey my sincerest apologies to my lady. We had unexpected deterrents as we progressed through the forest of Dul Isteach. All is well and we were taking the most direct route to her throne room.”
Shock ran through Kaeleigh at his admission to where he was leading them. She knew that in the beginning they were headed to where he came from, as that was his mission. Since they had left Holly and the other Dryads at the river they had decided to try to find her father to understand more of what her journey might hold. Anger rose up in her suddenly. She felt betrayed. Even though she quickly tempered it, somehow Daegan still felt it and she saw him flex his free hand into a fist. She didn’t care, she couldn’t believe that he would lie to them, to her, about where he was taking them. Get through this situation, then confront him, Kaeleigh thought to herself, taking a deep breath.
After an awkward second, the young man said, “We shall accompany you the rest of your journey to ensure your safe arrival.” Translation: to make sure you actually get there.
Kaeleigh gritted her teeth. They had begun their journey on their own and she didn’t like the feeling they were now being “escorted” and watched without choice.
A throat clearing came from behind the leader as another of the riders took a step closer on his horse. The young man addressing us turned irritably toward his rider. “What?!”
“Begging your pardon, young master, but we have additional orders to leave you one man to escort these back”—he indicated Kaeleigh and her friends with his hand—“and continue our mission then head back ahead of you to let word of your coming be known.” He inclined his head, backing away to stand once again in line.
Their leader was clearly shaken and tried to quickly regain his arrogance and authority. “By whose orders do you act?”
“From her majesty Maleina herself,” the rider replied uncomfortably with his head lowered.
“Fine, then, carry on,” the young man said gruffly, trying to sound unconcerned. “Leave me Shoston.” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand and the rest of the riders but one took their leave.
The rider left behind slowly dismounted his animal but waited at its side for their leader to acknowledge him. The young blond man turned back to the rider called Shoston and gave him a quick nod, which elicited a sneaky smile from the rider. The lead rider turned back around with a curious expression, as though he was trying too hard to maintain his composure. Until finally, he didn’t. His smile wasn’t even a slow revealing, but a brilliant onslaught of pearly whites and genuine excitement as he extended his hand to Daegan’s already outstretched hand. Surprisingly, Daegan wore a similar expression on his face as he greeted the man in front of him. They didn’t shake hands exactly, but gripped forearms—a brotherly yet manly show of affection—and patted each other’s backs.
Kaeleigh, Finn, and Chel all stood at a short distance watching the interaction with mouths gaping, unsure what to make of the scene. Feeling awkward, Kaeleigh cleared her throat too loudly, reminding Daegan that they were all there... waiting. Quickly, Daegan stepped back and looked over at her with a smile then immediately dropped it, serious again.
“You know each other?” Kaeleigh asked incredulously.
“Know each other?” the blond rider interjected animatedly. “This guy and I are like brothers!” Looking over to Daegan he rolled his eyes. “You mean you didn’t tell them about me?... I’m hurt,” he said mockingly as he held his hand over his heart.
Daegan grimaced, but it was Kaeleigh who added, “Wow, dramatic much?” Her smart-assed remark got a short outburst from Daegan, after which he seemed to relax a fraction.
“This is Halister Endíl.” Apparently that was the extent of his introductions.
With a huff, Chel interjected, “Do all Faeries lack in manners or just this one?” She thumbed her hand toward Daegan. Hal winked back at her and gestured for her to go ahead with the introductions. “I’m Chel, this is Finn, and this is Kaeleigh.”
“She is the one I am to take back to Maleina,” Daegan added as if that explained everything to Halister, and perhaps it did. Hal did a quick once-over of their group but lingered a bit longer on Kaeleigh with a questioning eye and pursed lips. Then he softened with a goofy smile again, saying, “So she’s the one who’s supposed to save our souls from this forsaken evil that is apparently ransacking Alandria, huh? Hmm... personally, I don’t see it.” He gave Kaeleigh a wink and turned back to Daegan, who had gotten tense again. Chel gave a little giggle, but Finn seemed to take offense at what he had said in defense of Kaeleigh, and he moved to flank her side.
“Stand down, Elf. I meant no harm.”
Kaeleigh could feel the tension rolling from both of them, but she found the odd humor coming from Halister a breath of fresh air. She could tell he wanted to ask more of her, but she appreciated him making light of a situation that she was increasingly feeling the weight of. She still wasn’t quite sure what to make of him as he was obviously from the court that they were being summoned to. Kaeleigh would watch him carefully, but she felt surprisingly comfortable with him and obviously so did Daegan, whether he was willing to admit it or not. She could tell they were close and that spoke quite a bit.
“So you got ‘detained’?” Hal asked but then grew more serious. “Everything all right? Anyone hurt?” He glanced over everyone there to make sure he hadn’t missed an injury. Satisfied with what he could see, he raised a questioning eyebrow to Daegan, fully expecting an explanation.
Daegan sighed but said, “I’ll tell you everything as we walk, but first tell me why you are here. I hadn’t yet sent for you.” Obviously Daegan trusted him if he had planned on including him in this journey at some point. For some reason this gave her a bit of peace—until Hal began to explain.
“Maleina sent me,” he said, growing solemn and lowering his voice even though there was no one else around. “She’s been... more herself than usual. Her agitation has everyone on edge. She sent me to find you and make sure you would be arriving soon.” He looked down at the ground and then nervously around and then back to Daegan. “She has eyes and ears where you wouldn’t think and she’s getting paranoid—lashing out at her attendants.” He was obviously conflicted about the information he was sharing with Daegan.
“Where is Wren? What is he doing about it?” Daegan growled with a seriously strong expression.
Sighing, Hal spoke with a subtle sadness in his tone. “I haven’t seen my father much. He seems to retreat into his study more and more lately.” His voice then grew strong and frustrated. “He is not doing anything!” Hal started to pace in short, quick strides. “I tried to talk to him, I tried to find out what was going on and why she’s becoming out of control.” He looked off to the side, clearly back in his conversation with his father. “He just stared at me. He wouldn’t even talk to me. He pushed me out of his study. That’s when I volunteered
to come guide you home. I made it seem that I was the one who could find you fastest, which was true, but I wanted to warn you of what you were coming home to. She, of course, believed it to be her idea because she came to me later on to tell me she was sending me to find you as if it was a revelation.” Hal took a deep breath.
Daegan reached out in an unfamiliar gesture, or at least unfamiliar to Kaeleigh and her friends, placing a hand on Hal’s shoulder getting him to look straight at him. “We will figure this out together. Your father is a strong man, or at least was once. I’m sure he can handle Maleina.” But even as he said it, the words didn’t hold the conviction of truth to his or Halister’s ears. He frowned as if sensing a new urgency. Daegan looked at Kaeleigh, his eyes the only living flame hidden within a stone wall as he asked her, “Do you sense anything? Can you see anything?”
Confused, she stared at him and then at Hal for a brief moment, considering what he had asked her. “What do you mean? I don’t see things like visions. Things I’ve seen have been of the past.” She looked to Finn and then to Chel, who both shrugged, not knowing what to say.
“You see threads, connections, at least thus far. Look for them. You’ve seen visions before, remember in the forest, and in your dreams.” He said that last part revealing that he knew they had shared their dreams before now. “I feel something wrong. I need you to try. Open yourself to Alandria... try to hear her.”
When he said “hear” he thought of Chel. “Chel? I need you to listen. See if the animals are sharing anything unusual.”
Chel simply nodded and closed her eyes.
Hal watched everything with fascination as he learned what they were capable of.
Daegan was intently watching Kaeleigh.
“Hal? Do you know where your other riders were going?” Daegan asked.
“No. I was actually surprised to hear they had other orders that I was not privy to since Maleina put me ‘in charge’ of the mission to find you.”
“Well, apparently you were given false leadership or you were betrayed.”
“We were all betrayed!” Chel whispered hoarsely, but all could hear her.
Not but a second later, Kaeleigh inhaled deeply with a shriek and fell to her knees, her eyes far off seeing something the rest were not. She then went onto all fours, digging her fingers deep into the earth as she began breathing laboriously.
“NOOOOO!” Kaeleigh screamed into the earth, but it was too late.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kaeleigh was beside herself. Finn ran to her side, putting his hand on her back, leaning in to her face and brushing her hair back. “Kaeleigh, what happened? Can you hear me?” he whispered. With no response from her, he looked up at Hal and then at Daegan. “Do something! You made her do this.”
Daegan looked blankly at Finn. He then stepped forward and put his hand on Kaeleigh’s shoulder. She stilled but only momentarily, as if she sensed his presence and his alone. Before he or Finn could say something, Chel stepped silently forward, face pale as a ghost. With fear in her eyes, she looked at each of the guys then at Kaeleigh down on all fours. Silent tears began to fall down her face.
“The birds sing a song of mourning. Something about danger, fire, smoke, and an intense need to flee the forest. Sadness. Pain. ‘The white bird took to the sky,’ they sing over and over—the most sorrowful lament.” Chel’s hands were shaking as she looked to all of them, her eyes landing on Daegan. “What does it mean?” Looking at Kaeleigh horrified she asked, “What did she see?”
Daegan’s frown intensified. “She has not come out of it yet and I cannot know for certain. There is static, with white hot flashes of rage and despair,” he said, disappointed and angry. “She’s either blocking me or she’s throwing around so many emotions it’s creating chaos.” After a pause, he looked off into the distance above the trees behind them. “The fire worries me. I have a bad feeling,” he said on a sigh with a distant haunting in his eyes. He gave a subtle look to Hal, whose face had also become sheet white as he began wringing his hands and looking back through the trees. Daegan looked down at the top of Kaeleigh’s head with an intense frown while he tried to read her emotions once again. “We need to move soon.”
Kaeleigh reached out faster than humanly possible, grabbing the top of Daegan’s booted foot that was closest to her. Simultaneously, Daegan grabbed his head as a sharp pain shot through it, and he fell to his knees on the ground next to Kaeleigh. He saw what she was seeing. No one moved for the span of what seemed like forever but was only mere moments. Daegan reached out for her hand that now lay limply next to his foot where she had reached out to him. His warm fingers wrapped gently around hers as he held her hand. He absorbed her pain—taking what he could from her, enough that she could breathe and find control of her emotions.
Eyes rimmed with red and tracks of dirt staining her face where the tears ran down, Kaeleigh’s haunted gaze found Daegan’s eyes. There was an intensity between their exchange that horrified and gripped his heart like nothing ever had—not even when his parents were killed.
“They’re going to kill him!” Kaeleigh whispered with silent emotion so thick it smothered the entire group with a more powerful effect than if she had shouted. Tears threatening to spill from Daegan’s eyes caused even more to fall from Kaeleigh’s.
Interrupting the silent exchange that seemed to have stalled time, even though brief, Finn spoke with soft urgency. “Who, Kaeleigh? What’s happening?”
Daegan let go of Kaeleigh’s hand and she turned to Finn, reaching for his assistance off the ground. He immediately embraced her tightly. Wiggling in his arms, he released her just enough, gripping her biceps to look her over. Standing on her own, Kaeleigh shrugged out of his grip; she didn’t need Finn’s balance. What she wanted was some kind of action! Wiping herself off, she tried to gain some semblance of control on her emotions, then took a deep breath.
Speaking slowly and with great effort, she looked to Daegan with pain-filled eyes. “Hunter.” Then she pointed at Hal before she continued, “They are on their way, almost there, or maybe already there I... I can’t tell. They’re burning everything in their path along the way. I could feel it, though... their intention is to kill him.” She inhaled deeply, making a sickly sound. “It’s my fault! I led them to him.” She grabbed Finn’s arm to steady herself.
Everyone was silent but for Chel muttering under her breath, “Oh no, oh no... that can’t be right.” Then she looked to Daegan, who seemed lost looking out past the two horses that were standing nearby. “The birds sang of a white bird taking to the sky. Is that him? He could be safe, right?”
Daegan looked sharply at Chel, considering what she had said but not accusing her. “He once showed me his crest; it had a white bird on it. I don’t really know what it means. Can he become a bird and take to the sky? I don’t know. That is not a magic that is common to any of the races of Alandria. Does it symbolize him in death? I do not know... I hope not.”
Kaeleigh looked at Daegan with an itching anticipation of what she saw reflected in his eyes as they shifted between the horses and beyond the forest to where Hunter was hopefully fighting for his life, or perhaps taking to the sky, whatever that might mean. With silent understanding they both studied each of their party, looking for a matching agreement. Well, Kaeleigh was; Daegan would have left them all behind if he was on his own, she was sure of it. Perhaps that would be the better choice, but Kaeleigh couldn’t not go. Finally Daegan looked to Hal.
“Go!” Hal consented. “You need to go. I always wondered about your fascination with the old man, but you should go. Should we come with you? Or go meet Mother?”
Daegan quickly pondered his friend’s request, then reluctantly asked, hoping he already knew the answer, “You didn’t know who he was?”
Hal looked back at him questioningly. “No. I thought him to be just a mentor or something. I figured he was old and didn’t want to be involved with any of the newer way of things.”
Daegan stare
d up at the sky for a brief moment then gazed at Kaeleigh and her broken countenance, contemplating how much he should say. “I’m not entirely sure of all he was, but he’s more than a mentor to me. He is my friend.” He looked sadly at Hal then gave Kaeleigh a look, willing her to understand. She simply chewed her bottom lip and acknowledged him, giving him reason to believe she understood he didn’t want to say more here for some reason.
“We turn back, all of us,” he stated.
Kaeleigh sighed, deeply relieved she wouldn’t have to beg him. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Daegan nodded subtly. “We’ll need to make it look official,” he added, looking to Hal and at Shoston, who was still quietly sitting on his horse waiting for orders. “If someone stops us on the way, we are being escorted by you.” He pointed to Hal and Shoston. “We heard there was danger not far off and you wanted to check it out since it was not too far out of our way. Understood?” he asked, surveying the nods of everyone before them. Taking stock of their two horses and six people, Daegan began making seating arrangements. “Chel and Finn ride with Shoston. Kaeleigh, you and I will ride with Hal.”
After he handed out orders, fully expecting everyone to follow, he jumped on Hal’s horse, taking the reins and reaching his hand down to assist Kaeleigh, but she stood there with a question in her expression. “Don’t you think if it is to be believed that we are being ‘escorted’ you probably should let Hal take the reins?” Daegan grunted, but got off the horse and gestured for Hal to take his place. Hal gave a short laugh and nodded his appreciation toward Kaeleigh. Daegan frowned, but offered to help Kaeleigh up after Hal. Grabbing her hand, Hal pulled her up while Daegan grabbed her waist and pushed her up onto the enormous horse, sending shooting tingles where his hands had rested even though brief.
Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two) Page 14
