by J D Abbas
Celdorn paused. The priest was listening with his head bowed and eyes closed. His hands, gnarled with age, were in fists, his knuckles white.
“She told us it was her father who’d sold her and that there were others in the area who market children to be used sexually, to locals and to travelers.” The priest put his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth. “She also told us of a camp north of here where they bring children to be trained and used in this business.”
The priest glanced up at Celdorn with a look of horror. “Oh my, this is much worse than I had surmised…much worse.”
“We found that encampment earlier tonight and rescued some fifty children. It was a most gruesome place. My men are still there, tending to medical needs. They will be transporting the children to the doqajh at first light.”
“Of course, of course.”
“Our hope is that you can help us identify any local children and inform us of the fitness of their families, and perhaps assist in finding homes for those children that may have been abducted. My men are learning as much as they can about each child, but as you can imagine, the children are reluctant to trust, having been threatened not to disclose any information. Giara was terrified even when surrounded by Guardians.”
Celdorn found himself hesitant to tell Toreno that Elena was in the keep, fearing that someone might press him for information.
“Some of the children are badly injured. They’ll need to be vigilantly tended. One or two may not survive. Sadly, we may have been too late for them.”
“Goodness, Lord Celdorn, this breaks my heart. I wish I had been able to gain the trust of the children. I’m so sorry to hear of their torment.”
“We’re still following up on information that we’ve found and would appreciate your help on any level.”
“I will assist in every way possible.”
Celdorn gestured toward Elbrion and Mikaelin. “The three of us need to leave on some other urgent business. We’ll check back with you in the next day or two.”
“We will be prepared for the children come morning. Anything else you need, just ask.” The priest rose and held out his hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Celdorn. Prince Elbrion, I hope I have the privilege of visiting with you again when we may simply converse. And Mikaelin”— the priest gazed askance at the young man—“don’t give up. Sometimes those who walk through the fires of suffering hold within them the brightest lights.”
Mikaelin’s face blanched. He immediately rose and headed to the door, pulling it closed behind him.
Toreno turned back to Celdorn. “He is a good man. He just does not know it yet.” The priest’s gaze suddenly turned upward, and he cocked his head as if listening. “Guard Giara well,” he said, his voice hollow. “She is of great value to them, and they will do everything in their power to retrieve her. Soon.”
It was as if the priest slapped Celdorn awake. The urgency returned, gripping his stomach. “Thank you, Yadar, we’re headed to her now.”
“They are trying as we speak,” the priest added, his eyes distant.
Celdorn didn’t wait to hear more. He ran out the door, mounted, and urged Malak homeward.
Chapter 28
Celdorn, Elbrion and Mikaelin rode on to Kelach without a word. Celdorn gave Malak his head, knowing the Ilqazar would choose the swiftest route and never break stride.
When they arrived at the castle, the stallions galloped over the drawbridge, across the bailey, and through the entrance of the keep, not stopping until they reached the foot of the stairs in the northern wing. Celdorn leapt from his mount and charged up the steps two at a time, Elbrion and Mikaelin right behind.
At the top, Celdorn glanced toward Elena’s room. Her door was open and unguarded. His heart skipped a beat as he raced down the hall.
He froze on the threshold. A massive hole gaped where the window had been. Chunks of wood and shattered glass covered the floor; a mass lay covered by a sheet. When he saw the puddles of blood, he slumped against the doorframe.
“Malqor!” Elbrion called from somewhere behind him.
Celdorn leaned, immobile, his mind reeling. With a maniacal laugh, Anakh wrapped around him again and squeezed. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.
As if from far away, Elbrion asked, “Where is the girl?”
“In Celdorn’s chambers,” came the distant answer.
Celdorn felt a hand on his shoulder. “Silothani, my friend. That is not Elena.” Anakh’s gripped loosened, and Elbrion’s voice drew nearer. “She is in your room.” The words didn’t register. “Celdorn?” Elbrion shook him.
Celdorn’s mind snapped back. He glanced at Elbrion then turned and ran to his room. When he threw open the door, he found Elena sleeping in a chair by the hearth with Braiden reading beside her.
“L-Lord Celdorn,” Braiden exclaimed, immediately rising. Sasha jumped up and rushed toward Celdorn, tail wagging. “I-I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. I-is everything all right?”
Relief swept over Celdorn, and he gave a half-laugh. “Well, that was to be my question. We came back under the mistaken impression Elena was in imminent danger.” He ruffled the dog’s fur as she circled his feet, then smiled at the sleeping girl.
“It’s b-been quiet here...umm, for the m-most part.”
Braiden turned to face him fully, and Celdorn gasped. The right side of the healer’s face was covered with gashes, and a large bruise was forming from his temple to his jaw. “What happened to you?” When he moved toward Braiden, Sasha raced ahead and reclaimed her spot by Elena.
“W-well, apparently the w-wind tore the casement loose outside Elena’s r-room, and I was standing a b-bit too close when it broke through the w-window and blew inside.” Braiden lifted his hand to his cheek with an embarrassed grin. “I-it hit me hard enough to knock m-me out. Fortunately, M-Malqor heard it, and he and the other g-guards carried Elena and me in here.”
Braiden gave a tight laugh, his eyes not sharing in it. “N-not exactly a strong image for the leader you left in ch-charge.”
Celdorn put his hand under Braiden’s chin and tipped his face toward the light. “That’s going to leave a nasty bruise. You could always make up a good tale about battling some creature in Elena’s defense.”
Braiden scoffed. “N-no one would ever believe that of the m-man who’s rarely used a w-weapon in his life.” He looked toward the sleeping girl. “I-I’m just glad it was me standing there and n-not Elena.”
Braiden ran his hands through his hair then squeezed the back of his neck. “Um, C-Celdorn, there’s s-something else.” He looked at the far wall then his feet as tears formed in his eyes. “I-I’m so sorry to tell you this, b-but Bria was hurt when the window exploded. S-she didn’t s-survive.”
Celdorn staggered. “What? How?” His eyes scanned the room, searching for her. Braiden had to be mistaken. It couldn’t be true.
“S-she was right by my f-feet. A-apparently, a l-large piece of glass p-pierced her neck. Th-they couldn’t s-stop the bleeding. I-I’m so sorry.”
Celdorn sat down hard in Braiden’s chair. Bria had been with him for fifteen years. She’d traveled with him and slept by his side since she was a pup. She’d been a bright spot in his world, filling the void left by his family. And just like with them, he hadn’t been there for her when she needed him most. It made him sick that she’d died alone. He pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes and swallowed the mass in his throat.
Elbrion squeezed Celdorn’s shoulder and addressed Braiden. “How are Elena’s injuries?”
The healer cleared his throat. “Umm, as g-good as can be expected, I suppose. She wasn’t hurt at all when the window broke. I-I did some repair w-work on the large g-gash on her inner thigh, stitched it up. Sh-she was still losing a lot of blood. It seems to be d-doing better.”
“So Celdorn made a wise choice with you, I see.” Elbrion’s voice held a hint of pride. “Has her fear lessened?”
“Sh-she moves in and out
of it. A-after the window incident, it was d-difficult to convince her that it was j-just the wind and not Anakh.”
Celdorn’s head came up, and he glanced at Elbrion before saying, “I’m not so sure it wasn’t.” When Braiden looked at him as if he'd lost his mind, he added, “Anakh told me she was going to retrieve Elena tonight, and she knew you were guarding her.” The healer’s face paled. “But thankfully, she wasn’t able to do as she boasted.”
“Y-you talked to that...creature?”
“She was at the encampment.” He sighed, which took more effort than it should have. “I’ll tell you more about it when the others return.”
“I-is Anakh capable of attacking through the w-wind?”
Celdorn deferred to Elbrion with a wave of his hand. “I do not know. It might be a coincidence, but we have never had a casement rip loose and smash through a window before, even with the high winds we get around here. It is very odd.”
“I-I thought so as well. El-Elena’s convinced something entered th-through the hole. If not Anakh, something else. N-none of the guards n-noticed anything amiss, s-so I thought she was just d-distraught from the incident. But now...” He looked at Elena and shook his head. “Wh-whatever caused that destruction, I-I thought it best to have Giyon arrange for m-men to work on the repairs tonight, s-so Elena won’t have to worry about an-anyone or anything entering through the g-gap.”
Celdorn gave a weary nod. “Good.”
Braiden’s brow furrowed, and he glanced at the others nervously. “I-I learned something else strange tonight.” He shifted his weight and leaned in toward Celdorn. “D-did you know Elena can r-read?”
The three looked at the young healer with surprise.
“Sh-she told me she t-taught herself.”
Celdorn’s curiosity was piqued. “How?”
“Sh-she said books just appeared, and sh-she learned to read them, e-even The Adventures of Tyleum. Quite amazing and c-curious, is it not?”
Elbrion smiled. “She is a curious young woman in many ways. She has been protected and provided for somehow. Qho’el must have great plans for her.”
Images of the encampment exploded in his mind, and Celdorn gave a disgusted snort. “Protected wouldn’t be a word I’d choose. But there are definitely many mysteries surrounding her.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Celdorn saw Mikaelin pale and squirm like a snake had just slithered up his back. He moved to the other side of the room on wobbly legs and collapsed into a chair. What was happening with him?
“Perhaps we should all get some sleep. Mikaelin, you may stay in here with us if you like,” Celdorn called across the room.
Mikaelin’s head shot up, and he gawked at Celdorn, immediately shaking his head as if that were the last thing on Qabara he wanted to do.
Celdorn held his gaze. “All right, but you know where I’ll be if you need me.”
Mikaelin dipped his chin but didn’t reply.
“Braiden?” The young man looked up. Celdorn cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. “Was...was that Bria’s body under the sheet in Elena’s room?”
Braiden winced. “I-I’m sorry, Celdorn. I-I should have had them m-move her so you d-didn’t have to see her l-like that. I-I’ll have them do it r-right away.” He turned as if to head out the door.
“No, Braiden. Leave her. I want... I need...” The words stuck in his throat, and he felt Elbrion’s hand grip his shoulder. “I need to take care of her myself. I...owe her that.”
As if reading his mind, Braiden said, “S-she wasn’t alone...at-at the end. G-Giyon stayed with her. And-and Sasha wouldn’t l-leave her. H-he said she p-passed fairly quickly, d-didn’t seem to f-feel much pain.”
Celdorn nodded, unable to speak. Bria knew Giyon, liked Giyon, but she would have been looking for Celdorn, would have wondered where he was, would have wanted him by her side. Perhaps it was Bria’s heart he’d felt tug at him in Rhamal, her urgency, not Elena’s. He swiped at the tears on his cheeks and headed to the door.
Chapter 29
The next morning, Elena rolled over to find Celdorn sitting by his hearth, watching her, Sasha’s head in his lap. She glanced around, wondering how she’d gotten to his bed and what else she’d missed.
“You...you’re back. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“We arrived last night. You were already asleep, and we didn’t want to disturb you.”
When Sasha saw Elena move, she jumped onto the bed and rolled onto her back, tail thumping, waiting for Elena to rub her belly. The dog was so affectionate and trusting as if they’d been lifelong friends.
She looked across Sasha’s large ribs to Celdorn. “Have all the men returned?”
“No, little one. Elbrion, Mikaelin and I came back because we were concerned for your welfare. The others are still carrying out their orders.”
“So you found out Anakh attacked here?”
“Braiden told me about the window. What makes you so certain it was Anakh?”
“I heard her whispering in my head and laughing at me. She said she was here to take me home.” Elena was surprised when Celdorn shuddered.
Elena stroked Sasha’s belly but pulled back when her fingers tangled in matted fur. “Ew, there’s something stuck on you.” She looked closer. “Is that blood? Did you get hurt last night, Sasha?” she asked, holding the dog’s head in her hands.
Celdorn stood and moved to the side of the bed. “It’s not hers.” His voice was low, sad.
Icy fingers walked up Elena’s spine as her gaze swept the room. “Where’s Bria?”
With a frown, Celdorn circled the platform and sat on the edge of the bed next to Elena, nestling her hand between his. “She was injured when the casement broke.”
Elena’s free hand went to her mouth. She remembered the window bursting and Braiden crying out. Then the room had flooded with people. Malqor had scooped her up and rushed her into Celdorn’s room. They’d carried Braiden in shortly after. “How badly was she hurt?” The fractured look on Celdorn’s face told her before his words could.
“She didn’t survive.” Celdorn’s shoulders sagged, and Sasha immediately reached across Elena to lick his arm, her dark eyes filled with love. “They found Sasha lying with her head across Bria’s chest. They really”—his voice stalled—“loved each other. Sasha’s never known a day without Bree. This is going to be hard on her.” He brushed at the tears that slid down his cheeks. It was going to be hard on him as well, Elena thought.
She pulled her hand away from Celdorn and hugged herself. “Anakh is true to her word. She won’t just attack me; she’ll go after anyone who dares to help me or anyone I care about. She won’t give up until she has control of me again.”
Celdorn sighed and gripped her forearm. “If it was indeed Anakh, she caused some damage—some deeply personal damage—but she didn’t get to you, little one. That’s what’s important. You’re safe.”
“But it feels like Anakh’s still here, stalking me, waiting for another opportunity.”
“We’re here too, and we won’t let that happen.”
“But she killed Bria and nearly killed Braiden. How can you promise that? You can’t always be with me. What if I’m alone?” she said, remembering how the shadows had taunted her when Braiden left. She didn’t like feeling so helpless. Where had her courage gone?
She looked up and met Celdorn’s gaze. “Can you...would you teach me to protect myself? Teach me to fight?”
He patted her arm. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, little one. We need to get you back on your feet first.”
Elena looked at her knee. He was right. She glanced at the crutches Braiden had given her, wondering if she was strong enough to use them.
Celdorn followed her gaze. “Where did those come from?” He rose and inspected the devices Braiden had left by the hearth.
“They were gifts from Braiden.”
“Gifts?” Celdorn cocked his head.
Elena stared down. “He had t
hem made for me, so I could be more independent.”
“That was kind of him.” He picked up the footstool with the sling and studied it from every angle. “Does this trouble you?”
She couldn’t look at him. “I don’t deserve such kindness. I’ve done nothing but cause trouble here.”
Celdorn sighed. “Elena, you’re not the one who caused the trouble, and they’re gifts. You don’t have to earn a gift. They are freely given because it pleases the giver.”
“You sound like Braiden.” She cleared her throat and squirmed. “Celdorn, do you think...could we try out the step stool. I need…” Her cheeks went hot.
“Oh. Yes. Of course. I’m sorry.” Celdorn’s face flushed to match hers. “J-just a moment.” He disappeared out the door and returned with a bruised but smiling Braiden.
“G-good morning.” The young healer was far too cheerful for someone who’d nearly been killed the night before. Because of her...
Words stuck in her throat. She managed to dip her chin, the heat rising to her ears.
“Braiden, you take your devices, and I’ll carry Elena.” With no further discussion, Celdorn scooped her up, and they headed toward the door. Celdorn shooed Sasha away when she tried to follow. With her tail between her legs, Sasha turned around and plodded toward the hearth. Rather than lie on her own bed, she sprawled out across Bria’s. If she’d been human, she probably would have let out a loud sob. Celdorn’s grip tightened around Elena, and he hurried out of the room. She felt the ache that tore at his chest and blinked away the burning tears that followed.
When they arrived at the bathing room, Braiden put the stepstool inside the garderobe and the support with the sling just off to the side. Celdorn set Elena on her feet, steadying her.
“How much do you want to try on your own?”
She studied the stepstool. “I can do it from here.”
Celdorn patted her shoulder and moved out of view. Elena grasped the handles and balanced herself. She pushed with her arms and hopped unto the first step with her good leg. Pain shot through her ribs. Taking a quick breath, she got a firm grip and hopped onto the second step. She gasped as her body jarred again, the pain far worse that time.
