A Warrior's Return (The Royal Houses of Sea and Snow, #3)

by Marquez, Jude

  Bryson shook his head when he saw Lambin trying to think of a way to argue Bryson out of going. "Either you go with me or you go without me. But if you go without me, you will lose your way. No one else here, not even Semaleon, knows the way like I do. I will go with you, and that is the only way you will go."

  Bryson spoke with such of finality that Lambin knew he didn't have a choice. He nodded. "When will we go?"

  "Now, before I lose my nerve," Bryson said.

  ALIK WAS FALLING ASLEEP before he realized that Issat was back.

  She was gone for hours, and Avelina had fallen asleep on Lady Sexton's lap. But when they heard Issat steps returning, Alik was on his feet, blinking in the dawn light.

  "What news have you?" Alik asked immediately. He immediately regretted it, upon closer inspection of Issat. She looked more exhausted than any of them.

  She had gone into the towns and asked around, discreetly, for any information she could find on the orphans. There was no telling when she would be back or even if she would be back.

  Nonetheless, Issat gave him a smile. “The people were able to tell me where the orphans are. They were able to give me vague directions, but I figured that Avelina would know where they are," she explained.

  Avelina was standing up and she looked to Issat. "Where are they?"

  Issat turned to her and said, "They are in the dunes on the southern part of the island."

  Avelina nodded. "Of course they are."

  THE HIKE TO THE SOUTHERN part of the island was harder than Alik thought it would be. The northern part of the island, where he spent most of his time previously, was made for easier living, and the southern part was the exact opposite.

  It was rocky, filled with soft sand, and if one wasn't careful, it was easy to slip and catch yourself on the sharp rocks.

  The four of them kept going, without complaint. It took them hours, and by the time they reach the dunes, they were all sweating and exhausted.

  As they neared the dunes, Alik heard a growl, from the nearby soft sand. The sand was surrounded by tall grass and Alik immediately reached a hand out to stop everyone.

  "No one move," Alik ordered, struggling to keep his voice calm and even.

  The growl was echoed by another and then another and then another. There was no way to tell how many wolves were there and Alik feared, for the first time, that Eamon's wolves would take his life.

  Ignoring his explicit instructions, Avelina turned towards the tall grass and took a step forward. She kept her arms wide.

  "Avelina!" Margrave hissed.

  "Titan?" Avelina called, "Is that you, pretty girl?"

  Alik watched, in horror as one giant, white paw stepped out of the grass followed by the rest of Titan's body. She was larger than Alik remembered, coming up to Avelina's chest. Then she leapt gracefully from the grass and right at Avelina.

  Margrave was already diving for them and Alik was only barely able to grasp the edge of his cloak.

  Avelina's laughter echoed around them as Titan tackled and rolled her in the sand, delighted that Avelina was returned.

  "Dear God," Lady Sexton said.

  Issat helped Avelina to her feet and Avelina reassured everyone that she was fine.

  "We must be close," Avelina said and looked around.

  Indeed they were.

  One more dune, and the cave came into sight. Titan led them to one and at the entrance growled.

  Alik was only able to see a pale, steady hand raise in the darkness.

  "Who goes there?" A sweet voice called out.

  "It is I, Princess Avelina, here looking for a young boy," Avelina called out and stepped in front of them all. She put herself directly in the line of fire of the delicate hand and the bow that held it.

  "Avelina!" Margrave hissed, once more.

  The bow dropped and fell to the ground with a clatter. Then a young woman, with wild red hair around her head, rushed from the cave and threw herself into Avelina's arms. She was sobbing with relief and behind her there were at least a dozen children surrounding them.

  "He said you were coming, but I couldn't believe it," the young woman said.

  "Who said?" Avelina asked as she held the weeping young woman.

  "Lambin. He said you would be coming after him but he didn't think he had enough time. I couldn't get him to stay and the best I could offer was to send someone with him," the woman explained.

  “Enough time?” Alik said.

  "Lambin is not here?" Lady Sexton asked, her voice faint.

  “No, he isn't. He would not stay," one of the younger children said.

  Behind them, Margrave asked the question that no one wanted to. "Where did he go?"

  "He went to the dungeons, to free the King," a young girl whispered.

  "Bryson went with him. They left hours ago," another boy whispered.

  Chapter 17

  The second time Eamon heard footsteps stealing down the stairs to his and Milet's cells, he readied himself. It was too soon since the servant had left for her to return. And if Eamon was hearing correctly, than these footsteps did not want to be heard anywhere else.

  He stood up, and readied himself.

  He looked over to Milet who was also standing and watching, with suspicious eyes, as the newcomers came into the dim light of their single torch.

  Eamon was not ready for who appeared next. When Lambin followed another young boy, Eamon thought he was hallucinating. It was the only logical explanation.

  "Where did you come from?" Eamon sputtered

  "He came with you, my King," the other boy answered. He had a metal pin in his hand and was picking the lock.

  For all the shock, it took Eamon a moment to realize that Lambin was carrying two swords.

  He was breathing heavily, and seemed barely able to keep up with the other boy.

  "Where are your parents?" Eamon asked.

  "He says that they are on their way, probably for him," the other boy said. The lock popped free and the boy stepped in.

  He sat down close to Eamon's feet and began working at the lock that held him pinned into the cell.

  "If these men don't kill me, your mother and father will," Eamon told Lambin.

  "In all fairness, Your Highness, you would be dead if he weren't here," the boy said.

  Eamon looked down at him as he picked the lock around Eamon's ankle.

  "Who are you?" Eamon asked.

  "My name is Bryson, my King. During the winter solstice celebration, you taught me how to fight with a wooden sword and a wooden shield. Those lessons are the only thing that kept me alive when the Vresal came for us. They are the only thing that kept the other orphans alive as well. There were none other stupid enough to come with Lambin to your rescue, except for me," Bryson said.

  The lock opened around Eamon's ankle.

  Eamon reached down and hauled Bryson up by his arms. For brief second, there was nothing but fear on Bryson's face and then Eamon hugged him fiercely.

  Bryson wheezed.

  "You will be knighted for this, I swear it," Eamon said.

  "Not if I don't get out of here as well," Milet said from the cell next to them.

  Bryson quickly went to work and before long the two of them were free and all they had left in front of them was to escape.

  "Not a problem, of course," Milet muttered under his breath.

  "Have hope. Hope will sustain you," Eamon said.

  Hope only took them so far. It took them up the stairs three times, and it was only then that they found the first guard. He was no match for King Eamon of course, but they knew their time was running short. Eamon had to think quickly and remember all the ins and outs of his childhood home.

  Suddenly, the memory of Issat and Avelina leaving out a side door through a different set of cells came to mind.

  "This way,” he hissed at the other three.

  They followed him without hesitation and before long they were in the cellblock with the door that Avelina and Issat escape
d out of so long ago.

  It was locked.

  "Bryson," Eamon said and pointed at the door.

  The boy quickly went to work, but they all heard the footsteps at the same time. Their time was running short and the body of the first soldier was probably already found. Five soldiers entered the hallway and Eamon and Milet stood shoulder to shoulder, protecting the other two. The battle was fierce, but short.

  Bryson had the door open by the time it was over.

  It was too late.

  There were more soldiers coming for them and now Eamon had Lambin with him.

  "We must run," Eamon said.

  "THEY HAVE EAMON?" ALIK asked faintly.

  The woman in Avelina's arms, pulled away, and nodded. "We have heard talk of a battle in which Eamon's men were decimated. They took Eamon and another man and they have him in the cells. Lambin had it in his head that he was the only one who can get to him in time. I tried to talk him out of it, but he would hear none of it."

  Since they had arrived on the island, Alik tried to keep Eamon's fate out of his head. The relief he felt when he heard that Eamon was still alive was a palpable thing.

  "Then we must go after him," Issat said. She looked around and from the expression on her face, didn't appear satisfied with what she saw. "I must go after him."

  Lady Sexton shook her head. "No. I will go with you and I'm sure Margrave will as well. There is no time for discussion."

  "No, please. Wait," the redheaded woman said.

  "There is no time," Margrave snapped at her.

  "As soon as he left, we sent others after him. Soldiers, men who have been on this island since the King was driven from here. They know who he is, and they will bring him back. I believe that they are also after the King. Give them time."

  Margrave look to Alik and he seemed unsure.

  "How much time?" Alik asked.

  "I sent word as soon as they left. They can't be far behind Lambin and Bryson. I would give them no more than two hours before you set off after them," she said.

  Alik had to consider it. Two hours in the arms of the enemy was a lot of time. Perhaps too much time already passed since he had arrived. But if there were men, trained soldiers, already on their way, then it was possible that they would only get in the way and cause more chaos.

  "Then we will wait two hours. No more," Alik said to Lady Sexton when she looked like she would protest.

  "Rest for now and in two hours time, we will set out," Avelina said.

  EAMON KNEW A LOST BATTLE when he saw one. He just usually wasn't the one losing.

  As Bryson darted out the open door and turned to the left Eamon reached out and grabbed him by the back of his tattered tunic and pulled him to the right. To the left would send them straight to the stables and probably where more armed guards were saddling up to chase after them. To the right were fields with tall grass and a cliff that dove off into the ocean. It was not the same cliff he and Alik had taken the first time he left.

  And though they were not nearly as high, the waters below were much more treacherous. Eamon worried that he would not be able to save both boys and swim to shore at the same time. But their choices were not meant many. He prayed that once they got to the cliffs they could turn east towards the village and Eamon could hide the boys there while he and Milet fended off the soldiers that were headed towards them.

  Eamon had no illusions of leaving this island alive and he had no illusions of anyone coming to his rescue, despite what Lambin believed.

  The boys began to lag almost immediately behind Eamon and Milet. They both shared a look, turned, and each picked up the boy and threw them over their shoulders. Even though now they carried extra weight, they moved faster.

  "When we reach the cliffs, turn to the east, there will be a village further out," Eamon called to Milet.

  Milet nodded and kept his eyes on the distant cliffs.

  Just as Eamon had given his plan, they heard the sound of hooves behind them. For a brief second, Eamon remembered chasing his brother Edmond through this very field, playing some game that they made up his children. Or rather, that Edmond had made up as a child, and Eamon had gone along with. It was a brief thought, but a golden one, and it spurred Eamon on a little bit more.

  The sound of the horses seemed so close, and the cliff seemed so faraway. Eamon didn't know if the soldiers would follow them all the way to the village, but he would not doubt it. The way there could be treacherous for horses, but Eamon didn't think that they would care about that, either.

  They hit the cliff faster than Eamon thought they would. They turned sharply to the east, and Eamon could see where the tall grass ended and the sandy, rocky ground began.

  Perhaps they could great gain ground there.

  Even as he thought so, Eamon heard more horses coming up and over the rocky area. Milet must have heard it at the same time as well because they both came to a sudden stop. Eamon was a fool to think that this army would not train over these very grounds for this very scenario. Eamon was a fool for many things, and this just ranked high among the list.

  Milet and Eamon exchanged a look and Milet looked to the cliffside. It was their only obvious way out and they both knew it without saying the words.

  They let the boys down, off their shoulders, as they both headed for the edge.

  "Will we survive?" Milet asked.

  "Are your strong swimmer?" Eamon asked.

  That was answer enough. Milet straightened his shoulders and nodded at Eamon. "It has been a privilege, serving at your side, Your Highness.”

  "Have faith, we are not through yet," Eamon said.

  The second group of horsemen came over the ridge and Eamon swore he saw death riding with them. The rider wore all black, with an eye patch over his eye. His sun-kissed hair and golden brown skin seemed familiar in a way, though Eamon was hesitant to consider why. The second group wasn't as large as the army that was headed straight for them. But it was strange, because the rider that led them, the one that Eamon swore was death, had another horse, without a rider running alongside him. The second group came closer and closer and for a long moment, everything in the world was suspended.

  Then the rider that wore all black turned to him and it seemed like time stood still.

  Eamon was moving towards the second group without a thought, running as fast as he could, carrying Lambin in one arm. He heard Milet and Bryson shout behind him but knew they would follow.

  Just like the rider that Eamon swore was death would follow Eamon anywhere.

  "I knew you would return to us," Eamon's brother said as Eamon came close to him.

  "I missed home and Grayhaven is so ugly,” Eamon said and tried to tamp down on the elation that was bright in his chest.

  Even as they spoke, Eamon passed Lambin up to Edmond.

  “Is this the boy that has caused all the trouble?" Edmond asked, delighted. Abandonment and torture did not steal his joy, Eamon could see.

  "We can't be too angry with him, he did save my life," Eamon said and took the riderless horse and reins from Edmond's hands.

  He turned the horse towards the army that was running them down and reached for the sword that was already in the saddlebag. Bryson was in the saddle with another soldier, another man that had remained loyal to the crown. Milet was also on another horse and all of the men looked to Eamon for instructions.

  "I was headed for the village, but if there are people still there –" Eamon began.

  "There are not, we began pushing civilians out of the village early this morning, when we heard of your battle. King Evander and his ships took them to the far southern shores. There was a small skirmish, but King Evander and his army were spoiling for it. The villagers are safe," Edmond said.

  It was the first that Eamon even heard of Evander sailing for them.

  Eamon felt a wave of gratitude. "Then to the village."

  The men turned in their saddles and came the way they went.

  At the village,
they hardly slowed. They got off the horses and sent them running in a different direction while they themselves set off towards the south, where Edmond said there were more people waiting for them.

  "Is it my parents?" Lambin asked.

  Edmond nodded. "We had word sent that King Alik had arrived, looking for someone, and I imagine that was you."

  When Eamon looked at the boy that was clutching his hand, Lambin would not meet his.

  "There is nothing to be ashamed of, boy. You did what any good soldier would do, you came to your King's aid, when no one else would. Though I fear, your parents may have a punishment in mind for you," Edmond said.

  THE SUN WAS BEGINNING to set and Margrave was already pacing the opening of the cave. Another half hour at the most and they would set out.

  Alik exchanged a look with Semaleon, having finally learned the woman's name. Alik could not talk his cousin out of going after Lambin, nor would he let them go alone. Issat sat, sharpening her blades, and remained silent. Avelina had excused herself, saying she needed to rest. One of the orphans showed her to another set of caves, further back, away from the noise and the people and the firelight.

  Lady Sexton set near Issat, which was still a surprise to Alik.

  "They shouldn't be much longer," Semaleon promised.

  "I believe you, but will they be here before Margrave runs off to find them?" Alik asked, out loud.

  Issat looked up at him and they shared a look of friends who learned long ago to read each other's minds.

  They both knew that unless Lambin showed up soon, they would set out again.

  Alik stood and went to the mouth of the cave where Margrave was pacing and watched him silently.

  "You will not stop me," Margrave informed him.

  "I am not here to stop you," Alik said.

  Margrave gave him a look that asked why he was here then.

  "I'm only here in the event that you run off, I can see which direction you go," Alik said.

  Margrave snorted but didn't reply.

  "I cannot believe this boy is so foolish to do something like this. He did not remotely think this through, nor does he know what kind of danger he is in," Margrave snarled.