Devan Chronicles Series: Books 1-3

by Mark E. Cooper

  Jihan hardened at the sight and hastily looked away.

  What kind of man looked at a woman so, especially when she was unaware of his regard? Certainly not a man with honour. Jihan forced himself to keep his eyes on mundane things, but he did indeed have to force himself, and that made him angry. He was nothing like his father! By the God, how he detested that man. Athlone would stare at the serving women constantly, as if imagining them without clothes. The small smile of pleasure that came upon him at such times disgusted Jihan. Anything remotely similar in his own actions appalled and distressed him. His mother was whom he wished to emulate—except in one thing. If ever he had the chance to kill Athlone and survive, he would take it.

  “There. If you eat all that you will get better quicker.”

  Ahnao’s voice failed to bring Jihan back from his murderous plans. He frowned. It wouldn’t be honourable to murder the evil bastard, but he could challenge him. Yes, that was the way. A fair fight sword to sword would see Athlone kneeling before the God as quick as quick could be. Jihan was determined to challenge Athlone as soon as the thing with the sorcerers was done with.

  “Are you listening to me?” Ahnao growled.

  Jihan blinked and found himself looking at Ahnao’s chest where she stood a pace in front of him. She was angry with him. She stood with fists on hips scowling fiercely. Jihan quickly fixed his eyes upon her face and kept them there. How could he, a man still half dead from his wounds, find his interest awakened by seeing a pretty girl? Ahnao was very pretty, but still!

  Searching for something to say, Jihan noticed that Ahnao’s plate was empty. “I don’t like to eat alone, Ahnao.”

  She waved that away. “I’ll eat later.”

  That sounded false to him. Jihan glanced at the pan where it cooled to one side. It was empty. He shook his head, and poured half of his stew onto her plate not listening as she protested that she wasn’t hungry.

  “Sit and eat girl,” he said gruffly.

  Ahnao grumped but sat opposite and began eating. Jihan matched her bite for bite and enjoyed the food, though there didn’t seem to be much meat in it. Not surprising really. Peasants would be unable to afford meat more than a few times a tenday. They would make what they had last. Between bites of the delicious stew, Jihan asked what had been happening.

  “You slept for five days. I took care of you after I pulled the arrows out. I thought you would die for sure, but...” she shrugged again.

  Jihan stared at her in an appalled silence. This was disaster! The traitor’s men would be reluctant to go back to Malcor without evidence of his death, but this late they would be wondering if they had lost him. They might take the chance and go back for more men. Worse, one might go back. He could have enemies ahead and behind.

  “I have to leave, now, today!”

  “You can’t do that!” Ahnao gasped. “You can barely stand, yer fool!”

  Jihan clenched a fist and pounded the table, she was right! “I have to, Ahnao. It’s not just my life at risk. I can’t let my father’s guardsmen catch me here. I have to warn Lord Keverin what he plans to do!”

  “You can’t... just wait for a few days.”

  A few days might be too long to wait, but not waiting might be just as bad if he was caught in the open by his father’s guardsmen. He wavered between going and not going but finally he nodded.

  “Two days.”

  Ahnao looked relieved.

  * * *

  “I said you can’t come with me!” Jihan said desperately. Ahnao must have ridden all night to catch him.

  “You said two days. You lied to me!”

  Jihan winced. “I didn’t lie to you... not exactly. When I said two days I meant to follow through, but the more I thought about the danger the more I realised I couldn’t wait. I’m sorry.”

  Ahnao was a very determined girl. Leaving home and riding after a stranger she hardly knew took courage. It was obvious she was not used to riding such distances, but she made no complaint. She shifted in the saddle and self-consciously pulled her skirts down to cover her legs. A moment later, her horse shifted and the hem raised up to expose them again. Jihan tried to keep his eyes on Ahnao’s face—not a hardship under other circumstances, but he could not help noticing how smooth her legs looked. He would like to touch them. At that realisation, he snarled silently. He was in fear of her life, of both their lives. It was no time to be thinking of love play! They were in danger. He had to keep that firmly in mind.

  “I’m sorry Ahnao. I’m grateful for what you did for me—very grateful, but it’s too dangerous for you to stay with me.”

  “I ain’t going with you. I just happen to be going the same way is all. I’m on my way to the fortress to ask for work.”

  “Don’t give me that! You followed me.”

  Ahnao rolled her eyes. “You think a lot of your self don’t yer? This is the quickest way, lots of people use it.”

  Jezy picked up Jihan’s frustration and sidestepped. It took barely a moment to calm her with a shift of his knees. “Please Ahnao, you were a big help the other day, but there are still two men after me. With you along it doubles my risk.”

  “Thank you very much!” Ahnao cried with eyes flashing. “I’m just a burden now am I? That ain’t what you said after I took them arrows out of yer! Bawling like a littlun and carrying on—”

  “I did not!” Jihan started but then he realised she was trying to rile him. “You must see the danger we’ll be in, and what about your house?”

  “I’m ain’t stupid! Of course there’s a bit of risk and the house ain’t mine Jihan—you know I’m nothing but a foundling. When ma died, Ricol should have thrown me out, but he couldn’t coz the others said it would be shameful.”

  Too right it would be! Jihan was angry at the very thought of Ahnao thrown out of her home. “What did Ricol have to do with your mother?”

  “He’s her brother. Anyway, I gave it back to him in trade for a horse.” Ahnao patted the mare on the neck.

  Jihan eyed the horse. Ahnao was robbed, but Ricol wasn’t all bad. No horse a peasant could afford was worth a house and its contents, but this one looked sturdy. It wasn’t a warhorse like his Jezy of course, but it looked well bred and cared for.

  “What are you doing tonight? I say we split the night in two.”

  That suggestion had merit. Jihan had not forgotten his first night in the hills, but the danger to Ahnao made it out of the question. He was just about to tell her no, when she froze looking over his shoulder. With a sinking feeling he turned slowly to see what Ahnao was staring at. There were two mounted figures waiting just over the rise in the road. Jihan could not make out details, but he had no doubt that his enemies had found him. He took up his bow, but he wasn’t confident at such a long range.

  “Can you tell if they have bows?” Jihan asked laying the arrow against the string. His bow was for use while afoot, not mounted, but it was better than nothing.

  “The one on the right does. The other one has a sword.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “The one on the left was in ma’s house that night. He didn’t have a bow then, and he’s short. That’s him.”

  “I hope you’re right because I’ll only get one chance at this. I’m going to charge right at them. I want you behind me until I shoot. As soon as I throw down my bow, you will ride into the trees as if you have a dragon on your trail. Understand me? As soon as I shoot!”

  Ahnao looked set to argue, but she nodded after a moment’s hesitation. Jihan regarded her suspiciously for a long moment. He hoped she meant to do as he said. It would be the first time if she did.

  Jihan dropped the reins of his spare mount and shooed it away. “Let’s go.”

  Jihan charged up the road and Ahnao disobeyed him almost straight away. Instead of behind him, she raced by his side. Ahnao’s horse, slightly faster because she carried less weight, began to pull ahead. Before she could pull more than half a length in front, Jihan shouted for her to go
left. Just as he had feared she disobeyed him again and moved in front to shield him.

  “No, you fool girl!” Jihan shouted. She was blocking his shot!

  Jihan dropped his bow and drew his sword. Lying over Jezy’s neck he whispered encouragement. Jezy swivelled her ears and took the bit between her teeth to gallop like the wind. Jihan came level with Ahnao just as the guardsman loosed his arrow—

  And missed!

  Time seemed to slow as Jihan bore down on the bowman. Like a dream, the man raised his bow to fire again. Just as the arrow flew from his bow, Jihan struck.

  Impact!

  Jihan’s sword was almost wrenched from his hand as he passed. He held tight and thanked the God that his blade came free. He reined Jezy in hard, trying to get after the second man before he could turn to attack. Jezy skidded and sat down as she struggled to obey the impossible command. She struggled back to her feet and Jihan turned her to look back up the slope. The bowman was down and Ahnao was nowhere to be seen. He hoped she had sense enough to gallop away. The last of Athlone’s men was just turning his horse. Jihan pushed his worry for Ahnao to one side to concentrate on this new target.

  He charged.

  “Malcor!” Jihan cried in reflex. He didn’t have time to consider the irony of two men shouting the same battle cry as they tried to kill each other.

  The guardsman charged to meet Jihan halfway up the rise. Jezy took the impact well, but the guardsman’s horse was not of pure blood. It went down squealing. The man jumped clear and landed lightly on his feet with his sword in hand. It took skill to perform such a thing so well—Jihan was impressed.

  Climbing down from Jezy, Jihan limped toward the man. “You are Haiger?” He asked and the man nodded. “You could walk away. There will be no reward for my death, and certainly none for yours. My father thinks that carrying out his orders is reward enough.”

  Haiger shook his head. “Your da has been good to me boy. He could have hung me years back. I owe him a lot, more than I can ever repay.” He moved forward warily. “You had everything Jihan, but you pissed it away. One thing I can do for your da, and that’s ridding him of you!”

  Haiger attacked and Jihan parried easily. Haiger was good, but not good enough Jihan decided confidently. He stepped back to lead the man into a more favourable position, and then attacked high three times in a row. Three times high, and then twice low, and then three high, twice low. Jihan saw the decision in Haiger’s eyes. In anticipation Jihan broke the pattern with a third low stroke.

  Haiger was slow to react and his eyes popped wide as Jihan’s sword crunched into his thigh. He staggered back clutching at the wound. “Oh... by the God!” He groaned still clutching himself.

  Jihan winced at the pain-filled prayer. “I don’t want to kill you man. My father is a cursed traitor. He’s not worth your loyalty.”

  “You’re the traitor, he’s your da!”

  “He treated me worse than a clansman treats his dogs!”

  “Let be boy. You ain’t never convincing me to turn traitor. You ain’t leaving here alive. You know, you surprised me using the girl like that. Good plan boy... she’s dead ya know!”

  Haiger yelled and lunged.

  Numb with shock, Jihan nearly took Haiger’s sword in the chest. At the last moment he batted it to the side and agony erupted in his arm. “AEiii!”

  Jihan screamed as the sword impaled him and erupted out the back of his arm. Still shrieking, Jihan swung his sword awkwardly to lodge in Haiger’s throat. The man crumpled without a sound and wrung a last note of agony from Jihan when the sword wrenched in the wound before slipping free. Groaning at the new and old injuries, Jihan staggered toward Jezy.

  I’m coming Ahnao, don’t worry.

  Pulling himself awkwardly into the saddle, Jihan galloped to the top of the hill. Ahnao was lying in the road trapped under her horse. She was terribly still. Jihan’s vision narrowed until all he could see was that slight form pinned beneath a horse she had given up everything to buy. All to follow him to this place to die. Jihan groaned in grief and pain both. Blood was pouring from his arm. His hand on the reins was thick with it. He couldn’t leave her... not like this. He rode closer and dismounted. Kneeling next to her, he gently moved Ahnao’s hair aside to study her face.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “So ya should be! This cursed horse must weigh as much as my ma’s house!”

  “Yippp!” Jihan gasped and leapt back to land on his backside in the dust. Ahnao’s grin was feeble, but it was there. “It’s your own fault. I told you to go left!”

  “I know, but you never could tell your left from your right!”

  Jihan stared at her solemnly and began to laugh. He laughed so much that it hurt. Ahnao laughed at his discomfort, and that set him off again.

  “Oh!” Jihan gasped. “Oh don’t! That hurts like a sorcerer’s flames.”

  Ahnao’s leg was pinned beneath her horse. The arrow had taken the beast in the eye and straight into the brain. It would have been an incredible shot, if not for one minor detail. It was supposed to have hit Jihan, and not the horse. It was certain that Jihan couldn’t move it without help. With nothing else available, Jihan gathered Ahnao’s and Haiger’s reins. He tied them together in a poor looking rope and looped it around Ahnao’s mount. He tied the other end to Jezy’s saddle.

  Mounting up, Jihan backed Jezy to take the slack out. “This is going to hurt, Ahnao. As soon as you get enough of a gap, get clear.”

  “Count on it!”

  Jihan backed Jezy slowly. He tried not to listen to the girl’s whimpers as the dead weight ground her leg. Suddenly she screamed fit to pierce his eardrums. He jumped down and dashed to her aid. Ahnao had pulled herself clear, but all was far from well. Her left leg was badly broken. The bone was completely snapped, but it hadn’t pressed through her flesh thank the God.

  Jihan knew that he needed to set it and cringed at the pain it would cause her. “Ahnao, forgive me.”

  “What fer?” she said through her tears.

  “This!” he said and hit her on the chin—hard.

  Ahnao fell back unconscious.

  Seating himself by her feet, Jihan tried not to be too squeamish. He grabbed her left foot, pulled, and twisted at the same time. Even unconscious Ahnao grunted and flinched, but the leg was straight now. He used two scabbards for splints. They looked strange, but he had nothing else. He strapped the leg to them with strips of material torn from a dead guardsman’s shirt and used another shirt for padding. Over that he used the leather from the reins. It looked terrible, but the leg was held securely.

  While Jihan waited for Ahnao to wake, he tended to his own hurts. The gash in his arm looked bad. Blood was pouring out and his shirt was sodden with it. He cleaned and bandaged the wound using his shirt, but when he was done, he found the blood had failed to slow. He might as well not have bothered with the bandage. It was already soaked through. He grabbed a piece of leather leftover from Ahnao’s splint and used it as a tourniquet. He watched in satisfaction as the blood slowed to a tiny trickle. That would have to do. He slipped his armour back on.

  Jihan settled his armour in place and wished he was more prepared. Normally he preferred bracers on his forearms and gauntlets for his hands. He had neither here today, but so far they would not have helped any way. What he needed was a pair of armoured sleeves. As far as he knew they didn’t exist, but he thought it might work. If he could get someone to make leather sleeves to attach to his armour, he could reinforce them with rings. The normal iron discs he used between the layers of his armour would be too heavy. Protection for his arms would be a real benefit.

  Ahnao groaned and awoke. She glared at him, but then her face softened when she saw her leg. “Thank you,” she said unsteadily.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Jihan looked around for a spare horse, but Jezy was the only one in sight. “We need to get you on my horse, Ahnao. It’s going to hurt.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she
said and winced at a stab of pain from the leg.

  Remembering Ahnao’s difficulty with her skirts, Jihan murmured an apology before slicing the material down the centre in front and back. He lifted her easily in his arms and winced in sympathetic pain when she cried out. Ahnao was crying by the time Jihan mounted behind her.

  “Here, see if you can rest it the stirrup.”

  She tried but her legs were much too short. Jihan jumped down and reset the stirrup. With nothing further he could do, he mounted and eased Jezy to a slow walk.

  After a candlemark or so on the road, Ahnao had cried herself into a doze. She leaned back against him and slept. The tension drained out of him and Jihan sighed in relief. It was strange how a woman’s pain affected a man. During the last tearful candlemark he had felt like a small boy unable to comfort his mother.

  A little further on Jihan had to loosen the tourniquet on his arm or loose all feeling. He watched the blood running down for a slow count to twenty before tying it tight again. Feeling returned and he gritted his teeth at the agony it reawakened. Every other candlemark he did the same and worried about running out of blood before he reached Keverin.

  Jihan shifted Ahnao more comfortably in his good arm. She felt good against him. He had been alone for so long, most of his life, that the simple pleasure of holding a girl had been denied him. He took this quiet time to relish the feel of her in his arms. He had been a silent brooding presence at Malcor—he spoke only when necessary and little even then. He had said more over the last tenday than he had in the entire previous year. It felt good to be able to let his guard down. The last time he had felt this good was his sixth birthday. His mother had still been alive and his training had yet to start.