Journey to Queyon: The Innocence Cycle, Book 3

by J D Abbas

  “No, and Elbrion is scouting the area as well, so we haven’t seen him for some time.”

  “I sense something wrong.”

  Silvandir knelt beside her and held her hand between his. “Celdorn is better able to defend himself than any man I know. He won’t be caught off guard. I think he knows where people will tread even before they have the idea to move.”

  “That’s what all of you tell me, yet he was wounded the last time he went out to take care of the threat against me. I hope his heart isn’t muddling his judgment. I don’t want anyone else hurt on my account.”

  “It’s not your responsibility, Elena. Celdorn and the others are doing what is right and necessary. You just happen to be the recipient of their efforts, but I know it’s not by your choice. You would have them hide away and stay safe, but we all must do what we know in our hearts to be right.” Looking at her tenderly, he added, “and we do it with much love, not just duty.” He unbuckled his scabbard, set it on the ground, then lay down facing her. “Celdorn will be all right. You’ll see.” He stroked her face, a smile spreading across his.

  Just then, they heard a horse rapidly approaching. Celdorn called for Dalgo long before he reached the camp.

  Silvandir jumped up and looked through the tent door.

  Elena envisioned a bloody, half-dead Celdorn riding into the camp. “Is he all right?”

  “He looks fine. But he has a wounded man with him.”

  Elena went cold with dread. “Elbrion?”

  “No, the hair’s too dark.”

  “Help me up!”

  “Merciful Qho’el, it’s Braiden.” With that, Silvandir was gone.

  “Wait, don’t leave me here!” When he didn’t turn back, Elena hit the ground in frustration. She strained to hear what was happening outside.

  ~

  Dalgo was at Celdorn’s side by the time he halted.

  “He was ambushed,” Celdorn said as Dalgo helped to lower Braiden’s body. He leapt from Zhalor’s back. “Take him to the tent. He’s been badly beaten, but alive. He never made it to the keep.”

  Celdorn turned to the others. “Tobil, Shatur, ride to Kelach. Use the secret way in case the keep is being watched. Bring fifty men with you, but don’t come directly here. Divide and use the rivers to hide your paths.”

  “Yes, sir.” They mounted and galloped off.

  Elbrion arrived just before they left. “I have seen no signs of anyone near the camp.”

  “Braiden was attacked by the crossroads. It seems they don’t know which direction we took but are watching the roads in and out of the keep.”

  “Silvandir, take Elena to the cave. Don’t leave there for any reason, and don’t leave her alone.” He looked around for Mikaelin but didn’t see him. “Silvandir, find Mikaelin and have him take the supplies there and set up bedding for Elena. Post him outside to make sure no one comes near. Elbrion, you’ll come with me. We’ll see if we can find where Braiden’s attackers have gone. Haldor, stay in the camp and guard Dalgo and Braiden. All of you, keep your cloaks on at all times, hoods up, weapons ready.”

  ~

  As Silvandir approached Elena’s tent, he heard her calling. “Ada! No. Celdorn, don’t go.”

  Silvandir came through the flap. Without a word, he lifted Elena to her feet, his jaw locked tight. He tried to soften his expression so he didn’t frighten her.

  “What’s happening?” Elena searched his face. “Is Celdorn leaving again? It’s not—”

  The tent flap opened, and Dalgo carried Braiden inside.

  Elena froze. She gaped at the young healer, whose face, distorted by ruptured and protruding flesh, was hardly recognizable. His auburn curls were blood-soaked and flattened to his head. His body hung so limply it was hard to believe there was any life in him.

  Silvandir put his arm around Elena and pulled her to the side of the tent to give the men room. She shivered as Dalgo lowered Braiden to the very spot she’d lain just moments before.

  Braiden was the youngest, most innocent of Celdorn’s inner circle, and the handsomest man Silvandir had ever seen. He had a pure, flawless beauty that seemed to reflect his gentle soul, though none of that was evident now. Every feature on his face was mutilated.

  Dalgo looked around the tent. “Does anyone know where Mikaelin is?”

  “No, I haven’t seen him since we set up camp,” Silvandir replied.

  “It would save this boy a great deal of pain if Mikaelin were able to heal at least some of his wounds,” Dalgo added. “Haldor, see if you can find him.”

  Haldor dipped his chin and left.

  Silvandir heard Celdorn’s voice coming closer.

  “Ada!” Elena moved toward the tent door. Silvandir restrained her, and she tugged against his grip.

  “Elena, you aren’t supposed to go out there uncloaked.”

  White fire flashed in her eyes. “Let go of me.” Silvandir held on, though it hurt him to upset her. “Ada!” Panic shrilled her voice and stomped on Silvandir’s heart.

  Celdorn looked in through the tent flap. Silvandir released her. She flew into Celdorn’s arms and clung to him sobbing. He held her and whispered soothingly in Elnar. Her body relaxed.

  She looked up at Celdorn. “Please don’t leave, Ada. It’s not safe.”

  “You’re right; it’s not, which is precisely why I must go. Elbrion and I need to find where the men who attacked Braiden have gone. You’re to go to the cave with Silvandir. Don’t leave his side or come out for any reason until I come to get you myself.” He lifted her chin and looked her in the eye. “Do you understand?” There was command in his question.

  Elena bristled, the fire back in her stare. “You would hide me away while you walk into danger. Danger I brought on all of—”

  “He’s waking,” Dalgo interrupted.

  Celdorn let go of Elena and knelt at Braiden’s side. He laid his hand on Braiden’s bloodied curls. “Do you know who attacked you?”

  The words came slowly and with great effort. “Fr-from Elena’s v-village.”

  Elena swayed, and Silvandir grabbed her arms to steady her.

  Braiden’s breath rasped between words, which came out garbled and half-drowned as they fought their way through his swollen, oozing lips.

  Silvandir stared at his face. It seemed as if his mouth didn’t line up. The whole shape of it was off. With a flare of rage, he realized it was because his jaw was broken.

  The young healer struggled to push out more words. “Th-they said we had s-something of theirs. S-someone from the keep st-stole their property ... want it b-back.” Elena’s body tensed at the word ‘property.’ Braiden paused while Dalgo gave him some water.

  “How many were there?” Celdorn asked.

  “T-ten ... m-maybe ... twelve.” He coughed then curled in pain. “F-fewer ... when they left.”

  “I didn’t see any bodies where I found you.”

  “Th-they attacked ... b-by the water. You’ll f-find them there. Dragged m-me to the road b-before they m-moved on.” Braiden drifted from consciousness.

  “Braiden, not yet, tell me what else you learned.”

  His leaden eyelids struggled to open. “They s-said until ... property re-returned. They’ll a-attack anyone g-going in or out of the k-keep. Ahh ...” His whole body arched in pain as Dalgo attempted to straighten his frame.

  “What else?” Celdorn’s breathing was shallow, his face tense as he worked his jaw.

  Braiden’s eyes darted around the tent as if searching for something. His gaze fixed on Elena. She contorted like she’d been struck by an arrow. Celdorn followed the young man’s gaze, and Silvandir, sensing an unspoken cue, put his arm around Elena and moved her toward the exit. Elbrion pulled up the door flap at that moment, intent and listening. Silvandir stalled there, uncertain what to do.

  “Braiden?” Celdorn prompted.

  Braiden’s eyes flashed toward Elena again and then back to Celdorn. His voice was nearly inaudible as he continued. “These m-m
en ... so wicked.” His face twisted in horror. “N-never felt such evil ... h-hatred.” When he closed his eyes, the welling tears spilled over the blackening mounds of his face. “So d-desperate ... to get b-back here ... warn you, b-but I lost c-consciousness.” The tears came steadily now. “I’m s-so sorry.”

  “It’s all right, Braiden.” Celdorn stroked his matted hair. “You’ve done well. What did you want to warn me about?”

  Braiden coughed, almost as if he choked on the coming words. “They s-said if... property not returned in t-two days,” he hesitated, lowering his voice even further, “they will k-kill ... a m-member of her family each d-d-ay until her return, st-starting with her children.”

  ~

  Elena didn’t hear the last part of what Braiden said. Silvandir, whether instinctively or intentionally, had pulled her head into his chest with his hand, covering her ear. His heartbeat galloped and his body stiffened. She looked up at his face. He was staring at Braiden, rigid, his expression hard.

  She glanced at Elbrion, who also stood motionless. A slight furrow of his brow was all the change she saw, but she felt the communal horror in the air. She watched Celdorn’s body slump as if a great weight were upon it.

  Silvandir steered her outside the tent.

  “What did he say?” Elena asked.

  Silvandir handed her a cloak. “Put this on.” He avoided her eyes as he helped her with her cloak and pulled the hood around her head. He put his own on as well.

  “Silvandir?” She tugged at his arm. “What did he say?”

  When she got no response, she turned to her ada. “Elbrion?” She looked back and forth between them. “Someone tell me.”

  “When we are away from Braiden, Sheya.”

  “Does this have to do with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then tell me.”

  “We should wait for Celdorn.”

  “No, that’s not fair. What about: ‘We don’t keep secrets. We speak the truth openly.’? Or does that only apply when I wish to not speak about something? If this has to do with me, then I have a right to know.” She glared at Elbrion defiantly.

  Celdorn stepped out of the tent, brow pulled down in a scowl. His color had gone gray; his eyes were full of pain. Elena nearly fell backward from the emotion that pushed out from him. Her throat tightened. “Celdorn, what did he say?”

  He glanced at Elbrion then Silvandir, as if searching for direction. Then Celdorn put his arm around her and walked her away from the tent. When they were a good distance, he turned and cradled her face. The look in his eyes sent ice through Elena. Celdorn drew a breath and seemed to gaze into her very soul as he repeated what Braiden had said.

  Elena froze, suddenly hollow. The only movement she could manage was the blinking of her eyelids. She struggled to comprehend what Celdorn had said while all breath seemed to be sucked from her body. She searched for some sort of response within her. None could be found.

  The men were quiet. In fact, all went silent, as if the world had stopped.

  At some point, she placed her hands on top of Celdorn’s, pulled them from her face, and held them in front of her. She spoke with quiet but firm resolve. “You must take me back to Anakh.”

  Celdorn focused on the ground. “No, little one, we won’t do that.”

  “I don’t want any more blood on my hands. We must do as Braiden’s attackers said.”

  “No, Elena.” Celdorn’s voice grew more intense, certain. “We can’t give you to them knowing they will torture and torment you without end.”

  “It’s not your choice. It’s mine.” Elena stepped back and dropped Celdorn’s hands. “It’s my life ... my brothers ... my children.” She spoke louder. “I didn’t ask you to save my life. I didn’t ask you to take me away. Am I now your prisoner? Do you now own me?”

  Celdorn winced at the jabs, but Elena refused to care. “You have no right to tell me what to do.” Her voice punched. “Who knows how far they’ll go? I can’t stay here in safety and let my children die because of me.”

  Elena looked at each of the men, hoping for some concession, some agreement. They remained quiet. She was desperate to make them understand. “These aren’t idle warnings. They’ll do what they threatened. I’ve seen them. They won’t just kill them; they’ll torture them first. They’ll burn, mutilate, and dismember them, piece by piece. You’ve witnessed it too. You know.” She looked from Celdorn and Elbrion. “If I can prevent any of that, I have to. I can’t live with any more blood on my hands. I can’t. Don’t you understand?”

  Celdorn moved toward her, unable to hold back his own tears. He attempted to cradle her face again, but Elena jerked away and turned her back.

  “Little one, I do understand. Please hear me.” Celdorn’s voice was filled with agony. “These men are evil. They’re more animal than human. There’s no reasoning with them. If we return you, they’ll do those things to your children or family members anyway ... but in front of you. They will make you watch them suffer to revel in your torment. Your children will never be safe. There’s no way for you to save them, no matter what you do.”

  When Elena convulsed with sobs, Celdorn touched her arm. She pulled away. She didn’t want any comfort; her children had none.

  Celdorn kicked a rock across the field with a curse. He heaved a few breaths then said quietly, “Elena, there is one life you can save.”

  She turned and looked up at him, puzzled. He hesitated, then moved toward her and gently touched her swollen belly. “The one you carry,” he whispered. “If you return to them, this life too will be forfeit.” Tears slid down his cheeks. “I-I can’t take you to your death, nor can I give this child to them. Please ...” His voice trailed off.

  The baby stirred under his touch. The movement broke something deep within. She screamed out in the futility of her rage and fell to her knees.

  As Celdorn knelt in front of her, her body sagged into his. “You’re right. I hate that you’re right. I just ...” She looked up at him, trying to find words. “I just want to save my children, to do ... something.” Her anger flared again, and she screamed at the sky. “I hate being so powerless. I can do nothing.” Her energy waned again, and her clenched fists landed lightly on Celdorn’s chest. She leaned her forehead against him. “My heart can’t bear this burden, Ada. It’s too much.”

  Celdorn pulled Elena to her feet and held her close, letting her weep. He leaned his cheek against the top of her head.

  Elbrion stepped behind her and put his arms around her waist. “You do not bear the burden alone, Sheya.” His voice was like the caress of a breeze. “You are right: we had a part to play in this, and we now carry this with you.” He pulled her hood back and kissed the top of her head whispering softly in Elnar, so lyrical, so soothing. She heard her name Celebriana among the words. Though she couldn’t understand the rest, she knew they were words of comfort, full of light, as was her ada’s touch. She leaned her head against his chest and looked up at his face. His eyes seemed focused on some faraway place from whence he drew great peace, and his face was radiant, as if some celestial visitor had entered his frame.

  “I’m sorry, Ada,” she rasped, looking from one to the other. “I’m sorry.”

  Celdorn leaned his forehead into hers. “Shh, little one, there’s no need.”

  Elena stood silent in their embrace until the tears subsided and some sense of calm had returned.

  “I don’t understand,” she finally said. “Why are they going to so much trouble? What am I to them? When I was with them, they treated me like their refuse; when I’m gone, they treat me as if I were Zalmad’s treasure. It makes no sense.”

  “It’s all about power and control, little one.”

  “They have it all. I have none. That hasn’t changed.”

  “That’s not true; you do have power. They can threaten and intimidate, but they haven’t won. You and this baby will remain safe.”

  “While others die.” There was ice in her words that ro
se from her frozen heart. “There’s little comfort in that.”

  “To this child, it will be great comfort,” Celdorn said.

  Elena sighed. She wanted to believe that. All she knew was that she felt exhausted and utterly defeated. They stood in silence until finally Celdorn broke it.

  “Little one, time and light are fleeing.” Her adai stepped back. “Elbrion and I need to go to the place Braiden was attacked to see what we can learn about the direction these men took. You need to go to the cave with Silvandir now and rest. We’ll return as quickly as possible.”

  Mikaelin, who had apparently been standing in the shadows, stepped forward leading the men’s stallions.

  “There you are,” Celdorn said. “Dalgo’s been looking for you.”

  Mikaelin nodded but didn’t speak. He moved away from the Ilqazar, his hands in fists, barely breathing. Elena watched him with a furrowed brow.

  Celdorn and Elbrion mounted.

  Celdorn turned to Silvandir. “The reinforcements should be here by morning, but tonight we must be careful. Guard her well.”

  “I will.” Silvandir moved to Elena’s side and put a protective arm around her.

  As they trotted away, Elena called after them, “Please be careful and return soon.”

  “We will,” the answer came back on the wind.

  But Elena was certain they were heading into a violent storm.

  Chapter 27

  As Silvandir, Mikaelin, and Elena watched the riders disappear into the woods, Elena felt Mikaelin’s hand embrace hers. She was surprised, considering all that had transpired and his aversion to touch. He was trembling.

  Elena glanced at him sideways. “Are you all right?”

  He shook his head in tiny, tight movements. “When Braiden first entered the camp and I saw his body, memories of my uncle flooded my mind. My body felt the beatings all over again and ...other things.” He squeezed her hand.

  She knew what he meant. She had a bond with him that she didn’t have with the others. He understood her experience on a level the rest could not, and she his.