'I am tasked with monitoring the area and to report all movements,' Matthias asserted, trying to remain detached. He could not afford to trust Akileena, no matter how compliant he seemed.
'Yes, but you established that they are all human. Peddlers of fabrics, you said.'
'Thane Kennelm wants to question all travellers in the area.'
Akileena snorted. 'Question? Torment is more accurate. Which is why I ask, do you have any reason, any at all, to believe they have information worth that 'questioning'?'
Matthias thought that through. In truth, he was not sure. Why would Akileena object to his reporting of this? Unless he had an ulterior motive.
'Where did you say they were heading?'
Distracted, Matthias replied, 'The middle of nowhere. They are delivering a commission to a plantation under construction.'
'And they departed from, where?'
'Ebeni.' Matthias huffed impatiently. 'What does it matter? Why don't you want me to report them?'
The mage rose from the folding chair he had been lounging in. It reminded Matthias just how formidable he was. It wasn't just because he was tall, Akileena emanated power. He wished he could be like that. Even Thane Kennelm sometimes hesitated when he wanted to reprimand him.
'It is not that I want to keep this information from Nathan. What I am questioning is whether you have thought everything through and are you prepared to live with the consequences?'
'Consequences?' Matthias asked, frowning.
'When Nathan questions them, and he will because he thinks everyone in the area is a rebel here to help the Sal-Cirus thief rescue the slaves we recaptured, and they do not provide the answers he wants — because they do not have them — he will torture them. Are you prepared to put them through that?'
'I will simply inform the Thane that they're innocent peddlers.'
'Hah! You think that will stop him? Exactly where have you spent the last twenty-odd turns? In a cave in the middle of the Kadita Mountains?'
Matthias' cheeks flushed with embarrassment. 'I'd heard the Thane is of a severe disposition, but I am duty-bound to serve him, not question his actions or possible reactions.'
'So you are content with the possibility that he may kill them. He has done that before. Most recently, he executed seventeen slaves in Ancoulan.' The stern tone became bitter and aggrieved. 'Some of those slaves were children, not that Nathan can recognise an elvan child.'
For the first time Matthias felt real doubt as to whether to report the group of peddlers. He had heard about Ancoulan. Nisari had been very distressed by the news, but then, she was elvan. They considered themselves superior simply because of their longevity and their talent. Well, that was not exactly fair, Matthias acknowledged. Hiliar had approached him of her own accord, and she had no need for an apprentice. And when she died, Nisari took over. Both elvan. Both willing to teach humans.
Died…
Executed!
The allegations of Hiliar's betrayal had been, and remained, unsubstantiated.
He should not trust Akileena, but the mage had never done anything to earn distrust. Just last eve, without prompting, Akileena had instructed him how to use the natural energy of the environment to keep his barriers in place. It meant he did not have to exert conscious effort to maintain them.
'What if I am wrong? What if they are scouting for the rebels?'
Akileena closed his eyes in a slow blink. 'I can assure you they are not scouts, Matthias. I may have once been a rebel, but my daughter pays the penalty if I fail in my service.'
Matthias was surprised to hear Akileena openly speak of his child, if Malithorn or Colnba had heard him say it, they would have punished him. Perhaps the mage felt he was safe enough in Matthias' presence. It indicated a trust in Matthias that the human mage was not comfortable bearing.
'And because of me,' Akileena said sadly, 'Nathan has the slaves he wanted so badly. He is eager to interrogate the slaves regardless of what they actually know. The only thing holding him off is my reasoning that if he wants to lure any rebels, he has to give them time to find out that Nathan has them, and he does not want to risk killing them too early.' Akileena paused, reminding himself to keep his tone calm and reasonable. 'It is a poor substitute for handing them to someone as vicious as Nathan, but delay is all I can give them. They do not know anything about his thief from Sal-Cirus — I know this from my own investigations, but Nathan still plans on interrogating them.'
'You need to be more careful, Akileena,' Matthias warned. 'I may agree with you on the subject of the slave's lack of knowledge, but speaking about the Thane in such a manner is disrespectful and ill-advised.' Despite the caution, Matthias found himself silently adding: even if his elvan counterpart spoke accurately.
But he genuinely respected Thane Kennelm. You did not become a thane without earning it and the Thane served his country tirelessly. 'It's not very wise to admit to deliberately delaying the Thane's plans, either,' Matthias added, more to make up for his earlier embarrassment than to reprimand the mage.
Ignoring the remonstration, Akileena persisted. 'If you report these poor peddlers, only suffering will result, because any excuse to use his interrogation tools will suffice, right now. Did you not say they have been interviewed by one of the regular patrols, already? Add that to your own investigations and, aside from 'duty', where is the benefit?'
It was true. Matthias had scanned their memories to verify Akileena's claims. While he couldn't guarantee the peddlers did not have any useful information on the rebels, they didn't know the rebel that matched the description Akileena had given them from Gareth's memory. He was not an advocate of the Thane's interrogation methods, for a mage like himself could easily obtain the information Nathan wanted. But Akileena spoke truly when he said Nathan rarely took a mage's word as truth and would insist on questioning them no matter the assurances Matthias gave him. Matthias found himself embarrassed again by the naïveté of his belief. But he still felt a nagging misgiving. All he had was an intuition that the peddlers might have rebel contacts, but was that enough? An image of Nisari's distressed expression when she received news about the elvan Nathan had executed in Ancoulan came to Matthias' mind. True, the peddlers were human, but that would not stop the Thane.
'Would you like a cup of balessia?'
Akileena's voice brought his attention back. 'A what?'
'Balessia. I suggested that you might have a cup of balessia and think it over. Ten minutes delay in reporting to Nathan will make no significant difference.'
Matthias found himself nodding. 'I do not suppose so. I am tired from my investigations, a balessia will pick me up.'
As soon as Matthias accepted the offer of balessia, Akileena knew he had decided not to report the peddlers. Yes, they were rebels. Trained ones at that from the feel of their mental barriers and the memory conditioning they had done to conceal their rebel connections. But they had no links to Nathan's escaped slaves. Matthias was safe if he found himself investigated for letting the group go. Akileena would not endanger the human mage, even if he was an Abbarane loyalist who believed half of the rhetoric Abbarane propagated. As far as many humans were concerned, the elvan had been the invaders and Keldon Abbarane had interceded.
Matthias might be safe, but if Liacoren found reason to investigate Akileena, that would be quite a different scenario, because he knew the 'fabric peddlers' were rebel affiliates. But anyone who possessed the courage to strand Nathan in the middle of nowhere as these 'peddlers' had, was worth such a risk.
Day 9 – Afternoon
Serenvale Plains
Sariah rode at a steady gallop as she followed the raven over the most direct route back into Andarea. The group had settled down to sleep, leaving her alone to hear her message. Riqu had some grave news; Sentary's group had been recaptured!
The other groups of refugees were well on their way to their chosen destinations, which was why Riqu had sent to her as he was still halfway across the country. According
to his sources, Sentary's group had been hunted down by the Thane of Ancoulan — a vicious and cruel man. They needed to be rescued fast and Riqu would not make it in time. Technically, Riqu had directed her to coordinate Sentary's rescue. Sariah knew that her father did not intend for her to attempt the extraction alone. She had considered telling Brynn. She had also considered the likelihood that this was a trap designed to draw the Saviour out. Coordinating a team to extract them would take time. Too much time. Nathan Kennelm was not a patient man.
Brynn no longer needed her. She had guided him through Sal-Cirus and she could return for the healing of her sight after Sentary was safe. Waiting for everyone to fall asleep had been difficult. Fortunately Brynn was still exhausted from his talented exertions and Daniel and Jador, although healed, were still weak from their recent experiences, so it had not taken too long for them to drop off into slumber. Because the heat had a way of inducing a heavier slumber she had managed to slip away from camp without waking the others. She was not going to lose her brother again.
Day 9 – Afternoon
At-hara Desert
Brynn woke with the unsettling feeling that something was amiss. He sat up to scan the camp. Four may-en-ghi, two men and two horses still slept. There was, however, no sign of the third horse, a hawk, or a Sariah. He swore softly.
Just now, he had even dreamed that Sariah had left while he was sleeping. What had Riqu conveyed that would cause her to leave in stealth? He paused to concentrate on the question. Sentary's image appeared in his mind. Something had gone wrong. Immediately, Brynn sought out Sariah, but her barriers were up and she refused to respond to him. Riqu was also not communicating, whether it was at Sariah's request or because he was preoccupied, Brynn could not tell. Frowning thoughtfully, Brynn tried Treya, but Sariah's barriers were extended to her. Riqu's raven messenger was another matter, though. Having established a link with the bird when examining her for injuries, he had no need to breach any barriers and it was not long before he had every word of the message.
Having been given leadership of a group, Sentary and Hagen had been travelling to the ranges east of Caradon when they were captured. It had started with an investigation into the absence of the slavers Sariah had dispatched when freeing Sentary. Having been missed at the festival, the Thane of Sal-Cirus had instructed a mage to find the missing slaves. Unfortunately, that mage had been Akileena.
Sentary's group never had a chance.
Was it likely that Sariah would succeed in rescuing her kin? Brynn searched forward on the paths. He shifted planes with a frustrated scowl. Not without help, it would seem.
He nudged Baschia. The may-en-ghi looked upon him with sleepy eyes.
'Sariah has gone. I must follow.'
Baschia's slanted gold eyes narrowed. 'You are going to have to repeat that. Although this time — put more words in there,' she instructed sternly.
'Sariah's brother has been recaptured. She has left to help him.'
Baschia frowned. 'We were aware of her moving about, but ignored the sounds. We never imagined she might be leaving.'
Brynn ruffled her mane. 'And why would you? As you said, she gave no sign she intended to leave, nor spoke a word of the unfortunate news she received. Her unobserved departure is not your fault. But, I need to go to her aid. I want Caneel and Basilt to continue with Daniel and Jador to Caradon. Send to their ghani and ask them to assist. You and Elisana are to seek out Riqu and I will need another pair of may-en-ghi on stand-by near Venshui. I have an important assignment for all of you.'
'We are not to go with you?' A note of dismay edged Baschia's tone.
'The task I need you to aid in is very important. Destinies are woven along this path. As soon as I can get in contact with Riqu, I will explain the details. Right now, I have to catch up to Sariah. I need you to go to Riqu with all possible speed,' he sent with a tone of urgency.
Baschia grunted in acceptance of his explanation.
'How far off is Caneel's ghani? Will they arrive before nightfall?'
Baschia closed her eyes as she concentrated on her communal link, sensing out the ghani. 'A little after. You wish them to help carry all the gear you no longer need?'
Brynn gave her an ingratiating grin. 'Tell them I would not ask it if circumstances were not pressing.'
Baschia snorted. 'I am sure they will understand. You should wait for the sun to set.'
'Sariah left hours ago, Baschia, I cannot afford the time. Ask Caneel and Basilt to look after Daniel, he is still very fragile.'
'It will be as you direct.'
Brynn woke Sershja and quietly gathered a few supplies. He grinned at Baschia's anxious look. 'I will be fine, my Baschia.'
'Be wary and cautious, seeca,' Baschia implored, as Brynn prompted the sleepy charger into a trot.
Day 12 – Afternoon
Caradon
Kassan looked up from the sword she was sharpening. Sweat coursed down her face and dampened her ebony-red locks. Intense orange-gold and red flecked eyes gazed at the empty landscape as she listened intently. She had heard something out of sync with their environment.
They were at the forge, crafting swords using dwarven techniques, but elvan design. It was long, hard work. When she had first started to make them she had decided she had the time to perfect her skill as the child saviour had been many turns from walking his path back then. The armour was harder, and she had only just successfully made her first fully-retractable helm. Keysjhon was fields ahead of her in that area. A majority of their weapons were made in the Tiengara forge, where the house of the same name had extensive workshops, but Keysjhon liked to keep his skills honed.
Ignoring the noise from the forge behind her, Kassan turned her focus outwards. Waist and shoulder-high grasses normally feathered the rolling hills around Caradon. Keysjhon and Belon kept it short, though, either with grazing animals or using mage-fire — it burned low and blue and did not give off any discernible smoke. They wanted no one to hide their armies just outside their door as Keldon had done outside Sal-Cirus forty turns ago. The forge could also be concealed under a retracting dome camouflaged with grass to resemble a hill. As the fires in the forge could make the room stiflingly hot, they kept the dome open in fair weather.
The breeze was soft, rippling the short grass and causing the leaves to shiver. She heard the sound again and rose from her seat.
Keysjhon noticed her and moved to her side. 'What do your keen ears detect, sword-master?'
'Approach of many, blade-master. Hundreds.'
'An army?' Apprehension filled Keysjhon's voice, and then his face relaxed. Firstly, the sword-master by his side was just tense at the unannounced arrival, if she thought they were about to be threatened she would have dropped the newly-made sword and drawn her own. Secondly, the may-en-ghi would have sent warning to Belon and she showed no signs of distress as she knelt by the herb garden tending her plants.
'There's only one large group I can think of that could get through the may-en-ghi,' Keysjhon murmured, handing Kassan the hilt of the sword he had been working on and unstrapping the coveralls he wore when working in the forge.
'Sentinel,' Kassan agreed.
'Daniel will be relieved when he arrives. When Caneel last reported in, she said he was anxious about their welfare.'
Kassan looked down at the sword he had handed her. 'You call this a better effort?' she asked, gesturing with the blade.
Keysjhon gave her his wounded-heart look. 'I put my greatest effort into it.'
Kassan considered the curve in the blade. 'That looks a lot shorter than a standard ghi-beyn,' she remarked, referring to an elvan style of sword, part scimitar, part long sword, it should have been at least fifteen centimetres longer.
'I... er, changed my mind...' he said slowly, and then mumbled as he partly turned away from her, 'when I made a minor error and…'
Kassan chuckled. 'Even skilled smiths make errors every now and then.'
She joined him as he tossed his c
overalls on the bench and started up the hill behind the forge. It took several minutes before they saw anything, and then a long stream of wagons, riders, and walkers marched over the rise opposite them. They wore clothing similar in colour to the pale grasses about them. Paulson could be seen riding out to one side. Last time she had seen him, his blonde-brown hair had been cropped very close to his head, he had let it grow out a little.
Paulson saw them and waved. Kassan and Keysjhon waved back as they started towards him.
'Vega Keysjhon. Vega Kassan,' Paulson greeted them, using an elvan term of respect. The rebel captain scanned the area, his grey-blue gaze scanning the seemingly empty hills under which the rebel base was hidden — Caradon.
A look of apprehension darkened Paulson's features, but before he could ask a question, Keysjhon pre-empted him. 'Daniel is not here, yet.'
Paulson's face lit up. 'Yet? You've found him?'
Keysjhon nodded. 'He has been found. Jador is with him. They are being guided here by some rebels. They have been taking it easy for Daniel's sake, but they should arrive in the morning.'
'As long as he's alive.'
Laughing, Keysjhon patted his back. 'Aye, he is. It was close, though.'
Paulson grunted. 'Isn't it always? I knew that thane was scheming.'
'It would be a rare one who was not,' Kassan said with a snort of contempt.
'Belon will be elated to hear of your return,' Keysjhon added. 'You proffer more sympathetic company.' A mischievous twinkle sparked in Keysjhon's pale-blue eyes. Before Paulson had left, he had often helped Belon in the garden, being a farmer before he became a rebel. In the evenings they would play ghellan-ri, an extended version of ghellan which allowed eight players. Against strategists like Keysjhon and Kassan, Belon had often paired up with Paulson as one of the few players who was not naturally inclined to combat. Quite often the pair lost early on in the game and withdrew to a side table to play masatoor, a game of wits that was more suited to their personalities.
Prophecy's Quest Page 14
