“I would never allow the general to betray the kingdom,” she said. “It simply cannot happen.”
Faenwelar didn’t stand or raise his voice but menace rang through the clearing. “You are both at my mercy and you will do as I say. Neither of you have any choice in the matter.”
“There is always a choice, Faenwelar,” Kain said, though he felt far less confident than he portrayed to the prince. He should have realized why Alique was along on this trip. They would threaten to hurt her in order to force him to betray his people.
The elven prince narrowed his eyes as if trying to assess whether Kain was bluffing or not. Then he shrugged. “I will not argue with you tonight, Jazara. We will begin the interrogation tomorrow.”
Kain let out a quiet sigh of relief. That gave them more time to escape or be rescued.
“However, I do have another matter which needs clarification,” Faenwelar said.
“Oh?”
“Your reputation precedes you, general.”
“What do you mean?” Kain said, thinking he spoke of his army career but not certain.
“The Sis Lenweri have heard of a part elven, part human who may be in this region. I think that man is you.”
Kain grunted even as Alique’s ears seemed to prick. “I’ve never heard of anything so insane. My parents are Thorian through and through. I have a brother and two sisters. I’d know if I had elven blood.”
Faenwelar stood and strode around the fire to confront Kain. The elf was taller than him and several pounds heavier. In fact, this being was the largest Lenweri Kain had ever seen. He wore the customary tight-fitting browns and greens and moved with awesome grace. The dark hair at his temples carried a dusting of grey.
Kain bore Faenwelar’s scrutiny. The Lenweri were like a dog with a bone. Perhaps if he allowed the prince’s close inspection, this would pass and he could look back upon it and laugh at the absurd accusations. He glanced at Alique who studied him almost as closely as Faenwelar.
Scrutiny was something Kain wasn’t accustomed to. As the leader of the army he was much more used to dishing out this type of treatment than running the gauntlet of it. He steeled himself to the probing gaze of the elven prince and didn’t flinch when the ruler brushed the hair from the top of his ears.
Kain heaved a long sigh when the inspection was completed. “Well?” Damn, that sounded like I care what the high prince has decided.
“I think there is no question our information is correct, general. You are at least half Lenweri. Your lithe frame, dark skin and dark eyes confirm it. I know the look of the half human and half elf. I do not know how it came to pass. You must take that up with your family.”
Kain hadn’t been prepared for the words. He’d convinced himself that the prince would laugh at the accusation when he’d had a chance to study Kain. How could he accept this when he had no idea of how it might even be true? He’d had a normal upbringing. His father had taught him to fashion furniture and run the family business. His mother had raised him with good manners, his siblings had teased him ceaselessly. True, none of them had the olive complexion he had and their hair wasn’t as dark, but that could be explained in other ways. Couldn’t it?
“It’s not true.” Kain’s voice no longer held the ring of conviction it once had and Alique noticed. Her eyes widened as she took it all in.
Kain couldn’t worry about that now. “What does that all mean? Surely a half-breed elf is nothing unusual?”
Triumph lit the prince’s eyes. “Hah, so you might be prepared to admit I am right?”
“No,” Kain said, “I wish to know what it means for me here and now.”
“We need all our people in this troubled time,” Faenwelar said. “My mission is to unite the Lenweri so that we can conquer the kingdom. I do not think there is any harm in telling you that, as you will never be allowed to leave us.”
Alique gasped and tried to stand but Failora held her down.
“This is ridiculous,” Kain said. “You won’t succeed. The King will never stand for it.”
“I care nothing for your king, general,” Faenwelar said. “I care only that one day soon I will be ruler of all the elven people and we will drive the race of men from this land. We will take back what is rightfully ours.”
Kain stared in horror. This was much worse than he’d ever imagined. These elves were united, or soon would be, under one leader. They weren’t just isolated pockets of trouble. He had played right into their hands by going to the rescue and exposing Alique to the elves. But they still had a choice: they could and would refuse to give in to Lenweri demands.
“I tire, general,” Faenwelar said, “and so I will send you and the lady to your beds. We will begin again tomorrow.” He nodded to Failora and then strode into the forest.
“I will show you to your tent, general, lady,” Failora said in her exotic elven accent. “You will need your rest. Tomorrow is to be a long day.”
*
Alique stared at the ceiling of the tent. She had long given up on the idea of sleep. Her eyes were gritty with fatigue and she was ashamed to admit, even to herself, that she had cried during the long night. It was not like her to weep, but she had never been in such a dire situation before.
It appeared that Kain had slept. At least she had heard gentle snores issue from her companion. Alique was glad. He would need all his wits about him if he was to stay a step ahead of the elves. Ha! What was she thinking? They had not been a step ahead of this people for many months, if not longer.
The tent lightened and Alique began to hear the sounds of the camp stirring to life. Her heart quickened its pace, dreading the moment when she would have to face the Lenweri again. For all her bravado, declaring she would get her revenge, Alique had to be realistic. She could cast her anger at the dark brethren but how was she to succeed in her plan to thwart them? Kain would certainly help, or more to the point, he would see that the race of forest people was driven from the kingdom. Her heart quailed; already she doubted they would ever be free of the elves.
Kain stirred and opened his eyes. “Morning.” He sat up and rubbed at his face. The bristles made a pleasing sound against his skin.
“Did you sleep at all?” he asked, studying her.
“Perhaps a little,” she said. “I did hear snoring from your side of the tent.”
“Sorry,” he said, pulling on his shirt.
Alique sighed as his ridged abdomen disappeared. It was such a shame to cover a body like Kain’s.
“We had better be up and ready to deal with the prince,” Kain said.
“What do you think will happen, Kain?” Alique’s stomach churned so badly she felt sick. “You cannot divulge sensitive details to the elves. I will stand torture before I see that happen.”
“No, Alique,” Kain said, reaching for her hands. They were warm and rough against her skin. “You won’t withstand torture. I’ll tell them what they wish to know.”
“Kain—”
“You have no say in this,” he said. “I’m a creature of conflict and I know how this works. Please tell me you’ll let me handle this. It’s the only way I can protect you and the kingdom.”
Alique swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. She was willing to be tortured but Kain was right. She would not last long when the hot knives came against her. But what did he plan to tell them?
*
Kain watched as Alique picked at her breakfast. First she had barely slept and now she wouldn’t eat. He needed to know she would be safe. That wouldn’t be the case if she didn’t look after herself. Kain wolfed his meal down as if it were his last. After years on the road eating battle rations in all kinds of conditions, he’d learned to take his food and rest where he could. It was the only way to survive, and Alique’s response to their situation was a stark reminder of how far apart their worlds lay.
“Eat,” he said, “you need a full belly to face this day.”
Alique grimaced. “My stomach is in knots. I don’t
know how you can eat with such relish.”
“Necessity.” Kain popped the last nut into his mouth and rinsed it down with a mouthful of water. “You never know when the next opportunity to eat will present itself. Also, it helps you to think if you’ve fueled your body. You have a lot to learn.”
She glared at him. “Well excuse me for failing to meet your exacting standards, general. I will try to do better in the future.”
Kain knew he was being hard on her, but better that than for her to fall into a hole of her own making. “I’m trying to teach you some survival skills. You say you wish for revenge. So far all I see is empty talk.”
“You really know how to kick a person when they are down,” she said.
Are those tears in her eyes? Goddess, things are worse than I thought. “Believe me, Alique, I don’t wish to hurt you, quite the opposite. But you have a lot to learn about survival and toughness.”
“Well of course I do,” she snapped. “I am unused to being on the road and in situations that risk my life, not to mention fearing the loss of my family.” She seemed to pull her composure together before going on. “But I can learn, and if I need to stuff myself no matter how unsettled my stomach feels, then I will do so.”
She began to push fruit and nuts into her mouth, chewing furiously, and Kain had to suppress a smile. She wouldn’t appreciate him laughing at her.
“Perhaps I can teach you techniques that will help you manage your fear and enable you to settle your nervous stomach.” Kain leaned against a tree trunk. “Finish that mouthful and make yourself comfortable.”
Alique, surprisingly, did as she was told.
“Close your eyes,” Kain said, doing the same. “Concentrate on your breathing – slow in, hold, and then slow out. Think about how it feels when the breath fills your chest and the movement of air in your body. Do this until you feel calm.” He continued to breathe as he had instructed Alique, and within a few more breaths he had dropped into the trance that helped him relax and rest when on the move.
In moments Kain was as relaxed as he ever was without sleeping. He waited a few more breaths until he thought Alique might have calmed down. He opened his eyes. She had her eyes closed and her breathing was slow and full.
“Does your belly feel better now?” he asked.
Alique didn’t open her eyes but replied, “The churning has settled.”
“Good,” he said. “Now imagine the muscles of your body relaxing one by one, the bones settling into the ground. In your mind tell yourself ‘relax’ or something similar.”
She didn’t reply but one eyebrow tweaked as if she was skeptical that the technique would help.
Kain followed suit, relaxing all his muscles, and felt himself floating away like a leaf on a stream. He kept the image in his head until he had achieved the calm he sought, then replaced it with a flame. Into the flame he fed all the anger and frustration and fear of the last two days. When the process had finished, he had achieved that perfect place where nothing could disturb him.
“What now?” Alique’s voice crashed right through, shattering his calm. How the hell does she do that? She shouldn’t be able to smash my composure so easily. He swallowed down a moment of dread. He would not allow her to alter his world like this. He would be immune to her.
Kain drew a deep breath and opened his eyes. What he saw soothed his unease. The frown had disappeared from her forehead, her shoulders had relaxed away from her long, slender neck, and she wore a smile on her luscious mouth.
“It has worked,” Kain said, smiling back at her. “How is your stomach?”
“I think I can finish my meal now without vomiting. Thank you.” She returned to her plate and it was soon empty.
“Such a technique will need to be used several times a day, Alique. The more you practice the better and quicker you’ll be able to relax. In turn, you’ll sleep soundly, make better use of your food, and also think through problems with greater efficiency.”
“It all sounds too good to be true,” she said, her familiar mocking tone present in spades.
“You’ve seen the results for yourself, Alique. Imagine how effective the technique will be when you are adept at it.”
Prince Gorin approached. “Ah, I love to watch a teacher at work, but we have some answers to gain today.”
Kain stood slowly, stretching out the kinks from a night sleeping on the ground. He helped Alique rise and watched her straighten out her skirts. Kain winced at the dirt that had accumulated on the once fine gown. After two nights sleeping rough, not to mention the birth of her niece, Kain thought the only fit ending for the dress would be the bonfire. But somehow Alique managed to look elegant despite the dirt and muck and wrinkles.
Although he wanted to ask what the prince intended for them, Kain remained silent. All would be revealed soon enough. Prince Gorin, Celri, and two other elves surrounded Kain and Alique as they walked to the center of the larger encampment.
A wooden pole had been erected and the two elven soldiers grasped Alique, one on either arm, and led her toward the pole.
“What are you doing?” Kain said, striding after her. He was blocked by Gorin and Celri who roughly held him back. Alique sent a fearful glance his way as she was hustled up to the pole, her hands tied in front of her then pulled high over her head and secured to a large nail hammered into the wood.
“There is no need for this, Gorin,” Kain said. Alique’s earlier calm had been shattered. Her eyes were wide and her chest rose and fell in rapid gasps. The elves bound her waist to the pole with thick rope which they wound around her several times, as if she were a giant that could snap her bindings with a flex of her muscles.
But Gorin merely ignored Kain and turned to Faenwelar, who had seated himself on the stump of a huge oak. Failora arrived at his side and stood just behind his left shoulder. Fury swelled in Kain. He was sick of wondering what these people had in store for him, and what they had to do with his past.
“Faenwelar!” Kain’s voice echoed through the clearing and all turned to look.
The elven leader’s eyes narrowed. “So, the general is capable of anger?”
“You’ve pushed too far this time, High Prince.” Kain breathed deeply, trying to bring his rage into line. When he looked at Alique, tied up to the tree with fear in her eyes, he wanted to tear these elves limb from limb. It wasn’t like him to feel battle rage. He released a ragged breath. Much about this adventure was strange. “I’ll answer your questions without the need to torture the lady. Let her go.” He wouldn’t say “please” to these invaders.
Faenwelar snorted. “You men have not changed, still trying to lord it over our people.” He stood and threw his hands out. “This is our land and our word holds sway here. If I say the lady is to be bound, then she is bound. If you do not answer to my satisfaction, she will pay. Perhaps that will keep you honest. You see, general, I know that torturing you would prove futile. This woman, on the other hand, will not hold out very long and I do not think you could bear to see her hurt.”
Kain’s gut tightened. He would have to be very careful how he answered these questions or Alique would pay. “Ask your questions,” he snapped.
Failora handed Faenwelar a steaming cup of tea, and he sipped, releasing a long sigh of contentment. Kain’s patience stretched thin, and he fed the frustration into the flame as the moments ticked by in silence. By the time Gorin spoke, Kain had achieved some measure of control.
“What is your understanding of the Lenweri presence in the kingdom?” Gorin asked.
At least Kain could be truthful on this one. “Up until you held the lady’s estate hostage, I had no real idea of the extent of the Lenweri incursions. Now, of course, it’s a different matter.”
Faenwelar stared at Kain. “And that is why you can never return to your former position, kingdom man. You, or the lady here.”
Kain had suspected as much. “My options are limited then.”
“You might say so. Your place would b
e assured amongst my people if you were to help us.”
“And if I will not?”
“Then it will be a quick end for you after we have gained what we can.” Faenwelar frowned. “Or perhaps we might keep you around to milk more information from you. I cannot, however, allow you your freedom.”
“What of me?” Alique called. “You seem to be lumping me in with General Jazara as if I do not have a mind of my own. I could also be of help, skilled in healing as I am.”
“You must think me stupid, lady,” Faenwelar said. “The only reason for you to stay alive is to ensure the general cooperates. If he dies, you do too. You would not betray your people, whereas Jazara has elven heritage.”
“I dispute that,” Kain snapped.
“It is fact. You bear an uncanny resemblance to a certain elven king. I hear he has recently departed to the halls of the dead. Please accept my condolences. He was your father.”
Kain’s stomach took a dive. He shook his head and staggered back until Celri stopped him. The elf sounded so certain that he, Kain, looked like a past elven king.
“Resemblances are often in the eye of the beholder,” Kain said, hardly aware of what he said at all.
Faenwelar shot to his feet and strode around the stump, seeming at the end of his tether. “You are stubborn enough to be the old king’s son, that is sure.”
“You’re not making sense,” Kain said. “If I’m an elven king’s son, why has no one ever claimed me? Why is this the first I’m hearing of it, after being kidnapped by you?”
Faenwelar sighed. “I cannot answer those questions.” He sat and turned to Gorin. “Proceed with your interrogation.”
“What are the kingdom’s strategies relating to the elven invasion thus far?” Gorin asked.
“We were still in the process of gathering intelligence,” Kain said. “There has been trouble in the north with some raids on our farmers. Recently one of our convoys was attacked traveling between Brightcastle and Wildecoast. Since then we have stepped up our patrols, particularly of the forests west of the capital.”
“The news is that the King has lost his brother,” Gorin said. “Brightcastle is vulnerable and the inheritance of the throne is under threat.”
The Elf King’s Lady: Wildecoast Saga Book 2 Page 8
