by S E Turner
Cornelius smiled and reached round for Saskia's hand. She knitted her fingers in his
'Let me show you to the gates. I will request a couple of horses for you both, so your journey is a quicker one.' Macus, as head groom, stepped forward.
Lyall nodded in agreement.
'Gods speed to you both, and may peace prevail in the kingdoms.'
Chapter Forty-Six
The gates were opened for them and they walked out of the fortress. They led the horses across the stream, and at the bridge, turned to make their way west. The ground was sticky with mud, pocked with footprints and hoof prints, and lined with the deep runnels of wagon tracks. Low rolling clouds behind them threatened rain.
The sun, being pulled to the west, was showing him the way. He moved slowly now, and tried to mount his horse. He couldn't get his foot in the stirrup, he had no strength. Perhaps he was still recovering from the blow to the head, or maybe was just exhausted from the high emotions of the day; because everything was fuzzy and the ground seemed to slip away from beneath his feet. He was falling and stumbling. Saskia rushed round to hold on to him.
'Cornelius, what's wrong?'
He gripped her arm and couldn't hold on.
'Cornelius please. '
He was trying to hold on to her but couldn't.
She heard light footsteps behind her and turned just as another pair of hands came from behind to help take his weight. Saskia looked up. It was Gya.
'I watched you go dear friend, and saw you stumble. Perhaps you need food and rest before you take on another journey. The kings welcome you back into their home until you are ready to leave.'
Cornelius sighed. 'That is most gracious of them.'
Macus had now reached them and took hold of the horses.
'You have been through a terrible ordeal sir.'
'No more than I deserve Macus.' He walked slowly with Gya and Saskia supporting him.
'No one deserved what you have been through,' said Saskia.
The shared look between Gya and Macus suggested otherwise.
The two women helped Cornelius back to the castle. He was taken to one of the guest rooms where Saskia ran a long bath for him.
The accommodation was splendid, and it felt good to be in a comfortable chamber at last with a proper bed to sleep on. The fragrance of aromatic petals and essential oils wafted round the room. A deep tub with ornate taps in the shape of a wolf's head, bubbled in the corner as it was being filled. He looked out of the window, and from his high elevation, the magnificent fort lay before him.
The glow from a summer sun had turned the buildings a sheen of gold, and the jewelled spire of the Whispering Hall shone like a beacon reaching up to the sky. In the square below, hunched figures rushed about their business; lovers found a quiet corner to embrace, and the porter was sweeping up the dusty walkways. He watched for a while before going over to a table where he found a platter of cold meats, eggs, and figs. He filled up a plate and looked around the room.
It was sparse in the way of furniture, but the wood panelled walls intrigued him, with more golden inlays of the wolves, hares and leopards, amid a range of stucco carvings of wild beasts and mythical figures. In the background he could hear Saskia and Gya talking together. That made him smile. The running water stopped. That meant the bath was filled up and ready. He finished his food and started to remove his shirt.
'Here, let me help you with that.' Gya could see him struggling.
He was very weak now, and allowed her to lift the garment over his head. She prepared herself to see the wound. It must have left a terrible scar, and she winced prematurely, knowing that she had inflicted it. But there was nothing there. Nothing to see. She looked at him with a furrowed brow.
'Cornelius, there is no mark.'
Cornelius looked at her concerned face. He had to tell her the truth, he couldn't keep anything from her now. 'I know, there is nothing to see.' He chewed the side of his mouth.
'How is that possible? I put a blade in your side.'
He wavered. 'I know. '
Saskia was putting a room divider up, to give him privacy to change. She listened in on the exchange of words.
'He has no mark Saskia.' Gya looked to her.
'I know. But why is that a problem?'
'Because I put a dagger in his side.'
The two women looked at Cornelius for answers.
He took a deep breath and found the bed to sit down. His thoughts were troubled, his mind was in turmoil. He eventually found the words.
'Do you remember when I was in the cave Gya? I spent so many lonely months in there.' He shook his head at the recollection.
'Three years you spent in there dear friend, not months. And it was your decision not mine,' she reminded him.
'Okay, years; and yes, it was my decision.'
She pursed her lips in anticipation of what he had to say.
'Do you remember my last evening in there, when you came into the tavern to show me the notice that my father had died?'
'I do.'
'That day, something very strange happened to me.'
She lifted an eyebrow. 'Go on.'
'You will find this hard to believe.'
'Try me.'
'One of the gargoyles in the cave came to life.'
She looked deep into his eyes trying to find the deception. She couldn't detect it .
'A witch stepped out of a fire; a very beautiful woman, young and powerful. She told me about a journey I was going to take, and that I would be leaving soon.'
Gya's mouth dropped open.
Saskia stroked her chin.
'But she wanted something from me.'
'What did she want?' asked Saskia.
'She wanted a child from me.'
'What?' The two women spoke together. 'Why?'
'I don't know. The child was going to be called Sansara, and she would come to the kingdoms in human form one day.'
Gya looked at Saskia, they were both shaking their heads in disbelief.
'In return, she would give me immortality.'
'The two women stood with mouths wide open.
'That's why I survived the fall, and that's why I have no wound.'
'So you cannot die?' said Saskia.
'I don't think I can. I didn't believe it at first. Not for a long time. Even when I was fighting with Gya, I didn't believe it. I felt the dagger in my side, and I thought I was a dead man. But then I had that fight in the mine, and it all came back to me.'
'Is that why you took ages to come to my aid?'
'Yes, my whole life was pushing inside my head. Particularly the last year.'
Saskia shook her head again. 'Do you believe this Gya? Or is that bump to the head creating a fantasy? '
'I am not sure Saskia. I met an incredible man once; the one who gave the Book of Knowledge to me, the one who taught me everything I know. From that day on, I believed in magic. And seeing Cornelius before me; with no wound, or scar, or any mark that shows I put a dagger in his side—suggests he must be telling the truth.'
Saskia shook her head in disbelief. 'So I will grow old, and you will stay young forever?'
'I don't know Saskia, maybe I will grow old and stay wrinkled forever.' He sighed.
'Like the man who taught me my craft,' said Gya thoughtfully. 'He must have been decades old.'
'That will be me one day.' Cornelius replied with raised brows. 'The witch gave me a warning though.'
'Yes?' They both looked at him.
'Beware a stag in the shadows—for he has the power to slay you.'
'What does that mean?' said Saskia, looking at the stag emblem on her jacket.
'I don't know. I just have to keep away from stags I suppose.'
Gya was thoughtful and stroked her chin as she procrastinated.
'We will keep this revelation a secret between us three. No one needs to know about this conversation—ever. If anyone asks, I will say the wound is healing nicely.'
She outstretched her hands as a sign of unity. Cornelius and Saskia took the offering.
Cornelius nodded his head and went behind the room divider. He then disrobed and lowered himself down into the bath and sank down to his neck.
'What a lucky man I am,' he said to himself. 'I have shared all my secrets. I have made amends with my enemies, and have found love at last.'
He sank down further into the water and let the warmth spill over his head.
Chapter Forty-Seven
The morning was still young when they gathered in the courtyard. The kings were upstairs with their children, Skyrah and Arneb were preparing for the day. Macus and Gya were waiting outside with the horses.
'Everyone sends their best wishes for a safe journey,' Macus said, giving Cornelius a leg up into the saddle.
'Please pass on my gratitude, to all of them.' Cornelius settled in the seat and took hold of the reins.
'We will.' Macus turned to help Saskia.
'Take care dear friends,' said Gya warmly. 'Please drop by again soon and tell us of your news. How Ajeya reacted when she saw you; and your dear mother, she will be ecstatic to have you in her life again. I want to know everything.'
Cornelius nodded his head. 'Nothing can keep me away from you dear friend. Nothing at all. I will return, you can count on it.'
'We will come back soon, we promise. Thank you for everything,' said Saskia sweetly .
'I feel happier knowing that a woman is taking care of him at last,' said Gya, winking at Cornelius.
Cornelius laughed out loud. 'No more than me, I can assure you.'
The group smiled. Cornelius kicked his horse into a gallop and Saskia followed him.
Gya wiped away a tear, Macus put a comforting arm round her.
'They will be all right together won't they dear wife?'
'I hope so husband, I really hope so. It's about time something good happened to him. His journey of self destruction has been far too long.'
They watched the two riders until they were specks on the horizon, and then turned to go back into the castle.
Their road was little more than a dirt track, worn down by the constant traffic of wheels, wagons and horses. It wound back and forth like a never ending serpent disappearing over the horizon, while small thickets of weed and other vegetation had been kept back by the human and animal presence. The land around was gentle enough, with pockets of woodland and fenced off meadows nudging gentle streams, and in the distance, the fast flowing rivers tumbled over brown stones, hugged by soft green moors and misty lagoons.
'I am guessing Ajeya and her husband would have gone this way to the Giant's Claw.'
'Yes, I would think so, it's the most direct route.'
He smiled fondly at her, feeling so lucky to have this incredible woman by his side .
She smiled back at him, knowing that fate and destiny had brought them together.
'Come on,' he said, 'let's get a move on, we have much to talk about when we get there, and I can't wait to see the look on her face when I surprise her.'
They knew they were nearing the settlement when they rode through lush meadows, thick with rye and barley, and loud with the raucous call of crows. Out here, women tended the many crops with babes swaddled to their backs for hours, while the children foraged with baskets tied round their hips; and far out yonder on the higher ground, sheep roamed the land at will.
Now they could smell the cook fires burning and hear the bustle of clan life, where the banter of working men and the forging of weapons rang out between the wafts of heavy smoke.
Their presence didn't go unnoticed however, and gradually, as they rode through the village, the townsfolk looked up from their business and began to whisper amongst themselves.
Hearing the commotion, the leader appeared.
'Good day travellers, how can I help you?'
'I am looking for Ajeya. Is she here?'
'Who is asking?'
'Her brother, Cornelius.'
Siri snatched a blade, hot off the irons. 'Be off with you, scoundrel; before this weapon finds your heart.'
The townsfolk suddenly looked concerned.
'There is no need for that,' said Cornelius defensively, not wanting any more trouble. 'We have just come from Castle Dru, and Namir told us where we could find her.'
Siri lowered his weapon. 'Namir and Lyall have spoken to you? They let you inside the fortress?'
Cornelius nodded. 'I begged for forgiveness and I came away with their blessing.'
'I cannot believe this. You tried to kill the king of the clans. I was there and listened to all of your lies.'
'I know. I remember you. I am ashamed and cannot explain why I did it. But I can assure you, I am a changed man, and I ask for your forgiveness also.'
Siri remembered the events so vividly, he couldn't believe how the kings had changed their minds about Cornelius. It was because of this man standing before him that swords and lances were being made. He looked at his weapon, then at the girl—she looked sweet and honest he thought. Certainly not the type to be with a monster. He put the sword back in its murderous pile. 'Well, I don't know what you said to the kings, but if you have their blessing, then you will also have mine.'
Cornelius jumped down from his horse to offer his hand in friendship. Siri took it. But the look in his eye was one of caution.
'They are over in the forest. Ajeya and Dainn, they are out walking.'
'I shall surprise them then,' Cornelius said with the glint of a mischievous brother.
'That you will,' Siri lifted his brows. He whistled to a scrawny lad who ran over quickly. 'Take the horses boy. We have guests.'
Siri didn't take his eyes off the young couple. 'They're over there.' And he pointed out yonder to a clump of trees, dappled in the morning sun. 'Tread carefully, you don't want to startle them.'
Cornelius nodded, and with Saskia at his side, made his way over to the glade.
'I can't wait to surprise her,' said Cornelius, shielding his eyes from the rays of the sun.
She remembered how her own brother liked to creep up on her unannounced, so she smiled at the boy in him.
'She really won't be expecting me, will she?'
'She really won't my love, and this will change everything for both of you. I'm so excited.'
In the distance they heard something. Noises. People talking.
'Is that them Saskia?'
'I think it is.'
He continued through the trees following the sounds. On the other side of the forest Ajeya was with Dainn.
'Ajeya, sshhh, I can see something.'
Dainn straightened his posture and averted his eyes. He had detected a movement.
'What can you see?'
'Just wait Ajeya. I have this.' He squinted, shielding his eyes from the sun.
A stag stood in the shadows, eating fruits, acorns and nuts from the ground. The great beast was unsuspecting, and his rack of antlers weighed heavily on his crown. The sun pierced through the thorns and lit up the harvest for him. He glanced up occasionally to survey his domain, his mouth rotating with the succulent vegetation.
'Sshh, don't make a sound. '
Dainn drew an arrow from its quiver and placed it in the bow. One shot was all it would take. He aimed, and drew back carefully on the bow.
But the stag suddenly moved, alerted by a movement behind him. It veered quickly out of sight, but Dainn's arrow had already been released and found the heart of the man who had alerted the beast.
Cornelius dropped to he ground. Saskia screamed his name. A flock of birds took flight. The dust was still settling from the stag's departure.
Ajeya ran up to them and held her hands to her mouth.
Saskia was holding on to him, her hands covered in blood.
'What happened?'
'This is your brother.' Saskia managed to whisper.
'No... it cannot be... I was told he is dead.'
'He survived the stabbing and the fall.'
'Only a stag in the shadows can kill me.' His voice struggled.
'Saskia remembered the conversation and sobbed into his chest. 'But the stag didn't kill you my love.'
Ajeya was visibly shocked, hardly believing what was happening. She dropped to her knees and took hold of his hand. He looked up at her and saw the thin pale line carved in to her face. He shivered. He remembered. He felt the stab of remorse. He saw a coward leaning over the crib. A monster. He choked back the memory... he was only three back then.
'Beware a stag in the shadows, for he has the power to slay you. '
'What's he saying?' Ajeya looked at Saskia.
'He made a pact for immortality. That's how he survived the stabbing and the fall. But a stag in the shadows can slay him.'
Ajeya looked at Saskia again, the whites of her eyes frantic. Her voice was tremulous. 'Dainn has the totem of a stag.'
Saskia looked up at Dainn.
'I'm so sorry,' his voice was weak. 'I didn't see him.'
'It was an accident,' she said. 'You didn't know.'
'What can we do?' Ajeya managed to say. 'We can't let him die. I've already lost one brother. I can't lose another one before I've got to know him.'
'I lost my brother too Ajeya, and Cornelius has helped me live again. I can't lose him either. I just can't.'
He winced with the pain.
'Help him, please someone help him.'
Ajeya's wails echoed into the forest.
Cornelius opened his eyes, he was warm now, and the light was golden. He was covered in a white sheet. He felt unusually calm. He must be dead now. This was death. The last time he thought he was dead, he was feeling cold and covered in a blanket of snow. That time it was grey—like his skin. This time it was different. He peeled back the sheet and looked at his torso—there was no injury. He looked at his hands, they were heathy and even skin-toned. He felt his face, it was smooth and young. He saw Saskia crying. He felt his sister stroking his face. It was then that he screamed out loud.
'No, not now, please not now. I have just found love. I have been reunited with my sister. My mother is waiting for me. My enemies are no more.'
