Heirs of War

by Mara Valderran

  The female reluctantly agreed. "We'll need to check with Sheridan first."

  "Fine," Ariana said, relieved they had responded in the way she thought they would. "Take me to her now." The guard started to argue, but Ariana lifted her hand to halt her protests. "No, I want to hear it from her lips if I'm denied. I want to know who I should tell Kellen is to blame when I'm dying from an infection."

  "Fine," the guard agreed through gritted teeth, "but he stays here."

  "I'm afraid not," Alec said, reciting his part as they had discussed. "Kellen ordered me to ensure Ainnir Ariana's needs are met. I can hardly do so from my room."

  "You just want to see me naked."

  He shrugged, not missing a beat. "Might as well preview the prize before claiming it."

  "Keep dreaming," Ariana retorted snidely.

  The guard rolled her eyes. "Alright! We will all go see Sheridan. As long as the two of you remain quiet."

  As the guard turned around, Ariana flashed Alec a smile that was both triumphant and boisterous. Her quick grin served as her way of telling him 'I told you so' and from the returning look he gave her, the message had been well received. He picked her up, heaving her over his shoulder like she was a sack of potatoes as she let out an indignant gasp.

  Alec patted her butt genially. "Come now, Ainnir Ariana, you can’t walk in your state, now can you?"

  Ariana knew he only tried to get her back for her smug look. She also knew he had succeeded. She was positively fuming by the time they reached Sheridan's door, and he plopped her onto her feet. Sheridan seemed surprised to find the four people standing outside her bedchamber.

  Ariana nodding to indicate the guards standing behind her. "Can you please tell your goons I can go take a bath so Alec can reapply the salve? Something tells me it might not be as effective with a bunch of dirt and blood mixed in with the goop."

  Sheridan shook herself as if out of confusion. "Of course. You may take the Ainnir Ariana to the baths."

  "Great," Alec said with annoyance, "and since your mother ordered me to take care of her, I guess I get to go to."

  Sheridan blew out a breath, giving him an apologetic look. "That would probably be best. I would offer my help, but I'm afraid I'm a little busy while Mother is recovering."

  Ariana let her face fall with disappointment. "Oh."

  Sheridan took the bait. "What's wrong?"

  "It's nothing," Ariana said as she twisted her hands. "Just...can we come in for a sec? Alec and I are having some, um," she let her sentence trail off, pausing to shoot him a glare that was very much so genuine as she still thought this was a bad idea, "issues. Can we talk in private?"

  "Sure," their young friend agreed, opening her door for them to enter and signaling for the guards to wait outside. She closed the door and turned to them, her face shifting to surprise by how urgently Alec approached her.

  "Ariana and I are going to escape, and I want you to come with us," he rushed out, ignoring the cry of protest Ariana let out.

  "So much for being coy, Alec," Ariana said through gritted teeth.

  Sheridan took a step back from them. "You can't be serious. Mother will see to it you two are locked in the deepest darkest holes you can think of when she finds you. And she will find you."

  Alec placed his hands on her arms, squeezing them with urgency. "Please, Sheridan. I can't leave you here. You can come with us, and we can finally be free of this place. Free of Kellen. I promise no harm will come to you when we reach Anscombe."

  She jerked away from him as if the temptation he offered had burned her skin. "You can't promise that, Alec. You don't understand. I helped my mother find them. I saw Terrena and her Cyneward talking about the others being in Dhara, and once we were there, I could see them too. They will execute me for that, if they don't execute me just for being Kellen's daughter first. You can't protect me."

  Ariana groaned inwardly, thinking they didn't have time for this, but wanting to help the girl. "But I can." She sighed. "Look, I have power there, okay? I'm like a princess or whatever, which means I have some say in what goes on. And more than that. They need me. If you help me get back to them, I'm sure they'll be thanking you, not killing you."

  Sheridan’s eyes filled with tears as she stared back and forth between the two people in the worlds she called friends. "I can't. I know you can't understand, but she's my mother. I can't betray her like this. I can't leave her. She needs me. She loves me and it would break her heart."

  "You are right she needs you, but you are wrong when you say she loves you. The moment you are no longer useful to her, she will kill you. Come with us, Sheridan. Please," he begged, his usually smooth voice cracking with emotion. "Please. I can't lose you."

  She took a step back, her chin quivering with the visible struggle she was having. "I can't," she said firmly. "And if you leave, I will find you. I will see you and be able to find you."

  His face hardened, realizing she wouldn't acquiesce and Ariana watched the sting of Sheridan’s betrayal wash over him and shift to anger.

  "Not if you don't know where we are," he challenged.

  Ariana stepped between them, knowing this had to come to a close. "Is that your decision then? You won't come with us?" She allowed her to nod and sighed. "I'm sorry, Sheridan. I wish it could be different," She repeated back the same words Sheridan had spoken to her before kidnapping her from Dhara, understanding now Sheridan truly had meant every word because she did as well.

  Sheridan's eyes widened as she watched Ariana lift her hand up as if she were clamping her fingers around her throat. Sheridan gasped as the air around her seemed to disappear. She began wheezing and tried to get to the door, but Alec was on her in an instant. He wrapped her in his arms, holding her and whispering tearful apologies until she went limp in his arms. He lifted her up and carried her over to the bed, laying her across the mattress and taking care to tuck her in neatly. He took a step back, watching his oldest friend sleep her last peaceful sleep as he wiped the tears from where they began to collect around his nose.

  "We tried, Alec," Ariana said, attempting to give him some sort of comfort.

  He brushed off the proffered comfort. "It's time for your bath, Ainnir Ariana."

  She nodded, knowing he was right and putting on her best game face as they returned to the guards posted outside the door. As soon as they were outside the door, careful not to let the guards see inside, Ariana held her arms out to Alec, and he lifted her with ease into his. She rested her head against his shoulder, nerves on fire as the plan unfolded before them. Her heart pounded in her chest. Alec's fingers massaged the nape of neck, which helped to ease her nerves. She gave him a small smile of thanks as they marched on. As they reached the banks of the river, he gave her a discreet affirmative nod, signaling her to begin her part in the plan she had schemed.

  She took in a deep breath and put on her best bratty face. "Owe! Would you be careful? You're carrying precious cargo after all."

  He narrowed his eyes at her. "Maybe if you would stop squirming like a petulant child, you might be more comfortable."

  "Maybe if you would stop trying to cop a feel, I might be more comfortable." She pushed against his chest. "Just put me down already."

  Alec marched them over to the edge of the river and dropped her in. "As you wish, my lady."

  The indignant cry Ariana let out was quite real as she had not been expecting that at all. She splashed around as if she was having a hard time getting her footing. "Would you two stop standing there like idiots and help me here?"

  The male guard exchanged an exasperated look with his female counter part before wading into the water and lifting Ariana into his arms. "I thought you wanted a bath," he muttered as he carried her over to his comrade.

  "I do," she returned as he placed her onto her feet. She made a show of limping as if in pain, and he steadied her with his bulky arms. "Where I come from, we like to take our clothes off when we bathe. Can you help me get this bondage off?" she
asked the female guard, referring to the dark green corset she was wearing over top her cream colored chemise.

  The woman let out an unhappy grunt, but obeyed. With both their attentions on Ariana, Alec pulled his shirt off and quietly slipped into the water. He let his shirt drift off a ways before taking in a deep breath and ducking underneath the water.

  Ariana watched him discreetly. The moment he disappeared from sight, and the water stilled, she made a point of looking around. "Where did Alec go?"

  The male guard cursed under his breath as he looked around. He spotted the floating shirt and sighed with annoyance. "He's probably just under the water."

  That was not the conclusion she needed him to come to. Happy she had done so well with improvisation in her drama class, she decided to give him a nudge in the right direction. She scoffed with disbelief. "He escaped! I can't believe it. Ugh, that jerk! He was supposed to take me with him."

  The man's face fell. "He said he was going to escape?" When she nodded, he waded into the water urgently, grabbing the shirt and looking for any sign of Alec swimming downstream. "He couldn't have gone far. We'll send out a search party immediately."

  As he turned back around to face them, Alec, who was still submerged under the water, made his move. He gripped the sword at the guard's belt as he rose up, water splashing everywhere as he deftly rammed the sword into the man's gut, giving the blade a twist before letting him fall back.

  Ariana wasted no time. The female guard was already turning to attack Alec. Ariana knew she was supposed to kill her, but she hesitated. She had never killed anyone before. She wondered if the woman had a family, had children. In her moment of hesitation, the guard blew Alec backwards into the water with a splash. Ariana lifted her hand and felt the air come to her, felt the power tingling at her fingertips. She released it and watched as the unsuspecting guard went flying into the rocks at the river bed with a 'whoosh'. After she was sure she wasn't going to get up and attack again, she waded into the water to offer Alec a hand up.

  "Thanks," he said breathily as he stood up. "You know, for a second there I thought you weren't going to be able to do it." He placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her down the river. "We need to keep to the water. It'll be harder to track us, and they'll be expecting us to run to the nearest city."

  ***

  Zelene started awake. She could swear she heard someone saying her name. She eased herself into a sitting position, peering into the darkness. She couldn't see anyone, but she still cautiously made her way to the doors, flinging them open to allow in the little bit of candlelight Ellowyn used to read by in the anterior chamber.

  Ellowyn jumped to her feet. "Is everything all right?"

  Zelene felt her face flush red and hoped the candlelight wasn't enough to let her new friend see her embarrassment. Ellowyn had pretty much stayed by her side since she tried to run away, and she didn't want her to worry she was fleeing again. "Yeah, I just thought I heard something. Were you talking?"

  The young girl looked around the room. Her long dark hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulders, and she impatiently brushed the locks behind her, as if still getting used to the feel of her tresses being loose. "No. I didn't hear anything. Maybe you were dreaming?"

  Zelene was about to agree when she heard the noise again. Someone had whispered her name from inside her bedchamber with a sadness bordering on a whimper. She grabbed the candle from the table her maidservant had been sitting at and gingerly went back into her bedroom. Ellowyn was right behind her, guardedly looking around for any signs of an intruder.

  "I don't see anyone," the young maidservant said tentatively, her voice less than a whisper in case she was wrong.

  "Someone's here," Zelene said with certainty. "I'm sure of it." Her own voice held doubt even as she said the words. She turned around to face Ellowyn and let out an audible gasp as she made out someone familiar standing behind the girl. "Jeez, Isauria! Don't you know how to knock or something?"

  Ellowyn looked around in confusion. "Who are you talking to?"

  Zelene had her hand clamped over her chest as she struggled to calm her pounding heart. She gestured to where her older sister stood, looking sad and confused. "Isauria. She's right there." She straightened as her friend continued to look around. "You...you can't see her?"

  "No,” Ellowyn responded with worry. “Zelene, there's no one here."

  "No," Zelene said shaking her head frantically as she continued to stare at Isauria, "no, she's right here. If you can't see her...." She paled as realization hit her. "We have to get to the leigheas. Now!"

  They both took off running immediately. They passed Solanna and Sylvanna, who cried out their questions as the girls raced past them, but were ignored. The two wore mirrored masks of worry before rushing to follow. The group slowed as they reached Isauria's private room next to the leigheas. Zelene didn’t try to fight the tears as she walked inside, watching Bianca whispered choked apologies to Isauria’s pallid form. She looked up in confusion at the four women standing on the other side of her patient's bed.

  "What are you doing here?" Bianca asked, struggling to regain her composure.

  "She's dead, isn't she?" Zelene’s words came out as more of a statement than a question as she already knew the answer. She heard the Duillaine Banair both gasp and protest their denials, but she knew she was right. Isauria was dead.

  Bianca nodded through her confusion as she stared up at the young Duillaine Ainnir. "How did you know?"

  Zelene opened her mouth to say she had seen her, but her own shock and grief stole the words from her throat. She lowered herself onto the edge of the bed, taking her older sister's hand into her own. Isauria’s skin wasn't cold yet. Zelene had always heard that dead people were cold. She squeezed her eyes shut, once again experiencing the familiar tinges of loss weighing on her chest.

  She'd had the chance to know her, to finally have a sister like she had always craved, and the opportunity had slipped through her fingers like vapor. She struggled as the pain threatened to overwhelm her, tears burning as she realized in the worst possible way there was more she cared about in Anscombe than just Ellowyn. She had cared about Isauria. Isauria, who had been so brave and so strong, risking everything she had and ultimately giving up her life in the hopes she might help their missing sister.

  "You saw her, Zelene," Ellowyn answered with worry and confusion, flushing as all their attentions turned to her.

  Sylvanna started to press the issue, but her voice was overpowered by Isauria's loud intake of air as she shot up into sitting position on her bed. Zelene and Bianca stood up abruptly, taking involuntary steps back as they stared at the disheveled redhead in wonder.

  "They escaped," Isauria announced, ignoring the dumbfounded looks aimed in her direction.

  Bianca eased herself back down beside her patient, turning her face toward her own and inspecting her closely. "How do you feel?"

  "I'm fine," Isauria answered dismissively though her cream colored skin was much paler than normal and dark circles surrounded her light blue eyes. "Did you hear me?"

  The paion breathed in an annoyed breath. "Yes, but my main concern right now is you."

  Isauria frowned with confusion as if she didn’t understand Bianca’s meaning. A pregnant pause opened the silence around them as they all struggled to understand what had just transpired.

  "Isauria,” Bianca said slowly, “you were dead."

  "I know," Isauria responded, waving her off. She exchanged a wearied glance with her younger sister. "But now I'm not, and we have bigger things to deal with."

  Solanna stepped forward, resting her hands on the foot of the bed frame. "You said they escaped. You mean Ariana?"

  Isauria nodded emphatically, her ginger hair spilling into her face before she brushed it away. "Yes! Which means we finally have our chance to find them."

  "Great," Zelene agreed. "Where do we start?"

  "I think not," Sylvanna stated brusquely before her d
isapproving gaze flickered to the maid. "Zelene, you will take your...maid—"

  "My friend," Zelene corrected her defiantly, crossing her arms over her chest. "And I'm not going anywhere until we talk about how we are going to rescue my sister."

  "As I said before, you will not be doing anything," Sylvanna pressed as she matched the younger's pose. "You know nothing of your power—"

  "I would if you stopped the history and etiquette lessons and actually taught me something worthwhile." Zelene knew it was an unfair argument since Adelphi had been trying to assist her privately, but she couldn't help but think the Duillaine could be doing more to help them.

  "Using your power is not something that can be taught," Sylvanna argued, her temper flaring. "It is within you, and you must find a way to awaken it. This is no longer for discussion, Zelene. These matters are for us to handle, not a child."

  "I am NOT a child," Zelene yelled, stepping forward. "And you people don't handle anything. You did nothing but sat on your asses when Kyle was taken right out from under your noses! If you think I am going to sit by and do the same thing—"

  "ENOUGH," Sylvanna screamed the word. "I will not be defied this way. Take your maid and leave, or I will make you."

  Solanna stepped closer to Zelene before she could argue further. "Come, Zelene. I'll take you back to your room. You have had a trying week and could use the rest."

  Zelene glowered at Sylvanna once more and allowed herself to be led away. "I want to go to my father. He'll handle this even if you won't," she said once they had reached the walkway.

  "Your father is away on an errand for Anscombe," Solanna said with a resigned sigh as she led them up the stairs. "Now, your maid said you had seen Isauria. What did she mean by that?"

  "What she meant is a problem for another day," Zelene retorted snidely. She stopped, brushing the arm Solanna had around her shoulders off. "Look, you better do something about Ariana, and you better do something fast. Before she ends up like your first kid." She knew the words were like a slap in the face to her aunt, but she didn't care. Action needed to be taken and one of them needed to see that. She spun on her heel and marched off with Ellowyn, leaving a stunned Solanna standing at the top of the stairs.