Addison ran up to Jonathan and threw herself against him. “I’m glad you’re not gone.”
“Thank you, Addie, and I promise, I will never leave you like that again.” All gathered around him as they headed up the banks toward the cave. Jonathan began his story. “After Blaze warned us about having the Dinner, I was out gathering vegetables for the stew when Theo approached me with Lily saddled. ‘I must go,’ he said. ‘But I have a request of you.’
‘Lily is yours,’ I offered, but he shook his head.
‘No, my mount is waiting for me. I want you to ride Lily to where ever she stops. Once there, think about what the True King’s kingdom means to you. Why do you follow the True King? And why should others?’ I tried to answer him, but he insisted that I do as he requested. So, I did.
“Lily galloped a great distance through the woods, and she seemed to know where she was going. By midday, she finally stopped in a field divided by a stream. I dismounted and meditated upon my faith next to the stream. Slowly, I came to realize that there was a rumbling coming from behind me. I opened my eyes, and in the water’s reflection saw a great black and white cat sitting behind me, purring.
“The next thing I knew, it was night. I panicked, as Lily was nowhere to be found, and I had no idea of where I was. I ran, following the water upstream, hoping I would find landmarks I recognized. Once the moon set and I could no longer see where I was going, the massive black and white cat appeared in front of me. It beckoned me to follow and led me to a shallow cave. I rested there, falling asleep and dreaming of my time before Srift.
“Upon awaking, I found the cat was still there, standing sentinel at the entrance of the cave. I grew anxious with foolishness and worry, for I had left you without any explanation and lost my horse in the process. As I tried to leave, the cat bared its fangs and claws and wings at me.”
“Wings!” Tawnya interrupted. Could he be speaking truly?
Jonathan smiled for a moment, “In all of my cycles, I questioned their existence, but there before me was a living, threatening dolinbi. I tried to explain to it how I needed to get back to you, but it wouldn’t listen to reason. It kept me captive for the entire day and night. This morning, I woke up, and the dolinbi was gone. I’ve been following the stream ever since, and that’s when you found me.”
No one spoke the rest of the way to the cave. It was unbelievable, but Tawnya couldn’t imagine why he’d lie to them. Theoverus’s actions also puzzled her. His goodbye had been brief and sudden, but she thought nothing of it until now. He must have known what was coming because he sent Jonathan away, but why didn’t he warn them? Doubt knocked at the back of her mind, but she dared not let it enter. Theoverus was the chosen Prince of Traitors; he knew what the True King wished.
Once at the cave, packs were opened and scones removed while Jonathan and Tawnya exchanged their wet clothes for dry ones. The rest, nourishment, and warm sun helped ease everyone’s mood. “Addie,” Tawnya said, “Why don’t you finish the story you were telling me last night?”
“Addison was telling a story?” Jonathan asked excitedly.
“Yes, I think she should be our Family storyteller. She was telling me about when the True King first found us.” Tawnya answered.
“It’s my favorite story,” Addison added.
“Well, sweetie, why don’t you tell us?” Contesa encouraged while braiding the girl’s wavy, ebony hair.
Addison’s eyes lit up as everyone waited to hear her story. “Okay, I stopped when the hunter was saved by the stranger.
“The hunter waited for the stranger to attack with his shining stick, but the stranger threw the stick at his feet.
‘It’s name is Faith,’ the stranger said. ‘Take Faith and be my family.’
‘Who are you?’ the hunter asked. ‘To beat a cohe but spare me? I will not be your slave!’ And the hunter ran from the stranger.
‘Dyyeldad!’ the stranger called, and the hunter stopped at the word. ‘Dyyeldad,’ the stranger repeated, and the hunter felt funny. The word made him feel safe and powerful, but it also made him want to trust the stranger with his life.
‘What curse is this?’ the hunter asked, ‘What has your curse done to me?’
‘It is not a curse,’ the stranger said. He picked up the sword and walked to the hunter again, with the sword held out for the hunter to take. ‘It is your name, Dyyeldad.’
“In that moment, Dyyeldad knew that the stranger was right. He was Dyyeldad. He looked down at Faith and wondered what would happen if he touched it. He slowly reached out but then pulled away. The stranger waited patiently. ‘Why are you doing this?’ the hunter asked.
‘Because I want to,’ the stranger said.
“Dyyeldad reached out and grabbed the stick, and a rush of purpose ran through him. He was supposed to have this shining stick; it was as right as his name. ‘How does it work?’ he asked.
‘Be my family, and I will show you,’ the stranger answered.
‘What is a family?’ Dyyeldad asked.
“The stranger smiled at him. ‘A family is people who care for each other. They teach, learn, and protect each other. They love each other.’
‘What is love?’ the hunter asked.
‘It is an instinct,’ the stranger answered. ‘Your instinct tells you how to take care of yourself, but love is an instinct in how to take care of others. Love is why I saved you, just as you will save others.’
‘What is your name?’ Dyyeldad asked.
‘You can call me King,’ the stranger replied.
“Dyyeldad followed King, and together they gathered people of the Wilderness into one large Family. King led them to Lesira, a land without cohe and monsters but full of families and houses and love. And, King watched over them.”
Tawnya’s heart beat with hope. There were Urlificans and cohe out against them, but they were the Family of the True King. With faith, family, and love, they would always carry the True King’s blessing with them.
“That was a marvelous tale, Addie,” Seth encouraged, and hugged his daughter.
Contesa wiped tears from her eyes. “I am sorry.” Seth grabbed her hand.
“No, Contesa, I’m sorry. And Tawnya.” Tears moistened Kevin’s dark eyes. “Can you forgive me?”
Tawnya got up and rushed to her father, hugging him with all of her might. “There is nothing to forgive.”
“Oh, now I’m going to start crying,” Linda said while waving her tears away. “Addie, you are officially our Family storyteller. I’ve never heard a more beautiful telling of that story.”
“I agree!” Jonathan proclaimed while jumping up. “You will tell us every story that you know upon our trip, please?”
Addison smiled with pride, “Yes, Jonathan. I’ll tell you every one. But, it’s a lot.”
“That’s perfect,” he responded. “Because I know where we can go, but it is a long journey.” His face brightened with excitement, and everyone straightened in anticipation. “You all know that I grew up in Brez. Well, these past few nights, I have been dreaming about returning there and traveling to the Quatriaal forest beyond. It wasn’t until the dolinbi’s appearance and Addison’s story that I realized that is where the True King would wish for us to go.”
“But, Brez is so far away.” Contesa’s protest consciously faded into a timid response, “We’d have to go through Eclamai.”
“Not if we followed the Zantar Cliffs,” Jonathan proclaimed.
“WHAT?” all of the adults exclaimed.
“That’s more suicidal than walking into Eclamai and declaring ourselves Traitors,” Kevin burst.
“Do you know how long of a journey that is?” Rick asked.
“Have you forgotten about all the beasts that live along these cliffs?” Contesa shrilled.
“Listen, listen to me,” Jonathan held his hand up and tried to calm them down. Tawnya’s heart raced at the thought of braving the Zantar Cliffs. All those who grew up in Srift knew to never go outside of town at n
ight for bears, wolves, and monsters of hunter’s tales roamed the land. Their packs didn’t carry enough food for the journey, either.
“Listen,” Jonathan repeated. “I know it is a crazy plan, but Obrae and I talked about it one time. There are enough plants and rivers in these woods to sustain us after our packs have emptied. Obrae also taught me how to set traps and make bows and arrows. The only creatures I know that go toward fire are humans, and Urlificans are too scared of the cliffs to venture outside of Srift, so we can keep a fire going every night for protection. The longest part will be walking to Uza, and from there, we can catch a ferry to Dale. I have an old friend who ships out of Dale, so we should be able to ride a ship to Brez. I believe this trip is what we should do,” he pleaded. “Will you follow me?”
All were silent. Being in the wild for long seemed like a deadly action, but what choice did they have? Tawnya had confidence in Jonathan, so she stood. “I’ll follow you.”
Mark stood as well, “I can’t go anywhere where Tawnya isn’t, so I’ll follow, too.”
Kevin, Linda, Rick, and Seth with Addison all stood at the same time. Contesa was the last one sitting. “Seth, you will just drag your daughter across the most dangerous forests of the land? Do none of you know that the Wilderness breaks free of the Zantar Cliffs at Uza? Only the river divides us from the monsters, at least the ones that can’t fly!”
“Darling, I won’t leave you or Addison in danger. If you wish to go by road, then I will go with you. But, I truly believe that Jonathan’s plan is the best.”
Contesa’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me into a selfish woman,” she warned. “My Family is heading toward the Wilderness. I apparently can’t stop you, so I must go with you.” She stood. “But, Jonathan, you left us without explanation, even if it was at Theoverus’s supposed behest. This is a vote of confidence in my Family, not you.”
Jonathan flinched at the insult, and a mournful look replaced his smile. “And Contesa, I hope I can someday regain that confidence.”
They packed up in silence, and headed south, keeping the cliffs to their right. Tawnya eased up to Jonathan in the front and squeezed his hand. He quickly wiped tears away with his other hand and smiled kindly at her. “I believe you,” she said. “May the True King guide you.”
“May the True King guide us all,” he wished.
Chapter 10
9 Days After the Trial
The fire sizzled in complaint while Blaze poked it. The evening had progressed silently as Theoverus lead them back into the woods to set up camp. After building a fire, she volunteered to take first watch, arguing that he stayed up over the past two days and needed to rest. While he was reluctant at first, she ignored any other reply except his concession. He went to bed before the moon was up, and the moon was now at her peak. “Theo?” she whispered. No reply came.
With maximum stealth, Blaze picked up Lily’s saddle and hobbled over to the sleeping mare. She set the saddle next to Lily and waved a dried water chestnut under the waking horse’s nose. Lily gladly accepted the treat as Blaze quietly saddled her. A low nicker from Destan made her jump. Spinning around, she cringed as she landed too hard on her right foot.
Destan stood there, stretching his head toward her for his treat. “I’m sorry, boy,” she breathed. “That was the last one.” He sneezed and shook his head, as if refusing to believe her. “Shh. I am sorry. It really is.” She rubbed his soft nose and guessed he wouldn’t let her leave quietly. Sneaking to his tack, she checked every pocket until she found the prize: a small stalk of sugar cane. Blaze hobbled back to the horses and mounted Lily. Destan reached out again, smelling the sweet plant. Lily also looked back in longing. Grabbing the reigns, Blaze pulled Lily’s head back and then tossed the sugar cane away from her. As Destan chased the treat, she nudged Lily away from camp toward the lake.
Even in the waning moonlight, the water shimmered. Blaze didn’t know how much farther Krute was, but they had to be close. As the night grew later, the crickets and frogs eventually faded away, forsaking her for sleep. With her heavy eyes and Lily’s low-hanging head, the two progressed into dawn.
Straightening up and focusing her eyes, Blaze leaned forward and wondered if she was dreaming. The first blossoms of the morning were shining from behind the distinct outline of a town. Lily plodded along the open shore of the now skinny lake, its grandness narrowing steadily into the Thundrum River. “Lily! On the horizon! We are here. Please, just a little further, and you can rest for days, I promise.” Lily sensed her excitement, picking up her head and pace. “That’s it, girl. We’re almost there.” Relief grew with the town as Blaze saw her refuge grow in the dawn light.
Torches smoldered at each post of the stone bridge spanning the mighty Thundrum River. The whoosh of racing water warned her of the river’s unbridled power as she crossed. The graveled crunch of Lily’s hooves announced their arrival into the still sleeping town. Unlike Srift, where each wooden shop was divided by dirt paths or gardens, the larger town of Krute had shops sewn together as a patchwork of wood and stone. Hanging signs named each place of craft or service.
Spying a mug-shaped sign in the dim light, she dismounted and limped to the sturdy oak door with a heavy iron knocker. Lifting the cold knocker, she let the jarring collision of metal on wood thud through the pub and street. She waited a moment, then hit the knocker again, reassuring the owner that he wasn’t dreaming of a knock. As she knocked a third time, a growl from inside greeted her.
“‘Old on! I’ma comin’!” As the wooden barrier was ripped open, light from a lantern, held at her head-level, illuminated a giant filling the doorway. Blaze stepped back in caution. He was bigger than Evan. “What’er want?”
“Uh, sir,” She bowed slightly with her hands spread out harmlessly. “I apologize for the early hour, but is there a chance my horse and I could find shelter here? We’ve been traveling...”
“Don’t need no explanation. Yer got money; yer gotta room. Folla me.” He rammed past her toward the stables next door. Blaze grabbed Lily’s reigns and followed him as best as she could.
“Yer kin ‘ave the last stall,” he said while heading to a ladder that climbed to a half loft. Blaze braced for his inevitable collapse as the old boards protested his weight, but the giant charged above her to the end stall and started tossing fresh hay into it. Waking horses stuck their curious heads over the half doors and nickered as they passed. Lily perked up with the hoofed company.
The mare twitched with pleasure as Blaze took her saddle and reigns off, laying them in the provide shelf at the back of the stall. Giving her one last pat, Blaze closed the door and limped after the innkeeper with the saddle bag over her shoulder.
Once inside the pub, he lead her to the back and up a worn staircase. She was thankful that the stairs had a rail, pulling herself up the steps assigned to her injured foot. The giant was waiting at the top with the lantern held high. “Der I need ta alert the ‘ealer of yer visit?” he whispered in a rumble as they headed to a small room near the end of the hall. He opened the door on the left and showed her in.
“That won’t be necessary, but thank you.”
He grunted and turned back down the hallway, heavy footfalls marking his progress. The room was small; there were three paces between the door and bed. But, Blaze didn’t care. Closing the door behind her, she threw the saddle bag aside en route to the first bed she would sleep in within a quartermoon. As she climbed into bed, she secured the wooden shutters against the invading morning glow. Blaze unfastened Obrae’s sword from her waist and laid it within an arm’s reach from the bed. Collapsed into the wool-filled mattress, she didn’t have time to think about how good she felt as exhaustion knocked her out.
********
“She dead?”
“No, see, she’s breathin’...”
“...Oh, but she hasn’t moved.”
“SSSHHH!”
“She will show you what’s dead if you don’t leave her room at this very moment,�
� Blaze growled while snapping her eyes open, startling the two young boys. As she raised herself to sit on the bed’s edge, the eldest, about seven cycles, grabbed the younger one, and both bolted through the cracked door.
“I told ya she weren’ dead!” the eldest confirmed as they rushed down the hall.
Rubbing her face to wipe the sleep away, Blaze wondered what the little creatures had taken. Obrae’s sword still laid at her feet; the saddle bag appeared undisturbed. Twisting around, she opened the shutters to see the bustling town below her in red evening light. It was strange to see so many people wandering up and down the streets. Mothers flitted in and out of shops, gathering supplies, as their wild children remained within scolding distance. The setting sun warmed her as she peered down the road to watch some carts of local farmers or craftsmen cross the stone bridge to head home.
A sour smell caught her nose, and Blaze sniffed under her arm. The seven days of travel and nerves didn’t bode well for her hygiene. She needed a bath. Getting up, a sharp complaint from her foot added healing to her list of needs. “Jonathan, you’re honey isn’t healing fast enough.” Limping to the saddle bag, she pulled the honey pouch and realized that she only had enough for one more dressing. Perhaps a visit to the healer wouldn’t be a bad idea after all.
It was time to find the innkeeper and learn a bit about the town and her accommodations. As she picked Obrae’s sword off of the ground, a soft rapping came from the door. She froze. Why would someone be knocking on her door? The knock tapped again. “Yes?” she answered uncertainly and grasped the sword’s handle.
The door opened slightly and a maternal voice poked through. “I brought you some stew and bread for supper if you would like it. Are you decent?”
Blaze was skeptical of the offer. What kind of plot was this?
“Please don’t worry about the cost,” the voice further explained. “There are two boys here who are hoping to apologize for wandering into your privacy.” Motherly scorn flecked her voice.
Traitors (The Traitor King Saga Book 1) Page 15
