The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1)

by Keech, Jenny Rebecca

  11

  It was early in the morning, though the sun had several hours before it would begin the trek up and across the sky. Eira’s lingering illness had everyone awake and edgy. Traevyn looked at the cup in front of him. He had stared at it for a solid hour without taking a sip. For the first time in his life he feared what he might do if he let the drink lower his control. Traevyn closed his eyes and wiped a hand across his face in despair at the thoughts running through his mind. He was about to break with everything he had ever known. It took several seconds before he saw the shadow across from him.

  “Is this seat taken?” Davaris asked, not unkindly.

  “Yes,” Traevyn muttered, not looking out.

  Davaris sat anyway. Ber joined him. Both were silent as they drank the drinks they had brought.

  Traevyn stared at men he considered his brothers but kept his thoughts to himself this night. He could not chance they would try to stop him.

  It was Davaris who finally broke the silence. With a sigh the tall Raanan laid his cup on the table. “Your look of misery has been noted,” he glanced at the stocky warrior beside him, “by both myself and Ber.” Davaris gave Traevyn a studied look. “We would like to know your intentions concerning Ishar.”

  Had his plan been found out? Traevyn wondered. He watched them with a sudden wariness as his body tensed. “What do you mean?”

  Davaris glanced around. He focused his attention on Traevyn. “As I look over the time she has been among us, it makes no sense for Ishar to do everything she did to make us accept her, then harm Eira in this manner. It would permanently destroy any chance of peace.” He shrugged. “If she intended this harm, why go to all this trouble? Eira could be a target at many times and places outside the gates without all the danger of Ishar having to invite herself within this holding to look for opportunity.”

  Ber sighed. “Look, you know I had no like for the girl when she came but,” Ber scratched the side of his head, “she does not strike me as stupid and coming back here after attacking Eira was just that. She had to have known she would be the first suspect.”

  Glyndwr settled down beside Ber. He set his cup on the table. “And using her arrows?” He muttered. “What foolishness is that? It would have been better to use Lute or Britai.”

  Davaris shrugged. “Kagon or Rayne would say that maybe she thought she killed Eira.”

  Traevyn felt his muscles loosen at his friends’ defense of Ishar. “I have seen Ishar shoot a bow. She would not miss. Eira was too wounded to defend herself and an assailant would have taken full use of this.” He shook his head. “No, Eira was allowed to return to the holding.”

  “This means,” Ber answered slowly, “someone wanted us to find those arrows. Glyndwr’s right, the girl would not be that stupid.”

  Traevyn glanced at Glyndwr. “Where is Gavin?”

  Glyndwr motioned with his head toward the barracks. “He spent money on several rounds, then asked Rayne and Kagon to a match with swords. Winner buys another round of drinks.”

  “Ouch,” Ber said with a wince but grinned.

  Davaris smiled. “We shall owe him several drinks after that.” He glanced at Traevyn. “We wanted to speak with you. Ber is under the impression you might be about to do something stupid.”

  Traevyn watched his friends. “Perhaps.”

  “‘Perhaps not’ would be the better response,” Ber muttered. “I have no desire to watch you do anything you will regret.”

  “I will not let them harm Ishar,” Traevyn murmured softly, staring at them. “Yet I have no desire to cross blades with any man here. Even Kagon or Rayne, no matter how wrong I feel they are in their certainty.”

  Glyndwr shrugged. “They have not had the chance to come the same understanding we have: that the Haaldyn might have more trustworthiness within them than first thought.” He stared at Traevyn with a serious look. “I pledge to you. I will not let harm come to her.”

  Traevyn stared at Davaris who nodded in agreement. He turned his look to Ber. “And you?”

  Ber glanced at the table, then looked up and nodded. “I owe her. I always pay my debts. You have my word. They will have to produce more than the arrows to make me believe her guilty.”

  “And Gavin gives his word,” Glyndwr added.

  Traevyn smiled. “That is all I ask.”

  There was a commotion in the dark. Out of the shadows came Lysandr. He strode quickly toward everyone gathered around the tables.

  “What is it?” Traevyn asked, frowning as he feared the worst.

  Lysandr broke into a grin. “It is Eira,” he answered loudly. “The fever has finally broken. Though she is not awake, there is hope now she will and soon”

  The room exploded with shouts and claps and stomps of enthusiasm as everyone felt the joy of the occasion. Traevyn felt excitement grow. Eira was going to live. For that he was thankful but more so now that the threat on Ishar’s life had lessened a great deal. He heaved a heavy sigh of relief and rose to join in the happiness with the other Raanan warriors and Britai soldiers as they shared the pleasure of hearing the news.

  *

  Eira let the low drone of voices grow loud before opening her eyes. She blinked several times and focused on the blurred faces around her.

  “My lord,” a voice called off to her right. There was movement to her left and as the fuzziness cleared she took in Varyk’s worried face. She smiled softly. So like him to frown. Varyk ran his fingers down the side of her face and smiled softly. He took the cup handed to him and brought it to her lips while supporting her neck so she could drink. The water was delicious. Eira cleared her throat. “I take it I made it back to the holding?” she asked hoarsely. “I fear I do not remember.”

  He nodded. “You did, but were unconscious. You have been unaware for nearly two days.” Varyk’s worried look returned. “We feared the fever would take you,” he added gently.

  Eira look puzzled and frown appeared between her brows as she sorted his words. “Did you find out who attacked me?”

  Varyk drew back and stared contemplatively at her for a moment before speaking. “Ishar is being held on that charge,” he stated quietly.

  Eira’s eyes widened, then flickered to the servants standing close. She looked at Varyk. “Tell them to leave us,” she whispered grimly.

  He studied her as if he wanted to argue but instead cleared his throat and glanced at the two women in attendance. “Go.” Both women bowed low and left, pulling the door shut behind them.

  Varyk glanced at her and sighed. “You had me send them away why?” he asked, rubbing his fingers across his brow.

  “Because I would not have them witness an argument between us,” Eira stated in a quiet manner.

  “You almost died,” Varyk uttered fiercely. “I will not have you worn out by senseless arguing.”

  “Good,” she added sweetly. “Then do not argue with me. Release Ishar.”

  Varyk’s eyes darkened. “Her arrows were pulled from your body,” he ground out.

  Eira gave her head a gentle shake. “I do not care. I have come to know this woman, Varyk,” she said insistently. “She would not do this.”

  “She would and she did,” he argued. “She told you to meet her in a vulnerable location and set upon you when you arrived.” Varyk looked frustrated. “I am sorry, but I will not release her.” Eira frowned. He continued. “See, I knew it. You are getting yourself worn out over something on which I am firm. For once, let the subject go.”

  Eira’s frown persisted. “What did you just say?”

  Varyk drew back. “Let it go?”

  She shook her head tiredly. “No, before that. You said something about Ishar meeting me?”

  Varyk nodded. “Yes, you and she were to meet just inside the Daiwen.” He frowned. “You should have told me of this meeting,” he muttered, “but of course you knew I would not let you go without a guard. We have, after all, only just come to know the woman. You push our trust of her.”

 
; Eira decided this was not the time to remind Varyk he had given Ishar freedom in the holding. Instead she focused on his words with growing concern. “Did Ishar tell you this?” Eira asked, confused.

  Varyk looked at her strangely. “Of course not. Audris gave me this information later after we brought you within and were trying to figure out what happened. She pointed out it was a Haaldyn arrow. She had seen Ishar’s in keeping up the room. When Ishar returned, it was discovered Audris was right. Even more so, the arrow was not just Haaldyn but personally one of Ishar’s.”

  Eira tried to rise but Varyk’s hand and rippling pain down her left side kept her down. She gazed at him perplexed but with a growing resolve. “My love, I told no one to where I would ride. How could Audris know this?” she asked wearily.

  Varyk’s look turned troubled. “Perhaps Ishar spoke of it?”

  Eira gave him a wry glance and sighed. “Why would she want someone to know about meeting me if she intended harm? It would be suicidal, especially if she truly intended to ride back within the holding walls.” She relaxed and closed her eyes. “Have Audris brought to me. Simply tell her I require her assistance, nothing more. And do not leave us. I may have need of your help.”

  Varyk rose but he scowled as if irritated by her request. “Audris has been close to you since before you came here. She is Lute and kin. Surely you are not thinking she would betray you?”

  She sighed. “I do not know what to believe. She knew where I would be even though I did not inform her. And she very quickly pointed out Ishar as your most probable suspect even though she knew I would never believe it of her.” Eira frowned and opened her eyes to study Varyk. “Why would Ishar shoot two of her personal arrows into me? Why not use a Britai arrow or even a Raanan? To use her own weapon would be pure foolishness.” Her eyes narrowed. “No, someone hoped the response of her returning to the hold would be instant act of retribution. The result which would…” Eira’s eyes widened in realization. “Oh, no.” She looked toward Varyk with a growing sense of distress. “Do you not see, my love? Ryen would never allow a peace to prosper between him and the people who had slaughtered his daughter. It would bring war, the unrelenting war of a father fueled by the wrongful death of his child. Any hope of peace would be destroyed.”

  “And fighting would be what the Tourna would find upon their arrival,” Varyk finished, his voice intrigued by her words. “Your accusation grows, Eira, but then this becomes more than a single act of blood: a conspiracy that cannot be the hand of a solitary woman and I dare not dwell on that thought. For what can be the future of us when we cannot trust our own people?”

  She nodded sadly and closed her eyes. The conversation tired her. “Just find and bring her,” she muttered.

  She felt the brush of his lips across her forehead. “I will return and then we shall see to the truth,” he answered.

  Eira heard the door open and close and the low murmur of voices. It seemed only a few minutes before the door opened once more and footsteps entered. She opened her eyes.

  Audris moved briskly into the room, discarding a cloak across a covered stool. “My lady,” she murmured softly, dipping her head and dropping a kiss on Eira’s cheek. She stepped back and clasped her hands. “I was overjoyed to hear of your recovery. What is it you require?”

  Eira studied the woman who had been by her side for many years. She could see nothing within Audris’ expression that spoke of treason, nothing save for a growing suspicion of Audris’ actions and the words she had spoken to Varyk. Varyk stood close to the end of the bed. His gold eyes never strayed from Audris as he studied her with grave care. Eira glanced back at Audris. “I require only the answer to one question.” She studied the Lute woman she had known for many years. Had she missed a growing resentment? Eira’s eyes narrowed as she spoke. “How did you know to tell Varyk my riding detail on the day I was attacked?”

  Audris blinked and responded in a bewildered tone, “My lady, you told me yourself.”

  There was a still silence in the room as Eira took in Audris’ words before answering. “No, I did not,” she stated quietly, her words sounding hard to even her ears.

  “Yes,” the woman stated quietly with bowed head. “My lady has forgotten in the turmoil of events.”

  “Audris, look at me,” Eira commanded. The woman glanced up warily. Eira continued. “There are some things of that day which are not clear, but that is not one of them. I made a point to not inform anyone of where I was to ride because I did not want Varyk to send me with an escort, so I will ask you again: where did you hear of it?”

  The Lute woman shrugged. A slight arrogance surfaced in her posture for the first time. “Perhaps Ishar mentioned it to me.”

  Anger unfurled within Eira as she detected a rising insolence in Audris’ tone. “Ishar?” She asked with scorn. “Why would she purposely hand you her head by mentioning those words? It would automatically make her a suspect when I became injured or found dead.” Eira turned her voice cold. It matched the numb pain taking over her body. “No,” she stated, a fixed glance set upon the Lute woman she had once called friend and sister. “I do not accept that answer from you either.”

  Audris was silent. Eira suddenly wished she could know the thoughts running within the woman’s mind.

  “Your lady waits,” Varyk stated, his voice deceptively soft.

  Audris opened her mouth, then closed it. After a moment, she haltingly added, “It would appear you like none of my answers, my lady.”

  “What I would like is the truth,” Eira ground out softly. “Have you betrayed us to our deaths, you stupid girl? And if you have, to whom?”

  Audris eyes flashed upward at the insult and she quickly snapped back at Eira. “I am not the one to betray us,” she whipped out. Audris must have realized the mistake her immediate anger had cost her because she became quiet almost immediately and looked away.

  Varyk rounded the bed. He grabbed Audris by the front of her garment and drew her to him. “Did you arrange for the attempt on Eira’s life?” he thundered. “Answer me,” he roared out angrily, “or so help me I will kill you where you stand.”

  “Varyk,” Eira spoke with weary exhaustion, “Release her.” Every muscle in Varyk was tight with rage but he did as she asked and shoved the Lute woman away. Eira turned her attention back to Audris. “Who have I betrayed? I ask this of you, who I believed was my friend.”

  “A friend?” Audris sneered at the words, “How could I be a friend to someone who would ally us with the Britai and seek an alliance with those across the mountains?” For the first time, Eira realized she now saw the true face of Audris and that look was one of derision and contempt as the Lute woman said scornfully, “You have betrayed your people. You would have us mingle with such weakness as the Britai embody and such hollow emptiness as are the Haaldyn. They are gihuad,” she spoke vehemently. “What kind of people will we become, tainted by such as these?”

  Eira flinched at the rage she saw stretched across Audris’ face. Gihuad was a Lute word. It meant discarded worthlessness. The hatred she now saw stretched tightly across Audris’ face made her wonder how long it had simmered below the surface

  But Audris was not finished. Now that her intentions had been revealed, she reveled in the moment of madness. “We should have stayed in the Daiwen,” she hissed low. “It has always protected us and kept us safe. Now you tempt fate by having us remove ourselves from its protection. You will be judged for that,” she spit out, eyes mere slits of fury. “The only thing I regret is they did not finish the job.” At those words, Audris drew a dagger from her side and lunged.

  Eira had not time to react, but Varyk did. With one hand he caught the hand that held the dagger and with his other he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her away from Eira. Varyk managed to rip the dagger from her hand and he flung Audris away from both he and Eira. The Lute woman struck the closest wall and fell to the ground with a thud. She quickly rose and turned back with a savage expression. Var
yk threw the dagger in his hand to the floor and faced the enraged woman rising to meet him with teeth bared in a grimace. “Eira. Stay.” Varyk ordered as he advanced.

  Eira wondered what Varyk thought she might do. Her injuries prevented her from anything besides lying quiet and resting. She watched as he blocked a blow and restrained Audris in a less than gentle manner. Using the belt which hung from her own waist, Varyk lashed Audris’ wrists tightly; then stood and dragged her upward.

  Varyk turned a frown in her direction. “It would appear I owe you an apology,” he stated roughly while holding the struggling Audris.

  A part of Eira wished he did not. She found it difficult to believe such a trusted friend could betray her without once speaking to her of the worries that plagued her concerning the peace to be established. Eira had no idea such hatred of the Britai and the Haaldyn had existed within Audris. What else had she missed? And more importantly, did more of her people feel this way?

  There was a knock on the door and Lysandr entered. He nodded in Eira’s direction. “My lady, I just heard that you were awake. I am glad to see it true.” Lysandr glanced toward Varyk and opened his mouth to speak but stopped, halted by the sight of Audris bound and held. “My lord?” he began.

  Varyk cut his second in command off. “We have found a spy amongst us. One who has fed on our fears and is among others attempting to destroy the peace we seek,” Varyk uttered mercilessly. “I want her taken to the holding room and Ishar released.”

  Lysandr sighed. “That may be a problem.” He granted Varyk a troubled look. “Isla just found me. She looked in on our prisoner. Ishar is not there. The door was locked, the key on the wall. Ishar has simply disappeared.”