The Heart of Trelyssia

by Lisa Chitty

  ‘Bloody marvellous!’ James responded. He settled himself into an attacking position and waited for Juston to get ready before launching himself at him. Juston allowed him to attack several times before calling for James to stop.

  ‘I’ve seen what you can do and where you’re going wrong. Now, let me show you how you can correct your mistakes.’

  The rest of the session passed with Juston demonstrating moves and having James copy them. It wasn’t until Juston was completely happy that James was following his moves precisely that he finally allowed James to fight with him again. This time it went a lot better. James’s technique had improved enormously and he was giving Juston a tough time. Just before Juston called time, James actually managed a few hits.

  ‘That’s much better,’ Juston congratulated James. ‘Carry on like that, and on the day you’ll be fine. The Baron’s men may be big and strong, but they’re woefully lacking in technique, which makes them a much easier target than anyone here. Well done, let’s call it a day.’ Juston wandered off to take off his armour and replace his sword. James did as well, placing his weaponry carefully away before leaving the grounds.

  James didn’t go straight back to the rooms he was sharing with Randall and Steve. Instead he went off in the opposite direction until he came to the Wall of the Dead. He came here once a day by himself, just to talk to Abi. It was odd, he mused to himself, that it was here of all places he came to share his thoughts with her. However it was the only area where there was a permanent memorial to her, so in its way it was right. If it had been back at home it would be no different to going to the cemetery and talking to a headstone.

  James arrived in front of her name and for a moment just stood there looking at it. He had managed to reconcile himself to her death and he no longer felt the total aching loss that had initially overwhelmed him. However, that didn’t mean that he didn’t still miss her and wish with every bone of his body that she was still here with him.

  ‘Oh, Abi,’ he sighed softly. ‘You’re missing so much. The biggest part of it all, and I’m sure that you’d be good, and would be able to give Steve a run for his money. Although I’m not sure that Marldon would approve. Whilst he’s a bit less strict when it comes to the role of women here, I think that you would have given him a few grey hairs!’ James allowed himself a chuckle at the thought of Abi and Marldon encountering one another. Abi’s feistiness would certainly have shocked Marldon, but eventually she would have got her own way and would have had Marldon wrapped round her little finger.

  ‘Still,’ James went on. ‘I’m getting a lot better. You should have seen me today, I managed to give Juston a run for his money. I wonder if I could take on Steve tomorrow?’ James paused thoughtfully. ‘But that’s not what this is all about. This is about revenge and making sure that the Baron pays for what happened to you.’ A hard edge entered James’s voice. ‘You’ll be pleased to know that everything’s going well, and when the time comes I won’t fail you. I’m more than prepared now to meet the Baron head on, and kill him! Or at least attempt to. I am going to do my very best to make it up to you. I know it’s a bit late in the day, but this is my vow to you. I will avenge your death or die in the attempt.’ James’s voice rang out in the corridor, but this time there was no one to hear it.

  The anger in James had risen as he had talked to Abi and he now stood bolt upright, his arms by his sides with his fists clenched and his chin jutting out determinedly. He forced himself to relax. Now wasn’t the time for this, he needed to save it for the battle as he knew it would be his pent up anger that would carry him forward to complete his promise. He turned his thoughts to Abi, and the evening that they had discovered their love for one another, and as he imagined her that night, a soft smile came to his face and he calmed down. He once again focused his gaze on her name and decided that he had said enough for the day and it was time to say goodbye. ‘I love you,’ he said softly, ‘and I hope that one day we will be reunited.’ He raised his fingers to his lips and kissed them before touching them to the carving of her name. ‘Goodnight, I’ll speak to you tomorrow.’ He turned away, feeling a stillness come over him, almost as though Abi has been listening and approved of what he was going to do. He headed back to the suite his resolve to avenge Abi stiffening.

  ‘There you are! We were about to send a search party for you. Your sense of direction really is abysmal!’ Randall was sat on the sofa, and had clearly been waiting for James to put in an appearance. Especially as not only Steve was there but Sasket, Zaria and Marldon too. ‘Honestly, it really is a wonder that you can make your way anywhere round here and actually reach your destination.’

  ‘I manage just fine, thank you,’ James retorted. ‘And as I didn’t know that you were all waiting for me, I wasn’t aware that I had to hurry straight here.’ James wandered over and sat in a chair next to Steve.

  ‘Been to say hello to Abi have you?’ Steve asked.

  James just nodded. He knew that neither Steve or Randall understood the compulsion he had to speak to her every day, but they wouldn’t argue with him about it, they merely accepted it. He decided to change the subject. ‘So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?’ he asked Marldon.

  ‘It’s not exactly pleasurable,’ Marldon replied. ‘As you’ve probably noticed most people have already left here to get to the city and be in place for the battle. Most of the people left will be leaving tonight, as will I, to supervise the final placing.’

  ‘That just leaves us,’ Randall finished for him.

  Marldon nodded and was about to go on, when his attention was suddenly diverted to something just behind Randall and he uttered a startled oath. Everyone turned to look, and there, standing in the suite, was Theldon.

  ‘Theldon! Where have you been? We’ve been worried about you.’ Zaria cried out but made no move to go over to where Theldon stood.

  ‘I’m sorry. I was sure that you would be concerned, but I had to leave suddenly and this is the first opportunity that I have had to make contact with you.’

  Randall had noticed Zaria’s lack of physical greeting of Theldon and examined where Theldon was standing thoroughly. ‘You’re not really here are you?’ he asked him. ‘You’re doing that projection thing again, aren’t you?’ Randall made a sound of disgust.

  ‘Yes, I am. It is the only way that I can speak to you and I needed to before the battle commences.’

  ‘I know that your time is usually short when you do this’ Sasket told him. ‘What was it that you needed to say?’

  ‘It wasn’t a lot, really,’ Theldon paused thoughtfully. ‘I just wanted to reassure you that I hadn’t disappeared. I have been watching events and you appear to be proceeding very well.

  Everything appears to be going according to plan.’

  ‘You obviously haven’t heard about Abi, then.’ James was so used to the fact that almost everyone had known instantly about her death that he was shocked that Theldon appeared oblivious to the fact.

  Theldon’s face became very solemn as he turned to where James sat. ‘I had heard, and like Zaria and Sasket, I knew in advance. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences, you must be terribly upset.’

  James just nodded silently.

  Theldon’s expression changed, almost as though he was trying to convey some message to James through his eyes alone. ‘Chin up, James!’ he told him. ‘I’m sure that everything will work out. Sometimes we can see no rhyme or reason as to why events happen, but sometimes they must for the greater good! If you look at the bigger picture, I’m sure that you’ll agree.’

  James’s expression hardened. ‘There is nothing that can make me think Abi’s death was for some greater purpose. It wasn’t!’ James turned away from Theldon, before his anger got the better of him.

  Theldon sighed softly. He had hoped that James would be able to hear the message underneath his words but he clearly wasn’t ready. He would see in time. ‘I just have one more thing to tell you before I must go. I will be
on the battle field. You might not see me, but I will be there. Take some comfort from the fact that I have been, and will continue to do everything I can to aid you.’ Theldon then bowed before vanishing.

  ‘Well, it’s good to know that he’s alright,’ Sasket said turning to Zaria.

  ‘Yes. That is good news,’ Zaria replied. ‘Just when we needed some.’

  ‘Yes, anyway,’ Marldon interrupted. ‘Back to the matter in hand. The three of you will be leaving here to join the camp tomorrow. We’re leaving your departure right to the last moment as you are still slightly conspicuous. Zaria and Sasket will accompany you and I will be there to meet you when you arrive, and then bring you up to speed on what’s happening. I suggest you get a good night’s sleep tonight, as you probably won’t get much more of a chance before the battle.’ Marldon rose and bade them all goodnight, before exiting the room. Zaria and Sasket followed also wishing them goodnight.

  The three men sat in silence. Events were beginning to come to a head. The main purpose for them being brought here was about to take place, but were they ready for such a large challenge?

  Chapter 15

  Now that Abi had the armour and sword, Theldon insisted that she get used to them. This meant that when she took the horse out she would wear them and also when she was practising with the amulet. Theldon’s theory was that if Abi was used to wearing it, when it came to fighting the Baron, she wouldn’t even notice the weight or feel of them, and Abi supposed that he was right. However, time was running out and she only had a couple of days before it was time to leave the cottage. Luckily it had been designed with her in mind so she didn’t need lots of time to get used to it. Almost as soon as she put it on the first morning to ride the horse it felt as natural to her as her normal clothes. What Abi struggled with was the sword.

  ‘No, no, no, no, no!’ Theldon cried. ‘You’re still getting it all wrong. You’re using far too much energy with each stroke and you’re also making your movements too large. Now, let’s try again.’

  Wearily Abi did as Theldon asked and went to attack him with the sword. Theldon had turned out to be adept at sword fighting and was doing his best to impart his skills to Abi, but she was failing miserably. Once again, as Abi sparred with Theldon, he was able to get in under her sword arm and score what would have been a fatal hit if they had been fighting for real. Theldon groaned as once again he won, and, suddenly infuriated Abi threw her own sword down and stormed off to sit on the bench in the garden.

  ‘That’s it, I’ve had enough,’ Abi proclaimed as she sat with her arms crossed. ‘I can’t get used to the bloody thing so I might as well not bother.’

  Theldon came over and stood in front of her, concern written across his face. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked gently. ‘I didn’t expect you to be so bad at this.’

  ‘Gee, thanks for the words of encouragement!’ Abi hurled the sarcastic words at him.

  ‘There’s no need to get all fiery with me,’ Theldon gently reprimanded her. ‘You need to save that for when you meet the Baron.’

  Abi made a huffing sound, but otherwise didn’t respond. She was still feeling angry, and at the moment was unwilling to let go of her temper, but she also knew that Theldon didn’t deserve to be the target for it.

  Theldon moved to sit next to Abi. ‘Come on, tell me what it is that’s bothering you.’

  ‘Bothering me!’ Abi exploded, the force of her words pushing her to her feet. She turned to stand in front of Theldon, towering over him with her fists clenched. ‘Let’s see, in a short while, I have to leave here, go to a battle, watch my friends and the man I love fight and possibly die, wait for the right moment and then kill a man I have never met, and have no personal grudge against. Nope. I don’t think there’s anything bothering me at all. I mean, it’s not like I have anything to worry about, is there?’

  The words lay heavy in the air between them. Theldon sat watching Abi, unsure of what to say to her and Abi’s anger prevented her from saying anything more to him, for fear of what she might say next. Realising that she was going to get nowhere, Abi turned and stormed off into the cottage. She fled through the rooms until she reached her own. Abi burst in, slammed the door behind her, and flung herself down heavily on the bed, where she suddenly burst into tears. It was all just getting to be too much for her.

  It was some time later before Abi finally emerged from her room. She was no longer feeling angry, but there was still a turmoil of emotions within her, churning to the point where she didn’t know if she was coming or going. Abi went into the kitchen, and found Theldon there about to pour out some tea. Once he had, he handed her one of the mugs and gestured for her to sit down at the table.

  ‘I’m sorry for my earlier outburst,’ Abi whispered, staring at the mug between her hands, unable to meet his gaze. Theldon didn’t reply and as the silence dragged on, Abi forced herself to look up and what she saw in his eyes wasn’t anger, like she had feared, but sympathy and understanding.

  Seeing that he now had Abi’s full attention, Theldon spoke. ‘I do understand, you know. All this is going to be very hard for you. You haven’t spoken very much about where you come from, but from what you have said, it appears to be very different. It’s obvious that the thought of killing someone is repugnant to you, but it is what you were brought here to do. I don’t know how you were chosen to complete this task, but I do know that the choice was correct. You will find it within you to finish your quest. Have faith in yourself and your abilities.’

  ‘But what about the fact I appear to be useless at handling a sword? That can’t be right, considering that it’s with the sword that I’m meant to do the deed.’ Abi wasn’t yet prepared to accept Theldon’s reassurances.

  Theldon sighed. ‘I have to admit, that I’m stumped on that one. It is true that the sword you carry is the only instrument that will bring about the end that we desire, but…’ Theldon shrugged and spread his hands helplessly.’

  ‘Oh, great!’ Abi groaned. ‘Things just can’t get any better can they?’ She pushed the mug she had been drinking from away, folded her arms on the table and dropped her head onto them, feeling total despair. After a while, knowing that this wasn’t getting her anywhere, she raised her head and looked across at Theldon. ‘I guess I’ll just have to get some more practice in.’

  ‘I’m afraid it’s too late for that,’ Theldon told Abi. ‘We leave here in the morning to make our way to the battle grounds. We have a way to travel and need to make sure that we are in the right place as the day after tomorrow the battle begins.’

  Abi stared back at Theldon in horror. Of course she knew that she was going to have to leave the cottage soon, but to find out exactly when, and for it to be so soon, brought reality crashing in on Abi.

  ‘As tonight is your last night here,’ Theldon went on. ‘I suggest that you make the most of the peace and tranquillity here, as tomorrow and the day after will be incredibly chaotic. Try and make sure that you get a good nights rest, as tomorrow night we will be camping.’ Theldon then picked up his mug from the table and left Abi to her own devices.

  Abi was at a loss to know what to do with this unexpected free time, but she eventually decided that she didn’t want to remain within the cottage, and that some fresh air and exercise would do her good. The horse was grazing as usual on the lawn, and as Abi passed him she gave him a pat. Usually he just looked up and then returned to his grazing, but this time, as Abi moved past him he followed her, keeping his head by her shoulder. At first Abi was startled, he had never shown this level of affinity for her before, but she knew she would be grateful for his company as she wandered so she dropped back slightly, and placed her hand on his neck, and like this, side by side they went into the surrounding woods. It was growing dark before Abi returned to the cottage, but the time out, and the presence of the horse had allowed a level of calm to descend on her. In the garden she bade the horse good night, then she entered the cottage and went to her room. Abi collapsed on the bed, and
before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

  Abi woke the next morning with the first rays of the sun, which were shining in through the window. For a moment, she forgot where she was and allowed herself the luxury of waking slowly, and having a stretch. As she became more alert, the memories of the previous night’s conversation with Theldon returned, and she buried her head under the covers, as though to shut out what was to come. After a while she realised that this was a fruitless exercise and reluctantly Abi threw back the bed covers and got up.

  She found Theldon in the kitchen having breakfast. Abi attempted to have something to eat and drink, but found she was feeling too tense to swallow anything. She gazed out of the window, and noticed that grazing alongside her horse was another. It was fairly non descript chestnut, and beside the brilliant white, muscular stallion, he looked tiny and insignificant. Abi turned to Theldon. ‘I’m guessing the second horse is for you?’

  ‘You guessed correctly’ he replied. ‘I wasn’t going to be walking whilst you rode. I am a lot older than you, remember.’

  A small smile sprang to Abi’s lips and she couldn’t help wondering if it would be one of her last. She shook her head, as if to dispel the image from her mind and turned her attention back to the horses. ‘Aren’t we going to be a bit conspicuous today? After all, my horse is hardly one that just fades into the background.’

  ‘We’ll be fine,’ Theldon reassured Abi. ‘We will get to our destination unmolested. After all, I do know for a fact that you and the Baron will meet in battle.’

  Abi suppressed the shiver that those words produced and decided some action was what she needed to distract her. ‘I’m going to go and sort my things out. Make sure I have everything that I need’ she told Theldon.