The Heart of Trelyssia

by Lisa Chitty

  Theldon nodded. ‘Don’t take too long, I want to be leaving shortly. And after all, it’s not like you’re going to need lots of things.’

  Abi’s mind shied away from the implications of what Theldon had just said, sure that he didn’t actually mean that she wouldn’t be needing anything ever again. She hurriedly gathered some essentials, before rejoining Theldon in the garden. As Abi closed the door of the cottage behind her, she felt a pang of regret. Deep down she knew that she would never return, and although in her time here she had worked hard learning new ways, she had enjoyed being here. The cottage exuded a level of peace and tranquillity that over time Abi had absorbed and now she was going to struggle to hold on to that as she re-entered the world.

  Abi went over to the horses where Theldon was, and arranged the packs that she was carrying on her horse’s back. Due to the fact that he didn’t have any tack, it was difficult to see how they were going to stay on him, but she just had to trust that he would balance himself enough for her not to lose them. They mounted, and then with a final backward glance, they made their way into the trees. The fear that was inside Abi began to grow. She was about to deliberately fight and with a bit of luck, kill someone. Abi was terrified.

  * * *

  The suite of rooms allocated to Randall, James and Steve were dominated by a heavy silence. It was morning and the three of them were packing various items ready to leave for the camp. None of them had slept well the previous night. It was all starting to become too real for them. Randall looked round, trying to see if there was anything he was leaving that he might need, but as nothing here was really his, he couldn’t see anything, Their armour and weapons had already gone ahead of them last night. It had been decided to use the most secret of the supply lines to get them through, as it was deemed they were irreplaceable, unlike all the other weaponry that was to be used.

  One of the lines had been discovered, but as Sasket had said when he broke the news, it was almost to be expected as it was the most exposed and risky one of them all. The men who had been moving the weapons had all been killed by the Baron’s patrol that had discovered them. The patrol had then gone into the camp along where the supply line had come out, and anyone discovered near that point with any sort of weapon had also been killed. It had been a huge blow to the rebel cause, but as everyone had known the uprising couldn’t possibly happen without some loss of life, the people who had died had been honoured in the usual way, and then everyone had moved on. The plans still had to be implemented, and everyone was aware that these deaths would be the first of many.

  A knock on the door startled all of them out of their private reveries.

  ‘Come in. It’s open,’ Randall called out.

  The door opened to reveal Sasket. He took a quick look round the room, saw their packs and nodded to himself. ‘Are you ready to go?’

  James heaved a huge sigh. ‘As ready as we’ll ever be!’ Despite the promise that he had made to Abi, he was feeling incredibly apprehensive and was beginning to doubt his ability to carry out his vow to her.

  ‘I’ll second that,’ Steve said. ‘Randall, what about you?’

  Randall looked around once more. ‘I think I’ve got everything that I’m going to want. I mean, it’s just one night’s camping and a bit of sword practice in the morning, after what promises to be a rather spectacular pyrotechnic display. What could I possibly need for that, that I don’t already have?!’

  Randall’s attempt at humour only brought small smiles to those around him. Sasket’s smile was gentle as he replied. ‘We’d better get going then. We want to get you guys settled before we proceed with our plans.’ He turned and went out of the main room. The others paused for a small moment before shouldering their packs and following. The door closed solidly behind them, and they couldn’t help wondering if they would ever come back here again. With heavy hearts and minds they followed Sasket to the exit of the caverns where Zaria was waiting for them.

  ‘Cheer up!’ she said as soon as she saw the three of them. ‘This is a wedding that you’re meant to be going to. They’re supposed to be joyful occasions.’

  ‘I thought the whole purpose of this was to stop the wedding’ Randall argued.

  ‘It is’ Zaria replied patiently. ‘But we need to retain a pretence of being happy for the Baron, or we’ll get pulled over by one of the patrols that are about, and possibly detained. We can’t have that happen, as the bulk of this plan is yours and we need you to implement it. So smile!’

  ‘Actually, the plan is James’s not mine!’ Randall was feeling very argumentative.

  ‘Oh, will you stop splitting hairs, man!’ Steve intervened, his exasperation with Randall showing. ‘We’re all in this together, and that means helping one another out, and getting James where he needs to be, so just do as Zaria asks!’

  Randall just shrugged, but his demeanour lightened slightly. Whilst he wasn’t smiling, it was a definite improvement, and should be passable to the guards.

  ‘Looks like we’re ready,’ Sasket told Zaria. ‘I think we should make a move.’

  Zaria nodded, picked up the pack at her feet and headed out of the caves. The others followed her lead and they were soon heading through the trees and to the main track that would take them to the city. Once they reached this track, it was packed with others heading in the same direction. It seemed that everyone who could was heading towards the city. Whether it was the prospect of free food and drink, or they had answered the call to fight, no one was really sure, but the lands around the city walls were certainly going to be packed.

  It seemed no time at all before they were joining a long queue, to hand over their documents and then be directed to where they would be allowed to pitch their tents. Randall could feel the tension rising in him as Sasket handed over a sheaf of papers to the armed guard. He knew that they had to be forgeries, and as the guard peered at the documents, and then looked up at the group of them, Randall felt sure that they had been exposed as traitors and was readying himself to run. Although, there were so many people crowded around them, he wouldn’t have anywhere to run to. However, the guard handed the papers back to Sasket without making a protest. He then proceeded to give them directions to their pitch.

  ‘See the large green tent up on the slope?’ the guard asked. At Sasket’s nod, he went on. ‘You need to go past it, keeping it to your left, and going straight. Once you find a clear patch, you can stop and camp there. But make sure you keep everything in line and don’t use any extra space. We’ve got a lot of people to fit in here!’ The guards attention then moved on to the group behind them. They were clearly dismissed and expected to get on, and go to their allocated camping area.

  Not wanting to attract any untoward attention, they quickly followed the directions that they had been given. When they arrived at the next clear bit of ground, another guard appeared, also armed and proceeded to recite to them the rules and regulations of staying here. Once he had rattled it all off, he then conducted a search of their packs, even though this had been done at the main entrance. Once the guard had satisfied himself that they were honourable citizens he moved onto the next group who were coming along.

  The five of them worked quickly, and soon their tent was pitched. No one was allowed a fire so it was cold rations they settled down to as they discussed what would happen next in hushed voices.

  ‘We can’t do a lot really until Marldon finds us,’ Sasket commented.

  ‘How’s he going to find us amongst all of this?’ Steve questioned gesturing to the packed tents around them.

  ‘He knows roughly where we are. Also you might have noticed that our tent’s a slightly different colour to all those around us, so he’ll be able to spot us quite easily.’

  Steve looked at their tent and then those around them. Most of the ones surrounding were a dirty white. Theirs was also an off white, but unlike those around them, this was the tents proper colour, not just what they had been allowed to come over the years. It was
n’t a big enough difference to stand out, but it was enough to be noticed if you were looking for it.

  ‘So, it’s alright to move around? No one minds if you go visiting other tents?’ James was worried that too much movement from them, could get them all in trouble.

  ‘Oh, no,’ Zaria affirmed. ‘Now that we’re within the compound, we can move about as much as we like. The difficulty is going to be getting into the city.’

  ‘Great!’ Randall exclaimed. ‘Now you tell us. The one place that we need to go and it’s going to be difficult!’

  ‘Shhh!’ Sasket made urgent quietening gestures. ‘Whilst for the main we are surrounded by those who are on our side, we don’t know for certain who might be listening, so please, try and keep it down!’

  Randall subsided and in a much quieter voice went on. ‘But it is a valid point. How are we going to get in and do what we have to? The whole plan pivots on the success of blowing the Citadel up!’

  ‘We know,’ Zaria replied. ‘Marldon has a plan, I’m sure, so we just need to wait until he arrives.’

  The five of then chatted amongst themselves anxiously waiting for Marldon to come and find them, for until he arrived there was nothing they could do but sit and wait. Several hours passed before they finally saw him climbing the slope towards them.

  ‘Sorry about the delay,’ he apologised as he reached them. ‘Been a few problems, but they’re sorted now and we can get on with everything. James, are you ready?’

  James nodded. ‘Ready when you are,’ he confirmed. Now that he was here, he was feeling slightly less apprehensive and he felt that some action would relieve him of the rest of it.

  ‘Excellent!’ Marldon rubbed his hands together, before leaning in and lowering his voice. ‘We’ve put the gunpowder in wine barrels, as a disguise. We plan to take them in to the city and say that they are a wedding gift. The Baron is a greedy man, and he will have told the guards on the gate to let any gifts through. As the barrels will be heavy and loaded on a cart, they’ll wave us through rather than take the “wine” off of us. Once inside the city, we’ll be able to pass unnoticed. Most of his guards are out here keeping the peace right now. The ones who are inside the city are going to be getting too drunk to notice what we’re up to!’

  ‘Sounds good to me, let’s go.’ James got to his feet and then turned to look at Steve. ‘You coming?’

  ‘Just try and stop me!’ Steve was like an eager little boy. ‘If you think I’m going to let you have all the fun, you’re much mistaken!’

  Sasket had also risen to his feet and clearly intended to go with them. James turned to look at Randall. ‘Are you coming as well?’

  ‘I don’t think so. Someone needs to stay with Zaria.’ Randall remained resolutely sitting, James and Steve could get themselves into enough trouble on their own without his help.

  ‘Suit yourself.’ James shrugged and marched off down the slope with Marldon beside him, showing him the way and Steve and Sasket following. Randall stood to watch them as they receded into the distance. When they got lost in the crowds he allowed his attention to wander and take in the scene around him. The campsites were well back from the city walls, which meant there was a lot of clear level ground surrounding the city. His eyes were drawn to the large double wooden gates of the main city entrance, which were at the moment standing open. It was through these that they were hoping to force the Baron and his army, and tomorrow the tranquil area would become a battleground teeming with destruction.

  He sighed deeply. He didn’t really want any part of this. He had been dragged here and forced into this, but he knew that Steve and James would, once the battle started, try to be right in the thick of things, and he knew that he would do almost anything to help them out. If they were in danger, he would do his utmost to get them out of it. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Zaria standing next to him.

  ‘It will go according to plan,’ she told him. ‘Have a little faith and believe in the prophecies. After all they brought you here, and everything so far has happened how it should.’

  ‘Including Abi?’ Randall questioned.

  Zaria flushed slightly. ‘It couldn’t be helped,’ she said softly. ‘The battle will happen tomorrow, and by the time the sun sets on another day we will know if we have won or not.’

  ‘And if we don’t win?’

  ‘Then we will all die.’

  A shiver went through Randall at Zaria’s words. Her calm acceptance of the fact that this time tomorrow they could all be dead was frightening. He turned once more to look at the city. The sun was beginning to set, and it highlighted the red walls of the Citadel. The shadows were lengthening and a stillness was beginning to settle over the camp. As Randall stood there, watching the sun disappear behind the horizon in a blaze of colour, he couldn’t help but think how beautiful everything looked tonight. The irony was not lost on him as he thought how the scene would look tomorrow at this time. Today beauty and tranquillity. Tomorrow, ruin and turmoil.

  * * *

  Theldon and Abi had arrived at the very edge of the camp site outside the city in the early afternoon the day before the battle. At first Abi thought that Theldon had intended for them to join the others but he had headed off at an angle to where a small mound with trees on top rose above the camp, but away and to one side of it.

  ‘I know you want to join your friends, but the time isn’t yet right for that. If everything goes according to plan then you will be reunited tomorrow.’ Theldon told Abi.

  Abi was almost glad that she wouldn’t be reunited with Randall, James and Steve today. So much had happened, and the fact that they believed she was dead was going to be very difficult to explain. But there was one large part of her that still rebelled at the enforced separation. Abi had thought that she had managed to put her feelings for James to one side. After all, it did appear that he had gotten over her very quickly, but she knew that she still loved him, and her heart just craved to be with him. To be in his arms once again, and to feel his lips on hers. Abi stifled a sigh and followed Theldon.

  Their route to the hillock was circuitous and far enough away from the camp that no one noticed them. Despite the fact that Abi was on a pristine white horse that seemed to glow, and made her feel very conspicuous, not a single person glanced in their direction. The amulet was at work again.

  They got to the top of the hillock, where Theldon and Abi dismounted. Whilst Theldon started getting ready and putting up the tent, Abi went to the edge of the mound to take a look at what was around her.

  ‘Careful!’ Theldon called out. ‘We don’t want to attract any attention.’

  ‘I’ll be alright,’ Abi replied without even turning around. She was fully aware that the amulet would conceal her and that she could probably take a walk right through the camp below without a single person noticing her. However, as she didn’t want to be seen, she stopped by the edge of the trees and, using them as a shield, she carefully peered out. The sight that greeted her took her breath away. Below Abi tents spread out in all directions and people scurried to and fro. It looked like there must be thousands gathered here, ready to fight against the Baron in the morning.

  Abi sighed deeply. Below her in that seething mass, she knew that Steve, Randall and James would be there, but where? She was on the verge of turning away, when she remembered that she could use the amulet to enhance her sight. Abi quickly zoomed in on the activity below, but even now, it seemed an impossible task to locate three people amongst the many that were down there. However, she wasn’t going to give up and methodically swept her eyes back and forth on the scene beneath her, and eventually Abi’s patience was rewarded. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched. They were sat in front of a tent, talking with Zaria and Sasket. Abi couldn’t make out what they were saying, but seeing them was enough. She had only seen James through the mirror, and now at last she was seeing him in the flesh. Abi longed to be back with him, even though, as he sat talking to his friends, he seemed perfec
tly content, not missing her in the slightest. She turned away and went back to Theldon.

  He took one look at Abi’s face and sighed in exasperation. ‘You’ve located them amongst the crowd down there I take it?’

  Abi only nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  Theldon came over and placed his hands on her arms. ‘You have to stop this,’ he told Abi. ‘You were separated for a reason. You have a mammoth task to complete and you need to be focussed on that, not what’s going on with your companions. They have their own objectives that don’t concern you!’

  ‘I thought you said that they would create the situation that would mean the Baron and I can challenge one another?’ Abi goaded him.

  ‘Yes, that much is true’ he replied. ‘But you only need to make sure that you are ready at the right time to finish this! I’m sure that they’re down there planning what they need to do, not moping around thinking about you. They have more pressing matters to consider, as do you!’

  Theldon’s words hit Abi like a shower of icy cold water. As she stood staring at him speechless, she realised that he was more than likely right. The guys had had plenty of time, to move on and forget about her. She had to do the same. Abi hardened her heart against what she was feeling, finally refusing to let anything get between her and her ultimate task. She wriggled out of Theldon’s grasp and turned back in the direction of the camp. But this time, Abi ignored the camp and focused her attention on the city and the dominance of the Citadel within the walls. ‘I’m coming for you Baron,’ she said softly. ‘The prophecies are all culminating in this moment. Tomorrow you and I will meet and everything will be decided!’ The resolve Abi felt stiffened her entire self and as she turned back to Theldon his expression changed to one of awe.

  ‘You are more than worthy for the final step of the quest you have been pursuing,’ he told Abi. ‘Tomorrow, the hopes and dreams of the rightful heir and their followers will be realised.’