by Sara Gaines
“Your sister?”
“Yes, she has always been a rather….” Ori’s pause dragged on. “I’m not sure how to best describe her. She’s determined, though, like you. However, you are at least focused on what you must do even, if it is not what you want. I cannot say the same for Falyn. She tends to be more determined to do as she wishes.”
The warmth in Ori’s tone almost brought tears to my eyes, formed from jealousy at having such a family. Swallowing the knot in my throat, I hoped my voice did not sound weak as I spoke. “Will you tell me about her?”
“She’s about your age, with the same color hair. She’s unmarried, but our father is trying to remedy that, hoping to force her to settle down in one way or another. However, the match my sister is advocating for has been difficult. The baker seems unwilling to talk to my father.”
“I was not aware the baker had any sons?” I sorted through my memory, trying to remember if I had seen any young men helping the baker bring bread to my tables during feasts.
The guard let out a deep chuckle, “He doesn’t, but his daughter seems to have taken a liking to my sister.”
“Really?”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips in the darkness. In Halvaria, though it was rare, the potential pairing of two women was not unheard of. Of course, it was much more likely to see two maids or two guards sneak off together as the thrill of a festival wound down, but every now and then there would be a couple who would enter into marriage negotiations. I closed my eyes, reminding myself that no matter what, royalty was never given that chance.
“Falyn has found someone kindhearted who gives her an escape from the hardships of life. I couldn’t think of a better person for my sister. Knowing she has a chance at even a fraction of what Teya and I have is one of the greatest feelings I have experienced. And because of that, I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she’s happy. Thankfully, my father thinks the same.”
A small tear slid down my cheek, mourning for something I knew I could never have. I remained silent, trying to keep my breath even so the guard would think I had fallen asleep.
Chapter 12
A HAND pressed tightly against my mouth shook me from sleep. Panic flooded my veins, but my still groggy muscles would not respond quickly enough. The hand pressed tighter when my arms responded to my commands, grabbing at my assailant. My vision focused, only to find that it was Ori leaning over me, his finger pressed to his mouth, urging me to stay silent. He pulled me toward one of the very few trees that surrounded us.
“Ori!” I kept my voice low, my anger at being woken in such a manner making it quite difficult. “What is wrong?”
“Listen.” Ori’s head turned in the direction of the small road. “Hear that? Horses are coming our way, and fast. There’s still an hour or so before sunrise. I don’t care if the moon is bright tonight, no one around here should be riding at the hour.”
I pressed my body into the cold ground and felt a knot tighten in my stomach at finally hearing the approaching horses. “Do you think they are just trying to get to Ferrum?”
“I don’t know, milady, but they are coming this way, and there is no doubt more than one. Whoever they are, we should hope they ride past us.” Ori was beside me, hiding as much of his body in the sparse vegetation as he could.
Listening to the hoof beats as they grew closer and closer, I tried to control my breathing. I couldn’t help but think of the days back in the castle when, as a child, I had hidden from the servants wishing to take me to my lessons. The memories of better times shattered when the horses sounded like they were right on top of us. My heart beat as if it were a drum ready to betray our hiding spot.
I realized the horses weren’t slowing down and seemed to be riding past us. However, my relief came too soon, for when my muscles eased their tension slightly, I heard a low bark calling to the horses. The galloping slowed, and I turned to Ori, knowing fear was spread across my features. We listened as the horses returned, stopping a few paces from the tree hiding us behind its roots in the dark. Hearing the dog sniffing our belongings where Ori and I had been sleeping only minutes ago, I waited for the inevitable moment when we were discovered. I watched Ori reaching for his sword, moving his hand painfully slowly to avoid making a sound.
The thud of a person dropping from a saddle to the ground sent chills up my spine. Before I registered what was happening, Ori shot from his place beside me, savagely pulling his blade from its sheath. I climbed to my feet, the pain in my side suddenly flaring. Ori’s blade struck against steel as a shout in an unrecognizable language rang out. I turned to the sounds of fighting, trying to think of any way I could help Ori. In the gray of pre-dawn, I struggled to make out the shadowed figures of Ori and his opponent. Before I could even step toward him, Ori’s sword was knocked from his hand.
The figure pointed a blade to Ori’s throat, finally speaking.
“Well now, guard, I thought you could have done better than that.” Kahira bent to retrieve Ori’s sword, returning it to him carefully, “You’re lucky I had time to call Enza back.”
Grabbing his sword by the hilt, Ori remained silent. Once again, he did not bother to try to mask his disdain for the woman standing in front of him.
Enza sat at Kahira’s feet, wagging her tail as if she had not been ready to rip Ori’s throat open moments prior. As soon as I stepped closer to the two shadowed figures in front of me, the hound whined softly, rolling on her back to beg for my attention. Whether it was the sudden relief of realizing the traitors hadn’t found us or the massive dog’s happy greeting, I didn’t know, but I felt a laugh bubbling up inside me. Despite my efforts as I bent to rub Enza’s head, it escaped.
“Well, Aleana, It appears you made quite the impression.” The light was still low, and although I could hear the hint of some emotion in Kahira’s voice, I could not identify it without being able to see her face.
Ori brushed some dirt from his pants, ignoring the lightened mood pervading the air. “How did you find us?”
Kahira’s shadowed form motioned toward Enza. “It’s one of the benefits of having a dog. They tend to be good at tracking.”
“And so you thought to track us down in the middle of the night?” Ori stepped closer to Kahira. His sword was back in its scabbard, but his stance was still aggressive.
“I assure you, Ori, I only sneak up on those I intend to kill before they kill me.” The menacing threat in Kahira’s voice forced my breath to catch in my throat. I suddenly had no doubt that many of her would-be attackers would be convinced to flee if she spoke to them in such a manner.
I stood, leaving Enza and silently begging I would not be forced to step between Kahira and Ori. They stared at each other in silence a moment longer, Kahira glaring up at the blond guard, unconcerned with the slight height advantage he had over her. She was the one who broke eye contact first, muttering something under her breath in what must have been her native tongue, but the smirk present on her face as she turned her back to Ori made it clear she had won their unspoken challenge.
Ori, realizing he had just been slighted, would not allow Kahira to ignore him completely. “Why did you decide to find us?”
He asked the very question that had formed in my mind. In response, Kahira looked over her shoulder, her green eyes catching mine. Until the gaze was broken, I did not even realize she was speaking.
“I figured if I was going to join you, I should offer what I could. Along with the horses, I brought plenty of supplies. I know you weren’t able to carry much.” Kahira flicked her attention from me to Ori, an amused tone added to her slightly accented speech. “I assure you they were acquired through honest means.”
Ori’s question remained unanswered.
Stepping closer, Ori seemed determined to sustain the hostility between Kahira and himself. “Then we must find a way to repay you, lest you be forced back into dishonest trades.”
“Oh yes, we mustn’t give any soldier reason to arrest me.” Kahira
was obviously enjoying Ori’s hostility toward her in some way. “He might enjoy it far too much.”
The two stared at each other yet again. Ori was trying to think of something else to say, his determination present in the deep lines of his brow. Kahira only grew more amused. Eventually, Ori clenched his jaw and turned away, walking toward our scattered belongings. Kahira released the tension in her muscles as the man walked away, exposing just how ready she had been to attack.
With Ori gone, the atmosphere lost its charge, and I stood beside Kahira as she rifled through the saddlebags tied to the new horses. The sun had started to appear above the horizon, providing the first proper lighting since Kahira’s return.
“Kahira.” Did her movements falter when I said her name? Ignoring my own question, I continued, “Thank you for bringing us these things.”
She had relaxed once more, and her voice took on the same gentle tone as the night she had sat beside me.
“Finding food was the first thing I learned when I started traveling on my own. Finding enough to feed all of us was slightly more difficult, but manageable. As for the horses, they are not the best, but they should do. I also brought oiled cloaks, since neither of you seemed prepared for a turn in the weather. And….” Kahira paused, pulling a wrapped package from the saddlebags draped across a chestnut mare. She handed the bundle to me, and I noticed the dark circles under her eyes for the first time. “Aleana, I thought you might be more comfortable riding in something other than that dress. I think these should fit you, and hopefully the pair of boots I was able to purchase will too. If the shoes are too big, we can stuff them with some cloth. Even that would be better than trying to ride in shoes that can barely handle walking anywhere other than in a hovel.”
I caught myself wondering just how many nights she had spent running from someone. I felt the concern spreading across my face as I carefully took the clothes from Kahira’s hands. “Have you slept? You’ve been riding all night, haven’t you?”
She laughed lightly. “It is a hardship that I am well accustomed to, Aleana. I tried to find you before you made it to Ferrum. I wanted to warn you—Ferrum was burned.”
“We know. We found the ashes of Ferrum yesterday. So I’m afraid you’re too late.” Ori’s voice lost some of its spite when the guard caught my look. “Just sleep for a few hours while we wait for the sun to rise fully. We can wake you up to eat, then we’ll set out toward Seyna and wherever it is you’re going.”
Kahira immediately looked at me. “But there was no one there?”
My brow creased at her sudden intensity. “No, just what was left of Ferrum’s buildings.”
“Do you know something?” Ori’s voice was thick with accusation yet again.
“All I heard was that it was attacked. That’s when I grabbed everything and came this way.” Kahira’s eyes flicked toward the still present smoke becoming more clear as the sun rose.
Ori didn’t seem quite satisfied with Kahira’s answer but said nothing further.
Before I could stop myself, I reached out to grab Kahira’s hand. “Please rest. I could not ask you to continue without sleep after all you have done for us.”
This time when our skin came in contact, she did not flinch. She actually allowed my hand to press against hers ever so slightly before she slipped her hand from mine, agreeing to my request. “I will rest briefly, but should you wish to leave soon, do not hesitate to wake me.”
Like before, the touch left my skin burning.
Soon, Kahira was lying on the ground where I had been sleeping earlier. It wasn’t long before I could tell her breathing slowed and became more even. Her arm jerked slightly as dreams consumed her consciousness.
“Well, she certainly did bring us provisions. This will last until we get closer to Seyna and can stop at one of the proper cities on the way.” Ori, having finished all other preparations for the day’s travel, was searching through the two new horses’ saddlebags. He handed me the extra pair of boots packed amongst our other things. “I think these are for you.”
I took the shoes, hoping they would fit. “I don’t even know how to begin to thank her for this.”
“I still don’t trust her.” The guard was examining the oiled cloaks, checking the quality in order to determine if they would actually keep us dry if we were caught in a rainstorm once again.
“And what would it take for her to gain that from you?” Ori’s inflexible opinion of the woman who had now helped us twice was growing more frustrating.
Ori said nothing, and I didn’t give him the chance to change his mind about the silence. Leaving him to see what else Kahira had brought, I finally opened the satchel containing the clothes she gave me. They were simple, crudely dyed, but undeniably better for riding than the dress I had received from Muerra, even if wearing pants would take a little bit of getting used to. Forgetting the modesty I had before I left my castle, I walked away and began to undress. I quickly changed into the long-sleeved tunic and pants, my urgency driven only by the chill in the morning air. Unexpectedly, I was not swallowed by the fabric, and although the boots were slightly too big, they fit well enough. The outfit felt strange draped over my body, but it would do. Still, as I made my final adjustments, I vowed that the first thing I would do upon being crowned would be to commission several of the finest dresses I could imagine.
Reaching into the bag, I pulled out a belt. Smiling, I ran my fingertips over the knife already resting in the sheath threaded onto the strip of leather. It was beautiful, its hilt patterned in the way only a master weaponsmith could create.
“It was a gift”—I had not realized Kahira was even awake—“received from an old friend.”
She had startled me, and the pounding in my chest only grew stronger as the thought of her seeing me undress passed through my mind. Trying to ignore my body’s reaction, I stood, offering the blade back to Kahira.
“Then, here, I cannot take it from you.”
This time, it was her hand that reached out to curl around mine, closing my fingers around the blade’s hilt.
“The knife is of good quality, made for hard use in life, but not for fighting. It will serve you well enough for protection if comes to that. With my daggers, I have little use for such a knife. And it was not the only gift I received; the other reward given to me holds much greater value.” Kahira smiled, looking over her shoulder to Enza, letting her hand drop.
The hound was twitching slightly, still caught in her own dreams, unaware that her owner was awake. I wound the new belt around my waist, cinching the tunic’s fabric closer to my body. Finally dressed, I hesitantly spoke to Kahira.
“You said these gifts were a reward….” I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat that seemed determined to appear each time I talked to Kahira. “What was it you did?”
I was met with another of Kahira’s smiles, but this one held a hint of sadness mixed with the beauty usually found in her grin.
“There was a hunter in the northern territories who found me in the woods. Seeing I was injured, he carried me back to his home, where he and his wife cared for me. I… I was severely wounded, and in his desire to help me, the hunter did little for his dogs save feed them and let them out for a hunt once or twice. A couple of weeks later, without knowing it, one of the hunter’s dogs came in contact with a diseased animal while it remained in its pen, waiting for another hunt. By then, I was healed enough to help with the basic needs of the family’s home, and was with the hunter’s wife while the hunter had gone to the local town in search of those needing his skills. While she was feeding the dogs, the hunter’s wife noticed the foaming mouth of the largest hound.
“She knew to stay away, but the dog had smelled the food the wife was offering its kin, and grew vicious in its hunger. The animal’s heightened aggression increased its strength. Realizing the wood containing the animal would soon break, therefore leaving the hunter’s wife at the mercy of the crazed dog, I grabbed the nearest thing—the knife you hold
now. I managed to throw myself at the dog as soon as it broke through its cage, despite the pain that still wound through my body. Before it could bite, I sank the knife into its chest, re-injuring myself in the process.
“When the hunter returned, his wife told him what had happened. He gave me the knife that day. And then, when I had finally healed enough to leave, the hunter gave me a pup from his favorite dog’s most recent litter.”
“Kahira.” I smiled uneasily, undeniably joyed at the added knowledge of Kahira’s past, but troubled at the thought of what she had experienced that left her in such need of the hunter’s care. I somehow found the courage to ask, “What was it that injured you in the first place?”
Her smile faded, and she fell into silence. Not wanting to shatter any hope I had of her answering, I said nothing, waiting for any sign that she was about to speak. Finally, a heavy sigh caused my hopes to soar.
“That….” Kahira’s jaw clenched as she looked past me.
Her expression changed, and I turned to see what the disturbance was. Already in his horse’s saddle, Ori was impatiently staring in our direction, waiting for us to gather our things.
“It seems as though your guard is ready to leave.” Kahira had clearly decided my question would go unanswered.
I nodded, silently cursing the man watching Kahira and me.
“I doubt he’d believe it from me, but let him know I send my thanks for his willingness to pause for a while in order for me to rest.” Kahira bent to retrieve the pile of clothes at my feet, placing them in the satchel and throwing it over her shoulder.
“He may not show it, but please know he is grateful for your continued help.” With my eyes locked onto hers, my throat grew dry. “As am I, Kahira. I did not think I would be lucky enough to see you again.”
It was brief, but impossible to miss—a blush flashed across Kahira’s features, darkening her skin. She blushed, and with that, it felt as though my heart had stopped.
Chapter 13
