by Toni Cox
Around her was mayhem; the other Horse Masters had taken as many horses as they could and had taken them out of reach of the bogferns. Anyone who was not ensnared by the tendrils was actively trying to free their companions from them. Servers and Nobles alike assisted the injured to safety.
After ensuring that Bronwe was able to stand and walk away, Maia went to free a horse that was frantically kicking and biting at the things wrapped around its midriff. Then she moved over to another man, trapped, and struggling, already bleeding from his arms and face. The agony around her was making her weak; not only did she feel the pain of every injured Elf and animal, but the plants also felt a surprising amount of pain. Crying and shouting she continued attacking until eventually Riker took her in his arms and led her away.
“They can handle the rest,” he said to her gently and sat her down on a low rock about fifty paces away from the carnage.
There she sat, shaking, tears running down her face. She only blamed herself. Had she been aware of her surroundings, she would have been able to pick up on the danger. But she had indulged herself in the feelings the mind-link had elicited within her and now her people had to pay for her lack of control.
With Riker’s hands around her shoulder, she was starting to calm down. She took a few deep breaths.
“How many are injured?” She asked, looking around at the people sitting or standing around her. Most of them looked terrified and some of them were cradling bleeding limbs. She saw a horse stumble, then go down to the ground. A Horse master was by its side immediately. She stood up; she would have to see to the people first.
“Maia, take a moment. I don’t think anyone is critically injured.” Riker said, but she brushed him off.
As it turned out, some of the people were in worse shape than originally expected. Although the poison of the plants was not strong enough to completely paralyse a person, it nevertheless weakened the affected limb to such an extent that it could not be used for some time. Each hook was about the length of Maia’s little finger and the wounds they had inflicted were quite severe, especially the facial wounds.
They made camp well away from the carnivorous plants and it took Maia all night to see to the seven people and four horses that had sustained serious injuries. She cleaned the wounds, then sutured them. Both Rothea and Riker lent her their strength; a thing she had only ever done with her brother when she had to use her magic on the wounds that were too severe to just stitch up. Also, drawing the poison out proved to be difficult. There was simply too much for her to cope with; just the amount of poison the horses had absorbed would have killed her had she tried to neutralise it by herself. So she resorted to her medicine bag, which she always carried with her. She made poultices and creams, as well as teas, and spent the entire next day administering her medicine.
Sometime during the night Riker pointed out the injuries Maia herself had sustained, but she paid little attention to them. Only by the evening of the next day, once she had ensured that everyone else was seen to, did she look at herself. She had sustained mostly shallow scratches on her arms, which had not been deep enough to cause any kind of paralyses to her arms, but which were now inflamed, swollen and itchy. She applied some of the ointment she had made to her own wounds and then used what little energy she had left to heal the scratches from the inside.
Exhausted, she eventually sank down beside the fire. Midnight circled high above them; high enough not to spook the horses. She really wanted to be with him now, but neither Riker, nor Commander Ridgewell would allow her out of their sight.
“You need to rest, My Lady,” Riker said to her, handing her a mug of steaming tea. “Why don’t you lie down for a while? Everyone is taken care of for now. There has not been any time to set up your tent, but you and Rothea can share mine. I will keep watch.”
She looked at him, his eyes were soft, but the expression on his face was firm. She wanted to protest, but she did not have the energy for it. She looked towards Rothea, who was sitting on the opposite side of the fire, dozing with her head on her chest. Maybe taking him up on his offer was not such a bad idea after all.
Riker quickly set up his simple tent and laid out his sleeping furs. Wearily the two women got in and then tied the entrance flaps behind them. Taking off their soiled clothing, they climbed beneath the blankets. The last thing Maia noticed before she fell asleep was the smell of Riker upon her pillow.
“When last have you heard from her?” Jaik asked his father as they sat down together at the hearth in their common room.
“I received a messenger pigeon few days ago. Although what she had to say was not good, she seemed well enough. Why are you worried like this?”
“The night she got attacked by the Vampyre, I was acutely aware of her distress. Since then there have been several days where I have felt a similar sensation. I just know that she is either in constant danger, or that she is mentally struggling with something. Today, however, the feeling is stronger. I know she is hurt and there is nothing I can do to help her.”
“You are sure of this?” Jagaer asked. He knew he could trust his son’s instincts, especially if it concerned his twin, but he had to ask.
“Yes, Father. Please allow me to take some men and make for Braérn. I can leave first thing in the morning. I cannot shake the feeling that she will need my help.”
“You can go, of course. It would give me some peace of mind as well. But I should think that she is well cared for, Commander Ridgewell’s warriors are all competent men and women and I know Riker will protect her with his life. And she has Midnight to protect her.” Jagaer paused for a moment, thinking. “Take as many men as you think you need. Send me a message as soon as you have made contact with her.”
He walked across the Gathering Grounds before the sun was up. The equipment had been brought over to the stables the night before, but he was meeting his men at the Hall of the Guardians for a briefing before they moved out. Glark and Somas were to stay behind, but all other Guard he had asked to accompany him, as well as two Scouts. A group of ten was small enough to travel with haste, but large enough to make a difference in a fight. He was in a hurry to get going; with every passing moment, his worry became greater.
“Jaik,” Aaron called from across the way.
Jaik stopped and turned towards the Human. He had noticed a change within the man over the past few Moons; he had become stronger, in body and mind; but there was still something he did not like about the man. Maybe it was just the simple fact that the man still thought that he should be with Maia.
“Yes, Aaron, what can I do for you?” Jaik said, a little impatiently.
“I am sorry to detain you, but I heard about where you are going. Is everything all right with Maia?”
“I don’t know, Aaron, which is why I am going. It could be nothing, but I will feel better once I see for myself that she is all right.”
“For how long will you be gone?”
“I do not know. Pray that everything is all right and I will return swiftly with my sister. Now, I must bid you farewell. My men are expecting me and we want to be on the road by sunrise.”
The Human gave a short nod and Jaik moved passed him without another word. His sister needed him and he could not afford any more delays.
They left camp the next morning. They had decided to stay the extra night for the people to rest; at least that is what Riker had told her. She knew that it was for her benefit that they had stayed; she was still tired from the effort it had taken to heal everyone. But she was glad they were on their way now; she did not want to stay on this island any longer.
They rode well into the evening before they reached Crook Harbour. Maia had hoped to get there in time to still catch one of the clippers across to Braérn, but they did not sail at night. Reluctantly they stayed the night, but were on the first ship out of the harbour the next day.
A few hours later they reached Braérn. Once their horses were stable they went straight to The Deep. Lord Swif
tfisher was notified that they had returned, but that they were not to be disturbed for the day. Lord Swiftfisher replied, saying that he wanted one more meeting with them and that he would like to plan the memorial for the day after tomorrow. Reluctantly Maia agreed. She knew she had to do the memorial, but she would have liked to do it tomorrow, and then be on their way home the day after.
Maia slept for most of that day, only waking when her dreams were too disturbing. By the evening, she was convinced that something was not right in Braérn. It was not something she could quite explain; more of a sense that something was amiss. She told Riker about it during the evening meal and he said he would send out the Scouts to see if they could gather any information.
“Maybe it is time this journey came to an end,” he said, sitting opposite her at the table. “You have been through a lot and maybe this is why you are having these dreams.”
“Sir Riker is right, My Lady,” Rothea agreed, sharing their table with them. “I think we will all be happy to be home again. There has been too much bad news and far too many incidents.”
“Maybe you are right.” Maia said, but she knew there was something else.
During that night, she tossed and turned; mostly plagued by dreams of Vampyres, beasts in the dark, a strange grey shadow that stalked her and finally a hooded figure intent on stabbing her in the back. But the dreams that bothered her the most were the dreams of Blaid. She always saw him alone, looking worn out and often injured. She saw him cry, she saw him scream, but most often he was fighting. She never saw his opponents, but she saw enough to know that whoever he was fighting was skilled enough to match him in speed and stamina. Once, she saw a blade being plunged deep into his heart and she woke up screaming, knowing for sure that he was dead.
The meeting the next day was the same as all the others; more news of attacks, sightings and increasing numbers of Elves dead. Kanarel was in attendance too and, as always, spent much of his time trying to talk to her. She exchanged a few pleasantries with him, but because Riker never left her side, Kanarel eventually backed off. There was just something about Kanarel that annoyed Maia. She was glad her father had never made an official arrangement with Lord Swiftfisher for Kanarel to court her.
The memorial, although larger than any of the others, was nothing special. Maia gave her speech, but her heart was not in it. She felt exposed and in danger on the dais that overlooked the grounds where the memorial was held and she was glad when she was finished.
It was early afternoon by the time they returned to The Deep. It was too late to leave for home now, but knowing they were leaving at first light was a relief to Maia. She bathed and changed before she went downstairs with Rothea to meet the others for dinner.
“Maia!”
Her heart beat wildly in her chest as she stepped into the dining hall and heard her brother’s voice call her name. Fighting her tears, she ran to him and he held her for a long time before they spoke.
“Jaik, what are you doing here?” she finally managed to say, tears still running down her face, but she was smiling now.
“Maia, you have been calling to me ever since the attack on you at Oxbow Lodge. I have been worried sick and from what Riker tells me, I have had good reason to be. Are you all right, My Princess?” Jaik kissed her on her forehead.
She leant against him for a moment longer, drawing strength from the one person that knew her best of all.
“I am all right now, Jaik. Thank you for coming. Come, let us sit and I will tell you everything that has happened.”
Maia led her twin to the table that had been set for them. Rothea offered to sit with her Regiment for the evening, but Maia would not hear of it.
“Rothea has been by my side every step of the way,” she explained to her brother, “and she has earned the right to sit at my table.”
“It was not just me, My Lord,” Rothea cut in. “Lord Riker is the one that should get the credit. He never let Princess Maia out of his sight for even a moment.”
Maia blushed. Riker scraped his chair against the floor as he pulled it out to sit. Jaik looked from one to the other and then a knowing smile started to play around his lips.
“Well then,” he said, still smiling, “as we cannot leave until the morning, why not tell me all about your adventures?”
Cursing under his breath, he folded his black cloak and stashed it within his haversack. He had been so close. Everything had been set up and ready, but then everything had gone wrong. First young Lord Longshadow had arrived in Braérn and then the beast had turned up to foil his plans. He was frustrated, but he knew how to wait. He would get another chance. For the moment, the most important thing was to get away. He could ill afford to be discovered and he was not quite ready yet to meet such a formidable foe. He was not scared, he told himself, only cautious. There was no point in putting himself into harm’s way now; there was still too much he wanted to accomplish.
He turned the ring on his right hand, twirling it between his fingers while he thought. So far, no-one had discovered who he really was or what his intentions were, but with that black beast roaming the city, the risk of exposure was too great. But he also could not simply run away; people would notice and then the beast would discover him. He also had to think of the ones that were still at the homestead. They were unaware of how the situation had changed.
Eventually he came up with a solution that was so genius that he could hardly believe himself. He immediately set to making the necessary arrangements. He had one ally within the city that he trusted, and it was him he now sent to the homestead to let the others know. Feeling pretty smug about his own cleverness, he sat down in front of his fire and allowed himself a glass of wine. He could almost taste the victory with every sip he took. It would not be long now.
The materium platforms had been loaded and the horses were saddled, ready to go. Maia was excited; not only was she going home, but her brother would be with her. During last night’s dinner, he had been shocked to hear about her treatment in Arrow and then the attack in the swamp. But, much to Maia’s chagrin, Jaik had been too astute not to notice how the relationship between her and Riker had developed. And with Rothea adding some very strategic comments, Jaik was eventually fully aware of what was happening between them. She sensed his approval, which should have made her happy, but it also made it more difficult for her.
They were ready to go and were mounting their horses when Lord Kyreon, Kanarel and some Elders met them by the stables. They had said their farewells the night before and, in light of the difficulties of their journey, had declined a large farewell parade. So Maia was surprised to see them.
“Lord Kyreon,” Jaik said. “Is there something we forgot?”
“No, My Lord,” Kyreon replied, “but under the current circumstances and the danger we all face, we have decided that it might be in the best interest of us all if we sent an ambassador with you to Shadow Hall. He can then attend your meetings and negotiate on behalf of the people of Braérn. I have already dispatched a letter to inform your father.”
Jaik narrowed his eyes, but his voice was calm when he replied. “And who did you have in mind for this? Is it going to be one of your Elders?”
“We have decided that Kanarel will accompany you, if it pleases My Lord. There is no-one I trust more and he has been schooled in etiquette and war. A fine combination, even if I do say so myself.”
“Kanarel,” Jaik said, inclining his head towards the son of Lord Swiftfisher, “we would be honoured to have you accompany us. Is your horse ready? We are eager to be on our way.”
“It is indeed, Sir,” Kanarel replied, before turning to say his farewell to his father.
Maia and Jaik exchanged a brief glance and Riker guided his horse closer to Maia. He knew she had no great fondness for the man.
A short moment later a Horse Master led Kanarel’s bay mare, as well as another horse packed with his belongings, out of their stables. Although Maia was not completely happy with these new d
evelopments, she realised that it did not really matter. He was nothing more than an annoyance and with Riker and her brother around, she need not fear Kanarel’s attentions. She was looking forward to going home and eager to get going.
It was a beautiful day to travel; the sky was clear and the sun warmed Maia’s face as she looked up, trying to spot Midnight flying high above them. Every now and then she thought she saw a black spec, but then she lost sight of it again. She knew he was there, but he was flying so high, that not even she was able to see him. She had briefly told him about Kanarel, but because it had been of so little interest to her, Midnight had not even deemed to comment on it. He was, however, delighted that He-Of-Unshakable-Courage was now by her side and he ranged further than he had since they had left on the journey and for the first time in two Moons went on the hunt. Maia was happy that he could take this time for himself, but knowing what he was about to do, she broke contact with him; she could not be in his mind when he hunted, it terrified her.
In the evening, they made camp. With Jaik’s men they now numbered forty-four and it was a busy evening of setting up tents, cooking dinner, sitting around the fire. With such a large group, and with Midnight now back from hunting and nearby, she felt completely safe. Nevertheless, when they retired, Jaik joined her in her tent. Maia briefly noticed Riker’s envious looks as they said good night and for the first time in her life she felt a little embarrassed that she would still lie with her brother at night like they used to when they were children. No-one had ever commented on it; in fact, it was completely acceptable. Twins were so rare that the relationship between twins was treated as something magical and allowances were made that under normal circumstances might have been frowned upon.
