Vale of the Gods

by A. E. Rayne

  ‘Do you think she’ll try something today?’ Ayla wondered, stirring her porridge. Bruno had tossed and turned all night, disturbed by nightmares he couldn’t escape. He’d had no appetite for breakfast at all.

  ‘I don’t know. I hope not. I’d like to get through the day without having to burn someone I care about.’ Jael frowned, remembering her talk with Daala about Eadmund.

  Had that even happened?

  The shivers running up her arms quickly told her the truth about that.

  Ayla lifted her head as Astrid arrived with a basket of berries. ‘I found these,’ she said mutely. ‘It might make that porridge taste better.’ She had been off in the forest since dawn, wanting to give Bruno and Ayla some space to be alone. And herself. She was struggling to cope with the increasing terror gripping her body, knowing that she needed to find a way to be useful. To fight against the desire to simply hide in the corner of the wagon and sob.

  ‘We’re going to bring the wagon near Jael today,’ Ayla told her. ‘At the front.’

  Bruno squirmed. ‘Think I’ll ride. Near the back. There are plenty of spare horses now. I don’t want to be with you today. I want you to be safe. From me.’

  Jael could see Ayla’s distress as she nodded. ‘It makes sense. If there’s someone you care about, it makes sense not to be too close to them. Just in case.’

  ‘But... but...’

  ‘I’ll keep you safe,’ Jael assured Ayla, her eyes on Thorgils who was tipping his porridge onto the ground. ‘Don’t worry. I doubt Draguta will try the same spell again. She seems like the sort of woman who wants to keep us guessing right up until the end.’

  ‘The end?’ Aleksander wondered, reaching for his water bag. ‘And what do you think that will be, then?’ His eyes met Jael’s, and he frowned, unable to read her look at all.

  She shrugged. ‘I’m not sure anyone knows. Not after all that’s happened. Perhaps not even Dara Teros herself?’

  ‘I must go to Andala.’

  Dara felt it strongly.

  Eloris wasn’t convinced. ‘You are not safe, Dara. Not once you leave here. This cave is the only place we can hide you now. These symbols are keeping you from Draguta.’

  ‘For how long? You have kept me safe, I know, but this is the end. Can’t you feel it, Eloris? This is the end, and I must be there. I must help. And you must help me get there.’

  Eloris was the Tuuran Goddess of the Forests. She was timid, gentle, nurturing, but not especially brave. ‘But Daala wanted you to stay here, with me. She wanted to keep you hidden from Draguta.’

  ‘Unless I was needed. Which I am.’

  Eloris frowned. ‘You are sure you dreamed it?’

  ‘I feel it,’ Dara insisted. ‘I feel a darkness shifting inside me. It is loud and terrifying, as though it is reasserting the balance of the entire world. And if that balance shifts, it will not be in our favour, will it? We will all die. Humans will die. Creatures too. And as the keeper of the forests, you are bound to care for and protect them, aren’t you?’

  Eloris looked towards the mouth of the cave, watching rain streaming down like a waterfall. She liked the rain. The sound of it was helping to hide them away, masking their voices, keeping them safe. ‘I am, yes, but leaving here? Making that journey? We will need to protect ourselves. If you wish to leave for Andala, there is much we need to think through. Draguta is growing more powerful. She has trapped Veiga and bound her. She may find us and kill you.’

  Dara smiled, knowing that despite her fears, Eloris was bound to help Jael Furyck too, just as she was. And now they had no choice.

  They had to get to Andala.

  Bayla was not enjoying her new house.

  It had floorboards, two fires, and separate bedchambers which gave her more privacy. She had two servants helping her with the children. Ulf was in and out; Berard too. But mainly, she was all alone, waiting for the next terror to strike down her family.

  She worried about Karsten, knowing that he was her only chance for a return to her old life, though when she thought about it, she realised that even if Karsten were to reclaim Hest from Jaeger and the rest of them were able to defeat Draguta, her life would never be the same again.

  Bayla sat on a stool in front of the fire, watching Ulf walk through the door. His face broke into a weary grin at the sight of her, slumped forward, not a child in sight. No servant either. Berard, he knew, was up on the ramparts, and they were actually alone for the first time in memory. ‘Enjoying the peace and quiet?’ he wondered with a wink, plonking himself down on the stool opposite her.

  ‘I am not. No.’

  Ulf frowned. ‘Not even enjoying the bigger house?’

  Bayla studied him, her shoulders sinking further. ‘I feel like a wild boar running through a forest, knowing the hounds are after me. The hounds and the horses and the men with their spears. All after me. And I keep running, listening to my own heart beat. Running with my family, until they’re all killed, one by one, and then I’m alone in the darkness. Waiting. Hiding. Knowing that they will kill me too.’

  Ulf blinked, watching the terror in her eyes. The resignation.

  ‘And who will care for the children when I’m gone? Berard? You?’

  Ulf nodded. ‘We will.’

  ‘Why?’ Bayla spat. ‘Why would you? They’re not yours. Not your children. Not your grandchildren. Why would you care?’

  ‘I... I just do. I care about you, Bayla. They are your family, so I care about them too.’

  The look in Ulf’s eyes was one of such gentleness and concern that Bayla burst into tears, burying her face in her hands. Ulf was quickly off his stool, wrapping an arm around her. He felt her flinch before she relaxed, and he squeezed her tightly, not wanting her to feel alone.

  Eadmund found Sigmund in Amma’s chamber, which was handy as he wanted to say goodbye to her too.

  Tanja had left to take a break, and Amma was happy to have Sigmund’s company. He wriggled on her bed, pulling on his toes, making happy baby noises. For a moment it stopped her from thinking about what was coming. But then she looked up at Eadmund, who stood silently by the bed watching his son, and she shivered. ‘He will miss you,’ she said. When she stared at Eadmund closely, she could see that something was different about him.

  It troubled her.

  ‘He’s too young to notice me either way,’ Eadmund insisted, holding his finger out for Sigmund to grab.

  Amma wasn’t going to argue. ‘Well, I hope...’ She stopped, realising that she didn’t know what to say. ‘I hope you’ll stay safe, Eadmund.’

  The door swung open, and Evaine flounced in, bleary-eyed, nauseous but determined to ignore everything that had happened since she’d last spoken to Eadmund. ‘There you are!’ she exclaimed, smiling at her son. ‘Tanja said she’d left him here.’

  Eadmund turned to Evaine, eyes blank. He studied her face, seeing only anger and resentment. Perhaps a little desperation too. ‘Missing him, were you?’

  Evaine stiffened. ‘Yes, I will miss him when we leave.’

  ‘You’re coming?’ That was a surprise.

  Evaine looked pleased to have claimed Eadmund’s attention. ‘I am. Draguta requires my help, so she has insisted that I accompany her.’

  Amma looked just as shocked but immediately relieved to think that she wouldn’t have to suffer Evaine’s company for a while.

  Eadmund sighed, bending down to kiss Sigmund’s head, surprised by the sudden tears on his son’s cheeks. ‘Take care of yourself,’ he said, staring at Amma. ’We will return soon, once it’s all done.’ He turned to Evaine. ‘You should get the baby to Tanja, then. Draguta will be waiting for us.’ And without waiting for her, he headed to the door.

  Evaine didn’t even look at Amma as she scooped a now crying Sigmund into her arms, hurrying after Eadmund. And though she felt ready to sleep or vomit, and though Eadmund kept glaring at her as though she was his enemy, she knew that, with Draguta’s help, she still had a chance of claiming his heart.r />
  ‘I don’t think you should be riding next to me,’ Thorgils mumbled as Jael nudged Tig alongside him. ‘Best keep your distance.’

  Jael smiled. ‘You don’t think I could beat you in a fight?’ She saw a hint of humour in Thorgils’ eyes.

  Just a hint.

  ‘Well, you’ve been looking a little rusty lately. That Marissa could’ve embarrassed you if you hadn’t gotten lucky.’ He frowned suddenly, remembering that she was dead too.

  Jael was quiet for a moment before shoving his arm. ‘Really?’

  ‘I didn’t want to say anything earlier, you being so moody, but somebody had to.’

  Jael laughed out loud, wanting to forget all about Marissa and Torstan and the image of their burning bodies. ‘Got any salt fish stuffed down your trousers today?’ She was trying to cheer him up, which would then cheer her up. Nobody made her smile as much as Thorgils.

  ‘No. Just a very big sausage.’

  Jael shook her head. ‘Well, serves me right for asking.’

  Thorgils burst out laughing, slapping his thigh. He felt terrible, but at the same time, it was a relief to feel an emotion that wasn’t guilt.

  They rode on, skirting Hallow Wood, heading south towards the vale, the sky a dull grey above them. There were trees on both sides now. Rows and rows of young silver birches bordering a wide, well-ridden path that made for fast travel, though Ayla’s wagon was clattering loudly behind them, not coping well with the pace.

  ‘I’ve been thinking about Eadmund,’ Thorgils said, no humour in his eyes now. ‘About how we’re going to get him back.’

  ‘Me too.’ Jael was watching Axl and Aleksander who rode ahead of them, heads together. It was odd to see them without Gant. She kept expecting to turn around and find him there, lifting a stern eyebrow, watching over all of them.

  ‘We can’t leave him behind, Jael, whatever happens. Whatever state he’s in, we can’t abandon him.’

  Jael remembered her talk with Daala and her shoulders tensed. ‘I’ll do everything I can to save him, you know that.’

  That didn’t sound reassuring, and Thorgils peered at her, trying to smile again. ‘So will I. You’re not alone in that, even though I’m sure it feels as though you are. You’re not. Your Islanders are all with you. We want you to bring Eadmund home too.’

  Jael pulled gently on the reins, guiding Tig around a deep hole. ‘Then we’d better hope I’m not as rusty as you say, or else I’m going to be in big trouble when Eadmund gets hold of me!’

  Draguta’s army of dreamers would be walking to the Vale of the Gods.

  Though she knew that they were now bound to her, the taint of their fanatical loyalty to Raemus remained, and she couldn’t hide the joy she felt in thinking of how much they would suffer on their trek over the mountains, into the south of Brekka.

  Briggit would be riding beside her, behind Jaeger and Eadmund.

  Though not overly fond of horses, Briggit was grateful that Draguta viewed her as important enough to keep by her side; relieved that she would not have to endure the discomfort of swollen, blistered feet.

  It was another unforgiving day of burning sun, absent any breeze, and Draguta was thrilled, not bothered by the heat, or the look of annoyance on Jaeger’s face as he peered down at the rows of dreamers who would be marching near the front of their columns. ‘Why aren’t they further back?’ he grumbled. ‘I wanted them further back.’

  Draguta eyed him with irritation. ‘Sometimes, it would benefit you to think more than you talk. For if you did, you would realise that keeping our prizes close by makes sense. Say we were to be attacked. Should I then wait for all the dreamers to hurry up the line to find me? And how would that even be possible when we are crawling around some of those perilous paths as we head into the mountains? Do think, Jaeger! Just for once!’

  That almost put a smile on Eadmund’s face as he came down the steps with Evaine.

  ‘Been crying, have we?’ Draguta mused, staring at Evaine’s cheerful face. ‘Sad to be leaving your son behind?’

  Evaine looked confused as she followed Eadmund to her horse, which, she was unhappy to see, appeared larger than any she had ridden before. ‘I am, yes. But I know he will be well taken care of.’

  ‘I’m sure he will,’ Draguta laughed, turning to Meena who was wobbling nervously on her pony which was so fat that she could barely see its legs. ‘You will ride in front of me, little mouse,’ she smiled. ‘It will give us some entertainment on the ride, I’m sure!’

  Briggit’s black stallion reared up, throwing back its head, forcing her to grab the reins as she slid out of the saddle, taking everyone’s attention away from Meena. She turned around to peer at Brill, sitting atop a small grey pony who was becoming increasingly terrified by her loud sneezes.

  ‘Are you alright?’ Meena wondered. ‘Brill?’

  Draguta spun around, watching her. ‘What are you doing back there?’ she grumbled, eyes narrowed. ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘I’m just seeing how Brill is,’ Meena spluttered, moving her eyes back to Draguta as she spurred her pony forward.

  ‘Is there anyone else you would like to help, then? Anything else we can do for you, Meena Gallas? Please, do take your time!’ And happy to see that Jaeger had sorted Briggit out, Draguta turned around to Eadmund who had mounted his horse, impatient to make a start.

  He took a deep breath, feeling the certainty of his destiny enclose him like a cloak, leaving all thoughts of his mother and the shield, and Jael, far behind.

  V

  Enemies

  40

  Edela had finished casting her circle around the interior of the fort, and now they were trapped inside it, which was inconvenient, though slightly comforting. Nothing had come for them since the whisp attack, and though the shock of it still reverberated and the implications of the slaughter of their livestock were sinking in, some Andalans were starting to relax.

  Which wasn’t making Gant feel at ease.

  He left the stables with Bram, an intense frown digging a canyon between his eyebrows. ‘What do they think? That she’ll just stop? Leave us alone?’ He hadn’t been sleeping, and his temper was fraying, though he doubted he was alone in that.

  ‘I think there’s a need to feel something other than fear. To not be on edge every moment of the day and night. They want to forget what has happened. To feel safe,’ Bram said, nodding at Berard who was walking with Hanna, trying to entertain his nieces and nephews, and take her mind off her father. ‘Perhaps Draguta will be busy now? Worrying about the army?’

  Gant didn’t like that thought either. He sighed, coming to a stop. ‘I can’t read the woman’s mind, but it seems to me that she’s determined to conquer us one way or the other. She won’t let us be. We can’t sit back and think we’re safe. That a few nights without an attack means we’re free from Draguta.’

  ‘No, we can’t.’ Bram hadn’t stopped thinking about Thorgils and Fyn. They were his family now. Isaura and the children too. They needed to return. He wanted the chance to bring them all together. To go back to Oss. To start a new life.

  Berard watched Bram and Gant walk past, muttering to each other. They looked worried, and though they were enclosed inside Edela’s circle now, he did not feel safe at all. Not in the slightest. He had lost so many members of his family since that night in the castle when Jaeger had taken his arm, that it was hard not to feel as though it would continue. And looking down at the children, he was terrified that before long it would be one of them.

  ‘They are being very brave,’ Hanna said, her eyes on Halla who was toddling along beside her, holding her hand, not interested in running after her brother and sister or her cousins. ‘You all are.’

  ‘I’m not sure we have any choice,’ Berard admitted. ‘Doesn’t feel like we do. Just one foot after the other. Hope for some luck.’

  ‘It feels like that, doesn’t it?’ Hanna thought about her father, who was not improving. She glanced at the hall, wanting
to get back to his chamber. ‘But I think we’re all due some luck, don’t you? Something must go our way soon. It can’t all be like this. It can’t be the end of everything.’

  The gloom descended upon them both, which only made the children more miserable. Realising it, Hanna lifted her head. ‘There are strawberries on that table over there!’ she exclaimed with a weary grin. ‘Why don’t we go and help ourselves? Looks like someone’s put them out just for us.’ No one looked interested in strawberries, but Hanna didn’t notice as her attention was suddenly drawn to Entorp who was aiming straight for her. ‘What is it?’ She hurried towards him, her heart throbbing in her chest. ‘Has something happened?’

  ‘It’s your father,’ Entorp panted. ‘You need to come!’

  After being forced to ride at the front for much of the morning, Meena had finally been sent behind Draguta who had grown bored with the plodding pace of her rotund pony. Now her pony was struggling along beside Ballack on his giant white horse. Meena didn’t want Ballack for company, but at least he was better than Evaine, who had, thankfully, slipped back to ride near Eadmund. Nor did she want to be close to Briggit Halvardar, who kept turning around to stare at her.

  She swallowed as Briggit spun around again, keen eyes roaming her face before dropping to her breasts. Briggit winked, turning back around, confusing Meena entirely.

  Ballack chuckled, noticing how flustered she was becoming. ‘You’re never safe with that one,’ he grinned, revealing only a handful of brown teeth. ‘I’d watch where you’re sleeping tonight. Make sure you’re far away from her. She can’t keep her hands to herself from what I’ve heard!’

  Ignoring Ballack and his toothless mockery, Meena glanced over her shoulder at the two wagons clattering behind a morose looking Evaine who had been rebuffed by Eadmund and was now riding alone. One was filled with most of the contents of Draguta’s bedchamber, the other contained the boxes they had retrieved from the catacombs. The decaying reek emanating from that wagon was strong, overpowering even the smell of Ballack who didn’t appear to be a man familiar with the concept of washing.