Burden of Stones

by James Dale

  Now he flees to Dorshev! He seeks the protection of walls and of misguided men who will fight for him because they do not know the extent of his crimes! I pursue him, because I know what he is…what he has become! I know what misery he will cause if he is not stopped! All here are free men! You may ride for me today...ride with me, or you may ride away to the safety of your homes. But make no mistake, the day is coming when a greater battle against darkness will find you. Those who go with me, who fight to keep Doridan united under its rightful king, will be striking the first blow in that battle!

  “I ride to stop Kiathan," Jack he finished, his voice low and threatening as he drew Grimrorr. "Who will join me?"

  He could not be sure who the first to draw blade in answer was, but Annawyn's clear, strong voice was the first to shout in reply.

  "For High Prince Bra’Adan! For the Ivory Throne!"

  Other voices soon joined her.

  "For High Prince Bra’ Adan!"

  "For the Ivory Throne!"

  Eventually, the cries melded into a single, united shout. "Bra’Adan! Bra’Adan! Bra’Adan!"

  As the chant began to lessen, Jack guided Eaudreuil to Lady Ara’fael's side. "They're all yours," he nodded at the Ailfar Spellweaver.

  "And what am I to do with this rabble?" she asked with her usual charm.

  "Just get them safely to the pass," Jack replied. "Captain Khalmiya and Tarsus Aernin will take care of the rest."

  "A Kadinar and an Amarian?" Ara’fael snorted. "Father Yh have mercy on us." Then her focus abruptly shifted. "Ward Ailicia. If anything happens to her, you'd better pray I don't find you until you have Sunheart in your hands." With that final warning, Ara’fael turned and rode away.

  "We will see you..."

  "...at the Pass of Galhir cousin," the twins bowed.

  "Do not be late."

  "A company of this size..."

  "...and such a distance."

  "Will require much of our strength."

  "For a time, they will only have sword..."

  "...and bow to protect them."

  "We won't be late," Jack promised.

  The twins bowed again, then rode off to join the Lady Ara’fael.

  "Bit long winded, weren't you?" Tarsus observed with a wry grin. "But you got your point across."

  "Be careful Tarsus," Jack said, sheathing Grimrorr to offer the Amarian his hand. “I’ve lost you once already when you went running off unsupervised.”

  "Careful?" his friend laughed, taking Jack's hand in an iron grip. "We'll be traveling by Ailfar magik and ambushing a force over twice our size. I agree with the twins. This is a fierce group, but..." he left the thought unfinished.

  "We won't be late," Jack promised again.

  "I know you won't," the Amarian nodded. "Look for me where the Raashani are piled highest." Without waiting for a reply, Tarsus released Jack's hand and turned to Captain Khalmiya. "Maadim! You Kadinar Dog! Are you in charge of this miserable company?"

  "I am you Amarian scum," Khalmiya snarled. "And you would do well to remember it."

  "Then get them moving."

  "They will move when I say move."

  "Then spit the sand out of your mouth and give the order. Our pointy eared guides are growing restless!" Tarsus bellowed, then turned to wink at a grinning Braedan and a shocked Princess Annawyn.

  "They seem to be getting along rather well, don't you think?" General Gamrin remarked as Khalmiya and Tarsus began alternately barking orders and cursing at each other with equal gusto.

  "What are you thinking, Beloved?" Anna asked. She was watching Jack, who was watching the two hundred horsemen as they formed up behind the three Ailfar Spellweavers. Once all riders were in position, the company began to head south at a slow trot.

  "The same thing I am I'll wager," Malik muttered.

  "I'm thinking," Jack replied, "we'd better not be late."

  A mist was beginning to form around the company. Very quickly, the riders on their way to the Pass of Galhir were but dim shapes encased by a swirling fog.

  "Aye," the mercenary general nodded. "We've a long ride ahead of us."

  "All things considered, I think our half of this plan is the more difficult task," Theros agreed.

  "To ride over one hundred leagues before noon tomorrow?" Cilidon shrugged. "That is not so difficult."

  "Has it ever been done before?" asked Jack, watching his company of volunteers fade as they slipped into the Stream of Time. Soon all that remained of the riders was a thin wisp of fog quickly dispersed by the gentle spring breeze. "Has it ever been done before?” he asked Cilidon again. “One hundred leagues in a single day?"

  "Perhaps," the Ailfar king admitted quietly. "But I have not seen it done in my lifetime. And I came of age when Ljmarn's father was a boy."

  "Well then uncle, I think it's time your old eyes saw something new. Anna, would you like to go for a ride?" he asked, turning his Doridanian princess.

  "I would be a shame to waste such a lovely day," she smiled. "And...the day is wasting."

  "Yes, it is. General Malik?"

  "High Prince?"

  "The princess and I are going for a ride," Jack said. "Care to join us?"

  "I thought you'd never ask," the mercenary grinned.

  "Then form up what's left of our little group," Jack instructed him, "and let's be on our way."

  "As you command," Malik nodded. "Duke Morgan, have Captain Eaerhart and your Doridanians assume point and set the pace."

  "Think you can keep up Malik?" Morgan asked with a smile.

  "Just try and out run me your grace," the Razorback's commander replied. "Beltaran, put your Rangers on the flanks."

  "Aye general," the Ailfar captain saluted.

  "Captain d'Kenna,” General Gamrin said, turning to the Immerman. “Form the High King's Hammer in the center. We'll be riding as fast as the wind, but we've got nearly every flaming monarch in the Whesguard with us. It's time your boys earned their keep."

  "We will not fail the High Prince," d'Kenna replied with a crisp salute.

  "Captain du Gail."

  "The Dragon Guards will protect the rear," Marten nodded. "And breathe dust for a hundred leagues. But we will not fail him either."

  “Captain Einnael, I assume you ride wherever the princess’ rides?” he asked

  “You assume correctly,” the Horsemaiden nodded.

  "Very well then, everyone!" Malik shouted. "We ride in five minutes!"

  Five minutes passed slowly as the four captains positioned their companies to depart. With every passing second, the lead of the Raashani and Kiathan grew. Jack could feel it in his soul. The only consolation he could find was that Kiathan had as far to ride as he did. And Kiathan's trip would be a very pleasant one. The last blow Jack had given the traitor duke had at the very least broken bones. Every mile along the road to Dorshev would be agony. The thought brought a comforting, if sadistic, smile. But Braedan did not feel the least bit guilty about Kiathan Ellgaer's coming discomfort. It was about time he experienced a little suffering.

  "Cousin! Jack!"

  Braedan turned at the shout and saw a rider galloping towards him, blonde hair flying, grinning like a high school senior ditching calculus for a day at the beach.

  "Arrinor!" Jack smiled as the young Ailfar prince reigned his mount to a skidding halt. Until this minute, he hadn't noticed Arrinor's absence. Not surprising considering how... preoccupied he had been. "What kept you?"

  "Mother took a bit of...convincing," the young Ailfar explained with a roguish wink.

  "Did she now?" King Cilidon asked. From the look he gave his youngest son, it was evident his appearance had not been expected.

  "Father...m'Lord," Arrinor bowed. "I..."

  "Do not fear," his father said, his countenance softening. "I did not send Ailicia away. I will not forbid you. Though by the time this is done, for good or ill, you may both wish I had."

  "Thank you, father," Arrinor bowed, barely able to suppress his gle
e.

  "Is anyone else is coming?" General Gamrin asked. “Valets? Kitchen help? Someone to fetch your slippers maybe?”

  "If they are, they can follow our dust," Jack said, slapping Arrinor on the thigh. "We're leaving."

  "Ready Eaudreuil?"

  "I have been ready for some time," the Val'anna snorted. "They are very far away. I can no longer feel the Val'anna with them."

  "Then we'd better hurry," Jack replied.

  "Today you will learn what it means to run, Horse-Brother,” the proud stallion promised, and without waiting for Jack's command, the Val'anna leapt forward with a bound.

  Eaudreuil was true to his word. Over all the leagues they had traveled together; from Dorshev to Amar, Grethor to Brydium, to Elvendale, to Immer, Jack had been continually amazed by the speed and endurance of the Val'anna. Today, he became truly astonished at what his friend could do. In the space of perhaps half an hour, the gleaming, white walls of Immer shrank to a speck on the far horizon. By the time another half hour had passed, all trace of the imperial city disappeared from sight.

  "Horse-Brother?"

  "Yes?" Jack beamed. Speaking was impossible.

  "Some of the Val'anna grow...winded," Eaudreuil informed him. Jack could not be entirely sure, but he thought he detected a trace of...shame? in the stallion's mind. "Arrinor asks if it would be possible to walk for a short time."

  "What do you think?"

  "We have gained on the others," Eaudreuil replied after a brief hesitation. "I can now sense where the Val'anna have passed. We may walk...for a short time."

  "Can you pass the word?" Braedan asked, "I'd have to scream to be..."

  As one, then entire company began to slow. When their pace had dropped to a canter, Jack shouted to Cilidon, "Eaudreuil says it'll be safe to walk for a bit."

  "Thank Yh’Adan!" Malik gasped, breathing as hard as if he had run all the way from Immer himself. "Flaming wind was blowing so hard I could barely catch my breath."

  "I think we could all use a short break," Theros agreed. "Aye, Valkyr?" he asked, patting his midnight black stallion's neck. The tremendous charger, three-quarter Val'anna, was breathing heavily from the hour at full gallop.

  "How far have we traveled?" asked Jack, looking back towards Immer. All that could be seen behind them as the company slowed to a walk was mile upon mile of grassland.

  "I would estimate, perhaps, a shade over twelve leagues," Cilidon replied.

  Thirty-six miles in an hour, Jack thought. Farther than he had hoped. Yet, looking around at the other riders and their mounts, he knew the company would not be capable of galloping all the way to the pass. He did a quick calculation in his head. It was roughly two hundred and seventy more miles to the Pass of Galhir. If the company ran at full gallop for half an hour, then spent the other half alternating between a trot and walk until midnight, they would have about six hours until dawn to rest before starting all over again. It was possible they might, just might, reach the pass by noon.

  Eaudreuil, he had no doubt, could run the entire distance and never break a sweat. Perhaps a quarter of the other Val'anna in the company possessed the wherewithal to match his stamina, but not the rest. Though Eaudreuil said they had closed the distance on them, the Raashani, doubtless, were riding the best Val'anna the traitor duke's fortune could buy.

  "We'll walk the horses for half an hour," Jack announced, turning to General Gamrin. "After they have caught their wind, every hour we ride hard for half, trot for a quarter hour, then walk again."

  He could see the experienced mercenary commander doing the numbers in his head, as he had done. Malik came to the same conclusion. "We'll make it by noon, but only just. Very well, it shall be as you say," he nodded.

  Braedan could see in General Gamrin's eyes what he left unsaid. He was thinking the same thought himself. 'It was going to be a long, grueling twenty-four hours.' Then Jack saw Anna guiding her mount toward him and he smiled. Every cloud has a silver lining. During the long ride, once every hour, he would get to spend fifteen minutes in the company of a beautiful woman. And her watchful Horsemaiden’s no doubt, but it was a small sacrifice.

  "Did you enjoy the ride, my princess?" he asked.

  "I had no idea even a Val'anna could run at such speed."

  "I don't think anyone did," Jack grinned.

  "No even you?" she asked.

  "Well...maybe I suspected?" he admitted.

  "There is much I do not know about you Jack Braedan," Anna said quietly.

  "There's one thing you know," Jack he said, sliding from Eaudreuil's back and offering her his hand.

  "And that would be?" Anna asked, allowing Braedan to help her dismount.

  "I love you," he smiled. "I want to send the rest of my life with you."

  "You said Eaudreuil calls me Fire Mane," she said, blushing as she changed the subject. "How did you know that?"

  "Is that all you want to discuss?" Braedan asked, slightly disappointed as he took Eaudreuil's reigns in one hand and Anna's hand in the other.

  "Only part," Anna said as they began to walk. "But we can begin with that."

  "I can't really explain it," Jack shrugged. "It'll be easier to show you. Eaudreuil? What's the name of Fire Mane's mare?"

  "Her name is Iraesh," the Val'anna replied. "Is she not beautiful?"

  "She is indeed," Jack laughed. "Swap places with me Anna. The first time it's easier the closer I am."

  The princess gave him a curious look, but did as he asked.

  "Iraesh. It means 'Loyal,' right?" he asked.

  "Faithful,'" Anna replied, "but how..."

  "Watch and be amazed," Jack winked, as he reached out and stroked Iraesh' muscled neck. "Iraesh I am..."

  "Great Lion," the Val'anna mare beamed.

  Her mind was as strong as Eaudreuil's!

  "All Val'anna know the Horse-Brother of 'Stout Heart.' You will soon make war on Red Slayer. I am Iraesh, foal of Braeah. Gilasha king-bearer was my sire. In honor of him, I will serve you in what-ever manner you desire Great Lion."

  Iraesh stopped, and to Jack's dismay, the mare bent foreleg and bowed to him. Jack immediately released the stunned Annawyn's hand and dropped to his knees in front of the mare. "Iraesh," he beamed, placing his hands on each side of the mare's head, "I am honored to meet the daughter of Gilasha. The only service I require of you, is you bear Fire Mane well, and do only what is the nature of all Val'anna. Be 'Faithful,' Iraesh queen-bearer."

  Jack leaned forward and kissed the Val'anna on her forehead. "Now, what say we get up?" he whispered, "People are starting to stare."

  "Will Fire Mane be your queen?" the Val'anna asked, as she and Jack rose from their knees. "Will you take her for mate? Today her spirit soars and her heart sings. But only when she is near Great Lion."

  "That...will be up to Fire Mane," Jack smiled. "But I certainly hope so."

  "Jack, what just happened?" Annawyn asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She'd never...she doubted if anyone had ever, seen a Val'anna...bow in supplication before. "Jack, were you talking..."

  "I was talking to my new friend," Jack smiled, patting the mare on her neck. "Her name is Iraesh. Her sire was Gilasha. Her mother is Braeah, whom I hope to meet one day. I know this because I am..."

  "You are a Mindspeaker," Annawyn said. Her tone was one of wonderment.

  "I hope that isn't...unsettling," Jack said, cautiously. "Because, well...I am a Dreamwalker as well. But I you knew that already."

  Anna's look was unreadable.

  "Anna? Say something."

  For an instant, Jack had a horrifying vision of Annawyn turning away, mounting Iraesh, and never looking back as she rode away out of his life forever. Then the princess reached out with her perfectly formed hand and touched his cheek in almost the exact manner she had touched him so long ago in his cell, in the Tower of the White Horse.

  "What is there to say Jack?" the princess smiled. "From…from the moment I met you, I knew...I sensed you were different."<
br />
  "Anna..."

  "Please let me finish Jack," she insisted. "I sensed you were different. Special. It wasn't until after you left..."

  "After you helped me escape, you mean?"

  "Jack!"

  "Sorry. I have a bad habit of interrupting people when I'm nervous."

  "Like now?" she asked. She still had her hand on his cheek. Again, like that first day, she didn't seem to realize her touch was electric, sending shivers down his spine.

  "Sorry. I'll shut up now," Jack grinned.

  "After you left," Anna continued, brushing hair from his face, "I could not stop thinking about you. Every night I went to sleep wondering where you were. Every morning I awoke, wondering if you were safe. Then one night, one terrible night after my father announced the date I was to marry Kiathan, I cried myself to sleep, and I dreamed of you. You came to me. You kissed me. And I knew."

  Jack resisted the urge to ask, 'Knew what?'

  "I knew I, the Princess of Doridan, engaged to marry a duke chosen by my father the king, was in love with a pirate," Anna said and stepped into his arms. "I knew also, any hope I would ever have at happiness had ridden away, out of my life forever, leaving me with only the memory of a single kiss.”

  “Then a week before rode to the Haelfest,” she continued, looking up into his eyes, “a message arrived from the Doridanian consulate in Brythond reporting the escaped pirate Jack Braedan had been pardoned by Theros the Dragonslayer. He was now the new Duke of Thonbor, he was riding to Elvendale, and was likely on his way to Immer. Kiathan was furious! He guessed, or suspected, Uncle Morgan and I aided in you and Tarsus to escape. He knew, or he guessed, where my heart truly lay. He forbade, forbade me, the Princess of Doridan, from traveling to the Haelfest! That same night. I dreamed…well, I dreamed you came to me. Then the morning he was to leave, his mood suddenly changed and he insisted I accompany him. I know now he allowed me to come in hope of drawing you out to capture or kill you.

  ‘Because that same night Kiathan also saw me in his dream,” Jack speculated.