by Nova Rose
* * *
“Why do you remain with them?” asked Tesnayr during another argument with Jenel. “They are not your people.”
“I will not abandon them. They may not be my own, but they are people none the less. I helped these people escape when their village was attacked and I am staying with them until the end,” said Jenel.
“And where are you planning to take them? This land is crawling with orcs,” said Tesnayr.
“There are some caves north of here,” replied Jenel.
“This is an army, not a bunch of nursemaids.”
“You said that you do this to protect the people. Then help us get to safety. Are these people not also a part of this land? This isn’t about some noble cause. This is about revenge. I know your story, Tesnayr.”
“You know nothing,” spat Tesnayr.
“Has your heart become so blackened by hatred that you will refuse these people? Do you not know the meaning of sacrifice? These people have lost everything. Until they are safe, I’ll not go home.”
“Sacrifice? I do not sleep nights because my men are in constant danger. They have given up their homes, their fortunes, and everything they hold dear for people like you. I gave up a chance for love, for happiness. I know sacrifice and I will not have my actions dictated to me by a woman who has been given all her wishes. Who has spent her life shut away in a castle and thinks that now is a good time to show her humility.”
Jenel slapped Tesnayr so hard that it forced his head to one side. His cheek reddened as the sting slowly faded.
“You leave in the morning.” Tesnayr walked away.
Jenel started after him when a firm hand gripped her by the arm. Nigilin appeared from nowhere. He pulled her back. “Let him be,” he told her.
“Why is he so stubborn?” demanded Jenel.
“Why are you?” replied Nigilin.
“Well…because,” Jenel stammered before silencing herself. “These people are sick and starving. There is no way I can lead them anywhere myself.”
“You led them this far,” said Nigilin.
“Barely. While we made our way here, the orcs picked us off one by one. But meeting you here tells me that we cannot go to Drynelle, which is where we were headed.”
“No you cannot go there,” mused Nigilin. He felt for the young woman and the responsibility she had taken upon herself. Yet, he also understood Tesnayr’s sentiments. They were soldiers. But the heart of the matter remained that Jenel was King Slyamal’s daughter and Slyamal’s betrayal burned deeply within Tesnayr. “When have you last spoken with your father?”
“Not for many months, why?”
“Are you aware of your father’s treatment of Tesnayr?”
“Where is this going? I have not seen my father since you and Tesnayr escaped. He sent me away to Belyndril for safekeeping.”
“Your father pleaded with Tesnayr to help him rid Sym’Dul of the orcs. Tesnayr did, but your father did not honor the agreement. When needed most, he turned and fled.”
“My father is not a coward,” spat Jenel.
“Yet his actions remain the same,” said Nigilin. “A coward he may not be, but a fool he is. A prideful fool. We lost the battle that day.”
“I cannot believe—”
“But you do,” interrupted Nigilin, “Your father was never a man to accept being humiliated especially by someone he views as his lesser. You know this. Tesnayr insulted him when they first met. Then, your father had to ask for his help, but his pride prevented him from following through. I see much the same in you.”
“How dare you--” Jenel cut herself off. The stern look from Nigilin silenced her. She knew her father’s failings. She knew them well. Much the same were within her.
“You sister Janine was a kind and generous woman who thought only of others, much like you mother. Try to be more like her.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. Jenel remembered her sister. Janine died when she was only ten years old but her memory was never far away. “My father is not a bad man,” said Jenel, “He loves Sym’Dul and wants to protect the people. He just doesn’t—”
“Know how to go about it. I suggest you apologize to Tesnayr.” Nigilin waved his hand cutting off any protests. “It will prove how you are different from your father and it will do you good. He will be at the far end of the camp. That is where he goes to calm down when angered.”
“You know him well don’t you?”
“About as well as anyone. He is a difficult man, but one well worth knowing.”
“You served in the king’s army,” commented Jenel.
“Yes,” replied Nigilin. “I gave everything for Sym’Dul and an unappreciative king.” Nigilin left.
Jenel brooded over his words. Janine, she thought. How she missed her.
“My lady,” said Rybnik as he strode up beside her. “The people are hungry and tired.”
“We all are, Rybnik. They will just have to make do with what little we have. We will leave when the pass opens up.”
“To Sym’Dul? You know I am not welcomed there,” said Rybnik.
Jenel brooded over that statement and what she had recently learned. If Sym’Dul had fallen, then a journey to Drynelle would be impossible. But where could they go that wasn’t far? “The Keep of Edrei is south of here is it not?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Jenel,” said Jenel, correcting Rybnik. She hated that title my lady. “Then that makes it closer than Drynelle. Perhaps we shall go there. King Edrei has always been a fair man. He will not turn away refugees. Go back to them. I have business to attend.”
Tesnayr paced were he stood. The nerve of that woman! His blood boiled. What did she expect him to do? Leave everything and take her where she wished? Such a thing was not possible. After winter had passed the orcs would regroup and attack the other lands. Yet, Jenel had a point.
Tesnayr glanced at his sword a moment studying its rare beauty and unique construction. Only a just man may use this sword. The words of the phoenix echoed through his mind.
His shoulder strap had worked itself lose and fell away. Frustrated, Tesnayr yanked on it trying to rebuckle it. His meaty fingers refused to work properly and the smooth leather slipped between them.
“Here,” said a gentle voice. Jenel reached up with her soft hands and gingerly secured the strap. “I want to apologize for my actions earlier. It was not my place.”
Tesnayr pondered her words as his anger abated. “Trying to placate me?”
“No—yes.”
“You had every right,” Tesnayr reluctantly admitted.
“No I did not. I realize that you have an army to think of and I cannot ask you drop it all for me. I chose to help these people. It is my responsibility. When the pass clears I will take them to the Keep of Edrei.”
“No.”
“But—”
“You will not go alone,” said Tesnayr. “We will take them together.”
“But I thought—”
“You were also right,” said Tesnayr, “I cannot truly say that I am helping people when I leave a bunch of them to die.”
