Heart of the Winterland Page 7
Angel shot her a withering glare and curtly yanked the plant back into position.
Once they were settled at the table, Angel fidgeted. “You are planning on continuing the story, are you not?”
“In good time,” Voice said. “There is breakfast that needs to be eaten. You should enjoy that, before it gets any colder.”
As Angel ate, Cali stared openly at her. Gone was the grubby waif they’d picked up in the woods. Angel’s skin glowed a pale pink, her previously overshadowed eyes shone bright green, and her hair, which had been so encrusted with dirt and filth that the color had been indistinguishable, now spilled down to her waist in a wavy mass of dusky red.
Angel shifted uneasily under Cali’s gaze.
Cali mentally shook herself. “You look wonderful, Angel. Those can’t be your original clothes.”
“No, Brie found them for me.” Angel smiled wryly. “She said there wasn’t much to salvage from mine.”
Voice commented, “I imagined Brie would pick out something more . . . exuberant. As it is, the white and red are excellent for your coloring.”
Angel blushed again and mumbled her thanks, before tucking into the same fare Cali had enjoyed earlier. Cali shifted in her seat to face Voice.
Something about Voice’s story bothered her. The strange girl, alone in the world. She fiddled with the black hair that spilled over her shoulders—a color she now realized was not normal for Traborians. She tried to imagine being Amee, never standing a chance in a kingdom where she was so different. She had a good idea why Voice was sharing Amee’s story. A story that obviously didn’t have a happy ending.
Seconds stretched as the only sounds filling the room were of Angel eating.
Without warning, the front door burst open; Brie and Daven spilled through, falling in a heap on the floor. They quickly picked themselves up, looked at the group huddled at the table, and shot each other a knowing glance. Daven’s long strides took him through the kitchen door, and his deep voice murmured unintelligibly to his mother.
Brie shakily bolted the door before dashing wildly from window to window, drawing the curtains shut and plunging the room into a hazy grayness. Then she went to the kitchen to join the hushed conversation.
“I do not like the looks of this,” Voice muttered. “The air, it is full of fear and . . . something I cannot name.”
Cali and Angel glanced nervously at each other, the happiness of a good night’s rest and a full stomach rapidly dissipating. The streets were quiet, and from the kitchen drifted anxious voices.
Just as Cali thought the darkness creeping through her stomach would consume her, the three emerged from the kitchen. Brie shifted from one foot to the other, her natural bounce laced with anxiety. Airyanna wrung her hands as she made her way over to a window and peeked out. She gazed out for a few seconds before moving towards the table where the girls sat. Daven and Brie followed her.
“Now I need both of you to be honest with me. For all of our sakes, or we could be in grave danger.” Airyanna’s normally warm face was tight, and worry creased her forehead.
Cali nodded numbly. Angel sat frozen like an icicle.
From the lantern, Voice said, “In the spirit of honesty, let me make my presence known.”
The entire table jumped, then all but Cali and Angel glanced around.
“I am but an orb, a voice if you will. The girls and I felt it best not to alarm people needlessly.”
As Voice spoke, Cali opened the glass to and she floated out and hovered behind Cali’s shoulder.
Brie nudged Daven. “Told you I wasn’t mad. I heard another voice when mother was bringing them to their room. And you thought I was hearing things.” She deepened her voice to mimic her brother’s. “Nonsense, Brie, talking lanterns, what rubbish. If you minded your work instead of snooping on new guests, you wouldn’t have time to make up such fanciful stories.”
Daven glared at his sister and shushed her.
Regaining her voice, Airyanna said, “Well, that’s something you don’t hear every day, and I thank you for your honesty. My question though is on a different matter. You’ve no doubt realized that something is wrong.”
After seeing the nods of confirmation, Airyanna continued, “I assume you are not from this land, so excuse me if I tell you anything that you already know.
“Duke Bludgaard looks after Shayalan affairs, and he is a malevolent man. His captain of the guard, Kota, is rumored to be more of an assassin than a captain. As we are on the edge of Shayal, we are usually left alone, until a fortnight ago. A contingent of the duke’s men came through searching for someone—a young woman who they declared was an escaped prisoner. A large sum was promised to the one who captured her.”
Airyanna stopped her rushed tale to peek out the window again. Returning to the table, she looked hard at her listeners.
“For reasons I know not, they have returned, this time with Kota at their head. I fear the search will be renewed with more thoroughness, and this time they will find their prey.” She glanced at Angel. “My dear, I don’t know what you have done to bring about this hunt and frankly I don’t care. I did not recognize you when you showed up on my doorstep. But you’re here now and we must do something if we all wish to avoid death, or worse.”
Cali leaned forward, her face paler than normal. “How can you be so sure it is Angel they seek? Surely she isn’t capable of any crime worth a manhunt.”
With a sad smile, Airyanna replied, “Last night, her appearance was significantly less . . . kempt. Now there is no doubt that she is the woman on the parchment they passed around.”
Before anymore arguments could be made either way, Angel’s quiet voice interjected, “Airyanna speaks truth. The duke is after me, though I have done no wrong.”
Silence reigned for what seemed like forever, until it was broken by Voice. “We cannot stay here, Cali. We must flee before we are discovered.”
A look of bewilderment passed over Cali’s face. “Why should we run? They are not after us, only Angel. It seems it’s her that should be running, and we need not be caught up in whatever mess she is involved in.”
Again there was silence. When Voice spoke, Cali could hear the disappointment. “There are always two sides to every story; and more often than not, more than that. It seems only fair that we hear Angel’s side before we abandon her. I propose we slip out of town, if possible, and be on our way. Once we are out of immediate danger, we can hear what Angel has to say, and then decide whether or not we will continue to travel together.”
Angel glanced at Cali before replying stiffly, “I don’t wish to be a burden, nor do I wish to bring my troubles upon anyone. But I will not be captured again; I can make my own way from here.” She rose and strode to the door.
“Wait!” Cali interjected as Angel grasped the knob. “I’ve been hasty and spoke out of fear. You’ve given us no reason to doubt your word. I started this journey to see the world beyond my kingdom and discover myself in the process.” She smiled wanly. “I hope the person I am is not someone who’d leave a new friend at the first sign of trouble. Besides, if I ever manage to rule over someone, besides myself, I hope to be just and fair. Therefore we shall leave posthaste, and hopefully undetected.”
“If that is your choice, then may I suggest we immediately make plans towards that end.” Airyanna glanced nervously at the tavern door. “Lengthening your stay will only increase your chances of being found.”
The party quietly packed their meager belongings while Airyanna and Brie gathered food. After Cali and Angel hurriedly thanked and hugged Airyanna and Daven, Brie led the travelers out the back door. The alley behind the tavern was vacant, but the sound of soldiers crashing through nearby buildings lent haste to their feet.
Cali’s breathing sounded loud in her ears as she pressed against the side of the tavern. Brie checked around the corner before motioning them onward. They slipped from shadow to shadow, pausing only to make sure the way forward was clear.
In the distance, shouts echoed and fists pounded on doors. Horrifying images of misshapen men closing in on them flashed through her mind. Something touched her shoulder, and she gasped.
“Cali,” Brie whispered, “we’re almost there. Daven and I brought the horses to a field nearby, when the captain first returned to Laire.”
“How’d you know they’d be looking for us?” Cali couldn’t stop the trembling that wracked her body.
“We weren’t sure, but you were the only strangers in town. Your horses and carriage were much too grand to go unnoticed. Even if it wasn’t you, we couldn’t risk drawing attention to ourselves.”
Brie’s diminished cheer unnerved Cali. The girl hadn’t stopped bouncing and exuding happiness since Cali had arrived at the tavern, until now.
Brie led them down another dank alley, carefully avoiding the piles of waste that littered the ground. A door slammed nearby. The companions froze, listening. Voices filtered through the thin walls of the building next to them.
“Guards are back . . . strangers at the tavern . . . gone now . . .”
They looked at each other. If word of strangers reached the captain, the search would intensify. Brie rushed them on, trading caution for speed. At long last, they reached the edge of town and plunged into a wheat field. A little way in, they discovered their horses waiting for them.
“I’m afraid this is the best we can do for you,” Brie whispered as she helped Angel and Cali mount. “We could not risk bringing your carriage. Daven will have pulled it apart since we left and spread it throughout our stable so that it looks like scrap.”
“A carriage such as ours would have been too noticeable anyway,” Voice said.
Cali silently agreed, though her heart twisted at the loss. A piece of home was gone.
“I’m sorry for putting your family in danger,” Angel said grimly as she clung awkwardly to her mount.
“Do not apologize. I believe you are innocent and I’m up for anything that ruffles Bludgaard’s feathers.”
Brie took one look at Angel’s precarious position and smiled grimly. “I recommend you hang onto those reins like icing to a cinnamon bun.”
Angel laughed, lightening the moment. With a final wave, Brie vanished through the field—a burst of pink against the grain.
“We should put as much distance between us and the village as possible,” Voice whispered.
Somber again, the party crept to the distant edge of the field, and after one last glance back at the village, they made their way out into the wide open plains.
Chapter 7
Kota slammed her palm against the tent post of her temporary headquarters. As captain of Duke Bludgaard’s men, she could commandeer any of the local buildings for her residence, but the thought of honoring even one of these common folk with her presence disgusted her.
Her jet black hair tickled her cheeks, and she brushed it impatiently behind her ears. It was getting too long. She closed her eyes and regulated her breathing.
Dragon’s teeth! I’ve worked too hard to earn this rank and the respect of my men. I refuse to let that snippet of a girl humiliate me.
For weeks now, she’d been on the girl’s trail, and the impudent villagers in this town were just as impossible as all the others. These rebellious people were happy to tell her what she didn’t want to hear. She couldn’t believe that no one had seen that inferior prisoner.
She should’ve gone about this entire mission differently. Her face was too recognizable now; stealth was needed. Who would’ve thought that girl, so far out of her element, could elude capture this long?
She swept her hand across the table, knocking a bowl of soup to the floor. The two guards at the entrance tensed at the sound of shattering pottery. With fire in her luminescent eyes, Kota pointed angrily at the opening.
The men’s relief was palpable as they rushed from the tent. Alone she continued to pace, her thoughts now belittling her men.
Incompetent fools; this is as much their fault as anyone’s. They’re all blundering buffoons. She stopped and a sly smile crossed her face. No, not all of them.
After brushing aside the tent flap, she beckoned a passing youth inside. Kota grabbed a quill from her desk and scratched a message on a scrap of parchment.
Bring me Dikala and T’Nahke immediately. Have three horses saddled and provisions for at least a week made up. Then send me Maj’alLyle.
The young man barely glanced at it before darting out of the tent. Kota’s mind wheeled as she picked up a piece of pottery.
She was done tromping through town after town with nothing to show for it. She would catch the girl. And when I do. Kota squeezed the shard until her hand bled. Dropping the pottery, she swept from the tent with renewed purpose.
Within the hour, Kota found herself mounted upon Malnu, a fierce silver stallion. Behind her, perched on their own steeds, were Dikala and T’Nahke. With this small group she’d no longer be hindered by the imbeciles who made up her company.
Atop the first horse, which stood well above her own, sat T’Nahke. A solid man, flinty-eyed and shrewd, he had laid many a man low. There were rumors that he had giant blood in him, which explained not only his size but his grey, iron-hard skin. He looked like a man carved from mountain stone.
She’d been a bit leery choosing him at first. As a rule, she believed skill and intelligence were better assets than physical prowess. But she brought him anyway, for though she hated to admit it, there might be need for muscle on her journey. T’Nahke might not be the smartest of men, but he was a man of few words, which Kota preferred.
On an energetic, coal-black horse rode Dikala—a young man Kota hadn’t traveled without in years. He kept his seat easily and gave her a nod.
Kota leaned from the saddle to shake hands with Maj’al Lyle, who’d be taking over command while she was away.
“Good luck, Captain,” he said gruffly.
She gave a thin smile. I won’t need luck.
Turning her horse, she set off with T’Nahke and Dikala in tow. Hooves pounded against the dry earth as they headed east.
Her mind roamed, as she planned her search. North was out of the question. There was nothing that way but an eerie, cursed wood, and a strange land beyond that, if one was to believe the stories.
Kota was a practical woman, curses didn’t factor into her job, but something about that wood made it so that no matter which way you went, once you were under the looming boughs, you found yourself walking right back out of the forest. After several frustrating attempts to get somewhere in that shadowy wood, she had given up. If she couldn’t get into the forest, it stood to reason that no one else could either.
South led to bigger cities and the castle of Duke Bludgaard. The girl wouldn’t have backtracked and taken herself nearer to danger. No, she’d fought too hard to escape and make it this far. To the west stood the impassable Laogen Mountains. It was only logical the girl would go east towards her home, but it would still be foolhardy to proceed without proof. It’s dangerous to make rash assumptions.
She wouldn’t even have come to Laire if it wasn’t for a few more sensible commoners who’d reported seeing a redhead that matched the poster making her way north. Probably trying to throw me off.
Scouring the road for signs of her quarry proved not only time-consuming but fruitless. The sun’s rays poured unrelentingly on the trio, and Kota’s clothes stuck to her skin.
A majestic hawk flew overhead, tipping its wings and circling around a nearby meadow. Kota paused her search to watch the bird’s flight. The creature dove with blinding speed towards the earth, pouncing on its prey. A furious screech sliced through the air as the hawk dropped its catch and took to the skies once more.
Curious, Kota diverted from the path to the spot where the hunter of the skies had released its victim. She swung off Malnu and picked up a scrap of white fur
. No wonder the hawk had been enraged; instead of snatching up a nice juicy animal, he’d gained no more than a fur glove.
That solved one mystery, but only led to a more puzzling question: Who did the glove belong to, and why was it lying out in the field? It was hardly cold enough to warrant such an item and by the look of the fur, it wasn’t typical peasant apparel.
Dikala’s quiet voice broke into her thoughts. “What would a rich young woman be doing riding out here in the middle of nowhere?”
Kota turned to glance at the slight, olive-skinned boy. Boy wasn’t really the correct term, but she couldn’t bring herself to call him a man. A dark-haired youth on the cusp of manhood, Dikala was one of the youngest in her guard. An observant, brooding type, he was the son of a lord with formidable holdings. As was the custom, his father had sent him away as a child to be fostered by another prominent family. Fate had, of course, placed Dikala with Bludgaard.
With the time rapidly approaching for him to take his place as the future lord of his family’s holdings, he seemed to be struck by an urge to enjoy his freedom while it lasted. A rare moment of pity, for a boy whose fate was out of his control, had come over Kota. She offered to take him on as a part of her personal entourage for the last few years of his fosterage. Bludgaard had been more than happy to relinquish his responsibility of looking after Dikala.
Kota quickly realized that she’d found a treasure in her young charge. He had a mind like a steel blade and was relieved of his more menial duties. Kota began to regard her moment of pity as a flash of brilliance. She told herself that there must’ve been some sign of his usefulness that she had unknowingly spotted. Whatever the case, it’d been two years since Kota went anywhere without him accompanying her.
This hunt, though, was to be their last. Sadness fluttered inside her as a whisper told her that as much as she didn’t want to believe it, the little boy had grown up.
Brushing aside that unpleasant thought, Kota raised an eyebrow in question at the young man before her.
“Well, Captain, I would say this belongs to a wealthy lady, by the quality of the fur. There are no estates nearby to warrant the presence of a well-to-do personage in this area. The strangest part is the location in which we discovered this. Why would anyone, especially a noble, ride through the middle of a field instead of using a dedicated path?”