Читать книгу Aelethia's Hope - Leandra Martin - Страница 6

Alek and his entourage trudged through the desert sands, the horses hooves struggling over the loose deep dunes. The sun was hot and the air dry. Alek was tired of seeing nothing but blazing white everywhere he looked. He was beginning to think that the Isamarians didn’t live here anymore, that they had all died off from heat stroke or dehydration. He thought for sure they would be coming to civilization soon, any civilization. Maybe he was going crazy from the incessant heat burning his skull, or the glare straining his eyes. This was not how he thought he’d pass from this world into the next, as a crispy critter.

Tallyn pulled up beside him, and Alek turned to him. “There is a group of men approaching us from the south.”

“How can you see anything in this blessed sun?”

“Elves’ eyesight is a bit keener than humans, and our eyes can adjust to whatever conditions are required. There are men approaching, and there seems to be at least twenty.”

“Thank goodness. I was going stir crazy out here in this blaring heat and glaring sun. I’ll be happy to make conversation with anyone right now.”

“You may not feel that way when they reach us. They are not from the city; they are nomads, and they are armed to the teeth.”

“Aren’t all the Isamarians nomads?”

“No. Some of them choose to live out here in the desert, away from the villages or the main city. They are warriors only, and the chancellor leaves them alone only because they protect the borders for him without compensation, except to be left alone. I do not know what kind of reception we will get.”

“What can we barter with to ensure our safety through the dunes if they don’t want money?”

“We won’t know that until they reach us. I would inform your men to stand down and do not show hostility of any kind. There are twenty of them, and they are ruthless killers. There are only seven of us.”

“Aye. The last thing I want is to die out here before we can even reach the chancellor.”

Alek turned his horse around and faced his men, and the squire Henri. “Men, huddle up. There are about twenty warriors coming our way from the south. They are nomads who protect the land from undesirables. They are armed and dangerous and probably not too keen on making conversation. Stand down. Do not make any sudden moves that will be construed as hostility. If we want to make it to the city, or out of this God forsaken land alive, I command you to stay calm. Tallyn and I will handle this. Stay alert though. If provoked I expect you to do your job and protect yourselves and each other. Understood?”

They all nodded. Alek turned his horse back around and motioned for them to continue on. They would ride on until otherwise stalled. They were here on a mission and nothing would sway them from that. There wasn’t time.

They rode on for probably another half a league when the group of men became clear in the afternoon glare. There was twenty men, just as Tallyn had surmised, and they were all extremely tall and muscular. Most of the men wore nothing but thin animal skin on their torso and middle, but nothing on their legs or arms. Their skin was bronzed and shiny (Alek assumed they used some kind of oil to keep the sun from burning their leather like skin). Their hair was long and braided down their backs, and they wore no adornments on themselves at all. The rider in the front of the pack, whom Alek assumed was the chief, wore his hair loose, and it cascaded down his back, reaching his saddle. The animals they rode were all white but had paintings on them. They were not horses Alek noticed as they neared. The animals were horse like, but their legs were longer and had no hair on them except for a puff at the end of their scaly tails. They had long necks like a giraffe and yellow eyes. Alek peered over at Tallyn.

“What in the hell are those?”

“I have not seen animals such as these for centuries. I do not even know how they kept them alive all this time. They are ancient creatures called jazas. They were brought over by merchants from across the Eirene Sea almost four-hundred years ago. They were used for fighting and war, but I have not laid an eye on one for over a hundred years. They are not friendly once trained, so do not provoke them or get too close. Only when invited can you touch.”

“I’m not even sure I want to.”

“Keep your horses reined in or they may decide to have one for breakfast.”

“Great. There’s no way I’m going to be left to walk across this hell.”

He passed on the message to his men. Henri was staring across the sands, his eyes scrunched up, a bead of sweat making a trail down his temple. Alek could see him visibly shiver even though it was over a hundred degrees.

Alek readjusted the head cloth on his skull, wiping away sweat from his brow. It was worse with the mail, Alek knew, but he forced his men to keep it on, never knowing when a threat would present itself out here in no man’s land. He looked over at Tallyn who, as usual, was calm and not a bead of sweat was apparent anywhere on his face or body.

As the party got closer to the approaching riders, he could see the leader take out a spear from under his jaza and place it in a cradle that was attached to the side of the saddle. The end of the spear was barbed with tiny hooks. Now Alek shivered in the heat.

“How can we be sure these guys won’t become skittish and run us through. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like being skewered today.”

“I will speak for us. Just keep still and calm and things should go smoothly.”

Alek swallowed. The riders finally reached them, and Alek could now see them clearly. He could tell they were very tall, even when not astride the giant beasts, who themselves stood at least two heads higher then the largest horse. They had to be at least six-six. The leader reached Tallyn, who bowed in his saddle. The lead man bowed back. He glanced over his shoulder to the rest of his men, and they reined in, staying tucked in behind him, spears at the ready. The party of warriors surrounded Alek and his men and pointed the barbed spears at them. The jazas breathed down on the horses. Alek could see the animals becoming spooked. His men did a good job keeping them calm, but he knew it wouldn’t last. He could see the jazas breath coming out of its nostrils, the stench of them hit Alek, and he wrinkled up his nose. They smelled awful. The leader glared at each one of them in turn and looked them over inconspicuously. Obviously he was sizing them up. He made no move to attack or speak at first, then looked back to Tallyn and spoke to him. “Tu zera ot braau um derega?”

Alek looked at Tallyn, who nodded that it was fine. He spoke back to the leader in his own language. “Et vu embala Tallyn Faolin. Vena un malago Vallis.”

A surprised expression crossed the nomads face. He had obviously not expected to be answered in his native tongue. The leader glanced over his shoulder to his men, then smiled at Tallyn.

“You long way from home, young Tallyn of Vallis?”

Now Alek was surprised. They knew Aelethian. All he had ever heard about these people were that they were uncivilized barbarians who killed for pleasure. Alek admonished himself for listening to superstitious rumors.

Tallyn answered him, “Yes, and I would love to be back there where the air is not so warm.”

The leader laughed. “You elves have it too easy in Vallis. Everything too perfect. This terrain make you more a man.” He laughed again and looked at Alek but addressed Tallyn. “What bring you to desert, young elf?”

“We have come to beg for word with your Chancellor Jaxon. There is something of urgency that he needs to hear. We would like an audience with him.”

“Who is men?”

Tallyn motioned to Alek at his side. “This is Alekzand’r Morgan, Royal Advisor and Bounty Hunter for His Majesty, King Dainard Grayson of Azlyn. These are his men, and his squire. This is my companion, Cai Eyrelin, also from my tribe.”

“This no place for mere men to be travel. Not safe. Lots of hungry wolvins at night.”

“We heard them. Our fire kept them at bay, and we had watches all through the night.”

“You lucky. Lucky too we come and not other clan. They not like any outsiders. No give you chance to speak before kill.”

“I would say we are quite fortunate then.”

“I Najwa. This hunt party. We take you to caravan stop and give food and water. Then you speak what want. We see if we take you to chancellor.”

“That is most generous, Najwa.”

He turned his creature around, and they followed the group to their tribe. It was another two leagues, and Alek was glad to be anywhere other than the open desert. The caravan stop was small, but it was cozy (for the desert, anyway). There were twelve tents, all large and ornately painted, with awnings that jutted out from each one, where fires burned in pits at night and men and women lingered out of the heat. The women wore long dresses, and veils covered their faces. Their hair was coiled up in ornate coifs, and they wore silken slippers on their feet. Hardly what Alek would have suspected for desert dwellers, but apparently their women were treated well.

Alek and his men dismounted their horses, after the tribesmen did so, and allowed some of Najwa’s men to take the reins and put the horses in a separate pen off to the north side of the camp. Then Najwa led them over to a tent on the far side of the camp and motioned them to sit down. Najwa called out to a woman who was talking a few tents away with another woman, and she came over immediately. He said some words to her, and she disappeared into another tent closer to the center of the camp.

“Palani get guests nourishment. While you rest out of heat, you tell Najwa what you need with chancellor. Story good, take you to chancellor.”

Alek and Tallyn looked at each other. Tallyn explained, “We have come to warn the Isamarian people of a menace that is rising in the east, that if not stopped in time, will take over all of the kingdom. A black sorcerer has risen up and has made a pact with the Dark One himself to rule over all the land. He has already started to eat away at the land bit by bit, usurping kings from their thrones and killing all those that stand against him. He has placed himself on the throne of Aaralyn and will start a campaign to take over the cities in the south as well. We need to stand together in order to gain enough power to overtake him. There are giants in his ranks and creatures from the darkest reaches of hell helping him, and the only one that can stop him has heard the call. We must stand with her.”

The tribesman looked to the two other men who had accompanied him to the tent, then to Alek. “I never seen elf lie. He speak truth, inlander?”

“Yes. It’s the truth. The Chosen One from the prophecy was born twenty-one years ago and now knows of her destiny. But she needs everyone. All of the land must stand with her or she may lose. We have come to ask for help. I bring a message from the kings of Aelethia, His Majesties Dainard and Kevaan, to ask for the Free Province of Isamar to stand with us in this fight, with no future fealty to either sovereign when the war is done.”

Najwa stopped when the food was carried over by the same woman who had left before. She placed a wooden tray in the middle of the circle where the men all sat and motioned for them to take what they desired. The plate was full of strange looking fruit and berries and some kind of dried meat. The men were unsure at first, but Tallyn assured them without words that it was fine. The woman also placed a large crockery of water in front of them as well. They would share from it. When the woman left them again, Najwa looked to the elf again and frowned.

“We not fight with man on eastern border lands. It not our way. We know what eastern man think of Isamarian. Think us barbarian. Think we kill for sport.” Alek visibly winced. “See. I know what man say about us. Why would we fight with men who hate us?”

Alek decided he would answer that. “You’re right, Najwa. Men are superstitious and make up stories when they don’t understand something. It has been the blight of human existence since the beginning of time. We’re wrong to choose rumor over what is fact if it means finding out for ourselves the correct answer. For that I can apologize for men. But not all men do this. Some men see the good in all people. Like the Chosen One. Her name is Melenthia, and she has a heart of purity and love. She sees the world as full of endless possibilities and is kind to everyone.”

“Why you here, not she?”

“Because she has other preparations to make. She is preparing for war just as King Dainard and King Kevaan are. We were sent as representatives. We just want to speak to your chancellor. If his answer is no, we’ll abide by that, but I think he’ll see why his stand with us is so imperative.”

Najwa sat very still and said nothing. He stared at Alek for the longest time, chewing on a strip of dried meat. “So woman not just eastern lore. True?”

“She is very real, Najwa. But she can’t fight alone, Chosen One or not.”

There was silence again for a long time. Then Najwa spoke again and Alek was surprised by his words. “Take you to Salador. No guarantee let in, but guide you there.”

Alek almost let out a breath. “That’s all we ask.” He bowed to the clan leader. “You have our thanks.”

“Eat, drink and get sleep in cool tent. Long ride through heat. Leave at dawn.”

Tallyn and Alek looked at each other, not smiling, but sharing a thought of relief nonetheless. If they could at least get to the chancellor, they would have a chance, however small, of getting him to see their side. He knew that the chancellor, just as his predecessors, have never trusted eastern men, but Alek would be damned if he’d leave before he could try to change his mind. Aelethia depended on this alliance. Whatever logic Tallyn could spin, or whatever words they spoke, it had better be good or they would have to go back across this desert empty handed.

***

Melenthia, Tomaz and Sol were only a day out from Eston when the sky opened up and started dumping freezing rain on them. She was dressed adequately but the drops of cold water ran down her hair into her face and down the back of her cloak and tunic. The clouds had been building for over a day, the night prior the moon was invisible through the thick cloud cover, and she could smell the scent of rain and hear the distant thunder rolling through the mountains. Traveling in the weather made her irritable. She liked rain and didn’t mind being out in it most of the time, especially a nice spring or summer spate, but, at this time of year, it slowed the pace and made the muscles stiff. She knew she should be excited about heading home again, but she was still nervous about her reunion with Dain, despite the reassurances Sol had given her. She knew that if Dain still felt the same about her, Drydon Keep could very well become her permanent home, and that thought pleased her, but thoughts of Lachlan Castle went through her mind as well, and it brought her sadness. She knew from her run in with Fallon in her mind that Lucan was dead but had no idea how many others had perished in the siege from his troops. What if Lachlan was gone forever, and she never saw it or those that she grew up with ever again? There had already been so many deaths, so much destruction. She didn’t even know if the city of Kingswell still stood. It had been such a beautiful city, shiny and proud. The rolling meadows of the nearby hills, the vast farmlands and the rivers and streams that ran through them. She felt choked up all of a sudden, then it subsided and anger took its place. Fallon would have much to answer for. She was pulled out of her thoughts by a hand on her shoulder. She turned toward Tomaz, who had reined in beside her. He had to speak up over the rain.

“Melenthia, there are several horses headed this direction from the west. I saw them an hour ago but was not sure if they would turn off and head south. I saw them again approximately twenty minutes ago. They were trying to stay hidden behind the ridge, but I spotted them. They are hiding. I believe they are waiting to ambush us.”

“Who are they? Could you tell from here what colors they wore?”

“I’m afraid so, Lady. They wear the green and black of Fallon. I believe he used your mind last night to locate you exactly, and he plans on taking you out here in the open.”

“I blocked him out.”

“Apparently not fast enough.”

“Great, now what?”

“We will try to get closer to the lake and stay there as long as possible.”

“That’s too much in the open. They’ll be able to see us there with no trees to protect us.”

“True, but since the forest is sparse here and will disappear completely in only a few leagues, we will be unprotected anyway. If we stay close to the lake, we’ll have a better vantage point in order to see them coming. We must press on. The faster we get you to the city gates, the safer you’ll be. Out here you are too vulnerable.”

They pressed their horses into a gallop. The rain was still coming down in sheets, the huge drops splashing the road and spraying mud up their backs. They made it halfway down the shoreline of the lake when a group of black and green livery men appeared from the direction they were headed. Melenthia pulled her reins back, surprised by their presence. Obviously the men behind them were a decoy for the real ambush right in front of them. Tomaz halted his mount as well and looked over his shoulder. Sol came forward and reined in next to her.

“There are seven of them. Can we take them?” she asked, unsure that they could.

“Yes. Stay alert and calm. Use your training to keep your body and your mind focused. Tanith will do the rest.” He turned back to the front, and the three of them rode forward slowly.

Melenthia pulled Tanith from its scabbard and made ready her attack. The sword vibrated its song up her arm, calming her spirit and loaning its strength. The sword was such a pale color now that she almost couldn’t see it in her hand. This is what Tanith was, an extension of her raw power and strength, a tool in which to pour her spirit into. The three of them moved forward as a fluid group, keeping alert for adversaries that could come from behind while they were occupied with the frontal assault.

The group of men started to gallop forward when they saw the three were not going to run. The enemy raised their weapons and kicked their mounts into a harder gallop. Melenthia pressed her heels harder into her stirrups and wrapped the reins tighter around her free hand. She breathed in and out, calming herself and letting Tanith’s power surge through her body and mind. When the two parties reached each other, things exploded and happened quickly.

One of the men came at her, swinging over his head with his sword in order to knock her from her mount. She stayed in the saddle and parried with an attack of her own. She swung under as he passed and struck him across the shoulder where the chest piece and arm pieces of his mail connected. She heard the chink ring in her ears and watched him unsteadily slip from his saddle. He was stunned but ready for her attack again. She turned her mount sharply to the left and headed back in the direction she had come. She had Tanith over her head, ready to swing down at him as he braced for the attack. His sword was ready, and he had his feet as firmly planted into the rain soaked ground as he could. She galloped toward him, changing direction at the last instant in order to catch him off guard. He wasn’t ready for the switch, and she sliced down and cut him on the left side as he swung to protect his right side to no avail.

She was able to slice him on the shoulder again, severing an artery in his neck. The man fell forward, blood streaming down his tabard and into the mud, steaming as the warmth of it touched the cold wet ground. She swung around and headed back into the fray. Tomaz had taken down two with his bow already, Sol was finishing off another. He had put a paralyzing spell on him and she could see the guard’s body stiffen just long enough for Sol to cut him down with a sword she hadn’t known he had. He must have stolen it off of one of the fallen knights. The guard he was dealing with slumped over sideways, bleeding out into the sodden road.

She galloped toward them and headed for another guard who was heading in her direction. She knew the guards wanted her alive, therefore, would try to capture her instead of killing her. They had been instructed to grab her and take her back to Fallon. It infuriated her that he was too cowardly to come after her himself, but at least she knew his men, out of fear of harming her, would be easier to take down. She used that to her advantage. The next guard who was approaching her fast was large and bulky, his shoulders wider than her mounts. He galloped toward her, and, as he reached her, he surprised her by halting his horse directly in front of hers, spooking it, the mount tossing her over his head as it slid to a stop. She tumbled to the muddy ground and immediately tucked herself into a roll and got to her feet before he could reach her. Mud dripped down her back, rain dripping into her eyes. She wiped it away with the back of a hand. She lifted Tanith, the power from the blade warming the skin of her face, thawing out her frozen wet cheeks. The guard galloped past her and swung down. His heavy broadsword slammed against Tanith and the force of it caused a vibration so strong she felt her arms shake in protest. She fought to hang on to the weapon, asking Tanith to hold on longer. The vibration stopped, but her head still rang. He took that opportunity to come at her again. She shook her head to clear the ringing in her ears and prepared for the attack. He stood himself up in his stirrups and leaned over to the left in order to get a better swing. He swung his broadsword down and caught her under her arm. She was able to fend off the bulk of the attack with a parry, slicing him across the neck, cutting his jugular, but not without damage. She felt a searing pain flame up under her arm. As she watched him fall heavily from his saddle into the mud below, she felt a trickle of warmth run down her side. She placed a hand across her lower rib cage and felt dampness and warmth on her palm right through her glove. She pulled her hand away and looked at it. It was red and steaming with blood. She pulled off her now soaked glove and replaced her bare hand back to her side, putting pressure on the wound. She looked over the scene and saw that the last man had been dealt with by Tomaz, him too falling to the sticky muddy rain soaked ground. She trudged her way through the muck, blood seeping through her fingers, leaving a red droplet trail in her wake.

Tomaz saw her approaching and looked down, seeing the trail she was leaving and frowned at her in dismay. He dismounted his horse and raced toward her, his agile lithe body practically floating over the puddles. When he reached her he immediately removed her hand from where it rested on her side and examined the wound. Fortunately it was superficial and not too deep. He was joined by Sol who had moved all the bodies from where they were strewn, into the lake. The only signs of a struggle was the reddish-brown stream that was winding its way down the road.

“Is she hurt badly?” Sol asked when he reached their side.

“No. She will need some mending for the open wound, but the worst is the broken ribs. That broadsword hit her hard. She will feel stiff and sore for awhile. The ride on horseback will hurt, but once we reach the keep and she has had time to rest, she will feel better in a few days.”

“Let’s hope His Majesty won’t be too upset at our lack of protection. Remember how mad he was when she came back from town with a bruised face and swollen lip.”

“That wasn’t your fault, Sol. I take full responsibility for that mistake. If not for you two, it could’ve been a lot worse,” she said panting from the pain in her side every time she breathed. “Today was no different.”

“I don’t know. I think you handled yourself pretty good on your own.”

“Thank you, but I’m grateful just the same.”

She was weak and felt the rib already pounding protest inside her, causing her to breathe shallowly. They rounded up the horses, and Tomaz got some medical supplies from his saddle bag. Sol put up a shelter over them so that Tomaz could tend to her wound without the rain washing away all the medicine and getting the homemade bandages all wet. Once he had the bleeding stopped, the wound cleaned and bandaged, they settled down under the shelter with an invisibility spell over it for the rest of the day and night. Sol started a fire, and they ate the cold rations they had left. There were not many edible plants around the shore of the lake to make any kind of stew, so they settled back with what they had and got some rest. Melenthia fell asleep soon after dinner, and Sol and Tomaz took turns keeping watch. He wondered if they were going to have trouble from the guards that had hidden themselves below the ridge and made sure to stay alert and awake all night. When morning came, he still had not seen hide nor hair of the other guards and decided that they had disappeared when the frontal assault came. He figured they assumed their counterparts would take care of the party and ensnare Melenthia in their clutches for Fallon. They left the scene before they were discovered, not knowing the outcome. Let them be surprised, Tomaz mused, then they will have to face the wrath of Fallon when they returned assuring him things were done. When the other party never arrived, Fallon would be angry they didn’t make sure the job was finished and punish them. The three of them would be to Drydon Keep before Fallon could send out another party to catch them.

After a day and a half the rain started to subside somewhat. They had not stopped for more than a couple of hours, wanting to reach Eston in haste. When they were close, Tomaz slowed for her to catch up. Her head was bowed so the rain couldn’t get in her eyes, and he touched her shoulder.

“Look, my lady. Home is near.”

She looked up and noticed they were just coming over the rise and could see the distant twinkling lights from the city below. Eston was just a few leagues away, and her anxiousness turned to relief. Her heart started to beat faster, and she found herself smiling. For better or worse she and Dain would be reunited. She found herself suddenly urging her mount on, picking up her pace to make it home before the end of the day. There was no light, the sun was shrouded by the dark rain laden clouds, but instinct told her they had about three hours before dusk. Just in time for a warm bath and a hot meal. The warmth of Dain’s bed and his arms around her made her heart race more, and she felt a longing stronger than she had felt the entire time they were apart. She was home.