Willing sacrifice, p.19
Willing Sacrifice, page 19
She was halfway to the thick drapes to throw them and the windows open when she remembered the sergeant’s request not to expose herself unnecessarily. So, taking only the barest of peeks out into the daylight, she barred her door and bathed again before putting on her clean clothes and eating.
She found the almost total silence disquieting. It was amazing the amount of sound she’d been exposed to of late—insects, animals, people. The sounds of children running and laughing, of their mothers and fathers going to work in the fields. Aya never standing still; the rest of the troupe practicing, mending and cooking. She’d not been able to say goodbye to the sprite. She had no idea if they’d been released or not. Or how the rest of the village fared after that awful night. If she wanted to avoid implicating them in what had happened to her, she couldn’t ask Kern for information and risk making him suspicious. But maybe there was another way…
Latching onto the idea, she rushed through the rest of her meal then brought her satchel up onto the table. Concentrating specifically on Aya and her memories of the energetic child, she took out a piece of paper and picked up her charcoal.
Her hand moved on the paper, dark vertical lines appearing across the page. Blurred trees filled the image, giving her the impression of movement. As the picture grew more detailed on her page and mind, she realized the only one of the troupe with Aya was Tersa. Where were the others? She frowned as she realized they were dirty, that their faces looked tired. Some of their clothes were torn.
Rather than easing her spirit, what she saw made her more concerned. Something did happen, but what? Why were they not with the others? Surely, they’d been released once she was found.
Yet Dal had sounded unsure. He’d not been so optimistic about their fate. Maybe he would know what this meant, maybe he could explain it to her. She just didn’t have enough experience to guess at what might be going on.
But though he might be only a few rooms away, Dal was as inaccessible to her as the rest of the troupe. She might be granted permission to see him, but she doubted they’d be allowed to be alone. Still, just seeing him, being with him for a few moments, might ease the growing trepidation in her heart.
Taking one long last look at the picture, La’tiera put everything away and went to the door. She took a couple of deep breaths and opened it.
“Excuse me, would it be all right for me to visit my rescuer for a short while?”
The guard scratched at the stubble growing on his face. “I’ll need to ask the sergeant, miss. I have no orders regarding that.”
“I would appreciate it if you would ask him for me, please.”
“As you wish, miss.” The guard waited till she stepped back inside then closed the door.
La’tiera stared at it, wondering how long it would be before she got an answer. She thought about drawing more pictures to try and find the others, but hesitated, not sure she would like what she learned. Instead, she began to pace, willing time to move, yearning to see Dal, yearning to open the window, yearning to go outside, yearning to, basically, do all that was forbidden to her.
When a knock finally came, she almost ran to answer it. Feeling suddenly nervous, she opened the door, using it as a shield, as the sergeant stepped inside.
“I’ve been informed that you wish to see your companion, my lady?”
“Yes, please. That won’t be a problem, will it?”
The sergeant hesitated a moment. “I suppose there would be no harm in it. I’ll escort you there now, if you’re ready.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kern led the way to a door halfway down the hall. He knocked, then opened it and spoke for a few moments to the guard La’tiera knew was inside. He stepped aside so she had room to enter.
“I’ll come back in a short while and escort you to your room, my lady.” He gave her his half-bow and motioned for her to go on in.
With some trepidation, she entered the room, though she already knew what she would find. The lone guard leaned against one bare wall, only three quick steps separating him from its other end.
Dal sat on the cot, his hands and feet tied. It looked like someone had taken the time to wipe his face clean, but his clothes were still a mess. He sat up in surprise when he saw her.
“La’tiera.”
She gave him a small smile, amused at his expression. “How are you feeling?”
She could sense the guard’s scrutiny behind her but tried for the moment to pretend they were alone. It was a strange feeling. The smells of sweat and bodies in the room were strong, the air stale and close—nothing like her quarters.
“Better. And yourself?”
There was a neutrality to his tone she’d not heard before. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was still angry at her or because they weren’t alone.
“Much better. Thank you for asking.”
She gingerly sat down on the far edge of the cot. She looked at him from the corner of her eye, not sure what she should say next. Between the silence and the guard’s attentive stare the atmosphere became more strained.
“The sergeant told me we should be on our way later today.”
He nodded, not looking at her. “I see. You should be very happy, then.”
La’tiera frowned but held her tongue, sure anything they spoke about would be reported to the sergeant and, more important, her uncle.
“Are you being treated all right? Have they given you enough to eat?”
Dal nodded, but said nothing.
She sighed softly, not finding the comfort in his presence she had hoped for. Would it hurt him all that much to trust her? She said nothing else, and the minutes ticked by. She hoped he would say something, anything, but he remained silent.
A knock told her the sergeant had returned. As the guard moved to open the door, she stood up slowly.
“La’tiera.”
She turned around, surprised he would try to speak with her now.
“You’re still wrong. You’ve got to try to see the truth.”
His face was filled with a resigned despair, and she had no idea what to make of it.
“My lady, you should return now.”
Nodding, she followed Kern out of the room.
CHAPTER 28
Dal stared at the door as it closed behind her, vainly hoping he somehow had said enough. He was doomed and he knew it, but he still needed to get her to see the truth before it was too late for herself and everyone else. If only he’d been able to get her to one of the relics.
He closed his eyes, another bout of dizziness sweeping over him. The awful concoction the innkeeper’s wife gave him was helping, but…
He slumped against the wall, waiting for it to pass. He knew the guard’s eyes were on him, as if he were any threat to anyone like this.
It was his own fault—he should have never turned his back on her. Yet, what else could he have done? If only she hadn’t hit him so hard. A half-smile tugged at his lips as he wondered if she’d done it because she thought him as thick-headed as she was.
His amusement didn’t last long. It was that very stubbornness that was going to get them all killed.
Bump on the head, dizzy or not, if he saw an opportunity to escape he would take it. A quick death would be better than what the viscount would have in store for him. Besides, the Gods willing, there was always a chance he might make it, at least long enough to inform others of the Order what was going on. They could inform the emperor, retrieve La’tiera in time—something. It was their only chance.
He opened one eye and glanced at his guard, who gave him a glare for his trouble.
All he needed was an opportunity.
CHAPTER 29
Night had fallen by the time Kern came to tell her it was time to go.
“My lady, if you would wear this, it will help keep you from prying eyes.”
He placed a light cloak over her shoulders. Not seeing any reason not to do as he asked, she pulled the cowl over her head. He opened the door for her and waited while she stepped out into the hall.
The moment she was outside, she was immediately surrounded by men. It startled her a little until she noticed they wore her uncle’s livery. It didn’t distract her for long, however, her thoughts quickly returning to what had been troubling her all day.
Try to see the truth. Was he implying she needed to use the Eye somehow? But there was no truth for her to see. He was wrong, and her uncle was right. It would make no sense for it to be otherwise.
Yet, the look on his face, as if he’d thought it was his last chance, as if he might never see her again…
Of course, that was true—he wouldn’t probably see her again. Yet, there was more to it than that.
She realized as they moved down the steps that he truly believed he would be hurt, that her uncle would try to force information from him. She would intercede on his behalf. Dal had absolutely nothing to fear. Yet, he was so sure…
Her escort led her to the inn’s front door. Parked outside was a large carriage. Kern moved forward to help her climb into it.
“Sergeant, what do you think of the viscount?”
He watched as she took her seat, a slightly surprised expression flickering across his face.
“He can be strict, but he’s fair, my lady. He is well respected by his men. He is not beyond getting his hands dirty when the job calls for it. My father was proud to go on campaign with him. He’s a good leader and cares for his people.”
She smiled, relieved at his words though she shouldn’t have been surprised by them. “Thank you, sergeant.”
He bowed to her. “I apologize for any discomfort you might suffer. We will be riding hard all night and will only be stopping to change horses.”
Her heart lightened more. “And my rescuer?”
“He will travel in the cart and will arrive a number of hours later.”
“Couldn’t he just ride with me?”
“I’m sorry, my lady, but that would be improper.”
Kern closed the door to the carriage. She heard men clambering on the outside of the coach and the soft jingle of horses being secured to a harness, and could see hints of lamps through the heavy curtains. Making herself more comfortable on the padded seat, she felt the carriage lunge forward as they got underway. She was going home!
* * * *
The carriage stopped six times during the night. La’tiera dozed between stops and was grateful for the chance to stretch her legs once the sergeant ascertained it was safe for her to do so.
Twice she used her new, strange talent before they got going again to draw a picture and check on Dal. Still trussed up and guarded, he was stuffed into the back of the cart they had first used. She wondered if he was still trying to think up ways to escape. She hoped he wouldn’t, determined to show him all his worries were for naught.
At every stop, she stared upwards at the sky, the Herald now very close, his tail almost completely full of fire.
Her excitement grew as the dawn finally arrived. It would only be a matter of time now.
Unlike when she was taken from the city, she got a chance to peek out at it on the way back. In the growing light, she saw narrow streets, shopkeepers sweeping the steps of their storefronts preparing for the day’s business, the place coming to life. She’d thought before the village had been lively. Now, she saw the activity there was nothing compared to what went on outside the viscount’s walls. The people were more varied—in color, in face, style of dress. Scents snuck inside of baking bread, roasting meats, strange chemicals and more, all exotic to her.
Just as in the village, banners and streamers decorated buildings and balconies. Everywhere she looked there were signs pertaining to the Four Gods, to the Eye.
A few passersby stared at the carriage, most then hurrying to get out of its way.
With mixed emotions, she caught a glimpse of the protective wall enclosing her home. As the carriage and her escort approached the thick gates, she couldn’t help but think that once she went through them everything she had just seen would be forever denied her. She tried hard to tell herself it was for the best, but had a hard time believing it as she crossed the threshold.
As the carriage slowed before the house, La’tiera remembered to check her hood to make sure it was still in place. When Kern opened the door for her and helped her down, she spotted her uncle waiting at the top of the stairs, Mela standing beside him. A smile raced across her face as she saw them.
“Uncle!” She ran up the stairs two at a time. She almost knocked him off his feet as she raced into his open arms.
“My child…”
La’tiera glanced up into his face, tears gathering in her eyes as Mela opened the door and they all went inside.
“I despaired of finding you again in time.” His voice was filled with emotion, prominent bags under his eyes. “But now you’ve been returned to us and everything will be all right again.”
She hugged him fiercely, worried that he looked so haggard and too happy at seeing him again for words.
Tih’ouren pushed her away gently, so he could take a look at her.
“You’re still ready to do what must be done?”
She wiped away her tears. “Yes, yes, of course, I am. As always.”
He reached within one of the folds of his robe and brought out the familiar heavy medallion.
“Here—so you will have protection again.”
La’tiera blinked. A strange orange glow surrounded her uncle’s head as he said the last. It disappeared, however, as soon as he placed the necklace over her head. The old weight settled on her chest, rubbing against the raised Eye beneath her clothes. Unexpectedly, she found her joyous mood souring.
“You must be tired and hungry. Let Mela lead you back to your rooms where she can take care of that. Rest, eat and then we will talk. I must assure myself all is in readiness, and that you will be kept safe.”
“But, Uncle, I really need to—”
“Hush now, milady.” Mela placed herself between them. “There’ll be time for that later.” She leaned in close. “It is hurtful for him to see you as you are right now. We must make you presentable.” Her gaze was more disapproving than usual.
Not wanting to offend or hurt either of them more than they’d already been, La’tiera allowed herself to be led away.
CHAPTER 30
The hot bath, the oils, the perfumes and then the feeling of the soft material of her normal clothes on her skin felt luscious. Mela hovered over her the whole time, mumbling to herself, admonishing her to scrub harder, surveying every inch of her as if taking note of each scratch and bruise. Her keeper struggled to untangle small knots from her hair, her displeasure quite visible in what La’tiera could see of her expression in the mirror.
It felt comforting to be there, for things to be more as they had been, but her need to try to explain what had happened, to make sure she did what she could for Dal, clouded everything.
She wished she could sit down and draw so she could find out where he was, but when she tried her newfound power on Mela, trying to see her through the armoire doors as she picked a suitable dress, La’tiera discovered she couldn’t. She played with the medallion on her chest, wondering if it could somehow be responsible. Still, she hesitated to take it off, if only for a moment, not wanting to find out what Mela would make of the changes in the Eye—though she couldn’t quite rightly say why.
“Mela, when do you think he will come see me? I truly need to speak with him.”
The old woman’s sour face didn’t look pleased at the question. “He will come when he comes. You must be patient. He’s working very hard to keep you safe. The time is very near now. There must not be any more mistakes.”
For the first time, La’tiera realized Mela’s eyes were cold. They looked the same as they always had, but the eyes of those she’d met and seen so recently gave off so much more warmth. She shook her head, wondering why she was thinking such a thing. Mela had been with her forever.
“I understand that and I’m grateful, but there’s someone who’s being brought to see him who helped me. I want to make sure Uncle knows what he did.”
“The viscount will find out the truth and make his decisions without you. His business is nothing for you to be concerned with. Milady has but one thing she should be keeping in mind.”
She bit her lip, knowing Mela didn’t understand. She had promised Dal she would make sure he was all right.
“I also expect there will be some changes around here. Too much complacency is what allowed you to be taken from us. The viscount will ensure it does not happen again.”
La’tiera frowned, not liking the sound of what she was hearing. She didn’t have that long left in the world. She hoped she wouldn’t be restricted for what little time she had.
“Don’t look so glum,” Mela admonished. “Milady, carrying out your purpose is more important than anything else. Or would you rather have someone take you again?”
“No, of course not.” She was being selfish. All was being done for her benefit and the benefit of the world. It was just…
The day crawled by with agonizing slowness. La’tiera craved some time alone—to draw, to look for Dal—but Mela wouldn’t leave her side. A cold meal awaited her in the dining room, and she ate without relish, though the fare was very good. She tried to read, to do her needlepoint, but nothing held her interest. She stayed away from her art supplies, knowing if she tried to draw her usual things she would be too tempted to use them in other ways.
She would have gone outside and walked in the garden, yet her fear she would miss her uncle if she ventured from her rooms was too great. She finally started pacing, trying to release some of the nervousness building inside her, until a stern word from Mela made her stop.
The longer she sat and fiddled, the more she yearned to yank off her necklace and find out if her powers would return again. Then she might be able to somehow ditch Mela and find out where Dal was. His resigned look haunted her, and she just had to prove him wrong.
Mela lit the lamp then went back to her knitting. There was still no sign of the viscount.
