Chapter Nine (Pt.2)
The last three days of the royal visit took on a more subdued tone. Neither side held the other responsible, offering mutual support instead. Nadeen’s husband had disappeared on a hunting trip with his retinue while she remained hidden away. Conor had been placed under the watchful, yet self-conscious, eye of his comrades, away from the Kurabarans.
Now, with Kurabar growing smaller in the distance, Leah, like her comrades, rode quietly, immersed in her own thoughts. Once again, she was filled with regret at insisting that Conor be allowed on the progress, for it had only resulted in the good name of Orenheart warriors being tarnished. Yet that regret was tempered with self-loathing because she couldn’t... she wouldn’t help him. And what help could she have offered Nadeen, without revealing her dread secret? She couldn’t begin to imagine what it felt like, trapped in a marriage to one you didn’t love, still haunted by lost love.
Leah realised that, yet again, she was watching her parents closely. Ever since her battle with Shalyer, when he’d revealed that his mother, Ana, had had an affair with Edmon, Leah had observed her parents, searching for any sign of tension between them. But her battle with the half-immortal had, if anything, drawn them closer together. It was clear for anyone to see, the love between Edmon and Maeve. And witnessing her parents’ love only brought into sharp relief the knowledge that she would never know such love so long as she carried Belosh’s ‘gift’.
* * * *
On the night of the sixth day since leaving Arcspan, the progress approached the chosen settlement, Holl. Despite its small stature, it was still decked out to welcome the royal visitors.
This time, Leah did not join her family, staying with the warriors instead, helping them set up camp against the inner side of the wall. She would be sleeping with her comrades because Edmon had reluctantly agreed to Evalan spending the night with the warriors on the strict condition that he stayed close to Leah.
The warriors had barely finished their meal when Evalan came hurrying towards Leah.
“Finished eating already?”
The young prince nodded. “No one seemed that interested in talking... or eating, now that I think of it. I think only Father and the elder spent any time talking. They must have had a tiring day; everyone seemed to want to go to bed early.”
Leah wondered if anything was amiss for the excitement of having the royal family as their guests always sent the chosen settlement into paroxysms of lively excitement.
Bouncing on his toes, Evalan interrupted her musings. “This is so exciting.”
She smiled. “Settle down, you. I’ve still got a few things to see to before I’m ready to turn in. But you can have some practice readying your sleeping area.”
“Alright.”
Chuckling at his keenness, Leah moved to join the other commanders as they re-checked the watch for the night.
When she returned to Evalan’s side, he was still the picture of excitement.
“I still can’t believe Father let me do this. I’m so excited I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”
“In that case, you can go back to Mother. I’d like some sleep if you don’t mind.”
He didn’t seem to hear her as he craned his neck to survey the camp. “Is everyone else turning in now?”
“More or less.”
“Oh...”
She eyed him. “You sound disappointed.”
“I thought maybe you stayed up talking...”
“You’ll find when you’re out on patrol or riding with the progress, sleep is a luxury you make the most of. Now, will you settle down, please?”
“Alright, alright.” He proceeded to make a great production of getting comfortable.
The gathering darkness hid her smile. “Goodnight, Curly-top.”
* * * *
Leah came awake only to find herself being dragged to a seated position with a blade held against her throat.
“No one moves or I slice her open.”
Small, flaming brands gave enough light for her to make out some of her comrades hesitantly lowering drawn swords.
Brigands, she thought, realising they were surrounded.
“Bind him,” ordered the one who held her.
Only then did she see a struggling Evalan, already gagged. “No–” The sword tip bit into her flesh, cutting short her words. He pulled her to her feet, using her as a shield.
The surreal silence was broken by the sound of people hurrying towards them, bearing torches. The brigands hesitated, clearly confused.
Now that their attention was off her, Leah worked the energy-streams between her and her captor, giving herself added strength to disarm him. But the blade still managed to bite into her; she felt warm blood trickle down her neck.
Angry settlement folk were almost upon them, waving pitchforks and clubs, yelling at the brigands. Warriors scrabbled for their swords. The brigand who had hold of Evalan slung him over the wall and began to haul himself up.
Leah sprinted after him.
From out of nowhere, Conor appeared and grabbed the man’s foot, pulling him back down again. He managed to land a punch before the brigand pulled out a short sword and lunged at him. Conor cried out as the blade sliced his upper arm.
Leah was almost at the wall when the desperate man turned on her, his sword narrowly missing her. She stumbled back and was about to use magic against him when Harlan came between them.
“Go! Get Evalan.”
At that moment, Conor tackled the brigand from behind. The man lurched forward. Leah was vaguely aware of Harlan’s cry then she was over the wall, crawling towards her terrified brother.