Thornton
At the bottom of the Wheel of Ellenos, a dozen men on horseback waited. Thornton recognized one from the Battle for the Tree, but the rest were strangers. Regardless, they would be traveling together, so he walked up to the one he knew and reintroduced himself.
“Thornton Woods,” he said as he extended his hand.
“I remember,” the brown-on-brown-eyed Athrani said with a laugh. “Thuma, son of Úlin, second-in-command of the Athrani Legion.” He clasped Thornton’s hand with a firm grip and a smile. “I fought alongside your father.”
Thornton flinched at the words but caught himself. He knew Thuma had meant well.
“You did?”
Thuma nodded. He was big, not quite as big as Endar but still a large man with a blond beard and hair. Strapped to his back was a great sword that Thornton thought was big enough to make any potential ambushers think twice about waylaying the riders.
“Then,” Thornton answered, “it’s good to have you with us.”
Thuma grunted and looked out at the group of riders. “Endar tells me we’re to accompany you to Théas.”
“If you can take us that far,” Thornton said, “we would be in your debt.” He looked over the horses that Endar had picked out for them and smiled to himself when he saw Miera’s old brown mare, Matilda, among them. Counting the horses and then the riders, he said, “But it looks like we’re one horse shy.”
Thuma looked at Thornton and company, glanced at the horses and then back. “Hmm. How about we leave the traitor behind?” he suggested with a grin.
Before Thornton could come up with an answer, Alysana interjected.
“He rides with us,” she said from behind Thornton. “It will help me keep an eye on him.” Walking up to join the two men, she added, “And if it becomes a burden, we can purchase a mount in Théas.”
“Fine,” Thuma grunted. “But he rides with you.” Grabbing the reins, the bearded Athrani turned his horse around and pointed it south, motioning for the rest to follow.
Thornton walked over to a sturdy bay stallion that reminded him of Jericho, whispered a few calming words into its ear, and climbed into the saddle. Turning his head to find Yasha, he nodded at her.
She nodded back and started after the other riders.
Thornton watched her go, and felt the warmth fade from his face. He didn’t like having to keep a secret from her any longer than he had to, and was determined to take her aside when the opportunity arose; he just hoped that it would come soon. Surrounded by Ellenian soldiers and an Athrani traitor was hardly desirable, but he hoped he might be able to steal her away for a few moments at some point along the way.
Just as he was about to follow, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Kethras looking him in the eyes. Even on horseback, Thornton had to look up to meet the gaze of the towering son of Kienar.
“We must be cautious,” Kethras said in a voice just above a whisper. “Remember the Keeper’s words: There are those who would see them sleep forever.”
Thornton knew Kethras was right; he felt it in his guts. “Keep your eyes open,” he answered. “And I will, too.”
The Kienari nodded, flashed a smile, and patted one of his daggers. “My steel will sing if it must.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
Thornton looked around, as he again felt the presence of the woman that loomed like a shadow just beyond his grasp. In his heart he knew it was Miera trying to reach out to him, trying to tell him something, but at the moment he had no idea what he could do for her.
If she’s trying to communicate, she’s doing a terrible job.
He urged his mount onward behind Kethras, leaving Ellenos behind and setting out on the long road south to Théas.
***
They rode four abreast, with Thuma leading the way. Interspersed among their numbers were the other eleven men of the legion, who seemed to Thornton to be an excellent deterrent to any thieves who might catch a glimpse of them: they wore the purple and gold armor of the Athrani Legion, swords at their sides, and even their horses looked battle hardened. I couldn’t have picked a better escort if I’d tried, Thornton mused.
Up ahead, Alysana and Dailus on their sturdy palomino seemed to be managing despite the awkward riding situation. Thornton edged his mount ahead to catch up.
Dailus was seated backward behind Alysana, looking miserable, with his arms tied to his side and no way to brace himself against the bouncing of the horse’s trot. He was connected to Alysana by another rope, which the G’henni had wrapped around her chest. Thornton narrowed his eyes at the half-eye when he approached, hoping his misery was as deep as it looked.
“I’ll be honest,” Thornton said when he was even with them. “I didn’t think I was going to see you again after Annoch.”
Alysana turned her head and gave him a sly smile. “And I didn’t think a young blacksmith could cause so much trouble.”
Her deep olive eyes moved over Thornton like a wave, and he felt his cheeks flush a bit.
“It’s not like I meant to,” he riposted. “This hammer is more trouble than it’s worth.”
“I’m sure Aldryd would tell you it’s worth much more than that.”
She was right, of course. Whatever pains he’d suffered were nothing compared to what Miera was probably going through now at the hands of the Breaker, D’kane. All the more reason to get to Do’baradai, he thought grimly.
“I’m surprised Aldryd let you leave,” Thornton admitted.
“It wasn’t his choice,” she retorted. “I knew that Mordha would be busy dealing with the increased watch around Annoch, and they knew that I owed a great debt to the Athrani people. It was an easy decision for me to volunteer to serve under the guard. And an even easier one for them to assign me to him,” she said with a backward nod to Dailus.
Thornton was impressed. “It was really that important to you that you bring him to Ellenos?”
Alysana narrowed her eyes and looked at him. “No one does something like that to the people I care about without answering for it.”
“I wish you’d stop talking about me like I wasn’t here,” said an exasperated Dailus.
Alysana threw back her elbow and caught him on the side of the head. “You don’t have a part in this conversation, dead man,” she said, turning her head so she had him in sight. “Remember: the only reason you’re still breathing is because the High Keeper wills it.”
Thornton saw the fire in Alysana’s eyes and knew right then that she was perfect for the job she’d signed up for. He had a feeling she would see that Dailus paid his debt no matter the cost.
***
They were making good time by the end of the first day, and the twilit sky made for a pleasant backdrop as the Ellenians worked. When the sun had started to sink, Thuma had instructed his men to dismount and start making preparations for camp. They opened their saddlebags, pulling out supplies, with Thuma directing the rest of the riders in the effort. The big Athrani stood with his arms crossed as he watched his men, keeping his eyes on the surrounding area as well.
Alysana, who had wanted to get to their destination in a hurry, had seemed a little annoyed at the announcement. Thornton, on the other hand, had seen it as the perfect chance to have a talk with Yasha. All he needed was a moment alone to tell her the truth.
He saw the gray-robed Khyth standing off to the side, watching as the others did their work. Now is as good a time as any, he thought.
“Yasha,” he said as he approached. “Can I talk to you?”
She turned her head and smiled at Thornton with her swirling green eyes. “Of course,” she replied. “What’s on your mind?”
“Not here,” he answered. “Let’s walk.”
Thornton took her by the arm and helped her away from the camp as the commotion from the others filled the otherwise quiet evening air. The countryside in this part of Derenar was mostly plains, which did not allow for much privacy. Making sure to keep the rest of the party in his sights, Thornton found a quiet spot far enough away where he was sure they could talk in confidence. He looked at Yasha, whose gray hood hung below her orange-red hair, and took a breath.
“Ynara told me something about you that you should know.”
Yasha looked worried. “What is it?” she asked.
“It’s about your father,” he said. “She told me who he is.”
Yasha’s eyes grew wide with surprise. She blinked a few times, but said nothing.
Thornton went on, shakily. “And . . .” He searched for the words. “And I know him. I know your father.” He felt a twinge of emotion start to bubble up inside him as he reached out for her, hesitant at first, then with more assurance as his breath found words. “I know him and I love him. Your father is Olson Woods, blacksmith of Highglade.”
Yasha put a hand to her mouth, holding back a barely audible whimper. “Olson,” she breathed. “So that makes you my . . . ,” she said through her hand, “my . . .”
“Your brother,” Thornton finished her thought, nodding.
Yasha covered her forehead with the palm of her hand, bracing herself as the concept soaked in. Thornton put out his hand to steady her, but she waved it off. “Just . . . Just give me a moment,” she said.
She closed her eyes tightly and pressed the heels of her palms into them. Thornton was silent as she took it in, remembering how hard it had been when she told him that he was Khyth.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” he said after a while, “but I knew I had to wait for the right time. This isn’t something you can just throw at someone.”
Yasha made no indication that she heard him. Thinking she just needed time, Thornton turned to go back to the camp.
“Tell me,” Yasha said quietly. “Tell me about who he was.”
Thornton paused. Was. The word stung. It still hadn’t really set in. His father was gone, and he had never even gotten the chance to say goodbye—to really say goodbye. They had last parted ways in Annoch, before the Athrani Legion had made their march for the Tree, but that was supposed to have been until they saw each other again. Neither of them had had any way of knowing it would be so . . . so permanent.
His father had always been standoffish, but despite that, Thornton knew he had cared. He thought that if Olson had known about Yasha, he would have cared for her too.
And he knew he should say that to Yasha.
“There was a lot to him,” he finally said. “He grew up around the forge, and spent his whole life learning how to be a great blacksmith. But he was more than just that; he was a good father. He looked out for me, and for Miera, and always had our best interests at heart. Everything he did, he did for us. It was never about him.” He paused. “And I’m sure that he would have felt the same way about you.”
Thornton could see Yasha’s smile in the darkness.
“From the little time I spent around him,” she said, “he seemed just the way you describe him.”
But before Thornton could answer, Dailus’s voice rang out.
“Stop!” the half-eye shouted from off in the distance. “You can’t!”
Thornton spun around to look back at the camp, where the shout had come from.
“Watch me,” growled Thuma. The big Athrani raised his sword, and swung.