Chapter 30

 

 

When Thaimis woke me, the sun hadn’t yet risen. The sky was beginning to turn a lighter shade of blue though. My head still pounded, and I felt like I’d died and been sent to Mnyama, but I couldn’t let that stop me.

I quietly crept down the ladder from the hayloft. The snores of soldiers filled the stable. I was careful not to step on any bodies as I crept out of the stable and to the wagons.

Inside one of the wagons, I found three barrels. I slipped the top off one. It was filled with water just as I’d predicted.

I placed my palms over the water and felt my power stir. The water inside the barrel began to swirl. When I was satisfied, I pulled my hands back and placed the lid back over the barrel and moved on to the next one. I repeated this process for each of the other the barrels. When I was finished, I smiled to myself. If I could get the soldiers’ control back to themselves, I could defeat King Zaeden. He was nothing without his army.

I found a piece of rope on my way back up to the hayloft. When I reached Thaimis, I held it up to him. “Tie me up.”

I could just make him out in the darkness as he accepted the rope from me. I placed my wrists together and he tied them with the rope. He held the remainder of the rope in his hand as he lay back down, and we pretended to sleep.

The sun was high in the sky by the time we were ready to leave Vedram. It had taken a while to gather all the soldiers and saddle the horses. A number of soldiers had found rest in smaller households.

King Zaeden was still disguised as a regular soldier. He sat upon his horse with a sneer pasted on his face, and I knew we had a rough day ahead of us.

Baron Kennard and some of the people of Vedram came outside to see us off. They all wore grim expressions as they stood clung together. I knew the army had taken more from them than they could offer. They were probably wondering how they’d be able to store enough food for the winter now. I wished I’d had an answer for them, but I already had enough responsibilities. Thank Celestia King Zaeden wanted to seem unthreatening. Otherwise, he would have ordered the death of the whole village. Perhaps Terra could offer them aid… if I were able to save it.

Thaimis did his part to make it look like I was still his prisoner, and I did mine. Neither of us spoke a word to each other as we clip-clopped away from the village and back on route toward Terra.

We rode long into the night. The moon was now a sliver of silver light. Soon, Noctis De Celestia would be upon us.

To make matters worse, King Zaeden spent most of his time riding beside me and Thaimis. I could tell it was wearing on Thaimis’ nerves. His body was stiff behind me, and he rode his horse hard, as though he were trying to get ahead of the king. A few times, he tried to slow his horse’s pace to fall behind the king, but King Zaeden had snapped at him. “Keep up! You’re falling behind.”

I was sure he suspected something was amiss. I played with the idea of escaping as soon as we had the chance. I knew it would be risky to travel alone with Thaimis while he had a dark spirit inside him, but surely it couldn’t be more dangerous than travelling with King Zaeden and his army. I’d just have to keep feeding him my water until we figured out how to banish the spirit for good.

Eventually, we did stop to make camp, but it wasn’t until the morning that I’d had the chance to find out if my water had worked.

I heard one of the other men yell from inside one of the wagons. “Poison! Our water’s been poisoned!”

The soldiers rushed to gather around the wagon to see what their comrade was yelling about.

Thaimis gave me a questioning look and mouthed, “You?”

I gave him a slight nod.

We crept up behind the group. The man inside the wagon pointed at the barrel of water, his eyes glowing brightly in the shadows. His face was contorted and he was grabbing at his throat.

King Zaeden pulled himself up into the wagon, now back in his crown and fancy blue robes. “What is the meaning of this?”

“The water’s tainted,” the soldier told his king franticly in between coughs.

King Zaeden let out a roar and kicked the barrel over. He went to the other barrels to topple them over too, but I didn’t stay to watch.

I slunk away, pulling Thaimis with me. “We’ve got to get out of here.”

Others noticed us leaving and started to shout. Thaimis grabbed his sword and we found a horse, put a bridle on it and rode away without even worrying about a saddle.

It wasn’t long before the sounds of pursuit chased us. We’d had a head start and galloped into the bushes and out of view. I had no idea which direction we were headed in. I didn’t care, so long as we got away alive.

I lay flat against the dark horses neck to avoid being knocked off by branches. My arms and legs burned with scratches regardless. When we could no longer hear the sounds of horses and soldiers, we slowed but still kept at a steady pace.

“Do you think they’re still searching for us?” I asked when we in leafy green bushes. A bird pecked at a few orange berries dotting one of the bushes, paying us no attention.

“I doubt it. The king’s in a hurry to get to Terra. He’ll be trying to get there even quicker now that he knows we’re against him. Hopefully we can beat him there.”

I looked around at our surroundings. There was no path, no sign whatsoever of human life. All I saw were bushes, an endless amount of thick bushes. The sun beat down on my back from high in the cloudless sky. Insects buzzed happily, undisturbed by our presence. “Do you know where we are?”

He bit his bottom lip. “No, but I know how to navigate by the stars.”

“So we can only travel by night, wonderful,” I said with sarcasm.

Thaimis dismounted. “We’ll sleep during the day. We should be able to reach Terra before the others if we travel from dusk until dawn.”

I got off the tall horse too and let her munch on a patch of grass. “I guess we best get to sleep then. Too bad we don’t have any blankets… or—anything. I thought for sure my plan would work.” I bent down and put my head in my arms.

“How did you do it?” Thaimis asked, looking down at me.

I stood up. Telling him was risky, but I didn’t care anymore. Not now that we were alone. “Celestia has gifted me with power.”

“Truly?” The look he gave me was incredulous.

I slipped the loosely tied rope off my wrists and went to hobble our horse with it. “Yes.”

“That’s—remarkable. How long have you known?”

“Since I was a child.”

Both his brows shot up. “And you never thought to tell me?” There was annoyance in his voice, but in his eyes… I saw pride shining in that sea-blue gaze.

I finished tying the rope around the horse’s leg and stood up, rubbing my palms together. “Only Percifal and my mother knew.” I decided not to tell him about Sreda, may her soul rest with Celestia. “It wasn’t something I felt comfortable telling others.”

He pursed his lips in a playful pout. “I thought we were closer than that. You should’ve trusted me.”

I rolled my eyes, tossing my hair over my shoulder. “I would have told you eventually… if you hadn’t sent me away to marry another man.”

“I wasn’t the one who sent you to Cansbroke. That was your mother.” He gave one of his stupid lop-sided grins I’d missed so much.

Laughing, I smacked his arm. “She was trying to do what was best for me.”

“So was I.” He sighed. “We should try to get some rest. We’ll need to be off once the sun goes down,” Thaimis said, all humour gone.

“Indeed,” I agreed. “Just one moment.” I cupped my hands together and placed them to the ground.

A moment later, cool water seeped up from the ground and into my hands. I took a large sip, making a slurping sound with my mouth and then offered the water to Thaimis.

He raised a brow before taking his own sip of the water.

He let out a gasp upon swallowing and doubled over.

“Ah, that burns!” He held his arm over his stomach.

I placed my hand on his back, a line creasing between my brows. “Are you alright?”

He took a few slow, deep breaths before straightening. “Phew! Yeah. The spirit does not like your magic water.”

I put my hands on my hips. “Well, it can leave anytime it likes.”

“I wish it would.” He looked away, dismissing the thought.

I was disappointed in myself for not having any idea how to help him. I was sure Sreda would have been able to exercise dark spirits, but she hadn’t shared those skills with me, and now she was dead. King Zaeden had some of Vesirus’ dark power in him. Perhaps if we killed him, the spirits would leave the soldiers he’d put them in. That was our best bet. A dead King Zaeden would end all our problems, and I really hoped I’d be the one to snuff him out of existence.

We managed to find a place in the shade to sleep. I curled up beside Thaimis and let the sound of his breathing lull me to slumber.

We woke when the first stars had just begun to wink into existence.

I groaned, reaching forward to scratch my leg. A few bugs had decided to feast on our blood while we were unconscious; another joy of sleeping outdoors.

It felt like a gaping hole had eaten its way through my stomach.

I whined, “I’m famished.”

Thaimis helped me up off the ground. “You’ll have to wait ’til almost dawn. I can try to hunt for something to eat before we settle down again.”

I sighed in response.

It was easy to get going because we didn’t have any supplies to pack… unfortunately. All we had to do was bridle and un-hobble our horse and we were off.

Thaimis had us stop throughout the night so he could study the stars. I was thankful soldiers had to learn how to read the map of the night sky. Without him, I’d be utterly lost.

To my disappointment, the only food Thaimis had been able to get us was squirrel. I chomped repeatedly on the chewy meat I’d roasted over a poor excuse of a fire. I swallowed the meat and commented, “It doesn’t taste bad.” I didn’t bother telling him it didn’t taste that good either.

Thaimis smiled. “Taste isn’t important when it comes to living or dying, but I agree. It could be worse, and this isn’t the first time I’ve tasted squirrel.”

I made a sad face at him. “Poor squirrels!”

“It’s either them or us.”

The sun had just began to peek over the hilltop when I fell asleep with my head propped up on Thaimis’ shoulder.

The land changed each night we rode. Bushes turned into tall trees with large drooping green leaves and the dry dirt turned moist and mossy. We came across types of plants and flowers I’d never seen before. Insects and animals sang throughout the night, making me shiver. I’d only heard stories of the kingdom of earth, but I knew we were nearing Terra.

It was said that the first earth elemental had caused the landscape around its kingdom to grow lush and thick with plant life. It made a perfect habitat for all sorts of creatures. I hoped we didn’t run into any of those creatures on our journey.

The sun was blocked out by giant trees most of the time, which made it easier for us to sleep. The air had a damp, earthy smell. I breathed it in deeply… reveling in its freshness. I watched each night as the moon grew rounder. Noctis De Celestia would soon be upon us. We had to make haste if we wanted to get to Terra in time. The route we took through the bushes had cost us time. Thaimis worried King Zaeden would beat us to the kingdom of earth. He assured me the king wouldn’t attack Terra until the night of Noctis. His plan was to remain hidden until the sacred night. Vesirus wanted this war to begin on the night we celebrated his sister, apparently.

One night, I woke to Thaimis violently twitching. I rolled over and reached for him… still half asleep.

“Thaimis, you woke me. Thaimis?” I squinted, trying to make out his face in the dark.

He stopped twitching, and slowly, got to his feet. When he looked at me, I saw the faint glow in his eyes. His usually beautiful features were twisted and shadowed. “What have you done?” he asked as he worked his jaw.

I squeaked and leaped out of the way as he tried to grab ahold of me.

He came at me again, and I knocked his hand away. “Thaimis, I know you’re in there! You can fight this!”

He closed his eyes and then leaned his head back and cracked his neck. “Shut up!”

I’d angered the spirit. I had to resolve this quickly. He’d surely kill me with the spirit in control.

He bent to grab me around the waist, but I hit him in the stomach with my knee. Ha! Percifal’s training had paid off.

It didn’t take Thaimis long to recover. This time, he lunged at me. I dove out of the way and scrambled toward a big, red, spikey plant growing at the base of a tree.

Thaimis stalked toward me. The moonlight cast his dark shadow over me like a blanket of darkness.

I grabbed one of the plant’s spikes and put it to my lips and sucked. A burst of water entered my mouth. I let go of the plant, holding the water inside of my cheeks, and turned just as Thaimis was about to scoop me up. I spit the water into his eyes.

“Arrrggghh!” he yelled, putting his fists over his eyes and twisting away.

He breathed heavily, crouched on the ground with his back facing me.

“Thaimis?” I asked nervously.

I stood up and went to him when he didn’t answer. I placed a shaky hand on his back. “Thaimis, are you alright?”

“Argh! You and this spirit will be the death of me,” he said standing up, still rubbing his eyes.

“I’m sorry, but—”

“No, don’t apologize.” He put his hands on my shoulders to steady me—or maybe to steady himself. “I almost hurt you… I would have killed you if you didn’t stop me.”

“It wasn’t you,” I stated firmly.

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. If it comes down to it, you have to kill me.”

“I can’t—”

“Promise me!”

I crossed my arms and gave him a hard stare. I couldn’t do what he was asking. It was too much. “No.”

He groaned and raked a hand through his dark hair. “If it’s me or you, it has to be me.”

I threw my hands up in the air. “Fine! But it won’t come down to it. I’ll kill King Zaeden and you’ll be free.” I had to believe that.

“I hope you’re right.” He hung his head down.

I’d never seen him look so defeated. It pained me to see him like this. He’d always been so sure of himself… so arrogant. This damned spirit was making him weak. I swore to Celestia I’d make it pay.

Both of our moods were somber after the promise I’d made. We pushed ourselves to our limits in order to get to Terra before Noctis.

“Should we find food before we continue on?” Thaimis asked one night when we’d stopped to let our horse, which I’d named Gem because she was so precious, rest and drink from a small creek.

“What do you think?” I snapped.

He clamped his mouth shut. I knew my response was unnecessary, but I was so tired, and so frustrated.

I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m hungry and tired and sore, but I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

“It’s alright. I feel the same way. Stay with Gem. I’ll see if I can find us something.”

He didn’t wait for me to answer.

“One day all of this will be over,” I said to Gem, stroking her neck. “And you can have all the grass in the world.”

She tossed her head in reply, and I chuckled. “You’re tired too, hey?”

“Talking to horses now, are we?” Thaimis smirked, holding a round, dark purple fruit in each hand.

“She likes it.” I took the fruit from him and inspected it.

It seemed edible. If I died because it was poisonous, at least I’d die quicker than from starvation.

I bit into the fruit and moaned with pleasure when its sweet juices entered my mouth and ran down my lips.

Thaimis snickered. “I’ve never seen someone eat so seductively.”

“Just taste it,” I said through a mouthful of the delicious fruit.

He did, and he moaned.

“Told you.”

“I’m glad food put you in a better mood.”

I smacked him playfully across the chest.

He caught my arm, all humour left his face. His eyes gleamed with a different type of hunger.

I blinked slowly as he ran his fingers through my hair. “You know I love you, don’t you?” he asked softly.

“I love you too.” And I realized I had for a long time.

He leaned in, devouring my mouth like he had just done with the fruit. I responded by reaching under his chainmail to lift it up over his head. He’d ditched the surcoat with the V on it as soon as we’d left King Zaeden and his army.

He helped me get off his chainmail and gambeson and went to work on my own garments until we were skin upon skin. It felt good to get lost in each other again… to let the rest of the world slip away. Tension had built up between us ever since I’d found him, and I swear the whole forest heard us when we released it.

I hadn’t wanted to lie with him while the dark spirit still lingered inside of him, but I knew if I didn’t then, there was a chance I never would again. Celestia only knew what the future held.

Thaimis grinned like a scoundrel as he donned his chainmail afterwards. “That was unexpected.”

I lifted one shoulder. “We needed it.”

“Hopefully Terra doesn’t pay the price for our love-making.”

“We’ll ride extra hard tonight.”

Thaimis was about to comment on that, but I cut him off. “Don’t even think about answering that.”

But then he added, “We already did.”