Chapter Twenty-Eight

 

Sleep eluded her. Telyn knew the day to come would be long without it.

Deirdre offered her one of the upstairs rooms near the King and Prince Keir, but her concern for Mithrais would not allow more than a fitful doze. She went outside instead. All around her, the campsites occupied by the royal guards and retainers were silent. Even Bessa drowsed beside her wagon.

But signs were clear Colm had alerted the outpost to something out of the ordinary. Wardens made more frequent patrols of the road, bows in hand, quiet shadows in the dark. A small fire crackled in front of the barracks, and she sat beside it. The stars turned through the broken canopy above the road. The sky paled with the approach of dawn as she watched the flames in silence.

“You’re taking the night’s watch now?” His voice surprised her even though on some deeper level she’d sensed he was near. “It isn’t required of officers, you know.”

Relief made her giddy, and she reached out. Mithrais pulled her up and used the momentum to carry her into his arms. They stood a long time without speaking aloud. Their joined hands rested between them, against their hearts, while the events during their separation flowed from one to the other.

A rogue sorcerer possessed by a spirit of the dark? How will we defend the King against both of them?

With strength of will and heart, the Gwaith’orn told me. He shared the conversation with the northern sprite, and his plan to help Eirion overcome and cast out the invading entity. Her song magic was at the heart of it. It seemed sound, but Telyn could not be certain her gifts would remain unaffected by the null.

You trust me more than I trust myself, as always.

Strength of will and heart. And courage. He kissed her. These things you have in abundance.

Behind the hope of Mithrais’ initial plan existed a second, more terrifying alternative. If they could not defeat it, Mithrais would have to eliminate the threat it posed. Neither wanted to entertain this potential turn of events, but it would be deadly not to prepare. They developed a second course of action built upon the sprite’s nebulous guidance. Their heartspeaking bond allowed them to mesh thought and magical theory for both plans over the span of minutes. Telyn swallowed against her fear. Mithrais would take a terrible risk if his hand was forced to this option, but he held conviction their friend could still be freed from the elemental’s grip.

If Eirion does appear, they should not engage him. The creature is so closely melded with him it is impossible to tell friend from foe. We must get King Amorion out of the Wood quickly. He looked toward the barracks, where light grew in the windows of the common room. Are Colm and Cormac still here?

Yes. They only have a small idea of what’s happened, because these Gwaith’orn aren’t as talkative as your sprite in the North. The plan is for the party to leave at dawn. Everyone is prepared. On the opposite side of the road, guards already stirred in the campsites.

Then we shall accompany them. I will alert Deirdre and Colm and speak with the King. Can you get the rest of the party assembled and ready to leave?

Yes. I’ll brief the guards. She touched the knot on the back of his head, concerned. Should Cormac see to this before we leave?

He winced under the pressure of her fingers. There isn’t time. The Gwaith’orn have given me aid, for now.

Even behind the strength the Old Ones had given him, she sensed the pain of his injury. The realization of how close she had come to losing him pierced her heart. Telyn kissed him in sudden, fierce passion before they parted. They would go into battle together, and the chance might never come again. He answered in kind, their love a steady light held between them that dispelled the shadow of fear.

 

* * * *

 

Once she alerted the guards to a possible threat, the rest of the party quickly roused to action. Horses were harnessed to wagons and mounts saddled with commendable speed. Telyn directed the order of the line and placed guards to the front and back of the King’s party. The remaining wagons of supplies were a necessity but a hindrance. They would have to move slowly in order for the wagons not to be left behind and their goods protected. With the previous attack on the party, thieves were a more immediate threat than Eirion.

More wardens disappeared into the Wood behind them to take up sentry positions. Colm raised a hand to Telyn in farewell, before he vanished into the trees to take point with the rest of the Tauron. Before the sun rose above the horizon, the train lined the road, prepared to leave.

Her place would be near the King. Bessa was saddled now, another animal harnessed to the wagon in her stead. Telyn checked her instruments in the weatherproofed box beneath the bench seat. Her harp in its leather case, whistles, small pipes, and bodhran all lay cushioned in blankets within easy reach. She slung the harp case over the saddle horn, and after a moment’s thought, placed her small pipes in the voluminous saddlebag. In the heat of battle, their sound would carry better.

The pommel of her sword protruded from beneath the blankets as well. Back in service of the King even for a short time, she was expected to put his safety before her own. Her training with the King’s men had been for this sole purpose. Telyn withdrew the blade and scabbard from the box and held it a moment, conflicted. The Gwaith’orn told her danger would not wait for a blade to be unsheathed. Yet, she girded its belt around her waist. She plaited her hair tightly and secured it with a leather thong to prevent it from obscuring her vision in battle. She had no armor, but at the bottom of the box was a pair of fingerless leather gauntlets. They would protect her hands and still allow her to bring song magic into play. She pulled them on before she entered the common room where the rest of the royal party waited.

“My lords, we are ready to depart.” She flashed a glance at Mithrais and Deirdre, already armed with short, powerful Tauron bows and full quivers, and made her obeisance. She judged by the furrowed brows on both officers that there had been some kind of dissent among the group.

Amorion rose from his chair. “Well done.” Despite the knowledge he might be targeted by the elemental, the King appeared relaxed and ready to travel. Prince Keir, however, moved stiffly with the effects of his wound. For reasons only he knew, Keir had refused Cormac’s offer of healing. He stood between Amorion and the door and lodged his protest.

“I still feel the guards should spirit you out of harm’s way should any attack come, my lord King.”

“Removing him from the rest of the party would mean Eirion has an opportunity to separate the King from Mithrais and Telyn. They are our sole defense against magic.” Deirdre turned her eyes on the King in appeal. “You asked for my guidance, my lord, and I will give you this opinion. Eirion was one of my best men. He knows every turn of the eastern road all the way to the plains, where trouble is likely to occur, and where the best cover is. We should stay together. You are under the shield of the Tauron until you reach your destination. Allow us to do what we are trained to do, and follow our lead while we move to Belenus’ stronghold.”

“I agree.” Mithrais looked from Amorion to Keir. “Following Deirdre’s plan is the wisest course. We are dealing with threats we’ve not faced before without our usual methods of communication. Colm is looking for Eirion. He will not engage him but will send word to us when he is detected by the wardens on his watch.”

Keir frowned. “How will he do this? You’ve just said your usual methods of communication don’t work.”

“Trust Colm. He has a spell to try out. It will be unmistakable, to be sure.”

The King rested his hand on Keir’s shoulder. “I appreciate your concern, but I feel we should defer to the skills of the Tauron until we reach Belenus. We will follow your instructions, Eastwarden. We are ready to leave.”

Deirdre bent her head. “Follow me, my lords.” She moved to the doorway and checked to the left and right before they exited the barracks. The King’s guard surrounded him as he walked to his horse, all of them nervous and vigilant. Telyn couldn’t blame them for being uneasy. Not knowing from where the first threat might come unsettled her too. She and Mithrais exchanged a brief clasp of hands before he took his place at the front of the party with Deirdre.

The black gelding Colba pranced uneasily in front of the carriage, driven by one of the King’s retainers. Telyn watched as Emrys allowed Cormac to help him into the cart, his arm still wrapped against his body. When he saw his former apprentice, Emrys turned and wiggled his stiff fingers at her from the end of the sling.

“Look! There’s hope yet.”

Telyn applauded, smiling.

“It appears to be healing well,” Cormac admitted. “I’m still not certain how much dexterity will return, Emrys. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

“My friend, I still have an arm. That is entirely your doing, and I am forever grateful.” Even with the sling, he managed a showy bow from the carriage, and Cormac laughed at him with a warning glance toward Telyn.

“Just don’t write any more songs about me, please. One is enough.”

“Brave Cormac slew the Dragon with an arrow to its heart...” she sang, and laughed at his narrowed eyes and red face. “You’re not traveling with us, are you?”

“No, I’m staying here, in case...” He shrugged and grew solemn. “In case I’m needed.” She understood his unspoken concerns, and her friend moved to embrace her. “Safe journey. You and Mithrais will be back soon?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Be careful. Don’t be afraid to use your new tricks.” He raised a hand in farewell and drifted out of the road toward the barracks.

Telyn looked back at Emrys, who studied her in silence until she blinked.

“What is it?”

“You’ve changed, my shadow.” His voice held wonder, and no small amount of pride. “Look at you, a warrior bard dressed for battle, a Tauron officer. You’re no longer a child. Whether you know it or not, there’s a confidence about you. Once you’ve determined a path in your heart, there will be no holding you back.”

“Just myself standing in my own way,” she grumbled as she checked the girth on Bessa’s saddle.

“Don’t let that stop you. And to what new tricks did Cormac refer?”

“I hope I don’t have to use them, but if any fighting starts, I’ll show you.”

Anxiety warred with interest on his handsome face. “I don’t know if I can promise to watch the fighting, Tel. I may be on the floorboard. Those brigands were more than a match for me before. I couldn’t possibly fend them off now.”

“You shouldn’t have to.” Telyn freed Bessa’s reins from the front the wagon and led her forward. She steadied the sword on her hip and swung into the saddle to survey the party as Deirdre made a forward motion. The train began to move. “We have Tauron escort, and the wardens seldom miss their target even in the dark. I pity the bandits if they pick a fight.”