“You have shown us no aggression,” he said, snapping her from her shock. “And I believe the wind or your magic could harm us if you so wanted. I also believe you acted in self-defense against your accuser. I have seen that look in a woman’s eyes before.” He paused then, and she saw the truth of his words written on his face. “But, I must ask, why did you run from us at Lee’s Mill, only to wait for us here?”
“I was afraid,” she replied. “And I believed there to be answers waiting for me in this grove that I needed to find.”
“Answers to what?” he asked in friendly curiosity.
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “Truthfully, I believe I found only more questions.” When he gave no response, she sought at least one assured answer. “Please, Commander, tell me of Lee’s Mill? I never wanted to bring harm to those people, I swear it.”
“Nor did I,” he answered, his head tilting at her concern. “You think us brutes who would harm the innocent?”
“I think you soldiers of the king, who would follow his orders without question,” she replied. “I have heard of you burning the fields of innocent farmers, and I heard shouting and the clash of weapons as I fled Lee’s Mill.”
“There was fighting,” he admitted. “But none were caused serious injury. We have orders to secure any uncontracted mageborne, especially one who may be dangerous. I am duty-bound to follow the law of my king. The mayor told us you had been hidden somewhere within the town, so we were left with little choice but to search every home. It was only as dawn broke that the temple elder admitted it being a tactic to delay us. As for the burning of fields, that is to stop the blight from spreading.”
“It isn’t working,” she said, to which he unexpectedly nodded.
“We know. But, what else can we do?” he asked, as if hoping she may hold some answer.
She held nothing within her hands, except the lantern and a single observation which she heard echoed in Athan’s voice. “You aren’t what I expected.”
His brow raised and the smallest hint at a hard-won smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Neither are you.”
He stood then, back to his full mountainous height, and held out one gauntleted hand to her. “I offer you this open hand only once, mageborne. I’d prefer to not place a sword within its grip nor a collar around your neck, but I am duty-bound to my king to do so if you resist. Will you come to Carn, to the Red Keep, to kneel before your king and accept judgment by the Red Covenant of Mages, may they take you within their fold if you be found innocent or cast you to the Cliffs of Silence if your crimes be found true?”
Left with little choice, by this soldier nor by Ishkar’s request, she took Aldric’s hand and stood. “I will go with you into Carn, and I will meet your king. I have questions for him, and I believe he may have answers for me.”
Aldric gave her a slightly amused look, that she should expect to ask questions of the king, but said nothing further. With a grace not expected of one covered in plated armor, He mounted his waiting stallion, then with an ease revealing his strength, he pulled her up to sit behind him. His men mounted up and drew into formation as he turned his stallion back to the southern trail.
Her hand found a place between the plates, where a thick leather band tethered his sword, and held on as he ducked beneath the trees. She fought the urge to look back, fearful of her expression giving away her sadness at leaving something, someone, precious behind. All her fears and hopes had been pinned on the words written in a book by a man she had little reason to trust. Keeper Ishkar had asked the right question, however, and the answer would follow her into the red city of Carn.
Will you risk your life to save his?
32
Upon exiting the Thorngrove, Dnara and her armed escort were greeted by the rest of Aldric’s soldiers. They gave Dnara uneasy looks from under lifted helm visors as a new dawn broke over the eastern horizon behind them. Dnara tried not to shrink away from them, but Aldric’s large form offered a welcomed shadow in which to hide. Aldric stopped his horse near a covered supply wagon and motioned to the soldier waiting at the wagon’s back.
“Ren,” Aldric said, and the soldier snapped to attention. “This is Dnara, the mageborne we have been charged to bring before the Red Covenant and King Lelandis.”
“May Faedra forever bless his name!” came the call from the soldiers with a clack of gauntlet to breastplate.
Aldric waited for the echo to give way back to silence before speaking loud enough for all his soldiers to hear. “This mageborne has offered no threat to us and has a valid case against her accuser, and so is to be treated as a guest until her actions prove otherwise. I leave her in your charge. Please see that she eats, rests and is prepared for an audience with the king.”
Ren saluted with fist to shoulder. “Yes, sir. It will be as you command,” Ren spoke with an unexpected voice, and Dnara peered around Aldric’s arm to find an armored woman staring back up at her. “Miss, do you require assistance down?” Ren asked.
Dnara let go of Aldric’s belt and looked at how far away the ground appeared from atop his large steed. “Yes, please. I’ve never jumped off a mountain before.”
The quiet rumble of swallowed amusement shook Aldric’s shoulders and Ren gave him a surprised lift of the eyebrow before holding her arms out to Dnara.
