wonder if Roahn hadn't known Ariana somehow better than her own brother.
'Surely you know this about your own sister. She had the same ferocity the day she evaded me outside of Palingard. Even at the tip of my sword she was brazen. The only reason I caught her is because she tripped, no one has ever outwitted me.'
'That scar on your face tells a different story. Though I wouldn't call my mercy a matter of outwitting you.' Michael appeared to debate his next words before speaking them. 'I wasn't aware of her existence. Nor was she aware that she was Adorian. She was raised as a human and up until that day believed nothing to the contrary.' It was obvious that Michael intended to reveal as little as possible on the subject and Garren was in no position to pry.
Michael's lips curved into a disdainful scold. 'Don't misread your good fortune. I can't pretend that I would have done anything other than leave you for dead if it weren't for the words that came from your mouth in our mother tongue.'
Garren had no idea what he was talking about. His expression must have conveyed as much. 'You spoke to me in Adorian, told me that Ariana was alive, do you not recall this?'
Garren remembered Tadraem also accusing him of as much in the sanctuary the week before. 'I… no, I don't. Our High Priest apparently overheard such speech coming from me in our sanctuary several days ago, but I can't tell you that I was in any way aware of it, nor was I aware of it today.'
They didn't have time to discuss it further, Ariana's breathing became strained. She inhaled sharply, choking on blood that had begun to spill from her mouth.
They remounted and Garren yelled a command in Laionai aloud to the Dragee. It felt like sacrilege to use the tongue, but he had to. He held on to the reins as though he were holding onto his very life as they quickened their pace.
They finally reached the border and Michael motioned for him to ride close. 'Remember what I said!' Garren didn't need a reminder. He rode beside Michael as the three of them passed through.
A moment of disbelief passed between Michael and Garren as he passed through the divide unaided. Roahn was still unreadable.
It was stunning. Despite the lateness of the day, Garren could see snowdrifts and mountain ranges and what felt like the deepest darkness he'd ever seen as the woods around them went on forever. Yet, it was a different kind of darkness — comforting, not foreboding.
Michael was visibly relieved to have Ariana beyond the divide and for a moment slowed down. He leaned to kiss Ariana on the top of her head. 'We're home, dear heart. Hold on.'
Up ahead, though he could scarcely make out their figures through the shadows, he saw what appeared to be mounted forces awaiting them. As they moved closer, he saw he was correct. Nearly a hundred mounted Adorians, suited for battle, anticipated their arrival.
Michael held up his hand, still gripping the reins. 'Algreto heirthra fornomas, allolost kai louthai dusto. Nouroma.'
An older Adorian approached first, bending his upper body in partial bow. The rest followed suit.
'Isthre eirea lestho?' the older one asked. He didn't seem the least bit shocked by whatever Michael had said.
'Requisthis masthri louthra. Pournai domest.' Tears started to well in Michael's eyes as he responded and it tugged at Garren's chest in a way he'd never imagined.
The older Adorian nodded. 'Aulora is waiting. Your beasts, though quicker, are winded. Take my horse and we will follow you.' He dismounted and walked over to take Ariana.
Garren had assumed that he'd be left there with the other Adorians, when he was instructed to dismount as well and was given a horse. It was Roahn who was staying behind. He'd avoided all eye contact with Garren from the moment they met with the others.
Michael gestured for Garren to come to his side. Garren caught a glimpse of Michael's countenance before they tore off through the darkened landscape. Rightful nobility. Michael had commanded respect from those under his command without the faintest trace of aggression. They followed his leadership, not out of force, but loyalty.
They rode for several more hours. It felt like days, each passing mile stretching on forever. Suddenly, Michael yelled out to his horse, digging in his heels. Garren followed, hoping they were close. His hope turned to panic as he heard Michael's faltering voice.
'She's not breathing!'
CHAPTER THIRTY
Duncan jerked his dagger free from his opponent's chest. Blood trickled from the Ereubinian's mouth as their eyes met; Duncan saw the reflection of a mace as it swung at him from behind. He ducked when it was mere inches from crushing his skull and stepped back as it struck the Ereubinian he'd just released.
'Michael has Ariana!' Kendall struggled to land nearby. One of his wings was torn and bleeding. He wore a dark cloak that was fastened high at his neck and covered his chest completely.
As Duncan slid his blade across the second Ereubinian's throat he asked, 'Is she alive?' The fact that Michael had been able to find her this soon was good news. Duncan had just heard from Konner that the cells below the keep were empty, which is where he was certain she'd be.
The scent of sweat and death was heavy in the air. The sounds of rage and grief could be heard in every direction. Memories of Duncan's past mingled with his training and instincts; a second battle, this one internal, was waged with equal fervor as the one that surrounded him.
'I don't know. There was a lot of blood…' Kendall and Duncan both turned as the sounds of fighting grew strangely mute. Whatever was happening, it was just reaching them. 'Garren was with them when they left from the eastern gate.'
'Good, he'll pay for…'
'He appeared to be riding with them of his own free will. He was fighting alongside them. Roahn signaled for a rear guard, so I sent Harish and Tabor in their wake.'
Duncan looked beyond where they stood to see confusion on every face in sight. No wonder they had ceased blows. Still, loyalty was rare in Eidolon and would no doubt be as short-lived as those who displayed it to the wrong party. 'Withdraw now! Get as many of your men as you can out of the city safely, the Braeden can handle themselves. Aerial retreat isn't…'
'Jareth has already given the order. They'll know when to fly,' Kendall smiled wanly as several more Adorian knights dropped down beside him.
'Then why are you still…'
'We are here to do what you and I both know must be done. Tell Leigh I love her.'
'No! Kendall, this is madness! The tunnels — '
'The Moriors will not stop until their thirst for blood has been quenched. This time they'll find more that mere blood and bone.' As Kendall spoke, he pulled his cloak away to reveal that he wore beneath it a chest plate identical to Michael's. With helmet pulled down, they looked identical. 'Gahai werndt daios.'
'There is still time!' Duncan rushed him but reached the spot too late. 'Kendall! Damn it! I won't tell her, do you hear me?' Furious, Duncan reached for the first Ereubinian he saw, completely unimpressed by the Ereubinians' apparent reluctance to continue fighting.
Rage flooded his senses. He killed without consideration of what his mentors had instilled in him, with no regard to Adorian standards for bloodshed. Eventually, the battle around him caught up with his anger and resumed as if the Ereubinians had never laid down their weapons. In the distance, the first shrill cry was heard as the Moriors were released, but Duncan paid it little mind as he pushed through the battle to the gates.
Jareth caught up with Duncan, cradling his arm to his chest. 'Michael and G-'
'I know!' Duncan barked.
