Demon Within (33 page)

The breakfast room was quiet, only Leon and Sabe were still eating, Caster and Ellanor had just left to return to their rooms.

‘So what do you think is going to happen with Caster and Garlan?’ Sabe bit into a soft bread bun, waiting for Leon to reply.

‘I spoke with Caster briefly last night. He doesn’t seem to have the same enthusiasm for returning to Brightstone as he did a few days ago.’

‘Really?’

Nodding and frowning, Leon tugged at his beard thoughtfully.

‘I don’t know what’s happened to change his mind, wasn’t so long ago he was all for it.’

Sabe let out a long sigh.

‘The events between his wife and Kai have something to do with it I’m sure, maybe after a few days he’ll make a decision.’

Sabe pursed his lips at Leon.

‘You’ll help him choose the right path, you’re a good man Leon.’

Leon’s brows raised in surprise.

‘Thank you, I appreciate your words.’

Sabe and Leon suddenly turned towards the door as Kai and Eloise entered and joined them at the table. Eloise lowered her head and blushed crimson as Sabe chuckled.

‘Well, finally!’

‘I’m glad you didn’t eat everything.’ Kai frowned. ‘Where is everyone?’

‘Kiera and Jace are on their way to Braxton, with Roulan in tow, did you forget?’

Raising his eyebrows in surprise. ‘Um, yes I did. What about Garlan, where’s he?’

‘He’s in the courtyard, sitting under the terrace, he wanted to be alone.’

‘I don’t think he’s feeling well.’ Leon quickly added.

Eloise felt guilty; she should make time to see him later but she wanted to speak with Ellanor and Caster before they returned to Stonegarth; she’d hoped Nissa would be at breakfast.

‘Has anyone seen Nissa?’

Grinning, Sabe shook his head. ‘I believe she was up late.’

‘Was she?’ Kai chortled, loading up a plate with bacon, eggs and potato cakes.

‘You’ve got a bit of an appetite this morning.’ Sabe chortled.

Kai placed the laden plate in front of Eloise. ‘Here.’

‘I can’t eat all that!’

Whispering close, Kai’s soft words made her blush. ‘You’re going to need your strength, for later.’

Chuckling started from the other end of the table as Sabe nudged Leon, ‘I don’t think we’ll see much of these two for the rest of the day.’

Rising from the table and enjoying the permanent blush on Eloise’s cheeks, Sabe made for the door. ‘Me and Leon are off hunting later, would you like to join us Kai?’

‘Nope, I’m spending the day with my wife.’ He grinned.

Sabe rested both hands on Kai’s shoulders, leaning close. ‘Don’t wear her out, will you.’ He gave one of his dazzling smiles to Eloise as he bowed.

‘I’ll give you a shout when we’re ready to leave Leon.’ Sabe left everyone to finish their breakfast and strolled outside. Kiera, Jace and Roulan speeding into the courtyard caused him to frown and he shouted to his sister. ‘What are you doing here?

Kiera tried to get her words about between breaths. ‘It’s gone! All gone! Darkmide… everything!’

‘What?’ Sabe glanced between Jace and his sister with a confused expression.

‘Burned, every inch.’ Jace quickly added. ‘I need to see my father, is he inside?’

‘No…I mean yes, he’s in his room.’

Jace excused himself. He wanted to let his father and mother know his plans.

Sabe nodded then looked behind Kiera to see Roulan dismount and walk towards his father under the shade of the terrace. ‘Where are Maika and the others?’

‘I sent them to Braxton, Darion’s worried the same has happened to his home.’

‘You didn’t see anyone at Darkmide… who it was?’

Shaking her head, Kiera brushed her hair from her face. ‘Sabe, there’s something strange going on here.’

‘We didn’t see anyone on the road from Darkmide…whoever it was, had vanished.’

Her expression worried him. His sister didn’t usual panic so easily.

‘Get someone to tend to the horses and we’ll go and see what Kai wants to do about it.’

Kiera nodded and wiped her brow with the sleeve of her blouse. ‘I’m going to get changed, I’ll be quick.’

Running inside to her room, Kiera worried Blackhill might come under attack and wanted to be ready. Undressing quickly, she threw on her thickest leathers and long boots. Strapping daggers to her thighs and her fighting swords to her back, she just needed her bow. Choosing the strongest, she filled a quiver with as many arrows as she could squeeze in. She and her brother had fought side by side since they’d ran away from home seven years ago and faced various adversaries, but this was going to be the toughest, she could feel it.

Sabe went back inside and reluctantly headed towards the dining room, he didn’t want to bother Kai, but this was important.

Kai and Eloise giggled and whispered together; closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Sabe wished he didn’t have to break them apart.

‘Kai, I’m sorry, but I need to speak with you.’ He paused, ‘It’s important.’

Blowing out an irritated breath, Kai scowled at Sabe until he saw his worried expression; Leon was still at the table and listened intently.

Rising from his seat. ‘What's wrong?’

‘It’s Darkmide… Kiera says it’s gone, completely destroyed, by fire.’

Staring in disbelief, Kai fell silent while Leon rose from his chair and moved closer.

It was a strange feeling, knowing that the town where you spent most of your life, albeit a place where you were a captive, was gone, but the shock was still there. So much of his past, mostly the bad memories, were all there. It was too late for Darkmide but whoever did this could be on their way to Blackhill. Drawing in a deep breath and brushing large hands over his head, he sighed and then turned to Leon.

‘If you and Garlan want to leave for Brightstone, you should consider doing it now.’

‘We’re not running away from this, we’ll stay here; you might need the extra help.’ Leon’s serious manner surprised both Kai and Sabe. He stood his ground with his hand on the hilt of his sword.

‘Thank you but, I’m not sure Garlan would feel the same as you.’

‘My father is in no condition to fight!’ Eloise perked up from her position next to Kai.

Casting a frosty glare, she jumped out of her seat and pushed the men out of the way, exiting the room in a huff.

Sabe’s face grimaced. ‘Oops, not a good start.’

He received a scowl from Kai. ‘Gather the warriors; I want to be ready for an attack. Sound the alarm in the market square and let everyone know what’s happened.’

Placing his hand on Leon’s shoulder, Kai’s concern for him and his party was obvious.

‘You’re a brave man Leon, and I’m pleased to have you, but your loyalty has to be to Caster and Garlan first. Check with them; see what they want to do. I don’t want to put their lives at risk.’

Nodding before turning to leave, Leon gave Kai a smile.

Kai breathed hard. He had a town full of people to protect against something no-one knew anything about. And now, he’d upset Eloise.

What started out to be a wonderful day was turning sour. He needed to get organized, and fast. There was no way of knowing when an attack would come, but he wasn’t about to be caught out, he knew that for certain.

Marching out of the room, he met Caster and Ellanor in the hall; their worried faces making it obvious they knew of the approaching danger. Eloise stood in the doorway, she was about to join her father but wanted to speak with Kai alone and waited for him to finish with Caster and Ellanor.

‘Jace has just told us what happened, what do you want us to do?’

Kai frowned, ‘You should leave, it’s not safe here, and this isn’t your fight.’ Kai moved towards the door but Casters hand grabbed his arm.

‘I think it is! Whatever is out there, destroying towns across two regions is everyone’s fight. Who’s to say they won’t move towards the Highlands…or Brightstone next?’

Only after Caster voiced his objections did Kai realize. Lowering his eyes he nodded.

‘You’re right, I’m sorry I didn’t think about that. No one knows anything about the attackers; even Darion said there was some confusion about who it was. I just don’t want to put people in danger when there’s a chance they could leave, before it’s too late.’

‘I appreciate your concern for everyone; I’ve never met anyone with your bravery, integrity and honor.’ Caster placed his arm around Ellanor’s waist and pulled her close. ‘While you’re not my blood Kai, you are my wife’s… and I’d be proud to call you son… if you’d let me.’ Caster looked to Ellanor, love and pride etched into his features. ‘We’ve already decided we’re staying here.’

Ellanor nodded in agreement. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at her beautiful son. She was so proud of his achievements despite his misfortune, and only wished she’d been a part of his life.

Throwing his arms around Caster, Kai pulled him in a tight bear hug. Humbled by his words and feeling a lump in his throat, he never thought he’d be part of a family.

‘Thank you.’

Kai looked to Ellanor and released all the anger and confusion from his mind and just let go, smothering her in a desperate hold, surprising both of them with the intense emotions being shared. Tears fell down her cheeks and she couldn’t bear to let him go, it was hard to say how long they remained like that, entwined with each other, reluctant to separate after a lifetime of being apart. He eventually pulled away, but not before laying a soft kiss on her cheek as she sniffed.‘

‘I’ve got to sort out my men.’

Kai turned towards the doorway and saw Eloise’s tear stained face. He knew if he didn’t leave now, he wouldn’t be able to control the strong feelings he’d just allowed to be let out.

In only a few days Eloise had learned so much about her husband. He wanted only what others wanted, to be part of a family and to know love. Seeing him now, knowing he no longer had to fear loneliness, she smiled as tears ran down her cheeks. She wanted to hold him and take him somewhere quiet, so they could be together; but already seeing the worry written on his face, she would have to wait.

Kai spoke softly. ‘I need to speak with you.’

Worried eyes fell to Eloise as he took her hands and led her outside.

‘I’m sorry about earlier.’

‘It’s alright. I’m not angry with you.’ She smiled and squeezed his hands. ‘I wished we had some time to be alone, I want to talk with you about Caster and Ellanor.’

Drawing in a sharp breath and managing a hopeful smile, Kai knew he couldn’t be distracted from his task, he needed to prepare for a possible attack, but more than anything he wanted to be alone with Eloise.

‘I know you do, but there’s so much to do.’ He pressed his face close to hers. ‘I have a family Eloise, and I have you…’

He couldn’t continue and barely fought back tears. He had to remain in control and stay strong. Everyone at Blackhill depended on him, and he wasn’t about to let them down.

‘Let me protect my people, we’ll find time later, I promise.’

Eloise pulled her hands free and cradled his face. Teary eyes stared back at her, she reluctantly released him. But before she let him go, she rose up on tip-toes and pressed her soft lips against his. Kai groaned quietly. Pulling her close and hugging her so tight she gasped, he quickly had to release her, but not before pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead.

Wiping away her tears, and trying to put on a brave face, Eloise took a breath. ‘What are we going to do now?’

‘Truthfully, I don’t know. We’ve no way of knowing when, or if there’s going to be an attack.’

‘Maybe there won’t be one?’ Eloise replied hopefully.

There was always hope, but realistically, Kai didn’t think so. Darkmide was their closest town apart from smaller villages along the road, and he didn’t know why, but he just felt something was coming. Staring at Eloise, her gentle features and unquestionable beauty, he knew he couldn’t lose her. With that thought he immediately came up with a solution.

‘I want you, Ellanor and Nissa to leave Blackhill.’

‘What?’ Eloise snapped. ‘Why? Where will we go?’

‘I’m going to send for Teila, and see if she’ll let you stay at the temple, I’m sure it will be safe there.’

‘NO! I’m not leaving you!’

The determined look in Eloise's eyes caused Kai's stomach to twist. He was caught between wanting her to stay, and needing her to be safe.

‘Eloise, I can’t let anything happen to you, I need you!’

‘I need you too! But I’m not going anywhere, you can send the other’s away, but I’m staying!’

She tried hard not to cry, fighting to keep her composure. Kai knew it was for the best, she had to leave.

‘I can’t lose you…I’ve only just found you.’ His voice, a soft whisper brushed against her neck as her tears finally released.

‘Kai…don’t send me away, I can help…please!’