Earth Bound (16 page)

Brianne looked in every direction, still seated on the horse. Her bow was out in case Talon called for help. What was taking him so long? Should she check on him? The crack of a twig had her turning in that direction, her bow up and ready.

Garnet and a dark haired girl came out of the trees, freezing at the sight of her. Garnet grinned, putting her pail of water on the ground before she ran to Brianne. The other girl remained frozen.

“You were gone forever.”

Brianne slid off her horse, putting her bow aside in time to catch the girl who threw herself at her. “It was only eight days.” At times it had felt so much longer.

Garnet pulled back to look around. “Where’s Talon?”

“In the cave.” At Garnet’s horrified expression, she grabbed hold of the girl’s shoulders. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Bellamy’s in there.”

Brianne ran for the cave, drawing her dagger as she did. “Talon!”

“No. It’s safe.” Garnet ran after her. “He’s on our side. Everything’s changed.”

Then why hadn’t Talon come out yet? “Talon?” She paused at the entrance.

“I told you to wait.” There was anger in his voice.

“Garnet’s out here with another girl.” Brianne walked into the cave, trying to see in the darkness.

“Talon?” Garnet entered the cave.

“Garnet, tell him to let me go,” Bellamy called out. “He’s got a sword at my throat.”

“Talon, he’s on our side,” Garnet said. “What happened to the fire?”

“I put it out,” Bellamy said.

At the same time, Talon said, “I don’t trust him. Look what he did to Warner.”

“Are you still going on about that? It wasn’t me, it was someone-” Bellamy’s words ended abruptly.

“Don’t kill him,” an unfamiliar voice said from behind Brianne.

“Who are you?” Brianne demanded, shifting so her back wasn’t to the girl.

“Merel.” There was a waver in her voice.

“Brianne, light the fire,” Talon said.

“I can’t even find it.” Brianne shuffled further into the cave.

“I know where it is.” Garnet brushed past Brianne.

“What’s been happening while we were gone,” Brianne asked.

“Only the capital-” Bellamy’s words ended abruptly again. After a moment he growled. “Stop that.”

“Then stop talking,” Talon said. “You tell me, Garnet.”

“We told some people, who told other people and eventually, there was a heap of fighting.” Garnet stopped and blew on the small flame that flickered to life. “It was awful. They killed a lot of Holy Ones.”

“They were all impostors,” Talon said.

“I know, but it’s still hard to believe. Anyway, the Supreme One-”

Talon interrupted Garnet. “Elden.”

Garnet shrugged in the light of the fire she was steadily feeding. “Elden took the capital. Our parents are still in there along with a lot of other people. Some escaped. The Prilonians tried sending out messengers, but we’ve caught every one of them. There were also some pigeons, but we shot them out of the sky.”

“Who’s in charge?” Brianne asked.

“A group of officers. Most of the army escaped from the capital and they’re all camped in the foothills of the mountains. They plan to capture the garrisons and guard the mountain passes,” Garnet said.

“We need to see them.” Talon continued to hold his sword at Bellamy’s throat.

“I can take you to-” Bellamy’s words ended in a growl.

“Let him go, Talon,” Garnet said. “He’s helping us.”

“Why?” Talon demanded.

“Because-” Again Bellamy’s words ended abruptly.

“I didn’t ask you,” Talon growled.

Brianne could hear the anger in both Bellamy and Talon’s voices. She moved forward, her eyes on Talon. “Remember that favour I owed you?”

“What favour?”

“The prisoner.” She reached out, grasping his wrist and pulling his sword away from Bellamy.

Bellamy moved quickly, reaching Garnet’s side. Merel continued to stand just inside the cave, her eyes wide, her hands pressed against her mouth.

Talon glared at Brianne, taking a step towards her, not bothering to pull out of her grip. “It wasn’t the same.”

“I know. I had a reason to kill the prisoner.”

“You saying I have no reason to keep Bellamy prisoner?”

She shrugged. “What do you think?” She watched as his gaze brushed past her. Then it hit her, she had her back to a possible enemy and it didn’t bother her at all because Talon could see him.

“What’s wrong?” Talon’s tone was urgent.

Brianne shook her head, letting go of him and stepping to the side. When had she learned to completely trust him? Trust him so thoroughly she took it for granted he’d watch her back. “Nothing. We need to see whoever’s in charge.” She turned towards Bellamy. “Why are you here?” When Talon started to speak, she elbowed him in the ribs.

“Because I won’t work for the enemy. And anyone who has enslaved our people is the enemy.”

Brianne gave him a short, sharp nod. They were words she could understand. “We need to speak to whoever’s in charge. My people want to discuss a combined attack on the garrisons.”

“As soon as we put out the fire we can go,” Bellamy said. “We were only waiting around here for you to turn up.”

“But I just relit it,” Garnet protested.

“Put it out,” Talon ordered. “And where’s Marshall?”

“Patrolling with his unit,” Garnet said.

“He should be looking after you.”

Garnet stopped tipping dirt over the fire from a pail that was beside it. “I can look after myself.”

“We’ve been taking turns waiting here with her,” Bellamy said.

Talon ignored him. “He said he’d look after you.”

Brianne glanced towards the opening of the cave. Daylight was struggling to enter. “I’d like to get to where we’re going before it’s dark, if possible.”

“It’s less than an hour away.” Bellamy gathered his gear.

She bit back a sigh. What she wouldn’t give for wings right now. She was sick of being stuck on the back of a horse. It wasn’t natural. Her people were made for soaring through the sky.

Talon stood at the edge of the campsite, staring into the star-studded night. His father had probably been right about him not making a good general. He’d had to walk away from the bickering. Some had wanted to ally themselves with the Caelians while many still didn’t trust them. Brianne had pointed out they’d once been allies until the Prilonians had tricked them. He’d left her there, arguing. They’d probably waste the rest of the night and still not make a decision.

Hearing footsteps headed his way he turned and saw Brianne. Lantern light showed how tired she looked. She was stopped by Bellamy. It took all his willpower not to march over and tell Bellamy to leave her alone. His hands tightened into fists as she smiled at Bellamy, nodding her head before she continued walking towards him, stepping out of the light from the lantern that had been hung nearby.

“What did he want?” Talon demanded when Brianne reached his side, nodding towards Bellamy.

“To tell me it wasn’t him who did wrong by Warner, but someone trying to make trouble for him.”

“Who?”

“He doesn’t know, but he did say he knew it wasn’t you.”

“Really?” He didn’t even bother keeping the derision from his voice.

“Yes. He said if you wanted to get even with him you wouldn’t go behind his back to do it.”

“Maybe he’s not a complete idiot, but I still don’t trust him.”

“I wasn’t asking you to.”

They fell silent a while, both staring out into the night until Talon broke the silence. “Have they stopped arguing yet?” He wanted to get on with planning the attack, not listen to them decide who to trust. They shouldn’t trust anyone.

“No. Bellamy was on his way to see what they were up to.”

“Do you have to bring him into every conversation?” Talon growled. His sister had done it on the ride to the encampment. Anyone would think he was one of the gods come to visit.

“What’s so terrible about him?”

Talon started to point out Bellamy’s faults, then decided to try a different tactic. “What was so terrible about Macklyn?”

“He told everyone I was dead.”

“You hated him before then.”

Brianne took ages to reply. “He always had to be better than me.”

Talon nodded. “Exactly.”

They fell silent again. The next break in the silence was when a noise drew Talon’s attention and he swore.

“What?” Brianne turned to face the direction of his gaze.

“Bellamy,” Talon muttered. He was the last person he wanted to see, but it looked like Bellamy planned to join them regardless of how welcome he was.

Bellamy came to a stop in front of them. “They’ve finished arguing.”

“What did they decide?” Brianne asked.

Talon was glad it was Brianne who asked, he’d rather not have to talk to him.

“They’ve agreed to help, on their terms,” Bellamy said.

“What are their terms?” Brianne asked.

“I don’t know, they wouldn’t tell me, only sent me to get you.”

Talon walked beside Brianne, dreading putting up with more bickering. He was certain they weren’t going to like the terms. When he stepped inside, he soon found he was wrong.

Brianne held up a hand, interrupting one of the officers who started to speak. “There’s no point discussing terms with me, I don’t have the authority. I’ve been asked to set up a meeting. If you have a map I can show you the three sites they’ve offered as possible meeting places. They’re on the border and open enough so you can see there’s no risk of ambush.”

Talon shook his head, disgusted by the fresh wave of arguments Brianne’s words brought. By the time a meeting place was decided upon and they were shown to a tent, Brianne was yawning.

“They’re so lucky I didn’t have my bow with me,” Brianne muttered as she lay atop the bedroll set out on one side of the tent, a lantern sitting on the ground at her head. She hadn’t been allowed to take the bow into the meeting. It was waiting in the tent for her.

Talon tugged off his boots once he sat on the other bedroll. “I hope they don’t expect us to be at the meeting or I’m likely to hand you your bow.”

Brianne chuckled sleepily. “Put your boots back on.” She closed her eyes, still on top of the bedroll.

“Why?”

“We’re at war. Do you want to fight barefoot if we’re attacked in the night?”

Talon stared at her, lying within arm’s reach. His eyes travelled over curves, before returning to her face.

Brianne opened a single eye. “Go to sleep.” She closed her eye again.

Talon leaned forward. “Open your eyes.”

She kept them closed. “Why?”

“Open them.” Several minutes passed before she opened her eyes. He stared at clear blue eyes. “They’ve changed colour.”

“You woke me to tell me that?”

Talon slowly smiled. “You weren’t asleep.”

“Just about,” she grumbled. “So you kept me awake to tell me my eyes have changed colour.”

“No. I kept you awake so I could see what they looked like.”

“Go to sleep, Talon.” She rolled to face the side of the tent.

He leant forward so he could see her face clearly. Her eyes were closed. “I like them.” Moving away, he sat on his bedroll and started to pull his boots back on.

Brianne rolled to face him, her eyes open, a slight smile on her lips. “Were you expecting a compliment in return?”

Talon grinned. “I thought you were going to sleep.”

“I’m trying to, but someone won’t shut up and put the light out.”

Talon finished pulling on his boots and reached for the lantern, turning it off. “Goodnight, Brianne.” He lay on his stomach, letting his wings out. He felt a hand brush across his feathers.

“This is what I like. Much better than ordinary blue eyes.”

He captured her hand, linking his fingers through hers. “What happened to the feather of mine you took?”

“It’s in my belt pouch.”

He tried to see her in the darkness, wishing he hadn’t put the lantern out.

“Goodnight, Talon.” Her voice was soft and drowsy.

He momentarily tightened his fingers on hers before he closed his own eyes and tried to sleep. Morning would come too soon and they had to ride for the border and finish arranging the meeting.

The next morning Brianne glared at Talon, wishing she had something to hit him with. “Shut up and let’s get going. It’ll take long enough to get to the border without you slowing things down.”

“He’s not coming with us.” Talon sent a glare in Bellamy’s direction.

“We don’t have a choice. Your people didn’t ask, they ordered us to take him. Of course they’re going to choose Bellamy. They know you hate him. Besides, he’s not that bad.” She regretted the last few words the moment she spoke them and saw Talon’s expression.

“We don’t need him. He’ll slow us down.”

She reached for Talon’s hand, but he pulled away from her. “Talon-”

“I don’t trust him.”

Again she tried to take hold of his hand, stepping close to him. This time he let her. “I know we don’t need him. Even I’ll slow you down. Having Bellamy with us means you can fly ahead to let my people know and I’ll have backup in case I need it.”

“You’d trust him to fight at your back?” Talon pulled his hand from her grasp.

Brianne nearly growled. She couldn’t say anything right this morning. Losing patience she jabbed at his chest with a finger. “Quit whining and get on your horse. We don’t have a choice. He’s coming with us. Get over it.” She strode towards her horse that was tied to a hitching post near where Bellamy stood with his own horse. Mounting, she shot another glare at Talon, who continued to stand where she’d left him, then headed in the direction of the border.

Bellamy joined her and within minutes Talon brought his horse along the opposite side to Bellamy. Most of the journey to the border was made in silence. A few times Bellamy started a conversation, but most of them were abruptly ended by Talon.

When they drew closer to the border, Brianne asked Talon to fly ahead. It took an argument to convince him. She watched him fly off, leading his horse from her own. “What happened between you two?”

“I stole his girlfriend when we were sixteen.”

“Why?”

Bellamy shrugged. “I don’t remember all the details now. We were always in competition with each other. There was some stupid argument and he said something about having a girlfriend and that no one was even slightly interested in being with me.” He grinned. “What else could I do with a challenge like that?”

Brianne slowly shook her head. “Ignore it?”

Bellamy laughed. “Sure.” A moment passed before he continued. “She wasn’t worth fighting over. A week later she ditched me for someone else. He wouldn’t have had her long even without me interfering. She was always looking for someone better.”

They fell into silence as they continued to ride towards the border. It wasn’t long before two squads flew towards them, a dark winged figure amongst them. Brianne halted her horse, and dismounted. The small amount of ground she could cover before they reached her wasn’t worth worrying about.

“They’re friends?” Bellamy dismounted, his hand dropping to the hilt of the sword he wore at his side.

“You could say that.”

“What would you say?”

“That’s my grandfather on Talon’s right and my uncle on his left. You might want to almost close your eyes as they come closer or they’ll be full of dust when they land.”

Bellamy nodded, but his hand stayed on the hilt of his sword.

Briant was the first to land, reaching out a hand to rest it on Brianne’s shoulder. “I knew you could manage, Sprite.”

With a sharp nod, she gestured towards Bellamy. “Grandad, this is Bellamy. Bellamy, Officer Finnin.”

Bellamy held out his hand with a respectful nod. “Sir.”

Briant shook the hand before he turned back to Brianne. “You happy with the plan for us to meet so far into their territory?”

“Yes. It made sense. Now we don’t have to wait for them to reach the border before we start making plans to attack.”

“Are they to be trusted?” Ewyn asked.

Brianne grinned. “Is anyone?”

Ewyn answered her with a grin of his own before he turned to a soldier behind him. “Take the map the Tersten showed us and get everyone moving. We’ll go on ahead.” He turned to another soldier. “You bring their horses to the meeting point.”

“How are we to get there?” Bellamy asked.

“Hope you’re not afraid of heights.” Ewyn called forward another one of his soldiers. “You take the dirt walker. Conal, you take my niece.”

They travelled back much quicker, reaching the meeting place well before the appointed time. The Terstens were setting up tents to use as meeting rooms.

Once introductions were made, Briant took Brianne aside. “Go see Conal. Take your boy with you.” He gestured towards Talon with his head.

“Why?”

“Off with you. You’ll find out soon enough. I have other matters to deal with.”

Brianne watched her grandfather. He strode back to the cluster of officers chatting while they waited for their meeting space to be prepared so they could get down to serious business. She noticed that someone had listened to her and had provided stools for her people to sit on. They must have raided every farmhouse in the area to get enough chairs and stools for everyone, if the mismatched furniture was anything to go by.

It didn’t take Brianne long to collect Talon and find Conal. What did take time was finding somewhere private to speak. She glared at Bellamy who had followed them.

“I have my orders,” Bellamy said.

“This doesn’t concern you,” Brianne said.

“If we flew away he wouldn’t be able to follow,” Talon said.

“It’d end the meeting. They’re worried you two are planning something so the Caelians end up winning,” Bellamy said.

Brianne sighed. “Why does everyone have to complicate things?” She turned to Conal. “Should we wait or can he hear what you’ve got to say?”

Conal stared at her a moment before he answered. “They want the two of you to try and find the rebels.”

Brianne was certain she must have misheard. “Cross the Feronian Mountains?”

Conal nodded. “They think a small party would have a better chance of sneaking in.”

“Why do they want the rebels found?” Talon asked.

“To keep the Prilonians busy on all sides, especially when we take the Holy City,” Conal said.

“They still haven’t captured it?”

Conal shook his head. “No, but no one can get out. Both the tunnels have been found and we’ve stopped several escape attempts. It was decided the garrisons should be the first priority. We don’t want the Prilonians coming over those mountains unexpectedly.”

“I’m going with you,” Bellamy stated.

“No.” Talon’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his wings still out.

Brianne placed a hand on Talon’s arm in the hope it would stop him from drawing his sword. “He won’t be able to go where we’re going. We’ll have to fly to reach the top of the mountain if we want to avoid being caught.”

Talon grinned. “I guess the dirt walker will have to stay behind.”

She nearly laughed at how he managed to put the right amount of derision in the term, but thought that wouldn’t be a good idea. She spoke to Bellamy. “You can come to the foot of the mountains and wait for us to return if you want.”

“No. You can’t expect my people to let yours make all the decisions,” Bellamy said.

“The Terstens are my people too.” Talon took a step towards Bellamy.

“Not since you grew wings. No one trusts you not to side with the birds.” Bellamy put the same amount of derision in the word birds as Talon had put in dirt walker.

“I’ll take him.”

Brianne turned to Conal. “What?”

“The dirt walker. I’ll take him up the mountain.” He grinned. “And I’ll even promise not to let go of him when we’re in the sky.”

Bellamy took a step back, eyeing Conal. He was silent a moment before he nodded. “I’ll let my superiors know.” He started to walk away then turned back to face them. “If you leave without me, it’ll end the negotiations.”

Brianne watched him stride away. This was going to be interesting. She wasn’t sure how she was going to keep Talon and Bellamy from killing each other.

“I’ll let the First Officer know.” Conal strode away when Brianne nodded.

Talon stared after the two retreating figures. “We could leave now.”

“No, you heard him. We can’t risk ending the meeting.”

“I don’t trust him.”

Brianne met his gaze. “Do you trust me?”

Talon nodded without hesitation. “Yes.”

“Then we’ll watch each other’s backs. We’ll be fine.”

Talon nodded slowly. “I’ll make sure of it.”