First Comes The One Who Wanders (67 page)

"Why doesn’t the army guard this side of the fortress?" asked Ariel. "They're like swarms on the other three sides." She looked around at the overwhelming numbers of soldiers bunkered around Barat, amazement and disgust playing on her face.

"There's nowhere to run on this side of the fortress. It leads to the cliffs that drop into the sea. If the men of Barat wished to escape they would need to go to the east, north or south."

"Still, they tempt the men inside to try."

"Yes, I believe they're watching this side more than it appears. At the first sign that men were trying to escape, they'd have them surrounded."

"Then we'll need to take extra care getting inside, so we don’t show them the way," said Trion.

"We'll go in when it gets dark. The soldiers should have grown tired of searching by then."

Waiting in the grass, they spotted the spies that kept an eye on this side of the fortress. "I knew they wouldn’t leave this side unprotected," whispered Ariel. "I can take the spies out easily, and then we can go." She didn’t wait for Joshuas to protest, she moved silently through the grass to where the spies were lolling near a low, rock outcropping. Ariel was on top of them before they knew that they weren’t alone, and that was the last thing they knew before they lay dead in pools of their own blood as her knife found its mark.

"We should have almost an hour before anyone notices that they're dead," said Ariel when she returned. "Time to go."

Joshuas tried to marry the kind, compassionate woman who'd been traveling with him for the last few days with the valiant warrior who'd just ruthlessly killed three Dredracians without even blinking as he began moving toward the man-made waterway that would take them inside the city. It wasn’t an easy way in and out. According to the crafter who'd told him of the entrance, there were two long stretches where you had to swim under the water, against the current. The crafter had gone into great detail, explaining how he'd just managed to survive to gain entry into Barat. Joshuas explained the process to his companions then sent Trion on his way. When he’d disappeared from sight, Joshuas sent Ariel on her way. When she was out of sight, Joshuas looked around to assure himself that no one was watching and plunged into the cold water and began the swim against the tide.

Breaking the surface, gasping for air, Joshuas found himself facing a dozen pikes placed perilously close to his chest. He was dragged from the water and shoved over to stand with his friends.

"We’re friends," gasped Joshuas, shivering from his frigid swim. "Cephom sent us."

"Likely story," said one of the men, poking his weapon into Joshuas’ side. "We’ll find out soon enough that you're Dredracian spies."

Their weapons were seized and despite Joshuas’ protests, they were half-prodded, half-dragged toward a building in the center of the town.

The guard opened the door to the booming, "come," and shoved them inside. He followed, closing the door and menacing them with his pike. "We found them coming in the back way, sir," he said to the large man sitting at the desk.

Joshuas could see the varying emotions playing on the two men’s faces. Trion had noticed and moved toward Jonas, but was stopped by the tip of his sword.

"You're ill, my Lord. I can help," said Trion, stopping where he stood and trying to reason with the man behind the desk.

"Who are you and how did you know about the secret entrance?" said Jonas menacingly.

Joshuas stepped forward, next to Trion. "I'm Joshuas Greyanson, Jonas. Surely you recognize me?"

Jonas peered at him intently, fear playing on his face. "Joshuas? Is that really you? Daina said you were coming." With that, he fell back in his chair and let his sword fall in his lap. Joshuas indicated to Trion to heal the guard first and then carefully took Jonas’ sword from his hand.

"Where is Daina?" asked Joshuas, worriedly, as he secured the weapon. Trion began healing the guard, Ariel holding the pike she'd taken from him.

"In the dungeon, with Cephom. I just couldn’t be sure," he stopped speaking.

"Would you like me to see to that?" asked Ariel, hand on her sword.

Joshuas nodded, "Just don’t kill anyone."

"You take all the fun out of it, Joshuas. I’ll be back soon." She slipped out the door as Trion gently dropped an unconscious guard to a chair. Jonas was shaking as he watched Trion. Joshuas could see he was trying to control his emotions, but was losing the fight.

"This will help you," Trion whispered in a voice that calmed and assured. Even Joshuas could feel the effects. Jonas closed his eyes and sighed as Trion murmured healing words.

Joshuas hadn’t noticed the pervasive feeling of fear that hung in the city at first. But now that he'd a few moments to think, its effect began to make itself known. He spoke a spell to protect those who were in the room.

"I'm amazed they managed to last this long," said Trion, eating a piece of cheese while they waited for Ariel to return.

The door burst open and two people rushed through, while Ariel fended off their pursuers. Then, she stepped through and barred the door.

"You and I have work to do, Joshuas. Can the three of you handle these two?" she asked Trion, Daina and Cephom.

"They've already been healed. I should go with you," replied Trion.

"Let us protect the city from the fear spell first," said Ariel. "Then the three of you can get to work."

Daina and Cephom nodded. Trion wanted to argue, but thought better of it.

"Ready?" Ariel asked Joshuas. He nodded drawing his sword. Ariel shook her head. "I’ll protect you, you protect the city." Joshuas put his sword away and waited for Ariel’s signal. At her command, they ran out the door and into the middle of a fear crazed mob.

Ariel began to beat them back, taking care not to kill them. Several lay dazed at her feet by the time Joshuas began to speak his spell of protection. He could hear the enemy react to the magic as well as those within the city. As the protection grew stronger with each repetition of the spell, those who hadn’t reached Ariel yet, began to grow calmer. But Ariel continued to knock them to the ground. Soon, all the men of Barat who'd come after them were lying unconscious at their feet.

"Now you can come, Trion," Ariel called to those inside. Daina, Cephom and Trion went work on those men on the ground. While they were working, Ariel and Joshuas sank to the stoop and rested.

"I wasn’t expecting to be greeted quite this way," said Joshuas, as they watched the healers moving from man to man.

"Nor should you have been, Joshuas Greyanson," said a voice from behind them.

Joshuas rose quickly to his feet and bowed. "I didn’t see you there, my lord."

Ariel was slower getting to her feet. "Duke Donnegal," she said, bowing slightly. "I'm Ariel, Solein’s Warrior."

"Well met, my lady. Any friend of Joshuas is a friend here in Barat." He turned back to Joshuas. "I'd hoped we could hold out until you arrived," said Jonas, looking over his men. "Even with Cephom and Daina helping, we didn’t make it."

"Why did you put those who could help you in the dungeon?" asked Ariel.

"They'd worked until their strength was gone. I was afraid for them, so I put them where I knew they'd be safe. I gave them food and water, and hoped you'd come."

"Why didn’t Cephom cast a spell of protection?" asked Joshuas. "I know he's a crafter."

"He can't," said Ariel. "He can’t interfere in the affairs of men. He can heal and guide, but he can’t use his magic."

"How do you know this? You haven’t even met him," said Joshuas.

"I have known him all my life," said Ariel. "He," she pointed at Cephom, "is Sylph."

"One of Jovan’s crafters," said Jonas, "here in my city?" I’ve had him doing menial chores," he lamented.

"I’m sure he didn’t mind," said Ariel, smiling.

The three healers fell silent, heads bowed, trying to regain their strength. Joshuas retrieved his pack and divided up his remaining supplies. The healers ate quickly with the need to fill a void. When Ariel offered her supplies, they'd begun to taste the food. Once he was stronger, Sylph rose to his feet. "Ariel, Trion, I'm so pleased to see you. I had hoped Joshuas could save you." He wrapped first one and then the other in an engulfing hug.

"I thought it must be you who sent him," said Trion, brushing his hair from his face wearily.

"I’m afraid I couldn’t save any of the others," said Joshuas, sadly.

"I didn’t think you could, Joshuas. But there is always hope."

"So there is," replied Trion. Then he turned to Jonas. "Are there others who need our help?"

"We have them locked in the barracks," replied the Duke, pointing toward a long, low building to their right.

Trion nodded and helped Daina to her feet. "My lady," he bowed, letting her lead the way. "A healer’s work is never done."

Joshuas ran to her side before she could disappear and gave her a hug. "Since everyone is giving hugs," he said. "I'm glad to see you safe."

"And I'm glad to see you survived and succeeded, I hope."

"Yes, succeeded. We'll talk when you finish what you need to do. Would you like me to help?"

"No, this is fairly easy to heal. But I would love more food and perhaps some wine?" Daina gave him a cheeky smile.

"I’ll see what I can scavenge," promised Joshuas, stopping and letting her continue on with Trion.

"Who's she?" Ariel asked Jonas, watching them walk off.

"Queen Daina of Dirth. Well, of Menas now, I suppose. Also, she's a great seer. But when Cephom asked her to come and help us, she did."

"What is she to Joshuas?"

"That was my question, too," replied the Duke.

Joshuas walked back to where Ariel and Jonas were standing. "They want more food."

"There's some in the store house, unless we’ve been too far gone to replenish it. I’ll walk with you." Jonas stepped off the stoop and moving among his men laying on the ground, he started down the street. Barat was not a large city, but neither was it small. It had walls, guards and several streets of shops and businesses. Jonas led them down the main thoroughfare, turning to the left at the second cross street. The storehouse stood open, but to Joshuas’ relief, it was still stocked with supplies. Finding bread, meat, vegetables and the wine Daina requested, they started back toward the barracks.

"This Daina," said Ariel abruptly. "What's she to you, Joshuas?"

Joshuas was surprised at the abruptness of the question. "Family, or close enough to call her that. My adopted son’s fiancé before he died."

Ariel nodded, relaxing along with Jonas. Joshuas noticed their reactions. "Why?" he asked.

Jonas reddened and Ariel looked away. "No particular reason. It’s just that–," Ariel turned back to face him. "You belong to someone else."

That hadn’t been an answer Joshuas had been expecting. He was almost afraid to ask her how she knew. So far, she’d been right about everything she'd stated in this manner. But he asked anyway. "Who might that be, Ariel?"

"Don't you know yet?" she asked in surprise. Joshuas frowned and fell silent. He knew he shouldn’t have asked. Of course, he knew. Now it seemed, so did she.

"Faster, my lady, they're practically upon us." Erion held his hand out to help Leilas up the rocky crag. A half-dozen darklings were quickly closing the gap between them. Leilas was doing her best to keep up with the elf, but she wasn’t as quick or as nimble as Erion, or her pursuers. The darklings had been following them since they'd left the Temple of Crog, but up until this morning, they'd been content just to follow.

"I'm moving as fast as I can," she gasped as she scaled the rocky incline. "Why choose to come after us now?" She pulled herself up to the next level, not taking the time to check on the darklings’ progress. She could tell from Erion’s voice she was quickly being overtaken.

"I couldn’t say, my lady. Something has changed." Erion hoisted her up then easily pulled himself up the rock face. They were on the fringes of the Sea Witches in Sylphia, heading for the pass when the darklings had begun to gain on them. Erion had immediately turned to the cliffs, hoping they could lose them on the perilous climb. Although a few had stayed at the base, the majority were scampering the rock faces like mountain goats. Leilas knew they would have to stand and fight as soon as they gained the top, if she made it to the top.

The first of the pursuers grabbed at her leg as she rolled onto the top of the cliff and onto her feet. She kicked his hand free, and grabbed her battleaxe. She was standing ready when the first darkling crested the cliff.

Although she had the advantage, she hesitated to kill a man, no matter how evil his intention, who was unarmed and defenseless. The darkling, however, had no such compunction. As soon as he was standing, his sword was drawn and he was hurtling toward Leilas. Swinging her axe, she caught his blow and deflected it, catching his arm a glancing blow on the back stroke. Then she found herself facing four heavily armed darklings. Erion was in the same predicament. They'd been here before and come out the victors, but Leilas wasn’t sure that would be the case this time.