Horse Charmer (10 page)

Cassia chewed her lip in indecision. "How would you be able to tell?"

"I'd need to put you in a sleep state and have you recall the dream. I'd view it with you. I should be able to determine if the dream was weaved."

"But how can you tell?"

"It's hard to describe. There's a constructed feeling to the dream, the dreamer generally doesn't notice, but it would be clear to me."

"I'll think about it." Though she wasn't really sure she could even consider it as she didn't know how much would be revealed to Daeshawna.

"So what is your Talent, my dear?"

"You can't read that?"

"Depends, if the Talent is very strong and focused I can usually get an impression. But you aren't using yours right now and since you haven't been trained yet you're not focused either."

Cassia narrowed her eyes. That sounded like an insult. She didn't understand much about the world of Talents. What skills were common and which ones weren't. The only Talent she'd known personally was Westleigh. His Talent had never been clear to her, but she'd assumed it had to do with combat.

"I can communicate with animals," she said, keeping it mostly true.

"Ah, a useful skill to have and can get you employment with a farmer. But I'm not sure how much use you'd get out of such an ability in your station as a lady. Though I'm sure Julyan will be able to figure something out for you."

"Do you know Julyan well?" Cassia asked, jumping on the topic.

"Well enough, I find him uncomfortable to be around for too long. His Talents are very strong and focused. He takes up too much space."

Cassia wasn't sure what she meant, but decided he was powerful and made Daeshawna uneasy.

"But he's also brought us all together," Daeshawna continued. "I'm old enough to remember when there wasn't a Guild for those of us with special abilities. Talents, as he coined us. Under his guidance and vision we've grown in strength and are safe."

"What do you mean safe?"

"Before Julyan came along there were places where it wasn't prudent to tell or show anyone your abilities," Daeshawna said, looking sad. "I was just a girl then, but I remember the fear we all felt. My entire family were Dream Weavers and had to be careful or people would say we had entered their dreams and cursed them. Julyan's guard came through my village when I had entered my twelfth year and explained the treaty Julyan had worked out with the kingdom to the village elders. It got better for my parents and I went with them to be trained at his estate."

Cassia was surprised she had never heard about this in her history courses. She'd assumed the Talent Guild had always operated, but now that she thought about it she did recall one of her tutors mentioning the year the Guild was enacted.

Cassia debated asking Daeshawna more about the Guild and Julyan, but the innkeeper was too informed not to take advantage of her knowledge. "The Talent Guild has Talents in Vespera and Karah."

"Yes, since Julyan's territory borders both kingdoms he has the best treaties between them. Vespera and Karah always get first crack at most Talents graduating."

"How does Julyan have his own territory and not belong to a kingdom?"

"He staked a claim in the unmapped territories in the mountains a long time ago," Daeshawna said with a small smile. "Patrols his own borders and trades with the Outsiders."

Cassia sat up taller. Now that was a phrase she knew and was weary of. She'd been drilled about the Outsiders. You had to be careful with them. They refused to belong to any kingdom and pay taxes. Most of them lived in the unclaimed area of the mountains. The mountains were so treacherous that neither Karah nor Vespera had spent much effort in mining or lumbering there. The weather was too unpredictable and scouting parties tended not to return.

Perhaps the Outsiders had something to do with his supposed involvement in her father's death. Maybe they had finally gotten bored of the mountains and tired of dealing with everything that went with living there and wanted to move back into the lowlands. Karah and Vespera at war would accomplish a lot for the borders weakening and giving someone the opportunity to stake a claim.

"If you need a map to Julyan's," Daeshawna said, "I could draw you one."

Cassia opened her mouth to say no, but changed her mind. "I would appreciate that."

"Well, I'm afraid I must really get back to work now. Enjoy the rest of your dinner and have a good night's sleep. The journey to Julyan's from here is long and hard. I'll have the maid bring the map up to your room."

"Thank you."

She sat for a while longer picking at her cold food. She'd lost her appetite, but knew she shouldn't let it go to waste. Pulling out a linen square, she piled the last of her food in it and tied the fabric into a ball. Melany quickly swept her plate away.

Cassia headed out and picked up a key from the front desk and the young boy assured her a bath would be drawn for her in her room. It appeared she'd ranked a room with a bath. After the boy and maid had left her room, Cassia indulged herself and sat in the bath until the water grew chilly.

Wrapping the thick bath blanket around herself, she walked to the window of the small room and peered into the darkness to the shadow of the barn. She missed Kali. The mare and she had been inseparable since she'd escaped, and even though Kali had just started talking to her she felt the loss as if an arm were gone.

I'm still here.

"Kali," Cassia breathed in relief.

You don't have to talk out loud.

She wasn't at all sure how to talk to Kali without really talking. "Are you okay?"

Yes, the stable man has given me plenty of hay and water. I'm quite comfortable.

"Should we leave tonight?"

With night falling, the last thing she wanted to do was hit the road, but she also couldn't risk discovery and was growing more and more concerned about the possibility.

I don't detect any pursuers. The town is growing quiet.

"The question isn't whether they're still pursuing, but whether they've figured out where we went. It would be smarter to get back on the road."

And camp out an hour down the trail?

"You're tired?"

We both are. Neither of us has slept. I took a quick nap a little while ago, but a solid night of sleep will make it an easier journey.

"What if they come while we're sleeping?"

I highly doubt they will.

"That's not as definitive as I'd like."

Nothing in life is definite.

"I know." Cassia thought about her father. When she'd said goodbye to him before he left for Vespera, she hadn't realized it would be the last time she saw him.

Goodnight, Cassia. Forget everything for a couple of hours.

"Goodnight, Kali. Rest well."

CHAPTER NINE

The wind whistled gently through the trees, drawing Cassia's attention up to the sky. She was dreaming again. Except this time, she was conscious she was dreaming. The grove was empty.

She stood in the center and waited a few minutes for the appearance of her father, but he didn't come. The tingly sensation started behind her eyes and she wiped at the tears escaping her lashes. Maybe it had been a dream the first time and she hadn't been visited by his ghost after all.

With a dejected spirit, she stepped out of the grove and right into the main hall at Castle Vespera. Her father, King Robet stood next to the large table having a heated discussion with King Erich. She couldn't hear what they said, but judging by the agitated hand movements her father made, he was impassioned in whatever his discussion.

"Our last meeting," Robet said behind her. "I went out that night to meet with the informant."

Cassia spun and embraced her father. He even smelled the same. Robet gave her a quick answering hug before setting her away.

"You must listen," he said, his expression serious. "Karah's future stands at the brink of change. The only reason I continued to negotiate with Erich was because of that. Things are changing in the kingdoms. Riches are changing. War is changing. Those with the most Talents have a better chance of conquering others. Those with cavalry will be able to sweep through villages and take them over. Your challenges will be very different from the challenges I faced when I took the throne. The world is changing for you and your brothers, and we need you to be prepared."

"Everyone says you signed the treaty." Cassia nodded to the table. She hadn't quite understood everything he had said, but she had to get him to answer the questions plaguing her.

"No, we weren't any closer." Robet sighed. "But I was considering signing it."

She gaped at him. "With the marriage clause?"

"Sometimes we do what we must." He patted her shoulder. "But I needed the information from my source before I made up my mind."

"What was he supposed to tell you?"

"Rumors of Julyan wanting to go out on his own and retracting all Talents from the kingdoms."

"But what of Westleigh?"

"He hadn't heard any of this so he put feelers out," Robet said. "Erich believed the rumors. It's why he wanted the treaty between the two of us. One at a time Julyan could undercut us heavily, but with the two of us together he wouldn't have much of a chance."

 "You said you and Julyan weren't warring?" Cassia asked in confusion.

"We weren't, but Julyan has high aspirations. That's why I wanted to speak with someone close to him. I needed to know his thoughts on the matter."

"But you didn't meet with Westleigh's friend?"

"No," he said with regret. "I never had the opportunity."

"Was it him?"

He sighed. "I wish I could tell you exactly what happened and who was responsible, Cassia. I never saw who attacked me."

"But--"

Robet shook his head and pulled her in a quick hug. "You need to stay strong and focused."

"I'm trying to be, but I don't know what to do. I stopped the wedding, but I think I made everything worse."

"I can only advise you to do what's best for Karah. Remember, keeping her solvent is the most important thing. Whatever decision you make must protect the interests of Karah. That includes choosing who to make alliances with."

"You didn't sign the treaty." She held on to the single fact she knew.

"No, Erich wasn't willing to bend on anything."

The past Robet stepped away from the table shaking his head and left the room. Cassia watched as Erich leaned heavily against the table and threw one of the goblets into the fire. The vision slowly faded and she stood back in the meadow.

The ghost of her father had faded with the vision and Cassia looked around in confusion. Why was she still in the meadow? She frowned as she turned in a circle. Daeshawna stood next to the grove of trees. Furious she'd been manipulated, Cassia stormed over to her.

"End the dream!" She demanded as the hurt began to rival the anger.

"I didn't create it," Daeshawna said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I felt the energy and remembered what you'd said. I was curious so I entered, but I didn't alter or change anything."

"How do I know you're not lying? I'd have no way to tell."

"The dreamer always knows deep down if the dream is real or not." Daeshawna hesitated. "But this wasn't exactly a dream."

"Are you saying another Dream Weaver created it?"

"No, the energy is too powerful. I've never felt a dream with this sort of energy. It feels more like a vision than a dream."

"So a Dream Weaver is giving me a vision?"

"No Dream Weaver could manipulate energy at this level."

She considered Daeshawna's explanation, but wasn't certain she could believe her. "End the dream."

"I can't. Only you can, but I'll leave you."

Daeshawna faded out and Cassia was alone again. She told herself to wakeup, but was unable to. She stood in indecision at the edge of the grove. Maybe she had to enter the grove to end the dream. She walked inside. Nothing happened. Growing frustrated, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Nothing happened.

Cassia!

Her eyes snapped open and she was back in her room. "Kali?"

Soldiers have entered the village.

Cassia jumped up. Dawn shined through the windows. She crept over. Sure enough about ten soldiers were coming down the road into the village. Stepping away from the window, she gathered her few possessions including the map to Julyan's territory the maid had left on the small table.

She was down the back stairs in a moment. Sounds of the cooks in the kitchen preparing the breakfast drifted out. The aroma of bread baking made her stomach growl as she carefully let herself out the back door. She had to make it to Kali before the soldiers found her.

The alley between the inn and the general store provided the perfect hiding spot to peer out to the road. She would have to pass through the open area of the road to get to the barn. Cassia glared at the open road before turning her head to watch what the soldiers were doing. Their movements were measured as they spread out to canvas the people and buildings. The two soldiers closest to her position showed a piece of paper to a village woman walking across the street. She shook her head before continuing on her way. She wouldn't be able to make it down the street without them seeing her. There was a small possibility they weren't looking for her, but she couldn't take that chance.

She'd have to wait them out until an opportunity presented itself. Cassia glanced around her. According to Daeshawna, they'd searched only the buildings before, leaving the grounds as a safe place to hide. The soldiers moved quickly, likely to enter the alley in just a few minutes. She scooped up her supply bag and ran down the alley to the back of the general store. A huge open, plowed field greeted her. She wouldn't be hiding in any woods back here.

Cassia checked behind several large crates stacked at the back door of the store. There was just enough room for her to squeeze between the larger two crates. In position, she heard the sound of boot steps coming around the building. Shrinking farther back against the wall, she hoped whoever it was hadn't seen her slip in and wasn't a soldier. The footsteps steadily approached. She closed her eyes and held her breath.

The footsteps didn't pass, but stopped right at the opening. Cassia slowly opened her eyes and stared at Luki in astonishment.

"Hello, Princess," he drawled. "Fancy meetin' you here."

"What're you doing here?" Cassia blurted out.

"I was hired to help track down the kidnappers of a certain princess," Luki said his voice taking on a sarcastic tone. "You wouldn't know where I could find such a person, would you?"

"Track me down?"

"You, and your kidnappers, but I don't see any kidnappers, do you?" Luki looked around in exaggeration. "Where are your kidnappers, Cassia? Why are you hiding from Vesperan soldiers?"

"I don't want them to find me."

"Why?"

Cassia glanced down at her feet, uncertain of what she should reveal to him. He'd always been a good friend, but at this point she wasn't clear about her own reasoning anymore. Luki reached down and hauled her up and out of the crates. The harsh iron grip on her arm matched the deep lines of worry and anger on his face.

"You weren't kidnapped, were you?" he demanded.

She shook her head slowly. He dropped her arm and turned away from her. Cassia chewed on her lip as she listened to his harsh breathing.

"What happened?" He turned back, his voice measured and even again. "Go for a stroll and lose your way?"

She bristled at his sharp question. "Maybe I did."

"Uh-huh." He grabbed her arm again. "No straight answers for a friend. I'm hurt, Princess."

"Luki--"

"Let's return you to your rightful place," he said, dragging her from the crates.

"No." She grabbed onto a crate with her other hand to stop Luki from pulling her around the building. "I can't go back."

He waited for her to continue.

"You're right," Cassia said. "I wasn't kidnapped and I didn't get lost."

"You ran away."

"Yes."

"If you didn't want to marry him all you had to do --"

"That's not why I ran away," she began.

Luki held up a hand to silence her. He peeked down the alley and swore under his breath.

"Soldiers," he whispered as he pulled her away from the alley to the other side of the building. "We're running out of time."

She hesitated before making her decision. She had to confide in someone. "I have to find out why my father was killed."

"Cassia." He sighed.

"Don't pacify me." She objected to what she knew was coming. "I'm going to find out."

"Do you have any idea what you've put everyone through?" he asked, spacing each word carefully apart. "Your mother, your brothers, your…friends. We didn't know if you were alive or dead. If you'd been subjected to unspeakable horrors."

Cassia couldn't meet his eyes as she scuffed her boot in the dirt. She couldn't focus on that now, she had to focus on what she needed to do and convince him not to stop her. "My father told me that I couldn't let the wedding happen until I found out what happened to him. There's more to his death than we know."

"Your father?"

"His spirit came to me and told me what I had to do."

"You need to tell Queen Sarahann all of this."

The heavy footsteps of the Vesperan soldiers walking down the alley interrupted their hasty whispers.

"I have. She refuses to listen. And I need a favor from you. Please Luki, grant me one favor."

He looked up to the sky as if for guidance and then back to her with a sigh. "As you wish."

"Don't tell anyone you saw me."

"Let me escort you home."

Cassia smiled at his response. Moving on impulse, she went up on her toes and brushed his cheek with her lips. She stepped back, expecting him to try to stop her, but he just looked at her in surprise. Taking advantage of his hesitation, she darted around the corner of the building.