Son of Corse (The Raven Chronicles Book 2) (3 page)

The fire popped loudly, breaking the silence that had descended into the room. Rising slowly, Arwenna retrieved a blanket from a chest near the fireplace. The temperature in the room was much colder, or at least it seemed to be. Mialee waited for her to curl back up in her chair before continuing.

“It was later that night, after you escaped, that Corse took me over completely. Senyan was asleep; the bird perched at the foot of the bed.  It was like my mind was shoved into some dark corner. Corse was surprised by what Senyan had done and felt he needed to control me completely in order to control him.  When we met in the pavilion that one day, I was screaming inside for the rest of you to run away. During the battle, when you severed the link between the raven and Senyan, it didn’t really matter.  Corse had a new host by then.”

“But, when Barek and Joss found you…”  Arwenna kept her voice low. She knew Joss was ready to open the door if he thought he needed to.

“I don’t know what happened, Arwenna.  I know that Corse left me the day you all came into Tanisal and did what needed to be done.  He, or I, had been talking with the priests down in a small room near the courtyard.  They were assuring him that they could deal with Barek, get him to kill some elf.  The next thing I knew, I was on the floor and Corse was gone.  I hid in a small cell at the end of the hall. I’ve seen Barek rage enough that I didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire. That’s where I was when he and Joss found me.”

Arwenna stared into the fire, her mind trying to make sense of everything. She knew Mialee was free of the curse. Joss had pulled it out of her some time ago. But how much influence was still there? She could feel Mialee’s eyes on her. With how deep some of her own scars ran, she knew Mialee had been trying hard to get to the point where she could let this come out.  “Have you told anyone else?”

Mialee shook her head, “No, not really.  Barek knows little pieces of it.  Mainly from when I’d be visiting him and wake up screaming.  For whatever reason, the nightmares stayed away when I’d visit you or Y’Dürkie.  The guilt’s been harder to run from.  It’s why I’ve been moving around so much for the last year or so.  Too much time around any of you and I’d want to die. I hurt you all so much, you more than the rest, and everyone acted like it was ok.”

“We figured you’d had a hard time, but didn’t want to push.  When you were ready to talk, you would.” Arwenna straightened the blanket a bit.  She paused, choosing her words carefully.  “We all went through things during those months, Mialee. We all carry scars. If you’re willing to accept what we went through, why should we not do the same for you?”

“Because I betrayed you. In one way or another, I did things that brought harm to all of you.  At one point I was ready to kill each of you if you looked at me wrong.” The pain in Mialee’s voice was unmistakable.

Arwenna reached out and gently took one of Mialee’s hands into her own.  “Look at me, Mialee.  It wasn’t you.  It was Corse.  We had a good idea of that then, and know it for fact now.  Corse is gone.  So is Senyan.  It’s time to relax and let go.  Yes, the nightmares will happen for a while yet.  Gods know I still have them on occasion.  But I still get up in the morning.  I look at Sera and know that the world she’s been born into is better because of things we all did.  So, take a deep breath and shake it off.  After all, we travel to a wedding tomorrow!  And I’m not at all sure what it’ll be like.  My wedding was strange enough, but I’m certain Y’Dürkie’s status will make things even more so!” 

Arwenna laughed, and watched the tension leave Mialee as they turned the discussion towards happier topics.

Chapter Three

T
he mountains loomed in front of them, almost blocking out the sky.  The clan’s stronghold was up ahead, nestled at the foot of the jagged peaks.  The wagon rumbled around yet another bend in the road.  Arwenna’s shoulders dropped as tension left her body. Seeing the wavering smoke gave her a sense of security and home.  For too many years she had had no home.  Having two such places helped keep her grounded.

              The towering stone walls appeared stronger than ever.  Encircling the small city on three sides, the stonework seamlessly blended into the rock on each end.  The massive wooden gate slowly opened, just enough to allow three riders to emerge from within.  Barek and Mialee stopped, waiting for the wagon to catch up to them. Joss skillfully maneuvered the wagon between the pair, halting the team so they were in line with the others. 

              The three riders urged their horses forward.  Arwenna tried to keep a smile from creeping onto her face.  The formality of being welcomed into the stronghold was something she had participated in several times, though she still didn’t quite understand all the reasons behind it. But, it made Y’Dürkie happy. That alone was worth participating in the show.

              Y’Dürkie rode in the middle now.  She was almost fully invested in running the clan.  D’Mitta, on her right, still held some sway though it was evident she wished to retire from public duties and hand everything over to her granddaughter.  The lines on her face had deepened over the last few months.  The pride was still there, however, shining from still bright eyes.

              On Y’Dürkie’s left was Hugh, her soon-to-be husband.  He sat tall in the saddle, his heavily muscled body betraying his trade as a blacksmith.
He’ll need all the strength he can get
, Arwenna thought,
if he’s to even come close to being Y’Dürkie’s equal
.

              “Vho approaches the home of the Veasel Clan?”  Y’Dürkie’s voice rang out the traditional challenge.

              Arwenna slowly rose from the wagon seat, pushing back the hood of her cloak with one slender hand.  “One who claims kinship with the Weasel Clan, and who vouches for those that travel with her.”  She made sure her voice carried far enough that the guards atop the wall would hear her.

              “Then come inside, Sister.  Let our fires varm you as ve celebrate your return.”  With that, Y’Dürkie finished the ritual.  Moving her horse forward, her face broke into a grin
.
  “It is about time you got here, sister.  I vas startink to fear you vould not make it in time.”

              “We had a little bit of bad weather.  It slowed us down.”  Arwenna replied, returning the smile.

              “Ve have got rooms ready for you all.  I had them light the fires this mornink to varm them.  The veather has been cooler than normal.”  Y’Dürkie peered at the sky.  “It might even snow tonight.” 

              Arwenna looked past Y’Dürkie at Hugh, recognizing the hint of a smile on his face.  He didn’t care if there was a blizzard as long as he finally got Y’Dürkie to go through with the ceremony. 

              “Y’Dürkie, do you mind if we get inside soon?  Sera’s going to want to run once she wakes up.”   Joss glanced over his shoulder towards the back of the wagon.  “She’s been cooped up in the wagon for weeks now. Even Mialee’s having trouble keeping up with her.”

              Y’Dürkie grinned wider.  “Considerink her lineage, I am surprised you can keep her still long enough to sleep!” With a deft hand, she wheeled her horse around and led the group into the waiting warmth of the stronghold.

              The predicted snow did not fall.  Instead, the skies were clear and filled with thousands of stars as Arwenna finished helping Y’Dürkie into her armor.  “I’m so glad I didn’t let you talk me into wearing this stuff at my wedding, Sister,” she grunted as she strained trying to tighten a shoulder buckle.  “I can’t wear it normally without dropping to my knees from the weight!”

              “You vere also quite pregnant vith Sera, as I recall.  Hugh could not have made the breastplate fit right in time.”  Y’Dürkie reached for the decorative cloak on a nearby chair and handed it off to Arwenna.

              She took it carefully, unfolding it away from Y’Dürkie so it didn’t snag on the armor and rip.  “I’m surprised he didn’t make some for you once you told him you were expecting.  Or is the Clan Leader not expected to go to war while pregnant?”  Try as she might, she couldn’t keep the giggle inside her.  The picture of a very pregnant Y’Dürkie in armor was too much. 

              “You vere here for Hala’s birth.  Even I vas havink trouble movink about.  And Tiren never let me go near my armor the entire time!”  Arwenna watched her friend run a thumb over the gleaming green gem in the pommel of her sword.  The motion was so familiar any more it was hard to remember when the gem wasn’t there in the sword.

              Y’Dürkie turned to face her. A look of excitement tinged with just a bit of wariness was on her face.  “Vell, do I look presentable or vill he be runnink from me?”

              “You’re beautiful, and you know it. Just consider this a war that you will be waging for the rest of your life. You’ll win some battles, let him win others, but you’re both on the same side.”  Arwenna grinned as she added, “More or less, anyway. Besides,” she adjusted how the cloak draped across Y’Dürkie’s shoulders, “Barek’s not going to let Hugh go anywhere.  He’s bound and determined that Hugh makes an honest woman out of you.”

              The door opened slightly, letting in a bone chilling draft.  Barek’s deep voice called out, “Are you two dressed yet?  It’s getting cold out here and I’m not close enough to the bonfire!”

              “Come in, Barek.  We’re dressed.  Ready or not, we’ve got to get these two hitched.”  Arwenna picked her heavy cloak up off the bench.  Wrapping it around her, she asked, “Is that cousin of mine ready?  She can be a bit flighty since she’s been hanging out with the fey.”

              Barek walked through the door and headed straight for the fire. “She’s out there, trying to convert some of the clan.” He held his massive hands over the fire, rubbing them briskly.  “I’m not so sure She knows all the rules that the Gods and Goddesses follow yet, Arwenna.  Most of the other deities frown upon others trying to subvert their followers.  You may want to talk to Lexi before She starts a war between her divine counterparts.”

              The look on Barek’s face told Arwenna immediately how serious he was.  “I’ll talk to her Barek, but no guarantees she’ll listen.  I think it wouldn’t be an issue if Hauk hadn’t let her convert Joss.” 
Though I’m eternally grateful to both Lexi and my Father for allowing that
, she thought privately. She shuddered briefly at the memory of what might have been.

              As always, Barek’s face darkened briefly when she mentioned Joss.  She opened her mouth to say something, but his eyes told her she would be wasting her breath.  She glided up to him and kept her voice low, “Damn it, Barek!  We helped bring peace to the entire world and you still can’t be at peace with him?” She locked eyes with him, willing him to come to his senses.

              “Don’t ask me to do that, Arwenna. You know how I feel about this.  I’m not going to pretend I like him. Or like him being with you.”  Arwenna closed her eyes as he looked at Y’Dürkie.  “It’s her wedding, anyway. Hugh’s a good man.  He’ll keep her safe.  Well, as safe as she’ll let him.”

              “And Joss doesn’t keep me safe?”  Arwenna shot back, irritation evident in her voice.

              Barek glared at her, the look in his eyes making her regret pushing the issue. “No, he doesn’t.  Not as safe as I could.”

              Arwenna hung her head in defeat.  She put a smile on her face as she turned towards Y’Dürkie.  “I guess it’s time for me to go find Hugh.  I’ll see you soon.”  With a quick hug she darted out the door.

              Adjusting her cloak against the cold evening, she spied Joss leaning against the wall not far from the door.  Her grin widened as she headed over to embrace him.

              “Everything okay?” he asked her quietly.

              “Just the same old issues.” She sighed enjoying his closeness for a moment.  “I’ve got to go find Hugh and get ready for the ceremony. Is Sera asleep?”  Arwenna closed her eyes as he kissed her gently on the top of her head.

              “Yes.  Both her and Hala.  D’Mitta has one of her younger granddaughters watching them.  Apparently, she’s old enough to stay up for babysitting duty but not old enough to be part of the ceremony.” 

              Arwenna pulled away slightly, turning her head to look at the clan members assembled around the bonfire. There wasn’t a face under thirteen among the crowd. Martial training started much younger, but certain ceremonies could not be attended until they reach adulthood.

              Giving her husband a quick kiss, she gathered up her skirts and began to weave her way around to one side of the roaring bonfire.  Torches encircled the gathering, giving her enough light to be sure of her footing.  Almost everyone besides herself and Joss wore armor of some kind. A quick glance towards the far side of the circle let her see Lexi talking with D’Mitta.  The faint blue aura surrounding her cousin reminded Arwenna just how much had happened in the last few years.  In all fairness, Lexi was the one best suited for what befell her.
She is young
, Arwenna thought,
but she keeps a good head about her.  The fey need that.

              A figure stood resolutely outside the circle.  Arwenna slowly approached Hugh, admiring the choice her adoptive sister made for a mate.  “Ready to do this, Blacksmith?”

              Hugh’s face split into a grin at her words.  “You should know better than to ask, Arwenna.  I’ve wanted this since before the war.  It just took me a while to convince her I wasn’t going to run away.”

              Arwenna chuckled a bit. “I know.  Y’Dürkie can be quite stubborn when she wants to be.  I think that’s one reason we both love her so much.  You do understand, though,” she paused, “that it wasn’t entirely her choice to wait. There is still much rebuilding to be done to bring the clan back to the strength it was before the war.”

              Hugh dropped his head before looking out at the assembled clan.  “I know.  I was here for a good deal of it.  And I plan on being here for the rest of it.  D’Mitta’s almost ready to hand everything over to Y’Dürkie and retire.  I’m not certain what it is she’s waiting for, to be honest. Y’Dürkie runs almost everything as it is.”

              A shift in the breeze caused Arwenna to pull the cloak around her even tighter. She looked around warily.  There was magic in the breeze, a magic that chilled her to the bone. Almost whispering, she replied “I don’t think Y’Dürkie’s done with all her tasks yet, Hugh.  Not as long as she wields the Gem of Tiren.  Both Y’Dürkie and D’Mitta know this.” Her voice trailed off as trepidation began to take hold in her stomach. 

              “Is something wrong, Arwenna?  I can’t say I can read you as well as Y’Dürkie, but I’m learning. She’s told me many times how your instincts have kept all of you alive.”  His voice held concern.

              “No, nothing’s wrong. Nothing I can pinpoint anyway. You’re about to get married while surrounded by a well-trained army. What would disrupt this gathering that didn’t want to die?”  She tried hard to put a lightheartedness in her voice. 

              A drum beat a single deep note and all conversation ceased. The bonfire popped and crackled loudly as if trying to fill the silence.  Arwenna could barely see the figure of D’Mitta as she began to speak.

              “Ve come here tonight to vitness the joinink of two souls. One vill lead us soon. The other came to us as a refugee and has proven himself vorthy to remain as one of us. Let them come now before me.”  Her voice boomed across the compound. 

              Walking in step with Hugh, Arwenna entered the circle.  Through the dancing flames, she could see Y’Dürkie approach with Barek at her side. The groups turned as one and solemnly walked to the area before D’Mitta.

              Arwenna risked a quick glance towards Lexi before focusing her attention on D’Mitta. The mischievous grin on her cousin’s face reminded her of Barek’s request. She would need to talk with her, and soon. D’Mitta’s voice brought her focus back to the ceremony.

              “Granddaughter, you know your heart better than any here. This man before you vishes to be bound to you in marriage. He has presented you vith a daughter to succeed you, and given of his talents at the forge to many of us here.  Do you now accept him as mate?”

              Y’Dürkie inhaled sharply, making Arwenna realize she was holding her own breath. “He has proven himself vorthy of me in all vays. I vill take him as mate.” 

              D’Mitta nodded, turning her steely gaze to Hugh. “Hugh, Y’Dürkie vill take you as her mate.  Know that you vill be held accountable by not just her but the clan as a whole for she shall be Chief one day.  And your daughter vill follow in that role.  Do you now accept her as mate?”

              Hugh’s deep voice carried no hesitation.  “I willingly take up this burden. I will take her as mate.”

              “Barek, as vitness to Y’Dürkie’s honor, do you now agree in her choice of mate?”  D’Mitta’s voice almost dared Barek to disagree.