The Unknown Man: Book 1 in The Keepers of the Orbs Series (27 page)

He fell back in line, following Aglina, with thoughts of her running through his mind.
How could I have been so careless? I could be married. I could already have a family. Am I in love with her? Well yes, but how could I have not taken better precautions? I’ve put everything in jeopardy. I have to find a way to ensure her safety. Having her on this journey doesn’t seem right any longer. She should be back in Havenbrook being taken care of by her maidens. How am I going to explain all of this to her father? So stupid, how could I let any of this happen? I let my emotions, and the love I felt toward her, get in the way.
Still deep in thought, he turned to Liniana. She wore a worried look on her face. She could tell he had a million thoughts blazing through his mind. He tried to return her smile in a way that would reassure her.

She mouthed she loved him and everything would be okay, while he mouthed he loved her too. She was right, everything would be okay. Once he came up with a plan, that is. He decided he would have to come up with a way to better hide his feelings, until he could see her tucked away.

Matt and Jaeden both rode up to him and Matt patted him on the back. “Congratulations, Daddy. Being a father is like nothing, well it’s just...” Tears started to form at the corners of his eyes as his thoughts drifted toward his own son and wife—the family that had been stolen from him. “It's amazing.” He could say nothing else because it hurt too much. He accepted Tirene's acknowledgment and let his horse drift back toward the rear of the procession.

Jaeden also congratulated Tirene and Liniana when he spotted the sudden sadness creeping onto Matt's face, so he let his horse drift to the rear. He wasn’t good at consolement but felt he should give it a try. He felt a close bond with Matt and didn’t like seeing him this upset.

As the pair drifted to the rear, Tirene noticed Liniana still staring at him. He gave her a smile to tell her everything would be all right. He then set his attention on the tunnel before them. For the first time, he noticed all of the dust and dirt that had collected on the floor. They must not have been used in quite some time. He could tell the stone had been cut by hand and he marveled at the craftsmanship. The tunnel appeared perfectly cut, creating a perfect arch that followed the tunnel, even through the many twists and turns. The tunnel appeared dark, and he appreciated that Aglina had planned ahead and provided lanterns. It wasn’t much light, but enough to find their way. They proceeded at a casual pace, and no matter how much Tirene tried to get his mind off of Liniana and the baby, he couldn’t. His thoughts kept drifting back, so he gave up trying to fight it. He did his best to keep the thoughts from reaching his face though, as Liniana still watched him intently.

Aglina noticed the sudden silence, and uneasiness crept up. She knew she caused the problem, but thought it would be better to get it out there. She hadn’t seen the need for Liniana to continue hiding it any longer. It should be joyous news, and it should be celebrated. She had to admit though, the news hadn’t been taken as she expected. She knew she needed to get their minds off of it, or this trip would be a long one. “Somebody needs to get a maid down here to tidy up these halls.” She laughed. “They were designed for moving large military equipment. Since we cut off ties with the Humans, there hasn’t been much need for anyone to use them...” She continued regaling the group with useless knowledge. Anything to get their minds refocused on what lay ahead.

Tirene listened, welcoming the chance to use his brain to learn about the Dwarves. 

They traveled for a few hours with no sound coming from behind them, which settled their nerves, as no one seemed to follow them. Aglina peered over her shoulder to address the others. “I think we’ll be safe, besides my stomach is telling me I’m hungry. I think this would be a good place to stop and eat lunch.” She jumped down from her saddle and crept around to the side of her mule. She rummaged through one of the bags, producing a large bowl. “I’m not sure what you all have for provisions, but I prepared a pot of stew. It contains mostly vegetables, but it’s good even cold.” She glanced at the others as they too dismounted their horses. “While I don’t believe anyone is hot on our trail, I don’t wish to make our presence known by lighting a fire. There is good ventilation down here, but the smoke would linger if a fire were present.”

Liniana walked forward and grabbed for a bowl. “I thank you, Aglina. It seems you have thought of everything.” She smiled at her and leaned in closer. She whispered, “Next time you should let me be the one to share my news.” She wasn’t angry, but she wanted to get her point across to the Dwarf. “I agree he needed to know, but I would’ve liked to have done it my own way.” To show that she wasn’t angry, she patted her shoulder and smiled again.

“I’m sorry for telling your secret, Liniana, but it appears it has lifted a burden from your shoulders. I couldn’t help but notice the color returning to your face, and you’re now even attempting to eat something more substantial.” She laughed. “Besides, men are always shocked at first, as if they don’t know how babies are created, and when it happens they act as if it’s an impossibility.” She turned to face the three men, who tried to hear what they whispered to one another. “It'll be all right now that it’s out in the open. You can quit pretending now. You will see.” She handed Liniana a bowl and ladled stew into it.

Matt and Jaeden found a spot to sit near the horses, while Tirene joined Liniana. He sat down next to her and looked at her face. “I’m sorry to have put you in this predicament. I let my feelings get into the way of all common sense. Now I’ve taken away your greatest virtues.” He bowed his head in shame. “I’m sorry.”

She stared at him for a moment, astonished by what she heard. “You’re sorry?” She blurted out. “What do you have to be sorry about?” She frowned at him. “I’ve never been happier in all of my life. First I found you, and now I’m carrying our child.” She shook her head. “There is nothing to be sorry for. You’re the most honorable man I’ve ever known, and now you have given me the greatest gift I could’ve ever expected.”

He gazed into her eyes; her blue eyes. “I’m glad you’re excited about it.” He meant that. “But, what happens when I find out who I’m? What if I’m married? What if I already have a family?” He returned his gaze to the dirty floor of the tunnel. “This is never what I expected when I fell in love with you.”

She smiled at him. “But you did fall in love with me, and I with you. I knew we were taking a risk with our escapades, but when you almost died, I allowed them to continue.” She grasped his hands in her own. “You’re everything I’ve ever needed. If all I get is a couple of months, I will take it. At least I will always have a little bit of you to follow me around.”

He brought his eyes up and met her stare. With his hands still clasped in hers, he leaned forward and gave her a warm kiss. “I promise you will always have a special spot in my heart as well. I will do everything I can to take care of and support our child.” He chuckled to himself. “I hope it gets your natural beauty. It wouldn’t do for a little girl running around looking like me. And if it’s a boy, I think he would still be better off.”

She returned his laughter. “You’re not so hard on the eyes either, Tirene.” She gave him a playful grin he couldn’t resist. He leaned in close for another warm kiss.

He pulled back, a thought occurred to him, and he became serious for a moment. “What will your father think? I mean, I never asked permission and I promised to bring you back unharmed. I don’t think he ever envisioned something like this.”

“You let me worry about Lord Brukahn; I’ve always had him wrapped around my finger. If anything, I think he will be excited anyway. Believe me, I’ve had a lot of time to think about it.”

Now that they no longer discussed anything important, Aglina took the chance to walk over and take a seat next to them. She smiled at them both. “Hope I didn’t cause too much of a problem for you two. I always had the best intentions, you have to know.”

Tirene chuckled at the woman's boldness. “While I find your approach a rather bit unorthodox, I have to admit I’m glad to know now. I had been worried about her for days, and it’s very good to know the truth. Now I can try and do something to assist her.”

Aglina slurped at her stew. “I’m glad to know there are no hard feelings then.” She took another slurp. Tirene shuddered listening to her eat her food, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. “Now on to more serious matters; I stuck my neck out for you and your little mission. I wish to know more.”

Tirene waited for her to continue, because she wanted to know more, which he would offer, he expected a question, but none came. After a moment of staring at one another, he asked. “What would you like to know, Aglina?”

She stared at him with her mouth open. “What would I like to know?” She let out a loud cackle. “I thought you were smarter than the oafs back in Drognard. Why everything, of course. Don’t make me slap you on the back side of your head. I know you gave an abbreviated version in the council chambers. I’ve gone and risked my own life, and I want the whole story so I know what to expect down the road.”

Tirene sighed, growing rather tired of reliving the story of how he came to be here. He relented and proceeded to tell his tale once again, leaving none of the details out.

When he finished, she sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity. She pulled out a pipe and she stuffed it full of tobacco. She lit it and continued to draw on the tip, exhaling the smoke that billowed up to the ceiling of the tunnel. When she no longer got good smoke from the pipe, she pulled it from her mouth. “It’s a very interesting story you tell Tirene. You seem to have put a lot of faith into finding Norlun, and his ability to unlock all of your memories.” She turned her attention to Liniana and then back to Tirene. “I mean, what happens if he’s unsuccessful? What if he turns you all away? These are very real possibilities and it seems like you haven’t accounted for them.” Mat and Jaeden had both joined them and taken a seat. “I just have to know what you will do if he’s unable to assist you. Do you have some sort of backup plan?”

Tirene stroked his chin before setting his gaze on Aglina. “You make a good point, Aglina. I’ve thought long and hard about it, but ever since I heard his name I’ve had an uncontrollable desire to find him. Whatever questions I have, he’ll have the answers. I cannot say how I know, but I just know. I’m being drawn to him like a moth to flame. If somehow he doesn’t have any answers for me....” He shrugged. “Well I guess I will continue my life as Tirene.” He turned to Liniana. “Especially now that I’ve created a child with Liniana; if she will have me, and with her father's permission, I will settle down with my love. I guess I will also assist with putting a stop to the conflict up north but I already seem to be tied to it somehow, so I figure no matter what I do, I will be forced to confront him at some point.” He smiled at the Dwarf. “Unless, of course, you have recommendations for a better course of action. If you do, I’m all ears.”

She let out her familiar cackle. “I’m no seer or interpreter of dreams, I’m afraid. Nor do I know where one might be; I’m a simple blacksmith.” She leveled a serious gaze toward Tirene. “I think your best bet is Norlun. Although he seems to be a bit of a crazy old man, he does seem to have a way of peering into one's soul. And he, of course, is a friend of the Dwarves, which is rare.” She let out a small laugh. “I think the point is, we need to find a way to ensure he helps us.”

Tirene nodded his agreement. “We need to ensure he’s willing.”

Aglina looked around at all of them. “Well, we’ve wasted enough time with idle chit chat. I think it’s time we got back on our way.” Without waiting for anyone's approval, she stood and gathered her things. The others stared at her when she said, “Well what are you waiting for? I said it’s time to go.” She clapped her hands, which got all of them on their feet. “Go on now.”

They helped her get the items put back in her bag and Jaeden even assisted her getting into her saddle. He lifted her forward and his hand slipped, landing on her rear. She squealed for a second, then turned her head to face him. “Like what you feel there, boy? I'll let you feel more, if you’re willing.” She cackled the loudest they had yet heard. Jaeden turned bright red and turned and skulked back to his horse.

When they were all in their saddles, Aglina dug her heels into the mule and they proceeded down the tunnel. Since no one talked, Aglina started to hum a tune no one recognized. Tirene found himself mesmerized by the flowing rhythm of the song, while he became lost in his own thoughts. After a moment though, he caught on to the song, and he too hummed along. Aglina noticed his humming and turned to look at him, a broad, eager smile on her face. “The Ode to Thotahl. You know it then? It’s much prettier with words. We should regale the others.”

Tirene snickered. “No. This is the first time hearing it. I happened to pick up the tune while you hummed it and I decided to join in.” He noticed she looked a little remorseful. “I meant no offense, Aglina.”

“No, no. None taken. When you hummed along I thought you knew it. I would sing it for ya, but it’s best when a man and a woman sing together, to get the full effect you know.” She turned her attention back to the tunnel in front of them, humming the tune once again.

Jaeden rode in silence, still upset by what happened earlier when he hefted Aglina into her saddle. Matt could see it written all over his face and he felt like he waited long enough. “You never told me you were into older women, Jaeden.” He laughed as the boy's cheeks turned red. “I think you will get more than you bargained for with that one. I think she would give you something you would never forget.” He couldn’t help himself, and burst into all-out laughter.