From Darkness Won Part 46

Achan felt some of his anger at his father recede. That Sir Gavin could know about King Axel's failings and yet still admire him as a follower of Arman gave Achan courage as he examined his own mistakes. "I will."

After Toros's brief service for the dead, and after Achan and Sir Gavin had encouraged the soldiers, Achan went to the tent where Sir Caleb had confined Kurtz. It was a narrow brown tent with two cots inside. He found Kurtz lying on one with his hands tucked behind his head. Cole was sitting cross-legged on the other.

When Cole saw Achan he jumped up. "Good evening, Your Highness."

Achan frowned at the boy. "Have you been in here the whole time, Cole?"

"No, Your Highness. I just came from the reveling. Didn't feel much like celebrating, though."

"Would you give me a moment to talk with Kurtz?"

"Sure I will." Cole almost ran out the door.

Achan watched Cole dart between Shung and Manu and bit back his laughter. When he turned back to Kurtz he found the man standing, gaze trained on the gra.s.sy floor of the tent.

Achan took a quick breath, then said what he needed to say. "I was prepared to knight you after the recent battle. You saved my life. And Shung's. But in light of what Sir Caleb has brought to my attention... I cannot."

Kurtz's eyes shifted, looking at everything but Achan. "Understood, Your Highness. I don't need to be knighted, I don't. Fancy t.i.tles don't matter none to me, eh?"

"They matter to me, Kurtz. And I think you are worthy of such a t.i.tle. It can still be in your future. Don't sabotage your worth to my army by putting a wagon-full of wine and prost.i.tutes higher than our cause."

Kurtz said nothing, would not meet Achan's eyes.

"Sir Caleb wants you arrested, and Sir Gavin is done bailing you out. But I am a man of second chances. I set the men in the Prodotez free from their crimes. I do the same for you. But as I told them, 'Just know, if you go back to your old ways, I'll not be so forgiving next time.' Is that clear?"

Kurtz's face flushed, but he smiled. "Aye, Your Highness. Clear as sugar wine, it is."

26.

Is anyone hurt, Jax? Averella asked.

No. The Ebens have not seen us. They are moving on. Put out your torch and come quietly.

We don't have a torch. Averella squeezed Bran's hand and whispered, "Jax says to come quietly."

"What is it?" he whispered back.

"Ebens. They're moving on, though."

Bran drew his sword silently and inched forward. Averella followed.

The mouth of the cave came into view, dimly lit from outside. Distant torches illuminated a thick forest. Over two dozen giants walked away from the cave in a line, threading through the trees. Jax, Sir Rigil, Noam, and Gren were standing along the wall of the cave, their own torches out.

What were they doing? Averella asked Jax.

Hunting. I suspect the flock of gowzals drew their attention. Two came up to investigate, but turned back before they came inside.

What will we do?

I know not. Ebens have camps all over this area now. I heard them talking about it. I can't lead us into the unknown. We' d be better off going back through the tunnel to Mahanaim, though that could be suicide also with Esek's men in the city.

The word "tunnel" brought a man's face to Averella's mind. Peripaso, Jax. Could you message him? He knows this area better than anyone. Maybe he could help us.

A wise idea, Vrell. I'll message him right away.

The Eben torchlight had faded entirely now.

"Set up camp in the cave," Averella whispered. "Back from the mouth. Sir Rigil, you stay here with Jax and keep watch. Bran and I will relieve you in a few hours."

"Very well, my lady."

Averella took Gren's hand and reached for the tunnel wall. "Master Rennan and Noam, come with us. Master Rennan, once we turn the corner, would you light your torch?"

"Absolutely."

Averella inched along until Bran's torchlight lit their way. She found an area of ground that was somewhat smooth and claimed it for the camp. She set out her bedroll beside Gren's and encouraged Noam to sit on it. They ate a meal of dried fish and apples and whispered to one another when they had to speak. But mostly they remained silent. Jax messaged her that Peripaso was on his way to help them.

Praise Arman.

After that the hours pa.s.sed slowly. Eventually she and Bran took their watch at the mouth of the cave. It was very dark. Unless an animal snuck up on them, Averella figured they would see light from miles away. She could barely see Bran's outline from the dim torchlight of the camp.

"I'm still hungry," Bran said. "Or maybe I'm just bored."

Averella dug into her satchel and gave Bran some mentha leaves to chew on. "At least your mind will feel like it is getting something."

"Thank you, Averella."

She put her hands down and pushed back against some roots that wound in through the mouth of the cave. Here the ground was covered in dried gra.s.s and pine needles. She could smell the faint scent of pine over the rancid smell of Darkness. Darkness had not been here long enough to kill everything. She lay back, but no position was comfortable in plate armor.

She closed her eyes and tried to still her mind, but the clicking in the trees above magnified. She pictured a peaceful place, and into her mind came an image of a narrow castle built into the side of a cliff. It was covered in moss. A waterfall spilled down each side like flowing hair. The water pooled at the bottom of the falls and ran out across the bailey in a river that vanished through an iron grate in the sentry wall. Thick trees edged the far side of the pool and reflected on the water's surface.

The scene shifted. Averella stood in the water behind a waterfall, shivering. Everything around her was white frothing liquid. Water trickled down her face and arms. She shifted and rubbed the tickle away, but found something firm there. She tried to flick it away, but it clung to her skin. She twisted her body to see it.

A leech.

She shuddered and pried the creature off with her fingernails, but there were more on her now. She was naked and the leeches covered her body like a slimy black gown. She screamed and dug at them.

Strong arms grabbed her. She tried to scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth. She squirmed, wanting nothing more than to get the leeches off her skin. She scratched her captor's face and squealed.

"Vrella, please!" a soft voice whispered. "You must not make noise!"

She twisted her head and freed her mouth. "The leeches!"

His hand found her mouth again. "You are dreaming. There are no leeches here."

She stilled, for that was Bran's voice. She could see nothing, yet knew that he was the one holding her. Her head was cradled in his arm, his free hand cupped over her mouth.

"Just a dream," he said.

She sucked in long breaths through her nose. Darkness smelled sour.

"Are you with me, Vrella? If I let go, you'll be silent and not scratch me anymore?"

She nodded, hoping he could discern her answer from the motion of her head.

Bran lifted his hand. "I'm sorry. You were screaming so loud I don't doubt all Nahar Duchy heard you. And you scratched my face good."

Vrell? Jax bloodvoiced. Are you well?

A dream, Jax. Forgive me. I did not mean to fall asleep.

Would you like me to relieve you?

No. I'm awake now. "I'm sorry, Master Rennan." She opened her satchel and felt for her jar of salve. "Let me put something on that scratch."

"It's not that bad, I'm sure."

"Do not argue." She dipped her fingers into the cold salve and rubbed it on his cheek where she thought she saw discoloration. "I do not like Darkness, Master Rennan. I never have."

"Nor do I, Vrella."

Something in that name gave Averella pause. "It's been a long time since you called me Vrella, has it not?"

"Aye. Much is different now."

"Can we not go back to how it used to be?"

His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. "I will always care for you. But both our hearts have changed."

"Completely? Surely not."

He did not speak for a moment, as if considering it fully. "He loves you. And you him."

Her chest tightened at the mention of "he." She pushed herself up and twisted around to face Bran. "That is not what I asked, Bran."

"Ahh." There was a laugh to his sigh. "So, you are calling me Bran again, are you?"

"Do you love me?"

The soft glint of his eyes met hers. His breath was shaky. "Aye, Vrella. I do..."

Averella's heart leapt within her plate armor. She knew it! Merciful heart, there was still hope.

"...but I will not take you from him," Bran said. "He needs you more than I do."

"I do not want to talk about Prince Gidon's needs. What about Gren? Do you love her, as well?"

"I-I don't know, Vrella. I care for Gren, but it's not the same. And she does not believe Arman's truth, so..."

"I still love you."

Another dry laugh. "No. You only think you do because you cannot remember that you don't."

"Sounds somewhat silly when you say it like that."

Bran's tone went sour. "The whole ordeal is maddening."

"Mother says we quarreled."

"I was angry. You left me without a word. Told me nothing of Esek, of dressing as a boy. And you never once spoke to me with your bloodvoice, though you were more than capable. I begged your mother for an explanation, and she finally told me some of it. But not where you were or when you would return. And then... when you did come back... you had changed. I came to understand that you did not love me as much as you loved the idea of me."

She pushed up onto her knees and brushed her lips over his.

He gripped her shoulders and turned his head. "Vrella, please."

She grabbed his face in both hands and kissed him again. It was like kissing a post.

Then Bran's posture relaxed. He slid his hands into her hair and moved his mouth against hers, tasting of mentha. He slid his hands down to her throat. One finger tangled in the cord at her neck. Achan's ring.

She pulled away. "I am sorry!"

Silence descended but for Bran's heavy breathing. He finally growled. "Why must we always kiss to test our love?"

"I..." Had they done that before?

"Were you able to figure things out this time?"

Averella swallowed her shame. "Not really."

He grunted. "Here." He patted the ground beside him. "Sit and I'll tell you what I know of the prince. Perhaps it will help you remember."

Averella did as Bran asked, not wanting to hear about Prince Gidon, but feeling too guilty to protest. He told her how Achan had beaten Silvo Hamartano at a tournament, long before he'd known he was of royal blood, and how he was brave enough to insult Lady Jaira back after she'd insulted him for being a stray.

After a long while, Bran's voice faded. Averella lay awake, trying not to think of all Bran had told her. But visions of Darkness came then, so she focused on herbs, picturing them in her mind and thinking about their medicinal uses, wondering how she knew so much about them all. When she finally did sleep, it was restless.

Dreams came again. Ebens. Esek. Prince Gidon. A man named Khai Mageia. Macoun Hadar. Sir Gavin. And Bran. In her dreams, she walked along a stone corridor, exiting the Mahanaim dungeons, wondering where might she find the best apples.

Mags would know.

"I don't put 'em here, I just keep 'em here," a man's voice snapped from up ahead. "Take it up with Lord Levy if you like."