The Shadows Wood stretched for miles ahead of him, sparking visions of the vast forest he had seen in the Foretelling. The memory was still sharp in his mind. Had the magic really shown him the past? His heart ached at the thought. So many had died in Sol-don-Orai. Suddenly, he remembered the look on Sturnin’s face as the dagger plunged into him. The Deathbane had ripped the life from him. He bit his lip, wincing. The knight had saved his life. If he hadn’t wrestled Secrist down, the Kiran Thall might have killed him too.
Thealos folded his arms tightly to stop shuddering. He had to stop thinking about it, for that way led to madness. He made a silent vow – the knights of Owen Draw would learn about Sturnin’s courage. Thealos would see to that. His legs throbbed and he stumbled over some exposed roots and went down in a patch of witch-thorn. The witch-thorn cut up his hands and stung. Rising up, he looked around, amazed to find himself in the thick of the forest. He couldn’t remember how long he had been walking and didn’t remember when he had decided to enter the woods. Rubbing his eyes and sucking on the bleeding pricks to soothe his hands, he sat down on the log of a felled tree and looked for the sun. His stomach gave off a dull ache, reminding him again of his hunger.
“Think, Thealos,” he muttered to himself. He rubbed his forehead. The road leading to Castun would be to the west. So would the Bandit army if he wasn’t careful. He dropped down from the twisted trunk and started off again, heading north he thought. His mind swam with fatigue, blurring the trees and juniper shrubs ahead of him. He was so tired! He had dozed in the dungeon beneath Landmoor. But the truth of it was that he hadn’t slept well since Avisahn.
Clumsily, Thealos staggered on. He tried stepwalking again, but that only slowed him down. His thoughts danced like fireflies. To blot out the pain in his hands and legs he composed a letter in his mind to send to Avisahn. What could he write that would have the Shae army rushing in? To the Council Elder of Vannier—greetings. During my travels, I’ve missed the turnish pastries from the baking guilds the most and wondered if you could spare a plate of them. The Silvan wine in Castun is decent, I’m pleased to report. Haven’t tried the Spider Ale yet – sorry to disappoint you. I could use a bag of Aralonian pieces and wondered if you could ask my Correl for me. You are so very good at extortion, I’m sure he’ll listen to you. And if you could tell the Princess of Avisahn that I’m forming a rebellion against her Sovereignty down here in the Shoreland, that would also be much appreciated. I’ve found a nice abandoned Shae watchpost to get things started –and the view of the moors is quite exceptional. With fondest regards, Thealos Quickfellow.
Thealos rubbed his bleary eyes and chuckled to himself. He would send a separate message to Laisha as well – phrased differently of course. He could pay a runner to get them to Dos-Aralon and maybe to one of the merchants Correl worked with. He didn’t dare go back himself. If Nordain caught him first, he wouldn’t be given the chance to defend himself. The trial could drag on for months, and the Shae didn’t have months. They could no longer hide behind the Trident river. They could no longer afford to remain behind and watch. The Silverkin Crystal would not destroy the Bandit army in the Shoreland. He knew that much for certain. The Shae army would need to rise itself in war once again. It hadn’t happened since the Purge Wars. But it was going to happen again. Oh, he couldn’t wait to see the look on Nordain’s face when he was forced to admit that Thealos had been right!
Thealos kept walking. He might rouse the Shae army, but he would still need to convince them on the right course of action. And how would he do that without proof? Allavin Devers would help him. He was a Shaefellow and a tracker for Dos-Aralon. Maybe his word would help sway them. There was Ticastasy too. Yes, she’d be safer in Avisahn than remaining down in Castun. He shook his head – what was he thinking? Two humans – he doubted the Sunedrion would even let them speak. But they had both seen the Everoot. That made three witnesses, which were necessary according to the law. Thealos muttered a curse. Two humans and a Kilshae – wonderful! If only he had been able to save a little bit of Everoot. To show them that it was real. And Justin – poor Justin! Thealos felt his heart throb with regret. The Warder Shae was still back in Landmoor locked up in a cell. He didn’t even want to be in Landmoor – he had insisted on going to Avisahn instead. Thealos wished that he had. He stopped, feeling the sense of failure rise up in him like a hungry wave. Biting his lip, he shook his head and kept walking. He could not quit. He would not quit! He would make the Shae listen. Somehow, he would convince them.
His foot snagged in another twisted root and this time he went down hard. Blackness washed over him along with a queasy feeling. His ankle throbbed. Thealos breathed out slowly, trying to steady himself with the pain. He’d rest for a moment, just until the pain subsided…