óengus tugged at the leather cord in his gloved hand. The creature at the other end fought him, but eventually lost ground and was yanked back into submission. He looped the cord around the pommel of his horse’s saddle, then scowled down at the beast, which had once again pressed its sharp beak, held shut with another leather cord, to the ground. It went half mad when it caught certain scents, ruffling its sparse white feathers while trying to spread its wings, also tied down with cords. Its talons scratched at the rocky ground as it once again tried to pull itself forward.
óengus’ men eyed the creature warily, occasionally shifting their gazes to him, then quickly looking away. They would have killed the creature, had he not intervened. He would have killed it himself, had he not been informed that it belonged to a woman with long, dirty blonde hair, riding with a man who fit Kai’s description. He had little doubt the scent the creature so dutifully followed belonged to Finn. Though the reports had claimed she was on horseback, the creature seemed quite intent to follow a certain path.
óengus knew an opportunity when it bit him on the nose, much like the creature would likely do if he unbound its beak. For now, he would allow it to lead them to Finn. Perhaps upon finding her, the creature would then prove a useful bargaining tool.
His horse danced beneath him, and he turned as the rest of his men approached, finished scouring the small burgh for signs of their quarry. óengus knew in his gut they had already escaped, but it would not do to leave any evidence ungathered.
Over their shoulders the men carried sacks of supplies, and led a few new horses, likely stolen and not paid for. Military men always seemed to think lowly townsfolk owed them something.
óengus sneered, then gave the creature another tug. He would be glad to be rid of them all soon.
Giving his men the signal that it was time to move on, he slackened the tension on the creature’s restraints. With a squeal, muffled by its closed beak, it took off at a scurrying run. His horse galloped after it, followed by the thundering hoofbeats of his men.
He knew he was close to locating Finn, and not Iseult, nor the Faie, would stand in the way of his success. There was too much at stake.
An entire army of Faie would have been less frightening than the past three days for Anders. Finally, Niklas had declared it time to depart, after he’d had his fill of fine food and vintage wine.
Now, Anders’ mother eyed him sternly. She looked just how he imagined Branwen would if she ever made it to her mother’s current age. Her tawny hair had strands of gray at the temples, but her honey brown eyes were just as clear and alert as ever.
“And you’ll be bringing your sister back next time you come home?” she asked for the hundredth time.
“Yes mother,” he sighed. “I assure you, I will not come home again without her.”
“You shouldn’t have come home without her at all,” she said, also for the hundredth time. “I cannot believe you’d leave her alone in some unprotected burgh to the North.”
“She’s fine,” he lied. As far as he knew, her wounded body was somewhere up North. Whether or not she was in a burgh, he did not know.
His father had already gone about his work, leaving only Anders’ mother to see him off. It was just as well. He was once again facing the idea of never seeing either of them again. It was easier just to say goodbye to one. The meaner one.
He gave his mother a light kiss on the cheek, then turned to go with Niklas at his side. The gates were opened for them, and soon enough they were back on the road. He was glad to at least have fresh supplies. Niklas would not be able to starve him like he had before. Though, judging by how much the Traveler could eat in one sitting, he would not be surprised if their supplies did not last long.
“So where is Branwen?” Anders asked as they walked back in the same direction they’d come. “I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain, now it’s time to fulfill yours.”
“In time,” was all Niklas said in reply.
Anders frowned, thinking of the red-haired woman they’d met in the high wing of the Archive. Niklas had planned a meeting with her, but surely he didn’t expect Anders to come.
He glanced at his companion, noting his eerie smile on skin suddenly returned to ghostly pale. He knew the Travelers always kept their deals, but often not in the way one might hope. He was a fool to trust Niklas at all, but what else could he have done?
Sighing, he turned his gaze to the long road ahead. He was a victim of circumstance, caught up in a game he could not escape. He had never really believed in fate, but only an overpowering force like destiny could put a man’s life in such horrible shambles. His father had always told him destiny was a cruel mistress. His father was a wise man.
Chapter Ten
Bedelia chewed her lip, unable to deny her body the small expression of anxiety. She had been prepared to divulge everything to Iseult. To let him be her judge, and perhaps her executioner. Then they’d had to leave Badenmar so quickly she hadn’t the chance to explain herself.
Now he eyed her warily, clearly desiring a moment to speak alone. While she was grateful he hadn’t forced her to speak in front of their entire group, the prolonged tension was making her ill. She was more frightened of telling Finn the truth than she was of Keiren, óengus, and all of the Faie combined, but she refused to cower from her punishment. If Iseult did not kill her, Keiren would. She knew her fate. The least she could do was die with honor.
She glanced at Iseult and Finn. Finn was slumped forward against Iseult’s back, fast asleep. She must have been exhausted from whatever she’d done to heal Kai. Those details, however, would likely never be explained once they’d discovered her dastardly truth.
“I believe it’s safe to stop now,” Anna groaned. “Surely An Fiach will not be able to track us all this way over such rocky terrain.”
Bedelia was not sure about that, but stopping sounded nice. It was only late midday, but they’d been traveling since morning. Her legs felt stiff, her back was sore, and she knew the others must have been feeling the same, especially Sativola, who hadn’t undergone any miraculous healing like Kai.
Without a word, Iseult drew his horse to a halt and dismounted, then helped a sleepy Finn down from the saddle behind him, taking her effortlessly in his arms before walking a few paces and setting her down on the stump of a massive felled tree. She rubbed at her eyes, then hunched forward, encasing her knees in the drape of her cloak.
Everyone else dismounted, but kept their horses near should a quick escape be needed. Small rations of cured lamb and dried fruit were passed around, then everyone settled in on the rocky ground to rest their weary bones.
Bedelia avoided eye contact with Iseult, hoping he would not choose this moment to pull her aside. All she wanted in that moment was to be still, to rest her arms and legs, and fill her belly. Setting her remaining portion of fruit on the leg of her breeches, she lifted her arms over her head to stretch, keeping the end of Rada’s reins in one palm, though the animal was not likely to run off.
With a sigh, she began to lower her arms, then searing pain shot through her shoulder. Finn screamed and jumped up from her stump to rush toward her, but Iseult intercepted her and shielded her with his body.
Feeling dumbstruck as everyone drew their weapons, Bedelia looked down at her shoulder to see the shiny tip of an arrow protruding through the cloth of her tunic, which slowly became saturated with blood.